The Buzz: Updates from Michelle Bonilla, Sho Baraka, Trip Lee, Mali Music, Mary Mary, Kirk Franklin, Amy Grant and More
Mary Mary’s New Book “Be U”
Mary Mary recently released a book called “Be U: Be Honest, Be Beautiful, Be Intentional, Be Strong, Be You!” Their goal for the book is to inspire women to find their worth in God:
- “‘Be U’ has more to do with the strength God puts in our hearts than it does with how we look on the outside. It’s all about seeing ourselves as God sees us: beautiful, forgiven, cherished, and loved.”
Click here to order your copy online; Mary Mary is also giving away a few free copies on their Facebook page. Watch the video below where they read some excerpts and describe the vision of the book:
Michelle Bonilla’s Album “In Spite of Me” Free Release Concert
Michelle Bonilla’s is having a free release concert on Saturday, April 17th, 2010 at 6pm for her album “In Spite of Me,” which comes out on April 13. The concert will take place at Calvery Chapel in Philadelphia and will also feature artists Ayiesha Woods, Leah Smith, Donielle Rodwell, TRU Destiny, Benita Farmer, Mark Arthur, Corey Red & R-Swift. Visit the Facebook event page for details and be sure to visit http://www.michellebonilla.com for more updates and to order “In Spite of Me.”
Sho Baraka’s Lions & Liars and Video for “We Can Be More”
Sho Baraka recently released his sophomore album “Lions and Liars” (Reach Records) also featuring Lecrae, JAMM, Trip Lee, Tedashii and many more. It’s currently doing well on the Billboard’s Gospel charts at #3. I love the music video for his single “We Can Be More” featuring J.R. The song and video are a great testament of real love, God’s way. Visit http://www.lionsandliars.com for more videos and to order the album. Sho Baraka will be hitting the road with J.R. for the Extinction Tour to select cities around the nation. Find a list of cities here.
Trip Lees’s Upcoming “Between Two Worlds” Album & Tour
Trip Lee will be releasing a new album “Between Two Worlds,” on June 22. On the Reach Records blog he described the meaning of the title:
“I chose the title “Between Two Worlds” because that is where I find myself. And the cover is meant to reflect that reality. Not only am I fallen, but I live in a world that is fallen, interacting with fallen people and fallen situations. However, as a believer my citizenship is in Heaven (Philippians 3:20-21) and I look to the day when Jesus will “recreate” His creation. So while I seek to navigate life in this world, I look forward to the new Heaven and new Earth (Revelation 21). But until I get there, I worship and follow the Hero who already saved the day.” – Trip Lee
Trip Lee will also be touring with Jimmy Needham for the Between Two Worlds tour. Click here for tour dates and stay tuned to the Reach Records site for updates.
Mali Music’s Live DVD Recording
Dove Award-nominated Mali Music will be bringing his vibrant and youthful sound to Virginia Beach for the live recording of his upcoming DVD on Friday, April 30, 2010. Other artists like Tye Tribbett, Deitrick Haddon and others will be in attendance. The two-day festivities will continue on Saturday May 1, 2010 at 6pm with a bonus “Unplugged” concert held at Freedom Fellowship in Virginia Beach, VA. Saturday’s event will also feature Mali Music along with Laura Wilson, Alex Holt and Free Worship, Jo Rozier, Jarmel Evans and Worship Forever, Andre Jones and Sacred Assembly and a host of other artists. There is free admission to the “Unplugged” concert for those who have their souvenir booklets from the Live DVD Recording. General admission will be a donation of $5 at the door. Visit the Facebook event and Mali Music’s website for more details.
Amy Grant’s “Somewhere Down The Road”
Amy Grant’s new album “Somewhere Down The Road” also recently debuted. Check out the video below where she shares what got her “started” writing new music for the album, and visit her website for more videos and to order the album.
21:03 Wants You to Share Your Favor Testimonies
21:03 recently asked their fans to send their creative video responses to the song “Favor” that will be on their upcoming album. Click here to check out 21:03’s viral video and to see one of the video responses.
Blessed & Cursed Movie & Road Tour
Deitrick Haddon presents the Blessed & Cursed Road Tour featuring Damita Haddon, Kierra Sheard, Mali Music and more. The tour will include sneak peeks of the movie “Blessed & Cursed,” live performances and autograph signings. Click here to see the promo flier for the to tour and for booking information. Check out the trailer for the film which also stars Karen Clark Sheard, Kierra Kiki Sheard, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Drew Sidora, and many other of your favorite gospel stars.
A modern twist on the biblical story of David and Saul, BLESSED & CURSED depicts Dwight Hawkins’ (played by Deitrick Haddon) struggle to realize his God-given purpose. Compelled to help his father after his dreams are derailed, Dwight must choose between family obligations or pursing his own dreams of gospel music stardom. One day he receives an incredible opportunity to become a Psalmist at the city’s largest church but this new position is too good to be true as Dwight gets caught in a diabolical scheme of jealously, orchestrated by the church’s Bishop.
Kirk Franklin’s “The Blueprint” Book Giveaway
Kirk Franklin is giving you the chance to win a copy of his new book entitled The Blueprint: A Plan For Living above Life’s Storms. Ten (10) First Prize Winners will receive an autographed copy of The Blueprint and one (1) Grand Prize Winner will receive an autographed copy of The Blueprint and a personal Meet & Greet with Kirk Franklin to discuss The Blueprint for their life. Watch the video below and visit his website for more details. This contest ends on May 15th with a live drawing on Kirk’s Justin.tv channel.
Watch the 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards & Cast Your Vote
Watch the 41st GMA Dove Awards on GMC, Sunday, April 25 at 8/7c. You can still vote for your favorite artists in two categories: Artist of the Year and New Artist of the Year on the GMC website by clicking here. Also check out the GMC website for pre-Doves coverage, with winner predictions by our senior music editors, exclusive video interviews with nominated artists, and other opportunities to get involved.
April Music Releases
All in One – Karen Clark-Sheard April 6
Eternity Invades – Vicky Beeching April 6
Ragamuffin Soul – Carlos Whittaker
Arise & Shine and Come Awake- He Lives
Arise & Shine
Arise…
He lives – arising in light and glory He lives.
So we throw off the shroud of darkness, despair and death left on the cross He bore.
Because He lives we do now – more alive than before.
He lives – in shining pureness and holiness He lives.
His hands, pierced, took the gain, in victory over depression,
dejection, defeat, and shame,
So we could be unfettered, free – unchained.
He lives, robed in rays of majesty – He lives.
He overcame the world with stripes and streams of crimson
Imprinting our impurities on His flesh,
He rose again for our justification, in exchange for our debts.
He lives – He has risen indeed. So we should live – declaring the resurrection;
‘He rising for us, and His power in you and me.’
On this Resurrection Day we focus our attention on His glory, His sacrifice and remember that He died for our sake and rose again to give us life. He didn’t pour out His Blood for us to live entrenched and buried in darkness of past guilt and sin, not to be condemned but to accept His gift of redemption, love and grace:
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5
He came alive after the pressing of the world and so must we. Let’s arise, come awake – and live.
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. Isaiah 60:1
Come Awake
Above is a creative video piece called “Come Awake” that may inspire you. (Video from Igniter Media Group a faith-based company that has created dozens of other visual media projects to communicate Truth to the world. The music is “Christ is Risen” by Matt Maher.)
Ministry Watch: “A Home in Haiti” Helps Bring Hope
Almost three months after the earthquake in Haiti the men, women and children are still in great danger and need of help. The many who survived the devastation are still without homes and in harsh conditions with pouring rains and the upcoming hurricane season.
A Home in Haiti is an organization that is raising funds to buy waterproof tents to distribute on the ground in Haiti. This project was started and is being directed by Shaun King (http://ShaunInTheCity.com) pastor of The Courageous Church in Atlanta. He has been working passionately to help those in Haiti in the months since the earthquake, sending volunteers and supplies.
Through the project they have established immediate partnerships with 3 orphanages and one very large camp (80,000+ people) to receive the first shipment of tents. A Home in Haiti ensures on the website that when they send tents to these orphanages and to the Petionville camp, they have have trusted, experienced partners that pick up our shipments directly and distribute them fairly & honestly.
Visit http://ahomeinhaiti.org to learn more about how you can help provide shelter and hope for the people in Haiti by donating funds or sending tents today. You can watch the video below to learn more about this great project.
Here I Am: Interview With Marvin Sapp
Marvin Sapp’s latest album “Here I Am” has reached No.2 on the Billboard 200 chart, making it the highest debuting Gospel release ever.*
Interview by Julene Fleurmond, Editor of Dream in Soul
“Here I Am”
Within the resounding success of his latest album “Here I Am,” and the breakthrough his previous project “Thirsty,” Marvin Sapp is still down-to-earth, thankful and even surprised at how his music has been embraced. Among the accomplishments he stays continually grounded in the purpose of his mission to reach the masses. As the senior pastor of Lighthouse Full Life Center Church in Michigan he stands firm in his creed “I am a preacher who happens to sing,” and presents both his messages and music with powerful, life-changing Word and truth.
“Here I Am” his eighth album, recorded live last October, is filled with heartfelt encouragement and a mix of musical arrangements from more traditional gospel to the more contemporary. The project and messages within are sure to be enjoyed by a range of people, clearly shown by the album’s surge to the No.1 position on Billboard’s Gospel and Christian charts and No.2 on the Billboard 200.
Marvin Sapp chatted with Dream in Soul about the vision behind the album, and also shared some Soul Dreamer Inspiration about ministry, industry, talent and calling. Read and listen in to the conversation below:
Dream in Soul: Hi Pastor Sapp, thank you for taking the time to speak to me today. Can you talk about where you are now since your last project “Thirsty” and what inspired you to create this new project “Here I Am”?
Marvin Sapp: Well this record “Here I Am” is just a tad bit different than “Thirsty.” “Thirsty” is a little more worshipful than this record. There’s worship on it, but this one is not only worship but is also a record that really strives to encourage and enrich, and to talk about personal identity, as pertaining to personal identity in Christ.
So many times we feel as if we are inadequate and that we don’t possess any abilities and skills to be able to accomplish the goals that God has set for us to accomplish and go after. “Here I Am” just speaks to that whole concept of people really understanding that man looks at the outward appearance but it’s God who looks at the heart, and how we don’t need people to define us.
DS: Definitely, the song “Never Would Have Made It,” touched a lot of lives and had great success. Did you come into this new project with any type of expectations, fears or hopes?
MS: Without question, I had tons of fears and apprehensions. I don’t know if it was fears as much as it was just nervousness because “Never Would Have Made It” and the “Thirsty” album were huge. Never in my wildest dreams or imagination would I have thought that record would have done what it has done.
So definitely coming behind something like that you’re just shocked. So now three years later, I just finally said well I’ll never possibly be able to reach that plateau again. So there’s no need for me to try to compete with myself, as much as it is for me to put out music that ministers to my heart and hopefully it ministers to the hearts of people as well.
Listen to Marvin Sapp Answer Below
DS: Definitely, I know the song “The Best in Me” was very also popular when it came out. Were you surprised at how successful it is right now?
Shining in Godlywood: Interview With Filmmaker Stephanie Rodnez, Take 1
The music is blaring, the lights are low and hundreds of young people are on the move, filling their nights – and cups – with crazy, “harmless” fun. It’s a typical night in the life of a college student… right?
Not for everyone. Stephanie Rodnez saw scenes like these when she entered college six years ago and felt a stirring in her heart when witnessing many of her friends falling away from their relationships with God. So many students who had been committed to Him gradually took their hearts back to engage in “college life”- consisting of everything from getting drunk and partying hard to being promiscuous – and anything else movies and TV deem is normal.
Nearing graduation Stephanie felt God telling her to change her career plans and use her talents to glorify Him. Despite initial hesitation she heeded the call, and her independent film company Christ Effect Entertainment was born. The company presents Christian media for young adults that encourages them to stay firm in their faith no matter what the culture and media throws at them. There are two films already in distribution and plans to expand into television, books, and even a nightclub.
Now finishing up her graduate degree in business at Nova South Eastern University in Miami, FL, Stephanie is rallying up other young people with a passion for God to battle the messages and lifestyles bombarding young adults today. With her warm, joyful personality and creative, youthful productions Stephanie draws others in to see the truth of God’s love, and she’s striving to make a mark for “Godlywood” one young audience at a time.
In Take 1 of the interview Stephanie chatted with Dream in Soul about how and why she got started with Christ Effect Entertainment, the growth of the Christian film industry, and about the work she hopes has a powerful effect for Christ in this generation:
Dream in Soul: Hi Stephanie, thanks for speaking with me today. I wanted to first ask you when did you feel the calling to make films?
SR: Ah, well it’s actually really cool. I was 14 or 15 and was in love with journalism, in love, in love, in love… I didn’t want to do anything else. I did this internship at the Sun Sentinel (a local Florida newspaper) for six weeks, and I fell even more in love with it. So I’m like alright Lord, this is what I’m going to do for the rest of my life, I’m going to write stories for newspapers.
One day I’m sitting in front of my TV screen at home in the summer, and I was just flipping through the channels and I was like wow, there’s not a lot of stuff here for young adult Christians. I heard the Holy Sprit telling me – that’s what I want you to do.
I was like, I am not doing movies. I already have a job lined up at the Sun Sentinel and I don’t even like making movies that much. I was like no way, Lord if you want me to do this, you have to make me love it. So when I got back to school in the fall I started working on my own film and I fell in love with the whole process. And the rest is history (laughs)! He put me on the path, He taught me what I needed to know, and now, praise God it’s everything I’m passionate about, and I love doing it.
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