Dream In Soul – Creativity for the Kingdom:

Check out the Newsboy’s video for the song “Born Again”, the title track off the upcoming record which releases on June 8th. The video was shot just outside Tijuana, Mexico in the Baja penninsula, where the group will be taking friends and fans this summer to embark on a large-scale home building projects to support the poverty stricken people of the Baja. For more information on how you can be a part of this historic trip text “GO” to 77812 or visit www.newsboys.com.

If you haven’t seen it yet be sure to check out the film Preacher’s Kid, produced by Gener8Xion Entertainment and staring LeToya Luckett, Kierra “KiKi” Sheard, Trey Songz, and Essence Atkins. The story is based on the ‘Prodigal Son,’ with a contemporary urban twist. Check out the website www.preacherskidfilm.com for theater listings and to request the film in your area.

Movie Synopsis: Tired of being a Preacher’s daughter and longing to experience more of life, 20-something ANGIE KING strikes out on her own for the very first time and joins a traveling gospel show. In this modern-day rendition of the fable of The Prodigal Son, she soon discovers life on the road is tough but fears going home with nothing to show for herself, or worse, to a father who no longer loves her…

To Save A Life is a powerful film from New Song Pictures that recently premiered in select theaters around the nation, and is getting positive reviews. The movie’s tagline is “Some People Are Just Dying to Be Heard,” and the plot is based around the social lives of teens, mainly the primary character Jake, and how prevalent and real the issues of depression and suicide are today. The story has a great message of faith that shows the impact of spreading compassion to others who are hurting. Check out the trailer below:

Plot Summary: Jake Taylor has it all: friends, fame, a basketball scholarship and the hottest girl in school. What could be better?

Enter Roger Dawson. Roger has nothing. No friends. No hope. Nothing but putdowns and getting pushed aside. Things couldn’t get worse…could they? Jake and Roger were best friends when they were kids. But the politics of high school quickly pulled them apart. Now Roger doesn’t fit in Jake’s—or anyone’s circle—and he’s had enough. He walks onto campus with a gun in his pocket and pain in his heart and makes a tragic move.

Jake’s last-ditch effort can’t stop Roger, and the sudden tragedy rocks Jake’s world. Something breaks loose inside and sends him questioning everything. Most of all, he can’t shake the question, Could I have saved Roger? In a quest for answers, Jake finds himself looking for the next Roger and reaching out to the outcasts and lonely. But he quickly finds that crossing class castes threatens all his world is built on. And it could cost him his own friends, his girl, his dreams and even his reputation. Is it worth the price to find the answer to his ultimate question: What do I want my life to be about? (Summary from Tosavealifemovie.com)

To Save a Life looks like a heart-moving film for everyone to be inspired by. Not only has it been getting great reviews for it’s content and quality, the movie’s website also shares testimonies of people who were changed after watching it- one even of a person who had once attempted suicide. To learn more about the film and to find theaters near you where it is playing visit www.ToSaveALifeMovie.com.

Below Randy Wayne, the actor who plays Jake the main character of the film, shares his thoughts on what he hopes the movie portrays:

The David Crowder*Band recently spoke to the philanthropy organization Causecast about some of their views on the mechanics of social change and leveraging the arts to address the current climate of the world. In the interview they also touched on challenges music artists face today, and of course Twitter. The interview is really candid and interesting, and was part of Causecast’s series with influential musicians, aimed at asking them questions about relevant issues that might not come up in other interviews, and to inspire others to take steps of change. You can read the entire article on Causecast.org: The David Crowder* Band On The Mechanics Of Change.

Some highlights from the interview:

“…Because as artists, you’re shaped and moved by the culture you’re breathing in and out, so it naturally pops into your art you’re making, but at the same time, if we could think critically about where we are, and about the platforms that we’ve been given, then there’s an opportunity to say a whole lot to people who listen to you and who care about what you think about, what you believe in…”

Thanks to Marina from Causecast for sharing this link.

As those in Haiti cry out for help, it’s amazing to see the outpouring of love and unity to come to their aid. Recently the Gospel music community came together to record a tribute song, “Are You Listening.” Kirk Franklin rallied up artists such as CeCe Winans, BeBe Winans, Yolanda Adams, Mary Mary, Donnie McClurkin, Shirley Caesar, Fred Hammond, Smokie Norful, Marvin Sapp, Karen Clark Sheard, Natalie Grant, Jeremy Camp and many others, to record the song he wrote for Haiti eight years ago.

The proceeds of the song will be donated to Unicef and other charities to help with relief efforts in the rebuilding of communities.

The Gospel Music Channel premiered the video in a one hour special presentation on Friday before the airing of the global “Hope for Haiti Now” telethon. If you missed it you can watch the encore of the special on Saturday, Jan. 23 at 6:00 p.m. (ET). There will also be an exclusive “A Love Song for Haiti: The Making of ‘Are You Listening’” behind-the-scenes special in February.

“Are You Listening” is now available for purchase at www.verityrecords.com. The single will also be available next week on iTunes after January 30 at Wal-Mart and other major retailers. Do your part in sending love to Haiti with your continued donations and prayers.

Below is the music video for the song, (it is really beautiful and moving):

“All the artists associated with the project donated their talent and gifts for this project. This initiative is so important because while we are asking America to give we know that many are giving sacrificially. The people of Haiti are very spiritual people with an unwavering faith and belief in God and still count The Lord as the main source and provider. We will continue to pray and stand with them. We hope this song will bring much needed support and awareness in an effort to raise funds in the near and long-term future.”
– Kirk Franklin, who produced the song “Are You Listening.”