Dream In Soul – Creativity for the Kingdom:

This is a little bit of “old school” from Hillsong Music Australia – a beautiful worship song called “Eagle’s Wings.” The lyrics are so simple, but reflect on the power of God, and being in His presence.

Here I am waiting | Abide in me I pray
Here I am longing | For You
Hide me in Your love | Bring me to my knees
May I know Jesus | More and more

Come live in me | All my life | Take over
Come breathe in me | I will rise | On eagle’s wings

– Eagle’s Wings Lyrics

The song is from the 2002 album “By Your Side.” and the powerful live worship is led by Darlene Zschech, Russell Fragar, Reuben Morgan, Marty Sampson and the Hillsong team. “Eagle’s Wings” is one of the first Hillsong songs I was introduced to when I was younger, and it is still one of my favorites today – nothing like the classics.

New Live Album

Hillsong Live recently released the album Faith+Hope+Love. Learn more about the album and hear clips in the widget below:

Hillsong United Tour

I’m excited that Hillsong will be coming to Dallas on August 25th, as well as Tulsa, OK, on August 26th, and Miami, FL on August 28-29. Check the website for more dates and information at http://hillsongunited.com/tours.

The Merge Summit LA is a conference designed to inspire and empower men and women of faith desiring to do business in the areas of arts and media. The summit will take place Thursday, August 20, 2009 to Saturday, August 22 in Los Angeles, CA. Conference attendees will learn from and network with leaders in the entertainment world.

Updates: Here are a few updates on the Merge Summit: The organizers have added Hezekiah Walker, Donnie McClurkin, as well as Pastors Debra Morton and Jamal Bryant to the list of speakers.

Watch the video below for more information about the summit:

Some of the other confirmed presenters from the website, www.themergesummit.com, include:

Suzanne DePasse, Felicia Henderson, DeVon Franklin, James DuBose, Regina King, Reina King, Tasha Smith, Vivica A. Fox, Mary Mary, Brad Siegel, Larry Blackwell, Vicki Mack-Lattillade, Rodney Jerkins, Warryn Campbell, Tara Griggs-Magee, Monica Bacon

As well as top executives from Columbia Pictures, Paramount Pictures, ABC Networks, Lionsgate, TV-One, BET Networks, EMI Gospel, Gospel Music Channel among many others.

The conference, hosted by Founder Dr. Holly Carter of Relevé Entertainment, and Co-Chairperson Robi Reed, is “designed to bring together talented Christians who desire to enter or those already actively involved in aspects of entertainment i.e. actors, directors, music producers, musicians, singers, television producers, filmmakers, writers, and executives in the entertainment industry. Conference attendees will interact in a thought provoking and career inspiring setting to glean from the well known entertainment executive roaster. Attendees will walk away with information that will empower them in their individual fields of pursuit.”

You can also click below for larger versions of the event promotional materials.

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Register now for the Bold.Right.Life. Experience, hosted by Kierra Sheard, and the Bold.Right.Life Community Choir. This is the second year the conference will take place, on August 12-15 at the Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ in Detroit.

BRL Mission from Website:

"Bold! Right! Life! is a youth organization that tackles the spirit of ignorance forced upon today’s youth, by nurturing them spiritually and naturally; " We are dead to the things of this world…" Boldly living Right, getting ready for Life…" Col. 3:1-6

Below is the video promo for the conference:

The conference speakers and musical guests will include Bishop Hezekiah Walker, Prophetess Janet Floyd, Minister Tye Tribbett, Pastor Jonathan Miller, Mr. Del, and more. Early registration is $25 and onsite registration is $35. Fore more information visit www.boldrightlife.com.

In a previous post I mentioned the Don’t Waste Your Life Tour, hosted by Reach Records, and featuring Christian artists Lecrae, Tedashii, Trip Lee, Flame and Sho Baraka. On Saturday I got to attend the concert in Dallas, and was really blessed by the experience.

Below are some quick clips I took of the concert:

Before the concert began, there was a session in another room for youth leaders called “Don’t Waste Your Ministry”. Representatives from ReachLife Ministries made a presentation about the realities facing this generation, and about what youth leaders can do to make a difference. They told us about the Christ-centered resources they’ve developed aimed at helping leaders reach the young urban population. Being involved in youth ministry myself, the presentation really struck a chord in me, and it was so evident that Reach Records and ReachLife were about more than just albums and concerts – they are truly reaching out to touch and save lives. (I’ll be expanding more on the presentation and resources in a later post.)

Update: Check out this recent interview where Christian leader Dr. Russell Moore talks to Lecrae about “Hip-Hop in the Name of Christ” on The Albert Mohler Program. In the interview they talk about the possibilities of using hip hop to reach this generation – powerful stuff: Click Here to Listen to the Interview

After the youth leader session we returned to the auditorium where the concert was already alive and in progress. The room was packed with people of all ages, and the atmosphere was electric with dancing and arms raising everywhere. The artists took turns at the stage, coming together for certain songs, like “Joyful Noise.”

The parts that impacted me the most were when each of the artists stopped to speak candidly to the audience, about their lives and obstacles they’ve overcome. They were transparent, and emphasized the seriousness of dedicating your life to God – “Either you use it for His glory, or you waste it.” They spoke on the danger of exalting other things and people higher than God, and how even sometimes artists can be a distraction if raised on a pedestal:

“If you’re looking for a superstar, I ain’t the one you searching for, I came to bring some worship, bro, He’s perfect I’m just dirt below… If you looking for a superstar, Don’t look at me, you got me wrong, I been a sinner all along…Let’s look at Him and not the songs…” – Trip Lee, from the song “Superstar”

The best aspect of the night was the diversity and passion of the audience. Seeing people of every color and age – from the little kids and teens, to even the older people – dancing, jumping and praising together was truly beautiful. I had to smile to myself when I saw a middle-aged man, who didn’t look like he’d ever be listening to rap, bob his head and move to the music. To me that just shows that God can use what He wants to reach who He wants.

There are still some concert dates left, so you can check out the Reach Records website to see if they’ll be coming to your town. You won’t regret it!

More pictures from the concert below:

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July 14, 2009 – Check Out the New Albums from Artists Coko Clemons and Claude Deuce

Coko’s album ‘The Winner in Me’ is her second one, and it is released by Light Records. The album is refreshing, diversified in sound and upbeat, definitely making it’s mark in the the gospel arena. I especially like "Make a Way" featuring Canton Jones which has an urban-rock-soul, even "reggae-ish" feel, weaved with gospel. Other artists featured on the album include Kelly Price, who sings on the R&B-esque track "Oh Mary," empowering young women, and Israel Houghton on "Joy Of The Lord." Coko is the former lead singer of the platinum recording R&B trio Sisters With Voices. Be sure to check out the album and order it online on Itunes or Amazon. Visit Coko online at www.myspace.com/cokoclemons.

Claude Deuce’s debut album, ‘Claude Deuce, The Young Elder’, releases on Livin’ It Productions and showcases his versatility in music. He calls his style “an urban hymnal…Reality & Beats–my R&B,” and his music caters to everyone from the young to the “elders” with relevance and a unique flavor. Songs like "4 Who U R, " have an old-school feel with contemporary gospel vibrancy. Claude is a licensed Elder in the Church of God In Christ and serves as Minister of Music at New Life Worship Center in Augusta Ga. He’s is a writer and producer who has worked with artists like Deitrick Haddon, Canton Jones, Izzy, Tonex, Sean Simmonds and more. Defintely check out his album which you can purchase on Amazon, and visit Claude at www.myspace.com/claudedeuce.