Dream In Soul – Creativity for the Kingdom:

It’s awesome to see the process and inspiration of songwriters and what inspired them in the creation of their music. The worship song "Revelation Song," written by Jennie Lee Riddle, beautifully and lyrically displays the splendor and glory of God, and it’s sung in many churches and by various artists.

Kari Jobe sings Revelation Song on her album "Kari Jobe," and describes the song as "all about His glory" and a "foretaste of what we’ll sing in Heaven." In interviews she says she thinks it’s "God’s favorite song," for her to sing because every time she does God’s presence is "brand new and anointed."

Last month Kari Jobe lead worship at my church, and as the song was sung not a dry eye was in the place as hands were raised all around by people of every age and every color. Here’s a video of her singing it at another church:

Integrity Music recently put up this video of the writer, Jennie Lee Riddle, and recording artists, Kari Jobe, and Phillips, Craig & Dean (who sang the song as the single of their upcoming album "Fearless") discussing what "Revelation Song" means to them, and how it came into fruition. (Update: Phillips, Craig and Dean’s version of “Revelation Song” recently peaked at #1 on the Billboard’s Hot Christian AC.)

"…We needed a sight of Jesus, we needed somebody so much bigger than ourselves to lift our eyes up off of our daily, and off of the rubble and off of the worry, and magnify Him… To get to see Her, every generation, denomination, every nationality singing to Him, and just enjoying His beauty and His holiness, and Him wrapping Her up as one, it’s just overwhelming and humbling. " – Jennie Riddle

In an article she wrote, Jennie Riddle says she "asked the Holy Spirit to help me write a song that painted Him; a song that the angels and creation were already singing, so that we could join in with One Voice, as One Bride, to One King." She says the verses Ezekiel 1:26-28 and Revelation 4 were her inspiration:

“And then, as they stood with folded wings, there was a voice from above the dome over their heads. Above the dome there was something that looked like a throne, sky-blue like a sapphire, with a humanlike figure towering above the throne. From what I could see, from the waist up he looked like burnished bronze and from the waist down like a blazing fire. Brightness everywhere! The way a rainbow springs out of the sky on a rainy day—that’s what it was like. It turned out to be the Glory of God! (Message)

Continue Reading »

In Part 1 of the interview, Dr. Naima Johnston introduced herself and her passion to share her past mistakes in ministry to help aspiring artists. In Part 2 she shares how she overcame many obstacles to respond to her call to sing, and gives even more advice on finding your calling. Her new book Called To Sing: 13 Mistakes To Avoid When Starting In Music Ministry addresses issues that many artists fail to recognize as potential problems that can stunt the growth of their ministries. If you missed it click here to read Part 1 of the interview.

Dream in Soul: How do you think someone knows what their ministry calling is? How do you know if you are called to sing?

Dr. Johnston: I think that we have to pursue our healthy passion. What’s that thing that you’ve always wanted to do? What’s that problem you’ve always wanted to fix? What’s that thing that’s a burden to your soul? I think you take that and begin to pursue that passion or try to fix that problem, or work to relieve that burden.

Sometimes I think we make the call of God so deep and difficult. Like it’s this elusive thing we can’t seem to get a grip on. But I think deep down most of us know what we’re called to do, it’s implanted in us before we are born. We just need to know how the Lord would have us to live out that call. Some folks have a true burden for missions work, then it gets specific, to a particular country and they go. Some people wind up living their entire life on the mission field, some go once a year. Some folks are called to full time music ministry to travel and share with others, some are called to stay in the local church and lead worship.

Prayer… lots of prayer about the thing that you are most passionate about and then start walking in that. I truly believe if you go forward with a sincere heart and an open ear, God will correct if you’re off course.

DS: How should Christian artists regard their craft, and how do they stay focused on the task of ministry vs. industry?

Dr. Johnston: Wow, I just wrote a whole blog about that at www.naimajohnston.blogspot.com called Chasing The Dream. I had just finished reading, “No Compromise, The Keith Green Story.” That book impacted me greatly. Keith Green was one of the founding fathers of Contemporary Christian music, he died in a plane crash when he was only 28 years old. I recommend all music ministers and Christian Recording Artists read this book. He walked away from the industry when he was it’s biggest star to focus his music on a more ministry minded level – the fruit has been huge. Thousands of people have had their lives changed because of his ministry. And that’s a question artists need to ask themselves – are you doing this because you want to sing or are you doing this because you want to change lives?

If you’re doing it to change lives you’ll accept and be content with wherever the Lord leads you. We can’t all be CeCe Winans and Fred Hammond. But that does not mean our ministries are not as important or as needed. You have to do what you the Lord calls you to do, be faithful there and be happy with where He takes you.

As I get older and more mature in the Lord, industry becomes less important and ministry becomes the most important thing. People are dying and going to hell, that’s why God gave you the gift He gave you. And the saints need to be encouraged as well, and music ministry or “Christian Entertainment” plays a big role in that as well. It’s a fine line and you have to learn to walk it. Artists have to ask themselves, where is the fruit? I know the Lord told me I was going to sing to nations, and in my mind, I had a very specific idea about what that meant. Recently I learned that people were downloading my music in Japan. I’m about to send off a box of donated CDs to a ministry work in the Philippines – seems to me that’s singing to the nations. I may never be well known on earth but I’m living my dream and sharing the love of Christ with as many people as I can.

As for craft, I believe that all artists should “perfect” their craft. You should take voice lessons and study your instruments, you should practice daily and you should read books about songwriting and attend conferences, lectures and workshops. And you should find a mentor if you don’t have one. You’ve also got to practice the craft of being a Christian, prayer, church, the word! When the anointing meets a prepared vessel – watch out now!!!

DS: Do you have a favorite Bible Scripture that is your mantra, or that sustains you in difficult times?

Dr. Johnston: That changes depending on where I am at the moment, but right now it’s Psalm 32 Verse 8: :

And now with the recession and people afraid to walk into fulltime ministry I really love Psalm 37, especially verse 19: They will survive through hard times even in famine they will have more then enough!

DS: You’ve been through so much in the past few years. How have you been able to overcome it all, and what advice do you give to others to overcome their obstacles to follow their God-given dreams?

Continue Reading »

Rising high in their passion for God and following a heavenly beat, Group 1 Crew inspires generations to live and dream for the Kingdom. "Movin’" is a track from their latest album "Ordinary Dreamers," that won the 2009 Dove Award Winner for Best Rap Hip Hop Album. The song is motivating and upbeat, and the video is just as energetic:

"On your mark, get set, here we go
Time to make your future unfold
And put aside what’s killing your growth
You know what’s best for ya so let’s go
Holla back if you really feel me
Holla back now if you are with me,
No time to waste the clock is tickin’
Enough wishin the walls out of commission, ain’t no superstition
No need to make your own prediction
Your destiny is in your possession
How bad you want it is the question …"

– Group 1 Crew From "Movin’"

Check out these interviews with the members of Group 1 Crew below about their vision, advice for inspiring young artists, and defining moments:

Manwell on what G1C is trying to do for this generation:

"When you put on our pair of sunglasses which is Group 1, you just get a different facet of who God is… Our whole goal is to get people to stop, to look and to fall in love like we did." – Manwell

Blanca gives advice to young artists starting out:

"Stay focused and know that it takes alot of hard work… Know that God knows what’s best for you and He has everything under control, and at the right moment at the right time He will open that right door…" – Blanca

Pablo on a defining moment in his walk with God:

"I developed a passion to want to know just how just God speaks, how Christ walks… I just fell in love with this God and our Savior…" – Pablo

Interview Courtesy of Vimeo and Music Compass.

"…God gave us a new dream that was birth in the idea that our dreams truly are for other peoples dreams to come true. If group 1 sells millions of records and wins a bunch of awards but doesn’t inspire a single person to dream for themselves, then our music meant nothing! Our dream is your dream!!! Success is never fulfilling unless you have someone to share it with…" Manwell in an interview with StereoTruth.net

Connect with Group 1 Crew and share your own dreams with them on their official website, www.group1crew.com and on Myspace at www.myspace.com/groupone.

Group One Crew Bio (From Website)

A self-professed entertainer, a pop diva, and a bona fide producer: that’s the makeup of breakout urban sensation Group 1 Crew, three everyday Latinos who rose above their circumstances and the middle-of the-road to become one of the most exciting aggregates in faith-based music.

Ordinary Dreamers, the trio’s anticipated second album for Fervent Records, shatters any and all preconceptions created by their out-of-the-box, Dove-winning debut, Group 1 Crew, to position itself as one of the most unordinary offerings of the moment—an amalgam of rhythm and rhyme that takes the best of urban pop and hip-hop and turns them upside down.

Continue Reading »

Every second and fourth Sunday of each month, a group of young people gather in Inglewood, CA, to worship, and hear the word of God in a bold and electrifying way…

A minister walks onto the platform wearing casual apparel and looking as laid-back and hip as the teens and young adults he’s addressing. He begins a raw, dynamic message relating to the young people where they are, and leading them in discussion and prayer. He’s not an ordinary preacher, and this is no ordinary ministry – the minister onstage is Kirk Franklin, bringing the Word to the Takeover Youth Service. The Takeover is on fire for Christ, and the young people who take part show how God can, and will, takeover the city for His Kingdom.

"God has promised our church possession of the heart of the City of Los Angeles. God is going to use this ministry to change the hearts of youth from sin to salvation. (Deut. 7:1-21) Before God can give you everything He has for you He has to know who you serve before you can TAKEOVER the city. God has to Takeover your heart and every part of your life. Then and only then can He give you everything He has for you. Be obedient. (2 Corinthians 11:11-13)" – From The Takeover Myspace page

The Takeover was sparked at the Faithful Central Bible Church under the leadership of Bishop Kenneth C. Ulmer. Kirk Franklin himself describes the ministry as, “Very honest. Very street," in an interview on the Gospel Music Channel website.

Visit the Takeover on Twitter, and their official website at www.takeoveryouth.com to support the movement. You can also become a fan on Facebook or subscribe on Youtube.

You can watch past services on their podcast page and future services live at http://www.justin.tv/takeover_godcan; the next one is on July 12, 2009 at 10am PT.

Below, watch Kirk Franklin preach the 100th sermon, "Rock Your Ring."

Description: "In this 4 Part sermon, Minister Franklin is breaking down the commitment that God is looking for from us as His followers. God wants us to be faithful, by choice not by command. We should ‘Rock our Rings’ not just in church or in His presence by everyday all day no matter what!"

Continue Reading »