Dream In Soul – Creativity for the Kingdom:

Dr. Naima Johnston shares how she overcame many obstacles to respond to her call to sing. 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.

Attempted suicide at 14. Sexually assaulted as a teenager. Told she wasn’t good enough to sing at 18. Struggled with eating disorders in college. Abused by live in boyfriend at 22. Saved by grace at 24. Broken-hearted and desolate at 30.

These are some of the tribulations that Dr. Naima Johnston faced throughout her life. In her early 30s, after she left her position as the Associate Director of Student Life at Wright State University to pursue a career in Christian music, she found herself confused, financially bankrupt, emotionally drained, and doubting the calling of God.

After a serious year of reflection, soul searching and surrender, Dr. Johnston decided to rebuild her ministry with great enthusiasm and faith. Today she is a full-time minister and recording artist, and is free by the love of Christ. She shares her experiences in her book Called To Sing: 13 Mistakes To Avoid When Starting In Music Ministry. Geared towards independent Christian artists and those contemplating a career in Christian music, this book addresses issues that many artists fail to recognize as potential problems that can stunt the growth and development of their ministries.

As a minister, Christian recording artist and the CEO of Broken Box Ministries, Dr. Johnston uses her extensive personal experience as a “failure” to assist others who are building a music ministry. Here’s what she had to share with Dream in Soul and aspiring artists about following your call to sing:

Dream in Soul: How did you begin in Christian music, and how would you describe your style of music?

Dr. Johnston: I always wanted to be a singer, from the time I was a little girl. But as I got older I was discouraged from pursuing that dream. Not by my parents, they were always great. But professionals and music teachers and I never thought I was good enough. I went to college and dropped out of the music program because I had several teachers who were not very supportive. I began to pursue a career in Higher Education Administration, I thought if I can’t sing I’ll be a university president! But God had other plans. One of my best friends got married in Jamaica and I was sitting on the beach studying for exams since I was working on my PhD at the time, I told the Lord, this is really not what I want to do. And He spoke back and said, “Good, cause this is not what I called you to do!” So I spent the next two years trying to figure out how to launch in Christian music ministry and wow, what a journey it’s been! I left my job two years after that with no clue as to what I was doing!

My musical style is really interesting. My ministry team and I finally came up with a name for it. We call it “Urbs-spirational Worship.” The best way to describe it would be if Nicole Nordeman and CeCe Winans were sisters and Martha Munizzi was their cousin, I’d be the middle child!

DS: Why did you decide to write this book, and what do you hope readers take from it?

Dr. Johnston: Artists and music ministers would always ask me how I got started in music ministry and how could I afford to do it fulltime. So many people were sending me emails and calling and wanted to spend hours talking about their music ministries and how to launch. I loved being a resource but it was taking up so much time… I had made so many mistakes when I started in music ministry, so many costly mistakes. I wanted to share my testimony so that others wouldn’t make those mistakes. My hope is that readers will avoid those mistakes and save themselves tons of heartache, financial loss and spiritual depression.

DS: What is the best advice you would give to young or beginning music artists?

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You may have first heard this young talent on Kirk Franklin’s latest album “The Fight of My Life” on the track "A Whole Nation." He was 11-years-old at the time and truly brought the song to life with his powerful vocals, singing about the importance of fathers raising their children.

Now 12-year-old Donovan Owens is releasing an album of his own, and he’s ready to minister to the whole nation with his amazing God-given gifts. Donovan’s debut album “All That I Have” will be released online Saturday, June 20th, by Diversity Records.

On the album Donovan sings about life as a young person, and the difference in his stride: “If I don’t go to every party, and I don’t hang with everybody is that wrong,” he sings on the single “I’ll Be That.” He continues the song standing his ground for God: “I know you’re thinking that its strange that I choose to be this way, when everybody else has gone astray… they can say anything about me, but you’re never gonna break me down.” The song has a cool R&B flavor and a catchy beat, and people of any age can relate to the lyrics. Donovan delivers smooth vocals throughout the album and shows that he’s not new the scene, having performed alongside Gospel greats such as Dorinda Clark-Cole.

On June 20th Donovan will also host an album release concert in his hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, at the Christian Faith Fellowship Church. The concert will include performances by Serita Campbell and Mark Anthony Harris. For full concert details click here.

Visit Donvan’s official website, www.donovanowensmusic.com to pre-order the album, and visit him on Myspace at www.myspace.com/donovanowensmusic to hear the single.

Make sure to show your support for this young artist, as he inspires us that you’re never too young to use your creativity for the Kingdom!

From Deitrick Haddon’s latest album “Revealed.” Video directed by Joel Kapity of Dreams on Screen.

I love music videos that are kind of out-of-this world creative and unconventional, and this video from Deitrick Haddon and the song are really beautiful.

Ministry Watch highlights and takes a look at ministries, especially youth and young adult ministries, that are bringing people to the Lord.

Last night on TBN, CeCe Winans and Marvin Winans, Jr. had a heartfelt segment dedicated to the legacy of David ”Pop Winans, and the importance of male role models. (You can watch the episode here in the TBN archives.) Marvin talked about his album, and the the significance of the title “Image of a Man” – how men should rise to their roles as leaders. In the segment Cece also mentioned that Marvin would be attending her youth conference, Always Sisters, Forever Brothers that will take place July 24-25, 2009, in Nashville, TN, at Belmont University’s Curb Event Center.

This year is the 4th Annual edition of the conference targeted toward young people ages 13-26, and the first time they have included young men in the line-up. The goal of the event is to “educate, motivate and re-direct the life choices of our teens and young women and men.” The 2009 conference will address a number of important topics – “From date violence to teen pregnancy, eating disorders to absent fathers, and how certain choices affect the lives of all".

This year’s guest speakers include: NFL Coach Tony Dungy, Pastor Jentezen Franklin, Pastor Kimberly Daniels, Nancy Alcorn, Pastor R.A. Vernon, Bis. Horace Hockett, Mom Winans & of course, CeCe Winans. The musical guests include: Mary Mary, 21:03, Anthony Evans, The Katinas, Nia Allen, Da’T.R.U.T.H. & the Chenaniah Dancers. The conference will also include a fashion show and special breakout sessions, and over 5000 young people are expected to be in attendance.

It’s definitely wonderful that CeCe continues this conference every year, and reaches out to the youth. It seems like an awesome experience that will touch the lives of many. You still have time to register, so spread the word.

To register or for more information and for a complete listing of the conference schedule, go to www.alwayssistersforeverbrothers.com or call 877.840.0457.

In this recent video below, CeCe Winans and Demetrus Stewart invite young people to attend:

You can see highlights of the 2007 conference in the video below – it all looks really exciting!:

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Here are some recent notable highs in Christian and Gospel music from around the web:

– If you are in the Dallas area, check out KLTY’s free annual Christian concert, Celebrate Freedom, on June 27, 2009. This concert is the largest free outdoor concert in the country, and will feature artists such as Kirk Franklin, Kari Jobe, Jeremy Camp, The News Boys, Mark Schultz and more. It’s a wonderful event for the whole family and an amazing time of worship – and who can turn down FREE? Last year I was able to go and saw some of my favorite contemporary Christian artists perform, but a storm caused the concert to end early just before Kirk Franklin went on. The concert will also take place in Atlanta on September 5, 2009. For more information visit http://klty.com/celebratefreedom.

– Christian Rapper Mr. Del is set to release his new Album THRILLA. Check out all of the details on Gospel Music Bites.

– Melinda Watts, the season three winner of Gospel Dream, will be releasing her debut gospel music album, People Get Ready, on July 28th. Read more on 1800 Gospel.

– Youthful Praise recently set its Summer Tour Dates. Check to see if they’ll be coming to a city near you on Gospel Life.

– The new album, Identity Crisis, from Gospel rap artist Tedashii makes it to #2 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums Chart. Find out more on 1800 Gospel.

– Marvin Sapp is the first Gospel artist to surpass the one million mark in ringtone sales. Learn more on Gospel Music Channel.