Dream In Soul – Creativity for the Kingdom:

Ayiesha Woods’ music video for her song “Never” premiered last week on the Gospel Music Channel, and is currently one of the “Fresh” songs in the GMC rotation. The video has a cool, vintage feel and the message of the song is inspiring; take a look and listen:

Artist Notes

Record Label: Gotee Records

Official Website: www.myspace.com/ayieshawoods

Ayiesha Woods on Twitter: twitter.com/ayieshawoods

“There’s a story in John 4 that I’m always reminded of; it’s the story about the woman at the well. As Jesus was talking to her, He addressed various issues in her life, and then He told her, “You worship what you don’t know and what you don’t understand. But the time is coming and now is when the true worshippers will worship, and will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.” And that’s the scripture for me. It really brings everything home.”

– Ayiesha Woods in an interview with the Gospel Music Channel

Her first album Introducing Ayiesha Woods was nominated for a Grammy for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album and for the Dove Award for New Artist Of The Year. Her second and latest release, Love Like This, came out in September 2008.

Woods’ style of music can be described as an eclectic mix of Christian pop and soul, and some compare her sound and style to “a blend of India Arie and Amy Grant”.

Blair Wingo of the Passion for Christ Movement, a youth and young adult church/movement located in Los Angeles, recites her powerful, original poem, “Don’t Add On,” and gives her testimony in the poem “All My Devotion Was Emotion.” In her poems, Wingo always tells it like it is, never tip-toeing around issues in the church, and conveying the meaning of a true relationship with God.

Christian rapper Trip Lee’s video "Real Vision" featuring Tedashii debuted on BET’s 106 and Park on May 29th as their "New Joint". The song from Trip Lee’s sophomore album “20/20” speaks truth about not basing faith on what others have said, but on God’s word.

Description from Reach Records:

“We are constantly bombarded with messages to believe from popular culture, from churches, from friends, etc. It seems like everywhere we turn someone has something they want us to buy into. But which messages line up with the heart of God? And where do we go to filter what is a lie and what is truth?”

You can vote for the video online on BET.com to support. Maybe this is the spark of even more Christian artists being featured?

"He’s the King of Kings and author of all creation,
Some say He made it then lets it run like a clock
Nah, He controls every soul and every action on the block
If it happened then He watched and it happens on His watch
No surprise in His eyes, no my God’s never shocked." – Trip Lee, "Real Vision"

This song carries so much power, of the things God has done and what has yet to come. From Chris Tomlin’s album “Hello Love”. Video by Nick Lanciaux.

Here’s a conference that might interest those who want to utilize their creative abilities for the Kingdom.

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 from 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. Some of the 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.”

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