Monthly Archives: April 2012

After receiving five GRAMMY® awards, countless other accolades, and with album sales in excess of 10 million, it’s no surprise that critics and fans alike bravoed superstar TobyMac upon the release of Dubbed & Freq’d: A Remix Project, his first remix album in seven years. Fusing his signature rock-pop, hip-hop and urban styles with a treatment of today’s electronic music uprising, the album offers an outstanding new interpretation of 12 of Toby’s classics to an incredibly wide audience. Immediately upon release, the album made its debut at No. 2 on the iTunes® Christian & Gospel Albums chart.

To give fans a chance to build their own remixes, Toby has launched an interactive app on his Facebook page where visitors can create their own remix of his hit song “Showstopper”. After creating it, fans can share their unique remix via Facebook and Twitter. 

“For remix records, an artist can be very involved or back off, and for me it’s the latter,” Toby explains. “For all of my remix records, I choose the producers and remixers and let them do their thing. Then I either say ‘yes’ or push back with ‘what if you did this or that?’ The way I see it, I’ve already taken my shot at the songs and put the recipe together.”

Media have been eager to praise TobyMac for his adventurous new project, and here is just a sampling of what people are saying about Dubbed & Freq’d:

“…if you’re familiar with [TobyMac’s] music and are interested in hearing it in a fresh new way, look no further… and prepare to be freaked.” – New Release Tuesday

“Such a crisp creative project could only come from one of the industry’s best. TobyMac puts together another great release… no surprise there.” – CMAddict.com

“‘Lose My Soul’ and ‘Ignition’ are both simply amazing, with the former carrying hot piano (yes piano) keys while the latter has dramatic production throughout. McKeehan takes two already great songs and re-mixes them into pure creative awesomeness… this will be spinning in my player for a while.” – Jesus Freak Hideout

“TobyMac not only makes great music with amazing production value, he makes essential music, and getting Dubbed & Freq’d is just a natural choice for any fan.” – Christian Music Zine

In addition to the release of Dubbed & Freq’d, TobyMac has concert plans as well, having announced the expansion of his unplugged “A Night of Stories and Songs” tour through April 21. He has also confirmed appearances at high-profile festivals including Spirit West Coast, Creation East and AtlantaFest, in additional to many more.
 

This post was written by admin | April 12, 2012

Bishop T.D. Jakes appeared on Oprah Winfrey’s “Next Chapter” on the OWN network this past Sunday and opened up with the talk show host about his preaching responsibilities, critics, and feelings on having an African-American president.

The iconic television host traveled to Dallas, Texas, for the interview with the influential Christian leader and visited his 30,000-member church, The Potter’s House.

The Christian Post reports that during the intimate interview, Winfrey posed candid questions about what it means for Jakes, whose sermons are broadcast both nationally and internationally, to preach to a large following and asked if the size of the crowd made a difference to him as a preacher.

Jakes responded by saying that the “weight and responsibility of sharing with people what you believe” is the same whether preaching in front of a crowd of seven or 7,000.”

“When I was speaking to the seven, I took it just as seriously,” Jakes said. “The job is still the same. I think that’s how you end up with thousands of people — is that you take small beginnings seriously.”

Jakes, who has achieved much success since starting his first congregation at the age of 19, lives with his family in a mansion in Dallas, has his own airplane, and drives expensive vehicles, which has drawn criticism.

“He (God) allows your cup to run over. I don’t think the issue of clergy is what you drive or where you live, its more how you got it,” Jakes said. “If you got it abusing and breaking the backs of people, that’s a bad thing. If you put yourself before the congregation, that’s a bad thing.”

Winfrey also asked Jakes, who had previously been quoted as saying that having a black president was “indescribably important” why he believed that the race of the current president is key to the nation.

“To recognize that leadership is not stereotypical, that it’s not all men, or all women, or all blacks, or all whites. To recognize the diversity that exists in the very underbelly of this country,” Jakes said before adding that he had “no words to describe” what it meant to him for the U.S. to have a black president in his lifetime.

Prior to the sit-down interview, Winfrey, Gayle King, and Tyler Perry attended a 90-minute sermon by the popular bishop. During the sermon Jakes discussed the importance of what he called “saving the scraps.”

“The miracle is not in what you lost. The miracle is not in what you have consumed previously. Your best days are not your yesterdays. Your miracle is in what you have left. If you discard it, ignore it, don’t use it, don’t value it, don’t learn from it, don’t understand it, you will lose the battle before you because you did not learn from the battle behind you,” Jakes told the crowd of over 7,000 worshippers.

“My thought this morning is save the scraps, the leftovers, the [remnants]. That which remains is more valuable than that which was lost,” The Potter’s House pastor added.

Following the inspirational and thought-provoking sermon Jakes sat down with an astonished Winfrey for the one-hour interview.

“I grew up in the church, joined the church when I was 8 years old. I heard a lot of preachers preach in my life. I’ve never heard, seen, or experienced anybody like you,” she told Jakes. “I’ve never seen anything like that.”

This post was written by admin | April 12, 2012

The Final Round for “The Search For The One 2012” Stand Up Comedy Talent Search was held on this past Sunday evening in Columbia S.C. at The Medallion Event and Conference Center, and saw 9 Finalist showcase before a packed house for $2,500 Cash and the Opening slot on Christian Comedian Akintunde’s “The Rebirth of Comedy Tour 2012”. In the end, the Audience and the Judges voted Lancaster South Carolina’s, Nakitta B as First Place Winner. In addition to the Cash Prize and opening slot on the Tour, she will also receive a professionally designed Media Kit, a professional Photo Shoot, as well as, eligibility to be represented by The Assignment Agency.

The Rebirth of Comedy Tour 2012 is set to kick off this summer, and will be headlined by Christian Comedian, Akintunde (The Akintunde Radio Show, BET, TBS, The Word Network). In addition to many of “The Search For The One” finalist, the tour will feature special appearances from several Christian/Gospel Comedy Headliners. The talent search was presented by No Joke Entertainment. “The Rebirth of Comedy Tour” is apart of the overall “Rebirth of Comedy” brand which includes DVD, Television, Radio, and Internet content. The brand’s first DVD release (Akintunde Live from Atlanta) is set for a May 15th release (Arrow Global Entertainment / No Joke Entertainment).

This post was written by admin | April 12, 2012

There is a story in Numbers 13 that may be familiar to most of you. It is the story of Moses sending the 12 scouts into the land Canaan to explore the land which the Lord had given them. When the men explored it they found that the land was good. Upon returning to Moses, ten of the men said that they couldn’t do it because those who dwelt in the land were too big for them to defeat. However, two of the men said that they could. As I was looking at this story, the Lord began to speak to me.  Read the full post »

This post was written by Calvin Walker | April 11, 2012

Since bursting on the scene as the season 3 Sunday Best winner, Le’Andria Johnson has been riding a roller coaster of ups and downs.  As life changes the Gospel star seems to be taken it all in stride with two albums currently in the Billboard Top 10.  In her debut year Johnson has also nabbed a Grammy award and has performed on Gospel’s biggest stages.

Now at the height of her career, Le’Andria has a special announcement to make as she’s expecting a new baby sometime in September of 2012.  

Le’Andria had this to say about her pregnancy:

“In recent weeks, there have been numerous published reports stating that I am pregnant. I would like to take this time to confirm that I am pregnant and due in September. I have been feeling well and maintaining a healthy appetite. I have been busy traveling around the country with my music ministry. One can only imagine that as a mother and mother-to-be, my plate is quite full—taking the kids to school, doing homework, cooking—regular mother duties. I have been blessed to have the love and support of my church, family, friends, label, management, and fans. I have received so many beautiful and thoughtful notes and prayers from people all over the country. I ask that you continue to pray for me and my family. I cannot do this alone. I will continue to pray for God’s guidance and protection over my life. I love you all very much and I will be in touch soon.” –Le’Andria Johnson 

Congratulations Le’Andria!

This post was written by admin | April 11, 2012

Recently the popular secular outlet TMZ ran a news story putting R&B turned Christian music artist Montell Jordan on blast.  TMZ reported that Montell Jordan owed back taxes to the IRS from 1999-2001.

Jordan is hugely known for his hit song ‘This is How We Do It,’ which made him millions.  The artist now is a Pastor and Christian music artist, and the IRS doesn’t care.  They originally filed a tax lien on Montell Jordan in 2004 and just recently they re-filed it.  

PATH was contacted directly by Montell Jordan’s camp and we’ve got information that has shed light on the matter.  Montell Jordan has released the following statement to clarify IRS proceedings:

I am writing this in hopes to assist bringing clarity to the numerous media outlets reporting of obtained information regarding my personal finances and the IRS.

In 2004 I filed a Bankruptcy. A combination of making unwise personal spending decisions, being financially ill-advised by council and external life circumstances lead to this decision to file Bankruptcy over 8 years ago. I have taken full responsibility for this life experience. This is all public record.

I also sold my music catalog to a company in 2006 to honor repayment of my debt to creditors and the IRS. At that time the amount was in excess of $500,000 and payment was remitted directly to the Department of Trustees.

In September of 2007, the Bankruptcy was dismissed, yet the case has remained open for negotiations with the IRS regarding penalties and interest fees. It has been in the possession of the department of Trustees for 5 years. Since that time, the Trustee’s department on my behalf has received a total of $617,460.33. This is all public record.

The IRS has recently re-issued the previous liens (this is the “obtained” info referred to in the media reports) to ensure their claim with the Trustees to the monies that have already been collected and are due to be dispersed in the upcoming weeks. This is all public record.

After a long and difficult 8 year long life journey, this case is set to be closed following a hearing scheduled for May 1st, 2012. Upon the conclusion of this hearing, the Trustees will be administering the finances as they have determined. My statements can be validated thru the United States Bankruptcy Court. This is all public record. I am providing the credible media outlets that obtained these initial documents and reported the IRS’s re-filing of the $600K+ debt (on my behalf) with access to the additional information needed to accurately complete the full story behind the IRS’s claims, as this is all public record.

I am hopeful that the media outlets will use the same efforts that went into the initial reporting of this story for news and entertainment value to exercise journalistic integrity and report this statement as well.

Thanks and God Bless!

Montell Jordan

 

This post was written by admin | April 10, 2012

Philadelphia native and gospel singer, Conrad Miller, has generated a buzz within the gospel industry with his debut CD entitled My Journey. His unique style of traditional praise has caught the attention of hundreds of gospel radio stations all over the country. Recently, the artist was recognized with a Press Towards Your Vision Award Nomination for Male Traditional Artist of the Year. Now Independence, Kansas, about 70 miles from Tulsa, Oklahoma, has tapped Miller for Two Nights of Inspiration.

The Independence Diversity Task Force will be hosting two events featuring this gifted singer. On Friday, April 13, 2012 at 2:30PM, Conrad will be presenting “Overcoming Adversity”, as he speaks to Independence High School students about the suicide of his 16-year old daughter and how his faith brought him through. The following day, Saturday, April 14, 2012, at 7:00PM, Miller will be in full concert as the Diversity Task Force presents “How God And Music Help Us Through The Difficult Times”. The Saturday event will be open to the public. Both events will be taking place at the Independence High School Performing Arts Center (1301 North Tenth Street, Independence, KS 67301). For more information, contact Chuck Schmidt at 620.330.4576 or cschmidt@indyschools.com.

Conrad Miller is a singer who possesses a classic musical style with strains of quartet and even smatterings of Southern Gospel. Whatever the vehicle that Conrad embraces, listeners can be assured that the message of faith is front and center. Although he found success as an R&B songwriter with the hit “Carla, My Love”, recorded by The SofTones, he found his muse with gospel. A songwriter, deacon and choir member, he tapped GRAMMY, Stellar and Dove Award winner Steven Ford to realize his musical vision by producing his first project.

The press loves Miller’s music. Gospelflava.com says, “From start to finish, the album remains true to the classic R&B/gospel feel of years gone by that is rarely heard in today’s music.” The Black Gospel Blog says, “The lyrics may be grounded in personal faith, but the songs on My Journey sound as if they were pulled off old vinyl records”. Conrad Miller’s hometown newspaper, The Intelligencer, focused on him in their article “Vocational Passion” where they said, “With Miller’s warm, smooth vocals, and the disc’s melodic uncluttered arrangements, the songs speak to God as both salvation and consolation.” More information about Conrad Miller can be found at www.conradmillermusic.com.

This post was written by admin | April 10, 2012

The Sounds Of Blackness, winners of a 2012 NAACP Award in the category of Outstanding World Music Album for their current self-titled CD project, releases a brand new video, “Testify” on YouTube.

The Sounds of Blackness have been bringing hope and inspiration to people through its music globally for the past four decades. The group has awed audiences on five continents with the depth and breadth of its artistry, covering all forms of African-American music from gospel and soul to jazz, R&B, reggae, hip-hop, rock and blues, to ragtime, field hollers, work songs and traditional spirituals. As Sounds of Blackness celebrates 40 years of music and inspiration, the group offers a superb self-titled 15-track CD that is a dazzling showcase for its all-encompassing musicality.

This post was written by admin | April 10, 2012

GEORGETOWN, Texas — Tim Tebow drew a crowd of about 15,000 to an outdoor Easter church service Sunday, telling the gathering it’s important to be outspoken about faith while admonishing athletes about not being better role models.

“In Christianity, it’s the Pope and Tebow right now,” Celebration Church pastor Joe Champion said. “We didn’t have enough room to handle the Pope.”

Tebow — devout Christian, backup NFL quarterback and cultural phenomenon — has a flock of admirers drawn as much to his religious leanings as his Heisman Trophy skills.

Thousands attended the Celebration Church’s “Easter on the Hill” service to hear Jets quarterback Tim Tebow deliver a guest speech.

He told them he welcomed the attention on his convictions as well as the “Tebowing” prayer pose he often strikes on the field because it puts his faith and prayer in the public conversation.

“It’s being talked about,” he said. “That’s exciting.”

Some at the “Easter on the Hill” morning service under sunny skies drove more than 100 miles to hear Tebow speak. The service took on the feeling of a rock concert with more than a 100 school buses shuttling people to the sprawling megachurch campus from local shopping centers and the nearby college.

The service was peppered with lively Christian rock songs and Tebow hit the large stage to cheers from those who could see him while others toward the back of the crowd watched on massive video screens. Tebow sat for a 20-minute interview with Champion to talk about his faith and the role it plays in his public life.

“It’s OK to be outspoken about your faith,” Tebow said.

He also took a shot at professional athletes who insist they are not role models.

“Yes you are. You’re just not a good one,” Tebow said.

Champion asked Tebow what he thought needed to change culturally in America.

“First and foremost is what this country was based on: one nation under God. The more that we can get back to that,” Tebow said to applause.

Although church officials had said they typically get their biggest crowds on Easter, Tebow was clearly the big draw Sunday. Several hundred started heading toward the exits after Tebow spoke, not waiting for Champion’s main Sunday sermon so they could avoid the 80-degree heat and beat the traffic.

Some couldn’t wait for the official 8 a.m. opening to the church grounds and showed up hours early.

Debbie Sandoval and her husband and two sons arrived before sunrise. They wore Tebow’s Jets jerseys and set up camp close to the large soundstage with a row of chairs.

“I love that boy. … He’s like my third son,” said Sandoval, who is not a regular member of the church but wasn’t going to miss a chance to hear Tebow speak. A self-described “lifelong Broncos fan,” Sandoval said she became a Jets fan because of Tebow. Tebow led the Broncos to the playoffs last season, but was acquired by the Jets in a trade March 21.

“Everything about this young man’s extraordinary life is special,” Sandoval said.

Amanda O’Hara drove about 100 miles from San Antonio on Saturday and got to the church about 4:30 a.m. “to be one of the first ones here.”

“I only got about four hours sleep, I was so excited,” O’Hara said. “He doesn’t hide who he is. Parents should see him as a role model.”

The crowd included people dressed in Easter bunny costumes and one person dressed as the Sesame Street character Elmo. About an hour before the service, Elmo dropped to a knee with a toddler boy to mimic Tebow’s prayer pose.

Media access to the event was tightly controlled inside the roped-off field. Reporters and photographers were required to have an escort when walking through the crowd before the service. Television cameras were allowed to record only a portion of Tebow’s speech and no live video streaming of the service was permitted.

Church officials initially expected up to 20,000 and said Tebow’s appearance on Easter Sunday was coincidental. Church spokeswoman Tara Wall said it was Tebow who reached out to Champion with a request to appear and Sunday was the best date available.

Mike Benaglio and his wife, Debbie, sat on a blanket.

“I’m a fan of any pro athlete who stands up for his faith,” he said. “We’re thrilled to be part of this. It’s not about football. Whatever gets more people over to the cross, I’m in favor of.”

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press

This post was written by admin | April 10, 2012

Bishop Allen T.D. Wiggins and Pastor David Uth were two of the ministers given the task of spreading the message of the resurrection of Jesus Christ to a mass audience that gathered on Easter Sunday in Orlando, FL.

The multi-cultural event was held at the 17,500-seat Amway Center.  Known for being the home of the NBA’s Orlando Magic, the Amway Center would serve a different purpose on Easter Sunday.

Two churches came together to spear-head the effort of a multi-cultural MEGA-Easter service.  The predominantly white First Baptist of Orlando and the black congregation of The Hope Church.

Bishop Allen T.D. Wiggins [left] with Pastor David Uth [Right] at the Amway Center Easter Sunday

First Baptist Pastor David Uth began the service with a reference to the racial divisiveness caused by the killing of Trayvon Martin in Sanford. Sanford is less then an hour drive from Orlando.  Sunday’s service, he said, was a rebuttal to that perception of Orlando as a place divided along racial lines.  

“Let the record show that we are gathered together today black, white, Asian and Hispanic to worship as one. We may look different on the outside, but inside we are identical twins,” Uth said. “We are one here today to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

Bishop Allen T.D. Wiggins, pastor of The Hope Church, reiterated Uth’s message of Christ transcending race and gender.

“I feel like the world is looking at us. I feel this resurrection morning is a message to the world that God is greater than anything that could divide us,” Wiggins said.

Hope and First Baptist have worked together in the past on issues such as poverty, homelessness and affordable housing. But this was the first time they combined congregations and worship services, using the occasion of Christ’s resurrection — and the capacity of Amway — to fit inside the same building with room for a new thousand more from the community at large.

There were people who arrived by bus and a tour group from Hong Kong. Free admission and parking attracted more than a few who had never been inside the Amway before. Mayor Buddy Dyer said the purpose of the arena, largely built for the Orlando Magic, is to provide a place for community events.

“Today, the Amway Center serves as a house of our Lord,” he said. “This is holy ground today.”

Uth, in his passionate Easter sermon, retold the story of Jesus appearing after his death to walk among disciples who didn’t recognize him. For those who didn’t belong to a church or had never felt the presence of the Lord, God brought them to the arena for just that reason, Uth said.

“Jesus is a lot closer than you think,” he said. “Jesus is much bigger than you can imagine.”

Rebecca Ferguson, a 61-year-old member of First Baptist, said she found the service uplifting after weeks of accusations on both sides of the Trayvon Martin case.

“It’s encouraging to see us worship all together, especially with all this trouble in Sanford,” she said.

                 Bishop Allen T.D. Wiggins on the Jumbo-Tron at Amway Center

After the extravaganza of arena-size worship, 700 members of both churches “danced their shoes off” on Church Street outside Amway. After performing a four-minute choreographed routine, the dancers stepped out of their shoes, leaving them on the pavement to be collected and distributed to poor families in Orlando.

“I thought it was good for the people doing the dancing to donate their shoes,” said Shelby Williams, 9, whose family attends Hope Church.

The empty pairs of lace-less and Velcro-strapped tennies, brightly colored Crocs, elegant high heels, thin-strapped sandals, and lightweight running shoes echoed the diversity and assortment of people, all ages, sizes, and colors, who filled Amway Center on Resurrection Sunday.

About Bishop Allen T.D. Wiggins

Bishop Allen T.D. Wiggins is a native of Daytona Beach, Florida and has served as Senior Pastor of The Hope Church, in Orlando, Florida for ten years. He is also co-founder and saxophonist of the world-renowned gospel/jazz duo, Allen & Allen. With spiritual wisdom and a heart for helping underserved communities, Bishop Wiggins continually partners with key business, ministerial, and civic leaders that work to bring long-term sustenance to urban cores. Bishop Wiggins is also involved in outreach ministries across the country, and is available for speaking engagements and interview opportunities.

To learn more about The Hope Church and Hope Center West, visit www.thehopechurch.org and www.hopecenterproject.com. For additional information contact Mylika C. Morton at 407-291-4673 or email mmorton@thehopechurch.org.

This post was written by admin | April 10, 2012

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