Walter Hawkins is dead at 61-years-old. The Grammy Award winning Gospel singer died of pancreatic cancer at his home in Ripon, California.  Path MEGAzine.com will keep you informed as the funeral arrangements are made available.  Please keep the hawkins family in prayer.  Listen to one of my favorite songs from Walter.  “When the Battle is Over” & “Goin’ Up Yonder.”

“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”
 
– Matthew 5:3-9

	Path MEGAzine.com is sad to report the passing of gospel pioneer and legend  Bishop Walter Hawkins

Reach Records recording artist Trip Lee’s highly-anticipated third studio album, Between Two Worlds, has debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Top Christian Albums Chart and Top Gospel Albums Chart. In addition, the album landed at #58 on the Billboard Top 200, making it one of the week’s top-selling debuts in all genres.

Within hours of the June 22nd release, Between Two Worlds debuted in the Top 10 Albums Chart at iTunes, peaking at #7, and sharing Top 10 status with new releases from Eminem, Miley Cyrus, Ozzy Osbourne and others. The debut of Between Two Worlds bests Trip Lee’s 2008 release, 20/20, which debuted at #193 on the Billboard Top 200 and peaked at #11 on Billboard’s Top Christian Albums chart and #4 on the Top Gospel Albums chart. “After watching Trip Lee craft this album over many months of hard work, we are excited to release such a strong project,” says Ben Washer, co-founder and CEO of Reach Records. “Due to the incredible support from fans, the response has exceeded our expectations.

We are proud to be a part of Trip’s ministry and look forward to the impact he will have.” Between Two Worlds features guest performances by Lecrae, Sho Baraka, Jimmy Needham, Thi’sl and Jai, who is featured on the first radio single, “The Invasion (Hero).”

Between Two Worlds is available now at iTunes and wherever music is sold. Deluxe and vinyl versions are available online at www.merchline.com/reach/, and an exclusive version with bonus content is also available at all Family Christian Stores (in-store only).

Reach Records is distributed by Infinity Music Distribution. For more information, or to sample Between Two Worlds, visit www.reachrecords.com.

Acclaimed Christian Hip Hop Artist Da’ T.R.U.T.H. renewed his wedding vows with beautiful wife Nicole Lambert earlier this week on Tuesday, June 15th—their eighth wedding anniversary. This special event punctuated the completion of their official restoration plan—marking the page of a new beginning and giving testimony to the redeeming power of reconciliation.  Additionally, today, he has released a public letter to his family and supporters on his website. The scandal that was well known by fans and supporters can be viewed at the bottom of the article.  Da’ TRUTH had this to say after renewing his vowels. “I cannot begin again, without now seeking your forgiveness as my kingdom family. My behavior was inexcusable, but with God’s grace and mercy I pray you find it forgivable.  It is my sincere prayer that not another person would be ravaged by the sin that nearly destroyed my family at my own hands.” For the full statement visit www.datruth.net.

The private ceremony, held in their backyard and attended by family and close friends, was officiated by Bishop Gilbert and Mrs. Debi Coleman—the marriage counseling team leading the Lambert’s restoration process.  Also in attendance were Alvin Love & CeCe Winans, who have been walking intimately with the couple as supporting counselors and mentors.  Da’ T.R.U.T.H.’s long-time friend and spiritual father, William “The Ambassador” Branch and his wife Michelle, Maurette Brown Clark and DJ Wade-O—host of The Wade-O Radio show—were in attendance as well.

More than a celebration, this was truly a worship experience where Jesus was the only star.  DJ Wade-O described it as “an out of this world experience.”  He went on to say “Not including my own, I can’t remember being that moved and touched at a wedding ceremony.  The worship was incredible.  Bishop Coleman was tremendous.  And it’s obvious that Manny and Nicole have a lot of great people around them who will continue to support and love them as they enter this new chapter in their relationship.”

As the service came to close, the presence of God was so tangible that Da’ T.R.U.T.H. was moved to share the gospel and an exhortation to married couples.  Through sobs of gratitude, he expressed that “sin was the reason for the breakdown between God and man. It was also the reason for the breakdown between man and man—and with his wife in this case—and Christ is the remedy for both.”  The ceremony also included moving performances by friends and co-laborers CeCe Winans who sang “I Promise” and Maurette Brown Clark who moved everyone with her powerful song “Sovereign God.”

Also Read: Da Truth to Take a Sabbatical from Music & Ministry

Bllie Jean is one of my personal favorites.  In honor of Michael Jackson one year after his death.

Tickets for How Sweet the Sound 2010 go on sale July 5th for Verizon customers and July 10th for the general public.  The scheduled performers and dates are listed below:

Houston, TX
September 9, 2010
Featuring CeCe Winans, Byron Cage

Jacksonville, FL
September 11, 2010
Featuring CeCe Winans, James Fortune

Memphis, TN
September 14, 2010
Featuring CeCe Winans, Dorinda Clark Cole

Philadelphia, PA
September 17, 2010
Featuring CeCe Winans, Lonnie Hunter

Washington, DC
September 18, 2010
Featuring CeCe Winans, Richard Smallwood, Maurette Brown Clark

Newark, NJ
September 22, 2010
Featuring CeCe Winans, Kurt Carr

Cleveland, OH
September 24, 2010
Featuring CeCe Winans, James Fortune

Detroit, MI
September 25, 2010
Featuring CeCe Winans, Kurt Carr

Chicago, IL
September 27, 2010
Featuring CeCe Winans, Dorinda Clark Cole

Charlotte, NC
September 30, 2010
Featuring CeCe Winans, John P. Kee

Atlanta, GA
October 2, 2010
Featuring CeCe Winans, Israel Houghton, Tamela Mann

St. Louis, MO
October 5, 2010
Featuring CeCe Winans, Dwight Stone

Oakland, CA
October 9, 2010
Featuring CeCe Winans, Byron Cage

Los Angeles, CA
October 11, 2010
Featuring CeCe Winans

Also See: Performers Announced for BET Awards

BET has announced its performers for the 2010 BET Awards. Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams, Kim Burrell, Karen Clark Sheard, and Marvin Sapp will join Alicia Keys, DJ Khaled, Eminem, Drake, T-Pain, Rick Ross, Kanye West, Usher, and Nicki Minaj as performers for this year’s show. This year’s festivities will take place on June 27, 2010 from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, CA at 8p ET. Queen Latifah serving as the evening’s host.

Brian Leslie is on a mission for Jesus Christ.  He’s not preaching or singing, but he is walking.  Carrying a 65 pound cross wherever he goes.

Just before Labor day the 33 year-old from Mineola said God told him to “look to Matthew (in the Bible) and set out on the highways,” proclaiming the message of God.  The symbolism of his actions brings a literal meaning to the biblical scripture “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”-Matthew 16:24  

It was clear to Brian what he had to do.  He would set on a journey carrying the heavy cross across busy cities and barren countryside alike.  “My family thought I was crazy,” Brian said.  But he set out on his journey anyways.  Walking 600 miles to Albuquerque, N.M, then to Florida.  When Path MEGAzine contributing photographer Diana Simonetta caught up with him, he was at mile marker 885 outside of Livingston Texas June 14, 2010.  He was on Highway 59 headed on the way to Houston and then Mexico.  Diana spent some time with him asking questions and taking pictures.  Before she left him, Diana extended her hand out to give Brian money.  Brian told her that “the only way I can accept this, is if the Lord put this on your heart to give to me.”  Diana said he did, and Brian was gracious.

Brian welcomes anyone he sees to sign his cross with a red permanent marker and says he will pray for these people on his journey.  Brian says some people honk, to show support, and in most cases he has been treated nice.  However he told Times Record News months earlier that he was “persecuted pretty bad” in some parts of New Mexico.  

Leslie mentioned that when he completes his journey he may be a preacher or start a church.

The symbolism of Brian’s actions are motivating.  To some people it’s over the top.  But what are we doing to deny self, and pick up our cross?  Not the humiliating and burdened cross that Jesus bore in his time.  But the cross that says I’m willing to fulfill my purpose and follow my Path.  Everyone’s cross, path and purpose is different, but we are all called to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The historical and factual way to everlasting life.

OK so I haven’t heard the entire album yet, but I have heard several songs off it.  At press time Tuesday (today) the album dropped.  It’s not a terrible throw the album back at the store window type of project.  But it is some-what of a disappointment.  On the tracks I’ve heard, the vocal arrangements and production was not what I expected it to be coming from Juanita Bynum.  However, there’s a message that will identify with the Juanita Bynum faithfuls and those liking heartfelt Gospel music.  Listen to the track by clicking HERE or Click the Picture.

RELATED: AMI RUSHES NEW SINGLE ‘TESTIFY’ LEAKED

Kobe Bryant’s supposedly authentic freestyle with Gospel rapper J. Xavier. This comes out after Kobe’s fifth championship win. J Xavier is best known for his raps in the Gospel industry but he has had some success crossing over in mainstream music.  This mp3 was sent directly to Path, What do you guys think? 

CLICK to ALSO LISTEN TO: AMI RUSHES NEW SINGLE ‘TESTIFY’