Gunmen armed with Kalashnikov assault rifles surrounded a church in central Nigeria and opened fire during a Monday night worship service. According to the Associated Press report, the attackers killed 19 of the worshippers at Deeper Life Bible Church in the town of Otite in Kogi state, located 155 miles southwest of Nigeria’s capital Abuja.

Another report from Africa puts the death total at 16 and the number of seriously wounded at nine. The church’s pastor was among those killed.

According to the Associated Press, no arrests had been made as of Tuesday morning. No group has claimed responsibility for the massacre. However, the radical Islamist sect Boko Haram has attacked numerous churches and has vowed to make Nigeria an all-Islamic country while driving out all Christians. An Associated Press count puts the number killed by the Boko Haram at 660 this year. That number includes many Christians as well as moderate Muslims and police.

“The increasingly intentional activity of Boko Haram has taken on the characteristics of a real war,” said Open Doors USA President Dr. Carl Moeller. “These are not random attacks as they’re often characterized in the media. They are intentional, and they’re designed with one purpose in mind: the elimination of Christianity. I call it ‘religicide’ or the intentional and systemic effort to eliminate a religious belief and its followers from a country or region.

“Our prayers go out to the families of the victims and members of the Deeper Life Church. May they experience the peace which only our Lord can give.”

Open Doors USA is among a group of religious leaders and human rights advocates who 10 days ago sent a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton expressing their deep concern regarding the continuing religiously motivated violence in Nigeria. The letter calls on the State Department to designate Boko Haram as a terrorist organization as well as to work with the Nigerian government to provide improved security for religious minorities.

The State Department’s 2011 International Religious Freedom Report released last week stated: “In Nigeria, attacks by elements of the violent extremist sect Boko Haram claimed the lives of both Christians and Muslims. The government did not effectively quell rising hostility or investigate and prosecute those responsible for violence.”

Nigeria is ranked No. 13 on the 2012 Open Doors World Watch List of 50 countries which are the worst persecutors of Christians. According to World Watch List, Nigeria had at least 300 martyrs in 2011, although the actual number could be closer to 1,000.

An estimated 100 million Christians worldwide suffer interrogation, arrest and even death for their faith in Christ, with millions more facing discrimination and alienation. Open Doors supports and strengthens believers in the world’s most difficult areas through Bible and Christian literature distribution, leadership training and assistance, Christian community development, prayer and presence ministry and advocacy on behalf of suffering believers. To partner with Open Doors USA, call toll free at 888-5-BIBLE-5 (888-524-2535) or go to www.OpenDoorsUSA.org.

August 12th will mark the first year anniversary of the unexpected death of frequent TBN TV host and mega church pastor, Zachary Tims, who was found dead in a New York City hotel room under suspicious circumstances. His former wife and mother of his four children, Riva Tims, pastor of the Majestic Life Church in Orlando, FL, continues to rebuild her life and create a new one for her children without their father.
 
Their story reads like a movie. She was raised in an upper middle class home, was active in church and was a virgin when they met at a Bible school where they were both students. He was a former drug dealer who had cleaned his life up and pursued the ministry with passion. They married and moved to Orlando with no money and started a fellowship. Their first service had six attendees in 1996 and the church became very connected with the local community, boasting job fairs for the unemployed, aiding the congregants in purchasing homes and feeding the hungry. The fellowship struck a nerve in Orlando and membership swelled to 8,000 worshippers over the next decade.

Just before Tims’ died, Riva Tims had finished writing a book entitled, When It All Falls Apart: Finding Healing, Joy and Victory Through Pain (Charisma House), which was revised after his death and released this past spring. The book details the miraculous journey that she and her husband made together for the sake of ministry, how her marriage fell apart because of his year-long dalliance with a Paris woman, the other extramarital affairs that led to their divorce, the mysterious circumstances surrounding his sudden death and how she triumphed over the emotional depression this whole episode brought upon her. As this tragedy has unfolded, Riva has leaned on God and forgiven all of those who played a role in this tragedy. She now feels especially equipped to minister to others who have gone through similar situations and the church she founded, Majestic Life Church, has become a social shelter for hurting and ever-healing people.

“Riva Tims has walked through the valley of pain and lived to tell about it,” says J. Lee Grady, Contributing Editor, Charisma Magazine.  “She has walked through the fire…but she’s not bitter, sarcastic or discouraged. I know her story will restore hope to many who are ready to give up.” Visit www.rivatimsbook.com for more information.

Roosevelt Boles, Jr. born in Mount Vernon, New York, raised in Hampton, South Carolina has over time created what many are beginning to recognize as his musical genius. His love for the Lord and music propelled him down various avenues to help understand the purpose for his ministry. Intrigued at a young age by strong musical influences, Roosevelt Boles third CD Release has been a long time coming and remains special for him.

Entitled SHOW ME this August 7th release is sure to bring Roosevelt Boles to new paramount’s as he says his creed “ONLY WHAT YOU DO FOR CHRIST WILL LAST” has kept him focused throughout working on this project. Roosevelt Boles has been blessed with the gift of song and he has made it his mission to spread the gospel with that gift.

Roosevelt Boles title cut single “Show Me”, an unforgettable, passionate plea to God and “World’s Greatest”, penned by Grammy winner R. Kelly are currently Going for Adds on Gospel and Urban AC Radio.

Tonight, August 7, 2012 Roosevelt Boles is scheduled to perform songs from his new CD on Atlanta Live. The program will air live on WATC-TV 57 in Atlanta and will stream live at www.watc.tv at 7 pm EST.

With a peaking career Roosevelt Boles has garnered the attention of 97.5FM, Atlanta’s largest Gospel radio station. Roosevelt Boles was recently featured in Tyler Perry’s new movie,“Witness Protection” and has also worked with Latocha Scott from the female pop groupXSCAPE who was featured on Roosevelt Boles sophomore project entitled MIRROR MIRROR.

Steve Harvey, 55-year-old comedian, headlined his very last stand-up comedy show with tears while giving glory to God last week at the the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Harvey closed out 27 years of stand-up comedy with a tearful message to his fans who received him with a standing ovation. The Christian Post reports that as tears streamed down Harvey’s face, he gripped his golden microphone and sniffled while thanking his screaming audience for their support and love.

“Thank y’all for making my dreams come true. you can’t be famous without people,” Harvey said between sniffles. “Really, I’ve been dreading this moment because I didn’t know what to say. I just want to say thank you.”

“God has given me a life far beyond anything I ever dreamed about. God is, man, God is something else man,” Harvey said.

While the comedian thanked his business partner, fellow comedians and bodyguard, he also had a special message for his wife who was watching her husband from the audience as she wiped away tears.

“I want to thank Marjorie for skyrocketing my life,” Harvey told his wife in front of thousands. “I wasn’t doing good until you came along, girl. I [surely] thank you.”

The author, radio and television host went on to open up about his Christian faith to his audience.

“Twenty-seven years is a long time to do something that you love to do. Bishop Jakes, T.D. Jakes, told me – heard him in a sermon one time say – ‘I would hate to die and never do the thing I was born to do,'” Harvey said. “Man, God let me do it. He let me do it. I’m not a perfect Christian, you dig, but my life has gotten to this point.”

He went on to speak about being a witness for God.

“Somebody tweeted me and said, ‘Your career is what you paid for, your calling is what you’re made for.’ God has positioned me just this way to be just like I am, to say what I say how I say it,” Harvey told his audience in a final goodbye. “I’m just a living witness that you can be an imperfect soldier and still be in the army fighting for God Almighty. Don’t you think you got to be perfect ’cause I ain’t. Thank y’all for 27 years. I love you.”

While the comedian will no longer headline his own stand-up comedy shows, he is currently the host of “Family Feud,” a radio show and is working on a daytime television talk show.

Read More by The Christian Post 

Rising talent BRE’LY EVANS is a beautiful bubbly actress with a compassionate, sincere soul. The multi-faceted actress, singer, songwriter and motivational speaker has been blessed with in an amazing year.

Bre’ly is prepping for the release of the Tristar feature film remake of the 1976 hit movie Sparkle. Bre’ly plays the role of “Tune Ann” alongside of an all-star cast: American Idol winner and Grammy® nominated recording artist Jordin Sparks, the late Multi-Grammy® Award winner Whitney Houston, Grammy® Award winner Cee-Lo Green, Tamela Mann, Mike Epps, Derek Luke, Carmen Ejogo, Tika Sumpter and Omari Hardwick. Sparkle is set to hit theaters nationwide on August 17. “I’m counting the days down to see the movie! This feels like Christmas,” says Bre’ly. “Everyone will love the music and be inspired, but please bring your tissue box. It’s a very touching film!”

Bre’ly is a Hollywood actress, but is first a child of God who desires to honor God in all that she does. She has utilized her national platform to travel and speak encouraging others to Live By Your Gift and to live a Christ centered life.

Taking every chance she gets to sparkle for a cause and give of herself, Bre’ly plans to return to her hometown of Oakland, CA on August 18th to celebrate the movie release. She has invited the community to come out and watch the movie with her and a portion of the ticket sales will be donated to The Sharon Randolph Foundation. Bre’ly is a celebrity supporter of The Sharon Randolph Foundation who offers programs and support for breast cancer patients.

First Baptist Church of Crystal Springs, Miss., has issued an apology Sunday, expressing regret and admitting to being wrong.

“As a church, we express our apology to Te’Andrea and Charles Wilson for the hurt that was brought to them in the hours preceding their wedding and beyond,” the church stated. “We are seeking forgiveness and reconciliation with our Lord Jesus Christ, Te’Andrea and Charles, family and friends of the Hendersons and Wilsons, our church family, and our community for the actions and attitudes that have recently occurred.”

Te’Andrea and Charles Wilson had planned to marry at First Baptist, a predominantly white church, in July. But at the last minute, the couple was told that they would have to move the wedding to a different church. First Baptist Pastor Stan Weatherford said a small minority in his church opposed the wedding and thus to avoid conflict he decided to perform the wedding at a nearby church.

The Wilsons would have been the first black couple to marry at the 150-year-old church.

The move was met by protest by the public as word spread.

Russell D. Moore, dean of the School of Theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., said he cringed when he heard about the church’s refusal to marry the African-American couple. First Baptist, he said, should seek repentance and reconciliation.

“Mississippi Christians know, perhaps better than the rest of the country, just how satanic and violent racial supremacy can be,” Moore stated. “We have danced with the devil and we ought to recognize him when he returns. But that’s precisely why Mississippians ought to be the ones to lead the way in showing the church what biblical reconciliation and revival looks like.

“A church that prized carnal divisions over color of skin or cultural background is a church that isn’t finding its identity outside of the flesh and in a Jewish Messiah seated at the right hand of God,” the Southern Baptist emphasized. “The church is made up of people who have lost everything. We are dead. We prize nothing about what we used to take such pride in, and we instead see ourselves as executed and raised in Christ.”

John Piper, an influential Reformed theologian who has repented of his past racism, agreed with Moore, tweeting, “The gospel lost. Rise up FBC.”

In its statement Sunday, First Baptist Church of Crystal Springs recognized that it is made up of “sinful, redeemed, but flawed saints who intentionally at times choose not to follow the Lord’s will.”

Expressing regret for moving the wedding, the church added, “We, the church, realize that the Hendersons and Wilsons should never have been asked to relocate their wedding. This wrong decision resulted in hurt and sadness for everyone. Both the pastor and those involved in the wedding location being changed have expressed their regrets and sorrow for their actions.”

The church also affirmed that it should be open to “all people.”

Still upset by the incident, Charles Wilson said he believes the church is “misleading the public,” according to CNN.

“The pastor has not spoken to us since a couple days after the incident. We have not heard from the pastor or any church official since the incident,” he said Sunday.

Georgia natives, THE WARDLAW BROTHERS (TWB) are dubbed the “Boyz II Men of Gospel”.  TWB are: Carl Anthony “Tony” the traditional, soulful voice; Martin Luther  Lute” the lead vocalist with a voice that speaks to the spirit; “Jamie” Cornelius themelodious bass man that defines TWB’s distinctive sound;  Carl III “Carlo” who melds in the urban/hip hop flavor; and Rodney Allen “Baby Boy”, contributes the smooth, serene voice of the five.

“Somewhere Listening” is a beautifully crafted, urban contemporary ballad derived from an old spiritual song.  “Somewhere Listening” [Available on iTunes] is the current radio single to TWB’s forthcoming release GOD’S BEEN THERE.

Watch the music video below:

PATH has learned that Tina Campbell of the sisterly-group Mary Mary has given birth to a new baby boy this past weekend.  The baby boy was named Santana Campbell, weighing 7lbs., 5 oz and measuring 19.5 inches long.

This is the 5th child for Tina and husband Teddy Campbell, who had the baby in a Los Angeles hospital at 9:16 a.m. Saturday morning.  

Erica told Essence Magazine, “With the biggest grin plastered across his face, my husband and proud dad, Teddy, held my hand, as I cried tears of joy when my doctor handed me our new son.”

“After 9 challenging months of carrying our son, every second of it all became so worth it, in this moment. We’re so privileged to have, once again, experienced the gift  of childbirth.” 

Santana joins siblings Cierra, 18, Laiah Simone, 8, Meela Jane, 5, and Glendon Theodore, II, 3. 

Earlier this year Tina’s older sister Erica Campbell welcomed daughter Zaya on January 24, 2012.

Congratulations to the Campbell family!