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.

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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!

Steven Curtis Chapman has signed a recording agreement with Provident Music Group, which will begin with the release of a Christmas record titled JOY (Reunion Records/Provident Label Group) on October 16.

The iconic artist has amassed 46 No. 1 singles, 57 GMA Dove Awards; five GRAMMY awards and more than 200 songs recorded on 17 original albums spread across an illustrious 25-year career. In 2013, Steven will follow the Christmas release with his first full studio release of all new material since 2007’s This Moment.

Terry A. Hemmings, President and CEO, Provident Music Group shares, “Steven and I have been friends for many years and I have always respected his character and integrity. He possesses the heart, passion and energy to do the work he’s been called to; not only in music, but in caring for others and utilizing his gifts for so much more. We’re excited to provide him a place to tell his story, while coming alongside him with the resources and channels to allow that story to be heard and experienced by many. We believe this will be a great ‘new adventure’ for all of us.”

“Many know that the last few years have been a difficult journey for my family and me, following the loss of our daughter Maria,” says Chapman. “So many have prayed for us and encouraged us, and having the opportunity to write, record and share this new music really feels like the beginning of a new season…a season of joy.”

He adds, “In writing and experimenting with different ideas, my management and I discussed doing something for my friends and fans this year, perhaps releasing a small side project direct through my website. But as momentum picked up on some Christmas songs, I felt it blossoming into a full release. Then unexpectedly and suddenly, when it didn’t seem it could be made available this year, the door opened for the chance to partner with Provident, and do so with a long time friend I truly respect, Terry Hemmings, so I’m excited about the chance to write a new chapter.”

“I have nothing but the deepest respect, admiration and gratitude for my friends at EMI. I am so grateful to the people there for their belief in me, and the amazing things God accomplished through us together these past 25 years. Bill, Peter and the entire team there are remarkable and remain valued friends.”

The first release through the new partnership at Provident Label Group is a 12-track Christmas title called JOY, slated for release on October 16. Chapman has three previously released Christmas projects: The Music of Christmas (1995, RIAA Certified Gold), Christmas is All in the Heart (2003, a Hallmark limited, sold-out run of 400,000) and All I Really Want for Christmas (2005, RIAA Certified GOLD).

“One thing I’m particularly excited about with this new music is the fact that I got to go in the studio and capture the magic that happens when musicians are together in the same room, making music, and having more fun than anyone should be allowed to have doing their job,” offers Chapman.

“We found this great studio in Lexington, Ky. (my birth state!) and gathered together some of my favorite players, slept over in the rooms there, set up a Christmas tree (I wore my favorite Charlie Brown Christmas t-shirts everyday) and went at it.”

Audiences will have the chance to hear new songs from JOY when Chapman joins the 12 Gifts of Christmas tour this November and December. He joins Laura Story and speakers, including his wife, Mary Beth Chapman, Patsy Clairmont, Luci Swindoll, Marilyn Meberg, comedienne Anita Renfroe and illusionist Harris III. For full tour information, visit www.12gifts.com.

“There are still bittersweet moments of tears for us at Christmas, and I’m sure will be until we see our daughter and our Savior face to face,” Chapman notes. “But each year the memories seem sweeter, the bitter gets less bitter, and the laughter gets louder…and there’s joy again…full on joy!”

Following the release of JOY and the 12 Gifts of Christmas tour, Chapman will return to the studio to begin recording his first full studio release since his 2007 This Moment.

For more information on Steven, please visit: www.stevencurtischapman.com.

Gaiam Vivendi Entertainment, Inc., announced that Woman Thou Art Loosed!: On the 7th Day, starring Blair Underwood, Sharon Leal, Pam Grier and Nicoye Banks, will release on Blu-Ray, DVD and Digital on September 4. Woman Thou Art Loosed!: On the 7th Day is the second project in T.D. Jakes‘ eponymous “Woman Thou Art Loosed!” franchise.  

“Releasing ‘Woman Thou Art Loosed!: On the 7th Day’ on DVD allows our TDJ Independents division to distribute its signature inspirational content to a wider audience than through box office alone,” said T.D. Jakes.

Woman Thou Art Loosed!: On the 7th Day is a mysterious and compelling narrative in which elements of love, suspense, faith and redemption serve as the backdrop to one unimaginable and life-altering experience for one couple who seem to have it all.