An unforgettable night of tributes and performances will be featured at the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Tuesday, August 14, 2012 (7:00 PM CST) at Trinity Music City in Hendersonville, TN. Dailey & Vincent, Dottie Peoples, Gordon Mote, Greg Long, The Isaacs, Jamie Grace, Michael W. Smith and The Talleys are among the artists set to provide recognition to this years inductees: Aretha Franklin, The Hoppers, Rex Humbard, Ricky Skaggs and Love Song. Jason Crabb and Jaci Velasquez will host the evening’s festivities.

Jackie Patillo, Executive Director of the Gospel Music Association and President of the Gospel Music Foundation commented: “It is great to see our christian and gospel music communities come together to pay tribute to this years GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame inductees. It is an honor to recognize our trailblazers and remind the world of the people God has used to spread the gospel through music.” The event is FREE and open to the public.

This year marks the 39th anniversary of the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame which was established in 1971, and has inducted more than 150 members since its inception. Previous inductees include Johnny Cash, DeGarmo & Key, Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley, Mahalia Jackson, Amy Grant, the Statler Brothers, the Winans, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Andrae Crouch, Sandi Patty, Andrae Crouch & the Disciples, Vestal Goodman, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Shirley Caesar, The Oak Ridge Boys, the Blackwood Brothers, Petra, Bill Gaither, Gloria Gaither, the Happy Goodman Family, Larry Norman, George Beverly Shea, Albertina Walker, The Imperials, Pat Boone, Dottie Rambo, Evie, Larry Norman, Richard Smallwood, Jake Hess, The Lewis Family, Cliff Barrows, Thomas A. Dorsey, the Cathedral Quartet, the Fairfield Four, Billy Graham and The Jordanaires. The Gospel Music Hall of Fame is dedicated to fostering an appreciation of the historical development of gospel music and its impact on our culture by collecting, preserving, exhibiting and interpreting its collections for a global audience, as well as honoring those who have made outstanding contributions to gospel music. For a full list of GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame Members click here.

ABOUT THE INDUCTEES:

ARETHA FRANKLIN
Although born in soul’s capitol city, Memphis. The Franklin family soon moved to Detroit, MI, where her father, Baptist minister Reverend C. L. Franklin, soon became one of the most revered public figures in black America. During her late preteens, Franklin was regularly singing solo numbers in her father’s New Bethel Baptist Church. She grew up with local and national celebrities visiting in her family home, including gospel greats Albertina Walker and her group The Caravans, Mahalia Jackson and Clara Ward, three women who played a pivotal role in her vocal development.

In 1972, she released the gospel album Amazing Grace. The album eventually became her biggest-selling release ever, selling over two million copies and becoming the best-selling gospel album of all time. In 1987 she again returned to her gospel roots with the album, One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism, which though it did not repeat the success of Amazing Grace despite a powerful rendition of “Oh Happy Day”, featuring Mavis Staples, but did reach the Top 10 of Billboard’s gospel chart.

Rolling Stone magazine ranked her atop its list of The Greatest Singers of All Time as well as the ninth greatest artist of all time. She has won 18 competitive Grammys and two honorary Grammys. She has 20 #1 singles on the Billboard R&B Singles Chart and two #1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100: “Respect” (1967) and “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)” (1987), Since 1961, she has scored a total of 45 Top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. She also has the most million-selling singles of any female artist. Between 1967 and 1982 she had 10 #1 R&B albums-more than any other female artist. In 1987, Aretha became the first female artist to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She was the only featured singer at the 2009 Presidential Inauguration.

DALLAS HOLM
Dallas has earned his influence in today’s Christian music throughout more than 40 years of writing, singing and ministry in some 4,000 concerts in every state in the USA as well as many countries abroad. His 38 recordings have garnered gold records, multiple Dove awards, Grammy nominations, number one songs, and countless accolades.

Artists such as Steven Curtis Chapman, Twila Paris and Greg Long of Avalon all make reference to Holm’s significant impact on their lives and ministries. Holm can be seen on several of the Bill Gaither Homecoming videos. On one video Gaither introduces Dallas by saying, “This is one of the nicest guys in our entire industry.” This broad appeal and respect by peers has undoubtedly been one of the reasons for Holm’s amazing longevity and relevance. They became the first Contemporary Christian band to receive an RIAA certified Gold Album for Dallas Holm and Praise LIVE.

THE HOPPERS
Multi-award winning family group The Hoppers have been singing to global audiences for over 55 years with appearances ranging from presidential religious inaugural ceremonies and New York’s Carnegie Hall to singing conventions and church platforms. They have performed throughout the United States as well as in Israel, Europe and Africa. Their unique blend of harmonies and song choices have created a legacy of musical excellence embraced by leading pastors and event organizers. Known as America’s Favorite Family of Gospel Music, they are favorites on the Gaither Homecoming videos and tours, and their recordings frequently land at the top of the BILLBOARD sales charts and The Singing News radio charts.

Comprised today of family members Claude & Connie, son Dean and his wife, Kim, and son Mike Hopper, The Hoppers were formed in 1957 in the rural-farm town of Madison, NC, and have grown continuously for decades, touching countless lives around the world. A cancer survivor, Connie has been honored with the prestigious Marvin Norcross Award, in addition to numerous industry and fan honors; and she has been inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Sons Dean and Mike have continued the family legacy with their musical talents and business abilities; and Kim, Dean’s wife, hails from her own nationally acclaimed musical family, The Greenes. She is noted for the excitement she brings to any live performance, and her unmistakable, rafter-ringing soprano vocals have taken The Hoppers to new heights for many years.

REX HUMBARD
In 1932, Rex Humbard did his first radio program on KTHS Radio, Hot Springs, Arkansas; at the age of 13. His father, Alpha Rex Emanuel Humbard, ran an orphanage and church in downtown Hot Springs. In the midst of the Great Depression, church attendance was poor and offerings for the orphanage suffered greatly. Rex did his radio program every week, singing, playing his guitar and telling the listeners about his father’s church. One year later the seats were full to capacity and the orphans had a new lease on life. From that time forward, Rex Humbard realized the power of the media and the importance of the “life changing” message contained in gospel music.

From 1945 through 1952 (during the war years), Rex and his wife, Maude Aimee, traveled to every section of the USA and Canada conducting tent crusade meetings. In each of these cities they purchased radio time and appeared daily singing gospel music and promoting the tent crusades. In 1949, Rex did his first TV show in Indianapolis, Indiana on the local CBS station. Once again, gospel music was the center piece of the program.

The Rex Humbard Ministry program ran from 1952 to 1985. In the early 1970’s, Time Magazine did a feature story on Rex Humbard and coined the phrase “tele-evangelist” to describe Rex. In 1999, Rex was named as “one of the 25 shapers of the 20th century” by US News and World Report because of his visionary use of the media to promote his message of hope, love and salvation. One of the most vital parts of his ministry was gospel music.

LOVE SONG
In the early 70’s, during the beginnings of what became known as the “Jesus Movement,” a group of young, longhaired, “hippie” musicians called LOVE SONG began to use their music to express their newfound faith in Jesus Christ. A mixture of rock and pop, LOVE SONG’s music was entirely new and unique for the Christian music world.

The music was fresh, sometimes radical, and yet truly inspirational for a generation of young people searching for truth. It helped blaze the path for what we know today as Contemporary Christian Music. They flourished amidst the swirl of national media attention from top record labels and interviews with magazines including ROLLING STONE. God used them in a powerful way to bring many people to Himself. “In a world of imitators, Love Song has been an originator, the first domino that started the others going”

RICKY SKAGGS
Fourteen-time Grammy Award winner and two-time Dove Awards winner, Ricky Skaggs, is affectionately known as one of bluegrass music’s most recognized ambassadors. Singing comes naturally to Skaggs, and singing Gospel songs even more so. At the tender age of 3, he began by harmonizing with his mother as she sang Gospel songs. He began to perform in his church, singing with his parents there. His illustrious path to stardom has always included Gospel songs, as he loves to sing about Jesus and His love for all of us.

From there, Skaggs went on to put his own stamp on the mainstream country and bluegrass formats, resulting in twelve #1 hits, eight Country Music Association Awards and eight Academy of Country Music Awards. 1997 marked Ricky Skaggs’ triumphant return to bluegrass and the establishment of his own Skaggs Family Records label, which has gone on to break new sales records in the genre. Now in his 40th year as a professional musician, he continues to record and tour with his band Kentucky Thunder as one of music’s most sought after live performers.

The long awaited new project from J Moss, V4… The Other Side, debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Gospel Albums chart this week. This represents the highest chart debut of his career! 

Mary Mary is ever-so consistent in sales coming in at #2 after three months on the charts. 

Amber Bullock rebounds, going from #21 to #9 this week, and her label-mate Le’Andria Johnson pops back into the Top 10.

Check out the rest of the top 10:

1 | J Moss – V4… The Other Side
2 | Mary Mary – Go Get It
3 | WOW Gospel 2012
4 | KB – Weight & Glory
5 | Marvin Sapp – I Win
6 | Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago – The Best of Both Worlds
7 | Le’Andria Johnson – The Awakening of…
8 | James Fortune & FIYA – Identity
9 | Amber Bullock – So In Love
10 | Le’Andria Johnson – The Evolution of…

Evangelist Billy Graham is in stable condition after being admitted to a hospital in Asheville, N.C., Saturday night.

Graham, 93, was evaluated and treated for a pulmonary infection. He was alert when he was being admitted to Mission Hospital and is now resting comfortably, according to spokesman A. Larry Ross.

“Appropriate antibiotics are being administered and … his condition is stable,” Ross said in a statement.

Graham is currently retired, after having preached the Gospel to nearly 215 million people in more than 185 countries and territories. He spends most of his time in his home in Montreat, N.C., due to age-related conditions.

Though retired, the respected evangelist is still involved in ministry and is also working on a new book focused on the Gospel message that he preached in the span of over 70 years.

It was also recently announced that the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association will hold the largest North American evangelistic event it has ever held next year on the week of Graham’s 95th birthday.

The event “could be Billy Graham’s final call to America to turn to God,” according to Preston Parrish, BGEA vice president for My Hope With Billy Graham.

In a prayer letter last month, Graham lamented the moral direction of America and said his heart “aches” for it. He pointed to the millions of babies that have been aborted as well as indulgence, pride and a lack of shame over sin that are “now emblems of the American lifestyle.”

“The wonderful news is that our Lord is a God of mercy, and He responds to repentance,” he stated.

Evangelist T. D. Jakes’ latest foray into filmmaking includes the making of “Sparkle,” planned for release next week. The film will forever be known as Whitney Houston’s last performance in a movie before her untimely death last February.

Jakes was able to assemble not only Houston, but an ensemble of actors that includes American Idol winner Jordin Sparks, for the remake of the original 1976 film. Instead of the backdrop of Harlem in the late ’50s and early ’60s, Jakes’ movie is set in Detroit during the Motown era of the ’60s and early ’70s.

The story line includes a single mother (Houston) trying to raise her three daughters with biblical principles and values while they launch out on a musical career. Issues of moral compromise and career aspirations arise and cause conflict among the sisters and between the sisters and the mother.

T.D. Jakes and actor Mike Epps (L) chat in between scenes on the set of “Sparkle.”

In a interview with the Christian Post, Jakes says that although the movie is not an overtly Christian film, “Sparkle” is “certainly laced with faith.”

Below is the interview with Jakes.

CP: What do you remember most about Whitney Houston during the making of “Sparkle?”

Jakes: I had never met Whitney prior to “Sparkle.” I kind of expected her to be kind of like her character in “Bodyguard” – to be a bit of a diva. But she was really anything but. She was very down to earth and very approachable, very likeable, and easy to work with. She was very professional on the set – very into the role that she was playing and did a phenomenal job. I enjoyed it.

CP: Jordin Sparks said during a recent interview that she was impressed with Whitney’s “well worn out” Bible that she would bring to the set every day. What impressed you about Whitney’s faith journey?

Jakes: The very first thing that she said to me was that she was well familiar with me because her mother who is a noted gospel singer inundated her with DVDs and VHS copies of my ministry. So I was surprised by that. Also, just how in touch she was with her spiritual side and really seeking views on the spiritual side to lift herself up and to become the person that she really wanted to be.

CP: “Sparkle” may not be viewed as a Christian film per se. What would you say to your brothers and sisters in Christ about this film?

Jakes: My company does not produce just faith films. We want to produce films with a positive message and I think that this fits into that category. Sometimes our films will be more overtly faith-filled like the movie that we are getting ready to do, “Heaven Is for Real.” There will be movies that are laced with faith like “Sparkle.” And “Sparkle” is certainly laced with faith but it is not purely a faith film and I want to remind you that it is a remake. So when you do a remake you have to be fairly true to the story in its original form. “Sparkle” is a story that has been told before.

It has faith in it and it has the struggles that any mother has. The mother in the movie is a church woman, she sings in church, she is trying to get her daughters to avoid the same mistakes she made in a younger stage in her life. With varying degrees of success she is trying to get them on the right path. I think any person of faith can relate to that and I think they will enjoy it. I think mainstream people will enjoy it. I think it’s a great film. It’s an option that’s out there and if you don’t enjoy it, stand by, we’ll be doing something else.

Click Here to read the full interview by The Christian Post

The last three years have been a whirlwind for Atlanta, GA-based, Dove and Stellar Award nominated songwriter, Darius Paulk. Singer Vashawn Mitchell recorded his tune “Nobody Greater” and watched it rise to #1 on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs chart and spend a solid year in the Top 10 in 2010-2011. “Darius wrote a song that captured and changed the hearts of so many lives, and he’s only scratched the surface,” Mitchell says. “The world will soon experience more of his heart of worship.”
 
That experience is coming August 14th when Paulk will release his first digital EP, “Lyrics & Melodies”, a five-song cyber album that will be available on iTunes and other online music stores. It may surprise some that Paulk is a singer but he’s been doing it all of his life. “God has invested so much into me and I want to exhaust every area of gifting that he’s blessed me with and singing happens to be one of them,” he says. “I’ve always admired singer- songwriters such as Walter Hawkins, Thomas Whitfield, Twinkie Clark, Andre crouch, and Donald Lawrence so this is me living out the dream I’ve had since I was a child.”
 
Those influences are evident on songs such as the majestic ballad “He is God” that’s cut from the same cloth as the best songs by Crouch and Whitfield. Paulk’s tenor warmly fills the nooks and crannies of the tune rather than overpowering it, allowing the lyrics and melody to shine instead of having them overshadowed by vocals. “It’s a worship ballad that is dear to my heart,” he adds. “I wrote it a day after I got held up at gunpoint after the Stellar Awards last year. It kind of falls in line with the current trend.”
 
The up-tempo “This I Give” employs a charmingly sophisticated urban AC and smooth jazz vibe that makes it a refreshing vehicle to express the inspirational lyrics. Paulk, who wrote “Deeper” for Marvin Sapp’s current #1 CD “I Win”, is asked whether he feels pressure to deliver another massive hit like “Nobody Greater” and his response is definitive. “I never gauge my songs off of one another because they all come from different experiences and the true success for me is not how well it charts but how well it provokes the listener to change for the better,” he adds. “Nobody Greater was massive but I didn’t write it with the thought this is gonna be a radio smash. I wrote it with the thought that everyone that hears this will know there’s not another power Greater than our God.” For more information on Darius Paulk, visit him online at www.dariuspaulk.com.

Kevin Gales, CEO/Owner of ROXR Records, announced today the release of a new single from the label’s newest signing, Ashley Ellen. The powerful ballad, When We Call His Name, showcases Ellen’s superb vocals that can soar, but also at the same time deliver the lyrics in an intimate way.  The song was produced by the team of Craig Swift and Chris Bevins (Jaci Velasquez, Karyn Williams) and Chris Hauser of Hauser Promotions is working the single at radio.  The song will be available at iTunes and all online digital outlets on August 14^th. 

“I love the opening message of When We Call His Name as the lyric says, Every wounded heart breaks free today.  It means that even in the loneliest and darkest of times, there can be that moment of clarity, that moment of redemption and hope, by simply and earnestly calling on the name of Jesus,” explains Ellen.  “And Craig and Chris were amazing to work with on this song.  They brought out more vocally in me than anyone ever had before and made me feel like I could do anything!”

When We Call His Name also has a personal message for Ellen as it was her prayer while her husband was out of work for a year after graduating from college.  “Being without work, unfortunately, has become such a common worry and the concern is constant.  Then we were surprised with an unplanned pregnancy in the middle of this search.  While we were overjoyed, but terrified at the same time, we wondered how we could provide for this little person.  We realized quickly that we wouldn’t, but God would.  And He did.  Three months after becoming pregnant, my husband’s part-time internship turned into a full-time mechanical engineer position.  We  remembered that even in the depths of our struggles God was with us.” 

Gales knew the first time he heard Ellen sing that ROXR Records had a new songstress who would soon be signed to the label. “The first time I heard Ashley sing was during a church service and I knew her well already. We were definitely close enough that we were already talking about a possible recording.  Then one Sunday morning, I watched as Ashley just completely owned Brooke Fraser’s hit song, ‘Hosanna.’ That was a special morning.”

As Ellen was headed into the studio to record her new single, there was already buzz building about her and her music from 2011.  With the release last year of Ashley’s debut EP, The Life You Promised, rave reviews started pouring in from such high-profile Christian media outlets as CCM Magazine, CMSpin.com, and CMaddict.com. CCM Magazine heralded Ashley as an enchanting vocal powerhouse, indie standout, and called her music, meticulously crafted. Her EP broke out on iTunes at #33 on the Singer/Songwriter Chart and her video for the single, “My Dear,” hit over 100,000 views on YouTube.

Ellen is based in her hometown of St. Louis, MO, happily married to her high school sweetheart, and mother to an active 16-month old son, Elijah.  For future updates and upcoming tour dates please visit online at www.weareroxr.com. 

About ROXR Records and Management

ROXR Records and Management is an independent record label and management company based in St. Louis, MO. ROXR has a distribution and marketing agreement with Inpop Records, which helps ROXR to facilitate its commitment to developing emerging artists, and release them to the marketplace with the strength of one of Christian music’s top record labels. ROXR’s roster includes Tidewater, Mandolyn Mae, Ashley Ellen, and Raymond Gregory. For more information, visit weareroxr.com.

About Inpop Records 

Inpop Records is an independent music label based in Brentwood, TN and is home to some of the best-known bands in Christian music. Distributed by EMI Christian Music Group, Inpop Records has become one of the top-selling independent labels within the industry, having established a reputation for seeking out the best artists in emerging talent and for expanding the music marketplace with sound and ideas. Inpop’s roster includes Newsboys, Mat Kearney, Jaci Velasquez, Tricia Brock, Jimmy Needham, and The Advice among others. For more information, visit inpop.com.

Christian Hip-Hop new artist J. Long anticipates reviews as Yahoo! Music exclusively debuted his new video “Shake the Devil Off” on Wednesday, August 1, 2012. Geared to all audiences with its belting beats “Shake The Devil” song asks for everyone to let go of any hardships and take authority over their enemy.

Shot in HD, the stunning video was directed by Bruce Bang and J. Long on location in La Marque, Texas historic main street neighborhood park. “Shake the Devil Off’s” upbeat tempo is just a contribution but serves as a sample for what is to come for J. Long’s highly anticipated 2013 scheduled album release, entitled REDEEMED & BLESSED.

Since his transition, J. Long has participated in several high profile interviews and features withYahoo! Music, BET.COM, the Timothy Hodge Radio Show, ccmmagazine.com andDagospeltruth.com. Television appearances include JCTV Extreme Praise TV and Legacy TVWest Coast Prayze TV. Additionally, features in Full Blast Magazine, and Gospel Rhythms Magazine.

J. Long recently made promotional appearances at the 2012 BET Awards and at the annual Gospel Music Workshop of America in Nashville. These high profile appearances, interviews and features are guaranteed to heighten his name in the Christian/Gospel music industry.

J. Long is ready for the world to see him in a new light. This gifted singer, songwriter, producer, actor and business man still continues to make his mark in the ever so competitive music industry.

Releasing in September 2012 a REDEEMED & BLESSED MIXTAPE, which will give consumers and fans a preview of what to expect from his forthcoming REDEEMED & BLESSED LP.

J. Long continues to collaborate and prepare for his album release at the top of 2013 and plans to give Christian hip-hop a new feel and works to make his message a more effective one. J. Long will be making promotional stops across the country in support of his mixtape and LP releases, which includes Atlanta during 2012 BET Hip Hop Awards Week.

After almost a decade of successful events in a variety of cities, the popular Christian Musician Summit is set to come to Nashville for the first time, with a schedule that includes workshops and performances featuring some the best musicians in the CCM and Country music industries, including Ashley Cleveland, Phil Keaggy, Ron Block, Allen Shamblin, Brenton Brown & The Worship Republic, Steve Taylor, Tom Hemby, Cindy Morgan, Zoro the drummer, and many others. CMS Nashville will be held October 5 and 6 at Grace Chapel in the historic Leiper’s Fork area of Franklin, Tenn., in partnership with Kingdom Bound Ministries. A set of one-day bootcamps for songwriters, guitarists, vocalists and indie artists also is scheduled for October 4.

“I’m especially excited about the Nashville conference because this summit brings together top songwriters from two musical genres – CCM and country,” says Bruce Adolph, co-founder of the Christian Music Summit conferences and president of the Adolph Agency, Inc. “Participants will have the unique opportunity to learn from songwriters who write for the mainstream market from a Christian worldview.”

Each day will feature conference sessions, workshops and performances, followed by nightly concerts. One Sonic Society (featuring Jason Ingram, Stu G from Delirious and Paul Mabury), a CCM Songwriters in the Round (Cindy Morgan, Ashley Cleveland, Ben Glover, Ian Eskelin and Paul Moak), Dave Cleveland, Tom Hemby Band, Newworldson, Country Songwriters in the Round (Don Poythress, Tim Rushlow, Ed Hill, Casey Beathard and Allen Shamblin), and Mia Fieldes are among those scheduled for the concerts.

“What a great opportunity for training and encouragement,” says award-winning Christian recording artist and songwriter Brenton Brown. “I can’t recommend the Christian Musicians Summit more highly!” “I have had the privilege to be a part of the Christian Musician Summit conferences over a number of years now, and I can tell you it is an event that both educates and encourages musicians, vocalists, technicians and anyone who desires to improve their skill and have an impact in this world with their God-given talents,” says Grammy-nominated recording artist and world-renowned guitarist Phil Keaggy, who will teach a workshop and also perform at the CMS Nashville event. “The people who have tirelessly put all this together are true servants and amazing human beings that I have come to love and respect.” “Bringing the Christian Musician Summit to Nashville is a dream come true for me,” Adolph says. “This is our 10th year in Seattle and we also have been producing the conference in Buffalo, N.Y., and Sacramento, Calif., for years. But Nashville has so much talent in one region, and we are so excited about the caliber and stature of the musicians and artists who will be teaching at the conference. You do not want to miss this one!”

For more information, including conference rates, and to register, visit christianmusiciansummit.com. Photo caption: Brenton Brown, right, performed at CMS @ The Chapel 2012 in Buffalo, N.Y. Brown is set to perform at CMS Nashville October 5 and 6. (Brown Buffalo Photography photo)

About Christian Musician Summit: The Christian Musician Summit conferences, co-founded by Adolph and Matt Kees, president of Christian Musician Summit, Inc., are designed to inspire and assist worship leaders, musicians, technicians, pastors, songwriters, and independent artists to sharpen their skills for God’s glory. In addition to the workshops and concerts, the CMS conferences also feature exhibits with audio/video and music companies who offer products and services for the Christian church market. These events provide a time for musicians and technicians of all levels to come and learn, network and fellowship. In addition to CMS Nashville, CMS Northwest is scheduled for November 9-10 in Seattle, and CMS at The Chapel in Western New York is scheduled for May 3-4, 2013, in Buffalo, N.Y. CMS Nashville and CMS at The Chapel are presented in partnership with Kingdom Bound Ministries.

For more information about Christian Musician Summits, visit christianmusiciansummit.com.

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.