Following two back-to-back Billboard Top 200-selling, GRAMMY Award-winning solo studio albums, Israel Houghton returns with New Breed for their first live recording in five years, JESUS AT THE CENTER, releasing Aug. 14 on Integrity Music. Recorded live with thousands of worshipers at Houston’s Lakewood Church, this double-CD, 17 song album with three additional studio singles features Israel & New Breed returning to their roots, delivering new anthems for the modern day church. The recording follows the group’s critically acclaimed, GRAMMY Award-winning, A Deeper Level (2007).

Joining Israel & New Breed to produce the studio version of the soon to be released Christian AC single from Jesus At The Center, “Your Presence Is Heaven,” is hit maker Ed Cash (Chris Tomlin, Britt Nicole), while acclaimed vocalists Jason Nelson and James Fortune are featured on the studio version of “It’s Not Over (When God Is In It).” Other guest vocalists featured on the live recordings are Aaron W. Lindsey,Michael Gungor,T-Bone, Bishop Michael Pitts, Jeremiah Woods, Daniel Johnson, Charlin Moore, Adam Ranney, Tina Baker, Onaje Jefferson, Krystle Harper and Israel’s daughter, Mariah Houghton.

“The overarching story of the album is that sometimes we can be so ‘churched’ that we can lose sight of the ‘who, what, why’ of worship,” says Houghton. “This project simply places Jesus where he is supposed to be. We intentionally removed the metaphors and simply focused on his name.”

Co-writing all the songs, except the Bob Dylan cover, “To Make You Feel My Love,” and “You Have Me,” by Michael and Lisa Gungor, Israel said that it was time to do another live album with New Breed. “We’ve always been known for what we do live and we felt like we had songs that could serve as a resource to the church worldwide.”

“The concept started with the title track, ‘Jesus At The Center.’ We felt strongly that it was necessary to make sure that these were all Christ-centered songs that would, for the most part, find a place of effectiveness in the worship experience of any church. ‘Rez Power,’ ‘Your Presence Is Heaven,’ ‘Speechless,’ ‘Jesus The Same’ – these songs accomplish that and resource worship teams and listeners alike,” notes Israel.

In addition to the JESUS AT THE CENTER two-disc album, a companion DVD was recorded live in high-definition and features all 17 songs along with behind the scenes footage, story behind the song vignettes and other bonus material. Israel & New Breed will also simultaneously release an exclusive iTunes® LP. The LP follows Houghton’s Love God. Love People LP that became the first-ever Christian artist iTunes LP and first LP, mainstream or Christian, which included various interactive capabilities. The JESUS AT THE CENTER LP will include the new music, but also video Work Tapes, a Photo Montage and the “Jesus At The Center” video tutorial.

In 1995, Israel and Meleasa Houghton founded New Breed Ministries, an organization they continue to run and that is comprised of noted musicians and singers who serve within their respective churches and together serve the Church at large. Since then, Israel & New Breed has amassed a legion of followers that crosses generational lines with popularity across African American, Latin and Caucasian listener lines. While blasting down barriers, Israel has been fittingly graced with 2 Gold-selling albums, 3 GRAMMY Awards, 12 Dove Awards, 2 Stellar Awards and a Soul Train Award.

Active as worship leader in his local church, Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church, Houston, Israel has served as worship leader at Hillsong conferences and Franklin Graham crusades. He has written or co-written 11 CCLI Top 500 favorites, been featured on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, performed on BET’s Celebration of Gospel and Bobby Jones Gospel; accompanied Alicia Keys at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards for a performance of George Michael’s “Freedom ’90,” and performed at the 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards. He uses his own multi-cultural upbringing as a reference point with a desire to draw people of all races, ages and cultures together. More information on Israel & New Breed is available at www.newbreedmusic.com.

About Integrity Music: Kingsway and Integrity Music compose the music division of David C Cook, a nonprofit global resource provider serving the Church with life-transforming materials. Headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Kingsway and Integrity Music’s resources are distributed in more than 160 countries and sold worldwide. Additional information can be found at http://kingswayworship.com and www.integritymusic.com.

Gifted praise & worship leader, recording artist and minister William McDowell, to host a live worship concert and DVD recording. This is McDowell’s first DVD recording and will take place Friday, June 29, 2012 at Faith Assembly, located at 9307 Curry Ford Rd, Orlando Fl.

McDowell has received critical and consumer acclaim in recent years with his two top selling albums, 2009’s As We Worship, Live and 2011’s ARISE. McDowell is best known for setting a powerful live worship atmosphere while his music transcends both genre and denomination. Touching a universal chord with his breakthrough song “I Give Myself Away,” McDowell has a remarkable gift of creating a tone and atmosphere of worship that is unmatched. Through his music he is able to allow listeners to have an individual experience with God.

“I am beyond excited about this DVD and believe it has the potential to be the best thing we have ever done,” said McDowell. “I am humbled and honored to have some of my favorite worship leaders join me in releasing a sound that will glorify God.”

The live event will feature many of McDowell’s songs from both albums as well as new songs and include appearances by several special guests including Pastor Jason Nelson; Steve Crawford & Dadra Greathouse; Tasha Cobbs and BJ Putnam.

Taking place at Orlando’s Faith Assembly’s ‘new campus’ the event will be free and open to the public and starts at 7:00pm.

McDowell’s ARISE, debuted at Number 1 on Billboard’s Top Gospel and Praise & Worship Charts when it was released last November. The CD retained the Number 1 slot on the Praise & Worship Chart for 15 weeks and on the Gospel Chart for 6 weeks. His current radio single, “I Won’t Go Back” peaked at Number 1 on the gospel radio charts and continues to remain in the Top 10.

For more information on William McDowell and the live recording go to www.williammcdowellmusic.com.

It was announced this week by James Robinson, President of Light Records, the signing of former Destiny’s Child member and Broadway star, Michelle Williams.

Williams, who is well known as one-third of record-breaking R&B and Pop sensation Destiny’s Child, is also a multiple award-winning international singer, songwriter, record producer and actress. Guided by her faith and deeply rooted in church, Williams will release an all-new gospel album set for a January 2013 release.

A long-time fan of Gospel music, Williams has released two previous gospel recordings, 2002’s award-winning “Heart To Yours” and the critically praised “Do You Know” in 2004. She has collaborated with several artists including the legendary Shirley Caesar. The yet untitled album will include a variety of producers including Tommy Sims and James Fortune.

Robinson and Williams’ management, Phil Thornton of Ten 2 One, handled the deal. “It’s an honor to work with an icon like Michelle Williams and her team,” said Robinson. “As a fan of her other two inspirational projects, I was drawn to Michelle’s comfort, confidence and genuineness. With her pure heart for God and people, our goal is to continue her brand of love, faith and encouragement through song.”

“I am very excited to partner with Light/eOne. I am honored to follow in the footsteps of Light Record legends, THE WINANS and ANDRAE CROUCH,” said Williams. “When I was a little girl I would listen to them and to be on the same label they once were is amazing! Light/eOne has been very supportive of my vision to inspire and give hope through my music.”

In between recordings and concert tours, Williams has conquered yet another challenging mountain as an actress. She has appeared on Broadway to rave reviews in 2003 in “Aida” and in 2007 joined the cast of hit “The Color Purple” for its national tour where she dazzled in the role of Shug Avery. In 2009, she joined the London West End production of “Chicago” making history as the show’s first African American to play the lead role of Roxie Hart. Williams later reprised her role in February 2010 on Broadway.

In addition to recording music and acting, Williams is active in several charities and recently worked with the American Heart Association. This year she partnered with the AHA on their Power to End Stroke & Most Powerful Voices Singing competition an education and awareness campaign that unites people to help make an impact on the high incidence of strokes within their communities. She also recently hosted and performed at the Million Meals concert for Lauren Bush Lauren’s charity FEED.

Williams’ new album is slated for next year and a new single will be at radio this fall.

Pastor Rick Warren was recently invited by world champion boxer Manny Pacquiao to interview him about his increasingly vocal faith in God. It was during that discussion last week that Warren learned Pacquiao was a “Bible-quoting maniac.”

A video of the taped interview was shown during worship services at Saddleback Church this past weekend. Warren introduced the video by saying Pacquiao was the “world’s greatest boxer. The only guy to win the world championship in eight different weight categories.”

“Manny started out as a young man in a very poor family of six and his mom couldn’t take care of him so she kicked him out at 14 and he lived on the streets of Manila. That’s where he learned to fight,” Warren told his congregation attending Saddleback’s main church campus in Lake Forest, Calif., and an online audience.

“He read Purpose Driven Life and came to Christ. He told me, ‘Rick, the first time I read through that book I cried through every chapter.’ And he said, ‘I’ve given it out to everybody who I know. Now, I’m a Christian, I make all my team … we all memorize Scripture together,'” he continued to say during the introduction of the video.

Warren said the short video segment of his long interview with Pacquiao that he was about to show was a discussion on the importance of “doing the Word, not just studying the Word.”

In the video, Warren is seen with Pacquiao – a Catholic – and the boxer’s wife, Jinkee.

Pacquiao answers, “Believing and praying is not enough. In James 2, verses 19 and 20, it says, ‘If you believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that and shudder. You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without action is useless?’ In Luke 6:46 it is says, ‘Why do you call me Lord, Lord and you do not do what I say?’ It’s action again. It’s action again. In Matthew 7 verse 21 it says, ‘Not everyone who says to me Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.’

“So, only the one who does … it’s all in action,” he added. “You have to do it. We believe in prayer … [but] we have to apply it in ourselves.”

When asked by Warren to talk about his training, Pacquiao took the opportunity to tie-in his outlook on his upcoming fight with Timothy Bradley to Christian faith.

“I have the fight on June 9. I believe 100 percent that I am going to win. I have faith that I am going to win. But how can I win if I don’t have faith? Same thing in worship … you have to hear it, but you have to apply it in yourself,” said Pacquiao, near the end of the video segment.

Pacquiao was recently thrust into the public debate about same-sex marriage when the boxer, who is also a Filipino congressman, responded to President Barack Obama’s endorsement of gay marriage by saying that he stands behind the traditional definition of marriage as between one man and one woman.

A media storm ensued when he was banned from a Hollywood mall where he was scheduled to give an interview.

A five-part series of video on an interview done by boxing promotion company Top Rank, “Pacquiao: A Spiritual Awakening,” includes the boxer talking about how he came to realize that he could not stop from sinning and that by immersing himself in the Bible, and giving himself fully to Jesus Christ, he was able to have a new focus.

Click Here to Read Full Report on ChristianPost.com 

Oprah Winfrey has reportedly been demoted at her OWN Network. OWN, which never quite achieved the success Oprah and all of America envisioned, seems to be scrambling to turn things around and in so doing, may have replaced the talk show queen.

Numerous sources report that Winfrey has been “stripped of executive powers at her struggling OWN network. The media mogul was reduced to tears when her chief financial backer decided to curtail her control over the network she had worked her fingers to the bone to launch, say sources.”

Winfrey reportedly retains the CEO title, but, according to The Enquirer, “it’s in name only, revealed an insider.” Discovery Communications, which co-owns the Oprah Winfrey Network, pulled the plug on Winfrey’s executive power, with the insider squealing, “They now realize that she was too inexperienced to run the network. So she was stripped of her power. She’s no longer in a position to make executive decisions or hire staff without consulting top Discovery executives first.”  

Oprah or her representatives have yet to confirm the reports.

He also served as producer on newsboys’ Born Again project (2010), co-writing nine songs that included the title track which became a multi-week No. 1 hit. Earlier this year, Mosley won 5 prestigious awards at the SESAC Christian Music Awards in March and received his first Dove nomination in February for Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year (“Born Again”).

“Seth Mosley is truly one of the best writers in our industry today and we are honored that he has chosen Centricity Music Publishing as his partner for another season,” says Steve Rice, Vice President of Centricity Music Publishing. “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to continue working with this extraordinary young writer/producer. Seth’s list of upcoming cuts for the next six months are almost too numerous to count, yet every time I turn around he’s finding time to write with numerous songwriters or produce another wonderful artist.” “I can’t say how excited I am to enter into this new season of life that God has provided and I am even more excited to continue to call Centricity home,” exclaims Mosley. “Steve Rice is an extremely valuable asset to the team and to me as a writer. I am thankful to be working with a man of Godly wisdom, knowledge, and years of experience in publishing. We’re off to the races.”

About Seth Mosley Mosley hails from Circleville, OH and after high school graduation; he began working at a local recording studio where he began to hone his songwriting and music skills. In 2006, Mosley formed the band Me In Motion and within three years they signed with their current label, Centricity Music. Mosley co-wrote all nine songs on the group’s self-titled CD that released in 2010, and two of the tunes became top10 singles at CHR; “Eye of the Hurricane,” and “Yes We Can.” Mosley has written hits songs for newsboys (Born Again, Save Your Life), Anthem Lights (Can’t Shut Up) Peter Furler (Reach), as well as written with/for such acts as; MercyMe, The Afters, and Phillips Craig and Dean. His production credits include; Mark Schultz, Peter Furler, Newsboys, Manafest, among many others. Mosley currently lives in Nashville with his wife, Celi.

About Centricity Music Publishing Launched in 2005, Centricity Music Publishing has quickly become a key player in the world of Christian song publishing. The division of Centricity Music has placed songs in film and television that include; One Tree Hill, Jane by Design, 700 Club, the NFL Network and more. Centricity Publishing has also expanded their writer roster to include such notable songwriters as Sam Mizell, James Tealy, Josh Bronwlewee, and Geoff Hunker, along with the artists/ writers on Centricity Music. This successful publishing company has enjoyed radio chart success with several top songs including; “We Are” (Kari Jobe), “Born Again” & “Save Your Life” (newsboys), “Speechless” and “Our God Is Here” (Phillips, Craig & Dean), “Reach” & “Matter Of Faith” (Peter Furler), “Can’t Shut Up” (Anthem Lights), “Together Again” (Paul Brandt). Steve Rice, a 25-year music veteran, was named VP of Centricity Music Publishing in February 2012 and has signed high-profile songwriters, Sam Mizell and Seth Mosley, to exclusive songwriting contracts with the company.

Beverly Broadus-Green has been a lot of things to a lot of people.  A lifelong resident of Long Beach, California, she spent 42 years as a church choir director, she was the loving wife to Howard Green before he died in 2005 and before retirement she earned a living as a head chef. She said her specialty dish is cheese and macaroni (not the other way around), because that’s what her four sons and six grandchildren never seem to get enough of, especially her son Cordozar Calvin Broadus, better known as Snoop Dogg.  

Entertainment website EurWeb reports that after years of serving so many people, Broadus-Green said Easter Sunday 2005 she accepted the calling to serve the Lord. Now she’s an ordained Evangelist who travels the country doing her part to build the Kingdom of God. Broadus-Green’s first passion is helping battered women.

“I’m blessed with the discernment to pick up on abusive relationships,” said Broadus-Green, adding that helping women and young girls is a way for her to help others avoid some of the issues she endured in her own past relationships. Broadus-Green said her home was the ‘open house’ of the neighborhood when her children were younger. So, she’s spent a lot of time trying to keep her sons – and other young men – out of gangs and away from drugs. So what does she think of Snoop’s music videos depicting a blunt-smoking rapper who degrades and parties with scantily-clad women?

“I told him I was embarrassed by it, and he told me his lyrics were not about me or all women, but certain women, ‘and they know who they are,’ he told her.

That’s why her latest project, YouthBloc.com, has such great meaning for her. YouthBloc.com is a non-profit 501-c3 designed to teach youth how to start successful businesses, solve problems and apply for business loans. That means understanding the importance of having good credit and good communication skills. Broadus-Green said it’s not enough to tell youth just to say no to drugs and gangs, “they have to have something to say ‘yes’ to and focus on,” she said. Broadus-Green started YouthBloc.com with her business partner and confidant, Marvin Fredlaw. Fredlaw, who is a self-employed computer programmer, said YouthBloc.com is a much needed program in urban areas because public schools do little to nothing to teach students how to become entrepreneurs.

Click Here Read the Full Story by Eurweb.

Praise and worship leader CD Porter loves bringing God’s people into His presence. He’s been doing that exact thing with the release of his sophomore record, Declaration, since the project’s release on Tuesday, May 22nd. After a spirited Pre-release CD Concert, fans of the worship leader have been inspired by the CD’s two lead singles, the CCM-flavored “With One Sound” and the urban-styled “You Are My All”. A consistent name on the CJBRadio.com Top 10 Chart, Porter is holding an online listening party with the radio station.

CD is debuting songs from his new release with an Online Listening Party on CJBRadio.com on Tuesday, June 5, 2011, at 4PM EST. Hosted by CJBRadio’s Kevin James, the online event will include a solid hour highlighting the artist. In addition, Porter will be interviewed speaking on the influences for the music. In order to tune in to the Listening Party, log on to www.CJBRadio.com.

Fans of the psalmist will be able to hear songs like the unifying cut “With One Sound”, the heart-melting “You Are My All”, and the mellow yet bold title track “Declaration”. Pumping up the praise, “So Good” celebrates the Lord with a high octane, danceable track. Other memorable cuts include the infectious, hyperactive cut, “God Thing” and the Go-Go influenced track, “Nobody-Higher Remix”. Clearly anointed for worship, CD shines brightly on tracks like the sweetly-penned “Glory and Honor”, and the stunning “When I Worship”.

A resident of Stafford, VA, CD felt the call to music ministry at the age of twelve. Since that time, Porter has honed his craft, developing his talents and gifts to edify the body of Christ. An anointed singer, songwriter, musician, and producer, Porter serves as Director of Worship Ministry at the New Life Anointed Ministries International in Woodbridge, VA. He dropped his debut record, Work In Progress, in 2007.

A true worshiper, CD Porter says worship is crucial to lovers of Christ. “Worship is essential to the believer,” shares CD. “It’s not only our time to commune with God and hear the heart of God, but it’s our chance to reveal our heart to Him. It’s our time to come to Him, purely submitted, bowing and bending our will to His.” More information about CD Porter can be found at www.CDPorterMusic.com.

Life has given Gary Samuels some tough pills to swallow. From childhood abuse, a cancer diagnosis, paralysis, partial blindness and the death of a child, he’s had more than his share. But through it all, God was there and healed him from it all. His experiences have been the impetus for his latest release, Grace of God. The EP contains the BDS-charting, lead single, “Grace of God”, an inspiring song about the Lord’s mercy. Now, Samuels will be performing the song (and others) at two appearances in Atlanta this week.

The Harlem native will be traveling to the Peach State on Wednesday, June 6, 2012 to perform live on ATLANTA LIVE. The program will air live on the 6th at 7PM EST. Encore presentations air weekday mornings from 7 – 9 AM EST. In addition, one hour of ATLANTA LIVE is seen nationwide on NRB Network seen on DirecTV every weekday morning at 8AM EST. Fans of the artist can also see Samuels perform live by logging on to www.watc.tv on Wednesday evening. While in Atlanta, Samuels will also be performing on Babbie’s House, the talk show of famed Christian artist Babbie Mason. Samuels will perform two songs and sit down to talk with Mason about his songs and his life. A future air date will be announced.

One of fifteen children, Gary Samuels was surrounded by music with a father who was a Jazz pianist, and a mother who was a pianist and singer. After honing his chops at church, he sung for countless choirs including the Martin Luther King, Jr. Choir and The United Negro College Fund Choir. It wasn’t until his cancer diagnosis in 1984 when his calling in Gospel Music was solidified. After a miraculous healing, he knew that God still had His hand on him. Now with the release of his new single, he has an opportunity to tell the world about the favor of God on his life. “‘Grace of God’ is my testimony,” says Samuels. “Satan not only wanted my life, but he wanted my soul. But God said, ‘not so’.”