Kevin Durant, the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Christian forward, may have cried after an emotional NBA Finals loss to the Miami Heat on Thursday night, but the league’s leading shooter has expressed nothing but gratitude for the opportunity to compete.

“Tough way to end a season but I am truly blessed to have the privilege to play for such a great city, congrats to the Miami Heat,” the 23-year-old Thunder forward wrote on his Twitter page.

While Durant has continually called the opportunity to play with his teammates a blessing, he has been vocal about his Christian faith even before advancing to his first NBA finals this season. Many became curious about Durant’s faith after the star walked into last year’s playoffs with a Bible in his backpack.

The Christian Post.com reports that the forward admitted that he was attempting to get closer to the God by reading Scripture every day.

“I just want to grow spiritually with the Lord. I’m keeping strong at it, just trying to make my walk with faith a little better,” Durant told the press last season. “That’s making me a better person, opening my eyes to things and I’m also maturing as a person. I’m just trying to grow.”

Although it seems Durant’s team has grown over the past year, which was made evident with their stint in the NBA Finals, he admitted that the Thunder’s recent loss was hurtful.

“It hurts. We’re all brothers on this team and it just hurts to go out like this,” Durant admitted in his post-game press conference. “We made it to the finals.”

The star shooter remained humble during his interview, giving credit to the skills of the Heat players.

“Their defense is really good. I didn’t want to admit it during the series but now that its over those guys are really good,” Durant said. “It’s unfortunate for us, man we wanted it so bad. But we all gotta keep our heads high, I’m a positive guy so I’m gonna keep my head high.”

After sewing her debut album GOD’S PROJECT (Book I) in 2010, the single “Holy Groove” garnered Coppe a buzz in the community.  Coppe was invited to perform at various churches, Knott’s Berry Farm’s (Gospel Showcase in 2011), The Dream Center and other venues throughout California.   She has shared the stage with Michelle Bonilla, Jessica Reedy, The Neville Sisters, P-Dub, Jameel Jones and Freed to name a few.

Coppe is back with her sophomore CD release GOD’S PROJECT (Book II), kicking it off with the hot single “True Riches” already getting radio play in various markets, It will surely give fans more of what they’ve bargained for, it features veteran rapper Shames Worthy.   Other industry veterans that are featured include Macho on the up-tempo track “Get Up” and Eastwood on the song “Good Man”.   Throughout this new CD you will hear the anointing that has transpired this sister in Christ. 

The second single “My Daddy” which is an up-tempo track that will have the young and the old dancing and praising who their daddy is, (our God).   Her Third single “Be With You” is a nice mellow mid-tempo groove; this is about spending time with the Lord not just on Sundays, but all the time

Coppe Cantrell is great addition to the Gospel family, get ready to hear a lot more from this talented singer/songwriter that was given her gifts from a sound sleep just less than three years ago, all praise be to God.

Mathew Knowles received an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Cornerstone Christian Bible College on Father’s Day and delivered a Commencement Address on “The Ten Point Protocol for Success.” The College’s 17th Commencement Ceremony was held at the Destiny Dome Embassy at Cathedral of Praise International in Fort Wayne, Indiana. A standing-room-only crowd of over 1,000 people attended the ceremony.

“Brilliance balanced with grace was personified by Dr. Mathew Knowles in his acceptance speech,” said Dr. Oscar J. Dowdell-Underwood, Apostle and President of Cornerstone Christian Bible College. “Dr. Knowles’ immeasurable contributions in the fields of culture, public service and the fine arts have impacted numerous lives in exponential ways. He has empowered so many through his extraordinary commitment to the development of human potential, gifts, and talents. Millions of people around the world have been positively impacted by his unselfish deposit in the lives of others.”


About 30 members of Knowles’ family stood at the altar, in support and love, as the honorary doctorate was conferred upon him. The smiles on their faces and glean in their eyes revealed their sense of pride in his achievements. During the commencement, Knowles was also awarded the 21st Century Legend Award alongside, Dr. A.C. Green, formerly of the Los Angeles Lakers. During his commencement remarks, Dr. A.C. Green, who was deeply moved by Knowles’ speech, referred to Dr. Knowles as one of his new heroes.

“June 17, 2012 was a very special day for me and one that I will never forget,” said Knowles. “Not only did I receive my second Honorary Doctorate Degree, but I had the rare opportunity to see several members of my family—many that I have not seen since my childhood in Alabama, and some I just met for the first time. I am profoundly grateful for the honor, the love and support of my family. And it was especially humbling to meet and spend time with this year’s graduates.”

ABOUT MATHEW KNOWLES

A visionary, a leader, an educator, and a philanthropist, Mathew Knowles, founder, President and CEO of Music World Entertainment, is an icon in the worlds of business and entertainment. Celebrating 20 years in entertainment, Knowles has built an entertainment conglomerate, with record sales exceeding 300 million worldwide. In 2002, Knowles founded Spirit Rising Music, which is now Music World Gospel, as a faith-based record and management company under Music World Music. Celebrating its 10th Anniversary, Music World Gospel is the largest owned and operated African American gospel label in the world. Knowles is a 1974 graduate of Fisk University, where he earned both a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. He was bestowed with the honor of Doctor of Humane Letters by his alma mater at the University’s 2008 Commencement Ceremony. He holds a professorship at Texas Southern University and is a popular keynote speaker and guest lecturer at colleges, universities and various organizations around the country. Knowles has garnered countless awards for his achievements in business and within the music industry, including an MTV Video Music Award. He is the recipient of the Century Award of Excellence (1911-2011) from the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. He also received the 2011 Living Legends Foundation Award. He was named the “2007 International Executive of the Year” by the Greater Houston Partnership, and was honored by the City of Houston with the declaration of “Mathew Knowles Day.”

Messengers of the Southern Baptist Convention, the nation’s largest Protestant denomination, approved Wednesday the use of “Great Commission Baptists” as an alternative name by a vote of 53 percent to 46 percent. 

The measure, effective immediately, allows churches affiliated with the SBC to call themselves by the new descriptor “Great Commission Baptists” to indicate their involvement with the denomination. Churches of the SBC have the option of using the informal, non-legal name as a stand-alone title, together with the SBC formal name, or not at all.

The official and legal name of the 167-year-old denomination will remain “Southern Baptist Convention.”

The proposal was based on the recommendation of the SBC Executive Committee after a task force was appointed to study a possible name change. In February, task force chairman Jimmy Draper presented the task force’s recommendation to the executive committee that the convention keeps its formal name but adopt an informal name.

Supporters of the new name said it would help the denomination expand its reach. The word “Southern” has been seen by church planters and missionaries as a hindrance to evangelistic efforts, especially by those doing missions in areas outside the American South and in ministry with people of different ethnic identities.

“Ninety percent of us here today are from the South. We don’t even need to consider this. We’re comfortable,” Draper said Tuesday as the motion to adopt the descriptor was introduced.

“But we are now a Southern Baptist ministering in all 50 states. We want to encourage those in non-Southern states, who feel it would be beneficial to them, in terms of their evangelistic outreach, to give them an alternative.”

About 10 percent of the SBC congregations are predominantly African American, according to Draper. Many of the African Americans he has spoken to say they have experienced criticism for identifying themselves as Southern Baptist.

Fred Luter, who made history Tuesday by becoming the SBC’s first African-American president, said he agreed with Draper on the new name.

“I love it. I think it’s a win-win situation,” said Luter at a press conference announcing his election Tuesday. “Particularly a lot of the younger guys, they are planting churches that are not in the South. Some are in New York, some are in California and other places. They just feel like another name would help them to do outreach.”

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Nine-time GRAMMY ® Award Winner and Music Legend Andraé Crouch lands at #3 on the Billboard Current Gospel chart this week after re-entering the top 10 last week with The Journey. The NAACP Image Award, GRAMMY ® Award and GMA Dove Award nominated CD has been on the charts for 36 weeks. Crouch’s hit single “Let The Church Say Amen” featuring Marvin Winans holds strong at #2 on the Gospel Songs Chart.

“It’s exciting to know that the music God has given me still speaks to the hearts of the listeners,” said Crouch. “Thank you, Jesus!”

The Journey, produced by Riverphlo Entertainment President and CEO Luther “Mano” Hanes, debuted on the Billboard Current Gospel charts at #6. “Let The Church Say Amen” recently spent 4 weeks at #1 on the Gospel Radio Chart.

Whether in the pulpit or in a recording studio, Crouch’s desire is always to impact people with the Gospel.  The Journey CD showcases an artist at the peak of his creative form. There are several commanding performances including longtime friend Tata Vega on “Somebody Told Me About Jesus” and “He Has a Plan for Me.” While Chaka Khan and Sheila E. lend their distinctive gifts to the upbeat anthem, “All Around the World.” The incomparable Kim Burrell along with Take 6 beautifully deliver the stirring ballad, “Faith” while Daniel Johnson takes the spotlight on the warm, soulful “My Life.” Pastor Marvin Winans appears on the #1 single, “Let The Church Say Amen.”

The Sunrise is proud to announce the release of their second album,We Have Not Heard, featuring guest appearances from legendary guitarist Phil Keaggy and Crosby Stills Nash & Young drummer Joe Vitale. Self-proclaimed “Jesus People,” James and Rebecca Mileti may singlehandedly be reviving the Jesus Music genre with their latest release from indie label The Winchester Records.

The Sunrise has a sound that has been compared to ‘a Christian Wilco’ and the White Stripes by Jesusfreakhideout.com, while Goldmine Magazine compared their songwriting to ’70’s acts like Paul McCartney, Seals & Crofts, Don McLean and Todd Rundgren. But what sets The Sunrise apart is the vertical lyrics that leave no room for confusion when it comes to the band’s focus, mission and purpose.

“I remember the way albums by Keith Green, Love Song and 2nd Chapter of Acts made me feel,” notes James. “I want to recreate that feeling of worship and conviction in a musical form that serious music fans will enjoy. We’ve put together top notch musicians, interesting arrangements and thought provoking lyrics, like Christian musicians used to regularly do, to spur the listener into action for Jesus!” 

The Mileti’s enlisted virtuoso guitarist Phil Keaggy for three tracks on We Have Not Heard(“Judgement Day,” “Like The Sunrise” and the title track), while Crosby Stills Nash & Young drummer Joe Vitale pops up on the album’s title track as well. 

And the band is quickly gaining fans in both Christian and mainstream circles, despite the overtly evangelical lyrics. The Sunrise has managed to attract the attention of iconic artists like Keaggy and Vitale, and members of acts like Ambrosia and Frank Zappa Band with its unique homage to the Christian music of yesterday. According to Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Chris Hillman of The Byrds: “The joy of music lives in our hearts and souls, one of many gifts bestowed by our Lord and so beautifully conveyed by The Sunrise band.”

For more information on The Sunrise, visit the official website at www.thesunrisemusic.com.

It’s with great excitement that Centricity Music announces the upcoming release for Andrew Peterson,  Light for the Lost Boy,  in stores  August 28, 2012. The project, produced by longtime friend and producer Ben Shive (Jeremy Camp, Sara Groves, Matt Wertz), along with Cason Cooley (Katie Herzig, Mat Kearney, Audrey Assad), features ten new songs written by Peterson.  The album will be available in three formats; CD, special edition CD with a 32-page booklet written by Peterson and seven acoustic extra songs, and on a vintage vinyl record.  The special edition and vinyl projects will only be available online and at Peterson’s concerts. The album’s title and several of the songs reflect the growing up years of the Peterson children, while at the same time bringing a message of hope for us as we make our way in a broken world.

“When I think of my youth I remember carrying around this secret loneliness,” says Peterson.  “Coming to know Jesus, being rescued by him from that loneliness is at the heart of why I write songs. C.S. Lewis said, ‘We read to know we’re not alone.’ One of the reasons I write is to tell people the same thing. My hope is that some fifteen-year-old kid out there—or some fifty-year-old kid—will hear Light for the Lost Boy and find some comfort, some assurance that he or she is known and loved by the great love of the universe.”

Light for the Lost Boy brings a familiar sound, but in a new way with stronger, fuller production that doesn’t jeopardize the intimate feel of Peterson’s vocal delivery. The first single from the album, “Rest Easy,” is going for adds at radio.  “Come Back Soon” launches the album with a haunting opening line about the historic Nashville flood as seen through his family’s eyes, and closes with the plea that Jesus would hurry back and fix what’s broken.  “Day By Day”, based on 2 Corinthians 4:16,  was written after Andrew’s visit to London’s Kensington Gardens (made famous by Peter Pan), where he likened his exile from childhood to mankind’s exile from Eden.  The album ends with the emotionally charged “Don’t You Want To Thank Someone.”

“The last song is the thought I most want to leave people with,” Peterson explains. “The music is a throwback to old Peter Gabriel and Rich Mullins—but the lyric was partially inspired by an old poem of Gerard Manley Hopkins called ‘God’s Grandeur’ which closes with the line: ‘But the Holy Ghost over the bent world broods/with warm breath and—ah!—bright wings.’ God is present; his Kingdom is all around us just as sure as it’s coming in its fullness.”

About Andrew Peterson
Andrew Peterson is a man of many talents with a successful recording and songwriting career, as well as being an award-winning author and the host of a highly popular online creative community known as the Rabbit Room (www.RabbitRoom.com). Peterson’s previous project Counting Stars debuted at #1 on iTunes, and #6 on Billboard. His single “Dancing in the Minefields” reached the Top 10 on the Christian AC chart, while the video for the song has received well over 700,000 views online. Peterson is currently working on his fourth and final book in the Wingfeather Saga series that releases in early 2013. Book two won the 2010 Christy Award for Young Adult Fiction.  In September, Peterson will host Hutchmoot, the third annual Rabbit Room conference for lovers of art, songs, and stories—an event that sold out in seven minutes!  Peterson appeared on the spring and fall legs of the Steven Curtis Chapman Songs & Stories Tour and in December will embark on his 13th annual Christmas tour, Behold the Lamb of God. For more information on Peterson please visit www.Andrew-Peterson.com. 

About Centricity Music

Centricity Music is an independent recording and publishing company based in Bellevue, Washington and Nashville, Tennessee.  The company’s mission is to enable our artists to create life-changing experiences for the world. Centricity Music’s artist roster includes; Aaron Shust, Andrew Peterson, Downhere, Jaime Jamgochian, Jason Gray, Remedy Drive, Seth Mosley, Sixteen Cities, and Unspoken.

“Light for the Lost Boy “Song Listing:

1.       Come Back Soon

2.       The Cornerstone

3.       Rest Easy

4.       The Voice Of Jesus

5.       The Ballad Of Jody Baxter

6.       Day By Day

7.       Shine Your Light On Me

8.       Carry The Fire

9.       You’ll Find Your Way

10.   Don’t You Want To Thank Someone

Grammy ® nominated recording artist Jonathan Butler is set to release his highly-anticipated new gospel CD, Grace and Mercy, on September 25, 2012 by Rendezvous Music. Known for hits such as “Falling In Love With Jesus,” Butler has sold more than 1.8 million albums worldwide including more than 330,000 Gospel CDs. His debut single “I Stand On Your Word” from Grace and Mercy landed on the Gospel New & Active radio chart this week and is available on iTunes.

“This album really speaks about optimism, faith, belief and hope, especially in the light of what everybody has been experiencing in the last two or three years,” Butler said. “There have been a lot of people losing their homes, their jobs, enduring the challenges that life brings. I’m hoping this album will bring hope to people. Songs like ‘Give it Up To God,’ ‘I Stand On Your Word,’ and ‘Who is Like the Lord’ were written from experiences that I’ve had to go through myself.”

Grace and Mercy features 11 original songs with music and lyrics penned by Butler. The first single from Butler’s self-produced CD is “I Stand On Your Word,” which delivers an uplifting song with a powerful yet simple message of faith. The track is being met with great enthusiasm by radio around the country landing on Gospel’s New & Active radio chart this week, while pushing into the Top 30. Butler’s experience leading worship in church inspired the lyrics for the single, which he co-wrote with Kurt Lykes.

“I believe God is right here with me right now and always, and I’m standing on his Word,” explained Butler. “His Word says all things are going to be good for me, so I’m standing on it. No matter the situation or circumstance, we need to believe that God will take care of us.”

“I Stand On Your Word” is available now on iTunes. Exclusive in-studio performance and backstory videos are available on YouTube.

Studio Performance:

To access Jonathan Butler’s online press page for downloads of a media letter, bio, press release, images and more, and to stream the full album and view the lyric video for “I Stand On Your Word,” please visit www.jonathanbutler.com/pressroom.

ABOUT Jonathan Butler Born and raised in Cape Town during Apartheid, Jonathan Butler started singing and playing acoustic guitar as a child. Racial segregation and poverty during Apartheid has been the subject of many of his records. His first single was the first by a black artist played by white radio stations in racially segregated South Africa and earned a Sarie Award, South Africa’s equivalent to the Grammy Awards. Butler is known for achieving chart-topping success, Grammy ® nominations and other accolades for his recordings. His self-titled debut album put him on the map internationally and garnered two Grammy ® nominations, which include the R&B-pop vocal statement “Lies” and the poignant instrumental, “Going Home.” Butler, a multi-talented musician, produces, arranges, and plays guitar, bass and keyboards. He has released several best-selling Gospel CDs, most notably “Gospel Goes Classical” and “Brand New Day.”

For the last four years, national recording artist Eunice Wright has ministered in song to deliver a message of faith, hope, and love to people across the county. This Friday, June 22nd, her message takes on new definition as she takes a break from her busy music and secular careers to donate a kidney to her eldest son, Tony.

 Tony, now 19, was diagnosed over two and a half years ago with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), a condition where both of his kidney’s have completely shut down. The cause of this failure is unknown, according to medical professionals. Treatment options for ESRD are limited – either undergo dialysis and extend life span for five to ten years or opt for a transplant with the hopes of extending life-span to 15-20 years. In June 2011, Wright made the decision to donate one of her kidneys to her son, and for the last twelve months have been preparing for this Friday’s procedure. The process to prepare for the transplant has taken about a year for the doctors to determine that I was a good donor choice for my son,” says Wright. “There were some health changes I had to make which lead to me losing 40 pounds. I’m not mad about that part at all!” she jokes. “I feel confidence that everything will be ok. I’ve put this whole matter in God’s hands from the very beginning. He has sustained us and will continue to do so through this journey in our lives. I trust God and I’m at peace with whatever the outcome may be. God knows the plan He has for me and Tony and His plan is working in us right now. I also look at it as giving life to my son a second time. I brought him into this world with God’s help, and now, I’m fighting to keep him here as long as I can with God’s help.

Wright is expected to be back in full force in approximately four to six weeks. Tony’s recovery, according to doctors, is estimated to be a year. We are soliciting your prayers for the healing and speedy recovery of Tony and Eunice, as well as your prayers for the Wright, Purnell, and Joyful Noyze families, as they support the two throughout this procedure. Label executive Carlos Cannon Sr. states, “It is a very delicate surgery that even afterwards, he sd_Tony will have a lot restrictions because of the nature of this procedure. Surgical procedures are never easy and to have two immediate family members in an operating room at the same time can be overwhelming. We appreciate your sincere prayers as God carries us all through this ordeal.”

Wright recently released her sophomore project “Worth It All” in April 2012. Her new project features the hit single “Hello God” that is still making its way to radio waves around the country. “Hello God” is available for download free on the official Eunice Wright website, www.eunicewright.com. “Worth It All” and her debut project, “Wait On Me,” are also available for purchase on the official website, as well as on iTunes, Amazon, and CD Baby. For more information contact Joyful Noyze Entertainment or visit www.eunicewright.com.

Southern Baptists made history on Tuesday by electing their first African-American president. Some 7,700 messengers unanimously and enthusiastically supported the vote for Fred Luter, Jr., to lead the predominantly white denomination.

“To God be the glory for the things that He has done,” Luter said as he wiped away his tears.

Luter was the sole nominee for president. In such a situation, it is custom for the secretary to cast the ballot for the one nominee.

However, the chair on this occasion believed that “this historic moment should fully belong to the messengers of the Southern Baptist Convention.”

With that, the Southern Baptists rose in applause – with some in tears – agreeing that the ballot should be cast for Luter.

“As we think about our beginnings, as we think about how far we have come, as we think about how you have divinely called Fred Luter for this key moment in history, we just thank you for the privilege of being a part of this day and we thank you for how you are going to use Fred Luter in the days to come,” Bryant Wright, who served as SBC president for the past two years, prayed.

It was less than 20 years ago when the Southern Baptist Convention officially apologized for condoning and perpetuating racism. The SBC was formed in 1845 out of a split with northern Baptists over the right to own slaves. Many in the denomination supported segregation.

Luter, 55, admitted that when he was first asked to lead an SBC church – Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans – in 1986, he was not aware of the history of the SBC.

If he knew, he said he might have taken a different path.

“As I look back I’m probably glad I didn’t [know] because it may have changed my decision,” he told The Christian Post.

By the time the former National Baptist found out three years later, he was already involved in leading Franklin Avenue church – which was an all-white church before the “white flight” – and said the denomination had been “really good to us.”

“When I found out … this is the way I looked at it, because some people said we ought to get out of the convention. I said listen, all of us have a past, all of us have done some things in our past that we’re not pleased with; I know I have.

“Granted, this convention started as a result of slavery but that was the past. There’s nothing we can do about our past but we can do something about our future.”

The former street preacher is excited – he’s excited that his Southern Baptist brothers and sisters respect what he has done through the years, like reviving a dying church and rebuilding the congregation after Hurricane Katrina. And he’s excited that the nearly 16 million members trust him to lead the largest Protestant denomination in the country.

He knows it’s a big deal, considering he was just “a street kid from the Lower Ninth Ward.”

Luter isn’t your typical Southern Baptist president. He grew up in “the hood” as he calls it. His parents divorced when he was 6 years old and he raised himself as his mom was busy working two to three jobs to support the family.

He hung out with a lot of “crazy dudes” as a teenager, he said. But everything changed when he got saved in 1977.

Every Saturday at noon, he’d go on the street corner and preach. Part of his motivation was to lead the “crazy dudes” to Christ.

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