Popular televangelist Benny Hinn has officially announced that he and his former wife are on the path to reconciliation after the couple decided two years ago to end their 30-year marriage.

“Our God is a God of restoration and reconciliation. The cross is the ultimate symbol of His unending yearning to reconcile man to God and will be our only hope for healing. I know, for I experienced this healing when I gave my heart to my precious Master Jesus so many years ago; but I have experienced His healing touch more recently when He began His glorious healing work in my own family, as the process of restoration in my marriage has begun,” Hinn announced in a recent statement on his website. The charismatic leader revealed that the reconciliation process had started over Christmas.

Suzanne Hinn separated from Benny Hinn on Jan. 26, 2010 and filed a petition for divorce in Orange County Superior Court on Feb. 1, citing irreconcilable differences, court papers revealed.

“I pray every day for you, my precious partner, and I ask that He will move in a mighty way on your behalf — healing your home, your life, and your finances. I pray that He will make you whole in every area of your life. You are precious to Him, just as you are precious to me. And together we can truly be part of the coming greatest harvest!” Hinn added in the recent statement, addressing his former wife.

Back in 2010 when Pastor Hinn received the news, his ministry expressed shock over Suzanne Hinn’s petition for divorce.

“Pastor Benny Hinn and his immediate family were shocked and saddened to learn of this news without any previous notice,” said Don Price, longtime senior adviser to Benny Hinn Ministries. “Although Pastor Hinn has faithfully endeavored to bring healing to their relationship, those efforts failed and were met with the petition for divorce that was filed without notice.”

Upon reflecting on his life with his family, Pastor Hinn later suggested that it might have been his constant traveling around the world that distanced him from his wife.

“I’ve made mistakes because I wasn’t the perfect husband and the perfect dad because I was always gone traveling the world,” he said on the Aug. 5, 2010 edition of his show “This Is Your Day.”

“That’s probably what broke the whole thing up,” he added. Hinn urged viewers “not to neglect your family,” saying that the call of God should first touch the family.

A year after the separation announcement, the Benny Hinn Ministries leader was reported by some sources to have been in a relationship with megachurch pastor Paula White, who herself went through a divorce in 2010.

Click Here to read the full report on ChristianPost.com

 

Trinity Broadcasting Network, the world leader in faith and family television, celebrated a major milestone May 28 as founder Dr. Paul Crouch recalled TBN’s miraculous launch 39 years ago. “This precious network, so wonderfully blessed by God over the years, began in obscurity, much like the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ,” said Dr. Crouch. “No, it wasn’t in a manger, but it was just about as humble, and the miracle that put TBN on the air reminds us that God alone deserves the glory for this global outreach.”

The date was May 27, 1973, and the place was a small UHF television station in Santa Ana, California, where Dr. Crouch had purchased a couple of hours of air time each night. The station actually wasn’t even on the air, and FCC rules required that it sign back on no later than May 28. But TBN’s engineers were having a hard time getting the station’s transmitter up and running.

“We had worked fruitlessly that whole week trying to transmit a signal up to Mount Wilson, where most of the area’s TV stations were located,” Dr. Crouch recounted. “From that 6,000 foot height, TV signals could cover the vast Los Angeles valley of over ten million souls! Over and over we frantically checked the equipment — but our signal simply would not reach that imposing mountain.”

Finally the small TBN team realized that a part of Mount Wilson was blocking the transmission, and their hearts sank with the thought that this obstacle was, most likely, insurmountable. They had come so far, and had carried such faith in their hearts for what they knew God wanted to accomplish. With the help of many volunteers Dr. Crouch and his wife Jan had worked for months to launch the fledgling Christian television ministry. Now they were being told that a mountain was blocking their way.

But something deep inside would not allow the Christian television pioneer to give up. “I was not sure then, but now I know it was the Holy Spirit that inspired me to climb the ladder to the roof of that tiny television station and pray over the microwave satellite dish,” recalled Dr. Crouch. With boldness he laid his hands on the unresponsive equipment and prayed: “Lord, You promised in Mark 11:23 that if I would command this mountain to be removed, and would not doubt in my heart, you would hear and answer.” With that simple, faith-filled petition Dr. Crouch climbed down the ladder with the assurance that his prayer had reached the throne of His heavenly Father.

By then, however, the discouraged engineers were preparing to leave the little UHF station, and it was only with great difficulty that Dr. Crouch persuaded them to return for one more try the next morning — Sunday, May 28, 1973.

Of course, by morning nothing visible had changed, and as the doubtful engineers threw the switches on the transmitter the little TBN team listened to the microwave warming up. “My heart was pounding double time,” recalled Dr. Crouch. “I knew that this was the moment of destiny. Either we would go on the air that day, or the FCC would shut down the little station — and our dream.”

The engineers on site telephoned a lone technician 38 miles away at the top of Mount Wilson, as TBN’s founder waited with anticipation. “Suddenly from across the room I heard the voice of the Mount Wilson engineer,” recalled Dr. Crouch. “He was as excited as we were as he shouted, ‘We got it, we got the signal! And it’s as clear as crystal!”

Thus was born the miracle of Trinity Broadcasting Network, that with the help of an army of faithful friends and partners has grown from that one small station in Southern California to the third largest broadcast group in America with 16 distinct Christian networks. Today, through 76 satellites and over 20,000 television and cable affiliates, TBN reaches over one billion viewers worldwide with life-changing programming. And now through its iTBN online access, TBN’s family of networks is making a life-changing impact on more viewers worldwide through streaming broadcasts and Video on Demand anytime day or night.

“We’re truly thankful for every individual and family that has stood with us through the mountains and the valleys of this wondrous, God-ordained adventure,” said Dr. Crouch. “If there is one thing we’ve learned as TBN enters its 40th year of broadcasting the good news of Jesus Christ to the nations of the world, it is this: There is no mountain, no obstacle, too great for God to remove so that His salvation and healing will go forth. We give Him all the glory.”

Kingdomanity/Relevé Entertainment inspirational recording artist Myesha Chaney will release her debut CD, Take Him to the World, in stores and online everywhere on July 3. Myesha has burst onto the gospel music scene with a fresh new sound and a simple but radical goal: to take Jesus into the world by any means necessary. It’s the concept and the title of her debut CD. She is taking Jesus to the world through music that captivates and changes the lives of people in and outside of the church. The lyrics of her songs focus on praise and worship of a loving and powerful God while she effortlessly fuses urban worship with rock and soul. She brings to her music a unique artistic vision shaped by both her creative energy and her roles as a pastor’s wife, minister, worship leader, radio personality and columnist.

The first single from the CD, “I Came to Lift Him,” was written by Myesha, with Gerald and Tammi Haddon, as a declaration to the gospel music industry about who she is and what she is here to do. The R&B style song, with its hard-driving beat, is aimed at an urban audience.

Myesha is a partner in ministry with her husband, Wayne Chaney, who is the Senior Pastor of Antioch Church of Long Beach, California. The Chaneys co-host a popular weekly radio show, “Real Life with Pastor Wayne and Myesha Chaney,” on Stevie Wonder’s KJLH-FM in Los Angeles, and are the founders of the Long Beach Gospel Fest. Myesha has a weekly inspirational column on Lee Bailey’s EURWEB.com. She also is a featured blogger on ESSENCE.com. Her debut blog, “Hiding Behind the Lipstick,” premiered on ESSENCE.com on May 17, 2012.

Myesha will kick-off her promotional tour in New York City on Monday, June 4, at the Apollo Theater’s Spring Gala event, followed by a TV taping and concert at Trinity Broadcasting Network JCTV’s music show, “15th Street Live;” and a series of press, radio, retail and church events. Other special events on her promotional tour schedule will include the AIM Convention’s Urban Cafe, the ESSENCE Music Festival, the International Black Broadcasters Association Conference, the Long Beach Gospel Fest and more.

 

It wasn’t that long ago when Max Siegel was running Tommy Boy Records, then Verity Records, and in April 2010, launched Imago Dei Music.

However his love for sports has stayed strong as he took on the role as President of Global Operations at Dale Earnhardt Inc., one of the top motor sports franchises in NASCAR. As one of the most influential executives in the entertainment and sports industries, Siegel made history as the highest-ranking African American executive in NASCAR. Siegel oversaw the entire organization including competition, marketing, sales, sponsorship and distribution for all DEI’s properties including motor sports teams, licensing, promotion, business development and the Dale Earnhardt Foundation.

Fast forward to 2012, the USA Track and Field recently hired its former board member Siegel as its new CEO, ending an on-and-off, 16-month search with a transaction similar to a controversial move the U.S. Olympic Committee made a few years ago.

The organization that runs America’s biggest summer Olympic sport picked Siegel six months after he resigned from the USATF board to become a paid consultant charged with shoring up the group’s flagging sponsorship, media and communications efforts.

Siegel was on the board when it ousted the former CEO, Doug Logan.

Over the past 20 years, Siegel has served as president of global operations at Dale Earnhardt Inc., and has worked in different capacities with several Olympic sports, including gymnastics, swimming and skiing. USATF leaders are hoping his experience with NASCAR will help him on the marketing side of track and field, which has become a much tougher sell over the past few decades.

He signed a two-year deal worth $500,000 a year with a chance for bonuses.

“We cast a wide net, not only nationally but internationally in the sports and entertainment arena,” USATF chair Stephanie Hightower said. “Based upon his commitment and passion from his stint as a board member and as consultant, Max thought he could bring some leadership and help to position our sport in the future.”

Hightower said the board’s unanimous vote to select Siegel was a signal that years of infighting and politics are at an end at USATF.

But this move did raise eyebrows in the Olympic world.

It struck a resemblance to what the USOC did in 2009, when the board unexpectedly ousted Jim Scherr as CEO and replaced him with unpaid board member Stephanie Streeter. Streeter never gained acceptance in the CEO role and later stepped down and was replaced by Scott Blackmun.

David Greifinger, the former legal counsel for the USATF board, who has had ties to the organization for more than three decades, said Siegel will ultimately be judged by the “scoreboard” — both in terms of medal count at the upcoming Olympics and how much money he brings in.

He said, however, that certainly Siegel’s role in Logan’s termination, as well as his position as Logan’s successor, “certainly would make people ask questions.” “At the very least, a very clear explanation from the board and from Max would be in order to clear up those kind of things,” Greifinger said. “You don’t want to start off 10 meters behind the start line, having to answer questions about that rather than getting the sport to move forward. If I were advising Max and the board, I’d say come out and address the questions proactively.”

Asked about those issues, Hightower and vice chairman Steve Miller each said they had been extensively addressed throughout the entire search process, which included a period when Hightower was thought to be in contention for the job.

“We certainly understand the perception issue, but it can go two ways,” Miller said. “It can be received as a negative issue, ‘these are the reasons why not.’ But we tried to concentrate on the reasons why. It’s his background as a board member, in working with media, marketing, swimming, they’ve all played into this opportunity at USATF. Perceptions are what perceptions are. But we feel confident we went through the process appropriately and Max was the best candidate and we couldn’t be happier about the outcome.”

The USOC called on USATF to shake up its governance structure in 2008, which led to the hiring of Logan, who didn’t make it through a single Olympic cycle. But given its own history and its reluctance to cause turmoil with three months left before the London Games, there was little the USOC could do but go along with this hiring.

“Max will have our full support and we look forward to working with USATF as they continue to refine their governance model and find ways to enhance the effectiveness of the organization,” Blackmun said.

Siegel said he stood by a goal set during Logan’s tenure — to win 30 medals at the London Olympics — though his hiring is clearly a move with an eye on the business side. Track’s popularity has been dwindling for decades now; Siegel is charged with trying to cash in, not only for the organization but for athletes, who have small windows of opportunity, almost all of which correlate to the Olympic calendar.

Siegel has not signed any major deals for USA Track since taking the consulting gig, which will terminate when he becomes CEO on May 1. He said, “I consider what we’ve done so far to mainly be foundational and behind-the-scenes work.”

Third Day frontman Mac Powell announced this week that he has plans to release his first solo album—a country project! Rest assured that Powell has no intentions to leave Third Day, who are currently recording a new studio album as a band. For all the details, check out Mac’s blog post below, and visit his blog page for the latest news! 

Some Exciting News For Me To Share!

I can’t tell you how excited I am to tell y’all the news that I have made a Country record! I grew up listening to Country music, and I’ve been hearing for many years from friends, family, and fans that they would love to hear me do a Country album. After so much confirmation, I started feeling like I couldn’t NOT make a country record (does that make sense?). So, I went to work.

There have been so many times in the past that I had song ideas that didn’t really fit lyrically or musically with Third Day. I filed those songs away to the “maybe sometime” category. Well, that time is now. I started working on these songs, and a whole bunch of new ones, off and on about a year ago. Then, I had the chance to record the songs with some really talented musicians. I am very happy with the results, and I cannot wait to share it with you!

Before anybody freaks out, the answer is “NO!” Third Day is NOT breaking up! We are actually nearly finished with a brand spankin’ new album that we’ll be releasing this fall, with a tour to follow in the spring of next year. We’re really excited about the material, and appreciate what we have in Third Day more than ever.

There are still many questions to be answered with how and when my Country record will be released, but my hope is that it will be sometime in the next few months. Also, I’m planning on firing up the old van and trailer and getting out there on the road to play the music wherever I can for whomever is willing to listen.

You guys have supported and encouraged me for many years now, and I don’t take it for granted. I would deeply appreciate all of your thoughts, prayers, and help in this coming season! I look forward to you guys hearing the music and seeing what you think very soon.

Blessings! Mac

The latest project from sister duo Mary Mary, titled Go Get It, continues at the #1 spot on Billboard’s Gospel Albums chart this week, after debuting at the top last week.

Beyond that, the charts had very little movement in the Top 10.  The Joyful Noise soundtrack swapped with the WOW Gospel project and Jessica Reedy re-entered the Top 10 from #13.

It’s going to be interesting to see where 3 artists land on the charts next week after new CD debuts.  Jason Nelson,  Zacardi Cortez and Cheneta Jones are all expected to do well.

Here’s this week’s top 10:

1 | Mary Mary – Go Get It
2 | Marvin Sapp – I Win
3 | Various Artists – Joyful Noise (Soundtrack)
4 | WOW Gospel 2012
5 | Trip Lee – The Good Life
6 | William McDowell – Arise
7 | Fred Hammond – God, Love & Romance
8 | JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise – After This
9 | James Fortune & FIYA – Identity
10 | Jessica Reedy – From The Heart

 

The sweet sounding Walls Group is a family of singers taking the Gospel industry by storm.  The young and talented siblings that make up the group have independently built a following for their music through social networks that has attracted the attention of some of the industries top label executives.  Their current single “Mighty You Are” is getting significant airplay at radio.

The Group comprised of mostly teen brothers and sisters wow audiences with their harmony and vocal maturity.  The Walls family includes group members Ahjah – 14, Paco – 15, Rhea – 16, and Darrell – 21.  

With The Walls Group CD release near, they’re celebrating with a series of listening parties, where audiences can here exclusive tracks from the album.  Reputable online radio outlets “CJB Radio,” and the Stellar Award winning station “Yes Lord Radio” will host the listening parties LIVE.

The Walls family extends beyond the siblings that make up the group, with a total of eight children born to parents Roger and Alicia Walls, both of them musicians.  

Stellar Award winning artist Jonathan Nelson had this to say, “The Walls have an undeniable family bond and sound. It’s so refreshing to see this group of brothers and sisters united in harmony and in spirit. After experiencing The Walls, you won’t be the same. I love seeing family and ministry merge into something powerful.  Yes, that’s The Walls.”

Before The Walls Group took shape they were making headlines in their home city of Houston as “The Walls Kidz,” and the world would be slowly exposed to their undeniable talents by various social networks.  Their YouTube channel has developed a devoted following recording over 4 million channel views, and at the beginning of the year their rendition of Kirk Franklin’s song “The Appeal” earned the group over 100,000 views in just a few weeks.  

The Walls Group sound is a mixture of worship, contemporary Gospel, urban pop, and down home church.  Their youthful voices stand toe to toe with some of the leading gospel artist out today.  Their Influences include Kim Burrell, Kiki Sheard, Mary Mary, The Soul Seekers, and Dorinda Clark-Cole.  

The new project self titled “The Walls Group” hits all major online portals June 12th.  Visit the Walls Group at www.thewallsgroup.org.  Twitter @TheWallsGroup and Facebook at facebook.com/Wall2WallEntertainment

Official Listening Party Schedule:

CJB Radio – Wednesday, May 29, 2012 – 8pm CST/9pm EST 
http://www.cjbradio.com/index.php/listen-live.html 

Yes Lord Radio – Wednesday, June 6, 2012 – Time TBD
http://www.yeslordradio.com/

For Booking: 

Wall2Wall ENTERTAINMENT 
Email: book@thewallsgroup.org 
Phone: 281-741-4303

For Media Inquiries: 
Email: management@thewallsgroup.org

 

BET’s hit singing competition, SUNDAY BEST, returns for a 5th season of higher praise and tougher competition.

The worldwide search for the best in gospel is officially over! Now, BET is giving YOU a chance to check out these up-and-coming stars as they race it out in ATLANTA to see who is… SUNDAY BEST!

Hosted by gospel legend Kirk Franklin, the new season welcomes the return of two previous judges, gospel-recording artists Donnie McClurkin and Yolanda Adams. This season, we also introduce our new judge to the show, Grammy-winning Gospel Songstress CeCe Winans. 

To receive FREE TICKETS to a live taping of BET’S SUNDAY BEST in Atlanta, Georgia, you need to email:

sb5tickets@gmail.com

Show taping days are: 

June 1, 2012 @ 3pm and/or 6pm
June 5, 2012 @ 3pm and/or 6pm
June 8, 2012 @ 3pm and/or 6pm
June 11, 2012 @ 3pm and/or 6pm

Please include your first and last name, contact number, email address, the number of CONFIRMED guests (3 max) including their names, and the taping day and time you would like to attend. 

Please be patient to receive a ticket confirmation as BET’s SUNDAY BEST Audience Department receives hundreds of requests a day. With that being said, only one entry is necessary. Please be advised no cameras or recording devices are allowed in the studio. Bring a valid photo ID for check-in. No children under the age of 5 are permitted.

“God is building a home. He’s using us all – irrespective of how we got here – in what he is building. He used the apostles and prophets for the foundation. Now he’s using you, fitting you in brick by brick, stone by stone, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone that holds all the parts together.” Ephesians 2:19-22 (MSG)

Hillsong releases the all-new live album Cornerstone on July 3, but you can get a taste of the project today with the Cornerstone EP, available now on iTunes and Amazon. This special digital set features both studio and live versions of the soul-stirring title track and first single “Hope of the World.”

The upcoming album offers fresh, new songs to churches worldwide, with a simple desire to place emphasis on Jesus and a prayer that people everywhere – regardless of circumstance – will be encouraged to find hope in Christ, the Cornerstone. Filled with songs such as the title track “Cornerstone”; new anthem “Beneath The Waters (I Will Rise)”; and upbeat praise, “Running”.

Cornerstone, recorded in Sydney, Australia, includes performances by Reuben Morgan, Darlene Zschech and worship teams from London, Stockholm, and Cape Town. It features new songs written by Morgan, Hillsong UNITED, and Brooke Fraser among others. Besides digital and CD formats, a DVD featuring 15 tracks will also be available as well as a CD/DVD deluxe edition.

Cornerstone EP Track Listing:

Cornerstone (Studio Version) 3:26)

Hope of the World (Studio Version) 3:38)

Cornerstone (Live) 6:49)

Hope of the World (Live) 4:08)

 

Memorial Day weekend is an extra special time for TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network), America’s go-to source for faith and inspirational television. Yes, the folks at TBN certainly enjoy the picnics, family time, and leisure that are part of this all-American holiday. But they also know that Memorial Day is more than just the kickoff for summer vacation. It’s about honoring the men and women in uniform who have given so much to ensure the liberty we enjoy. And it’s about taking time to thank God for that liberty, and to seek His blessings for future generations.

In observance of Memorial Day this year, TBN has put together a weekend lineup of movies and specials designed to honor America’s veterans and war heroes, and to help viewers and their families focus on what their sacrifice has meant. Among the featured programs this weekend on TBN:

Flag of My Father. This powerful movie tells the story of an Army nurse and former POW whose faith in God is put to the test as she battles through personal wounds and family hostility following the sudden death of her father, a Vietnam veteran. Airs May 25 through 29 (check here for broadcast times).

Prisoners of Hope. From 1964 to the end of the Vietnam conflict, hundreds of American servicemen were captured, interrogated, starved, and tortured in North Vietnamese prisoner of war camps. In Prisoners of Hope, ten of these American heroes recount the suffering and despair they experienced, as well as the faith and hope that sustained them through the years. Airs May 26 and 28 (check here for broadcast times).

League of Grateful Sons. Among the hundreds of thousands of soldiers, sailors, and airmen who returned home after WWII was a remarkable collection of men who made it their life mission to speak God’s providences and the meaning of manhood to the boys who would follow in their steps. Through wartime letters and present-day pilgrimages to the bloody battlefields of their youth, these warriors have spoken, and their thankful children — theLeague of Grateful Sons — rise to honor their legacy. A moving and memorable film. Airs May 27 and 28 (check here for broadcast times).

Medal of Honor: Living Histories. In this impacting documentary, eight recipients of America’s highest military honor recount the heroic actions that prompted them to receive the medal, and talk about the feelings they have for their country and for the soldiers who fought along side them. Airs May 28 and 29 (check here for broadcast times).

The Conscientious Objector. The remarkable story of devout Christian and military hero Desmond Doss, a World War II medic who earned the Medal of Honor despite refusing to carry a weapon into combat. Convinced that he was a coward, Doss’ fellow soldiers heaped ridicule and abuse on him — until, during a three week period of fighting near Okinawa in 1945, he repeatedly braved enemy fire and grenades to tend the wounds and save the lives of over 80 of his comrades. A truly unforgettable and impacting movie. Airs May 28 and 29 (check here for broadcast times).

In addition to these inspiring classics, TBN will also air a number of other movies and specials throughout the Memorial Day weekend, including Saints and Soldiers, Warriors of Honor, Stand Ye, Stand Ye, and more. For a complete listing check TBN’s daily broadcast schedule.

TBN founder Dr. Paul Crouch noted that the network is available at a number of military bases throughout the world, and some of TBN’s programming is even carried on the Armed Forces Network. “Americans owe a deep debt of gratitude to the men and women who have served in the military,” he said. “Memorial Day gives us a special day to acknowledge their sacrifice, and to remind us of the need to keep those serving today in our prayers.”