The Sounds Of Blackness, winners of a 2012 NAACP Award in the category of Outstanding World Music Album for their current self-titled CD project, releases a brand new video, “Testify” on YouTube.

The Sounds of Blackness have been bringing hope and inspiration to people through its music globally for the past four decades. The group has awed audiences on five continents with the depth and breadth of its artistry, covering all forms of African-American music from gospel and soul to jazz, R&B, reggae, hip-hop, rock and blues, to ragtime, field hollers, work songs and traditional spirituals. As Sounds of Blackness celebrates 40 years of music and inspiration, the group offers a superb self-titled 15-track CD that is a dazzling showcase for its all-encompassing musicality.

GEORGETOWN, Texas — Tim Tebow drew a crowd of about 15,000 to an outdoor Easter church service Sunday, telling the gathering it’s important to be outspoken about faith while admonishing athletes about not being better role models.

“In Christianity, it’s the Pope and Tebow right now,” Celebration Church pastor Joe Champion said. “We didn’t have enough room to handle the Pope.”

Tebow — devout Christian, backup NFL quarterback and cultural phenomenon — has a flock of admirers drawn as much to his religious leanings as his Heisman Trophy skills.

Thousands attended the Celebration Church’s “Easter on the Hill” service to hear Jets quarterback Tim Tebow deliver a guest speech.

He told them he welcomed the attention on his convictions as well as the “Tebowing” prayer pose he often strikes on the field because it puts his faith and prayer in the public conversation.

“It’s being talked about,” he said. “That’s exciting.”

Some at the “Easter on the Hill” morning service under sunny skies drove more than 100 miles to hear Tebow speak. The service took on the feeling of a rock concert with more than a 100 school buses shuttling people to the sprawling megachurch campus from local shopping centers and the nearby college.

The service was peppered with lively Christian rock songs and Tebow hit the large stage to cheers from those who could see him while others toward the back of the crowd watched on massive video screens. Tebow sat for a 20-minute interview with Champion to talk about his faith and the role it plays in his public life.

“It’s OK to be outspoken about your faith,” Tebow said.

He also took a shot at professional athletes who insist they are not role models.

“Yes you are. You’re just not a good one,” Tebow said.

Champion asked Tebow what he thought needed to change culturally in America.

“First and foremost is what this country was based on: one nation under God. The more that we can get back to that,” Tebow said to applause.

Although church officials had said they typically get their biggest crowds on Easter, Tebow was clearly the big draw Sunday. Several hundred started heading toward the exits after Tebow spoke, not waiting for Champion’s main Sunday sermon so they could avoid the 80-degree heat and beat the traffic.

Some couldn’t wait for the official 8 a.m. opening to the church grounds and showed up hours early.

Debbie Sandoval and her husband and two sons arrived before sunrise. They wore Tebow’s Jets jerseys and set up camp close to the large soundstage with a row of chairs.

“I love that boy. … He’s like my third son,” said Sandoval, who is not a regular member of the church but wasn’t going to miss a chance to hear Tebow speak. A self-described “lifelong Broncos fan,” Sandoval said she became a Jets fan because of Tebow. Tebow led the Broncos to the playoffs last season, but was acquired by the Jets in a trade March 21.

“Everything about this young man’s extraordinary life is special,” Sandoval said.

Amanda O’Hara drove about 100 miles from San Antonio on Saturday and got to the church about 4:30 a.m. “to be one of the first ones here.”

“I only got about four hours sleep, I was so excited,” O’Hara said. “He doesn’t hide who he is. Parents should see him as a role model.”

The crowd included people dressed in Easter bunny costumes and one person dressed as the Sesame Street character Elmo. About an hour before the service, Elmo dropped to a knee with a toddler boy to mimic Tebow’s prayer pose.

Media access to the event was tightly controlled inside the roped-off field. Reporters and photographers were required to have an escort when walking through the crowd before the service. Television cameras were allowed to record only a portion of Tebow’s speech and no live video streaming of the service was permitted.

Church officials initially expected up to 20,000 and said Tebow’s appearance on Easter Sunday was coincidental. Church spokeswoman Tara Wall said it was Tebow who reached out to Champion with a request to appear and Sunday was the best date available.

Mike Benaglio and his wife, Debbie, sat on a blanket.

“I’m a fan of any pro athlete who stands up for his faith,” he said. “We’re thrilled to be part of this. It’s not about football. Whatever gets more people over to the cross, I’m in favor of.”

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press

Bishop Allen T.D. Wiggins and Pastor David Uth were two of the ministers given the task of spreading the message of the resurrection of Jesus Christ to a mass audience that gathered on Easter Sunday in Orlando, FL.

The multi-cultural event was held at the 17,500-seat Amway Center.  Known for being the home of the NBA’s Orlando Magic, the Amway Center would serve a different purpose on Easter Sunday.

Two churches came together to spear-head the effort of a multi-cultural MEGA-Easter service.  The predominantly white First Baptist of Orlando and the black congregation of The Hope Church.

Bishop Allen T.D. Wiggins [left] with Pastor David Uth [Right] at the Amway Center Easter Sunday

First Baptist Pastor David Uth began the service with a reference to the racial divisiveness caused by the killing of Trayvon Martin in Sanford. Sanford is less then an hour drive from Orlando.  Sunday’s service, he said, was a rebuttal to that perception of Orlando as a place divided along racial lines.  

“Let the record show that we are gathered together today black, white, Asian and Hispanic to worship as one. We may look different on the outside, but inside we are identical twins,” Uth said. “We are one here today to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

Bishop Allen T.D. Wiggins, pastor of The Hope Church, reiterated Uth’s message of Christ transcending race and gender.

“I feel like the world is looking at us. I feel this resurrection morning is a message to the world that God is greater than anything that could divide us,” Wiggins said.

Hope and First Baptist have worked together in the past on issues such as poverty, homelessness and affordable housing. But this was the first time they combined congregations and worship services, using the occasion of Christ’s resurrection — and the capacity of Amway — to fit inside the same building with room for a new thousand more from the community at large.

There were people who arrived by bus and a tour group from Hong Kong. Free admission and parking attracted more than a few who had never been inside the Amway before. Mayor Buddy Dyer said the purpose of the arena, largely built for the Orlando Magic, is to provide a place for community events.

“Today, the Amway Center serves as a house of our Lord,” he said. “This is holy ground today.”

Uth, in his passionate Easter sermon, retold the story of Jesus appearing after his death to walk among disciples who didn’t recognize him. For those who didn’t belong to a church or had never felt the presence of the Lord, God brought them to the arena for just that reason, Uth said.

“Jesus is a lot closer than you think,” he said. “Jesus is much bigger than you can imagine.”

Rebecca Ferguson, a 61-year-old member of First Baptist, said she found the service uplifting after weeks of accusations on both sides of the Trayvon Martin case.

“It’s encouraging to see us worship all together, especially with all this trouble in Sanford,” she said.

                 Bishop Allen T.D. Wiggins on the Jumbo-Tron at Amway Center

After the extravaganza of arena-size worship, 700 members of both churches “danced their shoes off” on Church Street outside Amway. After performing a four-minute choreographed routine, the dancers stepped out of their shoes, leaving them on the pavement to be collected and distributed to poor families in Orlando.

“I thought it was good for the people doing the dancing to donate their shoes,” said Shelby Williams, 9, whose family attends Hope Church.

The empty pairs of lace-less and Velcro-strapped tennies, brightly colored Crocs, elegant high heels, thin-strapped sandals, and lightweight running shoes echoed the diversity and assortment of people, all ages, sizes, and colors, who filled Amway Center on Resurrection Sunday.

About Bishop Allen T.D. Wiggins

Bishop Allen T.D. Wiggins is a native of Daytona Beach, Florida and has served as Senior Pastor of The Hope Church, in Orlando, Florida for ten years. He is also co-founder and saxophonist of the world-renowned gospel/jazz duo, Allen & Allen. With spiritual wisdom and a heart for helping underserved communities, Bishop Wiggins continually partners with key business, ministerial, and civic leaders that work to bring long-term sustenance to urban cores. Bishop Wiggins is also involved in outreach ministries across the country, and is available for speaking engagements and interview opportunities.

To learn more about The Hope Church and Hope Center West, visit www.thehopechurch.org and www.hopecenterproject.com. For additional information contact Mylika C. Morton at 407-291-4673 or email mmorton@thehopechurch.org.

Inpop Records’ Jimmy Needham has reached a milestone in his young career by achieving the highest first week sales for his latest album, Clear The Stage. Immediately after hearing the new project, the industry started proclaiming the album as Needham’s strongest debut to date, and the first week sales validate that statement. Clear The Stagehas sold 3,899 units, and led to the project debuting on the Christian Combined Chart at #9 and the Christian Adult Contemporary Soundscan Chart at #5.

“I’m so grateful for everyone who continues to support my music and ministry,” says Needham. “I’ve only always wanted to promote an accurate view of Jesus to a world that needs it, and continue to create music that reflects the truth.” 

Momentum is still building for the album with the new single, “If I Ever Needed Grace” going for adds at radio. Some early adds on the song include, KFSH/Los Angeles, CA; WBVM/Tampa, FL; WFHM/Cleveland, OH; WBSN/New Orleans, LA; WDJC/Birmingham, AL and WCSG/Grand Rapids. NewReleaseTuesday.com has already listed the single in the Top Twenty on the website’s Top 40 songs of 2012.

“‘If I Ever Need Grace’ not only highlights Jimmy’s amazing vocal talents, but it also showcases his ability to write a song that conveys God’s greatest gift for all of us,” says Rodney Miller, Music Director, 95.9 The Fish Los Angeles. Media accolades continue pouring in for Clear The Stage with DenverPost.com saying, I enjoyed “Clear The Stage,” because of the mix of music – I’m not a fan of a CD’s songs all sounding the same – and the thought-provoking lyrics. Add in the whimsical with “Daddy’s Baby Girl,” and the listener won’t get bored with the well-written and produced 10-song CD.

NewReleaseTuesday.com adds, Fun, funky and full of faith, Clear The Stage is undoubtedly Jimmy Needham’s finest work to date.

CW’s Place.com says, On his new release, ‘Clear The Stage,’ artist Jimmy Needham proves that when you’re willing to let go of things and turn control over to God that good things will happen!

ChristianMusicReview.com exclaims, His new album “Clear The Stage” is a solid follow up to Nightlights and has a few special songs that can hit your heart strings.

For press and tour updates on Jimmy Needham please visit his revised and updated website www.jimmyneedham.com.

About Jimmy Needham:
Needham released his first album, Speak, in 2006, on Inpop Records, and it generated respect and well-earned recognition from the Christian music industry for this talented singer/songwriter from Katy, Texas. The project generated three singles “Fence Riders (#14),” “Dearly Loved (#8),” and “Lost At Sea,” which charted for an incredible twelve weeks at the #2 position. Needham’s second album, Not Without Love resulted in four hit singles including “Forgiven and Loved” as the break-out Christian AC hit, climbing to #6 nationally, while “A Breath Or Two,” peaked at #3 at Christian CHR radio. Needham’s third project, Nightlights, debuted at #1 on iTunes Top 200 Christian & Gospel Albums chart and #25 on iTunes Top 200 Albums chart for all genres of music. Needham’s newest album, Clear The Stage released March 26, 2012. Needham lives in Dallas, TX with his wife, Kelly, and his toddler daughter, Lively.

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.

President Barack Obama spoke about the significance of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection in his own life and that of other Christians as he offered his greetings to all those celebrating Easter and Passover this weekend across the United States.

“For me, and for countless other Christians, Easter weekend is a time to reflect and rejoice,” the President said during his weekly address Saturday.

On Good Friday, he said, “many of us took a few quiet moments to try and fathom the tremendous sacrifice Jesus made for all of us.” On Easter, he added, “we will celebrate the resurrection of a savior who died so that we might live.” Easter is a celebration of “redemption at God’s hand.”

“And tomorrow, my family will join Christians around the world as we thank God for the all-important gift of grace through the resurrection of His son, and experience the wonder of Easter morning,” he said. These holidays, the President added, were rooted in “miracles” in the history. “They connect us to our past and give us strength as we face the future.”

At the annual Easter Prayer Breakfast Wednesday morning, Obama recounted what Jesus said: “In this world, you will have trouble,” and said the story of Christ’s agony and resurrection had helped him over the tough moments of an embattled presidency, according to The Associated Press.

Obama on Saturday said these sacred days could be a time to recommit ourselves to following Jesus’ example. “We rededicate our time on Earth to selflessness, and to loving our neighbors. We remind ourselves that no matter who we are, or how much we achieve, we each stand humbled before an almighty God.”

He said the miracles behind Easter also remind us of “the common thread of humanity” that connects us all. “Christ’s triumph over death holds special meaning for Christians. But all of us, no matter how or whether we believe, can identify with elements of His story. The triumph of hope over despair. Of faith over doubt. The notion that there is something out there that is bigger than ourselves.”

Obama said these beliefs help unite Americans of all faiths and backgrounds. “They shape our values and guide our work. They put our lives in perspective.” Obama and his wife, Michelle, wished a blessed and Happy Easter “to all Christians celebrating the Resurrection with us.” Others, he hoped, would have a weekend “filled with joy and reflection, focused on the things that matter most.”

Obama and his family were members of the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, Ill., before his presidential run. Since then, the Obama’s have not found a home church.

Congrats to JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise, whose latest album, After This, has debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Gospel Albums chart, the highest debut of the choir’s career.

Also worth mentioning is Le’Andria Johnson, who continues to have 2 albums in the Top 10.  Jessica Reedy’s album continues to climb as it now charts in the top 10.

Next week, look for Marvin Sapp to debut at #1, with Anita Wilson also charting in the Top 10. 

The rest of the Top 10 in Gospel is:

1 | JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise – After This
2 | WOW Gospel 2012
3 | Fred Hammond – God, Love & Romance
4 | James Fortune & FIYA – Identity
5 | William McDowell – Arise
6 | Maranatha! Gospel – 2012 Top Gospel Songs
7 | Le’Andria Johnson – The Awakening of Le’Andria Johnson…
8 | Le’Andria Johnson – The Evolution of Le’Andria Johnson
9 | Kirk Franklin – Hello Fear
10 | Jessica Reedy – From the Heart

Happy Good Friday to everyone!  Good Friday (from the senses pious, holy of the word “good”),is a religious holiday observed primarily by Christians commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. The holiday is observed during Holy Week as part of the Paschal Triduum on the Friday preceding Easter Sunday, and may coincide with the Jewish observance of Passover. It is also known as Holy Friday, Great Friday or Easter Friday, though the latter normally refers to the Friday in Easter week.

Based on the details of the Canonical gospels, the Crucifixion of Jesus was most probably on a Friday. The estimated year of Good Friday is AD 33, by two different groups, and originally as AD 34 by Isaac Newton via the differences between the Biblical and Julian calendars and the crescent of the moon. A third method, using a completely different astronomical approach based on a lunar Crucifixion darkness and eclipse model (consistent with Apostle Peter’s reference to a “moon of blood” in Acts 2:20) points to Friday, 3 April AD 33.

The Celebration of the Passion of the Lord takes place in the afternoon, ideally at three o’clock, but for pastoral reasons a later hour may be chosen. The vestments used are red (more commonly) or black (more traditionally).^[ Before 1970, vestments were black except for the Communion part of the rite when violet was used. Before 1955 black was used throughout. If a bishop or abbot celebrates, he wears a plain mitre.

Good Friday is the Friday before Easter, which is calculated differently in Eastern Christianity and Western Christianity. Easter falls on the first Sunday following the Paschal Full Moon, the full moon on or after 21 March, taken to be the date of the vernal equinox. The Western calculation uses the Gregorian calendar, while the Eastern calculation uses the Julian calendar, whose 21 March now corresponds to the Gregorian calendar’s 3 April.

James “Jazzy” Jordan, executive vice president, Verity Gospel Music Group, today announced that the label has added Latice Crawford-Spain to its roster. Crawford-Spain is perhaps best known as a finalist in the second season of BET’s highly successful gospel music talent search, Sunday Best. A crowd favorite with a small frame and a big voice, Crawford-Spain left an indelible mark in the Gospel music industry since being introduced to the nation as a contestant on the show in 2009. About her new deal with Verity, Crawford-Spain says “I’ve waited to be here for three years, Verity was always the place that I wanted to be once I accepted the whole singing as a career thing…I’m super excited.”

“We’re looking forward to great things from Latice,” says Jordan. “She is the total package, she has an outstanding voice, she is a true worshipper, and she is a gifted writer. Latice has a clear vision for where she wants her music ministry to go, and we look forward to working with her to get there.”

In this picture, finalizing Crawford-Spain’s Recording Agreement, are L-R: Roger Skelton, SVP Business & Legal Affairs, RCA Music Group; James “Jazzy” Jordan, Executive Vice President, Verity Gospel Music Group; Latice Crawford-Spain; Rashan Staley, manager; Kojo Benil, attorney.

Photo Credit: B. Jeffrey Grant-Clark

Stanley Brown, former Sunday Best music director, and Senior Director, A&R, for Verity Gospel Music Group, says: “I think Latice is one of the strongest female vocalists in Gospel music. She has great tone, she’s a great song stylist, but she also has a captivating stage presence that makes her unforgettable.”

Crawford-Spain says that her experience on Sunday Best propelled her to pursue singing professionally. “I never wanted to sing; the effect of Sunday Best hit me after the show began airing. I would get approached by people who were transformed by Sunday Best and who talked about how certain performances effected their lives. Music is a life changer, and those stories made me want to do this for a living; they made me want to walk in my calling.”

Crawford-Spain says of her debut, “I definitely want this CD to be an uplifting album for women and girls – women are so materialized in society, I want to reiterate who we are in Christ. We have ministries and we have callings just like everyone else does. I just want a kingdom album, I don’t want it to be classified as church music, etc…I just want to do music that uplifts the kingdom and brings people back to the kingdom. I want something classic; something timeless. I want the old feeling of music back; real lyrics, real feelings that convict somebody’s heart and make them want to change.”

The daughter of a preacher, Latice Crawford-Spain grew up in the Bronx and Queens, New York. She is married to Jeff Spain, another Sunday Best season two contestant. The two met on the show. Crawford-Spain currently splits her time between Atlanta and New York and occasionally leads praise & worship, along with her husband, at Wisdom Chapel International in the Bronx.

Bishop T.D. Jakes’ new book may have come out at just the right time—a time when the nation has been rocked by the untimely death of Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Fla.

Seventeen-year-old Martin died on Feb. 26 at the hand of George Zimmerman, a 28-year-old who claimed self-defense. Martin’s death has rallied the multicultural masses to demand justice.

Jakes was on MSN’s Jansing & Co. show to discuss the Martin case and forgiveness, the topic of his new book Let it Go. On the show, Chris Jansing, the host of Jansing & Co., asked the Dallas megachurch pastor if he agrees with Sybrina Fulton, Martin’s mother, that the police and the media are trying to kill her son’s reputation by calling him a hoodlum.

“I think we’re really trying to gather all the facts. I think it’s prudent upon us that we do that. Had we not applied the pressure that we did, I’m not sure that those facts would have come out as succinctly as they are coming out now,” Jakes told Jansing.

“Every parent has teenagers who go through adolescence but you don’t want your children to be profiled. And we want to make sure that is not the case, I’m not saying that it is but we need to make sure that that is not the case and that justice is not misappropriated.”

Jakes did question, however, why Zimmerman has not been arrested.

“I think that if the shoe were on the other foot—had it been Trayvon who had killed some other child in some other situation—then he would have been arrested,” Jakes argued.

Jakes also appeared on Starting Point with Soledad O’Brien on CNN. He told O’Brien that forgiveness is connected with personal healing rather than exonerating the perpetrator.

“Forgiveness says I’m not going to allow myself, 10 years from now, to still be sitting on the side of the bed seething in anger at the individual,” Jakes said. “That I have to find a way to move forward, and that I unhitch myself from this incident and move on with my life.”

Click Here to watch the video-taped interview.