Sign-Up with your username/password to get unlimited article access.
Register
Signup for Newsletter
Subscribe to our daily newsletter and be the first to know about breaking
news, exclusive promotions, discounted merchandise, contests, and free
give-aways.
Path Radio
Click Here or click logo to hear the best in Gospel music.
After the over-the-top King crowning video of Bishop Eddie Long went viral, another high profile televangelist is taking heat because of their ties to Rabbi Ralph Messer.
Pastor Paula White was rumored to be crowned Queen in a future service. An allegation that White and her representative vehemently deny.
Statements were released on Paula White’s website to deflect the connection between White and Rabbi Messer. Then an anonymous person uploaded a video that shows a torah wrapping demonstration similar to the one performed at Bishop Eddie Long’s new birth church.
White has previously interviewed Rabbi Messer, reportedly a Messianic Jew, on her television show, the statement affirmed. However, the statement also insisted that White has “no ties or affiliation” with Messer and that “she does not endorse him in any way, and she will not be participating in any events with him.”
Included with White’s statement was a comment her attorney, Daniel Beirute, made to the Florida Courier’s publisher, in which he called the publication’s report a “ridiculous fantasy” and insisted that White “has no ties or affiliation with Mr. Messer. She does not endorse him in any way, and she would never consider participating in any so-called coronation under any circumstances, whatsoever.”
But the 2009 video, which has already gone viral on the Internet, clearly shows Messer performing a nearly identical Torah wrapping on the pastor, which have led some to speculate that White’s attorney was not entirely forthcoming in his statement.
The ceremony involving Long, interpreted as a “coronation” ceremony by observers, is said by Messer to be symbolic of Long being “wrapped in the Word of God,” which serves as protection for the person within the scroll’s folds. Both Messer and Long received harsh criticism from Jewish observers, as the Torah is seen as sacred in Judaism. Following a bashing from the Anti-Defamation League, Long publicly apologized Sunday for participating in the ritual.
Paula Whites Torah wrapping video can be seen below.
What If Your Blessings Come Through Raindrops?, the first book by Dove Award-winning and Grammy Award-nominated worship leader Laura Story, will release March 13 by Freeman-Smith, a division of Worthy Publishing. The 30-day devotional is based on Story’s #1 song, “Blessings,” nominated for a 2012 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Song.
Comprised of 30 daily devotions designed to draw readers into a deeper understanding of God’s sometimes mysterious gifts, What If Your Blessings Come Through Raindrops? includes the devotions “He Loves Us Too Much to Give Us Lesser Things”; “When Faith Disappears”; “The Blessed Thorn”; “Giving Endurance a Chance to Grow”; and “How Can We Find Peace Amid Suffering?” Each devotion contains Story’s personal reflections garnered from her own journey, along with prayers, quotes and a journaling page for readers to recount how blessings have impacted their own lives.
Written and recorded by Story, “Blessings” was a #1 hit at Christian AC and Inspo radio last year, in addition to topping the iTunes Christian/Gospel Top Songs chart for 28 consecutive weeks. The song is featured on Story’s critically acclaimed Fair Trade Services recording, Blessings. Her previous recording, Great God Who Saves, garnered a Dove Award for Inspirational Album of the Year and featured the hit single, “Mighty to Save.” In addition, Story penned the popular worship song “Indescribable,” recorded by Chris Tomlin.
Story is involved in music and women’s ministry at Perimeter Church in Atlanta, where she resides with her husband, Martin. She will be on the Girls Night Live Tour this spring with Mandisa and Britt Nicole. For a complete list of upcoming dates, visit www.laurastorymusic.com.
Worthy Publishing, a division of Worthy Media, Inc., is a privately held company whose mission is helping people experience the heart of God. Worthy is an independent voice in Christian publishing, managing editorial, marketing, publicity, sales and distribution from its home offices in Brentwood, Tennessee. Worthy focuses on a boutique list of new books each year, crossing a broad spectrum of genres, including fiction, Bible study, current events, devotionals, biography, leadership, specialized Bibles, as well as spiritual and personal growth.
What If Your Blessings Come Through Raindrops? ($11.99) will be distributed to retail outlets nationwide by EMI CMG. For a free download of the first chapter, visit www.laurastorymusic.com/free. For further information, visit www.worthypublishing.com.
On the outside this appears to be another sad attempt to get the approval of man. Bishop Eddie Long recently brought in a guest Rabbi who crowned him King. Elevating him from a commoner to a kinship.
Many are analyzing the video but you’ll have to see it for yourself to determine whether or not you believe this is kingship in a spiritual sense or a worldly sense.
Long has recently returned to preachingchurch services again after briefly stepping down as head pastor from the church due to a sex scandal and subsequent divorce from his wife. This Sunday however, he invited a special guest, Rabbi Ralph Messer. The church televised a very special edition of worship service as the rabbi crowned the bishop as “king”.In this 14 minute-long video clip, Messer reveals to church members a priceless 312-year-old scroll apparently recovered from Auschwitz after World War II. After introducing Long, he says, “He was brought through the slaves, raised up in a city, and God now wants to release a new anointing.”
At around the five-minute mark, Messer wraps an emotional Eddie Long in the scroll. After more prayer and being fully wrapped in the scroll, which is said to be done for kings in Israel as a Jewish ritual, four men from the church proceed to “raise him up from a commoner to a kinship.” Long is paraded around the church stage so that members are able to applaud their new king. The demonstration seemed to excite the crowd.
Is this word? Or worldly? You decide.
BISHOP EDDIE LONG APOLOGIZES FOR KINGSHIP VIDEO
“The ceremony was not my suggestion, nor was it my intent, to participate in any ritual that is offensive in any manner to the Jewish community, or any group. Furthermore, I sincerely denounce any action that depicts me as a King, for I am merely just a servant of the Lord,” Long wrote in a letter dated Saturday.
The letter was addressed to Bill Nigut, southeast regional director of the Anti-Defamation League — a Jewish group that fights anti-Semitism.
“While I believe that Rabbi Ralph Messer has good intentions during his message at New Birth, I understand that the ceremony he performed on Sunday, January 29th, caused harm to the Jewish community, for which I am deeply sorry,” Long wrote.
Bill Nigut accepted Long’s apology saying he felt it was sincere.
Rabbi Hillel Norry of Congregation Shearith Israel in Atlanta said last week the ceremony was “ridiculous.” There’s no Jewish coronation ceremony where someone is wrapped in a Torah and made a king, he said.”We just don’t do that. We treat it with deference,” Norry said of the Torah. “It’s not a shawl, not a crown. Don’t treat it that way.”
They say Home is where the heart is and this rings true for the Chicago Mass Choir.
This phenomenal choir bears the name of their famous hometown and as one of Chicago’s Gospel Music staples, they have truly made Chicago proud. Chicago Mass Choir’s musical achievements, including their 2012 Stellar Award nominations will be celebrated by Chicago’s gospel station WGRBInspiration 1390AM on February 10, 2012.
On Friday, February 10th, Inspiration 1390 will salute all 2012 Chicago Stellar nominees and winners during the Chicago Stellar Awards Salute held at Christ Universal Temple. Chicago Mass Choir will be honored along with Vashwan Mitchell, Shekinah Glory Ministries, Todd Dulaney and others.
Chicago Mass Choir’s President, Dr. Feranda Williamson expressed her gratitude, “It was truly an honor to be a finalist for the 2012 Stellar Awards, but an even greater honor to be recognized for our contributions to Gospel Music at home- with other Chicago based winners and finalist.”
The gospel community will also have a chance to hear Chicago Mass Choir perform a few of their hits and new music from their new CD “XV”-Live during the celebration.
It is such a nice treat for Chicago Mass Choir to be celebrated at home and will be one they always remember!
Many small to mid-size churches start to grow by holding church services on weekends at public school facilities. This right is being threatened in New York City, and could start a dangerous precedent world-wide. According to the Christian Post, some 60 churches may be left homeless as a ban that prohibits worship services at New York City public schools takes effect on Sunday. While churchgoers continue to fight the ban, some are also crying foul over the lack of support from megachurches.
New York’s megachurches have been mostly silent on the issue since the Supreme Court refused to hear the case of a Bronx congregation that tried to secure access to a public school auditorium for Sunday services. Some New York City church leaders wonder why the large churches have not done anything to help.
Pastor Bill Devlin of Manhattan Bible Church has helped lead the Right to Worship protests since the beginning. He told The Christian Post that a steering committee made up of 10 pastors affected by the ban came to him and asked, “Where are these pastors who have these huge churches? They have been absolutely silent.”
Devlin said they have tried contacting large churches that have their own buildings, and the “major response we’ve gotten from big dog churches and pastors is, ‘We’ll pray for you.'”
He has personally approached some megachurch pastors in the NYC area as well. Last December, at the mayor’s Interfaith Prayer Breakfast, he said he spoke with A.R. Bernard, pastor of the Christian Cultural Center, one of the largest evangelical churches in the city. Devlin told Bernard: “We need your help.”
Bernard responded, “I’m working on the inside,” according to Devlin.
Bernard told The Christian Post that he has been in conversations with both the Chancellor of New York City Schools and the mayor’s office. But he also said that “nothing has changed up to this point. The deadline in their minds is still set for the 12th. They have their reasons.”
Since the Supreme Court decision in December, hundreds have held protests outside schools, City Hall, and the Department of Law against the ban, set by the city’s Department of Education. The deadline banning the use of schools by churches is scheduled for Feb. 12.
Click here to read the rest by the Christian Post.
Clear the Stage, the fourth album from Inpop artist Jimmy Needham releasing on March 27, 2012, sees Needham paired with award-winning producer Ed Cash (Chris Tomlin, Laura Story, Dave Barnes, Aaron Shust) for his most compelling and vulnerable collection of songs to date. As the title cut implies, Clear the Stage is a call to absolute dependence on God. From the lead single, “If I Ever Needed Grace,” to the anthemic “My Victory,” the idea of acknowledging our need for God’s mercy and grace is woven like a thread throughout the album. Musically the album visits much that is familiar to fans of Needham’s previous albums, but also pushes the envelope with songs like the funk-infused, “I Will Find You,” featuring guest vocals from Lecrae.
“There’s a nuance I try to capture in every record, but this one was a lot more eclectic, thematically,” Jimmy says. “All of the facets of my personal life keep leading me to an expanding view of Christ; marriage to my wife Kelly, our daughter’s birth, and the miscarriages we experienced before our daughter’s birth. In all of these things, and in every way I attempt to navigate life, my only satisfaction—the only true answers—will be found in Christ. I’ve come to understand obedience as more than simply not doing bad things, but running to God to drink deeply in Him so that I don’t want to run to any other source.”
If I Ever Needed Grace, the first single, is currently at radio. “The fact that ‘If I Ever Needed Grace’ came at the eleventh hour, when it seemed like I had nothing—and resulted in one of the most powerful songs I’ve ever written—is such a testament of God’s grace. I felt so inadequate going into the studio to make this album,” Jimmy reflects. “Not all of the songs were written yet, I was working with a new producer, and on top of all that, I had just become a father. Nothing has proven to demonstrate my inadequacy like fatherhood and leading a family. I remember praying, ‘If I ever needed grace, God, it’s now.”
Daddy’s Baby Girl, a playful tune written for Jimmy’s daughter, is a standout track and one that every parent can relate to: Now you’ve got me doing these silly dance moves, I hope this don’t make it on to YouTube.
The powerful title track, Clear The Stage, written by Ross King, was a life-changing song for Jimmy. “The first time I heard this song as a high school student, it wrecked me,” explains Jimmy. “I don’t think anyone can be the same person after hearing this song. I’ll never forget hearing those words and immediately getting on my face before God. It’s a heavy way to close, but my hope is that by the end, every listener will say ‘I want more of Jesus and less of everything else.’”
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 album 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 project, 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 album, 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. Clear The Stage is Needham’s fourth album on Inpop Records, which releases on March 27, 2012. Needham lives in Dallas, TX with his wife, Kelly, and his toddler daughter, Lively. For press and tour updates please visit www.jimmyneedham.com.
About Inpop Records
Inpop Records is an independent music label based in Brentwood, TN and is home to some of the best-known bands in Christian music. Distributed by EMI Christian Music Group, Inpop Records has become one of the top-selling independent labels within the industry, having established a reputation for seeking out the best artists in emerging talent and for expanding the music marketplace with sound and ideas. Inpop’s roster includes Newsboys, Mat Kearney, Jaci Velasquez, Tricia Brock, Jimmy Needham, and The Advice among others. For more information, visit inpop.com.
Laura Kaczor has a new single going for adds at radio, Yours Forever, and while on a radio promotion tour she stopped in South Bend, IN for an appearance on LeSea Broadcasting’sHarvest Show. Kaczor performed the new single and “Alive in You,” her previous single that went to #17 on Billboard. Both songs are from Kaczor’s current CD, Love Enough. Check out Laura’s appearance with interview here: Short intro/Yours Forever performance/Interview. While at LeSea, she taped a show for Live From Studio B that will air at a later date.
After the show, Kaczor headed north for a meet & greet with the staff at Moody Radio West Michigan, which included Operations Manager and co-host of Perry & Scott In The Morning, Scott Curtis. The next day Kaczor traveled to Traverse City, MI where she was the guest of DC Cavendar, Operations Director/Music Director and host of the Clockwatcher Show. Afterwards, she recorded an interview with WLJN Program Director, Pete Lathrop, which aired during his mid-morning show the same day. Kaczor’s single is New and Active at Billboard and is #23 on the Christian Music Weekly Soft AC chart.
Gospel singer Deanna Ransom has been taking the gospel industry by storm. A powerhouse vocalist, Ransom is a 2010 Black Essence Award Winner, a 2011 Rhythm of Gospel Award Winner (and 2012 Rhythm of Gospel Nominee), and 2012 Holy Hip Hop Rhythm & Praise Award Nominee known for delivering songs like no one else in the genre. Fusing soul, jazz and R&B sounds, Deanna’s career catapulted with the release of her CD, I Hear You. Now the psalmist is preparing for another recording.
On Monday, February 20, 2012, Ransom will be recording live and unplugged at WarmDaddy’s. Known as a hot spot in the city of Brotherly Love, WarmDaddy’s (1400 S. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, PA) will be the location for the taping and will showcase the amazing singer at her finest. Doors open at 7PM and the concert beings at 8PM. The event will be hosted by radio announcer Robyn McCollum and the artist will be joined by Chiquita Green, Red Baron, and The Smith Family Singers. Tickets are $15 in advance and can be purchased at UrbanTix.com (1.800.872.2684).
Deanna will also be traveling to the Nation’s Capital. The psalmist will be ministering at two services, 8:00AM and 10:45AM, at mega-church Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church (610 Rhode Island Avenue, NE, Washington, D.C.) this coming Sunday, February 5, 2012. Congregants will have an opportunity to purchase CDs after services. Just a week and a half later, she will be back in Washington, D.C., as she performs at the brand new Christian Club, The Linen Club. The Linen Club, a great place for inspirational entertainment, provides a non-alcoholic environment for mixing and mingling. Deanna has been tapped as the featured artist for their Valentine’s Day Celebration taking place at Ibiza (1222 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002), on Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 7PM. Tickets are $35 per person. More information can be found at TheLinenClub.biz. For more information about Deanna Ransom, log on to www.DeannaRansom.com.
Congratulations to James Fortune & FIYA, whose new release Identity, celebrates its second week atop the Billboard Top Gospel Charts. The album also enters at #6 on the Independent Charts and #28 on the Billboard Top 200 Charts. The Joyful Noise Soundtrack maintains the #2 position on this week’s charts. The WOW Gospel 2012 compilations debuts at the #3 spot followed by Myron Butler‘s brand new release Worship, which debuts at the #4 position. Arise: The Live Worship Experience from William McDowell rounds out the week’s top five albums. In other chart news, Kirk Franklin‘s The Essential Kirk Franklin debuts at #16 and Another Level, the latest from Luther Barnes & The Sunset Jubilaires debuts at #21.
The Rest of the Top 10:
6 | Le’Andria Johnson – The Awakening of Le’Andria Johnson… 7 | Kirk Franklin – Hello Fear 8 | Isaac Carree – Uncommon Me 9 | Lecrae – Rehab 10 | Marvin Sapp – Playlist: The Very Best of…
In the world of radio, Isaac Carree‘s “In The Middle” spends its seventh consecutive week at the top of the radio charts. “Still Able” from James Fortune & FIYA moves to the #2 spot while “I Need Your Glory” from Earnest Pugh takes the #3 position. “Spiritual” from Donald Lawrence & Company holds to the #4 spot while William McDowell‘s “I Won’t Go Back” rounds out the week’s top five songs.
Independent Gospel Artists are becoming a force to be reckoned with in the music industry. The Independent Gospel Artists Alliance Conference is taking the lead in providing these gifted artists with the information they need to be successful. The brainchild of Stellar Award Winner Phillip Carter and Stellar Award Nominee Earl Bynum, the 3rd Annual Independent Gospel Artists Alliance Conference, taking place in Chesapeake, VA from July 19 – 21, 2012, was founded to empower, educate and motivate gospel artists. In addition, this year’s conference will award two indie artists distribution deals with New Day Christian Distribution and Central South Distribution.
The submission process begins on Monday, February 6, 2012. Artists interested in submitting their completed projects for consideration must first register for the conference by going to www.indiegospelalliance.com. Entrants must submit a full CD (no less than 10 tracks) in an MP3 format. The project must include final CD artwork and be submitted (with a marketing plan) via email to igaacsubmissions@gmail.com by April 15, 2012. Finalists will be asked to submit two physical copies of their CD which will be reviewed by an independent panel. The distribution contracts will be awarded during the Gospel Blue MIC Achievement Awards on Friday, July 20, 2012 at the conference venue, “The Mount” in Chesapeake, VA. Additional details can be found at www.indiegospelalliance.com.
Featuring 3 power-packed days of workshops and seminars, this year’s conference will tackle topics such as Distribution, Marketing, The Power of Publicity, Structuring Contracts, Licensing & Royalties, Small Business Set-up, Independent Label Operations, Artist Management, Radio Relationships, Promotional CD/Artwork Design and Performance Do’s and Don’ts. The conference will also feature CD Project Reviews, Nightly Showcases, the 2nd Annual Gospel Blue MIC Achievement Awards and more.
Long has recently returned to preaching
