GMC, America’s favorite channel for uplifting music and family entertainment, announced today that it will partner with Verizon Wireless on a pair of upcoming gospel choir competition specials: “The How Sweet the Sound Road to the Finale” reality special premiered over the weekend on GMC and Verizon’s “How Sweet the Sound Finale” from the Staples Center in Los Angeles premiering on Saturday, Dec. 3. Both GMC specials will be hosted by Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child.

The weekend airing of “The How Sweet the Sound Road to the Finale” reality special will chronicle the excitement, drama, triumph and struggles of choirs competing in Verizon’s “How Sweet the Sound” choir competition, which was held this fall in Chicago, St. Louis, Detroit, Dallas, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Oakland, Calif., Charlotte, N.C. and Washington, DC. The competition is the country’s most prestigious gospel music experience, paying tribute to gospel music while providing choirs a platform to showcase their talent. Competing choirs had the chance to rejoice in song and praise, sing in front of gospel greats and fans, and win up to $50,000.

“Verizon’s ‘How Sweet the Sound’ inspires communities across the country through the power of gospel music and celebrates the impact these choirs have on the community,” said Marquett Smith, vice president, corporate communications, Verizon Wireless. “With this documentary, we wanted to capture the choirs’ talent and passion and share the uplifting grand finale with viewers across the country.”

“Gospel-centric programming has been and continues to be a strong ratings driver for the network,” said Mary Jeanne Cavanagh, GMC’s executive vice president, ad sales. “Verizon will surely benefit from the increased brand affinity with our audience and heightened levels of engagement these two specials will undoubtedly deliver.”

GMC camera crews traveled from city to city to capture highlights of the choirs’ public performances as well as compelling behind-the-scenes human interest stories and emotions.

The Dec. 3 airing of the finale from the Staples Center will feature a star-studded lineup of performances and presentations, including a duet from Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton from their upcoming movie, “Joyful Noise”. Other celebrity talent appearing in the show includes, Donald Lawrence, CeCe Winans, Marvin Sapp, Israel Houghton, Shirley Caesar and some of the nation’s best choirs.

In last year’s competition, the choir Voices of Destiny won the “How Sweet the Sound” grand prize, plus an opportunity to perform at the 2011 Stellar Awards and Super Bowl Gospel Celebration. The choir is using its prize money to build a youth center.

For more information about Verizon’s How Sweet the Sound, please visit www.HowSweetTheSound.com.

“I Don’t Look Like (What I’ve Been Through)” by Deon Kipping is a truly inspirational song, and you appreciate it even more when you take a look at the lyrics in the video.

Kipping has recently signed with Verity Records, and is currently touring the country with Kirk Franklin. 

See why this song is inspiring so many in Deon’s lyric video for “I Don’t Look Like (What I’ve Been Through)” below!

Arise: The Live Worship Experience from William McDowell celebrates its second week atop the Billboard Top Gospel Charts. The album also enters at #14 on the Independent Albums Charts and #84 on the Billboard Top 200 Charts.

Le’Andria Johnson‘s The Awakening of Le’Andria Johnson holds to the #2 position on this week’s charts. Kirk Franklin‘s Hello Fear moves to the #3 spot followed by Uncommon Me from Isaac Carree which enters at the #4 position. Jessica Reedy‘s release From the Heart rounds out the week’s top five albums. In other chart news, Andrae Crouch‘s The Journey jumps seven places to #11 while Something Big from Mary Mary leaps eight places to #12.

The Rest of the Top 10 in SALES:
6 | Maurette Brown Clark – The Sound of Victory
7 | Lecrae – Rehab
8 | Kierra Sheard – Free
9 | WOW Gospel 2011
10 | Marvin Sapp – The Best of Marvin Sapp

In the world of radio, “I Need Your Glory” from Earnest Pugh spends its eighth consecutive week at the top of the radio charts. Isaac Carree‘s “In The Middle” moves to the #2 spot while “Spiritual” from Donald Lawrence & Company takes the #3 position. Yolanda Adams “Be Still” moves to the #4 spot while “Still Able” from James Fortune & FIYA rounds out the week’s top five songs.

In a new faith based book, Bobby Brown’s older sister, Leolah Brown shares her story of obstacles, violence, and faith.

Entitled “My Journey to God,” she discusses her life’s journey of overcoming domestic violence, gang banging, homelessness, and low self esteem. But it was by the grace of God that she was saved and now lives life with a lot more appreciation.

But life isn’t all flower and roses. Her brother still battles depression and she has to stay on alert for the well-being of her kids Kelsey and Jairam who are both in the music industry.

And most recently, her father Herbert, was diagnosed with cancer and her sister Tina mysteriously disappeared, but reappeared after four weeks.

Brown is an author and motivational speaker. She’s also the president and CEO of The Here and After Foundation – an organization dedicated to saving the lives of homeless and troubled youth.

Jordan and Victory World Music just released their debut CD, Shake Heaven, which has become the #1 most requested song at The Fish/Atlanta. The album has already garnered coverage with TBN’s 1 Music Village, CCM magazine, NewReleaseTuesday.com, ChristianMusicZine.com, AlphaOmegaNews.com, and Gospel Music Channel.  Upcoming coverage includes The Denver Post and Worship Leader magazine.

For more information about Victory World Music please visit online at www.victoryworldmusic.com.  Additional information on Victory World Church is available at www.victoryatlanta.com.

Kenneth Copeland is a popular televangelist based out of Fort Worth, TX.  The critical site KennethCopelandBlog.com is maintained by Rich Vermillion, who used to work with Kenneth Copeland Ministries for 17 years.  He reports that God has sent him on a mission to expose the MEGA-church Pastor.  He’s asking the Copeland’s to repent.

In the past Copeland has been criticized for preaching what some call a prosperity Gospel.  A label often given to Pastors who preach on the importance of tithing.

The panelist in the case ruled that Rich Vermillion has rights or legitimate interests in the domain name KennethCopelandBlog.com because he’s using it for criticism and not for personal profit.

The blog owner describes himself as a minister and has been mentioned several times by Kenneth Copeland in past sermons when relations were good between the two parties.  It’s not exactly clear what caused the falling out in the relationship, but Rich is aggressively maintaining the criticism website.

To understand the size and scope of Kenneth Copeland’s ministry you have to look at a few telling numbers.  The Copeland’s oversee 500 employees, and 10,000 letters are sent into the ministry each week with donations and prayer requests.  The Copeland’s own a private jet, and 18,000 square feet of personal living space on the shores of Eagle Mountain Lake.  The ministry does require a vigorous travel schedule, but the numbers surrounding the success of the ministry or staggering non-the-less.  

The fact that a few employees are disgruntled is not unusual no matter what business you run.  However, the ex-employees of Kenneth Copeland’s ministry are aggressively seeking to get what they call the truth out there.  Appearing on Dallas area TV networks that garnered un-wanted national attention from the Federal Government. 

Employees claim that out of the 10,000 letters that the Copeland’s receive weekly, none are read and prayed over by the Copelands.  Viewers are made to think that the letters will be prayed over by Copeland personally according to ex-employees of the ministry.  In response, Copeland contends that he does read many of the letters, but has a team to help him.  The Copeland ministries have not been found guilty of any wrong doing legally.

You can view the ministry of Kenneth Copeland at www.kcm.org 

During her second acceptance speech at the American Music Awards, rapper Nicki Minaj revealed that her mother Nina Minaj was going to be releasing a Gospel album.

Nicki Minaj won the AMA award for Best Rap/Hip-Hop Album, and mentioned that her mother had already found a publicist.

Despite her racy image, Nicki Minaj did thank God for her award.  No word if Nicki will make an appearance on her mother’s forthcoming project.

Well here we go again saints. I waited 24 hours to report this story to gather up the most accurate details concerning it. It appears Actress Lisa Raye McCoy is in a serious relationship with MEGA-Church leader Bishop Noel Jones.

According to several online reports, McCoy and Jones have been in a serious relationship for a good while and were considering making it official. 

Bishop Noel Jones leads the widely known City of Refuge Church in Gardena, California and Lisa Raye is best known as an actress and reality TV star.

Lisa Raye took to twitter to address the rumors saying, “Come on come on y’all…IF I was engaged u would see a ring 1st of all AND that wouldn’t b a secret becuz 1 would b happy u think?….Thanks.” Lisa Raye denied the engagement but did not deny the relationship with Bishop Noel Jones.

In the past, Lisa Raye has struggled to find a religion as documented in her Reality show “The Real McCoy.” Back in April 2011, Lisa Raye mentioned that she experimented with Buddhism and Scientology but said “I know I want to be a Christian, but I’m still trying to figure out the rules.” Looks like she MAY have figured out the rules! =)

As written on the actress’ website: “As former first lady of the Turk’s & Caico’s Islands she has survived the heartache of divorce and has reestablished her life as an actress and single parent with the strength and endurance she has always shown.”

I’m curious to read everyone’s comments. Is this an appropriate relationship for Bishop Noel Jones? Does Lisa Raye have any idea of what it takes to be a Pastor’s wife and first lady?

• UPDATE: LISA RAYE SAYS SHE’s NOT DATING BISHOP JONES 

D.C. Examiner reports that Christian recording artist Carman, who frequently appears on the TBN network was hurt in a car accident in Houston, Texas this past weekend. According to reports, Carman was in the passenger seat when the driver made a left turn into a church parking lot before a concert. Carman is a Contemporary Christian artist and evangelist who has ministered in music for more than thirty years. Carman’s songs include “Sunday’s on the Way”, “The Champion”, “Lazarus Come Forth”, “Revival in the Land”, “Witches Invitation”, “This Blood” and “The Courtroom.”

The following is an exerpt information posted on Carman’s Facebook page on Sunday regarding the accident and his condition:

“Carman was in the passenger seat when the driver make a left into the church parking lot in front of a crowd of fans waiting to get into a concert. A truck from oncoming traffic struck Carmans side at 50 MPH. The vehicle Carman was riding in was destroyed. Carman was able to walk into the church attempting to continue with the scheduled concert but collapsed soon after. He was taken to Liberty Hospital in Liberty Texas just outside of Houston where he was examined and ex rayed. No broken bones or spinal injurys where found. However there are other internal injury’s that require surgery. Carman will be transported back home on Monday to undergo surgery Tuesday morning. Carman wishes to thank everyone for their prayers, support and thoughtful postings on Facebook. They are very, very encouraging at a time like this.”

Charisma Magazine reports that Madeline Tims will stand before a Manhattan State Supreme Court justice on Wednesday in her move to keep New York Medical Examiner officials from releasing the cause of death of her son, Zachery Tims.

Zachery Tims was found dead on the floor of a W Hotel room in New York City Aug. 12. More than three months later, the cause of death remains a secret. The Florida megachurch’s mother wants to keep it that way as the church he launched, New Destiny Christian Center, tries to move on.

“We are challenging what has never been challenged before, which is the medical examiner’s practice of disclosing manner and cause of death,” Tims’ attorney Ricardo Oquendo, told the Orlando Sentinel in October. “The cause of death of any person who may be subject to an autopsy or toxicology should not be made public.”

News reports indicate Tims, who died at the age of 42, had a plastic bag filled with white powder in his pocket, leading many to believe his death was associated with a drug overdose. By Tims’ own testimony, he was instantly delivered from drug addiction when he was saved.

When the autopsy was inconclusive, toxicology reports were ordered. Although the results are in, they may never be released.

According to the Sentinel, Oquendo is arguing that the medical examiner’s autopsy and toxicology reports are medical records and should not be released without permission from the family.

“If he [Tims] had just died of natural causes—which might be indicated in the medical examiner’s report—that is not freely disclosable to the public so why should a medical examiner’s death certificate be?” he said.

Do you think the public has a right to know why Tims died?