This Sunday, a former gangsta rapper who served time for armed robbery will demonstrate that he is a completely new man by giving back to the community through his third annual event called Bless Fest. The activities will commence at 2pm on November 20 at 5800 Lyons Ave (Fiesta Food Mart), Houston, TX 77020.

Andre “007” Barnes, known for his music career as a member of Rap-A-Lot Records’ 5th Ward Boyz group, has partnered with Impact Ministries to offer an afternoon of food, music, and various “blessings.” Residents in some of the neediest parts of Houston can register to win one month’s paid rent/mortgage, one month’s paid light bill, one of 50 turkey baskets, $100 Toys-R-Us gift cards, and a laptop computer.

Over 300 people registered for the giveaways at last year’s Blessfest and Barnes expects over 500 to do so this time around. The day will also be filled with music performances from local gospel and Christian hip hop artists.

“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care,” Barnes said. “Jesus met the needs of all who came in contact with him physically. So we don’t want to preach to you, we just want to bless you as God has blessed us.”

For Bless Fest 2011, Barnes has secured partners such as Fiesta, Blessings Christian Bookstore, TWEF, E EXCEL Health Care, Nacircle, P Gates Printing, The Lewis Family, Cricket Wireless, Street Life Worldwide, employees of The City of Houston, and Taking Back The Streets Ministries.

Andre “007” Barnes is a 5th Ward native whose story is a perfect example of how positive opportunities and role models can lead to dramatic life change.

In the mid-90’s 007 gained fame and notoriety as a founding member of the hard core gangsta rap crew the 5th Ward Boyz. Unlike many of today’s street rappers, 007 was never a “studio gangsta.” His lyrics reflected his actual life. That included a murder case for shooting and killing a man trying to steal his car (later ruled a justifiable homicide) and armed robbery as well as selling and abusing drugs.

Eventually greed consumed 007. After a European tour in the year 2000, he was caught robbing three banks and sentenced to more than four years in prison. Upon release he caught another case that earned him an additional 15 months behind bars.

It was there, in jail once again, that Andre Barnes had his “Road to Damascus” experience. Finally encountering and understanding the true grace of God through the sacrifice of His one and only son, Barnes began to change.

When he walked out of the yard this time around, it was with a renewed mind. Barnes pursued ministry, established Taking Back the Streets, and opened Blessings Christian Bookstore with his wife and family.

Now a new creature, 007 has returned to the mic with a much different message.

“I’m just trying to show young people that you don’t have to let street life consume and define you,” Barnes said.

The dynamic, angelic-voiced lead singer of platinum-selling pop group Sixpence None the Richer, Leigh Nash, releases her first solo album in five years, Hymns & Sacred Songs, today amidst widespread acclaim. The first of three new albums from Nash on Kingsway, these songs are a combination of fresh, newly written hymns alongside songs that have reverberated across generations, giving a voice to the faithful around the world. The timeless lyrics of hymns by Charles Wesley, Fanny Crosby and other writers of old, have been given fresh life with Nash singing and writing newly inspired melodies.

Produced by John Hartley (Rebecca St. James, Matt Redman, Stuart Townend), Hymns & Sacred Songs was recorded and mixed by Derri Daugherty (Jeremy Camp, Leeland, The Choir) who also produced Sixpence None the Richer’s Dawn of Grace (2008). With additional recording by Stephen Leiweke (Rita Springer, Chris Sligh, MIKESCHAIR) and mixing by Shane Wilson (Switchfoot, Newsboys, Passion), the album also features Stu G (Delirious?, Casting Crowns, Michael W. Smith) on guitar, Paul Mabury (Hillsong, Steven Curtis Chapman, Brandon Heath) on drums, Matt Stanfield (Mandisa, Britt Nicole, Plumb) on keys and Chris Donahue on bass.

“I am so very thankful for the opportunity to sing these words and even get to infuse some of them with new melodies,” says Leigh Nash. “It is a gift above any I can presently think of, to sing to my God! The musicians, producer and engineers are all so gifted and the songs so rich in word and melody that my feet were dancing and my heart was constantly lifted throughout the recording of this record! I pray you will have the same symptoms!”

Leigh Nash has been performing since her high school days growing up in New Braunfels, TX. It was there that she met guitarist Matt Slocum and Sixpence came to fruition. Following four album releases, multiple Dove Awards, a GRAMMY nomination and the great success of their hit singles “Kiss Me,” “There She Goes” and “Breathe Your Name,” the band took a hiatus in 2004. Leigh took this time to release a solo record entitled Blue on Blue and a Christmas album Wishing For This, both in 2006, as well as collaborated with members of Delerium for the album, Fauxliage (2007). In 2008, Nash and Slocum reunited as Sixpence None the Richer to record Dawn of Grace, a holiday album fans had long requested. Last year, Leigh lent her voice on projects by Amy Grant, Jars of Clay, Matthew West and others.

More information on Leigh Nash can be found at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Leigh-Bingham-Nash/252060974808213, http://www.myspace.com/leighnash and www.kingswayworship.com.

About Kingsway:
Tracing its music heritage to 1969, Kingsway today is known as a leader in Worship Music. As the creator of Thank You Music, and later in partnership with EMI, its catalogue includes songs such as “Here I Am to Worship,” “In Christ Alone,” “Everlasting God” and “Blessed Be Your Name” to name a few.

Kingsway’s songs are sung in more than 300,000 churches worldwide accounting for over 30% of CCLI’s (Church Copyright Licensing International) bestseller list. With writers and artists like Tim Hughes, Matt Redman, Delirious?, Graham Kendrick and Stuart Townend, Kingsway is dedicated to feeding the Church with songs that will change the world. As part of David C Cook, a non-profit organization located in Colorado Springs, CO, a significant portion of the profits that Kingsway and David C Cook generate are used to provide discipleship and music materials free of charge to church leaders in developing parts of the world who wouldn’t be able to get them any other way. (www.kingswayworship.com)

Legendary gospel singer and pastor of Toledo, Ohio’s New Bethel Church (COGIC), Dr. Rance Allen (The Rance Allen group), was installed as Bishop on November 7 to oversee 14 Michigan churches in the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) denomination at the 6.5 million-member organization’s 104th Holy Convocation in St. Louis, MO. He will succeed the late Bishop Alfred D. Knight, Jr. as the Jurisdictional Prelate of the Michigan Northwestern Harvest Jurisdiction.

“I have literally been working in the church since the age of 5,” Allen told David Yonke of The Toledo Blade newspaper. “Singing and preaching, and now at 62, almost 63 in another week or two, I get elevated to the position of a bishop! I’m trying to figure out how I feel about it, because right now I still can’t believe it.”

Allen is also thrilled that the Rance Allen Group’s latest Top 10 CD “The Live Experience II: Celebrating 40 Years of Music and Ministry” (Tyscot Records), has been nominated for four Stellar Awards (Gospel music’s answer to the Grammy Awards) in the categories of Group Duo of the Year, Traditional Group/Duo of the Year, Traditional Male of the Year and Quartet of the Year.

“When I found that out, I was just elated!” Mr. Allen said. “I couldn’t believe we were nominated in four different categories.” The new radio single, “Holy One,” a praise and worship ballad, is currently making its way up the gospel radio airplay charts.

The Rance Allen Group was born in their grandfather’s Monroe, MI church in the 1960′s. They began recording for Stax Records in 1971 where they made a string of gritty, R&B-flavored gospel and message songs for the Gospel Truth imprint. They toured with the big R&B artists of the day such as Isaac Hayes and Barry White, and literally took the gospel to the world. From there, the group recorded for a variety of labels and scored their first #1 gospel album in 1991 with the “Phenomenon” CD that featured the crossover R&B smash, “Miracle Worker.” Allen closed out the 1990s performing in a variety of gospel-oriented touring play productions but the group signed with Tyscot Records in 2002 and kicked off a new string of hits such as “Do Your Will,” “Closest Friend,” “For Your Feet,” and the Kirk Franklin duet, “Something About The Name Jesus.”

This is a pretty neat opportunity for a lucky person and church.  Below is a message written by Mary Mary:

Hey fans!

Don’t miss the opportunity to win a live Mary Mary concert at your church! All you have to do is submit your Do Something Big video to us by November 18, 2011!

Submit a video endorsed by your church’s senior pastor and include the following:

• The name of your church
• City and state
• What big thing did you do for your community?
• How did your efforts help your community?
• Top 3 videos will be selected to enter into a final public voting round!

Selection criteria is based on:

• Creativity
• Inspiration
• Impact

On November 29, 2011, the Top 3 Finalist videos will be announced and public voting begins until December 5, 2011

On December 6, 2011, the winning church of Mary Mary’s Do Something Big Contest will be announced!

The winning ministry will receive their own Mary Mary concert, while Pillsbury serves up some of its new Pillsbury Grands!™ Biscuit Sandwiches and Egg Scrambles™ for breakfast for your entire congregation!

For more information and to submit your videos go to:

http://www.ilovemarymary.com/DoSomethingBig/

You can also email your YouTube videos to welovemarymary@gmail.com

Charisma News reports that just weeks after Paul Crouch, Jr. left the television network his parents pioneered 38 years ago, the mystery surrounding the “new opportunities” that enticed him is solved.

Crouch is joining The Word Network, the largest African American religious network in the U.S. Crouch gave up his position as vice president and chief of staff at TBN to serve as director of project development at the network.

“I look forward to working with Paul to help expand The Word Network throughout the Christian community,” says The Word Network CEO Kevin Adell. Crouch was not immediately available for comment.

Crouch will work to expand the network to the Christian community in California with live broadcasts and interviews with Christian leaders. Crouch’s new venture comes after the successful launch of iTBN, a new online service that aims to deliver TBN’s best programming—both past and present—to Web audiences all over the world. ITBN rolled out in September. Crouch resigned from TBN in October.

It is not clear why Crouch decided to take his talents to another network. 

Read the full story by clicking here.

During a week shrouded in controversy over charges of child sexual assault and cover-up at Penn State University, at least one thing became clear for the college’s football program and its opponent Nebraska on Saturday before the game started – it was a time for prayer.

Shortly after the coin toss and just moments before kickoff, players and coaches from both teams, including former Penn State players at the game for Senior Day, and a throng of those credentialed with sideline passes, met in the middle of the field.

In a somewhat surreal setting, more than 100,000 fans in attendance became silent as those on the field dropped to one knee to listen to Nebraska running back coach Ron Brown lead the teams in prayer.

The action was part of a college community trying to heal in the wake of child sexual assault charges against Jerry Sandusky, the former defensive coordinators for Penn State University’s football team, and the subsequent firing of both head coach Joe Paterno and the university’s president last week.

Brown, who is a co-founder of a ministry called Mission Nebraska, was approached by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes during the week, reported PennLive.com. He then talked to a representative of Athletes in Action, also a Christian organization, for Penn State Friday night.

The assistant coach also talked to Nebraska’s director of football operations, who had talked to Penn State’s director. He was told that both head coaches thought it was a great idea. Brown also spoke to the interim defensive coach and friend Larry Johnson and the pre-game prayer was set.

“We knew we were going to go into a battle against each other because it was a big game for both teams,” said Brown, as reported by PennLive.com. “But there was something bigger. We know there are jobs being lost and all kinds of things and who knows what is going to happen at Penn State particularly in the upcoming months here. But there was a humility and a sincerity and a vulnerability as all the players took their hats off and knelt before God.”

Read the full story by the Christian Post

GRAMMY Award-winning, Multi-Platinum-selling band Jars of Clay re-joins MercyMe, Matt Maher, Disciple, Group 1 Crew and others on the fall leg of “The Rock & Worship Roadshow” this month. In keeping with tour tradition, Jars of Clay is offering fans an exclusive “Sing & Tell” VIP event prior to each show.

Kicking off last Thursday, Nov. 3, in Saginaw, Mich., the tour reconvenes after a successful initial run last spring. This month it will visit 12 additional markets, including major cities Cleveland, Atlanta and Oklahoma City before wrapping Nov. 20 in Memphis, Tenn. Admission prices will be $10 at-the-door, making it an affordable event for the whole family. Compassion International, a Christian child advocacy ministry that releases children from spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty, will once again serve as a tour sponsor.

Jars of Clay will reprise its “Sing & Tell” pre-show gathering, a time for fans to interact face-to-face with the band. Those who purchase VIP tickets will have access to a private meet and greet, which includes an acoustic set and a Question & Answers session with the group. Participants are invited to request songs ahead of time when they purchase VIP tickets. This special offer additionally includes admission to the Roadshow as well as a VIP laminate and signed copy of Jars of Clay’s new acoustic EP, Reinvent, Remember, Replay, only available on the tour.

VIP tickets are limited. To reserve your ticket, visit www.JarsofClay.com/tour. For additional information on the “Rock & Worship Roadshow” tour and a current list of tour dates, visit: www.rockandworshiproadshow.com.

About Jars of Clay
Jars of Clay, made up of members Dan Haseltine (vocals), Charlie Lowell (keyboards), Steve Mason (guitars), and Matt Odmark (guitars), launched its career with the multi-format hit “Flood” in 1995. Since then, it has amassed more than six million in career sales (five Gold, two Platinum and one Multi-Platinum certification), three GRAMMY Awards (from eight nominations), an American Music Award nod, three GMA Dove Awards (12 GMA Dove Award Nominations), and BMI honors for songwriting as well as performing. The group also claims 17 No. 1 radio hits, numerous film credits, and has headlined thousands of sold-out shows and festivals. The band’s GRAMMY-nominated tenth album, The Long Fall Back to Earth, was recently followed by its compelling, community-minded project, Jars of Clay Presents The Shelter.

While celebrated for its music and writing, Jars of Clay is most concerned with the needs in Africa. Compelled to make a difference, the group successfully launched the Blood: Water Mission, a non-profit organization promoting clean blood and water in Africa. Since the band’s debut, Jars of Clay has built an extraordinary career based on the uncompromising integrity of its music, worldview and humanitarianism.

For more information on Jars of Clay and The Shelter, please visit: www.jarsofclay.com, www.facebook.com/jarsofclay or www.providentpress.com.

The Awakening Of Le’Andria Johnson from Le’Andria Johnson remains atop the Billboard Top Gospel Charts this week, holding this position for seven of the last nine weeks. The album also enters at #14 on the Independent Albums Charts and #86 on the Billboard Top 200 Charts. Jessica Reedy’s From The Heart moves to the #2 position on this week’s charts.

Kierra Sheard’s latest release, Free, comes in at the #3 spot followed by Kirk Franklin’s Hello Fear which enters at the #4 position.  Rapper Shai Linne’s new release The Attributes of God rounds out the week’s top five albums. In other chart news, Vashawn Mitchell’s Triumphant jumps six places to #9 while Living On The Lord’s Side, the new release from Lee Williams & The Spiritual QCs debuts at #10. Trin-i-tee 5:7’s Angel & Chanelle jumps seven places to #23 and Under An Open Heaven from Wess Morgan leaps twenty-six spots to #25.

The Rest of the Top 10:

6 | Isaac Carree – Uncommon Me
7 | Lecrae – Rehab
8 | WOW Gospel 2011
9 | VaShawn Mitchell – Triumphant
10 | Lee Williams & The Spiritual QC’s – Living On The Lord’s Side

In the world of radio, “I Need Your Glory” from Earnest Pugh spends its seventh 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 “I Smile” from Kirk Franklin rounds out the week’s top five songs.

Rapper DMX is out of jail and performing Gospel music.  We have heard for sometime that DMX was recording Gospel, but not many people had heard or seen him perform it.    

Fresh out of Jail DMX interviews with Dr. Drew about his criminal rap sheet that goes all the way back to when he was a teenager.  

DMX often talks about his Christ-driven motivations, but he always seems to find his way back to the slammer.  His latest parole violation from a drug charge landed him in jail for a year.  

I was surprised to see that DMX still had skills behind the mic.  His raspy voice that became the staple of his platinum selling secular songs can be easily identified.  

Now lets see if DMX can walk the walk of a Christian and continue to perform the Gospel on big stages.   

In the first video you will see the performance of his new single “Keep Your Head Up,” and in the second one you will see the interview.