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.
Fantasia Barrino called in exclusively to “The Wendy Williams Show” to set the record straight about her pregnancy, relationship and rumors surrounding her involvement in the legendary gospel singer Mahalia Jackson biopic.
Fantasia says that no contracts was signed, and production was not halted because of her pregnancy. Fantasia claims she was told that investors backed out, and the producers were currently seeking alternative funding for the movie.
Reports swirled Tuesday when it was released that the estate of Mahalia Jackson was upset due to the fact Fantasia was pregnant by a married man named Antwaun Cook.
Watch the video below to see the Fantasia Barrino interview with Wendy Williams.
The demand for religious films is on the rise, especially in the advent of Tyler Perry plays and big screen movies produced by churches and Pastors like Bishop T. D. Jakes.
Megachurch preacher Creflo Dollar is catching the wave and has opened up a film division within his Christian empire.
According to reports, the new company, CAD Productions will produce at least three faith-based films a year, with one in the making right now.
“Breaking News” focuses on a well-known pastor stuck in the middle of a media scandal after his daughter’s lesbian friend falsely accuses him of infidelity.
Where did that plot come from? One can only guess.
The film is currently being cast, but we do know that the film will be directed by Delano Massey.
Representatives for the New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will appear in Manhattan Supreme Court on Nov. 23 to challenge an injunction filed by the mother of Zachery Tims to prevent disclosure of the Florida pastor’s cause of death.
The medical examiner’s office was set on Friday to release information on the cause of death of the Apopka, Fla., pastor, who was found unresponsive in a Times Square hotel on Aug. 12, when legal action prevented them from doing so.
According to Central Florida 13 News, a spokesperson with the New York City Law Department provided official documentation showing that a state justice has ordered the findings of the 42-year-old Tims death to not be released until a hearing next month.
“The Medical Examiner’s Office does not release autopsy reports to the public. Rather, it discloses the cause and manner of death upon public inquiry. The City feels it’s important to make this information available to the public. The Law Department will defend this challenge to the Medical Examiner’s ability to do so,” said Ave Maria Brennan of the New York City Law Department.
In order to keep this information from the public, Tims’ family will have to prove to the justice that there is compelling reason to withhold its disclosure. Though Tims’ New Destiny Christian Center (NDCC) has announced its resolve to move ahead with its ministry, there is, nevertheless, still a great deal of interest engendered by this case. Speculation has been rife concerning the cause of his death, especially since the pastor’s autopsy was proven inconclusive. For many, the result of November’s hearing might finally resolve this issue.
If the toxicology results are kept confidential and Tims’ family keeps his cause of death from being disclosed, it is likely that allegations of a possible drug overdose will forever haunt the Florida minister.
Tims is survived by his four children whom he shared with ex-wife and pastor, Riva Tims, who has been receiving calls from NDCC members to return to the church and take over for the inspirational pastor.
In an unprecedented act of officially sanctioned repression, Egyptian security forces opened fire on Coptic Christian demonstrators in Cairo on Monday, leaving at least 26 dead by the official count and hundreds injured. Despite media reports implying that the Christians attacked security forces, One Free World International’s sources in Egypt confirm that these actions were carried out against an unarmed crowd of protesters staging a peaceful demonstration with no plan for a violent confrontation with security forces.
“Egyptian Christians are in urgent need of our help,” stated Rev. Majed El Shafie, President and Founder of One Free World International. “We cannot afford to sit idly by and leave our brothers and sisters to face this crisis alone. Please stand up and make your voice heard on behalf of our brothers and sisters in Egypt who live and worship in daily apprehension and fear of violent reprisals.”
Thousands of Christians had gathered in the Shubra district of northern Cairo to stage a peaceful sit-in at the state television building to protest the interim government’s lack of response to a string of anti-Christian attacks in recent months. The violence erupted when bands of armed young men began attacking the Christians. After initially standing by without taking any action to protect the Christian demonstrators, the Egyptian security forces themselves then engaged the demonstrators directly with lethal force. According to One Free World International sources on the ground, security forces fired indiscriminately into the crowd with live ammunition and drove armored vehicles and tanks into the crowd, ruthlessly crushing any demonstrators in their path.
The assaults by Egyptian authorities continued even after the Christian protesters began to disperse from the area. Gangs attacked cars thought to be carrying Christian passengers and the security forces went so far as to follow wounded Christians to the Coptic hospital where they attacked both the wounded and the medical staff caring for them. At least 150 Christians have been arrested, in the words of Egypt’s official state media outlet, as “instigators of chaos.”
The Christian community in Egypt, which makes up approximately 10% of the population, has been under increasing pressure from ultra-conservative Islamic forces whose influence has grown in the power-vacuum left by the demise of the Mubarak regime earlier this year.
“Remember that the persecuted Christians are dying every day, but they are still smiling,” says El Shafie. “They are in a very deep dark night, but they have the candle of the Lord. The enemy can have a very strong weapon and a very strong army, but we have the Lord Almighty. They can kill the dreamer, but they cannot kill the dream.”
Oakland California native and International Gospel Recording Artist, Freda Mitchell, has released her new CD, “Just For Your Love,” to great acclaim. Her record label “Deliverance Gospel Records,” says the title song alone has created a buzz on Gospel music and radio stations as well as churches across the country.
Alfreda Mitchell known as Freda, has been singing since the young age of five. As a young adult shortly after joining the 100 voice Echoes of Zion Choir, at Greater Saint John Missionary Baptist Church, Freda became one of the lead vocalist. She later became lead vocalist for Four Young Ladies; known as the Saint John Specials.
Always performing her own material, Freda has performed with many Gospel Greats, such as: Vickie Winans, Albertina Walker, Tonex, Gospel Elites, Helen Baylor, Hezekiah Walker, The Caravans, Marvin Sapp, Tramaine Hawkins, Margaret Dereaux, and Twinkie Clark. She has also appeared as a guest on the Oprah Winfrey Show. In addition, she has performed for the Royal Family in Italy, and the Pope in Saint Peter’s Square.
Upon releasing her debut CD, “When God Steps In,” Freda received a Gospel Academy Award for female vocalist of the year, and was a Stellar Award Winner in Los Angeles as well as a Showtime at the Apollo Winner.
Her gift to minister in song has extended as far as Paris, France, Germany, Italy, London England, Denmark, Finland, Switzerland, Australia, Bahamas, The Virgin Islands, New Zealand, and China.
Freda has performed sermonic solos for a host of pastors, such as: the late Bishop G.E. Patterson, Dr. Jeremiah Wright, Bishop Noel Jones, Bishop Kenneth Ulmer, Bishop Ernestine Reems, Dr. Fred and Betty Price, Marilyn and Sarah Hickey, and Rick Joyner to name a few.
Freda has been blessed to sing for high profile politicians, such as former president Bill Clinton, former governor and former president George Bush.
Freda Mitchell is available for phone interview. Please contact Tammy Nagle at 510-431- 6832 ext 2, to set up a time that is convenient; or for more information.
Please visit Freda’s excellent website at www.fredamitchell.com for more information, including mp3’s and contact info.
Congratulations to Jessica Reedy, whose debut release From The Heart debuts atop the Billboard Top Gospel Charts this week. The album also enters at #5 on the Independent Albums Charts and #43 on the Billboard Top 200 Charts. The Awakening of Le’Andria Johnson from Le’Andria Johnson moves to #2 on this week’s charts. Man Up, the brand new release from 116 Clique debuts at the #3 position followed by Lecrae‘s Rehab, which jumps seven places to the #4 position. Kirk Franklin‘s Hello Fear rounds out the week’s top five albums. In other chart news, The Journey, the brand new release from Andrae Crouch, debuts at #6 while the new compilation Coco Brother Presents: Gospel Mix, Vol. V debuts at #8.
The full top 10…
1 | Jessica Reedy – From the Heart 2 | Le’Andria Johnson – The Awakening of Le’Andria Johnson… 3 | 116 Clique – Man Up 4 | Lecrae – Rehab 5 | Kirk Franklin – Hello Fear 6 | Andraé Crouch – The Journey 7 | WOW Gospel 2011 8 | CoCo Brother – Gospel Mix V 9 | Isaac Carree – Uncommon Me 10 | Donald Lawrence – YRM (Your Righteous Mind)
In the world of radio, “I Need Your Glory” from Earnest Pugh spends its second week at the top of the radio charts. “I Smile” from Kirk Franklin moves to the #2 spot while Isaac Carree‘s “In The Middle” moves up to the #3 position. “Be Still” from Yolanda Adams holds to the #4 spot while “Over & Over” from Trin-i-tee 5:7 featuring PJ Morton rounds out the week’s top five songs.
Members of legendary gospel singer Mahalia Jackson’s estate are upset that Fantasia Barrino has become pregnant by a married man as she prepares to play the Queen of Gospel in the biographical film “Mahalia!”
According to the New York Post, producers are also furious with the 2004 “American Idol” winner for not telling them about her unexpected pregnancy until she was four months in. “She [initially] claimed that she was putting on weight for the role,” an insider told the paper.
Production of the movie has been pushed back because of Fantasia’s pregnancy with her married boyfriend, Antwaun Cook.
“The family thinks if Fantasia plays the role, it’s going to sully the name of Mahalia,” executive producer Adrian Taylor told the Post. “They think she’s got the wrong image, having a child out of wedlock.”
Barrino’s pregnancy has also caused chaos with scheduling conflicts because filming has been delayed until after her due date on Dec. 27. Director Euzhan Palcy may now be forced to drop out of the project.
Producers are now scrambling to finish the movie by fall 2012. Barrino has been asked to start filming as soon as January and is in negotiations to alter her contract to allow time for breast-feeding and nurturing her child on set.
In the meantime, producers are working to find a replacement if Barrino doesn’t agree to start shooting after New Year’s. Missy Elliott has been suggested.
Because of the unexpected bump, the film’s budget has been increased from $23 million to $27 million.
Dino Gankendorff, who represents Mahalia Jackson’s estate, told The Post, “I’m not really aware of any objections that the heirs have to the casting of Fantasia. I understand that they were getting ready to film and that she is pregnant, and I don’t know who is she pregnant by.”
Barrino’s rep said, “This is the first time I’ve heard about this. I have no comment.”
Charisma Magazine reports Pastor William Boss was shot in the head three weeks ago. Today, he calls his survival a miracle, recalls a “loud clap from heaven” and has forgiven his attacker.
“I do believe that the prayer that we were praying created the atmosphere for the impact and the miracle,” ABC Action News reported Boss saying. “I believe (God) was not ready to take me home.”
Jeremiah Fogle burst into Greater Faith Christian Center Church on Sept. 18 after shooting and killing his wife, Theresa Fogle, at their home.
Authorities say Boss and associate pastor Carl Stewart were shot from behind. Stewart was shot three times in the back and the ear. He remains hospitalized, but is expected to recover, Boss says.
Boss told reporters his most vivid memory of that day was not of the gunshots, but of what he calls “a loud clap from heaven.”
“I do believe there was at that divine intervention from the almighty God that sustained my life,” he said Thursday in his first interview since the shooting.
Boss, who quoted Scripture several times during his interview, says he has no idea of Fogle’s motives but that he forgives the shooter.
“None whatsoever. And if I may comment, again—I forgive him,” Tampa Bay’s 10 News reports him saying.
“Forgive those who trespass against us and if we don’t the Heavenly Father won’t forgive us,” he told Bay News 9.
Christian music pioneers the Newsboys is releasing a new album called God’s Not Dead, their first worship album since 2004, on Nov. 15 and are gearing up for a tour in promotion of the record.
Joining the Newsboys for the tour are: The City Harmonic, Anthem Lights and Abandon, with preaching from Bob Lentz.
This will be singer Michael Tait’s second album with the Newsboys since he took over vocal duties for them in 2009 due to the departure of band founder Peter Furler.
Tait was in the band in 2009, but the album In the Hands of God was written and recorded with Furler while Tait sang live.
Prior to the Newsboys and some solo work, Tait was in the biggest Christian group of all time, dc Talk from 1989 to 2000, with Toby Mac and Kevin Max Smith, before the group went on hiatus with solo careers.
Furler, originally the band’s drummer from 1985-97, took over vocals when former vocalist John James left due to an admitted drug and alcohol problem.
Together the band has released 15 albums spawning countless singles and major tours, and received worldwide critical success with their 1994 album Going Public featuring their biggest single “Shine” and 1996’s album Take Me to Your Leader.
They’ve been nominated for four Grammy’s and 24 Dove Awards winning five including Rock Album of the Year, Rock Recorded Song of the Year, Recorded Music Packaging of the Year, Short Form Music Video of the Year, and Event Album of the Year.
Other awards won include Best CCM Video 1999 by the Billboard Music Video Awards, 1995 Video Award and 1999 Video Award from the International Angel Awards, and Favorite CCM Album 1999 from the Nashville Music Awards.
The Newsboys is currently touring Canada before they join THE STORY TOUR with Max Lucado, Steve Curtis Chapman, and more.
Date, City, State Location 12/1 Wichita, Kan. Central Christian 12/2 Dallas, Texas American Airlines Center 12/3 Tulsa, Okla. BOK Center 12/4 Austin, Texas Shoreline Christian Center 12/7 Longwood, Fla. Northland Church 12/8 Atlanta, Ga. Philips Arena 12/9 Winston–Salem, N.C. LJVM Coliseum 12/10 Virginia Beach, Va. Rock Church 12/11 Woodbridge, Va. Hylton Chapel 12/14 Plymouth, Mich. Northridge Community Church 12/15 Grand Rapids, Mich. First Assembly of God 12/16 Hoffman Estates, Ill. Life Changers Church 12/17 Eden Prairie, Minn. Grace Church 12/18 Independence, Mo. Independence Events Center
Trin-i-tee 5:7’s Angel and Chanelle are known for bringing an edgy, urban sound and style to their gospel and inspirational music. They take it to the edge again in the new video for “Bring Your Praise,” the third single from their current CD, Angel and Chanelle. Produced by Fred “Uncle Freddie” Jerkins III and Imani “IZy” Pressley, this song, with its contemporary beats and hip-hop vibe, also has a hard hitting message about the importance of “bringing your praise” to God. In the video, Angel and Chanelle are seen doing it all: singing and rocking out on the keyboard, bass and drums. The video is shot in black and white with splashes of color, which adds to its edgy presentation. “Bring Your Praise” will premiere on ESSENCE.com on Wednesday, October 12, followed by national and regional release to all video and online music outlets. Angel & Chanelle Deluxe marks the group’s 7th recording to date and the group’s transition from a trio to a duo.
Check out video teaser for “Bring Your Praise”:
On Saturday, October 29, the ladies will host the 27th Annual Stellar Awards Nominations and Concert along with comedian, Akintunde in Nashville, TN. The concert will include performances by Isaac Carree, William McDowell, Y’Anna Crawley and more. Angel & Chanelle debuted at #1 on both Billboard’s Top Gospel Album chart and the Top Christian/Gospel Album chart. The CD also entered at #2 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip Hop Album chart, #5 on the Independent chart and #19 on the Billboard 200.
Angel and Chanelle will soon be bringing their inspirational message to theater-going audiences. They have been cast in roles in Dream with Your Eyes Open, a play written by actress, writer and producer Toussaint Duchess. The play, which is about a journey of survival and redemption for a survivor of Hurricane Katrina, has special meaning for the two gospel artists, who grew-up in that city and whose families and friends were affected by the disaster. The theatrical production opens in Augusta, GA on Thursday, November 3 at Bell Auditorium (see schedule below).
