As reported by the Baptist Press, Sherwood Baptist Church once again shocked Hollywood over the weekend when its latest film “Courageous” finished No. 4 in total gross, No. 1 among new movies and No. 1 in per-theater average, nearly doubling most of the competition in that category.

Its $9,063,147 ended up fourth behind “Dolphin Tale,” Moneyball” and “The Lion King 3D.” But all three of those other films — and every other film in the Top 10 — played in at least 2,300 theaters, significantly more than Courageous, which opened in only 1,161 theaters and still beat three new films with much bigger budgets and far more screens — “50/50,” “Dream House” and “What’s Your Number?” While Courageous’ production budget was $1 million, the average budget of the other films in the Top 10 was $41 million.

Courageous’ per-theater average of $7,806 blew out the competition, with The Lion King 3D’s $4,537 coming in second. Courageous follows the story of five men — four of them police officers — as they seek to become better fathers. 

Sherwood Films are the makers of other popular Christian films “Fireproof’ and “Facing the Giants.”  Click Here to read the report by the Baptist Press.

America’s favorite television channel for uplifting music and family entertainment, announced today that it will begin production in October on a new GMC World Premiere Series, She’s Still Not Our Sister, for airing in December.

The limited-run series, starring Jackée Harry, is based on the GMC World Premiere Gospel Play, She’s Not Our Sister, which aired to stellar ratings in June. She’s Not Our Sister was the highest-rated GMC World Premiere Gospel Play to date and reached over one million viewers on its premiere night.

She’s Still Not Our Sister will pick up where the play left off, when the sisters buried their father, and discovered he had millions of dollars and an illegitimate fourth daughter. In the four original episodes premiering in December, the sisters are at it again: Cynthia (Drew Sidora) plans her wedding to D’Andre (Christian Keyes); Deniece (Azur De) graduates from college; Vivian (Kellita Smith) goes to Paris; and Allison (Jazsmin Lewis) overcomes her addictions. Aunt Connie (Jackée Harry) is still in everyone’s business. The series also stars Clifton Powell as Reverend Beckley and Tony Grant as Elliot.

“We are delighted to be bringing back the cast and crew of She’s Not Our Sister in order to continue a story that was thoroughly enjoyed by our viewers,” said Leslie Chesloff, GMC’s executive vice president, programming. “In She’s Still Not Our Sister, the sisters will deal with the aftermath of shocking family revelations as they each seek to find their own way in the world.”

About GMC: GMC (www.watchGMCtv.com) is America’s favorite television channel for uplifting music and family entertainment. The Parents Television Council™ recently awarded its Entertainment Seal of Approval™ to GMC for being “an authentic family-friendly cable network.” GMC was the only television network to receive the highly coveted honor in 2010. GMC can be seen in more than 51 million homes on various cable systems around the country, including DISH Network on channel 188, on DIRECTV on channel 338 and on Verizon FiOS on channel 224.

“The Story Tour” to Launch This December. With a ‘who’s who’ line-up, one might expect nothing less than five-star reviews for the monumental project (Music Inspired By) The Story available nationwide. Such is the case as it released this week debuting at No. 1 on iTunes® Christian & Gospel Album Chart with critics nationwide singing its praises:

“This is the most inspiring and emotionally stirring collection of songs I’ve ever heard. There’s something for everyone: Chris Tomlin, MercyMe, Jeremy Camp, Mandisa, Francesca Battistelli, Lecrae and eighteen other artists all brilliantly bring us to the throne room by passionately performing these soul-piercing songs perfectly orchestrated by Nichole Nordeman and Bernie Herms. This is a five star compilation that needs to be heard and experienced.” – NewRelease.com

Furthermore, in-depth interviews with the critically acclaimed singer/songwriter Nichole Nordeman, who penned all 18 tracks on the musically diverse album, can be found at Yahoo.com, in CCM Magazine and Christianity Today.

This was an experience that Nordeman will never forget: “As a songwriter, being involved in The Story has been, without a doubt, the most fulfilled I’ve ever felt creatively,” says Nordeman. “To be charged with giving Biblical icons a modern voice and then to get a front row seat as those songs are brought to life by such gifted artists, was an honor I could never have imagined. As Bernie and I wrestled with these songs, I was reminded daily, sometimes hourly, that Scripture was meant to live and breathe in our lives. Not as mere history or cultural context, but as bold evidence that God really does long to be the Author of our own pages. This experience has deeply changed my own story, both as an artist and a Christian.”

(Music Inspired By) The Story is the first release from the revolutionary partnership between EMI CMG, Provident Label Group, Word Entertainment, Zondervan, World Vision, Proper Management and CAA. The 2-disc album was built on the foundation of Zondervan’s best-selling Bible, The Story, Randy Frazee’s book The Heart Of The Story and Max Lucado’s Book God’s Story Your Story, and features a top-notch cast Matthew West, Leigh Nash, Mark Hall & Megan Garrett (Casting Crowns), Brandon Heath, Bart Millard (MercyMe), Michael Tait (Newsboys), Blanca Callahan (Group 1 Crew), Lecrae, Nichole Nordeman, Amy Grant, Chris Tomlin, Peter Furler, Mandisa, Todd Smith (Selah), Francesca Battistelli, Mac Powell (Third Day), Steven Curtis Chapman, Natalie Grant, Dan Haseltine (Jars of Clay), Matt Hammitt (Sanctus Real), Jeremy Camp, Michael W. Smith and Darlene Zschech. See full track/artist listing below.

Produced by the esteemed Brown Bannister and acclaimed Bernie Herms, all of the 18 new songs Nordeman wrote from a first-person perspective based on principle biblical characters and accounts telling God’s story from Creation to The Second Coming.

“When I first started working on The Story, I made a ‘dream list’ of 24 artists who I wanted to be part of this project,” says Executive Producer Norman Miller. “God showed us tremendous favor, because we ended up with 22 of these 24 artists singing on the record. I believe that Nichole wrote the best lyrics of her life and Bernie matched her every step of the way with wonderful melodies. Brown Bannister and Bernie Herms were the ultimate production team and this has resulted in The Story being my favorite record of all time”.

In support of the album, a new website has launched, www.thestorycd.com where fans can access exclusive video content, the latest breaking news and more.

Additionally, fans can see The Story come to life this December as Lucado and Frazee join multi-platinum selling artist Steven Curtis Chapman, award-winning band Newsboys, Francesca Battistelli, Natalie Grant and other artists featured on the album will travel around the country on “The Story Tour.” Sponsored by World Vision “The Story Tour” will be a fully produced multi-media experience with the artists performing the album in its entirety and will include stunning visuals to accompany every song projected on a massive screen encompassing the entire stage. See full list of tour dates below.

For more information on (Music Inspired By) The Story, please visit www.thestorycd.com.

(Music Inspired By) The Story Track Listing Disc 1
1) CREATION (“I Am”) – Overture 2) ADAM/EVE (“Good”) – Matthew West & Leigh Nash (Sixpence None The Richer) 3) ABRAHAM/SARAH (“Who But You”) – Mark Hall & Megan Garrett (Casting Crowns) 4) JOSEPH (“Bend”) – Brandon Heath 5) MOSES (“It Must Be You”) – Bart Millard (MercyMe) 6) JOSHUA (“Bring Us Home”) – Michael Tait, Blanca Callahan (Group1Crew), Lecrae 7) RUTH/NAOMI (“I’m With You”) – Nichole Nordeman & Amy Grant 8) DAVID (“Your Heart”) – Chris Tomlin 9) DANIEL (“No Compromise”) – Peter Furler 10) ESTHER (“Born For This”) – Mandisa 11) JOB (“Broken Praise”) – Todd Smith (Selah)

Disc 2
1) MARY (“Be Born In Me”) – Francesca Battistelli 2) JESUS (“When Love Sees You”) – Mac Powell (Third Day) 3) THIEF (“How Love Wins”) – Steven Curtis Chapman 4) MARY MAGDALENE (“Alive”) – Natalie Grant 5) DISCIPLES (“Empty”) – Dan Haseltine (Jars of Clay) & Matt Hammitt (Sanctus Real) 6) PAUL (“Move In Me”) – Jeremy Camp 7) SECOND COMING (“The Great Day”) – Michael W. Smith & Darlene Zschech

“The Story Tour” Dates:
* all dates subject to change
December 1 – Wichita, KS
December 2 Dallas, TX
December 3 – Tulsa, OK
December 7 – Orlando, FL
December 8 – Atlanta, GA
December 9 – Winston-Salem, NC
December 10 – Va Beach, VA
December 11 – Woodbridge, VA (Washington DC area)
December 15 – Grand Rapids, MI
December 16 – Chicago, IL
December 17 – Minneapolis, MN
December 18 – Kansas City, MO

About World Vision:
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. Visit worldvision.org.

From Sheilah Belle of The Belle Report:

Gospel superstar Marvin Sapp is set to follow up his highly successful 2010 album “Here I Am” with a live album of all new songs, which he’s gearing up to record this Friday, October 7 at the Evangel Cathedral near Washington, D.C., for a 2012 release.

“It’s the first time I’ve actually done a live record outside of my comfort zone of Grand Rapids, Mich.,” says Sapp, who’s the founding and senior pastor at Lighthouse Full Life Center Church in his hometown. “D.C. is one my largest audiences. They buy tons of records of mine in Washington, D.C.”

Sapp also tells Sheilah Belle of the Belle Report, “My mother and all of my children will be there with me, but this will be the first time my wife will not. Before I use to run my songs past by wife, but this time I ran them by my children.”

Sapp also stretch a bit with this project as he offered the public an opportunity to be apart of the recording. “Sheilah you know I have always tried to give new writers a chance, so I tweeted the opportunity. I got more than 2,000 songs sent my way and we decided to use 4 of them for the recording.”

As for his new CD, Sapp says it will speak to how he has managed during a rough period in his life, a five-year stretch during which he lost several people close to him, including his father and, last year, his wife MaLinda to colon cancer. “The focus of this record,” he explains, “is how you can come through situations and still remain on top. It’s about how the enemy has a way of hitting you with stuff to cause you to fold and buckle, but I’m still standing.”

As for being a single father, Sapp says, “We’ve got a slogan — ‘us four, no more, ’” he said. “Right now it’s just us, and as long as that remains the focus, I believe the rest of our days will be blessed.”

When describing what to expect on his upcoming CD, Sapp says it’s going to be a bit edgy, a little more high-energy, the production’s gonna be a little tighter.

Mapp also stayed with those he trusted from his last project including music producer Aaron Lindsey and Myron Butler.

But he adds, “Even though I’m doing the whole album live, some is going to sound live and some will sound like it’s studio. We’re gonna mix it up.”

Sapp — a former member of the group Commissioned who went solo in 1996 — has been on a career-winning streak. “Here I Am” debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 — the highest charting album ever by a Gospel artist.

Nevertheless, Sapp contends that, “I feel no pressure because I’m not trying to do anything but stay in the niche I’ve grown accustomed to. One thing I’ve learned is that as long as I do what my audience enjoys, I’m gonna be all right. I know what they like. I have a formula, and my formula is if it’s not broke, don’t fix it. Keep doing what you do and people that enjoy what you do are gonna buy your music and love on you.”

For the third straight week, the season three winner of BET’s Sunday Best is in the #1 position on Billboard’s Gospel Albums chart.  Le’Andria’s CD ‘The Awakening of Le’Andria Johnson’ is proceeded by the hit single ‘Jesus’ that is impacting radio nation-wide.  Check out our interview with Le’Andria on this month’s cover of Path MEGAzine.

Also congratulations to Kirk Franklin.  He is ever so consistent with the sales of his CD ‘Hello Fear.’

Here’s the rest of this weeks Top 10 Gospel CDs:

1 | Le’Andria Johnson – The Awakening of Le’Andria Johnson…
2 | Kirk Franklin – Hello Fear
3 | Isaac Carree – Uncommon Me
4 | WOW Gospel 2011
5 | Donald Lawrence – YRM (Your Righteous Mind)
6 | Da’ T.R.U.T.H. – The Whole Truth
7 | Mary Mary – Something Big
8 | Trin-i-tee 5:7 – Angel & Chanelle
9 | Dorinda Clark Cole – I Survived
10 | Deitrick Haddon – Church on the Moon

Get ready this week we will find out how the sales of Jessica Reedy, Andraé Crouch and CoCo Brother’s new albums did in stores.  Make sure you support their projects.

Bishop Eddie Long has officially asked for the return of settlement money paid to three of his accusers, Jamal Parris, Spencer LeGrande and latecomer, Centino Kemp, as a result of their sexual coercion lawsuit. Long reportedly had his attorneys, Eckl & Farnham, send a letter to each plaintiff requesting the return of nearly $1 million for breaching the confidentiality terms of their agreement.

Parris and LeGrande both recently sat down with Atlanta’s Fox 5 for an interview, discussing further details of  their questionable relationships with Long. The pair also revealed plans to write a tell-all book about their experiences.  Both assert the damage done to them due to Long’s alleged conduct extends beyond what money can resolve, and expressed little concern about the possibility of having to repay it.  

“Money doesn’t buy happiness so you don’t really care if you lose it,” LeGrande told the interviewer.

Kemp has been interviewed by various media outlets and has written and performed a song alluding to his ties to the megachurch pastor.

Terms of the settlement were kept confidential, but the amount paid out to the Bishop’s accusers to compensate them for damages and keep them quiet is estimated to be at $1.5 million, based on the letter and the fact that the young men were paid equitably. However, the money reportedly didn’t come out of Long’s personal finances; the church, New Birth Missionary Baptist, and its members picked up the tab through its insurance.  Since the accusations had to do with Long’s position as head of the church, the situation reportedly fell within the guidelines of what the policy would cover.

The letter sent to Kemp, LeGrande and Parris outlines the plaintiffs’ “demand for arbitration” though no legal documents have been filed.

Read More on rollingout.com.  Watch the WSBTV News report below.

Contemporary Gospel trio Soulfruit was presented with the 2011 Rising Star Award by Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee and the Gospel Music Heritage Month committee this past Friday, September 30, 2011 at New Light Church (East) in Houston, TX which is led by Bishop I.V. Hilliard.

This years featured Gospel Music Heritage Month concert guests included Yolanda Adams, Le’Andria Johnson, Chad Brawley, Trin-i-tee 5:7 and V. Michael McKay to name a few.

Soulfruit recently released their music video “No Grudge” (below) and looks forward to a National album release next year.

For more information on the group, visit www.Soulfruit.net

Calls have apparently been increasing for Zachery Tims’ former wife, Riva Tims, to return to the Florida megachurch they founded together 15 years ago to fill the gap left by Tims, who passed away last month.

In a post published on her official Facebook page Monday, Riva Tims addressed questions from members of New Destiny Christian Center (NDCC) who wanted to know if their former first lady would be returning to fill the position her ex-husband left behind.

“In response to so many of your inquiries… I have gotten an overwhelming response from my New Destiny Family to come home and/or at least minister to them,” Riva Tims wrote. “However, I have not been contacted by NDCC staff to return or to assist in the transition. I will continue to pray and cover NDCC, that the vision Zack and I birthed will continue! Thanks for all of your love and prayers.”

Many of those who responded to the statement on whether Tims would be returning, expressed agreement with her decision.

“That’s good, God will open the door if it His will. Leave it in God’s hand,” wrote Elizabeth Bernardo.

Tim Walker echoed Bernard’s comment, writing, “God will open the door. Stay encouraged Pastor Tims!!!”

Other visitors to the page, however, expressed an ardent desire for Tims to return to NDCC, with some comments indicating that the Apopka, Fla., church was only overlooking the obvious.

Mississippi JoMae wrote, “Pastor Riva contact NDCC staff directly, request a meeting! Remind them that you were co-founder and you know the vision that God shared with Pastor Tim! If they are not receptive, God will not hold you accountable! I am in prayer, waiting on a Praise report, I just might fly in your first Sunday of merging the two churches!”

Apostle Stephen Clarke wrote, “They better get it together ASAP…and stop playing around with the souls of God’s people. Hope you return.”

Angela L. Neely said, “I pray that you return as well…..they need you!!! Praying for hearts to be humbled and souls are the top priority!

“It is definitely my prayer that they make that DIVINE CONNECTION! The Vision that the two of you BIRTHED as ONE didn’t divide in divorce. The Vision is STILL alive! I pray they make that call,” Michelle Mikki Jackson-Powell commented. The Tims founded NDCC in 1996, but after the couple divorced in 2009, amid allegations that the charismatic preacher had been unfaithful to his wife, Riva left and started her own ministry – Majestic Life Ministries in Orlando. Tims made an appearance at NDCC to address the congregation just days after her ex-husband was found dead in a New York City hotel room. “Zachery’s death may have caught us by surprise, but it has not taken God by surprise,” Tims told church members and supporters Monday, Aug. 15. She also told them, “God is a good God … He’s looking for one body, not individual groups … He’s looking for us to come together as one body … to advance the kingdom of God.”

“I stand before you tonight in all humility with the power and grace of God and also with the spirit that Zach left behind to press on and not give up.” Before leaving the pulpit, Tims encouraged church members to keep on keeping on.

“You got to go through (the fire),” she said. “We’re going to go through and we’re going to make it. We’re going to come together as one body. I love you.”

As NDCC goes through the process of finding a new pastor to lead the nearly 8,000-member congregation, various ministers have been preaching at the church, with Paula White being the first minister to address the congregation the Sunday after Tims was buried.

New York police have been investigating Tims’ death, which was not ruled suspicious. Toxicology results, expected this week, should confirm whether the preacher died of a drug overdose, as reportedly suspected by officials investigating the case.

By: Sheilah Belle

The Church of God in Christ 104th Holy Convocation will convene October 31-November 9 in St. Louis, and is expected to be the biggest convention of 2011 in St. Louis, according to the St. Louis Business Journal.

The St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission said the 2010 convocation attracted 35,000 attendees that spent upwards of $35 million during the eight-day convention. This year’s convocation attendance is already expected to increase in size and economic impact to the region. This “places the convocation squarely on top of the St. Louis Business Journal’s list of the city’s largest 2011 conventions and group meetings” the journal reported.

Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake Sr. said the convention will be an opportunity for the members of COGIC to “set down our buckets to receive the latter rain of inspiration, instruction and the work of ministry.”

Delegates will experience myriad speakers and performers of gospel music. The official Holy Convocation website has just launched and includes up-to-date information about the 104th Holy Convocation, including a list of events, speakers and musical artists for the week. Visit www.cogic.org and click on the Holy Convocation banner for more information.

The Church of God in Christ is the fifth largest Protestant religious denomination in the United States, with churches in 60 countries worldwide and an estimated membership of nearly 6.5 million members.

This weekend, the Christian Broadcasting Network will mark their 50th anniversary of its first television broadcast.

A celebration is planned starting at 11 a.m. Saturday at the CBN campus in Virginia Beach.

Among the free festivities include concerts, a rock climbing wall, a petting zoo, train rides and an antique car show.

Gov. Bob McDonnell and CBN founder Pat Robertson will speak Saturday night and a fireworks display will cap the celebration.

The network took to the air on Oct. 1, 1961, operating out of a bare-bones studio in Portsmouth.