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.

Shirley Murdock is currently gearing up for a huge ministry assignment in Atlanta, GA. On October 1st, Murdock will join Corey “Coco” Condrey, Bishop T.D. Jakes, Tye Tribett, Bishop Leonard Scott, Deitrick Haddon, Leandria Johnson, Jason Upton and many others for the Stand One Body 2011 Event at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

Yes, Murdock has made many stops this year and the Stand One Body event is indeed a special opportunity for her to join with the Body of Christ in advancing the kingdom.

Murdock’s first Atlanta stop will be on Friday, September 30, where she will do an interview on the Coco Brother Live radio show.

The following day, Shirley will encourage the body to believe as she ministers her current radio single “Dream” at 5:40 p.m.

For More Information on the Stand One Body 2011 Event contact: (404) 223-4636 and www.cocobrotherlive.com

Shirley Murdock Live: The Journey CD and Music DVD will be released on Tyscot Music & Entertainment on October 18, 2011.

The new movie COURAGEOUS is the highly anticipated new film from Sherwood Pictures.  The new movie is from the creators of FIREPROOF and FACING THE GIANTS.

Synopsis:

From the writers of Fireproof and Facing the Giants comes a story about four law enforcement officers whose lives are deeply tested as they embrace their calling to serve and to protect.

As crime fighters, they must face danger every day. Yet when tragedy hits close to home, they are left wrestling with their hopes, their faith, and their priorities as men. Like iron sharpening iron, the power of their friendship invites them to face their hidden struggles as fathers. It is out of this honesty that comes a life-altering decision. With action, drama, and humor, the fourth film from Sherwood Pictures embraces God’s promise to “turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the hearts of children to their fathers”. Your soul will be stirred and your heart will be challenged to be…Courageous!

COURAGEOUS the movie debuts in theaters nationwide Sept. 30 from TriStar Pictures, Sherwood Pictures, Provident Films and AFFIRM Films. www.Courageousthemovie.com. 

STARRING:

Alex Kendrick, Ken Bevel and Kevin Downes

DIRECTED BY: Alex Kendrick

For more information:
CourageoustheMovie.com  
EPK.TV/Courageous

Citizens from all over the world will gather in Nassau, Bahamas this weekend for The World Citizen Awards.  Dr. Bobby Jones, a past recipient, will join Opera Diva, Jessie Norman, President of Botswana, President of Columbia, and President of Guatemala. This will be Jones’ third trip to the Caribbean within the last two months where he was celebrated and recorded television specials to air on the Word Television Network.

Dr. Bobby Jones has achieved a number of awards in his highly touted career.  In 2010, Jones was inducted into the William J. Hale Society for charitable contributions totaling over 1 million dollars.

In September 2011, Jones was recognized as a ‘living legend’ by the Gospel Music Heritage Foundation alongside Catherine Hughes and First Lady Michelle Obama.

Dr. Jones has opened the door for countless Gospel artists, and has the longest running show on BET.  Jones recently celebrated over 30 years in the Gospel industry.


About The World Citizen Awards:

The World Citizen Awards represents one of the highest honors for distinguished individuals from the four corners of the globe. In recognizing the most brilliant examples of those working toward the attainment of peace and respect for human life and dignity, the World Citizen Awards brings out the best of human achievements, ideals and values.

The entire nation has again celebrated with the third national observance of “Gospel Music Heritage Month” during the month of September which has honored “gospel music” for its value and longstanding contributions to the culture of the United States. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee introduced the historic resolution (HJ Res 64) last year and led its passage in both the United States House and Senate with a significant bi-partisan support.

Congresswoman Jackson Lee stated, “Gospel music is an American art form that has spanned hundreds of years and across several generations and has touched millions of lives around the world while demonstrating its profound ability to transcend secular musical genres. While gospel music has become a multi-billion dollar industry, gospel music’s historic roots have originated in the humble and soulful melodies of African American spirituals. The influence of it can be found infused in all forms of secular music including rock & roll, country, R&B, and countless other styles. I am thankful that we are continuing to commemorate and designate the month of September as Gospel Music Heritage Month which will celebrate and honor the heritage of gospel music.”

“Each year the celebrations surrounding Gospel Heritage Month get bigger and better. We hope to see many more events like this across the nation, not only throughout the month of September but in the years to come,” commented Carl Davis, Chair, Gospel Heritage Foundation.

In commemoration of “Gospel Music Heritage Month” on Friday, September 30th @ 7:30 p.m., a stellar group of nationally renown and local gospel artists will be featured in a concert at New Light Christian Center-East at 7317 E. Houston Rd-East Campus (old Lakewood Church site).

There will be two Stages of gospel entertainment: the Mainstage will feature Yolanda Adams, Jennifer Holliday, Shawn McLemore, Kathy Taylor, V. Michael McKay, Will Fortune Jr., Ami Rushes, Myron Butler, Chad Brawley, Javier Galvan, Lady Beatrice Ward & The Angelic Voices and the Gospel Music Heritage Month (GMHM) One Voice Choir along with other artists; the Youth Stage will include Le’Andria Johnson (winner of Sunday’s Best 2010), Daniel Johnson, Chad Stevenson, Soulfruit, Ki Kyham, Lici Lewis, Dejuan Adamson, Reconcile, and the GMHM Citywide Youth & Young Adult Choir. The concert is free to the public and promises to be an uplifting celebration.

For more information, call 281-616-7907 or visit www.GospelMusicHeritage.org. The Gospel Music Heritage Month Celebration is produced by Walker Entertainment Group.

Bishop Eddie Long lets one of the young men go free from trial after he allegedly broke into his house, stealing over 100,000 dollars worth of the Pastor’s belongings. 

Anthony Boyd was scheduled to stand trial on burglary charges for the incident that happened in June 2010.  Police accused Boyd, a security guard at the church, and Maurice Robinson, a former church member, of the break-in.” 

Boyd was among four men who accused the preacher of convincing them to have sex with them in exchange for lavish living.  Long settled the case with up to 5 young men for an undisclosed amount worth millions.

Long wrote a letter to District Attorney Robert James in August, requesting that prosecutors drop the charges against Boyd.  Stating, “While I understand that there may be evidence to support a prosecution, I believe in forgiveness and the opportunity for second chances,” Long wrote. 

Anthony Boyd feels Long wrote that letter for a different reason.  Telling WSBTV Channel 2 News in Atlanta that Bishop Long wanted to avoid trial for fear that he would have to answer questions about the sexual misconduct case.  Says Boyd, “They say I was facing 20 years and I didn’t know what to do,” Boyd told Channel 2’s Erin Coleman.  Maurice Robinson was offered a pretrial diversion program in which the charges would be dropped if he successfully completed it.  Boyd was offered the same program but said he declined the offer because he did nothing wrong.

Boyd told Channel 2’s Jodie Fleischer he had no reason to break into Long’s private office inside the church and risk losing his security job there. He said Robinson and Anthony Flagg, who were close friends, did have a motive. Three months after the break-in, they and two others filed sex abuse lawsuits against Long. Flagg was never charged by police. 

But get this.  Despite all of this, Boyd is still an active member at New Birth Church!  Read the Full Story and watch the video interview on the WSBTV website.

“We’re breaking the hits,” says Black Smoke Music Worldwide CEO Kerry Douglas of the fifth installment of his best-selling Gospel Mix CD series that is akin to the mix tape phenomenon that’s made Lil Wayne and Kanye West rap stars. “We’re producing tomorrow’s classics today.” Douglas has tapped the hottest young DJ in gospel music, Corey “Coco Brother” Condrey, to host the new double-disc CD, “Coco Brothers Presents Gospel Mix V“ which features Condrey’s rock-edge tune “What Cha Know About Jesus” with a vocal assist from Kevin Levar.

“With this series we take new or established artists with no recent hits and give them that big hit song,” says Douglas. “This series made James Fortune and Earnest Pugh #1 artists. This new CD aims to take others such as Zacardi Cortez to the top. Cortez is best known for singing on James Fortune & FIYA’s smashes “I Believe” and “The Blood.” Cortez started out when he was ten years old, singing with John P. Kee’s VIP Choir. He and Kee reunite for the 23 year old’s rousing new single “One More Time” that is currently #18 on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs chart and climbing.

The 2-CD set features 28 songs by the best up and coming artists in gospel today. It features both of Earnest Pugh’s #1 hits “Rain On Us” and “I Need Your Glory.” It also features James Fortune & FIYA’s chart toppers “I Trust You” and “I Believe.” Other future hits include Bryan Wilson’s worship anthem “Expect You Now” and Darrell McFadden & The Disciples’ quartet stomper “On My Journey.” Aside from cameos by Tye Tribbett, William Murphy and Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson, the project also introduces some great new young female singers with Shea Taylor’s riveting ballad “At The Altar,” Yunek’s mellow “Will Not Rest” and Radio One Best Inspirational Singer In America contest winner, Tamika Patton, who contributes the lush tune “More Than Faithful” that was produced by James Fortune. All of the songs and many more can be found on “Coco Brother Presents Gospel Mix V.” Visit www.mrkerrydouglas.com for more information.