After talks reportedly broke down last week this news comes as some-what of a surprise.  Atlanta megachurch pastor Bishop Eddie Long has reached an out-of-court settlement with the four young men who accused him of sexual misconduct, lawyers for both sides of the case said Thursday. Eddie Long was accused last year of coercing four men he mentored into sexual relationships.  

Both sides of the case would not comment on the details of the settlement but said the lawsuit would not move forward to trial.

B.J. Bernstein, who represented the plaintiffs, confirmed Thursday that the lawsuit has “been resolved.”

Long’s lawyer, Barbara Marschalk, also confirmed the suits were settled and said they would likely be dismissed by the end of business Friday.

The settlement in the Eddie Long case comes three months after attorneys in the lawsuit between the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church pastor and his four accusers began mediation.

Art Franklin, spokesman for Long, said in a statement that both sides of the suit decided to resolve the civil cases “after a series of discussions.”

“This decision was made to bring closure to this matter and to allow us to move forward with the plans God has for this ministry,” said Franklin.

“As is usually the case when civil lawsuits resolve out of court, we cannot discuss any details regarding the resolution or the resolution process, as they are confidential.”

Long’s spokesman called the resolution “the most reasonable road for everyone to travel.”

Jamal Parris and three other young men alleged in their lawsuits filed last year that Long lured them into sexual relationships by using his position and lavishing them with gifts.

The Lithonia, Ga., pastor had officially denied the allegations stating in response to the suit: “The Plantiff’s claims to sexual misconduct are not true.”

Long had admitted to mentoring the men and sharing rooms with them while on trips, but denied any sexual activity took place.

New Birth Missionary Baptist Church and Long Fellows were also named as defendants in the suit.

In September, when the accusations went public, Long stood before his 25,000-strong congregation and promised to fight against the charges.

“This thing I’m gonna fight,” he told his congregation on Sept. 26.

“I have never in my life portrayed myself as a perfect man. But I am not the man that’s being portrayed on the television.”

In a news conference following the Sunday service, Long said he wanted the matter to be resolved in court.

“I want this to be dealt in the court of justice and not by public opinion. I will say that I am going to fight, fight very vigorously against these charges.”

The case is over but the speculation as to how much the accusers got in the settlement will undoubtedly go on.  It will be interesting to see if Bishop Long wins in the court of public opinion. 

The Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin surprised Oprah Winfrey with a special rendition of Amazing Grace during Oprah’s farewell show at the United Center in Chicago.  The slimmed down Aretha looked and sounded great.

Oprah could be seen tearing up in the video shouting “Sing Aretha!”  I think Aretha made up for not granting Oprah the first interview after her announcement that she was battling pancreatic cancer.  Oprah was reportedly upset that Wendy Williams got the exclusive interview.  

Lets continue to pray for a healing for Aretha Franklin.  Click the picture below to watch the performance on the Oprah website.

Check out the new one from J.Moss called “The Prayers” featuring Hezekiah Walker.  J. Moss is getting ready for the release of his new album titled “V3: The Other Side of Victory” due out this Summer.  

J MOSS — THE PRAYERS (LYRICS) written & produced by PAJAM

VERSE1 CAN N E BODY OUT THERE PRAY 4 ME WITHOUT EVEN KNOWIN’ WHAT I NEED CAN N E BODY OUT THERE PRAY 4 ME THE PRAYERS OF THE RIGHTEOUS

CAN N E BODY OUT THERE PRAY 4 ME WITHOUT EVEN KNOWIN’ A WHOLE LOT ABOUT ME CAN N E BODY PRAY WHERE THE PRAYER DON’T CEASE THE PRAYERS OF THE RIGHTEOUS

(DA DA DUP DO DA DA DAA DUP DA DA DUP DO DA DA DO)

VERSE 2 CAN N E BODY OUT THERE PRAY 4 ME WITHOUT EVEN KNOWIN’ WHAT I NEED CAN N E BODY PRAY UNSELFISHLY THE PRAYERS OF THE RIGHTEOUS

CAN N E BODY OUT THERE PRAY 4 ME WITHOUT EVEN KNOWIN’ A WHOLE LOT ABOUT ME CAN N E BODY PRAY WHERE THE PRAYER DON’T CEASE THE PRAYERS OF THE RIGHTEOUS

HOOK (I BEEN LOOKIN’ 4 A PARTNER) THE PRAYERS OF THE RIGHTEOUS AVAILETH MUCH (3X) (I CAN’T DO IT BY MYSELF) NO NO NO NO NO MORE NO NO NO NO NO MORE

BRIDGE MEN SHOULD PRAY THAT THEY WILL NOT FAINT FATHER IN HEAVEN IN JESUS NAME PRAY 4 EACH OTHER THAT WE MAY BE HEALED PRAY IN FAITH AND HE WILL
 

Kirk Franklin and American Idol finalist Jacob Lusk perform “I Smile” on one of the biggest stages in television Wednesday night.  American Idol put a solo Gospel artist on the big stage for the first time along with Gladys Knight who sung the second verse of the song.  Kirk donated the song to those effected by the deadly tornadoes. I think Kirk did a wonderful job.  Take a listen below!

Gospel star Donnie McClurkin announces the “Delta Call” benefit concert for Birmingham storm and flood victims.  The concert will feature CeCe Winans and VaShawn Mitchell.  The concert is FREE!  Kudos to these artists for doing something FREE that will inspire those who’ve lost everything in the storm.  Tornadoes have ravaged cities in recent months like Joplin MO, Jackson Mississippi, Birmingham Alabama among others.  We pray for rebuilding and the healing of the families impacted by these tragedies.

After years of impressive successes as an independent artist, New Jersey’s own Franklin “Bubby” Fann and the Award-winning producer Fred Jerkins (CEO Darkchild Gospel) officially joined forces with the signing of an Exclusive Artist and Production Agreement. After a brief hiatus, Fred Jerkins and his Darkchild Gospel label, which started as a production company and has worked with artists such as: Kirk Franklin, MaryMary, Donnie McClurkin, Dietrick Haddon, Virtue, Trin-I-Tee 5:7, and Vickie Winans, to name a few, decided to re-enter the gospel music market and stage a total re-birth to yet another phase of his many enterprises.

“I am super-excited about this new union with Bubby Fann who I have followed throughout the years. Just watching his metamorphasis as musician/artist/song-writer/producer, I have seen his music and talents mature in a phenomenal way and look forward to great success as a result. I really believe this is his season and that everybody who doesn’t know Bubby Fann, needs to know the works of Bubby Fann,” Jerkins states.

The unique agreement includes the signing of Fann and his group Praise Beyond to the Darkchild Gospel roster as artists and also embodies a co-publishing agreement with Fann’s BF Sounds Group which propels his songwriting and production talents to a more expanded posture in today’s gospel music industry.

Bubby says, “I think the entire Darkchild family has been a great inspiration to the music industry as a whole and is so widely respected throughout the world. I am humbled to be chosen as the newest member of this family and very optimistic about the things the future has in store for this merger and the possibilities that are awaiting. I have always desired to take my music and production talents to a larger scale. This now allows me the opportunity to bring my dreams and talents into fruition.”

The radio single will impact radio in the next few weeks and a fourth quarter release is anticipated. “With God’s hand and blessings on this union, I am extremely excited about the possibilities and so ready to get started,” Jerkins adds.

For more information, contact: Kenny Taylor – Teemade2@gmail.com

Actor Denzel Washington took a short break from acting to give a graduation speech at the University of Pennsylvania. The actor confessed to a bit of stage fright and told his audience that he was scared to “make a fool of myself” by leaving his comfort zone and speaking at an academic ceremony.

The star of “Malcolm X” and “Philadelphia” and countless other movies then encouraged graduates to “have the guts to fail.”

He says, “If you don’t fail, you’re not even trying.”

Denzel said that an older woman prophesied to him when he was 20 years old, and told him he would speak in front of millions.  This after nearly getting kicked out of college for poor grades.

“You will never see a U-haul behind a hearse. You can’t take it with you” says Washington.

Denzel Washington: “Man Gives Us The Award, God Gives Us The Reward” 

Randy White, the former co-pastor of Without Walls International Church in Tampa, Fla., was arrested on charges of driving under the influence Saturday night.

He posted $500 as bail Sunday morning and was released, according to Tampa Bay Online. Jail records show that his blood-alcohol level was 0.09. In Florida, a person with a blood-alcohol level of 0.08 or above is considered intoxicated.

On Sunday, his ex-wife, Paula White, said about Randy’s arrest at church: “This ministry is a ministry of restoration. This ministry does not compromise the principles of God, but we are the perfect church for people who are not.

“This does not mean I am an enabler. That doesn’t mean I condone. That doesn’t mean I agree with things. It means that I will help you walk through life. And I want you to walk with me through life. And I think that’s what the church is all about.”

The Whites, who split in 2007 after nearly 18 years of marriage, built Without Walls International into one of the biggest churches in the nation. It was estimated that the church boasted some 23,000 members before the divorce, and Sen. Charles Grassley’s (R-Iowa) Senate probe for possible financial misconduct of the church’s nonprofit status caused some congregants to be disillusioned and leave.

The Whites subscribe to what is called the “prosperity gospel,” where God’s blessing is often tied to material blessings. Sen. Grassley led the investigation beginning in 2007 on six popular televangelists who preach the prosperity gospel. The Iowa senator, the ranking Republican on the Senate Committee on Finance, questioned whether the ministries abused their tax-exempt status as churches while living lavish lifestyles.

Some of the leaders of the ministries investigated had astoundingly high salaries, private jets and Rolls-Royces, Grassley noted.

After three years with little cooperation from the ministries, Grassley released a report that showed Without Walls International Church, among others, provided incomplete responses. There were no penalties handed out.

In April, Paula White broke her silence about all the scandals that have surrounded her since her divorce in 2007.

At the 2011 Pastors and Leadership Conference in Orlando, Fla., White said, “I think it’s time we stop being hypocrites in the pulpit. I think … it’s time that we take the mask off to this generation and show them that we have the same issues and the same struggles.”

She shared candidly about her family problems, saying that Randy had closed up to her and that “in a really weak moment” the couple agreed to divorce. The split was amicable.

Read More on Christian Post.com 

Word has it Kirk Franklin will soon perform on the hit reality show American Idol.  This Wednesday, May 25th Kirk Franklin will perform his hit “I Smile.”

Trin-i-Tee 5:7 stops by the Monique Show and talks about their upcoming project. The ladies just released their new music video for the song “Heaven Hear My Heart” which you can see by clicking here.

The ladies interview on the Monique Show begins on the 29:35 mark. The episode also features Latoya Jackson and John Sally.  Trin-I-Tee 5:7’s album titled “Angel & Chanelle” is coming out May 31, 2011 on Music World Gospel