Tom Joyner’s Fantastic Voyage set sail from Galveston, Texas on Sunday, March 20, with over three thousand passengers. The first music presentation of the evening was the Gospel Service, hosted by Ambassador Bobby Jones and headlined by the great Fred Hammond. The concert room was filled with music lovers of many musical styles but Gospel Music was what they received and it was well received.

Ambassador Jones was joined by the Nashville Super Choir members, Danyelle Haley, Louis Cross, Jovan Bender and Denise Tichenor.

Derrick Lee served as the music director for Jones and Duranice Pace from the Pace Sisters was a great addition to their presentation. Fred Hammonds then took the stage to minister to the crowd. The response was fantastic!

Ambassador Jones and his assistants were then prepared to take on the duties of holding morning services each morning of the cruise. These services were definitely an enhancement to all that attended and each day the room was filled with a welcoming audience of hundreds.

Joining Jones for this two hour early morning service were main stream artists, Tony Terry, Howard Hewett, Chocklet, Donna Joyner and The Bar Kays. The spirit was high as they had real CHURCH.

Thanks to the Joyner Cruise, many young man and women will be able to continue their higher education through HBCU Schools

Kirk Franklin’s 12th CD, HELLO FEAR, debuts #1 on Billboard’s Gospel sales chart, and #5 on the Billboard Top-200, making the CD the 4th highest Gospel debut in SoundScan history. This is Kirk Franklin’s biggest first week release since the 2002 release of The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin. The CD also debuted #1 on the Christian/Gospel Digital Albums Chart; #3 on the R&B Chart, and #7 on the Overall Digital Albums Chart.  In the first week’s Nelson Sound scan report the album sold nearly 90,000 units.
 
James “Jazzy” Jordan, EVP Verity Gospel Music Group says: “Kirk Franklin is in a class by himself not just in Gospel music, but in music – period. He is a genius in the studio, an incredible songwriter and has a heart and ear firmly poised towards God. His music is always timeless, and HELLO FEAR is no exception. His music makes you smile not just today, but everyday.”

Kirk Franklin says: “I am just humbled. It is a blessing to know that, after all of these years making music, God continues to give me songs that people want to hear. I knew going into this project that God was not as concerned about what I do in the process of this album, but what I become in the process of this album. I am hopeful that HELLO FEAR reaches the hearts of everyone who purchased the CD and helps them along their process of becoming who God would have them become.”

Though Franklin is currently taping the new season of BET’s Sunday Best – for which he serves as co-executive producer and host – and touring with Steve Harvey, he is spending significant time promoting HELLO FEAR through radio and press visits; church and promotional appearances, and retail in-stores in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, D.C. and Baltimore. Tomorrow, March 31, he will make an appearance at Stonecrest Mall in Atlanta. In addition to a new CD being available, Franklin’s New York Times Bestseller “The Blueprint: A Plan for Living Above Life’s Storms” will be released in paperback April 5.

HELLO FEAR was written and produced by Kirk Franklin. The CD’s first single, “I Smile” is Top-5 at Gospel and Urban radio. Kirk Franklin will perform “I Smile” and “Before I Die” this Monday, April 4, on BET’s The Mo’Nique Show and will also appear on The Dove Awards April 24 on The Gospel Music Channel.

A national media campaign to promote the authority of the Bible began running commercials on Fox News, FoxNews.com and MSNBC.com on Monday.

The “I Am Not Ashamed” campaign, organized by apologetics ministry Answers in Genesis, will run commercials from March 1 to April 25 featuring individuals from different backgrounds, nationalities, ages and cultures saying they are not ashamed of the Gospel.

Organizers hope to convey the message that despite physical differences, people around the world hold in common a respect and appreciation for the relevance of God’s word in today’s world.

A print ad campaign will also run in USA Today during that period. The print ad will quote specific Bible verses that address hot-button issues today. Issues that will be addressed include abortion, marriage and religion in the public square.

Local churches are also encouraged to join the campaign by sponsoring billboards in their area that include the link to the I Am Not Ashamed website.

The various ads all point viewers to the campaign website iamnotashamed.org where people can upload videos of themselves reading or quoting the Bible. One of the main goals of the campaign is to call on Christians to join the world’s first online video Bible.

The theme of the campaign, “I Am Not Ashamed,” is inspired by the verses found in Romans 1:16: “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes; first for the Jews, then for the Gentile.”

Organizers said they felt this is the message that America most needs to hear right now.

Notably, the theme of the newly launched video Bible campaign is reminiscent of the message that evangelist Franklin Graham gave at the beginning of this year. Graham began 2010 by declaring he is not ashamed of the Gospel and predicted there would be greater obstacles for Christians who want to share their faith.

“I am not afraid or ashamed of the Gospel,” Graham wrote in a commentary posted on the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association website in January. “We will proclaim the Gospel of Christ’s sacrificial death for sin and His triumphant resurrection as long as we have breath.”

Earlier this year, the BGEA and Christianity.com launched an “I am a Christian” campaign that calls on believers to declare their faith in Jesus Christ “in a time when God’s truth is being attacked on all sides.”

Social media tools such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and blogs are also being used to attract participation in the “I am not Ashamed” campaign, and to a lesser extent, in the “I am a Christian” campaign.

Kirk Franklin takes some time to talk about his new CD “Hello Fear.”  Kirk calls it his greatest album whether or not that translates on the business end or not.  Do you have the new project yet?  Check out what I have to say about Kirk Franklin’s new CD by clicking here and watch his interview below.

ALSO READ: My Review of Kirk Franklin’s CD “Hello Fear”

Comedian/Writer /Producer Akintunde will be featured on CBN’s The 700 Club Hosted by Pat Robertson,  on Thursday, March 31, 2011 on the ABC Family Channel at 10am and 11pm (EST).  Check local listings for airings on other networks. 

The 700 Club is a live television program that airs weekdays before a studio audience from The Christian Broadcasting Network’s (CBN) broadcast facilities in Virginia Beach, Virginia.  CBN is one of the world’s largest television ministries and produces programming seen in 200 nations and heard in 70 languages including Russian, Arabic, Spanish, French and Chinese.  CBN’s flagship program, The 700 Club, which Mr. Robertson hosts, can be seen in 97 percent of television markets across the United States and is one of the longest running religious television shows that reaches an average of one million American viewers daily.

About Akintunde:

Hilarious , bold , fresh , and groundbreaking are just a few of the adjectives used to describe Comedian/Writer Akintunde. But first and foremost, he is a servant, husband, and father of 5 who loves GOD, loves his wife ,Eunissa, loves his children, and loves to make people laugh. But after 16 years as a comedian, Akintunde feels as though he is just getting started.  Because now, the veteran stand up is no longer just on a career path, he is on assignment from GOD. Akintunde laid down his own personal career aspirations, and accepted GOD’s assignment to Entertain the Body Of Christ, and draw the world to Christ through stand up comedy, writing, acting, producing, and directing.  

Since accepting GOD’s assignment, Akintunde has done just that, and consequently, has been nothing but blessed. In 2003, he was named joke/monologue writer for the syndicated television series “Its Showtime at the Apollo”. In 2004, he wrote the monologues for Comedian Monique for the annual “BET Awards” ceremony.   Akintunde was blessed to re-team with fellow comedian Chris Tucker as his monologue writer for the “2005 NAACP Image Awards”. Some highlights of 2006 included televised appearances on The Word Network, TBN’s “Praise the Lord,” and The Gospel Music Channel.   2007 began with the debut of his all new web series, “It’s Time 2 Laugh”.   In 2008, one of Akintunde’s companies, NO JOKE RADIO debuted his syndicated radio show, “The Akintunde Show” in Washington, DC. 2009 started with a ‘BANG’ as well with performances at both the Stellar Awards and the Trumpet Awards.  

Akintunde has been on tour with Pastors Creflo and Taffi Dollar on the “Change Experience” Tour for two years, and has been added to the 2011 performance rosters.  He recently signed an exclusive agreement with Arrow Records, becoming their first Comedic Artist.  Currently, Akintunde is writer and creative consultant on BET Networks’, “The Monique Show”.Look for great things from this anointed comedian. Many within the Body of Christ are looking to Akintunde to ,as one pastor put it, “Revolutionize the Christian entertainment industry.” Says Akintunde, ” I used to shun all compliments and predictions of my assignment. But, I can now receive it as prophetic words from God knowing full well that it has nothing to do with me, it’s God’s anointed power given to me. So, he gets all the credit…Not Akintunde.  

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON AKINTUNDE:  LOG ONTO WWW.AKINTUNDE.NET OR CONTACT THE ASSIGNMENT AGENCY AT 803-479-6842.

Recently “Our America” which airs on Oprah’s new OWN Network posed the question can you “Pray the Gay Away?” Lisa Ling takes a look at one of the most heated debates in Christianity today: Is it possible to be gay and Christian at the same time?  You can now watch the full episode as a Florida man explains how he was able to subdue his homosexual desires.

Click play to watch the video on the OWN Network website.

Marvin Sapp announced via Facebook and Twitter that he’s looking for new music. Songwriters (or even if you think you’re a songwriter) can submit lyrics to joyamgmt@gmail.com

Sapp asks that you submit them in demo form by email ONLY. Please add your contact info as well.

You could write the next big song for one of the best selling artists in Gospel.  Good luck!

Prolific artist, songwriter, producer Smokie Norful releases, HOW I GOT OVER, Songs That Carried Us, featuring the 12th District A.M.E. Church Choir, honoring the African American church’s most beloved songs.

HOW I GOT OVER, Songs That Carried Us highlights the standards and hymns that have been the very backbone of the African American church. Recorded live in Tulsa, OK at the 12th District A.M.E. Church Conference.

The album showcases the commanding 12th District A.M.E. choir, songs like “Trouble In My Way,” “Amazing Grace,” “Lord Will Make A Way,” and “I Know It Was The Blood” are meaningful and significant songs to the Black church.

HOW I GOT OVER, Songs That Carried Us includes appearances by guest artists Joe Ligon, Melvin Williams, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Myron Butler and Sheri Jones Moffett.

The radio single, “Sunday Morning Medley,” which Norful performed earlier this year on BET’s Celebration of Gospel, includes five of our the most treasured and recognizable church songs: “Soldier In The Army Of The Lord,” “God Is A Good God,” “Storm Out On the Ocean,” “I Want To Live So God Can Use Me” and “Praise The Lord Everybody.”

HOW I GOT OVER, Songs That Carried Us is an archival and musical look at the African American experience and the role the church played in their long and storied past. Many of the songs still remain in our Sunday Morning consciousness, were born out of the slave experience.

Norful, who penned the now classic anthem “I Need You Know,” is a present day songwriter who still is able to capture the needs and voice of his people. “I Need You Know,” became an instant hit because of the emotional chord it touched with people around the world. Its impact is felt 10 years later as the popular ballad is among the most popular songs to sing. Most recently, it was heard on AMERICAN IDOL.

Fresh on the shelves and online is Mary Mary’s new project.  Anybody picked it up yet?  The highly anticipated new album was released March 29, 2011 and opinions are already pouring in.  We will have a full review up soon!  

Take a look at the music video for the song “Walking.”  The video was shot in the streets of Los Angeles, and is featured in the new album titled “Something Big.”  Mary Mary also stopped by 106 & Park today so check that video out to.. These ladies have been everywhere since their CD release Tuesday.