SR VP & General Manager of Light Records, James Robinson announced a marketing and distribution agreement with JAMES FORTUNE & FIYA, to bring his new label, FIYA World Music to Light Records and eOne Distribution.

The three year deal, which was inked this week, includes the future recordings of James Fortune & FIYA as well as a number of other artists FIYA World Music is recording Under the terms of the agreement, Light Records will handle marketing and promotion while eOne will handle distribution.

Fortune & FIYA introduced themselves to the world with their debut CD, YOU SURVIVED in 2005. They amassed recognition in 2009, with the award winning song, “I Trust You,” from their sophomore release THE TRANSFORMATION.

“I am so grateful to Black Smoke Music and Kerry Douglas for all they’ve done for me … the platform they gave me was unbelievable and I will always be thankful to them,” said Fortune. “For my family and me, I’ve decided it was time to create a new venture and to launch my own label, FIYA World Music Group with eOne Entertainment and Light Records. All my releases will be on my new label and I hope to give a platform to new artists, much like what was given to me.”

“I respect the artists that are connected with Light, like Ricky Dillard, JJ Hairston and Dorinda Clark-Cole,” Fortune continued. “The eOne system has always been great to me. I am looking forward to working with the entire team at Light Records.”

Robinson said, “I am very pleased that Light Records and eOne will be the home of James Fortune’s FIYA World Music Group. I’m honored to be a part of his artistry and it is clear that James is in his God-given season and I am looking forward to a great future. We are confident the partnership will be a long-lasting and successful one.”

The first release from FIYA World Music will be a new James Fortune & FIYA album slated for early 2012.

The Following Images Are Clickable to Connecting Websites FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:LaToya Newton Ph: 914/560.3735 x2 Email: latoya@creativeclassic.com PASTOR WESS MORGAN PERFORMS HIS 2011 GMA DOVE AWARD NOMINATED SINGLE “I CHOOSE TO WORSHIP” PLUS NEW SINGLE “YOU GAVE ME HOPE” ON TBN’S PRAISE THE LORD PROGRAM TONIGHT AT 10pm ET/9pm CT Morgan’s radio singles land on Billboard’s Top Gospel Song Chart this week claiming the #8 and #28 positions respectively. Westchester, New York – April 1, 2011 – Music from Pastor Wess Morgan continues to transform lives around the world with powerful messages of hope and God’s redeeming love. This evening, Wess Morgan will perform the chart-topping song “I Choose to Worship,” as well as the newly released radio single “You Gave me Hope” which made its debut entry on the Billboard charts this week. Tonight’s TBN Praise the Lord  programming is hosted by Carman and features other guests including Pastors Myles and DeLana Rutherford. Tune in at 10p ET and 9p CT. Under An Open Heaven is executive produced by Wess Morgan and features ten powerful Praise & Worship songs plus one bonus track. The album – released on Bowtie World Music in conjunction with Flipside Music Group and Central South Distribution – highlights the vocal ability of Wess with just one guest, Aaron Crabb, who joins him on the popular worship tune “Welcome Into This Place.” Upcoming events on Wess Morgan’s schedule include the Radio One ‘One Love Gospel Cruise,’ the GMA Dove Awards and a benefit concert in Savannah, GA for the “Feed the Hungry” charity. For a full schedule of events please visit www.WessMorgan.com About Pastor Wess Over the last few years, Wess has become increasingly popular due to his ability to sing soulful melodies over life-changing lyrics, as well as his unique talent to share God’s word thru his personal testimony. Both the music and spoken word coming from Wess Morgan connect with the hearts of people in search of the truth regarding their life’s purpose. The power in his message of change has succeeded in transcending the church as apparent in recent invitations for Wess to appear on mainstream television programs including BET’s The Mo’Nique Show, as well as acting in world-renowned Playwright and box office hit Director Tyler Perry’s production, Laugh To Keep From Crying.

Only what you do for Christ will last.  A former church member posted this on my Facebook wall after telling me that I turned out alright!  I appreciated the complement, but inside there was a longing to do better.  A longing to encourage others that we could all do better.  And in its purist form I was reminded that that was what being a Christian was all about. Showing the love of Christ transcends any labels people can put on us, and runs deeper than exposing one anothers faults.

Before I got into this online ministry, I used to wonder how I could help in this Christian race.  How could I get people to see that the span of mans’ 100 years is nothing compared to eternity.  How could I  minister if I wasn’t a teacher, pastor, publisher or hold a high position in the church?  Then I read a book by Dr. Miles Monroe titled “Rediscovering the Kingdom,” and it gave biblical perspective on the dominion each of us hold over the places where we live, visit, and work.  The love of Christ can be shown, and your friends will begin coming to you for prayer whether their believers are not.  Just let somebody get sick.  I’ve seen them call on every God known to man.  But there’s only one living God.  Without a grave who died and rose for our sins, so we may have eternal life.

In life I’ve found that even your best friends will often look to discredit you to justify their own decisions and habits.  They will harmlessly bring up your past and act is if the good old days were the best days.  No doubt some of those days were precious memories, but for a friend seeking to discredit you they aren’t purely reminiscing.  They’re searching for meaning, and often they’re looking to you as a Christian to show Godly principles and provide biblical perspectives.  I would often fail this test.  Not realizing that my friends were trying to get me to gloat in the days when we could wallow in sin without a care in the world.  Now as they bring up the same old stories, I use it as a opportunity to minister about where I came from.

The past won’t last whether good or bad, but only what you do for Christ will last at the time of judgement.  The Bible illustrates:  

Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. -1 Corinthians 9:25-27

I refuse to walk this earth not preparing for a satisfactory progress report.  When that day does come I want to hear, “Well done my good and faithful servant,” (Matthew 25:21) come from the mouth of Jesus and God the Father.  

The trick of the enemy is to get us focused on today while regretting yesterday.  Today’s problems and today’s successes.  Yesterdays hurt and yesterdays stumbles.  When the ultimate goal is to win souls for Christ and be welcomed into the Kingdom.  To do that we must keep looking forward.  To look forward is to have faith.  Success and peace alike comes when we exhibit that faith.   

As you go through your day, month and years write somewhere in your house where you can see it “ONLY WHAT YOU DO FOR CHRIST WILL LAST.”  It will be the motivation behind staying on God’s PATH for your life.  As you stay in the spirit you will be able to discern whether an old friend is reminiscing, or crying out for help.  It will give you perspective on what’s really important as your soul prospers.

Staying on the PATH is finding your purpose, and in that purpose God will send people to you with plenty of opportunity to witness about Jesus.  Show the Love of Christ, even when they treat the name of Jesus like a curse word.  You plant the seed, and let God make it grow.  That’s how we give back.  That’s how we hear job well done.  It’s true that staying on the Path may keep success as a close cousin, but sometimes sacrifice can mean less wealth on earth with tangible riches stored up in heaven for all eternity.  

Ask yourself what’s really important.  Am I maximizing my opportunities to help others? Am I working on myself so that I can help others?  How can I improve myself so that I can stay on the righteous path God so desires for each of us.  For balancing success and peace comes when you’re in his will.  Stay on the PATH everyone!

God Bless,

Kris Patrick

Publisher 

Gospel music artist Kirk Franklin and his wife Tammy are featured on the cover of the April 11th issue of Jet magazine. They are a part of a series on how celebrity marriages balance family and fame. Kirk and Tammy Franklin recently celebrated 15 years of marriage together.  

Kirk recently released his new album “Hello Fear” Which debuted at #1 in Billboard’s Christian/Gospel Album sales.

ALSO READ: Kirk Franklin’s HELLO FEAR Debut’s #1 On Gospel Chart; #5 On Billboard Top 200 

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

Just in time for the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible, Lionsgate is set to release a docudrama that portrays the story of one of the most venerated books in history.

“KJB: The Book That Changed the World,” hosted by award-winning actor John Rhys-Davies (The Lord of the Rings, Indiana Jones & the Last Crusade), walks viewers through history, explaining the origin, significance and impact of the King James translation.

“Its imagery, its language and its influence has been felt around the world for the past 400 years, it also claims to be the living Word of God,” Rhys-Davies says. The host recounts how the King James translation was birthed, beginning with the ascension of James I to the English throne in 1603, in short dramatizations of the events surrounding the Bible’s creation.

He succeeded the throne at a time when the country was “at the center of a theological revolution.”

A new Bible was proposed and affirmed during a conference with the English Puritans at the Hampton Court Palace, where a new Bible translation wasn’t even on the agenda. The meeting was originally convened by King James in response to a series of requests for reform within the church by the Puritans, who differed with the Anglicans.

But it was there that John Rainolds, a Puritan, proposed a new translation.

King James wasn’t satisfied with any of the existing English translations of the Bible. He particularly hated The Geneva Bible – “with a passion,” as Rhys-Davies narrates in the film. He commissioned a new translation.

While King James continued to pursue his translation there were plots against him and his kingdom, including the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 – inspiration for the popular movie “V for Vendetta.”

It took seven years to finish the translation. It was first published on May 5, 1611.

In honor of the 400th anniversary many churches and organizations have created various projects commemorating the KJV.

Early this year the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan William, sent a message to the public where he called on believers to “celebrate the astonishing contribution made by that book four hundred years ago.”

An updated version of the NIV was purposely published this year for the anniversary.

Thomas Nelson Publishers launched a website that offers a wide array of content, including videos, daily scripture verses, podcasts and more for the 400th celebration.

And the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles, offered his contribution as a patron of the King James Bible Trust and read for the YouTube Bible project from John 14. Interestingly, influential atheist Richard Dawkins also read from the KJV for the YouTube Bible project.

“You can’t appreciate English literature unless you are steeped to some extent in the King James Bible,” Dawkins said, according to the King James Bible Trust, which was established to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible. “We are a Christian culture, we come from a Christian culture and not to know the King James Bible, is to be in some small way, barbarian.”

As the countdown continues with one month left, many more projects are in play in an effort to place draw attention to the significant text. As Rhys-Davies highlights, “These texts define the way of salvation, and took you to the very gates of eternal life.”

“KJB: The Book That Changed the World” will be available on April 5.

On the Web: http://www.kjbthefilm.com/

Source: Christian Post.com 

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”