Okoye is not just an athlete but excels in academics, at the age of 15; Okoye was offered an academic scholarship to Harvard University, which he turned down because he wanted to play top-level football at a University prominent in academics as well as their football program. He instead chose to attend the University of Louisville where he majored in Psychology, completing his degree in three and a half years. At 16, he became the youngest player in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), one of the first true freshmen to earn playing time.

Okoye garnered Associated Press Second-Team All American honors and first-team All-Big East honors and as the NCAA’s youngest senior at 19 years old. On April 28, 2007 Amobi Okoye made history as he was drafted by the Houston Texans as the 10th overall pick of the 2007 NFL draft. He is the youngest player to ever be drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft at only 19 years old, the first to accomplish such a feat. He is the highest draft pick to come out of the University of Louisville in history.

On July 26th 2007, Okoye signed a five year deal with the Texans, which allowed him to begin training camp with his new teammates the next day. He started his first NFL game on September 9th 2007. This day, he became the youngest player to ever appear in an NFL game. As if that wasn’t enough, he was named Defensive Rookie of the Month for September 2007, making him the youngest player to ever receive that award. Okoye finished his season with an impressive 32 tackles and 5.5 sacks, also a rookie record, giving him a solid first season.

Amobi Okoye is a man with many talents. These talents have made him an invaluable addition to the Houston Texans and an irreplaceable member of his society. The current 23 year old, in his few years as a professional football player, has used his success to give back to his community through several different outreach programs. One such program is, Kick-off for Kicks; a serious of youth centered activities that uses athletics and academics to provide motivation to youth, fostering self-esteem, academics and inspiration.

Okoye has always felt his success was not meant for him alone, saying, “I made a decision to establish a vehicle to use this greater voice that was given to me to make a real difference.” The Amobi Okoye Foundation has become that vehicle of change. Under the foundation are three main programs: Kick-off for Kids, Tackle Hunger, and C.A.T.E (Changing Africa Through Education).

Amobi Okoye Foundation opened its doors in 2008 with the purpose of providing hope to Kids & Communities around the globe. Founded by University of Louisville graduate and former Cardinal Defensive Tackle, Amobi, now with the Houston Texans, purposes to provide hope to Kids and Communities around the globe. Okoye graduated high school at the age of 15 and shortly after, upon turning down many prestigious opportunities (including Harvard) to purse his football dream, he became the youngest NCAA athlete of all time pursuing his football dream at University of Louisville. In 2007, Okoye became the youngest player ever to be drafted into the NFL in the modern draft era at the age of 19, drafted by the Houston Texans in the first round.

Lecrae‘s latest release Rehab stays atop the Billboard Top Gospel Charts for a fifth consecutive week. The album also enters at #19 on the Top Christian Albums charts and #21 on the Top Rap Albums Chart. You Are Not Alone from Mavis Staples leaps ten spots to enter at the #2 spot. Israel Houghton‘s Love God. Love People. The London Sessions enters this week at the #3 spot while Tye Tribbett‘s Fresh comes in at #4. Here I Am from Marvin Sapp rounds out the week’s top five albums. In other chart news, James Hall & Voices of Citadel‘s latest Won’t It Be Wonderful re-enters the charts at #11 while the compilation album A Gospel Christmas leaps nine places to #16.

In the world of radio, “I Believe” from James Fortune & FIYA featuring Shawn McLemore and Zacardi Cortez returns to the top of the radio charts. “He Wants It All” from Forever Jones moves to the #2 position, while “Nobody Greater” from VaShawn Mitchell moves to the #3 position. “I Choose to Worship” from Wess Morgan holds to the #4 spot while William McDowell‘s “I Give Myself Away” rounds out the week’s top five songs. (December 6, 2010)

Courtesy of GospelFlava.com

In 2008 he was a speaker at a Youth Summit of Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson held at Southern Methodist University. Punch is currently working on his 2009 release Voyage: Vol. 1 which will be a mix of Jazz meets Hip Hop on a trip around the world. T.D. Jakes calls Richmond Punch “The Baddest Violinist Around”, Steven Forbes says “A job well done! Great music!”, and NBC Houston news says “Soothing Music”. To inquire about availability, e-mail gaylepunch@yahoo.com or call 214-823-4269. See Richmond Punch on Youtube or Myspace.. He’s performed with musical greats like Marvin Hamlisch and Donnie McClurkin. Giving back to the community, The multi-talented Punch also serves as the Artistic Director of the Dallas Uptown Youth Orchestra, a program of the Punch Family Foundation that reaches more than 3500 children and adults annually. Additionally, Punch is a lecturer on black history, music history, diversity and more through his Lecture Series. In 2008 he was a speaker at a Youth Summit of Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson held at Southern Methodist University. Punch is currently working on his 2011 release

Even as an actor, the love for music was still in Johnny’s heart. He began to take some basic music courses in college and joined the jazz band. He later became a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia fraternity, a national music fraternity. In 1999, Johnny began to develop a stronger relationship with God and reconnected with his gospel roots. He became active as a musician at a church near his college, where he also accepted his call to ministry. After graduation, Johnny moved to Houston and immediately devoted his gifts to the ministry of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Since then, Johnny has traveled extensively with his music ministry and has worked faithfully in the music ministry at the church where he attends. He is considered by many to be an extraordinary talent and one the most gifted singers in the country. His voice has been compared to those of many great singers. However, he is truly unique and has a personality that puts him in a class all by himself. As a writer, he expresses the heart of God and truly captures the essence of authentic worship.

The Message Behind The Music:

Praise and Worship
The album is entitled The Way I Worship. 1 Chronicles 15:2 says, “Then David said, ‘No one is to carry the ark of God but the Levites; for the LORD chose them to carry the ark of God and to minister to Him forever.'”

What sets the Levite apart from every other musician is his purpose and his assignment. The Levite understands that his ministry is to usher in the presence of God. He also understands that his audience for worship is God, and God’s audience is His people. We are just vehicles through which God chooses to move. One of the principle purposes of the project is to bring that worship experience right into the listener’s home, car, job, etc.

Jesus
In addition to the worship component, the another principle purpose of the project is to draw the masses to Christ. 1 John 2:1-2 reads, “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father- Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” In a day when a lot of popular Christian  music attempts to “cross over,” the message of Jesus Christ as the only Savior of the world often gets lost. The Way I Worship is intended that no matter what the style of music is, the content of the songs are scripturally based and can be ministered in love to anyone, anywhere.

Faith
Mark 11:22-24 says, “And Jesus answered saying to them, ‘Have faith in God. Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him. Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you.” The completion of this project will hopefully help to build someone’s faith to believe they can truly do all things through Christ. The awesome thing about God is that he gets glory by using the most unlikely people to do great work for His kingdom. With faith, God can turn a failure into a future. He can turn a miserable mess into a spectacular success! God wants you to be a “visible manifestation of the power of God in the presence of people” (quote by James Dixon).

“I make it a point to dream bigger than where my talent alone can take me for the simple purpose of making it obvious to others that anything I achieve was made possible only by the amazing grace of my amazing God!!!” – Johnny B. Williams

Fellowship of Churches.   James Dixon, II is sharing his model for ministry with other churches nationwide. Through the formation of Kingdom Builders Fellowship, James Dixon is leading other godly pastors to expand the reach of their local church to include academic, community development, and housing opportunities. In December 2003, James Dixon was formally elected as Bishop of Kingdom Builders Fellowship, which now consists of more than sixty churches.

Touching Lives Worldwide.  In 1992, James Dixon formed James Dixon Ministries, a non-profit, evangelistic organization committed to spreading the Gospel message worldwide. James Dixon Ministries produces a broadcast ministry, Faith Force, which airs four days a week. Under the direction of Bishop Dixon, this ministry is also driving a mission effort in Uganda, Africa. The Uganda Mission Projectseeks to bring the uncompromised Gospel message to this largely unsaved population and ultimately reproduce the Community of Faith ministry model through the construction of The Community of Faith – Uganda sanctuary, school, and clinic.

James W. E. Dixon, II is a native Houstonian, born on November 12, 1962. He wed the former Tanisha Lemelle on September 14, 2002. This marked the beginning of their new season together along with daughters Mariah Nicole and Victoria Elyse. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Oikodome School of Biblical Studies and has done extensive study at the Houston Graduate School of Theology. He also attended classes at Houston Baptist University and Texas Southern University where he was a member of the internationally acclaimed debate team led by the renowned T. F. Freeman. In addition to his most important role as Pastor, he is also ChairmanCEO of Kingdom Communications, Inc., a comprehensive marketing, public speaking, event planning, and consulting firm.

According to William Mc Dowell’s personal website, he is schedule to record his new CD LIVE this Friday.  McDowell is riding the wave from the success of his first single, “I Give Myself Away.”  Heres what he wrote to fans:

I am excited that on December 10th, 2010 we will record ARISE live in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. with my friends Martha Munizzi, Mary Alessi, and David and Nicole Binion as special guests. While many are still being blessed by “As we worship” God has been giving me songs for the next season and I am excited to be able to release what is inside of me soon. It will be released sometime in 2011. Stay tuned!

Frazier Thompson is better known as Trae.  Nicknamed “Da Truth,” Trae is a secular rapper swarming in controversy.  However the controversy didn’t come by what he did, but by what he was trying to do.
 
In 2008, Trae was awarded by the mayor of Houston, Bill White, and Council Member Peter Brown with his own day, Trae Day, in honor of his outstanding work within the community. This is the first time the honor has been extended to a rap artist. Trae Day was celebrated July 22, 2008.

Trae then hosted the second annual Trae Day in July 2009 near Texas Southern University when it was marred by gun violence at the end of the event.  When he explained to the “Madd Hadda Morning Show” at radio station KBXX “97.9 The Box” that he did not condone the shooting, he was accused by one of the personalities of being responsible for the violence because of his lyrical content.  When Trae retaliated against her on a mixtape, KBXX banned Trae’s music and contributed music from the station then ordered their personalities not to play his music.   It caused backlash in the music community as several DJ’s at KBXX were terminated from their positions because they played songs that featured Trae.  Due to his inability and hindrance from being able to promote his music in Houston as a result, Trae has filed a lawsuit with KBXX early in 2010 citing damages to his career.  

In the interview with Path MEGAzine, we speak to the rapper about the controversy, his charitable efforts, the community he loves, and his faith in God.  Tune into the interview as we speak to Trae, members of the “Brick Boys,” and Houston Texans Defensive Tackle Amobi Okoye. 

Also during that pivotal age, Rucker’s mother suffered a major medical crisis. He was fearful that he might lose her and began to fast and pray for her healing. “As I was praying, I heard the Lord say, ‘Preach my word,'” recounts Arthur. That was the beginning of his preaching ministry. Now quite active in his church, he became the choir director and began connecting with male mentors at his church (including his Bishop and Deacons) as he learned what a real man was. He observed how a two-parent household functioned (through the example of families within his church) and learned about healthy interactions between men and women, something he hadn’t witnessed in his own home.

The experienced served as a training ground for his destined meeting with the woman who would later become his bride, Pamela. The two wed in 1995 and moved to Philadelphia. It was not long after they were wed that he would pursue his education in Information Technology and start a software development firm with his wife. While in Philadelphia, he was educated in ministry at the Center for Urban Theological Studies and was trained in developing effective urban ministries. Rucker was ordained in 2004 by Bishop George C. Searight of Abundant Life Family Worship Church in New Brunswick, NJ and Bishop Donald Hilliard of Cathedral International in Perth Amboy, NJ.

Arthur had long realized that he was called not only to preach, but to pastor, too. The year before his ordination, he launched a successful parachurch ministry that was attended by people of diverse age, educational, socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. People would often travel from Delaware to Pennsylvania to hear his unique style of delivery, remarking that they “always felt like they directly heard from God” when attending there.

Required to relocate due to a job transfer, Rucker had the opportunity to select one of several cities. Feeling the call of God to relocate to Houston, Texas, he, Pamela and their three children, Montique, Marquis and Morgan, pulled up stakes from Philadelphia and moved to the south in the fall of 2005. Currently, he’s preparing to launch a new ministry in Houston called Christ’s Church.

“From what I have seen, people are not turned off by Christ or His message, but they are turned off by the rigidity of the church,‛’ shares Rucker. “My vision is to present Christ just as He is. Also, we want to help people find their God-given purpose and His specific plan for their lives so that they can be what they’ve been called to be in the earth,” says Rucker. Because of his upbringing, Pastor Rucker has a special place in his heart for the ministry of families and men. And in his own family, specifically, Pamela, or Lady Rucker, as she is known, is his partner in ministry. “The Bible says that when a man finds a wife, he finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord,” says Rucker. “I can look at my life and see that God’s favor was ramped up when I connected with her.”

Seen as “The New Face of Ministry,” Rucker feels that God wants to do something special in today’s church. “I sense that God wants to do something fresh,” says the preacher. “I sense in my spirit that the Lord wants to tweak the Church so that it can become the glorious Church that He’s coming back for.” Part of that “tweaking” process includes outreach and touching those who have physical needs. Through his “Arms of Love” campaign, Pastor Rucker is reaching out to local youth groups and facilities to provide for the less fortunate during the holidays.

For Pastor Rucker, his life is simply a blessing. He says, “My life story really signifies transformation. When you look at what I have been through and what I have come from, my life really speaks to transformation. I own things that I don’t deserve and work in positions I don’t qualify for,” he explains. “In my secular job, I am working for one of the fastest growing companies in Houston. My wife and I owned a multi-million dollar IT company. So where you finish is not determined by where you start. Mine is a story of triumph. I epitomize what God can do with nothing and I want the world to know that He can do that for anyone.”

God does not desire for us to suppress our issues. In fact, in Psalm 51, David said that the Lord desires truth in the inward parts. Anyone that has ever been in a relationship knows the importance of truth. It is truth that builds trust. When you are with someone who is truthful it makes it easier for you to open up to them and to believe them. When we suppress our issues we become fraud. We will never experience the fullness of our relationship with God trying to hide our imperfections from Him.

He wants us to submit our worries and cares and struggles to Him. He wants us to be upfront with Him. Talk to Him! He already knows all. When you are truthful with Him it gives you an edge. The edge about truth is you know how to defeat the enemy. You understand what you are fighting. Your truthfulness allows you to see another side of God. It gives God the chance to open himself up to you and show you a new side of Him. However, falsities will only send you on a wild goose chase. It will allow you to exert all your energy and you may be worse off than you began. Be truthful! Be honest! Stay on the Path!

About the Author:Path contributing writer Calvin Walker has been writing editorial content for Path MEGAzine since 2007.  Calvin’s ability to break down the word of God with thought provoking analogies and real life analysis makes an impact on Christians seeking a closer walk with God.  An accomplished author, Walker released his debut book titled “The Gallery” early 2010.  Click here to read excerpts and purchase Walkers’ inspirational novel.  Email calvinwalkerauthor@yahoo.com