President Barack Obama will reportedly name a religious outreach director to head the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.

According to The New York Times, Obama has tapped Joshua DuBois, 26, the Pentecostal pastor who spearheaded arguably the most aggressive faith outreach for a Democratic presidential campaign in U.S. history when he served as Obama’s religious affairs director.

During the Obama campaign, DuBois helped organize meetings with some of the most prominent Christian leaders in the nation, including those with markedly different views on culture war issues.

Exit polls after the November election showed that Obama had made significant gains among religious voters compared to Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry in 2004.

Prior to working for Obama, DuBois had studied political science at Boston University where he graduated cum laude. He then went to Princeton’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and National Affairs where he earned a master’s degree in public affairs in 2005.

He was studying law at Georgetown University when he left to work for Obama.

Religious leaders, who have been informed of DuBois’ selection, say that he will not only be directing the office created by former President George W. Bush, but be in charge of expanding it to help groups more effectively address social problems, according to The New York Times.

The religious leaders requested anonymity because the appointment has not yet been formally announced.

Under Obama, the office will be renamed the Council for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships and will continue to facilitate the distribution of grants to religious and community groups.

Among the most pressing issues that await DuBois when he assumes the position is the debate over whether faith-based organizations will be forced to hire people whose faith differs from theirs if they receive government money.

Bush had allowed religious groups that accepted funding to hire employees that share the same religion.

But Obama, during a campaign speech last year, said that if a group receives a federal grant then it “can’t use that grant money to proselytize to the people you help and you can’t discriminate against them – or against the people you hire – on the basis of their religion.”

It is unclear if Obama still plans to rescind Bush’s memorandum on the issue.

The White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (OFBCI) was created in 2001 by executive order to “level [the] playing field” for faith-based organizations seeking federal funding. It was also created to lead a “determined attack” on poverty, disease, and other social problems combining the strengths of the government and faith-based and other community organizations. Bush had called these organizations the “armies of compassion,” praising them for being able to work more effectively with the local communities and those in need than government programs alone.

As of 2008, the concept of FBCI has been replicated by 36 governors (19 Democrats, 17 Republicans). More than 100 mayors have also created an FBCI office or liaison.

TAMPA, Fla. – Arizona running back Tim Hightower had just finished a thoughtful explanation of his religious beliefs when one of the media types who found their way into the Super Bowl stadium Tuesday decided he needed more proof.

"Can you pray right now?" he asked.

"I can pray that whatever is going on in your life right now that you find God," Hightower said.

Hightower handled the question with the same ease he handled would-be tacklers to score the winning touchdown that got his team into the Super Bowl, which by itself was somewhat surprising since he is a rookie on the biggest stage of his young life.

Even more surprising at this Super Bowl, though, is how so many players on both teams aren't hesitating to invoke the name of God as they prepare to play a violent game where there will be no mercy shown on either side.

Usually that has writers setting down their pens and cameramen hitting the pause button until talk returns to the game itself.

But the depth of convictions from evangelical Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner to the Steelers who will do their best to plant him face-first into the ground on Sunday has put religion squarely in play this week. All of a sudden the G-word is in vogue.

"You just have to embrace it, whatever God does in your life and wherever he puts you," Warner said in one of his many religious references since landing in Tampa. "If it means being a role model in this game, I'm happy to do that. You are excited about that opportunity because you get the chance to speak to millions of people and, hopefully, we'll get an opportunity to impact some lives this week."

Warner is the most vocal — and visible — Christian on the Cardinals, proclaiming his faith at every opportunity and underscoring it by carrying a Bible with him almost everywhere he goes. He had it with him at the postgame press conference after Arizona upset Philadelphia to reach the Super Bowl, and took time to credit his faith in God for the win before answering any other questions.

The 37-year-old Warner's public display of faith has left an impression on his younger teammates, about 20 of whom join him in Bible studies after practice every Wednesday during the season.

"Our quarterback is a definite leader and devout Christian," cornerback Roderick Hood said. "I think that has spearheaded our growth. Also, guys see the peace we have on the field and want to find that themselves."

Hood says he prays before every game, after every game and during the game itself. Lest Pittsburgh fans get the wrong idea, though, he says he prays for everyone to be safe and not for any particular team to win.

The Steelers aren't as public about their religious beliefs, but many consider themselves devout Christians and can sometimes be seen in locker rooms or on airplanes reading their Bibles. Safety Troy Polamalu brings teammates to services at his Eastern Orthodox Christian church, while running back Willie Parker leaned on his faith to come back from injuries this season, praying that he would be 100 percent physically and able to produce.

Defensive lineman Aaron Smith found comfort in his beliefs when his young son was diagnosed with leukemia.

"It's really through the Lord's strength that I've been able to cope with this," Smith said.

Compared to that, crediting God for helping on the field seems almost trite, though that doesn't stop athletes from doing it all the time. Football players tend to do it more often than others, perhaps because they could be permanently injured on almost any play. But there are baseball players who point to the sky every time they touch home plate and golfers who believe that God gave them the peace within to win major championships.

A poll last summer by the Pew Research Center Forum on Religion and Public Life revealed that 92 percent of Americans believe in some form of God, while 78 percent identify themselves as Christians. And while they express some concern about the mixing of politics and religion, there has never been much outcry about players from both teams gathering after a football game to kneel together in prayer.

Expect plenty of those prayers before and after Sunday's game from plenty of different players. Expect to see Warner with a Bible in hand as soon as he's done throwing a football with it.

And don't expect to hear him shout right away that he's going to Disneyland if the Cardinals win.

Because he's going to thank God first.

The daughter of late Gospel singer-songwriter Joyce "Dottie" Rambo, who was killed in a bus crash in May, has sued the driver of the bus and the company that leased it to the entertainer.

     The lawsuit was filed last Thursday in circuit court in Nashville, TN on behalf of Reba Rambo-McGuire. It asks for a jury trial and compensatory damages as determined by the jury, but in excess of $25,000.

     The lawsuit names the bus driver, James Meadows; Nashville-based Pyramid Coach Inc., which the suit says was, dissolved about a month after the accident and DC Investments Leasing a Vicksburg, Miss.-based subsidiary of Pyramid Coach. No phone number was listed for DC Investments Leasing, and the number for Pyramid Coach Inc. was disconnected. Meadow's phone number wasn't immediately available.

     Dottie Rambo died May 11, 2008 when the bus she was in ran off a road in southwest Missouri and struck an embankment. She was 74. Seven other people were injured in the accident, which happened about 2:20 a.m. while Rambo was on her way to a Mother's Day performance in Texas.

     The lawsuit contends that Meadows was speeding and negligent and that Pyramid/DC Investments Leasing are liable for his negligence.

     Rambo was inducted to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2007. She has had more than 2,500 published songs, including Gospel classics such as "He Looked Beyond My Fault and Saw My Need" and the 1982 Gospel Music Association “Song of the Year,” "We Shall Behold Him." Her songs have been recorded by Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, Whitney Houston, Crystal Gale and the Oak Ridge Boys. (Source: Christian Post)

Grammy-nominated gospel singer Willa Mae Dorsey singer died Jan. 5 at a Portland. Oregon care center following a series of strokes. She was 75.

     Dorsey, who was born in Atlanta, lived in Portland for almost 40 years. She began singing professionally when she was 19, tackling Gospel songs written by her father's cousin, Thomas A. Dorsey, who wrote "Precious Lord," one of her lifelong favorite songs.

     In an interview in 2002, she recalled singing at Lincoln Center, performing with Mahalia Jackson and sharing the stage with the Rev. Billy Graham. Dorsey sang in almost 40 countries for presidents, princes and ordinary people of faith.

     "Gospel music is for everybody," she said at the time according to an article by Nancy Haught (Winston-Salem Journal). "The Creator is like the manufacturer who makes automobiles. If something is wrong with a car, you take it back to the manufacturer. That's where humanity has let itself down, by not going back to the manufacturer who made us."

     Dorsey was a trailblazer when it came to integrating churches in the 1960s, according to Bill Carpenter, who profiled her in his book on Gospel music, “Uncloudy Days.”

     "I broke the barrier for black singers in the white churches," she told Carpenter. "I sang at a lot of white churches where they would come up to my face and tell me, ‘You are the first black to stand at our pulpit’."

     As late as 2006, Dorsey was still playing piano and singing at her church in Portland. She'd linger after services to play the piano softly as people prayed in their seats.

     "It's the least I can do," she said. "People's minds are so bothered in these days."

(Source: Religion News Service/www.2.journalnow.com)

A nationwide talent search for undiscovered singers to compete for a chance to appear on BET's "Sunday Best" and earn the honor of being America's next great Gospel singer is on.  

     The open auditions begin in Atlanta and move on to Chicago and Washington, D.C.   Hopefuls planning to audition should arrive early.  The last date and location is as follows:

January 31, 2009
Washington, DC
9:00 a.m.
BET Campus
2000 M. St., NW, Washington, DC , 20036

     For more information on open auditions, call the toll-free hotline, (866) 405-BEST (2378) or visit www.bet.com/

 “The Best of Gospel Superfest” CD/DVD is an 11-track set that will be available in stores February 10, 2009.

      The project is a collection of outstanding performances by some of today’s top Gospel music artists captured at sessions held at the Gospel Superfest celebrations in Atlanta, Jacksonville, Florida and New York City.

     Artists performances heard and seen include Karen Clark Sheard on “It’s Not Over,” Tye Tribbett and GA on “No Way,” Trin-i-tee 5:7 on “I Will Lift,” Howard Hewitt on “Say Amen,” Angie Winans on “The Lord’s Prayer,” and Rickey Dillard and New G on “Take Me Back,” which are just some of what you can expect.

     “The Best of Gospel Superfest” is a joint partnership between Mathew Knowles, president of Music World Entertainment/Spirit Rising Music and Dr Bobby Cartwright, Jr., executive producer and founder of Gospel Superfest TV. They both serve as executive producers of the CD/DVD set.

     The Gospel Superfest TV specials are now carried by several broadcast and cable networks including TBN, the Gospel Music Channel, The Word Network, The Daystar TV Network and ION Media Networks.

BET’s hit music countdown show "106 & PARK" leaps out on faith with the premiere of its new weekly spin-off.

Tune in for 106 & PARK PRESENTS: GENERATION GOSPEL Sundays at noon (ET/PT).

Hosted by Angel Taylor from the Stellar Award-winning gospel group Tri-I-Tee 5:7 and Jorel Quinn from the hip hop gospel group 21:03, GENERATION GOSPEL will feature a LIVE studio audience, the hottest music videos sweeping the faith-based community, celebrity guests, interactive choir battles, exclusive packages and much more.

“Black entertainment in effect started with Gospel music and Gospel will always be in its fiber,” said Stephen G. Hill, President of Programming, BET. “What’s exciting is how the youth have taken the hottest rhythms and beats, mixed it with classic gospel sound and put their own stamp on the music and spirit. GENERATION GOSPEL will give the viewers contemporary gospel sights and sounds like no other show on television — get ready!”

106 & PARK: PRESENTS GENERATION GOSPEL will kick off its premiere episode with performances by the dynamic Pastor Marvin Sapp, Stellar Award and Dove Award winner, Kierra Sheard and more.

Correspondents include Tye Tribett, Kiki Sheard, and "Sunday Best" finalist Jermaine Sellers.

Tune in to the new show Sundays at noon (ET/PT)!

Atlanta, GA – The Gospel Music Channel (GMC) television network will premiere this year’s The Stellar Awards, the premier Gospel event that recognizes and honors Gospel artists, on Sunday, March 1 at 7:00 p.m. ET.

GMC, the fastest-growing network in television today, will present an instant encore of The Stellar Awards March 1 at 9:00 p.m. and will re-air the show throughout March.  Visit www.gospelmusicchannel.com for complete schedule.

Gospel Music Channel will also premiere a new series “The Best of the Stellars” in April. The exclusive new series will spotlight the most memorable moments, performances and interviews from the first 23 years of The Stellar Awards. The Stellar Awards and The Best of The Stellars on GMC are part of a new multi-year licensing agreement between GMC, Central City Productions (CCP) and Don Jackson, CCP CEO and Stellar Awards executive producer.

Gospel Music Channel (http://www.gospelmusicchannel.com) is the nation’s first and only all music television network devoted to the uplifting, inspiring and diverse music that is Gospel/Christian music. Gospel Music Channel is the fastest-growing network in television today can be seen in more than 40 million homes on various cable systems and nationwide on DIRECTV.

The Chicago-based Central City Productions, Inc. (CCP) produces the Stellar Gospel Music Awards. It has been 23 years since the first awards show was taped at the Arie Crown Theater in Chicago. The Stellar Awards has now become the premier Gospel event that recognizes and honors African American artists.  This one of a kind show has showcased top Gospel artists as well as many television and film stars. The Stellar Gospel Music Awards show is produced by Barbara Wilson for Central City Productions. Founded in 1970 by Don Jackson, Chicago-based Central City Productions is a Producer, Syndicator and Distributor of original programming on television and cable networks

Multiple award-winning artist Smokie Norful will release "Smokie Norful Live," his fourth CD offering and DVD release simultaneously in stores on April 7.  The session was recorded live at The Cannon Center in Memphis.

     The 10-track projects deliver both musically as well as visually.  With this EMI Gospel release, Norful will once again display his talents as a prolific songwriter who can deliver relevant songs that speak grace, hope and truth to a public that is in need of these qualities during today's trying times. 

     Produced by Norful and Jason Tyson, "Smokie Norful Live" is infused with an energy that only an enthusiastic sold out audience can bring.  The audience's fervor can be heard throughout the CD and also viewed on the accompanying DVD. 

     Lending their support to Norful on the new album are guest performances by Heather Headley and Stellar Award winner Tye Tribbett.  The first single is "Justified" and it will impact on Gospel radio on February 23, 2009.
 
     One of the highlighted tracks featured on "Smokie Norful Live" is "Jesus is Love." Norful teams up with Headley to re-record the Gospel classic written and produced by Lionel Richie, showcasing the incredible vocal talents of both artists.  "Jesus Is Love" is featured on both Norful and Headley's CDs.  The song is garnering national attention from Gospel and Urban AC programmers alike. 

     "My colleagues and I agree," says Alvin Stowe, Program Director of WQMZ-FM and WPZS-FM in Charlotte, NC; "this rendition of 'Jesus Is Love' is as good, if not better than the original."
 
     "She's a sweetheart. I love her spirit and her personality," comments Norful on working with the former Broadway star.  "Since I've been in this industry, of all the people I've worked with, Heather was the first person to ever send me a personal, handwritten thank-you card."
 
     Norful's flair for writing songs that cover a wide range of themes-each one speaking to someone's need is in the CD beginning with the opening proclamation, "God's Gonna Do It," featuring Tye Tribbett, to "Dear God," a personal letter from Norful to the Lord. 

     "Where I thrive and flourish the most is in a live environment," comments Norful on why he decided to record a live album. "I'm really just a church kid. I have other components to add to the flavoring, but the bottom line is I'm just a church kid who loves gospel music, loves God, and loves the Word of God.  Where I have a natural tendency to excel is in a live setting. It's just a comfort zone that I've fallen into.  I'm giving people some Sunday-morning material."
 
     "Smokie Norful Live" is a family affair of sorts with many of the participants coming from Norful's church family. Several of the band musicians playing on the recording were from Norful's church; Jason Tyson, co-producer and musical director for the project also serves as Norful's musical director on the road and is the minister of music at the church. 

    Tyson, considered a "little brother" and a friend by Norful, is additionally a business partner in their production company, One Wordd Productions. Tim Bailey, Assistant Pastor at Victory Cathedral Worship Center, also joined in on working on the project, co-writing some of the songs along with Norful. Singers Keisha McFarland, Denise Rutledge, Moiro Konchellah and Tiffany Gatlin are also key parts of the music ministry of Victory Cathedral Worship Center.
 
     Norful will begin the New Year with a performance at the American Music Legends Inaugural Ball on January 20 in Washington, DC, followed by a debut performance of "Jesus Is Love" on BET's 9th Annual Celebration of Gospel, premiering on January 25th at 8 p.m. ET/PT. 

     During the highly-anticipated gospel program, hosted by Steve Harvey, Norful is joined on stage by Headley for a dynamic rendition of "Jesus Is Love."  Additional promotional activities will follow including performances on TBN, The Gospel Music Channel, a dedicated YouTube.com channel (to include audio and video teasers), online listening parties and streams, and a world premiere of the "Justified" video on Gospel City. 

WASHINGTON – God appeared during Tuesday’s inauguration – that is in the prayers lifted up by the selected pastors and in President Barack Obama’s speech.

“On this day we have gathered because we have chosen hope over fear; unity and purpose over conflict and discord,” Obama, the 44th president, said in his inaugural address in front of an estimated 2 million people jam packed on the National Mall. He credited America’s pursuit of equality to God and asked for His grace as the United States of America strives to overcome mountain-high problems.

“The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit, to choose our better history to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea passed on from generation to generation, the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness,” he said to a roar of cheers.

True to his reputation as an inspiring leader, Obama delivered a speech acknowledging the reality of the enormous challenges that lay ahead of the nation, while at the same time reminding Americans that they are no less productive or inventive or capable than before during prosperous times.

“Starting from today we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and begin again the work of remaking America,” the new president declared.

He also extended a hand of friendship to the people and nations of the world declaring that America “is ready to lead once more.”

America is strong because of its “patchwork heritage,” Obama stated.

“We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus, and nonbelievers,” he said. “We are shaped by every language and culture drawn from every end of this earth and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass.”

“In this winter of our hardship … let it be said of our children’s children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter," Obama urged in the final words of his inaugural speech, "and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God’s grace upon us we carried forward that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.”

As part of the new president’s message of unity despite differences, conservative evangelical the Rev. Rick Warren of Saddleback Church in southern California was selected to deliver the invocation.

Warren called out to the “Almighty God” to give President Obama the “wisdom to lead with humility,” the “courage to lead with integrity” and the compassion “to lead us with generosity.”

Dubbed by some as “America’s pastor,” Warren pleaded for God in a clearly Christian prayer to forgive Americans when they only think about themselves, fight among themselves and forget about God.

“As we face these difficult days ahead, may we have a new birth of clarity in our aims, responsibility in our actions, humility in our approaches, civility in our attitudes, even when we differ,” Warren prayed.

“And may we never forget that one day all nations, all people will stand accountable before you,” he said before committing in prayer the new President and his family to the protection of the Lord.

Warren ended the prayer in the name of Jesus and also stating the Lord’s Prayer.

Similarly, the Rev. Joseph E. Lowery, co-founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered a powerful and distinctively Christian benediction to close the inauguration.

“We pray now, O Lord, for your blessing upon thy servant, Barack Obama, the 44th president of these United States…. He has come to this high office at a low moment in the nation … but God we know, you’ve got the whole world in your hands,” Lowery prayed.

The civil rights icon prayed to God to forgive America for its greed and corruption and help it “make choices on the side of love, not hate.”

“We know you will not leave us alone with your hands of power and your heart of love,” he prayed.

He ended with a poetic yet poignant vision of racial equality that left the crowd saying amen.

"We ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get in back, when brown can stick around, when yellow will be mellow, when the red man can get ahead, man; and when white will embrace what is right. That all those who do justice and love mercy say Amen."

The crowd shouted, "Amen!"