She challenges the Christian community in particular: “We should not be afraid to talk about it in North American churches. It is the very thing we should be addressing.”

Natalie Grant is a popular Christian recording artist who has a passionate concern for children involved in the commercial sex industry. While watching a “Law and Order” episode she was exposed to the harsh reality of child trafficking in the United Sates, where children are exploited as cheap labor, many as sex slaves. Now, she is using her voice not only to create music but also to increase awareness about the sexual exploitation of children around the world. 

The idea that adults would repeatedly abuse an innocent child for their own purposes is what motivated Grant to focus on this particular issue over others. “Children are not old enough to make decisions on their own to be involved in prostitution. They are being forced into it; they are not even old enough to spell their names. It is the most debased part of humanity I’ve ever seen,” says Grant. {pagebreak}

Awareness

What really caught Grant’s attention was the fact that children were being forced to become sex slaves so close to home. She says, “I could fathom it happening in a far-off place, but I was not prepared for that kind of reality here in the United States. 

“This is not just in India,” she explains. “The Department of Health and Human Services reports that 30,000 children were trafficked into the United States—into our own neighborhoods and towns.”

What can North Americans do to help reduce human trafficking?

“The first thing to do is to recognize it. It’s so dirty to think about that you don’t even want it to exist,” Grant says. She challenges the Christian community in particular: “We should not be afraid to talk about it in North American churches. It is the very thing we should be addressing.”

Natalie never thought her life would be changed by watching television, yet it was the spark that ignited her passion to help child prostitutes. Ever since her awakening to this issue, her life has changed; her focus has shifted. “Every day I’m amazed how God is opening doors for me to do this,” she says. “What I thought was going to be my life all along, playing music, is now my platform to encourage the church to get involved beyond their four walls—to do something that Jesus has taught us to: to love your neighbor as yourself.” {pagebreak}

Sending Resources

But simply knowing about the problem doesn’t solve it. The second thing Grant encourages North Americans to do is to support those who are already providing relief to victims. 

“We ask them what they need: food, clothing, whatever resources they need to keep building relationships. Do they need a playground?” says Grant about her partnerships with other relief organizations. “I want to do whatever we can to help [children] be able to become kids again and to give them their childhood back. I see some innocence still intact.”

Grant visited Bombay, India, to see the problem firsthand. She was saddened when she saw a little girl being kept in a cage right on the street as a sex slave on display.

After visiting Bombay, Grant was inspired to start the HOME Foundation. Natalie explains, “The special thing about the HOME Foundation is that I have 100 percent control of where the money goes. This year, all of it is going to the Bombay Teen Challenge and to build a medical facility for The Village at Ashagram.”

Bombay Teen Challenge helps women and children involved in the sex trade. It has a shelter in the red-light district of Bombay that provides food, shelter and educational assistance for the children of commercial sex workers. The medical facility known as The Village at Ashagram will be located about two hours outside of Bombay. It will provide medication and care to children once involved in the sex trade. This is much needed, because 85 percent of prostitutes and sex slaves rescued from the streets carry the AIDS virus. {pagebreak}

Grant was touched by the personal story of K. K. Deveraj, founder of Bombay Teen Challenge. According to Grant, “K. K. Deveraj was born into the highest caste in India.  His family in Lebanon is very wealthy from oil.  When he became a Christian at 21, his family disowned him, and he was kicked out of the highest caste forever. He turned his back on money and comfort to go back to India to work with the untouchables, in the heart of the red-light district, trying to get them out.” Grant is thankful that she can help support people like Deveraj, who has given his life to seek out and help these young girls unable to escape lives of abuse.

The innocence of childhood should be nurtured and protected at home. Grant named her foundation the HOME Foundation because she wants to help provide a way for children to feel safe. “As a little girl, I was given many comforts. I lived in a suburb with two parents. I had everything I could want and more,” she says. “And here I look at these girls who have nothing familiar: no mother’s arm, no pat on head from dad, no playground, sports, school—all the things we take for granted that are a part of a normal childhood.”

Grant explains, “No matter who we are, we need a place where we belong, where we feel safe, where our secrets can be told. These girls have none of that; it has been ripped away from them. Home is where they should be able to discover who they really are.” {pagebreak}

Prayer

The third thing Grant advises for those concerned about this issue is to pray. “Prayer is free, and you can do it anytime,” she explains. “I am a firm believer that prayer changes things. I can’t give an explanation, but I’ve seen it at work in my own life. I’m not a hero on the front lines, but I am doing everything I can to raise awareness. Relief workers need prayer. They are giving their lives for these people.”

Grant probably will not see the end of child prostitution, but she will see some lives changed through her foundation and organizations like Bombay Teen Challenge. Grant is optimistic about what she can do to help. She says, “[I want to] be like God. He sees individuals, not the sea of humanity. If I can just save one life, it will be worth it.” 

What You Can Do

Visit the HOME Foundation website to learn more about the programs being provided to help rescue girls from prostitution.

Sponsor a child through World Vision.  Sponsored children and their families are less likely to be exploited by human traffickers.

Read Children In Need’s report on the sexual exploitation of children.

Housing relief effort is now in "full swing" but needs your help to aid poverty stricken communities Rejoice Musical Soul Food, the nation's premiere 24-hour urban gospel music satellite network with over 40 radio affiliates, is partnering with

Food for the Poor to build homes in poverty stricken areas of Jamaica.  Founded in 1982, Food for the Poor is an interdenominational Christian relief and development organization working primarily in 16 countries in the Caribbean, Latin America and the United States to assist the poorest of the poor. "So that we could see their work firsthand, Food for the Poor, invited our CEO, Travis Mitchell, to Jamaica to see the desperate needs of the people," says Willie Mae McIver, Rejoice's Vice President, Radio Programming. "The images of white sandy beaches and exotic getaways that come to mind when thinking of Jamaica, are not the reality of many the nation’s poor. Based on the conditions that Travis witnessed, we would not want anyone to stay one more day in sub-human housing." {pagebreak}

As a part of its Rejoice Renewal commitment to help revitalize urban communities worldwide, Rejoice has set a goal to build 2,000 homes in Jamaica in 2007 and, 6,000 homes over three years. Rejoice is challenging its supporters including listeners, family, friends and advertisers to sponsor houses in Jamaica. A house can be built for only $2,600 and with a group 5 to 10 people working together, a monthly pledge can be fulfilled for between $25 and $50 per month. Here's a breakdown of how individuals can help:

• $87 pays for a cement foundation
• $160 pays for a roof
• $335 provides 2 windows, a door and hardware
• $1,050 provides the lumber
• $2,600 blesses a family with a new home!

During this season of giving, Rejoice is encouraging its listeners and supporters to call-in daily (1-888-243-0886) during the hours of 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and share how God has "blessed them." And in remembrance of this "blessing," Rejoice is asking each caller to prayerfully consider financially "blessing" a family in Jamaica. Rejoice's effort culminates in a national radio-thon on Wednesday, January 24, 2006. (All donations are processed by Food for the Poor and are tax deductible). To make donations supporters can call 1-888-505-7400.

It is sad to say, but it is human nature to defer fault, ever since Adam got in trouble in Genesis 3:12 and blamed his disobedience on his wife, that has perpetuated a curse. As of late, it seems that everybody has a good reason for doing something they should not. But strangely enough, there is such a universal desire to go to a new level in Christ, but God can't trust you with it because you don't trust him. Check this out! Excuses can only exist after breaking a set of rules that have been previously laid down. When you disobey someone, usually either it means that others have misled you, so you regard their opinion higher than the person who gave you the rules; or you think that something that the rule states lacks validity. At any rate, you display a lack of trust through your actions. If you do not fully trust God, how can you expect to mature in Him?

It is my belief that maturation is the key to manifestation. Simply put, once you grow in God, He can release certain things to you. Right now, a lot of us are deadlocked because we cannot own up to our faults, so God cannot let us posses our future. Paul said it best in 1 Corinthians 13:11, "When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me." Some of us are believing for manly blessings while harboring childish tendencies. By you steadily making excuses, you are attempting to portray yourself as perfect and it is common knowledge that there is only one perfect person who has ever walked this earth, Jesus! See, without confession you can never really experience true redemption, unless you say what you have done, how can God forgive you? Because we are in a time that men have become deceivers of themselves, no one is quick to claim wrongdoings because no one thinks that anything they do is wrong. {pagebreak}

As a Christian, you should be afraid to fess up to your faults. David was a man after God's own heart and he still messed up. But he did not try to sweep it under the rug by blaming it on anyone. In Psalms 51, it states, "that his sin is ever before him." He knew he had done wrong, he admitted it and he went on about his business. By trying to rationalize our mistakes, we do not fool God. In fact, in Galatians 6:7, it states, "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." By us not being upfront with God, all we are doing is adding to the harvest that we have to reap. Coming into this walk, we must realize God does not expect perfection, though he does require sincerity. He wants us to walk upright and have integrity. He already knows that sometimes we are prone to fall, but he is gracious to forgive us.

There is really no need for excuses. God is not big on cover-ups! Excuses do not enable you from taking responsibility. Ultimately, they disable you from receiving your blessing. In the word, it said that the just falleth several times, but the thing that makes them just is that they realize, take responsibility, and repent for their wrong doings. If you come correct with God in the first place, things will work out fine. The most important thing in any relationship is telling the unblemished truth. Every time we amend a story or we do not trust God enough with the truth, we weaken our relationship with the Father. "Stay on the Path!"

The worst thing about buying a home with bad credit isn't that it is that difficult. It's the fees and interest rates you'll have to pay for your home mortgage loan. Use the following techniques to repair that credit so that you can lower the rates you'll pay. If you don't have the time to do that, see part two for some other options.

If you have the time to do it, you can fix that bad credit, at least a little. This will not only make it easier to find a lender, but also get you a lower rate. Pay 2% less on that mortgage loan interest rate and you'll save more than $70,000 in interest over the years (based on a 30-year $140,000 loan). Here are some ways to fix that bad credit report.

First, see what's on it. To get access for free online, try a search for "free credit report." If you are denied credit based on a report from a local credit reporting agency, you can request a free credit report from that agency within 30 days. How do you fix what you see on the report? {pagebreak}

If there is anything to dispute in the report, write a letter to the agency. Explain exactly what is incorrect, and they must investigate. Send copies of cancelled checks or any other documentation by certified mail.

The agency has to (by law) contact the source of the disputed information. If they don't receive confirmation of the debt within 14 days, they have to delete the item, and send you an updated report. You can also demand that they send a corrected report to all creditors who received your credit report in the previous six months. This won't be done automatically, so be sure to demand it.

If the item is under $500, or over a year old, creditors often won't bother to respond. Thus, "fixing" a credit report is possible even if it is correct to begin with. You also have the right to dispute the item again after 30 days.

Longer-term, there are other things you can do to fix your bad credit. Stop charging things on credit cards. Don't have more than five credit cards. Keep balances to less than half the limits on the cards, even if this means transferring debt from one card to another. Stop making your credit score worse, and time alone will help (many items will be removed after seven years).  {page break}

Buying a home with bad credit doesn't mean you have to accept the high interest rates and fees of sub-prime lenders. You can buy a house in other ways. Here are some of them.

– Seller financing. Some sellers are willing to provide the financing for you to buy their home. Whether in the form of a "contract for sale" or an owner-carried mortgage, you may be able to make payments to the seller instead of the bank – and with no lending fees and lower interest.

– Lease option. If down payment is an issue, look for sellers willing to lease their house to you with an option to buy. Be sure that a portion of the lease payment applies towards the down payment for the home, and that you have enough time to prepare for the purchase. If, for example, only $200 of the rent applies towards the down payment, after two years you'll have just a $4,800 credit. Will that be enough? Will two years be enough time to correct your credit and save any additional money you'll need? {pagebreak} 

– Get creative. There are many creative ways to buy a home. In one case I know of, the landlord was anxious to move, so the buyer offered him full price and a decent interest rate for him to carry the financing, but with very little down. They closed in the first days of the month, so the small down payment came from the rents that were credited to the buyer. He moved into one of the units the following month.

– Reconsider your "bad credit." Limited income or a new job isn't the same as a bad credit score. Most banks won't even look at the income from your new business, for example, making it seem impossible for new business owners to get a loan. However, these days, banks really look at your credit score. If it is decent, you can get "no doc loans," which require no documentation of income.

You don't even need a job for these loans. A decent credit score – and nothing else – can get you up to 95% financing at many places now. Of course, depending on the credit score, the interest rate can be anywhere from 1/2% to 4% higher than conventional loans. Consider paying even higher interest to get a loan without fees if you will be able to refinance at a lower rate in the next year (perhaps once your new business hits that 2-year mark that bankers like to see).

Fortunately, buying a home with bad credit or even with no provable income, has become easier than ever.

Event is Christian/Gospel's official weekend training camp and
competition for signed and aspiring artists and songwriters will be
held at the Hyatt Regency Dallas

The Gospel Music Association (GMA) will host a GMA Academy event
February 16-17, 2007 in Dallas with Fo Yo Soul Entertainment/Zomba
recording artist Kirk Franklin and Ardent/INO Recording Artist Todd
Agnew. The Christian and gospel music industry's official weekend
training camp and talent competition for signed and aspiring artists
and songwriters, the GMA Academy event will be held at the Hyatt
Regency Dallas.

Academy registration is available online at www.gospelmusic.org.
January 16, 2007 is the deadline to register for the talent
competitions.
{pagebreak}
The GMA Academy was originally established to encourage and train
musical talent interested in developing a ministry or career in
Christian and gospel music. Through various seminars and critique
sessions, individuals receive in-depth instruction, covering practical
business concerns to improving artistic and songwriting skills, taught
by music industry professionals. The event also includes the
industry's oldest and most respected talent competition.

"The GMA Academy events are intensely rewarding. In one, focused,
weekend, registrants will make time to focus on their individual
calling in music, learn more about the inner-workings of the Christian
and gospel music industry, network with influential industry
executives and receive valuable feedback about songwriting and
performance skills. I cannot think of any more important way to spend
two days if I were an aspiring or independent artist or songwriter,"
said John W. Styll, president of the GMA.

The GMA Academy Dallas begins on Friday, February 16 for two days of
intensive training with tracks for songwriters and performers. Artists
Franklin and Agnew will participate in the GMA Academy event as
Artists-in-Residence and present a teaching concert on the first
night, along with the GMA Academy Regional SONG of 2007 Competition.
The event concludes Saturday night with the GMA Academy Regional
ARTIST 2007 Competition and showcase performances of the winners.
{pagebreak}
Winners from the talent competition at GMA Academy Dallas will be
invited to go on to the Artist & Song of 2007 National Competitions at
GMA Music in the Rockies, held in August 2007 in Estes Park, Colo.

In addition to Franklin and Agnew, GMA Academy Dallas will feature
influential professionals from all areas of the music business who
serve as faculty for the weekend event. Additionally, author and
speaker Reed Arvin will offer keynotes for each morning. Arvin is an
accomplished author, with his legal thrillers published around the
world in 13 different languages. His latest work, Blood of Angels
(2006, HarperTorch), has been named to numerous Top 10 lists since its
release. Prior to becoming an author, Arvin was an accomplished
musician/producer touring with artists Michael W. Smith and Amy Grant
and producing 12 #1 songs for the late Rich Mullins. Arvin served on
the original GMA Academy Advisory Council as dean, and was the
managing editor for the first GMA Academy music curriculum, which was
published in 1999.

Complete information and details about the GMA Academy Dallas can be
found here.
{pagebreak}
ABOUT THE GMA

Founded in 1964, the Gospel Music Association serves as the face and
voice for the Christian/Gospel music community and is dedicated to
exposing, promoting and celebrating the gospel through music of all
styles including pop, rock, praise & worship, black gospel, R&B, hip
hop, southern gospel, country, and more. The GMA community consists of
4,000 members including agents, artists, church leaders, managers,
promoters, radio personnel, record company executives, retailers,
songwriters and other industry visionaries. The GMA produces the GMA
Dove Awards, GMA Music Week, GMA Music in the Rockies, and the GMA
Academy. For more information, please visit www.gospelmusic.org.

Matthew and the Money Tree is unique, because in today's society money
and riches are overly coveted. This book teaches the moral lesson that
you do not need money to be happy

Matthew Lynch of Jackson, MS is a young man who has experienced a lot
of success over the past couple of years. He just published his first
book, his second book is about to be released, and started his own
company; all in a span of 14 months. In his second book, Matthew and
the Money Tree, he tackles the issues of poverty and greed.
{pagebreak}
While he was pursuing a Master's in Elementary Education at Jackson
State University, the majority of his class projects focused on
literacy, and more specifically children's literature. When he started
researching this genre of literature, he came to the conclusion that
there was a scarcity of quality children's literature for, and about
people of color. Most of the books that he found were not even written
by African American authors. Mr. Lynch wanted to create a children's
book based on an authentic African American folktale.

His thoughts immediately reverted back to his childhood. Growing up in
Hazlehurst, MS, there was a legend in the family about an old man and
a money tree. The old man who had worked his whole life as a field
laborer, but since he didn't have any family, he always had a surplus
of money. Some nights he could be seen walking through the woods,
always stopping at a certain tree. By the time he died, the old man
had amassed a small fortune, but no one, not even his friends, knew
exactly what happened to his money, so they theorized that he buried
it beneath the aforementioned tree.

Mr. Lynch was 7 years old when he first heard the story. His mind
immediately began to fantasize. He believed that this money tree
really existed and had money for leaves and coins for seeds. He would
leave home every morning looking for it, but never found the tree.
Although it was frustrating, it was a way to pass time and have fun
doing it. Matthew and the Money Tree is the first installment in a
series of children's books; based on Mr. Lynch's childhood
experiences. Be on the lookout for the next book about Matthew and his
adventures.
{pagebreak}
Matthew and the Money Tree is a wonderful tale for children and adults
alike. Matthew and the Money Tree is unique, because in today's
society money and riches are overly coveted. This book teaches the
moral lesson that you do not need money to be happy. Matthew is a
delightful character that gives children the idea that the simple
things in life are the true keys to happiness. A must have for
children of color.

Matthew and the Money Tree, can be purchased at your neighborhood
bookstore or by visiting the following websites: www.amazon.com,
ww.bn.com and www.booksamillion.com. Booksellers can order copies
through Baker & Taylor or by calling Lynch Publishing at (601)
506-0382.

We need an Injection of Spiritual Health and Fitness Back into this Country. Therefore, I urge you brothers and sisters in view of God's mercy to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, this is your spiritual worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is, his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1,2 As we approach the New Year let's take a different attitude towards how we look at Health and Fitness in this Country.

Your words were food, and I ate them, and your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart. Jeremiah 15:16

Path MEGAzine interviews ‘How Sweet the Sounds’ regional winner the Royalwood Sanctuary Choir from the Houston Texas leg of the competition.  The choir made a big impression on the judges with their rendition of ‘God Blocked it.’

The choir based out of the East side of Houston, TX is a strong candidate to take the whole competition.  Listen to footage from the big night, and our interview of the choir and lead singer Brittany Macey who tore up the song.

Click Here to find out more about the Pentecostals at Royalwood Church in Houston, Texas.

Path sits down with the General Manager and Vice President of Verity Records Mr. Jazzy Jordan.  Jazzy leads the most accomplished Gospel music label in the business. 

Jazzy takes us back to the days when he first started in the record business.  We talk about the days spent in the secular side of music, and he tells us why listening to God saved his life and kept him on the right Path. 

Jazzy spends years holding various positions in Gospel.  Find out what’s new with Jazzy and listen to his words of wisdom whether you’re an aspiring artist or just trying to find God’s intended Path for your life.   Interviewed by the Path’s Christin Gordon you do not want to miss this candid interview with an inspiring man of God.
 

Path MEGAzine catches up with Gospel artist James Hall at the Gospel Music Heritage Celebration in Houston, Texas.

James Hall is riding high after his 4 Stellar nominations and is gearing up for his new CD release with his choir the Voices of Citadel.  Hall is always fun to interview, watch now as Path MEGAzine’s Christin Gordon speaks with the Gospel great.  Visit www.pathmegazine.com for more great interviews.

A look Back at James Hall…

The leader of the gospel choir Worship and Praise, James Hall debuted in 1995 with God Is in Control; King of Glory appeared that same year, and in 1997 he returned with According to James Hall, Chapter 3. On March 24, 1998, Worship & Praise made history as the first gospel choir ever to record live at New York’s renowned Lincoln Center; the resulting performance was issued on CD that summer, followed later that same year by Messiah. We Celebrate Christmas with James Hall appeared in 1999. We Are At War followed in spring 2001.  One of my favorite albums came in 2007 and 2009 with Live at Foxwoods and “Won’t it be Wonderful.”