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Welcome to the EUR Gospel for All The Gospel News You Can Use. EUR Gospel is a potpourri of gospel entertainment news and, well, other kinds of stories and good stuff.
The Word of God is nourishment for your soul. Read it daily, it will make you whole.
TODAY’S SERVING OF “SOUL FOOD”: Psalm 145: 17; 20
The Lord is righteousness in all His ways, Gracious in all His works.
He will fulfill the desire of all who seek Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. . .
The Lord will preserve all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.
NKJV
As we celebrate Mother’s Day, EUR Gospel wishes grace and prosperity to moms everywhere. To those without biological mothers, who are orphaned and alone, please remember, God is a mother to the motherless.
May 12, 2006
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In This Issue:
• JCTV TO LAUNCH NEW SHOW, ‘STIR IT UP’
• MORE GOSPEL MOMS MOTHER’S DAY PLANS
• DENITRIA CHAMP PERFORMS ON OPRAH ON MONDAY
• BILLY PRESTON ILLNESS UPDATE
• BLACK ENTERPRISE EXAMINES MEGA CHURCH BUSINESS
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JCTV TO LAUNCH NEW SHOW, ‘STIR IT UP’: Show will focus on music, lifestyle, and entertainment within Christian community
ATLANTA, GA - JCTV will launch the newest addition to the network, Stir It Up -- a groundbreaking show that seeks to stir up Christianity by taking God out of the box and into the streets through music, lifestyle discussions, and special guest performances. Stir It Up's structure brings the same intensity and edginess that viewers see on other music networks into a faith-based setting.
Hosted by Vonnie B-a key producer, singer, and songwriter of the gospel music industry-the show's concept was developed to teach young people how to incorporate God in every day life. Vonnie B says she envisioned the show's mission after hearing a young man's plea for something that represents the younger generation's relationship with Christ.
"Many of our young adults feel disillusioned with the church and religious organizations," said Vonnie B. "By taking tradition out of religion, the show will speak to those believers who want to worship God in spirit and in truth without isolating their individual faiths."
Vonnie B's personal aspiration to illustrate to young viewers the ability to allow their gifts to come forth in every aspect of their life is the driving force behind the show's creation. JCTV, TBN's youth-based network, has become the perfect forum for such programming since their initiation in 2002. Offering 24 hours of faith-based programming that includes reality, talk, music, and game shows, JCTV has proven itself as one of the most exciting and innovative networks on the air.
"We are extremely delighted to add this show to our overall lineup," said Mark McCallie, Executive Producer at JCTV. "After four years of broadcasting Christian-themed shows targeted to young viewers, it is a blessing to make room for yet another cutting-edge program that will inspire, motivate, and transform lives."
Bursting at the seams with real talk, comedic and live performances from gospel artists such as Kiki Sheard, Third Day, and Kirk Franklin, the show's formula for success will definitely stir up many in the Christian community.
"Both the Christian and secular world are in need of an outlet that transcends the boundaries placed by orthodox religion," said Pastor Donald E. Battle, pastor and co-founder of Divine Faith Ministries International. "This show will be the very embodiment of the purpose God has placed on our lives-to introduce Him to those seeking His promise and comfort outside the spiritual realm."
While the show may leave some reminiscent of '106 and Park' sprinkled with a bit of 'TRL', viewers will not lose sight of the underlying message that their individual gifts can be stirred up through a loving relationship with God. Source: Press Release
GOSPEL’S DENETRIA CHAMP TO PERFORM ON OPRAH’S ABC NETWORK PRIMETIME SPECIAL": Oprah invites 'Amerca's Next Big Star' to sing at legendary ball
Any artist who can live up to a comparison to the Queen of Soul is destined for musical greatness. A student in Aretha Franklin’s vocal styling, JDI recording artist Denetria Champ has been dubbed “The Aretha Franklin of Gospel Music.” With the release of her first CD, “I Realy Love You,” she has already made believers out of gospel fans as a three time 2005 Stellar award nominee (Female Vocalist of the Year and New artist of the Year). The world will hear the rich traces of Mrs. Franklin’s extraordinary voice as Champ sings her latest single, "When God Gets Through with Me" on Monday, May 15 on the ABC Primetime Special, Oprah’s Legends Ball.
A once in a lifetime occurrence that usually takes from now to never to happen for most artists happened relatively fast for Denetria. Steve Allen, Champ’s Manager explains that fate and divine favor landed Champ the privilege to appear before the talk show royal heiness’ court at the Gospel Brunch, which was but a portion of the three-day soiree held at Oprah’s ranch: Eric (Denetria's friend), who has been following her music for a while, gave dubbed copies of the CD to Oprah's hairstylist, Andrea and some other employees who were awe-stricken by the ear candy. The project eventually made its way to the Ms. Winfrey's desk and Oprah loved it so much she calls “When God Get Through With Me” one of her favorite songs. Within two months producers called and invited Champ to participate in the Legends Sunday Gospel Brunch along with gospel notables, The Hawkins Family, Bebe Winans, and Lionel Harris.
Less than a handful of gospel acts have entertained the Oprah audience in twenty years, such as the Winans Family, Donnie McClurkin and most recently harpist Jeff Majors.
Incidentally, the legend-in-the-making recorded the Legends performance before meeting Aretha Franklin. Rev. Jesse Jackson introduced the two songbirds at the Stellar Awards this year.
Oprah’s Legends Ball, which has been in the works for a year, is a tribute to African American women who have influenced the lives of others in the areas of art, entertainment and Civil Rights The 25 legendary women celebrated include Maya Angelou, Shirley Caesar, Diahann Carroll, Elizabeth Catlett, Ruby Dee, Katherine Dunham, Roberta Flack, Aretha Franklin, Nikki Giovanni, Dorothy Height, Lena Horne, the late Coretta Scott King, Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle, Toni Morrison, Rosa Parks, Leontyne Price, Della Reese, Diana Ross, Naomi Sims, Tina Turner, Cicely Tyson, Alice Walker, Dionne Warwick and Nancy Wilson.
When Oprah schedules a play date her platinum list of friends show up by the dozens: Yolanda Adams, Tyler Perry, Barbara Streisand, Susan Taylor, John Travolta, Tom Cruise and wife Katy, were in attendance to name a few.
ABC Network will air Oprah’s Legends Ball Monday at 8:00 p.m.
MAY ISSUE OF BLACK ENTERPRISE EXAMINES MEGA CHURCH BUSINESS: The ministry growth, how mega churches are handling business
Church business administration has gone from operating by a governing body such as a board of trustees and church secretary to full blown corporate structure. Pastoral leadership, in addition to meeting preaching and counseling requirements has changed so that pastors must command their ranks as CEOs and CFOs. This shift is due largely to the emergence of mega churches. It takes business saavy to manage the exponential growth these ministries see and how they do it has caught mainstream interest.
Three clergymen grace the cover of the May issue of Black Enterprise, Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell, Bishop TD Jakes and Bishop Eddie Long to share their philosophies about “The Business of Faith.” The article includes thoughts about developing the church as an epicenter for economic empowerment in our communities. Black Enterprise is available on news stands now.
MORE GOSPEL MOMS SHARE MOTHER’S DAY PLANS: More scoop on how celebrity moms celebrate the big day
Lisa McClendon
I will spend time with my husband and children. Simple? Maybe to some but for an artist that is big, considering I have been on the road on Mother's Day for the last three years.
Most precious Mother's Day memory? Mother's Day 2000 because I was pregnant. And I remember people saying, "we will be able to tell you Happy Mother's Day next year" and my reply was "I'm a mama now." I understood that my responsibilities as a mother started the day of conception not the day of delivery.
Lisa is the mother of two, Diamond 5 and Joshua months.
Erica Cambell of Mary Mary
I'll b spending Mother's Day partially in Detroit for a Mother's Day luncheon, and then I'm flying home to spend the other part at home with my family. Every one is special because my mom is amazing. She raised nine kids; she's done so much with so little! Now I have to. My “mother-n-love” is wonderful too!
Erica has one beautiful baby girl named Krista Nicole. She's 19 months old, and mom proudly says “She loves to sing already!”
BILLY PRESTON UPDATE: Court room battles rage on for family to gain visitation rights
Billy Preston’s sisters are battling his manager in court for visitation rights and protection of his estate as he clings to life in an Arizona hospital. Preston is a well-known pianist from the 60's whose marvelous ability on the keys earned him a spot as the “Fifth Beatle” before they departed. Lettie Preston, the younger sister of Billy Preston issued a plea to media claiming her brother may be near death in a Scottsdale and his manager is stopping them from seeing the ailing star.
The source of the riff is unclear, but other news reports dating as far back as January 2006 have confirmed Preston as 'seriously ill.'
Sisters Rodena, who resides in California and Lettie who lives in Texas were denied to right to have a prayer vigil at their brother’s bedside, have no levity in the situation. Preston’s business manager has insisted that her client’s desire is to keep his family members out of his affairs.
Lettie’s letter states that the "business manager has given the hospitals a 'Medical Power of Attorney' with a clause that prohibits family members from being at his bedside."
Fox writer Roger Friedman gave an update on the story: ". . .the Billy Preston situation has been temporarily resolved. In court the other day, Joyce Moore retained her medical power of attorney. Preston will remain in Arizona and continue to receive the best care." This decision came in part because neither defendant is a resident in the state of Arizona. A Gag order was imposed on the two heart-broken sisters Friday, Mar 31after this court appearance.
The story went on to say that Preston is in a semi coma., but the sisters are in the dark as to what their sibling’s exact medical status is. He suffered kidney failure from a transplant earlier this year.
Rodena said they are crushed, but they are determined to continue to fight for their mentally absent brother. The sisters say they know that their brother would never make such a request and can not speak for himself in comatose state. They will be back in court on Mon, May 15 hoping to see their helpless loved one face to face.
This story is developing.
NO information from this report can be reprinted without specific written permission from Rabercom Enterprises (info@rabercom.com), the publisher of EUR Gospel.
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