http://www.thefaithspot.com/ Mon, 01 Dec 2008 14:16:45 -0500 http://www.konsort.org en http://www.thefaithspot.com/article/article_23/ http://www.thefaithspot.com/article/article_23/ Mon, 16 Jul 2007 10:45:39 -0400 admin http://www.thefaithspot.com/article/article_23/
After Pastor Kee saw the need to establish the computer lab in the Double Oaks Community, he contacted many businesses and corporations to get financial sponsors and he says, “They were moving too slow. I wanted to be a blessing to this community immediately. I joined together with the partakers at New Life Fellowship Center and a few of my business partners throughout the country and we, together were able to literally get the job done!”

Kee states, “Often times the inner city population gets left out when the city officials are budgeting for literacy programs. I wanted to create an avenue for people of all ethnic groups and backgrounds to be able to come in and learn foreign languages, how to read, and gain basic computer skills.”

The Ethel G. Shannon Computer Lab is located at 1337 Samuel Street, Charlotte, NC.]]> http://www.thefaithspot.com/article/article_56/ http://www.thefaithspot.com/article/article_56/ Thu, 13 Sep 2007 17:36:56 -0400 Bro_Antonio http://www.thefaithspot.com/article/article_56/ Thursday September 13, 2007

9-10PM CDT on MSNBC



Bishop Carlton D. Pearson will be featured on MSNBC Special "To Hell and Back"

To Hell and Back (Premiere)
Carlton Pearson was a Pentecostal Bishop who became a mega preacher… a star. He'd been invited to the center of influence, taken under the wing of Oral Roberts, but he staked it all on a change of heart: he stopped believing in Hell (as he’d been taught), and started preaching about it. And he had no idea what was in store.

For “inquiring minds" that want to know…Tune in tonight and tell your friends to watch!



Here's the link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036750/


]]> http://www.thefaithspot.com/article/article_58/ http://www.thefaithspot.com/article/article_58/ Mon, 17 Sep 2007 10:56:47 -0400 admin http://www.thefaithspot.com/article/article_58/
To our Presiding Bishop, Horace D. Smith To my own Bishop in California Henry Johnson and in the the Loving memory and honor of the Late Great Bishop R.W. Mc Murray, Bishop Charles L. Taylor and My Father District Elder A.C. Williams Sr. I would like to say Praise the Lord.

I am writing on this Myspace Page of my organization to say that due to the high volume of controversy around the world concerning my recent but distant decisions, I would like to submit my deepest regret for any shame that this may have caused my Bishops and or Body Members.

This was not meant to bring a reproach , but it was meant to bring closure to one of the darkest chapters of my life from whence I came out alive, thank God.

I would like to publically apologize for any action deed or word that may have caused breach, embarrassment, or shame to the legacy of our great organization P.A.W. and to any other Denominations that have done their best to support me even if they didn't understand me.

I justify nothing, but I repent for anything that may have caused some to stumble. Indeed, I did tell the "Naked" truth but the bible also does state that "all things are lawful but not expedient."

The world experienced my purging, my therapy session and the release of puss, vomit, anger, and rage that all humans have the propensity to demonstrate --- I do not ask a pardon for the Sin, only for the anger and discouragement and resentment that came from years of misappropriated slander toward myself and my family.
In other words, things just honestly came to a head and busted.

To every Youth Pastor, to every parent and young person that I hurt or let down , I am truly and deeply remorsed if I caused you pain or embarrasment, please forgive me and restore me. My issue was public, so therefore I needed to publically ask for forgiveness. From your understanding of your own private stuggles I ask that you at least understand. I'm not asking any of you to agree, just forgive me....I'm truly sorry. However, I'm glad to report that since that song released in June of 2007 I have become a new creature.
I have never been so relieved and freed from my past and the future looks very bright ahead.

I'm am currently under the care and counsel of Bishop Norman Wagoner, and locally I'm am covered by District Elder Dwayne Shepherd of Greater Apostolic Faith Temple Church which is my Home church where I came from.

All of these things I submit humbly and respectfully and pray restoration with meekness. If a public rebuke is neccessary I'm willing to recieve it, but please know in my heart that I know Who Jesus really is. I still teach and preach the apostles' doctrine accodring to Acts 2:38 and I'm a TOTALLY on fire for Jesus. My mission is clear; unify the body for the edification of the Kingdom. To reach the masses through mainstream media with creativity and a real flow of the unadulterated anointing.

Am I perfect ? no . Will I still make mistakes, most likely. But I am completely and totally striving for excellence through Jesus Christ Our Savior. Anyone that needs to respond feel free to hit me up at

www.myspace.com/theofficialtonex

Thank you all for reading this lengthy but imperative open apology.


Sincerely
Anthony C. Williams II
P.K.A. Tonex]]> http://www.thefaithspot.com/article/article_69/ http://www.thefaithspot.com/article/article_69/ Tue, 25 Sep 2007 08:03:20 -0400 Bro_Antonio http://www.thefaithspot.com/article/article_69/ http://www.thefaithspot.com/article/article_75/ http://www.thefaithspot.com/article/article_75/ Wed, 03 Oct 2007 07:49:12 -0400 Bro_Antonio http://www.thefaithspot.com/article/article_75/

Hollywood United Methodist Church
6817 Franklin Avenue, Hollywood, CA 90028
www.hollywoodumc.org


Oct. 13, 2007


Please join us for the launching of the Wake Up campaign October 13th at Hollywood United Methodist Church at 10:30am. At this time Brennan Manning, Bishop Carlton Pearson and Jay Bakker will speak. This launch will help our campaign convey a new message, a new movement and a new consciousness of the vastness of God’s love.

PROSPECTIVE


10:30– 11:00
Processional: Clergy and The U.P. Choir


11:00–11:30
Affirmation


Debbie Allen Dance Academy



The U.P. Choir from Understanding Principles Church Dellas Reeses Church


11:00–11:30
Speaker: Jay Bakker (One Punk Under God)


11:30–11:45
Music: The U.P. Choir


11:45–12:30
Speaker: Brennan Manning


12:30–2:00
LUNCH BREAK


2:00–2:30
Bel Air Presbyterian Praise Team


2:30–3:00
Speaker: Carlton Pearson



]]> http://www.thefaithspot.com/article/article_104/ http://www.thefaithspot.com/article/article_104/ Tue, 06 Nov 2007 14:44:17 -0500 bbran30 http://www.thefaithspot.com/article/article_104/

Photo Gallery: Ministries Under Scrutiny

AP (2) Eddie Long, left, and Benny Hinn are among six televangelists whose ministries are being investigated by a Senate panel. The other four are led by Paula White, Joyce Meyer, Creflo Dollar and Kenneth Copeland.
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Letters were sent Monday to the ministries demanding that financial statements and records be turned over to the committee by Dec. 6.

According to Grassley's office, the Iowa Republican is trying to determine whether or not these ministries are improperly using their tax-exempt status as churches to shield lavish lifestyles.

The six ministries identified as being under investigation by the committee are led by: Paula White, Joyce Meyer, Creflo Dollar, Eddie Long, Kenneth Copeland and Benny Hinn. Three of the six - Benny Hinn, Kenneth Copeland and Creflo Dollar - also sit on the Board of Regents for the Oral Roberts University.

A spokesperson for Joyce Meyer Ministries provided CBS News with an IRS letter to the ministry dated October 10, 2007, that stated: "We determined that you continue to qualify as an organization exempt from Federal income tax." The letter could not be independently verified in time for this story. The ministry also pointed to audited financial statements for the last three years that are posted on the organization's website.

In a statement, Benny Hinn's spokesperson, Ronn Torossian, said the ministry was in the process of determining the best course of action in response to the Senate investigation. "World Healing Center Church complies with the laws that govern church and non-profit organizations and will continue to do so," Torossian wrote.


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More StoriesIn a statement to CBS News, Creflo Dollar called his ministry an "open book" and said he would comply with any "valid request" from Grassley. But he noted that the inquiry raised questions that could "affect the privacy of every community church in America."

The other three ministries did not respond to requests for comment from CBS News on Monday.

Because they have tax status as churches, the ministries do not have to file IRS 990 forms like other non-profit organizations - leaving much financial information largely behind closed doors.

The letters sent Monday were the culmination of a long investigation fueled in part by complaints from Ole Anthony, a crusader against religious fraud who operates the Dallas-based Trinity Foundation, which describes itself as a watchdog monitoring religious media, fraud and abuse. "We've been working with them for two years," Anthony told CBS News. "We have furnished them with enough information to fill a small Volkswagen."

Anthony said after twenty years of working with media organizations to expose televangelists, he saw little reform. He says that's why he turned to another tactic, going straight to Grassley. He is confident that Grassley's inquiry will be different, "What we hope is that this will lead to reform in religious nonprofits."

The structure of many televangelist organizations - in which the leadership is often concentrated in one person or one family - has itself been the target of criticism. "Churches like these are ruled as a dictatorship," says Rod Pitzer, who directs research at Ministry Watch in North Carolina, which provides advice for donors to Christian organizations.

Pitzer welcomes the Senate committee investigation. Ministries lacking accountability, he says, "give a black eye to churches and Christians who are trying to do things in the right manner."
]]> http://www.thefaithspot.com/article/article_119/ http://www.thefaithspot.com/article/article_119/ Sun, 09 Dec 2007 21:55:35 -0500 GB http://www.thefaithspot.com/article/article_119/
Winans sings “You Just Don’t Want To Know” and “I Still Believe” from his new CD Alone But Not Alone as well as “Hark the Herald Angels Sing.” New Modern Worship and Urban duo Distinguished performs “Warriors/Worshippers” from their recent debut CD of the same name.

Artists scheduled to perform on The Kitchen Sink in the weeks ahead include: Byron Cage and Jake Smith (Dec. 15); DecembeRadio and VaShawn Mitchell (Dec. 22); Jars of Clay and Mr. Del (Jan. 5); Matthew West and Maurette Clarke Brown (Jan. 12).

The Kitchen Sink is an hour-long music performance, news, entertainment and variety program and is the only national show of its kind featuring Christian and gospel music. In addition to the live in-studio performances, The Kitchen Sink features lively interviews, world premiere videos, the latest entertainment news and previews, undiscovered new talent, inspiring feature stories and more. Episodes of The Kitchen Sink encore Saturday at 11:00 p.m., Sundays at noon, 6:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m., Mondays at 10:00 a.m. and Tuesdays at 2:00 p.m. (All times Eastern.) Check www.gospelmusicchannel.com for listings.

The Kitchen Sink is the newest addition to Gospel Music Channel’s line-up of original programming; the channel has become the largest producer of original Gospel/Christian music television in the world, producing more than 200 hours of series, concerts, specials and video. GMC’s program schedule features engaging series, artist biographies, music specials, live concerts, and hosted music videos for the entire family.


Gospel Music Channel (www.gospelmusicchannel.com) is the nation’s first and only 24/7 all music entertainment television network devoted to the uplifting, inspiring and diverse music that is gospel/Christian music. It is one of the fastest-growing cable channels in television today; the network has doubled availability in 2007 alone and is now carried in all ten of the top ten markets and 22 of the top 25. Gospel Music Channel can be seen on various cable systems around the country.

]]> http://www.thefaithspot.com/article/article_120/ http://www.thefaithspot.com/article/article_120/ Sun, 09 Dec 2007 21:59:07 -0500 GB http://www.thefaithspot.com/article/article_120/
The 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards will be held on "GRAMMY Sunday," Feb. 10, 2008, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and once again will be broadcast live in high definition TV and 5.1 surround sound on CBS from 8 – 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT).

GRAMMY ballots for the final round of voting will be mailed on Dec. 12 to the voting members of The Recording Academy. They are due back to the accounting firm of Deloitte by Jan. 9, 2008, when they will be tabulated and the results kept secret until the telecast.

Below are nominations in the Christian/gospel music categories.

Best Gospel Performance
(For solo, duo, group as collaborative performances. Singles or tracks with vocal containing Gospel lyrics. All genres of Gospel music are eligible.)

East To West
Casting Crowns
Track from: The Altar And The Door
[Beach Street Records/Reunion Records]


Blessed & Highly Favored
The Clark Sisters
Track from: Live - One Last Time
[EMI Gospel]


Never Gonna Break My Faith
Aretha Franklin & Mary J. Blige (Featuring The Harlem Boys Choir)
Track from: Bobby: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
[Island Def Jam]


With Long Life
Israel And New Breed Featuring T-Bone
Track from: A Deeper Level
[Integrity Music]


He Set My Life To Music
CeCe Winans
Track from: She Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool - A Tribute To Barbara Mandrell
[BNA Records]

Best Gospel Song
(A Songwriter(s) Award. For Song Eligibility Guidelines see Category #3. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.)

Blessed & Highly Favored
Karen Clark-Sheard, songwriter (The Clark Sisters)
Track from: Live - One Last Time
[EMI Gospel; Publisher: K. Sheard's Melody]


East To West
Mark Hall & Bernie Herms, songwriters (Casting Crowns)
Track from: The Altar And The Door
[Beach Street Records/Reunion Records; Publishers: Club Zoo Music, Sparrow Song, Swecs Music, Banahama Tunes/Word Music]


Encourage Yourself
Donald Lawrence, songwriter (Donald Lawrence & The Tri-City Singers)
Track from: The Grand Finale: Encourage Yourself
[EMI Gospel; Publishers: QW Songs/Zomba Publishing]


Made To Love
Cary Barlowe, Toby McKeehan, Jamie Moore & Aaron Rice, songwriters (TobyMac)
Track from: Portable Sounds
[ForeFront Records; Publishers: Achtober Songs/Emack Music/Lowe Bar Music/Jammu Music/Rizzle Music]


Praise On The Inside
James L. Moss, songwriter (J. Moss)
[Gospo Centric; Publisher: Millenni-era Music]

Category 53

Best Rock Or Rap Gospel Album
(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)

Before The Daylight's Shot
Ashley Cleveland
[204 Records]


HIStory: Our Place In His Story
The Cross Movement
[Cross Movement Records]


Open Book
Da' T.R.U.T.H.
[Cross Movement Records]


The Reckoning
Pillar
[Flicker Records]


Comatose
Skillet
[Atlantic/Lava/Ardent/INO]

Category 54


Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album
(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)

The Altar And The Door
Casting Crowns
[Beach Street Records/Reunion Records]


A Deeper Level
Israel And New Breed
[Integrity Music]


True Beauty
Mandisa
[Sparrow Records]


Stand
Michael W. Smith
[Reunion Records]


Portable Sounds
TobyMac
[ForeFront Records]

Best Southern, Country, Or Bluegrass Gospel Album
(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)

Amazing Grace
Bill & Gloria Gaither And The Homecoming Friends
[Gaither Music Group]


Journey Of Joy
Karen Peck And New River
[Daywind Records]


Everybody's Brother
Billy Joe Shaver
[Compadre Records]


Salt Of The Earth
Ricky Skaggs & The Whites
[Skaggs Family Records]


Tell Someone
Kenny & Amanda Smith Band
[Rebel Records]


I'll Fly Away: Country Hymns & Songs Of Faith
Various Artists
Ed Cash, producer
[Sparrow Records]

Best Traditional Gospel Album
(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)

Live - One Last Time
The Clark Sisters
[EMI Gospel]


The Grand Finale': Encourage Yourself
Donald Lawrence & The Tri-City Singers
[EMI Gospel]


Life Changing
Smokie Norful
[EMI Gospel]


Thirsty
Marvin Sapp
[Verity]


Cherch
Bebe Winans
[Koch Records]

Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album
(For albums containing 51% or more playing time of VOCAL tracks.)


Grateful
Coko
[Light Records]


Free To Worship
Fred Hammond
[Verity]


V2…
J. Moss
[Gospo Centric/Zomba Gospel]


T57
Trin-I-Tee 5:7
[Spirit Rising Music/Music World Entertainment]


Alone But Not Alone
Marvin Winans
[Pure Springs Gospel]
The 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards are produced by John Cossette Productions and AEG Ehrlich Ventures for The Recording Academy. Ken Ehrlich and John Cossette are executive producers, Walter C. Miller is producer/director, Tisha Fein is the coordinating producer, and Tzvi Small is supervising producer.

Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards — the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music — The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs. In its 50th year, The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. For more information about The Academy, please visit www.grammy.com.
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New York — The viewers have spoken! Crystal Aikin has been named BET’s SUNDAY BEST! The 33-year-old Tacoma, Washington native beat out Shari Addison, 46, in the gospel reality competition. Over a 10-week season, Aikin’s bubbly personality and big voice captured the hearts of viewers—bringing in the larger percentage of the more than 1.5 million total votes. Along with the title, Aikin brings home a national recording contract with Zomba Gospel, a 2008 Toyota Camry and a $300,000 Tide "Loads of Hope" prize package for her community. The one-hour finale included special performances byplatinum-selling gospel songstress Yolanda Adams and series’ host, Kirk Franklin.
As an emergency room nurse, Crystal Aikin placed her career aside, entered the competition and followed her call to minister to the masses in song. Learning about the SUNDAY BEST competition from a stranger who sought her out after hearing her sing more than eight years ago, Crystal used her mother’s frequent flyer miles and traveled to the Los Angeles auditions for a mere $2.50. From the beginning, Aikin immediately captured the attention of all with her powerhouse voice. Belting out touching and hand-clapping selections each week, Aikin wowed the judges and America alike.

“This journey has been busy, exhausting, fun, and anticipatory,” said Aikin. “It's a blessed and privileged opportunity to be the SUNDAY BEST winner and to God be all the glory.”

About BET Networks
BET Networks, a division of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is the nation's leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 87 million households according to Nielsen Media Research, and can be seen in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; BET Digital Networks - BET J, BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Event Productions, a full-scale event management and production company; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Mobile, a service venture into the lucrative world of ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, an extension of BET network programming for global distribution
]]> http://www.thefaithspot.com/article/article_122/ http://www.thefaithspot.com/article/article_122/ Tue, 11 Dec 2007 13:18:15 -0500 admin http://www.thefaithspot.com/article/article_122/ art.murrayireport1.jpg

A former roommate took this photo of Matthew Murray performing in a December 14, 2002, Christmas program.
Click to view previous image
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"You Christians brought this on yourselves," Murray wrote at 11:03 a.m. on Sunday, CNN affiliate KUSA reported on its Web site.

"I'm coming for EVERYONE soon and I WILL be armed to the @#%$ teeth and I WILL shoot to kill," the KUSA report quoted from the final posting.

With the exception of symbols used to replace an expletive, this was the same wording used by Eric Harris in a posting before he and Dylan Klebold went on a shooting rampage at Columbine High School in 1999.

The posting, under the user name "nghtmrchld26," was made several hours after Murray killed two people at the Youth With a Mission Center in Arvada, Colorado, and a few hours before Murray killed two people at the New Life Church in Colorado Springs. He later died in a shootout with a church security guard. Video Watch accounts of shooting victim, former bunkmate »

Five years ago, the Youth With A Mission center left Murray off a missionary trip for which he had trained.

Peter Warren, director of the missionary center, said Monday that managers left Murray off the 2002 trip to Bosnia for health reasons.
Don't Miss

* Security guard who stopped shooter credits God
* KUSA: Gunman's Web postings warn of shootings

Joe Istre, president of Association of Former Pentecostals and administrator of the Web forum Murray used, said several of the forum's members tried to help Murray in recent months.

"He appeared to be an isolated person," Istre said. "We tried to tell him to get help, to get some counseling, but he just laughed at it."

A psychologist offered to help Murray after reading a poem he posted called "Crying all alone in pain in the nightmare of Christianity," KUSA reported.

"I've already been working with counselors," Murray replied, according to KUSA. "I have a point to make with all this talk about psychologists and counselors 'helping people with their pain.'"

Istre said the Sunday posting was the first one that included violent threats.

"He scared a lot of people in the forum throughout the last few months with some of pretty crazy posts but never anything violent."

Istre said he was allowed to continue his postings "because he needed to vent."

Murray also copied from the writings of Columbine gunman Harris in another case:

"God, I can't wait till I can kill you people. Feel no remorse, no sense of shame, I don't care if I live or die in the shoot-out. All I want to do is kill and injure as many of you ... as I can especially Christians who are to blame for most of the problems in the world."

While making the postings, Murray also sent hate mail to the mission center, the Rocky Mountain News reported.

I-Report contributor Richard Werner, 34, said Monday he was a worker at the center in Arvada, Colorado, in 2002, the same time as Murray.

Werner said five days before Murray was told in 2002 he could not make the Bosnia trip, Murray performed a pair of dark rock songs at a concert at the mission that made fellow workers "pretty scared."

The performance -- which included a song by rock band Linkin Park and another that had been recorded by controversial rocker Marilyn Manson -- followed months of strange behavior, Werner said.

Werner, of Balneario Camborius, Brazil, said he had a bunk near Murray's and that Murray would roll around in bed and make noises.

"He would say, 'Don't worry, I'm just talking to the voices,' " Werner said. "He'd say, 'Don't worry, Richard. You're a nice guy. The voices like you.' "

Werner said he instantly suspected Murray when he heard the news of Sunday's shootings.

"I turned to my wife and I said, 'I know who did it. It's Matthew,' " he said. "It was so obvious.

"For four months, he was sleeping right next to me. Those are the things you don't imagine, but when it happened it was so obvious."

Werner said his "heart is crushed" by news of the shootings.

Phil Abeyta, who identified himself as Murray's uncle, read a statement from the family Monday asking for forgiveness.
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"Our family cannot express the magnitude of our grief for the victims and families of this tragedy," he said. " ... We cannot understand why this has happened."]]>