“Never Would Have Made It” reaches More Than 1 Million In Ringtone Sales New York, NY – June 4, 2009 – The milestones continue to pour in for Marvin Sapp’s “Never Would Have Made It,” which has officially sold 1,254,957 ringtones. Fans just can’t get enough of the recordbreaking tune that was named Top Song of 2008 by The Associated Press and remained #1 at Gospel radio for 47 weeks, making it the longest #1 radio single for all formats.
more success for
gosp e l today | Jun 8, ‘09
Marvin Sapp
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“This is so exciting! I remain humbled by the overwhelming response to this song and thank everyone who made “Never Would Have Made It” their ringtone,” says Marvin Sapp. “This is truly more than I could ask or think, and I am grateful.” Catherine Seligman, RCA/Jive Label Group Director of Mobile Marketing says: “I’m elated that Marvin
has reached this level of achievement in the mobile marketplace. The Gospel market is one of the growing segments in mobile. “Never Would Have Made It” is an inspiration to all and offers a wonderful personalization experience for fans to enjoy on their mobile devices.” James “Jazzy” Jordan, Executive Vice President, Verity Gospel Music Group, says: “This is a tremendous achievement for Marvin Sapp and for Gospel music. With digital sales flourishing in other genres, we are thrilled to have surpassed the 1 million mark in Gospel music. For Marvin Sapp to be the first is another proud moment for a more than deserving artist.” Marvin Sapp is currently touring around the country and is scheduled to perform July 5 at the Essence Music Festival’s tribute to Bishop T.D. Jakes.
Have Lunch with Dr. Sujay When you think of lunchtime, you probably think of time that is “unencumbered” with thoughts of work; it’s a time when most people relax or socialize over a meal. However, speaker, author, entrepreneur and former Clinton Spiritual advisor, Dr. Suzan Johnson-Cook, affectionately known as Dr. Sujay, challenges you to invest 30-minutes of your lunch hour and feed your soul and spirit. Johnson-Cook, who The New York Times dubbed “Billy Graham and Oprah rolled into one,” states, “The purpose of this challenge is to inspire people to believe that they are more than their circumstances, to intentionally take their eyes off of their problems and place them on God; the ONLY one who can change their current situation and give them unexplainable peace in these turbulent times.”
Staring June 16th, Dr. Sujay will host “Wonderful Washington Worship,” described as a half –hour “Spiritual Stimulus Package.” Each Tuesday from June 16th to July 27th, WWW will occur at 12:1512:45pm; at Mt. Vernon Place United Methodist Church (900 Massachusetts Ave., Washington, D.C.). The events are FREE and open to the public. For more information: 718-432-6412 or Rhonda@affinity-pr.com
gos p e l today | Jun 8, ‘09
What are you doing for lunch?
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Changing the World The ASHÉ Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to changing the lives of the millions of children in African nations who have been orphaned by the devastating effects caused by HIV/AIDS.
gosp e l today | Jun 8, ‘09
I pledged to myself to collect one (1) million pairs of shoes and distribute them to the underprivileged children and adults in Africa.
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Dion Fearon, a Los Angeles-based independent film producer, is the founder/chair of the Foundation. Fearon says, “In March of 2008 I received an email that included the photo of a pair of feet wearing "plastic bottle flip flops". That image haunted me for months until finally I discussed with my Mother my desire to make a difference. She encouraged me to start the non-profit organization that I had been thinking and talking about for years. I then pledged to myself to collect one (1) million pairs of shoes and distribute them to the underprivileged children and adults in Africa. So with that, The ASHÉ Foundation was born. ASHÉ, also spelled "Ase", "Axe" or "Ache", is a Yoruba word that means "the power to make things happen." Depending on the context in which the word is used it also means, "the ability to make whatever statement you make come to pass or happen", "the ability to compel nature, animate or inanimate objects to bend to your will", "so be it", or "so it shall be". I then spoke with several close friends and family members who immediately endorsed the idea and encouraged me to move forward. Therefore, I began networking my idea within the San Fernando Valley community. At that time, I had no idea how I was going to get those shoes to Africa. However, I began collecting shoes anyway. Immediately things began to fall into place. Close friends, Jorge and Mampye-Matlou Maciel, of the Kanimambo Foundation informed me that they knew just how to transport the shoes to Africa. Thus a partnership formed between the two non-profits to transport and distribute "Shoes to Africa". So began what I believe is my life's work.” The organization has plans for various events that will help it reach its goals. For more information: info@theashefoundation.org, or www.theashefoundation.org
photo credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net
two feet at a time
Jun 1, ‘09 | gosp e l today
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Got an inspirational script?
Break into Hollywood
gos p e l today | Jun 8, ‘09
Award-Winning Producers and Writers Give Tips on Breaking into Hollywood with Inspiring Spiritual Stories
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Santa Fe, New Mexico (June 5, “Love’s Abiding Joy,” and “The Velveteen Rabbit”; and, Joel T. 2009) – A panel of four award-winning Smith, writer, producer and distributor behind such works as producers and writers, led by family TV’s NOVA, the TV movie MERLIN, the TV series TARZAN, the and child advocate Dr. Ted Baehr, upcoming PARADISE BOUND and THE LIFE AND publisher of Movieguide®, gave some ADVENTURES OF SANTA CLAUS, and producer and script cogent advice to attendees of the 11th supervisor for eight TV movies for ABC Family Channel, the Annual Screenwriting Conference in Lifetime Network and the Sci-Fi Channel. Santa Fe this weekend about how to The John Templeton Foundation recently increased the write, produce, distribute, and market prize money for the two Epiphanies from $50,000 to $100,000, spiritually uplifting, redemptive which are given to the best movie and television program that movies and television. resulted in “a great increase in man’s love or understanding of Now in its 24th year, Movieguide® God.” (www.movieguide.org) is The Although all the panelists agreed that the “The Family Guide to Movies and industry has gotten tougher because of the poor independent Entertainment. economy, Dr. Baehr summarized everyone’s All but one of the producers film market is feelings, saying, “The good news is that a lot of and writers on the panel have very bad right people do break through. There are people out been past winners of the there doing new things.” now. There are Epiphany Prizes for Inspiring He pointed to the church that made thousands of Movies & TV, sponsored by the FIREPROOF, the most successful independent John Templeton Foundation, a pictures out movie in 2008 that won this year’s $100,000 philanthropic organization, there looking for Epiphany Prize for Most Inspiring Movie. which are presented at the He added, “Don’t let the problems overwhelm a home.” Annual Movieguide® Faith & you. Know about the solutions to the problems. Values Awards Gala and Report Understand the rules of the industry.” to the Entertainment Industry, which “It’s a tough business, really tough,” noted Landon, who just celebrated its 17th annual event in said he started screenwriting to get into the industry because February in Los Angeles, Calif. screenwriters often get to direct. The producers and writers “The strongest market is the family market,” Smith pointed included Judith Tukich, former Vice out, adding, “The independent film market is very bad right President of Special Programming at now. There are thousands of pictures out there looking for a ABC-TV (“The Miracle Worker”); Joan home.” Considine Johnson, writer for TV’s Tukich agreed with him about focusing on the large family “Doc” and “Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye”; market, asking, “Why limit your audience?” Michael Landon, Jr., writer, producer Johnson agreed that there’s a big opportunity out there and director of such movies as “Love now for family-friendly, spiritually uplifting programming, but Comes Softly,” “Saving Sarah Cain,” added, “People have good intentions and good hearts but cont. on p. 8
Jun 1,
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that’s not enough. It still has to have a quality story.” “You have to know storytelling,” Dr. Baehr agreed. He advised filmmakers and television artists to put jeopardy into their inspirational stories and make sure that the dialogue drives the plot rather than just have the dialogue state the obvious. Dr. Baehr defined spiritually uplifting, redemptive, inspiring stories as stories that redeem the bad from the good, that ask, “Can I get a second chance at life?” They also involve characters that are willing to give up their life for someone else. The Epiphany Prizes are also given to those movies and television programs that result in “a great increase in man’s love or understanding of God.” For more information, visit www.epiphanyprizes.com/frontpage or www.movieguide.org, write to contact@epiphanyprizes.com, or call 1-888-248-6689.
About FIREPROOF At work, inside burning buildings, Capt. Caleb Holt lives by the old firefighter's adage: Never leave your partner behind. At home, in the cooling embers of his marriage, he lives by his own rules. Growing up, Catherine Holt always dreamed of marrying a loving, brave firefighter...just like her daddy. Now, after seven years of marriage, Catherine wonders when she stopped being "good enough" for her husband. Regular arguments over jobs, finances, housework, and outside interests have readied them both to move on to something with more sparks. As the couple prepares to enter divorce proceedings, Caleb's father challenges his son to commit to a 40-day experiment: "The Love Dare." Wondering if it's even worth the effort, Caleb agrees-for his father's sake more than for his marriage. When Caleb discovers the book's daily challenges are tied into his parents' newfound faith, his already limited interest is further dampened. While trying to stay true to his promise, Caleb becomes frustrated time and again. He finally asks his father, "How am I supposed to show love to somebody who constantly rejects me?" When his father explains that this is the love Christ shows to us, Caleb makes a life-changing commitment to love God. Andówith God's helpóhe begins to understand what it means to truly love his wife. But is it too late to fireproof his marriage? His job is to rescue others. Now Caleb Holt is ready to face his toughest job ever...rescuing his wife's heart.
THE GATHERING
1200
INTERCESORS THROUGHOUT AMERICA WITH DR. DEXTER EASLEY
COMING TO YOUR CITY PRAYER GATHERING 2009 In this, Gods’ Time the call has gone forth for men and women of God to rise upon the shoulders of those who have gone before us. Those mighty men and women of Prayer saw the results of their labor. AND SO SHALL WE… NOW is the time of the GATHERING. A time for a swift, quick, miracle harvest. A harvest of souls, peace, unity and prosperity in every area of your life. GATHER in prayer with me and my team of intercessors.
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