True Worship Retreat 2010, hosted by Lance Williams, returns to New Jersey from September 9-11, 2010.  This year’s conference is titled “Pursuing His Glory & Your Purpose.”

Speakers include Dr. John Guns and Bishop Liston Page.  On tap to perform this year are Dorinda Clark Cole, Sheri Jones-Moffett, Kathy Taylor-Brown and Martha Munizzi in a “Women In Gospel” concert.  In a “Next Generation” set, attendees will get a concert featuring Tye Tribbett, Jonathan Nelson, Kierra Sheard and JJ Hairston.

For more info, visit the official website for the retreat by clicking here.

Anyone planning to attend???

Jonathan Nelson’s official video for his new single, “Expect the Great,” has been released!

Check it oooooooouuuutt—

Whatd’ya think?!

If you attended the AIM Convention this year, you’ve already seen this performance… but for those of us who couldn’t make it, I’m grateful for YouTube and a user named LYRIC1973…

Jonathan Nelson performed songs from his upcoming album, entitled Better Days, which will be released through Integrity Music on September 14th.  This particular video is footage of a song called “There Shall Be A Performance.” The tune is one of those catchy songs with clever and singable lyrics for which Jonathan Nelson is becoming known.

Plus, the song features Kierra Sheard, whose live performances ALWAYS remind me that she has more potential than most of us have seen. Can’t wait ’til it’s all revealed.

Anyway, I’m diggin’ it… from the verses to the vamp. I’d pump it in the car.

Check out the video here–

What do you think!?

We’re moving full steam ahead with The Prayer List, the series in which we lift up one brother or sister within the gospel community each week.  We’re ALL responsible for the well-being of this industry.

This week, I’m adding Pastor Jason Nelson.  As many of you know, Jason Nelson is an incredible vocalist and pastor of Greater Bethlehem Temple in Maryland.  He’s also a father and husband, and he’s the twin brother of gospel artist Jonathan Nelson.

Father, thank You for the life of Pastor Jason Nelson. Thank You for all that You’ve called him to do and be for Your Kingdom on Earth. Thank You for his role as a husband, father, pastor, singer and more.  I ask that You give him strength to do all of the things he’s got to do– daily– and that, in doing so, You would compel him to trust You fully, submit to You fully and rely on You fully.

Lord, I pray that You would shield Jason from any insecurities, fears and anxieties that would creep into his mental space. I pray that You would always remind him of his value in You, and for Your glory.

Father, please surround Jason Nelson with people that will be for him– not for his gifts and talents, nor for his roles and positions, but because they see all that You’ve called him to be and because they, selflessly, desire to serve You by supporting him.

Finally, God, please open new doors of opportunities for him, his family and his congregation. Protect him as You lead him into new areas– keep him humbly focused on Your glory and give him the grace, discernment and wisdom for any decisions he’ll need to make.  In Jesus’ Name, I ask You. Amen.

Okay, fam.  Let’s go!  Post your prayers in the comment section, cool???

He’s baaaaaaaaack… I’m talking about Jonathan Nelson, with his new single, “Expect the Great.”

Along with his group, Purpose, Nelson made waves through the gospel and CCM industry with “My Name Is Victory,” a few years back. “Expect the Great” is a worthy follow-up and an exciting preview of what we’ll hear when his new album is released later this year.  I trust that choirs and praise teams across this U. S. of A. will be singing it en masse, and the slogan “expect the great” will run like wildfire.

In short– it’s more than dope.

For your listening pleasure, I’ve added it to the PunditPlayer.

Click here to listen!!!

And make sure you leave a comment so that Jonathan knows what you think of the new single.

I told you earlier that you’d be hearing from Troy Lilly soon.  His first contribution to GospelPundit.com is invaluable– he attended and recapped Pastor Jason Nelson’s live recording this past Friday and did a great job.  Without any delay, here’s Troy (with some GREAT photos at the end)–

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You haven’t been to a recording until you’ve had the Pastor Jason Nelson experience!  He’s a multi-talented triple threat: a singer, songwriter and guitarist – plus he can preach.

I first witnessed his amazing gift and unyielding anointing five years ago at the live recording for his I Shall Live project. Needless to say, it wasn’t simply a recording.

The same was true on April 23rd as Nelson recorded his latest project, Shifting the Atmosphere, at his home church, Greater Bethlehem Temple in Baltimore. After being introduced by his twin brother, super-producer and writer Jonathan Nelson, Pastor Nelson quickly set an expectation for corporate praise and worship saying, “I can’t do recordings. This thing is participatory!”

And with that, the experience began. Upbeat opening numbers “Year of Jubilee” and “Favor” got the entire house on our feet and kept us there, incorporating Jason’s signature progressive sound with lyrics pulled straight from scripture.

But the trademark of Jason’s ministry is unadulterated worship. For the aptly-titled duet “No Words,” he welcomed fellow guitarist and vocalist Leon Timbo, who Jason said he admires for his ability to “come in and change the atmosphere.” Together, they did just that. Jason and Leon’s voices blended as harmoniously as their instruments, moving us through the first of many “shifts” that night.

During this segment, Jason guided us through several more moments of intimate worship with songs like “Don’t Count Me Out,” “I’m Nothing Without You” and “Shifting the Atmosphere.” This is when the pastor gift in Jason came forth. He delayed moving on to the next songs to minister.

“Whenever we encounter the presence of God we realize how insignificant we are without him,” he said, refusing to rush the flow of the Spirit.

With the final set of songs, the atmosphere naturaly shifted to flat-out praise. “There Is Power in His Name,” brought out the old-fashioned foot-stomping, because like Jason said, “you can’t have a recording without church!”

By the end of “There Is Power…” another shift had taken place and before we knew it Pastor Nelson’s father, Bishop James Nelson, was handed the microphone. Bishop Nelson exhorted us until the fire came down!

For just a few moments, I had to excuse my assignment as writer and photographer for GP so I could join in.

From that point we moved to a place of declaration. “You No Longer Have Dominion over Me” spoke directly to the strongholds we face in life, while the final song, “I Survived,” proclaimed victory over life itself.

I spotted and spoke with a number of special guests including Antoine Spence, Pastor L. Spenser Smith, Amos Saint Jean, Lil’ Mo and Jessica Greene, each of whom have a high regard for  Jason.

Pastor Jason Nelson is one of the most humble and selfless ministers in gospel music. It doesn’t hurt that he can sing pretty much anyone under a pew, and preach. With his latest forthcoming release, Shifting the Atmosphere, he is sure to do a little of both.

*     *     *

Okay, first of all– I think Troy did an excellent job recapping that recording, so PLEASE let him know what you thought of that write-up.  And if you’re on Twitter, follow him at http://www.twitter.com/UrbanSophistic.

Second of all, I’m DEEPLY annoyed that I missed it cuz it sounds like it was incredible.  It’s no secret that Jason Nelson is one of my favorite vocalists… *kickin’ myself with a hard shoe on*

Talk to me, folks– you looking forward to the new album?  Anyone else attend that can echo Troy’s sentiments?

Last night, BMI honored some of its songwriters and publishers at its annual BMI Christian Music Awards (kinda similar to the Trailblazers Awards in January) at their Nashville office.  It’s all part of the annual festivities of GMA Week here.

Though GMA Week isn’t taking place in the grand fashion of previous years, the parties aren’t stoppin’!

I caught up with Donald Lawrence (who was honored for “Back II Eden”), Jonathan Nelson (for “My Name Is Victory”), Derrick Starks (for “Take It Back”), Nate McNair (for “Souled Out”), TobyMac (for “Lose My Soul” and “My Deliverer”), and Caleb, the CCM duo comprised of Steven Curtis Chapman’s sons, who also performed Chapman’s “Cinderella” in his absence from the event.

Other performances came from TobyMac and The Booth Brothers.    It was a GREAT night!  A couple shots (TobyMac and Caleb) for ya:

I may start calling them The Nelson Twins to save on keystrokes.

You folks already know that Jonathan Nelson recorded his live album a couple of weeks ago.  Word has it that it’ll be in stores on August 24th from Integrity Music.

On Friday, I posted a lil’ video of his twin brother, Jason Nelson, and some of you commented that you didn’t even know of him.

After I the shock wore off and I regained consciousness, I saw that he sent a Twitter message saying that his live recording is taking place on Friday, April 23rd at his church, Greater Bethlehem Temple in Baltimore, MD.

I think the industry’s about to be doubly blessed! LOL

More details are surfacing about the upcoming Stellar Awards Mother’s Day Gospel Music Festival I mentioned last year, hosted by Central City Productions.

The 3-day celebration will take place in Orlando, FL from Friday, May 7th through Sunday, May 9th.  Hosts for the weekend will be Vickie Winans and comedian Akintunde.

Featured performers include Byron Cage, Deitrick Haddon, James Fortune, Kierra Sheard and Jonathan Nelson on Friday; Shirley Caesar, Yolanda Adams, Vickie Winans and Crystal Aikin on Saturday; Karen Clark Sheard, Kevin LeVar and Endurance on Sunday.

In addition to your travel and hotel, you’ll have to buy tix for the big gathering.  A 3-day pass to all events can be purchased for about $162.50 from Ticketmaster.  Click here for more info on the event.

Is it just me, or is gospel the only genre that allows (maybe expects, and even demands) artists’ names to follow the format of “So-And-So” & “Such-And-Such”?

Think about it… Jonathan Nelson & Purpose, Myron Butler & Levi, DeWayne Woods & When Singers Meet…

But it didn’t just start happening… there was Israel & New Breed, Kirk Franklin & The Family, Fred Hammond & Radical For Christ…

And before them, Richard Smallwood & Vision, Walter Hawkins & The Hawkins Family, Andraé Crouch & The Disciples…

And let’s not forget the choirs– Hezekiah Walker & LFC, Ricky Dillard & New G, John P Kee & New Life, Milton Brunson & The Tommies, O’landa Draper & The Associates…

Understand this– my absolute ALL-TIME FAVORITE gospel artists are mentioned above, so I’m not mad at their names at all.  Love you guys and you KNOW it!

I definitely think the the name choices make sense– ours is the only genre with the artist format of frontmen backed by an ensemble or a choir.

But I’d be lying if I said it isn’t refreshing when I hear creative names like Mary Mary, Excelsior, 21:03 and Mali Music.

In short, it’s not a good or bad thing, just… a thing.  A gospel thing.

Anyone noticed???