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???

Word has it that Kierra Sheard is getting married, with news of her engagement spreading across the web on Saturday evening.  The blessed beau is Pastor Welton T. Smith IV, of Detroit, MI.

Even cousin J Moss sent a congratulatory message, sending a photo of her ring via Twitter (niiiiice!).

Mega congrats to Kierra & Welton.  Let’s pray for a beautiful, lasting and God-glorifying union!

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!?

Word has it that Relevé Entertainment is just about ready for the return of its annual entertainment conference, The Merge Summit, from August 26-28, 2010 in Los Angeles, CA.

The Merge Summit “integrates faith and entertainment, and provides a platform and education for men and women of faith to interface and partner with executives and talent in the entertainment industry.” The event provides info and networking opps in film, television and music.

Confirmed attendees include Kirk Franklin, Hezekiah Walker, J Moss, Brian Courtney Wilson, James DuBose, Suzanne de Passe, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Wendy Raquel Robinson, and countless executives from entertainment companies including BET, ABC Networks, William Morris, Lionsgate, Creative Artists Agency, and Columbia Records.

Holly Carter, President of Relevé Entertainment, manages the careers of Mary Mary, Deitrick Haddon, Kierra Sheard and more.

For additional information and registration for the event, please visit www.themergesummit.com.

Anyone attend last year’s Summit? Anyone planning to attend this year?

Just one of those cool TV tributes– this one’s to Aretha Franklin a few years back. It features BeBe Winans, Karen Clark Sheard, Kierra Sheard, Micah Stampley, Twinkie Clark on one organ, Warryn Campbell on another, capped off by Mary Mary.

EVERY ONE OF ‘EM delivered great vocal performances. And all the while, the Queen of Soul bopped her head in approval.

Peep the video here–

Dope, right?!

Stumbled across this THROWBACK video footage featuring Karen Clark Sheard, Kierra Sheard and Donald Lawrence performing “Heaven” (from the Finally Karen album).

THIS is why I love gospel music– it’s moments like this that are captured, perhaps never to happen again, that make my giddy for gospel.

Check it out–

How awesome was that?!

We had a great time praying for Kierra Sheard all last week. I wanna encourage you guys to remain steadfast and intentional in prayer.  I don’t want us to be legalistic, but I do want us to challenge ourselves to be disciplined in this.  If you want a reminder of why we’re doing what we’re doing, click here.

Ok, this week, we’re shifting gears a bit in that we’re not praying for a recording artist– we’re praying for an industry executive.  He’s actually one of my favorite folks in this business– Benjamin Jeffrey Grant Clark (Jeff Grant).

Jeff Grant is the Vice President of Radio Promotions & Artist Relations at Verity Gospel Music Group.  Aside from being at the helm of chart-topping radio successes like “Never Would Have Made It,” he’s been at Verity for quite a while, helping to guide the recording careers of Donnie McClurkin, Fred Hammond, Richard Smallwood, Hezekiah Walker, Dorinda Clark-Cole and more.

One of my favorite pieces of trivia about Jeff Grant is that he wrote Hezekiah Walker’s “The Lord Will Make A Way Somehow” yeeeeears ago (yes, the one that Kim Burrell covered and the one we’re still going bananas over.  He’s a gifted musician and wise business man, but he’s also a great husband (like, one of those that you’d wanna watch to learn from), father and grandfather.  So let’s go!

Father, thank You for the life of Jeff Grant.  Thank You for his gifts and his abilities.  Thank You for all of the opportunities You’ve given him– they allow him to be a capable, grounded and effective vehicle for ministry in this world.  Thank You for investing time and love into him.

God, I pray that You would continue to be attentive to Jeff Grant.  I pray that You will continue to remind him of the great responsibility on his life and I pray that he is perpetually aware of his unique purpose here.  Cover him– physically, spiritually, emotionally– by the blood of Your Son, Jesus.  Bless his marriage, his role as a father and as a grandfather.  Allow him to be God-led in each of those roles and guide him to be an example of Christ’s love for us.

For Your glory’s sake, allow his labor in this industry, and in the Kingdom at large, to be fruitful.  Give him wisdom and discernment.  Allow his decisions to be sound and full of compassion.  Please continue to reign on the throne of his heart, so that You will forever be his focus and his God.  I pray this in the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Okay, folks… let’s hear ‘em!  Post your prayers for Jeff Grant in the comment section.  Thanks!

Since we started The Prayer List a couple of weeks ago, we (as a gospel community) have gotten a lot of great feedback and participation!  I’m grateful to you guys for thinking it was a good idea and for really being committed to it.  Don’t get weary, family!  I really believe that this is making a big difference.

This week, we’re keeping The Prayer List rolling and we’re lifting up Kierra Sheard.  As you know, she’s one of the youngest vocalists in a legacy of great gospel musicians (Moss-Clark), but she’s a young woman with a unique purpose and gift for the Body of Christ.  So, we’re gonna hold our sister up.  Let’s goooooo…

Father, I thank You for the life and ministry of Kierra Sheard.  I thank You for the rich musical heritage You have given her.  I thank You for the diligence with which she has cultivated her gift, so that Your Name can be glorified by her and by those who hear her.

God, I pray that Kierra continues to experience greater levels of growth in You.  I pray that as You take her to new areas– perhaps even those that she wasn’t aware she would venture into– You would give her peace and a humble confidence as she walks into them.  I pray that You would give her an assurance of all that she’s been called to do, and that she would know that the God of all creation has equipped her, specifically and uniquely, to fulfill a Divine purpose.

Lord, I pray for Kierra’s surroundings– that her friends and family would pour into her and continue to be a blessing to her.  I pray against anything and anyone that would drain her or cause her to become discouraged about, or uncertain of, all that You’ve made her to be.  I pray that You would guide her and be her source, day-by-day and throughout her life.  I pray for Your protection, Lord, over the treasure that You have invested in Kierra.  In Jesus Christ’s Name, Amen.

Pray with me for Kierra, folks, all week… starting right here and now.

Post your prayers in the comment section!!!