Creation Festival Concludes First-Ever Tour

The first-ever Creation Festival tour came to a close this past weekend after hitting more than 30 cities across the Northeast, Midwest and South.

Patterned after the Creation Festival, the nation’s largest Christian music festival, the tour featured some of the top names in Christian music as well as local outreach.

“What an incredible opportunity to be a part of this tour,” exclaimed Joel Bruyere of Thousand Foot Krutch earlier this month.

“The sense of community, enjoying each and every set (that I get time to watch), Bob [Lenz]’s intense message, executed with prose and perfection, and the chance to meet and hang with new faces. I know a lot of the blogs have touch on these points,” he wrote on the special blog for Creation Fest. “I just can’t help but agree with them.”

Over the past three decades, the Creation Festival has grown to become the largest event of its kind, adding a second event on the west coast in 1998. In 2005, Creation branched out internationally, giving birth to the Friendship Fest in the Muslim country of Morocco and later to festivals in Canada, Iceland, Switzerland, and France.

In 2008, the plan for the 30+ city “Creation Festival: The Tour" was launched to allow fans across the country to experience a taste of the annual 4-day events held in June and July in one night of music, teaching and fun.

In addition to the music, national speaker Bob Lenz, founder and president of Life! Promotions, shared the gospel each night, with Pastor Harry Thomas, Creation Festival director and co-founder, and Teen Mania’s founder, Ron Luce, also joining the tour on select dates.

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EXCLUSIVE: Mercy Ministries exorcism books leaked

Handbooks allegedly used to perform exorcisms on sick girls at the controversial Mercy Ministries residences in Sydney and on the Sunshine Coast have been leaked to LIVENEWS.com.au.

Mercy Ministries, which is bankrolled by the Pentecostal Hillsong Church, has previously denied performing exorcisms on residents.

The documents, obtained clandestinely by a girl who “escaped” the group’s clutches, shows counsellors how to rid ‘demons’ from girls struggling with anorexia, depression and drug addiction.

Mercy Ministries’ activities hit the headlines in March this year when former residents claimed they were subjected to exorcisms, were cut off from friends and family and had to sign over their Centrelink payments to the group. read more

Hillsong: Exorcism in the suburbs

Mercy Ministries kept saying there were no exorcisms.

The Hillsong backed group seemed prepared to cop the charge that they forced sick girls in their Mercy Ministries residential program to sign over their Centrelink payments.

They seemed comfortable admitting that while they advertised girls would have access to psychiatrists and other health professionals, in fact, the only treatment they were really offered was housework and bible study.

But they didn’t want to own up to the medieval practice of exorcisms.

And you can’t blame them. Who would want to admit they had been trying to cure anorexia, drug addiction and other problems with such hocus-pocus?

They’d already lost high-profile sponsors like Rebel Sport, Bunnings and LG after news of their activities broke earlier this year. read more

The Michael Gungor Band's 'Ancient Skies' Is A Hit With Radio

The critically-acclaimed Michael Gungor Band's new single, "Ancients Sky," is an out-of-the-box hit with Christian radio, with 20 stations adding the song to their playlist in the first two weeks. The song is the title track of the band's Brash Music debut, which recently released to rAncient Skiesave reviews from fans and critics alike.

Stations adding the song include Minneapolis' KTIS, where program manager Jason Sharp enthusiastically commented, "Thank you for sending KTIS a GREAT song! After one listen, I knew." Also, Scott Valentine, program director for KCMS in Seattle, said, "I believe it's a winner."

In addition to strong support from radio, "Ancient Skies" has proven to be a favorite song with critics.
CM Central.com said, "The title track stuns with its �creation-puts-us-in-awe balladry' and is a sure-fire AC hit�think a stronger �God of Wonders'."

Although this is The Michael Gungor Band's first project for Brash Music, the group has already achieved a level of success more commonly associated with veteran artists. They have performed for more than a hundred thousand fans across the country, as well as those at this year's Hillsong Conference in Sydney, Australia. Additionally, the group's music has met with critical acclaim from national media outlets such as Christianity Today.com, which named the band's 2007 independent release as one of the year's top worship projects.

About The Michael Gungor Band
Led by frontman and Dove Award-winner Michael Gungor and his wife Lisa, the Denver, Colo.-based Michael Gungor Band has quickly become one of Christian music's most exciting new groups. As a songwriter, Gungor has penned several well-known worship songs including "Friend of God," a song co-written with Grammy Award-winner Israel Houghton that has become one of the Top 20 songs sung in churches around the world, according to CCLI. read more

Area middle school students to perform with NIC Wind Symphony

More than 300 middle school students from throughout the region will perform with the North Idaho College Wind Symphony in the “Thank You Mark Williams” concert at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12 in the Boswell Hall Schuler Performing Arts Center.

This annual gathering of the bands event brings together eighth-grade band members from area middle schools for a joint performance with peers and mentors.

Students from Woodland Middle School, Canfield Middle School, Sandpoint Middle School, Lakes Middle School, Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy, Timberlake Junior/Senior High School, Bonners Ferry Middle School, Lakeland Junior High School, Post Falls Middle School, Lakeside Middle School, River City Middle School, St. Maries Middle School, Clark Fork Jr./Sr. High School, Kellogg Middle School and Newport Middle School will combine to form two separate bands that will perform at the concert.

The concert will honor Mark Williams, a composer who wrote specifically for school bands and orchestras. Williams grew up in Spokane and taught music for years specializing in elementary band. He published more than 200 works and served as the conductor and artistic director for the Spokane British Brass Band. Williams died in January of 2008. read more

CiCi's pizza, local church sponsor fundraiser for homeles

Nursing freshman Stephanie Criollo, who was accepted in the program this fall, helps fundraise material needs for homeless people through the City Christian Fellowship Church for the past six years.

Her church hosted a homeless fundraiser event with live music from local Christian band The Scene and a puppetry show for the kids organized by Pastor David Oviedo and in partnership with Cici's Pizza restaurant during Halloween night on San Pedro Avenue.

In June 2000, the Texas Interagency Council for the Homeless reported a population of 200,000 homeless in Texas.

Restaurant owner Brad Speed and manager John May agreed to donate 12 percent of the earnings made during the event, which lasted from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.. read more

Rockhill Music to release new Acoustic Gospel album

ndependent record label Rockhill Music is gearing up for the release of their second project, Acoustic Gospel Volume 2 on November 17.

This collection of 18 original gospel tracks feature songs performed by new up and coming talent like 16 year old Zoe Oputah, winner of Harmonise 2008, Christian Aid’s gospel talent search, Andrea Nyle, neo soul singer Bianca Rose and MoTru and established artists like G K Real, Four Korners and All ‘Bout Christ. The album also features a track specially written by highly acclaimed praise and worship artist Israel Houghton which is sung by Hillsong Church London.

Acoustic gospel has something for everyone – rap, gospel soul, r’n’b, praise and worship and traditional gospel. For every album sold, Rockhill Music will donate £1.50 to Christian Aid to help fund their work with international partners such as Humanite Nouvelle, a charity which works with street children in the Democratic Republic of Congo. read more

Bringing gospel into the spotlight

Label co-founder tells how he gave hidden talent a voice.

ROCKHILL MUSIC is a gospel label providing a platform for new and established artists. Co-founder Akin Ogboye talks to Soul Stirrings about their latest album, Acoustic Gospel Volume II.

Soul Stirrings (SS): Why did you establish Rockhill Music?

Akin Ogboye (AO): There was a gap in the market for a young vibrant gospel label that would scoop up the abundance of gospel talent, package them, give them the best production and songwriters possible and showcase them to the world.

We are about shining the light on great UK gospel talent everywhere in the UK and making gospel relevant to a generation that loves everything from pop to reggae. read more

Hillsong London releases new CD, and I rant about the megachurch (again)

Hillsong London releases their latest album, Hail To The King, next week. It's their first album in three years and the third album from the churcn.

Amidst all of the nifty PR bits about Hillsong London that were included in the release (like the fact that the church meets at the Dominion Theater, where the rock opera "We Will Rock You" has run continuously for six years; Gee, aren't they super cool? I'll bet that venue lets them put on a top notch show), was a statement that really jumped out at me: "Church motto/mission 'Because We Can,' is geared towards ending poverty ... because we can."

As many of you remember, we had some lengthy discussions a few months ago, when the Michael Guglielmucci story broke, about megachurches, celebrity-ism, and the whole commercialization of Christianity. (I'll include a bunch of links at the end so you can go back and read the posts.) read more
Source: http://blog.beliefnet.com/gospelsoundcheck/2008/10/hillsong-london-releases-new-c.html

Churches 'properly engaged' in Australian politics

The National Director of Uniting Justice Australia, Elenie Poulos, says there is a proper separation of powers between church and state in Australia.

Speaking at a forum in the New South Wales Parliament, she said concerns have been raised about some politicians stressing their Christianity, or about past dealings with groups such as the Exclusive Brethren or Hillsong.

However Reverend Poulos says churches are properly engaged in politics, as part of civil life.

"In Australia I think the appropriate role for religion in politics, includes for example, holding politicians to account on matters of justice and peace and wellbeing for the community," she said. read more
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/10/27/2402779.htm

Blessing and warnings

KEVIN Rudd was contacted by various church leaders after he assumed office last year, not just the Exclusive Brethren concerned that he had described that church as an "extremist cult". Hillsong Church senior pastor Brian Houston wrote a letter of congratulations, while Catholic cardinal George Pell took the opportunity also to warn against a charter of rights. But with Kev08 being an Anglican, the letter that carried most influence came from Anglican primate Phillip Aspinall, who was the first church leader to make contact and the first to get a personal reply. Aspinall gave Rudd his blessing and noted that as Labor had "won the support and trust of such a significant cross-section of Australians", it therefore had significant responsibilities and opportunities in government. "My prayer is that the new Government will embrace this opportunity to address inequalities and injustices within Australian society and to inspire in Australians a renewed sense of generosity, compassion, hopefulness and supportive community," Aspinall wrote on November27, in correspondence that has just been released. read more

Catholic Deaf Community Members celebrate using sign language.

As the song “Still” by Hillsong was played to the congregation, everyone was singing along except members of the performing group – they used sign language instead. The performers were members of the Singapore Catholic Deaf Community (SCDC) who were commemorating International Day for the Deaf at Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) on Oct 5.

The performance showed that hearing impaired people have the ability to participate in praise and worship using sign language. Members of the society also put up a skit about a deaf man, on the brink of despair and frustration, who thankfully met someone from church who shared the Good News with him and restored his faith in God.

Brother Lionel Thomas, a seminarian from the Malacca-Johor Diocese, commented that he was awed by Godʼs love for the deaf in giving them this wonderful tool for communication, and added that it was “a humbling experience to be with this group as they display such strong unity, love and support among members!” read more
" How wonderful to know that some people lack in physical capacity, yet give
more than their capacity. we should be inspired by these people, to give
more than what we can give to Jesus."

Various Artists WOW Hits 2009 (Word Records)

Well, that didn't take long. Last April, the masterminds behind the best-selling WOW series decided to revamp it by releasing three single-disc collections over a year's time, starting with WOW Hits 1, rather than the annual double-disc collection. Apparently, the idea bombed since WOW Hits 2009 has released in October right on schedule without missing a beat. Perhaps consumers weren't prepared to buy a WOW album in April so soon after the last October release, or maybe they were just too smart to recognize that three singles discs costs more than one double-disc set.

Still, one thing that WOW Hits 1 got right was its inclination toward timely hits. The WOW series has long struggled with this, but overall, WOW Hits 2009 does a reasonable job of compiling the biggest hits from Christian radio over the last year. In fact, a quick glance over the first disc's first seven tracks gives you a pretty good idea of what the Song of the Year nominees will likely be at the next Dove Awards in April 2009—MercyMe, Third Day, Chris Tomlin, and Steven Curtis Chapman for sure.

Also, Brandon Heath's "Give Me Your Eyes," NeedToBreathe's "Washed by the Water", and Natalie Grant's "In Better Hands," among others, are all recent hits that certainly deserve to be included. And admittedly, Michael W. Smith's live version of Hillsong's "Mighty to Save" is bound to get plenty of airplay in the months ahead. read more

Just 30 Days Left: Songdoor 2008 International Songwriting Competition Ends November 15; Joe Beck Of

SongDoor 2008 entries must either be postmarked by November 15, 2008 or submitted online by midnight CST, November 15, 2008. All entrants receive a free self-paced online songwriting course at SongU.com, plus a free personal evaluation of each song.

"The song evaluation alone is worth three times the entry fee, plus all writers who enter received a free online songwriting course from SongU.com, worth another $40. It's a great value, a great way to learn and and you just never know what might come of it," says SongDoor president Tony Zotta. Last year's Grand Award winner, Erinn Sherlock ("Return To You"), currently has a song on hold for Kelly Clarkson of American Idol fame. read more

Faith and Hope in Ukraine

Igor Stakhovskiy cracks jokes and blinks furiously as his car, loaded down with eight passengers, inches up a hill at walking speed. His is one of the few cars in Kyiv* that is not a bright, sleek Toyota Jazz or a new black Volkswagen—it's a pastor's car. Once it reaches the summit and starts rattling down the hill toward his apartment, Igor resumes telling me about his call to ministry and the little evangelical church he pastors.

I am crammed in the car with the whole Stakhovskiy family, one that could not have existed at any other point in Ukrainian history. Igor's wife, Raia Stakhovskaya, a strawberry blonde who fits the stereotype of a kindly Ukrainian woman, is from a family that has been Baptist for generations—a family that has several martyrs in its lineage. Igor was part of a wave of new believers who converted around the time the Soviet Union fell. After their third daughter was born, the Stakhovskiys adopted twins who had suffered intracranial hemorrhages. No one at the orphanage expected the babies to survive, but they seem to be out of danger a year after the Stakhovskiys took them in. read more