Originally published in CBN News Kanye West’s Sunday Service was a surprise sensation in 2019, and it appears will be picking right up where it left off as 2020 gets underway. Awaken 2020 is a large, free, stadium-sized event for Christians in Arizona that takes place annually at Sun Devil […]
Music
Gospel artist Carman asks for prayers as cancer returns
Originally published in Christian Today Veteran Christian singer Carman Licciardello is asking fans to pray for him after being told by doctors that his cancer has returned. Carman already defied the odds back in 2013 when he was diagnosed with incurable myeloma cancer and told he had about three years […]
Style and function — Worship conversation with Hugh
How is it in your church? Is there a tension between the songs which the oldies enjoy, and the songs preferred by the younger generation? Do some want hymns, while other want contemporary worship songs? Are there some who want an organ or piano, while others want a band with […]
Lead singer of Casting Crowns overcame dyslexia, ADHD and cancer
By Stephen Lahood — Originally published in God Reports His doctor said, “You’ve got cancer,” but John Mark Hall, lead singer of Casting Crowns, heard, “You’re going to die.” It was 2015 and the Grammy-winning Christian worship band was approaching 10 million sales of its albums. Mark was youth pastor […]
Architecture and musical style — Hugh Wetmore
Hugh Wetmore is a songwriter and student of worship trends. He invites you to join the worship conversation by commenting on his monthly column. Nebuchadnezzar had invaded Judah and demolished the beautiful temple which Solomon had built in Jerusalem. The important Jews were carried off into exile in Babylon, the […]
Kirk Franklin boycotts TBN, Dove Awards for censoring his acceptance speech
Originally published in CBN News Frequent Dove Award winner Kirk Franklin announced this week he is boycotting the Gospel Music Association and Trinity Broadcasting Network after the awards ceremony broadcast was edited to remove mentions of racial injustice from his speeches in 2016 and earlier this month. GMA removed Franklin’s […]
Mission accomplished through fiery furnace for Daniel team in Jerusalem
Daniel the Musical finished its run in Jerusalem on Tuesday and what an experience of biblical proportions it has been for all, with glorious highs and devastating lows. Most of the South African cast and crew are back home and despite the bitter blow that nearly ended the show prematurely when […]
WATCH: Kim Walker-Smith: I tried to kill myself, but Jesus didn’t let me die
Originally published in Charisma News Kim Walker-Smith says that she attempted to kill herself during her senior year of high school but failed—and that when she woke up, she realized God must be real and that He loved her. In a video interview recorded at the Vox Conference, Walker-Smith opened […]
‘Daniel The Musical’ restarts — to bless Israel and honour critically-ill star
Disaster struck the Daniel The Musical show in Jerusalem this week when its lead performer Andile Gumbi, 36, fell ill suddenly and ended up in a critical condition in hospital. The seemingly-unstoppable show which opened to critical acclaim last week came to a halt as a decision was taken to suspend […]
Songs at funerals — Hugh Wetmore
Hugh Wetmore is a songwriter and student of worship trends. He invites you to join the worship conversation by commenting on his monthly column. How do we choose suitable songs for funerals, and memorial services? These are precious, intimate occasions, and the choice of music must be handled with sensitivity. […]