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BREAKING NEWS Music. Tours. Life. More. from CCAuthority.com News
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TOP STORY
STRYPER TO HOST HOLY LAND TOUR IN
2011
TOP STORY (NASHVILLE, Tennessee) -- Platinum-selling rock band Stryper announced today that they will be hosting a 10-day tour of the Holy Land February 12-21, 2011. The once-in-a-lifetime VIP tour will be limited to 150 people. Stryper fans will be able to spend time with the band during this unique travel opportunity, with portions of the trip being filmed for an upcoming DVD. "Oz, Robert, Tim and I are excited to go to Israel and see first-hand the birthplace of Christianity," says lead vocalist/guitarist Michael Sweet. "And to be able to share this experience with some of our fans makes this even more incredible." The tour will visit the following locations in Israel: Caesarea: A city built by King Herod the Great Mount Carmel: Where the prophet Elijah defeated the false prophets of Baal Galilee Boat Ride: Where Jesus walked on the water Caesarea Philippi: Where the disciple Peter first confessed Jesus as the Messiah Nazareth Village: A recreation of a village at the time of Jesus Jordan River Baptism: An opportunity for those who wish to be baptized in the Jordan River Masada: Where the final Jewish revolt against the Romans took place The Dead Sea: A chance to float in the most therapeutic waters in the world Pools of Bethesda: Where Jesus healed the man who was lame for 37 years Garden Tomb: The place of Jesus’ crucifixion and Resurrection Yad Vashem: Memorial to the Holocaust Western Wall Tunnels: 60 feet below the modern city of Jerusalem Jerusalem: The City of God Mount of Olives: Where Jesus rode the donkey through the Eastern Gate Garden of Gethsemane: Where Jesus prayed before He was betrayed by Judas Western Wall: Holiest site in Judaism The cost for this unique travel opportunity is $3,299.00 per person, which includes airfare out of Los Angeles, New York or Toronto; hotel accomodations; all buffet breakfasts and dinners; air-conditioned transportation; an English-speaking tour guide and entrance fees to all of the sites. Price is based on double-occupancy and does not include airport tax, tip fee or lunch meals. Due to limited availability, this trip will sell out quickly. Reservations can be secured for only $300. To register, please contact ari@ihtours.com or 1-877-999-8868 ext 415. For more information, please contact joe@amaral.tv or 1-877-628-2800. ©2010 CCAUTHORITY.COM BREAKING NEWS |
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JACI
VELASQUEZ' CAREER REACHES OUTER SPACE (NASHVILLE, Tennessee) -- The career of Jaci Velasquez, one of the world’s most successful and beloved Christian/Latin/pop singers, has expanded beyond the planet Earth thanks to NASA astronaut Ron Garan, who carried Velasquez's album Llegar a Ti with him on a recent trip to space. Garan flew onboard the Space Shuttle Discovery on a recent 14 day mission that included nearly 9 days docked at the International Space Station, 220 miles above Earth. The disc orbited Earth 218 times, traveling over 5.7 million miles and reaching speeds over 17,000 miles per hour (Mach 25). “I want you to know how much I appreciated listening to your music while I was in space," wrote Garan. "The environment on board the space station is very sterile and the only sounds you hear are that of pumps and fans. It was very important to be able to listen to music while living and working onboard. You definitely have a feeling of isolation while you’re off the planet and listening to music allows you to have a real connection with your home. It was a wonderful experience to be able to look down at Earth while listening to your beautiful music." Following the mission, Garan sent the disc that he had carried into space to Velasquez, along with a Certificate of Authenticity and a photo of Garan holding the CD on board the International Space Station. "There are so many milestones in my career that I could never have anticipated," says Velasquez. "And this is definitely one of them. To hold this CD in my hands and to know that it's literally been around the world is incredible. I'm so honored." Throughout her career, Velasquez has sold over 3.5 million albums, garnered 3 RIAA certified Platinum recordings, 3 RIAA certified Gold recordings, 16 #1 radio hits and has graced more than 50 magazine covers. This highly decorated artist has received 6 Dove Awards, Latin Billboard Female Pop Album of the Year award, 3 Grammy nominations, 2 Latin Grammy nominations, 5 Latin Billboard Award nominations, an American Music Award nomination and many more. Her resume includes ad campaigns for Pepsi, Doritos, Target, Frizz-Ease and Helzberg Diamonds, not to mention starring roles in the 20th Century Fox film Chasing Papi and the upcoming film Jerusalem Countdown opposite country star Randy Travis. For more information on Jaci Velasquez, visit www.jacivelasquez.com. ©2010 CCAUTHORITY.COM BREAKING NEWS |
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Sarah Palin at 2010 National
Quartet Convention
Louisville, KY - The National Quartet Convention Board of Directors has announced plans for former Alaska Governor and 2008 Republication Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin to be featured during the 2010 event, set to take place in September in Louisville, KY. Author, speaker and political commentator, Sarah Palin became only the second female and the first Alaskan on the national ticket of a major party when Republican presidential candidate John McCain chose Palin as his running mate in the 2008 presidential election. Palin was also the first female vice-presidential nominee of the Republican Party. In November, 2009, her autobiography Going Rogue: An American Life was released and quickly became a best-seller. In January, 2010, Palin began providing political commentary to the Fox News Channel under a multi-year contract. Governor Palin will serve as the keynote speaker during an hour-long event on Thursday, September 16, beginning at 2:00pm in Louisville’s Freedom Hall, located on the grounds of the Kentucky Fair & Expo Center. Palin will speak for 30 minutes and then spend 30 minutes conducting a question and answer session with attendees. Admission to the session featuring Palin will be included with the Thursday Showcase ticket package offered by the National Quartet Convention. Attendees who purchase a ticket for the Thursday event on the NQC website (www.natqc.com) may submit a question to ask during the session. According to NQC Executive Vice President Clarke Beasley, if the question is selected, the person submitting the question will be recognized during the session. “We are delighted to be able to present Governor Palin to our NQC attendees,” Beasley stated. “She is an inspiration to so many, and she is doing many conferences throughout the nation where she focuses on what her Christian faith and her family means to her. Those are the type of topics she will address at the NQC. We are thrilled to host her.” To obtain complete information regarding the National Quartet Convention and to purchase tickets for the all NQC events, call 1-800-846-8499 or visit www.natqc.com. ©2010 CCAUTHORITY.COM BREAKING NEWS |
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AREA ONE MINISTRIES SUMMER
CAMPS AreaOne Ministries announces two new artists at the 2010 summer camps. The award winning band Kutless will perform at both AreaOne camps on Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri and on the beach in Destin, Florida. Leading worship all week will be the Australian band Revive who can be seen on the current Winter Jam tour. Speaking at both camps are Brian Housman, author of "Engaging Your Teens World" and Danny Sartin of Deeper Still Missions. AREA1:emeraldcoast in Destin, Florida is close to maximum attendance and AREA1:ozarks on Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri is over 50% capacity. You can learn more and see the videos at areaone.org/camps or by calling 888.GOAREA1 AreaOne camps are focused on creating an atmosphere of challenging teaching and passionate worship that inspires, trains and mobilizes teenagers to live out a biblical worldview in every aspect of their lives. We take all of the planning and logistics off your plate so you and your youth team can focus all your efforts on ministering to your students. Two camps, AREA1:ozarks on Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri and AREA1:emeraldcoast in Destin, Florida are designed to serve as catalyst events for church youth programs. ©2010 CCAUTHORITY.COM BREAKING NEWS |
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 a person has her forehead marked with ash on Ash Wednesday by the Rev. Philip Forlano during a Mass at Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul Philadelphia |
MORE AMERICANS SAY THEY HAVE NO RELIGION HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT - Study Finds Percentage Of Christians In The Nation Has Declined - A wide-ranging study on American religious life found that the Roman Catholic population has been shifting out of the Northeast to the Southwest, the percentage of Christians in the nation has declined and more people say they have no religion at all. Fifteen percent of respondents said they had no religion, an increase from 14.2 percent in 2001 and 8.2 percent in 1990, according to the American Religious Identification Survey. Northern New England surpassed the Pacific Northwest as the least religious region, with Vermont reporting the highest share of those claiming no religion, at 34 percent. Still, the study found that the numbers of Americans with no religion rose in every state. "No other religious bloc has kept such a pace in every state," the study's authors said. Catholics on the decline in Northeast In the Northeast, self-identified Catholics made up 36 percent of adults last year, down from 43 percent in 1990. At the same time, however, Catholics grew to about one-third of the adult population in California and Texas, and one-quarter of Floridians, largely due to Latino immigration, according to the research. Nationally, Catholics remain the largest religious group, with 57 million people saying they belong to the church. The tradition gained 11 million followers since 1990, but its share of the population fell by about a percentage point to 25 percent. Christians who aren't Catholic also are a declining segment of the country. In 2008, Christians comprised 76 percent of U.S. adults, compared to about 77 percent in 2001 and about 86 percent in 1990. Researchers said the dwindling ranks of mainline Protestants, including Methodists, Lutherans and Episcopalians, largely explains the shift. Over the last seven years, mainline Protestants dropped from just over 17 percent to 12.9 percent of the population. The report from The Program on Public Values at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, surveyed 54,461 adults in English or Spanish from February through November of last year. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 0.5 percentage points. The findings are part of a series of studies on American religion by the program that will later look more closely at reasons behind the trends. Organized religion playing less of a role The current survey, being released Monday, found traditional organized religion playing less of a role in many lives. Thirty percent of married couples did not have a religious wedding ceremony and 27 percent of respondents said they did not want a religious funeral. About 12 percent of Americans believe in a higher power but not the personal God at the core of monotheistic faiths. And, since 1990, a slightly greater share of respondents — 1.2 percent — said they were part of new religious movements, including Scientology, Wicca and Santeria. The study also found signs of a growing influence of churches that either don't belong to a denomination or play down their membership in a religious group. Respondents who called themselves "non-denominational Christian" grew from 0.1 percent in 1990 to 3.5 percent last year. Congregations that most often use the term are megachurches considered "seeker sensitive." They use rock style music and less structured prayer to attract people who don't usually attend church. Researchers also found a small increase in those who prefer being called evangelical or born-again, rather than claim membership in a denomination. Evangelical or born-again Americans make up 34 percent of all American adults and 45 percent of all Christians and Catholics, the study found. Researchers found that 18 percent of Catholics consider themselves born-again or evangelical, and nearly 39 percent of mainline Protestants prefer those labels. Many mainline Protestant groups are riven by conflict over how they should interpret what the Bible says about gay relationships, salvation and other issues. Pentecostals stay steady The percentage of Pentecostals remained mostly steady since 1990 at 3.5 percent, a surprising finding considering the dramatic spread of the tradition worldwide. Pentecostals are known for a spirited form of Christianity that includes speaking in tongues and a belief in modern-day miracles. Mormon numbers also held steady over the period at 1.4 percent of the population, while the number of Jews who described themselves as religiously observant continued to drop, from 1.8 percent in 1990 to 1.2 percent, or 2.7 million people, last year. Researchers plan a broader survey on people who consider themselves culturally Jewish but aren't religious. The study found that the percentage of Americans who identified themselves as Muslim grew to 0.6 percent of the population, while growth in Eastern religions such as Buddhism slightly slowed. -- ©2009 CCAUTHORITY.COM BREAKING NEWS |
 Branson Gospel Music Convention scheduled to appear are The Florida Boys, Kirk Talley, Young Harmony, The Nelons, The Stamps, and many more |
BRANSON GOSPEL MUSIC CONVENTION ANNOUNCES TALENT CONTEST BRANSON, MISSOURI - YMR Productions has announced plans to join with HIS Choice Productions in sponsoring a talent contest during the Branson Gospel Music Convention this summer. Any artist exhibiting at Branson Gospel Music Convention who is not currently affiliated with a record label is eligible to participate in the contest, which will take place on Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at 8:30 a.m. in Branson, Missouri. There is space for 30 contestants who will perform a 5-minute set on the convention stage during the talent contest. Winners of the contest will receive complimentary and/or discounted recording services from HIS Choice Production as well as a spot on the Friday evening concert at Branson Gospel Music Convention. The prize packages are as follows: - FIRST PLACE: Full 10 song recording package using pre-recorded tracks, two vocal days in studio, engineer, phrasing, editing, tuning, mixing, song licensing, and 100 CDs OR 50% discount off any HIS Choice Production recording package, plus a ten minute set on the Friday evening concert of the 2009 Branson Gospel Music Convention. - SECOND PLACE - 25% discount off any HIS Choice Production recording package, plus a one-song performance on the Friday evening concert of the 2009 Branson Gospel Music Convention. - THIRD PLACE - 20% discount of any HIS Choice Production recording package, plus a one-song performance on the Friday evening concert of the 2009 Branson Gospel Music Convention. “Many artists have asked for us to include this type of event.” “We are very excited to be partnering with HIS Choice to offer this opportunity to our artists,” says Kelly Burton, Program Director for the convention. “Many artists have asked for us to include this type of event, and we believe it fits with our focus of celebrating southern gospel and all those who work to promote its message.” Registration for the talent contest will be opening the first week of March and will be available only on the convention website at http://www.bransongmc.com. An entrance fee of $150.00 is required. Both this fee and paid convention registration is required to reserve one of the 30 spots in the contest, which will be filled on a first-come basis. Additional nightly concert appearances have been announced as well. In addition to the already announced artists (in parentheses), concerts will now feature the following artists: Tuesday, July 14: Marcey Wall, Eric Hinson, Crossway, Shannon Bunch, Samaritan Revival (Blackwood Quartet, Chuck Wagon Gang, Young Harmony, Jay Stone Singers, Minister’s Quartet, The Parish Family, The Ladds). Wednesday, July 15: McMillian & Life, Kirk Talley, Curt “The Shoe” Shoemaker, Beyond the Ashes, The Homesteaders (Blackwood Quartet, Chuck Wagon Gang, Kenny Bishop, Rod Burton, Wendy Word + Forgiven, Original Gospel Sounds). Thursday, July 16: The Nelons (Blackwood Quartet, The Stamps, Florida Boys, The Shireys, and Hearts of Faith). Friday, July 17: Peggy Inks (Weston Hinson & By Faith, Blackwood Quartet, The Stamps, Florida Boys, The Paynes, 2nd Generation, Shine On Trio, The Shannons, Sunday Edition, and Gospel River Boys). Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday will each be opened with a praise and worship time led by a local church choir. Thursday night, as previously announced, will feature the SGN Scoops Diamond Awards. According to Burton, the Branson GMC Music Committee has received dozens of demos from registered artists and is hard at work listening to all of them. “I want to stress some things,” she explains, “The announced concert line-ups are not finalized – we still have room, we are committed to listening to all the music we receive and placing as many artists as possible on the evening concerts, and finally, every artist who registers will sing. The daytime concerts are also an exciting part of the convention and a huge platform for evangelism in Branson!” Final evening slots are expected to be filled within the next month, and exhibition floor space is filling as well, so artists still considering the Branson Gospel Music Convention are urged to register as soon as possible. The inaugural Branson Gospel Music Convention will take place at the Branson Convention Center on July 14-17, 2009. Artists such as Blackwood Quartet, Chuck Wagon Gang, Florida Boys, The Stamps, The Paynes, Kirk Talley, Kenny Bishop, Crossway, Young Harmony, 2nd Generation, Rod Burton, Shannon Bunch, The Nelons, and Wendy Word + Forgiven, as well as many others, are scheduled to appear. Tickets are currently on sale. More information on the Branson Gospel Music Convention can be found at http://www.bransongmc.com. More information about HIS Choice Music can be found at http://www.hischoicemusic.com. -- ©2009 CCAUTHORITY.COM BREAKING NEWS |
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 A Grand New Day will bring together thousands of women to experience music, comedy, drama and inspirational stories |
WOMEN OF FAITH PRESENT NATION'S LARGEST LIVE EVENT FOR WOMEN NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - Grammy Winner Steven Curtis Chapman, Grammy Nominee & American Idol Finalist Mandisa, Lisa Whelchel From TV's Facts Of Life & Powerful Line-up Speak, Perform & Encourage - With families across the nation struggling, facing economic hard times and dealing with over 2.6 Million job losses in 2008 and record home foreclosures which skyrocketed 81% in 2008 (1 in every 54 housing units in the U.S.), women are under more pressure than ever before. With the weight of the world on their shoulders they are being stretched to make ends meet to keep a roof over their families’ heads as they juggle jobs and children. In these challenging times, they are turning to the Nation’s Largest Live Event for Women, which has attracted more than 4 Million women from across the country and which focuses on providing women with hope and inspiration. Women of Faith’s 2009 Tour “A Grand New Day” will hit 28 cities March–November and is expected to attract more than 300,000 women for a much-needed opportunity to bond, connect and be inspired as a diverse array of musical artists, authors, and performers take the stage in a weekend designed to offer them renewed strength and hope as they forge ahead. The Women of Faith event will bring together thousands of women in the nation’s largest scale female bonding and friendship experience connecting women from all walks of life in a deep and meaningful way – focused on helping them thrive in the face of the real, shared challenges they confront every day. Independent studies by Harvard Medical School and UCLA both confirm that women who have more female friends in whom they can confide are less likely to develop health problems as they age, take less time to recover from trauma, and lower their risk of early death. According to Harvard Medical School, not having close friends (or confidantes), could be as detrimental to a woman’s health as smoking or obesity. Numerous experts recommend female bonding as a stress reducer – essential in this Recession when women are facing high levels of stress at work and at home. A recent UCLA study revealed that when women engage in female bonding, they release oxytocin - a hormone that counteracts stress and produces a calming effect. The women who mentor and lead the events as speakers also embody the deep female connections forged at the events as many have been friends and colleagues for 14 years on the Women of Faith tour criss-crossing the nation together for over a decade and supporting each other through life’s ups and downs. The friendships of a few speakers span nearly three decades. The Columbus event will feature a diverse line-up of musical artists, speakers and special guests, including GRAMMY Winner Steven Curtis Chapman, GRAMMY Nominee & “American Idol” break-out finalist Mandisa, Lisa Whelchel from TV’s popular show “Facts of Life,” acclaimed music artist Sandi Patty, and Nicole C. Mullen, music artist and 8-time Dove award winner. Throughout the 2-day event, women join together to experience music, comedy, drama and inspirational stories that leave a powerful, lasting mark on the lives of the women who participate. Women of Faith has been going strong since 1996 and has a proven track record as the Nation’s Largest Women’s Conference. Registrations sell quickly and well in advance of the event. They are available and can be ordered on www.womenoffaith.com or by calling 888-49-FAITH. -- ©2009 CCAUTHORITY.COM BREAKING NEWS |
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 Newsboys shown above with the departing Peter Furler and new lead vocalist Michael Tait |
MICHAEL TAIT TO JOIN NEWSBOYS NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - After 22 years and more than 2000 shows, newsboys frontman Peter Furler will no longer front the band in concert. Michael Tait will be touring with the band as lead singer with Peter making special appearances throughout the year. Peter will continue with the band and his trademark songwriting and production will remain as he focuses his professional career toward future newsboys recordings. Michael has been on the road with the band over the past weeks working alongside Peter in what has been a positive and enjoyable experience for both parties. It has been a graceful process that both Peter and Michael have worked through as they prepare to make the change in the coming weeks. Peter states “newsboys to me has always been a mission, and I entrust Mike, Jeff, Jody and Duncan to continue all that is in store for us as a band. I’m looking forward to focusing on the band’s studio career and spending time in my own bed after many years in a tour bus and hundreds of thousands of miles on the road.” “it was a no-brainer to all of us.” Wes Campbell, newsboys manager explains, “While the decision to replace Peter on the road was a painstaking one, when the idea of dc Talk vocalist Michael Tait was presented it was a no-brainer to all of us. No one can replace Peter, but we know Michael will bring a new attitude, energy and vocal style that will thrill our audience. To be able to continue a world class show and still have Peter behind the scenes guiding the career and making of newsboys music is a huge opportunity |
