(Darwin Hobbs New promotional photo )

Guess who’s back! The one and only “Luther Vandross of Gospel” Mr. Darwin Hobbs!!! Hobbs is scheduled to have his first CD/DVD recording ever on September 18, 2009 at the Oasis Worship Center in Nashville, TN. The album has been post titled ‘Praise and Worship; Songs to Enhance the Worship Lifestyle’. How loaded is that!!! Hobbs’ will release his new project on the Tyscot label, his second release on the label since his 2005 release entitled Worshipper (EMI Gospel).His first release with Tyscot ‘Free’ is featured below.

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Dr. Judith Christie McAllister- noted writer, award winning minstrel ,composer, singer and Praise and Worship has now been appointed as the International President of the Music Department of the Church of God In Christ. She is being referred to via COGIC.net as the preeminent woman of worship (oh so true) .The Inaugural Celebration for the newly appointed President was celebrated by the international body on Friday September 4, 2009 with ‘A Night of Praise and Worship’ at West Angeles COGIC- North Campus at 7:00pm. On Saturday, September 5, 2009 the celebration continued at the Sheraton Gateway hotel. The events began with various workshops and an Inaugural Celebration Luncheon at 12:30pm (Only as COGIC can!!!). On Sunday, September 6, the celebration convened at West Angeles Cathedral for a Morning Worship Celebration where the Presiding Bishop Charles Blake will serve as the keynote speaker.

(Co-Pastor KIM Burrel presents ‘The Statement of Purpose’ to the COGIC music dept during AIM 2009 in Tampa FL and tells the lineage of the the department)

(Christina  Nelson (Johnathan’s wife affectionately called Chris),Dr. McAllister,Jonathan Nelson,and son Johnathan Andrew II at the 2009 Stellar Awards After Party)

This was an historic event where as Dr. McAllister will be filling the shoes of several gospel music pioneers such as Dr. Mattie Moss Clark who also held this position within the Church of God In Christ. Dr. McAllister is quite possibly becoming the most powerful praise and worship leader and music director in America considering that COGIC.net reports that COGIC “are now established throughout the United States, on every continent, and in many of the islands of the sea.” The membership of COGIC was 3 million in 1973!!!! The church census as of 1997 was 5.2 million members, making it the largest Pentecostal group in America!

(Dr. Judith Christie McAllister preparing for the stage)

Below is a letter from Dr. Judith Christie McAllister as she addresses the International Music Department of COGIC-We know that fellow state and local music department heads like First Lady Karen Clark-Sheard, Evangelist Dorinda Clark-Cole, Evangelist Bettye Nelson or Co-Pastor Kim Burrell are excited about this new addition!!! We’ll keep you posted, and as always will update you with the happenings! Congratulations to Dr. McAllister!

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Welcome to the International Music Department for the Church of

God in Christ.We are so honored that you have taken pause within

your busy day, to pay us a visit. As a department we will centralize

our focus on JESUS and HIS kingdom; and this focus will be the goal

of all departmental activities. We will endeavor to remove attention

away fromman and/or tradition, realizing that the commandments

of God take precedence over the traditions of man.

Please feel free to visit our webpage again and again, as we will

frequently update to provide information and inspiration, with the

expectation that your experience while here on the IMD website will

continue to be an uplifting one.

We’re Better Together

Dr. Judith McAllister
President
International Music Department

According to the AP (Associated Press) a 61 year old Pastor was found dead Sunday in her church. Pastor Carol Daniels a Pentecostal Preacher, was found dead Sunday at the Christ Holy Sanctified Church in Anadarko, Oklahoma.

(Pastor Carol Daniels)

The local authorities are currently indicating that this was indeed a homicide as Daniels body was “staged” meaning it was moved into an unnatural position after the slaying. There was no word at press as to how Daniels body was positioned. “Multiple sharp force injuries” were found in the preliminary autopsy, but local law enforcement are declining further details and motive of the crime.

(Funeral Srevice program for Pastor Carol Daniels)

Bret Burns, county district attorney stated “We talked about security issues within their churches and their congregations”, referring to a meeting that was held in the city to address local clergy about security measures. Interestingly enough the D.A. nor local law enforcement will speak as to why the meeting was held with just local Pastors or what types of impending threats they might face. Burns, according the AP did not rule out the possibility that the killer specifically targeted a pastor or a church. At press time, there were still no arrests made, and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation has offered a $10,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction.

(Pallbearers carry the casket of Carol Daniels following her funeral in Oklahoma City)

We are saddened by this occurrence, pray the killer is exposed and that justice is served. We are praying Gods comfort rest upon the parishioners of Christ Holy Sanctified Church and the entire Daniels family.

Hey OC readers…Do you feel that security in the local church needs to be reinforced to cover our Men and Women of God??? You know we want your opinion! Lets us know!!!

We’ve seen her hosting with Bobby Jones on BET (last season), and we’ve heard her collaborations with Fred Hammond, Dawkins & Dawkins, Kim Rutherford and even the late Gerald Levert.

Lexi now a budding journalist continues in what is becoming a gospel tradition with her very own show which is self titled ‘The Lexi Show’ on The Word Network. This is the show’s fourth season, and according to our sources at The Word Network “This season is going to be hotter than ever!!!”

(Business Diva and CEO of Habakkuk Music Record Label April Washington with Lexi)

With interviews highlighting some of today’s foremost authorities in the GI- Pastor Jamal Bryant, Pastor Shirley Caesar, Tonex, DeWayne Woods, Bishop Carlton Pearson (can’t wait to see that one…) and others. The new season begins September 5,2009- so make sure u show Alexis Nucklos aka Lexi plenty of support!

(Lexi on the set for 4th season taping)

Check out these promo trailers below for the show’s upcoming season.

Multi Millionaire hit maker Tyler Perry has come back with a new film and a new contest.  The new contest ‘I Can Do Good’ Gospel & Blues Video Competition will give everyone from jazz musicians to church choirs an invitation to submit videos of their gospel or blues performance. The winning videos will be chosen based on originality, talent and creativity.

(OPRAH WINFREY overwhelmed in the arms of her Sidney Poitier during the ‘Tyler Perry Studios’ opening)

‘I Can Do Good’ runs through September 7. Just in time for Tyler Perry’s newest movie, ‘I Can Do Bad All By Myself’. The contest was created as a vehicle for TP fans to put their singing skills to the test and debut them through a special series that will run on BET networks while also winning some cash!!!

Fans can get started by visiting www.icandobadgospelcontest.com to submit a video of their gospel or blues performance. Songs may be performed solo or with a group, and everyone from jazz musicians to church choirs are welcome to submit.  (Is it me or is this really broad…is this a gospel singing contest or a jazz contest- guess I’m ‘old school’!!!)

(New promotion for ‘I Can Do Bad All By Myself’)

The winning videos will be chosen by Pastor Marvin Winans of Perfecting Church in Detroit. Judging will be based on originality, talent and creativity with the first place winner receiving a spot on BET and a $2,500 gift card. Four runners-up will receive Tyler Perry prize packages.

Contest runs through September 7. So you only have a few more days to get your video together! We defiantly wanna see some faithful OC readers winning!!!

(Pastor Marvin Winans on the set of ‘I Can Do Bad All By Myself’)

America just can’t get enough Tyler Perry, and he continues to evolve delivering better storylines and the best hand selected actors. Fans are in for a treat with the silver screen version of ‘I Can Do Bad All By Myself’. With performances and songs by Gladys Knight, Mary J. Blige, Pastor Marvin Winans and Oscar-nominee Taraji P. Henson we are guaranteed to laugh, cry, and walk away enriched.  If you’re wondering, Winans will play the Pastor in the movie- surprise surprise!!!! Catch Tyler Perry’s newest movie in theaters September 11!  Hey readers can you name any famous celebrities, singers, or preachers who played a Preacher in a movie!!! Leave a comment below!