Israel Houghton has begun preparing for his annual worship conference. The fourth annual conference entitled “Deeper” created for everyone with a passion for a lifestyle of worship. The Deeper Conference 2010 Worship Academy will focus primarily on equipping leaders to transfer what they’ve learned from the conference in order to serve their pastor and local church.

Each class is designed to specifically introduce and develop leadership principles and techniques useful to the worship ministry. The conference returns to Grace Church in Houston, Texas in the later part of August. This year’s workshops include songwriting sessions, production and sound reinforcements.

Guest speakers and artists will include New Breed, Meleasa Houghton and Kevin Singleton. As always, this conference will be filled with plenty of praise and worship! For more information visit israelhoughton.net.

More and more blessings are pouring in for the season 2 winner of BET’s “Sunday’s Best,” Y’Anna Crawley! We recently told you of Y’Anna appearances at the JFK center and as promised we want to inform all the fans on her long awaited solo release set to hit stores July 13!

Crawley has recently signed an endorsement deal with Shure Pro Audio, who has endorsed several other celebrities for the past 80 years. “The sound is consistently crystal clear, the quality of the product is the BEST, and it prevents me from having to work as hard vocally, I’ve been requesting this product in my rider for years so to finally be partnering with them officially is great. Yes, that’s my sound product of choice without question.” Crawley stated in an interview.

The deal introduces a fresh and outstanding season for the gospel star, whose new single and most memorable performance by Crawley on “Sunday’s Best”; “Grandma’s Hands” is due at radio May 4. Y’Anna is currently in the studio finishing up her album with Buster & Shavoni who also produced gospel hits for Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams, and Trin-i-tee 5:7. Soon as the album drops of course the OC will be here for you to take a listen!

Moved by their singing and dancing as well as their difficult lives, Michelle Obama hugged student after student at a Mexico City elementary school on April 14. Our first lady arrived in Mexico waiting to be serenaded by a group of boys and girls. She was wearing the same white pants and ivory jacket she had on during her morning roundtable with a group of a dozen Mexican youth leaders.

She listened with cupped hands and clapped when the kids were done with two songs, in English and Spanish. The songsters waving U.S. and Mexican flags were members of the Christel House choir, called the Polyphonic Chorus. The adorable children wore uniforms, blue jumpers and tan shirts for girls, blue sleeveless sweaters, blue pants and tan shirts for boys. Christel House was founded to help impoverished children.

(Lady Michelle passionately addresses students at the Christel House in Mexico)

“My message to the young people is that success and possibility doesn’t know a race, a background, a gender, a socioeconomic class. We are going to need the energy and the passion of every single young person. We are going to have to develop those schools and have those young people believing in their own potential.”The first lady stated in an interview. Another Job well done for the first lady!

Pastor Caesar has certainly been busy lately, from television appearances to recording hit singles, Pastor Caesar brings us something fresh and creative! She announced her new on-line talent contest entitled “I Got Nexx” How creative is this!! The unique contest gives aspiring singers, actors, comedians, and musicians the opportunity to be exposed and a chance to win $25,000.

In addition to “I Got Nexx”, our beloved Pastor will be featured in the April issue of JET Magazine. She also released the gospel music video for “Playground in Heaven”, that was featured on the Gospel Music Channel this month. Upcoming concert appearances include Carnegie Hall on April 28th and the Stellar Awards Gospel Music Mother’s Day Celebration on May 9th. She’s gone from Good Day Atlanta to the Mo’Nique Show, Pastor Caesar is doing it all!

THIS MONTHS WINNER ROSE BELK

The unique contest gives aspiring artists the chance to upload performance videos to the website, then every month Pastor Caesar & her team at Shu-Bel Entertainment pick 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners. For those interested, upload your performance videos to the website. Fans will also have a chance to log on and vote for their favorite video. For rules and more information on the contest, visit igotnexx.com

The beloved Geraldine Gay Hambric, the last surviving member of the famous Gay Sisters, passed away in Chicago April 6 after battling an illness. Known as a magician at the keys for her superb piano abilities, Geraldine, along with her sisters was a true trailblazer.

In 1951, Geraldine, Evelyn and Mildred Gay went from local gospel sensations in Chicago’s Church of God in Christ community to national stardom with the release of the hit single, “God Will Take Care of You”. The sisters also appeared with Mahalia Jackson at Carnegie Hall during the 1950’s. Gay had been battling an illness for several years.

The OC sends heartfelt condolences to her family, friends and so many other loved ones. She will truly be missed! More information on her home going services will be made available on the OC as details are finalized.