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Undivided Documentary Shares the Story of How One Church Turned Around a Failing School & The Lives of Their Students
Nationwide Release February 3, 2015 Affirms the Message ‘Every School and Student Matters’
PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 29, 2015 /Christian Newswire/ — UNDIVIDED, the documentary, aims to inspire thousands of church and school partnerships with the release through iTunes, Amazon, GooglePlay, VUDU, XBOX, and Playstation on Tuesday, February 3, 2015.
UNDIVIDED is the inspiring true story of how a faith-in-action church and a public high school forged an unlikely and against the odds friendship – initiating an incredible transformation for both the school and faith communities.
Their partnership exemplifies how when a church selflessly serves their community with sincerity and integrity it can change everything. This kind of sacrifice has the potential to become a source of hope that can change a generation.
Through intimate interviews with the principal, pastor, teachers, volunteers and students, this documentary reveals the story of SouthLake Church, as it begins serving Portland, Oregon’s Roosevelt High School.
Once thriving, the failing Roosevelt High School suffered from the effects of being in a neighborhood riddled with poverty and gang violence. It faced closure until a unique partnership with a suburban church brought transformation among its students, the school and the volunteers serving it.
Featured are the teachers, the cornerstone of the school, who encourage students to persevere, and support staff who sacrifice their time through school food and clothing drives and in-school daycare facility. The high school football team is coached by a stern, yet loving father figure, former NFL quarterback Neil Lomax.
Audiences will experience the bond between students, teachers, and church leaders. Even more rewarding is the emotional resilience of students who struggle daily to beat the cultural odds that are against them in hopes of making a better life for themselves.
UNDIVIDED is produced by Jeff Martin and Dan Merchant, the team behind “Lord Save Us From Your Followers,” and is the feature film directorial debut for Sam Martin (SAMM). The documentary was an official selection for the 2014 Justice Film Festival.
To highlight the relationship between school and church, the producers have created a campaign titled #EVERYSCHOOLMATTERS, hoping to unite 300,000 churches with 100,000 schools across the nation in long-term serving partnerships. Already, more than 16,000 individuals have joined the campaign online.
“For church/school partnerships to work, we have to eradicate the perception that they’re only for well-resourced churches helping under-resourced schools,” said Kristine Sommer, Program Director of BeUndivided. “The reality is that all schools have some need. #EVERYSCHOOLMATTERS is a campaign to end that perception and help activate churches to get involved with their local school.”
It began as part of Luis Palau’s Season of Service challenge to churches to make a difference in the community, and has now expanded with 500 local churches providing 26,000 volunteers around the country. The bridges built between vastly different communities serve as a prime example of the many ways that churches selflessly serving schools with sincerity and integrity can change a community.
“This is the story about unconditional love and how churches can not only be resources for schools and kids, but they help change a culture from ‘have not’ to ‘can do,'” said Kip Jacob, pastor of SouthLake Church. “The message is about service and the magnificent things people can do when they share their gifts and trust God with the results.”
The official trailer is available at www.undividedthemovie.com.
Film Details:
Presented by: Lightning Strikes Entertainment and Aspiration Media
Run time: 66 minutes
Release date: February 3, 2015
Available through: iTunes, Amazon, GooglePlay, VUDU, XBOX, and Playstation
Director: Sam Martin Executive Producer: Jeff Martin Writer/Producer: Dan Merchant
Reach Beyond, American Idol Finalist Phil Stacey Releases Powerful Song Encouraging Christians to Share Faith in Jesus
The song is currently available on iTunes (itunes.apple.com/us/album/reach-beyond-single/id944122831) and other digital music services, including Spotify, Amazon, Google and several more.
Stacey was a top five finalist on American Idol in season six and has recorded three top 40 Christian and country music hits. “Reach Beyond” was written by Ty Stakes, executive director of the Asia Pacific Region for Reach Beyond, and composed, arranged and produced by Dove Award winner Chris August (www.chrisaugustmusic.com). The song’s message encourages Christians to recognize the price Jesus paid and the responsibility believers have to model Jesus and “reach beyond” to others.
“I was thrilled when Reach Beyond approached me about recording this song,” said Stacey. “My heart has always been in tune with global missions, and I hope the personal and potent message of this song inspires people to tell others about Jesus — whether it’s in their immediate communities or in a country thousands of miles from home.”
The lyrics challenge listeners to move beyond their comfort zones, remembering what Jesus has done in their own lives to bring them to Him:
No turning back now, I offer my life.
Help me follow Your example and be a living sacrifice.
Use my voice, Lord, oh, use my hands, speak the truth,
Touch the hurting, let the broken understand…
That because of Your love, You would reach out to me.
No one You’ve created is beyond Your reach!
“I’ve been privileged to devote my life’s work to reaching the lost with the gospel,” said Stakes. “The lyrics to ‘Reach Beyond’ are a personal reflection of what I’ve experienced and the importance of never giving up in our efforts to reach the lost. My prayer is that the words will remind people that our work is not done once we become Christians. In fact, it’s only beginning.”
One listener on iTunes, who gave the song five stars — the highest rating — said, “Loved it! An anointed song of mercy and love!”
To download “Reach Beyond” on iTunes, visit itunes.apple.com/us/album/reach-beyond-single/id944122831.
Additional information about Reach Beyond and its efforts to plant radio stations around the world is available at www.reachbeyond.org.
For 83 years the passion of Reach Beyond (formerly HCJB Global) (www.reachbeyond.org) has been to make disciples of Christ. Using mass media, healthcare and education and working with partners around the world, Reach Beyond has ministries in more than 100 countries. The gospel is aired in more than 120 languages and dialects. Thousands of healthcare patients are meeting Jesus. Local believers are being trained as missionaries, pastors, broadcasters and healthcare providers.
‘Touched By An Angel’ executive producer Martha Williamson ‘delivers’ new Christmas classic
‘Signed, Sealed, Delivered’ for Christmas’ premieres Nov. 23 on the Hallmark Movies and Mysteries channel
ATLANTA, Nov. 20, 2014 – Crown Media Family Networks recently announced that the Hallmark Channel original weekly scripted series, SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED, created and executive produced by Martha Williamson (executive producer of “Touched By An Angel”), will move to sister network Hallmark Movies & Mysteries as a movie franchise consisting of a series of two-hour original films. The highly anticipated first movie in the franchise, SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED FOR CHRISTMAS, debuts this Sunday, November 23 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, 8 p.m. CT on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries with three more slated for 2015.
SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED FOR CHRISTMAS is a fresh reminder of classic Christmas movies in the tradition of “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “Miracle on 34th Street” — asking deep questions and finding joyful answers that reflect the miracle of Christmas. Williamson’s laugh-while-you-cry movie is being enthusiastically received in screenings across the country and applauded for unapologetically rejoicing in the true meaning of Christmas.
“When Bill Abbott and Michelle Vicary asked if I can evolve the SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED franchise into a series of movies for the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, I was honored to continue the Hallmark tradition of quality family movies,” said series creator and executive producer Martha Williamson. “At the heart of SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED is Oliver, a modern day gentleman with old world values played brilliantly by Eric Mabius. He and his wonderful team of postal detectives will continue to surprise us and sometimes make us laugh as they work to solve mysteries behind letters, even mysteries of life.”
“We are delighted to be continuing our partnership with Martha Williamson and to bring her brand of rich and poignant stories to viewers on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries,” said Michelle Vicary, executive vice president, programming and network publicity, Crown Media Family Networks. “At their core, the narratives on SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED revolve around mystery and suspense, with compelling characters and dramatic storylines that will be enhanced by an extended format.”
SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED is a comedic drama that follows the lives of a group of postal workers who transform themselves into an untraditional team of detectives to track down intended recipients of undeliverable mail. Their missions take them out of the office into an unpredictable world where redirected letters and packages can save lives, solve crimes, reunite old loves and change futures by arriving late but somehow on time.
Returning as the “POstables,” Oliver O’Toole (Eric Mabius, “Ugly Betty”), Shane McInerney (Kristin Booth, “Orphan Black”), Rita Haywith (Crystal Lowe, “Smallville”) and Norman Dorman (Geoff Gustafson “Primeval: New World”) will take millions of viewers on new adventures as they uncover the mysteries of lost missives, profoundly changing lives in the process. The movie features guest stars Marion Ross and Rob Estes.
Episodes of SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED Season 1 are now available on iTunes.
Williamson’s production company, MoonWater Productions, is currently expanding her brand of inspirational entertainment into more television series and upcoming feature films.
SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED is a Muse Entertainment production in association with MoonWater Productions. Executive producers are Martha Williamson (“Touched by an Angel”), Joel S. Rice (“Cyberbully”) and Michael Prupas (“The Kennedys”). Harvey Kahn (“The Haunting Hour”) is the producer.
Twitter: @HallmarkMovie, @MarthaMoonWater, #POstables, #SignedSealedDelivered.
ABOUT MARTHA WILLIAMSON
Martha Williamson made television history when her CBS series “Touched By An Angel” set a new standard for an inspirational family drama when it grew to a weekly audience of 25 million viewers during its initial nine-year run. As executive producer of the ground-breaking series, she was the visionary who guided the series into previously uncharted territory with her unique brand of storytelling that produced more than strong ratings; it changed lives. She went on to seal her place in history when she became the first woman to solely executive produce two one-hour shows simultaneously with “Promised Land,” which aired for three years on CBS. She began her career in comedy with the producing teams for Carol Burnett and Joan Rivers, and went on to write and produce situation comedies such as “The Facts of Life,” “Family Man” and “Jack’s Place” for all the networks before making the transition to one-hour drama. Her work has been inducted into the Television and Radio Hall of Fame, and honored with numerous awards, including the Edward R. Murrow Responsibility in Television Award, the Templeton Prize Epiphany Award and nine Emmy® nominations. For more information, please visit http://www.marthawilliamson.com
The New Praise.com, a Music Faith-Based Website with Free Online Christian Music Radio Launches
Symbol of Christianity, white version. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
New Music Site Praise.com Launches with Worship Artist Emphasis
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., Oct. 16, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ — Today, Praise.com, a new faith-based website launches to the public. Dedicated to communicating the message of Jesus Christ to a hurting world, the site gives music lovers a unique opportunity to experience praise and worship music at a new level.
Praise.com offers the latest in contemporary praise and worship, music news, original videos and reviews from a Christian perspective. Users can listen to inspiring music, read reviews of recent album releases, watch videos of today’s biggest contemporary artists, read thought provoking devotionals, even read the Bible online, all ways to deepen one’s faith.
Perhaps the most exciting element of Praise.com is Praise Radio, a free online Christian radio station. In addition to providing a constant stream of the latest praise and worship music from artists including Chris Tomlin, Kari Jobe and Hillsong UNITED, the player features song lyrics, concert information, artist bios and even an easy and simple ways to purchase music.
“We are thrilled by all the possibilities that Praise.com offers our users,” said President Michael Stonecypher. “We hope people will be encouraged to grow in their faith and tell others about it.”
Stats about online radio continue to point to a trend of new, innovative stations and formats making waves among the industry and listeners: Current estimates report nearly 100 million Internet users tune in to online radio stations weekly. In the meantime, terrestrial stations that stream online are seeing their audiences expand beyond the physical limits of wavelength and signal strength to reach listeners in distant new markets. That’s why the reach of Praise Radio expands beyond one site and listeners can find Praise Radio whether they’re on Praise.com, through iTunes or Tunein.com.
“You need to keep in mind today’s radio is now an interactive medium,” Stonecypher says, “engaging millions of consumers online and via mobile devices every week with limitless boundaries globally.”
To celebrate the launch of Praise.com, users are invited to register to win an all-inclusive trip for two on The Music Boat Cruise 2012, from Premier Christian Cruises. Hitting the high seas from November 5-9, a random winner and guest will sail to Grand Turk Island while enjoying uplifting music from Newsboys, Natalie Grant, Kutless and many others. The giveaway includes round-trip airfare and will draw to a close on October 25. Beyond a promotion to announce the launch of the site, according to Stonecypher, the giveaway is part of a larger mission for Praise.com.
“Obviously we want to provide a place on the Internet where Christians can listen to great music and find uplifting content, but our main goal is quite simple,” Stonecypher said. “We want people to be blessed.”
Users seeking further information and to sign up to receive the latest news, reviews and inspirational features via email, can visit www.praise.com.
Related articles
- God be praised! Worship as being “taken out of the ashes and placed at the table.” (wordsatworship.com)
- Christian Internet Radio (discerningmusic.wordpress.com)
Artist Survives Near-Death Experience and Releases Single ‘It Ain’t Over’
BUFFALO, N.Y., Aug. 28, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ — After a forced hiatus due to a prolonged season of illness, IndieBuzz Music recording artist, Dianna Hobbs, is officially back. Her long-awaited new digital single, It Ain’t Over, is available for direct purchase from www.DiannaHobbsMusic.com and will later be distributed through iTunes, Amazon.com, and other major online retailers.
It Ain’t Over is the first official single from Hobbs’ forthcoming CD — a fitting title from the singer who escaped death after surgical complications from surgery to repair a broken wrist sent her into cardiac arrest. From there, her health rapidly declined, sending the Western NY native on a downward spiral she thought would never end.
Now that the gifted singer/songwriter is whole again, her new self-penned melody shares a victorious message of hope for those struggling through seasons of difficulty, reminding them that God will bring them out.
“This is a joyous day for me,” says Hobbs, expressing how grateful she is to God for sparing her life and giving her another chance to minister through music. “I get the opportunity to share a message of faith and encouragement that will prayerfully help someone else through their own challenging time.”
Hobbs will be sharing her testimony in a series of local and national radio interviews in select markets.
To purchase your copy of “It Ain’t Over,” log onto www.DiannaHobbsMusic.com.
MARS HILL CHURCH LAUNCHES NEW MUSIC LABEL
Mars Hill Church Shoreline Easter 2012 (Photo credit: Mars Hill Church)
Seattle, WA – MARS HILL CHURCH is excited to announce the launch of the MARS HILL MUSIC label. This new venture is made up of a variety of musicians and worship leaders who serve throughout the 14 Mars Hill churches.
Mars Hill Church is known for innovation. From its early beginnings in 1996, Mars Hill has been committed to the philosophy that each local Mars Hill church would engage the culture in its local surroundings and point people to Jesus. With each of the bands and artists, listeners can quickly get a sense of the community where the songs and the artists were established.
“What makes our bands and music distinct is that it is a natural expression and outgrowth of what God is doing in our cities through our musicians. Our records are a means to capture and share what is happening at our churches. That makes them unique and different, the same way our cities and communities are unique and different,” explains Jonathan Dunn, label manager for Mars Hill Music.
Currently, Mars Hill Churches are established throughout the west, including eleven churches in the greater Puget Sound region, as well as in Albuquerque, NM, Portland, OR and in Orange County, CA. Musically, all are diverse, as the church is committed to raising up a community of artists who write music and adapt hymns that are fitting for the individual needs of their own church body.
“We believe God desires our churches to be creative,” continues Dunn, “but not to sacrifice the truth of the gospel or theology for the sake of art. We make a conscious effort to include the theologically-rich music of traditional hymns, mixed with original songs unique to each church body, both lyrically and musically.”
Mark Driscoll, Preaching Pastor of Mars Hill, agrees, “We are happy to trust our leadership as artists…their doctrine is solid, their character is Godly, and they are involved in the community; artists who are creating music that is a reflection of who we are and what we believe as a church community.”
Mars Hill Music’s latest EP, Already/Not Yet from the band CITIZENS reached #3 in the Christian category on iTunes when it debuted, and reached #1 on BandCamp.com. Other artists EPs available for download at MarsHill.com/music are:
• KING’S KALEIDOSCOPE
• GHOST SHIP
• KENOSIS
• THE SING TEAM
About Mars Hill:
Founded in 1996, Mars Hill Church is one of the largest and most-innovative churches in the US, with upwards of 14,000 people meeting weekly across 14 locations in four states each week. Mars Hill has been recognized as the 54th largest, 30th fastest-growing, and second most-innovative church in the country by Outreach magazine. Pastor Mark’s sermons receive more than 10 million downloads per year, consistently rank #1 on iTunes, and he has over 300,000 combined followers on Facebook and Twitter.
You Are the Light Makes Early Debut on iTunes
PORTLAND, Ore., March 21, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ — This week, Catholic recording artist Josh Blakeley released his newest album, You Are the Light on iTunes to the delight of an ever-growing fan base — a full two months before the CD is available.
Listeners have already welcomed Blakesley and his band with the title single from the album, “You Are the Light” debuting at #9 on the Christian Radio Weekly Adds Chart and receiving radio requests and airtime from Christian and Catholic stations across the U.S and Europe. After one day, You Are the Light has commanded the 17th spot on iTunes Gospel/Christian charts and continues to rise. (www.bit.ly/You_Are_the_Light_iTunes)
“I have always led my life and ministry by the scriptural ideal of going out and making disciples of the nations,” says Louisiana-based Blakesley. “I’m humbled and honored at the overwhelming response to ‘You Are the Light.’ It strengthens my own resolve in the mission I believe God has set before me. I pray that it moves people into lasting relationships with Christ.”
In the works for years, the 7-track album boasts a bold list of contributors from Grammy-nominated Sarah Hart (“Better than a Hallelujah”) and multi-platinum, Grammy award winning producer Ed Cash to Dove-nominee and new industry elite, Audrey Assad. Of working with Blakesley, Assad writes, “Writing with Josh was and is a pleasure. He’s an incredibly talented singer and minister, and I’m thankful for his work in the vineyard!”
“We were blessed to work with some amazingly talented people,” says Robert Feduccia, general manager of spiritandsong. “Josh is one of the most complete artists the church has today. He put a lot of himself into this album and it shows. From the crystal clear vocals and soaring guitars to lyrics that only begin to demonstrate the depth of his spirituality, You Are the Light is a testament to the restorative power of God’s love.”
In its entirety, the CD is a pure, heartfelt adoration of Christ. “I write from my own life experiences and I’ve learned some exceptionally hard lessons,” Blakesley explains. “This album is the assemblage of pain and healing. It’s the marriage of suffering and resurrection. I can only hope that the music will inspire listeners where they are in their own trials and triumphs.”
About spiritandsong.com
spiritandsong.com, a division of OCP, offers the latest releases by both big-name artists and emerging new talents. OCP, a not-for-profit publisher of music and worship resources based in Portland, Oregon, has been in operation for more than 80 years. Worship materials produced by OCP are used in thousands of churches in the United States and are distributed worldwide. More information is available at 1-800-548-8749 and ocp.org. Facebook.com/OCPmusic
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Faith That Inspires Action 