Hello World,

Everyone loves a great comeback story! Well, I’ve got one for you on this Sunday morning, the day of all days to celebrate comebacks!  My sorority sister Carol M. Mackey, who once helped launch the careers of many African American authors as the editor-in-chief of the largest African American book club, Black Expressions Book Club, in the nation, faced a setback when she lost her job and went through a divorce a few years ago. But since then, she has reclaimed her career as an author and is applying the lessons God taught her through her divorce and emotional upheaval. Carol’s latest book, “Faces of Praise!: Photos and Gospel Inspirations to Encourage and Uplift?” which will debut this Tuesday, Oct. 17, is a testimony to that!

This full-color photo gift book that turns chart-topping contemporary gospel music into Bible-based devotions is a three-way blessing for readers: a perfect companion to favorite gospel recordings, an encouraging devotional and a unique photo collection.

FACES OF PRAISE! turns your favorite contemporary gospel songs into Bible-based devotions.

Here are never-before-seen full-color images of 60 top contemporary gospel singers, taken on stage as they led worship concerts. The photos capture the artists as they praise, revealing their passion for God, and inspiring in you the hope, joy, and endurance expressed in their music.

FACES OF PRAISE! pairs the most popular, uplifting songs of these gospel greats with scripture, inspirational text, and prayers.

So get your praise on because this book is a three-way blessing-it’s a perfect companion to your favorite gospel recordings, an encouraging daily devotional, and a unique photo collection. Artists included:

1. Your first book “Sistergirl Devotions: Keeping Jesus in the Mix on the Job” included devotional readings focusing on women and the workplace. What inspired you to write “Faces of Praise!: Photos and Gospel Inspirations to Encourage and Uplift?” How did this project come to be?

I met the book’s photographer, Jeff Grant, at a mutual friend’s wedding back in 2012. Our friend knew Jeff wanted to publish a book and I was the editor-in-chief of Black Expressions Book Club at the time. Jeff and I became fast friends and one day over lunch he showed me his photographs on his phone. They were awesome photos of not only gospel artists, but regular church folk in various forms of worship. The first words out of my mouth were, “These are the faces of praise!” I knew he and I would someday do a book together and got the idea to merge my writing talent with his beautiful photographs. But I was in the middle of a bad divorce and knew that wasn’t the time. Too much emotional upheaval. Then one day in April of 2016 I got a call from my friend Adrienne Ingrum asking if I was working on anything new (she knew I’d written “Sistergirl Devotions.”) She was the editorial director over at Faith Words and was looking for new projects. I told her about my idea of merging Jeff’s photos of gospel artists with my my devotionals based on the artists’ songs. She loved it. And “Faces of Praise” was born!

2. In addition to photographs of gospel greats, the book also contains devotionals that express the message of the artists’ songs. Tell me about the creative process in writing these devotionals.

Many of the gospel artists I knew and loved their songs. However, some of them I wasn’t familiar with so I relied on Jeff to give me their most popular songs so I pulled them up on YouTube and gave them a listen. Inspiration came from unexpected places—the Holy Spirit does this often with my writing. I think ‘we’ are going in one direction and He totally flips the script on me and leads me a whole other way. He did that with a few of the songs. I’d write a complete devotion and He led me to scrap it and write something else. God knows what people need better than I do. I was obedient because I know He led me a certain way for a reason. The Father always knows best!

3. What are your favorite photographs and accompanying devotionals and why?

I don’t really have a favorite but some of the devotionals, though hard to write, were powerful paired with Jeff’s images of the artists. A few of the spreads I love are Kirk Franklin’s “I Smile,” Andrae Crouch’s “Through It All,” and Dorinda Clark-Cole’s “I’m Still Here.” The images and the message evoke a feeling. I pray they will bless whoever reads them.

4. Did you get to meet any of the artists in the book, and what was that like? And will the artists featured in the book help to promote it as well? What are the plans for promotion? A book tour?

Unfortunately I haven’t met any of the gospel artists in the book but I’m sure I will at some point. Many of them have already done promo videos on Facebook—Kirk Franklin, Richard Smallwood, Hart Ramsey and a few others. They’re Jeff’s personal friends and are happy to help us out. We’ll be doing signings together and apart in the coming months. No formal tour is planned though.

5. Most authors probably don’t have the opportunity to work with a photographer. How did that element impact the creative process?

Honestly we worked independently of one another. Jeff supplied the artist list based on the photos he had taken over the years and suggestions for song titles. I wrote the devotions based on the songs, and Jeff worked with the publisher to choose the best photos for the book.

6. What do you hope readers will get from “Faces of Praise?” 

I hope and pray they will be encouraged during the hard times. The last several years of my life have been challenging—lots of loss and disappointment. I always tell people it was the worst time in my life but it was the best time in my life. I needed God more than ever and He showed me He was still with me despite the ground crumbling beneath me. I believe in order for wounds to heal, they have to be exposed. That’s why the Bible says to “confess your sins. How can the Lord help you if you keep denying you have a problem? There was no shame in my game. I’m here to tell folks He will deliver you during your stormiest season. You get the lesson and the blessing and He gets the glory. It’s a win-win.

7. Is there anything else you would like to add?

This book was very cathartic for me because I wanted to address real issues that Christians face—illness, divorce, job loss, tragedy and so much more. I mention many of my own failures and disappointments. God never promised us a life free of pain or heartache, but He did promise to never leave us or forsake us. That’s the main takeaway—He’s with you!

Check out the promo for “Faces of Praise!: Photos and Gospel Inspirations to Encourage and Uplift?” with Carol M. Mackey & Jeff Grant below! “Faces of Praise” is available where all books are sold!

To join the “Faces of Praise” Facebook group, click on THIS link!

Any thoughts?

The post Author Carol M. Mackey Thrives After Divorce, Releases ‘Faces of Praise’ Featuring Gospel Greats! appeared first on After the Altar Call.

When I discovered late Thursday night that Andraé Crouch, called “the greatest hymn writer of our age, the modern-day John Wesley,” by Billy Graham (according to LeVar Burton in this video) passed away, I knew I had to honor him in today’s post…What I most admired about Mr. Crouch was how he shared his gift of music in song after song decade after decade…From the time he was young until he got old, he didn’t stop until he literally could no longer continue…And so though my words may not be as inspired as his music, the best way I can honor him is to share my words…

Dear Mr. Andraé Crouch,

I don’t know if you will read my words from all the way up in Heaven, but I still want to write “My Tribute” to you…

Praise God! No longer do you have to sing “Soon and Very Soon,” because you are now in the very presence of Our King! “I Don’t Know Why,” our Father took you when He did, but I know you are up there singing, “Can’t Nobody Do Me Like Jesus” like you could never sing it before!

Since you were ushered into the Heavenly gates on Thursday, you now know for yourself that “Jesus is The Answer” for this sinful world, but you no longer have to live with sin. Your earthly clay has been removed, and now your soul can soar! Because I still live in my earthly clay, bound in sin,  sometimes, I want to despair. But I am so glad you reminded us the “The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power” to save me from my sin. And “Through It All,” I pray one day I will be right where you must be this Sunday morning.

Even though the angels have probably welcomed you into your eternal rest, you probably declared to them, “I’m Gonna Keep on Singing” because that is just what God created me to do! And I’m so grateful that God allowed you to leave a precious legacy of music, because although your earthly body is no more, still “We Need to Hear From You.” And with that, “Let the Church Say Amen.”

Blessings,

Jacqueline J. Holness

Below is a video in which Mr. Crouch shares his testimony about when God gave him the gift of music at a Billy Graham crusade in 1975…

Below is more information about the funeral arrangements for Mr. Crouch:

A celebration of Andraé Crouch’s life will take place on Tuesday, January 20th and Wednesday, January 21st at West Angeles Church of God In Christ, located at 3045 Crenshaw Blvd in Los Angeles, California. Both services will be open to the public.

Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Viewing: 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Tribute Celebration: 7:00pm

 Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Viewing: 10:00am – 11:00am
Celebration of Life: 11:00am

In lieu of flowers, please send tax-deductible donations to:
Andraé Crouch Memorial Fund
c/o New Christ Memorial Church
13333 Vaughn
Pacoima, CA 91340
www.newchristmemorial.org

Cards and letters may be sent to:
New Christ Memorial Church
Attn.: Mauri Jones
13333 Vaughn
Pacoima, CA 91340

Also, if you live in the metro Atlanta area, Gospel Announcer Larry Tinsley will be honoring Mr. Crouch’s music during his “Sunday Morning Praise” broadcast 6 am to 12 pm on V-103.

Any thoughts?

The post Andraé Crouch: My Tribute… appeared first on After the Altar Call.

Happy Friday!!! It’s time to get our weekend on !!!

If you’re in the A, check out the inspirational play “Mama’s Prayer,” a play that will make you laugh, cry, but most of all think about your personal relationship with Jesus Christ…“Mama’s Prayer” is about a strong Christian woman who holds her family together through her Christian values despite the trials and tribulations that lie within her family. This play will suck you in and have you cheering for this family and what they stand for. With brand new original music, “Mama’s Prayer,” written and directed by Reginald Batiste, is nothing like those gospel plays you have seen before, and it’s sure to be one for the ages.

The play will be held tomorrow November 8 at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m at the Balzer Theater
84 Luckie Street, NW, Atlanta, GA 30303. Tickets are $35. For more information, go to mamasprayer.org. Below is a video preview of the play of “Mama’s Prayer.”

And if you are fan of gospel legend Andraé Crouch like I am, this will be good news for you. On November 28, Let the Church Say Amen Celebration Tour will kick off in Charlotte, NC and continue throughout the holiday season! According to the tour website, the historical tour will feature top performing artists who have been a part of Andraé’s legendary musical career and personal journey. Some of the artists include: Cece Winans, Israel Houghton, Gerald Albright, Marvin Winans and more! Audiences will be treated to special guests appearances in select cities including Atlanta, Birmingham, Miami, Orlando, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Richmond, Detroit, Indianapolis, Columbus and more! For ticket information, go lethechurchsayamentour.com.

And finally, since I am one of Sherri Shepherd’s biggest fans, I am happy to tell you that we have more opportunities to see her on the small screen…Sherri will appear in 10 of 12 episodes in season four of “The Soul Man” which begins in 2015, according to The Hollywood Reporter…She will portray Nikki, “the unpredictable cousin to Cedric the Entertainer’s Boyce Ballentine.” She will be on the show along with her BFF Niecy Nash.

Any thoughts?

The post Mama’s Prayer, Andraé Crouch & More Christian Entertainment News… appeared first on After the Altar Call.