Category: NEWS

Matt & Beth Redman Featured In A New Documentary Calling For Better Safeguarding & Accountability In The Church As A Response To Soul Survivor Abuse Experiences

Today sees the release of ‘Let There Be Light’ – a documentary film that explores the pattern of abuse many young people experienced over a period of four decades under the leadership of Mike Pilavachi, founder of the Soul Survivor youth movement in the UK.

This short film highlights victims’ stories, alongside expert insight from experienced professionals discussing how cultures can develop that allow abuse of this nature, and the long-term psychological harm that victims can suffer as a result of it. As well as telling the inside story of Mike Pilavachi’s damaging behaviour while leader of Soul Survivor, ‘Let There Be Light’ also explores the lessons the global Church might learn for the future, in this key area of safeguarding.

Featuring Matt and Beth Redman, who were both themselves victims, the documentary also hears from Dr Diane Langberg (an international author who is recognised for her 50 years of clinical work with trauma victims), Dr Chi-Chi Obuaya (a UK consultant psychiatrist) and Dr Amy Orr-Ewing (a UK theologian with a passion to advocate for survivors of abuse).  The film calls for higher standards of transparency and justice in the Church of England and the wider church.

A safeguarding investigation commissioned by the Church of England substantiated claims made by victims of emotional, physical, and spiritual harm caused by Pilavachi’s abusive behaviours. The investigation uncovered a systematic pattern of coercive control by him – and confirmed inappropriate physical contact instigated by him, including wrestling with teenage boys and the massaging of young male interns in private. As one survivor commented, “He left a trail of broken, young male adults scattered all around the world”. 

After receiving hundreds of messages from survivors and observing a limited response from key leadership voices in the UK Church, alongside a groundswell of comments from the general public, the Redmans became aware that several media outlets were seeking to retell their stories.  This film provides an opportunity for Matt and Beth to tell the story themselves, drawing on the help of experts in this field.

Soul Survivor was a Christian evangelical charismatic youth movement in the UK. Initially founded in 1993, by Mike Pilavachi, its UK summer festivals, which ended in 2019, gathered up to 30,000 young people. Soul Survivor also held regular international events in countries such as Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the Netherlands.

Except for a brief resignation statement on social media in July 2023, Pilavachi, now aged 66, has not made himself available for comment. He currently still holds an MBE, an award given to him by the Queen for his services to young people and has not been subject to significant sanctions by the UK Church.

Commenting on the release of ‘Let There Be Light’ Matt Redman said, “This is a story that needed to be told. Close to 150 people spoke to the initial investigation into Mike Pilavachi’s conduct and that report substantiated claims of physical, psychological, and spiritual abuse.

For me, this is also a personal story. From the age of 13 I experienced that mistreatment firsthand – and it still affects me to this day. But we didn’t make this documentary to cast stones – instead, we want to bring light and hope to the situation, as well as to help the Church learn from what we and others have experienced.”

Beth Redman added, “We hope this film conveys just how much we love and believe in the body of Christ. Our prayer is for the healing of yesterday’s wounds – and a brighter, safer Church for tomorrow.”

Dr Chi-Chi Obuaya* added, “This is a really important project, and it will no doubt be a huge source of support for people directly and indirectly affected by this issue – both at Soul Survivor and in other similar situations.”

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The Awakening Tour 2024 Announced Featuring Casting Crowns, We The Kingdom, Mac Powell, Katy Nichole, Terrian & David Leonard

This fall Awakening Foundation, powered by Awakening Events, presents The Awakening Tour in October. Featuring award-winning artists Casting Crowns, We The Kingdom, Mac Powell, Katy Nichole, Terrian and David Leonard, The Awakening Tour will be an evening that will leave you feeling refreshed, inspired, and encouraged.

The Awakening Tour is not just a concert; it’s a spiritual awakening, a gathering of souls united in the joy of music and the power of faith. Presented by Food For the Hungry, K-LOVE, and Air1, the tour will begin on October 2nd and run through the month concluding on the 26th.

Tickets go on sale Monday, April 15 at 12pm ET/11am CT. The artist line-up will vary by city, so please check the tour page and local listings for the details. Official tour dates are listed below.

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Redemption Praise Releases “Jesus” To Gospel Radio

Redemption Praise, the passionate musical project led by Leanette Lopez, is excited to announce the release of the single “Jesus” to Gospel and Praise & Worship radio stations across the globe. Crafted by Leanette Lopez and produced by Joseph (Fono) Garcia, “Jesus” emerges as a soul-stirring anthem encapsulating profound faith and exquisite musical artistry.

Leanette Lopez has been a luminous figure in the Christian music landscape, her journey marked by a deep-seated devotion and a rich tapestry of musical experiences. From her early days of singing in church to navigating through life’s challenges with grace, her story is one of perseverance, faith, and a relentless pursuit of musical expression.

Drawing from a diverse array of influences including Ashely Cleveland, Amy Grant, and Selena Quintanilla, Leanette’s music bridges genres from Gospel to Country, and Rock to Latin, striking a chord with a wide audience.

“Jesus,” presented by Redemption Praise, encapsulates Leanette’s spiritual and musical voyage, offering an intimate reflection on her relationship with faith. The lyrics convey a powerful message of reliance on and devotion to Jesus, underscored by an uplifting melody and passionate vocals, aiming to uplift and inspire listeners to find strength in their faith.

This introduction of “Jesus” under the banner of Redemption Praise marks a significant moment, continuing the mission of spreading hope, healing, and the transformative power of faith through music. The single stands as an invitation for all to delve into the depths of Leanette Lopez’s spiritual odyssey and to experience the comforting embrace of faith through the universal language of music.

“Jesus” is now available to Gospel and Praise & Worship radio stations. Join Redemption Praise in sharing this profound musical offering and its message of faith and redemption.

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Stars Go Dim Featured On GRAMMY’s Positive Vibes Only Series

Via the Recording Academy, Stars Go Dim participated in Positive Vibes Only, a performance series featuring Gospel, Christian, and inspirational music artists where motivation, meditation, and affirmation are the focus.

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NEEDTOBREATHE Announces New Summer 2024 Shows

GRAMMY-nominated rock band NEEDTOBREATHE is set to bring their “high-energy, infectious” (Music Row) live show to arenas coast to coast this summer and have added a dozen new dates to their tour roster today. Hailed for their “stellar” (Paste Magazine) performances, NEEDTOBREATHE will be on the road the majority of this year—including appearances at summer festivals like Canada’s Boots and Hearts, Minneapolis’ Basilica Block Party, and Pilgrimage Music Festival just outside of Nashville. The rock outfit will also play the iconic Red Rock Amphitheatre on May 19–and while the show is sold out, fans can sing along via VEEPS livestream by purchasing tickets

NEEDTOBREATHE is set to perform with Keith Urban, Lindsay Ell, Yola, Brett Young; Abraham Alexander and Kashus Culpepper will support newly announced summer dates. Following the first leg that took the band across the globe last fall, the CAVES World Tour will resume on April 25 in Charlotte, NC and will feature alternative rock band Judah & The Lion.

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Tickets for all newly announced shows will be available starting next Friday, April 12, at 10am local time; fans pre-sale begins next Tuesday, April 9 at 10am local and Spotify pre-sale will kick off on Wednesday, April 10 at 10am local.

Known for their distinctive blend of modern rock, soulful melodies, and undeniable mainstream appeal, NEEDTOBREATHE has built a “massive live following” (Rolling Stone) in their illustrious two-decade career. Today, the band is in Austin, TX for a special taping of “CMT Crossroads,” where they will team up with country hitmaker Jordan Davis to talk more about their respective careers at University of Texas Austin’s UT Tower. On Sunday, fans can tune in to watch NEEDTOBREATHE and Davis perform live at the CMT Awards; the show will air from 8-11pm Eastern on CBS and will stream on Paramount+.

Catch NEEDTOBREATHE On Tour:
6/27 – Sioux City, IA – Battery Park ~
6/28 – Columbia, MO – 9th Street Summerfest ~

6/29 – Milwaukee, WI – American Family Insurance Amphitheater ^
7/19 – Beech Mountain, NC – Beech Mountain Resort Concert Series #
7/20 – Louisville, KY – Iroquois Amphitheater =
7/21 – Goshen, IN – Elkhart County 4H Fair
7/24 – Cohasset, MA – South Shore Music Circus ~
7/25 – Lancaster, PA – American Music Hall ~

7/26 – Wallingford, CT – Oakdale Theatre ~
8/2 – Cedar Rapids, IA – McGrath Amphitheatre =

8/3 – Minneapolis, MN – Basilica Block Party
8/4 – Green Bay, WI – EPIC Event Center =
8/8 – Hyannis, MA – Cape Cod Melody Tent ~
8/9 – Waterloo, NY – Del Lago Resort & Casino ~  

8/10 – Oro-Medonte, ON – Boots and Hearts Music Festival
8/12 – Des Moines, IA – Iowa State Fair +
8/23 – Highland, CA – Yaamava’ Theater
8/26 – Palmer, AK – Alaska State Fair
8/30 – Macon, GA – Atrium Health Amphitheater =
9/1 – Augusta, GA – The Bell Auditorium =
9/11 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Melkweg
9/12 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Melkweg (SOLD-OUT)
9/13 – Berlin, Germany – Hole44
9/14 – Cologne, Germany – Die Kantine
9/17 – Manchester, UK – Manchester Academy 2
9/18 – Birmingham, UK – O2 Academy2
9/20 – London, UK – O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire
9/22 – Glasgow, Scotland – SWG3 Galvanizers
9/23 – Belfast, UK – Ulster Hall
9/29 – Franklin, TN – Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival
10/5 – Ocean City, MD – Country Calling

New Dates Bolded
^ with Keith Urban and Lindsay Ell
# with Yola
+ with Brett Young
~ Abraham Alexander
= Kashus Culpepper

6/1 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center *

Where to Watch The CAVES World Tour with Judah & The Lion:
4/25 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
4/26 – Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park *
4/27 – Wilmington, NC – Riverfront Park – Live Oak Bank Pavilion *
4/28 – Jacksonville, FL – Daily’s Place *
4/30 – Brandon, MS – Brandon Amphitheater *
5/2 – Rogers, AR – Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion *
5/3 – Little Rock, AR – First Security Amphitheater *
5/4 – Austin, TX – Moody Amphitheater *
5/7 – San Diego, CA – The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park *
5/8 – Concord, CA – Toyota Pavilion at Concord *
5/10 – Ridgefield, WA – RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater *
5/11 – Auburn, WA – White River Amphitheater *
5/12 – Spokane, WA – Northern Quest Resort & Casino – BECU Live *
5/14 – Nampa, ID – Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater *
5/15 – Bonner, MT – KettleHouse Amphitheater *
5/17 – Moorhead, MN – Bluestem Amphitheater *
5/18 – Lincoln, NE – Pinewood Bowl Amphitheater *
5/19 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre * (SOLD-OUT)
5/21 – St. Louis, MO – Saint Louis Music Park *
5/22 – Indianapolis, IN – Everwise Amphitheater at the White River State Park *
5/24 – Huntsville, AL – Orion Amphitheater *
5/25 – Charleston, SC – Credit One Stadium *
5/26 – Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater *
5/28 – Chicago, IL – Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island *
5/29 – Detroit, MI – Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill *
5/31 – New York, NY – The Rooftop at Pier 17 *

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Jonathan McReynolds’s “Able” Tops Billboard Gospel Song Chart

Renowned multi-award singer-songwriter-producer and author, Jonathan McReynolds kicks-off 2024, in high-gear. This week, Jonathan celebrates the success of his latest single, “Able,” featuring Marvin Winans, as it tops the Billboard Gospel charts at #1 for the 2nd consecutive week in a row. This fete marks Jonathan’s 6th back-to-back #1 song on the charts.

I am truly honored and humbled to witness the amazing success of this song,” mentions Jonathan McReynolds. “Funny story as to how it all came about. I was sitting in my RV after my set during the Kingdom Tour and someone told my team that Bishop Winans came to see me. He’s always been supportive of my music. I went and found him in the arena and told him that for the rest of the evening I’d just be on my RV finishing my album.

I joked that I had a song for him, if he wanted to be on it, COMPLETELY expecting a “no” maybe even a “heck no”. But he said yes. And straight away, as Kirk and Mac sang in the background, with his suit, his tie, his wife and his legendary voice, Bishop got on my small RV, stepped to the mic and blew us all away. Completely unplanned. One of my favorite career moments,” shares Jonathan.

This past weekend, Jonathan McReynolds was honored at the 2024 BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards with being the recipient of the 2024 BMI Champion Award. This accolade was presented for his exceptional artistry and contribution to the world of Contemporary Gospel music.

Jonathan McReynolds is currently on the road as part of one of the most anticipated tours of the year, The One Hallelujah Tour, alongside, Erica CampbellTasha Cobb-LeonardIsrael Haughton and Jakelyn Carr. He also just launched a new podcast, “The Book of Jon” on Youtube, Spotify and soon to be released on Apple Podcasts. On the “Book of Jon,” Jonathan reveals some of his more “human” thoughts and experiences that he has traditionally felt wouldn’t be accepted from a “Gospel” artist.

ONE HALLELUJAH TOUR (Remaining Tour Dates):

April 4th – Chicago, IL

April 5th – Detroit, MI

April 6th – Columbus, OH

April 7th – Nashville, TN

April 9th – New Orleans, LA

April 10th – Sugar Land, TX

April 11th – Dallas, TX

April 19th – Phoenix, AZ

April 20th – Inglewood, CA

April 21st – San Francisco, CA

In 2023, Jonathan released his much anticipated fifth studio album, “My Truth” to rave reviews. The 12-track album still remains on top of the Billboard Magazine Gospel Charts and holding strong at #20 this week. “My Truth” delivered the powerful and former #1 Gospel song in the country, “Your World”. The song went on to hold the #1 spot for 7 consecutive weeks. “Your World” reminds the listener of God’s sovereignty – a bop, intentionally upbeat, and happy.

Jonathan McReynolds shares, “This song reflects my evolution and growth. I am not the same person I was when I wrote my first album. Now, I am secure enough to take more risks and remove any limits to my creativity. It’s God’s World, and we are just living in it!

As an author, McReynolds’ first book, “Make Room: Finding Where Faith Fits,” draws on testimonies in scripture and from personal experiences to invite readers to make room for God in every area of life. Jonathan is in the process of adding finishing touches to his sophomore book, to be released later this year, under his new publishing deal with W. Publishing. Later this spring, Jonathan McReynolds will add the title of Professor to his hyphenate, as he would have completed teaching a “Christians In Culture,” course at The Moody Theological Seminary.

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NEEDTOBREATHE To Perform At CMA Fest June 7

The countdown to this year’s CMA Fest continues! CMA has revealed three nights of concerts at Ascend Amphitheater Thursday, June 6 through Saturday, June 8 with Country legends and rising stars at the open-air venue in downtown Nashville. On Thursday, “Celebrating 60 Years of Curb Records” kicks off the Ascend nightly concerts with Lee Brice, Sawyer Brown, Rodney Atkins, Dylan Scott, Hannah Ellis, Tim Dugger, Pitney Meyer, Harper Grace and Kelsey Hart.

“Brett Young and Friends” will take the stage Friday night, hosted by Danae Hays, with performances by Brett Young, NEEDTOBREATHE, Restless Road, Shaylen and more, plus special appearances by Colbie Caillat, Gavin DeGraw and Charles Kelley. Rounding out the nighttime concerts at Ascend Amphitheater on Saturday is “Tracy Lawrence and Friends” featuring Tracy Lawrence, Riley Green, Chris Young, Maddie & Tae, Priscilla Block, RaeLynn and Charles Esten.

needtobreatheCMAFestJune7

Tickets start at $15 and are on sale to the public beginning Friday, April 5 at 10:00 AM/CT. Tickets can be purchased at CMAfest.com/tickets.

CMA Fest is uniquely programmed with artists donating their time so a portion of ticket proceeds can be invested in high-quality music education programs across the U.S. through the CMA Foundation.

Don’t miss a beat by staying connected with CMA on CMAfest.com, the Official CMA Connect App, Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok and sign up for CMA Country Connection emails to receive the latest news as soon as it’s announced.

Media and publicist credential applications for CMA Fest are open at CMApress.com. The media credential application will close Friday, April 12 at 5:00 PM/CT. The publicist credential application will close Friday, May 17 at 5:00 PM/CT.

Pre-order brand-new official CMA Fest merch at Shop.CMAfest.com and through the Official CMA Connect App. Many more items will be added. Fans will also be able to purchase merchandise at multiple locations across the CMA Fest footprint in June.

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Jekalyn Carr’s You Will Win! 2024 Conference Announced

Jekalyn Carr – internationally acclaimed and award-winning artist/author/actress/speaker/entrepreneur – has announced the 2024 plans for her fourth annual Jekalyn Carr’s You Will Win! Conference. The event will be held June 21 – 22, 2024 in Atlanta, GA at the Georgia International Convention Center. Registration is now open and available at www.youwillwin.org.

Jekalyn Carr’s You Will Win! Conference is a natural extension of Carr’s ministry – designed for conscientious entrepreneurs and serves as a tool to empower people to break molds, shatter social & economic barriers, and to win in every aspect of their lives. The conference is the ideal incubator for those with the will to win.

During this two-day conference, Carr will equip attendees with lessons from all sectors of the industry with knowledgeable experts, instructors, entrepreneurs, influencers, label executives, film, health, music, business owners, and more, who are leaders of their industry.

The family-friendly conference will feature live music and panels like “Winning in the Marketplace,” “Winning in Entrepreneurship,” “Winning in Faith,” “Winning in the Family,” and “Winning in Health.” All are invited to take part in this life-changing weekend, which is guided by prayer.

Jekalyn Carr’s You Will Win! Conference will also feature the Honorary Winner’s Circle Gala where Carr will present awards to several individuals in honor of their contributions to the communities they serve. The selected honorees have made indelible contributions to the global communities of music, ministry, and marketplace.

The conference announcement comes upon the heels of an extremely successful season for Carr – who recently earned her eighth #1 single as a writer and producer with “Live Again” as performed by Kelontae Gavin. Jekalyn Carr’s current self-titled offering, JEKALYN, is available for streaming and purchase at all major digital retailers now.

Currently, she can be seen on the One Hallelujah Tour, alongside Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Israel Houghton, Erica Campbell and Jonathan McReynolds. Jekalyn Carr can also be heard during the midday on Radio One’s Atlanta affiliate Praise 102.5 as the host of her radio show “Jekalyn Carr Family Affair Show” which airs Monday-Friday 10am-3pm EST.

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Country Media Giants Welcome The Erwins

Celebrating the release of their acclaimed new album, Life Story, GRAMMY-nominated, Dove Award-winning StowTown recording artists The Erwins made a string of national media appearances last week, including stops at country media giants RFD-TV and WSM Radio.

theerwinsopryradio scaled 1

Performing “Joy Is Gonna Come” on RFD-TV’s flagship daily show, “Market Day Report,” Katie, Keith, Kody and Kris Erwin also talked with co-host Suzanne Alexander about their new album and life as a musical family. RFD-TV is available in more than 52 million homes across the country, in addition to streaming on RFD-TV Now.

WSM Radio’s “Coffee, Country & Cody” national morning show also welcomed The Erwins last week. The siblings shared a live acoustic performance of “Still Telling My Story” and chatted with hosts Bill Cody, Kelly Sutton and Charlie Mattos. “Coffee, Country & Cody” airs on 650 AM WSM—the world’s most famous country music radio station—and streams via Circle Country’s Circle All Access.

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Air1 Worship Now Tour Coming November 2024

The Awakening Foundation, powered by Awakening Events, is bringing the Air1 Worship Now Tour throughout November. More than just a concert, this not-to-be-missed experience is an immersive journey for the concertgoers to encounter the presence of God like never before. The tour is sponsored by World Vision.

Featuring an all-star lineup with Crowder, We The Kingdom, CAIN, Passion, and Jon Reddick, along with the inspirational teachings of Louie Giglio, whether you’re seeking to deepen your faith, connect with like-minded individuals, or simply enjoy a night of worship, this is the event for you. A limited number of VIP tickets are available for Best Reserved Seats, Pre-Show Meet & Greet and Photo with Air1 Worship Now artists, and more.

worship now tour 2024

Mandy Young, VP of Radio, shares, “Air1 is a place to come, no matter the day, and worship through life. With the Air1 Worship Now Tour, our community can now worship together…in person! It will be a night to remember!!”

Tickets go on sale Friday, April 12 at 12pm ET/11am CT. Official tour dates are listed below*.

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