COSTA MESA, Calif.,
Sept. 17, 2013
/Christian Newswire/ -- Executive Produced and Narrated by
Natalie Grant, "In Plain Sight: Stories of Hope and Freedom" seeks to
raise awareness of the thousands of women and children who are forced,
coerced, or deceived into the commercial sex trade each year in the
United States.
Benefitting the work of Abolition International, the campaign centers
around three resources including the documentary film, a compilation
worship album, and a 31 day devotional / small group study guide -- all
three to be released into stores and online by Word Entertainment in
2014.
Journeying to five US cities, the documentary will help five
unsuspecting families open their eyes to what's happening down the
street "in plain sight." In addition, stories of hope and freedom will
be shared as Abolition International aftercare homes are profiled in
each of the five cities.
"Most Americans are completely oblivious to the fact that thousands of
women and children are enslaved within their own communities," said
David Trotter, co-executive producer. "This isn't limited to Las Vegas,
Los Angeles, and New York. We're talking about cities across America --
from Sacramento to Dallas to Tampa -- where the unthinkable is
happening."
To fund the campaign, organizers are raising $75,000 through
tax-deductible donations via Indiegogo -- a crowd funding website
similar to Kickstarter. Although contributions can be made in any
amount, those who donate $150 or more will be listed as an Associate
Producer in the film's credits.
To donate and watch Natalie Grant share about the project, visit www.StoriesofFreedom.com.
About Natalie Grant
Grammy nominated Natalie Grant is a powerhouse vocalist, heart-gripping
songwriter, and charismatic performer. She has consistently remained one
of the top selling Christian artists and has sold well over a million
records. The Gospel Music Association named her the 2012 Female Vocalist
of the Year, an honor that she's received 5 times. Beyond her artistry,
she is an outspoken advocate for victims of human trafficking. In 2005,
Natalie founded the organization Abolition International, which is
committed to providing quality restorative aftercare to trafficking
victims both domestically and internationally. More info: www.nataliegrant.com.
About In Plain Sight
To be released by Word Entertainment in 2014, the In Plain Sight
campaign centers around three resources including a documentary film,
compilation worship album, and a 31 day devotional / group study guide.
More info: www.StoriesofFreedom.com.
Christian
Newswire
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Monday, September 16, 2013
After porn: A marriage is restored
Posted on Sep 16, 2013 | by Joni B. Hannigan/Florida Baptist Witness
LAKELAND, Fla. (BP) -- Seven years after Cathy Dyer and her husband were married, pornography erupted as a crisis in their marriage, nearly destroying it.
Dyer recounts her real-life story of "God's ability to turn tragedy into triumph" in "Our Hardcore Battle Plan for Wives," a resource for women coauthored with Jay Dennis, pastor of First Baptist Church at the Mall in Lakeland, Fla.
Utilizing handwritten pages from her personal journal, Dyer gives readers poignant insight into her private pain and process of restoration after her husband's secret addiction to pornography came to light.
Our Hardcore Battle Plan for Wives is part of the Join 1 Million Men campaign to help men win the battle against pornography. Dennis pioneered the initiative at First Baptist Church at the Mall and introduced it to the Southern Baptist Convention at its annual meeting last June in Houston.
In Our Hardcore Battle Plan for Wives, as noted on Amazon.com, Dyer and Dennis address issues women encounter once pornography has entered the marital relationship -– including how to keep the marriage intact and preventive steps wives and moms can take to keep their families porn-free.
Dyer and her husband Greg, who have two children, have now been married 19 years.
Dyer, in an interview with the Florida Baptist Witness, answered questions about the book, released by New Hope Publishers, a division of Woman's Missionary Union.
Q: What did you anticipate will result from the release of your book?
Dyer: I hope and pray that the book for women, along with the books Pastor Jay has written for men and pastors, will be a catalyst for many things: for people to find a kindred spirit, practical advice, help and deliverance. Additionally, it has been my prayer that pastors will use these materials with their congregations and join the movement (www.join1millionmen.org).
READ MORE AT BAPTIST PRESS
LAKELAND, Fla. (BP) -- Seven years after Cathy Dyer and her husband were married, pornography erupted as a crisis in their marriage, nearly destroying it.
Dyer recounts her real-life story of "God's ability to turn tragedy into triumph" in "Our Hardcore Battle Plan for Wives," a resource for women coauthored with Jay Dennis, pastor of First Baptist Church at the Mall in Lakeland, Fla.
Utilizing handwritten pages from her personal journal, Dyer gives readers poignant insight into her private pain and process of restoration after her husband's secret addiction to pornography came to light.
Our Hardcore Battle Plan for Wives is part of the Join 1 Million Men campaign to help men win the battle against pornography. Dennis pioneered the initiative at First Baptist Church at the Mall and introduced it to the Southern Baptist Convention at its annual meeting last June in Houston.
In Our Hardcore Battle Plan for Wives, as noted on Amazon.com, Dyer and Dennis address issues women encounter once pornography has entered the marital relationship -– including how to keep the marriage intact and preventive steps wives and moms can take to keep their families porn-free.
Dyer and her husband Greg, who have two children, have now been married 19 years.
Dyer, in an interview with the Florida Baptist Witness, answered questions about the book, released by New Hope Publishers, a division of Woman's Missionary Union.
Q: What did you anticipate will result from the release of your book?
Dyer: I hope and pray that the book for women, along with the books Pastor Jay has written for men and pastors, will be a catalyst for many things: for people to find a kindred spirit, practical advice, help and deliverance. Additionally, it has been my prayer that pastors will use these materials with their congregations and join the movement (www.join1millionmen.org).
READ MORE AT BAPTIST PRESS
10 Reasons Why Ministry is Not For the Faint of Heart
Written by Jared Moore |
Sunday, September 15, 2013
If you enter pastoral ministry…
10. Not everyone will like you.
9. You will make people angry regardless how godly you handle yourself; it comes with the position.
8. You will feel like a failure often, and when you do appear to succeed, the fruit that is produced cannot be accredited to you. God alone gives the increase (1 Cor. 3:7). Thus, there is little “sense of accomplishment in ministry” that you may be accustomed to in other vocations.
7. You will fight legalism and liberalism, along with laziness, ignorance, tradition, and opposition. Yet, your greatest enemy will be your own heart (Jer. 17:9).
6. Not everyone will respond positively to your preaching, teaching, or leadership. You will bring people to tears with the same sermon: one in joy, another in anger (I have done this).
READ MORE AT AQUILA REPORTS
Pastoral ministry is a calling, not a career
The blessings of ministry far outweigh the realities below; however, ministry is definitely not easy. Don’t waste your time and money going to seminary or college for pastoral training if you are not prepared for the negative aspects of ministry mentioned below. Furthermore, always remember that God has called you to love His church, not merely His mature church, but His immature church as well. Moreover, a call to ministry is a call to bleed.If you enter pastoral ministry…
10. Not everyone will like you.
9. You will make people angry regardless how godly you handle yourself; it comes with the position.
8. You will feel like a failure often, and when you do appear to succeed, the fruit that is produced cannot be accredited to you. God alone gives the increase (1 Cor. 3:7). Thus, there is little “sense of accomplishment in ministry” that you may be accustomed to in other vocations.
7. You will fight legalism and liberalism, along with laziness, ignorance, tradition, and opposition. Yet, your greatest enemy will be your own heart (Jer. 17:9).
6. Not everyone will respond positively to your preaching, teaching, or leadership. You will bring people to tears with the same sermon: one in joy, another in anger (I have done this).
READ MORE AT AQUILA REPORTS
Monday, September 9, 2013
Thousands fasting and praying for peace in Syria
(CNN) – After morning Mass on most Saturdays, you’d
find the Rev. Dan Atkins cutting into a thick stack of pancakes or
digging into a plate of eggs. But this Saturday’s menu is a bit spartan.
“I’ll probably just have coffee and a piece of toast,” said Atkins, the pastor of Holy Family Catholic Church in New Albany, Indiana.
The Catholic priest isn’t on a diet. Rather, he’s one of many believers across the country - and throughout the world - heeding the call of Pope Francis to fast and pray for peace in Syria on Saturday.
“It’s a way to be in solidarity with people who are suffering terribly from war,” said Atkins, a native of southern Indiana. “I’m going to be thinking about the children, the kids, affected by this terrible conflict.”
READ MORE AT CNN
“I’ll probably just have coffee and a piece of toast,” said Atkins, the pastor of Holy Family Catholic Church in New Albany, Indiana.
The Catholic priest isn’t on a diet. Rather, he’s one of many believers across the country - and throughout the world - heeding the call of Pope Francis to fast and pray for peace in Syria on Saturday.
“It’s a way to be in solidarity with people who are suffering terribly from war,” said Atkins, a native of southern Indiana. “I’m going to be thinking about the children, the kids, affected by this terrible conflict.”
READ MORE AT CNN
Greg Laurie at Nationwide Prayer Rally: Problem Is in God's House, Not White House
By Anugrah Kumar, Christian Post Contributor
September 9, 2013|5:55 am
America
is in trouble, but the problem is not in the White House, but in God's
house, the Church, Pastor Greg Laurie and his wife, Cathe, told
thousands of participants at a nationwide prayer rally Sunday, urging
prayers for another revival in America through the upcoming Harvest
America in Philadelphia."I believe that the United States of America is the greatest country on the face of the earth. America! America! God shed His grace on thee. So true," Laurie said, appearing in a video played during a segment of a live webcast originating at Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, Calif., the main venue of the prayer rally.
"But there's a trouble in our country right now," added Laurie, speaking to churches and individuals across the country who joined the Harvest America team through live streaming to pray for a revival through Harvest America in Philadelphia, to be held on Sept. 28-29. "It seems like things are upside down. It seems, these days, right is declared as wrong, and wrong as right. The Bible even says woe to those who say sweet is bitter and bitter is sweet."
READ MORE AT THE CHRISTIAN POST
How Should Christians Use Social Media?
Michelle S. Lazurek/Movieguide Contributing Writer
We all need to belong. From tweeting your latest accomplishment on Twitter to the local library’s book clubs, everyone wants to belong to something, somewhere.
We believe it will bring value to our lives and enrich it in such a way to make us better people. We learn this from the time we are young children, hanging onto the schoolyard fence in the hopes that maybe that popular group of people will look our way and invite us to join their intimate clique. We transform our inner and outward appearance so the people who are most worth our time deem us a valuable part of their community.
Then we become adults. We throw off the chains of high school life just to cross the threshold of adulthood. We believe now we can become the real us, and we won’t have to fake who we are in order to impress others around us.
Wrong. Adulthood forces us to address deeper questions regarding our identity:
What if I never become a successful person in society? What if I never get married? Is this all there is to life? What’s my purpose in life?
READ MORE AT CHARISMA NEWS
We all need to belong. From tweeting your latest accomplishment on Twitter to the local library’s book clubs, everyone wants to belong to something, somewhere.
We believe it will bring value to our lives and enrich it in such a way to make us better people. We learn this from the time we are young children, hanging onto the schoolyard fence in the hopes that maybe that popular group of people will look our way and invite us to join their intimate clique. We transform our inner and outward appearance so the people who are most worth our time deem us a valuable part of their community.
Then we become adults. We throw off the chains of high school life just to cross the threshold of adulthood. We believe now we can become the real us, and we won’t have to fake who we are in order to impress others around us.
Wrong. Adulthood forces us to address deeper questions regarding our identity:
What if I never become a successful person in society? What if I never get married? Is this all there is to life? What’s my purpose in life?
READ MORE AT CHARISMA NEWS
Evangelist to walk 500 miles with 12-foot cross
Carrying a 12-foot wooden cross 500 miles is difficult enough, but
Counties evangelist Clive Cornish has set himself the additional
challenge of completing the journey in just four weeks.
The 46-year-old will be walking across Wales, stopping off at Cardiff, Fishguard, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Conwy, Llangollen, Abergavenny and Newport.
He wants to use the walk to pray for his home country and share his faith with the people he meets along the way.
Despite suffering from terrible back spasms and blisters, Cornish is determined to complete the walk by October 6.
READ MORE AT CHRISTIANITY TODAY
The 46-year-old will be walking across Wales, stopping off at Cardiff, Fishguard, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Conwy, Llangollen, Abergavenny and Newport.
He wants to use the walk to pray for his home country and share his faith with the people he meets along the way.
Despite suffering from terrible back spasms and blisters, Cornish is determined to complete the walk by October 6.
READ MORE AT CHRISTIANITY TODAY
Texas-based Evangelist to Share Personal Story of Near Suicide
International speaker and evangelist Jay Lowder will be the featured
guest at an upcoming event Whitewell Metropolitan Tabernacle in Belfast,
reports Jeremy Reynalds, Senior Correspondent for ASSIST News Service.
According to a news release made available to the ASSIST News Service, the Alive Belfast Mission will take place Sept. 22 through 29 during the Alive Belfast Mission.
Lowder, who has had periods of suicidal thoughts as well as attempting to take his life several years ago, will talk about Northern Ireland's high suicide rate and how he found a reason to live.
“At 21 years of age I was on the verge of suicide,” said Lowder in the news release. “I truly believe if my roommate hadn't come home early from work that day, I would not be standing here today.”
READ MORE AT CHRISTIAN TELEGRAPH
According to a news release made available to the ASSIST News Service, the Alive Belfast Mission will take place Sept. 22 through 29 during the Alive Belfast Mission.
Lowder, who has had periods of suicidal thoughts as well as attempting to take his life several years ago, will talk about Northern Ireland's high suicide rate and how he found a reason to live.
“At 21 years of age I was on the verge of suicide,” said Lowder in the news release. “I truly believe if my roommate hadn't come home early from work that day, I would not be standing here today.”
READ MORE AT CHRISTIAN TELEGRAPH
Promise Keepers Joins Millions in Prayer for Jerusalem
CLARENCE, N.Y.,
Sept. 4, 2013
/Christian Newswire/ -- On October 6,
Dr. Raleigh Washington, President and CEO of Promise Keepers, will be
joining millions around the world in prayer for Jerusalem, as part of
the international grass-roots prayer movement, the Day of Prayer for the
Peace of Jerusalem. Beginning in 2002 under the co-leadership of Dr.
Robert Stearns of Eagles' Wings and Dr. Jack Hayford of The King's
University, the annual Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem is the
largest Israel-focused prayer initiative in history.
As a supporter of God's covenant purposes with Israel, Dr. Washington exhorts, "Every Christian must reach out to the Jewish Community, bless them and pray for the peace of Jerusalem." With its' following of thousands, Dr. Washington and Promise Keepers will be participating in prayer and heralding the call to pray for the peace of Jerusalem on October 6.
Dr. Raleigh Washington earned his Master of Divinity from Trinity International University, and holds honorary doctorates from Trinity, Westminster College and Azusa Pacific University. As President of Promise Keepers, he is dedicated to reaching thousands of men for Christ each year at their national conferences and events. Promise Keepers has directly impacted more than 6 million men since its inception, including the 1.4 million men assembled at the US national mall in Washington, DC in 1997.
With over 1300 other Christian endorsers, Dr. Washington joins many other leaders who represent all different cultures and denominations, such as Paul Cedar, Ron Luce, Kay Arthur, Jane Hansen, T. D. Jakes, and Ravi Zacharias. Their united call is for all believers to fulfill The Lord's mandate in Psalm 122:6, to pray for God's peace, blessing, and love to Jews, Arabs and Christians alike in God's Holy City -- Jerusalem.
The annual Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem - the first Sunday of every October - has churches participating from over 175 nations, including those "underground" in seven Muslim nations. An offering is also received to help all in need in Israel -- both Jew and Arab residents. Churches can download FREE Resources and register to participate on October 6th at www.daytopray.com.
Christian Newswire
As a supporter of God's covenant purposes with Israel, Dr. Washington exhorts, "Every Christian must reach out to the Jewish Community, bless them and pray for the peace of Jerusalem." With its' following of thousands, Dr. Washington and Promise Keepers will be participating in prayer and heralding the call to pray for the peace of Jerusalem on October 6.
Dr. Raleigh Washington earned his Master of Divinity from Trinity International University, and holds honorary doctorates from Trinity, Westminster College and Azusa Pacific University. As President of Promise Keepers, he is dedicated to reaching thousands of men for Christ each year at their national conferences and events. Promise Keepers has directly impacted more than 6 million men since its inception, including the 1.4 million men assembled at the US national mall in Washington, DC in 1997.
With over 1300 other Christian endorsers, Dr. Washington joins many other leaders who represent all different cultures and denominations, such as Paul Cedar, Ron Luce, Kay Arthur, Jane Hansen, T. D. Jakes, and Ravi Zacharias. Their united call is for all believers to fulfill The Lord's mandate in Psalm 122:6, to pray for God's peace, blessing, and love to Jews, Arabs and Christians alike in God's Holy City -- Jerusalem.
The annual Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem - the first Sunday of every October - has churches participating from over 175 nations, including those "underground" in seven Muslim nations. An offering is also received to help all in need in Israel -- both Jew and Arab residents. Churches can download FREE Resources and register to participate on October 6th at www.daytopray.com.
Christian Newswire
Acquire The Fire & Teen Mania Announce a Special Theatrical Release Coming to Theatres Nationwide October 9 & 16, 2013 Visit Surgeexperience.Com for Ticketing and Details
GARDEN VALLEY, Texas,
Sept. 4, 2013
/Christian Newswire/ -- Acquire The Fire & Teen Mania
present an exciting and limited theatrical engagement debut of SURGE, a
high-energy interactive movie theater event that fuses music, comedy,
and inspirational messages creating a moment where young people and
those who believe in them fill theaters across North America. SURGE
features empowering and inspirational messages by Ron Luce interwoven
between the hilarious comedy of John Gray and musical performances by
award-winning Christian artists Casting Crowns, Newsboys, Lecrae and
worship artists Acquire the Fire LIVE. SURGE offers an evening that will
inspire, entertain and empower generations looking to make a
difference.
Screenvision, a national leader in cinema advertising sales, services and content distribution, is partnering with Acquire The Fire and Teen Mania as the U.S. distributor of SURGE, which will premiere on over 400 screens on October 9, 2013. An encore showing is scheduled for October 16, 2013. For theater and ticket information visit: www.SurgeExperience.com.
Continuing to find innovative and relevant ways to reach this current generation of young people is the heart and soul of Teen Mania Ministries, led by President and Founder, Ron Luce. Bringing, hope, good news and inspiration to the places where young people hang-out is critical. Current research by the Barna Group says: Over half of this generation with a Christian background say they are less active in church as they get older. In fact, between high school and turning 30, 43% of these once-active Christians drop out of regular church attendance. By coming to the neighborhoods where young people live, in movie theaters where they already are, SURGE breaks through this apathy by bringing hope, fun, and inspiration to an already exciting and familiar environment.
Mark Hall of Grammy® Award Winning Casting Crowns said: "When Ron told me about his vision for SURGE, I was in before he even finished talking. We both are deeply passionate about inspiring the youth of today, so the SURGE platform and its distribution in movie theatres just made sense to me. People are going to love what we have planned for them."
Over the last twenty-five years, Teen Mania has effectively reached more than three million teenagers through its annual 30+-city Acquire the Fire tour, a live arena and stadium convention. The tour has become the go-to place for youth ministries looking to infuse passion and life into their young people. In the last three years alone, Acquire the Fire has partnered with over 40,000 churches nationwide to bring students to these events. The influence of Acquire the Fire has now spanned generations of young people, as former students, now parents, send their own teens to experience the spiritual encounter that marked their life for the better.
Ron Luce of Teen Mania said: "We are excited to be able to bring SURGE to movie screens across the country. Through our Acquire The Fire events over the past 20 years, we have brought together millions of teens looking for great music and inspiration. In SURGE, we have assembled some of the best Christian talent in music and comedy to create a night of fun and inspiration that is totally different and easily accessible to young people in movie theatres everywhere."
"We are thrilled that Acquire The Fire and Teen Mania have chosen Screenvision to partner on this exciting project. We feel the marketplace has a big appetite for a program such as SURGE, and with the talent that is associated with the project, we are confident this will be a hit with theatre-goers," stated Darryl Schaffer, Screenvision's Executive Vice President, Operations & Exhibitor Relations.
"To be a part of this program with all of the talent amassed is quite an honor. We will be bringing our music in a way people have not seen us perform before, so we think this will be a groundbreaking and inspiring event," said Michael Tait, lead vocalist of Newsboys.
"We have worked together with Acquire The Fire for many years, so when I learned about SURGE, I could not think of a better platform to release my new song. This is going to be such a great event and I am sure people will leave energized," said Lecrae.
John Gray said: "I'm so excited to be a part of SURGE, not because of the event itself, but because of the generation it will reach. I believe this will be a great time of joy, laughter and life changing teaching that will transform the thinking of the next generation's leaders."
More information on the film:
Running Time: 90 minutes
This film is Not Rated
Information on theatre listings and links to buy tickets can be found at: www.SurgeExperience.com
Booking inquiries:
David Wengrod -- Screenvision, 212.497.0463
DWengrod@Screenvision.com
Press Materials:
surge.alliedim.com
Username: Press
Password: SurgePress
Teen Mania Ministries & Acquire The Fire
The mission of Teen Mania Ministries is to provoke a young generation to passionately pursue Jesus Christ and to take his life-giving message to the ends of the Earth. Since its founding in 1986, TMM has reached millions of teens in the U.S., and sent teenage missionaries to more than 50 nations to share the saving message of the gospel. To find out more about Acquire The Fire and TMM and its various ministries, go to www.acquirethefire.com or www.teenmania.com.
Screenvision
Headquartered in New York, N.Y., Screenvision is a national leader in cinema advertising, offering on-screen advertising, in-lobby promotions and integrated marketing programs to national, regional and local advertisers and providing comprehensive cinema advertising representation services to top tier theatrical exhibitors presenting the highest quality moviegoing experience. The Screenvision cinema advertising network is comprised of over 14,300 screens in 2,300+ theater locations across all 50 states and 94% of DMAs nationwide; delivering through more than 150 theatrical circuits, including 6 of the top 10 exhibitor companies. For more information: www.screenvision.com.
Casting Crowns
With nearly 8.2 million career album sales, 14 GMA Dove Awards, three GRAMMY Awards, two Billboard Music Awards and an American Music Award, Casting Crowns has secured its place as one of the most popular Christian bands of all time. In an unprecedented eight-year span, the group has performed in front of nearly one million fans in 175 different cities. Their nine chart-topping radio singles include passionate hits like "Who Am I," "Voice of Truth," "Lifesong" and "East to West." For more information, please visit www.castingcrowns.com.
Newsboys
This GRAMMY®-nominated and Dove Award-winning band has sold over 7 million units, garnered five RIAA certified Gold albums and 27 #1 hits. With last year's release of "Born Again," its first week out was the largest street week of their careers by selling an astounding 45,311 units and hitting #4 on Billboard's overall chart, charting above new releases from such artists as Sting, Justin Bieber and M.I.A. Its self-titled single topped the charts for 8 weeks, gaining close to eight million impressions to date. Renowned for their heart-pumping live shows, the tight knit Newsboys unit continues to headline gigs in the U.S. and around the world. For more information, please visit www.newsboys.com.
Lecrae
Lecrae released the groundbreaking album After the Music Stops and the first Christian Rap CD to ever sit in the No. 1 position on Billboard's Top Gospel Charts, Rebel. Led by the classic single "Jesus Musik," After the Music Stops slowly spread to the mainstream market with other hits such as "Praying For You" and "Send Me." Aimed to build an audience of disciples, the album sat on Soundscan Christian Hip Hop/R&B chart for two years after releasing in 2006. While in the No. 3 position, Rebel released in 2008 and claimed the No. 3 position on the secular iTunes Rap chart. For more information, please visit www.lacrae.net.
John Gray
John was ordained an Elder at Northview Christian Church in Dothan, AL in March of 2010 and currently serves as an Associate Pastor at Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas under the leadership of Pastor Joel Osteen. In addition to being a keynote speaker at Acquire The Fire events nationwide, John has also directed, produced or co-produced award winning films, released two musical albums, a comedy DVD and appeared on hit T.V. shows "Sister, Sister" and "Tyler Perry's The House of Payne." For more information, please visit www.johngrayworld.org.
Christian Newswire
Screenvision, a national leader in cinema advertising sales, services and content distribution, is partnering with Acquire The Fire and Teen Mania as the U.S. distributor of SURGE, which will premiere on over 400 screens on October 9, 2013. An encore showing is scheduled for October 16, 2013. For theater and ticket information visit: www.SurgeExperience.com.
Continuing to find innovative and relevant ways to reach this current generation of young people is the heart and soul of Teen Mania Ministries, led by President and Founder, Ron Luce. Bringing, hope, good news and inspiration to the places where young people hang-out is critical. Current research by the Barna Group says: Over half of this generation with a Christian background say they are less active in church as they get older. In fact, between high school and turning 30, 43% of these once-active Christians drop out of regular church attendance. By coming to the neighborhoods where young people live, in movie theaters where they already are, SURGE breaks through this apathy by bringing hope, fun, and inspiration to an already exciting and familiar environment.
Mark Hall of Grammy® Award Winning Casting Crowns said: "When Ron told me about his vision for SURGE, I was in before he even finished talking. We both are deeply passionate about inspiring the youth of today, so the SURGE platform and its distribution in movie theatres just made sense to me. People are going to love what we have planned for them."
Over the last twenty-five years, Teen Mania has effectively reached more than three million teenagers through its annual 30+-city Acquire the Fire tour, a live arena and stadium convention. The tour has become the go-to place for youth ministries looking to infuse passion and life into their young people. In the last three years alone, Acquire the Fire has partnered with over 40,000 churches nationwide to bring students to these events. The influence of Acquire the Fire has now spanned generations of young people, as former students, now parents, send their own teens to experience the spiritual encounter that marked their life for the better.
Ron Luce of Teen Mania said: "We are excited to be able to bring SURGE to movie screens across the country. Through our Acquire The Fire events over the past 20 years, we have brought together millions of teens looking for great music and inspiration. In SURGE, we have assembled some of the best Christian talent in music and comedy to create a night of fun and inspiration that is totally different and easily accessible to young people in movie theatres everywhere."
"We are thrilled that Acquire The Fire and Teen Mania have chosen Screenvision to partner on this exciting project. We feel the marketplace has a big appetite for a program such as SURGE, and with the talent that is associated with the project, we are confident this will be a hit with theatre-goers," stated Darryl Schaffer, Screenvision's Executive Vice President, Operations & Exhibitor Relations.
"To be a part of this program with all of the talent amassed is quite an honor. We will be bringing our music in a way people have not seen us perform before, so we think this will be a groundbreaking and inspiring event," said Michael Tait, lead vocalist of Newsboys.
"We have worked together with Acquire The Fire for many years, so when I learned about SURGE, I could not think of a better platform to release my new song. This is going to be such a great event and I am sure people will leave energized," said Lecrae.
John Gray said: "I'm so excited to be a part of SURGE, not because of the event itself, but because of the generation it will reach. I believe this will be a great time of joy, laughter and life changing teaching that will transform the thinking of the next generation's leaders."
More information on the film:
Running Time: 90 minutes
This film is Not Rated
Information on theatre listings and links to buy tickets can be found at: www.SurgeExperience.com
Booking inquiries:
David Wengrod -- Screenvision, 212.497.0463
DWengrod@Screenvision.com
Press Materials:
surge.alliedim.com
Username: Press
Password: SurgePress
Teen Mania Ministries & Acquire The Fire
The mission of Teen Mania Ministries is to provoke a young generation to passionately pursue Jesus Christ and to take his life-giving message to the ends of the Earth. Since its founding in 1986, TMM has reached millions of teens in the U.S., and sent teenage missionaries to more than 50 nations to share the saving message of the gospel. To find out more about Acquire The Fire and TMM and its various ministries, go to www.acquirethefire.com or www.teenmania.com.
Screenvision
Headquartered in New York, N.Y., Screenvision is a national leader in cinema advertising, offering on-screen advertising, in-lobby promotions and integrated marketing programs to national, regional and local advertisers and providing comprehensive cinema advertising representation services to top tier theatrical exhibitors presenting the highest quality moviegoing experience. The Screenvision cinema advertising network is comprised of over 14,300 screens in 2,300+ theater locations across all 50 states and 94% of DMAs nationwide; delivering through more than 150 theatrical circuits, including 6 of the top 10 exhibitor companies. For more information: www.screenvision.com.
Casting Crowns
With nearly 8.2 million career album sales, 14 GMA Dove Awards, three GRAMMY Awards, two Billboard Music Awards and an American Music Award, Casting Crowns has secured its place as one of the most popular Christian bands of all time. In an unprecedented eight-year span, the group has performed in front of nearly one million fans in 175 different cities. Their nine chart-topping radio singles include passionate hits like "Who Am I," "Voice of Truth," "Lifesong" and "East to West." For more information, please visit www.castingcrowns.com.
Newsboys
This GRAMMY®-nominated and Dove Award-winning band has sold over 7 million units, garnered five RIAA certified Gold albums and 27 #1 hits. With last year's release of "Born Again," its first week out was the largest street week of their careers by selling an astounding 45,311 units and hitting #4 on Billboard's overall chart, charting above new releases from such artists as Sting, Justin Bieber and M.I.A. Its self-titled single topped the charts for 8 weeks, gaining close to eight million impressions to date. Renowned for their heart-pumping live shows, the tight knit Newsboys unit continues to headline gigs in the U.S. and around the world. For more information, please visit www.newsboys.com.
Lecrae
Lecrae released the groundbreaking album After the Music Stops and the first Christian Rap CD to ever sit in the No. 1 position on Billboard's Top Gospel Charts, Rebel. Led by the classic single "Jesus Musik," After the Music Stops slowly spread to the mainstream market with other hits such as "Praying For You" and "Send Me." Aimed to build an audience of disciples, the album sat on Soundscan Christian Hip Hop/R&B chart for two years after releasing in 2006. While in the No. 3 position, Rebel released in 2008 and claimed the No. 3 position on the secular iTunes Rap chart. For more information, please visit www.lacrae.net.
John Gray
John was ordained an Elder at Northview Christian Church in Dothan, AL in March of 2010 and currently serves as an Associate Pastor at Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas under the leadership of Pastor Joel Osteen. In addition to being a keynote speaker at Acquire The Fire events nationwide, John has also directed, produced or co-produced award winning films, released two musical albums, a comedy DVD and appeared on hit T.V. shows "Sister, Sister" and "Tyler Perry's The House of Payne." For more information, please visit www.johngrayworld.org.
Christian Newswire
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)