What a joyous night!

As you all know, I ministered at the 5th Annual Lincoln Park Music Festival in Newark, New Jersey last night. I had a "new" look, style and sound. I usually minister traditional songs at this event but last night, I stepped out on faith and tried something different. No matter what the sound--rap, house, traditional or contemporary--praise is praise! I ministered a new single, "Thank you" and "Blue Rain."

I always ask God to bless me when I minister in His name so I knew that He would. His favor is one thing that I know is consistent. However, as I graced the stage, I informed the large crowd, my hometown crowd, of the fact that I was coming at them from a different direction. I asked them to listen to my new single giving me their honest opinion of the song and this "new" style. The crowd willingly obliged. They welcomed and expressed their satisfaction of my "new" style through their expressive praise as they openly danced for the Lord.

Looking into the eyes of the young and old while witnessing their praise I knew that I, the homegrown minister, had truly accomplished my goal of touching souls. I realized that my style and look were different but my praise, like God's favor, remained the same. Adding a pretzel to an M & M doesn't mean it's no longer an M & M. It remains the same it just tastes a little different. A rose is a rose no matter the color. Minor changes but still the same. I no longer wear dreads and I didn't have on a suit last night, but my voice, mind and heart were still focused on the Lord. Witnessing the reaction of the worshippers and seekers last night, was further confirmation that God and I were taking my music ministry in the right direction.

In the studio I'm going to continue working on a CD that will be contemporary and traditional. It will be a mix of the "old" and "new" me but it will still be the anointed me. I thank God that I was able to minister to souls in His name last night. To God be the glory!

A quick reminder...

I hope everyone is having a great day! I wanted to remind you that I will be at the 5th Annual Lincoln Park Music Festival this weekend. I will be ministering at 6 p.m. tomorrow night. Come out and enjoy this event! I will see you there and be ready to have a great time...

The 5th Annual Lincoln Park Music Festival...

Just a quick update on the 5th Annual Lincoln Park Music Festival in Newark, New Jersey this weekend. I will be on stage ministering at 6:00 p.m. I hope you come and bear witness. I am really looking forward to this event. I ministered there last year and watched the other artists as well, so I know its an event worth attending. I truly hope to share it with you. Believe me when I say, "Its going to be a time!" I will see you there!

The 5th Annual Lincoln Park Music Festival in Newark, New Jersey...

I just wanted to drop a note reminding you that I will be ministering at the Lincoln Park Musical festival in Newark, New Jersey on July 30th. This is an annual event and it is a great time. The event takes place from July 30-August 1, 2010. Check out their website to see a list of events that will be taking place. You can find their information at http://www.lpccd.org.

I hope to see you there!

Triumphant homegoing service!

It isn't often that I am at a loss for words. Well, it isn't necessarily that I am at a loss for words. I am just trying to form the right words to express what I witnessed today at the home going service for Bishop Walter Hawkins. Words that come to mind are triumphant, amazing, soul stirring and abundant joy. I danced, I cried and I praised. What I witnessed today was profound. The spirit of God danced in the theater running through me and the others bearing witness never slowing its pace.

When they anointed Bishop Walter Hawkins' son it was further confirmation for me that I am on the right journey. I am where I want to be but more importantly where God needs me to be. I was in great company today celebrating the life of a man that epitomized the honest, humble, forgiving, understanding and anointed individual God wants us all to be. Bishop Hawkins didn't judge. He just helped worshippers and seekers along their way ministering the word. We witnessed just who God was through the praise and ministry of Bishop Hawkins.

Without asking him, God arranges our steps and directs our paths. I say, "Dear Lord, I plan to continue walking in the steps you've provided for me. Sometimes, I might even dance my way through. Thank you, Jesus!"

The celebration is over but my praise continues... TGBTG!!

Musical tribute to Bishop Walter Hawkins...

My last post was a tribute to Bishop Walter Hawkins as he greatly influenced my music ministry. As I spoke about his influence and ministered my personal tribute to him last week, I never thought of the possibility of flying to Oakland for his homegoing service. God presented me with an opportunity to fly into San Francisco yesterday to attend the musical tribute last night and service today. Ain't God good?

Upon arriving in Oakland yesterday, we drove past the Paramount Theater bearing witness to a line of fans, family and friends extending down the block. The line of people was clearly a reflection of the life Bishop Hawkins led. His life was one of honesty and humility wrapped securely in anointing and faith. He was a light that shined bright exuding grace in all he touched. The power in his praise was always felt in the songs he ministered or in the sermons he preached. On the Love Center Ministries website it discusses how Bishop Hawkins preached about the "Fisherman's Net." Simply, as Christians we are supposed to minister to as many people as we can placing them in God's safety net. Bishop Hawkins exemplified that through his music and sermons capturing millions of people in God's safety net as the scripture suggests. Yesterday the gospel music world thanked him for having such a great influence on the industry and the many lives he touched. It was triumphant!

I stood with my eyes toward the stage and my hands toward the sky, as my heart filled with joy and my feet danced in praise. The spirit of the Lord entered in as I uttered, "Help me, Jesus!" In front of me I heard Ledisi sing "Be Grateful," and then Kathy Taylor sang "Special Gift." Soon after, Melonie Daniels graced us with, "Don't Wait Until the Battle is Over," and then Byron Cage, Ted Winn, and Donnie McClurkin harmoniously gave us "Marvelous." Marvin Sapp, Be Be Winans, and Mary Mary ministered "What is This." I knew and felt what this was. What we all felt was the power of the Lord and the full praise began as we danced for Him.

God loaned us Bishop Walter Hawkins but readily welcomed him back home after a job well done. We are left with our memories of him and songs to sing forever. The world lost an amazing man but to have been allowed to experience him through his music ministry was truly a gift from God. I'm going to keep ministering with the hope of catching more people in God's safety net as Bishop Hawkins did.

Bishop Walter Hawkins allowed the life he lived to speak for him and tonight that voice was extremely loud! The light has burned out as he journeyed home but the magnitude of Bishop Hawkins remains... We love you Bishop Walter Hawkins.

**The Gospel Music Channel will be airing what I experienced on Sunday night at 8p.m. ET and 5:00 p.m. PT. Tune in and be a witness!**

Gospel pioneer Bishop Walter Hawkins...

Yesterday the legendary Hawkins family lost a brother, father, grandfather, uncle, and son. The gospel music industry lost an amazing talent, voice and spirit. Bishop Walter Hawkins was sixty-one years young when he lost his courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. He was a Grammy and Stellar Award winning artist, producer, songwriter and dynamic pastor. Bishop Hawkins had a great influence on gospel music and ministered to millions through song. His work here on earth might be done but his contributions will live on forever.

Bishop Hawkins had a profound affect on my music ministry's direction. He sparked my passion for gospel music while providing a stellar example of how I desire my ministry to be. His contributions to gospel music and its delivery are instrumental in how my ministry has evolved thus far. With humility and an anointing easily detected, he touched my life and who I have become musically. The lessons I learned from his examples will be held close to my heart as I strive to reach followers and seekers with my music ministry.

I will be ministering at the noonday service at St. James A.M.E. Church in Newark, NJ on Wednesday and again on Sunday at their South Orange site. It is there that I will celebrate the life of Bishop Hawkins who was a friend to many. I will minister a few of his songs as a tribute to this gentle soul who affected my life greatly. He will be missed by many but forgotten by none.

I pray that God embraces his family comforting them at this time. I am certain that God welcomed him home and know he is safe from illness and harm. Thank you Bishop Walker Hawkins for simply being.