GMS is Your premiere choice in Christian news sources. This Edition...Minneapolis' own Paris Bennett makes American Idol Final 24...After Katrina -- Pastor Bruce & First Lady Brenda Carpenter...YiG Showcase member Joy Groce on campus at Atlanta Clark University...TGR Weekender Free Calendar for the Twin Cities...Sounds of Blackness & the Steeles do benefit concert for local church...Community Fitness Today's S. Marie Graham prepares community for Black Church Week of Prayer... Submit your April 'Resurrection/Easter' events now...Send to: submissions@GMNetwork.cc

News
Minneapolis' own Paris Bennett

makes American Idol Final 24

"Sounds of Blackness are elated and extraordinarily proud of Paris and her success on "American Idol". Paris, who is the daughter of Jamecia Bennett and the granddaughter of Ann Nesby, grew up with Sounds of Blackness. She is now in the vanguard of Sounds of Blackness- Next Generation'!" shares Gary Hines, Director/Producer, Sounds of Blackness

After Katrina...
Minneapolis - A worthy Shepherd

By Portia Powell Stringer

Bruce and Brenda Carpenter, shepherds of the Pentecostal Assembly Church of God in Christ. They celebrate their 21st wedding anniversary on Saturday, February 18, 2006.

Pastor and First Lady Carpenter have worked tirelessly since the day Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast in an effort to assist the victims of the devastation. Pastor and First Lady immediately went to their resources and pulled together, clothing, food, water and money to send to Louisiana and Mississippi. Pentecostal Assembly Church was established as a Hurricane Relief Satellite Center for hurricane victims seeking resources.

Pastor and First Lady Carpenter rallied the members of our church and Pentecostal Assembly opened the doors of our church -- serving hot meals and opened our food pantry and clothes closet to those in need.

Pastor joined with other Pastors in the Twin Cities area working with Kingdom Oil to be of further assistance to churches and individuals who were affected by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma. Pastor was instrumental in the coordination of the Minnesota Statewide Ecumenical Service with Bishop Paul S. Morton held October 23, 2005 at the Minneapolis Convention Center.

Pastoring in and of itself is a full time commitment, and sometimes a thankless position. Pastor and First Lady made time for the hurricane victims, operating the center and extending the hours of our food shelf so that we were available whenever someone called.

YiG Showcase™...On campus

By Joy Groce
YiG Showcase™ Host
Freshman, Clark Atlanta University

Since I started to attend Clark Atlanta University, I found out that college life and being on my own was very different from what I was use to. It requires lots of responsibility. Many task I had to accomplish with out my mother or father to help me. I thought this was good for me because it helped me to become more independent. Attending Clark Atlanta University was also a very different environment from what I'm use to, as well. CAU is located in the city, the campus is not gatted off or anything. Our school is known for alot of publicity. If your major is in Mass Media, Arts or Business then that's the best school you can attend.

I am involved with the CAU University Choir, we sing on Saturdays and travel all around Atlanta to other churches and events to minister. 400 hundred students attend church service every Sunday. CAU services are the largest church service among the HBCU's in the country.

Just being in the environment of people who are striving to be succsessful is a wonderful thing. In Atlanta, GA, it's so easy to network with others who are really trying to do something with their lives. I had many opportunities to be involved in certainn events and meet important people in the society that I would have never had the chance to meet here. One specific opportunity -- a few other students and I were picked to go work out in Washington, D.C with a Gospel production. During the production that was going on, I had a chance to meet Bernard Hollyfield, and David who was one of the producers of a show on BET (Black Entertainment Television). I think that overall my college life has been great, and I look forward for more to come!

Publisher's Note:YiG Showcase 'Rising Stars' will be 'blogging' on the Internet soon. We'll keep you tuned in to YiG. The college YiG are currently on Clark Atlanta University, Kansas State University and Howard University -- you'll hear about their campus experiences.

March

**March 5-11, 2006...Community Fitness Today event GRAMMY Award winning Ann Nesby, AIDS/HIV activist & educator Elder Linda Atlas and more. In partnership with the Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS. Watch for schedule details. Contact: S. Marie Graham
Executive Director, Community Fitness Today, Inc., (612) 824-8610, (612) 824-8756 fax or
Email: communityfitness@hotmail.com (612) 730-6890 (cell). Location: Mpls., MN

**March 5-11, 2006...Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS.

**March 14-17, 2006...GMWA Board Meeting Location: Town & Country Resort, 500 Hotel Circle North San Diego, CA.

**March 30, 31- April 1, 2006...First IPYPU Midwestern Regional Conference "Back to Pentecost: Finding Our Way" hosted by M.W.D.D.C. Hotel Information: Minneapolis Hilton Downtown, 1001 Marquette Avenue, Minneapolis, MN., 612.376.1000. Block your room before Feb. 28. For more information: Pastor Tyrone Maxwell, 612-302-1463 or Minister Diane Johnson, 402-397-5006, Location: Shiloh Temple International Ministries, 1201 West Broadway Avenue North, Mpls., MN April

**April 1-5, 2006...GMA Music Week .

May

**May 2-4, 2006 Called Out Church/Christian Family Reunion CMT God's Ministries. Call 386-257-6784 / Fax 386-257- 2311. Location: P.O.Box 10782, Daytona Beach, FL. 32120

June

**June 9-10, 2006...Let The Healing Begin Conference 2006. Hosted by The City of David/AHHProductions. Featuring special guest Dr. Cindy Trimm of Fort Lauderdale, FL. Location: Mpls., MN

July

**July 19-22, 2006...Mega Fest. Hosted by T.D. Jakes Ministries. Location: Atlanta, GA.

August

**August 12-18, 2006 ...GMWA Annual Convention Location: Hyatt Regency Hotel at Reunion (Headquarters Hotel) Dallas, Texas.

**August 16-20, 2006...NABJ 31st Annual Convention & Career Fair. The annual gathering is the largest convention for journalists of color in the nation. The convention features the nation's largest journalism career fair and many skills- based and topical workshops, plenary sessions, "super workshops on specialized topics," professional development breakfasts targeted to various journalism disciplines, an awards banquet and gospel brunch, media receptions, an exhibit area and so much more for veteran, young and future journalists. To , please call Convention Management Group at (703) 934-4700 or send an email to nabj@cmgexpo.com. For Booth Reservation, Convention, Lodging/Travel Schedules visit www.nabj.org. Location: Indianapolis Convention Center. Indianapolis, IN

Books...
*Debut book release 'Cherry Wood Finds A Home' by Joyce Marrie Speaks to behavioral issues of children

Joyce Marrie writes short stories and plays for youth to visualize and explore through real life situations. She feels it is important to challenge and equip youth to grow and break the cycle of wrong decisions, thus making positive choices. Her debut book release "Cherry Wood Finds A Home" uses trees as the characters to explore a real life situation on rejection, bullying, self esteem and friendship. This book targets ages up to 8 and aids any adult and professional therapist in dialoguing with their young ones on these issues. A Bonus CD is included. Joyce Marrie is the founder and director of Crossroads Panorama, a non-profit organization that focuses on youth education through drama. She has a MA in Human Development, an undergraduate degree in Psychology and is a Certified Drama Therapist. Read more About Authors and BUY NOW.

For booking & media inquiries: Grace Media Services (GMS), 763.221.6894 or Email: GMS_client@GMNetwork.cc. For featured new book releases, visit link below and click on PR.

www.GMNetwork.cc

*Debut book release of "God Called Her...Josiah" by Josiah Jackson

Josiah Jackson says, "Whether churches are prepared or not, women will continue to play significant roles as leaders in the body of Christ." The debut book release of Josiah Jackson's "God Called Her...Josiah" is a penetrating and revealing autobiography that unlocks gifting and stirs confidence in the readers. "Although, many women are formally trained for leadership roles such as ministers, elders, pastors, and bishops, the time has come for shared responsibilities in the church," the author reveals in her book. Josiah Jackson earned a Masters of Divinity (M.Div) from Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, GA. She is honored in the 1992 edition of Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and colleges. Read more About Authors and BUY NOW.

Book "DOWN TIME" by Kelvin Pleasent reveals Hurricane Katrina before it happened...Now Available Online

Kelvin Pleasent is an accomplished National and International Speaker, Musician, Songwriter, and has shared the stage with award winning artists Hezekiah Walker, Kirk Franklin, Vickie Winans, Marvin Sapp and many other prominent artists. He is founder of Vision Ministries, Inc and Back Line Studios. Kelvin has completed an outstanding assemblage of life changing messages entitled “Down Time” from which his debut book is titled. "DOWN TIME" The Break Before The Breakthrough carries the believer, as well as the nonbeliever through a journey that deals with the inconceivable, perplexing, progression and recession of events between mountain top experiences. Kelvin is currently the National Minister of Music with the Powerhouse of Deliverance Churches, International, whose Headquarters is based in Hinesville, GA. He is an Operations Senior Noncommissioned Officer with Recruiting Command in the United States Army. Since 1986, he has ministered predominately to the military forces around the world -- now stationed and serving in the Southern Gulf Coast. Read more About Authors and BUY NOW.

On Screen...

*Gospel Superfest 6th Annual Salute to Black History, with Vivica A. Fox, Clifton Davis and Vanessa Williams, will air in syndication January 23 thru February 27, 2006 on The Word Network, PAX TV Network and The Daystar TV Network. Multiple specials from the session and a weekly series will follow throughout 2006, including Gospel Superfest Easter Jam, Gospel Superfest Most Memorable-2 and Gospel Superfest Back to School Jam-4. For more information on Gospel Superfest please visit: www.gospelsuperfest.com or contact The Gospel Superfest Information line at (212) 631- 4200.

*BET's Celebration of Gospel Hosted by Steve Harvey . The star-studded concert will airs on Black Entertainment Television, Inc. (BET) Feb 23, 2006, 9:00 ET/PT.

*The Second Chance - opened in theaters on February 17, 2006. Starring: Michael W. Smith and jeff obafemi carr. For more details and theater listings please log on to www.thesecondchancemovie.com

Making Moves...

Pastor Nathaniel Loche, Mother Loche and the Abundant Life Church of God in Christ family will be moving to a new location: 21 E. Wheelock Parkway, St. Paul, MN (in the Wheelock Pkwy United Methodist Church east of Rice St.). The 1st service will be Wednesday, March 1. Our weekly services are Wed. & Fri., 7 PM; on Sun., March 5, 12 PM. We invite everyone to come and celebrate our new location with us. We are excited about our move. On Sun., March 19, after service, we will have a Community Fellowship Dinner. Everyone is invited to fellowship with us. For information: 612-385-6525.

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