GMS is Your premiere choice in Christian news sources. This Edition...GRACE Media Network BLOGs -- ...I AM Magazine garners NWB distribution & natl recognition ...TGR Weekender Free Calendar for the Twin Cities...F. Darnell Davis & Remnant; John Gray & more...

Submit your April 'Resurrection/Easter' and Spring events now...Send to: submissions@GMNetwork.cc

News...

GRACE Media Network debuts its BLOGs

GRACE Media Network is taking the Internet by force and preparing the way for positive leadership voices to be heard in its BLOGs online. . . YiG Showcase Blog takes a young leadership position featuring the topics "Should Christians Date?" "American Idol contender Paris Bennett", "That's my Boo" ; Youth Avenue Channel Blog topic "Selfworth...your body" and Ministry Gifts Blog topics such as "Alcohol Usage " -- Go to www.GMNetwork.cc/blog or Click on the YiG Showcase image to view and join. GRACE Media Network BLOGs belong to you. Youth & Adults -- Blog your reply to these & more topic.

'I AM Magazine' garners Northwestern Book Stores Retail Distribution and National recognition

By Prophetess SB Stalling
Grace Media Services (GMS)

In a time when the rate is high in divorce and small business folding, Jerry and Valencia Griffis are a couple to be noticed who are contradicting the negative statistics. They have been married 14 years out of the 28 they've been together, while choosing to also do business together. Jerry is publisher of I AM Magazine, established in 2001, and CEO of JerrVals Records. Valencia is chief editor of the magazine. Both attend The Living Word Church and World Outreach Ministries, located in St. Paul, MN under the leadership of Apostle Lesley Ford.

"We both have traveled across the country marketing and promoting I AM Magazine. Our magazine's mission is to reach Gospel music listeners in the urban communities through genres such as gospel, traditional, contemporary, rap and gospel hip-hop. In addition, we want to give independent as well as national gospel artists and record companies an opportunity to gain exposure, but also touch the lives of those who have a passion for gospel music."

The couple's effort is being noticed. In 2005, I AM Magazine garnered the Northwestern Christian Bookstores (NWB) retail distribution in all 8 Twin Cities locations and is distributed throughout the country, as well. The magazine has also garnered national recognition that included being selected as the official magazine for the Oklahoma Gospel Fest, TAO Ministries (Rochester, NY) Missouri Guild, Chicago Guild, Virginia Guild, recently endorsed by the Gospel Announcers Guild, a division from the Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA) and nominated for Best Gospel Magazine for the years 2004 and 2005. Now, Minnesota based I AM Magazine has its own Gospel Video Show that airs on local cable as well as cities around the country along with its Gospel Radio Program that airs in Richmond, Virginia, South Bend, Indiana, Harrisburgh, PA and ONENATIONFM.COM in Kansas City, MO.

The Griffis' excitement about the future of I AM Magazine is evident as they prepare for their Gospel Spring Break Jam Television Special Taping presented by I AM Magazine in the Twin Cities on April 15 and present their record label artist Roderick Neal. Featured special guests include F. Darnell Davis & The Remnant and more. Be the first to preview the April issue's cover in Grace Media Services. You can also subscribe by purchasing the magazine, or you can visit their website at www.iammag.com. You may contact the editor through email at Jerrvals2003@yahoo.com or Jerrvals@earthlink.net

The convention will run April 24-28, 2006 nightly convening at 7 PM and on April 22, the Convention Banquet will be held. Host Church is Pastor G. Allen Foster and Citadel of Hope Worship Center located at 6625 Humboldt Avenue in Brooklyn Center, MN. Contact District Missionaries for tickets.

Mother Dollie D. Foster is the Supervisor of the Jurisdictional Women’s Department and has served for 25 years along with being actively involved in the Hennepin County Foster Parents’ organization for over 30 years. Watch for more convention information, contact: Portia E. Stringer, 612.327.3797.

TGR Weekender Calendar -- Free Listing!

March

**March 21, 2006 Street Released ...Blockbuster DVD . Christopher 'PLAY' Martin presents his new DVD documentary featuring Twin Cities' own GRAMMY nominated Artists XROSS & Mariaha Markel; For more information: 763.502.0212 or info@xrossmusic.com. Location: Blockbuster everywhere.

**March 24-25, 2006 ...Singles Explosion Conference Special guest speaker is Minister John Gray (speaker for TBN and Bishop TD Jakes Mega Fest) on Friday Night, 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, 12 noon. Hosted by Mighty Fortress International Ministries, Pastor Thomas R. Williams. Visit MFI web site. Free event. For more information call 763–560–6195. Location: Excell Academy, 6510 Zane Avenue, Suite #107, Brooklyn Park, MN

**March 24 and 25, 2006...Minneapolis Regional Violence Prevention Workshop. Keynote speaker is renown national youth violence prevention expert, Deborah Prothrow-Stith, M.D. of the Harvard School of Public Health and Dawn Anna, who lost her child in the Columbine school shooting. Dr. Reatha Clark King, retired president of the General Mills Foundation, will be recognized for her work related to victim services. King, a nationally recognized leader in philanthropy and higher education, led the General Mills Foundation as its president from 1988 to 2002 and as its board chair from 2002 to 2003. Sponsored by Survivors for Violence Prevention, Inc. and the Harvard Youth Violence Prevention Center. The goal of the Regional Worshop is to bring talented individuals together to discuss best practices, community challenges related to youth violence prevention, and victim and survivor service needs. Location: Minneapolis Airport Marriott.  

**Friday, March 24, 7:30 PM & Sunday, March 26, 11 AM ...Annual Special Recognition Celebration. Honoring Evangelist Patricia A. Hayes for her outstanding contributions to the church and community. There will be special music and speakers. Everyone is invited to share in this celebration. Location: New Covenant Church of God in Christ, Supt. Fred W. Washington, Pastor, 4254 - 15th Avenue South, Mpls., MN.

April

**April 1, 2006, 10:00 AM ...1st Annual "Walk For Cancer". Presented by The "NEW" Olivet Institutional Baptist Church Health and Wellness Ministry along with our Senior Pastor Bishop Divar Kemp. Registration begins at 8:00am. Adult & children donation tickets available. You may pre- register by using your credit card or just donate at online giving selection. All proceeds will go to the Cancer Society. Other Sponsors are Golden Thyme Coffee, Pythagoris Lodge, Masonic Temple, American Cancer Society, American Red Cross & McDonalds. For more information: NEW Olivet, 612-987-6128. Location: Como Lake.

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

**April 2006...Watch for April Issue Release. I AM Magazine, the official magazine from Jerrvals Records and recipient of the Omer Coleman Gospel Award of Excellence - Kansas City, MO, provides information to gospel music artists and upcoming artists about happenings in today's gospel music industry. In each issue of I AM Magazine, we will have articles about various artists, upcoming events across the country, gospel CD reviews, books, movies, and records, as well as different articles on life, family, health, beauty, and issues we face in our Christian walk. The magazine is published in Minnesota and distributed quarterly (every three months). Contact editor: Jerrvals2003@yahoo.com or Jervals@earthlink.net. Visit web site: I AM Magazine Be the 1st to see this issue's cover & subscribe -- right here on Grace Media Services (GMS). Location: 8 Norwestern Christian Bookstores & distributed throughout the country.

**April 2, 2006, 4 PM...Formal Installation of Founder & Sr. Pastor Bishop Divar L. Kemp, Sr.. Special Guest Speaker is Rev. Charles Gill and the Historic Pilgrim Baptist Church of St. Paul. Call: 612-987- 6128. Location: New Olivet Institutional Baptist Church, 1599 Selby Ave., St. Paul, MN.

**April 2-7, 2006...Camp Noah. A day camp for the kids from the Gulf Coast. It is free. Spread the word to families from the Gulf Coast. Visit Camp Noah web site for info on the camp (Mpls camp site isn't currently mentioned). For information: Deborah Easter, DEBEAS1@MSN.COM. Locations: Center for Families, Mpls, MN ; Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, St Paul, MN.

**April 8, 2006, 5:00 PM ...Haitian Benefit Concert featuring the anointed dance ministry of GRACE IN MOTION. Special guests Excelsior, Nesey Davis, Rev. Aretta-Rie Johnson, Gospel Temple, Pentecostal Assembly, & more. GRACE IN MOTION is a troupe that uses dance as a tool for ministry. Formed in 1997 by its director and lead choreographer, Menia Buckner, this anointed group of women usher in the power of the Holy Spirit, provoking worship and praise through movement. They have ministered in various venues and have been featured in productions such as "Freedom's Songs" and "It's Christmas with The Steeles". Dr. Willa Grant Battle and Grace Temple Deliverance Center have been involved in missions in Haiti for the past 49 years where they have built many churches, schools, and the only hospital in Boutillier, Haiti. Proceeds from the freewill offering at the benefit concert will further bless these missions. Grace Temple Deliverance Center, 1908 - 4th Ave. S., Mpls., MN

**April 8, 2006...Free At Last Church of God in Christ host Prayer Breakfast Guest speaker is Missionary Louella Pittman. Host pastor is Superintendent Joseph D. Webb. Ticketed event. Enjoy a fellowship that will be RENEWED, REVIVED, AND REFRESH. Location: 200 W. 7th St. downtown St. Paul MN

**April 14 - May 7, 2006...Park Square Theatre presents "Constant Star". A Mid-West Premiere By Tazewell Thompson, directed by Warren C. Bowles and musical Direction by Gary Hines. For as low as $9 you can enjoy this vibrant and stirring story with twenty classic spirituals sung a cappella by five actresses who share the role of the fearless turn-of-the-20th-century activist Ida B. Wells. Cast Jevetta Steele, Regina Marie Williams, Aimee Bryant,Thomasina Taylor and Christiana Clark. Half Price Preview Tickets - Saturday, April 15, at 7:30 PM; Sunday, April 16, at 2:00 PM; Wednesday, April 19, at 7:30 PM; If you are not able to attend the half price designated performances you can receive a $5 discount on adult tickets to any other performance during the run of the show, from April 21 - May 7. This $5 offer is not valid on other preview performances, previous purchases, subscriptions or with any other offer. To take advantage of this great offer call the Park Square ticket office at 651-291-7005 and use ticket code T. Offer only available by calling the ticket office & Tell them you saw it in Grace Media Services. Location: 20 W. 7th Pl., (in the historic Hamm Building downtown) St. Paul, MN.

**April 15-16, 2006, Weekend...Family & Friends Easter Worship Service Extravaganza. Hosted by Pastor Vincent and First Lady Sandra Rhodes & True Vine Church. 2 Events in 2 locations: Saturday, 6 PM Open House and 7:30 Musical Showcase. 6:00-7:00 Meet & Greet Host Pastor Vincent and First Lady Sandra Rhodes, True Vine Church Ministry Depts, local and national authors & recording artists. Location 1: True Vine Christian Center Church, 2241 Country Rd, Shiloh, IL; Sunday, 9 AM Brunch/Book Signing and 10 AM Worship Service. Location 2: Wehrenberg O'Fallon 15 Cinema, 1320 Central Park Drive. O'Fallon, IL . Featured at both locations are recording artists Kelvin Pleasent, Pat Mathison, AZ One (formerly The Rowland Sisters), rapper Tony Caruzz, the Voices of True Vine, along with authors Anthony Brinkley, Pat Clay and Ken Blocker. For more information: Veronica Parnell, 618-257-8783. Media Inquiries: Grace Media Services (GMS), gms_client@GMNetwork.cc, 763.221.6894.

**April 15, 2006...Gospel Spring Break Jam Television Special Taping presented by I AM Magazine, the official magazine from Jerrvals Records and recipient of the Omer Coleman Gospel Award of Excellence - Kansas City, MO. Featuring label artist Roderick Neal. Also featuring F. Darnell Davis & The Remnant with special performances by Messiah's Men, TST & Kandy, Ebony Jefferson, God's Child and Devron Mitchell. Doors open 5:00 PM and starting at 5:30 PM. Sponsored by D.M.P., Fold of Christ Christian Center, New Vision Printing & Graphics Inc., Blessed Purpose PR & Management and Priesthood Productions. Event information: 763.439.0784. Location: Fold of Christ Christian Center, 5452 Dupont Ave N, Brooklyn Center, MN

**April 24-28, 2006, 7 PM Nightly (April 22 Convention Banquet)...Minnesota Church of God In Christ 50th Annual Jurisdictional Women's Convention"Women on the Move - We have Come this Far by Faith". See District Missionary for Tickets. For more information, contact: Portia E. Powell, 612-327-3797. email: msprportia@yahoo.com. Host Church: Pastor G. Allen Foster Citadel of Hope Worship Center, 6625 Humboldt Avenue, Brooklyn Center, MN

May

**May 1-2, 2006...Minnesota Association For Children's Mental Health. Location: Duluth, MN

**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

**May 17-19, 2006, 7 PM...Spring Revival '06 'Thank God For One More Chance' Ps. 124.1. Our Revivalist is Bishop Jerome D. Watson, Founder & Senior Pastor of Greater Destiny Kingdom Church and Presiding Bishop, Greater Kingdom Assemblies, Lawrence, GA. He is anointed for such a time as this. Host Pastor is Bishop Divar Kemp, NEW Olivet Institutional Baptist Church. Call: 612-987-6128. Location: 1599 Selby Ave., St. Paul, MN

June

**June 9-10, 2006...Let The Healing Begin Conference 2006. Hosted by The City of David/AHHProductions. Featuring special guest Dr. CindyTrimm 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. Featuring an awards banquet and gospel brunch, media receptions, an exhibit area and so much more for veteran, young and future journalists. For more info: www.nabj.org. Location: Indianapolis Convention Center. Indianapolis, IN

Promotional...Books are excellent gifts to give

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 About Authors and BUY NOW $10 .

*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. 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 About Authors and BUY NOW $8.99 . Bonus CD included. Script Now Available $5.50 .

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

*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 About Authors and BUY NOW $12.99 PB / $20.99 HB .