PastorTimothy

Wright Photos from

last night’s

incredible event!

PastorTimothy

WrightPhotos from

last night’s

incredible event!

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Bishop Albert Jamison (c) with sons of Pastor Wright

Former Savoy Records

Executive Producer, Pastor

Milton BigghamBishop Hezekiah Walker

EzineG O S P E LT O DAY O N L I N E

Musical Tribute to Pastor

Timothy Wright Draws

Thousands

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2009

| gospel today

Minister James Hall

Over 4,500 people gathered in

Brooklyn, NY, last night to bid a final farewell

and witness the homegoing musical tribute

to Pastor Timothy Wright.

During his lifetime, Pastor Wright

always looked forward to the time when he

could amass a choir of 1000 voices. Last

night, the number swelled to more than

1300.

Artists, fans and friends gathered

from across the country. Several pastors

and Christian leaders were in attendance as

well.

(Photos: Dr. Dee)

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Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson

Bishop Sam Williams and

Dr. Judy McAllister Kervy Brown

Monique Walker

Jurisdictional Bishop Gaylord

5

Dorinda Clark Cole (r) and

Yolanda Adams (l) performed

the official Sojourner Truth

tribute song, "Nothin But The

Truth" featuring actress Cicely

Tyson (c) at the Memorial Bust

unveiling on Capitol Hill. The

event aired live on C-SPAN.

E

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zine

NPR Removes

Religious

Programming

Effective May 1, NPR officials ruled that all

religious programming, particularly Christian,

will be removed. The same policy that will take

place in NPR stations will also affect PBS

stations as well.

G O S P E LT O DAY O N L I N E

Natalie ColeAnnouncesUpcoming Tour

ph

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Even though she’s

valiantly battling hepatitis C and

waiting for an organ donor, nine-

time Gr ammy Award winner

Natalie Cole has announced that

she will be hitting the road (May

to Nov 09) in support of her

Grammy Award winning album

Still Unforgettable.

The project won

GRAMMYs for Best Traditional

Pop Vocal Album and one for Best

Instrumental Accompanying

Vocalist. It also earned Cole a

NAACP Award for Best Jazz

Artist.

In addition to the tour

dates Natalie Cole appeared

recently on American Idol

performing “Something’s Gotta

Give” off of Still Unforgettable.

Kevin Klouse, NPR Presidentcontinued on page 8

New Report Confirms...The Black

Church Is Still Relevant

Amidst reports that suggest that Christianity in general has been

experiencing a slow decline over the last several years, there is

some good news that now comes from Vanderbilt University in

Nashville, TN.

In a report recently published by Sandra Barnes, a professor

of human and organizational development at Vanderbilt

University’s Peabody College of Education and Human

Development, it appears that African American congregations

are not suffering from the same trends and patterns as that of

Christianity in general.

“Contrary to expectations, I found that the black church is still

a very important part of the lives of many African Americans,”

Barnes said. “Those churches that market themselves, make

sophisticated use of technology, offer practical sermons and

programs for families and children over and above typical Bible

studies are most likely to draw and keep new parishioners.”

Barnes’ report shows a growth of 5% over a five year period

covering 1995-2000. The study examined national sampling of

1,863 respondents from seven Black denominations, the first

Sandra Barnes

continued on next page

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The National Public Radio broadcast system

which claims to represent community values

in its program has a long history of including

inspirational and religious programming as

part of its schedule. This policy however

stipulated that the religious programming

could not be sectarian or denominational.

According to the NPR website, the NPR

organization focuses upon news, talk and

entertainment programming:

NPR (National Public Radio) is an

internationally acclaimed producer and

distributor of noncommercial news, talk, and

entertainment programming. NPR serves an

audience of 27.5 million Americans each

week in partnership with more than 860

independently operated, noncommercial

public radio stations. Each NPR Member

Station serves local listeners with a

distinctive combination of national and local

programming. With original online content

and audio streaming, NPR.org offers hourly

newscasts, special features and ten years of

archived audio and information.

The National Public Radio network was

established in 1970 on the immediate heels

of the Public Broadcasting Act that was

passed during the administration of Lyndon

B. Johnson and saw its creation take place

alongside the Public Broadcasting System

which served the television market.

NPR seres as a national syndicator to 797

stations across the country. when founded

in 1970, it replaced the National Educational

Radio Network. In 1977 the network

merged with the Association of Public Radio

Stations and took on the task of providing

programming and training to its member

stations.

Church Report...cont.time that this has been done.

The report indicated that today’s “religious savvy” church attendees look for

sermons and Bible studies that are more related to everyday life.

“The broader societal change we have seen in consumerism is also

manifesting in the religious arena. We expect more, bigger and better,” Barnes

said. “As in the retail environment, today’s church goers are savvy shoppers.

They are looking for a worship experience that meets their needs and programs

that meet their needs and they’re willing to shop around to find it.”

Advertise Your Event, Book, CD today!

Low Prices Available...Reach THOUSANDS at a

fraction of the cost of other options!

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NPR...cont.