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Making The News & Press Releases!
| July 22, 2002 |
Black Catholics Join Other Faith Traditions in a Universal Gospel Project Africans St. Augustine, Perpetua and Felicity, St. Cyprian of Carthage, and St. Monica would be proud as Black Catholics now join other Christian traditions in a Gospel celebration of the musical Body of Christ. Virginia Beach's Shepherd Records releases God Is Love, a Universal Gospel CD/Album designed to specifically reach members of both the Latin rite, liturgical along with the preaching branches of Christianity. An amalgam of diverse talent joining under the artist banner of Manna from Heaven contribute to the effort, from Virginia 's producer-arranger-composer Ronald B. Smith, to San Fernando Valley, California, Baptist minister Rev. Arthur Broadous, and Church of God In Christ (C.O.G.I.C.) David White. Dropping around 1 August 2002, selected features include Ron Smith led Master's Plan, a Christian re-working and old Isaac Hayes composition originally done by the Masqueraders, and a likewise gospel update of Sail Away, from the pen of famed Motown producer Norman A. Whitfield and Angelo Bond. Multi-Grammy winning jazz great, Bobby McFerrin's prayer-chant, 23rd Psalm , and Bernice Reagon's (Sweet Honey on the Rock) My Way are among the songs rounding out the multi-denominational musical gospel fest. Former bassist for Gladys Knight and the Pips, James Wesly Smith lends track and voice contributions to the (sign of) Peace I Give To You, and an early Motown tinged, Latin Rite, African root gospel selection of When You Get Down To It (Call on the Holy Spirit) , from the Black Catholic motion picture "Camino De Vida". “Traditionally, listening music from the Latin Rite, Roman Catholic perspective have not been that culturally relevant to those of the African heritaged traditions,” according to the former Motown and 20th Century musician. “But the modalities prove similar. When you get back to the ancient hymns are quite similarly striking with our culture, from Pange Lingua, to Veni Creator”. “Other secular music from our Catholic tradition tends to be that of what it is perceived to be quiet and reverential-- European heritage. Not knocking it–no condemnation as the song says-- but that tradition does not emotionally lift up the name of Jesus in our accustomed, joyful manner,” Smith went on to say. Our souls require an outpouring, joyful lifting up, and expurgation of praise to the Lord. We think this, and the projects following will do just that,” Ron Smith said. Smith added when friends such as Rev. Broadous visited Mass, “the minister wondered why we were so quiet in our worship. I began to wonder as well,” Smith said. “Thus the project was born.” Long collaborators, White, Ron Smith, and former Savoy recording artist, Rev. Broadous, contributed musical efforts to the legendary , David Wolper's television program "Roots", some years back. Shepherd Records is a division of Preparing the Way, Inc. CONTACT: Shepherd Records: Ronald B. Smith1.757.581-0944 e-mail: ronaldbsmith@cox.net Apostle/Rosiland Records Jim Smith, Esq. Fax 1.818.896.6219 e-mail: stbernice@aol.com |
LOCAL RELIGIOUS
BROADCAST SHOW GOES NATIONAL
VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA - Preparing the Way, Inc. announced that its television show, Preparing the Way, begins airing July 11 on INSP – The Inspiration Network (INSP channel 39 in Hampton Roads). The half hour show will be broadcast each Thursday evening, at 10:30 p.m. EDT; 9:30 p.m. CDT; 8:30 p.m. MDT and 7:30 p.m. PDT across the country on over 1800 cable systems. The weekly show will reach in excess of 20 million households.
The show, hosted by Ron Smith and co-hosted by Robert Phelps, has been described as a cross between Politically Incorrect and Crossfire. It is a unique, new and innovative type of show presented in a panel/talk format liberally peppered with humor. In response to questions, panelists share from their personal experience viewpoints of time honored traditional concepts related to God and Christ. The show is expected to change the nature of religious talk format television programming.
This nondenominational show, in its second year, is also broadcast in Hampton Roads on PAX - 49 Wednesday mornings at 11:00 a.m. and will be seen beginning July 13 on Saturday mornings at 11:00 a.m. on both the SuperChannel 55 Orlando and the Sky Angel DirecTV ® Network.
Preparing the Way has recently engaged Newton Media, a national media management company based in Chesapeake Virginia to manage their media buying and placement.
In addition to television shows, the organization produces radio shows, publishes books, maintains a prayer request list, conducts spiritual retreats and soon will be releasing its first musical offering.
Press release dated June 21, 2002
Religious organization sets up in Virginia Beach
By Ned McIntosh
Correspondent
VIRGINIA BEACH
– It has no building, no church services and no clergy, but a new religious
organization, Preparing the Way, is quietly making its presence known.
The
founders have chosen Virginia Beach for their head quarters.
Preparing
the Way is not into building edifices, but has started modestly in the home of
its president and is in using a combination of word of mouth, videos, books and
the Internet to promote a unique program.
Founders
Ron Smith and Jerry Martin are quick to point out that Preparing the Way is a
Christian organization, not a denomination.
They,
and the other two members of their board of directors, are all from different
religious backgrounds.
The motto of the organization is “Building a closer relationship with
God through Christ.” The moniker
Preparing the Way comes from their vision statement, “ Making the way passable
for the return of Jesus Christ”
Founded
in August, the organization’s roots are in an ongoing Virginia Beach prayer
group. In the ensuing five months,
it has created a Web site, published four books, produced eight videos and
arranged for the test marketing of the videos on Fox-affiliated channels in
Tennessee, Florida and Texas.
Smith,
who is board chair, and Martin, president, hail from diverse backgrounds and
different geographic roots. Smith
is from California and Martin from Oregon.
Both vacationed in Virginia Beach and elected to make it their home. Smith has a law degree and experience with labor unions and
state government. Martin has a
business degree and an extensive background in public accounting and banking.
As
profound as the spiritual nature of their mission is, the men enjoy what they
are doing, and are totally engrossed in it.
However, they do not take themselves too seriously, as witnessed by the
title of their first video, “The Martian in the Parking Lot.”
“It
is a humorous look at describing God to someone who has no clue,” Smith
explained. The other titles are more prosaic, focusing on what they define as the
“Fruit of the Spirit,” i.e.
love, joy, peace, faith and patience. Parts
I and II, focus on “The Second Coming of Christ.”
Their books are titled simply “Meditation,” “Prayer,”
“Spiritual Healing” and “Oneness.”
Their videos and books are available via a toll-free telephone number, or
by ordering from the Web site. Weekend
retreats and conferences are now in the planning stages and will be announced on
the Web site.
"The
first weekend retreat will beheld in the Virginia Beach area," Smith
said. "Come, listen and share. Leave your egos at the door, but
bring your humor and experience the joy of the Lord. There will be no
cost. If you feel it has been a worthwhile religious experience, we know
you will contribute to make future retreats available to others.
Excerpt from VIRGINIAN-PILOT Article
of January, 2001