Bringing Up Bates Family Offers Unique Opportunity in TV

Gil and Kelly Jo Bates became reality television stars after they showcased their 19 children on UP's show "Bringing Up Bates." Now they want to give one fan the chance to join their family by competing in the "Be the 20th Bates for a day" challenge.

While "Bringing Up Bates" has only been on television since January, over 10,000 fans of the show have already signed up to join the competition in which one grand prize winner and a guest will receive a free trip to TN to appear on the set and film with the family.

"Viewers find the family very relatable and this gives them an easy mechanism to share their love and appreciation for the family. It's also an opportunity that's rarely provided in the entertainment space," said Richard Turner, vice president of digital media at UP, to The Christian Post.


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New Family Friendly Drama to Star Kelli Williams and Jonathan Scarfe

UP's upcoming series "Ties That Bind" promises to be family-friendly and stars Kelli Williams (The Practice, Army Wives), Jonathan Scarfe (Hell on Wheels, Perception), Mitchell Kummen (When Calls the Heart), Matreya Scarrwener (Once Upon a Time, Falling Skies), Rhys Matthew Bond, Natasha Calis, Dion Johnstone and Luke Perry (90210).

"Ties that Bind" revolves around Allison McLean (Kelli Williams), a tough and experienced police detective in suburban Seattle.  Like most working women, her hands are already full, balancing a demanding and dangerous job and a family -- husband Matt (Jonathan Scarfe), and teenagers Jeff (Mitchell Kummen) and Rachel (Natasha Calis).  But when she and her partner, Devin (Dion Johnstone), must arrest her brother, Tim (Luke Perry), for aggravated assault, her world drastically changes as Tim is convicted and sent to prison leaving his two teenagers Cameron (Rhys Matthew Bond) and Mariah (Matreya Scarrwener) teetering on the brink of foster care.  Having done the right thing as an officer of the law, Allison now feels compelled to do the right thing as a sister and aunt; she brings Tim's two very unhappy teens into her home.  Squeezing four teenagers under one roof proves to be an additional test of Allison's strength and patience.  It won’t be easy for her husband, her children or Tim’s kids either.  In addition to investigating local crimes, the series will also focus on the joys and struggles of the teens as they adjust to their new home, their new high school, make new friends and experience love, romance, anger and jealousy.

Interstellar & Selma Star David Oyelowo and Fantastic Four Star Kate Mara to Star in Faith Thriller

Captive, based on a true story that drew the attention of the entire nation. When Brian Nichols - on the run as the subject of a city wide manhunt - takes recovering meth addict Ashley Smith hostage in her own apartment, she turns for guidance to Rick Warren’s The Purpose Driven Life. While reading aloud, Ashley and her would-be killer each face crossroads resulting in a shocking outcome.

Stars Interstellar & Selma Star David Oyelowo and Fantastic Four's Kate Mara, as well as Michael Kenneth Williams and Mimi Rogers.  Written by When Calls the Heart's Brian Bird.

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Candace Cameron Bure In Final Negotiations to Join The View as Co-Host

After multiple guest-hosting stints on The View, Candace Cameron Bure and Paula Faris are in talks to join the show in a more permanent capacity, Variety reported yesterday.

According to the site, the Fuller House actress and the GMA Weekend co-anchor are in "final negotiations" to become co-hosts for Season 19, alongside veteran panelist Whoopi Goldberg and fellow newcomers Raven-Symone and Michelle Collins.

Per Variety, Faris would keep her GMA Weekend job, appearing on The View Monday through Thursday. Bure, meanwhile, is still figuring out her schedule, but could spend some weeks on The View in New York, and others on Netflix's Fuller House, which shoots through November in L.A.
Both stars — like Symone and Collins, who were announced as official co-hosts in June and July, respectively — have filled in at The View multiple times over the past few months. The show has gone through several casting changes since its premiere in 1997.


Bure made a memorable appearance on the series earlier this month, when she and Symone butted heads over the Oregon bakery that refused to make a wedding cake for a lesbian couple, and was then fined $135,000.

"I don't think this is discrimination at all. This is about freedom of association," the Full House alum said during the July 7 debate. "It's about constitutional rights. It's about First Amendment rights. We do have the right to still choose who we associate with."

Symone's response? "I refuse to associate with you right now!"

Emerging Pop Princess Tori Kelly Influenced by Crystal Lewis

Long-time Christian radio favorite Crystal Lewis has influenced greatly new pop sensation Tori Kelly. Kelly recently said in a radio interview that Lewis was one of her favorite artists and an inspiration to her.

Lewis explained that she and Kelly became friends four years ago before the newcomer was managed by Scooter Braun and before getting signed to Capital Records. Kelly, like Lewis, is originally a southern California girl and "her mom and I have a little history although we didn't know each other way back then but our parents knew each other."

The two singers got to know each other through social media and mutual friends. They became close and go to each other's shows. "I'm so proud of her, and thrilled that she would consider me an influence and I have her mother to thank of course because her mom played my music."

She continued, "It's awesome, it's a total honor...I love her, she's remarkable, and a great writer, and she has a heart of gold. Just an awesome kid."

Hillsong Film Director Says He's Not a Believer

The first film about Australian megachurch group Hillsong United will hit theaters in September. Michael John Warren, who directed 'Hillsong — Let Hope Rise,' says working with the group has made him a better person, even though he's not a believer.

The film chronicles the journey of Hillsong United, which began in Sydney in 1998 as a pastime for youth at church, and has since grown into a group with global reach. It's led by Joel Houston, the son of Hillsong founders and pastors Brian and Bobbie Houston, and all 11 band members are either volunteers or employees of the church.

"Their mission — without exaggeration — is to make music to save souls. They are trying to get people to discover Jesus," Warren, who has worked with Jay Z and Nicki Minaj, among other stars, said in a statement on the film's website. "That's probably the most righteous reason to make music. Whether you're religious or not, it's hard to look at that and not feel good about it."

"I'm not a religious person," he added, "but I learned things from working with and becoming friends with the members of Hillsong United. They are lovely people. They are sincerely giving. They are sincerely supportive. I don't believe the same things they believe, but I'm learning from them and I'm taking lessons from them, and I believe I've become a better person having spent a year studying them."

In January, Warner Bros. abruptly pulled the film from its distribution and Relativity Studios will now distribute the project. The film is now slated for release on Sept. 30.

Hillsong, which is headquartered in Sydney, has churches around the world with more than 100,000 weekly attendees, including thriving congregations in New York and Los Angeles. An estimated 50 million people sing their songs every Sunday.


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Why Does Young Hollywood Love Hillsong Church So Much?

Hillsong UNITED packs arenas and tops the Christian charts consistently in the United States. They have built quite a following. Interestingly, Hillsong UNITED seems to have hit a chord with a group that has more influence than many: young Hollywood.

This appears to be a natural development out of of the friendship that several young music, TV and movie stars have with the leadership of Hillsong Church. Celebrities such as Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, Ashley Benson, Vanessa Hudgens count the Hillsong pastors as their spiritual mentors. Sports stars such as Russell Wilson and Kevin Durant share similar connections with Hillsong.

And when Hillsong welcomed Justin Bieber to their annual church conference in Sydney, the relationship between Bieber, Hillsong NYC pastor Carl Lentz, and Seattle pastor (and friend of Lentz) Judah Smith was again in the spotlight.

Late in 2014, after an altercation with Orlando Bloom, Justin seemed to have reached a tipping point. As Christian Post reported at the time, he became a regular attendee of Judah Smith's Bible study. The difference in Bieber's life since he began attending that Bible study is evident. After several years of controversial behavior, Bieber appears to have turned a corner.

So what is it about Hillsong that appeals so much to this particular group? It could be the focus on Jesus himself, and their lack of concentration on evangelical 'fundamentalism,' which has fallen out of favor.

Another factor? Judah Smith, Carl Lentz and Hillsong UNITED worship leader Joel Houston, are adept at using social media. With frequent posts on Snapchat, Instagram, and Twitter, these individuals provide ways to share the word of Jesus on a medium where these young stars love to share. Hillsong meets these Hollywood elite where they are: online.

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Joel Osteen Appears in Controversial Rapper Slim Thug's 'Chuuch'

Slim Thug, a controversial Houston-based rapper who has collaborated with multi-platinum artists such as Beyoncé and Pharrell, includes pastor Joel Osteen in his latest album Hogg Life Volume 2: Still Surviving.

The song, "Chuuch," credits the megachurch pastor as a featured artist, and begins with Osteen preaching about the company we keep.

"I want to talk to you today about the right people," says Osteen in the beginning of the song. "Who you spend your time with will have a great impact on what kind of life you live. There are people God has already ordained to come across our path to help us fulfill our destiny. People that inspire us, challenge us make us better."

The soundbite lasts for around a minute before Slim Thug begins rapping. Other parts of the sermon are sprinkled throughout the rest of the song.

Slim Thug rose to fame in the hip-hop world in 2005 with his debut album Already Platinum, which was produced by Pharrell's The Neptunes. The rapper also appeared on Beyonce's 2005 hit "Check on It," which was featured on Destiny's Child's greatest hits album #1s.

Rappers often sample speeches for their songs, sometimes controversially.

Atlanta rapper Young Jeezy used excerpts from a T.D. Jakes sermon for his song "Holy Ghost Remix" last year.  Jakes did not approve the use without proper consent and took legal action against the song.

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KB's Music Featured in 8,000 Starbucks in the US and UK

Starbucks has added hits from award-winning christian rapper KB's latest album to its playlist at over 8,000 store locations in the U.S., Canada and the U.K.

The coffee chain selected two songs from the rapper's album Tomorrow We Live — "Always and Forever" and "When the Lights Go Out" — which can be heard throughout the month of July.

KB is the second Reach Records hip-hop artist to be played in Starbucks, following the label's Lecrae, whose song "All I Need Is You" was played within the last year.


KB celebrated the opportunity on Twitter and Facebook last week.

Various outlets praised the album for its crossover appeal.

"KB has further cemented his name as one of the genre's all-star acts, with a hard-hitting follow-up album that is sure to catch the attention of Christian and secular crowds alike. As a whole, the album is incredibly strong and is sure to be KB'S first classic," wrote Hollywood Jesus in April.

Christian music has played a prominent role in KB's salvation. After struggling with depression, the rapper came to Christ at a young age when he was given a CD by another artist who was talking "about the God" he "needed."

KB said he now believes his music is inspired by God, and further elaborated his point during a June interview with hip-hop radio show host Sway Calloway.

"We believe that all creativity, all innovation — it's God who supplies creativity, because He's the Creator. Reach Records is for the people. It isn't for the money, it isn't for the fame."

TLC Cancels 19 Kids and Counting

After weeks in limbo stemming from revelations of sexual misconduct by one of its stars, the TLC reality show "19 Kids and Counting" is officially dead.

TLC is not moving forward with an 11th season of "19 Kids" featuring the Duggars, whose show "will no longer appear on the air," the network told The Associated Press on Thursday.

"We spent the past month and a half in thoughtful consideration about what is the best way forward here," said Marjorie Kaplan, group president of TLC, Animal Planet and Velocity networks

In a move to redirect the attention and public outcry, TLC also announced it has teamed with two prominent child-protection organizations for an ongoing campaign to raise awareness about child sexual abuse.

The multi-platform initiative will begin with a one-hour, commercial-free documentary likely airing in late August, the network said. It will include the participation of Jill and Jessa Duggar, two of the sisters Josh Duggar touched inappropriately, as well as other survivors and families affected by such abuse.

Since 2008, the series — TLC's most watched, averaging 3.2 million viewers — had chronicled the family life of Arkansas couple Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar and their children, now numbering 19. It was pulled from the network in May when reports surfaced that 27-year-old Josh Duggar, the oldest child, had fondled four of his sisters and a baby sitter a dozen years earlier, when he was a teenager. He has never been arrested or charged in connection with the molestations.

Josh Duggar apologized for unspecified actions on a Facebook post and resigned from the Family Research Council, a conservative Christian group, where he had worked as a lobbyist.

Two weeks later, the Duggar parents were interviewed on Fox News Channel, as were Jill and Jessa Duggar, who said they weren't aware the fondling had happened until Josh confessed years later and their parents told them about it.

The show had ended its 10th season when the scandal broke; Hulu quickly pulled it from its offerings.

"The goal is to take what has been a difficult and painful experience, and focus that attention on the really critical issue of child protection and child sexual abuse," she said, adding that several filmmakers are under consideration for the planned documentary.

Kaplan admitted to having been "completely unaware" of the pervasiveness of child abuse.

"I have learned a lot about this issue since," she said, citing incidence figures as high as one among every 10 young people.

The Duggars released a statement which read in part:

With God’s grace and help Josh, our daughters and our entire family overcame a terrible situation, found healing and a way forward. We are so pleased with the wonderful adults they have all become.
It is our prayer that the painful situation our family went through many years ago can point people toward faith in God and help others who also have lived through similar dark situations to find help, hope and healing, as well.

Christian Event Takes Over New York City for the Day

Evangelist Luis Palau told Fox News Latino that it had been his dream from a young age to share the Gospel in New York City, and last weekend, that dream came true.

Palau’s NY CityFest drew an estimated 60,000 people to iconic locations in the Big Apple, including Central Park, Times Square and Madison Square Garden featuring performances by tobyMac, Mandisa, Matt Redman, Third Day, Chris Tomlin, Hezekiah Walker, Israel Houghton and Marcos Whitt.

Former New York Yankee Mariano Rivera was among the speakers.

"I used to play here on the corner in the Bronx for the New York Yankees for many years," he said, "But that’s over. But moving forward, moving to what The Lord wants us to do. Preach the gospel of Jesus Christ."

According to The Christian Post, more than 1,700 churches in the greater New York City metro area worked together to pull off the events, as well as massive service projects that took place that weekend. There also were free events in Times Square and Madison Square Garden.

The artists who participated were humbled and energized by the opportunity, and were grateful to have been a part.

“[I] loved proclaiming that Jesus overcame the world and calls God's children overcomers too!” Mandisa posted on Facebook following her Times Square performance.

“So thankful for all the blood, sweat, tears and prayers of the saints that made this happen here in the City,” tweeted tobyMac.

The experience of playing for Palau's events was especially powerful for Matt Redman, who credited Palau with introducing him to Jesus years ago.

Jennifer Garner Begins Filming Christian Movie 'Miracles From Heaven'

Jennifer Garner is set to star in the Sony Pictures drama, "Miracles From Heaven," based on a book with a similar name. The film is scheduled for release on March 18, 2016, a week before Easter.

The actress is believed to be a practicing Christian as she has been spotted leaving church services in the past and also had her children baptized at her family's church in Charleston, West Virginia.

"Miracles From Heaven" is being produced by Joe Roth, T.D. Jakes and DeVon Franklin, who were behind the 2014 hit film "Heaven Is for Real," which grossed more than $101 million at the box office.

It tells the story of Annabel Beam, a little girl from Texas, who claimed she met Jesus after a tragic fall. She was also miraculously cured of a life-threatening digestive disorder after the accident. Her incredible story of faith and overcoming adversity is retold in her mother Christy's memoir: Miracles from Heaven: A Little Girl, Her Journey to Heaven, and Her Amazing Story of Healing.

During an interview with The Christian Post in April, 12-year-old Annabel recalled falling headfirst 30 feet inside a hollowed-out cottonwood tree while playing with her sisters on the family farm in Texas. Miraculously, she escaped without injury and later told her parents that she went to heaven and sat in Jesus' lap after the accident.

"I remember it was really bright and I saw my Mimi (her grandmother) who had died a couple of years back, and that's how I knew that I was in heaven," Annabel told Christian Post. "And I asked Jesus if I could stay and He said: 'No Annabel, I have plans for you on Earth that you cannot fulfill in heaven.' Then he said whenever the firefighters get you out there will be nothing wrong with you."

"... We believe that I was healed in the tree. I'm completely healthy [now] and I can eat whatever I want," said Annabel, who credits faith for her recovery. "I want people to realize that no matter how bad things get, don't ever lose that faith because He has a plan … you have to stay faithful and have hope because those are the things that will get you through whatever you're going through, no matter what it is."

His Lifeless Body Lay on the Pavement for More Than an Hour. Now His Story Will Be a Movie

A film about a pastor’s claims of dying and visiting heaven after a horrible car wreck in 1989 is coming to theaters, continuing a trend of films that deal with near-death experiences.

The movie, “90 Minutes in Heaven,” recounts the story of Don Piper, who was on his way to church to lead a Bible study when he was involved in a terrible car wreck; it will be released in 800 theaters across America on Sept. 11.

Piper maintains that he died in that collision on Jan. 18, 1989, his lifeless body covered in a tarp on the pavement for more than an hour — all while his spirit visited heaven.

As the story goes, another pastor who was at the scene of the accident began praying over Piper for the duration of that time before seeing and hearing him come back to life under the covering of the tarp.

Watch the “90 Minutes in Heaven” trailer below:


Piper’s real-life recovery process was physically painful, the injured pastor spending 13 months in the hospital and undergoing 34 surgeries. But Piper never forgot the spiritual experience he claims to have had — one that’s now headed to the big screen.

“90 Minutes in Heaven” stars Kate Bosworth of “Superman Returns” and Hayden Christensen of the “Star Wars” prequels.

Candace Cameron Bure Makes Waves on The View

When actress Candace Cameron Bure defended on “The View” the Christian owners of an Oregon bakery who refused to make a cake for a gay wedding, an audible gasp from one of the co-hosts immediately followed.

Discussing the divisive case, the star revealed she doesn’t think what the bakery did amounts to 'discrimination.' It quickly became clear she was outnumbered on the issue.

“This is about freedom of association, it’s about constitutional rights, it’s about First Amendment rights,” she added. “We do have the right to still choose who we associate with.”

Bure argued the owners of Sweet Cakes By Melissa didn’t refuse to bake the cake simply because the customers were lesbians. In fact, she said, “they baked cakes for them previously.”

“They had a problem with the actual ceremony because that, the ceremony, is what conflicted with their religious beliefs,” Bure said.

Co-host Raven-Symone strongly disagreed, claiming the bakery discriminated against the couple based on their 'sexual orientation' and compared the case to past discrimination of black people.

Bure ended her argument by saying, “Here’s the other thing that I really wish we could do as a society, as a culture, as a country, is to respect that we have opposing views.”

Watch the exchange below:

'God's Not Dead 2: He's Surely Alive' to Star Melissa Joan Hart and Jesse Metcalf

"God's Not Dead 2: He's Surely Alive," the sequel to the $60 million grossing 2014 film, hits theaters on Easter of 2016 stars Melissa Joan Hart ("Clarissa Explains It All," "Sabrina the Teenage Witch") and Jesse Metcalf ("Desperate Housewives") and will feature a slew of cameos from well-known celebrities, including an appearance from "Duck Dynasty" star Sadie Robertson.
Robertson will follow in the footsteps of her parents, Willie and Korie, who made a cameo in the original "God's Not Dead" film.

Other cameos include Hayley Orrantia ("The Goldbergs"), Ernie Hudson ("Ghostbusters"), model Robin Givens and singer Pat Boone.

Stars from the original "God's Not Dead" film Trisha LaFache, Benjamin Onyango, Paul Kwo and David A.R. White will be returning for the second installment. The Newsboys will also have a cameo.

"God's Not Dead 2: He's Surely Alive" takes place in the fictional town of Hope Springs, Arkansas, at a high school where teacher Grace Wesley, played by Hart, faces opposition when she tries to speak about Jesus openly in her classroom.

"With the principal and superintendent teaming up with a zealous civil liberties group represented by an attorney with no love lost for God, Grace faces an epic court case with the help of sympathetic and charismatic defense lawyer, that could cost her the career she had always dreamed of — and expel God from the classroom once and for all," reads a description of the film.

While the first "God's Not Dead" film dealt with an antagonistic atheist professor, the new film will address the freedom of religion, a topic that has become even more prevalent since last month's U.S. Supreme Court ruling that made state-level bans on same-sex marriage unconstitutional.

"God's Not Dead" is arguably one of the most successful faith-based movies of all time. The film cost just $2 million to make, and grossed over $60 million at the the box office.

Kevin Sorbo, who played an atheist professor in "God's Not Dead," the film's main antagonist, boasted about the film's success after it was released on DVD in September.

"'God's Not Dead,' dollar for dollar, has been the most successful movie this year by far and the most successful faith-based movie," said Sorbo.

The film also debuted at No.1 on the Nielsen Christian Videos Sales Chart, and No. 2 Nielsen VideoScan First Alert and Blu-ray Disc sales charts in August of 2014.

Needtobreathe Performs 35,000 Feet in the Air

Needtobreathe treated fans to a performance on a Southwest flight today performing "Brother" live at 35K!



Read a fun blog entry from a fan on Southwest's blog.

RED Guitarist Saves Man from Burning Car

RED's guitarist Anthony Armstrong made headlines this week after pulling a man from a burning car and saving his life late Sunday night.

Anthony and another driver both pulled over to the site of the burning vehicle while on the way back from vacation. They found the driver asleep in the front seat with a blanket over his head. After waking him up, the duo had to untangle him from his seatbelt and drag him to safety.

Anthony shared with news anchors "I honestly thought it was going to be one of those rescue 911 moments from when I was a kid. You know, I'm either going to die saving this guy or we're going to get lucky."

Authorities are still investigating causes of the fire. You can watch the full story.

NBC cancels A.D.: The Bible Continues

NBC canceled A.D.: The Bible Continues after its premiere season averaged 6.5 million viewers and 1.0 among A18-49, but the story’s not over. Producers Mark Burnett and Roma Downey have plans to continue the show on their upcoming faith-focused OTT channel, slated for launch in late 2015 or 2016.

Needtobreathe Performs Brother with Gavin DeGraw on Good Morning America

Grammy-nominated band Needtobreathe performed 'Brother', featuring Gavin DeGraw on ABC's Good Morning America. Watch the appearance below!

Sanctus Real's Lead Singer Announces Departure

After a 20 year history together, GRAMMY nominations, Dove Awards, seven albums and six No. 1 singles, Matt Hammitt, the lead singer of Sanctus Real, has announced he will be leaving the band this December. Both Matt and his fellow band members have taken time to draft personal statements so that their fans can hear from them first hand and in their own words.

The band has announced their “Farewell To A Friend” tour this fall, which will be Hammitt’s final tour with the band. Sparrow Records will release a Greatest Hits project from Sanctus Real this October, featuring the band’s top hits over their 20 year career and a new single, which will release in the fall as well.

Matt Hammitt (read full statement below -- link to this and prayer requests here):

"Last November, I started to feel a spiritual restlessness, sensing that God was leading me into a new season of life. After many conversations with God, family and friends, I came to realize a new calling, one that would require me to make the difficult decision to leave Sanctus Real.

Both the band and I have prepared heartfelt statements about this change, and about where God is leading us. Below is my full statement about this news, as well as Episode 1 of "The Lead Me Lifecast," also about my decision to leave Sanctus Real..."

Dear Friends,
A blog post isn't nearly enough space to recount or describe what I've experienced with my friends in Sanctus Real over the past twenty years. I'm so grateful for what God has allowed a few guys from Toledo, Ohio to experience together. I don't take it lightly, the ability that songs have to impact the hearts and lives of those who hear them. Experiencing this God-given mystery with my friends in the band has been one of the greatest joys of my life. 

I want to thank my band mates, current and former, but especially Mark and Chris for allowing me to share in this incredible season of life with them. And of course, to our families, you are the backbone God has blessed us with. Thank you for holding down the fort. I love and appreciate you. 

And to you, our friends and fans, you've been so good to Sanctus Real and to my family. The support you have given us has been more than we could have wished for, and for that I'm eternally grateful. 

To everyone in the Christian music industry, from our label, agents, managers, friends in radio, promoters, other artists and everyone in-between, I sincerely thank you. I am proud to be in Christian music. 

Like all children, when I was young, people would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I remember answering, "A missionary." It may seem like unconventional missionary work, but I have genuinely viewed my time in Sanctus Real as a mission to build Christ's church through words and music. If you've listened to Sanctus Real or supported us in any way, you've been a vital part of that mission. Thank you from the depths of my heart. 

Over the past few months, I've felt the Lord calling me into a new mission field, into a new season of life. If you want to hear the intricate details about my decision to leave Sanctus Real, I've discussed it at length in the first two episodes of "The Lead Me Lifecast." I open each episode by saying that, "I've been traveling far and wide singing the song 'Lead Me', but now I want to sing it less and live it more." I mean that genuinely, with all of my heart. I've always struggled to reconcile my life on the road away from Sarah and the kids, but after all these years I'm now confident that my calling is to be at home more, consistently making God and family my ultimate priority. My primary gifting as a communicator is simply sharing my life and heart with people, and they're going to get the best of that.

Many of you know that my son, Bowen, is living with severe heart disease. I'm thankful for so many of you, who have walked and prayed with us through this. We're so grateful that he's almost five now, but we live with the realities of his chronic, progressive disease each and every day. Because of our work assisting hurting families through Whole Hearts Foundation, we are constantly reminded that we can't take a day we get with Bowen for granted. This is another reason my family needs me, and I need them.
It's important for me to be clear that I'm not giving up music. Music is in my soul and is my primary expression of life and faith. In addition to making music, I'll be talking a lot about marriage and family in the coming years. There are a lot of people encouraging others to go out and be great in the world (and they should), but I feel a calling to encourage others, especially men, to be great behind their own front doors. As I dedicate myself to being a greater husband, father and spiritual leader, I'll be encouraging others to do the same through my music, "The Lead Me Lifecast" and the "Lead Me Live" events coming in 2016. 

Your support has meant so much to me and my family, and I'm inviting you to join our mission moving forward. At the bottom of this letter, I've put a list of simple, practical list of ways that you can join us. 

With Love and Gratitude,
- Matt

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Reality Series Bringing UP Bates Running Innovative Sweepstakes

UP's reality series Bringing UP Bates has launched an innovative social campaign.  From the site:

How would you like to join the 19 kids of "Bringing Up Bates" for a fun filled day with their whole family? Who knows, you may even get to do a little bit of laundry, tie a few shoes or cook a light meal… Must be good with kids!

Use the hashtag #20thBates on Instagram or Twitter or upload a photo with the hashtag to Facebook to enter for your chance to become…the 20th Bates for a day.  You & a friend could win a visit to the set and be on national TV!  

Matthew West Appears on Glenn Beck Radio show

Matthew West appeared on Glenn Beck's radio program this morning discussing the story behind his hit "Do Something" then performing it.