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.

Beckah Shae Aims To Raise Generation Of "Champions"

Beckah Shae is preparing to raise a generation of champions with her brand new electronic dance album Champion, available nationwide on May 6. The dance/pop release features award-winning and multi-platinum selling artists such as Israel Houghton, Crystal Lewis, Eric Dawkins, Canon and T-Bone.

In addition to collaborating with chart toppers, on her eighth studio album the singer/songwriter co-wrote with mainstream heavy hitters Crystal Nicole (Mariah Carey, Beyonce, Rihanna) and Eric Dawkins (Justin Bieber, Janet Jackson, Christina Aguilera). With the help of Shae's husband and constant production collaborator Jack Shocklee, the 15-track record is sure to appeal to fans of music favorites tobyMac, Group 1 Crew or Capital Kings.

"I am a worshipper at heart and ultimately my desire is for my music to sow seeds into others and have them bear fruit sometime down the road." says the urban artist. "But with this record, we took a different approach. We got so much feedback from the Destiny album, saying how much everyone loved the dance tracks and were looking for more upbeat music, so the fans asked and we listened ... Champion was born!"

Inspired by Hebrews 12:2 to remind believers to keep their eyes firmly planted on Jesus, the one and only Champion of our faith, Shae wanted to encourage listeners to be a Champion for God, for others and themselves. Having personally battled with eating disorders, poverty and a broken family, Shae has overcome her war with low self- esteem and has embraced the person God created her to be and is determined to see others to join her in this triumph.

"My family was so poor growing up, we were always moving around, so I had to start over every time," says Shae, mother of two. "With each adjustment period, I've always felt misunderstood and misjudged, something that has carried on into my adult life and even career. Rising above the past rejection and false perceptions of industry folks and peers, God has always remained persistent and consistent in being faithful and secure in my life. Progress has been slow, but now we are seeing the fruition of my rooted trust in Him.

Now, I'm extremely passionate about helping others see themselves the way God sees them, no matter what season of difficulty they're going through, 'when God is for you, who can be against you?' and that is what I want listeners to walk away with after listening to Champion."

Earlier this year, music lovers were teased with the release of two singles, "Turbo Style" and "Incorruptible." Eager to please and share more music, Shae asked her fans to join her in the album making process and in just two weeks raised more than $40,000 on Kickstarter to help launch Champion.

Ja Rule, Adrienne Bailon, Stephen Baldwin and TobyMac Star in New Christian Movie

'I’m In Love With a Church Girl' will open domestically on October 18, 2013 with an international release to follow.

Based on a true story, the film stars 'Ja Rule' who, as a successful entrepreneur haunted by a criminal past and surrounded by old friends still “in the life,” finds faith, redemption and inspiration when God puts a woman of faith (Adrienne Bailon) in his life. Rounding out the cast are Stephen Baldwin, Vincent Pastore, Michael Madsen, T-Bone, Martin Kove and TobyMac.

“We are extremely pleased to have been able to put together such a world-class team for our very first film,” said Galley Molina, CEO of Reverence Gospel Media.

Molina wrote 'I’m In Love With a Church Girl' and has produced the film alongside Christian music superstar and RGM vice president Israel Houghton, who also contributed to the “Church Girl” soundtrack.

Houghton, who also shares screenplay credit on Reverence Gospel Media’s next two films, is a multiple Grammy, Stellar and Dove Award winner, and was honored most recently at the 2013 Grammys with the award for Best Christian Music Song. Israel is also a Worship Leader at Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas – the largest congregation in the United States, where he serves alongside “America’s Pastor” Joel Osteen.

“We feel extraordinarily blessed to have been able to make this movie and can’t wait to see the impact it has on people’s lives,” said Houghton. “This is completely unlike any ‘faith-based’ movie anyone has ever seen. The characters face believable situations with real faith in a real God.”

“I’ve seen this movie, and am both moved and inspired by the story, the characters, and the quality of both movie and music,” said Donnie McClurkin, Grammy Award-winning Gospel artist and Senior Pastor of the Perfecting Faith Church in Freeport, NY. “This is not what people have come to expect from Christian films, and I know it will resonate deeply with viewers – even those who would never have gone anywhere near a movie that touches on the subject of faith.

Israel Houghton Featured on ABC's The View

Four-time GRAMMY Award winner Israel Houghton appeared on ABC’s “The View” live yesterday as part of a The King’s Men tour group interview and performance.  In a television first, Israel, along with friends Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurkin and Marvin Sapp, performed a medley of their best-known songs on the same stage for the “The View” audience.  The appearance was in support of the national The King's Men tour launching Sept. 16 and produced by Live Nation Entertainment. The tour marks the first time these four GRAMMY, Dove and Stellar award-winning artists have toured together.

During the show, co-host Sherri Shepherd asks, “Israel, you have released 11 Christian music albums over 15 years - we sing a lot of your worship songs in church - and for the very first time you got a chance to record with your daughter Mariah.  How was that?”

Israel affirms that it was a special moment, recalling the recording of the song for his first live recording in five years with New Breed, Jesus At The Center, releasing Aug. 14.  “One of the songs we did was an old Bob Dylan song, ‘To Make You Feel My Love,’” says Israel.  “My daughter sang it with this purity – she’s 15-years-old, almost 16 – and it was amazing to look out and see 16,000 people all crying.”

To watch the whole interview and performances of ABC’s “The View” featuring “The King’s Men” and Jamie Grace, go to abc.com.