The Upper Room at the Former Heritage USA to be Restored

Special Public Re-Dedication Service Scheduled for December 1st. at 10AM

A Sound From Heaven…
Acts 2
1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

It was during a trip to Israel that PTL leader and founder Jim Baker was impressed to build a replica of the Upper Room on his 2300 acre Heritage USA property in Fort Mill, SC. When The Upper Room was completed it served as the ministry chapel and 24 hour call in prayer center. At one time over 40 volunteers manned the phone lines around the clock as prayer requests came in from around the world. People could come in and pray and be prayed for by ministry staff anytime day or night.

Silence in the room.
It was in 2006 when the property known to millions around the world as The Upper Room at Heritage USA suddenly fell silent. Once a thriving House of Prayer and Worship for the PTL Club and Heritage USA that was founded by televangelist Jim and Tammy Faye Baker, the property has sat empty and silent for more than 4 years.

Man fails.
No matter what your personal feelings may be or have been in regards to the former PTL Ministry and the leadership, the network known around the globe as the PTL Network left an indelible mark on the lives of millions as they tuned in daily to the world wide ministry. At its peak Heritage USA was the home to the world’s largest Christian Theme Park with over 6 million visitors each year from around the world. The annual attendance at Heritage USA was exceeded only by Disney World and Disneyland.

I guess it is just inevitable that when any ministry no matter how large, becomes built around the lives and personalities of fallible men and women that failure becomes one of the main “coming attractions” for the future. There is a great mystery though when it comes to the relationship between God and man. While as men and women we may fail our brothers and sisters in the faith and we may ultimately fail God, it is important to note that with God failure is often far from final. The most marvelous and mystical and magical thing about God is His ability to do what for most of us would be impossible. He knows how to completely forgive, totally forget and ultimately restore.

With man we may be able to offer 1 or maybe even 2 of those 3 attributes but rare is the man woman boy or girl who is capable of all three!

God restores.
The Upper Room, located on the former Heritage USA property at 8409 Regent Parkway in Fort Mill, SC will open to the public for a very special 1 day rededication service on Wednesday, December 1st, 2010 from 10:00am to 5:00pm. According to the new CEO and Trustee “there will be a time of prayer and praise to our God at the Upper Room beginning at 10:00am. After that we need a host of volunteers to bring their rakes and leaf bags to assist in cleaning and restoring the outside of the building.”

During my conversation with the new CEO and Trustee they indicated that a full scale renovation of the property will begin during the month of December and there will be a need for skilled workers to volunteer in helping bring the property back to its original condition in time for the grand opening of the facility on January 1st, 2011. We also learned during our conversation that the original furnishings including the original 14 wooden benches and the massive table created to depict the one used at The Last Supper will be returned to the property along with the massive wooden prayer box which once housed tens of thousands of prayer requests from around the world. Plans are to completely restore and expand the property to its original purpose. Part of the expansion will include the installation of digital cameras on the property streaming live footage online so that anyone in the world can view the activities of the Upper Room Chapel. Plans are to stream the activities of the day on December 1st.

For more information and to view live streaming when it becomes available you can go to www.upperroomchapel.com

Special Guests Visit Recent BGSSA Weekend of Events

(Picture L to R are Sherrie Brewster, Allison Durham Speer and D.K. Brewster)

(BRANSON, MO.) - Area 57 in Branson, Mo. was packed with talented writers and artists for the recent monthly BGSSA weekend of concerts & showcase events. Artists and writers from several states came together for a great time of Christian fellowship as the sounds of the Gospel in song rang out through Branson, Mo. during the weekend event that is quickly becoming “the place to be” each month. Part of the group enjoyed a special late night trip to Barbara Fairchild’s restaurant for a special private concert and meal. At their last weekend event the BGSSA had a very special surprise guest as Allison Durham Speer and her husband Brian stopped by.

The BGSSA ( Branson Gospel Singer Songwriter Association) is a ministry of DK & Sherrie Brewster and their Yet To Come Publishing Company. To find out about future dates so you can plan your vacation trip and enjoy some wonderful Christian fellowship just visit the BGSSA at www.yettocomeproductions.com or check out the group at http://sogocity.ning.com/group/bransongospelsingersongwriterassociation

Song Garden Music Group Presents 2010 Celebrate Christmas Concert

Join with Song Garden Music Group and three of the top artists in Southern Gospel Music as they Celebrate Christmas on Thursday, December 2nd, 2010 at 7:00PM at First Wesleyan Church at Providence Place in High Point, NC.

Appearing will be America’s Premier Family Vocal Group, The Rick Webb Family along with The Collingsworth Family and the Triumphant Quartet.

Tickets are just 10.00 or you can get Artist Circle Seating for just 15.00. For ticket information call 336-688-0193 or 757-482-2179.

Local Ticket Outlet Location: Bicycle Toy and Hobby Schwinn Shop located on North Main Street in High Point NC.

First Wesleyan Church is located at Providence Place at 1707 Westchester Drive High Point, NC.

Don’t miss this incredible night of wonderful music celebrating the Christmas Season!

Connie Hopper among 2010 Hall of Fame inductees

Connie Hopper of Madison, N.C. attended her induction into the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame at Dollywood recently in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.

“Connie Hopper is considered by many to be the keystone of the famous singing family, the Hoppers,” said Charlie Waller, SGMA executive director. “Her sensitivity to audiences has caused her to become a household name and a favorite among gospel music lovers everywhere. Connie was voted Queen of Gospel Music by the Singing News for two consecutive years, Favorite Alto in 1998, 1999, 2000 and Person of the Year in 2005.

He said she was voted Gospel Music’s Female Vocalist of the Year by the People’s Choice Awards.

“She was presented the Marvin Norcross Award in 1998,” he said. “This award is presented for excellence in devotion to family, service to church and contributions to the gospel music industry. Connie received an associate in arts degree in May 2003 from Oakland City University in Oakland City, Ind. She also received her honorary degree of doctor of music from Oakland City, Ind. in May 1999.

“Connie’s sincerity is projected both on and off stage,” he said. “She has become a role model for young ladies who are entering the realm of gospel music. Her warmth, charm and genuine faith in God have become her hallmark.

She is author of a testimonial book titled ‘The Peace That Passeth Understanding’ which relates to her bout with cancer and God’s divine intervention.

“Her most recent writing is a daily devotional book of inspiration entitled ‘Heart of The Matter’ in which she shares some of the deep spiritual matters concerning Christians today,” he said. “Connie has also penned more than fifty gospel songs.” Read more

North Carolina Artists on list for Grammy Award Nominations

From all of the Southern, Country and Bluegrass Gospel albums released this year, thirty eight from across the country are being considered for nominations for the Grammy Awards. Of those, three were recorded by artist who have roots in North Carolina.

Charlie Daniels, “Joy to the World-A Bluegrass Christmas”, The Hoppers “Something’s Happening” and The Captain’s Crew “The Captain’s Crew” albums represent North Carolina on the list. They join some of the nations top artists in the genre including Diamond Rio, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, The Mckameys, Point of Grace. Brian Free and Assurance, Jeff and Sheri Easter, Greater Vision and the late Dottie Rambo.

Members of the Recording Academy will cast there ballots for those who will ultimately be nominated and then vote once more for the artist who will receive the Grammy Award at the 53 Grammy Awards Show on February 13, 2011. Awards will take place in Los Angeles at Staples Center and will air live on the CBS Television Network from 8–11:30 p.m.

The Captain’s Crew is based on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Group member Ken Mann is also a member of the Recording Academy. Mann said “It would be great to be nominated but, if not, it is always an honor just to be considered with so many talented and dedicated musicians and singers.”

North Carolinians will also be proud to know that, of the thirty eight eligible albums, six of the artists worked in a North Carolina based studios.

Celebrating music through the GRAMMY Awards for more than 50 years, The Recording Academy continues its rich legacy and ongoing growth as the premier outlet for honoring achievements in the recording arts and supporting the music community.

The GRAMMYs are the only peer-presented award to honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to album sales or chart position.

DAILEY & VINCENT PRESENT $20,000 CHECK TO TENNESSEE BIBLE COLLEGE

Pictured (left to right) are: Lois Irby, Tennessee Bible College receptionist; David Hill, Tennessee Bible College President; Jamie Dailey; Malcolm Hill, Tennessee Bible College Chancellor; Darrin Vincent; and Kerry Duke, Tennessee Bible College Dean.

NASHVILLE, TENN. (November 1, 2010)—Award-winning bluegrass duo Dailey & Vincent presented a check for $20,000 to the Tennessee Bible College in Cookeville, Tennessee, representing Read more

Tune In Tonight To See Aaron and Amanda Crabb On TBN’s Praise The Lord Television Program

Hendersonville, TN (Oct. 27, 2010) - Daywind Records’ artist, Aaron and Amanda Crabb, will be featured on national television tonight on TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network). Read more

Songwriters Tools Volume 1

Join Charles Brady as he takes you through a special live 2 hour Songwriters Workshop that was presented to the Branson Gospel Singer-Songwriter Association in Branson Mo. During this educational and informative 2 hour live workshop you’ll learn the tools used by the most successful writers to overcome the ominous blank page that stops many writers in their tracks and prevents most great songs from ever being written! The information on this instructional DVD can benefit everyone from beginning songwriters to seasoned pros.

 Learn how to be inspired each and every time you sit down to write
 Learn the technique that will have you wondering why you never thought of it yourself
 Learn the tools that have helped successful songwriters turn out hundreds or even thousands of songs in their songwriting careers
 Learn the secret tools used by the top ad copy and newspaper writers to create a constant flow of material and how songwriters can use those tools to craft fresh new material on a regular basis
 Learn the three most common techniques to writing and how your next big hit may have already been written and is just waiting for you to pick it up and refresh it and give it a whole new life
 Learn what painters and writers have in common and how you can benefit from having the rights tools in sight when you begin crafting songs from the blank page
 Learn the four most common song structures that make up the bulk of all commercial songs
 Learn one of the most important aspects of writing commercially successful songs that make songs stick in the minds of listeners and make it easy for artists to sing your songs.

Some of the attendees Read more

SUSAN BOYLE RELEASES CHRISTMAS RECORD THE GIFT ON NOVEMBER 9

Highly Anticipated Follow-up To Last Year’s Biggest Selling CD Features Christmas Classics “O Holy Night,” “Do You Hear What I Hear,” “The First Noel” and “O Come All Ye Faithful”

Boyle Will Perform on Dancing With the Stars Tuesday, Oct. 5th and Will Appear on “Oprah” on Friday, Oct. 22 Read more

Tony Greene Has Died At Age 41

( At Center Stage, Tony Greene makes an award presentation to his wife TaRanda at The Southern Gospel Music Awards in 2007.)

Southern Gospel Artist Tony Greene of the Greene’s passed away at 4:25pm Tuesday, September 28th. He leaves behind his wife, TaRanda Greene of Indian Trail, NC and two daughters, Isabella and Jocelyn. He was 41 years old.

FUNERAL SERVICE SCHEDULE:
Monday Oct. 4th Visitation 4pm-7pm with Funeral Service at 7pm
at FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, INDIAN TRAIL NORTH CAROLINA
GRAVESIDE SERVICE at 1pm at Tuesday Oct 3rd at
WESTVIEW BAPTIST CHURCH - BOONE, NC

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