Plenty is happening in the Church this Easter week, and that definitely includes the Christian artists, writers and fashionistas among us. Here's what's ticking:

 

Reach Records announced this week that rap artist Tedashii's one-year-old son died in the past few days. His Voice Global--an organization that equips and support orphans and widows in South Sudan, India and North Korea--has come alongside Tedashii and his family and is asking for fans to support him. Tedashii has partnered with His Voice Global in the past on an awareness project.

 

"As we grieve with him and his family, we also want to bless them," reads the blog post from His Voice Global Executive Director Vernon Burger. "In this time, we want to offer him the opportunity to stay home with his family, grieve, begin to heal, seek the Lord, be comforted and to comfort. The perception is that if one is a traveling musician, they have more money than they know what to do with. The fact is, that is just not true."

 

Within the first 24 hours of the challenge, supporters gave almost three months worth of the family's expenses. His Voice Global's goal is to see six months of the family's needs met during this time of loss. To give, click here to donate, and designate "Tedashii" in the memo. 

 

Northern Ireland-born Keith Getty was blown away to learn that the song he penned in 2001 with London's Stewart Townend, "In Christ Alone," was featured at the March 21 enthronement ceremony of England's Archbishop of Canterbury. The song was personally selected by newly elected Archbishop Justin Welby. 

 

"We are so honored that one of our hymns would be used for such a historic occasion in British life," said Getty, just days after he performed the song with his wife, Kristyn, to a full house at Nashville's historic Ryman Auditorium. Eddie DeGarmo, President of Capitol CMG Publishing called the usage "an awesome privilege" for an "extraordinary event."

 

Reach Records hip-hop artist Andy Mineo announced that he's auctioning off the skateboard he rode in the music video for his single, "AYO!" The board, a SalemTown Board Co. custom-made skateboard ($350 retail value) is currently up for auction on eBay until April 4. All proceeds from the auction will be donated to Salemtown Board Co., a company that exists to employ, train and mentor urban youth in Nashville. Find it/bid here: http://bit.ly/16mqZYT.

 

IMMERSE, the Gospel Music Association's music training experience for developing artists and songwriters, announced its industry mentors for the 2013 event. Guests include Brandon Heath, Plumb, Montell Jordan, Jennie Lee Riddle, Steve Taylor, and Tommy Walker, as well as a number of industry executives. Programming for IMMERSE--which takes place May 26-29 in Nashville--includes classes in music business, songwriting and artist development, as well as a program that provides mentoring with a songwriting and performance competition. Learn more at www.experienceIMMERSE.com. 

 

Popular Gospel recording artist Kevin LeVar is known for penning powerful lyrics with hits like "A Heart that Forgives," but now he's taking his wordsmithing to the page, as he releases his debut book, Destiny Bridge: Dare to Believe God. In the book, LeVar challenges the reader to "get out of the boat" and experience the joyous life that awaits every dreamer who takes a step of faith. Following his book release, LeVar will host the Dream Now Dreamers Conference in Washington, D.C., May 15-18.

 

Christian Camp and Conference Association (CCCA) has launched a campaign to send thousands of underprivileged kids to camp for a week, regardless of their ability to pay. Corners of the Field is a national initiative to raise campership dollars and to help local camps across the U.S. give kids the best week of their lives in a beautiful, natural setting. Based on Leviticus 19:9-10, Corners of the Field seeks to raise funds to provide member camps and conference centers money for camper scholarships. Currently, each scholarship awarded is $125, but donations of all sizes are encouraged. Learn more at www.ccca.org/go/corners.

 

You may have heard Darlene Zschech's newest live worship album, Revealing Jesus, but that's only half of the story. The Aussie worshipper has released a book by the same name--a devotional book that captures the scriptural truths Darlene experienced and explored during a recent season of change. Honest, raw, and culled from the pages of her personal journals, the devotional contains meditations and scriptures revealing the heart of Jesus. 

 

"The songs on this project are filled with declaration of scripture to ensure that it is truly woven within the fabric of your heart, and this devotional was written to give you food for thought each day about how Jesus is revealed in our every day lives," Darlene says.  "So I pray you are fueled for service as you read, and that your heart yearns for more of Jesus as you worship him with every fiber of your being."

 

Premiere Christian rock band Thousand Foot Krutch released a string of good news recently. The band's "War of Change Tour" has played to capacity at many of its stops across 11 states, including Dallas, Tex.; Flint, Mich.; Lancaster, Penn.; Louisville, Ky.; Chattanooga, Tenn. and more. Speaking of "War of Change," the single from The End is Where We Begin has been heard by more than 16 million radio listeners, and became the band's 13th No. 1 Christian radio single. Its music video has received more than 4 million views to date. At the same time, the band also announced that it was part of a Best Buy promotion that puts TFK's latest release on sale for $8.99, alongside releases from Metallica, Papa Roach, P.O.D. and others.
 

 

Christian fashion lines B IT Designer Clothing and NOTW (Not Of This World) have joined forces to unveil "B Not Of This World," a fashion-forward, bright line of five men's designs and three women's t-shirt and tank designs. Each design encourages people to B who they are, B Beautiful, B Not Of This World and Just B IT. The line is inspired by Joshua 1:9. Learn more about B NOTW and browse the styles at www.bnotw.com.

 

"We are to B Strong and B Courageous," says tobyMac/DiverseCity drummer B Haley, the founder of B IT Clothing. "This combined with one's faith, hope, and love works together to create the action of believing. Acting in these ways allows you to experience Heaven here on Earth."

 

The L.A. Dream Center has been announced as the official beneficiary of theJeansProject, an initiative that is changing lives through premium denim jeans. Available for $99 at www.jeansproject.com, $10 of every purchase will be donated to The Dream Center's rehabilitation programs to help make a difference in someone's life. The vision is to create transitional job opportunities for many coming out of The Dream Center generating valuable short term employment income and job references to help promote a successful transition back into society. TheJeansProject is the brainchild of Brad Alden Mowry, a successful "denim development specialist" who turned his passion for jeans into a for-profit, philanthropic enterprise that has ministry implications. Mowry's connections to the Dream Center go deep and personal, as he is part of the worship team for services at Angelus Temple.