If teachers teach, drivers drive and ushers ush, then obviously the ticker ticks--but not the kind of ticks that'll give you lyme disease. These are the ticks that go viral with what's happening in the Christian music/entertainment world. Terrible analogy. Moving on...

 

The man who accompanied Billy Graham on many of his evangelistic crusades, George Beverly Shea, died this past week at his home in North Carolina following a brief illness. He was 104.

 

Shea--a ten-time Grammy Award winner, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner  and member of the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame--sang at hundreds of concerts and recorded more than 70 albums of sacred music. 

 

"I first met Bev Shea while in Chicago when he was on Moody Radio," said Billy Graham. "As a young man starting my ministry, I asked Bev if he would join me. He said yes and for over 60 years we had the privilege of ministering together across the country and around the world. Bev was one of the most humble, gracious men I have ever known and one of my closest friends. I loved him as a brother. My prayer for his wife, Karlene, and his children, Ron and Elaine, is that God will strengthen them during this time." 

 

He is survived by his wife, Karlene, and his children from his first marriage, Ronald and Elaine. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Erma, who died in 1976. His public funeral service took place in Montreat, N.C. on Sunday, April 21.

 

In their second campaign with Kickstarter, filmmaker Darren Wilson and the Wanderlust Productions team raised nearly 40 percent of their $200,000 goal in less than 24 hours to fund the 2014 release, Holy Ghost. Wilson's earlier films, the God Adventure Trilogy, consisting of Finger of God, Furious Love and Father of Lights led him to the corners of the Globe, seeking how God is moving and working in the lives of the faithful. With Holy Ghost, Wilson sets off on his most challenging adventure yet, trying to capture a balanced yet exciting picture of the Holy Spirit and how he is working in the world today.  

 

As Darren himself puts it, "Our films have always struck a chord with people, but what makes this one exciting (and, honestly, terrifying) is that the whole process of making the film will be played out, live, to everyone who chooses to be a part of this journey."

 

To support the Holy Ghost Kickstarter campaign, click here.

 

Famed Seattle-based labels Tooth & Nail Records and Solid State Records announced today that they have entered into a new distribution deal with RED Distribution, Sony Music Entertainment's award-winning independent distribution company. Under the agreement, RED will handle distribution for all future Tooth & Nail and Solid State releases. The first new release through RED will be the third studio album from The Almost, Fear Inside Our Bones, out June 11 on Tooth & Nail Records. 

 

Tooth & Nail Records / Solid State Records, which are celebrating their 20th Anniversary this year, recently re-launched as a completely independent label group. This new partnership follows the recent departure of Tooth & Nail Records and Solid State Records from EMI/Universal. 

 

Courage Worldwide provides healing and restoration to child victims of sex trafficking through Courage Houses. These homes provide a safe, loving family environment, comprehensive therapeutic and education services, and a Unique Life Plan for each resident. Helping to raise funds to build more Courage Houses around the world, Courage Worldwide has created an inspiring compilation album, Come Back Home, produced by Phillip LaRue and Ben Phillips. 

 

The album--featuring exclusive songs written and donated by Jars of Clay, Mike Donehey of Tenth Avenue North, Us and Our Daughters (Phillip and Lia LaRue), The REEL and more--will be available digitally on iTunes on April 30, 2013 and can currently be purchased physically through Courage Worldwide here.

 

Come Back Home was inspired by the moving poetry and heartbreaking stories of the girls in the Courage Houses rescued from both the U.S and Africa. The funds to produce this album were raised privately so 100 percent of the sales will be used to build more houses. To support this album, a radio single will be released May 3 from The REEL. The title track "Come Back Home" was inspired by a visit the band had along with producer Phillip LaRue. Learn more about Courage Worldwide at www.courageworldwide.org.

 

Earlier this month, longtime Christian reggae band Christafari celebrated a milestone: reaching the top of Billboard's reggae chart. This was remarkable not only because it was the first time a Christian band ever had topped the list, but also because the group's latest album, Reggae Worship: A Roots Revival, released nine months prior. 

 

"We've been blown away by the positive response from our fans and the press for our latest album," says Christafari's founder and frontman, Mark Mohr. "To think that just a year ago we were asking our fans to help fund this album and now we are No. 1 on the Billboard chart! It's an honor to be the very first Christian artist to ever top this mainstream chart—and to do so with a worship album is even more incredible!"