Author: Texas Gospel

The Kingsmen’s “Church Of The Great I Am” goes No. 1 on SGN Scoops chart

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Special Crossroads Records

Arden, North Carolina (July 21, 2022) — The Kingsmen’s “Church Of The Great I Am” from their album, More To The Story, is No. 1 on this month’s SGN Scoops chart.

“We are thrilled that listeners are still loving our musical after 65 years and it’s because of them that we are celebrating this No. 1 song,” says the Kingsmen’s Chris Jenkins. “We don’t take this honor lightly because so many of our friends are releasing great music these days. We want to especially thank Billy Blackwood, Kenna Turner West, and Jason Cox for trusting us with your song. You’re a huge part of the Kingsmen ministry.”

“Church Of The Great I Am” talks about the community found in faith, saying, “I’m part of the church of the great I am / Washed in the blood of the risen lamb / With a home that’s waiting in the promised land / I’m part of the church of the great I am / Part of the church of the great I am.”

It’s the third song from More To The Story — an album that’s classic, powerful, and filled with the gospel spirit — to be in the top 5 of the SGN Scoops chart, following “When The Old, Old Story Was New” and “These Are The Days.”

Listen to “Church Of The Great I Am” throughout the day on Texas Gospel Canada!

Bronze statue stolen from Surrey church, RCMP say

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SURREY – Investigators are asking for the public help finding a statue stolen from a church in Surrey, BC.

A news release from RCMP says it happened around 4:30 a.m., July 13, 2022. Video shows two men taking a bronze statue of St. Andrew Kim which was located on church property outside of the Education Centre Building at 10222 161 Street. The suspect used a dolly to transport the statue and load it into a camper van.

The statue is described as two metres tall and depicts St. Andrew Kim. It is difficult to make out a suspect description based on the current evidence. The investigation is ongoing and police are actively working to identify the suspects.

“A theft of this nature goes beyond the monetary value, the statue has sentimental significance to the St Andrew Kim Parish, says Surrey RCMP Media Relations Officer, Cst. Sarbjit K. Sangha Investigators are actively working to locate the statue so that it can be returned to the Parish. If anyone recognizes the suspects, suspect vehicle or knows that whereabouts of the statue, we encourage you to contact police.

Anyone with information about this incident or video from the surrounding area is asked to contact the Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502, or Crime Stoppers, if they wish to remain anonymous, at 1-800-222-8477 or http://www.solvecrime.ca.

US: Police in Colorado seek person of interest amid spike in church vandalism

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STAFF

Police in Lakewood, Colorado are asking for the public’s help solving a rash of church vandalism.

“Since November 2021, multiple places of worship have been vandalized causing thousands of dollars in damage,” says a statement issued by police this week.

Lakewood churches damaged by vandalism include Self Realization Church, St Paul’s Community Church, Lakewood United Methodist Church, Lakewood First Church, and New Life In Christ Church.

Security cameras have caught images of a man police believe may be involved, though they have not released details behind the images. 

The story behind The Guardian’s latest release Not for Long

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JEFF TURNER

The Guardians new song Not for Long would never have been recorded if two top Southern Gospel songwriters had not been stricken with COVID-19.

“I got a phone call from Karen Peck and it just so happened we both had COVID. She was coming out of it and I was in the middle of it. And we started to talk that day and it was in the beginning of the shutdown and everything that was going on. Everybody felt uncertain. Everybody felt like they just didn’t know what was coming,” said songwriter John Darin Rowsey.

He said Karen said she knew this was just a season, something that would pass, and she thought there was a song in there somewhere.

“While we were both sick and coughing, we started working on that song. Got together with Sue Smith and we finished in Nashville,” said John.

The Guardians visited David on Monday morning. Here is audio from the interview:

Not For Long is on the group’s Come On In project. It is set for releases on July 29, 2022, but it’s already released to radio.

Sudbury congregation targeted by vandals

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STAFF

The congregation at St. Anne-des-Pins in Sudbury have been the victims of repeated vandalism at the church. The most recent incident involved decapitation of a statue of Mary and the baby Jesus, and damage to the church building and air conditioner. The statues were damaged by vandals in previous incidents.

Sainte-Anne-des-Pins was established as a mission 1883.

No motive is known for the criminal acts.