Contemporary Christian recording artists Natalie Grant (at bottom left), Jeremy Camp (below right) and Bebo Norman are to perform in concert at 7 p.m. Nov. 6 at First Baptist Church of Moore, 301 NE 27 in Moore.

The Speaking Louder Than Before” tour will feature Grant opening for Camp.

Grant has won four consecutive Dove Awards for best female artist for her signature song “Held.” She’s released four albums since 2001, including “Stronger,” “Deeper,” “Awaken,” and “Relentless.”

After finishing the “Make it Matter” tour in July 2009 with Chris Sligh and Meredith Andrews, Grant was invited to open for Camp’s fall tour.

For ticket information, go online to iTickets.com or purchase tickets at the Moore church, Lifeway Christian Store or Mardel. For more information, call 793-2600 . 

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor

Such is the case of the story of Ryan McAfee, 19, (pictured below) the young man who was killed in a car accident earlier this year.

Ryan’s story, chronicled in today’s Oklahoman, is one that blends life and death and faith and hope all in one.

Kellye Medley, a family friend of the McAfees, said organizers of tonight’s Matthew West concert expect between 2,500 and 3,000 people to show up for the event.  

Matthew West heard about Ryan McAfee after West’s song “The Motions” was played at the young man’s funeral. The McAfee family had learned that Ryan McAfee had posted the lyrics to the song on his last posting on his Facebook wall.

West was so interested in Ryan’s story that he’s kicking off his multi-city tour in Ryan’s hometown of McAlester tonight and Lance McAfee, 22, Ryan’s brother, will be going on tour with West to share his brother’s story with thousands of West’s fans.

“I get to encourage brothers and sisters, Christians and non-Christians alike,” Lance McAfee told me. “I get to tell them that we’re here to serve Christ and to serve others by giving our all today.”

The McAfee family said they were especially pleased that even in death, Ryan touched people and helped guide them to the Lord. His mother, Linda McAfee said about 15 young people gave their lives to Christ during an altar call at the youth’s funeral.

Ryan’s father, Danny McAfee said young people have come up to him to tell him that Ryan led them to the Lord.

“He inspired people,” Danny McAfee said.     

The Rev. Kevin Meridth is the family’s pastor at Second Baptist Church in McAlester.

He said he was not surprised that so much has happened as a result of the faith-filled life that Ryan McAfee led and his last Facebook posting.

He said the youth was a “young man of great character and integrity.”

Meridth said he preached the eulogy at McAfee’s funeral and was thrilled when young people responded to the altar call that was suggested by the family.

“From a pastor’s standpoint, he (Ryan) lived his life in such a way that his testimony preached his own funeral.”

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor 

There’s incentive to get your tickets in advance: Tickets are $20 in advance and $40 the day of the show.

Avalon’s release “Reborn” is in stores now. Selah has a new release marking their 10th anniversary, “You Deliver Me.”

The concert is in conjunction with Victory’s Beautiful Women Conference.

More information about the concert will be featured soon in The Oklahoman.

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor

I thought Gospel music fans might be interested to know that a new documentary special called “From Idol to Inspiration” is scheduled to air on the Gospel Music Channel at 6 p.m. (Central) Thursday,  right before the 40th Annual Gospel Music Association Dove Awards.

The documentary is a production of David Lewis Productions and will explore how “American Idol” exposed the world to Gospel/Christian performers and contestants who flourished on the show. Some of those contestants with Gospel/Christian music backgrounds have included Jordin Sparks, Mandisa (pictured above), Phil Stacey (pictured below), George Huff, Chris Sligh, Jennifer Hudson, Melinda Doolittle and others.

Some of those performers share their stories along with several journalists who cover the program.

“God has full control over everything and things happen for a reason so I lived that very much so during ‘American Idol’ … just knowing ‘OK, if I’m here another week, there’s got to be a reason because I am scared out of my mind!,’” Doolittle said.

” I hope Jesus was dancing  when I was singing on ‘American Idol’”

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor  

Oklahoma native and contemporary Christian recording artist Jami Smith (pictured below) is offering her new song “Stand Together” to churches, hoping congregations will help spread her message of love conquering hat through faith.

Smith is to sing “Stand Together” at today’s 14th Annual Remembrance Ceremony at the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Musuem, 620 N Harvey. The ceremony is set for 8:55 a.m.

Smith, known widely as a worship leader, wrote the song after being inspired by the symbols of faith that help so many to heal after tragedies such as the Oklahoma City bombing.

“This is an act that affected an entire community, and together in faith, we have shown that there is far more good in this world than evil,” Kari Watkins, Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum executive director, said in a news release.

“Stand Together really does encapsulate the hope and the resilience this community has shown a nation in the face of terrorism. It celebrates love and unity and the power of standing together — united.”

“Stand Together” is available for download at www.jamismith.com for 99 cents per download. Churches can also request lyrics to the song. Sheet music is also being created for worship leaders to play for their congregations. Half of the proceeds for each download of the song on www.jamismith.com will benefit the memorial.

“It was really important for me to capture the faith and prayer and loving thoughts of the thousands of lives that are changed by their visit to the Memorial,” Smith said in a news release.

“You can see it in the things that are left at the fence and in the notes and comments from visitors that our community, in its faith, has shown the world God’s grace through the lessons of the memorial.”

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor

Weaver, the frontman for contemporary Christian rock band Big Daddy Weave, resolved to lose 90 pounds this year and he is recording his weight loss journey on a special Web site, www.90in09.com. He has challenged others to join in the challenge and he’s had plenty of people sign up to do just that.

Since its launch two months ago, nearly 10,000 people from across the nation have joined the campaign to start a health lifestyle, Weaver maintained in a news release.

The Web site features updates on Weaver’s progress as well as healthy food recipes, exercise techniques and other wellness information.

Interested in catching the segment on Weaver? The show is scheduled to broadcast at 2 p.m. Wednesday on Cox Channel 14. 

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor 

I recently interviewed Houghton, who will be performing in concert 7 p.m. Feb. 4 at the SpiritBank Event Center in Tulsa on the “Hello Love” tour with Chris Tomlin.

Houghton was excited about performing at the inaugural ball and said he planned to sing his song “The Power of One” from his upcoming album of the same name. The compilation is set for release on March 24.

Houghton is best known for his songs like “Friend of God” and “Say So.” He is the worship leader at Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church in Houston.

Others performing at the Heroes Ball include Gospel recording artists Donnie McClurkin and Bebe and CeCe Winans.

Look for my story on Houghton in a future edition of The Oklahoman. And for ticket information to the Tulsa concert, click here: Hello Love.

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor

He’s created the “90 in ‘09 Challenge” and folks can sign up at www.90in09.com. Fans can follow his programs and send in their own photographs and track their successes.

“Our bodies are temples that God created,” Weaver (shown above, center)said in a news release. “I want to restore and take better care of what He has provided, as well as create a place to motivate and teach others to do the same. With 90 in ‘09, we’ll all be held more accountable because we won’t be able to hid the scales.”

Participants can access healthy food recipes, exercise techniques and meet the challenge’s support team lead by Dr. Asa Andrew, who is also known as “America’s Health Coach” and Scott Reall, YMCA Restore Ministries founder and executive director.

Those who listen to KLOVE  will be hearing about the challenge since the radio network is one of the challenge’s media partners.

We’ll have to stay updated and informed as Weaver takes on this timely challenge. 

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor