Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/319926
25 B M & T ••• March/April 2014 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com NEWS NOTES The American Baptist Church is sponsoring the "Rhythms of the Spirit Retreat," on July 28 through August 1, 2014 at the Green Lake Conference Center in Green Lake, WI. This retreat style conference provides a unique opportunity to explore and practice the contemplative life together. The focus will be on personal spiritual practice providing time to develop solitude and silence, creating the expansive space necessary to welcome God's voice, and the opportunity to meet one-on-one with a spiritual companion. For information contact Brad Berglund at (720) 489-8073 The 81st Session of the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses, will be held in New Orleans, LA August 2- 8, 2014 at the New Orleans Marriott. The National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses annual session is a weeklong con- vention held in a different city each year. The sessions have been held every year since 1933. The week's events consist of daily classes and workshops, plenary sessions fea- turing world renowned musical artists and guest speakers, nightly concerts and a host of other activities for anyone who desires to better themselves as a Christian singer, instrumentalist, educator or leader in the area of Gospel music. For more information contact Christine O. Wade at (201) 349-3802 . WORD & DEEDS The 20th Annual Gospel Heritage Praise & Worship Conference returned to Atlanta, February 20-22, 2014, and was held at the Changing A Generation Full Gospel Baptist Church. Among the presenters were: Bishop Paul S. Morton, Sr., Dr. Creflo A. Dollar, and Dr. Van Moody. Rounding out the keynote speaker line-up were pioneers Dr. Jackie McCullough, Dr. Todd Hall, Bishop Timothy Clark, and Dr. Hart Ramsey. Gospel Heritage offers a strong educational component, super- vised by Dr. John Guns, which attracts thousands of pastors and creative arts leaders each year. Daytime sessions are open to regis- trants, while nighttime events are open to the public. The Gospel Heritage Conference is also noted for incredible top-flight Gospel music. This year's conference hosted Grammy and Stellar-Award winning artists: Earnest Pugh Vashawn Mitchell, William McDowell, Judy McAllister, Richard Smallwood, Kurt Carr, and Hezekiah Walker. Following the conference, president/founder, Dr. Teresa Hairston restructured the Gospel Heritage Board, in order to be more effective. The Board of Governors now includes: Rev. Willis Steele, Dr. John Guns, Bishop Michael Blue, Pastor D H Dawkins, Vashawn Mitchell, Dr. Paul McKoy, Pastor Tamara Bennett and Pastor John Paul McGee. For more information call (770) 866-2427. CALENDAR OF EVENTS March 6-8, 2014, "International Pastors and Leadership Conference 2014," T. D. Jakes Ministries, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL. Contact (8000 BISHOP2 for information. March 8, 2014, "New Beginnings Breakfast," IYWCC, Impacting Your World Christian Center, Cherry Hill Campus – Fellowship Hall, Cherry Hill, NJ. Contact Ray A. Bernard at (877) 446-7228 for information. March 22, 2014, "Allstate Gospel Superfest," Gospel Superfest, House of Hope Arena, Chicago, IL. Contact Dr. Bobby Cartwright, Jr. at (800) 219- 0337 for information. March 13, 2014, "Flow in the Spirit Lock-In 2014," Yolanda Adams & V. Michael McKay"s Songwriters Ink, Crossroads Community Church, Pearland, TX. Contact Michelle Fisher at (832) 578-9848 for information. March 28-29, 2014, "2014 Inspiration & Music Conference," Praise 104.9, Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia, PA. Contact (610) 538- 1100 for information. March 14, 2014, "Praize Night 2014 – 12th Anniversary Celebration," Another Level of Praize (ALOP), USC Radisson Hotel, Los Angeles, CA. Contact Will Hayworth at (213) 250-2567 for information. March 27-29, 2014, "Prayer Conference 2014," Bishop Frank A. White & the Emmanuel District Church of God In Christ, Zion Cathedral COGIC, Freeport, NY. Contact Bishop Frank A. White at (516) 623-9466 for infor- mation. March 28-30, 2014, "Intercultural Gathering," Intercultural Ministries of the Church of the Brethren and Pacific Southwest District, Iglesia Principe de Paz in Santa Ana, Calif. Contact Gimbiya Kettering at (847) 429-4387 for information. March 28-30, 2014, "Weekend of Worship, - I Hope You Dance," Bethel AME Church Women's Ministries, Bethel AME Church, Wilmington, DE. Contact Rev. Shanika Perry at (302) 658-1676 for information. April 2-4, 2014, "Releasing the Power III God First Holy Convocation," 12th District AME Church, Marriott Hotel & Statehouse Convention Center, Little Rock, AR. Contact Bishop Samuel Green at (501) 375-4310 for information. April 2-4, 2014, "Unleashed 2014," Paula White Ministries, New Destiny Christian Center, Apopka, FL. Contact Pastor Paula White at (407) 884- 6322 for information. April 4-5, 2014, "Truth, Conscience, and Religious Freedom Conference," Roman Catholic Church, Franciscan University of Steubenville - Veritas Center, Steubenville, OH. Contact Tom Sofio at (740) 283-3771 for infor- mation. BY PATRICE A. KELLY •pg_18-26.qxp__BMT_pg3-58 5/20/14 7:51 PM Page 25