Congratulations are in order for Kierra Sheard and fiance’ Pastor Welton Smith IV! The two were engaged over the weekend and family and friends alike are excited for the couple.

You can tweet your congratulations to her as well at @kierrasheard and of course you can also check her out on Facebook.

Sheard is readying for her Bold, Right Life (BRL) Experience coming up on August 11-14 in Detroit featuring Pastor Jamal Bryant, Prophetess Janet Floyd, Tye Tribbett, Pastor Hezekiah Walker and more!

Three-time Stellar Award Nominated Gospel group, 7 Sons of Soul, is back on the scene.

Known for their diverse mastery of contemporary and traditional gospel music including songs like “Run On”, “Praying 4 You”, “He Can Change Your Day” and “Prayer Changes Things”, they have returned and have historically combined their efforts with musical icons such as Drake, the Black Eye Peas, Biggie Smalls, Ron Isley, Al Green and more. These astounding collaborations have resulted in the 7 Sons of Soul Mixtape. Check out the single “Come On” here !

We’re rejoicing that on Friday, July 23, 2010, Darwin Hobbs was released from St. Joseph’s Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, where he had been hospitalized for over a week and treated for blood clots in his lungs and legs.

Hobbs looks forward to resting and recuperating at home. While in the hospital, he had upwards to 15-20 people in his room at a time. He also looks forward to resuming the promotion of his new CD, Champion.

“This was in no way something Traci and I expected to walk through, but indeed we are walking through it,” said Darwin. “We would like to thank everyone for the outpouring of prayers, calls, emails, tweets, flowers and visits. The fact is I developed blood clots; the truth is that the blood of Jesus never loses its power and it never clots. I am so excited about all God has planned for my future. The lyrics of many of the songs I sing have new meaning today. ‘God Restores’ is not only a song I sing, but it is the story of my life. He has restored my life to me. This temporary pain was the hallway to the door of my next dimension of powerful ministry.”

via Gospelflava.com

Music World Gospel Recording Artist Brian Courtney Wilson made his first visit to the United Kingdom for the grand opening of Ruach Ministries at Gaumont State Theatre, a historic art deco building in Kilburn, northwest of London. The ministry is headed by Bishop John Francis of London. During the three-day visit, Wilson ministered to more than 4,000 worshippers, sharing the platform with Pastor Benny Hinn, Pastor Paula White, Pastor Donnie McClurkin and other distinguished guests and members of the clergy—who came from around the globe to participate in the ministries’ celebration.

WATCH THE SERVICE LIVE on KTVU.com

The Musical Celebration honoring the late Bishop Walter Hawkins will stream live at The Love Center’s website this evening 10:30p ET/7:30p PT. The celebration will feature performances from Yolanda Adams, BeBe Winans, Donnie McClurkin, Hawkins’ sister Lynette Hawkins, Ledisi, Karen Clark Sheard, Daryl Coley, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Byron Cage, Melvin & Doug Williams, Jonathan Dubose, Jr, D.J. Rogers, The Love Center Choir, and Lady Tramaine Hawkins.

21:03 Needs your help! Their new album Evolved has been billed as their transition from boys to men. Take a look at these photos in the video below, set to their new single “Incredible” and you’ll see that they have matured. They’d like your help in choosing POSTER PICS for the album so please select the numbers of the pictures you like best of each of them and post it in the comments section.

With Bishop Walter Hawkins’ recent passing, many have expressed to me the memories they have of singing his music, enjoying it at church and for some even meeting him. What is your memory of Walter Hawkins and how his music has impacted your life?  Leave your comment below and we just may share it on air!

via Gospelflava.com

We mourn the passing of the legendary Bishop Walter Hawkins. Hawkins is one of the most beloved figures in contemporary Gospel Music today.

In a career that spans over thirty years, he has authored of one of the the most prolific catalogs of recordings and published songs. Over the years we have enjoyed “Oh Happy Day”, “Jesus Christ Is The Way”, “Changed”, “Going Up Yonder”, “Is There Any Way”, “Thank You Lord” and really just too many to even try and name. The wealth of his pen and prose were gifts to us all and he leaves generations of artists and songwriters who are greater at their craft because of him. Walter Hawkins has been instrumental by both direct and indirect influence in the careers of many of today’s gospel artists including Tramaine Hawkins, John P. Kee, Daryl Coley, Richard Smallwood, Donnie McClurkin and countless others.

See Walter Hawkins’ Discography Here

We are deeply saddened and pray the strength of the Hawkins Family, the Love Center Family, the gospel community and world who has been encouraged and blessed by his music through the years.

Donnie McClurkin and Pastor Walter Hawkins sing “Thank You” at Azusa “93

Our own Francene Marie talks about her favorite songs and artists.
If you could meet any singer – dead or alive – who would you want to meet? Why?
Prince, Gerald Levert, and Frankie Beverly. They would be some icons that could share some great stories.

What song brings back the most memories for you? Why?
Tom Browne’s “Funkin’ For Jamaica.” It was the song that got us up at the club.

What’s your favorite musical era? Why?
The ’80s. Great artists – incredible lyrics, plus -that’s when us girls fell in puppy love with the cool guys.

What is your favorite party song?
” Brick House,” “Ladies Night,” “Cupid Shuffle”

What’s your favorite summertime song?
Frankie Beverly and Maze’s “Before I Let You Go.”