With sadness I am writing to inform you all of the passing of the Godfather of gospel music and Maestro, Rev. Timothy Wright. He passed away on Thursday evening from complications due to injries suffered in a car accident last year that killed his wife and young grandson. He was on his way home from a COGIC conference when a car was driving on the wrong side of the highway and hit them head on.

He will be greatly remembered for the songs that he wrote that we still sing despite most of them being written and hits several years ago such as ComeThou Almighty King (my favorite), Trouble Don’t Last Always, Benn There, Done That (I won’t go back no more), and most recently the story and song about Hurrican Katrina, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus……We will remember him for these and so many other great songs. Please enjoy the article below about Rev. Wright.

Gospel great and Godfather of Gospel, Rev. Timothy Wright passed away at the age of 61, on April 23, 2009 at the Bronx Veterans Hospital. . The Grammy- nominated Wright fought a courageous battle back to health from critical injuries he sustained in a car accident in July 2008, that killed his wife, Betty, 58, and grandson, D.J., 14. Wright was the pastor of the Grace Tabernacle Christian Center Church of God in Christ, in Brooklyn, NY and the musical mind behind many, now classic gospel choir tunes like, “I’m So Glad (Trouble Don’t Last Always), “Yes, I’m A Believer”, “Come Though Almighty King”, “For The Rest Of My Life” and most recently “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus”. Wright’s most recent album (Jesus, Jesus, Jesus) earned him two Stellar award nominations in 2009, including Song of the Year for the title track, which he co-wrote with his late wife. Though his musical contributions were many, Rev. Wright will perhaps be more greatly be remembered as one who touched the lives of many, to win souls for Christ.

Please pray for the Wright Family and I hope we will all remember the great songs that the Lord allowed Rev. Wright to bless us with.

I went to church today!  The choir was good. They sang “My Name Is Victory”. Remember last Sunday’s spotlight on Jonathan Nelson? His song. And the preacher was excellent! He spoke about obedience and the difference between being obedient because we were taught to and know we should be, and growing to the place where we are willing to be obedient because we want to. I’m convinced that not only is he a preacher but a standup comedian as well! He was so funny and so down to earth! Have you witnessed the new thing today of people sowing a seed (giving money) into the life of the preacher while he is preaching (walking up to the front and laying it on the table or alter) if he says something that deeply ministers to you? Well today, was a first for me! On many occasions I have witnessed people doing this, been a sower myself and even experienced being a recipient of seeds that were sowed when I spoke, but today was different! I have never seen so many people go up and sow into the preacher as I did today! They were literally bumping into each other! And his message was on obedience! Can you believe it! That is usually a hard pill for Christians to swallow, obedience.  Today was a great testament that God can get any message – no matter how difficult – across to his people! Some how, some way, through somebody, the message will be delivered!

God is so good! So did you go to church today? Did you communicate with God today? Did you read His word today? Holla back and tell me what God has done for you, what scripture resonated with your spirit today and anything else to bless us and give us spirit fuel for the week!

Whenever I hear a song played on the radio several times a day, every day; I have to stop and take notice! If you haven’t noticed Jonathan Nelson and My Name is Victory let me bring you up to speed!

On February 5, 2008 Gospel artist Jonathan Nelson and Purpose released their sophomore album, Right Now Praise, on Integrity Music. The uplifting single from the album, My Name is Victory, debuted at #28 on Radio & Records’ Hot Gospel Songs Chart and continues to be one of the most played gospel songs today! (it is my sister’s favorite and my husband’s ringtone!)

The album features the assistance of such gospel artists as Sheri Moffet-Jones on Yes, Out There, William Murphy on Great and Mighty, Nikki Ross on Already Mine and Nelson’s twin brother Jason on Right Now Praise. Nelson co-wrote the gospel hit of Youth for Christ, The Struggle is Over, which went to number one on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs Chart in 2007. He also wrote other chart hits such as Donald Lawrence’s top 10 hit, Healed; Rudolph McKissick, Jr.’s The Right Place; Melonie Daniel’s Praise is My Weapon; and Stephen Hurd’s Destiny and Great Praise. Jonathan also wrote, Manifest, from Bishop T.D. Jake’s Grammy winning, A Wing and a Prayer.

One of six children born in Baltimore, Maryland, Nelson grew up in church. According to Nelson, everybody in his family worked in ministry. His father, James Nelson, was pastor of Greater Bethlehem Temple Church for over thirty years and his mom served as First Lady. Nelson’s extended family was also musical. His grandmother played piano and he had two uncles who were musicians. They all grew up playing and singing in church.

Jonathan earned his first professional gig singing background vocals for Karen Clark Sheard in 2000. Soon after that performance Nelson and his friends formed the group “Purpose”. They went on to back such great artists as BeBe & CeCe Winans and Michael McDonald. Their debut album, Everything You Are: Live in Baltimore, was released in 2003.

An anthem for Nelson’s personal life is the title song, Right Now Praise. He says, “I wrote that during a difficult time in my life back in 2003. I was on the verge of losing my home and my car. I was working as a substitute teacher. I was in a very low place. My car is my mediation place. I was crying down the road and started singing a melody to the Lord and that’s when Right Now Praise came to me. I had to rush into school and get to my tape recorder and put it down before I forgot it. Everything with this project is timing. I feel like its time for whatever God has for me to do right now. This is my God ordained time for my life.”

If you haven’t heard it, run out and get it! Right Now Praise! Congratulations Jonathan Nelson! Because of you, daily I proclaim: My Name Is Victory!