Spring 2007 Edition Volume XI

CCooaacchh TToonnyy

DDuunnggyy The “It” Man & His Faith

JJooaannnn RRoossaarriioo’’ss NNeeww PPrroojjeecctt:: Now More Than Ever…Worship TThhee 55 FFoooodd GGrroouuppss && TThhee PPoowweerr ooff TToouucchh Author Rudy Rasmus PPoorrttiioonn CCoonnttrrooll Author Rudy Rasmus Gaining Control over Your Weight & Health CCMtv.org C O N T E N T S 10 16

7 15

4 Editor’s Note Giving Back – By Sheila Cox, Editor

5 CCM News Eric Lopez & Multicultural Worship - By GQ Media & President / Founder Public Relations, Inc. Damian Cox 7 Music & Entertainment Joann Rosario – By Richard Cox, CCM VP / Editor / Design Field Reporter Coordinator

Sheila Cox [email protected] 9 New Artist Feature Mary Mary background singer goes solo & Another Hawkins legend comes on the scene – Courtesy of Promotions / Publicity Manager Hidden Beach Recordings Paula Cox [email protected] 10 Feature Tony Dungy – The “It Man” – By Damian Cox, CCM President Field Reporter Richard Cox Family Remembering Single Mothers – Courtesy of Mark Merrill, 12 President of Family First Web Design Gary Gogis / Damian Cox 13 Family Springtime Family Activities – Courtesy of the Family Contributors First Staff GQ Media & Public Relations, Inc. / Hidden Beach Recordings / 14 Health & Wellness Manage Your Weight with Portion Control – Mark Merrill, President of Family By Kimberly Garrison, Fitness Trainer First / Family First / Kimberly Garrison 15 Profile Hip-Hop Christian Dance Company, Word In Motion – By Richard Cox, CCM Field Reporter

It’s Our Mission: Up Close The Power of Touch with Pastor Rudy Rasmus – By 16 To provide a media Richard Cox, CCM Field Reporter platform for the purpose of presenting innovative, Christian 20 Cross Culture Media Summary programming and wholesome entertainment for the advancement of the Kingdom of God.

Cross Culture Media 12 P.O. Box 68127 Indianapolis, IN 46268 Toll free: 877-MY-CCMTV www.CCMtv.org 14 5

The Signal Spring 2007 2

VViissiitt tthhee CCCCMM SSttoorree tthhiiss wweeeekk!!!! Crossc ulturemedia.org OR CCMTV.org

Go to crossculturemedia.org or CCMTV.org to find these and more

MIAMI LIFE SOUNDS Releases

A Live Worship Experience featuring

Mary Alessi & Friends

Miami Life Sounds recently released When Women Worship, a live worship experience featuring Mary Alessi and several top worship leaders of today. Included are Mary’s twin sister, Martha Munizzi, Cindy Cruse Ratcliff, Amie Dockery, Da’dra Crawford Greathouse (of the group “Anointed”), Ingrid Rosario, Click here to purchase and Nicole Binion. Mary alessi products On The ccm store ccmtv.org The Signal Spring 2007 3 E d i t o r ’ s N o t e CCMtv.org

Dear Friends & Partners:

Take a look at yourself and all the challenging experiences you’ve had over the years. Ask, “How was I able to make it through everything so successfully?” With the help of the Lord, of course, and with the support of those who’ve been placed in our lives for leadership and guidance. With Mother’s Day right around the corner, now’s the time to reflect on those times when a mother’s love was so evident, shining through with blessings we sometimes took for granted. Only once a year is a day designated for the person who birthed and watched over us for so many years; whether that’s our biological mom, grandmother or any other mother figure; they all deserve to be recognized. In this Spring 2007 edition of The Signal, we take a look at those mothers who sometimes get lost in the shuffle – the single mothers. Let’s not forget the single mothers for all their extra hard work. Family First speaks on their behalf, also giving us suggestions of how we can make their Mother’s Day that much more special. As we continue to practice giving of our time and talents during this season, let’s look at someone who does this on a regular basis – Coach Tony Dungy. He’s an outstanding “Catch the Vision. man who gives back to the community in a variety of ways, one Impact the World” as a spokesperson for the non-profit organization All Pro Dad. Here, he lends himself to becoming a resource for men looking to become better fathers. Not only has he positioned himself as a leader in the community, he also has an outstanding career marked by milestones and landmarks. So many to name, but most recently, he led the Indianapolis Colts to victory at the 2007 Super Bowl. Cross Culture Media had the opportunity to share time with him and found out more of his faith and love for the Lord through his diverse portfolio of accomplishments. Thanks for your continued support as you continue to “Catch the Vision” and, in turn, help Cross Culture Media to “Impact the World”. Be abundantly blessed!

Sheila Cox Editor, The Signal

The Signal Spring 2007 4 C C M N e w s CCMtv.org ERIC LOPEZ

Cross Cultural Worship

E A combination of Miami’s multicultural richness and the warmth and joy of Puerto Rico N Courtesy of GQ Media & Public Relations, Inc.

T combination of Miami’s multicultural richness and the warmth and joy of Puerto Rico.. This is Eric Lopez. U A

S Eric was born in Miami, Florida on February 19, 1981 of Puerto Rican parents. His childhood was surrounded by music and at a young age, Eric knew that he would somehow be involved in the very rhythm that was such a part of his daily living.

A At the age of ten he began to take piano lessons in hopes to form part of the worship L ministry at Calvary, a Spanish speaking church in Orlando, Florida. By the age of fourteen, he was granted his heart’s desire. This experience marked his life forever; Eric found the T ability to worship the Lord through his talents and was able to mature musically from

U interaction with other musicians.

R By age seventeen, he formed an integral part of Forte: a three member vocal group dedicated to carrying the gospel through song and preaching. It was during this time that A he was able to record his first studio project “Si Tu No Estas” (If You Were Not Here) under S the tutelage of award winning Mexican, Jazz producer and drummer Alvaro Lopez. With Forte, Eric had the opportunity to travel to many parts of the world and be a witness to the 2 awesome power of God.

After three years with Forte, Eric joined the ministry of Pastor Clint Brown in Orlando, Florida. Lopez This transition became an excellent opportunity continues for growth and exposure to the North American his Praise Christian market. Along with the ministry of Clint and Worship Brown, Eric participated as a vocalist for many key series with industry events such as: CBA (Christian sophomore Booksellers Association) and the GMA (Gospel Latin Music Awards). During the next three years, Eric release “En Tus Elturas participated in various studio and live recordings, 2 (Where among them: In His Presence 3 & Nothing But You Are 2). Church.

During this time, while recording backup vocals for Latin recording artist Rene Gonzalez’s

“El Poder Esta En Ti” (You Hold The Power), Eric met Record Label executive Nelson

Rodriguez. In 2004, Eric and Nelson Rodriguez had a second encounter as he was invited

to join the LifeHouse Music production team. He made the decision to move to the city of

Miami Florida and began working with the record company. Under this label, he recorded

the Latin praise and worship recording “En Tus Alturas” Where You Are), his first album as

a soloist. The project was first released in Puerto Rico and the reaction was overwhelming.

The first single “Tu Eres” (You Are) became one of the most requested songs on Nueva Vida 97.7 FM (New Life 97.7 FM), the most important Christian radio station on the island. The follow-up single “Aqui Estoy” (Here I Am) received the same reaction.

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Eric was able to continue the Praise and Worship series with his sophomore Latin release W “En Tus Alturas 2” (Where You Are 2). This album includes an updated version of the song “I’m Overwhelmed” originally recorded by Eric on the 2004 Clint Brown release “Nothing H But Church”. This full length recording includes new songs that can be sung as a E congregation and/or for personal worship time. Producing this album allowed him the opportunity to explore his creativity and to continue developing in many areas as a R producer. Eric states that he was able to see the hand of God work wonders through these E two productions.

Today, Eric Lopez is an accomplished producer in the Latin Christian music scene, as well Y as being involved in various new projects. He is currently working on new projects for Danilo Montero being released by Integrity Music later this year, Ingrid Rosario, amongst a O few others. This new phase of ministry has taken Eric to different levels of intimacy with God, allowing him to share a special anointing in all that he is involved in. “It is very U important to make a difference in this industry and that God is the center of all I do” Translated by: Ruth Rodriguez ericlopezonline.com A

R Cross Culture Media taking some time E

with Eric Lopez By Paula Cox, Cross Culture Media Publicity Manager ccm Tell us about Forte and the influence it has had on your life. 2

eric Being in Forte and being part of a vocal group was a crucial

part of my development as a musician and worshipper. Being with

those three special guys was almost a training ground for what

laid ahead for me in ministry. We remained great friends after the

group’s season and share every so often in each others individual

ministries.

Lopez started ccm You’ve been working with Ingrid Rosario, Martha Munizzi, out in the and Mary Alessi. Can you tell us what this project is all about? group “Forte”

but has since eric Well, something I don’t speak of much is what I do aside from music which is a released two profession in photography. I have had the opportunity to share at some level with these solo albums. ministries if not in song, but as their photographers. Working with both Mary Alessi and Martha Munizzi has been quite an experience and an honor at the same time.

ccm Which of the songs you’ve recorded is your favorite and why is it significant to you?

eric There is a song titled “I’m Overwhelmed” that is among my favorites. It’s a song

that puts so many feelings in so little words. It describes how in awe I am of His love for

me yet in all of my imperfections. That to me is a miracle. Continued on page 19

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THIS

INDUSTRY AND THAT GOD IS THE CENTER OF ALL I DO.

The Signal Spring 2007 6 M u s i c & E n t e r t a i n m e n t CCMtv.org

Joann Rosario By Richard Cox, Cross Culture Media

With a rejuvenated voice and renewed spirit, Rosario is ready for her return to the music world and has poured every ounce of her being into the latest project. Having written a large portion of the album, “Now More Than ever…Worship” is a heartfelt and sincere open letter to God, rife with palpable emotions. She shares her most intimate and private moments, as if we as listeners have been invited into her personal prayer time with God.

Start off, Joann, by telling me how you broke into the gospel music industry? Joann: I have been very, very blessed. God allowed me to meet Fred Hammond while I was in College at Oral Roberts University. He was still working with Commissioned and was just about to start RFC. About 10 yrs after our initial meeting, Fred started his own label and asked me to his first artist. While we were working out the deal I began to travel and record with RFC. God has continued to open doors for me to travel and minister, on my own.

You're working on your third gospel project now, what can we expect to hear in your upcoming project? Joann: Expect to hear a fresh sound from Joann Rosario, a sound that has come “At the end of mostly out of my prayer time with God. He has been opening my ears to hear His music and message in a different way. two months, I Did you write all of the songs on your new project? couldn’t even Joann: I wrote on most of the songs on my new album, “Joyous Salvation”. Who are your producers? I worked with Aaron Lindsey, Chris Rodriguez, and Fred Jerkins. speak because Do you have any special guest artists featured on your CD? The only special guest I hope you hear on this CD is the Holy Spirit, seriously :o) my voice was Just share will our readers about your testimony you experienced with your totally gone…It voice a few years ago. Joann: At the end of 2002 I began to notice significant trouble with my voice was a long including hoarseness and cracking. In January of 2003 I was diagnosed with small nodules on my vocal cords. They put me on vocal rest for 2 month (no singing or road to speaking) and it only got worse. At the end of the 2 months I couldn’t even speak because my voice was totally gone. complete The last time I went to the doctor he told me there was nothing he could do for me. healing…” So I began to really grab a hold of God and also began voice therapy. God blessed me to find a great voice teacher and also provided for my bills because I couldn’t work.

It has been a long road to complete healing but God has been faithful. God really challenged me to believe His word instead of the circumstance that was staring me in the face. There were moments I thought I would never sing again, but God came through for me!

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Joann Rosario

Joann, you are an awesome worshipper and your music reflects your intimate relationship with God. What are some of your personal views about praise and worship?

Joann: My views on praise and worship are very simple. Have you ever seen a person do something totally silly to express their love to someone? That is how I feel about Jesus! I love him soooooo much that I strive for my life to be pleasing to him. So, I am not ashamed to sing or dance in his presence regardless of what people think about me. I pray, fast, tithe, sing, preach because I love Him and my life is a constant praise and worship experience, everyday.

I was pleasantly surprised to read in your press package that you have been featured on the popular Hype Magazine. This is a new day when you can open a secular magazine and find female gospel artists being recognized for their fashion and hair. How did that opportunity personally come about for I am not you?

Joann: The opportunity came through my record company, Verity Records. How do ashamed to you feel about these types of opportunities given to gospel artists in magazines and endorsements for products? I think it’s a great opportunity for the world to see the sing or dance internal and external beauty of someone who loves God and truly lives for God. We have to take advantage of every chance to represent Christ and be bold about our life in his presence and our beliefs.

regardless of You are a cross-over artist who has been blessed to minister in both the Gospel and Christian-Latin markets. Tell me about some of what people the experiences you’ve learned from by ministering in both markets?

think. Joann: I have really seen that God is not limited to language or musical style. It’s been great to do an interview at a radio station in Venezuela and for them to play “I Hear You Say” on the air. They don’t understand the words in English, but they love feeling the presence of God in the song! The same thing happens here in the States with my Spanish song “Cuando Reposo en Ti”. People can feel God even if they don’t know what you are saying. Give me your website information so our What are some of the fun things you enjoy doing when you are not readers can be on the ministering? look out for your Joann: I just love to go home and eat with all my family. The nieces and nephews are upcoming CD and jumpin' on me! My Mami is cooking while Papi is telling me what God has been promo dates. speaking to him. We laugh and joke and share all the wonderful things that God is doing. Outside of God, they are my oasis. www.joannrosario.com and www.myspace.com/joann Who have been some of your musical influences? rosario Joann: I have loved the Clark Sisters since I was about 14 yrs old, also, Mary Mary, Yolanda Adams, Kim Burrell, Matthew Ward, Crystal Lewis, etc…

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N e w A r t i s t F e a t u r e CCMtv.org MARY MARY’S

BACKGROUND SINGER,

ONITSHA, Another STEPS OUT “Hawkins”

Continues

The Legacy

Hidden Beach Recordings, Inspirational imprint Off the success of her run as one of the leads in the “Stillwaters' ” artist, Onitsha prepares for incredible Tony Award-winning Broadway hit musical, “Rent.” CD debut, “Church Girl” on April 17th, 2007. Sunny Hawkins is set to take her career to the next level with the release of her May 22nd debut CD Onitsha, Mary Mary’s background singer is a “More of You,” on Stillwaters, the contemporary seasoned veteran who has a smooth, soulful alto inspirational imprint of Hidden Beach Recordings. voice that has graced the projects of Mary Mary, Deborah Cox, Ashanti, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Destiny’s The daughter-in-law of the legendary Tramaine and Child, Christina Aguilera and Stevie Wonder. As the Walter Hawkins, the project boasts 14 songs and is opening act on Patti LaBelle’s tour, and past co-written and produced by Sunny and her husband headliner on Kirk Franklin’s, Hero Tour, Onitsha Jamie Hawkins. Jaime built a reputation for himself was able to show her vocal prowess. as musical director for several multi-platinum acts, Boyz II Men, Lauryn Hill and Mary J. Blige, while Along with her acclaimed producer and co-writer, Sunny is no stranger to the music business as she Shep Crawford (Whitney Houston, Kelly Price, and along with hit producer, Troy Taylor penned “The Yolanda Adams) wrote song after song on her Only Thing Missin’,” which became the lead single debut CD, each managing to obey all the rules of on Aretha Franklin’s hit album. great accessible, popular yet inspirational music. Clearly fluent in a wide range of genres, Sunny There are several chart toppers on this CD, starting delivers a rivetingly original amalgam of jazzy R&B with her unique melodic intro; "My name is and pop, with flashes of everything from edgy hip- Onitsha, Onitsha, Onitsha, so glad to meet ya, to hop to power-chording rock guitars finding a meet ya, to meet ya. They call me O, but my perfect place in the final mix. Delightfully defying name is O-nit-sha, The Church Girl it’s a easy categorization, she paints a canvas that can be pleasure to meet ya.” The “Church Girl” CD mixes truly called her own. R&B, funk, and inspirational music into a sweet delicious stew that is backed by a star-studded Sunny calls her sound urban inspirational and that ensemble that includes Erica and Tina of Mary comes as close as any label would, if you need a Mary, Deborah Cox, and Coko of ‘90s R&B icons, label. Better still to just call it Sunny Hawkins, and SWV. “More of You,” then pop in her CD, and listen as her voice begin to soar above the stars. Listen for “He Is” playing on urban contemporary radio stations now! For more information, please For more information, please visit, visit hiddenbeach.com. Hiddenbeach.com or sunnyhawkins.com To hear exclusive ccm interview with onitsha, click here!

The Signal Spring 2007 9

F e a t u r e CCMtv.org Tony Dungy - The Click here to listen to interview “It” Man Speaks of His Faith By Damian Cox, Cross Culture Media President

Coach Tony Dungy has served with the Indianapolis Colts since January 2002. Prior to that, he served six seasons at Tampa Bay. He’s an outstanding man with an outstanding career marked by milestones and landmarks. So many to name, but most recently, most of us know he led the Indianapolis Colts, which are the current world champions, to victory at the 2007 Super Bowl. It was a pleasure to sit down and talk to Coach Tony Dungy on the phone and we’d like to share it with you all. Not only is he an awesome coach, but he is an awesome man of faith.

Damian Cox, CCM We are very pleased to have you here with us, Coach Dungy, and welcome to our show.

TONY DUNGY Thank you very much, Damian. It’s a pleasure to be with you.

CCM The pleasure is definitely ours. Just to ask you a few questions…Often times when you get the chance to give reverence to God during an interview or post-game conference, you definitely give God glory. Is this something you’ve done throughout your entire career or is this something you’ve done as you have matured spiritually?

TD I think I’ve matured spiritually. It’s something I’m definitely more conscious of now. I realize that we do have a great platform. I think you get encouraged over the years as you make references to your faith, to spiritual things, and then you get cards, you get calls & e-mails from people who say how much it has encouraged them and you look for more opportunities to do that. So, it is something I think I have definitely grown in that ability to do. I think I’ve matured spiritually. It’s something I’m definitely more conscious of now. I realize that we do have a great platform.

CCM That’s awesome and as the opportunities continue to try to get your players to play the best that they can, to be put out there for me, I definitely want to follow in and that sometimes is different for each player. Just like a that example. I think it’s great. teacher, you’re trying to find that learning mechanism, that thing that spurs your student to really learn and to be TD I’ve had that encouragement, too. Reggie White was the best student they can be. Different techniques of probably the first football player to really use that trying to get that out of your players, but realizing that platform and say “I’m going to make a conscious effort to you’re there to encourage them and to try to help them. glorify the Lord”, and I think a lot of us have followed that The bottom line is how they do. It’s not how smart you example. are or how many things you know, but it’s how it comes across to them and how well they play. CCM If you can, in a nutshell, explain your coaching philosophy. CCM So, does that sometimes put you in a position of counselor to the players? TD My philosophy probably stems a combination from my dad who was a college professor/teacher and from most TD It can. There are times where players, just like anyone of the coaches that I’ve played for. As a coach, your job is else, have issues; they have problems; they have things

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CCMtv.org

Coach Dungy led the Indianapolis Colts on to the 2007 Super Bowl Championship Tony Dungy (cont.) they want to know about and that’s part of your job. If you can help them mentally get cleared up, and to feel good about the direction they’re going, then that’s going to show on the field as well, and is another way it’s going to help them play better.

CCM I definitely believe that. There’s a photo that’s being filtered through the Internet now. I believe it’s after the Super Bowl of you, looks like the Indianapolis Colts team, and some staff members unified in prayer. My question to you - Is this a common practice in the organization as you head it up?

TD It is. It actually is the way we start. It’s the last thing we do before we go on the field and generally the last thing we do as a group after the game. And it was interesting in the Super Bowl; normally we do that right after the game before we allow the media in the locker room. But the Super Bowl is just so unique because you have the presentation of the trophy out on the field and everyone wants those interviews, so we had quite a few of the media in there. And our players just said, ‘hey, we need to finish up the way we always do”. And it was really, really a powerful statement. Actually, it got shot by a photographer, they put in the USA Today and people got the story behind it. So, it is going around the Internet now and I think a very encouraging picture.

CCM Oh yes, it definitely is. Coach Dungy when the season’s over or if there’s some off-time that you have, you could spend it with your family or just by yourself, what kind of things make you happy, what do you enjoy doing outside of work?

TD Well, we normally are going do some things because I’m away so much during the season, we’re normally going to do some things that the kids enjoy – outdoor activities, going to the park, riding bikes – anything like that that is going to allow them to enjoy themselves; that’s what we’ll usually do. For me, if it’s something that I’m going to just do by myself, I really enjoy fishing, being out on the water. I think there’s so many spiritual insights that you gain from being around the water. That’s just something I really enjoy personally. But those would probably be the Buccaneers and she was like, outdoor things more than anything. “Yeah, that’s Tony Dungy. He used to be our Head Coach. Man, CCM And you said, when I asked you that question that you’re away so much that he comes in every day and he you focus on the kids when you do have that time, how have you found success reads the Bible. (Laughter) balancing that time away with your wife and your children? Everyday, he has his Bible open. Man, he’s a real strong TD It’s very tough. I know my dad, as I’d mentioned, was a school teacher so all Christian.” And I just thought the times that we were off, vacation times and weekends he was around and we that was great! got to spend a great deal of time with him and I don’t have that time with my kids and that’s one of the negatives of our job and one of the disappointing things, but TD Well, that is the kind of what I’ll try to do is make up for that in the times that we are there to make sure testimony that you want for we’re doing things that they enjoy and make sure that they know that I would be people to notice, not necessarily there if I could and that’s probably the important thing for them. that you’re saying it but they see something in your life, and that’s CCM That’s great, man. I just have something personal to say just about you and the most important thing. it’s amazing how today I’m sitting up here interviewing you and it means a lot to me. When I was in college, I had a friend and I’ve kept in contact with her off and on since I’ve graduated and I remember when you had come to town, I was letting Click here to watch her know we had a new head coach for the Colts. She’s kind of a sports buff complete Dungy herself. She’s from Tampa and she was a receptionist or something for the interview on CCMtv.org bucaneers the Bucaneers The Signal Spring 2007 11 F a m i l y

By Mark Merrill, President of Family First Remember the mothers due child support get the full amount; 25 percent get nothing at all. Therefore, it’s not surprising Single that almost 50 percent of single moms and their children live in poverty, compared to eight percent of families with Mothers a married mom and dad.

f being a mother is a labor of love, then being a single And whatever your opinion of single motherhood, most Imother requires double the labor and double the love. women who are single parents probably didn’t set out with that as a goal. Divorce accounts for 46 percent of all Without a father around, single mothers have to give twice single parent households, unwed mothers 25 percent, the hugs, twice the affection, and twice the attention, with marital separation 21 percent, and death of a spouse half the time, half the energy and often, half the resources. seven percent. But no matter why a mother is on her own, we need to encourage these women and the 14 million Just about everyone knows a single mom. The U.S. Census children living in their homes. Bureau says almost a third of all U.S. children are being raised in a single-parent home headed by a woman. But do We should all consider how we can make the day-in and we ever look beyond the statistics and think about what it day-out job of single parenting easier. If a single mother really takes to parent without a partner? also works outside the home, her mom duties resume as soon as she walks in her front door. Want to see her face Some of the highest hurdles single moms face are financial, light up? Fix dinner for her family and have it ready when the day-to-day challenges of meeting basic needs. Only half she arrives.

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Do some Spring cleaning. Spring is the perfect time to Springtime Family clean out the garage or the attic or whatever “junk room” your family has. You could even hold a garage sale with Activities the items you decide to clear out. Then use the money for By: Family First Staff a fun family activity, such as going to a local amusement park or zoo. For great ideas on organization, decorating Spring is a great time to gather the family together for outdoor and other home improvement ideas, visit HGTV.com. activities and for a general celebration of warmer weather and renewal. So plan for some family time this weekend with these “Remember Single Mothers” continued springtime family activity ideas. from previous page

Fly a kite. Make a kite together, then spend the afternoon at the park. Decide on a decorating theme, such as a family crest or a favorite family vacation spot.

Or have each family member make his or her own kite, So, on this and have a show-and-tell after the kites are completed. Mother’s For basics on kite design, visit HGTV.com. Day, think about the

challenging Plant a garden. Growing and caring for a few plants will ways that help your children learn responsibility, and will be a fun single mom’s way to spend time in your backyard or patio. Let each lives are different family member choose his or her own type of flower, from other vegetable or fruit. Then when the plants are ready to be mothers’. picked, celebrate the cultivated item. For example, use the flowers as the centerpiece on the dinner table, or have a special dinner featuring the grown vegetables. Childcare demands are also tougher when it’s only mom Get in touch with nature. Build a birdhouse, or a doing the picking up and dropping off for ballet, baseball, feeder for a squirrel or bird. Learn about birds and or band practice. Find out who the single moms are among birdcalls About.com, then identify the birds living in your children’s circle of friends, and see if you can take your yard. Your kids can even keep a drawing journal of some of their taxi duty. Perhaps you can help a single mom the birds they see. Plant certain flowers that attract by mowing her yard, running an errand for her, or washing butterflies. Get a basic book on astronomy and go her car. You can even get your own children involved. In the stargazing at night. Or go on a nature walk at a local process, they’ll learn lessons in kindness, hospitality, and park. For more nature ideas, visit Ranger Rick’s KidZone giving. from the National Wildlife Federation. If you really want to make her day, offer to watch her kids Decorate your home with springtime crafts. Craft while she spends an evening with a friend or relaxing day at options include a backyard mural, wind chimes, nature the park or beach. It’s tough being a single mother and not prints, flower pots and colored sand vases. For always easy to ask for help. instructions and additional craft ideas, go to FamilyFun.go.com. So, on this Mother’s Day, think about the challenging ways that single mom’s lives are different from other mothers’. Play outside. Whether going for a bike ride together or Then think about how they are the same. All mothers have just tossing a ball around, enjoy some fresh air hopes and dreams for their children, but single mothers together. For fun twists on classic games such as tag have to do their hoping and dreaming alone. and Frisbee, go to FamilyFun.go.com. Mark W. Merrill is president of Family First, an independent, Go camping. Even if you can’t get away for the whole non-profit research and communications organization weekend, try backyard camping or simply going on a n dedicated to strengthening the family. afternoon picnic in the park. For great camping tips, visit our articles, “Take Your Family Camping” and Copyright by Family First. All rights reserved. Used by “Family Camping Tips and Ideas: How to Make Camping permission. www.familyfirst.net Fun, Safe and Educational.” The Signal Spring 2007 13

H e a l t h & W e l l n e s s CCMtv.org

Manage Your Weight With Portion Control

Permanent & Long-Term Results By Kimberly Garrison, Fitness Trainer

ou’ve seen the ads on TV with the beautiful model a Portion? Y with the fabulous figure, “take this pill and lay by the Breads pool and lose weight effortlessly”, or perhaps you were (4-7 servings/day) enticed by the magazine ads encouraging you to buy the latest greatest sauna suit or body wrap and you What is 1 slice of bread ½ cup of cooked pasta or rice know, “watch the pounds literally melt away”. Yeah, 1 bowl breakfast cereal right, don’t believe the hype. A serving of rice, pasta or Meat or Alternatives noodles is about the size of a As our national waist-line continues to expand, such (1 serving/day) baseball. outrageous claims regarding quick weight loss are 2/3 cup cooked beans or literally everywhere. However, like most things in life, lentils 1 egg (4 per week) apply the age-old axiom, that you will get out what ever 3 ounces of cooked lean you put in. Garbage in equals garbage out. beef, poultry or fish Vegetables

A serving of meat is about (4-5 servings/day) So, if you find yourself overweight and looking for a the size of the palm of your 1 medium potato way out of the valley of unfitness and obesity then read hand or a deck of cards. ½ cup cooked vegetables this closely. There is no secret elixir, magic bullet or 1 cup salad vegetables any other such none-sense that will permanently control A half cup of cooked your weight. vegetables is about the size of a tennis ball.

The only thing that can control your weight is you. Fruit (2-3 servings/day)

That’s right, you are the captain of this ship and your 1 medium apple, orange or best defense against weight gain is a simple but banana Dairy (2-3 servings/day) effective tool called portion control. 2 slices of cheese 2 small apricots 1 cup (250 ml) milk

In this article you will learn the single fundamental rule A half cup of cut fruit is 2 slices of cheese about the size of a small 1 small tub yogurt when it comes to weight management, as well as some fist. other basic tools you’ll need to lick this weight An ounce of hard cheese is about the size of a standard management thing, once and for all. matchbox.

So, what is portion control? Portion control is the Holy

Grail for permanent weight loss and long-term weight In order to ensure your immanent success, be sure to management, period. That’s it. You see, weight also exercise including strength and cardio. Count your management is all about the numbers. If you eat more calories, and become a born again label sleuth. than you burn, you will gain weight. If you eat and burn the same amount daily, your weight will remain Guaranteed! If you follow my portion control constant. But, if you eat less and burn more you will prescription and the other tips listed above, you’ll have lose weight. Yes, it’s just that simple and every diet those excess pounds licked in no time. program known to mankind is ultimately mathematically based upon this fundamental principal. www.kimberlygarrison.com www.1on1ultimatefitness.com

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P r o f i l e CCMtv.org

Word Tymme tells more… Mission – Developing a nation Their start – We’ve been of dancers for Christ…We’re In together over three years. Word trying to disciple. In Motion Dance Co. kind of already existed. We were a bunch The Festival – It’s a four-day Motion of Christians who loved the Lord, event. We had our first one last year and it was phenomenal. I say Founders of that just from the response and Christian Dance the fruit of it. We knew God Company, Word In wanted to do it and we didn’t Motion know what to expect. We just made ourselves available. We planned the best way we could in our human attempt and abilities, but we depended on God. Every morning we’d recharge ourselves. We had our hip-hop worship By Richard Cox,

CCM Reporter team, which is my worship team Click here to listen for the hip-hop service, come out every morning and lead us in Tymme Reitz, along with his wife worship. Aury and I ministered to were dancing and going to Aury, are the directors and founders the kids and we’d just dance all different dance events. We’d get of the cutting edge Christian dance day with professional instructors, invited, call each other up, and say company, Word in Motion. This Christian instructors like Misty “Hey, these people want to do a couple are well known RasconSmith, and Rick Ligon, hip-hop number at their event.” choreographers in the secular world Keeley Kaukimoce, my wife and I; We’d gather each other together, who have worked with such award- we all taught. We reached every bring all the Christians from winning artists as Will Smith, Missy area in the urban art as far as different churches, as well as our Elliott, The Backstreet Boys, Dru Hill, dance goes. We taught Latin Funk, church, and we’d go out and and other popular groups. Tymme Tribal Funk, Street jazz, and hip- minister. One day God said, “Now and Aury are now yielding their hop, and old school, locking, put it in order.” He just woke me anointed and gifted talents in the arts popping, house; just all different up one time early in the morning. I for God and they are bringing their art forms. I think the quality was wrote two pages of what he wanted knowledge and experience to so professional, so incredible us to do; the direction of this uplifting the Kingdom of God compared even to the secular company…God said, “You need to through dance. In addition, the world. It blew away the minds of put leadership to it. You need to couple pastors the IHP Underground the people that were coming and give it a title and He said, ‘Word in Church based in Woodland Hills, CA, attending. All are students Motion’ ”… It was God who which is commissioned to reach the because they’re seeing it from the developed it. It wasn’t something hip-hop culture0 with music, dance Christian heart. wordinmotion.com we thought of for five years and and solid Biblical teaching. Click here to listen to started praying over it. He just Interview with Tymme Reitz woke me up and said, “Do it” and

we did it…

This couple…has worked with such award-winning artists as Will Smith, Missy Elliott, The Backstreet

Boys, Dru Hill and other popular groups. However, Tymme and Aury are now yielding their anointed and gifted talents in the arts for God.

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Author of the book Touch: The Power of Touch in Transforming Lives and the producer of the companion CD/DVD Touch: The Experience Vol. 1

Pastor Pastor Rudy Rasmus is the Pastor of St. John’s United Methodist Church in Downtown Houston, Texas. Under Pastor Rudy’s leadership the church has quickly grown from 9 members in 1992 to over 9,000 today. Pastor Rudy explains in his book the importance of using Jesus’ method of acceptance and Rudy love to bring all people from your community back to attending church. His book is filled with Biblical truths and ministry principles that can literally touch your life and your community.

Q- Tell us about your church ministry background. rasmus We began St. John’s United Methodist Church 15 years ago with one focus in mind and that was to make church accessible to everyone. As a matter of fact our foundational mission is to remove barriers of classism, sexism, and racism in the the worship experience. We’ve done that by really creating an environment where people of all racial backgrounds and all social histories could come together and experience God in Spirit and in Truth.

power From day one at St. John’s United Methodist Church, we literally had to step over the men and women just to get in the door. Folks were sleeping on the doorsteps and around the building. There was no question that our ministry would be first and of foremost to marginalize the homeless and the hungry. Again, even in that first week, we served one meal a week. That one meal a week evolved into two meals a week, then three, and before we knew it, we were serving everyday. The most incredible thing was that we serviced the meal in the sanctuary, literally turning the touch pews into dining tables. Feeding the hungry was one group we reached out to help.

The more we touched lives there in the neighborhood we discovered that there was a physically homeless group that needed a place. There was also a spiritually homeless group that needed a place which really began our outreach to what I consider folks that are spiritually marginalized. Those are people we knew back in the early 90’s when HIV then had more of a stigma than it has today. In the early 90’s, we began a significant outreach to the HIV infected and the affected population around Houston, Texas. Our reputation in the neighborhood and city has been one of unconditional acceptance. That’s really been a cool thing.

In a city like Houston for, instance, with approximately five million people in the city, a local religious writer wrote that only 500 thousand people actually attend churches in Houston on Sunday. What that told me was that there are far more people not in church than are in church. When I looked at the possibilities of people groups who could be in attendance, I’m always thinking about the person who, for whatever reason, hasn’t considered church attendance on Sunday as an option. So, HIV was the make-up for another group.

We also began to reach out to the men. One of the interesting demographics around the world is that most church attendance is women. Well, Sunday at St. Johns anoyhrt

By Richard Cox, CCM Reporter

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Continued from previous page Pastor Rudy Rasmus - Author and Producer Touch: The Power of Touch in Transforming Lives

there are as many men in church as there are women. That’s pretty cool. One thing I knew that you read on the first line of my book was that my dad basically told me to not trust preachers and church folks. What I discovered was that there are a couple of prohibiting factors that keep men from attending church. One of them is a lack of trust in the institution and the other is the lack of trust in the institutional leader. So, what I’ve done over the years is sort of model a unique approachability. For instance, I’ve been at the church for 15 years and I’ve never worn a suit to church. I’ve done this very intentionally because I wanted to send a message to every person who's walked through the door. There’s not an applied dress code, and it has an amazing power on acceptability for making attendance.

The church homeless was another group and those were the folks who didn’t feel welcome in the church regardless.

Q- Tell us about the background of your Touch trilogy (book, CD, DVD) project. Twenty years ago, I met Mathew and Tina Knowles. As a matter of fact, back then, Tina was my wife’s hairdresser. Mathew was a very successful salesman in the city. We became friends years ago, so when my wife and I actually began the ministry, Tina and Mathew and their family were a part of our first fifty members. They came on board and came in and just became a part of the church family. That was from the very beginning. We knew that they had some gifted daughters… We didn’t know they would end up in super stardom. Mathew ended up in the music business. Over the years, we sort of watched Matt’s daughters grow, grow and grow in the music industry. One day Matt and I were talking, and I told him I would like to ultimately do something with him. It was really neat the way it worked out. We ended up producing some music together, and Matt really liked it. I worked on the book a couple of years ago. When I finished the book, I was just talking to Matt and said, “We're doing music, why don’t you consider publishing my book as well?”, and he said, “Yeh!” We moved in that moment into book publishing. The book was completed and Spirit Rising (Matt’s Gospel Label) became the publisher of the book and the music. The book had a title. The music didn’t have a title to begin with, but Matt and I discovered that the book and music were really companions. It was a natural. So the music was called Touch: The Experience Vol 1 and the book was titled Touch: The Power of Transforming Lives. Both the book and the music give a reach into a different aspect of what I consider a potential consuming market. There are music lovers and there are readers.

Q- Tell us about the Touch project’s release date and distribution. The book and music was released late last year. Wal-Mart was the initial retail outlet. Other retails around the country are starting to acquire it as well. We’ve really received some positive feedback and reviews from around the country.

Q- What are some key points you want the Christian community to learn from your book? Point number one is that Jesus not only allowed people to touch Him, but He touched others. The process of Jesus doing so caused the people’s lives He touched to be altered positively and changed forever. I really believe a lot of the change occurred as a result of Jesus’ willingness to demonstrate His acceptance of them regardless of their condition.

around

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“Love is that one universal feeling or emotion in every culture and continent.”

I’ve seen the power of touch more in miraculous ways Now, the “emerge” really depends on our readiness and over the years in and around not only my life, but our willingness to accept that new information. The “A” around my ministry. I’ve only been a Christian since is for adaptation. That happens when we begin to 1990. What happened to me was the Christian adapt to new methods, to new methodology. New community accepted me at the moment I was still personal paradigms are formed as a result of that operating a Bordello and God touched me. That was information hitting our soul, our hearts, and our minds, regardless of what I did for a living. Jesus touched me and creating that moment of disturbance. So, the goal and accepted me and it was the power of that moment at the end of each chapter in the book is that a person of acceptance that really made a difference. So, it was may reflect on the information, allow the information to the power of touch. It’s really in one’s manifestation to challenge that disturbance, and allow the new thoughts extend beyond one’s boundaries. to emerge from then and to be ready and willing to adapt to a new way of responding to historical I think point number two, the power of love is predicaments. If people really did this, the world would something. Love is that one universal feeling or begin to improve more rapidly. The reason we continue emotion in every culture and continent. You know love in these same cycles of violence, hatred, hostility, and when you experience it. What Touch does, in many even ignorance is because of our lack of willingness to ways, is to tangibly manifest positive touch and to really confront ourselves in those moments. allow a person to know you are not afraid of them. Those two elements of one person’s willingness to not Q- Pastor Rudy, do you have any additional comments only extend beyond one’s boundaries to touch a you’d like to share with the Cross Culture Media family person, but the ability to willingly extend beyond about your book? boundaries to accept and love a person is really what makes a big difference. A- Yes. The “T” in the Touch really represents truth and when we embrace the truth about ourselves, it becomes Q- Explain your IDEA model that you talk about in your easier for the “O” to come out in being others-focused. book. When we are truly others-focused, then the “U” will manifest with the “U” being unconditional acceptance. A- We believe at St. Johns that whatever we are confronted Truly when we can unconditionally accept another with or engaged in, (information, especially if the human being based on the fact that God created them information is challenging the cultural norm), then that also, then the “C” begins to evolve for community. information will create a disturbance. The “I” in idea is Then, the beloved community and authentic community for information. The “D” in idea is for disturbance. will begin to make itself present. When the community That disturbance has literally caused us to think of new really begins to move toward the forefront, then “H” for ways in approachability, in some cases through old hope will be manifested. When the community situations. What ultimately happens as a result of manifests the hope of life, then hope is really the result disturbance is that something emerges. of the scriptures becoming practiced and becoming real.

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C C M N e w s CCMtv.org eric lopez (cont. from pg. 5)

Ccm Do you consider yourself a cross-cultural artist?

eric Being equally involved in a multi-cultural setting has been my entire life. Interacting as an American citizen yet being true to the culture; I was raised as a Hispanic and that played a big role in my music. I dream of the day when churches across America sing their worship in several languages which could be He opens the both a learning experience as well as a beautiful thing to share. doors that we ccm Tell us about your latest project that is expected to be completed at the end of 2007. have been

eric I am real excited about this season I am headed to. I would really like to dreaming experiment with the sound and content of this project. I would like my multicultural background to show through and bring all types of people about only together. It will definitely be a Praise and Worship project, but with a fresh twist. when He is ccm Among the many hats you wear, you also produce. Who are some of the performers you’ve produced in the past? first place in

eric In the Latin music scene, there have been several artists that I have had our lives. I the privilege of working with. Among them are Face 2 Face, Migdalia Rivera, Jeanette Cruz and Pura Voz. God is opening many doors and I look forward to have expanding this gift to other markets. experienced ccm Is the majority of your music recorded in Spanish or in English? amazing eric The majority is recorded in Spanish. The amazing thing is that aside from this fact, there are many non-Spanish speaking people that have things that I embarrassed this music. I always record an English song on these records which has opened many doors. never thought

ccm What advice would you give to other performers as to how to keep God as possible, but their first priority as they pursue their career? only after eric I was having a really good conversation recently with a great friend about how looking directly to God first and all other things will fall into place. He denying my opens the doors that we have been dreaming about only when He is first place in our lives. I have experienced amazing things that I never thought possible, but only after denying my will and seeking Him first. will and

ccm How can our Cross Culture Media (CCM) audience contact you online and seeking Him how can you be reached for bookings? first. eric I can be reached directly by telephone for bookings and events at: 321.368.2364. Visit me online at ericlopezonline.com or myspace.com/ericlopezonline for more biographical information, new music, and booking information.

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2007

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