First Large-Scale Music Event Since Quake in Haiti to be Held Outside the Presidential Palace

Ben Cerullo Ministries presents “Hope Alive!” to be held in Port Au Prince on March 26, 2010. The free music and ministry event will be headlined by The Ambassador, J.R., Prodigal Son and Evangelist Ben Cerullo.

Charlotte, NC (Vocus) March 20, 2010

A massive, free event will be held outside the presidential palace in Port au Prince, Haiti, on Friday, March 26. The announcement was made by evangelist, Ben Cerullo, founder of Ben Cerullo Ministries, organizer of the event.

Billed as “Hope Alive!,” the event will feature performances by Rap and Hip Hop artist, The Ambassador; Philadelphia’s urban alternative artist, J.R.; and Jamaica’s king of reggae, Prodigal Son. Ben Cerullo also will deliver a message of hope to the people of Haiti. The event is part of an all-day festival that local organizers expect to draw 500,000 plus people.

“Our goal is to bless the people of Haiti and show them God’s love,” explained Cerullo. “Through our partnership with humanitarian organization, Convoy of Hope, we’ve been on the ground helping to supply basic necessities. But, with the cancelation of Carnival this year by the President of Haiti and the ongoing spirit of heaviness, we felt it was important to provide encouragement and bring a message of hope to the people. We believe that ‘Hope Alive!’ will be a time to celebrate in an exciting atmosphere of entertainment, praise and worship. We’re inviting people of all ages to gather, relax and simply enjoy the day with some great music. They haven’t had that in a long time!”

Calvin Curtis Whilby, a.k.a. Prodigal Son is excited to lend his talents to the event. “Artists all over the world have been trying to get into Haiti to bless this nation,” said Whilby. “But it’s been difficult. We’ve been told that this is the first large-scale musical event since the quake and I’m thrilled to perform at another great outreach with Ben since our last event in Freetown, Sierra Leone. We just want to share a message of hope through music with the people of Haiti.”

“Haiti is at a precipice,” said Cerullo. “The destiny of this nation and its people is being reformed, so we want them to know that God and people all over the world are with them during this time of building a new Haiti.”

The Hope Alive! event will take place from 2pm until 6pm on Friday, March 26, 2010. For more information or a media interview, please contact Kristina Hill at 704.806.1511 or khill(at)insp(dot)com.

About Ben Cerullo
Named by Charisma Magazine as one of the “30 Emerging Voices” that will lead the church in the next decade, Cerullo stepped from in front of the cameras at the youth/young adult ministry Steelroots in 2007 to launch Ben Cerullo Ministries. He continues in his passion and commitment to bring the Gospel to not only young people, but people of all ages and backgrounds throughout the nations of the world. Cerullo has ministered to thousands of people across the globe, partnering with international Christian leaders during campaigns in Sri Lanka, India, Brazil, Columbia, Venezuela, Africa, Taipei, Taiwan and Mexico. For information about these and other ministry activities from Ben Cerullo Ministries visit http://www.bencerullo.com.

About “J.R.”
He is best known for his work as the producer of Stellar award-winning, GRAMMYÒ and GMA Dove award nominated Christian Hip Hop hits, "Who Am I?" (Da' T.R.U.T.H.) and Jesus Musik (Lecrae). However, 2009 marked J.R.’s official transition from R&B to Alternative/Pop as he was nominated—for the first time as an artist—for his hit single "Not A Slave," which he performed to rave reviews on the 40th Annual GMA Dove Awards Pre-show. This would foreshadow the new sound and mission of his forthcoming CD LIBERATION. Learn more about J.R. at http://www.myspace.com/jrinstereo.

About Prodigal Son
Calvin Curtis Whilby a.k.a. “Prodigal Son” has shared the stage with renowned artists such as Jimmy Cliff, Destiny’s Child, Jermaine Jackson, Maxi Priest, Fred Hammond, Shaggy, Junior Gong, Beenie Man, Bounti Killa, Regina Belle, Calypso Rose, Barrington Levy, Luciano and more. Whilby has gained the respect of both fans and critics winning numerous awards including Jamaica Federation of Musicians Best New Artiste, Marlin Award for Outstanding Reggae Recording of the year and Outstanding DJ Vocal Performance of the year, Marlin Award for Best Dancehall Recording for 2004, and Canadian Maja Award Album of the Year 2006. Learn more about Prodigal Son at http://www.myspace.com/radikalcommunications.

About The Ambassador
A graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary, William “Duce” Branch, Th.M. a.k.a. “The Ambassador” is a co-founder and the former primary spokesperson for the nationally known Christian rap group The Cross Movement. Duce has ministered the Gospel through rap and preaching for over fifteen years seeking to be a model and a messenger of the gospel’s transforming power especially among the hip-hop generations. With a passionate commitment to the kingdom of Christ as well as a firm belief that faith must integrate with culture, Duce has become known for his devotion to proclaiming Jesus Christ to urban contexts, and through urban mediums. Learn more about The Ambassador at http://www.theambassadoronline.com.

Contact: Kristina Hill
Phone: 704.806.1511

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