Youth in Worship! - Targets Teens & Twenties for Christ

High School and college students are redefining faith. Most believe in Christ, but many have no way of knowing Him. On June 9 from 5-8 p.m. Youth in Worship, hosted by Straight Gate International Church, 10100 Grand River in Detroit, will bring them closer to the Lord with cutting-edge Christian Worship Music from top artists.

(PRWEB) June 4, 2005 -- If you want to change the world, who better to start with than our youth?

Youth In Worship!, a one-evening event hosted by Straight Gate International Church of Detroit, is essentially a concert with religion at its heart. But it speaks to kids in a way unlike most other events targeting teens. Youth in Worship! has tapped into some of the hottest Christian talent of our times and harnesses their energies for one purpose - to bring youth together, uniting them regardless of race, ethnic background to celebrate the Lord.

"Jesus doesn't care what color you are, He cares what's in your heart and how you show the world who He is through your actions," said event host, Bishop Andrew Merritt, founder of Straight Gate International Church.

Youth In Worship! is the first event of a three-day spiritual conference - One In Worship - that aims to unite Christians from around the world. Youth in Worship! will take place on June 9 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Straight Gate Church, 10100 Grand River in Detroit. Youth in Worship! is free, but seating is limited to 6,000.

Bishop Liston Page of Highway Church in New Jersey will lead the ministry and the gifted Israel Houghton will drive the worship service. Detroit-bred Kierra KiKi" Sheard and Marvin Winans Jr. will lend their musical voices along with Ramiyah, 2103, Rock Nation, Antwaun Stanley and Cherise Miles.

"This event is filled with the spiritual energy of some extremely talented young artists, some at the beginnings of what will clearly be remarkable careers," Bishop Merritt said.

Houghton may not be a teenager, but most who hear his music know he thoroughly understands them. He is a worship leader who arguably has been set apart, yet its his upbringing that makes him much like many of todays children and teens.

His desire to finish this life far greater than he started it is what drives Houghton to minister to people of all ages.

For Houghton, who founded New Breed Ministries with his wife Meleasa, reaching out to young people is personal. The multitalented artist is the product of a teen liaison between a white young woman and a black young man.

(My mother) was given the choice of a back-alley abortion or being disowned by her family. Thank God she choose the latter. Ultimately, she was disowned, abandoned by my biological father, and ended up in San Diego, California," Houghton shares in his testimony.

When his mother was eight months pregnant, she was introduced to the Gospel and it changed both of their lives. Houghton aspires to share the possibilities available through hope and grace.

"I tend to lead from an internal platform founded in Psalm 124:2, If it had not been for the Lord who was on my side..." where in the world would I be?," Houghton says. "In an age of disposable relationships, maybe we should be asking ourselves that question a lot more often. I am confident that we would worship with far more conviction, intensity, and overwhelmed gratitude if we did."

Houghton has been in full-time worship ministry since 1989, and also is involved with Champions for Christ, a high-impact ministry that targets college and professional athletes. In addition, he leads worship regularly at Lakewood Church in Houston under the leadership of Pastor Joel Osteen.

Houghton is seasoned compared to the others with whom hell share the ministry stage at Youth in Worship!. The remainder of the musical roster is stocked with third-generation artists and new comers who will minister to their peers.

Detroiters Kierra KiKi" Sheard and Marvin Winans Jr. are following in their familys musical and ministry footsteps. Sheard was introduced to the gospel music world as an adolescent when she matched her mother, gospel-recording artist Karen Clark Sheard, run-for-run and note-for-note as a young girl. Although she can still be heard singing on her mothers most recent CD, Sheard also has her own album out.

The heritage of Marvin Winans Jr. is evident in his name. Part of the third generation of Winans, his father Marvin Sr. is pastor of Detroits Perfecting Church and a member of the singing group, the Winans. His mother Vicki Winans also is a gospel recording legend.

Marvin Jr. made his foray into gospel music as part of the family group Winans Phase 2.

One in Worship is the spiritual brainchild of Bishop Merritt and his wife Pastor Viveca Merritt. The program kicks off with the Youth in Worship! event, and then builds momentum June 10-11 with the Super Bowl of praise, prayer and worship at Ford Field in Detroit. Activities run from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, June 10 and all day Saturday, June 11.

Preferred seating for the nondenominational event is available in advance for $20.

For more information, call (313) 491-8430 or visit www.oneinworship.com.

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