 My guest this week on Passion in Action TV is Lowell C. Pye, Sr., a dynamic gospel singer who grew up in Detroit, Michigan. As the youngest member of the gospel quartet group known as “The Junior Echo’s”, Lowell never knew this humble beginning would pave the way for a lifetime of ministry in the world of gospel music. Lowell gained notoriety when he embarked on his season with John P. Kee and the New Life Community Choir in 1990. Though relatively unknown to the masses, Lowell soon became recognized as one the greatest and most distinguishable new voices in the gospel music industry. After singing and traveling with John P. Kee and New Life for four years, Lowell was ready to embark on new beginnings and cofounded the contemporary gospel group, Men of Standard, in 1996. With a string of hits from Men of Standard, the group was able to capture Stellar Awards and several gospel nominations. Though a part of another foursome, Lowell’s ability to harmonize, yet be an individual sets precedence like none other in the gospel industry. For over 30 years, Lowell has been perfecting his gift through ministry. He has toured with industry greats, such as Fred Hammond, Donnie McClurkin, Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams and a host of others. With chart topping hits including, “Mighty Long Way” produced by Joe Pace, Lowell has been featured and appeared on more than 25 gospel albums. As an actor in his own right he has shared the stage with the likes of Denise Williams, Peabo Bryson, Morris Day, Debra Morgan, and Dave Hollister; in stage plays across the United States. Lowell currently resides as Worship leader at Elizabeth Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA. From his early days of traveling and singing with John P. Kee’s New Life Community Choir, to his successful years as one quarter of the Stellar Award winning contemporary gospel quartet group Men of Standard, Lowell Pye has established himself as one of the most soulful male gospel vocalist in the industry. In 2010 Miralex Records and Overflow Entertainment collaborate to present Lowell’s long awaited solo debut project Finally. Produced by the award winning Asaph Alexander Ward, Finally is a blend of Urban inspirational and contemporary worship songs intermingled with a strong influence of traditional gospel. Lowell’s break out radio single is the emotional remake of the Commissioned’s classic hit, “Running Back to You” in which he revisits his Detroit roots and demonstrates his gift to stir an audience and invoke the presence of God. Finally, with guest appearances from Lowell’s friends Pastor Marvin Winans, Rance Allen and Deitrick Haddon, marks a phenomenal milestone in Lowell’s career and establishes his amazing talent as a future legend in gospel music. He now has a new single "I NEED YOU" and prepping for another album. Watch the live stream online this Thursday, March 7th at 7pm ET only on www.passioninaction.tv. You can also watch our previous shows right now. See you Thursday! Check out some of Lowell's powerful music ministry...
It's that time again for the release of Brotha Magazine's latest issue, which includes my column " Kingdom Business." In this issue the title of my column is " Your Harvest is Ready", which describes our need as Christians to recognize how to take advantage of the great opportunities to prosper that are already right in front of us. I share some powerful insights that will help you identify what's already in your hand that God wants to use to bring abundance into your life. Here is a short excerpt... The reason many Christians struggle so much in the area of money is because they do not recognize how the Kingdom of God operates. Further they do not understand what they have already been given as royal family members. They mistakenly believe the abundant life Jesus promised in John 10:10 is only to be realized after we get to heaven. Therefore they go through continuous discouraging patterns of just getting by and barely having enough, somehow believing that this is God’s will for their lives. Enough is enough! It is time for us to be renewed and transformed in our thinking about money!
 My guest this week on Passion in Action TV is Janks Morton, Jr., a filmmaker, author, activist, director, producer, editor, and cinematographer. Morton is the founder and CEO of iYAGO Entertainment Group, an independently owned and operated multimedia production company. Morton created iYAGO Entertainment Group, "... to reflect both the conscious and unconscious soul of Black America." Morton has been in the entertainment industry for 20 years. Morton's sole proprietorship is responsible for releasing four feature length documentary films since 2007. His first feature length documentary, What Black Men Think, was voted the Best Black Documentary of the year for 2007 and Morton was voted Best Director for 2007. The film examines the role of stereotypes and misrepresentations in America. What Black Men Think has garnered national media attention and is distributed nationally by Passion River Media and Amazon. Morton has traveled internationally and nationally to lecture and show his films. He has convened workshops, seminars and served as a panelist and keynote speaker at universities, prisons, conferences, churches and community centers around the world. Morton's states his motivation for becoming a filmmaker is to promote the positive stories about blacks. Morton has been described as an, "expert at healing conversations". Morton's film style is categorized as "docu-logue". Watch the live stream online this Thursday, March 7th at 7pm ET only on www.passioninaction.tv. You can also watch our previous shows right now. See you Thursday!
******************** Career Growth Resource 
 Maybe not, but it could be time to reevaluate your current occupation. I remember a quote I heard a long time ago that read something like when the grace of God leaves a place, it's time for you to leave too. This may be the case for you in your current job or business. God works in seasons and we must realize when our time is up at a particular place, because our assignment is over. Unfortunately not enough Christians see their jobs in this way. However, we need to be more aware of where God's presence is leading us as it relates to the work and business opportunities in which He allows us to participate. So if you're confused as to whether God is directing you to leave a particular place, Thom Rainer, CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources, wrote an article with some practical advice that you can use - in conjunction with prayer - to help you make your decision. Here are a few of his indicators to determine when it's time to quit your job... - When your job no longer has meaning or purpose.
- When your family is hurting as a result of your job.
- When you’ve outgrown your job, but your employer offers you no opportunity to move forward or advance.
- When your values do not align with the values of your employer.
- When you discover you are in the wrong seat on the bus (Jim Collins’ terminology for getting into a job that is an ill fit for you and your talents and gifts).
- When you are not paid fairly.
- When you just know.
(MORE: Passion @ Work Career Development Programs)Don't allow fear to keep you in a job that is no longer meant for you to be there. On the other hand, you can't allow impatience or anxiety to cause you to move before your time. Lean on the Holy Spirit to guide your decisions and He will lead you on the most profitable path for your work life. Read the whole article: http://thomrainer.com/2013/02/27/its-time-to-quit-your-job/#.US-wJaU_XOUWhat are your indicators to know when God wants you to transition in your work life? Please leave your comments below...
************************ Career Growth Resource 
"For the Lord disciplines the one He loves..." Hebrews 12:6
God often will put us in challenging positions to strengthen our weaknesses and stretch our strengths. Most career advice books and coaches today though tell us to just focus on our strengths and don't worry much about everything else. God knows that when we become too reliable on our strengths we become prideful. However when we are in situations where our weaknesses are being put to the test we must become more dependent upon Him to pass those tests. Though its more comfortable to operate in our strengths, we won't grow if we don't work with Him outside of our strength zones. He won't promote pride but He will promote humility and dependency. ( MORE: Passion @ Work Faith based organizational leadership development programs) If God wants to strengthen your weaknesses in your work life it means He wants to prepare you so He can promote you. So don't run from opportunities to develop your weaknesses, because it may just be a God-designed circumstance that He's using to propel you to your next level. What are some of the challenges you are currently facing in your work life and how are they helping you to grow? Leave your comments below...******************** Career Development Resources 
Did you know that a survey conducted a few years ago by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association revealed that 90% of Christians have never heard a sermon relating Biblical principles to their work life? If this is true, this fact is absurd considering approximately 97% of Christians work outside of a church organization. We can infer from this data that most Christians are not being equipped to have the impact that God wants them to have in the place where they spend a considerable amount of time and have some of the greatest opportunities for influence. I'm a huge proponent of churches providing more practical teaching to help Believers understand and embrace the importance of their calling and work in the marketplace. In a recent blog by 9 Marks, 7 Things Pastors Should Teach Those in the Marketplace, they provide some great tips to help pastors equip their parishioners for greater impact in their work life. Here are the highlights... - Teach them how Scripture informs their work.
- Teach them to fear the Lord.
- Teach them to pray.
- Teach them that their ultimate worth isn’t found in their performance.
- Teach them they are more than “useful” to their local church.
- Teach them that they’re not inferior to pastors and missionaries.
- Teach them to love what they do, and to do it well.
( MORE: Kingdom Business University Entrepreneurship Certificate Program) The one that jumps out to me the most on this list is #6. Unfortunately many Christians who have a career outside the church believe their calling is inferior to their pastor's. My prayer is that the Body of Christ would wake up to this untruth and embrace the reality those who are called to business are just as important and powerful as pastors. One reason is because businesspeople have more time to influence and disciple the people they see every day versus just on Sundays. If you're a pastor, how often do you present messages that are relevant to the marketplace? If you're a church attender, how often do you hear messages that relate directly to your workplace? Leave your comments below.Enjoy the entire article... www.9marks.org/blog/7-things-pastors-should-teach-those-marketplace(MORE: Learn more about Passion @ Work Training Workshops)******************** Christian Entrepreneurship Resources
GRAND OPENING MARCH 1 - 2
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*8 FREE WORKSHOPS* - Get Off Your Aspirations and Live Your Dreams
- EntrepreNEXT
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| Times: ✦ Friday 10 am - 5 pm ✦ Saturday 10 am - 2 pm Location: 3581 Main Street, College Park, GA 30337 For more information email Mary Ford at mary.profusion@gmail.com ******************** Entrepreneurship Resources
 My guest on Passion in Action TV this Thursday, February 28th is Sedrik R. Newbern, President and founder of Newbern Consulting Group. He is an author and motivational speaker specializing in purpose-driven personal/professional coaching. Sedrik recently authored a book entitled Unconditional Forgiveness, Lessons on Letting Go To Build Better Relationships, his perspective on the impact growing up without his father had on his life. He also explores the evolution of the relationship with his father and how they moved beyond past pains to develop an unbreakable bond. Full of practical advice to those previously hurt in relationships, the book shares one man’s healing and how you too can develop healthy relationships. Sedrik has a deep passion and commitment to growing the community and serving others. He strongly believes that when you know better, you do better, so he empowers customers and other entrepreneurs through education and the development of sustainable action plans. He serves on several non-profit boards and committees including roles as President for the University of IL Lake County Extension Foundation and Treasurer for Boys & Girls Club Lake County. A native of Nashville, TN, Sedrik holds a BS in Marketing from Western Kentucky University and an MBA with a concentration in Economics from Tennessee State University. His ultimate support and motivation come from his wife Denise and their son Matthew. Watch the live stream at 7 pm est only on www.passioninaction.tv.
I recently read a great article on Harvard Business Review, Entrepreneurs: You're More Important Than Your Business Plan. It reminded me of the leadership quote, "Become a person of leadership before seeking a position of leadership." Make no mistake that a plan is needed. However, many entrepreneurs put too much stock in a great business plan and don't focus enough on equipping themselves to be a successful entrepreneur. This article points our some key factors that entrepreneurs need to possess in their character, mindset, and skills that will position them to succeed over the long-term: - Purpose and Passion
- Perspective and Resilience
- Point of Entry and Leadership
- Innovation
- Potential for Big, Bold Impact
- A Good Business Plan
All in all, you still need an effective plan in order to succeed as an entrepreneur. However, don't make the mistake of spending an inordinate amount of time working on your business plan compared to the time spent working on yourself. ( MORE: Kingdom Business University Christian Entrepreneurship Courses) Click here to read the entire article... What are your thoughts about the importance of a business plan for entrepreneurs? Leave your comments below...**************************************** Leadership and Business Resources
"A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls." ~ Proverbs 25:28
"Pursue your passions!" This is a statement that you will hear from nearly all motivators, pastors, parents, teachers, advisers, mentors, and others preach to people almost daily, as if that’s the magic formula to lifelong happiness and success. Unfortunately, they don’t always tell you that “pursue your passions” is only part of the equation. As important as it is to pursue your passions, it’s equally important to make sure you steer your passions in the right direction. If passion can be equated to a raging river, purpose is the river banks. Knowing your purpose provides direction and restraint for your passions. Purpose helps to control and contain your vigor and energy. Purpose channels your passions toward meaningful and fruitful ends. Purpose is the discipline that guides your zeal to produce profitable endeavors. Purpose ensures that you have the opportunity to maximize the potential of what your passions can accomplish. Whether in business, relationships, or life in general, people run into all kinds of trouble when they don’t know how or aren’t able to channel their passions in a positive and profitable direction. These people are like swamps. One big difference between a river and a swamp is that the river has boundaries, which keeps the water flowing as a powerful force. The swamp’s lack of boundaries allows its water to overflow its banks, become stagnant, and emit a foul stench. People love rivers, but very few actually enjoy being near a swamp. (MORE: Learn more about Passion @ Work Training Workshops)In the last few years, it’s easy to see that we have had many “swamp creatures” appear in boardrooms, pulpits, the public square, and society overall. They allowed their passions to run rampant, ruining their reputations and causing major collateral damage. When it comes to your passions, don’t be like a swamp. Instead be like a river that’s purposeful, powerful, and profitable! How do you channel your passions in the most profitable direction? Leave your comments below...(MORE: Watch Passion In Action TV live streaming or on demand at www.passioninaction.tv) **************************************** Leadership Development Resources
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