Gospel Round Up: 2/22

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, 39th President of the United States has entered hospice care. Carter who is 98 years old is the oldest living former president surpassing the record previously held by George H. W. Bush who passed in 2018. Carter has been married for 76 years to Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter who has remained present by his side along with family members since returning home on Saturday, February 18^th. Carter also held another title as Georgia’s most famous Sunday school teacher. Carter who once was a peanut farmer, taught Sunday School for 40 years in his home state at the Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia. The church said to have 30 registered members was known to draw as many as 450 attendees on the Sundays that Carter taught. In 2020, due to COVID and his advancing age Carter reluctantly retired from Sunday School teaching. Prayers are requested for Carter and his family as he continues to live out his final days upon his request at home.

On Wednesday, February 15^th gospel legend Pastor Shirley Caesar announced the news of the passing of her musical director Minister Michael E. Mathisvia Facebook. Mathis whom she called her son, friend, co-worker, musical director and “my Mike”. Caesar shared that collectively, he played for The Caesar Singers, and for her church, the Mt. Calvary Word of Faith, for 43 years. “I am in such disbelief because Michael was one who did everything right. He was a vegetarian, he exercised, walked five miles daily, he took care of his body. In all the years that I have known him, he has never been sick. Right now, I just can’t believe that he is gone. If there is anyone that I know was saved, it was Michael Mathis. A musical tribute and Celebration of Life for Minister Michael E. Mathis will be held on Wednesday, February 22^nd and followed the next day by his Homegoing Service on Thursday, February 23^rd. Both services will be held at Pastor Caesar’s church in Raleigh, NC.

Grammy, Stellar, and Dove Award-winning artist Kierra Sheard-Kelly has released another new single and music video from her upcoming new album “All Yours,” with “Praise Through” a song about how faith has the power to guide the human spirit through difficult times. This latest release is the follow up to her album’s first single “Miracles,” featuring Pastor Mike Jr. Kierra’s new album “All Yours,” is scheduled to be released on March 3^rd marking her seventh studio album. All Yours, the 12-track album, will present collaborations with her brother J. Drew Sheard II, Mali Music, Anthony Brown, Adia, and others. Another new track she’ll be debuting later this month, is the album’s third song “Making A Way” that will be out on February 24^th.

Tyrone Porter, founding member of The Christianaires and president of the GMWA Quartet Division, passed away on February 14, 2023, after a long-time battle with cancer. The Christianaires, an award-winning gospel quartet were formed in Sontag, Mississippi, in 1979 by brothers Paul Porter and Tyrone and their cousins, brothers Arnold and Ronald. Porter, known for his signature luminous smile and humble demeanor helped created a home for quartet Music at the Gospel Music Workshop of America and hosted quartet showcases that gave a platform to many artists who would not otherwise have had never had an opportunity Porter’s Celebration of Life will be held at the St. James Missionary Baptist Church in Brookhaven, MS on Saturday, February 25, 2013, at 11:00 AM.