This past week has seen the launch of an innovative new channel for catching up on your reading anywhere and any time, using a very familiar technology: your cellphone.
Only a couple of years ago, the thought of reading a book on a tiny cellphone screen might have seemed ridiculous. But these days, with the advent of mobile applications such as Gmail, Opera Mini and Mxit, the concept seems quite unsurprising. Struik Christian Books are playing their part in the mobile revolution, by offering electronic book downloads at affordable prices, with most titles in the R30-R40 range.
The Johannesburg-based Christian rockers known as the Exploits are confirmed to be playing at the Just Jesus Session 2008. This hard-working band also recently appeared on Teen Gospel Live, a live TV show airing on One Gospel (DSTV channel 331). Their debut album entitled ‘Start Today’ is available from their web site at www.exploitsband.com, where you can also watch the music video for the song ‘This Counts’.
Depending on your flavour, you could also check them out on Myspace or Facebook:
SA’s leading Christian music festival, Just Jesus Session (or JJS for short), is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. A new venue in Camperdown has been picked, only a few kilometres down the N3 (towards Durban) from Ashburton where it was previously held.
JJS is very reasonably priced and a really great alternative to the usual New Year celebrations. The official site has booking info, the band line-up and heaps of other useful stuff. For the Facebookers, the group to join is here.
Check out the video below to get an idea of what to expect from this year’s festival.
It’s already been a year since Press On magazine had their launch at Brackenhurst Methodist. So what better way to help them celebrate their coming of age than by coming to their party? It’s happening on Friday 12 October in the south of Jo’burg, featuring live music from Return to Sender, Finding Noah and Justin Taylor. The entrance fee includes a copy of the latest edition of Press On (”The Devotion Issue”) which will be launched at the event.
Date: 12 October 2007at 18:30
Place: Brackenhurst Primary School, cnr Begonia & Jasmine st. Brackenhurst, Alberton
Cost: R30
To buy your tickets, or if you have any queries, contact one of the Press On team.
The ChristianMusicToday site (part of the ChristianityToday family) is a goldmine of high-quality content. Their artist and album reviews are well-written and generally spot on, with extra features like artist interviews and news adding to the mix.
They’ve just launched an internet radio station, featuring some great new music from their recent “Best Christian Albums of 2006” list. I’ve only had a quick listen, but what I’ve heard so far has been good. Turn up the volume at www.christianmusictodayradio.com
The movie will launch here in SA on Friday the 8th of December. Here’s the blurb from the Nu Metro site:
One Couple. One Journey. One Child…who would change the world…forever.
From humble beginnings, great things can come. “The Nativity Story” tells the extraordinary tale of two common people, Mary and Joseph, a miraculous pregnancy, an arduous journey, and the history-defining birth of Jesus. Brought to life with an unprecedented attention to detail and commitment to historical accuracy, The Nativity Story is the very human, very dramatic, and uniquely inspiring saga of a journey of faith.
I think it’s wonderful to have our focus drawn away for a while from the fir trees and presents, and back to the story of the birth of Jesus, our God and Saviour who became man to save us… the true Christmas spirit. Looking forward to this one!
Faith Like Potatoes is based on the true story of Angus Buchan, a Scottish farmer living in southern Africa. It portrays his dramatic conversion and newfound depth of faith in God, which leads him on to a succesful farming slash preaching career. The book, co-authored by Buchan himself, has been adapted for the screen by director Regardt van den Bergh and is currently showing on the South African film circuit.
As a Christian, watching the movie with a couple of Christian friends - a nice “safe” environment - I was touched and encouraged. Thinking about it retrospectively-objectively though, I don’t know if it’s exactly what the secular movie-going public needs. It got quite a scathing review from Theresa Smith (Tonight), and sadly I have a feeling that her imputations might be dead on:
While the message of Christian love and tolerance is a beautiful one, hitting the audience over the head with it because your film lacks subtlety and character progression just turns them away.
If you’ve had the chance to see it, I’d like to know your thoughts. Is this a movie by Christians for Christians? Is there a place for that kind of thing? Or do you think that taking a non-Christian friend to watch this movie might (despite its shortcomings) help cultivate some potato-like faith in their life?
Press On has launched… with a bang! More than 500 people rocked up at Brackenhurst Methodist last night for a huge party. With tons of giveaways and a whole pile of black and orange balloons falling from the ceiling, excitement was in the air. Roxy played emcee for the evening and Reverend Peter offered a prayer of blessing for the magazine. Return to Sender, Same Old Story and Long Story Short kept the crowd entertained.
The mag itself looks just incredible. You can see how many late nights went into getting every article, interview and page layout just right. Congratulations to the team, this is something to be immensely proud of. All the best for every issue to come; with God at the center I’m sure you will live up to your name.
The web site is up and running at www.presson.co.za so go and download a subscription form now!
There’s quite a bitgoing on when it comes to Christian media in SA at the moment. Well, say hello to the new kid on the block! Press On Magazine has been around since 2004, but it’s about to be relaunched in a bigger and better format.
You’ll want to keep an eye out for this youth mag, and I’m not just saying that ‘cos my sister’s the new editor! The team have already put plenty of effort into their first issue, and with the right mixture of creativity, drive and passion, they’re well on their way to see their vision become a reality.
Come along to the launch event at Brackenhurst Methodist Church and show your support.
If you haven’t heard about it, our sunny SA is two weeks into a nation-wide initiative called Heartlines. The intention: to get us thinking about and discussing VALUES. Every Sunday evening (with repeats on Thursdays and Saturdays) a short film is aired which highlights one of the eight core values.
Wow. I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty excited to see big players like SABC2 and First National Bank getting behind something like this with the potential to actually make a positive difference. And I have to wonder if any other countries have pulled off anything similar on such an impressive scale.
So, let’s get into the spirit of it and kick off some discussion - what are your thoughts, views, cheers, gripes or moans? What kind of impact has it had on those you’ve been speaking to? Let’s hear it!
This past week has seen the launch of an innovative new channel for catching up on your reading anywhere and any time, using a very familiar technology: your cellphone.
The Johannesburg-based Christian rockers known as the Exploits are confirmed to be playing at the 
SA’s leading Christian music festival, Just Jesus Session (or JJS for short), is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. A new venue in Camperdown has been picked, only a few kilometres down the N3 (towards Durban) from Ashburton where it was previously held.
The movie will launch here in SA on Friday the 8th of December. Here’s the blurb from the 
Press On has launched… with a bang! More than 500 people rocked up at Brackenhurst Methodist last night for a huge party. With tons of giveaways and a whole pile of black and orange balloons falling from the ceiling, excitement was in the air. Roxy played emcee for the evening and Reverend Peter offered a prayer of blessing for the magazine. 
If you haven’t heard about it, our sunny SA is two weeks into a nation-wide initiative called 
