Sounds of Inspiration

By Effie Rolfe

It’s a birthday bash weekend!!!!

 Kim Stratton, better known as the ‘Powerhouse’ of Praise and Worship will be in a birthday celebration tonight at the Chicagoland Christian Center, 929 E. 103rd Street at 7:30pm in Chicago. Kim is going to the next level, as she says goodbye to the ‘Windy City’ and takes residence in Atlanta. The event is free with many special guests to appear. Apostle Marshall Davis is Pastor. For more information call 708-612-2888.

This Sunday at 4pm, Chicago’s television host, singer, businessman and philanthropist, Willie Wilson will present yours truly (me) in a ‘Birthday musical appreciation service at Lively Stone Apostolic Church of God, 622 W. 120th Street where Bishop George E. Shaw is pastor. The event is free and will feature Willie Wilson and the Singsation Mass Choir, Darius Brooks and others. For more information call 773-291-0395. You are sooo invited to attend…I would love to see you there!!!

Three time Grammy Award winner, Darius Brooks will be in his 6th anniversary and live recording this Monday, November 7th at the James R. Thompson Center, Assembly Hall, 100 W. Randolph Street in Chicago. Brooks has written and recorded for gospel greats such as Traimaine Hawkins, Shirley Caesar, Ricky Dillards and thelate great Rev Milton Brunson and the Thompson Community Singers with classics such as Safe In His Arms, For the Good of Them and My Mind’s Made Up. The popular song “Your Will” is featured on Brooks record label, Journey Music Group. For more information call 708-366-9770.

The College of Lake County will salute Mark Cosey for his extensive work with the college choir. The CLC Reunion Choir will be joined by other distinguished guests to celebrate Cosey. This will take place on Saturday, November 5th, 6:30pm at Love Temple, 1711 McArthur Drive in Waukegan. The event is free and if you would like more information call 847-244-2010. Cosey is also with the music staff of the Apostolic Faith Church where Bishop Dr. Horace Smith is pastor.

Tune in Sundays at Midnight beginning Sunday Nov. 6thfor a 4 part series with Effie Rolfe and Les Brown on Shelomith with Zelda Robinson of WGRB AM/1390.

Also join her on Monday Nov. 7th for the FREE Information Workshop on

How To Self Publish and Keep 100% Profit, how To Start a Business, get Free Radio/TV Advertising and Free Grant Money for Scholarships, Churches, Pastors, Ex-Offenders and Emergency Funding at Fellowship Baptist Church, 45th Princeton Place, Monday Nov. 7th, 6-9pm. Rev Charles Jenkins is the pastor. For more information call (312) 409-6619. 

 Congratulations to Dr. Charles T. White and Icee Records for Dr. Charles G. Hayes and the Cosmopolitan Church of Prayer Choir (Warriors) being nominated for nearly ten Stellar award including Song of the Year! Also, hats off to Percy Bady who produced the song, Jesus Can Work It Out—Remix.

Bishop Noel Jones has been in and out of Chicago speaking as well as working on his latest single—I Want to Thank You Mr. Jones. The song features a powerful testimony of how an ex-gang banger was delivered by the help of God through Bishop Jones. The song will be released later this year. Jones is to speak at Monument of Faith Church on Sunday for Apostle RD Henton.

Congratulations to Bishop Arthur Brazier of the Apostolic Church of God on 45 years as Pastor.

Correction: On last week, my column stated that Mike Robinson was to launch a record label—please note the correction is Percy Bady will launch a record label in January called, Kingdom Biz.

“Remember you are blessed by the best!!!

ffie Rolfe is the religion entertainment columnist for the Chicago Defender. She is also midday host (Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) on WGRB-AM/1390 and host of "Music of Love and Inspiration" Sunday Mornings on WGCI-FM/107.5 from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. Email Effie Rolfe at: effrolfe@aol.com