SGN Scoops Digital

From Gerald Wolfe

From Gerald Wolfe If it comes to your mind, please remember to pray for us as we travel this weekend. After our Sunday Morning Worship Service, the bus will roll toward Tennessee, and I will fly from Dallas to Atlanta to prepare for my surgery on Monday. Right now, I’m scheduled to go “under the knife” at 11am (Eastern), so your prayers around that time would be very much appreciated.

On the passing of Tony Greene

NORTH CAROLINA – Beloved gospel singer Tony Greene has passed away today, confirmed by a report from his brother-in-law, Dean Hopper.

Tony was hospitalized last week and has been battling aggressive infections ever since. He was 41.

He leaves behind his loving wife TaRanda, young daughters Isabella and Jocelyn, his mother Carolyn, his brother Tim, his sister Kim [Hopper], his nieces, and many friends and fans.

We celebrate his life today as we pray for and mourn with his family.

Prayers For: Karen Peck and New River in Bus Accident

SGN Scoops received word from Jeff Hawes of Karen Peck and New River that the group was involved in an accident this morning while driving through Dawsonville, GA. Their bus was side-swept by a pick-up truck.

The group’s bus is severely damaged, though thankfully a broken finger suffered by the product manager is the most severe injury reported. The driver of the truck, however, has been airlifted to Atlanta Hospital. Please keep this man and his family in your prayers.

We will update when more information is received.

Southern Gospel Times Editor Undergoes Two Surgeries, Hospitalization

Newburgh, IN — Southern Gospel Times Editor, David East is home recovering after an extended hospital stay, during which Mr. East underwent two surgeries and an MRI which revealed several ruptured discs and a displaced spine. During his time in the hospital, Mr. East was also successfully treated for a severe infection resulting from diabetes-related complications that required intravenous IV antibiotics.

Mr. East is well known among Southern Gospel circles not only for the popular Southern Gospel Times website but also for his singing and instrumental abilities. Currently singing and playing keyboards with the Original Gospel Sounds, Mr. East’s solo performance at the 2009 Branson Gospel Music Convention was very well accepted. The Original Gospel Sounds have suspended performances while Mr. East recuperates. Churches, fans, friends and loved ones have been praying and continue to pray for his recovery.

According to Mr. East’s wife, Bobbie, “I’ve seen God move when the doctors couldn’t, and there is no doubt in my mind this will strengthen our faith in Him. This trial will become a blessing, this tragedy will become a triumph, and God will make this a marvelous testimony. Sincere thanks and appreciation to everyone for your prayers, thoughts and anything else you may have done on our family’s behalf. Please continue to remember David in your prayers as he recovers.”

In Mr. East’s absence, the Southern Gospel Times news content and monthly articles have not been updated; However, the 100% Fan-Voted Southern Gospel Music Chart has not been affected because it tabulates the voting results and posts them automatically each week. A representative explained, “Because of his illness, David has not been able to approve any new content for the site. We are looking into different options to get the news and articles updated and hope to have something in place by the end of July to get everything caught up. We appreciate everyone’s patience during this difficult time.”

You can send a personal get-well wish for David East to: getwell@southerngospeltimes.com.

The Southern Gospel Times can be found at: http://www.southerngospeltimes.com.

For more information, please contact the Southern Gospel Times via email at info@southerngospeltimes.com or via phone at: 615-752-2243.

Prayers for Mike and Kelly Bowling

Wendy Word’s Mother Hospitalized

{Birmingham, AL} EHA-Nashville has just learned that the mother of Wendy Word of Wendy Word + forgiven has been hospitalized in St. Vincent’s Hospital in Birmingham, AL. She has undergone eight biopsies and is waiting on word from the doctors. Wendy states, “We know God is going to be who He says He is during this time.” We will get an update out as soon as we know more.”

Praise Incorporated Loses Bus Engine While On West Coast Tour

FORT WORTH, Texas – Texas based Praise Incorporated is requesting help from all their friends, family and fans. While on the group’s West Coast Tour, Praise Incorporated lost the engine in their bus and is setting them back a large sum of money.

Steve Sam of Praise Incorporated said, “We were having such a great time while on our West Coast tour – singing and traveling through Nevada and California. God was really opening the floodgates of Heaven on our ministry. However, just like many times in life, right when we see God working mightily, the enemy wants to come in and disrupt things a bit.”

Steve continued, “Right outside of Bakersfield, California the hot light came on, and we immediately had to pull off the road. Unfortunately, it was already too late.  We ended up cracking both heads, and the engine is pretty much toast. We were so fortunate, and God really showed His hand in the situation. We immediately had ‘rescue’ offers from folks all over the United States, including New York, Michigan, Texas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and more!”

“Our good friend Jim Rowlett, Chaplin for the NSRA, came to our rescue with a call from a cousin who had a relationship with several truck companies in the area,” said Steve. “Golden State Peterbilt came to the rescue in a short time. We got our estimate this week, and it looks like our initial call was right on – about $15-20,000.00 to repair.  Even in the midst of the storm you see Gods hand.  When Greg and the recovery driver got ready to pull the axles to tow it, they found the main nut that holds all that on was missing and the dual on the rear were just hanging on.”

Steve said, “We covet your prayers as we continue to raise money to get our bus back. This is our home on the road. It’s where we sleep, eat, and relax. Without it, we feel a bit lost.”

Praise Incorporated has asked for help from their friends, family, and fans in getting their bus back from California. The group is asking for 200 people to donate $100.00. The group only has about 2 weeks to raise the money by the time the bus is finished.

“So far, because of Facebook and other social networking tools, we have been able to raise a very good portion of the money – however, we still have a long way to go.”

To find out how you can help Praise Incorporated, visit their Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Benbrook-TX/Praise-Incorporated-Southern-Gospel-Quartet/79932182116?ref=ts or stop by their website at http://www.praiseinc.com .

About Praise Incorporated
With a focus on musical excellence and integrity in ministry, Praise Incorporated has devoted their lives to reaching the lost and encouraging the Christian, through music and spoken word.  Building on combined decades of music experience, Steve Sam, Ron Higgins, Greg Bares and Dodd Meadows have hearts for the Lord and that gives Praise Incorporated the musical excellence it strives for.

Jeffery Jessie Furnish, Vonnie Wright’s Brother, Has Passed Away

Woody and Vonnie Wright are sad to announce that Vonnie’s brother Jeffery Jessie Furnish, 53, lover of the outdoors, expert Indian relic hunter and native of Chesterfield, Indiana died Saturday May 1, 2010 after a brief illness.

His kindness and selfless demeanor was a blessing to all who knew him. He was an avid sports and race fan who had a great appreciation of music, history, humor and folklore. A talented welder and metal worker, Jeffery¹s mantra was “travel light.” From the Mounds of Madison County, to the Ohio River in Southern Indiana, to the Western Plains states, Jeffery made life-long friendships with people of all walks of life as he combed the countryside for arrowheads, precious stones and artifacts. He was preceded in death by his father, Amanuel Joseph Furnish, and his brother-in-law, Dan Gaither. His endearing smile and contagious laugh will be sorely missed by his mother Maria Furnish of Chesterfield, Indiana, his daughter Katie Furnish of Mauckport, Indiana, brothers Greg Furnish, Plainfield, Indiana, Carroll Furnish, West Palm Beach, Florida, sister and brother-in-law Vonnie and Woody Wright, Alexandria, Indiana, sister Diane Walton, Clarksville, Tennessee, nieces, nephews and many cousins, relatives and friends.

A celebration of life is being planned for family and close friends. Memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society or The Genuine Indian Relic Society.

Priscilla McGruder Has “Won the Race”

Beloved gospel singer Priscilla McGruder has passed away, according to family spokesperson Beverly McManus.

McManus posted on a recently created Facebook page, People Praying for Carroll & Priscilla Mcgruder, “Our
beloved Priscilla has won the race, received her reward and is seeing it all from Heaven’s Point of View! Thank you all so much for love, prayers and support! We love you!

Join us in praying for the McGruder family. More details will be posted as they become available.

Priscilla McGruder Placed Under Hospice Care

Kennett, MO – Zion Music Group is saddened to report that Priscilla McGruder’s health care has changed from treatment to hospice care. This beautiful saint of God has battled cancer for years and has been an inspiration to all of us. Now the journey leads her close to the gates of heaven which she has so passionately sung about for her entire life!

As an artist and minister of the Gospel Priscilla McGruder has been acclaimed; acknowledged; awarded; appreciated; and best of all elevated to a level of acceptence experienced by very few. At this moment she is surrounded by her loving and devoted family. They have flown in from across the nation to share this special time with her. We are all trying desperately to see this from “Heaven’s Point of View” !!

Thank you for your continued prayers and support for the McGruder family.