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Duluth, MN – January 16, 2025 – Presence Music Band has unveiled a new live acoustic version of their debut single, “Oh What A Love,” recorded at CCM Magazine’s Studios. This stripped-back rendition features Cliff Williams of 7eventh Time Down and brings a fresh layer of emotional depth to a song already brimming with raw vulnerability and profound hope.
Written by Leah Monson, “Oh What A Love” was born out of one of the darkest seasons of her life. During a time when she was battling depression, anxiety, and thoughts of suicide, Leah found solace and strength in the unshakeable love of God. The song’s lyrics reflect her journey of trying to run from pain only to be met with God’s relentless pursuit and grace.
“I could cross every ocean and I
Could run through the hills
But you would search every place that I hide
Oh, where else could I run to?”The song’s chorus echoes the transformative power of God’s love:
“Hallelujah
Oh, what a love I have found in your arms.”For Leah and the band, “Oh What A Love” holds deep personal significance. It was the first song they wrote and released together, marking the beginning of their musical journey as Presence Music Band. In the years since its release, the song has made a lasting impact, especially at youth camps across the Midwest, where it has resonated with countless young people facing their own struggles.
“It’s humbling to see how this song has touched so many people,” says Leah. “It was written from such a personal place, and it’s amazing to see how God is using it to encourage others, especially those dealing with mental health challenges. We pray it continues to be a message of hope.”
The live acoustic version, recorded with Cliff Williams–whose band, 7eventh Time Down, has achieved gold-selling status–adds another layer of depth to the song. Cliff’s musical contributions to the track bring a rich, dynamic energy to the performance, enhancing the raw emotion that the song conveys. The intimate acoustic setting at CCM Studios further amplifies the heartfelt message of the lyrics, showcasing the band’s passion for both worship and connection.
“This song is incredibly special to us,” says Brandon Monson, “because it was our first release, and it speaks directly to how we see God’s love at work. Working with Cliff was an honor; his heart for ministry and musical expertise helped elevate this live session. It was a beautiful experience.”
Presence Music Band’s next studio single, “Sound Of Your Name,” will feature Anberlin’s Stephen Christian, continuing the group’s history of working with established artists from all genres.
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Hopeful. is a Christian indie alt-rock band hailing from Southern California. The group, formed in 2021, consists of close-knit friends who were raised in church and drew inspiration from the local surf and skate culture. Their music is a blend of indie and alternative rock with a spiritual, anthemic tone.
The band’s name, “Hopeful.,” symbolizes their mission to combat hopelessness and inspire listeners to hold on to hope. Their songs often convey messages of resilience and faith. Some of their notable releases include the single “Shipwrecked” and the EP “When the Turbulence Hits”.
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Synopsis:
Tortured for Christ is an emotionally stirring film that tells the true story of Richard Wurmbrand, a Romanian pastor and Christian leader. The movie captures his unwavering faith and extraordinary courage under persecution during the communist regime in Romania.
Richard Wurmbrand is imprisoned for his Christian beliefs and endures years of harrowing torture and suffering in a communist prison. Despite facing severe physical and psychological torment, he remains steadfast in his faith and refuses to abandon his beliefs. The film showcases his incredible resilience, the strength of his spirit, and his unyielding commitment to sharing Christ’s love, even in the most brutal and darkest of circumstances.
Additionally, the movie explores the impact of Wurmbrand’s imprisonment on his family, especially his wife, Sabina, who also displays remarkable strength and faith. It’s a compelling story of courage, faith, and the power of the human spirit to triumph over unimaginable adversity.
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Synopsis:
Hoovey tells the incredible true story of Eric “Hoovey” Elliott, a high school basketball star whose life changes drastically after collapsing on the court. Diagnosed with a brain tumor requiring urgent surgery, Hoovey and his family face immense emotional and financial struggles. However, through his unwavering faith, sheer determination, and the steadfast support of his family, Hoovey defies the odds and returns to the sport he loves.
The film beautifully captures themes of resilience, faith, and the strength of family bonds, proving that hope and perseverance can conquer even the most challenging obstacles. It’s a heartwarming and inspiring story that resonates with anyone going through tough times.
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What will heaven be like? Randy Alcorn presents a thoroughly biblical answer, based on years of careful study, presented in an engaging, audience-friendly style. His conclusions will surprise listeners and stretch their thinking about this important subject. Heaven will inspire listeners to long for heaven while they’re living on earth.
©2004 Eternal Perspective Ministries (P)2004 Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
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For Immediate Release (Westlake Village, CA) —Attacks by suspected Fulani militants on Christian communities in north-central Nigeria claimed the lives of over 50 villagers since the end of December. The dead include 33 killed in attacks on Christmas Day.
The worst fears of Middle Belt Christians were realized when Muslim Fulani militants invaded several Christian communities over the holidays, killing residents and setting buildings alight. The United States excluded Nigeria from its special watch list of countries deemed of particular concern on religious freedom grounds. Christian Solidarity International (CSI) has campaigned to have Nigeria reinstated on the list for the past three years.
Attackers struck Plateau State, targeting the village of Gidan Ado on the evening of Sunday, December 22. Opening fire on residents, the gunmen killed 15, including a pregnant woman, a baby and a 13-year-old child, according to news reports which provided a list of victims and their ages. People were killed in their homes or as they attempted to flee, according to an eyewitness.
A survivor told the Nigerian Tribune that the language spoken by the attackers identified them as Fulani.
The fatal attack occurred despite the Plateau State authorities having ramped up security ahead of the holiday, the newspaper reported. This was to prevent a repeat of the tragedy that occurred on Christmas Eve 2023 when more than 200 were killed in Fulani militant attacks. However, the extra security measures were only set to come into force on December 23. A local leader, Clement Chup, said that the attack called into question the federal security agencies’ “commitment” to “securing lives and property of Nigerians.” In a press statement quoted by Morning Star News, he noted that Gidan Ado is “just a stone’s throw from a military checkpoint.”
The village of Gidan Ado is situated in Riyom local government area, a largely agricultural area of Plateau State that has repeatedly come under attack by militant Fulani herdsmen seeking to displace local Christian populations and seize the land.
The militants are said to have shot indiscriminately at worshipers during a church service, and to have set houses and barns alight. Sahara Reporters said seven children had been abducted and were among the missing.
In a statement, the Benue State governor, Rev. Hyacinth Alia, referred to the attacks as a “heinous” assault on unarmed, innocent citizens. And he pledged to bring the perpetrators to justice. Meanwhile, fresh violence has been reported in western Plateau State in the first week of the new year.
For over six years, militias drawn from the Muslim-majority Fulani ethnic group have been attacking Christians in Nigeria’s Middle Belt – a fertile region stretching across central Nigeria from west to east, populated by hundreds of indigenous, majority-Christian ethnic groups. Tens of thousands of people have been killed in the attacks, and millions displaced.
About Christian Solidarity International:
Founded over 40 years ago, CSI is an international Christian human rights organization, campaigning for religious liberty and human dignity, and assisting victims of religious persecution, victimized children and victims of catastrophe. CSI delivers emergency food assistance, medical treatment, and other lifesaving aid to victims of religious persecution and natural disasters in Iraq, Syria, Egypt, Nigeria, South Sudan, Pakistan, and other hotspots around the globe. CSI is currently the only organization working to liberate Christians and other South Sudanese forced into slavery by government-backed forces during the Sudanese civil war. For more information visit https://csi-usa.org.
