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Gospel Music Legend Rance Allen Passes Away At 71
Bishop Rance Allen, of the Grammy® Award nominated inspirational soul and gospel trio, The Rance Allen Group, has passed away at the age of 71. “While recovering from a medical procedure at Heartland ProMedica [in Sylvania, OH], Bishop Rance Allen passed away around 3 AM this morning,” said Allen’s wife of 49 years, Ellen Allen, and his manager, Toby Jackson, in a joint statement. “I wasn’t expecting to hear this news this morning,” said Tyscot Records President, Bryant Scott, who was nearly speechless upon hearing of the singer’s death. “This is a great loss to us personally but also to the church community at large.”
The Rance Allen Group’s progressive brand of Gospel and Allen’s signature grunts and squalls have inspired a generation of gospel artists ranging from Kirk Franklin and Fred Hammond to John P. Kee and Bryan Andrew Wilson.
In the 1970s, they pioneered a fusion of R&B rhythms with spiritually charged message music on hits such as “Ain’t No Need of Crying,” “I Belong to You” and their cover of The Temptation’s “Just My Imagination” as “Just My Salvation.” The retro-soul vibe carried over into the group’s hits of the last two decades such as “You That I Trust,” “Miracle Worker,” and “Something About the Name Jesus,” which has clocked over 175 million streams. It’s a brand that won them fans beyond the Gospel world such as American Idol’s Randy Jackson, and Pop rockers Huey Lewis & The News.
In a 2019 Rolling Stone interview, Lewis cited “Ain’t No Need of Crying” as one of his all-time Top 5 favorite soul songs alongside tracks by Ray Charles and others.
Rance Allen was born November 19, 1948 in Monroe, MI. One of twelve children, he began singing and preaching as Little Rance Allen at the age of five. “We were raised in a family where you went to church every single night,” he once said.
“To keep our interest, my grandmother Emma Pearl went to a pawn shop and brought instruments, drums, guitars and amplifiers.” Using records by the Rev. James Cleveland and Ray Charles as his guides, he learned to play the piano before picking up the guitar with Chuck Berry as an influence.
His grandparents served as his agents, but he once told writer Lee Hildebrand, “I didn’t have a life like most kids had. I wasn’t allowed to go out and play baseball with the guys and do the things a kid does.”
Circa 1967, Rance, with himself on guitar, started the Rance Allen Singers with his older brother Tom on drums and younger brother Steve on bass.
They recorded their first song “Let’s Get Together and Love” – a psychedelic song with Allen’s stratospheric high notes and a direct message about Jesus Christ sacrificing his life on the Cross so that mankind could love one another – for the local Reflect label.
Then, in 1971 they won a prize of $500 at a Detroit talent contest where legendary Stax Records promotion man Dave Clark was in the audience. Clark liked what he heard and took the renamed Rance Allen Group into the studio and recorded an album’s worth of material that was purchased by Stax Records.
Stax President Al Bell loved the trio’s music so much that he started The Gospel Truth subsidiary specifically to promote it. Their first single was “Just My Salvation,” a 1971 gospel cover of The Temptations’ “Just My Imagination.” Soon, they were appearing on bills with the likes of The Dramatics and Barry White and taking their R&B-infused gospel to an un-churched audience. Their following was built off of hits such as “I Got to Be Myself,” “Ain’t No Need in Crying “and “That Will Be Good Enough for Me.”
In 1975, they moved to Capitol Records where they recorded a couple of albums before returning to Stax in 1979 after the company was purchased by Fantasy Records. During this period, the group enjoyed its biggest Stax-era radio hit, “I Belong to You,” which reached the Billboard R&B Singles Top 30 chart. From there, they moved to Myrrh Records where they recorded two albums, including, I Give Myself to You, which peaked at #5 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart in 1985.
It was during the l980s that Rance Allen really began to focus on evangelism. Church of God in Christ (COGIC) leader, Bishop G.E. Patterson, began to mentor him. Under his guidance, Allen founded the New Bethel Church of God COGIC in Toledo, OH in July 1985 and he was elevated to Bishop within the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) in 2011.
Aside from preaching at his own church, Allen spent a lot of time on the road evangelizing with Bishop Patterson. Allen didn’t record again until former Stax chief, Al Bell, launched Bellmark Records in 1991. The Rance Allen Group rolled out the album, Phenomenon. It hit #1 on the Billboard gospel albums sales chart with the radio hit “Miracle Worker,” and earned them a performance slot on “The Arsenio Hall Show.”
A decade later, they signed with Tyscot Records and entered a new phase of their career with the Deitrick Haddon-produced set, All the Way, in 2002.
However, it was 2004’s The Live Experience that has become the biggest selling album of the group’s entire career. It featured Kirk Franklin on “Something About the Name Jesus” which has amassed over 175 million streams alone. The album also featured appearances from Fred Hammond on “Miracle Worker” and LaShun Pace on “I Can’t help Myself.” In the years since, the group has scored radio hits with “Do Your Will,” “You That I Trust” with Paul Porter, “Closest Friend” and “A Lil Louder (Clap Your Hands).”
In 2018, rap icon Snoop Dogg featured Rance Allen on his Top 10 Billboard Gospel Digital Songs Sales chart hit, “Blessing Me Again.” It won a BET Award for Best Gospel/Inspirational Song in 2019.
At the time of his death, there were plans in the works for Allen to record a new gospel album with contributions from PJ Morton, Charlie Wilson and Kirk Franklin before the COVID19 pandemic put the project on hold. The Rance Allen Group’s most recent studio recording, “I’m So Glad It’s Christmas (Tyscot),” was released on all digital music platforms on October 30, 2020.
Allen is survived by his wife, Ellen Marie Allen, and his brothers, Steve and Tom, and other extended family members.
Apostle Ohis Ojeikere recently during a service at The Votage Church captivated the congregation by introducing a grown man who, as a five-year-old child, was reportedly raised from the dead by the late, legendary pioneer of African Pentecostalism, Archbishop Benson Idahosa.
A video of the powerful and extraordinary testimony shows the young man tell the extraordinary story of how he had died decades earlier at age 5, only to be brought back to life through the fierce faith and prayers of the Archbishop.
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Archbishop Benson Idahosa, the founder of the Church of God Mission International, was widely known throughout his life for his radical approach to faith. While this specific man was raised at age 5, Idahosa’s very first recorded resurrection miracle occurred when he was just a 24-year-old evangelist in Benin City.
According to archival audio and written testimonies from The Dictionary of African Christian Biography: A young Idahosa heard his pastor preach about Jesus’ command to “heal the sick and raise the dead”. Taking it literally, he rode his bicycle through town looking for a dead person to pray for.
The First Miracle: He found a home where a 3-year-old girl (named Inuaghata) had passed away. After clearing the room—following the pattern of Jesus—he prayed aggressively, and the child sneezed and returned to life.
The presentation by Apostle Ohis Ojeikere serves as a living continuation of that legacy, showcasing a grown witness to the miracle ministry that defined Idahosa’s lifetime.
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This comes days after the senior pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre caught his wife completely off guard by presenting her with a very large bouquet of fresh flowers alongside a handwritten love note reassuring her of his undying love.
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A video of the affectionate moment quickly circulated on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook, showing Dr. Becky visibly shocked, blushing, and overjoyed by the spontaneous gesture. In the clip, she playfully reacts to the massive size of the arrangement—calling it “sweet cuteness”—before the couple shares an emotional embrace.
The romantic gesture has been widely praised by followers and media outlets as an inspiring example of maintaining passion, care, and a strong marital bond while managing large-scale ministry responsibilities.
In a powerful display of humanitarian action, the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has successfully evacuated a second batch of 105 stranded Nigerians from South Africa. The group arrived safely at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos late on Friday night, October 1, 2026.
This latest airlift is part of a massive, church-funded intervention designed to rescue citizens facing intense anti-migrant pressure and growing xenophobic tensions in South Africa.
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- Who Returned: The second batch of 105 individuals included 55 adults, 45 children, and 5 infants.
- The Total So Far: This flight brings the cumulative number of rescued Nigerians to 205 people, following the first batch of 100 citizens who landed safely on September 24, 2026.
- The $265,000+ Commitment: Driven by an urgent appeal from the Nigerian High Commission, RCCG General Overseer Pastor Enoch Adeboye approved a $265,854 donation to purchase one-way tickets home.
- What’s Next: The church has committed to evacuating a total target of 500 distressed Nigerians, meaning approximately 295 citizens are still awaiting profiling and future flights home.
The timing of the flight was incredibly narrow. Just two days prior, on September 30, a deadline issued by South African anti-migrant groups demanded that undocumented foreigners leave the country.
Returning citizens shared harrowing stories upon landing in Lagos. Many detailed a reality of constant police harassment, fear of violence, and systemic barriers that made running local businesses impossible. According to several returnees, even legally documented foreign residents were being pressured to leave, creating an atmosphere of ambient fear.
Despite being funded entirely by a Christian organization, officials have emphasized that the intervention transcends religion. Pastor Belemina Obunge, Chairman of the RCCG Task Force, reinforced that the operation is strictly a humanitarian safety net meant to complement the Nigerian Federal Government’s ongoing repatriation efforts. The only prerequisite for receiving a ticket home is Nigerian nationality.
As the remaining 295 citizens await their paperwork and flights, the focus now shifts toward helping these 205 returnees pick up the pieces and rebuild their lives back home in Nigeria.
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- Biggest Single-Day Preview Gross: Secured the largest single-day preview revenue ever recorded in West African cinema history.
- Highest First-Day Admissions: Welcomed 12,134 viewers on day one, marking the highest opening attendance for any title in 2026.
- Top Nollywood Opening of 2026: Claimed the crown for the biggest first-day gross for a domestic Nollywood film this year.
- The October Standard: Crowned as the highest single-day box office gross on record for an October movie release.
- A Faith-Based Benchmark: Set a monumental new industry standard as the largest opening performance ever for a faith-based production in the region.
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For decades, the original 1993 Mount Zion Christian classic Agbara Nla (internationally known as The Ultimate Power) held a sacred place in the hearts of millions. The groundbreaking series captivated audiences with its raw spiritual themes and unforgettable characters.
Decades later, the magic is back. The modern sequel is directed by the talented duo Damilola Mike-Bamiloye and Joshua Bamiloye, representing a powerful collaboration between Mount Zion Film Productions, Sozo Films, and Circuits.
In a nostalgic treat for lifelong fans, veteran creator Mike Bamiloye reprises his iconic role as the herbalist Isawuru, bridging the gap between old-school legacy and modern cinematic excellence.
What truly sets Agbara Nla: The Return apart is the unprecedented atmosphere it is creating in theaters. This isn’t just a standard movie-going experience; it has turned into a moving, spiritual event.
Reports across various screening halls indicate that the film’s powerful themes have sparked incredible, spontaneous communal reactions. Rather than just sitting silently, audience members have been breaking out into unified worship, singing, and prayer directly inside cinema halls. It is a testament to the film’s deep emotional and spiritual resonance with the public.
Agbara Nla: The Return has proven that faith-based cinema holds immense commercial power, cultural relevance, and artistic excellence in modern Nollywood. The film is currently drawing massive crowds, making it the must-see cinematic event of the year.
Dunamis International Christian Center is set to commission a pedestrian bridge in the Federal Capital Territory.
Under the leadership of Pastor (Dr.) Paul Enenche, the pedestrian bridge is of tremendous benefit to the society, not least the immediate community around the Glory Dome, Dunamis Headquarters.
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Tens of thousands of worshippers converged on the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, on Friday, October 2, 2026, for the 10th anniversary edition of the Luli Concert (LC10).
The landmark dusk-to-dawn interdenominational gospel event was centered around the theme “I Will Rejoice in the God of My Salvation” (Habakkuk 3:18). Attendees, many dressed in traditional white garments, filled the venue for a night of intense praise, worship, and spiritual revival.
A massive central choir led the energetic crowd in non-stop, spirit-led gospel music and worship throughout the night. It also featured ministrations from renowned gospel ministers including Tope Alabi, Shola Allyson, Lillian Nneji, Paul Tomisin, and others.
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A pastor has sparked reactions online after refunding a N2 million donation from a 24-year-old church member who could not provide a clear explanation of the source of his income.
The incident was narrated by an X user, who detailed how the cleric declined the offering and returned the funds.
My pastor called out a guy today who donated ₦2 million to the church account.
“Who is Mr. P…? I want to pray for him.”
He came out excitedly with his guys.
He was just a small boy of about 24 years old.
Pastor asked, “You sent ₦2 million during the donation last Sunday?”
“Yes, sir.”
“God bless you, my bro. May I know what kind of business you are into?”
“Online business, sir… anything online.”
“Content creation? Freelancing?”
“No, sir. Just online stuff.”
Pastor called the church accountant.
“Please refund his ₦2 million.”
— Ebun (@kenkenlewu) October 4, 2026
@kenkenlewu Pastor said, We are building the church, not sponsoring EFCC investigations. 😂😁
— King Resilience (@kingwizzi_tweet) October 4, 2026
@kenkenlewu Some pastor still have the fear of God in them
It requires a lot to do that
In Nigeria of today— FE RAN MI (@Feranmiisrael9) October 4, 2026
@kenkenlewu Some pastor still have the fear of God in them
It requires a lot to do that
In Nigeria of today— FE RAN MI (@Feranmiisrael9) October 4, 2026
Waysteam — In a world where ministry is no longer limited by geography or walls, technology has opened up new ways to preach, teach, and reach hearts across the globe. Waystream, a Nigerian-founded spiritual content live-streaming platform, is designed specifically for churches, ministries, and Christian broadcasters.
Waystream provides a simple yet powerful platform to stream sermons online, host live prayer sessions, deliver Bible studies, and share faith-based audio messages to a local and global audience — all without the high costs or tech-heavy demands of video streaming.
With Waystream, any ministry can start audio broadcasting immediately with a laptop or mobile phone. Currently serving over 40,000 users broadcasting to millions of listeners across the globe, Waystream provides features that meet the needs of the modern church, offering the ability to:
Launch a custom audio channel for your church or fellowship
Receive donations directly through your stream page
Store sermons for midweek listening or small group sharing
Schedule future services and weekly teachings
Allow real-time listener interaction for prayer requests or encouragement
Most importantly, Waystream supports local payment audio platforms, so churches can subscribe using Nigerian Naira with no international card stress. The platform also offers embedded links for easy sharing on WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and email.
Waystream has flexible plans suitable for all ministry sizes:
Talk Free: Great for new or small fellowships
Talk Lite: Unlimited daily streaming for budget-conscious ministries
Talk Pro: Scheduling, donations, and archiving included
Talk 24/7: Best for ministries running daily radio or devotional broadcasts
More than a platform, Waystream is a religious broadcasting platform that puts the Gospel within earshot of those who need it. Whether you’re in Lagos or Lome, Aba or Atlanta, you can now reach souls with clarity, simplicity, and faith.
Visit www.waystream.io to start your 14-day free trial. Because ministry doesn’t need a building — just a willing voice and the right tools to send it forth.
Pastor Emmanuel Iren of Celebration Church International is set to release his debut movie “What About Us?”, out in cinemas on July 12, and we’re loving it!
Full episode of the show on #ThePraiseworldPodcast available everywhere you listen to your podcasts.
https://youtu.be/x5gRe6PI3vg
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