In March we reported that after a 2 year absence from ministry, embattled former New York Pastor Carl Lentz had joined Transformation Church as a strategist, according to the church’s executive pastor. Recently, Carl dropped an announcement on social media confirming that although he is working with Transformation Church, he had not returned to ministry. He also responds to the recent news of a coming Documentary.

In his statement, he shares the following about his ministry status:

“… even though I’m at an amazing church that loves and supports us, I’m no longer in ministry. I’m not preaching, not overseeing people, my role is to help give perspective and insight where I can. I can also say that what gives me joy and hope is knowing that what I have been through, what I have made in the past can help so many others. I can do that in so many different ways, inside and outside the church.

Carl Lentz and his family have all gone through major scrutiny after falling to adultery within his marriage. Since then, he and his wife have reconciled. In his recent post, he speaks more about his failures, his repentance and his committment to continue to grow with his family while not focusing on a ministry role.

Lentz also addresses a coming documentary. Desiring to have his statement released prior to the documentary, he released a statement on social media. You can read the full statement in the instagram post below:

Click and swipe left to view his full statement.

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Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to all those involved in this situation. While there is a lot that many of us are not knowledgable of with this story, what we know for sure is that there is power in prayer. Our first prayer and hope is that God will continue to restore everyone involved as they continue to move forward in life as a family.

Lore’l of The Morning Hustle recently had a moment with  Jordan at the movie premiere of his latest project, Creed III in Atlanta. During the start of the interview, she reminded him that they attended high school together in Newark, New Jersey. She introduces him to the camera saying, “And you know we know each other. We go way back, all the way back to Chad Science in Newark.”

JORDAN LOOKS HER STRAIGHT IN THE EYES WITH A SMILE AND SAID, “I WAS THE CORNY KID, RIGHT?”

Lore’l, likely uncomfortable responded with a laugh while quickly defending herself with another smile saying “I did not say that! I was misquoted, for sure.”

But Jordan didn’t let up and he briefly reminded her that the “corny kid” statement had been burned into his memory. There was still good energy present showing that he clearly had forgiven her, but he made it known he didn’t forget.

The interviewer briefly stayed in defense mode replying, “I said we used to make fun of the name.” She turns to the camera and says, “But yeah, he is obviously killing things out here.”

She quickly keeps the interview moving while remaining positive and continued to speak to Jordan about directing the latest movie and even brings up the expected union of him and Will Smith working together in the future. As the interview is over, she seemingly admits to calling him corny when she says, “Well, you’re not corny anymore,” Jordan walked away with a slight smirk as he moved on to the next interview.

According to other news sources, Lore’l had previously stated that, as schoolmates, she and her friends would tease The Wire alum as he was pursuing his dream of becoming an actor.

Lore’l stated, “You know what’s so crazy? I went to school with Michael B. Jordan at a point in life. We went to Chad Science [Academy] together in Newark, and to be honest with you, we teased him all the damn time because his name was Michael Jordan. Let’s start there, and he was no Michael Jordan. And he also would come to school with a headshot. We lived in Newark; that’s the ’hood. We would make fun of him like, ‘What you gonna do with your stupid headshot!?’ And now look at him!”

The moral of this story is simple! But be careful who you bully!

Hailing from the Bronx New York and raised in Philly, Samara Joy’s new career has been catapulting like a rocket ship! As of yesterday, at only 23 years old Samara is now the winner of two Grammy awards: “Best New Artist” and “Best New Jazz Vocal Album” for her latest project “Linger Awhile”.

The singer comes from a legacy of music and a strong background in both Gospel and Jazz. Her paternal grandparents, Elder Goldwire and Ruth McLendon, sang in the famous soul gospel Philadelphia group, The Savettes. Joy’s father is Antonio McLendon, a singer and bassist who toured for years with another gospel star, Andraé Crouch.

In 2020, a viral Facebook video of Joy singng Ella Fitzgerald’s “Take Love Easy” as a thank you for receiving the Ella Fitzgerald Scholarship in 2020 while a student at State University of New York at Purchase led to her receiving a record deal. Her viral video caught the attention of actors like LaKeith Stanfield and Regina King, the latter of whom credits Joy’s music with helping her get through the pandemic.

“I discovered a young woman who just seems like Sarah Vaughn and Ella Fitzgerald are both living in her body,” King said during a directors roundtable two years ago for The Hollywood Reporter. “When I watch her and listen to her… her name is Samara Joy and it brings me joy.”

Joy’s voice is “other-worldly”

There are few other ways to describe it. Samara embodies a sound of the past echoing all of the jazz greats from Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Sara Vaughan and more. The ArtSoul staff has been following Samara for a couple years now. At first listen, it was clear that she is the future of jazz bringing in both a new younger and older audience of the genre that is quickly becoming enamored by her talent as she re-introduces songs like “Can’t Get Out of This Mood”, “Guess Who I Saw Today”, “Someone To Watch Over Me and More”.

What happens when a 23 year old beauty from the Bronx brings back classic jazz standards? Apparently Tik Tok goes crazy!

In addition to going viral on Facebook where she was originally discovered during the pandemic, Joy has continued to go viral on Instagram and Tik Tok. In addition to growing new listeners to her music, new remixes of Joy’s songs have also been popping up from young Gospel and Jazz fans and musicians such as Producer and YouTube/IG&TikTok sensation Yaahn Hunter Jr who created a Chill Hip Hop infused version of Joy’s single “Can’t Get Out of This Mood” which is still trending on Tik Tok. Listen below…

The video below left many wondering if Samara was lip singing! But, as she has proved live on TikTok from her room and all the way to Paris, France on tour, Samara continues to show us all that she is the real deal!

@samarajoysings just in time for fall 🎃 stream Sweet Pumpkin everywhere! #sweetpumpkin #singing #singing #jazz #jazztok #sarahvaughan #acapella #hotelroom #travel #traveltok #ontheroad #tour ♬ Sweet Pumpkin – Samara Joy

Samara Is Hitting The Road Again On Tour!

We are excited to watch Samara Joy’s career continue to thrive as she continues to grow and leave audiences in awe. If you have never seen her live, do yourself a favor and show up to one of the stops on her current tour beginning February 11th through September 11th.

Find full details for the tour here: www.samarajoy.com

MORE MUSIC FROM SAMARA JOY