As ticket sales continue to climb for one of the most anticipated tours of the year, World Vision’s Make A Difference Tour 2010 featuring New York Times best-selling author Max Lucado and GRAMMY® Award winners Michael W. Smith, TobyMac and Third Day, critically acclaimed singer/songwriter Jason Gray has been added to the roster as the tour’s opener.  Gray joins the tour in support of his sophomore Centricity Music release, Everything Sad Is Coming Untrue, but will also play an important role for fans as the Make A Difference Tour’s “embedded video reporter,” charged with capturing exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and interviews that will be part of his weekly video blog from the road, posted exclusively on HearItFirst.com.
 
“I feel so honored to be a part of such a monumental tour,” Gray says. “To share the stage with such an amazing lineup (has there ever been a tour of this magnitude in the history of Christian music?) would be more than enough, but to get to join them on a tour where we work together to serve the poorest of the poor makes it that much sweeter and is ultimately what makes this tour significant.”

“We are so excited to partner with Max Lucado, Michael W. Smith, Third Day, TobyMac and the Make a Difference Tour to bring exclusive behind-the-scenes video content to fans every week from the road,” says HearItFirst.com Director of Content Jamie Wilson.  “HearItFirst.com is honored to help increase awareness of World Vision’s mission, and as a passionate ambassador for World Vision, Jason Gray is the perfect spokesman for our video blog series. His heart for changing the world is evident as soon as you meet him and we’re delighted to have the opportunity to introduce him to our audience each week. We believe these fun, candid videos featuring all of the artists will truly show the heart and soul behind the Make a Difference Tour.”
 
 “World Vision has been working with Jason Gray for eight years,” adds Jenny Lockwald, Executive Director, Artist Associates and Sponsor Engagement for World Vision. “In that time Jason has impacted the lives of thousands of children around the world and has made World Vision a major part of his music ministry and career. It was our pleasure to find a place for Jason on this tour because we know his heart and music are directly in line with the concept of making a difference. For those who have not yet had the opportunity to hear Jason, get prepared to become a fan. Jason is an amazing singer/songwriter who hits the mark with his soulful insights on what it means to live out Christianity every day.”
 
One of the most respected singer/songwriters in the Christian music business, Jason Gray released his latest studio project, Everything Sad Is Coming Untrue, in the fall of last year.  Heralded by numerous media outlets, the project landed at No. 8 in CCM Magazine’s Top Ten best faith-based albums in 2009 and Worship Leader magazine says, “Gray’s songs don’t really work as background music, they demand to be listened to and considered.” Gray’s latest single, “More Like Falling In Love,” was his highest charting song that peaked at #4 on the Adult Contemporary chart.  Gray has also been touring consistently in support of his current album, and with his soulful performances and heart-felt ministry (that is sometimes sprinkled with humorous anecdotes), he remains a fan favorite on the touring circuit. ( www.jasongraymusic.com)
 
Launching in Youngstown, Ohio on Sept. 30, and running through the end of October, tickets for the 20-city Make A Difference Tour 2010 are available now at all Ticketmaster outlets and other locations.  Ticket options include a special VIP package featuring Gold Circle seats, a pre-show Q&A with all artists, a limited-edition Make A Difference Tour poster, a commemorative tour credential and a copy of the new book Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado.  A complete list of tour dates, news, artist info, exclusive photos, videos and more resources are available online at www.MakeADifferenceTour.com.  In addition, the tour’s official Facebook page is live at www.facebook.com/makeadifferencetour, and fans and supporters can follow the tour’s official Twitter feed at @MakeADiffTour  to stay up to date on the latest news and exclusive content.
 
The “Make A Difference Tour 2010” will visit 20 U.S. cities during October, including:
 
09-30       Youngstown, OH        Covelli Center
10-01    Corbin, KY        Southeastern Kentucky Expo Center
10-02    Alpharetta, GA        Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
10-03    Cape Girardeau, MO    Show Me Center
10-07    Austin, TX        The Theatre at the Frank Erwin Center
10-08    Beaumont, TX        Ford Park Arena
10-09    Lafayette, LA        Cajundome
10-10    Columbus, GA        Columbus Civic Center
10-14    San Jose, CA        HP Pavilion at San Jose
10-15    Bakersfield, CA        Rabobank Arena
10-16    Ontario, CA         Citizens Business Bank Arena
10-17     Glendale, AZ         Jobing.com Arena
10-21     Colorado Springs, CO     World Arena
10-22     Lubbock, TX        United Spirit Arena
10-23     Wichita Falls, TX         Kay Yeager Coliseum
10-24     Topeka, KS         Kansas Expocentre
10-27     Cedar Rapids, IA         US Cellular Center
10-28     Green Bay, WI         Resch Center
10-29     Dayton, OH         Nutter Center
10-30     Fayetteville, NC         Crown Coliseum

* All dates are subject to change without notice.  
 

Lionsgate announces that it will release 3:16: Stories of Hope, a DVD based on The New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Max Lucado’s newest title, 3:16 The Numbers of Hope (Thomas Nelson) on September 11, 2007. Scheduled to release simultaneously with Lucado’s book, 3:16: Stories of Hope, is a DVD release that will feature a powerful short film (based on a short story written by Lucado) and personal commentary from Lucado sharing the meaning of the scripture verse, John 3:16.

As a full-time pastor, Lucado watched the world stand up and take notice, questioning faith and the brevity of life on September 11, 2001. As he experienced the pain first hand and the hurt that continues to affect the world, he knew that the world needed an answer and a hope for their hurts. Whether for someone directly affected by the horror of September 11, 2007 or not, Lucado’s new film addresses needs and shares with the world what many have not been able to find, no matter where they have searched.

The short film is about Katherine, a woman who finds herself in a dance club far from home, remembering a more innocent time in her life, exemplified by her dancing with her father. Katherine's story of eventual rebellion and consequence leads to an inspiring account of forgiveness, grace and unconditional love. The cast includes Elizabeth Keener (upcoming Death Sentence, Pin Wheel, Eighty Eight Keys), Kaira Whitehead (Madea’s Family Reunion) and Susanna Lewis (Madea’s Family Reunion, Black Oasis). The DVD also shares 12 exclusive segments featuring Max Lucado that impart the timeless message of John 3:16, phrase by phrase, in the signature way that only Lucado could portray.

Widely respected as America's favorite Christian author with over 50 million copies of his writings in print, Lucado’s upcoming work paints a brilliant picture of how a scripture verse of only 26 words serves as a starting point for addressing some of the most critical issues of life and religion. Lucado explains in the introduction: “Believe or dismiss them, embrace or reject them, any serious consideration of Christ must include them. Would a British historian dismiss the Magna Carta? Egyptologists overlook the Rosetta Stone? Could you ponder the words of Christ and never immerse yourself into John 3:16? The verse is an alphabet of grace, a table of contents to the Christian hope, each word a safety deposit box of jewels.”

Along with the DVD 3:16: Stories of Hope and the book, 3:16 The Numbers of Hope, Thomas Nelson and an exceptional group of licensed partners will release an assortment of products under the 3:16 brand during 2007 and 2008, reaching both the domestic and international markets in numerous languages. Some of the additional ancillary products from Thomas Nelson include a hardcover book, a gift book, an evangelism booklet, a pre-school board book, a teen edition, a DVD small group study and even a branded apparel and jewelry line. In addition, LifeWay will release an adult church curriculum with a companion workbook and a church musical. Indelible Music will issue 3:16 – Songs of Hope, a compilation CD featuring major artists and Hallmark/Dayspring will produce greeting cards and gift products.

In 2008, Palm Sunday will fall on March 16 (3.16.2008). To commemorate this occurrence, Lucado will serve as the keynote speaker and will be joined by musical guests for an international satellite simulcast to U.S. churches, alongside international events in multiple countries worldwide. “It is no coincidence that Palm Sunday 2008 falls on 3.16.08,” says Max Lucado. “It is our hope and prayer that people world-wide will be touched with the life-altering, undeniable hope found in the verse ‘God so loved the world…’”

With more than 50 million books in print, Max Lucado’s 60+ titles are read worldwide in more than 20 languages. Christianity Today magazine dubbed Lucado “America’s Pastor” and Publishers Weekly, the general market publication for books and bookselling, recently proclaimed “there aren’t many authors bigger than Lucado.” In 2005, Reader’s Digest called him “America’s Best Preacher.” His books are regular fixtures on national bestseller lists including The New York Times, USA Today and Publishers Weekly. Lucado has been featured in a wide range of media, including USA Today, “Larry King Live” and “NBC Nightly News” and has spoken at the National Prayer Breakfast before the President of the United States.

About Lionsgate: Lionsgate is the leading independent filmed entertainment studio, winning the 2006 Best Picture Academy Award® for CRASH, generating two consecutive years of $300 million-plus domestic theatrical box office, operating a $500 million-plus home entertainment business and producing a broad slate of prime time television series for fiscal 2007. It is a premier producer and distributor of motion pictures, television programming, home entertainment, family entertainment, and video-on-demand content. Its prestigious and prolific library of more than 10,000 titles is a valuable source of stable, recurring revenue and a foundation for the growth of the Company's core businesses. The Lionsgate brand is synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the world.