The sun is shining! I will personally choose to ignore the gale-force winds and melting snow and focus only on the sunshine that has been missing from Ohio for the last month. 

Natalie Grant’s second single from her 7th studio record “Hurricane” is her song “Closer to Your Heart”. You can check out the song at link #1 below. Natalie made a name for herself with her illustrious musical career, but she’s branching out as of late.

She’s hosting a new show on the Game Show Network called It Takes a Church. It features members of a Christian congregation that will play matchmaker to help a single church member find a match through a series of competitions. Natalie had this to say about the show: “I’m so excited to host It Takes a Church and have the opportunity to interact with churches all across America to bring a family friendly show based on Christian faith and values.  Church has been such an anchor and source of hope in my own life, and I look forward to showing the sense of community that can be found in the local church.” (quote taken from broadwayworld.com) 

Grant is taking to the screen again with an appearance in the upcoming film, Persecuted. Releasing this spring, she plays the role of Monica. Here is a brief summary of the film written by Daniel Lusko at IMDb.com:

“Nationally acclaimed evangelist John Luther is the last obstacle in the way of sweeping religious reform in the States. When a U.S. Senator and Luther’s own supporters abduct and frame him in the murder of an innocent teenage girl, an unprecedented era of persecution is unleashed. Out on personal recognizance, Luther escapes police surveillance in search of the truth. And suddenly, a once-normal life is targeted by a team of ex-military operatives who wage a relentless campaign to eliminate the incriminating evidence. As evangelist turned fugitive, Luther vows to expose anyone involved with or profiting from the girl’s murder; a mission that brings him face-to-face with the coming storm of persecution that will threaten the entire Christian community in America.”

You can find more information about the film at link #2 below.

As if being a nationally recognized Christian music star, appearing in a feature film, AND hosting a game show wasn’t enough, Natalie is also the narrator and producer of the documentary film “In Plain Sight: Stories of Hope and Freedom”. The film is part of a three-part campaign to stop sex trafficking in the United States. You can find more information by clicking link #3 below!

Have a fantastic weekend from the Afternoon Drive crew!

 

1) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SJ1fvTnzj4

2) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1761005/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

3) http://www.storiesoffreedom.com