(Nashville, TN) March 13, 2009—Word Entertainment is slated to release two Women of Faith albums on March 17, including A Grand New Day from the Women of Faith Worship Team, and New Every Morning, a compilation featuring songs centered around the theme of God’s mercy being new every day, with songs by Mandisa, Avalon, Francesca Battistelli and Meredith Andrews.

Continuing their unique partnership with the Women of Faith organization, Word’s releases will serve as the official audio/CD for the weekly conferences, which draw thousands of women each year. Garnering Dove award nominations for the past two years, the Worship Team continues to be a successful part of the Women of Faith team.

In addition, Word is set to release two additional female-targeted projects on March 17, including Duets 2, a follow-up to Sandi Patty’s hit Duets album, as well as Women In Worship, a 20-song collection featuring today’s most popular worship songs, sung by women and for women.

For more information, visit www.wordlabelgroup.com.

Word Entertainment, a Warner/Curb company, is comprised of Word Distribution, Word Music and Word Label Group’s Word Records, Fervent Records, Myrrh Records, Canaan Records and Word Music Publishing.  Leading the industry with over 50 years of music making history, Word Entertainment represents some of Christian entertainment’s top brands, including award-winning artists Diamond Rio, Point Of Grace, BarlowGirl, Mark Schultz, Randy Travis, Selah, Natalie Grant, Aaron Shust, Big Daddy Weave and Francesca Battistelli, in addition to Big Idea’s successful VeggieTales video series.

Here’s your chance to grab a free MP3 of "My Deliverer" from her new album "Freedom".

You can also listen to more of Mandisa and her amazing vocals from her new album using the music player below.

Mandisa – Freedom

Mandisa is also following in the example of Big Daddy Weave front man, Mike Weaver’s quest to lose 90 in ’09, and working to shed some weight in 2009. Mandisa is shooting for 100lbs by the end of April. Let’s keep her in our prayers and encouragement as much as possible.

In the original article on Christian Today, Mandisa said this about her faith and being on American Idol.

Mandisa says, “My faith certainly went through some tests of fire, but it’s stronger because of American Idol. I came out of that experience understanding Jesus better. I had been sheltered in Christian circles for a while, and AI helped me realise the kind of impact that Christians can make in the world around them.”

Great testimony. Since Jordin Sparks has a Christian background and outlook, I’m sure hoping she can have the same type of positive impact that Mandisa appears to be having in the music industry. I’m hoping that Jordin can do it in the mainstream area and be a role-model for a lot of young girls out there.

Jeanne and the article both stated that Mandisa’s album isn’t hitting stores until July 31st. I thought her album had already come out? Am I confused?

It’s really great to see Mandisa getting this album released and staying with her Christian beliefs and using her talent in the industry. She’s really got the talent, that’s undoubted. I think this continues to show that even with the drama and spectacle that surrounds American Idol, it really is uncovering some great talent.

You can hear the song for yourself by tuning into K-LOVE, visiting Mandisa’s official website, or her MySpace page.

Photo credit: Mandisa’s Official website

From the people that have been working on her album and their previous involvement on other albums, I’ve got some high expectations of her debut release.

Produced by Shaun Shankel (Destiny’s Child, Kimberly Locke), Doubledutch-Robert Marvin and Josiah Bell (tobyMac, Mat Kearney), as well as others to be announced, Mandisa’s national debut is scheduled for release this May and will feature songs that reflect her personal journey, struggles, success as well as her contagious joy and passionate heart.

Let’s see, I always liked Kimberly Locke, and I love tobyMac and Mat Kearney as well. Perhaps more interesting though is the book that Mandisa is releasing along with the album in May.

In her upcoming book, IdolEyes (Tyndale House), on shelves June 1, Mandisa gives an in-depth view into her journey on the No.1 reality show in America. Co-authored with Angela Hunt, Mandisa shares how both difficult and triumphant events put her faith to the test. Speaking openly and honestly about her life-long battle with food addiction, Mandisa shows how it has affected her personally, and how the now famous, derogatory remarks made by judge Simon Cowell on live television have provided her with the opportunity to become a positive role model for millions of women who are struggling to live up to popular culture’s image of the “ideal woman.” Mandisa offers women the hope that they can be beautiful at any size, and that healthy self-esteem and personal beauty come only when they accept themselves as a unique and much-loved woman of God’s creation.

Read more about Mandisa and what she’s been up to since her time as a finalist on American Idol Season 5 on the CCM Magazine website in their article, AMERICAN IDOL alum MANDISA to release debut album, book

Mandisa from American Idol Season 5 just signed a record deal with Sparrow Records.

Mandisa said one of the greatest experiences of her time on American Idol was when she publicly forgave Simon for the comments he made about her and her weight. She said it humbled Simon and made the news and she could have left American Idol at that time and been happy.

You can go to the Hear It First website and see an exclusive video of Mandisa talking about her faith and experience on American Idol this past season.

If you’re a fan of American Idol, be sure and visit my Idol Stalker website.