A year-and-a-half ago one of USA’s greatest Christian radio stations, Gospel Impact Radio, became connected with the international music ministry called GTM Ministries. They soon discovered their ministries were both based out of the same small town in South Carolina, and so the collaboration began.
Gospel Impact Radio is an internet based radio station – highly recognized in the USA as both Stellar Award and Crystal Mic finalists – with millions of listeners, from all over the world, tuning in every month.
The radio station has a heart especially for Europe; and in 2010, they decided to start Gospel Impact Radio UK, which is based out of London, England. The radio station was specifically designed to impact Europe with great Christian music – from Europe, the United States, and other parts of the world.
GTM Ministries is a music ministry that has music mission projects all over the world – with tours, concerts, music mission teams, etc. – with top-selling Christian artists, as well as new and independent ones.
In Europe one of GTM Ministries’ main goals is to find more effective ways of reaching people with Christian music, since Europe is one of the continents where there is a severe shortage of major Christian media. In view of this, GTM Ministries’ connection with Gospel Impact Radio became vital.
In autumn of 2010, GIR and GTM decided to begin their partnership by putting together a radio search in America for a talented and noteworthy independent Christian artist who would be the HANDS and FEET of Jesus in Europe. The winner of the contest would win a 5 city tour in Europe.
The 5 City Tour Paved the Way For:
- Giving amazing Christian independent artists a chance to be heard on radio, and get publicity for their music and ministry
- Giving ONE winner a unique opportunity to go on a Music Mission Tour in Europe, to reach more people with his music.
- Making Europeans aware of the fact that they can have access to Christian radio through the internet.
- Reaching more people with the Gospel.
- Beginning a more structured support system between the American and European Christian music industry.
Talent Search: European Kingdom Tour Opportunity 2011
In early spring of 2011, numerous Christian artists from America entered submissions for the European Kingdom Tour opportunity. After the artists submitted their biographical information and song recording, music industry professionals screened the contestants to discover which ones held high standards in voice performance, musicality and in their personal life. Music industry professionals were looking for individuals who would be able to represent Christ through music and in their personal life, with a music quality fit for radio. So, the qualifying artists represent the elite!
From the summer months of June through August, artists competed to win. They all did a radio interview, and had their song in rotation for a week. A poll was taken at www.gospelimpactradio.com, where the audience voted for their favorite artist of the week. A jury consisting of music industry professionals from Europe also made their selection each week. So every week two artists moved on to the final rounds. Thousands and thousands of people placed their vote, leaving 4 amazing artists in the hands of a very capable jury of music industry professionals, who selected BRYAN POUND as the winner of the European Kingdom Tour.
As the winner of the European Kingdom Tour Opportunity 2011, Bryan Pound will go on a 5 city European tour from October 23rd – 29th this year. All concerts will include national Christian artists such as Voice of Joy, NGV, Manna, Tell ++
October 23rd Ørebro, SWEDEN
October 25th Oslo, NORWAY
October 26th Jæren, NORWAY
October 28th Haugesund, NORWAY (Karmøy Gospel Festival)
October 29th Biel, SWITZERLAND
Make sure you check here for information about tickets, venues, etc.
Here’s a short bio from Bryan Pound, this amazingly humble person that said in his radio interview “I don’t want to be famous…” Well, you are about to, Mr. Pound. With your humble attitude, you will be able to serve the Lord more faithfully. God prepared your heart for this opportunity. We cannot wait to see and hear more from you!
BRYAN POUND:
I was an evangelist’s kid growing up, and I can remember singing with my older sister right before my dad preached—I was three and a half. I’m sure it was partially, or fully, out of tune. But thankfully, adults like that stuff! I didn’t really get into singing though until I was in high school, in Lynchburg, VA. Since my father was a preacher, I thought that was what God wanted me to be. And then, it happened—-one day at the altar, God said “I have called, you to preach—but I have called you to preach through music.” Ever since that day I went head first into music.
After leaving Indiana Bible College in Indianapolis, IN, I became a minister of music at The Pentecostals of Richmond in Richmond, VA. I have been at this church over 8 years now.
On January 1, 2011, I released my first album called REALITY. It is available on iTunes and Amazon. I don’t know what all lies ahead for me, but I am surrendering to the Almighty’s blueprint. I am now 30 years old; and now more than ever, I want to live out my intended purpose! But, I can’t get there by myself!
Thank you for this opportunity.
Sincerely, Bryan Pound
HERE’S A SAMPLE OF WHAT YOU WILL GET TO HEAR IN EUROPE IN OCTOBER! Make sure we see you at one of these concerts!
We are putting together some INCREDIBLE Compilation CDs with new Christian artists from all over the world this and hopefully every year for a long, long time!
The plan is to make several CD’s within different genres (Choir – with a score book to go with it, Urban, Worship, POP, and Christmas), and we can already tell you that the artists featured will blow your mind!
