Free Republic

Christian music artist Kari Jobe recently joined a group of worship leaders for a special meeting at the White House, and she posted some profound thoughts about the kingdom of God being seen on earth and the urgent need for prayer for America's leaders. The Christian artists, including Tauren Wells and Danny Gokey, were invited to a "Faith Briefing" which was held to show what the Trump Administration is doing in the area of faith-based projects. Jobe posted about the visit on Instagram, calling it an honor. "Cody and I were honored to be invited," she said. "As I stepped...

MILWAUKEE — The morning after being voted off America’s most popular reality show, Milwaukee’s Danny Gokey was already planning his next steps — and they don’t involve his music. "During this competition, I have not really put my hands into Sophia’s Heart Foundation," the 29-year-old "American Idol" finalist said in a telephone conference with reporters Thursday. "Right off the bat, I’m gonna call my team, we’re gonna start having meetings. I want to define our goals. "This foundation means so much to me — it is the legacy of my wife and myself here on the Earth," he said. "I...

If there's a stage that trained Danny Gokey for his run at this season's "American Idol" crown, you'll find it in a former movie theater across from Mitchell International Airport, where Faith Builders International uses music to preach the gospel. "We knew he could sing a little bit," said Faith Builders Pastor Jeff Pruitt. Pruitt met Gokey in 1999. By the end of 2000, he had joined the then-fledgling church, which had 50 members. It now regularly brings in hundreds of people for its weekly services at 4901 S. Howell Ave., the location of the former Skyway Cinema. Gokey joined...

The votes aren’t in yet, but there’s no doubt Danny Gokey is safe. Gokey is the Milwaukee church musician who breezed into the “American Idol” finals with some powerful blue-eyed soul in the wake of his wife’s death last summer. Recent commentary has criticized Idol for exploiting the death of Gokey’s wife, Sophia, but at least last night it wasn’t a factor. Performing on a Michael Jackson-themed night—which is an, um, interesting choice at best—Gokey unquestionably had one of the best performances with a cover of “P.Y.T.“ from the ‘80s mega-album “Thriller.“ The singing was accompanied by some rather awkward...