One of gospel music’s leading choir conductors and tunesmiths J.J. Hairston of the award-winning group, Youthful Praise, has been appointed Director of Music at City of Praise Family Ministries, headquartered in Mitchellville, MD where Bishop Joel & Ylawnda Peebles serve as the pastors. “The Word taught by Bishop Peebles is awesome,” Hairston says. “I look forward to bringing more excitement and refinement to the worship experience so that it can prepare the hearts of everyone to receive the Word. The loving spirit at City of Praise is amazing! My wife Trina and I are excited about partnering with them in ministry.”
“J.J. Hairston is a tremendous blessing to the kingdom of God and we are elated to have him and Trina as part of the City of Praise Family,” Bishop and Pastor Ylwanda Peebles say in a joint statement. “While many people are familiar with his tremendous musical gift, we appreciate his kind heart and loving spirit. J.J. and Trina Hairston are dynamic examples of God’s Love and are perfect fits for the tremendous assignment given to the City of Praise Family Ministries to “save families, one soul at a time. We rejoice and look forward to building God’s Kingdom together.”
For over a dozen years, Hairston’s group Youthful Praise has been one of the most popular contemporary gospel choirs in the USA. Their hit songs “After This,” “Lord of All,” “Resting on His Promise” and “Incredible God, Incredible Praise” have served as the soundtrack to the lives of scores of Millennial-age churchgoers. The group has appeared on national TV programs such as “Good Morning America,” BET’s “Celebration of Gospel,” “Conan O’Brien,” BET’s “Lift Every Voice,” “Lady Gaga & The Muppets Holliday Spectacular” and BET’s “Sunday Best.” The ensemble’s 7th CD “I See Victory” (Light Records) peaked at #1 on Billboard Magazine’s Gospel Albums sales chart this past fall and it features the radio smash “Bless Me” that has peaked at #3 on the survey. A BlackGrooves.org reviewer writes that the “songs will surely rock the church house” and undoubtedly, the Hairstons will bring those same skills to the new position.
