Gospel Today, America’s longest-running urban Christian magazine has announced that Dr. Teresa Hairston will retire from the magazine she founded over two decades ago, marking a new era for the faith-based media mainstay. Her son, Roland T. Hairston, II will take over as Publisher.
While she intends to remain a valued advisor to the magazine she built from just “$300 and a dream,” Dr. Hairston will redirect her energy to various endeavors including the Gospel Heritage Foundation, which she founded in 1996. More details from Dr. Teresa Hairston were included in her final “Inspired Perspective” column in the November/December 2011 issue of Gospel Today, available at newsstands now.
“The need for Gospel Today has never been greater,” says Hairston, II. Hairston, II, 31, adds a keen understanding of emerging technology with a sensitivity to the rich legacy of the urban Christian community. Hairston, II worked alongside his mother for years, managing Editorial and Marketing for the magazine, and is excited about the future. “Our world is captivated by images and stories-we need Christian media that can speak to relevant issues of our culture in a way that empowers people to act.”
Partnering with Hairston II in the future of Gospel Today is E.J. Gaines, who has been appointed Editor of the popular magazine. No foreigner to journalism and the Gospel community, E.J. Gaines is the Editor of GospelPundit.com, one of the leading web destinations for Gospel music, which he founded in 2008. Gaines is also an attorney, admitted to practice in New York, where he walked on Wall Street for two years before relocating to the Nashville, TN area.
“I am honored to step into this role,” says Gaines. “By God’s grace, Dr. Hairston has built such a rich legacy through Gospel Today. It is my prayer that I can continue to build upon the foundation she has laid and assist in the growth of the magazine by providing stimulating content that touches the hearts of our readers.”
Despite the change in leadership, readers will still find the lifestyle focus of Gospel Today and high quality of journalism they have come to know from Gospel Today. On the horizon, however, supporters can expect to see what Hairston, II calls an “innovative marriage of print and digital.”
“This is a new day!” says Hairston, II. “It’s going to be very exciting to see how God uses Gospel Today to shape our generation and tell His story! As we enter this new era, I’d ask the Body of Christ to pray for and partner with Gospel Today to continue changing the way the world sees faith.”