Gospel luminaries, preachers, and more than 100 family members convened to pay their last respects to David "Pop" Winans, patriarch of one of gospel's most beloved dynasties.

Clothed in different hues of white and ivory, the family gathered April 15 at Detroit's Perfecting Church, where son Marvin Winans serves as head pastor, to reminisce about its forefather amid tears of joy—even remorse.

"I remember times when the lights were out and we were hungry, but he would be praising God," said Debra Winans Lowe, Winans' youngest daughter. "He had nothing on his lips but praise."

"If I am half the man my father was, I'll see him in heaven," said a tearful Carvin Winans, who apologized publicly for "falling short" as a husband, father, and brother.

Rev. Jesse Jackson, one of several noted preachers in attendance, praised Winans for his far-reaching legacy.

"Pop was part of that glorious season of powerful singing in our tradition," Jackson said, referring to contemporaries of Winans' that included Sam Cooke and James Cleveland. "But those singers were trees. Pop planted a forest."

Donnie McClurkin, Karen Clark-Sheard, and Tramaine Hawkins were some of the gospel heavyweights in attendance.

Winans died April 8 from complications arising from a heart attack and stroke he suffered last fall. He is survived by wife Delores, nine children, and 23 grandchildren.

To view pictures of the "homegoing" ceremony, click here. To read full reports on the ceremony from the The Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News, click here and here.

Yellow and Black Attack is back!

Stryper is commemorating its 25th anniversary with a new tour and album in the coming months. The album, Murder by Pride, arrives in July via Big3 Records. The anniversary tour kicks off in September and is expected to hit 50 cities in the U.S., followed by an international tour. According to a news release, tour shows will be divided into two sections—a nostalgic one featuring the group's biggest hits and one featuring all new music. "This tour may very well be the most important tour in the history of Stryper," vocalist Michael Sweet said. Stay tuned for updates at stryper.com.

Groves goes to Capitol Hill

Acclaimed singer/songwriter Sara Groves and almost 100 other social humanitarians went to Washington, D.C., recently to raise awareness for human trafficking before congressional leaders. Lawmakers are considering new legislation that would curb the trafficking of minors. "Speaking directly to our leaders from Minnesota about the importance of ending the trafficking of minors gave me renewed hope in our ability to influence real change," Groves said.

Ginny Owens says 'Amen'

Four years since the release of her last studio album, Ginny Owens is prepping for the release of Say Amen, a collection of classic hymns, old-time spirituals, and a few originals. "I like to think of it as a collage of the music that believers have used to celebrate their faith, from the 17th century to today," Owens said. The album includes new renditions of "Just As I Am" and "How Can I Keep from Singing," as well as versions of "O Sacred Head Now Wounded," "Be Still My Soul," and "Be Thou My Vision."

Shane & Shane lower volume on tour

Acoustic duo Shane & Shane are in the middle of the Turn the Music Down tour, which kicked off in Missouri April 16 and also features speaker David Nasser and worship singer Matt Maher. The tour runs through May 9 in Arizona. "On this special night, we will turn up the music to worship our king but not at the cost of tuning out the need that's all around us," Nasser said, in reference to the world's need for a Savior. For ticket information, click here.

Charlie Peacock hits the big screen

Charlie Peacock, a renowned Christian music producer and industry veteran, has signed on as the music and soundtrack coordinator for To Save a Life, an upcoming feature film he says "deeply moved" him. "This indie film looks great and has a very strong cast and script," he said. "But, most importantly, it communicates in real-life language and emotion to the high school audience it seeks to reach." For a trailer, click here.

Hezekiah Walker opens new church

According to Gospelflava.com, gospel mainstay Hezekiah Walker started a new congregation—his third—at Morehouse College in Atlanta, the same location for his Grammy-winning project Live in Atlanta at Morehouse College. To launch the new church, Walker invited some of gospel's brightest, including Donald Lawrence & Co., James Fortune & FIYA, and Kierra Sheard, among others.

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