ZION, Ill. (Sept. 5, 2013) – Rev. Desmond Pringle, noted gospel singer-song writer, is teaming up with Cancer Treatment Centers of America® (CTCA), to present a “A Night of Hope and Inspiration” a free Gospel Concert at West Angeles Church of God and Christ, 3045 Crenshaw Blvd., Oct. 18 from 7 to 9 p.m.

Our Journey of Hope program at CTCA, and the Rev. Percy McCray, director of pastoral care at CTCA Midwestern Regional Medical Center in Zion, Ill., are hosting the concert during Breast Cancer Awareness month to inspire the Los Angeles community and showcase how the Our Journey of Hope Program helps thousands of cancer patients and their families each year.

“I am very excited about partnering with CTCA and the Our Journey of Hope spiritual support program,” said Rev. Pringle. “It is a very powerful tool to help get information into the African American community, which is adversely affected by cancer. As a minster of gospel and a pastor, it is incumbent on me to use my gifts to help empower others with information. It is an honor to spread hope.”

Local pastors, faith based community leaders and celebrities have all been invited to this “red carpet” Our Journey of Hope Gospel event. It is the final concert in a three-city concert tour that began in Chicago, traveled to Charleston, SC. Desmond Pringle is performing selections from his new album, “Fidelity.”

The Our Journey of Hope (OJOH) program provides training for church lay ministries, equipping them with information and support for effectively caring for cancer patients and their families. OJOH also provides education about prevention, detection, cancer screenings, resulting in a healthier community. The OJOH program endeavors to serve and inspire every person in need of spiritual support during the battle with cancer, including family members and caregivers. CTCA views faith as a primary component in the healing process.

“Faith is so essential to helping both the patients and their families through difficult times because it equips them with a full arsenal to move forward,” said Rev. McCray. “It takes a heroic effort to overcome cancer, but if you put your trust in God, no challenge is insurmountable.”

Rev. Pringle is senior pastor of the Watered Garden Fellowship in Los Angeles. He has been named the best male vocalist by the African American Religious Connection. He was a president of urban/gospel music for Warner Bros. Records, from 2000 to 2005.

Pringle’s songwriting hits include “High Praise” on Bishop Paul Morton’s “Let It Rain,” on the number one hit CD, and “Holiness is Right” on the Grammy-nominated CD “CeCe Winans Presents the Born Again Church Choir,” which won a Dove Award as Traditional Gospel Album of the Year.
“I’m delighted and full of anticipation about this concert, because it will be my first introduction to the L.A. community as a Gospel musical artist,” Rev. Pringle said. “I have been pastoring here three years, however many people who know be as a Gospel artist do not know that I have relocated to the city of angels.”

About Reverend McCray

Rev. McCray strives to provide an ecumenical umbrella of spiritual support for patients, family members and staff whereby persons of any faith can be strengthened, motivated and inspired to combat cancer. In creating an environment conducive to healing and recovery, the spiritual support team at Cancer Treatment Centers of America exists as a great source of comfort for patients and families.

About the Our Journey of Hope Program

Lead by Reverend Percy McCray, the Our Journey of Hope program provides critical training and skills to ministers, lay ministers, congregants and community groups for ministry and outreach to cancer patients and their families. The program helps lay ministers connect and support cancer patients throughout the community — both for those individuals who attend church and those who don’t. Everyone will benefit tremendously from the hope and help that lay ministers and their church/faith-based community family can offer. The Our Journey of Hope program has been designed with the invaluable insight of cancer patients, leading cancer experts and spiritual advisors. Visit www.ourjourneyofhope.com for more information.

For more information about the concert or to arrange for interviews with Rev. Desmond Pringle or Rev. Percy McCray, contact Jerry Thomas at (312) 285-5166 or jerry@jerrythomaspr.com.