Gospel Today Magazine, a Christian Lifestyle Magazine, announced recently that it has decided to “suspend printing immediately” due to the economic factors that have affected so many publications today. In an era where most readers are now turning towards the internet to receive their news for free so many printed publications are now finding themselves restructuring to cut back costs and keep up with the new trends.

CCM Magazine, a staple in the Christian music community recently shut down it’s print operation with the last magazine being released in April and there are rumors of all publications facing the same challenges.

Since 1996 Gospel Today Magazine was a staple on the coffee tables of so many people and offered us a full perspective of what was going on in the day to day of the Gospel Industry. We all have read the story of how Dr. Teresa Hairston launched Gospel Today with just $300 and a dream. The divorced mother of three stepped out on faith and began the magazine as a newsletter so many years ago. Throughout the years Gospel Today allowed us to learn about the everyday happenings in Gospel from the eyes of not just the ministers and celebrities but from common people too.

In the Sept. 2008 edition of Gospel Today an article about my son, his cause of death and my passion to educate youth about heart awareness was featured and Dr. Hairston gave me her full support during my efforts to put together a gospel concert to raise funds for The Clinton Ron Walker Scholarship Fund. That same issue made headlines for its controversial cover story 'Female Pastors: Breaking the Glass Ceiling,' and was banned by Family Christian Bookstores. Eventually Family Christian Bookstores received so many calls and e-mails from supporters voicing their opposition to their stance that they had to make the magazine available again. Even with all of this attention sadly it wasn’t enough to keep the presses rolling at GT.


Dr. H and I (photo by Pinkie Webster-www.pictureladypinkie.com)

In a recent article for Juwann Murray of Black Voices, Dr. Hairston stated, "At first, we were sad to see the printed magazine go away. However, it was a decision we had to make due to the economy; but I believe that this will ultimately help us offer increased services,"

Hairston also added "Our goal is to share news, information, products and services regarding the urban Christian community with the 'global community.' The world is moving to Internet, and many of our advertisers and subscribers are already there,"

Gospel Today is now offering online subscriptions only for its GospelToday.com E-magazine and working with a print partner to take over service for it’s loyal subscribers.,

Gospel Today, which has featured this author’s byline is close to my heart and has offered so many wonderful articles over the years from some of the top ministers, gospel and secular celebrities including Juanita Bynum, T.D. Jakes, Denzel Washington and many others. More than that it was a launching pad for so many writers like myself and allowed us all to “cut our teeth” so to speak to move on to our writing destinies. I am and will always be forever grateful to Dr. Hairston for her words of wisdom and support and I will miss putting GT on my coffee table for all to see and read.