Israel and New Breed Focus On International Ministry in’08

Mobile, Alabama - The GRAMMY Award winning Israel and New Breed, who are known for their multi-cultural approach to worship music, are diving deeper into international ministry this year with a globe-trotting tour schedule that includes stops in Japan, Indonesia, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Israel, The Netherlands and Barbados.

Israel and New Breed started the year with a February trip to New Zealand before jetting over to Japan for eight performances in four days. In addition, frontman Israel Houghton also made time to visit Japan’s Soul Bird Gospel Music School which uses the group’s music as part of its curriculum. While there, Houghton served as a guest clinician for 400-plus students at classes held at Billboard Live venues in Osaka and Tokyo. (Photo attached)

This month, the group returned to South Africa, the site of their Gold-Certified Alive In South Africa recording which garnered GRAMMY, Dove and Stellar Awards. Israel and New Breed spent two weeks touring the country with stops in East London, Pretoria, Durban, Centurion, Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Through summer and the rest of ’08, the group has planned tours for The Netherlands, Zimbabwe and Israel. While in the Holy Land in October, Israel Houghton will participate with leading worship artists Darlene Zschech, Don Moen and Messianic worship leader Paul Wilbur in a live Integrity Music recording slated to take place in Jerusalem.

“We’re humbled and honored that the doors for us to minister to the international community are open like never before,” says Houghton. “And, we’re excited to have the opportunity to represent the Body of Christ in ways that reach each of these respective cultures.” When not touring abroad, Israel and New Breed continue to minister in the U.S. and Canada. They have also scheduled their annual “A Deeper Level” conference for May and will be participating in the Gospel Music Association’s “Music in the Rockies” conference in August. Updated tour and conference information is available at the group’s newly enhanced website, www.newbreedmusic.com.