"This Is Happening Now"--
Award-Winning Singer Joins Christian Solidarity International to Expose Modern-Day Christian Persecution
For Immediate Release (NASHVILLE, TN) — Multiple Grammy nominee and Dove Award winning singer and songwriter Bonnie Keen has teamed with human rights organization Christian Solidarity International (CSI) to bring awareness to the persecution of modern-day Christians across the globe. The one-minute radio feature called “Persecution Today,” which Keen narrates, highlights specific countries where persecution is happening. The extent of the martyrdom was eye-opening to Keen.
“It was difficult to get through some of these features without getting emotional,” says Keen. “The rise in violence worldwide is extensive and heart-breaking. We are so coddled and cushioned here in the U.S., but I fear this same kind of hatred for Christianity is already residing in our country and getting ready to unleash. I hope we can show the same bravery that these people in other countries are exhibiting on a daily basis.”
“We are honored to have the opportunity to collaborate with Bonnie Keen, a Contemporary Christian music legend, who has a heart for the persecuted,” says Robert F. Davis II, CEO of CSI. “The victims of persecution are so often forgotten or invisible, simply because they are ‘far away’ and don’t often touch our world directly or cross our minds. Our hope is that these radio features bring much needed awareness and give a voice to our voiceless brothers and sisters around the world.”
The "Persecution Today" radio features will also highlight Keen’s new song entitled “Gethsemane Brave” which she co-wrote for her new self-titled recording project. The music video of the song was recently released featuring actual photos of persecuted Christians, provided by CSI’s team. The song also features legendary guitarist, Phil Keaggy.
Keen's new album features eight original self-penned songs along with four cover tunes, including duets and collaborations with some of Christian music’s most respected musicians and producers. Larry Hall — a world-class arranger and multi-instrumentalist whose credits include Russ Taff, Randy Travis, and John Schneider among others — produced and arranged the project. In addition to Keaggy, Grammy nominated vocalist Kathy Troccoli, sought-after musicians Tom Hemby, Gary Lunn, Jonathan Crone, and Dave Cleveland, all lend their musical gifts throughout the album.
Keen says “Gethsemane Brave” is a call to believers for faith and courage.
“Jesus’ bravery in Gethsemane inspires me to live ‘Gethsemane Brave’ in my own life—with wobbly knees yet determined faith,” says Keen. “I am so glad it is being used by CSI to bring attention to these incredible men and women of faith around the globe who show unbelievable valor in the midst of intimidation and extremism.”
“Persecution Today” shows are free to use by any terrestrial or online radio stations or networks. Click this link for sample shows: PERSECUTION TODAY RADIO.
About Bonnie Keen:
Bonnie Keen is a Dove Award–winning recording artist, author, and speaker, best known as a founding member of the Grammy-nominated trio First Call. In addition to her First Call projects and solo recordings, her voice is featured on a plethora of studio work with artists of all musical genres. She has toured with Amy Grant, Sandi Patty, Young Messiah, BeBe and CeCe Winans, The Music of Whitney Houston, among many others. Keen has performed on the County Music Association Awards show, Grammy Awards show, and the Johnny Carson Show. She has a wide range of theatrical work with Studio Tenn and the Nashville Shakespeare Festival. In addition to her musical forays, she has authored five books and bible studies and currently co-hosts the podcast “ Women Who Dare to Believe” with acclaimed actress Nan Gurley. Bonnie Keen, her new self-titled album, is available now on all streaming platforms. For more information visit www.BonnieKeen.com.
About Christian Solidarity International (CSI):
Founded over 40 years ago, CSI is an international Christian human rights organization, campaigning for religious liberty and human dignity, and assisting victims of religious persecution, victimized children and victims of catastrophe. CSI delivers emergency food assistance, medical treatment, and other lifesaving aid to victims of religious persecution and natural disasters in Iraq, Syria, Egypt, Nigeria, South Sudan, Pakistan, and other hotspots around the globe. CSI is currently the only organization working to liberate Christians and other South Sudanese forced into slavery by government-backed forces during the Sudanese civil war. For more information visit https://csi-usa.org.
“It was difficult to get through some of these features without getting emotional,” says Keen. “The rise in violence worldwide is extensive and heart-breaking. We are so coddled and cushioned here in the U.S., but I fear this same kind of hatred for Christianity is already residing in our country and getting ready to unleash. I hope we can show the same bravery that these people in other countries are exhibiting on a daily basis.”
“We are honored to have the opportunity to collaborate with Bonnie Keen, a Contemporary Christian music legend, who has a heart for the persecuted,” says Robert F. Davis II, CEO of CSI. “The victims of persecution are so often forgotten or invisible, simply because they are ‘far away’ and don’t often touch our world directly or cross our minds. Our hope is that these radio features bring much needed awareness and give a voice to our voiceless brothers and sisters around the world.”
The "Persecution Today" radio features will also highlight Keen’s new song entitled “Gethsemane Brave” which she co-wrote for her new self-titled recording project. The music video of the song was recently released featuring actual photos of persecuted Christians, provided by CSI’s team. The song also features legendary guitarist, Phil Keaggy.
Keen's new album features eight original self-penned songs along with four cover tunes, including duets and collaborations with some of Christian music’s most respected musicians and producers. Larry Hall — a world-class arranger and multi-instrumentalist whose credits include Russ Taff, Randy Travis, and John Schneider among others — produced and arranged the project. In addition to Keaggy, Grammy nominated vocalist Kathy Troccoli, sought-after musicians Tom Hemby, Gary Lunn, Jonathan Crone, and Dave Cleveland, all lend their musical gifts throughout the album.
Keen says “Gethsemane Brave” is a call to believers for faith and courage.
“Jesus’ bravery in Gethsemane inspires me to live ‘Gethsemane Brave’ in my own life—with wobbly knees yet determined faith,” says Keen. “I am so glad it is being used by CSI to bring attention to these incredible men and women of faith around the globe who show unbelievable valor in the midst of intimidation and extremism.”
“Persecution Today” shows are free to use by any terrestrial or online radio stations or networks. Click this link for sample shows: PERSECUTION TODAY RADIO.
About Bonnie Keen:
Bonnie Keen is a Dove Award–winning recording artist, author, and speaker, best known as a founding member of the Grammy-nominated trio First Call. In addition to her First Call projects and solo recordings, her voice is featured on a plethora of studio work with artists of all musical genres. She has toured with Amy Grant, Sandi Patty, Young Messiah, BeBe and CeCe Winans, The Music of Whitney Houston, among many others. Keen has performed on the County Music Association Awards show, Grammy Awards show, and the Johnny Carson Show. She has a wide range of theatrical work with Studio Tenn and the Nashville Shakespeare Festival. In addition to her musical forays, she has authored five books and bible studies and currently co-hosts the podcast “ Women Who Dare to Believe” with acclaimed actress Nan Gurley. Bonnie Keen, her new self-titled album, is available now on all streaming platforms. For more information visit www.BonnieKeen.com.
About Christian Solidarity International (CSI):
Founded over 40 years ago, CSI is an international Christian human rights organization, campaigning for religious liberty and human dignity, and assisting victims of religious persecution, victimized children and victims of catastrophe. CSI delivers emergency food assistance, medical treatment, and other lifesaving aid to victims of religious persecution and natural disasters in Iraq, Syria, Egypt, Nigeria, South Sudan, Pakistan, and other hotspots around the globe. CSI is currently the only organization working to liberate Christians and other South Sudanese forced into slavery by government-backed forces during the Sudanese civil war. For more information visit https://csi-usa.org.