Fruit Basket (painting by Balthasar van der Ast).

First Fruits are a religious offering of the first agricultural produce of the harvest. In classical Greek, Roman, Hebrew and Christian religions, the first fruits were offered to the temple or church. First Fruits were often a primary source of income to maintain the religious leaders and the facility. Beginning in 1966 a unique "First Fruits" celebration brought the Ancient African harvest festivals that became the African American Holiday, Kwanzaa.

Ancient historical[link]

In ancient Greece[link]

In Classical Athens the First Fruits were called an offering of aparche. Except during times of war, this would be a major source of funds for the temples of the Eleusinian goddesses, Demeter and Kore (pronounced kor-eh). Much of the agricultural offering was sold by the temple with the proceeds being used to pay for the daily upkeep of the temple complex. Under Pericles' rule, it became a way of extending Athens' power. The Demos or voting citizens would control the operation of the temple by elected boards. During times of war or for other necessity the Demos would borrow money from the treasury of the temple. Neighboring cities under Athens' control were required to give offerings from their harvests. This served to enrich Athens and extend her power.

Much of this was shown in the temple reports which were carved in stone when the governing body (called the epistatai) of the temple changed hands. In the stone IG I³ 386-387 it can been seen how the finances of the Eleusinian temples worked. Doctor Maureen B. Cavanaugh who translated stone IG I³ 386-387, argues that there were heavy implications of the funding realized from the First Fruits donations to the temple, in particular that it brought significant impact on Athenian power.^[1] This is noted in a loan cited in the stone record, of over 20,000 silver drachmas to the city. The Eleusinian temple complex was more than just a temple to Demeter; there were living quarters, storage, work shops, administration as well as public spaces. It was a major institution, functioning almost like a city within a city.

In ancient Rome[link]

In the Roman religion the first fruits offering was observed in the Roman household. This was done during daily meals as well as more formal religious times of the month (see Roman calendar).

Biblical[link]

Hebrew perspective[link]

In Ancient Israel, First Fruits were a type of terumah that was akin to, but distinct from, terumah gedolah. While terumah gedolah was an agricultural tithe, Bikkurim (discussed in the Bikkurim tractate of the Talmud) were a sacrificial gift brought up to the altar. (Bikkurim 3:12). The major obligation to bring First Fruits (Heb. Bikkurim) to the Temple began at the festival of Shavuot and continued until the festival of Sukkot. (Bikkurim 1:6). This tithe was limited to the traditional seven agricultural products (wheat, barley, grapes in the form of wine, figs, pomegranates, olives in the form of oil, and dates) grown in Israel.^[2] This tithe, and the associated festival of Shavuot, is legislated by the Torah.^[3] Textual critics speculate that these regulations were imposed long after the offerings and festival had developed.^[4]

By the time of classical antiquity, extensive regulations regarding Bikkurim were recorded in the classical rabbinical literature.^[5] According to Jewish law, the corners of fields, wild areas, left-overs after harvesting (gleanings), and unowned crops were not subjected to (and could not be used as) the tithe of First Fruits (they were intended to be left as charity for the poor, and other mendicants);^[2] plants from outside Palestine were also prohibited from inclusion in the tithe,^[2] as was anything belonging to non-Jews.^[6] The rules also specify that that each type of product had to be individually tithed, even if the numbers were balanced so that there was no difference in amount between this situation and using just some types of First Fruit as the tithe, and retaining others in their entirety.^[2] Fruit which was allocated to the tithe could not be swapped for fruit which wasn't, to the extent that wine couldn't be swapped for vinegar, and olive oil couldn't be replaced by olives; furthermore, Fruits were not allowed to be individually divided if only part went to the tithe (small whole onions had to be used rather than fractions of large onions, for example).^[2]

The separation of tithed produce from untithed produce was also subject to regulation. The individual(s) separating one from the other had to be ritually clean, and had to include the best produce in the tithe if a kohen (priest) lived nearby.^[2] During the act of separation, the produce was not permitted to be counted out to determine which fell under the tithe, nor to be weighed for that purpose, nor to be measured for the same reason, but instead the proportion that was to become the tithe had to be guessed at.^[2] In certain situations, such as when tithed produce became mixed with non-tithed produce (or there was uncertainty as to whether it had), the tithed produce had to be destroyed.^[2] Anyone who made mistakes in the separation of tithed produce, and anyone who consumed any of the tithe, was required to pay compensation as a guilt offering.^[2]

The pilgrims that brought up the Bikkurim to the Temple were obligated to recite a declaration set forth in Deuteronomy 26:3-10. (Bikkurim 3:6). This declaration was incorporated into a beautiful and grand festive celebration with a procession of pilgrims marching up to Jerusalem and then the Temple with gold, silver or willow baskets to which live birds were tied. (Bikkurim 3:3,5 and 8). The pilgrims were led by flutists to the city of Jerusalem where they were greeted by dignitaries. (Bikkurim 3:3). The procession would then resume with the flutist in lead until the Temple Mount where the Leviim would break out in song. (Bikkurim 3:4). The birds were given as sacrificial offerings and the declaration would be made before a priest while the basket was still on the pilgrim's shoulder. (Bikkurim 3:5-6). After the basket was presented to the priest, it was placed by the Altar and the pilgrim would bow and leave. (Bikkurim 3:6).

The Judaic Feast of Firstfruits falls on Nisan 16, the day after High Sabbath of Nisan 15, which is the first day of the Festival of Matzah (unleavened bread).

Christian perspective[link]

Although some Christian churches do celebrate harvest time, the idea of giving the First Fruits to the church has been for the large part abandoned by Christianity. In the Canonical Gospels, the concept of the harvest of First Fruits is used metaphorically and allegorically. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus is described as stating that “in the time of harvest” he would instruct the harvesters (i.e., the angels) to gather the “tares”, bind them into bundles, and burn them, but to "gather the wheat into [his] barn" (Matthew 13:30). Some argue that this teaching is about the Last Judgment rather than offering any thanksgiving to a deity, the “tares” being sinners or unbelievers of God and his son Jesus and the “wheat” being believers of God. Other Christians, as well as early Gnostic writers argued it was less about sin and more about following Jesus' teachings and abandoning the teachings they had formerly known. In the Gospel of John, Jesus is described as stating “...he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together” (John 4:36), which some Christians argue is about rewards from God for those who perform God’s work. Tithe literally means a tenth. First Fruits means to appropriately mark a portion of the produce of the field as belonging to God. In the Law of Moses there is a parallel between the offering of first fruits and the offering of the first-born male which opens the womb. The latter belongs to the Lord, and must be either sacrificed to him, or redeemed. This is completely different from tithing.

The Apostle Paul also referred to Jesus' resurrection as a type of "First Fruit" (1Corinthians 15:20) where he says: "But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep."

Ecclesial[link]

In the Eastern Orthodox Church[link]

The Eastern Orthodox Church the offering of first fruits takes the form of a thanksgiving and blessing. The produce is then consumed by the faithful rather than being given to the Church (though it may be donated as a free-will offering). The liturgical concept behind the blessing is the faithful offering back to God a token of that which he in his lovingkindness has provided, God blessing these firstfruits and returning them to the faithful for their benefit and blessing.

The blessing of first fruits traditionally begins on the Great Feast of the Transfiguration (August 6), with the blessing of grapes. In localities where grapes are not grown, other early-ripening fruits such as apples may be offered. There is a special ceremony at the end of the Divine Liturgy at which the priest blesses the first fruits, asking "...that the Lord may bless them, that they may be to us unto rejoicing, and that He may accept a gift of these fruits unto the cleansing of our sins..."^[7]

As the harvest season progresses, the first fruits of each species can be brought to the church to be blessed, using a similar format, but a different prayer: "...that the Lord may receive our gift unto His eternal treasury and grant us an abundance of earthly goods..."^[7]

In the Roman Catholic Church[link]

In the Middle Ages the concept of offering the first fruits was adapted by the Christian church. This was called a tithe and was basically a tax to support the local clergy and the facility. In England, every tenth egg, sheaf of wheat, lamb, chicken, and all other animals were given to the church as a tithe, so farm products were expected to be donated throughout the year.

In France, the tithes—called la dîme—were a land and agricultural tax. The offering of first fruits was also referred to as new fruits. In French churches in the Middle Ages, new fruits were at given seasons presented at Mass for blessing. The blessed fruits were kept by the church and divided between the clergy and the poor. Similar customs during the Middle Ages could be found in all European countries.

First Fruits also refers to the payment new clerics made to the bishop or the Pope of all profits from the territory the new cleric controlled. This payment was called both Annates and First Fruits.

In Mormonism[link]

In The Book of Mormon, a cannon of scripture used by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a similar passage is found stating "the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise. Wherefore, he is the firstfruits unto God".^[8]

See also[link]

• Bikkurim (Talmud)

References[link]

Further reading[link]

• "First-Fruits". Catholic Encyclopedia (on-line ed.). 1909. 
• http://www.christiananswers.net/dictionary/harvest.html
• Bible: Exodus 23:16,19; Lev. 23:9-14; Deuteronomy 26:2; Matthew 13:30; John 4:36.
• Woolger, Jennifer Barker; and Roger J. Woolger (1999). The Goddess Within: A Guide to the Eternal Myths That Shape Women's Lives. New York: Fawcett Columbine. ISBN 0-449-90287-0. 
• Pollard, John F. (2005). Money and the Rise of the Modern Papacy: Financing the Vatican, 1850-1950. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-81204-6. 

Paula Michelle White is a Christian author, speaker, and church leader. She is co-founder of Without Walls International Church; a large, influential, non-denominational, charismatic church with two locations in Florida. She hosts a television show, Paula White Today, produced by Paula White Ministries seen on multiple networks including Black Entertainment Television, and the Trinity Broadcast Network. She currently is the senior pastor of both church locations for Without Walls International Church.

In many of her sermons, empowerment seminars, and books Paula White discusses her childhood traumas and teenage flirtations with self-destruction to teach about God's transforming power. Her style has been described as humorous and candid.^[2]

Early life and youth[link]

Paula White was born Paula Michelle Furr April 20, 1966, in Tupelo, Mississippi, to Myra Joanelle and Donald Paul Furr III. Her parents owned a thriving toy and craft store. Paula and her brother, Mark, had all their needs and desires met.^[2] Donald and Myra Furr's marriage began to fail when Paula was five years old. Paula's mother left Tupelo and took her to Memphis. Paula's father followed with an ultimatum for Myra to give Paula to him or he would commit suicide. Myra refused. Later that night Donald Furr killed himself by running his car into a tree.^[3] Paula's mother became an alcoholic. While her mother worked, White was looked after by caregivers. White has said that she was sexually and physically abused for seven years between the ages of six and thirteen, by different people on different occasions.^[1][4][5]

Paula’s mother remarried in 1975 to a military man when Paula was 9 years old . Her family later moved to the Washington D.C. area when her stepfather was stationed at the National Naval Medical Center. Paula White is a graduate of Seneca Valley High School in Germantown, Maryland.^[6]

In 1984 while living in Maryland, she was introduced to the gospel and became a Christian. On her television show in July 2005, White recounted the vision she received from God shortly after conversion: "When I was just eighteen years old and barely saved, the Lord gave me a vision that every time I opened my mouth and declared the Word of the Lord, there was a manifestation of his spirit where people were either healed, delivered, or saved. When I shut my mouth, they fell off into utter darkness and God spoke to me and said I called you to preach the gospel."^[2]

Paula White later on became a part of the National Church of God in Fort Washington under T.L. Lowery of Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee), and a small church in Gaithersburg-Damascus, Maryland area.^[6]

Christian Ministry[link]

Without Walls International Church[link]

Without Walls International Church, originally named South Tampa Christian Center, was founded by Paula White and Randy White (pastor) in 1991.

The church struggled financially at first, and it could not afford to pay Randy and Paula White a salary for the first two years. As a result, Randy and Paula lived on government assistance and the kindness of others. Soon the church began to grow quickly through the various outreach programs. From 1991 to 1998, the church changed locations three times until they secured the property located at 2511 North Grady Avenue in Tampa, Florida and changed the name of the church to Without Walls International Church and you can see her on television every Sunday.^[2]

While the church was holding services in an outdoor tent in 1999, they reported 5,000 attendees a week and 10,000 ministered to outside of the church with 230 outreach ministries.^[7]

Without Walls International Church then purchased the property next to them at 3860 West Columbus Drive expanding their Tampa campus. The property acquired was a Canada Dry warehouse which they remodeled and is now today the main sanctuary for the church.

In 2002, Without Walls International Church began to expand to its second location in Lakeland, Florida. At this time, the church reported 14,000 members and 200 ministries including job training, evangelism among public housing projects and a teen club. On August 3, 2002, Without Walls International Church began to hold Saturday night services at Carpenter's Home Church in Lakeland renting the property.^[8][9] Carpenter's Home Church would later on be purchased by Without Walls International Church in 2005 for $8 million renaming the church to Without Walls Central Church.^[10]

In 2004, Without Walls International Church reported a congregation of 20,000 as the largest congregation in the area making the church the seventh largest church in the United States.^[11]

The Tampa Tribune reported on March 5, 2008 that Without Walls International Church has put its 4,500–seat Tampa church up for sale, along with its 13.3-acre (5 ha) grounds and 94,000-square-foot (8,733 m²) offices and television studio, asking $30 million.^[12]

Paula White Ministries[link]

White recorded the first broadcast of Paula White Today in December 2001 and, by 2006, her show appeared on nine television networks, including Trinity Broadcast Network, Daystar, and Black Entertainment Television^[2][6][13]

Ebony magazine said of White, "You know you're on to something new and significant when the most popular woman preacher on the Black Entertainment Network is a white woman."^[14]

White considers T.D. Jakes her spiritual father. Jakes invited her to speak at his "Woman Thou Art Loosed" conference in 2000. She also participated in the Mega Fest, hosted by Jakes in Atlanta, in 2004 and 2005.^[15] She has also met with General Colin Powell, former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, former Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu, and Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush.^[16] She is the personal life coach of Tyra Banks and appeared on her show, the Tyra Banks Show, in an episode concerning promiscuity on October 4, 2006.^[13] White was also a 2009 Trumpet Awards Honoree.^[17]

White has ministered to some well-known people including Michael Jackson, Donald Trump, Gary Sheffield, and Darryl Strawberry.^[2] Trump, who often brings her to Atlantic City for private Bible studies, appeared on her television show for an exclusive interview.^[2] She was pastor to Darryl Strawberry, starting in 2003 following Strawberry’s release from prison for cocaine possession. Charisse Strawberry, Darryl Strawberry’s wife at that time, also worked as an assistant to White, accompanying her on speaking engagements.^[6][18][19]

Senate inquiry[link]

On November 6, 2007, United States senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa announced an investigation of White's ministry by the United States Senate Committee on Finance along with five other ministries.^[20] Grassley asked the ministries to divulge financial information.^[21][22] When CBS News reported the story, White's ministry denied any wrongdoing,^[23] and on March 31, 2008, the Senate Finance Committee received a joint financial report from Without Walls International Church and Paula White Ministries.^[24] Without Walls International Church was one of four ministries that refused to provide the full information Senator Grassley requested.^[25]

On January 6, 2011, Senator Grassley concluded the three year investigation with no penalties and no definitive findings of wrongdoing.^[26] The Alliance Defense Fund protested the investigation and the National Religious Broadcasters said the questions Senator Grassley asked were too broad.^[26] The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability plans to create a national commission in response to the Grassley report to lead a review on accountability and policy.^[26] White interpreted the conclusion of the investigation to mean that Without Walls International Church was cleared.^[27]

Pastoral Positions[link]

On July 12, 2009, White became the senior pastor of the church she co-founded, Without Walls International Church, replacing Randy White, her former husband. Randy White stated that he was stepping down as pastor due to health reasons and would still remain connected with the church in a different position.^[28][29]

On January 1, 2011, following the resignation of Scott Thomas, White became the senior pastor of Without Walls Central Church in Lakeland, Florida making her the pastor of both church locations.^[10]

Officially announced on December 31, 2011, Paula White was appointed by the board of New Destiny Christian Church in Apopka, Florida to succeed Zachery Tims as the new pastor in the wake of his death. White remains associated with Without Walls International Church in Tampa. New Destiny Christian Center had been searching for his replacement since Tims' death in August 2011.^[30] Tims’ ex-wife Riva filed a lawsuit but quickly dropped it, citing a hold harmless clause in her 2009 marital settlement agreement.^[31]

Upon hearing of the controversy, Paula White addressed New Destiny Christian Center during a service she was leading. “I’m not asking you to like me. I’m not asking you to love me or respect me, because I’ll do the work to earn that. I always ask people to give me one year of your life and I promise you will be changed.”^[31]

Personal life[link]

Marriage[link]

White's first marriage was as a teenager to the father of her son. In 1984, while living in Maryland with her newborn baby, she was introduced to the gospel and became a Christian. Her marriage ended soon after.^[1]

According to the book, Holy Mavericks, a vital turning point came in White's life in 1989 when she met Randy White, a third-generation preacher in the Church of God denomination. Randy was recovering from the divorce of his first marriage and was in the early stages of reviving his career as a preacher and evangelist. They met while he was visiting the church where White volunteered as a janitor. They became friends and dated for several months as they labored together in ministry projects. Less than a year after meeting, Randy proposed during a tour to Israel and she accepted. Shortly thereafter they moved from Maryland to Tampa, Florida.^[2]

In an article published in The Tampa Tribune on May 20, 2007, when Paula's husband (Randy White) was asked whether he was contemplating a divorce he replied, "No one can predict the future."^[32]

On August 23, 2007, White announced to their congregation that she and Randy would divorce. Randy stated from the pulpit of Without Walls International Church: "We have a very difficult announcement to make tonight before Tim Storey preaches. And that is that we are going through a divorce. It is the most difficult decision that I have had to make in my entire life and I come to you tonight to first let you know that I take full responsibility for a failed marriage." According to The Christian Post, White says the divorce was amicable and they remain friends.^[5][27] Following the divorce, from 2007 to 2009, White ministered in New York, Texas, and abroad, while making periodic visits to Tampa and Without Walls International Church. In 2009 she became the senior pastor of Without Walls International Church resulting in her taking residence in Tampa, Florida, again.^[28] White has been accused of having an affair with controversial evangelist Benny Hinn, after photos of the pair romantically holding hands in Rome were published in a magazine^[33]

Family[link]

White has a son named Bradley. She is a step-mother to the three children Randy had from a previous marriage: Kristen Renee, Angie, and Brandon. White and Randy did not have children together.^[1] Kristen Renee died on April 30, 2008, at the age of 30 years old after a difficult battle with brain cancer. Randy White founded the Kristen Renee Foundation in Kristen's memory.^[29] White has no official role with the foundation but is an active supporter.

Bibliography[link]

• White, Paula (1998). He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not. Lake Mary: Charisma House. ISBN 978-0-88419-565-8. 
• White, Randy and Paula (2001). See Me, Hear Me, Know Me. Tampa: self published. ISBN 978-0-9712650-0-4. 
• White, Paula (2003). Birthing Your Dreams : God's Plan for Living Victoriously. Nelson Reference. ISBN [[Special:BookSources/978-0-7852-5069-7|978-0-7852-5069-7]]. 
• White, Paula (2004). Daily Treasures. Tampa: Paula White Ministries. ISBN 971265062. 
• White, Paula (2005). Simple Suggestions For a Sensational Life!. Nashville: Thomas Nelson. ISBN 1-4041-0293-0. 
• White, Paula (2006). Deal with It!. Walton-on-Thames: Thomas Nelson. ISBN 978-1-59951-008-8. 
• White, Paula (2006). First Fruits:From Promise to Provision. Tampa: Paula White Ministries. ISBN 978-0-9792092-1-5. 
• White, Paula (2007). You're All That!. Nashville: FaithWords. ISBN 978-0-446-58023-6. 
• White, Paula (2007). The Ten Commandments of Health and Wellness. Tampa: Paula White Enterprises. ISBN 978-0-9796058-1-9. 
• White, Paula (2008). Move on, move up. Nashville: FaithWords. ISBN 978-0-446-54133-6. 

References[link]

External links[link]

• Paula White Ministries
• Without Walls International Church
• Without Walls Central
• Kristen Renee Foundation

This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. This biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification. Tagged since January 2010. It includes a list of references, related reading or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Tagged since June 2009. It is written like a résumé. Tagged since August 2010.

Steven C. McConnell is an author of many software engineering textbooks including Code Complete, Rapid Development, and Software Estimation. In 1998, McConnell was named as one of the three most influential people in the software industry by Software Development Magazine, along with Bill Gates and Linus Torvalds.

Career[link]

McConnell graduated with a Bachelor's degree from Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington (magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa), and a Master's degree in software engineering from Seattle University. He then pursued a career in the desktop software industry, working at Microsoft, Boeing, the Russell Investment Group and several other Seattle area firms. At Microsoft, McConnell worked on TrueType as part of Windows 3.1. At Boeing, he worked on a Strategic Defense Initiative project.

McConnell published his first book, Code Complete, in 1993. As of March 2007 he has been the CEO and Chief Software Engineer of Construx Software, a software engineering consulting firm he founded in 1996.

From 1996 to 1998, he was the editor of the "Best Practices" column in the IEEE Software magazine. From 1998 to 2002 he served as the editor-in-chief of the magazine.^[1] Since 1998, he has served on the Panel of Experts of the SWEBOK project. He has also served as the chair of the IEEE Computer Society's Professional Practices Committee. Since March 2006 McConnell has been a member of the executive committee for the Computer Society's Technical Council on Software Engineering.

Bibliography[link]

Books[link]

• Code Complete editions 1 (1993) ISBN 1-55615-484-4. Second edition (2004) ISBN 0-7356-1967-0
• Rapid Development (1996) ISBN 0-07-285060-4
• Software Project Survival Guide (1998) ISBN 1-57231-621-7
• After the Gold Rush (1999) ISBN 0-7356-0877-6
• Professional Software Development: Shorter Schedules, Higher Quality Products, More Successful Projects, Enhanced Careers (2004) ISBN 0-321-19367-9
• Software Estimation: Demystifying the Black Art (2006) ISBN 0-7356-0535-1

Papers[link]

• From the Editor columns in IEEE Software
• Best Practices columns in IEEE Software

Service and memberships[link]

• Construction Knowledge Area Lead (2003–2004), Panel of Experts (1998–2007) SWEBOK
• Member (1998–2007), Chair (2003–2005) IEEE Computer Society Professional Practices Committee
• Editor in Chief (1998–2002), Columnist (1996–1998), Editor in Chief Emeritus (2003–2007) IEEE Software magazine
• Member, Executive Committee of the IEEE Computer Society's Technical Council on Software Engineering (TCSE) (1998–2006)
• Certified Software Development Professional (CSDP)

Awards[link]

• Seattle University's "Alumni of the Year for Professional Accomplishment" award (2004)
• IEEE Computer Society Golden Core (2003)
• "40 Under 40" award (one of 40 top regional business leaders under 40 years of age), Puget Sound Business Journal (2000)
• Software Development Magazine Productivity Award for After the Gold Rush (2000)
• Software Development Magazine Productivity Award for ESTIMATE Professional estimation software (1999)
• Game Developer magazine Front Line Award for Software Project Survival Guide (1997)
• Software Development Magazine Jolt Award for Rapid Development (1997)
• Software Development Magazine Jolt Award for Code Complete (1994)

References[link]

• TV Interview, University of Washington TV
• Web Interview, on .NET Rocks!

External links[link]

• Steve McConnell's website
• Construx Software, Steve McConnell's company

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (November 2011)

Aileen Nicole Coleman-Mullen, known professionally as Nicole C. Mullen, (born January 3, 1967)^[1] is an award-winning singer, songwriter, and choreographer. She was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Music career[link]

Mullen recorded her first solo album, Don’t Let Me Go, in 1991 with the independent label Frontline Records. She continued her singing-songwriting-choreography career in the 1990s, singing backup for Michael W. Smith and the Newsboys, writing for Jaci Velasquez, and working as a dancer/choreographer with Amy Grant. She also provided backup vocals for the music video at the end of the VeggieTales program, Larry-Boy and the Fib from Outer Space! and the opening of the VeggieTales presentation, Larry-Boy and the Rumor Weed. She was signed to Word Records in 1998 by VP of A&R Brent Bourgeois. Her fourth album, Talk About It, was certified gold for sales in excess of 500,000 copies on April 15, 2008.

Outreach[link]

Mullen established a mentor group for girls called “The Baby Girls Club”. She and her husband, David Mullen, are youth leaders in their local church, tutor inner-city youth, and participate in Kids Across America summer camp for inner city youth. Mullen is also active with the International Needs Network Ghana, an organization that works to free Trokosi slaves in Ghana.

Discography[link]

Studio albums

• 1991: Don't Let Me Go
• 1992: Wish Me Love
• 2000: Nicole C. Mullen
• 2001: Talk About It
• 2002: Christmas in Black & White
• 2004: Everyday People
• 2007: Sharecropper's Seed, Vol. 1
• 2008: A Dream to Believe In, Vol. 2
• 2011: Captivated

Live

• 2003: Live from Cincinnati: Bringin' It Home

Compilations

• 2001: Following His Hand: A Ten Year Journey
• 2006: Redeemer: The Best of Nicole C. Mullen
• 2009: The Ultimate Collection

Awards and honors[link]

Mullen was inducted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame^[2] on November 5, 2011. Mullen is the only African American artist to win the Dove Award for Song of the Year.

GMA Dove Awards[link]

Grammy Award nomination[link]

References[link]

Further reading[link]

• Christianity Today: “Nicole C. Mullen”, accessed 17 Oct 2005.
• Billboard.com, accessed 28 Apr 2008.

External links[link]

• Official website