The Cross Movement Click on image to download print-quality version

GRANTHAM, Pa. (March 17, 2006) — Using hip-hop to communicate the gospel message, artists The Cross Movement and Riff-Raff will take the stage at Messiah College on April 7 at 7 p.m. in Brubaker Auditorium, Eisenhower Campus Center, on the college’s Grantham campus.  The concert is sponsored by Messiah College’s Student Government Association, Student Activities Board and the Agape Center.  Tickets are $5 for individuals, $4 for groups of 10-20 and $3 for groups of 20 or more.  For more information, or to purchase tickets, contact (717) 796-4365.

Comprised of John “The Tonic” Wells, William “Ambassador” Branch, Brady “Phanatik” Goodwin and Virgil “T.R.U.-L.I.F.E.” Byrd, The Cross Movement is based in Philadelphia where they use hip-hop as a means of ministering to urban youth.  The Cross Movement’s latest album, “Higher Definition,” was nominated for a Grammy Award.

Since their formation in 1994, The Cross Movement’s music and ministry have received significant national media attention in “The Washington Post,” “Source Magazine” and “Time Magazine,” which referred to the group’s lyrics as “compelling” and coined The Cross Movement as the voice to educate America on the new pop music.  The Cross Movement also formed Cross Movement Ministries, an organization to draw together and equip other artists to use hip-hop as an evangelism tool.

Riff-Raff and various artists from his label, Penn Avenue Records, will open for The Cross Movement.  Riff-Raff is an emerging voice in Christian hip-hop, having recorded “Hip-Hop Songs 4 Worship” and “My Life My City My Block.”  His most recent album, “Self Conscience,” is a two-disc compilation of 27 original tracks considered to be a “melting pot of creativity” and featuring club and mainstream songs as well as gospel hip-hop.  In addition to recording his own innovative albums, Riff-Raff is the CEO of Penn Avenue Records, an independent recording company; Purpose Clothing, an inspirational fashion line; and TBC Host, a web design and hosting company for independent artists.

Messiah College, a private Christian college of the liberal and applied arts and sciences, enrolls more than 2,900 undergraduate students in 50 majors. Established in 1909, the primary campus is located in Grantham, Pa., near the state capital of Harrisburg. A satellite campus affiliated with Temple University is located in Philadelphia.