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  Audio Streaming for The Faith Life  Information and streaming audio (click here to listen) is provided courtesy of Integrity Gospel. There are certain pivotal moments in life that have a way of stopping us right in our tracks. Somewhere a light comes on inside that shines a sudden clarity on the path we have in front of us. Entertainment media maven Oprah Winfrey has termed these the "Aha" moments of life. But regardless of what we choose to call them, it's how we respond to these moments that usually directs our future.  Acclaimed worship artist Alvin Slaughter knows what it's like to be face to face with such a pivotal, life-changing moment of clarity. His newest recording with Integrity Gospel, Faith Life, is the direct result of Slaughter's willingness to act on that moment and to step out on his own faith to follow God's lead.The Career As one of the most celebrated and respected worship artists in the genre, Slaughter has received multiple Gospel Music Association Dove Award nominations in categories as diverse as Praise and Worship Album of the Year (twice nominated), Contemporary Black Gospel Album of the Year and Contemporary Black Gospel Song of the Year. He also received a Stellar Award nomination for "Best Solo Performance." Slaughter began his solo career in 1990 after several years as a guest vocalist with the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. His versatility in style is unmatched and his music crosses all racial and denominational lines, as well as musical genres. With a growing international audience throughout the United States, South America, Asia, Europe, Africa, the Caribbean and more, Slaughter logs more than 200,000 miles a year performing hundreds of concerts across the globe. The Moment of Impact Although Faith Life is Slaughter's eighth album to date, it is likely the most personal project to him. "My emphasis has always been to do songs that capture what has most impacted my life," he says, "and this album is very personal to me. I feel like I'm willing to put my whole life out on the line here for the sake of the Kingdom." While the actual recording of Faith Life as well as the songwriting and song selection process all took place over the past few months and year, Slaughter says that the genesis of the album can be pinpointed to a concert/worship event he led in Uganda five years ago. "I've traveled to Uganda before, but this trip was different," he explains. "Something happened there that changed me." Slaughter says the trip took place during a time in his life when he was searching for answers about his own calling and purpose. As he was being driven to the stadium where the event took place, he passed hundreds of people walking on the side of the roads in the rain, headed to the concert. When he arrived at the stadium and walked out on stage, he saw thousands of people in the stands. Nearly 50,000 had filled the stadium, with almost twice that number outside who were not able to get in. It was the largest solo concert Slaughter had ever performed.  "I had heard that some of these people had sold food, vegetables and even some of their own belongings to help raise the money for this event," Slaughter says. "I'm from America and I have everything – a house, cars, the ministry, the record sales, etc. But I looked out and saw these people who have nothing… but they have great faith. Many of them were praying for things that they know they are not going to see happen in their generation, but they still believe God. Their faith was so amazingly strong and their spiritual energy was 10 times what mine was."We have a problem here in America if the air conditioning goes out, but those people I saw there in Uganda were just glad to be alive, and they love God with all their hearts," he continues. "When I saw that, I just began to weep, and I wept for three days as God began to burden my heart. I really felt Him telling me that this next season of my life has to be more than just singing. Of course singing is my platform, but I knew he wanted me to do more." A Renewed Vision — The Faith Life In the months and years that followed that Uganda trip, Slaughter has put the wheels in motion for a new season in ministry – one that was finally able to begin over the past year, including the anticipated release of Faith Life, produced entirely by Slaughter. "It's the most hands-on I've ever been with a project, but I had to 'pastor' it because I had to make sure that the songs spoke what God is speaking to my heart. They each had to go through that filter." Faith Life was recorded live at Covenant Love Family Church in Fayetteville, North Carolina and accentuates Slaughter's ability to be versatile in style and delivery. The collection of soon-to-be-classic worship choruses, are perfectly coupled with Slaughter's signature smooth, rich tenor vocals. The powerful lyrics reflect Slaughter's renewed mission to encourage a life foundation based on true faith. "This project came out of the way God impacted my own life over the past few years," he says. "It's not just about songs of worship; I wanted songs that empower people to remain steadfast in their faith, immovable in the midst of all of the difficult parts of our lives." "Faith says to look at Him instead of looking at yourself," Slaughter continues. "I think instead of using a world system to evaluate and to be the foundation of your life, you need to have a faith system which says, 'Here's what God says in His word.' That has to become our life book. Our focus has to be one of faith – where we keep trusting God, believing God even when we don't see the answer right in front of us." Faith Into Action As part of his commitment to follow through with the vision God placed on his heart in Uganda, Slaughter, along with his wife Gloria, son Sean and other ministry partners, has launched the International Family Conferences. These two-day events include sessions on marriage relationships and the power of prayer, while equipping church leaders through worship seminars. Sean, an ordained youth pastor and hip-hop artist in his own right, contributes his own testimony and brand of youth ministry to the events. The events close with a night of music and worship led by Slaughter. Continuing to travel around the world with his concert crusades, Slaughter says he hopes to help empower others to build the kingdom of God. "That's what I want to spend the rest of my life doing because I believe it's so important. I've seen the faithfulness of God in my own life, so my passion is to help people build their own faith so that we don't just have all of these great ideas about being purpose-driven or living our best life – but through faith we will be able to take those concepts to the very end. Worship is key, but worship without fire or without faith becomes extremely discouraging. Worship is not just about feeling better; it's about strengthening our faith. That's what the 'faith life' is all about." Listen to the audio provided below, courtesy of Integrity Gospel. Audio tracks are available in RealAudio format (click logo below to listen  ).
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