Christian music artists, publishers and authors continue to mobilize relief efforts for disaster victims in Haiti, which was struck Jan. 12 by a magnitude 7.0 earthquake, causing thousands of casualties.

Michael W. Smith hosted a group of Christian and country artists yesterday in Franklin, Tenn., to record "Come Together Now," which he co-wrote with David Mullen and Cindy Morgan. Among the participants were Steven Curtis Chapman, Mark Hall of Casting Crowns, Wynonna, Natalie Grant, Selah, Point of Grace, Phil Stacey and the Oak Ridge Boys. Proceeds from the song will benefit the American Red Cross and Samaritan's Purse. The date of release and distribution for the song has not been announced.

Along with Plumb and Tommy Sims, Smith, Mullen and Morgan also participated in a benefit concert for Haiti at The Factory at Franklin, a retail and entertainment complex in Franklin, Jan. 22.

"Come Together Now" follows last week's recording of "A Song for Pain," available through digital music retailers and recorded during this month's Stellar Awards festivities. The song features Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurkin, BeBe and CeCe Winans, Yolanda Adams, Jeremy Camp, Shirley Caesar, Dorinda Clark-Cole, Natalie Grant, Fred Hammond, Tamela and David Mann and Mary Mary. The sister duo has also been invited to participate in the re-recording of "We Are the World," organized by Quincy Jones and to be recorded after the GRAMMY Awards on Sunday, Jan. 31. Proceeds from the new recording will be given to Haiti relief.

Elsewhere, BEC Recordings artist Bebo Norman's eBay auction of an Everett Laurel guitar raised $51,100, which will be donated to Compassion International for Haiti relief. Meanwhile, Richard Stearns, president of World Vision United States and author of The Hole in Our Gospel (Thomas Nelson), reported that the Christian humanitarian organization has raised more than $15.8 million for relief efforts.

Wess Stafford, author of Too Small to Ignore (WaterBrook Press) and president of Compassion International, reported that the world's largest Christian child development organization's 74-member staff headquartered in Port-au-Prince were all accounted for, including Dan Woolley, who was pulled from rubble after 65 hours.

Mark Stuart, former lead singer of Audio Adrenaline, whose parents are missionaries in Haiti, has been visiting the country for many years and established the Hands & Feet Project Children's Village along with his former bandmates in 2004. Stuart, author of Hands & Feet: Inspiring Stories and Firsthand Accounts of God Changing Lives (Regal Books), reported that Hands & Feet's two orphanages have been providing shelter and basic supplies brought by volunteer pilots, who are landing on dirt roads due to unavailability of airport runways.

Shane Stanford, author of A Positive Life (Zondervan) and senior pastor of Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church in Gulf Breeze, Fla., is leading a $50,000 fundraising drive at his church for Haitian relief. And Abingdon Press--publishing arm of the United Methodist Publishing House--is raising $10,000 in honor of Sam Dixon, a United Methodist relief worker who was killed in the quake.

"It is evident that the Christian publishing industry, which is about spreading the good news of Christ, has also put tangible 'hands and feet' to their callings by being on the frontlines of response and ministry to the Haitian people," said Evangelical Christian Publishers Association President Mark Kuyper. "This is only a snapshot, as we know there are many more stories of involvement from companies and authors in our industry."

Visit the Christian Retailing Web site for a first look at a behind-the-scenes video of the "Come Together Now" recording and of the Kirk Franklin and Friends' "Are You Listening?" music video.

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