Phil Stacey’s Christian label debut, Into the Light, brings the artist full circle, from his early days of singing gospel music before gaining national prominence as a top five finalist on the sixth season of the hit TV show American Idol.

After the competition, Stacey performed with the American Idol finalists on a 55-city tour and appeared on Oprah, Live! With Regis and Kelly, The Tonight Show, Ellen, Today show, Larry King Live and Nickelodeon’s Me:TV.

Jason Crabb, vocalist for The Crabb Family and performer at the Grand Ole Opry and Brooklyn Tabernacle, releases his self-titled solo debut June 30 through Spring Hill Music (7-89042-11432-5, $13.99, EMI CMG Distribution).

Produced by Tommy Sims and Norro Wilson, the project features appearances by Vince Gill, Sonya Isaacs and members of the Gaither Vocal Band. The release pays tribute to Crabb’s Southern roots, but Sims’ involvement helped bring about a more “soulful sound” on “Somebody Like Me,” Crabb said.

A 300-voice choir and special appearances highlight the new live recording from Travis Cottrell, Jesus Saves Live. The two-disc, audio-DVD combo features 16 songs performed before a crowd of 7,000 at Woodstock Baptist Church outside of Atlanta.

Songs on the project include “Lord We Come,” “Do It Lord,” “Mercy Seat,” the debut single “Jesus Saves” and “Fearless,” which is also tied into Max Lucado’s upcoming book Fearless and the Fearless Worship compilation CD, which releases Aug. 25 (Indelible/Word).

With chart-topping songs such as “When I Think About the Lord,” “Revelation Song” and “Pursuer of My Soul,” Christ for the Nations’ (CftN) praise and intimate worship has struck a chord in the hearts of many through more than 30 years.

The ministry’s latest album, Perfect Love (0-64492-80706-0, CFN Music Distribution), releasing May 8, was recorded live during a Night of Worship at CftN in Dallas, and features 11 new songs penned by various CftN songwriters.

Perhaps best known as the home of pastor and best-selling author Jentezen Franklin (Fasting, Charisma House), Free Chapel in Gainesville, Ga., is also acknowledged for its dynamic worship, captured in Power of the Cross: Live at Free Chapel.

The live recording of the multicultural megachurch that presents the Kingdom Connection worldwide telecasts is its second release with Integrity Music, following Moving Forward in 2007.

Despite having recorded nearly 20 albums, the Newsboys are not finished yet. The 6 million unit-selling band is back with In the Hands of God (8-04147-14542-2, Inpop Records/EMI CMG), which releases May 5.

The group has gone through various lineups since its formation in the mid-1980s, and its latest offering will please longtime fans of its signature sound. Lead singer Peter Furler called the album an autobiographical record of God’s providence in 20-plus years of making music.

Produced by Max Hsu (Superchick, Toby Mac), along with production assistance from Furler and the Newsboys’ Jeff Frankenstein, the album includes 10 tracks and some guest background vocals by Michael Tait of dcTalk and Jamie Rowe of Guardian.

The title track—and the first single released to radio—has already charted and was initially in the top 10 on iTunes’ Christian songs chart.

“ ‘In the Hands of God’ is a song that needs to be heard in times like these, and the success the song is seeing at radio and digitally sets a great precedent for the record,” said Shara Katerberg, director of marketing for Inpop Records. “Given the current state of our economy, everyone is dealing with hardship, and In the Hands of God is an album that reminds us that God was, is and will always be in control.”

The band is currently promoting the release on its 35-city “Join the Tribe” North American tour that runs through the end of April.

To order In the Hands of God, click here or call 800-877-4443.