HOSTS FOR CHICAGO GOSPEL MUSIC AWARDS
Pastor John Hannah
Pastor John F. Hannah exemplifies "a man after God's own heart" in the way that he shepherds the approximately 19,000 members that call New Life Covenant Church their home. He is affectionately known as the "Pastor of second chances and the unchurched" because of his anointed ability to reach those who had previously never stepped foot in church, as well as restore those who may have been hurt in past religious experiences.
Pastor Hannah's vibrant, energetic personality, coupled with his willingness to go to any length to illustrate God's Word, make a great partnership in Sunday and Thursday services. His ability to maintain such a high energy level week after week likely stems from his many years ministering to youth all over the country. His undying passion for transforming the lives of urban youth is evident with over 74% of his church population falling under the age of 35. Pastor Hannah served as a Youth Pastor of a local church for many years and doors opened for him to evangelize America's youth, year after year. Locally, he also served as Executive Director of the Inner-City Youth Spring Break Conference (IYSBC) which grew exponentially under his leadership. Perhaps it is his years working for Cook County where he served as a Juvenile Probation Officer, or his years working with IYSBC that continue to drive his undying love for changing young hearts and lives for the better through Christ. He has a firm commitment to the development of every believer, regardless of age, which is apparent in his ministry today, evidenced by the vast number of young people in attendance each week at various services.
Having been reared in Chicago and worked with its youth in church and secular arenas, Pastor Hannah is sensitive to the ills and the needs of the city and is determined to bloom where he has been planted. He has refused numerous suggestions to move the New Life campus to other areas deemed safer, such as the suburbs. Instead, New Life operates two multi-million dollar facilities on the south side of Chicago, soon to be joined by New Life's new home, known as "The Temple." Sitting in a service where the millionaire and the ex-addict may be on the same row proves that it is not simply the cutting edge technology, but also the presence of God arresting the atmosphere that can be credited with making New Life one of the fastest growing churches in the country. While the numbers suggest a mega church, the spirit of the house and its members says: this is a family, committed to serving God and our community.
Pastor Hannah has been married to his wife, Anna, for twenty years and she serves alongside him, dedicated to creating an atmosphere for him to both minister and rest. In addition to being Senior Pastor at New Life Covenant, Pastor Hannah hosts the #1 rated gospel radio program, "The John Hannah Morning Show," for more than 13 years. He is also the 2012 Stellar Award Winner for Gospel Radio Announcer of the Year. Currently this show airs in Chicago, but is soon to be syndicated and heard in over twenty other cities. He may not have planned this career move when obtaining his degree in Criminal Justice from Alabama State University, but his obedience to the plan of God for his life has taken him further than any dream he had for himself. Included in that plan was becoming an author. Pastor Hannah's first book, What To Do While You're Waiting, was birthed after his own experience in waiting for God's plan to unfold in his life, rather than stepping out ahead of Him. The fruit of that waiting is evident as droves of people hungry for God's Word and His presence come through New Life, or watch online, each week.
Angela Martin
Angela Martin is that dynamic radio personality on Inspiration 1390 that audiences around the country are eager to wake up to. Angela’s magnetic personality and inspiring words make that morning cup of coffee taste that much tastier. Her audiences tune in to laugh, worship and be motivated to expect a day filled with thefavor of God.
Angela's media career began in 1997 at Crawford Broadcasting in Hammond, IN as the co-host of the "Spirit of Love" with the legendary Taft Harris. After recognizing Angela's natural gifts and talents to connect with people via the airwaves, Angela was then promoted to be the first African American female gospel radio host during the am drive in Chicago, IL as "The Angel in the Morning" on the "Sky High Praise" show on 106.3 FM WYBA.
In 2000, Angela's journey was navigated to Clear channel media in downtown Chicago where she was paired with the legendary Richard Steel on Inspiration 1390. After the completion of this, Angela was then joined by Lonnie Hunter and John Hannah as the entertaining and the dynamic trio of the "Morning Praise Party". Onceagain, promotion ushered Angela to the position of traffic announcer on the world renowned "Tom Joyner Morning Show" on V103, WVAZ.
Angela was the lovely female presence and co-host of the hilariously infectious "John Hannah Morning Show"; currently, she is the host of "The Morning Show" and "Angela and You For 2" on Inspiration 1390.
Angela's love for the word of God, prayer, and mission for the betterment of women has inspired her to give birth to a prayer meeting especially tailored for them also known as "Onederful Prayer." Women from diverse denominations and ethnicities are drawn to this prayer gathering to have a one on one experience with God.
Angela is totally indebted to God and when asked about her position in life, Angela'sreply is: "The life that I imagined for myself is totally different from the life that I live. I have finally come to this conclusion; My life is not my own, I am hidden in HIM."