Cross Culture Project II produced by Peter Jon Gillquist.
Date: November 11, 2005

For the most part, many people want to listen to music that is not only pleasing to the ear, but also inspirational and behind it holds a sense of truth. For this reason, Peter Jon envisioned a compilation album that featured several talented Orthodox Christian Musicians. In 2001, he began contacting musicians across North America in hope of creating a CD of music by other Orthodox Christian Artists. What he did not realize is that this was the beginning of something so highly anticipated by all music lovers. It spread like wildfire and over time he had a long list of responses. With the help of his wife, Kristina, and the parish St. John the Evangelist of Beaver Falls, PA, twelve songs were selected and released as the first Cross Culture Project. This album has done exceptionally well and is now in its second printing.

“We were hoping to create awareness among the Orthodox that it is a good thing to use one’s gifts for the benefit of others in the artistic realm of society, while supporting the creative efforts of our own brothers and sisters in the Faith,” said Peter Jon Gillquist.

Visit St. Romano's Records for more details.

The Cross Culture Project II - Features Justin Mathews, Moses Murray, Ron Moore, David Teems, The Strawmen, Great Glass Elevator, Peter Jon Gillquist, Franklin Tait, Mark Shuttleworth, Duke & Dawn, Hunt Sidway, Gigi Shadid, Joel Weir, and jazz sensation Greg Floor. Musical styles range from folk and rock to alt-country and jazz.

The newly released and highly anticipated Cross Culture Project II, consists of folk, folk-rock, jazz, alt-country, and rock. The CD features Justin Mathews, Moses Murray, Ron Moore, David Teems, The Strawmen, Great Glass Elevator, Franklin Tait, Mark Shuttleworth, Duke & Dawn, Hunt Sidway, Gigi Shadid, Joel Weir, Greg Floor, and Peter Jon Gillquist.

The Cross Culture Project II is available at St. Romanos Records. All proceeds go to benefit domestic outreach and evangelism endeavors including, hopefully, more volumes of the Cross Culture Project.

Don't forget about the album that started it all, The Cross Culture Project I. Find out more.

If your child attended Vacation Bible School or any church camp for that matter, you probably have heard your child sing God is the Boss while on a drive home. God is the Boss, which is the first song on the CD, "Fruits of the Spirit" by Gigi Shadid, was actually inspired by her own personal prayer life.

This aspiring musician, who graduated with a degree in Education at the University of Houston, uses music to teach her students. She taught in the Houston, TX public school system before becoming the full-time Youth Director of St. George Houston.

Across America, the mainstream Christian music is virtually all protestant. Many songs are actually based on Scripture, but there is a drastic need for Christian music based on Orthodox principles and theology. Gigi, one of the many Orthodox Christian musicians, is trying to help promote Orthodox Christian music.

“My mission in producing Orthodox children music is to teach children and to help them grow in their faith in Christ and their love for His Holy Church,” Gigi Shadid.

Ever since childhood she always wrote songs. Her ability to write meaningful songs stands true as shown through her first album.

“I believe that the words in my songs are somewhat simplistic, but have much substance and teach deep truths of the Holy Orthodox faith which is missing in popular Christian music.” Gigi Shadid.

Indeed full of substance, this album is aimed directly to the youth of the Orthodox. She used music as a teaching method as a schoolteacher, which proved to work. Therefore, teaching is a key aspect when she writes. She feels it is important so that it may help children to grow up to be faithful, God-fearing Orthodox Christians.

“I was involved in Vacation Bible School at my church and our sister Greek Church for years, and it was my job to teach the music. We used Group Publishing Company’s VBS program. Although some of the songs were totally Scripture based and legitimate, I found that the kids were willing to sing any song, even if it was hokey and lacked any real substance. By the third year, I was frustrated and wanted to know why there is not catchy Orthodox music for children. I was inspired to do something about it ever since. Now, I know of several Orthodox churches that have incorporated the “Fruits of the Spirit” CD into their VBS and church school programs,” Gigi Shadid.