by Penny Angeles-Tan | Aug 12, 2022 | Entertainment
With a powerful line-up of inspirational and Bible-based content, Pray.com launches a new series, “Heroes of the Bible: Joseph,” to grow its audio collection and offer a new perspective on heroes found in Scripture. Immersing listeners in a memorable cinematic audio experience, Filipino-Puerto Rican superstar Gary Valenciano — known by fans as Gary V “Mr. Pure Energy” — voices the story of Joseph and helps offer insight into modern-day heroes of the faith.
“Gary is a breath of fresh air with some of the best vocals we’ve ever heard. Pray.com has been working together with Gary for the past year, and nothing but magic has been produced,” said Max Bard, Pray.com VP of Content. “He has a voice that feels like he’s giving you a hug. And with the brand-new release of Joseph, you will get to experience his range and the Bible come to life.”
Inspired by the book of Genesis from the Bible, this audio series introduces listeners to the flawed hero, Joseph. This beloved son of Israel received a coat of glimmering colors from his father, showcasing his favor over his brothers. However, his father’s favor puffs him up with pride, which ultimately becomes his downfall. Joseph’s brothers sell him into slavery, forever changing the trajectory of his life.
“Joseph was a hero who went through a lot, and you’ll hear all of that when you get to listen to his story in ‘Heroes of the Bible,’” Valenciano said. “I have so enjoyed working with Pray.com on this content, as they’re not just professionals, the PRAY team is also passionate about putting the Word of God across in a manner that caters to everyone. This Joseph story is written in a way that can really be accepted and appreciated by people today. It’s slightly reimagined, and I tried to put in what I personally felt would have been the drama going on between Joseph, his brothers, his father, the coat, the dreams, Pharaoh, and all the other characters that played a role, the butler, the baker.”
Valenciano is no stranger to the story of Joseph or the unbelievable events that characterize his life. In fact, Valenciano secured a role acting as Joseph’s father, Jacob, in the 2022 production of “Joseph the Dreamer,” taking place at the Maybank Performing Arts Theater in the Philippines.
He previously portrayed Joseph in the 1999 run of the musical. “At the time when I was asked to do ‘Heroes of the Bible’ content featuring Joseph — his story and everything that he went through — I had no idea that its release would fall right alongside the timeline of the musical,” Valenciano added.
As Valenciano guides listeners to discover and experience how God eventually redeems Joseph’s unfortunate circumstances, he invites people on a journey of excitement and entertainment. The biblical story of Joseph provides an example of a historic hero who trusted God. This modern adaptation should be able to offer valuable takeaways for people to do the same in their own lives today.
“Gary’s content has been so impactful for us to listen to, and we can’t wait to share such an engaging and inspiring story with our listeners,” said Bard. “This new version freshens up the language to meet people where they are, while still holding true to the holy Word of God.”
This and other prayer and Bible-based audio content can be explored at www.pray.com/discover.
About Pray.com
Founded in 2016 with a mission to grow faith and cultivate community, Pray.com is the world’s No. 1 app for daily prayer and Bible-based audio content. It recently launched PRAY TEAM, the first community for Christians in Crypto, involving leaders who can teach members about the future of finance, Web3, and how NFTs are changing the world. Reaching more than 10 million people worldwide through its mobile app and website, Pray.com is the easiest way to incorporate prayer into your daily life. Pray.com provides encouragement and inspiration through daily devotionals, Pastor podcasts, and Bedtime Bible Stories. Pray.com founders are Steve Gatena, Mike Lynn, Ryan Beck, and Matthew Potter. See more at www.alarryross.com/pray-com.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Sep 15, 2021 | Lifestyle
GARY Valenciano’s pure energy is being channeled towards a new endeavor. Pray.com, the world’s number 1 app for daily prayer and Bible-based audio content, has chosen the country’s top singer/songwriter and ultimate performer, to be Pray.com’s Philippine ambassador, focusing light on one of Gary’s most enduring passions: connecting to the power of God through prayer.
Known for his unwavering Christian faith and devotion, Valenciano is the ideal choice for this prayer app co-founded by Steve Gatena five years ago, now loaded with content featuring Gary V. Gatena explains the company’s decision to partner with the beloved Filipino-Puerto Rican artist: “Gary V is an inspiration to Pray.com and the world. The way he talks about his faith, his willingness to reach out to people directly and encourage them to pray, it’s special. With so many out there struggling with mental and spiritual health because of the pandemic, Gary has chosen to share his voice with all of us. Now you can pray with Gary V anytime on Pray.com,” says Gatena.
For his part, Valenciano, a living miracle, reveals he was honored to join Pray.com and introduce the empowering prayer app to Filipinos. “I want to encourage everyone to pray. I have survived so many health challenges. I am here with you today only by the grace of God. I am unashamed to share my faith in my Lord Jesus Christ. I am grateful, first of all to God, and to Pray.com for giving me a platform to help others draw closer to the Almighty God who gave His only Son to save us,” says Valenciano.
Launched in 2017 with a mission to grow faith and cultivate a community, Pray.com now reaches more than 10 million people globally through its mobile app and website. It is the simplest way to incorporate prayer into your daily life. Pray.com provides encouragement and inspiration through daily prayers, pastor podcasts, and Bedtime Bible Stories. In this new venture, Valenciano becomes the voice behind bible stories like Joseph as well as meditation prayers that will inspire his millions of fans.
Prayer forms a vital part of Valenciano’s day. Whether he is working from home or at the ABS-CBN studios for his weekly ASAP Natin ‘To performances, an app like Pray.com on his mobile devices helps him seamlessly make time for quiet moments with God no matter how busy his schedule gets. Prayer has been Valenciano’s sanctuary and refuge, especially during this pandemic. During this heartbreaking season, no one has been spared from challenges, from grief, pain, and loss. Just recently Valenciano lost his photographer of 30 years, Raymund Isaac, to Covid19, who took his photographs for the posters of Pray.com.
“I want to encourage everyone – no matter what you are going through – to take a moment, stop, and pray. Prayer doesn’t have to be complicated. Start a conversation with God who loves you, God who is everywhere, God who knows you and hears your every cry. The Word promises – we can approach His throne of grace and always, we will find help in our time of need; He who has promised is so much more than able,” Valenciano adds.
Some of Valenciano’s most intimate conversations with God have found expression through songs of praise; many of his compositions have become timeless classics – multi-platinum hits like “Shout for Joy,” “Take Me Out of the Dark,” as well as his vocal renditions of “Lead Me Lord” and “I Will Be Here.” Prayer has taken many forms for the multi-awarded recording artist and these songs reflect this truth.
His timely ambassadorship with Pray.com becomes even more significant as he recently released yet another song of praise entitled “Make Us Whole Again.” Written in the summer of 2020, the song is Valenciano’s way of expressing his journey during the pandemic, grappling with hope and fear, life and death, frailties, and faith.
As a line in the song goes: “No, our hearts won’t tire / Our faith’s on fire,” Valenciano’s faith is resolute as it flourishes, despite the persistent suffering and perplexing tragedies that plague the world. This is a testament to the strength of his faith and the power of his connection to the divine. With prayer as his priority from the moment he wakes, Valenciano lives a life of faith that stokes inspiration and admiration among many of his fans.
The new Pray.com app aims to enable more people of faith to make prayer a part of their daily lives. The platform has multiple functions that can be accessed by registered users: daily prayers every morning, nightly prayers before bedtime, audio Bible stories, Christian meditations, prayer plans, podcasts of pastors from around the world including globally renowned Christian personalities like John Piper, TD Jakes, Joyce Meyer, Manny Pacquiao, and even Philippine pastors such as James Aiton of Favor Church, Paul and Shoddy Chase and Mylene Evangelista of New Life Church, and Bo Sanchez of Light Of Jesus Family. It also has inspirational music of different genres.
In a time of global crisis, prayer is a path to guidance, healing, and comfort. Valenciano and Gatena hope that Pray.com will become part of every Filipino’s life as we navigate the uncertainties of a world in great turmoil and persevere to overcome them.
For exciting updates and more information on Gary Valenciano, visit www.GaryV.com; follow @GaryValenciano1 on Twitter and @garyvalenciano on Instagram; subscribe to Gary Valenciano on YouTube, and like Gary Valenciano Official on Facebook.
Pray.com is available for download on the Apple App Store and Google Play; and check out “Make Us Whole Again” on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music.
Help spread the word about Pray.com by posting it on your social media platforms using the hashtags #PrayPhilippines and #PrayWithGaryV.
GARY Valenciano’s pure energy is being channeled towards a new endeavor. Pray.com, the world’s number 1 app for daily prayer and Bible-based audio content, has chosen the country’s top singer/songwriter and ultimate performer, to be Pray.com’s Philippine ambassador, focusing light on one of Gary’s most enduring passions: connecting to the power of God through prayer.
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