Recently in Christian music charity Category

Gospel artist Christopher Page was nominated for a 2010 Stellar Award for "Contemporary Group/Duo of the Year" for his release, A Page From My Heart, recorded with his group, The Dream Keeper's Ensemble. The album includes the popular song, "Sanctified Slide."

But instead of resting on his laurels, Page is using his platform to promote organ donation by joining forces with the National Office of Transplantation and Donate Life America to encourage more African Americans and Christians to commit to becoming organ donors.

The "Giving Life through Gospel Music" campaign started on November 13, 2009 during National Donor Sabbath Weekend and ends on August 1, 2010 on National Minority Donor Awareness Day.

Belfast, Ireland-based modern worship band Bluetree has announced the formation of StandOut International, a charity designed to "help end child sex exploitation on a global scale, while loving, educating and releasing those rescued into the fullness of life that God has for them," says Bluetree deejay Pete Kernoghan ("Petey K").

Bluetree's acclaimed album, God Of This City, has become one the best selling Christian recordings this year, thanks in large part to the worldwide success of Bluetree's song, "God Of This City." The song has created a platform for the band's message of hope for the exploited and voiceless around the world.

The song "God Of This City" was written by Bluetree during a mission trip and while the band was on stage performing worship songs in the Climax Bar, a club which doubles as a brothel in the Red Light district of Pattaya, Thailand. Forever changed by what they saw in Pattaya, the band created StandOut International.

"Our aim is to raise awareness and channel funds through organizations who are active on the ground making a difference in children's lives every day," says Bluetree drummer Johnny Hobson in a press release. "As believers, we are all called to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Let's together stand out and make a difference."

"We believe that when people worship, they encounter the genuine heart of God for all humanity," adds lead singer/guitarist Aaron Boyd. "From His platform of love, we are compelled to serve the needs of others and we ultimately become a voice for those who have no voice."

To learn more about Bluetree and StandOut International, visit the ministry's website.

Got a gospel or Christian music news tip? Send me an email!

Click here to subscribe to Gospel Soundcheck by email and have the Gospel Soundcheck headlines delivered daily to your email inbox. And don't forget to follow me on Twitter!

Natalie Grant and American Idol's Melinda Doolittle are just two of the artists joining The Katinas for a benefit concert to help the tsunami ravaged islands of Samoa and American Samoa.

The Katinas, who were born and raised on American Samoa, said in a letter to family and friends:

"Our Dad, 4 sisters, brother and 2 nephews that live there are okay. However, some of our friends and close family members are still missing. We have confirmed news that on of our cousins from the village of Leone (our Mother's birthplace and place where our Dad pastors) died yesterday in the aftermath of the tsunami."

The brothers had already been planning their third mission trip to the island in November, and now have also organized a benefit concert to assist with immediate and long term needs on the island.

The concert will take place:

Porter's Call, the Franklin, TN organization that offers free counsel, support and encouragement to recording artists and their families, has partnered with the premier celebrity auction website founded by by actors and philanthropists Jane Kaczmarek ("Malcolm In The Middle," "Raising the Bar") and Bradley Whitford ("The West Wing," "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip"), Clothes Off Our Back, to host an online celebrity auction September 14th - 30th, featuring items from Tim McGraw, Jonas Brothers, Brooks & Dunn, Steven Curtis Chapman, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Gene Simmons, MercyMe, Mike Huckabee, Kenny Chesney, and more.

More than 30 music and sports stars, television personalities and best-selling authors have donated several one-of-a-kind, autographed items for this auction, including:

OnCourse Magazine is offering a free Christian music download of the song "Let It Glow" from the new CompassionArt compiliation.

To get the free download, follow these steps (it's a little complicated):