Music that pierces the kingdom of darkness and enlarges the Kingdom of God
Kingdom Records, Inc. emerged from local mega church Valley Kingdom Ministries International in Illinois. Since 2003, Kingdom Records, Inc. has carved a unique position in gospel music as a leading independent music company, having produced and marketed over 50 original CDs, compilations and DVDs. Kingdom Records has received numerous acknowledgements including one of the nation’s top ten independent labels by Billboard Magazine in 2009 and 2010; as well as multiple Platinum and Gold selling records and DVDs. Kingdom Records continues to distinguish itself via distributing and promoting authentic gospel music with robust commercial appeal. The roster is a mix of gospel and urban, and the company maintains its base label and three imprints.
Shekinah Glory Ministry
For almost two decades, the platinum selling, Chicago-based ensemble known as Shekinah Glory Ministry (SGM) has set the standard for urban praise and worship music. They’ve made spiritual anthems such as “Praise is What I Do,” “Yes” and “Jesus” universally known refrains that congregations around the globe sing whenever they convene. With five RIAA gold and platinum record and video certifications behind them, this coterie of psalmists, minstrels and banner-wavers continue their rich legacy with a new offering, “Cornerstone.”
It’s been five years since Shekinah Glory Ministry’s last album project, Surrender, was released in 2012. In the ensuing years, the ensemble has undergone several changes. “We’ve added several new and younger members in an effort to make Shekinah Glory Ministry more relevant to the growing millennial generation,” says Kingdom Records President, Joan Sullivan. “At the same time, we have maintained many of our seasoned members and together they are forming a new and stronger unit of worshippers with mass appeal.”
“Cornerstone” is the first offering under the new incarnation of Shekinah Glory Ministry. Monique Miller’s tender vocal tone opens the mid-tempo melody with a sweet musical conversation with the Most High before Gerald Moore’s raspy tenor chimes in midway with a thunderous serenade. It’s a thrilling declaration of God’s faithfulness that fits neatly into Shekinah Glory Ministry’s august catalogue.
Shekinah Glory Ministry’s wondrous journey began when Apostle H. Daniel Wilson, pastor of Valley Kingdom Ministry International (VKMI) near Chicago, went away on a 40 day sabbatical in 1999. While in prayer, he says that God gave him the vision to launch a unique praise and worship team. The Lord told him to call it Shekinah Glory Ministry, which means, “the glorified presence of God,” in the Hebrew language. When Apostle Wilson returned to his pulpit, he preached on themes of praise and worship for an entire year. Wilson gave his then-minister of music, Rose Harper, the charge to pull the praise and worship team together. After SGM was assembled and put in place as the official praise and worship team for VKMI, their recording career was born.
Shekinah Glory Ministry’s 2001 breakthrough smash, “Praise is What I Do” laid the musical foundation. Their subsequent albums, Praise Is What I Do and Shekinah Glory Ministry Live (which spent 103 weeks on the Billboard gospel albums sales chart) were both certified gold in 2005 and 2008 respectively. They also have three gold or platinum DVDs to their credit and two Stellar Gospel Music Award wins.
Kim Stratton
Famed gospel singer Kim Stratton transforms lives through the Word of God in song.
A proud Chicago native, Kim arrived on the music scene in 1994 with the Grammy nominated hit, I’m In This Place, the title track of her debut album. Other hits followed including More Than Enough, Mercy Saw Me, You Are My God and New Life as well as the 2007 critically-acclaimed CD, Almost 4-got 2 Worship.
Known as Kim “Powerhouse” Stratton, she mesmerizes congregations around the country with her soul-stirring performances of her other popular tunes I Feel Jesus, I Will Praise Thee, O Lord and Rendezvous.
Her latest musical triumphs with Chicago’s Living Word Christian Center include Favor Ain’t Fair and Awesome Wonder, both produced by Donald Lawrence.
Kim travels widely as a Psalmist for Christian conferences and conventions and is a sought-after speaker for women’s ministries.
The Lord led her to open up her own catering business in 2013. She has catered dinner events for Bishop T.D. Jakes, Jennifer Hudson, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, MC Lyte, Doug E. Fresh and the Jackie Robinson West baseball champion team.
The response to her catering business was so great, she opened the popular restaurant, Kim Stratton’s Kitchen in Palatine, IL in early 2015. The eatery has fast become one of the No. 1 places in the Chicagoland area.
Gospel greats Vickie Winans and Yolanda Adams are huge fans and friends.
Winans once told Jet Magazine: “The song, More Than Enough that she so eloquently recorded was a lifesaver for me. I love me some Kim Stratton!”
Adams told Jet: “She has always been a very honest friend and I love the honesty in her music. She talks about the pain, the trial, but she always talks about the victory---which is essential in gospel music.”
A woman of unfailing faith, Kim says her life, her walk, her praise and her worship are “all for the Master.”
