Charlotte’s Got Talent

Queen City Software Engineer Receives National Recognition with Award from Music Industry Executives

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 23, 2009—Marc-Arthur Pierre-Louis has serious talent.  A software engineer, songwriter and pastor in Charlotte, Pierre-Louis was selected from among hundreds of applicants from across the U.S. as the winner of the American Bible Society's Scripture Song Award at the Gospel Music Association's IMMERSE event - a Christian music talent competition.  Along with the award, Pierre-Louis will have the opportunity to work with producers from a major music label to record his winning song, "Bless the Memories."

Originally from Haiti, Pierre-Louis - co-pastor of Charlotte-based Christian International Faith Center - came to the U.S. in 1981 to study mathematics and computer science at Florida Atlantic University.  He went on to earn a master's degree from Southern Evangelical Seminary in Matthews, N.C.

"While some of the friends I grew up with in Haiti ‘made it' in the world, winning the American Bible Society's Scripture Song Award confirms to me and others who have watched me throughout the years that the time and resources I have spent freely teaching, directing and composing have not been a waste," said Pierre-Louis.

"Throughout our 193-year history, the American Bible Society has used many ways, including music, to engage people with the message of the Bible." said Dr. Joseph Crockett of the American Bible Society.  "Marc-Arthur is an encouragement for other writers and artists to develop music that uses the Bible's life-changing message in a memorable and meaningful way through song."

IMMERSE provides professional training and a competitive venue for emerging Christian artists, songwriters, worship leaders and music business professionals to showcase their talent and develop meaningful industry networks.  By connecting participants to the Christian music industry, IMMERSE aims to equip Christian musical artists to maximize their talents to positively impact culture.

"There is no question this award can help young Gospel songwriters to take the extra step and consult the Bible as they write their music," said Pierre-Louis. 

In addition to the Scripture Song Awards, the American Bible Society and the Gospel Music Association have collaborated on other ventures to celebrate the Gospel and encourage Bible reading including:

• Scriptures from the Heart (2008), an inside look at how the Bible has impacted the music of popular Christian musical artists.  The book's second edition, Scriptures from the Heart: Refuge (2009) connects Gospel Music Association artists' songs to their inspiration: God's Word.  The devotional features stories by leading recording artists including MercyMe, Sara Groves, Matthew West, Casting Crowns, Mandisa and Salvador. 
• ShareYourStoryNow.org, a site where people can post personal stories about how the Bible has impacted them and see how others are exploring, engaging and experiencing the Bible.  The site contains numerous videos of Gospel Music Association musical artists who have shared their favorite verse and/or what the Bible means to them.
  

For more information about the American Bible Society's involvement in Gospel Music Association's IMMERSE National Talent Competition click here.  For more information about Pierre-Louis click here.

About The American Bible Society:

Headquartered in New York City, the mission of the 193-year-old American Bible Society is to make the Bible available to every person in a language and format each can understand and afford, so that all people may experience its life changing message.

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