Love is in the air! During the summer months, some Christian artists made some life-long commitments.

Jaci Velasquez is now off the dating market. Her family is celebrating her marriage to Darren Potuck. The couple married in a private ceremony for friends and family Aug. 16 in Nashville, Tenn.

Also off the dating circuit is Andy Culp, guitarist for Dug Records band, Last Tuesday. Culp married Katie Van Yperen on Aug. 10! Ryan Jordan, drummer from the Tooth & Nail band, Spoken, was also married on July 19 to Chelsea in Fayetteville, Ark.

And finally, Northern Records artist Holly Nelson recently tied the knot with Jeff Anderson, on July 20 in Anaheim Hills, Calif.

Babies follow love, and they abound for Third Day members. Third Day lead singer, Mac Powell and his wife, Aimee, welcomed their third child, daughter Camie Love Powell, on June 23. Camie weighed in at 8 pounds and 11 oz. Bass player Tai Anderson and his wife, Shannon, also had their third child, a boy, TJ Anderson on April 17. Guitarist Mark Lee and his wife, Stephanie, are expecting their first child at the end of October. And Brad Avery and his wife, Mindi, are expecting their third child at the beginning of November. Wow! Are they on a run or what?

Jason Hammil from Cool Hand Luke recently participated in a Corvair Econo-Run on May 17. The idea is to race through the country in Kentucky in a Corvair car to see who can use the least amount of gas to complete the three-to four-hour course. And we are proud to announce that Hammil came in second in his class. Congratulations!

Sad news for Avalon. Michael Passons has announced that he is leaving the singing group. Passons is one of the original members of the super contemporary Christian music pop group. No word yet on Michael's plans for the future.

Christian artists continue their commitment to the DATA (Debt, AIDS and Trade in Africa) project, founded by U2 lead singer Bono. DATA was created to aid Africa with its overwhelming debt, AIDS epidemic and trade problems. In July, more than 50 Christian artists and industry leaders, including Steven Curtis Chapman, dc talk, Sixpence None the Richer, Jars of Clay and Michael W. Smith, gathered in Nashville, Tenn. to meet with AIDS activists and officials from DATA.

President George W. Bush traveled to Africa this past summer to promise the United States' support to battle the AIDS crisis and diminish the wide-spread poverty there. While President Bush visited Africa, the Christian music community met to voice their support for DATA and join the public education campaign to "Keep America's Promise." The DATA campaign, which extends through fall, includes partnerships with churches, community groups and Christian artists.

President Bush promised Africa $25 billion of financial aid through the Millennium Challenge Account and the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.

"Promises aren't cheap. At least they shouldn't be," said Charlie Peacock. "The really good ones cost you something. What I saw in the faces gathered here tonight was a beautiful willingness to carry through on the promise the President made to Africa. This means telling Congress that we want these promises kept-that we insist they be kept."

The meeting with Christian artists was held to gather the Christian music community to generate ideas of how the artists can help make sure the promise to Africa is kept.

Now, that's what I call using your Christian music ministry to reach out to the world!

Therese Romano is a freelance writer who lives in Nashville, Tenn.