"Youth of today must realize that true happiness and fullness of joy is only found in the presence of Yahweh, our Heavenly Father" believes James Fortune. In April 1998, God gave Fortune the vision to start a youth ministry to focus on reaching youth through song and dance. Youth For Christ (known as "YFC") ministered throughout Greater Houston, Texas at churches, workshops, youth events and conferences. James Fortune and YFC's ministry touched thousands of youth and garnered statewide attention for their high-energy unorthodox anointed performances. Youth realized it was acceptable to sing and dance while praising God.
Two years later, Yahweh led Fortune to change the group's name to James Fortune and FIYA (Free in Yahweh's Abundance). The vision of James Fortune and FIYA is to allow all people through God's grace to experience the freedom that comes with a relationship with Jesus Christ. "Not by might nor power but by God's Spirit" we believe that everyone can live a life free from bondage and strongholds and live a life in God's abundance according to John 10:10.
"Our Father's will is not for his children to live a defeated and broken life full of uncertainty and anxiety," says Fortune. "Yahweh has promised us that blessings would overtake us if we would fully obey His Word!"
James Fortune & FIYA released their debut CD in 2005 entitled "You Survived!" The single, "You Survived" gained national attention and soared as high as #2 on Radio and Records and #5 on Billboard's Radio Charts. The chart topping single was also listed as the #7 most played Gospel Song for the year of 2005.
In June of 2006, at the 19th Annual Rhythm & Soul Music Awards, ASCAP honored James Fortune as a songwriter for the most performed gospel song with the ASCAP Award for Gospel Song of the Year for the hit single "You Survived!"
James Fortune and FIYA has been blessed to share the stage with Grammy award winning and national recording artists such as Kirk Franklin, Prophetess Juanita Bynum, Israel, Yolanda Adams, Tye Tribbett, John P. Kee, Kim Burrell, Mary Mary, Stevie Wonder, and many others. The group has also appeared on national television and radio shows such as Bobby Jones Gospel, The Jeff Majors Show, TBN and the Gospel Superfest. In 2006, Fortune attended the One Church Tour where he shared the platform with Kurt Carr, Vicki Yohe, RIZEN and Smokie Norful. Recently, the group performed on the Cathy Hughes Radio One Love Cruise which featured Fred Hammond, Deitrick Haddon, The Williams Brothers, Dottie Peoples, and many more.
James Fortune and FIYA's purpose is to reach young people and address the struggles of peer pressure, drugs, fornication, dance clubs and all other acts of ungodliness. This group possesses a very special anointing that immediately pours in the presence of Yahweh and excites you about living for Christ. Their desire and focus is that lost souls can come to know Christ and experience the unconditional love and peace that he so freely gives. Just allow the words of their hit single, "You Survived" to minister to you, "After all that you've been through, now you know God carried you through the rain and the pain, you called and he came, YOU SURVIVED!"
James Fortune and FIYA's highly anticipated sophomore album, The Transformation, is scheduled for release in the 1st Quarter of 2008. The first single, The Blood, which is a tribute to gospel great Andre Crouch, was the number one added gospel song to the national airplay list in April of 2007 and peaked at #14 on the gospel radio charts.
