Jonathan Nelson, the award-winning music minister of Empowerment Temple, is saying goodbye to the Baltimore area.

A farewell concert will be held Sunday at 6 p.m. in honor of Nelson and his family at Empowerment Temple. Scheduled performers are Karen Clark-Sheard, Tye Tribbett, Chrystal Rucker, VaShawn Mitchell, Stephen Hurd, J.J. Hairston & Youthful Praise and more.

I recently spoke to Nelson about his impending departure to Fort Lauderdale, where he will join the Faith Center International for some promising spiritual and career opportunities. Come back tomorrow for the full interview, in which he says his move is very strategic since much of his most recent success is due in part to the broad appeal he has had with audiences in the South.

Nelson has written or co-written numerous gospel hits, including the Youth for Christ’s “The Struggle is Over.” In 2007, that song was No. 1 on Billboard magazine’s Hot Gospel songs chart for 12 weeks. He also penned Donald Lawrence’s "Healed,'' Bishop T.D. Jake's Grammy-winning "A Wing and a Prayer'' CD and "The Right Place'' for Rudolph McKissick Jr.

This year Nelson and his group Purpose won several Stellar Awards for songs on their latest CD, Right Now Praise, which includes the ever popular “My Name is Victory.”