Twenty-two year old former American Idol contestant, Joanna Martino, is pleased to announce her involvement with Chick-fil-A’s WinShape Camp for Girls as their Resident Worship Leader for Summer 2008. Martino is also releasing a “Special Pre-Release” featuring a few worship songs from her sophomore album releasing this fall. In addition to this exciting ministry opportunity, the rising artist can also be seen hosting Steel Roots TV’s “Top Ten Countdown”.

This summer, WinShape Camp for Girls in Rome, GA will be celebrating its 22nd summer of ministering to young girls. S. Truett Cathy, founder of Chick-fil-A, and his wife Jeanette originally began WinShape as an all-boys camp in 1984, adding programs for girls two summers later as part of the WinShape Foundation. The purpose of WinShape Foundation has always been “to impact young people and families through experiences that will enhance their Christian faith, character and relationships.” The specific purpose of WinShape Camp for Girls is “to inspire girls to become more like Jesus in the way they think, believe and act.”

The ministry of the camp coincides with Martino’s desire to continue serving and pouring into others’ lives as she leads worship this summer: “Expressing ourselves with true worship is a way of life the Holy Spirit has been teaching me for a while now. What better way to live that out than with a bunch of super energized girls at WinShape Camps!”

WinShape Camp for Girls director, Trudy Cathy White states, “Joanna Martino will allow her voice to penetrate to the campers as well as staff on a deeper level this summer by serving on staff as the Worship Leader for the Girl’s Camp. After receiving His peace and prompting, Joanna accepted this invitation to join the Lord in what He is doing at WinShape Camp for Girls by giving from the overflow of her passion for praising Him in daily living and song. This role will give Joanna a unique platform to reach 1,070 residential campers ranging in age from 2nd grade to 12th grade. What a tremendous blessing to have Joanna Martino serving on our campus this summer.”

Martino is releasing a “Special Pre-Release” featuring songs from her new album set to debut later this year. The pre-release will include three songs focused on worship, with one song, “You Call Me Beautiful” written especially for the campers.

“We wrote this song with the girls at camp in mind,” says Martino. “We wanted to get the message through to them that they ARE beautiful, that is how Jesus sees them. Hearing them sing the song at camp together, or just singing it as they are walking from one place to another, has brought so much joy to my heart… my prayer has been that they would believe the words they are singing!”

Attendees of WinShape Camp for Girls can receive the pre-release CD free with purchase of Martino’s 2005 album, My World.

Martino also recently signed on to host Steelroots TV’s “Top Ten Countdown”, which entertains viewers with a full hour of fan favourite music videos as well as interviews, give-aways, and behind-the-scenes industry specials. The Countdown can be seen on several networks including Inspiration Network and iLife TV.

About Joanna Martino

At the young age of 16, Joanna Martino advanced through over four rounds of intense American Idol auditions in the show’s second season. Her voice has captured the attention of the highest of music execs in the past, but it is her message that sets her apart. She has opened for many popular Christian artists including Michael W. Smith, Jeremy Camp, MercyMe, Chris Tomlin, Natalie Grant, and Aaron Shust. In addition to performing, Joanna has also been involved in several short-term mission trips. In 2006 she partnered with Compassion International on a trip to Bolivia and currently sponsors two children from that country through the organization. Martino was also able to join her home church, Fellowship Bible Church, in Brentwood, TN as they partnered with Josiah Venture, an Illinois-based missions agency, on a trip to Slovenia in 2007. While there the team worked with a local church and English camp in order to bring the gospel to high school students who had never heard of salvation through Christ. Martino has also hosted and performed at several Christian music festivals throughout the country including KLOVE’s “Celebrate Freedom” in Texas. She is currently writing for her new, more personal album, which is tentatively set to release later this year.

For additional information on Martino and her debut release My World, visit her YMZ artist page.

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