By Morgan Mizell

NATCHEZ — The Natchez Church of God at McNeely Road will host a free concert featuring the Easters at 6 p.m. Sunday.

Jeff and Sheri Easter have been performing for more than 20 years together. Their children are also featured in their performances.

Angela Monehan, wife of the Rev. Brian Monehan, said the group contacted them when another scheduled stop they were supposed to make canceled.

“My husband and I have seen them perform before, in fact we met them when we were touring ourselves,” Angela Monehan said. “It is really a treat for us to have them here.”

The church has incorporated several events into their calendar each year in efforts to provide something for the community to enjoy that will not cost attendees and will also open their doors to others who may not have a church home.

“We realize you don’t grow a church by having concerts, but it does offer people, who may not otherwise come, a reason to come and see what the church is about,” Angela Monehan said. “We hope everyone will come out and enjoy the group and listen to their message.”

The Easters come from deep gospel music roots. Both Jeff and Sheri’s families traveled and performed and they met while they were on the road. The two of them have been nominated for several awards and they have won six Dove Awards to date. Their children, Madison, Morgan and Maura, have also given their talents to the family performance; however, Madison, their son, and his wife, Shannon, have since begun to focus on their own careers and no longer tour with the family.

The performance, which is mainly a musical act, does have an evangelical aspect.

“Sheri, who writes her own devotionals, also speaks to audiences about her personal battle with breast cancer,” Monehan said. “She really has a powerful message concerning her struggle with the disease and how she feels God saw her through it. She is now cancer free.”

While the concert itself is free and open to the public, a love offering will be taken to help cover expenses for the family. The group will have merchandise available for the public to purchase at the church. Anyone with questions can contact the church by calling 601-445-5135 or visiting the church website, www.natchezchurchofgod.com.