Every so often a group comes along that, right from the start, is in a class by themselves. Rejoice! is such a group, one that every pastor and promoter should get to know. From the very first note through to the end of the very last song, Rejoice! focuses totally on worship and praise, and the listener is inevitably drawn into worshipping along with them. And though many artists glorify God, it is rare to find four such gifted individuals in one group, all with sincere hearts for ministry and the depth of talent and breadth of wisdom to go the distance. Maria Atkins, Melissa Harding, Sherri Vestal, and Tyler Vestal bring to their music a sense of genuine excitement about what they do, an electrifying energy in each and every performance, and most importantly, a deep conviction of the Spirit’s anointing and God’s calling upon their lives. Their commitment to ministry and their desire to see people drawn closer to the Lord are the driving forces behind all that they do. The addition of Sherri’s 18-year-old son, Tyler Vestal, has brought new dimension to the group’s sound and personality. Tyler is a very gifted musician and vocalist and some consider him a “prodigy” as he also plays the piano on some songs. His love for God and sweet humble spirit brings even more versatility to this group and will be instrumental in winning a younger generation for Christ.

Rejoice! was nominated for the 2009 SGN Music Awards Female Group of the Year (www.southerngospelnews.com). Until the addition of Tyler this past year, they were a female trio and have been nominated in this category for the past six years. Rejoice! was also nominated for the prestigious 2002 Southern Gospel Music Association Horizon Group of the Year Award , as well as the Horizon Group of the Year Award in the 2001 Singing News Fan Awards.

They have a brand new project, “Songs You Know by Heart", which was just released in September, 2009. This is a collection of timeless treasures – classic southern gospel songs and hymns that have been played and sung down through generations. “It was quite a feat for the four of us to narrow down all our lifetime favorites to the 13 we ultimately recorded,” stated Rejoice!. These songs are timeless, just like the wonderful message of God’s love. They are precious songs that have touched our hearts and lives for many years, and given us an anchor to hold onto in times of storms. Today’s younger generation is hearing many of these songs for the first time, but they are touched, as we have been, because the message is the same… for God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Although it is a collection of familiar songs, it also demonstrates the group’s innovative and eclectic approach to gospel music. Drawing upon every imaginable musical style, and always featuring the unique “closer-than-this” harmony that Rejoice! delivers with such shimmering clarity and finesse, this new recording includes a mix of finger-snapping, up-tempo songs and soul-stirring ballads; there’s not a filler song in the bunch. Every time you listen, you’ll find just the right song to lift your spirit, lead you to worship, and point you to the cross.

You can also watch for Rejoice! on some recently released Gaither Gospel Videos, “Passin’ the Faith Along” and “Journey to the Sky”, and they have been included on several Gaither Homecoming events including the celebrated New Year’s Eve event, Jubilate, in Charlotte, North Carolina. They have been among the performing artists on the main stage of the National Quartet Convention in Louisville, Kentucky and have been featured artists on several Christian television networks including Gospel Music Television, Daystar, The Inspiration Network, Trinity Broadcasting Network, and Total Christian Television. They have also been among the artist lineup at Dollywood’s Octoberfest in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

Rejoice! clearly stands apart from the crowd of new groups flooding the industry today. They stand apart in the years of experience that have prepared them for this endeavor. They stand apart in their absolute conviction that God has ordained them—as individuals and as a group—to a singing ministry. They stand apart in their talent and the way they seek to use that talent to glorify the Lord. Above all, they stand apart in their sincerity and genuine desire to share the Good News with a hurting and needy world. With every song they sing and every word they speak, Rejoice!’s ministry will have an everlasting impact on the lives of those who attend.


Alto Sherri Vestal is originally from LaGrange, Georgia, where she also sang with her family for many years. She is an accomplished pianist and organist, and even today plays at her home church, Cathedral of Praise, whenever Rejoice!’s schedule permits. Sherri does most of the musical arranging for the group, and handles the administrative duties associated with an active singing ministry. Her gifts of musical imagination and innovation contribute greatly to Rejoice!’s unique sound and style, and her rich alto voice is a real asset to the group, with a dulcet timbre rarely heard in Gospel music. “Our desire is that people will be encouraged, inspired, and uplifted by the message in our music, and that lost souls would come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.” She is also a founding group member, and now resides in Greensboro, North Carolina with her husband, Mark (who also travels with the group as their sound engineer and “whatever else we need” person!), and two children, Ben, 22, and Tyler.
 
Second soprano Maria Atkins is from Weaverville, North Carolina, and originally joined the group in October, 2003. After a two-year “hiatus” from the road, she rejoined the group in February, 2010. The spirit in which she delivers a song’s message, as well as her ability to harmonize with other singers puts her in a special class of singers. She is a musician, singing and playing the organ and piano at her dad’s church for many years. Her husband, Van Atkins, is no stranger to the gospel music industry. Van is the Chief Engineer at Crossroads Studio in Arden, NC, and has worked with most of today’s leading groups. Maria has been a professional wedding and corporate event planner for several years and will still be doing some consulting work in that arena. Maria is the mother of two children, Ashtyn, 15, and Tyler, 14.
 
First soprano Melissa Harding is originally from Gainesville, Georgia, where she traveled with her family’s ministry from the age of twelve. She now lives in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and has three children, Trey, 27, Daniel, 25, and Meagan, 23, and four grandchildren, Robby, age 7, Elijah, and Tula, both 1 year old, and newborn grandson, Taylor. Melissa attends First Assembly of God in Winston-Salem. She has also sung with several regional groups and attended the Steve Hurst School of Music in 1996. Her crystal clear soprano voice is an essential part of Rejoice!’s close harmony, and even the most reluctant listener is moved by her heartfelt expressiveness. Melissa, a founding member of the group, feels strongly that Rejoice! is God’s work, and that all that they say and do should bring glory and honor to Him.
 
18-year-old Tyler Vestal sings bass with the group and also plays the piano on some songs. Since joining Rejoice! full-time in September, 2008, Tyler has brought a new dimension to their sound and performance. He is a very gifted musician and vocalist and many have compared him to some of the greatest pianists in gospel music. He is a student of the Steve Hurst School of Music and will attend the summer session in July. Tyler is a 2010 graduate of Ragsdale High School where he was very active in the Rhythm & Rhapsody honors choral group there. His favorite pastime other than music is playing basketball. If there’s a basketball court at any church where we are performing, you will find him there after church, sometimes even playing in his suit! He accepted Christ as his personal savior at the age of 9. His love for God and sweet humble spirit brings even more versatility to this group and will be instrumental in winning a younger generation for Christ.