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 three 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, and Sherri Vestal bring to their music a maturity born of many years’ experience, 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.

Rejoice! was nominated for the 2007 SGN Music Awards Female Group of the Year (www.southerngospelnews.com). They have been nominated in this category for the past five 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, “Let It Rain”, which was released in early March, 2007. The new project features some of the most powerful material they have had to date, including the dynamic new radio single, “There Is a God”. Radio DJ’s are saying Rejoice! has “hit a homerun” with this powerful new song! Winning souls and encouraging believers is the focal point of this project, produced by Kevin Stokes and Van Atkins. It 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 songs by some of the best and brightest writers in the industry. 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 featured on several Gaither Homecoming events including the celebrated New Year’s Eve event, Jubilate, in Charlotte, North Carolina. They were among the performing artists on the main stage of the National Quartet Convention in Louisville, Kentucky in 2002 and 2003 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 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, and two children, Ben, age 20, and Tyler, age 16.
 
Second soprano Maria Atkins is from Weaverville, North Carolina, and joined the group in October, 2003. Maria is a newcomer to the industry, but is not new to gospel music. 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 (Horizon/Sonlite) in Arden, NC, and has worked with most of today’s leading groups. Maria is the mother of two children, Ashtyn, 13, and Tyler, 11. Maria has already become a friend to many who have heard us since she joined the group because of her sweet and genuine spirit.
 
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, age 25, Daniel, age 23, and Meagan, age 21, and one little grandson, Robby, age 5. She has also sung with several regional groups. 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.