By Morgan Mizell

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — Area women are invited to attend the “Women of Worship: A Night of Praise” service at Natchez Church of God on McNeely Road at 6 p.m. tonight featuring BJ Vavasseur.

Angela Monehan, wife of the Rev. Brian Monehan, said that this service is the first of its kind and will hopefully become a regular activity for the church.

“We invite the ladies from the community, other denominations and our sister churches in our district to join us,” Monehan said. “BJ has an amazing testimony to share.”

Vavasseur, a native of Pittsburgh, now lives in Baton Rouge and travels to share her talents and testimony with others.

“She has performed with many well known Christian artists,” Monehan said. “A lot of people may know her from her involvement with Jimmy Swaggart Ministries.”

Vavasseur began signing gospel music at age five. She has performed with Janet Pascal, Laverne and Edith Trip, Mary Sloan, Roni Goss, Archie Dennis and Candi Staton Suswell. She has also performed with the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. Her career includes eight CDs including her most recent, “Hold On and Believe.”

“BJ shares her testimony everywhere,” Monehan said. “She shares in prisons, at conferences and in women shelters.”

Monehan said that the church leaders reached out to Vavasseur because she has a message that they believe will speak to women in the area.

“She speaks about being a victim of domestic abuse,” Monehan said. “I think that she will touch the hearts of those in attendance.”

Vavasseur will perform for the ladies group on Saturday night and will also be a part of the regular Sunday service at 10:45 a.m.

“The event is free admission,” Monehan said. “We will take up a love offering to help with her travel expenses, and she will also have some of her items available for purchase.”

Natchez Church of God is located at 98 McNeely Road.

There will be a nursery provided during the event for infants and children up to age four.

“We really hope that the event goes well,” Monehan said. “If it well received, we hope to expand to a weekend-long event.”