Inspirational gospel artist Janet Paschal is often hailed as one of Christian music”s most soulfully versatile voices. The Christian Music Hall of Fame”s nominee for 2010 Entertainer of the Year will be in Columbus Tuesday, headlining the Columbus Christian Center”s ninth annual Ladies Banquet at Trotter Convention Center at 6:30 p.m.
“This event has just grown and grown since it began, and includes women of all faiths,” said Deborah Gardner of Columbus. Her husband, Kenny Gardner, is pastor of Columbus Christian Center. “We started out with about 100 women the first year, to closing in on 600 this year! This will be a powerful night of women coming together and being blessed.”
Ticket sales have been brisk for the evening of catered dinner, song and testimony by Paschal, a breast cancer survivor.
Gardner, a five-year cancer survivor herself, said “Janet loves to talk to women and share part of her story as a breast cancer survivor. It”s going to be a wonderful time to be encouraged and lifted up spiritually.”
Paschal”s latest book, “Treasures of the Snow,” chronicles her year-long battle with cancer. It also includes humorous stories from her 30-year career in gospel music.
The native North Carolinian performed in more than 50 cities in the U.S. and Canada in 2009, as well as touring Europe, with stops in 11 cities. She has performed in Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, the Sydney Opera House and London”s Royal Festival Hall.
Her single “Hide Me Sweet Rock of Ages,” hit No. 1 in 2009 on Southern gospel music”s most recognized radio airplay chart, The Singing News magazine.
The 2010 Dove Award nominee also co-hosts “Walking the Good Road,” a weekly radio program airing in seven states.
“We have every denomination, women from every walk of life, and a lot of them … we call it ”chick night,”” smiled Gardner. The men of the congregation serve coffee and tea, she added.
A business expo is being held in the lobby. Ladies are invited to come early to preview the vendors. Kenny Gardner will also sing at the event.
A limited number of tickets remain, available at Melange in Columbus. Cost is $20 each, or reserve a table for eight for $160.
For tickets or information, contact Deborah Gardner at 662-549-0850 or 662-243-2434, or Kenneth Montgomery at 662-327-2663.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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