Gospel Star CeCe Winans to Perform Sunday in Franklin, New Jersey

Grammy-award winning gospel artist CeCe Winans will perform at the 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. services Sunday at First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens.

The performances, which are free and open to the public, will be featured in the Oct. 14 CNN show "Churched," part of the "Black in America" ongoing CNN series by Soledad O'Brien. The October documentary will highlight three stories of faith at the Somerset Church.

The Rev. DeForest "Buster" Soaries Jr., First Baptist's senior pastor, said he is looking forward to Winans' performance.

"I love CeCe," he said. "I've been a friend and a fan of hers for years and I am grateful that she's willing to sing at First Baptist and be a part of this documentary."

Winans, who made her mark singing duets with her brother BeBe Winans, began her solo career with the 1995 platinum-certified album "Alone in His Presence." The album earned a Grammy and two Dove awards, including female vocalist of the year, an award she earned again in 1997. In 1999, she started her own recording company PureSprings Gospel. Her latest album, "Songs of Emotional Healing," was released in May.

"Pastor Soaries has been a dear friend to me and my family for many years and I am both honored and humbled that he would ask me to participate," Winans said in a prepared statement. "I am sure it will be a tremendous blessing to all who see it."

Soaries met BeBe and CeCe Winans 25 years ago when he was the business manager for Lady Tremaine Hawkins, who was a member of the Edwin Hawkins Singers who had recorded "Oh Happy Day," the first gospel single to land on the pop charts.

"One night we were in Philadelphia and BeBe and CeCe opened for Tremaine," Soaries said. "The promoter left without paying them. They had no money and no hotel. I got rooms for them and helped them out, and they asked me to be their manager. My wife loved BeBe, so she made me do it."

After considering several other churches for the documentary, CNN chose First Baptist Church. O'Brien, the show's host, has been working with Soaries since December.