The Pilgrim Bound Baptist Church plans to kick off the new year with their tenth annual gospel community concert and workshop on Jan. 9.

Reverend LaShunda Hopkins, who serves as director for the event, credits the Lord for giving her the idea of starting the concert 10 years ago.

“I went to my pastor at the time and I was telling him about it, then I asked the children and from then on, God has blessed it,” Hopkins said.

The concert will feature a wide variety of music performed by the church’s Pilgrim Bound youth choir. The choir will rehearse on Jan. 8 with local musicians who will teach them five to six songs they will perform in the concert.

On the day of the event beginning at 9 a.m., various instructors will facilitate six workshops aimed to teach Christian lessons to the community’s children, men and women. This year’s theme is, This Means War.

“The workshop is equipping people on how to fend for themselves in this world. When problems or situations arise, those classes show them how to trust God to help guide them in the right direction, how to maintain their Christianity and how to strengthen their walk with God daily,” Hopkins said.

After that, the church will serve lunch. The choir will then have a brief rehearsal, and then the concert will begin at 6 p.m. for the community to enjoy.

The event serves as a fundraiser for the choir, so there is a $4 registration fee for participants.

“The fundraiser helps defray travel costs and helps support the church and choir. We strongly encourage all churches in the area to get involved,” Hopkins said.

Hopkins thanks the choir and the parents involved for all their support over the years.

For more information about the event, contact church staff at 601-798-5457. The Pilgrim Bound Baptist Church is located at 921 Baylous St.