
The vision was simple:

Benjamin Mertz, founder/director
​​Use the transformative power of ​black spiritual music to create community, lift people up, and raise money and awareness around social justice issues at home and abroad.
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With this vision in mind, director Benjamin Mertz began a community sing at St. Stephen's Episcopal church in Sebastopol, CA. He is a Christian music minister, and in this eclectic town an unexpected collection of people came to join in: Jewish, Sufi, Buddhist, agnostic, and more. Church people and seekers and everything in between.
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Joyful Noise! Gospel Singers was born.
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JN!GS incorporated as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in 2012. Our benefit concerts have raised money for Haitian children, Puerto Rican storm victims, California fire victims, homeless veterans, food programs, and more.​
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We are unapologetically interfaith.
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We love our LGBTQ+ neighbors without reservation.
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We unequivocally reject racism in all forms.
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We denounce anti-Semitism and anti-Muslim sentiment.
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We absolutely reject sexism and patriarchy.
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We believe that Black Lives Matter.
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Human beings are neither illegal nor aliens.
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We honor Native/indigenous lives and land.
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Our choir practices nonviolence.