top of page

The vision was simple:

IMG_7199.jpg

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.

​

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.

​

Joyful Noise! Gospel Singers was born.

​

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.​

​

  • We are unapologetically interfaith.

  • We love our LGBTQ+ neighbors without reservation.

  • We unequivocally reject racism in all forms.

  • We denounce anti-Semitism and anti-Muslim sentiment.

  • We absolutely reject sexism and patriarchy.

  • We believe that Black Lives Matter.

  • Human beings are neither illegal nor aliens.

  • We honor Native/indigenous lives and land.

  • Our choir practices nonviolence.

bottom of page