Three Birmingham worship arts ministries are heading to the Big Apple on Father’s Day weekend. The worship choirs and orchestras of Shades Mountain Baptist Church, Hunter Street Baptist Church, and First Baptist Church Trussville are performing at New York City’s famed Carnegie Hall .

A Free preview concert with all three choirs is planned for Wednesday, June 13 at 7 p.m. at Shades Mountain Baptist Church.

Michael Adler, Worship Arts Pastor at Shades Mountain, began planning the trip for Shades two years ago as an extension of ministry work that Shades had already undertaken in that area. Shades Mountain Baptist Church, led by Senior Pastor Dr. Danny Wood, heads up the Southern Baptist Convention SEND initiative for the New York City area.

“We wanted to leverage the artistic gifts of these Birmingham area churches while also helping to support these New York City church plants,” Adler said. “Our five church plant pastors and their wives and families will be treated that night to a beautiful banquet dinner and then escorted straight to Carnegie Hall for what promises to be a stellar night of worship and music.”

On Father’s Day Sunday, the three churches will divide into four locations where they will serve the underserved, lead worship services, grill and serve free food in a city park and be an example of the Body of Christ.

A joint venture between the churches and Celebration Concert Tours of Nashville, Tenn., founded by Phil Barfoot, Adler approached Phelps about doing a collaborative concert at Carnegie. Once momentum began, Adler reached out to Hunter Street and Trussville, led by Joe Estes and Frank Jones, respectively. The two ministers enthusiastically agreed. Adler will share conducting duties with Estes and Jones, in addition to Shades Mountain Instrumental Associate, Dr. Joel Davis.

More than 300 travelers are making the once-in-a-lifetime trip; 188 of them singers, over 30 in the band and orchestra and the remainder are lending ministry support wherever needed.