A local Christian radio station is gearing up for the first part of a two-part concert series that will offer gospel music to area residents.

The Vine Connection, 104.5 FM, based in Washington, will present the first part of its “Seed Time at the Vine” concert series Sunday at 4 p.m. at Word of Life Worship Center in Washington. Admission is free.

Mae Rodgers, manager of the Vine Connection, said the radio station has brought gospel acts to the area previously but none at this magnitude. The concert this weekend will feature acts, including The New Diamond Jubilees of New Bern, Eastern Pamlico River Christian Education Youth Mass Choir, Apostle Norbert Simmons and the Spiritualaires of Goldsboro, Prince and the New Gospel Singer of Bethel, David Clyde Haynes of Lexington, Children on the Move for Christ Dance Team of Havelock, Lummy Castro of Washington, the Word of Life Worship Center Praise Team of Washington, special guest act the Golden Wings Quartet of Tupelo, Miss. and a special guest appearance by Clyde Felton, according to Vine Connection flier. The concert is in an effort to bring the community together, regardless of denomination or race, Rodgers said.

“Seed Time at the Vines means we’re planting seeds, and we just want to give back to the community. We want to do some nice things for people who’ve been nice to us,” Rodgers said. “It’s going to be a lot of great talent. What we really want to do is bring unity.”

At the concert, sponsored by Covenant Insurance and Armstrong Grocery, both of New Bern, and Mills Funeral Home of Kinston, the radio station will be giving away a flat-screen TV, gift certificates and gas cards to those who register for the drawing, Rodgers said.

Rodgers said the radio station now serves five counties in eastern North Carolina and has a strong Internet presence with over 900 listeners. The station plays traditional black gospel music and mixes in southern gospel and Spanish gospel. On March 21, the station will host the second part of the series in New Bern, featuring nationally known gospel act Damien Little and New Beginning of Baltimore, MD.

“God has blessed us with a radio station in Washington,” Rodgers said. “That’s the connection that’s pulling this together. With so much bad stuff happening, it’s time for good stuff to happen, too. We believe in all ethnic groups. We want everybody. We stop looking at color and denominations. We just want everybody to love everybody, and we want everybody to come out.”

Word of Life Worship Center is located at 4449 N. Market St. Extension in Washington.