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Multi-talented, singer, songwrite Joyce Martin, who is a member of the multi-Dove Award winning and Grammy nominated trio, The Martins, will be featured at the Hickory Grove Advent Christian Church in Four Oaks,on Sunday, Sept. 25.

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Multi-talented, singer-songwriter Joyce Martin, a member of the multi-Dove Award winning and Grammy nominated trio The Martins, will be featured at the Hickory Grove Advent Christian Church in Four Oaks, on Sunday, Sept. 25 during the 10:30 a.m. service.

Growing up in rural Arkansas, Martin’s earliest recollections centered around music, and singing with her two siblings, Jonathan and Judy. As the siblings grew older, the opportunities to sing increased. Those opportunities took them from regional church platforms throughout Arkansas to Carnegie Hall, the Grand Ole Opry and even the White House. They became a regular on the popular Gaither Homecoming Video and Concert Series, earned multiple Dove Awards and even a Grammy nomination, but in 2004 the three parted ways to devote time to their own solo careers and families.

During that time, she released a solo recording for Spring Hill Music, “Diamonds On A Dusty Road,” spent time doing studio work, as well as some solo concerts, but for the most part, she left her first love behind.

“The time off from singing and the road was mandatory for my spiritual and emotional health,” Martin explains. “So much of what we do as artists is pouring ourselves out. It’s a constant struggle to find a balance of pouring out and filling back up. The time I took off the road gave me an opportunity to get recharged and refocused.”

After seven years apart and nearly a decade since their last collaboration, The Martins have returned with a new recording, a fresh anointing and a greater desire to share God’s message of love, grace, mercy and hope. “I’m thankful for the time we took off to recharge our batteries on all levels, and get to that healthy place where our spiritual and personal lives are balanced,” she notes.

With a renewed family bond, The Martins are committed to their family ministry, yet each are also dedicated to walking through whatever doors God sees fit to open. “We love being back on stage together, but we still also enjoy doing solo events, as opportunities arise,” Martin relates. “We each have our own story to tell. During our time away we definitely became three separate people, but since coming back together, we feel stronger than ever. We now bring to the stage our individual growth and maturity, both vocally and emotionally.”

The transparency Martin delivers nightly is a testimony to that growth, as well as where she is in her walk with Christ and where He has brought her. She will share that testimony, as well as her exceptional vocal talents with Hickory Grove Advent Christan Church on Sunday, Sept. 25 at 10:30 a.m. The church is located at 1232 Hickory Grove Church Road just off Hwy. 210 near Four Oaks. To obtain complete information, call 919-934-7996 or 919-500-3446, 919-207-0472 or 919-894-1475 or visit www.hickorygrovechurch.org.