SonShine Singers, a new ministry at Trinity Baptist Church in Lake Charles, visits nursing homes and the Jennings Veterans Home, and they get as much or more out of the experience than the residents.

“I love Jesus, and I love ministering to the elderly,” said Ellen Harless. She also heads up Trinity’s Home Touch Ministry, which also focuses on the needs of seniors in the church.

The group of 30 women, some Trinity choir members,  present programs to area nursing homes, including the Veterans Home in Jennings. The group also includes five non-Trinity women from area churches.

“I have been in a lot of groups, and I have never been in one like this. God put us together,” she said. She also touted the talents and spirit of the group’s “fearless leader” Joanne Turner who arranges the music and plans the program, usually themed. Nannette Fontenot does the devotion, and she always does such a great job.

The group has 30 members. Five are non-Trinity women from area churches.

“Nannette  starts every devotion with, ‘We are the Sonshine Singers. That’s son with an “o” because we’re bringing you love from Jesus the son.”

Every other month, they present themed programs, which include secular songs of the chosen theme. After a short devotional, the program concludes with old hymns fitting the theme.

“Some of the residents who don’t really talk much, love to sing along when we sing the old hymns,” Harless said. “When they thank me for what we do, I always tell them, ‘I am the one who is blessed.’”