A local church is opening their doors to the community for a star-spangled evening this Saturday. Southside Baptist Church in Greenville is hosting the Butler County 'Red, White and Blue Day' at 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 7, at the church's 211 King St. location.

The church will be presenting the one-hour patriotic musical "Sweet Land of Liberty" with two very special guests, Jay and Amy Rouse. Jay Rouse co-created the musical, which was presented once before by the Southside Choir.

"We did this program about two-and-a-half years ago here on a Sunday morning to a very good response. We decided when we had the opportunity to have the Rouses here, we would open this up and make it a community-wide event," explains David Kelley, music minister for the church.

Jay Rouse is a noted keyboard artist who has served as an accompanist for many Christian performers including Kathy Troccoli, Russ Taff, Buddy Greene and the Gaither Vocal Band and has toured as Sandy Patty's music director and accompanist.

The musician has also composed some of the top-selling choral anthems of the past few years and has become one of the leading arrangers, orchestrators and producers in Christian music publishing.

His wife, Amy, has been a featured soloist with the Bill Gaither Trio, with her performances featured on recordings and videos created by Bill and Gloria Gaither.

She has also traveled with Sandy Patti as a backup singer, and performed with the Radio Bible Class in Grand Rapids, Michigan as a featured soloist on a weekly television show.

She was recently featured on "Lullabies", a collection of children's songs released by Discovery House. Amy sings regularly as a studio musician in the central Indiana area, allowing her the chance to perform with some of Christian music's leading artists and producers.

The Rouses have also done extensive touring as part of the group IMAGE. Their goal, they say, "is a deeper and growing relationship with Jesus Christ." Their home is in Anderson, Indiana where the Rouses live with their two children, Thatcher and London.

"We are really excited to have Jay and Amy Rouse coming to be with us for this special performance. We have also invited all county and city dignitaries who can to join us and be recognized that evening. We want all of those who can to come and join us for this special evening," said Kelley.

For more information, contact the church at 382-6224.