Christian music performer and song writer Nathan Sheridan will be in concert Friday night at the Ellis Theatre in Philadelphia.

The program, titled a Night of Worship with Nathan Sheridan, is being hosted by the Philadelphia First Assembly of God. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m.

Admission is free.

“We are excited to be able to bring a Christian music artist of the quality of Nathan to this area,” said Rev. Austin Bishop, pastor of Philadelphia First Assembly of God. “The community responded well to the Seventh Day Slumber concert we hosted in the fall and it encouraged us to keep bringing this type of music, worship and testimony to the area.”

Bishop said it was important that the events be free and be held at a neutral sites such as the Ellis Theatre and the Neshoba Coliseum.

“This is not about denomination or any particular church,” Bishop said. “We want everyone to feel comfortable in the setting, no matter what church they attend or whether they or regular church-goers or not.”

Sheridan, 26, gives his testimony on how Christ has influenced his life through song and word. His songs, “Alone in the Garden,” “Broken With You,” and “Loves Like That” are described as “shepherding songs” with heartening messages for a Christian who has found God to be faithful, despite difficult circumstances.

“One of the reasons we decided to bring Nathan back to this area was because of the purity and honesty of his testimony and the way he connected with the audience,” Bishop said. “He has one single getting some nationwide airplay now. I have no doubt that those who come to this event will be able to look back one day and say ‘Hey, I saw that guy when he was first getting started.”

Sheridan’s songs are described as having a shepherding, heartening message for the faith journey of someone who has found God to be faithful despite some very difficult circumstances

“I believe my life has been divinely orchestrated, 100 percent of it,” he said on his website. “I’ve had nothing to do with it, but I give God the credit. He’s taken care of me this far, so I just don’t see any reason to worry. God’s plans are way bigger than what I could’ve imagined.”

His early life was difficult. As a small child, he was living in a house where his parents were drug users and not responsible. He and his sister went to live with their grandparents in Pearl River, Louisiana. During that time, his sister died of a rare form of brain cancer.

He found the Lord at the age of 14 and discovered music at the age of 15, and things started to come together. After high school, he joined the National Guard and did a tour of duty in Kuwait. There, his faith and interest in music continued to grow. He along with a group of officers and enlisted men found themselves leading worship services.

Sheridan was encouraged to stick with his music and did so after returning home from the Middle East. He and a friend recorded an album. He sent demo tapes and made his way to Nashville. Sheridan has since signed a record deal, gone on nationwide tours and made his label debut.

Bishop said the concert has been made possible by local businesses, churches, and individuals providing sponsorships. Those needing more information about the event or who are interested in helping sponsor the free concert can call Bishop at 601-938-2471.