Two pastors are honoring the Queen of Soul with a performance at the American Music Awards Tuesday.

Aretha Franklin, known by many as the Queen of Soul,  passed away last August after a battle with pancreatic cancer. During her lifetime, she garnered six American Music Awards, hosted and performed at the AMAs.

Now, she will be honored on the same program by some of her industry friends and Christians including Pastor Donnie McClurkin who leads Perfecting Faith Church in Freeport, N.Y. and CeCe Winans who heads the Nashville Life Church in Nashville, Tenn. with her husband Alvin Love.

Winans took to Instagram to share her thoughts about performing Franklin’s music.

“I’m humbled to be participating in a tribute honoring the Queen of Soul, @ArethaFranklin, at the @AMAs,” she wrote.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bor2AxIH9tj/?hl=en&taken-by=cecewinans

McClurkin also had some words to share ahead of his performance.

“It is an honor to take part in a moving tribute for the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, on the @AMAs tonight,” McClurkin wrote on Twitter Tuesday. “The performance will honor her gospel roots and iconic album ‘Amazing Grace.’ Don’t miss the show at 8/7c on ABC!”

It is an honor to take part in a moving tribute for the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, on the @AMAs tonight. The performance will honor her gospel roots and iconic album ‘Amazing Grace.’ Don’t miss the show at 8/7c on ABC! #AMAs pic.twitter.com/IwJgpUTZ4t

— Donnie McClurkin (@Donnieradio) October 9, 2018

Aside from McClurkin and Winans, the American Music Awards will feature a large Christian presence during the performance scheduled to honor the late Franklin. Gladys Knight, Ledisi and Mary Mary will also pay tribute to Franklin’s gospel music roots by performing work from her gospel album Amazing Grace.

Knight called the opportunity to participate in the tribute nothing short of a blessing.

“It’s a blessing to be a part of this moving musical tribute to honor our late queen and sister, Aretha,” Knight said in a statement obtained by Ambo TV. “She was an icon and visionary, radiated light and love through all of her life’s work, and touched all of us through her incredible gift of music.”

 

(Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)