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The performance was part of Serotonin for the Soul: A Spiritual Concert{span}, held Sunday, June 29. The event blended music, the science of connection and Seratonin, scripture, and movement into an immersive spiritual experience that pulsed with energy and intention. “My biggest hope, personally, as a pastor in Whitewater, is that people from around the community, in different churches and different experiences and backgrounds will come together and share in a positive experience here, um, positive worshipful experience,â€� said pastor of the church, Joseph O’Donnell. “I think thatÃÛèÖÊÓƵ something our community really needs, is more reasons to be working together. So thatÃÛèÖÊÓƵ my hope.â€�

Though Jansen regularly performs at large venues and international stages, bringing her to Whitewater was a long-anticipated dream for the congregation—four to five years in the making. One barrier had been the absence of a piano. That changed in 2024, when the church acquired a refurbished Steinway at a discounted rate, offered with the hope that it would go to a good home—finally opening the door for the spiritual concert to become reality.

Alongside Jansen was her husband, Frank Jansen, on piano. Local drummer Mark Davey joined them, having performed with the Jansens before. And in a last-minute addition, trumpeter Ian Stone was brought on board just the day before. His mother, Sandra Stone, a longtime member of the church, helped coordinate the performance and make it possible.

Jansen didn’t simply perform—she engaged. Attendees were asked to stand, move, sing, and even greet strangers.

“The sweetest sound in any language is what?� She asked. “Do you know what that is? The sweetest sound in any language is your own name. So tell the person your name.� The congregation comingled and greeted old and new faces with a smile. {span}Toward the end, the sanctuary echoed with the voices of the crowd joining in on “Lean on Me,� a song made physical as neighbors leaned into one another. “{span}Are you ready to be love and to be the presence of love for Whitewater and beyond?� asked Dr. ValLimar Jansen. The auditorium filled with resounding yesses from the congregation.

She shared that no matter what your faith may be—whether Lutheran, Catholic, Muslim, Buddhist, Krishna, or Hindi—“ThatÃÛèÖÊÓƵ what this whole concept was to open your heart and to get you moving and ready to go out and to be even a greater expression of GodÃÛèÖÊÓƵ love.â€�

Jansen said, with both power and softness in her voice, “We need to, especially in this time, when we are so greatly divided and the world is on the brink of disasters,� she said. “We’re called to be that light, the light that Jesus wants.�