The Union of Sinners and Saints, a newly minted Christian rock band featuring former members of Petra and Whiteheart, got their first radio release with the classic John Wesley hymn, "Christ the Lord is Risen Today."

The Christian classic will be a cut from the band's self-titled album, which currently has no scheduled release date, but promises to replicate the Petra and Whiteheart signature sound that fans have come to love through the "soaring signature John Schlitt vocals and production."

"It seemed like only a matter of time before John Schlitt, lead singer of Petra, and Billy Smiley, guitarist, singer, and founding member of Whiteheart, would team up. That time is now," a recent press release explains.

Joining Schlitt and Smiley is Anthony Sallee (Whiteheart) on bass, Jason Fowler on guitar and vocals, Steve Brewster (Peter Cetera) on drums, Jonathan Crone on guitar, and John Ellis, lead singer from Tree63, on guitar and vocals.

"The idea of a new project really intrigued both of us," Schlitt said.

"With our histories, it only made sense to feature Petra and Whiteheart favorites along with the new songs that we were writing in the studio."

The debut single of The Union of Sinners and Saints is written by Charles Wesley and arranged by Billy Smiley and Dave Ellefson. "Christ the Lord is Risen Today" is produced by Billy Smiley for Northern Shore Productions.

The Christian rock and roll bands, Petra and Whiteheart, have sold a total of over 12 million records and landed at no. 1 in the charts 25 times. They also earned over 15 Grammy and 40 Dove nominations and awards.

The Union of Sinners and Saints' debut single, "Christ the Lord is Risen Today," can be downloaded from iTunes, Spotify and the band's site.