Gath kids get ready to rock

By CHARLES W. JOHNSON / News Editor for the Southern Standard

A group of teens from Gath Baptist Church was so impressed with a inter-denominational inspirational music concert, called “Explosion 2004,” which was held recently at Allen’s Chapel Methodist Church in DeKalb County, they have decided to put together a similar program here in Warren County.

The event will be called “Jesus Rocks 2004,” featuring both Christian Rock and traditional spirituals. The event is being sponsored by Central Baptist Association which is a made up of some 20 churches in the area.

The program will be held May 8 at Gath Baptist Church located at 6967 Smithville Highway. Festivities will begin at 2 p.m. with sports, games and other activities and run until 10 p.m. The concert portion will begin at 7 p.m.

Helping to coordinate the event is Sandy Epperson of Healing Hearts of Tennessee, a local counseling service. Epperson hopes that local businesses will help promote the event as was done for the DeKalb County concert.

“What we would like is for our businesses to show their support for our teens in McMinnville,” Epperson said, “by putting on their signs or marquees, ‘We support our teens – Jesus Rocks 2004’ prior to the event.”

The concert will feature groups that performed at the Explosion 2004 event including Christian Rock bands “Not in Vain” and “Kainos.” Also on hand will be a dramatic group from First Assembly of God in DeKalb County which will perform skits with a spiritual message that will be especially meaningful for teens.

The Gath teens are anxious to show there is a large segment of young people in Warren County who are not afraid to demonstrate their faith and love of Jesus and, in fact, want to convey their faith to others in their age group.

One young Gath church member, 19-year-old Ryan Black said the Explosion 2004 event had a positive effect on him.

“It was definitely moving,” he said. “They put on several dramatic acts and it absolutely spellbound you. It hit you right in the heart and you could feel God moving through the room.”

The skits covered several real-life situations that many teens deal with today including drugs, alcoholism, the desire to be popular and belong to cliques, and a couple in a violent relationship.

The teens felt the music had a great effect as well.

“The music was awesome,” said Taylor Steele, 15. “The big thing now in Christian music is punk rock bands, and there was one of those and I like that music.”

For more information, or to support or join the “Jesus Rocks 2004” event, contact Sandy Epperson at 615-417-2497.

PHOTO INFO:
This group of Gath Baptist Church teens is working to present a Christian music concert event called “Jesus Rocks 2004” to be held at their church Saturday, May 8 from 2 to 10 p.m. Pictured are, front row, from left, Kim Holt, Becky Adams, Taylor Steele, Ashley Driver, Kayla Holt and Justin Ashford. Back row, Jeff Duncan, Jeffery Adams, Lyn Ashford, Lynn Adams and Ryan Black. (Charles W. Johnson photo)