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The Praise Band the God Built
LifePoint Band in Concert on November 6
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When LifePoint Church in Byron suddenly found itself
without a praise band, it didn't take God by surprise. He
had the situation under control. You see, it just so
happened that attending church at LifePoint the day the band
left was Anny Stanley, an accomplished singer and guitar
player who had given her life to Jesus four years ago. Anny
fell in love with LifePoint that morning and felt so at home
there, that when a member of the church asked her if she
would be willing to help out with the music until they could
replace the band, Anny said yes. And it also just so
happened that Bart Young, Anny's friend and fellow musician
who had been attending LifePoint for three years, agreed to
help her. From there, God added one person after the next to
the new LifePoint Band.
Anny had been playing with one of the bands at New City
Church in downtown Macon before visiting LifePoint.
"New City Church was a big part of my spiritual growth.
They believe in being missional, and they had an over
abundance of musicians, so God led me to LifePoint to help
out here," Anny said.
Lifepoint Church in Byron was started in 2002 by a
handful of people wanting to reach "the whole pile of
folks who won't go to church." As Pastor Joe Tessin
says to those who show up on Sunday morning, "If you're
here and you don't believe in God, I'm glad you're here. For
those of you who have given up on church, this is a place to
relax and rest." The website says the church is a place
"where you can dress casual, grab breakfast, and enjoy
God."
It's also a place where folks can hear music played that
will wash over them and gently melt their hearts toward God.
One by one, God has assembled a praise band at Lifepoint
that sings threepart harmony straight to the hearts of those
in need of healing and grace.
"It's hard to find a church that'll meet you right
where you are and allow God to meet you right where you are.
It's a no pressure church," said Bart Young, who sat in
the back of LifePoint Church for three years real
"quiet like" before jumping in with both feet to
help Anny build the praise band at LifePoint last January.
"I used to play music professionally, but I felt
like that wasn't what God had for me to do anymore. I came
to this church to grow spiritually and never gave it a
thought about having anything to do with music again. All I
knew were some old hymns I had sung in church as a
kid," Bart said. The hymns Bart knew were the beloved
hymns like "Amazing Grace," and "How Great
Thou Art."
"We put our own twists on oldtime gospel hymns and
the contemporary worship music. It's a combination of
acoustic and electric. We play from our hearts– we're
working for the King. We do try to select songs to give
people something to take home with them," Bart added.
As the band has grown, so the sound has changed. "At
the beginning, it was just Bart and me and his brother
Brett. We had a very country, folk rock acoustic sound that
was hard for the congregation to warm up to at first when
they were used to a full band rocking out. Pastor Joe
mentioned to Robb Gill, who had played with the former
praise band, that it might help to ease the shock a bit to
have his familiar face up there with us on Sunday mornings.
It was a drastic change from what we started out with to
what we have now. It feels like a real band now–it's
better than anything we could have planned or put together
ourselves," Anny said.
The praise band at LifePoint now includes the following
musicians. Anny Stanley sings and plays guitar. Bart Young
sings and plays piano and guitar. Robb Gill plays mandolin
and bass guitar. Tim Jackson (T.J.), plays guitar. He had
been out of church for a couple of years when he was asked
to join the church band last February. He felt like it was
the right thing to do.
"Before, when I played in clubs, it was an ego thing
about being on stage and all. It's different now. I need to
be of service and it's been wonderful," T.J. said.
Krista Jordan plays bass and sings harmony. She had been out
of church for about five years when her family started
coming to LifePoint.
"I've played in other bands and worship teams
before, and this is the first time I've really enjoyed
playing with a group of people. This is relaxed and lets God
do what God wants to do with the music," Krista said.
Anny says that Krista's third part harmony has been a
blessing to the band. Robby Axton has been playing the drums
for the band since August when his friend T. J. felt the
nudge to call him. Robby, who plays the drums in bars on
weekend nights, said he'd much rather play at LifePoint.
"It's been great," he said.
"We're the core band and people from the
congregation who want to get up and sing with us are
welcome. Ashlee Jordan, Krista's daughter, sits in with the
band along with Katelyn, Robb Gill's daughter," Anny
said. On November 6, at 7 p.m., the community is invited to
hear The Lifepoint Praise Band in concert. There is no
admission charge for the concert, but donations for the
ministry of LifePoint Church will be accepted and
appreciated.
Concessions will be sold by the youth of the church. The
band is recording the concert live that night and will take
preorders for the CD.
Lifepoint Church is located at 120 Walker Road in Byron.
For more information, call 478-956 2325.
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