The community continues to support Lamar County senior soccer player and honor graduate Taylor Davis who was recently diagnosed with leukemia. This time First Works Church plans a major concert to benefit the Taylor Davis Fund. ‘I grew up with Taylor and played soccer with him,’ said First Works youth pastor Jacob English. ‘After the community car wash earlier this month, I was inspired to do something for him.’ His parents Michael and Renee English challenged him to ‘do more than just donate $10,’ and the idea for a major concert was born. It will be held Friday, June 8, at 7 p.m. at First Works Church on Old Milner Road. ’This benefit concert is big enough to pull together not only our community but surrounding communities,’ he said. ‘We’re trying to take a stand for life and against cancer ‘“ leukemia is a form of cancer. Everything people do, whether it’s $1 or $1,000, it makes a difference in Taylor’s life.’ It will feature Noah Cleveland who is providing his performance free of charge. Cleveland is a Christian singer/songwriter who has been compared to such performers as Chris Daughtry from American Idol, Darius Rucker from Hootie and the Blowfish, Lifehouse and The Goo Goo Dolls. His early rock influences include Matchbox 20, Creed, Nickelback and Howie Day. He describes his ministry as ‘the anointing from God.’ In 2008, he released his debut album titled Be Loud and recently released an exclusive preview CD, Come Alive. He went to The Georgia School Of Leadership and Ministry where he led the traveling band for three years all over the U.S. and to three countries. One of his songs, ‘Until Only You Remain,’ is a Gospel Music Award winner. Also on the bill are national recording artist John Waller, whose music was featured in the movie Fireproof; the DoorHolders, a new praise and worship band out of Macon; and the First Works Church Band, which includes English, a veteran of the English Family gospel group. ‘Music is a good thing for a gathering and it’s incredible Noah Cleveland is doing this for us. We’re doing a big production on a cheap budget,’ said worship pastor Chris Gray. ’People will come to support Taylor, but it’ll be fun and uplifting.’ The event will be videotaped and Davis has told the English family he hopes to come. The theme of the concert is Life, ‘because we live in faith every day,’ said Gray. The in-and-out wristbands will be green rubber bracelets that read ‘Life,’ and can be kept afterward. The suggested door donation is $10, but English said any donation will get a concertgoer in the door. ’We’re not going to turn anyone away, whether they have the $10 or not,’ he said. ‘We want them to come no matter what. We as a church believe God can perform miracles in different ways. They could be a part of the miracle God wants to work in Taylor’s life.’ Because the event is growing so large, English and Gray are seeking sponsors to help offset the costs as well as plenty of volunteers to help manage it. ’We’re open to anyone who wants to help,’ said English. ‘They can just contact us.’ Each sponsor of $100 or more will be posted on the big screen in the sanctuary. Sponsorships will cover the costs of the event to ensure all monies can be donated to the Taylor Davis Fund. For information call English at 678-572-0388 or Gray at 770-519-7724 or visit lifefundraiser. org. In May, a group of high school students, mostly student athletes, coordinated a benefit car wash for their stricken classmate. They raised a substantial amount for Davis, who learned he had leukemia a week prior to the state playoffs. To honor him, the Lady Trojans wore orange ribbons in their hair and tape on their socks. They painted their fingernails orange and wore orange ‘eye black.’ Orange is the universal color for leukemia awareness. The doors will open at 6:15 p.m. and the Lamar County soccer players will help collect donations at the door.
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