By PAT NEWMAN
Staff Writer

A night of contemporary Christian music, praise and worship is set for Friday night at the Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater in Peachtree City.

Organized and sponsored by the God Squad, the night's lineup will feature national recording group According to John, whose lead singer and catalyst is John Waller of Fayetteville, and the bands Episonic and Drive Blind.

This is a free event of “big time praise and worship,” according to Eric Abney, founder and missions director for God Squad International. “Calling this a youth rally just does not do it justice,” he said. “The event will begin with some hard core music from a local band. Then the music will take a turn into contemporary music featuring home town artist According to John.”

Waller, of According to John, received national attention last spring when his song “Nothing Back” was played during a video tribute to Cassie Bernall, a victim of the Columbine High shooting in Littleton, Colo. The piece was written by Waller and Scott Johnson, the singles minister at New Hope Baptist Church during a summer youth retreat. It was recorded on the band's first CD, “A 2 J.”

The group, which includes drummer Jeff Billes also of Fayetteville, bassist Ed Bunton of Lawrenceville, and lead guitarist Jason Hoard of Griffin, has been heralded as one of the most promising on the Christian music scene. Words such as intense, expressive, and imagery-rich, have been used to describe their songs.

Testimony from evangelist Phil Bradfield will follow the band. “God delivered him from a life of drugs and sin,” Abney said. “His only desire is to relate to the young people and tell them that drugs is not the way. Jesus Christ is the greatest high that anyone can experience. Following the testimony, will be a message focusing on Christ as the way to attain heaven, a personal time of ministering to the kids and finally, a time for praise,” Abney said.

The God Squad's mission is to see “young people of this world worship their creator in spirit and truth. I want Jesus Christ to become real to every person that comes into contact with a squad member,” said Abney, the 20-year-old founder of the God Squad. Their home church is Peachtree Christian Fellowship which oversees their mission.

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