New Around the Mission

Singing to Save Lives

April 19, 2010

Have you ever met someone that is spiritually oblique? That is how Vocal Artist, Jason Harrod described himself at a recent benefit concert for Haiti relief sponsored by The River in Blacksburg, Virginia.

“I loved playing for the benefit for Haiti because it's obviously a great cause, and I loved meeting the people at the River,” shares Harrod. “I also think very highly of their pastor, Jonathan Tagg.”

Drawing from the best traditions of American music to create a sound all his own, Harrod shares stories of lost love, found joys and spiritual longing through storytelling and lyrics that have endeared loyal fans across the country.

“Jason talks about Jesus in a way that is not imperial, but sweet and authentic from a place of vulnerability,” notes Pastor Jonathan Tagg.

The same characteristics could describe the friendship between Harrod and Tagg that began some years ago.

“Jason was a regular customer of my café in Durham, North Carolina - before he moved to New York City and I became a pastor,” Tagg explains. “I found out he was a Christian as our friendship grew. I like his subtlety.”

The concert gathered 140 people from the Blacksburg community, raising $1100 for Haiti relief.

“Doing events like these provide great opportunities to challenge our congregation to keep reaching out, inviting people to be a part of their spiritual life,” remarks Tagg. “As the community becomes more familiar with us through these initiatives, we hope visitors that don’t have a faith community will check out The River as their place of worship.”

Posted By: Cynthia P. Brust
Categories: Faith in Action