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Equipping the saints with music
Writer releases Christian childrens album featuring local musicians
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At a time when most children are asked to race through childhood, one local songwriter is helping them strengthen their faith along the way. Colleen Capes Jackson's newly released album and vacation Bible school program, "I'm a Champion," invites young listeners to dance along as they worship the Lord.

Jackson, a regular contributor to The Covington News, Alcovy Magazine and national publications, has focused on her personal journey of faith to equip children in their walk with God. Each song was inspired by Jackson's prayers and reflections. Local artists John Johnson, Cindi Hall, Sylvester Simmons II, Harley Carnes and a trio named KAOS - Katie Ann, Olivia and Skye Johnson, developed the compilation.

"As I sang the songs, the Holy Spirit anointed the recording session to allow John Johnson, my producer, to hear each of them as I heard them in my heart," Jackson said. "I would sing a few lines and John would play what he heard. The end result was something beautiful."

The album includes songs with intriguing titles such as, "I'm a Champion," the title track, as well as "Devil, Eat My Dust," "I'm A Masterpiece," "My Jesus Rocks," "God's a Giver," and "Look at You, God." Each song has a compelling story of Colleen's own growth as a Christian.

While this is Jackson's first venture in professional songwriting, she is well known in the area for her work in journalism and public speaking.

A native of Newton County, Capes Jackson stays busy as the administrative assistant to the vice president of Economic Development at DeKalb Technical College in Covington. She and her husband Dwayne have two children, Heath and Whitney, and two grandchildren, Wyatt and Gunner.

In addition to family life and work, Jackson is active as the founder and director of the East Metro Atlanta Christian Writers group. She is also involved with the East Metro Atlanta Christian Songwriters. During the past 35 years, she has done quite a lot. Jackson has served as a Sunday school teacher, vacation Bible school teacher, youth director, playwright, conference speaker, professional clown, DFACS volunteer and 2008 writer of the year at the American Christian Writer's Conference held in Atlanta.

Jackson's debut was held Nov. 1 at Colonel Cob's Corn Maze in Oxford. Although she wrote the songs with children ages 4-12 in mind, she touched the lives of many others who attended the event. One listener commented, "I listened to it as I drove. Then, I spent a while reading my Bible for the first time in a long time."

When Jackson heard the comment, she was thrilled.

"My greatest hope is that children will grasp hold of the little takeaways in each song and rise above what the world tells them they can be," she said. "I've asked God to allow the messages in my songs to stick in the children's heads and hearts to inspire them to accept Christ as their savior."

Jackson plans to host her vacation Bible school package and songs in local churches. She said the products are designed for church choirs, Sunday school programs, children's church, vacation Bible school and family worship. Jackson is offering to partner with churches for fundraisers. For every $10 CD sold, she'll return $3 to their ministry.

Jackson welcomes the opportunity to speak at churches and share the message in each song. Readers can reach Colleen Capes Jackson by writing to her at 215 High Point Forest Drive, Covington, Ga. 30016, or calling her at (404) 444-7514. Jackson's Web site, www.colleencapesjackson.com, is currently under development but should be operational soon.