Schermerhorn Symphony Center Hosts Mercy Ministries Benefit Concert

Online, June 16, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Mercy Ministries announces performances by country music talents Darryl Worley and Jimmy Wayne at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center on June 18, 2012 at 7:00 pm. Tickets are on sale now and range from $16.50 to $37.00. Concert proceeds benefit Mercy Ministries.

Mercy Ministries is a faith-based residential program for young women ages 13 - 28 who have found themselves facing life's toughest challenges including rape, unplanned pregnancy, eating disorders, physical and emotional abuse, sex trafficking, self-harm (cutting), and depression. Through a multi-dimensional approach featuring proven counseling methods and Christ-centered teachings, Mercy Ministries offers these young ladies tools to overcome their obstacles and helps them establish their self-worth in Christ. Services provided by Mercy Ministries are free of charge to participants and include counseling, educational assistance, and nutrition, fitness, and financial counseling. As well, Mercy Ministries residents are offered real world experiences through weekly outings and church activities.

Jimmy Wayne, headliner for this Mercy Ministries event, had his first hit single in 2003. The song, Stay Gone, was inspired by Wayne's own sister, who had been facing domestic troubles. Stay Gone peaked at #3 as a Hot Country Song on the US Billboard shortly after its release. Wayne has gone on to release ten additional singles, with his Do You Believe Me Now reaching #1 on the chart in 2008. A Mercy Ministries spokesperson states that Wayne is a strong advocate of homeless boys and girls aging out of the US Foster System Program; several of these young ladies have turned to Mercy Ministries for help after they have reached their 18th birthday and were no longer offered care services.

Mercy Ministries will also welcome Darryl Worley to the stage. This Tennessee native has released six successful albums, and boasts three number one singles. Worley's early life included a healthy dose of church, as his father was a Methodist preacher and his mother sang in the choir. In addition to his performance at this event, Worley is also active in fundraising efforts to benefit St. Jude's Children's Hospital and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, reports Mercy Ministries.

Nashville's own Jeremy Hayes founded Music With A Purpose, the organizer of the Mercy Ministries Benefit Concert. Hayes created the group with a simple task in mind: support and create musical events for the benefit of worthwhile causes. Previously, Music With a Purpose has helped to raised funds for the Nashville Rescue Mission, which serves over 700,000 meals to hungry and homeless residents.

Mercy Ministries agrees that the Schermerhorn Symphony Center is a logical choice for the event. The Center offers family oriented musical education, a public garden - open during concerts, and offers an impressive 1,844 seats in the Laura Turner Concert Hall. Mercy Ministries is hoping to fill each and every seat for the concert, which would make it one of the most successful fundraisers for the organization all year. Mercy Ministries does not accept any government money, as doing so could interfere with their freedom to share about God's love, so these events are particularly important.

Doors for the Mercy Ministries event will open at 6:00 PM, one hour prior to the concert. Aside from the musical talent, local radio personality, Becca, will be on hand to introduce the artists. Tickets for the Mercy Ministries benefit concert can be purchased through the Symphony's website.

While this event has sparked an excitement in Mercy Ministries, it comes on the heels of a tragedy involving one of the organization's most beloved supporters, Donna Summer. Summer was known in the 70s and 80s as one of the most iconic and remarkable voices ever broadcast on radio or television. In 2000, she offered her support to Mercy Ministries and its mission, recording Take A Heart as part of The Mercy Project.

Mercy Ministries is a non-profit organization with homes and services available in the United States and international affiliates in Canada, the United Kingdom and New Zealand. To contact Mercy Ministries for more information about this or others ways to offer assistance, including volunteer opportunities, please call 615.831.6987.