Special year for Gospelfest ahead

Youth Service at the People’s Cathedral heralded the official start of the Barbados Gospelfest yesterday morning. While the festival was commenced with a T-20 cricket match on Saturday evening at Briar Hall, the sanctification and blessing of the festival occurred yesterday.

 

The service was attended by many different associations such as the Brownies, the Boy Scouts, Multiple Sclerosis Association, and the Barbados Mass Choir. Nevertheless, a special visit was paid by Sister Dorris, who celebrated her 107th birthday yesterday.

 

Adrian Agard, Event Co-ordinator of the festival addressed the congregation noting that this year is special for the event as Barbados celebrates 50 years as an independent nation. Agard went on to say that it is a privilege to be assembled at the People’s Cathedral as it reminded him of where he said his vows 37 years ago.

 

With regards to the week-long event, Agard individually thanked partners for sharing the vision and making it happen. This included volunteers who commit to making the festival a success as well as sponsors with whom he looks forward to a continuous mutual beneficial relationship with.

 

This year’s Gospelfest, set in the year of jubilee, continues on Tuesday with the 11th edition of Hymn Speak at St. Mary’s Anglican Church, under the theme “At the Cross”. Hymn Speak, according to Agard, will feature choirs from the Anglican, Catholic, and Pentecostal denominations to name a few. 

 

On Wednesday, Gospelfest continues with a sunset concert at Independence Square for the public to enjoy. In addition, the youth in no way will be left out. On Thursday morning, the festival will be heading to New Dimensions Ministries to host the school event for approximately 1000 Class 4 primary school students. There will also be a Joseph Niles memorial lecture and Artist Showcase at the Queen’s Park Steel Shed that same evening.

 

Moreover, on Friday, there will be Laughter and Jazz at Divi Southwinds Beach Resort, an event best suited for couples and Saturday will be Ultimate Gospel at Kensington Oval. The culmination of the festival will be at Farley Hill National Park for the highly anticipated Flow One Awesome Day. In addition, to an uplifting experience that is planned, running concurrently in another section of the park will be the Chefette Kids Experience, which while being equipped with play activity will be based on Sunday school structure.

 

After being told of the events spanning the week, the congregation was told by the preacher for the morning that the festival will be under cover. Jamal Meagus, preaching from, Psalms 91 told those gathered that the Psalm is one that speaks of blessings, assurance and peace. He warned them that while it is a common perception that divine covering comes based on the Pastor of the church you worship with, that is not true. He noted that only the Lord can truly cover them as He has so stated in the Psalm.