THERE WAS APPLAUSE after applause!
At the end of the night, however, it was God who received the glory during the Expressions Of Gospel Gospelfest event at Frank Collymore Hall, last Thursday night.
Undoubtedly, all who ministered (whether in song, dance, prose or through music) had a message to share.
Notwithstanding, one who stood out and whose message left no doubt about the goodness of God, His Son and The Holy Ghost was Kasheena Bishop.
This 24-year-old “differently able” student and leader of the Special Needs Ministry at the Christian Learning Clinic was among those who received standing ovations.
In her “testimony” she described Jesus as “the sinner’s Saviour”; “centrepiece of civilisation” and “the greatest phenomenon that ever was.”
“You can’t outlive Him, and you can’t live without Him,’ she affirmed.
Revelation 14 got the night started with their rendition of We Exist To Give You Praise, an excellent choice! They were followed by The New Dimension Dancers, who lit up the stage with their colourful attire as they portrayed various characters of the Holy Spirit – namely the wind, rain and fire. Saxophonist Antonio Allen of the United States mesmerised his audience with his renditions of The AirI Breathe and I Love The Lord. He too received a standing ovation!
The night would not have been the same without Testify and their wonderful mime. This NIFCA Award-winning trio mimed I Can Only Imagine – a song which speaks of what it might be like to come face to face with Jesus.
Kelly-Ann “Sarah” Hurley coolly sang Rescue Me before Delores Callender-Taylor sent the crowd laughing with readings from her book – God,Where Is My Husband?
The New Creations Dancers from New Testament Church of God presented a beautiful dramatised piece – inclusive of the Crucifixion, before the award-winning Royal Diadems ministered effectively in song.
Canadian Liz Radio’s My Heart Sings, delivered via the spoken word, added variety and refreshment to the night.
Next on stage was the Halah Dance Group of Sanctuary. They danced to the upbeat Come Let Us Sing, as they too lit the stage with colourful costumes and “danced foolishly” before the Lord.
Canadian-based singer Norwill Simmonds thrilled the audience with his selection of I Need You Now, before the Lamb Drama Group Of Love And Life Ministry got their message across through a portrayal of the fight between good (God) and evil (Satan). Their piece was entitled A Glimpse Of God.
A touching song of the night was Yvette Mitchell’s version of He’ll Do It Again. She offered hope to all present.
Bringing the curtain down on the night’s proceedings was Praise Academy Of Dance with their tribute to Haiti.
As they relived Haiti’s January 12 earthquake, the message of God’s love was clear.
The dance was excellently choreographed and the dancers well attired. Some represented hope, and others, despair.
Adrian Agard, organiser of Gospelfest, can take a bow for another great night of giving God glory. (CH)