Gospel Spotlight: GENESIS Praise Fest back in Kingston

The 31st instalment of Jamaica Youth For Christ's (JYFC) annual gospel party GENESIS will move to back to Kingston.

But this evening, fans can get a feel of the festivities to come at the GENESIS Praise Fest Pre-Show at the Half Way-Tree Transport Centre.

It will feature performances from artistes including GodArtiste, Minister Treasure, and Lucas Musiq and will be hosted by Markland 'Action' Edwards and Ella.

"From the get-go, it will be a concert feel. Being a Christian doesn't mean you have to be boring or put yourself in a box. We are going to turn the entire Transport Centre into more than just 'the Jesus party'. It's going to feel like carnival," entertainment producer Shannon-Dale Reid told THE WEEKEND STAR.

ANNIVERSARY YEAR

JYFC is a non-profit, inter-denominational, Christian youth organisation that was established in 1947, meaning that the event comes at the close of its 70th anniversary year.

GENESIS is its biggest calendar event. The 70th anniversary celebrations conclude with GENESIS, scheduled to begin at midnight on New Year's Day at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre.

"GENESIS was always in Kingston and switched to Portmore because we thought it would be ideal to move it into the largest community in the English-speaking Caribbean community," said Reid. "It's been out of Kingston for five years, and it's coming back with a big bang. We want to end on a high, so we're back to a bigger venue to make it that spectacular festival that people know it to be."

Top gospel ministers slated to perform are Kevin Downswell, Jermaine Edwards, Goddy Goddy, Keesa Peart, and Lubert Levy and the Levy's Heritage.

JYFC also engages in community service activities, mainly within children's homes as well as primary and high schools.

"It's not just Christian work, but giving back to Jamaica and to the Caribbean. We have done stuff in Trinidad and other parts of the world like Florida. We don't really talk about it because we believe that if you're going to help, no one needs to know. You bless somebody, and you hope they will bless someone else," Reid told THE WEEKEND STAR.