Stephen Blake ‘baptised’ as ‘Pastor of the Dancehall’ - Congregation views it as an accomplishment

Making a joyful noise unto the Lord has taken on a new meaning. Selector Boom Boom has made it a point of duty to invite Pastor Stephen Blake to weekly sessions, and took it further earlier this week, when he announced a moment of silence inside Boasy Tuesdayz to 'baptise' Blake as the official 'Pastor of the Dancehall'.

Boom Boom explained to THE WEEKEND STAR: "God knows, if we can have more pastors like him in every parish ah do what him do, dancehall would nice again. Me declare him the official pastor of the dancehall with the responsibility to go round and bless up the dance."

The selector also played the pastor's newest track Praise The Saviour.

"The lyrics of the music he is making speaks to the reality of it. I can tell you when him hold the microphone fi pray, the people put them hand in the air and listen. The response and the vibes always different after, more feel good energy," said Boom Boom.

Honoured and humbled

Blake, son of Paul Blake, former member of reggae group Bloodfire Posse and a pastor himself, says he is honoured and humbled by the acknowledgement.

"It means that people are paying attention to the work I am doing lobbying for the dancehall, while sharing the word of God. I am no longer self-proclaimed, the dancehall community endorses it," Blake said, while admitting there are "temptations" in dancehall. "But I have learnt from the mistakes of my father and my mother will also shake me up.

Blake is a member of Acts of the Holy Spirits Ministry International, and Dr Deon Edwards-Kerr, a member of the church's board, said the congregation supports his efforts.

"Remember, dancehall is not a thing, it is people, and in church are people that have known 'the road', too. We are no different and we have all sinned," Edwards-Kerr said. "Culturally, or traditionally, we are known to separate the church from the dancehall, but why should he separate it? He has been given that part of the wall to build and he is doing a good job not only in the parties, but in the hospitals and with his prison ministry."