The stage is set for the inaugural Hope Gospel Concert at the Pentecostal City Mission Church Headquarters in Kingston on Friday.

The showcase, aimed at spreading cheer in the Hanna Town community, will feature Rhoda Isabella, Carlene Davis, Tehillah Ministries, Kareem Haynes, Samijo Scott, Gem Myers, Kamalla Francis, and more.

“Rhoda Isabella… I found out that she is well sought after among the residents. When I announced it in the congregation the applause that it got told me that the people will want to listen to her calling. They also applauded Carlene Davis. Gem Myers isn’t really a gospel artiste, but she’s the sister of one of my members and her mother is one of the ordained persons in one of our churches in St Catherine, so she is acquainted with the church and has accepted to come,” Bishop Marcia Gale told the Jamaica Observer.

The concert is free, but refreshments will be on sale.

Bishop Gale added that she is looking to partner with other entities to have subsequent annual stagings.

“It was so much in my heart to do a free concert, and it’s very costly, and I might be getting one or two sponsors, but it was a last-minute thing, so I never thought of the budget. However, I think this is preparing me for the way forward. It is my intention to seek sponsorship at an early date so that I will better be able to finance it,” she added.

Bishop Marcia Gale is encouraging everyone to attend the concert as it promises to be a blessing.

“It is the time of joy. We just celebrated Christmas. Yesterday [Sunday] my sermon was about rejoicing, and I think it’s a time of joy and a time for us to celebrate. It helps as human beings to let down our hair amidst all the stress that we are facing as a people. I’m saying, come into this space where you can just lighten your burden and just let it go,” she added.

— Kediesha Perry