His songs can be heard permeating the airwaves, he is embraced in the gospel arena, but still this powerful minister for the Lord seems to be shadowed by the new wave of gospel music currently sweeping the scene.

Reverend Glen Graham who has been a staple in the gospel arena for over 30 years is still determined to make his mark in a meaningful way, even though his songs, which minister to mind and spirit, seem to have given way to the fast-paced beat that is dancehall gospel.

The man who has recorded Jamaican gospel gems, Mother’s Grave, Get On Board, Prepare To Meet Me There, What If You Should Be Left Behind, Countdown To Glory and Six Men Bringing You Back, is now working on yet another album.

The album Jamaica Debt Free will have praise as its central theme, recorded to an up-tempo beat.

“Man’s basic purpose on Earth is to praise God,” he said, adding that if he had known how important praising God was back then when he just started recording, he would have done a lot more praise albums.

Among the tracks that will be included on Jamaica Debt Free are I Have No Regret Serving Jesus, Hosanna Of Praise, Nuh Teck Di Mark of Di Beast and Praise Him Every Day.

Born in Round Hill St Elizabeth, Glen Graham grew up in Seaview, a community in the same parish. A past student of Seaview and Bigwood Primary Schools, Graham said he always had an appreciation for music. Back then, Graham said he would engage his time writing lyrics for pop songs. All of that changed the minute he accepted Christ as his Saviour at age 19.

“Previously, I was living a meaningless existence — I partied hard, drank and smoke like crazy and was basically wasting my life away,” the reverend shared.

Life took on new meaning when he embraced Christianity. It was then he started penning gospel lyrics.

The first song he recorded Mother’s Grave was embraced by the church he was attending. “They just loved it and encouraged me to focus more on my music career,” Graham reminisced. It is the track that remains his favourite over the years. “The song is very special to me. I lost my mother when I was eight years old and I never thought about her soul until when I got saved. I don’t know if my mother was saved, so the lyrics in the song are true,” he said.

With a new call on his life Glen Graham enrolled at the Jamaica Wesleyan Bible College in Westmoreland where he spent four years doing pastoral studies.

With music being his first love, the Reverend combines both in his ministry. Since he has accepted the call Graham has performed all over Jamaica. He has also had the chance to minister all over the States, Canada, other parts of the Caribbean and London.

Looking ahead Rev Glen Graham says he has a very big project in the works. “Until everything comes together, I am not going to divulge much,” he said.