THIS year, gospel sweethearts Robert and Jenieve Bailey celebrate 20 years in the ministry.

They have started the celebration with two concerts — one in Kingston and the other in Portmore. According to the duo, the plan is to continue the series right across Jamaica.

“We have 20 years in the ministry and we want to go into some areas we haven’t been to for years,” the couple told the Observer.

Married for 18 years, they will be the first to tell you that keeping their business and personal life intact takes effort and it is essential to have God at the centre.

Robert said a lot of couples make the mistake of going into marriage thinking that it’s like driving an automatic vehicle.

“It’s the opposite. It’s a day-to-day effort. It’s something that you have to work at daily. You will have challenges, ups and downs are a given,” he admitted, but the key he said is allowing God to keep the unit together.

The couple are always in each other’s space, performing together and bringing up their two children together. While some persons may think there is need for some ‘alone time’, the couple said they enjoy each other’s company.

“We find that connection of being together helps us,” said Jenieve, with Robert interjecting: “We work together and we feed from each other.”

Robert said if there were any issues with constantly being together, it would be with their two boys.

“It’s harder on the children,” he said.

He said there are times when they have to “skilfully juggle” their time.

Jenieve admitted that there are times when you’ll get upset with each other. She recalled that once she had a show to do and she was really upset with her partner. On their way to the concert, she said the Lord told her to pray aloud and she did.

“That totally changed the mood and by the time we went on stage, we were good again. The measuring stick for us is 1 Corinthians 13 … Love never fails,” she shared.

Jenieve is the daughter of Toots Hibbert. She was a foundation member of the group 54-46 along with her sisters, Leba and Melanie.

Born in Brown’s Town, St Ann, Robert grew up singing in church. His breakthrough came in 1987 when he topped the Jamaican Youth for Christ Discovery competition as best male vocalist.

— Cecelia Campbell-Livingston