REGISTERED nurse Petrena ‘Ariana’ Whyte believes music is the best medium she can ‘administer’ the gospel through to others.

Employed at the University Hospital of the West Indies, she is one of the 10 finalists in this year’s Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) Gospel Song Competition.

The 27-year-old bass player said her guitar is the ‘anointed tool’ which will help her secure first place in the competition.

“I love my guitar. It is one of the best blessings God could have provided me with,” Whyte told the Jamaica Observer.

Hailing from Dublin Castle in St Andrew, Whyte’s entry is Praise Him in the Morning. The single is co-written by Kenrick Lawrence and herself.

“I felt excited, elated and hopeful. It is an honour to have been chosen to represent Jesus Christ on a platform such as the one provided by JCDC Gospel Song Competition,” said the first-time entrant.

Whyte explained the inspiration behind the Praise Him in the Morning.

“The song basically reflects on my life and that of Kendrick’s life at the time. All the scenarios mentioned in the song were real life, legitimate struggles. The song echoes our commitment to praising God despite the trials and situations we may face, this with an understanding that God is all powerful and in full control,” said Whyte.

“We chose to submit this song because we both agreed that it was with the most part suitable for the competition in terms of genre, arrangement and message,” she continued.

Whyte, who is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Midwifey at the University of Technology, said her main objective for entering the competition is not just to win, but meet new people and spread the gospel.

— Ainsworth Morris