The first staging in the ZEAL Christian ministry series held inside Club Meca in Marketplace on Constant Spring Road on Sunday has been described as a success.

“I was very excited. We had a full house and so many people came out to hear the word and be exposed to the atmosphere of ZEAL,” co-conceptualiser Pastor Sara Cowan told the Jamaica Observer.

Themed ‘Babylon: Thriving in Opposition,’ Sunday’s event also saw a performance by Dr Carlene Davis. Also in attendance was gospel artiste Kevin Downswell as well as singer-songwriter Naomi Cowan.

Cowan added that the word was highly receptive. This was proven by the number of congregants who gave their lives to God.

“I think the highlight for me personally was the 12 commitments to Christ that came as a result. Another highlight was a suicidal young man who had reached out to me on social media who was there last night and the fact he is still here is something to celebrate. He’s making ZEAL his home church. Our method may be unconventional but the results are solid. Glory to God on that,” she said.

Cowan is the daughter of impresario Tommy Cowan. She further added that she will be back on the island momentarily to continue the series.

“I’m looking forward to the new series [dubbed] ‘church hurt’ that begins this Sunday. I’ll be back for November 5 and definitely have a lot to share in this series as I’ve experienced that myself. I’d love for people to come for the entire service and find out how all of us in one way or another have been able to overcome that particular reality,” she said.

Meanwhile, Pastor Gladstone Johnson from the New Testament Temple Church of God in the Bronx, who was in Jamaica for the service, said he is pleased with the initiative.

“It was a very positive experience. The message was very uplifting and to the point. It left me with a clear understanding of the message that she was trying to give to the audience — ‘surviving in the midst of opposition’,” he told the Jamaica Observer.