More Than This — A spiritual rejuvenation
Powerful, impactful, spiritually uplifting, and high-energy best described the worship and ministry that took place at East Lawns, King’s House, for Friday’s staging of the More Than This concert headlined by multi-award-winning and platinum-selling American gospel singer CeCe Winans.
Her powerful vocals brought each song to life, while delivering captivating stage presence and curating a spiritually uplifting experience throughout her one-hour set, which was riddled with several fan favourites.
The event, which left the large audience in attendance feeling blessed and rejuvenated, kicked off at minutes after 3:00 pm with Geovanni Baker, the winner of the Sing Like CeCe competition.
Baker held his own and worked his way like a professional across the stage.
“Being on a show opening for an artiste like CeCe Winans is something I dreamt about. This is indeed a blessing for me, and I want to thank the More Than This concert organisers for the opportunity. I feel blessed and highly favoured that people are now aware of my ministry,” he told the Jamaica Observer post-performance.
Raheim Betty, Raechel Benjamin, Joraine Welsh, and Donielle Anderson, the four remaining finalists in the Jamaica Gospel Star competition, were up next, and they represented themselves well, demonstrating why they have made it to the finals of the competition.
Gospel singer Carey Sayles, armed with songs like Favour, If It Wasn’t For Jesus, and Blessed and Highly Favoured, was in fine form.
“I found this to be an amazing experience; it was a very good feeling, and I enjoyed it. The people were involved, and they enjoyed the worship. When you can get people to participate and worship God then you have achieved your objectives,” Carey Sayles said.
Immaculate High past student Jessica Royes made her major concert début on the More Than This stage.
“I was so excited when I learnt that I would be on the line-up; this is my first time performing on such a large stage and the experience was wonderful. The high point for me was speaking to the audience and touching people’s lives,” said the gospel singer who began her ministry a year ago.
The younger members of the audience went into overdrive when six-member a capella group HUMBLE hit the stage.
As the group reeled off song after song, members of the audience danced, sang, and seemingly wrapped themselves in the musical euphoria.
Chevaughn Walker, member of HUMBLE, said the group was excited at the opportunity to connect with patrons.
“This was a huge opportunity and a big stage and we’re just glad for the opportunity to sing. The energy reciprocated was really good. We just wanted to come here and minister for the Lord,” said Walker.
The group made a second appearance to the stage to lead the singing of the national anthem, signalling the start of the main show, which went into overdrive when singer Johnmark Wiggan hit the stage.
In an energetic and spirited set, Wiggan presented songs such as Run Mi Dung, Work, and Still Deh Ya.
“When I said to the audience, ‘Give God the praise that he deserves,’ and the people reacted, that for me was the high point of the performance. The opportunity to praise God in such a big way was exciting for me. I was honoured to give God the glory with his people,” Wiggan told the Observer.
The crowd response rose even louder with the arrival of award-winning gospel deejay Prince Saj.
Fully Jesus, worked like a snake charmer, while Adonai, Godly Woman, Watch Yuh Step, and Holy Spirit Moving kept message flowing.
“I believe the message is definitely reaching the young people of today. Many times I get messages in my inbox on Instagram or on TikTok shortly after a performance from people who say that they have been blessed… We have to push the gospel — many have given their lives to God after being ministered. Tonight, the people got to see what God is using me to do,” said Prince Saj.
He was later joined on stage by Johnmark Wiggan to perform their hit collaboration No More Than We.
Gospel minister Kevin Downswell described the proceedings as amazing.
“I am so grateful for the worship of the word of God. Tonight was beautiful, tonight was amazing. For years I parked the song
God is Amazing from my set, and performing it here tonight it’s like God wants me to fulfil a particular assignment. It’s an honour to share the stage and to perform right before the legendary CeCe,” said Downswell.
His set also included his new release Midnight to Victory as well as Carry Me.
At 7:40 pm, the long-awaited headliner took to the stage to receive the key to the city of Kingston from Mayor Andrew Swaby. This was preceded by a proclamation read by Robert Hill, CEO of the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation.
After the presentation Winans got to work.
“We can have good intentions to try to do the right things, but how many know we need the Holy Spirit?” Winans asked the audience. “We need the Holy Spirit to teach us how to love God, and how to praise God, and how to love one another. And how to walk in wisdom and how to be what God has called us to be on our best day and on our worst day. We need the Holy Spirit, the spirit of God to shine through our hearts,” Winans declared before easing into the song More Than This from her album Sanctuary.
The up-tempo Lord and Friend, Too Late To Lose (Oh the Blood of Jesus), the sing-along Never Lost, All In Your Name and
Holy Forever, featured on her live album Believe For It, were well-received by the audience.
But the most compelling part of Winans’ performance was when she delved into Come Jesus Come. Tears rolled down the cheeks of many, while hands went up into the air as patrons sang along with Winans.
Come Jesus Come is currently #1 on Billboard’s Gospel Digital Song Sales and Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs chart and has been on the tally for 71 weeks since its début in March last year.
That’s My King, #3 on the latest Hot Gospel Songs chart and #5 on the Gospel Digital Song Sales chart, was another fan favourite.
However, her cover of Goodness of God (the song was first recorded in 2019 by Bethel Music featuring Jenn Johnson) which has swept the nation over the past year (her version was actually released in 2021), was the icing on the cake.
Goodness of God, which was certified gold in America recently, is #2 on Billboard’s Gospel Digital Song Sales and #3 on Gospel Streaming Songs.
Chevelle Franklin was given the task of closing the proceedings, taking the stage at 9:27 pm. She reeled off Joy, Testify, Some Sweet Day, and a medley comprising several gospel standards that saw patrons dancing, shouting, and clapping in worship and appreciation.
Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness and his wife Juliet, Opposition Leader Mark Golding and his wife Sandra, Culture Minister Olivia “Babsy” Grange, former sportscaster and consultant Ali McNab and several members of the business, corporate, and entertainment fraternities were among those seen enjoying the event.
PRINCE SAJ… tonight, the people got to see what God is using me to do (Photo: Karl Mclarty)
Prince Saj (left) and Johnmark Wiggan perform their hit collaboration No More Than We.(Photo: Karl Mclarty)
Kevin Downswell, overcome with the ministry, falls to his knees while performing at the More Than This concert. (Photo: Karl Mclarty)
Mayor of Kingston Andrew Swaby presents the key to the city to international gospel star CeCe Winans on Friday night. (Photo: Karl Mclarty)
A section of the large crowd in attendance at the concert.(Photo: Karl Mclarty)
Chevelle Franklyn delivers her set on The More Than This stage on Emancipation Day at King’s House. (Photo: Karl Mclarty)
