After migrating to the United States during his teenage years, minister, motivational speaker, entrepreneur, and best-selling author Bishop Henry B Fernandez has always kept a close connection to Jamaica.

On the philanthropic side, he has been involved in giving back to his fellow countrymen and he has made monthly visits to help the less fortunate.

On December 6, Fernandez will partner with Oliver Mair, Jamaica’s consul general to the south-eastern United States, to stage a fund-raising concert, from which proceeds will assist relief efforts for individuals who have been affected by Hurricane Melissa.

The concert, which will feature Papa San and Minister Marion Hall (formerly Lady Saw), will take place at The Faith Centre Ministries (formerly Plantation Worship Centre) in Sunrise, Florida.

Fernandez is the founder of The Faith Centre Ministries, which has a multiracial congregation of more than 10,000 members, comprising mostly Caribbean nationals as well as African Americans, Caucasians, Latinos, and Africans.

“This concert will take the form of a telethon, and it’s a free concert. We have several artistes who have committed to performing and the aim is to raise money; so people can donate,” Fernandez told the
Jamaica Observer recently.

Said Fernandez: “Jamaica has always been in my heart. I’m a son of the soil. I planted a church in Jamaica years ago and it was a thriving ministry, but I’ve always done humanitarian work in Jamaica, including in the aftermath of last year’s hurricane. I shipped many containers, distributed food and medical supplies, and I’ve always extended my love to help my Jamaican people. I’ve also done similarly in countries like Haiti and the Bahamas.”

Fernandez, who began his faith journey some 40 years ago, migrated from Kingston to Brooklyn, New York. He then relocated to South Florida. His mother is from Wait-a-Bit in Trelawny, while his father is from Clarendon.

“I still have a brother living in Kingston. He is a pastor,” Fernandez revealed.

He shared that, along with Mair, there are plans to collaborate with different organisations and to have the telethon broadcast in Jamaica on television and on radio.

“We are trying to get television stations here to broadcast live and we’re also working on a television station and radio station in Jamaica to partner with us where we can broadcast live to Jamaica. Jamaica is a part of who I am, and I want to show my love and appreciation,” said Fernandez.