Gospel artistes Prince Saj, Orville Sutherland, Treze-Gaye Smith, Donielle Anderson, and youth ministers from Church of the United Missions (COTUM); Christian Fellowship World Outreach; Union Baptist Church from Pennsylvania, USA; and Waltham Park Road New Testament Church Of God are scheduled to perform at the fourth staging of Youth Praise on October 2.

The event, which seeks to raise funds for the COTUM Youth Ministry, will take place at the Waltham Park New Testament Church of God. According to organisers, it provides a safe and spiritually sound platform for young people to express their faith and talent as well as immerse themselves in worship irrespective of church affiliation.

In an interview with the Jamaica Observer, Youth praise director and youth leader, Kay-Ann Swaby, spoke about the initiative and its growth since its first staging in 2023.

“COTUM Youth Ministry has been impacting many young lives, especially young males who are considered “at-risk” youths. We currently have a 17:4 male-to-female ratio and Youth Praise is our main fund-raiser to fund the youth initiatives and programmes to help impact these youths and help us to reach more young men. Through Youth Praise we offer full sponsorship to youths from different communities to attend Christian Youth Camps we have seen the impact: educational support — community youths now go to school five days per week instead of two or three days, scholarships and grants; social exposure — engaging them in spaces that cultivate good values and purpose-driven activities; sports programmes; youth development workshops. Our goal is to maintain an active presence and an influential voice that overshadows the negative influences in the lives of the youths,” Swaby explained.

She added, “We also use this initiative to share the gospel with the youths through the arts and music because Youth Praise is a youth-targeted event reaching youths from all over.”

Swaby states that the event has grown since its first staging three years ago.

“Our first event was well supported. At that time, it was our first youth concert in probably over two decades. The event was planned and executed in less than six weeks, no social media promotion — just word of mouth and a voice-over recording circulating to a few contacts — and we had over 400 people in attendance. The church was full to capacity, and we even had people standing outside. And now, entering our fourth consecutive staging, Youth Praise has grown on a significantly wider scale — from a local church initiative into a transformative community event. We have youth ministries reaching out to have their young people minister at Youth Praise; we also have gospel artistes requesting to be on the line-up. The trajectory has accelerated impressively,” Swaby disclosed.

“The high point over the period has been the energy each year, which is unmatched,” said Swaby. “Experiencing the youths channelling their energy into purpose and creativity as they honour the Lord with their talent/gift, worship together, and enjoy the presence of God whilst ministering and supporting each other. The realness of the artistes — over the years in the midst of their ministry they have shared their personal stories (testimonies), level and relate with the youths whilst encouraging them to stay with God or give their lives to Jesus Christ.”

DJ Tarik Pryce will provide recorded music prior to the performance of the gospel acts, and radio personality Ava-Gay Black Blair is the host.

Said Swaby, “You can expect to be richly blessed by the youths! Expect a euphoric evening of praise and worship from beginning to end. Be ready for the move of God; Expect prizes and surprises.”