The issue of saving souls

Papa San, left, and Franklin

THE patrons of secular events are divided about having a gospel artiste performing at their events.

Some patrons say the presence of the gospel acts adds variety to the line-up and brings God's message to the unsaved while others believe they should never be there.

"It is a event for sinners. I think that they should stay at Gospel concerts and save souls via the airways. That's not their event," said 18-year-old Susan, who was a patron at Reggae Sumfest where Stitchie performed.

Gospel acts such as Stitchie, Papa San and Chevelle Franklyn have appeared on secular events. A few of the events have been Reggae Sumfest, Sashi and Sting.

Some people supported the actions of these entertainers. "I believe you should go where the sinners are. You have a job to do and that's doing your job. It brings a different vibe to the audience," explained 24-year-old Bernard, who attended Sashi.

Boring

"The majority of non-Christians think Christianity is boring so they see a gospel act performing they will want to change," he continued.

Based on reports from the events where the entertainers appeared, they have being getting good responses.

In terms of the responses from persons in Christendom, it has been just as controversial.

"I believe it's a good thing. We are giving the patrons at these events another side of the story. We are giving the gospel, which is something other than what they went there for. As long as you are on stage ministering for God nothing is wrong and doing what is right in his sight, nothing is wrong," explained Pastor Lorenzo Brown of the Cross Roads S.D.A.

There are those that disagree. Rev. Leroy Dawson, of the East Kingston United Pentecostal Church would not encourage a gospel act to perform at a secular event.

Rev. Dawson said such a performance by a minister of the gospel could give the impression to other Christians that it was alright to go to secular events.

The artistes who have performed at the events, among them Papa San and Stitchie, say they acted on God's directive and that they say they seek God's will on the subject.

"It's something that I pray about. I don't just decide to perform. I am now praying that the Lord leads me to a place where I don't have to perform at those events anymore and that people in the secular world will come to gospel events so if I'm performing to 30,000 secular people it will be at a gospel concert," said Papa San.

Stitchie says when he is going to perform at any of these events he consults his pastor. The church, he says, normally prays for him. He said he would never go to an event of that nature without taking that approach.

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