- FILE
Stitchie, one of the performers for next month's 'It Soon Be Done', which has attracted numerous sponsors.
Teino Evans, Staff Reporter
DESPITE THE unequal ratio of sponsors compared to their secular counterparts, gospel promoters still have something to give God thanks for, as there are a few companies which have actually committed themselves to supporting gospel events.
Companies and brands such as Jamaica Broilers, Valle, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), CARIMED, Wata, Bigga, Chubby, Jamaica National Money Transfer, Bermudez Biscuit Company and the Jamaica Tourist Board have been regular sponsors of gospel events held in Jamaica and, according to one corporate CEO, it is a matter of personal conviction and sponsoring a worthy cause.
"We sponsor gospel events because of what has happened to us. We (most of the executives) have become committed Christians and we prayerfully ask the Lord to guide our company and our actions," said Robert Levy, president and CEO of the Jamaica Broilers Group.
Levy says he cannot recall being a major sponsor of a secular event, as he feels that sponsoring gospel events would be more beneficial not necessarily financially, but in the sense that some amount of hope is given to those who attend them.
"We have seen the changes that God has made in our lives and in the success of the company and, therefore, the greatest thing is to share that through gospel and see positive messages being spread and people being influenced positively," Levy said.
The Jamaica Broilers Group has been the main sponsors of 'Fun In The Son' for five years and, according to Levy, the next time around they hope to make the event much bigger.
"We are hoping to be main sponsors for 'Fun In The Son' this year again and we hope to make it a major event in Jamaica," he said.
Gospel promoter, Glory Music's Tommy Cowan, said it's good to see companies giving support to gospel events. However, he warned that those companies which didn't, were making a mistake.
MISTAKE
"I think it's a grave mistake for companies not to sponsor gospel events or put their money behind it, because one, it bears better fruits for Jamaica; two, the Christian market is the most powerful market in Jamaica. The church is the sleeping giant and investments into Christianity is sewing seeds for the positive future of Jamaica," Cowan said.
'It Soon Be Done', a gospel show scheduled for November 13 at Cinema 2 in New Kingston, already has 30 sponsors in cash and kind, including main sponsors Malta and City Of Kingston Co-operative Credit Union. Among those slated to perform are Candi Staton, Rev. Otis Wright, Claudelle Clarke, Carlene Davis and Stitchie.
Nicole Walker, brand manager of Bermudez Biscuit Company, which is also a sponsor of 'It Soon Be Done', says the company sponsors gospel because of the positive values that are spread. She says that if the country is to return to the good old days of less crime and violence, they want to be on board as an agent of that change.
"Bermudez is a family company and we know that gospel is a way of developing young people and families in general. When you think of gospel you think of the good old Jamaica when everybody went to church, and I think we need to get back to our roots, so we are definitely on board with that," Walker said.
CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES
Some sponsors are so committed to the cause that they have sponsored gospel events overseas. One such is Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) Fund Manager.
"JNBS roots are firmly set in the church. We literally started in a church some 131 years ago and our operations continue to be based on the Christian principles of integrity and transparency. Additionally, a wide cross-section of our members are deeply involved in the church and we ensure that we take an active interest in activities in which they are involved. This also extends to our operations overseas, particularly in the United Kingdom, where we have supported gospel shows and other faith-based events," said Lavern Reid, corporate communications of JNBS Fund Manager.
With the wealth of potential corporate sponsorship for gospel events, it remains for promoters to plan and execute their events well, building reputations that will earn them support.
