Andre Jebbinson, Staff Reporter

Based on the numbers that answered th calls, approximately 4,000 persons accepted Christ at the 2007 edition of 'Fun in the Son'. This is in addition to 5,000 who had previously taken the step over the free gospel show's six-year history. Close to 100 persons got saved at 'Recharge' in 2006 and the organisers are looking for a larger number in 2007.

These shows are not of the traditional gospel type and have been deemed by many as hype without substance. But these numbers reflect the opposite. It would seem clear that the many thousands who flock these shows know what they are looking for, and have found it.

"There is a cry out for God's word and Jesus in people's lives. What works for us is that we put on the event free. When you have a paid event, only the Christians come. When it's free, everybody comes to see what going on," said Tommy Cowan, the 'Fun in the Son' promoter.

Like a drug

The hype, many say, is like a drug that only gets the patrons high for a season, but then they find themselves in the same emptiness they did before. This is why Cowan and the representatives from Radikal Communications, which stages 'Recharge', have devised a plan to keep the fire burning in the mostly young people who attend their shows.

Each event has counsellors who are normally found among the crowd, to guide those who have indicated they want to be saved. Their contact information is also recorded to make staying in touch easier. There were about 500 counsellors available at 'Fun in the Son', but Cowan said more were needed. He plans to address that next year. Youth Reaching Youth, an evangelism programme linked with 'Fun in the Son', has the task of keeping in touch with the new Christians and helping them to remain faithful, while Teen Challenge caters to those with life-controlling issues.

According to Joan Whilby, wife of gospel artiste Prodigal and marketing manager at Radikal Communications, the new converts are referred to churches and pastors closest to where they live. Often communication is made with the individuals and pastors to keep track of their progress.

She said one reason 'Recharge' does well is that many young people see themselves in many of the artistes on the show.

"You have a wide array of stories. You have people like Prodigal or Moses, who are from the same area from opposing gangs. People used to see them as outcast and unreachables, but now they are united in the gospel. People want to see things they can relate to," Whilby said.

With a change in attitude, many of these young people return to their communities and try to spread the good news. Carlene Davis often declares in one of her songs that "This island needs Jesus". With more and more young people finding Jesus, Cowan says, " One can reach 1,000, but two can put 10,000 to flight."

Fun in Jesus

Mark Coote is 23 years old and said he had a problem with marijuana. He was searching for control of his habit and found that at 'Fun in the Son'.

Coote said, "I ended up in a mental institution and was searching for something to do with my life. I went to 'Fun in the Son' and saw the interaction with Jesus, and I saw I could have fun in Jesus."

Patrick Dillon had a life-altering 'Recharge'. He said as a result of going to the show and maintaining contact with Prodigal and Joan Whilby, it has helped him keep on the right track.

Still, the work has just begun.

"When it comes to winning souls, the work can never be done and we are never close to the target. What we want to do is induce a level of intensity when it comes to praising. We need to move from the surface level and go deeper into Christ," Whilby said.