Andre Jebbinson, Staff Reporter

Andrew 'Omari' Edwards is on a mission to minister to young people. - Contributed

At one point Andrew 'Omari' Edwards did not think he had what it takes to be a gospel artiste. However, he is now proving his biggest critic, himself, wrong.

"In high school all the way through college, they used to know me as the singer. In my yearbook they wrote I was the person most likely to be in the music business," Omari said. "I didn't know the Lord could use me the way he uses a Ryan Mark or a Prodigal."

Omari is now using his God-given talent as a tool to minister to young people. His first attempt at entertainment came when he was lead singer for the now defunct group, Rappers for Christ. That unit split up when the members started going in different directions to pursue other interests.

But, according to Omar, the passion lingered with him. "I have a passion for young people. God has given me the passion to entertain and reach the youths. That is the desire the Lord has placed on my heart," Omari said. "Now I wake up every day thinking about music."

Musical crusader

As it is with most gospel artistes, the drive often comes from an intervention by the one who ordains their destinies. Omari said he was at home with his burning desire to become a known musical crusader, and it was out of this nagging feeling that he took a trip to see Danny Browne, a producer with whom he had no previous relationship.

At that time Browne was working on a Christmas album and he gave Omari the opportunity to do his first recording, a rendition of Joy to the World. Since then he has recorded So Jah Seh, Tell Mi a Who and Help, all original pieces.

He was on the line-up at the first ever Recharge gospel concert five years ago with his old group, but appeared solo for the first time at the same concert earlier this year. Omari recently returned from another youth outreach effort in Trinidad, where he got an opportunity to expand on what the Lord has called him to do.

In October Omari will be headed for New York, where he will be featured on the international staging of Recharge and other shows. "I am really looking forward to going across the world with my message. I don't want to lock myself up in a box," Omari said.

One thing that remains constant is the love he has been receiving from supporters. He said the energy in Trinidad was encouraging. "It is nice how the audience really took the time to listen to what I had to say. My diction was clear, showing it is not all about the jump up and down," he said.

Clean, wholesome fun

His dream exceeds just entertaining and includes a Christian entertainment centre where people can have "clean, wholesome fun".

Omari attributes his Christian foundation to his mother, as well as pastors France Fletcher, Dr. Graham and Jodi McCalla at the Family Church on the Rock.