Authentic worship experience at Shout Gospel Fest

Thousands of young people turned out recently for the 17th staging of Shout Gospel Fest at the Bayside New Testament Church of God in Portmore.

The concert marked the end of the annual three-day National Youth Congress put on by the National Youth and Discipleship Ministry of the New Testament, headed by the Reverend Leslie Pinnock.

Under the theme 'Authentic Youth - Authentic Mission', the concert was headlined by Kevin Downswell, Rondell Positive and Apostle. Praise and worship would set the atmosphere for the night which saw Cobbla New Testament dancing to Casting Crowns' Praise You in this Storm, much to the delight of the audience. They were quickly followed by Gospel Warriors who gave praises with Hallelujah and One Life to Live.

Montego Bay-based artiste Stephen Cunningham proved to be lyrically inclined with his quick rhymes and wit, totally captivating the audience. Faithful Brothers were up next and got the crowd waving with the lively Don't Wait til You Get to Heaven, before belting out the reggae-infused Man was Made to Serve God.

Supernova, Tek di Gospel, Nah Back and Ring Ring electrified the audience, setting off sounds of vuvuzelas and waving rags. The vibe would continue with MC Kenton Tracey, who also doubled as a deejay, having fed off the vibes created by Supernova.

Apostle, the first headliner for the night, opened with Our God is a Good God. He would then involve the audience with Cover Me Jesus, before taking down the tempo with, You are the Most High.

It was time for the Reggae Worshipper, Rondell Positive, who invited the fire of God to fall and called for Help, before charging concert goers to discover their purpose and fulfil it. He then launched into Sticks Nor Stones and More than a Conqueror, before pulling All Over Me to shut down Dexta Dapps' Seven Eleven. He charged young girls to change their thinking and lives to promote authenticity.

Crowd favourite Kevin Downswell lived up to his billing as the leading worship leader in Jamaica, when he kicked off his set with Calling Me, the audience doing a good job with backup singing. His delivery of That's Enough could not satisfy the crowd and left them wanting more. Downswell would then up the tempo even more with Goodbye World before telling the audience "Congress, it is finish", which saw him delivering It's Already Done and If It's Not You.

Still craving more following the closing prayer by Rev Pinnock, Downswell once again graced the stage to perform You Make Me Stronger, ending a night filled with praise and good fellowship.