Andrew Rose all about ministry

When gospel artiste Andrew Rose, 'AR', is singing about Jesus and His ability to save and transform, he knows exactly what he is talking about.

Fifteen years ago, one Sunday night, when he thought he was going to die, making his way to the hospital with what he thought was super high blood pressure, he realised that he wasn't ready to meet his Maker.

"It was then and there I decided I didn't want to go to hell in my sin. When the doctor told me my pressure was a little high, but not enough to be a problem, I felt I had been given a reprieve," he told Family and Religion.

Right then and there, Rose decided that he was not going to be uncertain about his spiritual life anymore - he committed it to God that same night.

But keeping on the straight and narrow was not as easy as he thought it would be. Newly married, instead of living harmoniously with his bride, they started having frequent arguments.

MARITAL PROBLEMS

"I knew something was wrong. I just could not put my finger on what it was. At one point, I decided to end my marriage, and the Lord spoke to me, 'Where are you going?' and that was when I realised the Lord had been with me all the time," shared Rose.

Years later, he is thanking God for His faithfulness to him as he says that he has seen one miracle after another being manifested in his life.

"I got into trouble here in the States, and, at one point, I asked the Lord if I was going to jail. He told me yes. I told my wife what the Lord said. I was locked up for 10 months," he shared.

Although at the time it was hard to bear, Rose said that the separation from the world started to work on him.

While in jail, he said he was used by God mightily.

He related that there was an inmate who had a problem with his neck and the Lord used him to heal him and another person who had cancer. After praying for him, Rose went back to lie down, and it was then that the Lord impressed on him to 'go back and do it right by binding it up'.

After that, he kept receiving requests to pray for inmates or their loved ones, continuing to reap positive results.

That proved to be preparation for the ministry he is now involved with in the States - the House of Prayer Ministry.

He is also part of the God Lives Within Ministries (GLWM) in Jamaica, along with the ministry's gospel producer Prophet Rohan Lee, who operates out of Mandeville.

Rose said that he is excited about being involved in that ministry as he is expecting God to do some mighty work through it.

Rose, who always enjoyed, singing, embraced it fully after he got saved and since then has been penning lyrics inspired by his faith in the Lord.

He is currently working on his sophomore album, which is being produced by Lee.

Born in Kingston, Rose grew up in Trench Town, later moving to Spanish Town. He migrated to the United States in 1978, and it is there that he is continuing his musical and outreach ministry.

familyandreligion@gleanerjm.com