Give ‘Glory to God’ … not corona - Bishop Thomas changes the narrative with new single
Published:Sunday | November 15, 2020 | 12:10 AMYasmine Peru - Sunday Gleaner Writer
It is perhaps only too easy to attach the ‘celebrity pastor’ tag to popular, cutting-edge leader of the Emmanuel Apostolic Church, Portmore and Slipe Road assemblies, Bishop C. Everton Thomas. But that title is one which the Singing Bishop eschews – “Jesus is the main attraction” – and also one which he will increasingly find difficult to shake. The bishop, who, as his bio states, “is well known throughout Jamaica, and in several countries around the world” is again ready to dive deep into musical waters and is about to serve up some non-traditional offerings that will cut across all genres. Next Sunday is the virtual launch of not just his latest single, but, more so, the accompanying music video for the song, Glory to God. And, already there is a loud buzz.
“I think it is going to be epic,” Bishop Thomas told The Sunday Gleaner. “Because everybody is talking about the corona and almost giving glory to corona, and we are talking about giving glory to God. We are changing the narrative in the street.” Donning his preacher man cape, he added, “Even in our churches, what we seem to forget is that He [God] has promised to keep us. God is faithful. He is still in control. That never changes,” emphasised the presiding prelate of the Emmanuel Gospel Assembly, who has oversight responsibility for 40 churches in Jamaica and the United States.
‘CHRISTMASSY FEEL’
Glory to God, while not seeped in the secular, is “anything but traditional” and even has a Christmassy feel. “It is more R&B in genre, but still worshipful,” Thomas explained, and that is central to the musical experience that he is offering. Unconcerned about unconventionality, Thomas has a mission to “reach people where they are”, and if that means using a hardcore dancehall beat in a praise and worship manner, then so let it be. His proposed album, he says, will be done in “real Jamaican style” and will incorporate reggae, gospel, jazz and dancehall. He has already spoken with Minister Marion Hall, formerly know as Lady Saw, whom he baptised in December 2015, about collaborating on a track titled The Passion of Christ.
Thomas’ concept of music is quite basic, but it is also a bit intriguing. Music, he says, and which many will agree, was created by God. And he means all music, in caps and bold. “Please show me a Christian ‘C’ on a piano,” he challenged. “We have allowed the enemy to take what God has created and hijack it and pervert it. What is important is the lyrical content, as well as the spirit on which the rhythm is riding,” the bishop said, unwittingly (perhaps) making a solid case for gospel artiste Chozenn’s controversial dancehall-soaked single, Bawl Out.
Thomas added, “Now is the time to be writing some songs for the unsaved. Our music needs to have a message that is conscious. You can have a song not saying ‘Jesus’ but is all about the love of Jesus and appeals to everybody.”
The singer, songwriter, musician, businessman, and faithful pastor is quite excited about his music ministry, going forward. His only regret, if it can be so described, is that he has allowed so many years to slip by. But, come Sunday, November 22, at 6 p.m. on his Facebook and YouTube platforms, Bishop Thomas will erase those years, as he uses to the fullest the talent with which he has been blessed. “Singing is a companion ministry to pastoring, but over the years I have not been singing much. Sometimes I want to incorporate it in my sermon, but I am always aware of time constraints,” he stated. And although he has embraced it, the bishop says that he has no intention of leaving the ministry to pursue a career full-time in music. “Unless the Lord calls me to,” he added.
Certainly no rookie in the performing arts arena, Thomas is a second-place winner in the JCDC Gospel Competition. And had it not been for the fact that he entered the same year as dynamic, powerhouse singer, Glacia Robinson, he surely would have won in 1998. But his music creds didn’t even begin there.
Years before, when he lived in the US, Thomas’ singing ability had been spotted by the late gospel music titan, Andrae Crouch, who invited him to sing background vocals on his next album. “That album was delayed for four years, and he arranged for me to sing on a Quincy Jones project,” Thomas told The Sunday Gleaner. Also, in 1978, he and his siblings had released an album titled Everton Thomas and the Pathfinder: Make A Joyful Noise. That album is still being played today.