'Magnify Him' enjoys successful 22nd anniversary

As The Gleaner arrived on the university's campus, it was evident that something big was about to happen. Several cars and buses had already converged on the venue.

People from all across Jamaica came out to witness what many of them seemed to have known would be a truly memorable and special event.

The huge crowd inside the gymnasium was lifted to great 'spiritual heights' by spellbinding displays of singing, or better yet, worshipping through song, courtesy of the promoters of the event, the Heartease Holiness Born Again Church choir and their special guests.

The Heartease Holiness Choir had its audience standing throughout, as they unleashed some classic singing which, on the day, could rival any of the top choirs in the world. Richly blended voices and dynamic moves put the audience in a frenzy. The crowd enthusiastically joined the choir in 'magnifying' the Almighty.

Young audience

What also made the event special was that more than 80 per cent of the audience was under 25 years old.

They were youngsters who chose to follow the path of righteousness rather than be led down other avenues which seem attractive to the young.

"We started this concert at our church 22 years ago," Heartease Holiness Born Again Church's choir master, Anthony Morris, explained.

"Over the years, it just got bigger and bigger, until it outgrew the church. Last year, we had it at the Cecil Charlton Hall. The crowd was so big that at one time we had to stop collecting at the gate. That is why we decided to keep it at NCU because we had to get a bigger venue."

Songs such as What a Mighty God We Serve and You Are All I Need, among other musical gems, kept the large audience enthralled.

The Savanna-la-Mar Holiness Born Again Church choir was also a big hit on the night. The Westmoreland-based choir also electrified the audience with an energetic and high-quality performance.

More Good performances

Good performances also came from former Jamaica Cultural Development Commission Gospel competition finalist, Fabian Wright, the Emmanuel Dance Ministry, Peace and Love, and Kholiah.

"To know that we don't advertise it (event) because we don't have the money to do so, it's just amazing the huge crowd that we get at each staging," Morris disclosed.

"Somehow, the word spreads about how good the event is so people look forward to it each year."