Hope 103.1 FM Spreading Hope (Event Review)

For a year that has a lot of twos, 2022 seems to be the year of firsts within the Grenadian Christian community. From K’Morale’s first album launch, Gateway Pentecostal Church conference center opening, Praise Fest 1.0, Samuel Medas’ first visit to Grenada, to Hope 103.1 FM’s first walkathon and first anniversary. I believe that all of those events speak to greater things to come for ministry in Grenada. Today, the task I have so boldly given myself is to review yet another event that I think has been built on some of the previous events mentioned. The Spreading Hope Concert, another Hope 103.1 event worth talking about. I have to say I was impressed and I’ll go out on a bit of a sturdy limb here, and say that anyone who was there would express similar sentiments. Not because of who was featured, because sometimes when we have foreign performers that alone seems to make it worthy of honourable mention, but this event spoke volumes when it comes to quality, organization, creativity and mission.

Before I can go into the event’s details, I must give some background on Hope 103.1. I would also like to add a caveat here. I can be a very objective person and I don’t see that changing with this post, (my reviews aren’t primarily aimed at criticism but to encourage and inform). Yet for full disclosure’s sake, I do participate monthly in one of Hope’s programs and I do believe in the vision and support the ministry. With that said, let’s talk about it.

Hope 103.1 FM, is Grenada’s first gospel station. It features a range of programs geared towards informing, discipling, teaching and supporting a Christian youth, while also spreading the message of hope, through salvation in Jesus Christ to those who are yet to believe. Their motto, High on Praise and exaltation, is present in all they do, as for the past year they have succeeded in providing Grenada with a place for inspirational, uplifting content, through music, teaching, discussion, preaching and fun. Programs covered on Hope FM include: The Kingdom Ride, Money Talk, The Threshing Floor, Leadership Plus, Youth Energy Friday, Hope on the Hill etc. All accessible via 103.1 FM and their youtube and facebook page. My review of the work done in the past year has led me to agree that Hope 103.1 FM was established to not just be a local gospel station but to also highlight and support our local ministers, both established and upcoming. This was reflected in the event Hope Turns 1 (the station’s anniversary celebration), which took place on the 21st of May this year and the Spreading Hope Concert.

The Event

Spreading Hope (the concert) was held at the Gateway Assembly Conference center on the 5th of November, 2022. The event featured some of Grenada’s rising and established ministers in the Christian Music arena. These included Spice Worship Ministries, Kamaria Jordan, Kunta Kinte and the Gateway Steele Orchestra, ministry of the word was also done by Cory George. The hosts for the night were none other than the visionary DJ Saby and his ministry partner and wife, Lady Saby, more formally known as the Sabazans. Their chemistry brought cohesion to the event as they bridged each event with giveaways and thorough introductions of each minister.

What made this event particularly special was the mission. This was a fundraising event, aimed towards purchasing equipment that would allow the station to extend it’s reach, thus allowing more people to access all that Hope 103.1 FM has to offer. I think this is a worthy cause. As for the quality of the event, their choice of venue was ideal as the Gateway Assembly conference center provides a large space, with comfortable seating (for those who wanted to sit) and enough space for movement, this really did come in handy. But it wasn’t just the venue, I think Hope FM has a penchant for quality when it comes to their events, their sound, lighting, décor and supporting team, were just as present in their previous event at the Springs Open Bible church. I want to believe that the quality of their events will follow them wherever they go and in whatever they do.

Talent, gifting, passion, artistry these are the words that would capture the ministry witnessed at this event. Each minister came and gave their all, demonstrating that this was not just a performance for them, this was ministry in every sense.

The event opened with the Gateway Steele Orchestra. This vibrant group of young people opened the event with pomp and a thrilling demonstration of stamina and excitement, but most of all, it was a demonstration of what can be done with effort, hard work and consistent instruction. The music produced was beautiful, fun and most importantly glorified God. I look forward to hearing from this group again as they add an excitement to Christian music ministry in Grenada. As a Caribbean Christian I look forward to seeing more of the steel pan in our local music ministry in Grenada and I believe that the Gateway Steel Orchestra demonstrated what that could look like at this event. We were further blessed by the ministry of Bro. Kenton, whose mime to the song “Never lost” was thought provoking and very appropriate for mission of this event. His positioning at floor level however, I think limited the full range of his performance as he was not easily visible to persons who were sitting.

Spice Worship Ministries, a vibrant, passionate team of worshippers, demonstrably skilled, cohesive and passionate group. They are not new to the music ministry scene in Grenada, as a matter of fact I think anyone who would’ve followed them from inception could comfortably say that we have been witnesses to their exceptional development, marked by quality musicianship, passion and consistency. At this event it was a joy to witness excellent arrangements, quality music, a passionate lead, supportive back ups, who carried their lead singer with harmonic mastery. Bernel Roberts the lead worshipper of Spice Worship Ministries, demonstrated a command of the stage and a connection with what she was singing, you could tell that this was not just a performance for her. Their song selection was well done, so much so that they were able to speak for themselves. However, there was this sense that the speaking points between songs were distracting from the worship experience. Let me add, that I would like to hear more from one of the supportive singers, Shannon Marrast, I thought the song selected here (I just want to speak the name of Jesus) was beautifully arranged and performed by the team and that Marrast added a smoothness to it that was simultaneously hair raising and knee bending. All in all this is a band truly blessed with the gift of creating an atmosphere of worship and does well in helping raise the standard of Christian music in Grenada.

What I liked about the Spreading Hope Concert, and this would be a kudos to the event mangers, is the selection of performances. There was worship, there was vibes, consistent connection between the audience and hosts and there was solemn thought provoking moments. One such event that evoked this was the spoken word done by Kamaria Jordan on healing. Jordan’s cadence coincided beautifully with the message, further enlivened by the musical backing and song selection.

Kunta Kinte is another upcoming Grenadian gospel artiste to watch. His spell binding performance was a clear demonstration of his creativity as a minister as well as his originality. He performed with confidence and passion his original song like Nah Lie and Young Blood. It was powerful ministry, marked with energy, passion and conviction and I look forward to hearing what else this young man will create as he is positioned as a relevant voice for his generation.

Following was Minister Cory George, who had the task of ministering the word and did a thought provoking exposition. I think this is an important component to any Christian event, the ministry of the word, but I wondered if it’s placement brought a lull to the event as it was a bit longer than expected. Regardless, it was a timely message and was well executed.

Finally, the special guest performances for the night opened and instantly the crowd came alive in anticipation of what these ministers had to offer. Starting with Jedidiah, a down to earth minister with a passion for youth, he blessed us with songs like I will survive, We doh fraid them, Trample and more. I think he brought something for everyone, which is important here, because I have to add the audience at this event was representative of varying ages ranges. This speaks to Hope FM’s reach and even more reason to expand it. As expected Jedidiah brought the energy but most importantly the message, as each song was relevant and Christ centered. The final ministry for the night was done by none other than Blessed Messenger, no stranger to our shores and by the reception he received he is clearly always welcomed. At this point the crowd at the front started to thicken, the lights dancing in a way that reflected the excitement filling the room. He ministered songs like Messenger Nation, Pressure, Move Mountain and a whole lot of other well known songs, even the well known Thanks in Advance, that filled the room with nostalgia.

The thing is, I can go on and on about this event, but it won’t truly capture what Hope FM managed to do with this event. You would simply have to find yourself at the next one. What I can say though, is it was well done. The sound quality, the ambience, the organization and most of all the mission. The event was aimed towards raising funds so that Hope 103.1 FM can expand it’s reach, while allowing us to see what this radio station has to offer us here in Grenada. I think it’s truly taking ministry to another level, it’s bridging generations and connecting Christian groups, denominations, people and organizations with the shared message of Christ. It’s raising the standard of the Gospel Music sphere in Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martnique. If you missed this event and still want to support this mission, go ahead and connect with Hope FM while keeping locked to 103.1FM. As for the participants I do hope they are all encouraged to continue honing their skills and submitting their lives and gifting to Christ, as they continue to inspire others and lift up the name above all names.

Be a blessing,

Kelly PW