By Teino Evans, Staff ReporterHER SINGING is dynamic and inspiring to all those who hear her and, even if the listeners do not know her by name, her music is well known throughout the world.
Marvia Providence is an evangelist in every sense of the word, as her music has travelled to places far and wide.
Providence, who was born and raised in Clarendon, Jamaica, but now resides in Canada, says she has been singing since age eight, but got started professionally in 1985 when she became a Christian.
It was on March 17, 1985, during a Sunday evening worship service in a New Testament Church of God that Marvia took another step by surrendering her life to the Lord. Up until that point, despite the fact that she had been singing for several years, Marvia did not fully understand the calling of God on her life.
"Before I got saved I was only singing because I was asked to. And people sing for many different reasons, but the Lord spoke to me and said I had a responsibility as a minister and messenger," Providence said.
Marvia said she knew that this would require her to perform in front of many persons, but little did she know that it would lead to her having her own ministry. While performing on-stage in Jamaica, Marvia heeded the call to go into evangelism, which led her to enroll at the Emmanuel Bible College in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada.
BACHELOR'S DEGREE
In April of 2002, she graduated from Bible College with her bachelor's degree in Biblical Studies. This, she says, has helped to better equip her in delivering the message she believes God has given her for this generation.
In November 2001 Marvia was licensed as an ordained evangelist and now travels in that capacity, fulfilling the mandate of her calling.
Marvia's first recording was in 1992 with the Toronto Mass Choir, where she performed as one of the soloists for their debut album entitled Great Is Thy Glory. It was not until two years later that Marvia was able to release her first solo album, entitled To Much To Gain To Lose.
Since then her ministry has taken her to several parts of the world, including the United States, England, Jamaica and several Caribbean Islands. Marvia has been privileged to share stage with the likes of The Grace Thrillers, Kirk Franklin, Carlene Davis, George Banton, Junior Tucker and Stitchie.
Singing, however, is just one of the many gifts that Marvia has been endowed with, as she has also shared the platform in several conferences with TV evangelist Paula White, Bishop Neil C. Ellis and other powerful ministers of the word of God.
Whenever Marvia is not in the studios, she attends the Mills Church of God in Canada, where she serves as one of the worship leaders and assists in several other ministries in this local church.
RECORD LABEL
Now, Marvia and her record label, Explorer Recording Company, have unleashed a new wave of attacks on the enemy, as she has released her second album entitled Shabach, which was recorded live at a sold-out concert.
This project incorporates some of Marvia's musical styles, from her West Indian background to the traditional sounds of southern gospel.
Marvia describes her experiences so far as difficult, but is comforted through her songs and ministry.
"It's been quite difficult, as there are times when I've gone on-stage feeling depressed. But singing is my relief, it's the singing that has kept me going," Marvia said.
Marvia says singing is like a universal language that can connect to people.
Marvia's song Hear My Cry Oh Lord, has recently become a regular fixture for selectors in the Jamaican dancehall, as the song is remixed on the same rhythm with an Elephant Man song Yuh Too Bad Mind. According to Marvia (who many see as conservative and traditional), Christians and others should stop making a fuss about where and in what context the song is being played.
"I am told that some Christians have a problem with my song being in the dancehall, but I think the power of God is so powerful that it can captivate you at any time and in any place or situation. So I think we should just stop all this foolishness about church versus dancehall and come together," Providence explained.
Marvia says she believes with all her heart that something is going to break in all this, as she noted that there were persons who actually came to know Christ while at these dancehall sessions.
Now, Marvia is getting ready to work on a third album, which will be entitled Thank You, as she is rejoicing for the work that God has done in her life and through her music.
In leaving a word of wisdom to gospel artistes currently in the business, Marvia says they should always remember that they are Christians first and artistes second. "We are his messengers first and foremost and we need to always seek God's direction. Being an artiste is secondary," she said.
