Andre Jebbinson, Staff Reporter
Gail Whittingham (left), John Spencer (centre) and Eberechi, contestants in the 2006 JCDC National Gospel Song Competiton. - Contributed
Glacia Robinson brought much attention to the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), National Gospel Competition after winning in 1998. That prompted a few young Jamaicans to enter the competition. After reaching the semi-finals in 2004, John Spencer is back in this year's competition.
Things are looking well for him, especially since he made it farther than he did two years ago. This time around, however, he has brought four other young people with him to make up The Ministrels (Gail Whittingham, Eberechi Anyim, Karl Mitchell and Denna McLoud).
He is confident that his song, The Word, has the right material to win the competition. "It's a love song to God. We have to learn to listen to Him and hear what He as to say," Spencer said. "It is not just a worship song, it is calling for total healing."
Spencer says it is essential to consult with the Lord before pursuing anything he wants to do. It was out of a conversation with his friend about the same issue that he came up with the lyrics for the song.
The final show in the competition is scheduled for Sunday, July 30, at the National Arena, but he says he and his group members are concentrating more on having a good ministry at the show on Sunday than on trampling his opponents. "We all want to win but right now, I don't see any of us with that competitive energy," he said.
Know their purpose
Spencer says focusing on anything else would deprive the song of what its main purpose is. He said he and the members of his group know their purpose in the competition and they will work hard to achieve it.
Spencer is a music teacher at Mar/Jam Prep School in St. Ann. And since this is a singing competition, his skill has come in handy. He said he was able to relay what was taught to him in the studios and the workshops to the group members.
It is the mission of the JCDC to develop talents and foster their growth. Spencer believes the competition has already made his name one that people will be able to identify in the future.
He intends to extend his ministry regardless of win or defeat on Sunday. "I know I will get the backing of the JCDC. They have prepared us for things we didn't know and helped us to produce the best quality."
John Spencer and The Ministrels was formed out of the Faith Christian Fellowship of St. Ann's Bay and have been singing together as a group for the past two years.
Spencer is known for his mastery of the musical instruments the keyboard, drums and the
guitar. Gail is known for her worship spirit and she also plays the guitar. Eberechi is known for her graceful spirit of worship and makes excellent sounds with African musical instruments.
