Andre Jebbinson, Staff Reporter
Clive Warren is overcome with joy as he is announced winner at the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) 'Gospel 2K6 Finals Show', held at the National Arena, Independence Park, in late July. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission's (JCDC) National Gospel Song Competition has created waves for yet another year and the focus is now on next year's instalment. However, Clive Warren, the 2006 winner, is just getting ready to take back the generations for Christ.
"Just watch and see. You are going to see God do some great things in Flankers," said an elated Warren after claiming the title at the final show over two weeks ago.
In a field of 10 contestants, Warren stood his ground and
commanded the attention of the audience. His reverential rendition of his original song, Generation, conquered the hearts of those in attendance, especially the judges. Now his journey to get rid of the bad perception surrounding his Flankers, St. James, community is in full force.
Wonders
"I believe taking this title back home is going to do wonders. People will see it and recognise that good things can come out of Flankers," he said.
The community of Flankers has been getting a bad rep due to the intermittent flare-ups of violence. Just last month a double murder spiked the community's infamous level of unrest. Warren is waging war on the turbulence by planning a street-blocker concert featuring some of the other contestants from this year's competition. The violence problem is a growing one and he said that he would have used the JCDC competition as a means of combating it, regardless of the result.
"We are at a time where we can't just sit around and watch. We need to get the Lord in the hearts of these people," he reiterated.
Demon
He said like the bad press that Jamaica gets overseas, his community is also battling the same demon. In the middle of all the confusion that surrounds that crime-plagued area there are still those who are courteous and polite people. This can only make his quest easier as he is trying to elevate what is already present in the hearts of the people.
The recently-crowned JCDC gospel contest champion is already the praise and worship leader and men's president at the Flankers Open Bible Church. And though he was unsuccessful in his previous attempt at the competition, he believes the timing is now perfect for the work that the Lord wants him to do.
"My aim is to go out and do what I am called to do, and that is to go out earnestly and minister to the men of the community of Flankers, and then Jamaica, and then the world at large," Warren said.
