Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer

Moses (left), Shepherd and Ryan Mark (right) were set to perform at 'Jesus Party'. - File photos

There was nary a song played by Heaven's Heart sound system or a word sung by slated performers Ryan Mark, Moses and Shepherd at Friday evening's 'Jesus Party' at Scotia Link in Liguanea, St. Andrew.

In fact, there was no second anniversary party and official launch of the Yow 4 album, as, well before the scheduled 7:00 p.m. start, the police advised the promoters that it would not be allowed to go ahead.

Lenworth 'Squeeze' Samuels said the police came at 4:00 p.m. and said the Noise Abatement Act had been breached in the area too often. Despite his visiting the station twice, at 6:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., there was no reprieve.

Danny Brownie, producer of the Yow series of reggae street gospel albums said, "I was advised earlier that approval (for the event to be held) was to be picked up. When I sent for it earlier I heard it was not granted."

Request for a permit

He said that the request for a permit had been sent in on Monday or Tuesday. "Because it was a Christian event we were not aware that it was something we were supposed to do," Brownie said, adding that Christians keep open-air events all the time.

Brownie said, "I find it very strange that the police would come before the music (is) set up."

The event had been advertised for two weeks before last Friday and a 'Jesus Party' had been held there in June. The organisers said that a 'Jesus Party' does not go past 1:00 a.m. and by 12:30 a.m. they begin to play praise and worship music.

Brownie said they were thinking of moving the anniversary event and album launch to Swallowfield and were still trying to confirm for later this week.

"I am disappointed, but as a Christian I understand. Bless God same way. I think something good will come out of it same way," he said. "We really feel bad for the people who turned out."

And when The Gleaner was at Scotia Link a few minutes past 8:00 p.m., an appreciable number of persons was milling around, Brownie saying, "lots of people have come and left. You see, children, little babies, parents come to 'Jesus Party'."

At 8:41 those present were formally advised of the situation over the small speakers through which relatively-soft music had been playing. They were advised that "what we are going to do is pray ... release the blessing of the Lord."

'It is finished'

"Jesus said 'it is finished'. And after that he went down to Hades and took the keys of death. We do have the victory. Don't worry about that. We are going to pray," he said.

And pray they did, the hands of some reaching to the evening sky. They also sang, hands clapping to Our God Is An Awesome God. As The Gleaner left the venue, the chant 'praise the Lord' was repeated 10 times, getting louder each time to end in a crescendo.