Andre Jebbinson, Staff Reporter

Gospel artiste Judith Gayle performs at the launch of the gospel concert, 'Genesis Triple fest 2007', held at the Courtleigh Hotel in New Kingston on Tuesday. The concert is staged annually by the Jamaica Youth for Christ on New Year's Day, with an objective to provide persons with wholesome entertainment. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer

As it was at the beginning of 2006, so shall it be at the beginning of 2007.

Genesis Triple Fest 2007 was launched at the Courtleigh Hotel in New Kingston on Tuesday. The 40th staging of the event will be held under the theme, 'Tek Back Jamrock'.

According to Dr. Don Thomas, national director for the Jamaica Youth for Christ (JYFC), next year's event will be better than any other year.

"It is not just an event, it is an event that proclaims Jesus as Lord," Thomas said. "I believe we have authority from heaven to stage this event."

Just to make sure that as much of the island starts the New Year the right way, Genesis 2007 will stage the event in Kingston, Mandeville and Montego Bay.

Genesis hailed

Title sponsors and gospel entertainers were among those who gathered to witness the event. In his address, Maurice Bryan, promotions manager for Digicel, commended the work of JYFC and the impact Genesis has had since its inception.

"Genesis is a major part of Jamaica's New Year celebrations. It speaks highly of the quality of the kind of entertainment in Jamaica," Bryan said.

That is in keeping with one of the main objectives of the festival, "to provide good, wholesome entertainment for the entire family at the start of the New Year."

Excitement

Thomas said the day will be filled with excitement, but in the end, it is all about bringing young people to the Lord. Some of the artistes on the line-up are Papa San, Moses, Prodigal, DJ Nicholas, Judith Gayle, Kerron Ennis, among others. Not all the artistes will be featured on all three shows.

Activities in Montego Bay and Mandeville are scheduled to begin around 12:30 a.m. on January 1, while the Kingston activities will begin at 1:00 p.m.

Also speaking at the launch was Don Osmon, vice-president of YFC International. He spoke of how important it is for a nation to raise young people who can change the future.

"We need to raise a generation whose hearts will be broken by anything that breaks the heart of God," Osmon said.

The JYFC also gave a small preview of what is to come when Moses and Judith Gayle each performed.