Jermaine Edwards - Contributed

Andre Jebbinson, Staff Reporter

As the signs of the end draw nigh, gospel singer Jermaine Edwards wants young people to beware.

The musician-turned-gospel singer has dedicated his second album, A Closer Walk, to gearing up the young and the old alike for what he said is inevitable, the return of Christ his message fits just about any age bracket, his focus is on young people.

Plans are already in place to take the message to schools via a truck that will be set up with various musical instruments and a sound system. He said he wants to be able to visit a school each day, conducting devotions and presenting the Word.

God's favour

"At first, people said young people wouldn't tek on to the music because of the style and that they would gravitate to the DJs, but God allowed me to have favour with them," Edwards said.

He speaks of the same favour he has found with God that allowed him to quit his teaching job to pursue music full-time over a year ago. The decision, he said, was a good one, as he is now able to dedicate more time to do God's will.

The younger generation has a liking for Edwards and he wants to use that affection to the benefit of the Kingdom of God. What has helped to convince him of his relationship with young people are the many hits he has on his myspace account and other social networks.

"There are young people who say they want to become Christians and my music helped them to do that. To me, that's an accomplishment," he said.

He continues: "Those in modern gospel music have it better than those in the past. I can survive doing this."

'Pastor pickney'

Edwards was not always the goody-two-shoes. According to Edwards, he was 'pastor pickney' and the saying that 'pastor pickney a di worse' applied to him. Like any other young male, the ladies were his best friends and he was having a field day.

"I don't think people understand why this is so. When you are a pastor's child and you get the chance to get bad, you go all out," he explained.

Edwards, however, changed his ways at 19 years old and married his wife, Tracey Lyn. The two, now married for eight years, have two daughters. He wants young people to understand that he has been through much of what they are now facing, but the remedy is to pull closer to God.

"Certain deliverance comes through fasting and prayer. Seeing food and wanting it does not necessarily mean you have to have it. If you can tell your body no to that, then you can say no to anything," he said.