Shirley Caesar brings the Gospel to TT

Emma Harris (NYLO Intern)

Pastor Shirley Caesar of the Mt. Calvary Word of Faith Church, Raleigh, North Carolina, comes to Trinidad to perform at the Trinidad Revival Independence Concert tonight at the Centre of Excellence, Macoya. The concert hosted by Men on the Move is an Independence fundraiser event, the proceeds of which goes toward a Rehabilitation Centre in the Petit Valley area. The event includes Denyse Plummer, Michael Dingwell, Nicole Ballosingh Holder as well as the special guest artiste, Shirley Caesar and her entourage, the Caesar Singers coming from different parts of USA.

Caesar is an eleven-time Grammy winner and the winner of many other awards for her gospel performances. She got her start at the age of twelve when she decided to dedicate her life to God and “take the chip off the old block,” from her father who was, ”one of the best singers of his generation.” Caesar was invited to join the concert event by Trinidadian Pastor, Carl Meade when he went to her church last year and she thankfully accepted his offer. During a press conference, Meade said: “We are looking forward for a great impact, looking at this movement as a revival of songs and singing and praise.” Shirley added: “And the Gospel!”

She started by saying: “I want to thank God or allowing me to be on this beautiful island, Trinidad and we are looking forward to see what the Lord is going to do at the event.” All of the singers in the choir are also pastors who spread the word of the Lord through their music. Caesar invites members of the public to come and join the concert and ensure: “God will not meet you there, he will beat you there.” She encourages young singers to live what they are singing and said it is important to give your heart to the Lord.

She leaves with advice to parents to push your child to go to church, let their roots be formed in church and it will help them to grow up and become respectable people of society.