Bishop Simeon Hall

Published On:Thursday, March 04, 2010

By REUBEN SHEARER

Tribune Features Reporter

rshearer@tribunemedia.net

'YADAH' is one of seven Hebrew words used to describe unrestrained, uninhibited praise, engaging the full participation of Christian worshippers. It is at this level of praising God where you may witness some persons being caught up in the 'Holy Ghost' during an extreme hand-clapping, powerpacked worship service.

This is the idea behind Yaddah Fest--an Easter Sunday concert at New Covenant Baptist Church planned by minister Glenmore Johnson, who hopes that Bahamians will attend the event in large numbers.

"When we praise God, a lot of good things happen," said Mr Johnson. "We are reflecting on the death and resurrection of Christ, and out of this event, there's going to be a death to evil and a resurrection to righteousness.

Yadah Fest is described as "something positive," with music behind the cause. It is the first of a series of concerts to be held at New Covenant Baptist Church. Barak, Landlord, Mr Lynxx, Tracy Tracy, Stichie, Kirk Davis, Ricardo Clarke, Twiggy, June Flemming, Mr God Bless, Christian Massive and several other gospel reggae artists will provide entertainment; crossing a wide array of musical genres.

"Music plays an integral part in correcting some of the problems of society, and we wanted to bring on artists who would attract young people to uplift the name of Christ," said Mr Johnson.

In a statement to Tribune Religion, the church's pastor Bishop Simeon Hall emphasied his concern for the crime situation in the country and called on the Christian community and everyone else to look to God during their tests and trials.

"One of the tragedies in modern life is that we are always feeding our fleshly desires, and callously living our lives. But we are also spirit beings, and we need to feed our spirit as we do our flesh. And we believe that this concert will help to feed the spirits of our people," said Bishop Hall.

Bishop Hall made a "clarion and urgent call" to the country's leaders to move quickly to seek greater response to the nightmare of crime which engulfs this land.

"There is a powerful group of persons who are benefiting from crime and the change we so badly need cannot be expected to be initiated by them," said Bishop Hall.

The statement went on to say: "The dark night of lawlessness must be met with laws which are draconian and enforceable. While all sectors must participate in this crusade, parliamentarians and lawyers must lead in this fight."

"When a man is out on bail and murders again, it is time to act," said Bishop Hall. "It seems to me an obvious fact that it is the law that must remain at the vanguard of the crusade against lawlessness in our Bahamas."

Yadah Fest is just one another initiative that New Convenant Baptist Church has taken on to put a Band-Aid on the crime situation in the region, which the church believes can be mended through spiritual renewal.

Last year, Bishop Hall praised the construction of his church's memorial wall, located on the grounds of the church on Independence Highway.

The structure is a significant and symbolic tool commemorating the lives of Bahamians who were taken in horrific and unjust fashions.

Bishop Hall lamented that the courts, lawyers, magistrates, and judges are not doing enough to protect innocent persons in Bahamian society. He called on higher officials to "rid (the country) of persons who are intent on destroying the civility which we once enjoyed."

Still, the laws and legal infrastructure of the country pillars are difficult to heed for some, and Bishop Hall believes that the solution is for persons to return to the Christian faith.

"The church is at its best when it caters to the whole man, meeting the spiritual, mental and physical needs," he said.

Bahamian minister Glen Johnson who now lives in the US has coordinated the event, and according to Bishop Hall, Mr Miller has put on power-packed concerts in the past.

Part of the proceeds generated from the concert, will be donated to the Children's Hostel and Haitian Relief Fund.