New sponsorship for Gospel Fest this year

As the saying goes, when one door is closed, another is opened.

Despite losing some of its key partners over the years, the 11th edition of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Gospel Festival will roll out, with new sponsorship on board.{{more}}

This year, the event, which kicks off on Sunday, will have Facey Trading (SVG) Ltd as its major sponsor, and is now called the Fruta/Busta SVG Gospel Festival.

At a press conference held on Tuesday at the National Public Library conference room in Kingstown, chairman of the local organizing committee Fidel Taylor announced that Facey Trading has come on board, at a time when some of the familiar partners are no longer able to support the event.

“We want to thank Sugar George Rentals and Fran Paul Selections for their significant contributions for the past years of sponsorship. Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond their control, they are unable to sustain the sponsorship this year.

“I wish to welcome on board Facey Trading Limited… as our major sponsors for 2013. We also welcome on board Miss Korean Williams of Korean Divine Designs, for staying on board for another year….”

Taylor said international companies such as Digicel and Coca Cola had partnered with the committee to produce Gospel Shows in the past, but were unable to sustain their sponsorship because of various reasons.

He called on other corporate entities and individuals to come on board for the sustainability of the event.

“This festival is important to St Vincent and the Grenadines, during this time of our nation’s history, and needs more support from the churches, business community, and government if it is going to be around for the years to come.

“We really do appreciate the support that we received over the years, but I am challenging us to give more; to sow a seed into the kingdom of God, and when you do that I guarantee you that God will ensure that your blessings flow like a river in your lives and into your businesses.”

Alpian Toney, local manager of Facey Trading Limited, supported Taylor’s call for more support of the festival, and offered words of encouragement to the organizing committee.

“You have been doing a very good thing. Continue to ensure that it continues, continue to ensure that it grows from strength to strength, continue to give God the glory…. Let us give of our best always….

“We, at times, will think that it is just here, but the number of lives we impact, the number of persons who look forward to Gospel Fest on an annual basis… just remove Gospel Fest, or just say that you’re not going to host Gospel Fest for a year and then you would imagine the amount of people’s lives you are going to disrupt.”

Toney pointed out that Fruta and Busta had been involved with the festival in the past, and that before speaking with the committee, he was led to set aside “a nominal figure” to the event in his corporate budget.

“Our company is truly grateful that we have been granted the opportunity to work with the Gospel Fest Committee, and to work with the Christian community in St Vincent and the Grenadines, in the region, and in the world.

“It is indeed a great honour for us to partner with the GFC in this years festival.”

At the press conference, Toney presented a cheque for $10,000 to the committee, accepted by treasurer Rosemary Ryan.

The festival, which features song, dance, drama, showcases and workshops, begins in earnest on Sunday at the Victoria Park, and features Trinidad and Tobago gospel artist Positive.

Zonal festivals events will take place throughout the month of April, and the curtains are scheduled to come down on the event on the weekend of April 27 and 28, with Canadian based Vincentian Zina Edwards as the featured artiste.

The committee was scheduled to host a time of prayer and intercession yesterday at the Healing and Prophetic Ministry in Kingstown. (JJ)