We caught up with the mayor at the launch for the Belize City Council's Holy Week concert series. It begins tonight with international Gospel artists Sinach and Christafari. Jaleeza Roberts attended today's press conference and has this report:
Tonight, Belize City will be having the first night of the two day Holy Week Revival Concert under the theme "Reflect Revive Renew". The Belize City Council will be hosting it for a second time after its first one in 2023. Tonight they will have International Band Christafari known for their famous reggae renditions of gospel music and day 2 will have acclaimed Nigerian singer Sinach. At today's press conference, Mayor Bernard Wagner explained what the intention behind the event is.:
Bernard Wagner, Mayor of Belize City
"We tried to create a space where we can drive these family values, spirituality of course, grace and understanding and it's about community, community enrichment. And we want to welcome all denominations to this event which is being catered to your soul, educationally, spiritually. So it's an event that really captures the spirit of the season."
And Church Senator Louis Wade, said that the concert of 2023 was the largest Christian event he had seen in the history of Belize. Wade, who has seen numerous concerts said that this will contribute to the quote "foundation" of Belize:
Louis Wade Jr., Church Senator
"That even also garnered more attendees than any secular event and the people came to worship, the people came. Our constitution begins by saying that this nation shall be established upon principles that acknowledge the supremacy of God and so if we don't strengthen the foundation like that sentence is the foundation and so what The Belize City Council is doing through its Mayor and its councillors and the support that the government has given is to strengthen the foundation. Now you can build anything once your foundation is strong."
"What we have here for tonight and tomorrow night is the world's best. Just like the last time, I believe the turnout is going to be even bigger."
"Its not promoting any specific church or denomination, this is promoting our culture which is a Christian culture. If I talk about Judas' kiss everyone knows what I'm taking about so there's certain languages that is apart of our heart culture and I think it's well represented in these two nights."
Members of Christafari and Sinach were present at the press conference and said that the moment of worship is expected to be impactful as they return for another performance in Belize:
Sinach, Gospel Artist
"It's great to be back, I remember the first time we came it was amazing, the turnout was amazing and the impact was beautiful. We had a lot of testimonies and feedback. It was beautiful to just see the Lord touch many people, it was beautiful."
Members of Christafari
"It's a time for us to come together and celebrate and worship and celebrate the death and resurrection of the savior, and to be able to do this musically together, it's one of the most amazing things. It's not just a church service, but a time to listen to reflect and you know it's just a privilege to be here because we consider ourself as musically missionaries so it's not so much us being somewhere to perform it's a chance that we can come serve the vision that you have for the country in the city and the people."
Jaleeza Roberts, 7 News.
The concert started at 6:00 and ended at 9:00.
