The Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall was filled with excitement and praise on Friday evening as sweet sounds of gospel music flooded the grand victory concert of Hope Festival 2010, held by the Cane Garden Bay Baptist Church (CGBBC).

Patrons were entertained throughout the night with empowering artists such as Joy Praise, Dominion, Levor Lettsome, Donna Cline-Thomas, Bahamian reggae superstar Monty G and international and stellar award winning James Fortune and FIYA.

This year´s Hope Festival was held under theme “Love: The Real Thing”, which according to the organizers, offers you real love from the best lover and friend you will ever know – God.

Minister Michael A. Turnbull described the concert and the entire week of activities as a resounding success.

“It was amazing. There were hundreds of people and they had a great time. The artists performed well. It really achieved its purpose and many persons left with some level of regaining hope with whatever they are going through,” Turnbull told BVI Platinum News.

The event which was shot by Tempo´s Rise and Shine, received tremendous support from the youths. “There was a large turnout of youths and young adults. Last year we had a good turn out too, but this year there was a vast increase of young people which is very positive,´´ Turnbull said.

During the one week festival, there were a number of uplifting activities at the church featuring energetic preachers including, Minister Turnbull, Pastor Jermaine Jones and Rev. Bill Lee of Maryland USA.

“Each night the church was packed to capacity where a number of persons were saved. We even had persons who have never been to church promising to return and give themselves to God and to do positive things for the community. There was poetry, dances and preaching – all in the form of praising God,” he said.

According to the organizers, Hope Festival is designed to inspire, ignite and emancipate especially the youth and young adults of the Territory through the realization of their gifts and eschatological hope given in the personhood and ministry of Jesus Christ.

Persons at the Hope Festival Victory concert

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Minister Turnbull said plans are already on stream for next year´s festival which will be bigger. However, he said that like previous years, they will continue to carry on with their mentorship programme throughout the year.

Hope Festival was divinely designed to enkindle, encourage and liberate the island of Tortola. Although hosted by CGBBC, it is an exclusive church event, but a community event in which all persons near and far can attend and be blessed and brought closer to Christ!

It was started by the then 21 year old Minister Michael A. Turnbull, to inspire the youths and young adults in the Virgin Islands.