Jabez reaching persons through pastoral ministry
Published:Saturday | February 15, 2014 | 12:00 AM
Nadisha Hunter, Gleaner Writer
Clive Provost, more popularly known as Jabez, has been making his presence felt in the gospel music industry over the years, but as if that was not enough to win souls for the Lord, he has now extended his focus to reaching persons through pastoral ministry.
The gospel artiste from Linstead, St Catherine, has entered a number of competitions such as the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission gospel song competition and has released hit songs such as You are Healed and He's my Daddy Oh.
But now, he has taken on the new task of ministering, and for him, he is reaping great rewards.
"I became a pastor because of my passion for souls. It's good when you do music because at the end of the day, you can reach out to the people, but as a pastor, you get to meet them on a one-on-one basis personally to encourage them. I always want to do that, from I was young," he explained.
Jabez added, "I am in the business of winning souls. I reach thousands of people while I am singing, so I am an evangelist worldwide, but pastoral ministry will give me a better opportunity."
Just last month, Jabez opened his church, Faithlife Ministries, in Linstead.
"The first service was January 5 and people have been showing interest. We have been on the streets of Linstead spreading the word of this new ministry, so people know about us," he said.
He added that his work in Christ did not stop at ministering as there are plans to help the less fortunate through an islandwide outreach programme.
"We are hoping to have a big outreach ministry because I am a community person. Whatever money I earn, I share it back with the people. I want to touch many persons' lives. It is not just about preaching to persons, but I have to be holistic in my approach in winning souls," he said.
"I admire Shaggy for the work he has been doing for the Bustamante Hospital for Children, and I think we need to do more of that as artistes, and that is what I want to take on," he said.
It is obvious that with the new path that Jabez is taking, he has not given up on his music.
He is still busy producing a new album, which he hopes to release in May.
"It is going to be a very inspirational album. People have come to know me singing uplifting songs, so I keep it at that. It is going to be a mixture of praise and worship, traditiona reggae, so it is going to be a mixture of everything," he said.