MOTHERS WERE in the spotlight and deservingly so when First Baptist Church recently hosted the Cancer Support Services’ second annual Hymns My Mother Taught Me fundraiser.
During an evening of worship, dramatisation and praise, the Leacock family, headed by church pastor Rev. Paul Leacock, left an indelible mark on the minds of those who listened to their gospel renditions.
Those who packed the sanctuary on Constitution Road, St Michael, were also blessed by the music of some of the island’s “ministers of the gospel in song”. They included young David Howard, who delivered an interesting version of I’ll Rather Have Jesus; the Clarion Singers with Witness, Drop Drop Slow Tears, and Antoine Williams’ version of Great Is Thy Faithfulness and Crying In The Chapel.
There was also the First Baptist Church Chorale’s upbeat rendition of He Never Failed Me Yet, I’ll Never Be The Same Again, I’m Delivered, If I Can Hear My Mother Pray Again and My Mother’s Prayers Have Followed Me. Joslyn Taylor added the reggae beat to Count Your Blessings and God Will Take Care Of You.
However, if there was any doubt about whether all the Leacock family could sing, it was erased during their onstage ministry with over 15 members singing their hearts out. James, Stephen, Paul, Jan, Debbie, Veronica, Esther and company provided an atmosphere of oneness and unity as they rendered Beyond The Sunset, It Is No Secret and Peace In The Valley.
Pastor Paul had already set the stage alight with his renditions of There Is A Fountain Filled With Blood, Whiter Than Snow and Nothing But The Blood of Jesus. Each song was well received with loud applause.
Another class act was that of 14-year-old Shem Goddard – another branch of the Leacock family. After ministering with his clan, he came back sometime later to belt out Michael Jackson’s Mother Of Mine, with the stage antics of a veteran. His ministry so touched those present that he was asked to return to the stage to serenade his mum, Esther Leacock.
Prizes were presented during the evening, including a special one to Irene Wiltshire, a founding member of Cancer Support Services. Also on the receiving end was Doreal Harewood for being the mother with the most children and Shona Wiltshire, the youngest mother present.
