BARBADIANS HAVE BEEN flocking to Queen’s Park every night this week for Barbados Fest, a crusade hosted by American ministry Revival Today and The People’s Cathedral.
Many were no doubt driven by curiosity since colourful fliers posted and handed out around the island promised $20 000 in prizes.
The fliers did not indicate the event was a religious one but evangelist Jonathan Shuttleworth has been delivering energetic sermons and gospel music has been blaring from speakers.
Crusade director Tony Archuleta told NATION ONLINE Revival Today has been around since 2002 and this visit to Barbados was the group’s third.
“Last year when we were here with the Pentecostal Assemblies of the West Indies what we realised when we were out doing street ministry [was] there were a lot of people in the neighbourhoods who didn’t know about it.
“They didn’t know there was something going on in the park,” he said, explaining the decision to advertise this year’s event for two weeks.
Archuleta admitted that some people wondered whether Barbados Fest was a scam.
“Other than to bless the people, there’s no angle to this. We don’t come here looking for money. We came to give to the community,” he said.
The crusade director said laptops, cell phones, cash and vouchers for groceries were some of the prizes given out.
He identified drug treatment facility Teen Challenge as one of the recipients of a laptop.
The crusade will end on Sunday. (NB)
