Dominican pastor Gerard Benjamin has rejected the criticism that a ‘dance in the street’ activity organized by gospel team, Remnant in Roseau, was their “own version of carnival.”
The event, which was held last weekend, featured Christian dancers and worship groups from different churches coming together to dance and worship on the streets of Roseau.
The march started at Windsor Park Stadium and ended on the river bank between the two bridges. The event was said to be based on a vision of a young lady who saw people worshiping in the streets with their hands up praising the Lord.
The programme included a number of ministries and dances and featured Pastor Gerard Benjamin as the main speaker.
He spoke on the topic, “It’s more than just a dance”. He stated that there were pastors who did not support the event and stopped their church members from attending while others went as far as saying that the event was the Christians’ own version of carnival.
Benjamin insisted that there is no such thing as a Christian version of carnival or a Christian street jump up. He said Christians are free to worship the Lord as they please and whenever they choose to do so. He added that if the Lord calls him to minister on carnival Monday, he will take a system and go by the roadside on carnival Monday and preach a sermon.
“The Lord does not suspend his works on any given day and therefore, his people should not, God is a God of warfare and the Christian people will continue to fight and rise and make the word of God known,” Benjamin declared.
Spiritual dreams are channels of communication between the heavenlies and the natural or physical realm. Every spiritual dream is either a message (promise , information, encouragement, or warning) from God or an exposure of the plots, plans, and purposes of demonic forces in the heavenly places.
I have been praying for this since 2016. Thank you Father for moving in our hearts. Transform this nation’s heart. In Jesus Name, Amen
I’m a black American who lives on island I was at the event. It was a powerful mighty move for God the Holy Ghost was present and the Spirit moved many to praise and worship. What I don’t understand about some of the comments on this article is why do most of you focus on “religion” rather then “relationship” with Christ? This nonesense about it doesn’t say this or that in scripture?? How dare you tell me I can’t worship my Father in Spirit and Truth while communing with other believers in the streets of Roseau?? Most of these comments alone tell me where allu are at spiritually. In case you haven’t noticed this country is in crisis! We haven’t seen the worst yet. Are you not paying attention to the spiritual warfare going on? Let me tell you when all hell breaks loose baby I will busy out in worship while you search for your scripture to read religiously and tell me how that works out for you because I believe we are under attack and we need a radical generation of believers
All these pastors making noise should stop celebrating Christmas because December 25th was a paegan feast and had nothing do with christianity until the church decided to use as date to celebrate christ birth. What Benjamin did is nothing new. The church have been christianizing non christian festivals for years by doing just that. As i always say human behavior dont change.
Spice Gal
Yes I am pretty sure of what I am saying,because while I am writing my bible is on the table with me.Have you noticed I am giving the scriptures to support what I am saying.?
I can see you don’t know me.It’s true from 2007 every yr.I visite Dominica except 2009 and not during carnival season,it is a devilish activity,even before I got saved yours truly was not involved.
My question to you is this.
Are you SAVED,? if you were to die today will you be in heaven with the One who gave His life for you.?
Oh my friend get ready,if you say no to Christ today the gates of Hell are qide open to receive you.
Do you want to go this place?
Thankyou DNO
@ J. John – Charles, What do you know about saved? at any time did God came to you and tell you that you are saved? And if you say yes you are a big time hypocrite and a liar, people like you the white man brainwashed so that he could steal our gold, silver, diamond, oil and is happening today because of lack of education and corruption. I could go on and on but don’t have enough time.
J Jno Charles you seems to pretty sure of what you’re saying, yet still you will leave wherever you’re are every year and go to Da and jump up on the streets of Roseau behind the carnival bands. People like you need to leave by example. Stop pretending to be so spiritual and you do otherwise. I challenge you to go home for the next dance on the streets instead of going for carnival.
we are so small minded in this counrty and we look at things how we want to see …… but God is not a man that he should lie i attended this event it was just young women dancing it was warfare going anf if your not believer a mature well seasoned Christian you wouldn’t have gotten it ..
.so many things are going on in our counrty that are corrupt time as Christian to take back our counrty on sunday they prayed fir the nation this had god written all over it ….. God said in season and out of season we should praise him …. i think this group should do more events like this to give back Dominica back to Christ.
And the hypocrisy shall surface. Hypocrites, who choose to bash other because they do not belong to a certain church or ‘religion’, while they secretly crave the life. Don’t use one side of your tongue to denounce something and with the other side justify it for your personal gain. Street jump up is street jump up. It does not change because you did it. If it is wrong, it is wrong. If you felt like preaching, preach. When you take a sound system on a huge truck, go around Roseau, with people dressed alike singing and dancing, it is a band!! It is a jump up! It is like carnival! When the Catholic faith expresses itself during Easter with parades, we must remember it is a church festival. Under what title did this jump up fall? A young lady had a vision of a jump up? She is just preparing you for her eventual back sliding. Don’t play us for fools. It was a carnival like jump up! Period!
Thank you very much! Jalou they does jalou! But I SURE i dashing some with water when I see them on road monday. I will baptize allu in the fete!
Light and darkness does not mesh. According to the article, “A young lady got that vision…”
Can’t believe professing Christians swallow that.. What happened to the Games and other activities held during carnival season for the churches?
Why do you continue to preach to the converted? Non believers need to be reached, they will not be at the games or will they????
Michal became barren for the rest of her life. We do not want our land to become barren or neither those making the negative comments. 1 Chronicles 15 also emphasizes the significance of the presence of the Lord in the land. PRAISE is one of those weapons that the enemy hates. It defeats his plans and purpose. Church remain focused. Our allegiance is to God. God is raising up a remnant in the land and it is that remnant that will pray Dominica through. We must be resilient in our efforts – not just physically in rebuilding but also and above all spiritually. Remain focused and let God continue to lead you organizers. Your praise has impacted the kingdom of darkness.
I am a child of the Living Lord and want to commend and give my full support to the organizers of Sunday’s event in Roseau dubbed “Dance in the Streets”. This is what our country needs……public declaration and proclamation of the fire of God, the blood of Jesus and anointing of God’s holy presence in our land.
Regardless of the time the event was held there would always be critics. Do not be distracted. Get busy preparing for 2020. My mind goes back to years ago when the Coulibistrie Gospel Mission Church held Believers’ Convention and similar sentiments were expressed. Some of the villagers and prominent ones at that, would go shopping for sneakers and t-shirts and say they are getting ready for Carnival.
As we comment let’s be careful. 2 Samuel 6:1-23 is clear on David bringing in the Ark of the Covenant into Israel, a representation of God’s glory/presence and he was criticized and despised by his very own wife. Verse 29 of that chapter is clear on the…
TEDDY, carnival, easter or christmas is not in the bible. Worship must come from the heart, stop putting on a show with your christian carnival.
“I will worship You here, in Your living presence, in the Temple in Jerusalem. I will worship and sing hallelujah, for I praise You, Lord!” Psalm 116: verse 19
So Pastor Benjamin Sir, it is definite that God calls His people to worship Him in a Temple, which we now call the “Church House”.
God has to be present at our place of worship to Him; the Street is for all sorts of activities, especially unclean or Worldly; God is Holy, and you should know that God is not present in the activities of the Street.
At Matthew 6 verse 5: Hear Jesus saying: “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray, standing in the synagogues “and on the corners of the streets”, that they may be seen by men.”
Whether it is on the corner of the street or on the street, your idea “Christians are free to worship the Lord as they please and whenever they choose to do so, is unfounded in God’s Word which you should be preaching to the people
It’s weird that you seem to know where God chooses to be and not to be?
You have no idea what your speaking about please don’t poison people with this nonesense. I will worship God anywhere at all times and His praises will continuesly be in my mouth. I’m so sick of you people tryna put my Father in a box. Stop with the religious minset. I am free to worship the Lord anywhere at anytime smh y’all tripping over here in DA man y’all can’t come to black America with that nonesense because we don’t determine where u should worship the Lord. I’m thankful if I see people come to Christ at events like this.
“The event, which was held last weekend, featured Christian dancers and worship groups from different churches coming together to dance and worship on the streets of Roseau. ”
Where in the Bible God ordained that?
You know the devil presents himself in all different forms: The say this was based on the vision of some girl, how do they know that vision was from the devil.
Quote me: There is no place in the Bible where we ever read about Christian dancers. We know that King David did a dance to God in the street; nevertheless, he did not organized it; it was impromptu.
Anything that cannot be supported by the word of God is of Satan; therefore I believe this dance in the street was the work of the devil. Now to each his own: But this might be one of when they say to Jesus in that day; we dance in the streets in your name; he will say to them depart from me I know you not!
are you stupid or you do not own a bible?
let me tell you Where in the Bible God ordained that Psalms 149: 3-4
3 Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with timbrel and harp. 4 For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.
so again i ask you how the Bible did not ordained DANCING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SECOND how do they know that vision was not from the devil.
You clearly do not know God because any Christian can tell the deference When GOD speaks.
Yes, I agree with you; however, whereas it said “let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with timbrel and harp” nowhere in verses 2-5 it said people should go out in the streets and dance you see.
The Church is a congregation of people, now if they are meeting in the streets then I suppose all activities must take place in the streets, but except for Jesus sermons on the mountain where he fed hundreds of people, and a few other place he always taught inside of a building.
Where you ever hear the devil. Giving people dreams and visions that’s going to mess with his kingdoms and plans??
Does this make sense to you???
We can be so judgemental, so self righteous . Those people were not trying to make you hate your fellow Dominicans. Carnival began as a Catholic Christian festival, so what is the big deal. I think this kind of warship should be held more often.
John, when they went into West Africa with guns, chains, and shackles, and stole our ancestors aided by corrupted Chief and them to the America’s and the Caribbean (West Indies); they used the Name of God to justify their actions.
The took a verse out of the Bible to say it was the will of God that we became slaves to white people, the used the name and the word of God to tell us that we are inferior to white people to this very day. Just because they say someone had a vision does not mean the vision was (is) from God.
Anything pertaining to God involving a church (the congregation) which is actually the church rather than a building must be substantiated by the word of God. There is no place in the Bible where God told anybody to get drums and go into the street to dance to him.
There times the Holy Spirit can lead one to do something.
Nevertheless; all that glitters are not gold!
“aided by corrupt chief” . Well that sure highlight our plight of we continuously hating and betraying each other , our own people. I see so many postings on DNO and Facebook by Dominicans dinigrating and betraying Dominica and Dominicans and I wondered why. So it is an inherent behavior from our African ancestors who were currupt chiefs.
I do not like to ague with bible quotations because information from the bible can be interpreted in various ways. Let me just say this. Maybe it does not promote dancing in the streets, but it is quite clear about actions we should take or not take in the 10 commandments.
The Jews were dancing while worshipping the golden calf.Then you have the young girl doing some dirty dancing before her uncle Herod,or you may call it erotic dancing. Matthew 14:6.
Now you have what they call”Praise Dance” in the churches.Even in Believers weddings all Kind Of songs and music are played,you would swear you are in a disco and all hell brack loose.
Let me say nowhere in the scriptures you have men and women together dancing.Also there were no dancing in the new testament church.But we are in the last days.
There were two nurses who came Salisbury in the 80s because of a vision they received that Salisbury is Going to be destroyed very soon.Of course the village is still around living as if God does not care.Those of us who are saved should not follow our dreams and visions, but the holy bible.and if we do we just can’t go wrong.
Now concerning dancing in or when praising God.In the old Testament the children of Israel would be parading in the streets with musical instruments like the timbrel dancing, on when the king is crowned,also when the army is victorious in battle returning to Jerusalem.Here are some examples in Exodus 15:20 after God destroyed the Egyptians army in the red sea Meriam the sister of Moses and Aaron and all the WOMEN went after her dancing.Also Judges 11:34 Japhathah’s daughter was so happy because of the victory in battle she greeted him playing her timbrel and dancing.Also David in 1 sam.18:6.Never men and women together dancing.Israelite dance while worship
well I ain’t judging anyone who wants to dance wherever. But it hurts to see some of these same people won’t greet u they cone to church and won’t say hello. How many go out in the community to evangelise. Hell the poor and needy. Hey that day all roads lead to Portsmouth opening so what wasbthe intentions. He said go and preach the gospel. How many git saved on that day. Wisdom: if any man lack wisdom ask. Sometimes we share our dreams and talk to the wrong people who advise us. Let’s ask God for wisdom when he speaks to us in dreams. Sunday was a day roseau people headed to porsy to enjoy their carnaval. God is not a God of confusion
Praise God in and out of season. The bible doesn’t give a time for revelling and partying.. of God wanted it moses would have allow the people to party when he came back from seeking God.
People be wise..
You never know what was about to happen and they prevented it by the prayers they did.
the bible say praise him with song and dance
I think it was brother Newman Johnson who said the time will come when people who claimed to be believers will have their carnival ban jumping in the streets.” So no surprise,this is just the beginning.
When the brother tells us “Christians Are free to worship as they want.”I am sure this is not Thus says the Lord..You cannot worship God as you want.Even in the O.T.God told the children of Israel how to approach Him.you remember the 2 sons of Aaron Nadad and Abihu who burned strange fire before God and they were killed by God in an instant Leviticus 10.Over and over God warned the children of Israel,”Don’t follow the Canaanites ,because you are a special people unto me”…Will continue
when God created the earth did he say that there is a carnival season for partying and jumping! who created these holidays and so called carnival season? Man! so obviously Christians are free to celebrate God and worship as they please for the earth is the Lord’s and all its fullness. This is the day that he has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it, so every given day and every breath we take is to honor and glorify God! you want christinas to live in the shadow of activities that only destroys lives whereas they can come out to pray and worship against the violence and evil that happens during those times! God bless you truly! No one can suspend God’s work, when it have to be done it will be done! If God were to come down on the day that is set aside as “Carnival Monday” would you beg him to not come because it’s carnival Monday and its carnival season! That’s not how it works! God gave her a vision she obeyed and it came to pass!
@J-John Charles: “You cannot worship God as you want” Definitely not!.
This idea is just like saying “I will worship God at my time and space” If that was true, why did God gave the people of ancient Isreal all of those different days to celebrate in His presence? People (mostly Christians) believe that the 7th Day is the only Sabbath that God ordained but that is not so, for even the Passover Week had what was called a High Sabbath, according to the apostle John following the crucifixion of Jesus.
Unfortunately, just as that Pastor Benjamin says:: “Christians are free to worship the Lord as they please and whenever they choose to do so” It is the same way that they gave Jesus their own date of birth; their own day of crucifixion and burial; His Word is continually being conformed to the language of man, not of the Holy Spirit. No wonder God said: “they worship Him with their lips, but all that they are doing is in vain”
It does not matter when the event is held. People will still say is a christian carnival. people and Dominicans by extenstion need to wake up and realise God for who he is and dont be afraid to worship God wether it be carnival, easter or christmas.
It is funny but i see nothing wrong with that. Make a joyful noise onto the lord. Nothing wrong with having a street parade with gospel music wether it is held at Christmas, carnival summer. Those other pastors is pure hypocrite. Let those who not comfortable with other music and costume enjoy themselves and give an alternative. Get high on praise. I bet jesus would be on the middle enjoying. I dont k ow this pastor but he is thinking outside the box and i like.
I am not a born as yet, which I am hoping soon. I believe in Christians shinning the light. Christians should not be joking togeather with people who is worshiping the devil. God and the devil does not mix, they should me ashamed of themselves. God will have their reward for them. You can’t be among this mist.
Personally speaking I don’t think there is any thing wrong with the church dancing on the street during carnival or whenever they chose to do so. However, I think people need to judge their motives and ask why? I find the pastor’s explanation does not make much sense. I have never seen any scripture that says go ye into the world and dance and worship on the streets. What I have seen is go into the world and “preach.” Why? Because the purpose of preaching is to win the lost where as the purpose of worship and dance is unto the Lord and the Lord is not on the street. In fact Jesus warned that “when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen” Matt. 6:6. Later in that same passage He said is the Pagans and hypocrites that do things to be seen on man. Another thing is, with the way the church has corrupted themselves with Skerritism people don’t respect them. Some of the same that want to worship on the street were worshipping Skerrit
“The Lord is not on the street?” The bible says that the Lord is omnipresent – He is EVERYWHERE. I guess you would look at a parro in Roseau and say he is not of God, because the Lord is not in the street. Go read your bible before you make these comments…. What happened in Jericho? were they not in the streets?
Well I don’t Think the intention was for it to be a Christian version of carnival. The bible does say abstain from all appearance of evil. Which is to say the fact that it is being perceived as that is not a good look. We dont want to hinder anybody or discourage them from coming to the Lord if we are acting just like the world…the pastor should just take a humble approach and apologize to whomever he might have offended and not get on the defensive…be christlike..be humble…God Bless #judgenot
All you can dance in street praising God but all you mouth shut with all the corruption that goin on in Dominica eh.. damn hipocrites! You people are fake Christians.
Great activity. We need to give God praise while he gives us breath. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord!
This events could be held at Christmas or Easter time, not at carnival time.
Good idea but wrong timing
Wisdom is so important in everything we do
Do not let your good be evil spoken off
I’d like to know why you think that? what if they ‘saved’ some lives from the event? isn’t that the purpose of being christians? Or is it that we dont want to be reminded of our Christian duties during our time of revelry?
I really missed this event. Hats off to all those who attended. Keep dancing before the Lord as long as he gives you breath.
Dominican pastor Gerard Benjamin has rejected the criticism that a ‘dance in the street’ activity organized by gospel team Remnant in Roseau, was their “own version of carnival.”
LMAO!!!
Que the hypocritical outrage by people who do worst.
Even the obeah man,the witch,the voodoo man,the cult man, the corrupt politician does his wickedness too, and uses God’s name in the commess!!!!!
You Mr Benjamin needs to explain to the people what you mean by “One by can worship God as one pleases”!
It means you have a human right , a democratic right to warship as you please . In Dominica we have freedom of warship, freedom of expression in practice of faith and other wise. The only one who can judge us is God so if what I do is sinful or immoral even if legal I will face the consequences from God Many people in the minority take their judgemental attitude from the gang banging UWP. The criticize everything.