The Ministry of Tourism, in conjunction with the Discover Dominica Authority officially introduced the National Gospel Festival, titled Glory in Paradise, yesterday. This event is a government initiative developed in partnership with faith-based organizations and community stakeholders.
The first edition of the festival is scheduled for Saturday, February 28, 2026, at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium, starting at 5:00 PM.
During a press briefing held by the Discover Dominica Authority in Roseau, organizers shared their vision for Glory in Paradise as a nationwide celebration that combines worship, music, and community involvement. The event aims to enhance Dominica’s calendar of activities and boost tourism.
According to a press release, the festival is designed as both a spiritual and cultural experience, and will showcase gospel artists from around the globe, the Caribbean, and locally. It is open to residents, visitors, and members of the diaspora. The initiative aligns with a growing trend toward faith-based events, fostering unity, reflection, and shared participation among attendees.
During the launch, Tourism Minister Denise Charles Pemberton stated that the festival fits into the government’s broader strategy for national growth and event promotion.
“Glory in Paradise is being given the same level of strategic focus, operational planning and promotional support that the Discover Dominica Authority applies to the World Creole Music Festival. From production to partnerships, this event is being treated with equal importance and professionalism,” the Minister expressed.
Marva Williams, the CEO and Director of Tourism, remarked that the Discover Dominica Authority is approaching this festival with the same dedication as its flagship events.
“Glory in Paradise is receiving the same strategic planning, operational support, and promotional efforts that we dedicate to events like the World Creole Music Festival. From production to partnerships, this event is being managed with the same level of professionalism and importance,” Williams explained.
Entry to Glory in Paradise will be free of charge, with donations accepted at the entrance. Organizers encourage the public to attend, engage, and contribute generously according to their hearts.
They also state that attendees can look forward to an evening filled with prayer, praise, and fellowship, including prayers for families, youth, peace, national progress, and environmental conservation. The program will also provide platforms for Christian youth and local artists to share the stage alongside regional and international gospel performers, fostering exposure, development, and collaboration.
Representing a diverse range of gospel styles, the lineup features local performers DJ Alfie, J-Cro (Calvin Deravariere), Champion in God, Mickael Ferrol, Angel Joseph, Sanctified, Nyel Grove, Vessels of Honour, Jerry Lloyd, Loubiere Catholic Youth Choir, Henrietta Matthew, Angel Anthony, Lieselle, Lamar Jervier, Qadosh (dance), Expressions of Him Speech Chorale, and TGFG Youth Singers.
Regional artists include Carlene Davis from Jamaica, Positive from Trinidad and Tobago, and Blessed Messenger from Trinidad and Tobago. International gospel acts confirmed are Sinach and Ada Ehi from Nigeria, along with Travis Greene from the United States.
The Ministry of Tourism and Discover Dominica Authority has extended its gratitude to faith leaders, community advocates, and partners who have contributed to shaping and guiding the festival. Organizers emphasize that ongoing collaboration across government, private sector, and faith communities will be vital for the success of this inaugural event.
Additional information and updates will be provided in the upcoming weeks through media outlets and official channels.
More information available on the Dominica Gospel Festival page on Facebook.
John Chrysostom spoke of Ethiopians present in Jerusalem at the preachings of St Peter (Act 2:38), earliest account Ethiopian converted in Act 8:26–27, royal official baptized by Evangelist Philip. Socrates of Constantinople included Ethiopia as one of the regions preached by Apostle Matthew.
Early 4th century, Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, accepting monophysite nature of Christ, stablished, 330 AD Christianity is introduced to Ethiopia by Syrian Greek Frumentius to Kingdom of Aksum where King Ezana and Aksumites were converted.
356 AD Emperor Constantius writes to Ezana asking to replace Frumentius with an Arian bishop, but Ezana rejects and Christianity persists in Ethiopia to this day!
All this happened centuries before medieval Europe skin-bleached Christianism, and a millennium before european missionaries and gunboats arrived in West Africa c.1500s to start criminal slavery systematically!
So white-washed, you are all over the place verbatim from the plethora of euro scholars most of whom never been to Africa BUT write contaminated religious African history for the colonizers. It’s time, you owe it to yourself to read up on this from your own, the Black scholars, Kaba Kamene’s Spirituality Before religion, Walter Williams’s Historical Origin of Christianity, John Henrik Clarke etc.etc who set up to correct the myths we were fed with due to conquest, instead of being fed from the mouth of the dragon, it will always burn you.
Yes, european colonialism employed missionaries to prepare the way for guns. But I don’t understand why are you only on racialism in religion, but in economics or politics you accept the white system: capitalism and imperialism. I miss your comments criticizing capitalism or America and advocating a return to traditional African co-operative communalism. Waiting!
However, Christianism, as socialism, cannot be subject to racialism because it have an universal purpose and implies the acceptance of human equality. But playing on your field, Africa was Christian long before Europe was. Christianity, which was born brown and not white, arrived in Africa before it reached blondie Europe. And I’m not talking about the Coptic Church of Alexandria, one of the earliest with its Thebaid monks, because it was African but not black as you want.
But why, there’s so much gospel crusades, white pastors containers with guns etc. Is it political or losing to Bouyon?
Stick to what you know because that very concept or idea of God, white jesus, is totally given/imposed on us thru colonization, why stay with colonizers, or even sponsored political money like the celebrity singers? Gimme Bouyon with clean lyrics any time.
DIPLOMATIC PASSPORT?
Why doesn’t she have a DIPLOMATIC PASSPORT for her own country but has one of Dominica’s?
See why we inherited that visa proclamation banning visa for Dominicans ?
All dog and cat are diplomats!
Being negative about a gospel festival is CRAZY. Like I know dominicans are obsessed with politics but this is next level. Whether you like the government or not if you are a christian you should be thanking God that he is working through them to spread his message
I am sure this is not about the concert itself. God’s message can never about treating people who don’t support the DLP like dirt. His word cannot be about DLP doing their best to stifle freedom of speech. His word cannot be about DLP deliberately putting people in key positions to DLPs dirty work. His word cannot be about DLP supporters escaping justice and others being penalized.
And this is not politics! This is the reality of life in Dominica! Let us be brave enough to tell DLP, stop saying they love God and being so wicked to their brothers and sisters
What has this lady done for Dominica since being appointed some kind of Ambassador?
That broke government is just looking for more debt whilst using events like this to distract people from the real issues.
Look out for Marva Williams to tell us about the pachay millions the festival make even before it’s staged.
DISTRACTION, DISTRACTION, DISTRACTION!
Keep playing with god still and you all will see. Bishop Parillon had warned us all the something BIG is going to impact Dca. How many of us remember that warning. Some criticized him but now he is having the last laugh. Hmmmmmmmm