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'If some folks had it their way' there would be no Gospel Fest'- Rev Melvin A. Turnbull

- Radio show host Cromwell Smith questions why Gospel Fest still missing from VIF&FC Line-up
Chairman of the Virgin Islands Heritage Committee, Reverend Melvin A. Turnbull, in noting that Gospel Fest should be included in the official Calendar of Events for Virgin Islands Emancipation Festival, remarked that there would probably be no religious celebration if ‘some folks had their way’. Photo: Facebook/Albert E. Cheraymond
During a Thursday, June 4, 2019, edition of his ‘Umoja’ show, with guest Reverend Melvin A. Turnbull, Mr Cromwell Smith 'Edju En Ka' pointed out that for years the BVI Gospel Fest has been missing official recognition. Photo: Facebook
During a Thursday, June 4, 2019, edition of his ‘Umoja’ show, with guest Reverend Melvin A. Turnbull, Mr Cromwell Smith 'Edju En Ka' pointed out that for years the BVI Gospel Fest has been missing official recognition. Photo: Facebook
With this year’s Gospel fest to kick off at Festival Grounds, it will feature international artiste like Gospel Singer, Samuel Medas out of Guyana, and the event is only growing bigger by the year. Photo: Internet Source
With this year’s Gospel fest to kick off at Festival Grounds, it will feature international artiste like Gospel Singer, Samuel Medas out of Guyana, and the event is only growing bigger by the year. Photo: Internet Source
The flyer for the 2019 Gospel Fest scheduled for Thursday July 25, 2019 @ Festival Grounds, Tortola. Photo: Provided
The flyer for the 2019 Gospel Fest scheduled for Thursday July 25, 2019 @ Festival Grounds, Tortola. Photo: Provided
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI – With Gospel Fest coming up on July 25, 2019, and now a staple in the Virgin Islands (VI) annual calendar of events, ZBVI 780 AM radio talk show host Cromwell Smith aka 'Edju En Ka', is questioning why the Christian festivity continues to be excluded from the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee's (VIF&FC) official line-up.

During a Thursday, July 4, 2019, edition of his ‘Umoja’ show, with guest Reverend Melvin A. Turnbull, 'Edju En Ka' made the comments and pointed out that for years the event has been missing official recognition.

Religious Fight – Rev Turnbull

“I continue to notice that Gospel Fest is not included in the Festival and Fairs committee official line-up in their publication… it’s been that way for years,” Smith told the Reverend Turnbull in a conversation on both the festival and upcoming emancipation celebrations.

According to the Reverend, “Well it should be [included], I don’t know what’s happening… and that why I’m in the fight my brother because if some folks had it their way, we would be out. There will probably be no religious celebration,” he said.

“I’m in the fight until we get to understand who we are and where we came from, and what the true meaning of the celebration is all about.”

Mr Turnbull implored that while the territory has seen changes, it is not coming as quickly and as much as they like. “We will stand the fight,” he further said.

2019 Festivities

With this year’s Gospel fest to kick off at Festival Grounds, it will feature international artiste like Gospel Singer, Samuel Medas out of Guyana, and the event is only growing bigger by the year.

"We continue with a whole lot of activities and among them, we go into the 4th of August with our annual Freedom March," he said as part an entire line up event coming after the Gospel Fest.  

Efforts from Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) to contact Chairman of the BVIF&FC, Carnel D. Clyne as to whether the Gospel fest will receive official recognition on the VI calendar of events proved futile.

Gospel Fest is organised by the Virgin Islands Heritage Committee.

18 Responses to “'If some folks had it their way' there would be no Gospel Fest'- Rev Melvin A. Turnbull”

  • Jordana (08/07/2019, 08:46) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
    It is my opinion that re: the August celebrations the focus is not on God and where He brought us from us from; rather the focus is on more worldly things.. we keep saying that we are a Christian Society but saying that is like when Jesus said the Pharisees honored Him with their lips and not their hearts..look at some of the costumes for The August Monday parade/ the type of dancing (as old people would say “woriating”)-
    All this is Lawlessness in the eyes of God..why can’t we march in decent attire and have fun presenting ourselves in a way that would please God?..at times after all that God has done for us the world would still see it fit to exclude Him from things..may God have Mercy on us all..
    • Hola! (08/07/2019, 10:45) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
      Can good and evil mix? Can light and darkness congregate? Can humans drink from the cups of Almighty God and of the Devil at the same time and be found favored in the eyes of God?
      • @Hola! (08/07/2019, 11:42) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
        None of the above.
      • Yo (08/07/2019, 16:58) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
        why csnt the christians hold they own emancipation festivities, so.many unused fields, this one night celebration thing nah wuk, come on Mel, get creative!
    • That’s Life Now (08/07/2019, 11:04) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
      It is a very very very spiritually sick world that God-fearing humans have to live in today. The struggles of true, genuine Christians are real. But many past faithful worshippers, as disclosed in the Bible, passed the test and so can all who truthfully today reverence the Almighty God. For a fact, He is not fooled by pretentious worship.
  • facts (08/07/2019, 09:38) Like (11) Dislike (16) Reply
    He just mad because he can’t do what he wants under the vip
  • Same way (08/07/2019, 10:20) Like (13) Dislike (4) Reply
    Same way ayo didn’t want Buju
  • Hmmmmmmm (08/07/2019, 12:31) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    The conduct of many that call themselves Christians is a deterrence to becoming a Christian. Everywhere (inside and outside worship places) humans are plagued.
    • @Hmmmmmmm (09/07/2019, 22:33) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      You shouldn't let the conduct of other so-called Christians deter you from becoming a Christian.

      Christ should be the example you follow in being a Christian...not another human being.

      That excuse has to stop.
      • explain (10/07/2019, 08:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

        Explain to me how one can congregate with fakes and liars (pretentious Christians)? Wouldn’t the habits of these fake Christians rub off on the one truly wanting to be a Christian? What does the Bible say about bad associations? See 1 Corinthians 15: 33
  • one eye (08/07/2019, 13:27) Like (2) Dislike (6) Reply
    Dr T can't bully Carnell, so he gone on air for his two mins NEXT
  • wize up (08/07/2019, 13:42) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    not that I am very old but back in the late 50s all we did God was first: we have our credit card; cheque books and bank accounts now....as children we had to attend church so we grew up with God as our centre: these days some of we only remember God in times tribulations
    • foolish Christian people (09/07/2019, 03:40) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Let them continue to preach to the save and ignore the unsafe.. Let them continue to sink in their false hope and false pride. Let them continue to think they who go to church are better than those that don't and those that have position in the church are better than the other church members. Let them keep feeding the people who bellies are already full and ignore those that are hungry. Let them of the church continue to back stab and fight each other. Seek the love of another... If this is true. That Christ came to save the world from their sins and hell fire. Who are the sinners? Maybe those in church can be considered the sinners he came to save. . Now I understand their foolish thinking and it sure makes sense. especially to themselves...
  • Religious? (08/07/2019, 15:40) Like (7) Dislike (7) Reply
    "If some folks had it their way... there would be no religious celebration," he said.
    That is exactly why!! It is RELIGIOUS! Manmade vomit! Performance based; valueless, empty and void of CHRIST! And the fact that this pastor with a doctorate theology calls it a RELIGIOUS Celebration (which could be anything including Buddha worship) is a further indication of how very LOST we are as the Body of Christ.
    • @Religious (08/07/2019, 22:44) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
      I would like to see your video while Irma was raging. Who were you calling and crying out to boss? Ah bet at the time, you were calling on God to spare you. He spared you then, but it seem like you forget. Or, you probably wasn't on the island during the storm. You will call on him again, and I am so praiseful that He is God and He will remain God
  • ... (08/07/2019, 17:30) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yes yes and YES
  • True... (09/07/2019, 03:22) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    All is fair in love and war.. If some folks had it their way there will be no emancipation/freedom celebration. I always axk myself why this Christ that claim to love us so much kept us in bondage suffering and pain for over 400 yrs. Doesn't make sense. Why innocent children have to suffer pain and sickness if he has the power to give them health and happiness.. Doesn't make sense. Its thousands of our fore parents that sacrifice their lives by speaking and fighting against the wrong and injustice for us to be free. Where were the church and Christ then. Abraham Lincoln that great American President had a conscience and said this injustice must end. He ended he was killed for doing that. After we were free to work and earn the Church now pretend to love us and accept us and fool us to take what we our ancestors were working for telling us of street of gold garden of honey and pie in the sky.. How are we so easily fooled. Why are we chosen to forget or ignore our history...


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