Gospel Expo Back In Belize

The Belize Gospel Expo is back in town for 2024. The annual two-day event is held in Roaring Creek, to foster a safe environment for wholesome socialization in the community. We spoke with founder Richard Smith, who told us what the event entailed. News Five’s Britney Gordon reports.

 

Richard Smith, Founder, Belize Gospel Expo

“Gospel Expo is a multipurpose one. We were looking for opportunity to do something on the Agriculture and Trade Show Ground. To change the culture and the atmosphere that was going on there to Gasper Expo have been served as a means for you  local artists to have a perf year where they could perform and showcase their talents and gifting Gasper Expo have also been a place where churches from our district can come together and to have a General day of just praising God in a clean, healthy atmosphere.”

 

The concert will be held on Saturday and will be followed by a United Church service on Sunday. This year, three international artists will be featured in the event, Pregoneros del Reino, and Jason Mighty from Guatemala, Lionell Taepe from Jamaica, as well as local Belizean Band, Principes Del Rey.

 

Lionell Taepe, Performer

“So last year for Gospel Expo, we were introduced Mister Richard’s by another artist. He was a guest artist last year, Emron Henry. And so that was our first event when we came last year. I was so blessed. It was my first time in Belize. So I experienced the culture, the fry Jack and all of that. And we were treated well. I mean, I had loved the young people being around them and you know, people that were crazy about worshiping God and everything. I love the vision. And so, you know, the team just fell in love with sir Richard and his family and everything. So we were at their disposal. They invited us later on in the year and we’re here this year again.”

 

The event kicks off on March sixteenth at ten a.m. with a softball game and will be followed by several workshops in the afternoon for aspiring artists and church leaders and a barbeque. The concert will begin at six p.m. and other performers such as dancers and actors will be featured as well. Smith is encouraging everyone to come learn and worship as a community. And although it is free of cost, donations are encouraged.

 

Richard Smith

“There’s some display of boots there is at one o’clock. Behind the scene with the artists where we’re encouraging Belizean artists to come and ask some questions. These guys will be sharing their story. What bring them from ground zero to where they are and what are some of the pros and can in being a career musician because our Belizean just do it as a side piece. But it could be a career if you, if your heart is in the right place. And so there’s going to be a workshop for that. There’s going to be a workshop for pastors and leaders, along with a barbecue.”

 

The event seeks to bring the community together for wholesome socializing and inspire young people to get involved in their church and community.

 

Lionell Taepe

“I love any activity that is going to be blessing young people. And what I saw last year was a plethora of young people just filling the groans, that were excited about what was going on, looking for something to do. And I saw the vision that mister Richard had, and I saw that it was taking place, and I wanted to be a part of something that is going good.”

 

Britney Gordon for News Five.