Jamaica Festival

Kingston, Jamaica :: May. 3 - 4, 2008

Three-City “50FEST” Shines the Gospel on Jamaica

Three cities. Three evangelists. Three festivals. Add the generosity and vision of a godly businessman and hundreds of excited congregations – this is Best Dressed 50Fest, one of the most ambitious and innovative outreaches ever seen in the Caribbean.

Jamaica is a land of great contrasts where poverty and crime co-exist with world-class beaches and breathtaking vistas. For Luis Palau, Jamaica is a source of great memories, most notably a campaign in the 1990s where his son Andrew finally and totally gave his heart to Jesus Christ. For Andrew Palau, the island is also where he met Wendy, his wife and the mother of their three children.

Robert Levy, a longtime friend of the ministry, was preparing to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his Jamaica Broilers Group, one of the largest and most successful businesses in the region. A committed follower of Jesus Christ, Mr. Levy saw an opportunity to throw a party that would be a gift to the nation, unite the body of Christ, and, most importantly, glorify God. The vision became a plan for three festivals in three cities – Mandeville, Montego Bay, and Kingston – united under the banner of 50Fest.

Preparing for the Harvest

California-based evangelist Miles McPherson joined the effort and committed his ministry to Montego Bay; Andrew Palau would launch the 10-day campaign in Mandeville; and Luis would close the celebration on the grounds of King’s House in Kingston. The format would be similar to contemporary Palau festivals: a free, family friendly celebration featuring national and international musical artists, activities for children and families, extreme sports demonstrations from the Livin It® action sports tour, and multiple presentations of the Good News.

As with all LPA events, Palau team members – led by veteran festival director Randy Burtis – quickly integrated into the community. Some of Jamaica’s most influential spiritual leaders encouraged churches across denominations to come on board with resources, support, and volunteers. Jamaica Broilers mounted an extensive marketing campaign. Grassroots efforts were seen everywhere, from yard signs to food packaging to proclamations from the pulpit.

As the festival dates approached, ministry partners such as Miles Ahead, Delta Ministries, and children’s entertainer Mark Thompson brought hundreds of volunteers and thousands of dollars in medical and building supplies for community services in some of the island’s most desperate neighborhoods. Presentations reached upwards of 80,000 people at more than 75 schools, senior centers, and children’s homes.

50Fest began to take on national significance as numerous media outlets gave extensive coverage. Robert Levy hosted Luis for meetings with foreign ambassadors and national leaders. Luis also met with an umbrella group of diverse Jamaican churches to celebrate their unity and to look to a future in which the body of Christ is united.

Go Time!

The first festival week began on April 26 in Mandeville, a picturesque city of 40,000 perched in Jamaica’s central mountains. In two days, close to 35,000 people packed the high school playfield to hear top musical artists and Andrew Palau’s Gospel message. His testimony and call to faith was powerful and relevant as he recounted his own Jamaican day of salvation. Well over 3,000 decisions for Christ were recorded at school outreaches, a business and civic leader’s lunch, and the festival.

The excitement then moved to the scenic coastal city of Montego Bay. Miles McPherson brought an upbeat, youthful show to Dump Up Beach with headliners Israel and New Breed and TobyMac. McPherson brought a large contingent from his own California church – The Rock – for a week of community service and outreach that reached close to 38,000 in the schools and on the streets. An estimated 75,000 attended the two nights of the festival with more than 5,500 registered decisions for Christ.

In a fitting finale, Luis preached the Good News under sunny skies to an estimated 150,000 on the lawn of Kingston’s presidential palace. This festival week included a women’s luncheon, a businessmen’s breakfast, a pastor’s conference, a school outreach campaign, and a medical outreach. In all, more than 12,500 souls were welcomed into the kingdom of God.

The Jamaica initiative was truly historic. For the first time, hundreds of diverse denominations came together to bring an uncompromising message of hope to the nation. Hundreds of thousands were reached with the life-changing message of God’s love. Its impact is sure to be felt for years to come.

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