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Gospel music veterans Tommy Cowan and Carlene Davis are encouraging Jamaicans to hold firmly to God as the country grapples with the impact of Melissa, the major Category 5 hurricane which has wreaked havoc across Jamaica over the last few days.
“Our scripture says that it is not that we won’t have trouble. [Jesus] even said that to his disciples, we will have tribulations and troubles. But what He also says is that He will never leave us nor forsake us,” shared Cowan.
“And, of course, we can never forget the 23rd Psalm when it says that, even though we go through the valley of the shadows of death, we will fear no evil. And that is because none of these destructive things are created by God. It might be allowed to come, but it is not him putting it on us,” he added.
Cowan, who organises the annual Fun in the Son gospel festival, is from New Market in St Elizabeth, which is in the vicinity of where Hurricane Melissa made its initial landfall. He explained that the residents there are not only resilient but are also used to dealing with forces of nature.
“I was born in that area, and there are many times that we would have a lot of rainfall like this – New Market is a historic place when it comes to flooding. There were times when the floods would get as tall as the light posts. I am praying for them, but I know how to handle dire situations like this,” he said.
His wife, award-winning gospel singer Carlene Davis, shared similar sentiments with her husband. In fact, she even has a song which speaks to this kind of situation.
“The song is titled Cover Me, and it meant so much to us during a recent health scare where Tommy had to be in the hospital for major heart surgery a few years back. We had just recorded the song when it happened, and it was really ministering to me and my family during that time,” she said.
“We had eventually done a video for it, which we notice is being shared around now as the storm passes. And it really means the world to me that persons can find strength and encouragement from it during a time like this,” she added.
The testimonies don’t stop there for Davis.
She is to officially be conferred with an honorary doctorate from The University of Technology, Jamaica, for her contributions to music.
“It took me by surprise, but I receive it with gratitude and just say ‘God, you be glorified’. Something like this really wasn’t on my list or vision board. So, I really want to thank God for the privilege of using my gifting in such a way that others who look on will have an appreciation for it,” Davis said. “And so, in the midst of this storm and the tribulation, I really just want to tell everyone there are gifts in everyone. We want to experience those special gifts inside you, so please stay safe and know that God has plans for us as a people,” she told The Gleaner.
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