Come Alive: A National Call to Worship set for August 1

 Following overwhelming support last year for its inaugural fund-raising concert and worship experience, the Come Alive Collective, led by Chairman Eric Hosin, is making preparations for the second staging, set for Emancipation Day, August 1, on the East Lawns of King’s House. At the 2025 event, which was headlined by gospel titan CeCe Winans at the same venue, some 15,000 patrons attended, and after all expenses were deducted, $30 million was donated to charitable causes.

Hosin didn’t plan to have a second go at staging yet another massive event, which sees worship and music closely intertwined, but he allowed himself to be guided by a higher power as he champions worthy causes and makes giving back his priority.

“After last year, we thought that this was it … it was just a one call that the Lord was making of us,” Hosin told The Gleaner at the official launch on Tuesday at the Liguanea Club in New Kingston. “But we just felt the Lord calling us and saying that we need to call the nation to worship and we came up with the theme as we felt led … A National Call to Worship. We believe that the nation is in need of holiness and righteousness, and God is calling.”

Buoyed by “the outpouring of God’s spirit” last year in terms of the type of worship that was experienced and the impactful gospel music, this year the Come Alive team has put together an impressive list of artistes for seven hours of worship, from 3 – 10 pm. It is led by internationally acclaimed gospel singer, Michael W. Smith, alongside powerhouse gospel singers who need no introduction – Papa San, Jermaine Edwards, Johnmark Wiggan, Petra-Kaye and HUMBLE. Pre-show acts include Audience of One and the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission Gospel Star finalists.

Hosin agreed that in Jamaica, Smith may not have the type of name recognition of a CeCe Winans, for example, but he pointed out that his songs are very popular.

“His songs are well known, it’s just that people don’t know that it’s him. So what we are telling people [is] that these songs that you are singing are Michael W. Smith’s songs. CeCe is very popular, and she really did an amazing job last year, but we believe with God’s leading that Michael, along with Papa San and all the other popular acts, will offer a wonderful seven hours of worship. So we say to Jamaica, ‘Answer the national call to worship’.”

The organisers promise that this year will be “bigger and better”.

“The stage is going to be bigger, the sound is going to be nicer, the screens are going to be so beautiful again …. even better … and we are going to have more space, transportation is in place, parking at the stadium. Last year, the net proceeds [were] $30 million, and we gave 100 per cent of that to charity. The needs are great … and yes, if we get $50 million, praise the Lord, hallelujah!” Hosin said with a smile at the suggested goal.

It was a mere three months after the August 1 spiritual renewal that the island was hit by an unprecedented Category 5 hurricane. Hosin shared that as a result, one of the main beneficiaries from the 2026 concert will be the Anglican Church-run Clifton Boys’ Home in Westmoreland. which was devastated by Melissa.

“The boys are currently living elsewhere because the home was so badly damaged, so we want to support the reconstruction of this property,” Hosin shared. “Also, last year we gave to policemen who were impacted, and also to the Jamaica Fire Brigade.”

Other beneficiaries include the Bustamante Hospital for Children, the Open Door Foundation, the Governor General’s Programme for Excellence, and the Students' Christian Fellowship and Scripture Union.

Asked what keeps him motivated on this journey of generosity and selflessness, Hosin’s answer was simple: “The Lord has been good to me. I have experienced him personally, and because of that experience, I am confident of his ability in his saving grace, love and mercy, and I just thank the Lord.”

Come Alive: A National Call to Worship 2026 will also be held under the patronage of the Governor-General of Jamaica, Sir Patrick Allen. Positioned as a premier event on Jamaica’s entertainment and faith calendar, it “aims to deliver a world-class production that resonates across generations while reinforcing the role of gospel music as both a unifying force and a vibrant part of the country’s cultural landscape”.

Title sponsors are the RJRGLEANER Communications Group, LOVE 101 FM and Caledonia Outdoor Advertising. Hawkeye is a gold sponsor, and the Jamaica Urban Transit Company and AV Montage are silver sponsors.

Emcees at Tuesday’s launch were Nadine Blair and Dexter Johnson. Gospel singer Jermaine Edwards gave a taste of what to expect on August 1, with a delightful performance. 

yasmine.peru@gleanerjm.com