Praise and worship rain down at Praise in the Park 3.0
Emancipation Park comes alive at Int’l Credit Union Day celebration
Published:Monday | October 20, 2025 | 12:09 AMYasmine Peru/ - Senior Gleaner Writer
Umbrellas decorated Emancipation Park last Thursday as gospel lovers decided that, even in the rain, they would head to the venue to enjoy showers of blessings and being soaked in the latter rain. The event was Praise in the Park 3.0, hosted by the Jamaica Credit Union League/CUNA Caribbean Insurance in celebration of International Credit Union Day, which is recognised as the third Thursday in October.
Performing on the free gospel concert were heavyweights such as Petra Kaye, Levy’s Heritage, Carey Sayles, Johnmark Wiggan and Genesis Praise Squad. It was one of those shows where every act was a winner, whether it was the high-energy running, skipping and dancing kind of praise or the more sedate “take-me-to-church” kind of worship.
Owing to the rain, things were pushed back a bit, but at 7 p.m., emcee Nadine Blair had introduced the first act, the Sterling Award-winning Genesis Praise Squad (GPS), whose name defines their mission. A collective of young people who are united through their love for the gospel, GPS was totally focused. They opened with Lord Lift Me Up and had the then small crowd jumping with gusto to songs such as Take Me Higher, Press Along Saints, Lift Jesus Higher, and calmed souls with the worshipful Lord Prepare me to be a Sanctuary.
PRAISE AND WORSHIP
A passionate Carey Sayles, the singer who is a Living Testimony, took control at 7:29 p.m. and his set took the growing crowd straight to church. “ He never promised that your cross would not get heavy, and the hill would not be hard to climb/He never offered our victories without fighting/But He said help would always come in time”, Sayles sang as hands raised in praise and heads looked upwards in worship. He gave the audience what their souls craved, including songs such as Blessed and Highly Favoured, Made A Way, and Overflow. He closed his half an hour set with a robust session of lively choruses which the people loved. Of course, he had to sing Soaked in the Latter Rain.
Up next was sibling group Levy’s Heritage, a trio which is carrying on the legacy of their father, Lubert, who was in the audience, along with their mother, to support them. They did their parents’ proud, starting off with songs to elevate souls and emphasised the need to “believe in yourself because God lives in you”. With their powerful voices, they pledged that “praises will ever be on my lips”. At 8:22 p.m., Levy’s Heritage gave The Recipe, a new song which their fans already know and love, during the course of their performance, the GPS members joined them front of stage as they incorporated ska, mento, reggae and dancehall to close on a high. Levy’s Heritage informed fans that they will be celebrating their 20th anniversary and album launch on November 1 at Portmore HEART Academy in St Catherine.
Prior to bringing powerhouse gospel performer Petra-Kaye on stage, Nadine Blair asked the crowd if they were ready to go home. The answer was a resounding “No!”. Therefore, at 8:49 p.m., Petra Kaye made her way to centrestage and took charge of Emancipation Park with a performance that left people dancing, shouting praises, calming down, and starting the entire process all over again. After forty energetic and fulfilling minutes, there were chants from the crowd of “We want more!”
They welcomed closing act, the award-winning gospel artiste, Johnmark Wiggan, whose catalogue they know and who touched all the right chords to end Praise in the Park 3.0 on a high note.
Grown tremendously
Katrina Grant D’Aguilar, group marketing and communications manager for Jamaica Co-operative Credit Union League Ltd, told The Gleaner that the gospel concert is the company’s way of celebrating their members and bringing families and communities together. She noted that the event, which had its first staging in 2023, has grown tremendously in three years.
“I remember the first year we had in the Park we did it on tracks. The second year, we decided that we wanted a live experience because, you know, it’s more of that vibe ... that church vibe. And so we introduced the band and, this year, it’s even better,” Grant D’Aguilar said.
She added, “Many years ago, we used to celebrate International Credit Union Day at theatre, but that restricted how many members could really participate. Having it here at Emancipation Park ... and hosting it free, of course, ... it’s open to everybody. And I must tell you that the Christian community, they’re really appreciative ... and we align very well with gospel. Gospel uplifts, it empowers and it’s positive and we seek to uplift the lives of our members every day.”