From Soca to Worship: Michelle Sylvester

We live in a country that has the most holidays and being the astute employee that I am, I would hate to miss any day at work…LOL  and the next holiday on our long list is Carnival.  I like Carnival!!

Before you throw the Bible at me let me explain.  I like the time that I get to go to camps and a worthy vacation from life. I have been going to Christian camps since I was 13 years old and have been enjoying meeting the people and the quiet time that I get with God and many of us have been involved church activities at this time.

While our yet-to-be- saved friends and loved ones are palancing through the streets of our cities in bedazzled underwear seeming to be having the time of their lives, have you ever wanted to do same? There were times that I wanted to but the God in me brought me to my senses.

Recently I had the opportunity to sit down with someone who was in the thick of the Carnival and is now saved sanctified and Holy Spirit filled; Michelle Sylvester who I meet at Switch the concert last year.

GospelGlobe: But first I had to know, who is Michelle Sylvester?

I was the first female Soca artiste to win the Groovy Soca Monarch in 2005 with the song “Somebody’s Sleeping in your bed”. I loved singing and Soca was the avenue I choose to express that. I occasionally went to church but didn’t feel led to get saved. I wasn’t really into the party scene, just loved performing and singing.

GospelGlobe: How long have you been saved?

I got saved in December 2009 in the car coming home from a family lime. I decided that night in the car that I wanted to change my life; I broke down crying and was determined to go to church the next day which was Sunday. I went to the church that I would normally visit and was prophesied to and never looked back. I’m in church every Sunday, I’m not perfect and God has been molding me to be the Michelle he created me to be.

I still did shows on the side while attending church regularly until the Holy Spirit convicted me about singing those songs that were neither pleasing to him nor glorifying Him in anyway.  I was a personal choice that I don’t regret making.

GospelGlobe: Do you miss the Lime Light of Carnival?

I don’t miss it because it wasn’t what I went to the parties for, I really wanted to sing.  I want to do worship songs and Soca; but with God in mind.

GospelGlobe: What would you say to the Christian person who would want to go to a fete for the “experience”?

Don’t do it! It’s not worth it. God is too sweet and understanding .., everything He has in store for you. Understanding that the enemy has nothing in store for you but destruction, would lead you to desire God and draw closer to Him. Believe me there is nothing worth experiencing

GospelGlobe: What do you have to say to the part-time Christian, who is fêting during the Carnival season but a ‘devoted Christian’ at all other times?

I would wait on God’s timing and He would reveal to me the best time to minister to them. I too was one and He met me in his timing. The lifestyle that you live would be hints to them,  to seek God and line up with His word.

GospelGlobe: Now that you are a Christian, even though you’re young in the game, has your view on Carnival changed?

Revelry is not of God. My eyes have been opened that nakedness and drunkenness are the highlights of Carnival ,and Trinidad and Tobago is not different in any way, which does not in any way bring glory to Him.

GospelGlobe: What do you for Carnival now?

My church IMC (International Charismatic Mission) Love Centre Arouca, usually come together and pray for the nation on those days. The kids and youth groups usually have camps.

GospelGlobe: What can we look forward to from Michelle Sylvester – Soldier in the Army of God?

I am currently in the studio working on some songs that I’ve been working on for a while now, waiting on God to release me to do them.  It’s a mix of reggae and Soca with a focus primarily on worship; they might be launched after carnival.

GospelGlobe: How are you involved in church?

Because of my love for singing I gravitated towards the worship team, naturally.  I totally renewed, sanctified and revitalized.

Written by :

cherry davis

 

Features - Music