Taking Jesus Explosion online

While the coronavirus pandemic has increased uncertainty over future events, the organisers of Jesus Explosion (JE) have adapted to the new normal and confirmed that this year’s conference will take place Saturday, December 12, albeit virtually, for the first time in 18 years.

Speaking to Catholic News via phone, JE Coordinator Ayanna Griffith explained that the structure of this year’s JE conference remained but with an added “hybrid experience”.

Unlike previous JE conferences which were usually held over the course of three days, this year’s one-day edition will take place 8 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. with a live emcee moderating the day’s activities.

This year’s conference’s theme is taken from Acts 9:5 “Who are you Lord?… I am Jesus.”

There will be an opening address by the Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu followed by a 9 a.m. virtual Mass celebrated by Fr Ian Taylor. Saturday’s conference will be livestreamed via their YouTube channel ‘Jesus Explosion Trinidad and Tobago’. The livestream will remain available for future viewing. Persons can find additional information via their Instagram page or Facebook Page.

Saturday’s agenda includes praise and worship by GRACE Music Ministry and the St Charles’ RC Tunapuna Youth Choir and a series of pre-recorded talks on Repentance, by USVI’s Fr Anthony ‘Bunny’ Abraham; the Holy Spirit, by Fr Cornelius Phillip; the Eucharist by Fr Trevor Nathasingh and the theme by Fr Ian Taylor.

There will also be a sharing of testimonies, including one participant from Guyana.

Committee member Gregory Quan Kep acknowledged that many youth and young adults may be experiencing moments of hopelessness during this time of pandemic. The upcoming JE, he asserted, is an opportunity for increased faith and an encounter with Jesus.

“We did not want our young people to go without their opportunity to encounter Jesus which they have shared time and time again revives them,” he stressed.

With the watchwords: ‘Be Empowered, Be Equipped, Be Renewed’, the JE conference is an event that caters to Catholics and non-Catholics of all ages.

In previous venues, namely Preysal Secondary School and Trinity East, the Conference had been attended by as many as 1,200 persons.

The Steering Committee hopes and prays that the Virtual Conference views will far surpass that figure. Currently, there are other JE missions in Guyana, The USVI, Belize and Slovenia.

By Kaelanne Jordan

Email: mediarelations.camsel@catholictt.org

Twitter: @kaelanne1