424 Music’s ‘Awake’ tour visits Tobago

Since May, 424 Music has been on tour across the Archdiocese, performing at parish, school, and archdiocesan events. Tobago contributor Gabrielia Sooklal shares on their visit to the Sister Isle.

With a powerful blend of worship, reflection, and community, the Awake Tour made its impactful debut in Tobago, offering a transformative two-day experience centred on fostering unshakeable faith among the island’s youth.

The event, a collaborative effort between the Office of the Youth Ministry and 424 Music, engaged several youth ministries across Tobago. The revival began on Friday, September 27 at St Joseph RC Tobago Parish Hall, where the youth participated in a spiritually uplifting session of worship and prayer, concluding with a symbolic bonfire.

424 Music leader Matthew Hall explained that “the bonfire activity created an opportunity for the youth to symbolically burn away distractions that might hinder their journey towards building a life of unshakeable faith. As the pieces of paper representing these distractions were thrown into the fire, the flames changed colour, foreshadowing the transformative journey ahead. The participants were then invited to take a stone with a virtue inscribed on it— representing the start of building their lives on a firm foundation.”

The overarching theme of the tour was Unshakeable, a concept central to the messages delivered throughout the event. Various leaders within the group shared powerful testimonies about how their lives had been shaped and transformed by their steadfast faith. They spoke candidly about the challenges they had faced and how their trust in God enabled them to overcome those difficulties.

One testimony came from Henderson Hudlin, the group’s keyboardist, who openly shared his personal story. He revealed how his life had veered onto a destructive path, leading to an injury that forced him to reassess his choices. His experience served as a stark reminder of how easy it is to stray from one’s calling.

Henderson urged the youth to remain committed to their gifts and talents, emphasising that they should use these blessings to serve others and glorify God. He likened his message to the parable of the talents from the Gospel of Matthew, cautioning that if they neglected or misused their God-given abilities, these gifts could be taken away.

In addition to the inspiring talks, the tour was structured to actively involve participants in activities designed to strengthen their faith and build trust within the community.

Throughout the event, the youth had the opportunity to listen to a variety of speakers, who addressed topics such as trust, faith, and perseverance. These messages resonated deeply with the challenges that many young people face in today’s world.

However, the organisers went beyond talks and lectures, ensuring that the young attendees were not passive observers but active participants. During the worship sessions, for instance, the youth not only sang hymns but also engaged in choreographed dances—forms of expression that helped them feel more connected to the worship experience.

These moments of collective worship fostered a sense of unity and shared purpose, reinforcing the theme of Unshakeable faith through movement and song.

For many of the younger children in attendance, the highlight of the day were the outdoor games and activities, which provided a unique and fun way to learn valuable life lessons.

Through these games, the youth practised trust and cooperation—skills essential both in their spiritual lives and in their everyday interactions. The activities encouraged them to step out of their comfort zones, relying on each other to overcome obstacles.

Despite the challenges, the participants expressed a great sense of achievement and joy. Many of them spoke enthusiastically about the opportunity to bond with their peers through these engaging experiences.

As the tour ended, Tobago’s youth left with more than just memories—they left with a renewed sense of purpose. With stones in hand and hearts alight, they embarked on their own journey of unshakeable faith, strengthened by the lessons learned and the bonds they had formed.