Indigenous Gospel Music Festival, Jesus 2022 unifying many cultures

This past weekend was the first ever gospel event held at CN stage at the Forks Marketplace, called Jesus 2022.

"The event was all about Jesus," says Melvina Guiboche, the event coordinator for Jesus 2022. "The former Grand Chief David Harper and his wife Belinda have been hosting this event, this is the third year."

Guiboche says the Indigenous Gospel Music Festival, which started in 2020, has grown.

"We came together and planned this big event and God just opened the doors and allowed us to come to the Forks. We were breaking ground. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday we had guests from all over Canada, Indigenous musicians, singers, speakers, and bands. People from Quebec and B.C. came. Lots of Indigenous lovers of Jesus."

Guiboche shares that the event was all about unity and reconciliation.

"It was very pivotal. It was breaking ground, asking 'What is reconciliation?' We had a booth up asking people 'What is reconciliation in the body of Christ? With non-Indigenous and Indigenous lovers of Jesus? How can we come together, love one another, on this journey of healing?"

A pastor from Regina had a tent set up that offered counselling and prayer for survivors of residential schools, day schools, and the 60s scoop.

"What is reconciliation to us? To love one another and come together in unity, as one body, the body of Christ, and worship Him together."

Guiboche shares that reconciliation is about all nations, and she saw people from many cultures attend Jesus 2022.

"We were so appreciative and overtaken by the response. The field was packed each night with Indigenous people and non-Indigenous people. There's a big community of believers in the Indigenous community."

AMC Homelessness Project partnered with the event to bless the vulnerable population in Winnipeg.

"David and Bel have this heart for the homeless, this heart for bringing people together and supporting our friends and family on the street. That's the heart of Jesus 2022."

The planners are already getting started on next year's event, which will be held at the Lyric Theatre in Assiniboine Park.

"It felt like it was meant to be, for us to be there this weekend and give God all the glory. He's been so good to each and every one of us. A highlight was, as the singers were singing, as the worship was going forth into the field, you could hear the echo of worship."

Giuboche also works as a community ministry with Inner City Youth Alive (ICYA) and hosts a podcast called Journey with Care, which is all about reconciliation.