Miss Gospel Bahamas contestants were urged to rid themselves of the spirit of envy, by Bahamas Harvest Church senior pastor Mario Moxey in the final weeks leading up to the finale on Sunday, July 31.
Pastor Moxey encouraged the contestants to adopt a spirit of camaraderie rather than competition and cautioned against falling victim to the green-eyed monster that is jealousy and envy as they worshiped at his church. He told them that the funny thing about competition was that only one person can win the crown.
The 10 ladies vying for the crown are Shirlene Jean Baptiste, Nikirah Braynen, Aimee Ferguson, Dianthus Johnson, Nehemie Louis, Garissa Maurice, Candace Rolle, Lavette Smith, Andrice Strachan and Cedrica Williamson.
The Miss Gospel Bahamas Pageant aims to develop young ladies, spiritually and socially while providing an avenue for them to display their God-given abilities. This year's theme, "Empowered for Action; Changing a Generation", is particularly meaningful for one contestant.
"Winning this pageant provides the chance to prove to the world that with God's help you can be successful in anything you put your mind to," said Johnson, an 18-year-old, pre-school teacher who wants to use the Miss Gospel Bahamas platform as a tool to further motivate and encourage young people to use their talents for the Lord.
Cedrica Williamson seeks to build the self-esteem in other young women by being a positive role model. "Winning the pageant would help me reach a wider range of young women and make my platform more attainable," said the pre-school teacher representing Life Line Family Fellowship Church.
"Winning this pageant would mean the world to me," said Fergsuon a police cadet and College of The Bahamas student. "Just knowing I can represent my Savior by being an ambassador would make me so thankful."
Braynen, the representative from Cornerstone International, said God directed her to the pageant. Her message to the nation's youths: "With God, you don't have to be the richest or the smartest. He will see you through."
In her first year as pageant chair, Miss Gospel Bahamas 2006, Anya McKenzie said she found the contestants' willingness to work along with the committee, coupled with their eagerness to learn and be trained refreshing, and that people attending the pageant should expect to see an array of talent when the contestants take to the stage.
"It will be an evening of ministering and guest artist performances so the best is yet to come," said McKenzie. During the worship service, the 10 contestants looked the part of typical beauty queen aspirants, dressed in their Sunday best -- gorgeous hats, beautiful suits and eye -- catching gloves. However, this pageant is not all about having the right look.
What sets the MGB Pageant apart from the rest is the year that the reigning queen spends working with GCMI giving back to the local community. The pageant places an emphasis on service as opposed to self. Miss Gospel Bahamas is the brainchild of Great Commission Ministries International (GCMI), a non-profit mission organization. GCMI reaches out to the poor, homeless and high risk youths.
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