BRIDGET BLUCHER ROCKS GALA

Award-winning, pre-eminent Caribbean gospel artiste evangelist Bridget Blucher on Saturday brought the house down during the 20th Anniversary Gala, at Antun’s, in Queens Village, of the United Vincie Cultural Group of Brooklyn (UVCGB).

Evangelist Blucher, who is also a psalmist, rocked the honors ceremony with hits from her wide repertoire.

Patrons were electrified and mesmerized spiritually, as the Florida-based, Vincentian-born  gospel icon belched out “I’m a Child of God,” “Rivers of Babylon,” “Can’t Sit Down,” “Underneath the Blood,” “Let Me See,” “Lift Up Jesus,” “Hallelujah Anyhow,”,“Bigger Than All My Problems,” among others.

“I call it ministry,” UVCGB President and Founder the Rev. Dr. Roxie Morris told Caribbean Life afterwards. “Her ministry is always anointed.

“She knows how to lead others in authentic worship,” added the pastor of Hope Restored Tabernacle, Inc., an evangelical church in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn. “Bridget does not perform; she ministers.

“Our patrons were very excited, and they expressed that they had more time to enjoy her ministry – very uplifting,” Pastor Morris continued. “We left Antun’s with our spirits uplifted and fully encouraged to continue serving God.”

During the five-hour-long ceremony, UVCGB honored Evangelist Blucher, as well as seven others: UVCGB member, former vice president and guitarist Geoffrey Holder; Laverne McDowald-Thompson, former president, now vice president, of the Council of St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Organizations, U.S.A., Inc. (COSAGO), the Brooklyn-based umbrella Vincentian group in the US; and Sherrill-Ann Mason, chairperson of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Diaspora Committee of New York, Inc., which is also based in Brooklyn.

The others were: Videographer and photographer Lesley Richards; renowned graphic artist and former Caribbean Tourist Organization (CTO) New York staffer Annette Stowe; Vaughan Toney (posthumously), late president and chief executive officer of the Friends of Crown Heights Educational Centers in Brooklyn; and Caribbean Life’s senior writer Dr. Nelson A. King.

UVCGB performs “Keep We Culture Alive.” Photo by Nelson A. King

UVCGB members also performed at the event, holding patrons in ecstasy with their signature “Keep the Culture Alive.”

Evangelist Blucher considers herself “blessed, gifted and anointed by God to minister through music,” using this gift to glorify Him.

The daughter of the late Bishop (Pointer) Decosta Blucher and his wife, the late Rev. Frances Blucher, in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Evangelist Blucher said she’s always had “a passion for singing.”

At a tender age, she said became involved in the church youth and community choirs, spreading the gospel through songs in her native land.

Today, Evangelist Blucher said she, in a very unique way, spreads the word of God through songs filled with “a rhythmic Caribbean essence.”

She said she makes it “safe to laugh, dance and worship while, at the same time, sending the clarion message of Jesus and His love in song.”

Evangelist Blucher said her God-given talent has propelled her to the top of the charts in the Caribbean and globally.

As of result, she said she was elected the first Caribbean Gospel Cultural Ambassador for her country.

Patrons and some UVCGB members mesmerized by Evangelist Bridget Blucher. Photo by Nelson A. King

Evangelist Blucher said her versatility is evident in her recording of songs in Twi, the major language in Ghana, West Africa.

The evangelist said she travels the globe, constantly ministering in places like Africa, Central America, Europe, Canada, United States and the Caribbean, and that she ministers “clearly and consciously to the needs of congregations and audiences” at conferences, concerts and crusades.

She said multitudes of people are drawn to her “sincere, warm and genuine personality, and uplifting ministry.”

With over 15 albums produced to date and 50-plus original songs, Evangelist Blucher said she has graced the stage with popular gospel artistes, such as Cece Winans, Yolanda Adams, Vicki Winans, Alvin Slaughter, Shekinah Glory Ministry, Israel and New Breed, and has also toured with Lynda Randle from the Bill Gaithers.

The gospel artiste extraordinaire has won over 20-plus Caribbean Music Awards and recognition for her community and global services.

She said her desire to all who come in contact with her ministry is for them to be “healed, set free and be delivered through the blood of Jesus Christ.”