Award-winning Grenadian gospel singer Ijeal Joseph says he recently shared the stage with the legendary multiple GRAMMY award-winner Pastor Donnie McClurkin and others during a gospel concert in Freeport, L.I. to support hurricane relief in Grenada and Jamaica.
Joseph, a Brooklyn resident, told Caribbean Life over the weekend that he performed on Jul. 21 with McClurkin, Judith Gayle, Edward Neblette, Andrea McClurkin-Malini and K3 at Perfecting Faith Church. The concert sought to raise at least $20,000.
“It was an honor for me to be the one representing my country at such a very important cause,” Joseph said. “I have always looked up to Pastor Donnie McClurkin as a musical mentor. As such, it was a dream come true to share the stage with him,” he added. “I am very grateful, and I thank God that dreams do come true, and that God keeps all of His promises. All glory be to the Most High.”
Joseph, who wears many hats, is an anointed Christian music singer, worship leader, actor, songwriter, poet, author and performer, as well as an ordained minister of the gospel.
Early in his Christian life, Joseph said he played different roles as a cast member with the theatre youth group of the Gouyave Open Bible Church in Grenada.
In 1999, he said he earned national attention when he participated in the Grenada National Song Festival.
Then, in 2003, Joseph won the Grenada National Talent Search Competition and, in 2005, he was awarded the Grenada National Youth Award for his exemplary performance in the field of culture.
After migrating to New York in 2009, Joseph said he continued to be actively involved in both ministry and community work. He is a chaplain and evangelist.
Among the volunteer assignments he has adopted is being a member of the Brooklyn-based Grenada Independence Anniversary Celebrations’ Steering Committee.
In May 2011, he was awarded a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for his “invaluable service to the community” by Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, who represents the 9th Congressional District in Brooklyn.
Acknowledging his accomplishments and his ability to positively impact audiences, Joseph said he was asked to be the keynote speaker for the New York Ecumenical Service during the 2019 Grenada Independence Anniversary celebrations.
In March 2019, he was awarded a proclamation by state Sen. Kevin S. Parker of Brooklyn.
At the time, Parker noted that he was honoring and “recognizing that, in Ijeal Joseph, we have an individual worthy of our highest respect and esteem.”
Joseph said his work has inspired and blessed the hearts of many people of all ages, crisscrossing denominational and social boundaries.
According to Joseph, his mission and purpose for service is “For Christ and For Souls.”
“I am very proud of all that I have accomplished this far in my career,” he said. “It is my dream to be able to spread my message of love and the gospel with as many people across the globe as possible.”
Joseph said one of his biggest inspirations is Jamaican singer Beres Hammond.
“We met back in 2008 at an event,” he said. “As I was coming of the stage, he grabbed me and hugged me, and told me, ‘Keep doing what you do and, one day, the big break would come’.
“Those words are engraved on my heart and mind,” Joseph added. “I would never forget that moment. This advice has been my guiding light since.”
He said he’s had similar encounters with gospel music legends Alvin Slaughter and Pastor McClurkin.
“Music is so powerful [that] I do not take its stewardship for granted,” Joseph said. “I always admire [the legendary Jamaican reggae superstar] Bob Marley, because of his ability to reach people of all backgrounds. It does not matter their religion and race.
“This is what I aim to do as well,” Joseph said. “My motto is ‘For Christ and For Souls’. So, in essence, I have been given a mandate from Above to minister and attend to the needs of God’s people.”
