Omagh and Fintona Methodist Circuit are hosting Gospel Fest Goes West on Saturday, February 25 at 7.30pm, in The Strule Arts Centre, Omagh, with a range of live musical acts performing in aid of a great cause.

As part of the night, Gospel Fest Goes West is welcoming ‘Live Issue’ back for the concert. Since they reformed back in 2006, the band has become one of the most popular Country/Gospel bands in the British Isles, and comprises Colin Elliott, Roy Dreaning, Sam Armstrong, Carl Sands and Ivan McLernon.

Once again, Laura Beck from Co. Down, joins Gospel Fest Goes West. In the past few years, her singing has been in great demand at many churches and concerts throughout Ireland and the United Kingdom.

She has also teamed up with Live Issue on many occasions, and has taken part in memorable solo performances with the Belfast Community Gospel Choir at the Grand Opera House and Waterfront Concert Hall in Belfast.

‘Revelation’, a close three-part harmony trio consisting of David Strange, Paul Irwin and Peter Mander, will also perform on the night.

Their vision is to take the Gospel in song and testimony to as many people as possible, especially young people.

Also on the night, ‘The Hanna Family and Friends’ will be making their first appearance at Gospel Fest Goes West.

The group comprises Mervin and Lysiane Hanna, Mark and Elizabeth Hanna, Dixie Heazley, Sam Armstrong and Ed Richardson, who love to spread the Gospel across the country.

Alex Robb is also returning on the night, having made his last appearance at the concert in 2019.

He has a passion for Gospel music and particularly singing; however, he says his heart is first and foremost about sharing the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

This year, the proceeds of the concert will be going to support the work of Open Schools Worldwide which will be channelled through the Methodist World Development and Relief to help Zambia, where 54 per cent of the population lives below the poverty line, and where 40 per cent of children suffer at least three of the following deprivations: access to food, education, shelter, water, healthcare, or sanitation.

Open Schools Worldwide trains local volunteer tutors to teach a curriculum specially designed to teach disadvantaged children literacy and numeracy, and to equip them with the equivalent of a third-grade education.

The tutors meet with the children under a tree, in the shelter of a shack, on the edge of a dump – wherever they are found.

They can then feed back into the formal educational system with a far higher chance of completing at least their primary education.

For tickets, contact the Strule Arts Centre, Omagh.