Summit aims to increase cultural, spiritual impact of gospel music

Key figures from Britain's gospel music community are set to meet together at the annual Grand Gospel Summit 2008 being held on November 14 to discuss how to work together and implement strategies that will enable gospel music to have a greater spiritual and cultural impact in British society.

Organised by GreenTree, GGS2008 takes place in Birmingham and this year's theme - 'Cultural Leadership and Influencing Change' - aims to provide the first step in creating a positive gospel music legacy for the next generation.

This year, attendees of the GGS2008 have been specially invited and include church leaders, gospel artists, DJs, media personal, record executives and members of the charitable sector. Bazil Meade, founder of LCGC, Ruben King, Youth and Education Director, New Testament Church of God, Noel Robinson, producer and praise and worship artist, Yinka Awojabi, founder of ukgospel.com and Roger Moore, publisher of urban music magazine Gospel Link, are amongst the many gospel practitioners expected to attend.

They will be networking and engaging with key members of the third sector and grant funding bodies. Confirmed speakers include Keith Khan, Artistic Director for the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad; Nigel Gaynor, Executive Director of Creative Industries for the Learning Skills Council; Mike Mulvey, Chief Executive London 2012 Business Network and business development strategist Audrey Stevens, Manna Consultancy.

Juliet Fletcher, founder of GreenTree and organiser of the Gospel Summit commented, "In order for UK Gospel to have a greater impact, not only do its practitioners have to come together to strategise, we need to form alliances with key organisations and grant making bodies so that we can access the professional skills and finance the gospel industry needs to move forward."

She continued, "This year's summit will have a good mix of people from the church community, gospel music scene, third sector organisations and creative small businesses.

"They will discuss important issues and look at how the various groups can network and engage with each other more effectively in order to develop a more vibrant and impactful gospel music scene.

"I believe that by the end of the GGS2008 those gathered will have developed the outline for a workable strategy to make gospel music the force God desires it to be."