• Gospel singer and worship minister Loiden Henry calls on Guyanese to refocus on sacrifice, faith, and gratitude amid this Easter season

AS Guyana prepares for the Easter season, a time often marked by both religious observance and festive activities, gospel minister Loiden Henry is urging citizens to pause and reflect on the true meaning of the occasion. While acknowledging the cultural traditions and celebrations that have become synonymous with the holiday, Henry emphasised that Easter remains rooted in the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ, an event he believes is increasingly overshadowed by modern distractions. Speaking to the Pepperpot Magazine this week, Henry reflected on his decades-long journey in church and gospel music. While he has not been in the studio for some time, he is now calling for a return to introspection, gratitude, and reverence, reminding believers that Easter is not merely a long weekend, but a powerful reminder of faith, redemption, and hope that continues to define the Christian experience.

At age 40, and having spent most of his life in gospel music, Henry is one of the more familiar voices in Guyana’s gospel landscape. Recounting his early years, he shared that as the son of a pastor he began singing in the church choir at just two years old. By the time he was 10, Henry knew he loved music and wanted to pursue it as he got older. By the time he had finished high school, he was leading worship services in his father’s church. “From being one of the backup singers, I quickly was placed to lead worship, and that is where my gifting started to flourish. “People would come to me after services or message me to say how much they appreciated the songs and the way I ministered.” While he does not describe himself as a pastor, Henry identifies as a worship minister, and more than a decade ago, he took his first step into organised music through a band. “I saw myself as a worship minister, and that is how I described myself. After I started working, a good friend and I formed a band around 2014. That is where music took on a different light for me, and I really began to enjoy the gift that God gave me.”

As a youngster, his talent was undeniable. However, Henry said he was never truly interested in monetising his craft. Over the years, he has worked with some of the biggest names in local gospel music, including collaborations with Samuel Medas, and has been part of the line-up for many major gospel events. Despite this, Henry said he has taken a step back from music. “I believe everybody is gifted differently. Some people know from early on that this is what they want to do as a career, and they pursue it fully. I have seen many artistes now leaning towards monetising their craft because those before them paved the way. For me, it was never fully about money.” He admitted, however, that when he was younger, he considered music as a full-time option. Today, he no longer shares that sentiment, adding that challenges in mentorship and guidance were also a hurdle. “In the past, I may have considered doing this as a full-time career, but I did not have the mentorship or guidance to move from simply singing at concerts to building a sustainable career.”

Following his shift away from music, Henry stayed tied to the church, where he said the traditions and practices remain largely unchanged, including those surrounding Easter. Highlighting Holy Week, he described it as a solemn observance that begins with the Friday of Sorrows, one week before Good Friday, continues through Palm Sunday, and culminates on Easter Sunday. These celebrations, he noted, remain consistent across churches in Guyana, including the observance of Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and Resurrection Sunday. “In the Christian community in Guyana, I do not believe Easter has changed much. We still observe Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and Resurrection Sunday. Churches still adhere to those traditions.” These traditions, he explained, form the backbone of Easter, recounting what many consider the most significant events in the life of Jesus Christ. For Henry, the holiday is a blend of scripture and personal reflection during Holy Week.

Today, he views Easter as a time for thought and introspection, using the life of Christ as a guide for Christian values. “Easter is about the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made on the cross. It is a time for introspection, to be thankful and grateful. We sometimes take that for granted and treat it as just a holiday, when it is really a time to reflect on that sacrifice.” This understanding of Easter has evolved. As a child, he particularly enjoyed the plays his church would stage to commemorate the season. “Growing up, one of the things I looked forward to was the skits during concerts, re-enacting the journey of Jesus, his suffering, crucifixion, and resurrection. That helped bring the message to life,” he said.

Henry has, however, observed changes in how Easter is celebrated outside of the church. Each year brings new additions to the festivities, including parties, concerts, and other activities, many of which, he said, do not align with the true meaning of the season. “When it comes to the secular side, Easter has become commercialised. Many people see it as a long holiday to make money or promote events, parties, and activities, bringing in international artistes that [sic] have nothing to do with Easter.” While not dismissing the idea of celebration, Henry stressed that the core message of Easter should not be lost. “We have to be mindful of the reason for the season. It should not just be about revelry, but about reflection and gratitude.”

At the same time, he acknowledged that certain Guyanese traditions contribute positively to the spirit of Easter. Activities such as kite-making and flying, along with sharing cross buns, help foster family bonding and reinforce the values of sharing and kindness. “At the same time, there are traditional elements like hot cross buns and kite flying. While they are not inherently religious, they have become part of the culture. I participate in them, but I am not distracted by them. I remain mindful that Easter is about the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, which brings hope to Christians,” he added.

As Guyanese move into the Easter season, Henry is urging that reflection and introspection remain at the centre of the celebrations. “I would encourage people to focus on the reason for the season, which is Jesus Christ and the sacrifice he made so that we can live in freedom and worship freely,” he added. Amid the smell of cross buns and the sight of vibrant kites taking flight, Henry is encouraging Guyanese to remain grounded in the message of Easter and what it represents. “I would encourage people not to be distracted by everything happening around the season, but to take time to reflect on their lives, to think about how good God has been, and to give thanks, give homage, and be grateful.”