Kirk Franklin performs at last Saturday's Fun In The Son at Jamaica College. - Winston Sill

During the final moments of last Saturday night's Fun in the Son concert at Jamaica College, when Grammy award-winning gospel superstar Kirk Franklin said, "Jamaica, I know you're crying about a high crime rate. I know you're crying about a poor economy. But guess what? In America, we got it too," he cemented the theme of the night - one of hope.

"Turn on all your phones, every one of you," Franklin instructed. "Turn the lights down and turn on all your phones. Look around you, there's still hope for Jamaica."

With that, more than 100,000 mobile phones were raised in the air. It was the kind of scene that had one in awe, made one reflect and one that was amazing and absolutely necessary.

As the vast crowd basked in the truth of his statement, Franklin seamlessly went into his contemporary hit LeanOn Me and prior to that Now Behold The Lamb, Why We Sing, Something About The Name Jesus, Silver and Gold (I'd Rather Have Jesus), and Brighter Day. In a word, Franklin's 80-minute stint was 'amazing'.

The event was not only one of praise and deep worship, but had light, enjoyable moments as well. Prior to Franklin, Papa San had set the pace when he came to the stage. Papa San, known for his high-energy, fast rhyming and knee lifts, could do no wrong as he had the audience singing and air thumping with Love Inna Mi heart, Real Real Real (Christ So Real To Me), and Let It Burn. He maintained the momentum with Hell Bruck Loose and then segued into Jesus I Love You and Smile Again.

The bar of the performances were kept on high throughout the night as most of the performances were moving, soul-stirring and praise-oriented, save for Carlene Davis who mixed both praise anthems and worship melodies to her set while Kevin Downswell continued it.

Sister Scully on the other hand kept her ministry 'back to basics', doing popular hits such as I Am Delivered, I Love That Man From Galilee, Walk Those Streets of Glory, Walk Holy, Suppose We Nuh Meet, Move Mek Mi Pass and the hit Hurry Up.

Of the artistes whose ministries were praise-oriented, DJ Nicholas, Goddy Goddy, and Omari were outstanding.DJ Nicholas had the younger audience members captivated as he sang Suffering, Wise As A Serpent, God Man,Holy Ghost Gym and invited Judith Gayle onstage as they did ThingsAlready Better and Can't Stop It.

When introduced by emcee Nadine Blair as 'the comedian of Gospel', Goddy Goddy stuck to his moniker. Clad in camouflage wear, the minister came ready to war with the devil. "Gun man have bullet, Christian must have boom," he said before requesting for the energy drink of the same name for a shameless, but comedic, plug.

Other ministries came from Sons of the Prophet, J. Lee, Ryan Berry, Kimeika Isaacs, Jabez (in that particular order) and Andrew Palau, son of evangelist Luis Palau, delivered the sermon.