Gospel Concert for Kids’ Breakfasts makes a Circle of Love

By Christopher Tobutt

I heard Jesus Loves Me drifting through the air — a soft, unexpected message of love for my soul. It sounded like a street meeting, the kind that used to spring up on corners in the old days, so I got on my bicycle and followed the sound from the end of Powell Smith Drive toward the Ed Bush Stadium.

The music kept slipping away — swallowed by reggae and rap from passing cars, by the hum of Saturday evening life in West Bay. Still, I kept pedaling, chasing that little thread of praise until I turned a corner and found it again. The sound of joy. The sound of heaven’s embrace. The sound of people gathering simply to praise the Lord.

At the entrance to the small community space beside the stadium sat a young woman at a little table with a cash box. Her name was Tasha, wearing a bright pink Circle of Love T shirt. When I asked if I could come in — and maybe get some prayer, because I felt a bit like a lost and lonely sheep — she didn’t hesitate. “Come,” she said gently. “I’ll take you to someone who can pray with you.

She led me inside and introduced me to her mother, Julie Hunter, now the MP for West Bay West, but here simply as a woman of faith among her sisters. We stepped aside to hear each other over the music and clapping — faces lighting up as familiar gospel favourites rolled out one after another.

Tasha explained the purpose of the evening: “I’m part of the Circle of Love Women’s Ministries. We’re a non profit, and we host different events for the community. Our biggest are the Annual Children’s Breakfast in May for Child Month, and the Seniors Brunch in October. This concert is a fundraiser for the Children’s Breakfast.

Circle of Love also reaches out to families in need all across the Cayman Islands, and also school backpacks for children, so of course, part of what they do is raising funds through events like this wonderful gospel concert. “We have 15 members, and we meet once a month at the George Town Yacht Club,” Tasha said.

Their Children’s Breakfast, usually held at the Mary Miller Hall in Red Bay, draws 300–400 children from across Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac. It’s not just a meal — there’s plenty of fun, prizes, encouragement, and joy. And of course, the sense of joining a great big family for a morning.

Inside, the music was already in full flight. A lady on stage lifted her hands and her voice: “Thank you Jesus for loving me this night… thank you for your grace and your mercy for all of us.” These weren’t international gospel stars — they were Cayman’s own. The kind who sing in little churches, who give their time freely, who use God’s gift humbly to lift the hearts of others.

Julie leaned over to tell me who they were: “We have Cranston Forbes & Friends… then Mr. Paul Roberts, Shaun Brown, Sister Sheryl… and Mr. Ebanks from the Boatswain Bay Church.” Cranston Forbes, a respected Caymanian music educator and performer , anchored the evening with his musicianship, while each singer brought sincerity and soul.

They weren’t performing. They were ministering.

On Saturday night, I stumbled into their circle by accident. But once inside, I felt embraced — by the music, by the community, and by the unconditional love that still moves quietly through Cayman like a song on the wind.