A Bermudian musician making a name for himself on the American gospel scene is back in Bermuda to spread the love.

Tricray Astwood, has been working in Port St Lucie, Florida as a worship pastor and minister of music at Faith World Church under Bishop Clint Brown.

Bishop Brown formed the Faithworld Church in Orlando, Florida in the 1990s where services are now attended by 6,000 followers. He recently expanded the church to a campus in Port St Lucie, where Mr Astwood is based.

Mr Astwood has been overseas for many months, but is home again to sort out some visa issues. He plans to use his time by giving a concert next Saturday.

“Since I am back here I decided I might as well use my gifts,” he said. “I wanted to give back to Bermuda everything I have learned. I will be performing in the Worshippers Unite: Level 2 Concert on Saturday. We had one last year and it was a huge success. I hope it will be an annual thing. My goal for this is to bring people from all denominations, and non Christians as well, together, in one place to worship god. I have an amazing band with some of the most talented musicians on the Island, and the best singers from different denominations.”

The New Creation Worship Centre dance team, Anointed For Praise, will also perform at the event hosted by Dwayne and Wayne Caines.

“I am really excited about this concert,” Mr Astwood said. “It is crunch time; but I am excited.”

He decided he wanted to go into the ministry when he was a 16-year-old student at CedarBridge Academy.

“A few of my friends were talking about what they wanted to do in life, and I knew that God had placed this on my heart to do,” he said. “I love music, and following this combination of music and the ministry is working out for me.”

To other young people looking to go into music or niche careers, he cautioned that it takes a lot of perseverance.

“Make sure it is what you want to do,” he said. “You will get setbacks, but if you are truly called to do your chosen career it will work out. You just have to stick to the wicket.”

He said being young and a foreigner, sometimes made it hard to earn the respect of other people in his industry in Florida.

“People tend to try to undermine you sometimes,” he said. “As Bermudians we have to work that much harder because some people don’t even know what Bermuda is, leaving out where it is. They just think of the Bermuda Triangle when they hear Bermuda.

“When you go out there you have to show them that you are called to do this. That is the main challenge. Now I am finally seeing people starting to respect me, and other worship leaders from other churches starting to recognise my gift. That is always an awesome thing.”

The Faithworld Church in Port St Lucie sees several hundred people attend sermons, and the sermon is broadcast live across the world through the internet. He is in charge of the music and arts programme and oversees 45 other people.

“Working in a mega ministry is not like working in your local church,” he said. “You have run sheets which are basically the order of service. You have to stick to that order of service to the minute, because we are streamed live. There is a countdown that starts the service and we can’t be late. When that clock hits 0:0:0 you have to start.”

He said working with gospel artist Bishop Clint Brown has been a great learning experience.

“When he comes to a service he wants his team to be on point,” said Mr Astwood. “He expects me to bring something fresh to the table. He will say ‘you sounded good and hit all the right notes, but there was something missing’. You have to maintain your authenticity. It has to be fresh and new. The congregation doesn’t respond to staleness.”

Mr Astwood said other Bermudians frequently ask him why he doesn’t stay in Bermuda and work at home.

“People don’t understand what I do,” he said. “Some people get almost upset that I am not on the Island. Bermudians need to understand that Bermudians can be global. Even if I am working overseas the message can still impact Bermuda.”

His ultimate dream is to land a record deal and tour the world with his music. He would particularly like to go to China.

“I am not going to limit myself to just Bermuda,” he said.

He released his first album Let Judah Reign in 2010. He won’t reveal very much yet, but he said he is looking to record again soon.

His Worshippers Unite: Level 2 concert will be at 7.30pm on Saturday (November 23) at the Heritage Worship Centre on Dundonald Street. Tickets are $40 regular or $65 for patron tickets available at bdatix.com, Fabulous Fashions, 27th Century Boutique, People’s Pharmacy, and Sportsellar.