“As a whole, we are humble servants who are collectively striving to inspire the next generation to embrace the power of music ministry. Caribbean Gospel Music has sustained West Indian natives for centuries, and now we pay homage to the lineage of that legacy.
Father God, I know that I am not worthy of all that you have in store for me, but in this moment I feel the weight of what you are asking me to do. I submit to your will oh’ God. You have prepared me for such a time as this with the provisions to execute your will. You have shown me time and time again, that you are not looking for a perfect vessel, yet a willing one. So, in this moment I submit to you. I now understand the prophecy on my life, that my ministry is not in the church, but for the church.” – Chaplin Drew Hinds
Special Thanks to Sherwin Gardener for all of his guidance and support throughout the filming of this documentary.
The above contributors have agreed to be a source for this documentary. We are honored to have such a knowledgeable and talented selection of gospel veterans throughout the West Indies. If you would like to be considered, please reach out to our management.
Drew Hinds
Executive Film Director/Producer
As a Brooklyn native with Jamaican parents, Drew L. Hinds Jr. had a childhood on Grant’s Pen Road (Gully), Kingston, JA, after his father died in a car accident in Brooklyn (when Drew was only seven months old). Mr Hinds and his mother migrated to the Miami area and he has served as an assistant minister of music, choir director, youth ministry director, and vocalist in his season of music. Mr Hinds has also served in the armed forces for eight years, and acquired an Army Achievement Medal for 9-11, prior to ending his tour of service. He is a self made man and prides himself in empowering others.
Mr. Hinds jokingly reminds us that he created BTF film production in December of 2016, while filming a fashion show and saw the need for a dedicated fashion media. He is a film producer/director, photo journalist, author, screenwriter, graphic designer and film editor. Professionally, Drew has investigated domestic abuse as a certified law enforcement officer for 18+ years (who also enjoyed being a crime scene detective in 2012). Today, Mr. Hinds enjoys his time as a family man, mentor, author, film director/producer and drama screenwriter.
He has published four of his self-help books, and is known for his, “Don’t Spoil Your Appetite Series.” He writes in hopes of improving the quality of life for all through character building & spiritual awareness. Mr. Hinds has been featured in Florida’s Palm Beach Post News Paper by the title, “Riviera cop writes self-help books as therapy for violence he witnesses.” He also has been interviewed by CBS Channel 12 News Emmy Award – Winning News Anchor Juan Carlos Fanjul titled, “Self-help author ‘on duty’.”
Youlanda Thompson LMHC, QS
Assistant Film Producer
Youlanda Thompson is the mother of two smart, handsome, blessed and very gifted adult males; Jonathan and Ethan. They are her pride and joy, the fuel to her drive. She is married to Craig Coleman and resides in Florida. One of her favorite quotes to her children and herself is “Education is our ticket out of poverty”. She has a passion for education and remains in a state of “Ever Learning”. Youlanda completed her Bachelors in Psychology at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) and her Masters in Counseling Psychology at Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA).
She is fully vested in the slogan “Knowledge is Power” she continues to ride the academic train. Being an ethical individual she will not compromise her integrity as a professional and leads by example. She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors with over fifteen years of comprehensive experience and educational background in social services. Youlanda combine traditional psychotherapy with a practical, problem-solving approach that creates a dynamic and efficient path for change and problem resolution. As a proactive individual with a logical approach to challenges, she performs effectively even within a highly pressurized working environment.
Youlanda is passionate about the field of Mental Health and Addiction. As a highly motivated person, Youlanda is the founder and owner of a private practice called Olive Branch Therapeutics. She has a strong belief that, with the proper treatment, care, and education, individuals can recover from a hopeless state of mind, created by the disease of Mental Health and Addiction. Using her God given gifts of having a gentle understanding and compassion with firm confrontation of dysfunctional core beliefs and behaviors, individuals can be whole…Mind, Body and Soul.
Lee-Anna Hinds
BTF Film Producer/Quality Control Manager
A native from the beautiful islands of Trinidad and Tobago, Mrs. Hinds is an articulate, ambitious rising star that joined the BTF crew after her migration to the United States. Lee-Anna’s critical thinking skills challenges the status quo, and her impeccable critiquing methodologies (in the crafting of various scripts), has given her team an edge. Her background encapsulates finance and administration, the medical nursing diaspora and content creation. She is also an upcoming TV host and aspiring writer.
When she is not too busy on set or in the medical field, Lee-Anna enjoys quality time with her family (which consists of three boys and her devoted husband). As a married couple, they are the co-founders who created a 501C3 nonprofit organization known as Vision Ink Outreach (V.I.O.) and the homeless initiative in the second highest State in the U.S. battling homeless. This virtuous woman is a supportive wife and a nurturing mother who also enjoys mentoring young women. She also loves reading, creating art pieces, cycling and exercising. Mrs. Hinds is a humble woman of God, who she stands by the phrase….”with God all things are possible.
Cindy Douglin-Fernando
BTF Production Assistant
Cindy Douglin Fernando (also known as Cee D), is a native millennial of Trinidad and Tobago. She began her formal training in singing while a resident of the US with the SDA church choirs and was also a member of the performing arts department of the High Schools she attended in Orlando Florida, such as: Lake Howell Highschool, Lake Mary High School and Apopka High School.
She continued to persue her passion for music upon her return to Trinidad as a vocal coach, singer/ songwriter and has performed at various events such as: Best Village, Joseph Bacchus Art exhibition, and the 2019 “As We Wait,” book launch (by Luan John) just to name a few. The genres of music that Cindy Douglin Fernando mainly connect with are R&B, jazz and reggae. She is a devoted wife to one Mr. Johnny Ramon Fernando and a mother of three. Cee D’s desire is that her music would heal and transform the lives of others by impacting the world through the message in her music bringing people closer to God.
Chavanna Chambers
Casting Director
Over the years, Chavanna Chambers has excelled as an international gospel recording artist, songwriter, published author, ordained minister, radio host and former law enforcement officer in the Ministry of National Security in Jamaica.
After many years of successfully competing in vocal competitions internationally, Ms. Chambers was asked to use her music ministry experience as a casting director for the Still Blessed Documentary, based in the Miami area.
Junior Lett
Carribean Executive Advisor
Junior Lett was born in and raised in Point Fortin South Trinidad into a Family where music was life. With two elder sisters and a mother who would support and two younger brother that followed right in his footsteps. He grew up playing the steel pan from age 3 under the directorship of his Father Joseph Lett. By the age of 12 he won many awards at the Trinidad and Tobago music festival and other Music competitions throughout Trinidad and Tobago. He began his career in music by producing and writing for many artistes throughout the region at the age of 16.
He has been in the media for the past 23 years being an on air presenter at various radio stations both in and out of Trinidad and Tobago. In 2007 he was given the task of programming and leading the perfect 10 on i95.5Fm and then transitioned to W107.1 in 2012 as Assistant Program Director and the W in the Morning Show from 6-10am. In 2021 he began his journey as Program Coordinator of W107.1 after the sudden death of his friend and colleague Jamie T. To date he continues to chart to course not just for urban Radio in T&T but helping in shaping the sound and look of the industry in T&T and the region. A Musician, producer, writer, and a media practitioner, Junior continues to represent the kingdom in every walk of life. He has a passion for God and for the youth of this time and would always use his gift to keep or bring them in the fold!
Jamie Johnson
Camera Man
Every year God has blessed me with gratitude and the opportunity to continuously build towards every dream I’ve spoken into existence. Growing up in a small town called Louisa, VA, I’ve had the opportunity to defy a multitude of challenges. Those challenges pushed me to pursue a higher education, eventually move across the country, and start a few businesses.Spending a portion of my adult life in Norfolk, Va where I attended Norfolk State University and Old Dominion University, I just couldn’t fathom the spirit of complacency. It wasn’t until that moment I’d realized that I had more to offer the universe, which soon landed me in Miami, Florida.
My first year in Miami, I had the opportunity to work for a Fortune 500 company until I was fired with no verbal warnings. As I’m sure some of you can relate to the feeling of failure, deceit and capitulated. This turn of events was actually one of the best opportunities I‘ve ever experienced in my life to this date. This opportunity proved that fear is a social construct that is programmed into our existence to limit our potential. Although I have wanted to quit that job for so long, I was afraid that I couldn’t survive without it. Soon after, everything that I desired was gifted to me. I started a food truck, started a multimedia production company, and now a mastermind camp for creatives called Camp Cre8tives. I have traveled the world for my art and have been published in over 12 different magazines domestically and internationally. I have had the honor to work with major companies such as the NFL, HBO Max, Pepsi, and more.
Reuel Lynch
Sound Engineer Consultant
Music Biography Hailing from the Caribbean twin island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Reuel ‘dBrain’ Lynch was born with music in his veins and a rhythm in his heart, and gave his time and talents in church as a keyboardist from 18 years old. This passion for music drove him to start his own music production company, Deer Panteth Productions (DPP). Operating since 2005 as a music producer.Reuel has grown professionally to become one of the most sought-after songwriters, background vocalist, vocal arranger and record engineers in the Caribbean.A strong, influential player in the sound of the Caribbean Gospel Music circuit, Reuel has worked on over 250 songs within the last decade, including several full albums with multiple artistes, many of whom are renowned locally and regionally. Some of these heavy hitters include Positive, Jaron Nurse, Jahzy, Marc Issacs, Sherwin Gardner, Neesha Woodz (Barbados), Papa San (Jamaica) and Samuel Medas (Guyana).
Outside of the Gospel genre, Reuel also worked alongside other popular artistes like the Chutney Soca Monarch GI, world renowned, Machel Montano and the King of Dancehall, Beenie Man (Jamaica).Having won several awards for his work from the Caribbean to Atlanta, Reuel has most recently been awarded the GMATT (Gospel Music Awards of Trinidad and Tobago) Resilience Award 2021 and is a two-time Marlin Award’s Producer of the Year winner.With an already diversified portfolio, he is currently working on his DPP merchandise line, a solo album infused with Caribbean, Afro, Dancehall and R&B music and still devotes time to build the online impact of his local church Poonah Open Bible Miracle Centre.
Emilio Guede
Film Consultant
Experienced director of photography (DP), cinematographer, camera operator and still photographer with extensive experience in TV commercials, music videos, documentaries, feature films, TV shows, educational programs, corporate videos and commercial photography projects. Collaborated with a variety of advertising agencies, production comipanies, directors and celebrities for major brands in many product categories in the United States, the Caribbean and Latin America. Proven track record of producing great images and finding practical solutions to creative and logistic challenges, maximizing on-screen results and production efficiency.
Special thanks to our brother in Christ, Dannel Flaveny who has encouraged me to follow through with the calling on my life to complete this gospel documentary.
Special thanks to Shemeon Williams for exposing our team to a community of resources that has allowed me to be successful in my ministry.