Gospel singer and minister Paul Blake has pushed back against claims that the gospel community has abandoned Lt Stitchie during his time of need. During his performance at Swallowfield Chapel in Kingston on Saturday night, Blake publicly prayed for his friend and fellow gospel artist, asking the audience to join him in sending healing prayers to Stitchie, who is currently recovering from a severe brain haemorrhage.
Blake, like Lt Stitchie, transitioned from secular music to gospel decades ago. He was part of a concert celebrating both Junior Tucker’s birthday and the release of his new album, Journey: The Best of Junior Tucker, which is already being hailed as a top contender for Gospel Show of the Year.
During his set, Blake led the audience in prayer, asking, “Father, we send the word to heal Stitchie right now in Jesus’ name … let the church say Amen.” On Sunday, Lt Stitchie marked his 59th birthday from a hospital bed, following the critical health episode earlier in the month. His wife, Sophia, launched a GoFundMe campaign to assist with mounting medical bills.
Despite efforts to rally support, there has been criticism that the gospel community has not stepped up as expected. Blake, aware of these whispers, shared a personal reflection on his relationship with Stitchie. “This is deeply personal,” Blake admitted, recounting that during the five years he spent pastoring a church in Mandeville, he saw Stitchie only once, despite them living in the same town.
Blake suggested that Stitchie may have withdrawn from the gospel scene. “I get the impression that some people feel like him kinda withdrew, but that’s no excuse … whether or not he withdrew, we are supposed to be there for him,” Blake said. He assured that his church had been praying for Stitchie and dismissed the idea that the community had abandoned him, noting that not all efforts are visible.
Despite the distance, Blake expressed optimism following an encouraging video update from Stitchie’s wife. She shared that although he is not speaking, his eyes are open, and he responded to her by squeezing her hand. Blake described this progress as uplifting.
In addition to ongoing prayers, the Sterling Gospel Music Awards has organized efforts within the gospel fraternity to collect donations to assist with Stitchie’s medical expenses.
Recently, a false YouTube video titled “Lieutenant Stitchie is dead at 58” circulated online, causing confusion and prompting Stitchie’s wife to distance herself from the negativity.
Lt Stitchie, born Cleveland Laing on September 29, 1965, is a celebrated figure in both secular and gospel music. He initially taught biology before rising to fame in the dancehall scene with his 1986 hit “Wear Yuh Size” and his debut album Great Ambition. In 1997, following a near-death car accident, he shifted to gospel reggae, releasing his first gospel album, To God Be the Glory, in 1999.
An author and cultural icon, Stitchie’s biography The Power of Determination was published a decade ago. In 2021, he was inducted into the Order of Distinction for his contribution to Jamaican music.
