Some people imagine heaven as a place filled with clouds, harps, and endless singing. However, the Bible gives a different picture. In Revelation 21, it describes a “new heaven and a new earth,” and this new earth shares some similarities with the one we live on now.
One key difference is that the new earth will not have seas. Currently, water covers about 75 percent of the planet. The future earth will be different. Nothing in the description mentions a water-based world. This apparent change could reflect a return to how the earth was before the flood described in Genesis. That flood reshaped the world through rain and underground waters, forming oceans and continents as we know them today.
The new earth might resemble the Garden of Eden, a place of beauty, rivers, and balance. Although we can’t know all the details, it’s likely the new earth will be full of life and peace, free from the destruction of past disasters.
and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”
For more than 25 years, Jesus in the City has been bringing the Body of Christ together to lift up the name of Jesus on city streets through music, arts, and culture. This September 6, the celebration returns to downtown Toronto for its 26th Annual Jesus in the City Parade, beginning at noon in Queen’s Park and winding through the city in a vibrant public expression of faith, unity, and the love of God.
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Founded in 1999 by Rev. Ayanna Solomon, Jesus in the City | Festival of Praise International is a charitable, non-profit community network that collaborates with churches, organizations, and artists worldwide to spread the Gospel through creative means. From Toronto to the Caribbean, the United States, and beyond, the movement has grown into an international celebration of faith and artistic expression.
A Parade That Brings the Bible to Life
The Annual Jesus in the City Parade is a lively musical street pageant, attracting more than 25,000 attendees each year. Floats, marching bands, choirs, congregants, and worshippers fill the streets, illustrating themes from the Bible through costumes, banners, flags, and live gospel music. Participants walk in celebration, sharing messages of hope, love, peace, and the joy of salvation.
The inaugural parade, held in Toronto on September 11, 1999, depicted every book of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Since then, Jesus in the City has sponsored public events, worship conferences, outdoor festivals, and global parades — from Bakersfield, California (2010) to Grenada (2016), Jamaica (2018), and most recently St. Kitts & Nevis (2024).
Expanding the Mission Globally
Jesus in the City’s mission is fourfold:
To mobilize believers to raise a Godly standard in society.
To restore the cultural relevance of music and the arts in worship.
To encourage unity in the Body of Christ, lifting one voice to God.
To draw people to receive Jesus through the truth of His Word.
The organization has used diverse methods — from creative arts, theatre, and visual displays to festivals, media, and community outreach — to meet both spiritual and social needs. Events such as the Taste of Jesus in the City Concert (launched in 2011), Prayer & Worship Gatherings (2015), and the Christmas in the City Festival Concert (2017) continue to foster community engagement. Even during the pandemic, the message spread through the Virtual World Parade (2020–2021), connecting believers worldwide via online collaborations.
What to Expect This Year
This year’s parade will feature a free family festival in Queen’s Park, complete with live performances, community booths, interactive exhibits, food vendors, and activities for all ages. Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow will attend for the second consecutive year, highlighting the city’s recognition of faith and cultural diversity — especially after the Toronto City Council declared December as “Christian Heritage Month” in 2024.
Organizers are calling on passionate volunteers to help bring the 2025 parade and festival to life. Support for the event can come through prayer, financial partnership, volunteering, or sharing artistic gifts and talents.
Gratitude and Global Impact
For more than two decades, Jesus in the City has expressed gratitude for its many partners, sponsors, artists, volunteers, and supporters who have helped carry the message of hope, faith, and unity into cities around the world.
As the streets of Toronto prepare to come alive with music, colour, and celebration on September 6, Jesus in the City continues its vision: to celebrate love for God and love for people through music, arts, and culture.
Jesus is described in many ways throughout the Bible. He is known as Christ, Lord, Saviour, the Son of God, and the Son of Man. He is also called the Alpha and Omega, meaning the beginning and the end. Other names include the son of David, the great king, the lamb of God, and the lion from the tribe of Judah. These titles reflect different parts of who he is and what he came to do.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus makes seven statements that begin with “I am,” where he reveals more about himself. One important statement is found in John 14:6, where Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Jesus does not just show the way to God. He is the way.
Through Jesus, people can know the truth and receive life that never ends.
And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among mankind by which we must be saved.”
The Oklahoma-based gospel trio Sound Street’s new project is taking a decidedly different direction from their recent Dixieland-influenced track. The group has turned their attention to reimagining one of contemporary Christian music’s most cherished worship songs.
This new endeavor represents a significant departure from the upbeat, traditional sound that characterized their previous work. Instead of building on that momentum, Sound Street has chosen to explore quieter, more contemplative musical territory with their version of the 2023 Dove Award-recognized composition that has become a modern worship standard.
“Goodness of God” wins Song Of The Year at the 54th Annual GMA Dove Awards in Nashville, TN.
The decision to record this particular song stems from years of live performance experience. The trio has been incorporating the worship anthem into their concerts and ministry events for four years, witnessing firsthand how audiences respond to its message of faith.
Working alongside producer Roger Talley, Sound Street crafted an arrangement that prioritizes accessibility and emotional resonance. Talley, who also provided keyboard accompaniment for the recording, helped the trio develop a musical approach that feels authentic to their artistic identity while serving the song’s spiritual purpose. The production philosophy centered on creating space for listeners to engage with the worship experience, regardless of their physical location or circumstances.
The recording showcases the vocal talents of Jaylie Vanderslice, the youngest member of the three-person ensemble. Her delivery carries a remarkable confidence that goes beyond her years, acknowledging her relative youth while affirming her deep conviction.
The musical arrangement, including cello work by session musician David Johnson, enhances rather than overshadows the message.
Sound Street consists of Jarrod Vanderslice, his daughter Jaylie, and longtime family friend Ryan Bilby. Since forming in July 2020, the trio has built a substantial following within southern gospel circles.
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Romans 8 assures Christians that nothing can ever separate them from the love of God, a truth that brings great comfort. However, Jude 21 tells believers to “keep yourselves in the love of God,” which may seem to present a conflict. These passages, though, address different aspects of the Christian life.
Romans 8 speaks about the security of salvation. Once a person is saved, nothing can remove them from God’s love. Jude, on the other hand, is speaking to those who are already secure in Christ. He is urging believers to remain in a place where they can experience the blessings that come through living faithfully. Jude even encourages them to “build yourselves up in your most holy faith” Jude 20 points to growing in biblical truth and obedience.
The call is not about earning salvation but about living in a way that allows the love of God to be fully experienced.
If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love.
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