When Chantal Smalling Stephenson first stepped onto the Jamaica Gospel Star stage in 2022, she was simply looking for another opportunity to expand her music ministry and share God's message through song. Four years later, she returns as one of this season's Top 6 finalists with a deeper faith, a stronger sense of purpose and a greater appreciation for God's timing.
While many may see her return as another opportunity to compete for the title, Chantal sees it differently. For her, it is another opportunity to minister to Jamaica and encourage others through the lessons God has taught her along the way.
For Chantal, music has always been a part of who she is. Growing up in Goshen, St. Elizabeth, she discovered her love for singing at a very young age. One of her fondest memories is climbing a mango tree where she would sit and sing for hours. Before long, neighbours began coming outside to listen, encouraging the little girl with the big voice to continue doing what she loved.
That childhood passion has since grown into a life of ministry. Today, Chantal serves as a worship leader at First Assembly of God in Mandeville, where she uses music to lead people into God's presence and share messages of hope and encouragement.
"Music is everything for me," she said. "Being able to deliver a message through song is powerful. It's almost like you're preaching, but with melody."
Over the years, Chantal says she has come to appreciate that the true impact of music ministry is often seen in the lives it touches.
"I've seen God transform the lives of strangers and people I love through worship," she reflected. "Those moments remind me that music is so much bigger than singing."
One encounter, in particular, has remained with her. After leading worship during a Sunday service, a woman approached her with tears in her eyes.
"She told me she had been church hopping, trying to find where she belonged," Chantal recalled. "She said after experiencing worship that morning, she knew she had found her church home. I'll never forget that conversation because it reminded me that when we surrender our gifts to God, He can use them to change someone's life."
Although she cherishes her first runner-up finish in the 2022 Jamaica Gospel Star Competition, Chantal believes her greatest growth has taken place since leaving the stage. Marriage, ministry and life's many experiences have all played a part in shaping her character, strengthening her faith and teaching her to trust God's timing.
"My faith journey has been an interesting one," she said. "I've gone from being a single praise and worship girl to now being a married woman. Through it all, I've had to overcome a lot of things and simply allow God to do what He does best."
Her outlook is rooted in Jeremiah 29:11, a scripture she says has carried her through every season of life: "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"
If she were to preach a sermon based on her own journey, Chantal says the title would simply be: "God's Time."
"Sometimes we think we're ready and that now is the time for something to happen," she explained. "But when God does it, He does it best. We often run ahead of ourselves, but when God perfects something and His hand is on it, you can see the difference."
While she is grateful for another opportunity to stand on the Gospel Star stage, Chantal hopes people will remember far more than her voice.
"I represent more than a beautiful voice," she said. "I represent faith, growth and perseverance."
As Jamaica follows the journeys of this season's Top 6 contestants, Chantal hopes her story will encourage others to trust God's process, even when life does not unfold according to their own plans. Her journey is a reminder that God's timing is never about delay. It is about preparation. And when His plans unfold in His perfect time, they are always worth the wait.
The 2026 Jamaica Gospel Star Competition airs live every Sunday in July at 8:00 p.m. on Television Jamaica (TVJ) and the Public Broadcasting Corporation of Jamaica (PBCJ). Viewers are encouraged to support their favourite contestants by voting each week, with voting numbers and other competition updates posted on the JCDC's social media pages. The competition will culminate on Sunday, August 2, during the Jamaica 64 Independence celebrations at Independence Village, where the Top Four contestants will compete for the Jamaica Gospel Star title. The evening will conclude with the annual Gospel Praise Concert featuring some of Jamaica's leading gospel ministers, before Jamaica's sixth Jamaica Gospel Star is crowned.
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