For as long as Serena Bolton can remember, singing has been part of her life. From childhood through college, she took every opportunity to use her voice, whether leading songs at graduation ceremonies or serving on her church's praise and worship team. Today, she continues to minister as a lead singer on her youth choir, using music to glorify God.
However, despite growing up in church and spending years behind a microphone, Serena says there came a moment when she realised worship was about far more than singing the right songs.
That revelation has shaped the life and ministry of the 22-year-old singer, who has secured her place among the Top 6 finalists in the 2026 Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) Gospel Star Competition.
"Singing became more of a relationship than a performance," Serena shared. "I have always sung gospel music, but now I am much more intentional with my worship and with my relationship with God."
The daughter of a praying mother, Serena's faith journey began at home. She was baptised at eight or nine years old but admits the decision was driven more by fear than faith. Expecting to emerge from the water as a completely different person, she was surprised when nothing seemed to change overnight.
"I came out of the water and thought, 'I don't feel any different," she recalled with a laugh."The next day I went back to school and I was still cursing my classmates."
Although she continued to pray, Serena says it wasn't until about two years ago that her faith truly became her own.
"I said, 'I'm going to do this the right way. This time it's my decision."
That recommitment changed everything. Instead of simply attending church, she began building a genuine relationship with God — one that would deepen through both everyday experiences and extraordinary moments.
Throughout her life, Serena has survived multiple serious motor vehicle accidents, each one strengthening her conviction that God's hand has been upon her. She vividly remembers one journey to work when the taxi she was travelling in crashed into a light post.
"The driver broke his neck," she recalled. "While everything was happening, he was cursing, but I was calling on Jesus. That's always my first response because I know His name carries power."
Those experiences reinforced her belief that she had been preserved for a purpose.
Today, Serena teaches professionally, enjoys learning new languages and cultures, and continues serving faithfully in ministry. Whether leading worship at church, ministering at Shortwood Teachers' College events or participating in JCDC performances, she strives to keep her focus on the One she represents.
"Every time I go on stage, I remind myself that it's not about me," she said. "It's not about showing how well I can sing. It's about spreading the Gospel and touching hearts."
That perspective has become even stronger as she has grown in her faith.
She recently made the decision to stop singing secular music altogether because she believes every song carries influence.
"Music provides melody mixed with meaningful words and phrases to bring glory to God," she said. "What we listen to determines how we live. If we listen to worship music, we will gravitate more towards a lifestyle of worship. I realise there's meaning behind everything we sing, so now I'm intentional about making sure what comes from me glorifies God."
As she embraces this new chapter through Gospel Star, Serena hopes audiences hear much more than impressive vocals.
"When people hear me, I don't just want them to say I can sing," she said. "I want them to know that God is using me. I want them to feel the anointing and hear the message behind every song."
For Serena, that is what ministry has always been about—creating moments where people encounter God for themselves. If even one person leaves a performance believing that following Christ is not a burden but a life filled with hope, purpose and grace, she believes every note she sings will have fulfilled its purpose.
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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