The heavens may have opened and washed out a spiritual gathering yesterday afternoon — but it didn't stop believers loudly praising the Lord.

A soggy National Sports Centre in Devonshire played host to the second annual 'That We Would Be One' event organised by the Government's controversy-hit faith-based tourism initiative and it was attended by hundreds despite the downpour.

If those in the stands were aware of recent criticism levelled at the faith-based tourism scheme, it did not dampen their enthusiasm one jot.

Premier Ewart Brown has been accused of using the initiative to funnel Government cash to a political campaigner. Critics in the United Bermuda Party claim hundreds of thousands of dollars of taxpayers' money paid to scheme boss Andre Curtis has not been used to organise events and remains unaccounted for. Dr. Brown and Mr. Curtis deny the allegations.

Yesterday, the Premier was in attendance with wife Wanda to see British Bishop John Francis deliver two rousing songs and a short declaration to the crowd before the event was postponed until 7.30 p.m tonight at a venue to be decided.

Tourism Minister Dr. Brown and his wife braved the wet weather by sitting directly in front of the stage under a large umbrella, along with other die-hard attendees. The rest of the audience stayed under cover in the stands but almost raised the roof with a resounding "Yes!" when asked if they wished the worship to continue in the rain.

The colourfully-dressed performers on stage and the dancers dressed in flowing white robes who moved through the audience seemed not to mind getting drenched.

And the gospel sound of Mr. Francis' and his Ruach Choir from London was unarguably uplifting, whatever your spiritual persuasion.

Mr. Curtis told a press conference in July that the gathering was one of ten faith-based tourism events being organised in 2007 and 2008. He said he had allocated $35,000 to publicise the free event in order to attract as many tourists as possible.

Faith-based tourism encourages churches to bring large groups to the Island for conferences and events at considerable savings by getting hotels and airlines to cut costs. Documents uncovered by this newspaper earlier this year showed that Mr. Curtis, who runs the Premier's Warwick South Central constituency, was to receive $400,000 for the ten events.

It was impossible yesterday to ascertain exactly how many visitors from overseas made up the audience; Mr. Curtis told he estimated that between 300 and 400 people had flown to the Island for the occasion.

Overall, he put attendance at 1,500. He said the covered stand at the stadium took 2,400 and was more than half full. Asked if the event was mainly for Bermudians or for tourists, he replied: "I think it's more for the Body of Christ. No matter what colour, creed or race, Christians follow certain preachers."

He said the weather had been a disappointment but had not ruined the atmosphere. "We wanted the whole of Bermuda here," he said, adding that the event had cost "a lot of money, tens of thousands" to stage.

Mr. Francis' fire and brimstone style of evangelical preaching received a rapturous response. He told worshippers that he was prepared to stay an extra day on the Island to ensure they got to hear him again.

And the 43-year-old bishop said the Devil was at work in Bermuda trying to prevent change — but that praising God would enable that change to take place.

To find out where tonight's event will be held call the faith-based tourism office on 292-7215.