Students at The University of the West Indies, Mona, are gearing up for a night of praise and worship at the February 1 staging of Unashamed.

The event, which takes place on the lawns adjacent to the Chancellor Hall parking lot, is scheduled to run from 6:00 pm until 10:00 pm.

“Unashamed is a gospel event which has steadily gained popularity over the years as the only gospel event on the UWI campus of this magnitude. Since it began in 2018, it has grown into a much-anticipated annual event, attracting students and guests from across the campus. Over the years the event has seen performances from the likes of Jermaine Edwards and other well-known acts. We have also collaborated with known groups such as Audience of One (Cross Links Production) and we have also had the participation of KWAP Liberation Church and others,” John Sinclair, nursing student and representative for Block Runci told the Jamaica Observer on Friday.

Added Sinclair: “For this year’s staging we are looking to have on campus Christian groups such as UWI UCAM and UWI UCCF as well as up-and-coming band Zions Call, among others, participating. Our theme this year is ‘The Harvest is Plentiful’.”

Gospel artiste David Sutton is confirmed as one of the performers for the event. He told the Observer that patrons can expect “a freedom in worship”.

“It is very encouraging to see young people worshipping God and, as one myself, I don’t care who’s watching me when it comes to worship. So, attendees can expect a similar mindset at the event. When I was contacted to be a part of the line-up I was very excited to be in such a space. Given that it’s rare already to see so many young people in one space seeking the Lord, I was very excited to be invited in a space of passionate young people,” said Sutton, who notes that the university demographic is an important one to spread the message of the Lord.

“At this stage, persons are either living on their own, often for the first time, or experiencing way more freedoms in their choices, and it is greatly important that our ministry [and other ministries]… are providing the experience that these persons need to solidify that which they have seen and heard through the mouths of others. So, to add an authentic encounter with God in tandem with the word of the Lord ignites an individual to be bold with their faith,” he said.

Sutton, who entered the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission’s (JCDC) Gospel Song competition six years ago, said he became a Christian at the age of seven.

“[M]y relationship with God didn’t begin to make sense until my high school years. The environment I existed in would have definitely helped me to find my way in Him, but moving from my parents’ faith to my own began during those formative years of early high school — around second form. Since then, each year and season has been filled with deeper revelations about Him, as I progressed from mere ‘churchiness’ to an authentic relationship. And while it would have started with my playing the keyboard at church, it is now more than just a religion but a true relationship with the Holy Spirit, which has been a continuous journey,” Sutton shared.

Originally from Goshen in St Elizabeth, he studied at Munro College before a short stint at The University of the West Indies. He currently studies at Northern Caribbean University in Mandeville, Manchester.

Two years ago, Sutton released his debut album Let Kingdom Come.

“Since it was released in 2024, the feedback to the album has been surprisingly good. I would have definitely wondered if it would have been received well given that: 1) it was live-recorded; and 2) it was all worship songs. So there wasn’t much of the other genres that we’re known for in Jamaica. A consistent commendation that I’ve gotten is that it has an international sound, which I’m really humbled to hear. As long as I’m able to bless this nation with that kind of music, I’ll continue to do so,” said Sutton.

The artiste also told the Observer that he has new music on the way, which he said will be released next month.