GOSPEL concert ‘The Well Encounter’, slated for the National Arena in St Andrew this evening, has been postponed.

Organisers of the event cite “artiste cancellation” as the reason.

“The new date for The Well Encounter will be announced as soon as suitable arrangements have been made. Our aim is to have an authentic worship experience that will not detract from the original vision for the event,” read a statement in part sent to the Jamaica Observer on Friday evening.

“For persons who have purchased pre-sold tickets at authorised outlets, we advise patrons to retain these tickets for future use. Tickets purchased online will still be valid once receipts and online confirmations are maintained. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our sponsors, vendors, volunteers, artistes, the media, and most importantly all our patrons who have entrusted their support through advanced ticket purchases… We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused,” the statement continued.

Maverick City Music’s Grammy-nominated gospel acts Naomi Raine and Chandler Moore were named as headliners for The Well Encounter. Local acts Kevin Downswell, Minister Carlene Davis, Rondell Positive, and Rhoda Isabella were also billed.

According to conceptualiser Ingrid Larmond, the acts were hand-picked because they align with the mandate of the inaugural show.

“It’s an event that is centred around God. We want to choose people who will help to usher Him into our presence. When we look at Naomi Raine and Chandler Moore, even Kevin Downswell and Carlene Davis and Rhoda, we thought what better set to choose than them because we know that the sound of worship that they carry is for now; it’s for change. Kevin Downswell for a fact carries an anointing on him for Jamaica. That’s the basis on which we decided to choose these artistes,” said Larmond in a previous interview with the Observer.

“We expect that the will of the Lord will be done. We expect that it will be the beginning of change in Jamaica — not just in our own personal lives, but in the lives of everyone,” she continued.

The concert, which is inspired by the biblical parable of the Samaritan woman’s encounter with Christ at a well, is expected to lift the spirits of those in attendance.