The Well Church Puts On “Celebration of Jesus” Concert

Last Friday night, the congregation of The Well church in Colton presented a cavalcade of artists who joined together to provide family entertainment at the “Celebration of Jesus” concert, the first of a series planned to take place at the house of worship. Grand Terrace resident Jim Gray is the leader of The Well’s praise and worship team, and acted as the concert coordinator. Headlined by Holland Davis, a Christian singer and songwriter best known for the classic worship song “Let It Rise,” the venue included musicians from throughout the Southland. Pastor Joey Melendrez from the BMI House of Worship in Riverside brought his musicians to the event, which included Kristen Luzzi from Yucaipa, Yolanda Espinoza from Riverside, Esther Pitts of Fontana and Luisa Torres of Riverside. They have been playing together for about 14 years. The approximately 250 people who came to the concert heard music styles that included contemporary Christian music to “world beat jazz” offered by Bobby G, a solo artist from Riverside who stated, “I think this was a wonderful opportunity to support the ministry here at the Well.” Starting his song by asking for help from the audience and having them snap their fingers, the concert-goers soon erupted in cheers when he broke out a vocal improvisation of a trombone solo. During breaks, Laurie Jepson of Single+Passion Ministries, invited singles to a retreat during the upcoming weekend of June 21–23, 2013. She introduced the special speaker for that event, MMA Fighter and Champion Brian “Mr. Unbreakable” Warren who stayed to take pictures and encourage everyone to come to the conference. The Corona-based NOTW (Not of This World) representatives Ginger Reddick and Montell Ricks were on hand to hand out stickers, information about their ministries, and to invite people to their Riverside shop at the Galleria Mall. Ricks, a spoken word poetry performer, is the newest NOTW-sponsored Christian artist. Those in attendance had come from all around the Inland Empire. Antonio Gonzalez of Colton, a praise and worship leader at Pedley Christian Center, had come to the concert with his sons Elijah, 16, and Ishmael, 12. Alongside their friends Victor and Rosalinda Olague of Riverside (with their son Isaac, 9) they had gotten postcards about the concert and were excited to be part of this inaugural event for The Well. Colton residents Christina Williams and her dad, Danny Williams, came to the concert after hearing about it on the Family Friendly radio station 89.7 KSGN. Holland Davis and his band, touted as the headliner for the evening, was glad to come to The Well to support the concert venue. “I love collaboration. This type of platform is especially welcomed by artists since all of us are so different, each with our own style, it’s great to see how we all bring our own flavor to the music and watch what happens when it comes together. Every time we play, every different lineup we’re in, that influences what happens.” Continuing, Davis added, “I just love these kinds of events with all denominations of churches coming together, will all kinds of people providing all different kinds of musical flavors, it’s like really seeing the variety in the body of Christ. When I first started out years ago, I would envision stadiums of different people standing and worshiping together. Just like tonight, it’s like a little picture of heaven.” In closing, Pastor Zachary Fox of the Well prayed for those who had shared the hours with the artists, and Jim Gray thanked everyone for attending this first concert. In return, many people left after having made many new friendships and asking when they could expect to return to enjoy such an inspirational evening again.