The Sunday Mail
Society Reporter
REVERED gospel singer Minister Michael Mahendere is set to headline a fundraising gig to be held in Harare next month.
The multi-award-winning artiste will be supported by fellow musicians Bethany Pasinawako, Kudzi Nyakudya and the Christ Ministries praise and worship team.
According to the event organisers, proceeds from the show will be channelled towards completion of a new church currently under construction in Bulawayo.
“The project is about 80 percent complete. We have been using our funds since the onset, but feel we now need the help of others,” said Pastor Kudzai Mugwira of Christ Ministries Church.
Veteran music promoter Josh Hozheri was roped in to assist with the concert logistics.
“This is going to be my first show of the year and many others will follow. Basically, this is to raise funds for the construction of a church in Bulawayo. The show will be held in March, starting at 2pm and ending around 8pm,” said Hozheri.
The gig will be held at the Christ Ministries Church hall in Belvedere on March 2.
“I urge Zimbabweans to come in their numbers and start the year on a gospel tip. We should always put God in the front for everything we do. Minister Mahendere is a seasoned performer, who is well-known for top-drawer acts. It is also the same case with Kudzi (Nyakudya) and Bethany (Pasinawako). This is a show not to miss,” said the 105 Promotions director.
Christ Ministries Church has in the past three years completed building four church buildings.
The churches were built in Mhondoro, Chitungwiza, Marondera and Macheke.
“Just before Covid-19 hit our shores, our president, Reverend Dr Leddie Makoni, told us that God had spoken to her about the construction of five churches. We carried out a fundraising initiative within the church and built four churches in different places, which have all been commissioned,” said Pastor Mugwira.
“We slowed down during the Covid-19-induced lockdown, but later on managed to see through all the projects we had started. It is then that we realised Matabeleland is a bigger province that needed a bigger church of its own, thus we embarked on a 1 000-seater church project.”
The man of the cloth reckons their congregants have high commitment, but are now financially squeezed.
“Things have not been easy; church members have been squeezed dry over the past years as they completely funded all the construction work we have done thus far.
“Some have sold cars and property, among other things, just to support the noble cause. We did not get donations or funding from outside the church.”
He was, however, quick to point out that the fundraising show was their “polite” way of seeking help.
They intend to raise about US$86 000.
“Most of the work has been done in Bulawayo and we are now moving towards the final stages of construction. I feel we now need to be assisted by others.
“By paying the admission fee to the concert, people would have played their part in supporting the initiative. The money will be used to pay off service providers, among them Grid Transmission, who have been so understanding,” said the pastor.
Advance tickets for the concert are pegged at US$10. On the day, ordinary, VIP and VVIP tickets will be sold for US$20, US$50 and US$100, respectively.
“The churches we are building are not only for our members’ benefit, but for the benefit of all worshippers,” added Pastor Mugwira.
