Sinach Brings Arise Worship Experience to a Packed Celebration Centre in Zimbabwe

Harare answered the call to Arise on Saturday night as Nigerian gospel powerhouse Sinach brought her international tour to Zimbabwe, delivering an uplifting evening of praise, worship and music at a packed Celebration Centre. The highly anticipated concert brought together thousands of worshippers who gathered to experience one of Africa’s most influential gospel voices live on stage. Sinach’s appearance formed part of her wider international touring programme and gave Zimbabwean gospel music lovers an opportunity to join a powerful worship experience led by a globally recognised artist. The event also showcased the strength of Zimbabwe’s gospel music scene through a line-up featuring several prominent local performers. With an atmosphere centred on faith, celebration and collective worship, the night became a memorable occasion for everyone who attended.

The concert featured an impressive line-up of gospel talent from Zimbabwe and Nigeria, creating a diverse musical programme for the audience. Local performers included Bonnie Deuschle and the Celebration Choir, Joyful Praise Choir, Eleana Makombe, Janet Manyowa and Minister Ellard and Sharon Cherayi. Nigerian gospel star Victor Thompson also joined the line-up, adding another international dimension to an event that had been promoted as a major worship gathering. Each act contributed to the evening’s atmosphere and helped build anticipation ahead of Sinach’s headline performance. The combination of established Zimbabwean gospel voices and Nigerian gospel stars highlighted the strong musical connections that continue to develop across the African continent.

For Sinach, one of the most important aspects of the evening appeared to be her connection with the Zimbabwean audience. Throughout her performance, the Grammy-nominated gospel singer displayed clear excitement about being in the country and repeatedly encouraged the crowd to participate in the worship experience. Rather than treating the concert as a conventional performance, she created moments where the audience became an active part of the music. Familiar worship songs quickly turned into collective singing sessions as thousands of people responded to her lead. Her statement, “Zimbabwe, you are blessed,” received a warm response from the crowd and reflected the positive relationship she established with the audience during the night.

Sinach then took the crowd through several of the songs that have helped establish her as one of Africa’s most recognisable gospel exports. Her music has reached audiences well beyond Nigeria, with worshippers across different countries embracing songs that focus on faith, hope and the power of God. At Celebration Centre, that international appeal was visible as fans confidently sang along to some of her best-known tracks. The singer often stepped back and allowed the audience to carry parts of the songs, creating a powerful exchange between performer and worshippers. These moments demonstrated that Sinach’s music has developed beyond individual performances and has become part of the worship experience for many listeners around the world.

“Way Maker” was among the strongest moments of the evening, with the audience singing along to one of Sinach’s most widely recognised worship anthems. The song has become closely associated with worship gatherings in different parts of the world, making it a natural choice for a concert built around collective praise. In Harare, the response showed just how deeply the song has connected with listeners, as fans sang back to Sinach instead of simply watching her perform. The result was a powerful communal moment that transformed the venue into what sounded like one massive choir. The performance also highlighted the ability of gospel music to bring people together through shared words, melodies and expressions of faith.

“I Know Who I Am” provided another opportunity for the crowd to participate, drawing enthusiastic responses from worshippers who knew the song well. The track has long been associated with confidence in identity and faith, themes that have helped make Sinach’s catalogue accessible to audiences across different cultures. Her performance allowed those familiar with the song to sing along while introducing the energy of her music to those experiencing it live for the first time. The combination of music, audience participation and worship created a strong sense of unity inside Celebration Centre. Sinach’s ability to move between leading the crowd and giving the crowd space to lead demonstrated why her live performances continue to attract large audiences.

However, “Makanaka Jesu” added an especially distinctive Zimbabwean flavour to Sinach’s set. The song created a strong connection between the Nigerian singer and the local audience, showing how gospel music can cross national borders while still reflecting the cultural character of the people listening. Its presence in the set also gave the Zimbabwean crowd a moment that felt particularly close to home. Rather than presenting a performance separated from its surroundings, Sinach embraced the local audience and allowed the music to become part of the country’s own worship atmosphere. The response to “Makanaka Jesu” reinforced the sense that the evening belonged not only to Sinach but also to the thousands of Zimbabweans who gathered to worship with her.

The concert also demonstrated the growing influence of African gospel music on the international stage. Artists such as Sinach and Victor Thompson continue to reach audiences across borders, while performers from countries such as Zimbabwe are building their own strong followings. Events that bring these artists together provide opportunities for musical exchange and expose audiences to different approaches to contemporary gospel. They also create platforms where established performers can connect with emerging and respected local voices. The Harare concert therefore represented more than a single night of entertainment, as it reflected the continuing growth and reach of African gospel music.

Sinach’s Arise tour stop in Zimbabwe ultimately delivered what the event promised, a night centred on worship, music and collective celebration. The packed Celebration Centre provided a fitting setting for a performance that depended heavily on audience participation and shared faith. From “Way Maker” and “I Know Who I Am” to “Makanaka Jesu”, the songs created moments that resonated with the crowd and showcased the enduring appeal of Sinach’s music. Her warm response to Zimbabwe and her willingness to let the audience become part of the performance strengthened the connection between artist and fans. As the night came to an end, the concert left a clear impression of a gospel community brought together by music, worship and a shared desire to Arise.