Online Reporter
Maria Chiguvari
Zimpapers Arts, Entertainment Hub
AMERICAN gospel singer CeCe Winans brought more than just music at Celebration Centre Church in Harare on Tuesday as part of her global “More Than This” tour.
The tour has been drawing capacity crowds worldwide.
She delivered a powerful message of faith, worship and perseverance.
During her deeply emotional performance, which left many in tears, CeCe opened up about her career, family and spiritual journey.
“I come from the Winans family, a pretty big family that’s been singing gospel music for a long time, that is what I do also. I’ve been blessed to know what good family is and to be a part of the body of Christ,” she said.
She was joined by Rorisang Thandekiso, the South African broadcaster, author and speaker who hosted the event.
Janet Manyowa and Bonnie Deuschle also gave a good performance of praise.
These performances mark her most expansive international tour to date, following the global success of her 13-track worship album “More Than This,” featuring fan favourite “That’s My King.”
As part of her ongoing tour, CeCe encouraged fans and fellow believers by sharing her personal journey of walking with God.
CeCe’s husband, Alvin Love II, was also present during her performance.
“My wonderful husband is here with me tonight as well. We’ve been married for 41 years. A lot of people don’t know, but my last name really is Love, but I’m kind of stuck with Winans, you know. We come from all the reasons that lift up the name of Jesus.
“I want to encourage you to get rid of all the distractions. Let’s focus on Him only. Let’s give Him all of our heart, all of our soul, all of our mind and all of our strength.”
The 60-year-old “Goodness of God” hitmaker, whose full name is Priscilla Marie Love Winans, is a 17-time Grammy Award winner, known for her phenomenal solo career and early work alongside her twin brother BeBe Winans as part of the duo BeBe & CeCe Winans.
Reflecting on the purpose of performing in Africa, she expressed the appreciation for the talent.
“Africa, oh my goodness, the talent, you know, I come over here to sing, but I actually come to hear you sing. I love to hear you worship, there’s nothing like it, so we’re excited about tonight, you know, I don’t do what I do by myself, it takes a lot of people.
“We are honoured to be here. We’ve been touring internationally and in the States, but the heart is the song and the tour is for God to help us give more.”
She stressed the importance of true praise, reflecting in the Bible: “It says we must love him with all our soul, heart and mind, and how many of us know that we can’t do that without the Holy Spirit and we need the Holy Spirit to help us do that. That is our goal tonight, to forget about our stresses, meditate on him and give him everything we have.”
