Online Reporter
Emmanuel Kafe-Zimpapers Entertainment Correspondent
THOUSANDS of gospel music lovers converged at the United Family International Church Basilica in Chitungwiza on Saturday for the third edition of the Relentless Worship Encounter, as the gathering continues to cement its place on Zimbabwe’s gospel calendar.
The Basilica was filled to capacity as worshippers from different churches and denominations gathered for a day of praise and worship.
Organisers said this year’s turnout surpassed the previous edition, which attracted about 11 000 people, reflecting the steady growth of the event since its launch in 2024.
The gathering featured some of Zimbabwe’s leading gospel musicians and worshippers, including Minister Michael Mahendere, Psalmist Hubert Chigumira, Ellard and Sharon Cherayi, Siphesonkosi “Snowy” Ncube, Larry Gunda, the UFIC Choir, The Unveiled, Caroline Nyakuba and Sharon Rose Bishi.
Despite the strong line-up, organisers said the encounter was not designed around individual personalities or church brands.
Instead, this year’s edition placed Jesus Christ at the centre of the programme, with the emphasis firmly on collective worship.
Relentless Worship Encounter spokesperson and gospel musician Psalmist Hubert Chigumira said the growing numbers showed that the concept was resonating with audiences.
“Last year, we had about 11 000 people attending and this year we have surpassed that. We are around the same number again, so it automatically becomes one of the biggest gospel events,” he said.
Chigumira said the gathering was created to provide an environment where people could focus on worship rather than individual interests.
“We are hosting this encounter to carry forward the torch of creating an environment of relentless worship where people focus only on God.
“We are not there to ask for anything, but simply to worship Him,” he said.
The event also maintained its interdenominational approach, bringing together worshippers from different Christian backgrounds.
Chigumira said the vision was to make the platform accessible beyond conventional church audiences.
“The inspiration is to create a platform where people from all walks of life, Christians and non-Christians alike, can gather and worship God without any hindrances,” he said.
This year’s edition also marked a deliberate shift towards putting Jesus above personalities.
“The major difference this year is that everything is centred on Jesus. We are not focusing on brands or personalities. Jesus is the theme of this year’s Relentless Worship Encounter,” Chigumira said.
“We are also adopting an interdenominational approach by inviting believers from different churches to come together as one body of Christ and worship with one voice.”
The event attracted talent from beyond Harare, with Bulawayo-based gospel artiste Siphesonkosi “Snowy” Ncube, who is associated with Harvest House Bulawayo, joining the programme.
The Unveiled also featured as part of the worship line-up.
Since its inaugural edition in 2024, the encounter has grown from a relatively modest gathering into a major gospel event.
Attendance increased significantly at the second edition in 2025, with organisers putting the turnout at about 11 000 people.
Last year’s event also attracted international attention through Nigerian gospel artistes Sunmisola Agbebi and Ebuka Songs.
This year, organisers sought to maintain that momentum while deliberately shifting the focus away from celebrity appeal.
For Chigumira, the continued growth confirms that Relentless Worship has found a place among Zimbabwe’s major gospel gatherings.
“We are saying this is one of the biggest gospel events in the country in terms of numbers and attendance, and this year we have had a very good turnout again,” he said.
With each edition drawing larger crowds, the challenge now is to sustain the momentum without losing the original purpose of the encounter.
For its organisers, however, the success of Relentless Worship is not ultimately measured by the size of the crowd, but by what brings thousands of people together in the first place — worship.
