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Friday August 28, oops!, that is only a week away, and the biggest annual pentecostal gathering in Zimbabwe will take place at the National Sports Stadium. How time flies! Judgment Night 3, organised by Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa’s United Family International Church is already upon us. The event will not only be about preaching the word, it will also be an opportunity for gospel musicians to showcase their talents.
More than 10 musicians have been lined up to warm the stage and entertain the hordes of Christians that will gather on this night.
Well, the last time Judgment Night 2 was held, that is in April last year to be precise, it attracted more than 200 000 people as estimated by officials.
The figure might have been even higher considering how the organisers made last minute rushes to set up various places outside the 60 000-seater stadium to accommodate the multitudes.
Inside the stadium, the terraces were packed and thousands of chairs arranged right round the stadium on the tarmac and below the terraces were all occupied.
This time around, Judgment Night 3 has been received with tremendous excitement from Zimbabwe and all over the world.
Officials say more international visitors compared to last year have confirmed they will be at the National Sports Stadium on the night.
And they will not be disappointed as the programme will suit everyone and the night will be so busy that many will wish it could have gone on and on.
There will be everything for everyone from live music, artistic performances, preaching of the word, prophecies both for the nation and individuals, healing and deliverance.
For the purpose of this column, I will take you through the musical programme of the day, which will witness hordes of popular gospel musicians taking to the stage.
The award winning UFIC Choir will lead the cast of gospel music stars.
The choir, led by Pastor Hubert Chigumira, who is known as the Psalmist in music circles, will be having a live DVD and audio recording on the night.
It is the opening act to be performed by UFIC choir that will leave many asking for more.
The choir is lining up more than 200 dancers who will take to the stage accompanied by scintillating live music.
I was recently invited to watch a session of the rehearsals by the choir and the dancers and I will not hesitate to say that the performance will be top notch and of international standards.
Psalmist Hubert C, who has a number of albums to his credit, is expected to give a polished act considering his live performances in the past.
Blessed with a silky voice and a musical ear, the Psalmist is arguably one of the top gospel singers in the country.
Pastor Charles Charamba and his wife Olivia, referred to as the First Family of gospel music in Zimbabwe, will be part of the cast.
The couple has produced many albums, with songs that have taken the nation by storm and is expected to belt out some of their best.
Then there is the “man of the moment” Minister Michael Mahendere to add the impetus to the night of celebrations.
Growing up as part of the Mahendere Brothers, where he performed in the band with his brothers, Minister Mahendere has mastered the art of music.
He has since graduated and has formed his own outfit called “Direct Worship” which has so far produced two albums under the “Getting Personal with God” series.
At Judgment Night 3, Minister Mahendere will also join his brothers to perform with the Mahendere Brothers, known for their captivating dances.
Pastor Lawrence Gunda of the group Gospel Power will also serenade the thousands expected at the National Sports Stadium.
He has a number of popular albums to his credit which he did as solo projects and with Gospel Power.
Pastor Leonard Zhakata, a veteran musician who needs no introduction to Zimbabweans, will also belt out his songs, both old and new.
He is riding high with his gospel album titled “Zvangu Zvaita”, which he released last year.
What is unique about Pastor Zhakata is that he can still select from his musical catalogue from the past and the songs still make sense to Christians.
He once commended that he has always sang gospel music and if you listen to his songs you will agree with him because of their uplifting messages.
The couple of Tendai and Selmor Manatsa (I once joked with them that they are both so tall that they can even see tomorrow) are also set to perform during the night.
The two represent the emerging talent among young couples who are doing wonders on the musical scene.
Tendai’s guitar playing prowess compliments well his wife’s silk voice.
Other musicians lined up for performance at Judgment Night 3 are Kudzi Nyakudya, Noel Zembe, Diva Mafunga and Thembalami.
An opportunity will also be given to a host of other recorded musicians within UFIC to prove their mettle against their experienced counterparts.
What is important about Judgment Night 3 is that apart from providing the entertainment through gospel music, it will be full of healing, both physical and spiritual, and the interpretation of the word by Prophet Makandiwa.
The hype for the event is already in motion and can be felt everywhere in Zimbabwe and in other countries through UFIC’s Christ TV.
Announcing Judgment Night 3 during a church service recently, Prophet Makandiwa said it would be a unique evening.
“Judgment Night 3 is coming, after this one you will testify,” he said. “After the third one, I said you will testify. After the Trinity, you will testify.
“You have never had a night like that one. The heavens will be very, very low. You will feel it even from the way that you will be breathing that the heavens are very, very low.
“I want to put on my priestly regalia and do it according to the prophecy that was given to Prophet Ezekiel where God said to him: ‘And the priest shall cause a blessing to rest upon the children of Israel’.
“We want to bring it to pass. It is during that night when we shall cause the favour of God to rest upon you, the anointing of God to rest upon you, the peace of God to rest upon you, divine health to rest upon you, more connections in business to rest upon you, more impact and influence to rest upon you.
“You can struggle now, but not after that night. Get ready to share your testimony with us. Are you ready for that? I am ready for you. Are you ready for me?”
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