Zimbabwean gospel musician Minister Michael Mahendere says this year's July Worship Festival marks another milestone for a worship platform that has grown from a small gathering at Harare Gardens into one of the country's biggest gospel events.
Speaking to ZimNow, Mahendere said the July 11 festival at Glamis Arena remains focused on worship.
"We are here for one main reason... It is all about God," he said.
Mahendere said the festival, which began as the Winter Festival in 2018 before being rebranded, has expanded steadily over the years.
"We started at Harare Gardens, then Belgravia Sports Club and now Glamis Arena. After we fill Glamis Arena, we will move to the National Sports Stadium," he said.
This year's event will run under the theme Highest Praise.
"We want people to come and give God the highest praise," he said.
The gospel musician, who is celebrating 32 years in music ministry, said his recent The 32 initiative aims to raise funds for a sound system and outreach programmes targeting all 10 provinces, with Chipinge and Mutare next on the list.
"We are going to be reaching out to people for free... giving back to what God has done for us," he said.
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Mahendere also revealed plans to eventually turn the one-day festival into a week-long event.
"We are still developing and trying to have enough budget to do this festival for a week so that we have everyone involved, whatever genre," he said.
Addressing criticism of his song Tanga Neni, Mahendere said it was inspired by personal prayer rather than selfishness.
"It is coming from a prayer perspective. It is not coming from being selfish. It is coming from a personal prayer," he said.
He added that he would not respond to every criticism directed at him.
Among the artists set to perform are Shalom Charamba, Sir Benjamin Rupapa, Tinashe Muponda, The Unveiled, and Vimbai Mahendere.
Charamba said the event would combine "nostalgia and new-school energy," while Rupapa thanked Mahendere for creating opportunities for emerging gospel musicians.
Muponda acknowledged the financial challenges facing gospel artists but said they remain committed to ministry.
The July Worship Festival, hosted by Minister Michael Mahendere and Direct Worship, will be held at Glamis Arena on July 11.
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