CHITUNGWIZA’s UFIC Basilica was transformed into a sanctuary of unbroken praise today as the Relentless Worship Encounter 2026 stretched from afternoon into evening, bringing together some of Zimbabwe’s finest worship voices for a gathering that will not soon be forgotten. From the opening note to the final chord, the atmosphere was thick with the presence of God, and every artist who took to the stage carried a weight of anointing that left many wondering who, in fact, was meant to be the headline act. Truth be told, each performer could easily have closed the show.
The afternoon opened with the UFIC Choir, whose disciplined, layered harmonies set a solemn and welcoming tone for the hours of worship that lay ahead, drawing the gathering congregation into a spirit of expectancy well before the headline names took to the stage.
Sharon Rose Bishi then stepped up with a soul-stirring rendition of “Tiverenge Tiri Tsamba Dzakanyorwa,” her voice carrying the congregation into a place of deep introspection before she moved into a set of renditions and worship that had hands raised across the basilica. Ezekiel Paul followed in a similar spirit, leading the congregation through “My Worship,” his ministration setting a reverent tone that lingered long after he stepped back.
Hubert C then stepped up to the stage, moving through “Hlala Naye,” “Deeper,” and “Latter Rain” with a conviction that drew the congregation deeper into worship with every song.
Minister Larry Gunda delivered one of the afternoon’s most powerful sets, taking the crowd through “Anochengeta,” “Wenyasha,” “Nhoroondo,” and “Kana Mwari Akurangarira” in a masterclass of storytelling through song. The highlight of his set came when he called Nyasha Mutonhori to the stage for their feature song, “Gwayana,” a moment that lifted the congregation to yet another level. By the time Minister Gunda was done, the basilica was fully given over to praise.
“Unveiled” then took to the stage with their own dedicated set, opening with “Jesu ndiManwere.” Midway through their ministration, an electrical fault struck the basilica â and rather than pause, the audience simply broke into song, carrying the worship themselves until power was restored. It was a powerful reminder that the encounter was never about equipment or performance, but about hearts fixed on God. Once power returned, “Unveiled” pressed on with “Mweya Mutsvene Ndizadze Newe” and “Zvichaita Chete,” closing out a set that needed no stage lights to shine.
As evening began to settle over the basilica, Snowy took to the stage, delivering a ministration that kept the momentum of the evening building and bridged the way for the night’s most anticipated moment.
If there was a moment the roof of the UFIC Basilica came closest to lifting off, it was during the ministration of Ellard and his wife, Sharon Cherayi. The husband-and-wife duo brought a rare, weighty intensity to the stage, leading the congregation through serious, hymn-based worship that stripped away every distraction and pointed straight to the throne room. “Super Power” erupted into an explosion of praise that had the entire congregation on its feet, before the Cherayis moved into the hymns “Hakuna Zita” and “Oh Mponesi.” Choosing hymns in an era dominated by contemporary sound was itself a statement the Cherayis reminded everyone gathered that some of the deepest worship is found in the songs of old, sung with fresh fire.
The last to take the stage was Minister Michael Mahendere, who brought the Relentless Worship Encounter 2026 to a fitting close as night fell over Chitungwiza. He led the congregation through “Bako Rangu,” “Tangai Neni,” “Ishe Ndinzwe,” and “Messiah,” sending worshippers home with a final, resounding wave of praise.
This year’s edition stood in sharp contrast to last year’s Relentless Worship Encounter, which was headlined by Nigerian acts Sumnisola Agbebi and Ebuka. Where last year leaned on the star power of international names, this year’s gathering, built almost entirely around local talent, carried a depth that many in attendance felt surpassed the previous edition. From the UFIC Choir to Minister Michael Mahendere, the local acts delivered A-class performances that proved Zimbabwe’s worship scene needs no imported headliners to move a congregation. For those still hungry for a taste of last year’s flavour, Sumnisola is set to perform in Harare on Monday at Celebration Centre.
By the close of the Relentless Worship Encounter 2026, it was clear that no single artist owned the day. The UFIC Choir, Sharon Rose Bishi, Ezekiel Paul, Hubert C, Minister Larry Gunda with Nyasha Mutonhori, “Unveiled,” Snowy, the Cherayis, and Minister Michael Mahendere each ministered with such excellence and depth that the event felt less like a lineup of acts and more like a single, unbroken offering of worship relentless, indeed, from start to finish.
