By Tendai Kamhungira and Vasco Chaya
HARARE – Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries (PHD) founder Prophet Walter Magaya drew a staggering 350 000 people from Zimbabwe and across the region at his Waterfalls church’s all night prayer on Friday — undoubtedly making it one of the biggest congregations ever to grace the country.
Tens of thousands of people filled the chairs provided at the open air spaces at the event, with people occupying the areas between Waterfalls Falls then across Mukuvisi to Highfield.
Voted as the country’s most influential person under the age of 40 for 2014 and going by Friday’s gathering no one can begrudge the pulling power of one of the most influential preachers the country has ever seen.
Magaya’s all night service was also a blessing to vendors as it brought with it
brisk business for the locals, who were selling food stuffs, while transport operators smiled all night. They went back and forth ferrying thousands of people.
According to reports, people started flocking to the church premises in Waterfalls as early as 5am on Friday, while others from outside the country had arrived some days before.
Dubbed the night of “turn around”, the event was spectacular and would make any politician green with envy.
It proved to be a well-organised event that was graced by people of all ages. The state-of-the-art stage was well-positioned, while those who were far away could follow proceedings on television sets that were dotted around the area.
Even when the service ended yesterday morning, people were still clamouring for more.
Speaking to the Daily News on Sunday, the Mhondoro Ngezi-born preacher, expressed his happiness on the event, saying he was expecting such a huge crowd.
The charismatic preacher said he had put in place 350 000 chairs, but the number had ballooned forcing several other thousands to remain standing after all the seats were occupied.
His grand entrance at 11pm brought thunderous cheers from the congregants, as people ululated and whistled.
The humble preacher proved to be a king in his own right and showed magnetic prowess in getting the huge crowd into the mood.
While Magaya has remained level-headed over the years, his popularity though continues growing in Zimbabwe and beyond borders.
Friday’s event cemented his authority. Many miracles kept happening, as demons manifested in his presence throughout the night.
The lame were walking, as they could be seen raising their clutches.
He preached from Esther 7 verse 10, touching on several issues that deal with marriage.
“Every relationship is created by an understanding,” he said.
The event was attended by several prominent artistes and some government officials. Some of the notable figures that attended the event were Zanu PF politburo member Tendai Savanhu and and Zimbabwe Tourism Authority boss Karikoga Kaseke. Chimurenga musician Bryn Mteki was also part of the congregation.
Dancehall musician Obey Makamure aka Tocky Vibes, surprised many who attended as he performed at the event.
Tocky Vibes is a rising star in the music industry and was voted the third most influential person under the age of 40 in Zimbabwe.
During a press conference held at his church premises on Thursday, Magaya praised Tocky Vibes as a young influential person.
“Everyone is playing Tocky Vibes. We need to promote him,” he said.
He said Zimbabweans need to inculcate a spirit of lifting others and not pulling them down.
During Friday’s all night prayer, Tocky Vibes proved to be a darling of many, as he left the congregation eating from the palms of his hands.
Tocky Vibes considered to be more of a secular musician, performed his hit songs Mhai, Aenda Nenyika, and easily substituted the lyrics with words that suited the church event.
Instead of “Tocky aenda nenyika”, (Tocky has stolen the limelight) which forms party of his song lines, the 20-year-old musician substituted that with “vaMagaya vaenda nenyika”, (Magaya has stolen the limelight) much to the delight of the crowd that sang along.
The church’s choir was not to be outclassed as it did its own renditions of popular dancehall artistes’ songs like Winky D, Shinsoman and Tocky Vibes; throwing in lines like, “kuti PHD ndokuti church” (PHD is the church).
The group substituted most of the lyrics to suit the church set-up.
Magaya justified the spicing of the event with dancehall-related songs stating that if dancehall was not sung in church, people will end up performing the same in bars.
After Tocky Vibes’ splendid performance came talented gospel artist Sebastian Magacha. His popular songs 1 + 1 and Bosvo sent the crowd into wild cheers.
Mathias Mhere did not also disappoint, with his song Favour, proving to be the most loved.
Another gospel artist who performed at the event was Agatha Murudzwa, who also had a fair share of limelight.
Benjamin Dube, believed to be the main attraction in terms of entertainment, proved why he is a popular gospel artist. The South African musician, serenaded the crowd with his soul soothing songs that include Bow down and worship, Ngiyamthanda uJesu and Bless the Lord, among other hits.
The event was screened live on the church’s Yadah Television station and on the State-owned Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation Television. Daily News
