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By Judith Matanire
Zimbabwe is gearing up for one of its largest Christian gatherings later this month, with Evangelist Andrew Palau set to headline the much-anticipated Love Zimbabwe Festival at the Zimbabwe Grounds in Highfield.
The three-day festival, running from 26–28 September, is being organised by the Luis Palau Association (LPA) in partnership with the Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe (EFZ), the Union for the Development of the Apostolic and Zionist Churches in Africa (UDACIZA), the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference (ZCBC) and the Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC).
Organisers say the event will combine worship, family-friendly activities, health outreach and entertainment as a way of uniting communities and addressing some of the country’s pressing social challenges, particularly drug and substance abuse among youths.
Bishop David Chigamba, who has been leading pre-festival activities, revealed that the campaign has already touched thousands through school visits and health programmes.
“Just on the first day in schools, more than 14,000 children gave their lives to Jesus. We are also running eyeglass clinics in Chitungwiza, Mbare, Glen Norah and Glen View, where people are receiving life-changing assistance,” he said.
Evangelist Palau, who has been involved in global evangelism for more than 25 years, described the festival as a dream come true.
“It’s an honour to finally partner with the church in Zimbabwe to lift the name of Jesus high. Together, we can reach every member of the community right in the heart of the city,” he said.
The festival will feature gospel powerhouses including Nigeria’s Ada Ehi alongside local stars Michael Mahendere, Janet Manyowa, Takesure Zamar, Mathias Mhere, Tembalami and King David (Baba Harare), among others. Action sports, children’s activities and a youth zone are also on the programme to appeal to wider audiences.
Church leaders from across denominations have thrown their weight behind the festival. Bishop Never Muparutsa described it as “unique and non-threatening,” while Bishop Mavis Gurupira said it comes at a time when many young people are battling addiction. Father Johannes Maseko emphasised its role in offering testimonies of transformation:
“Andrew Palau himself overcame drug abuse. His story is a message of hope that anyone can break free,” he said.
More than 200,000 people are expected to be reached directly through the festival and its related activities. Reverend Innocent Chitanda of UDACIZA called the event a landmark in church unity.
“As African indigenous churches, we are breaking records by partnering with other denominations for the common good of furthering God’s work in Zimbabwe,” he said.
Organisers stress that this is not a one-off gathering but the beginning of a wider national campaign.
“The first goal is for the church to unite, the second is to reach those who don’t yet know Jesus,” Bishop Chigamba added.
The Love Zimbabwe Festival is set to leave a mark as a moment of spiritual revival, practical outreach, and a rallying call for Zimbabweans to rise above drug abuse and build stronger, faith-driven communities. Nhau/Indaba
