The long-awaited Gather25 event kicked off at BK Arena in high gear, with attendees deeply immersed in worship, praise, and prayer. It was a moment to remember as the crowd danced to the music of Nigerian gospel artist Tim Godfrey, Burundian artists Apollinaire Habonimana, Fabrice, Maya, True Promises Ministries, and more. ALSO READ: Rwanda gears for historic Gather25 church gathering The event, which runs until March 2 globally, aims to unite the global church in prayer, worship, repentance, and commission, drawing inspiration from the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19–20). If you missed the event in person or online, The New Times covered it for you. It started promptly at 1pm when the gates of BK Arena opened. Attendees, eager to be part of the gathering, stood under the scorching sun, waiting in queues. One by one, they showed their successful registration messages to the protocol team dressed in all black, gaining entry into the venue. Security was tight, ensuring everything ran smoothly. Inside, sound checks and instrument setups were underway, preparing for a flawless experience. By 3pm, the event officially commenced with a powerful session of praise and worship led by gospel singer Chryso Ndasingwa among other artistes like Prosper Nkomezi, Fabrice, and Himbaza Club, motivating the congregation to join in. This was followed by a short sermon about love, emphasizing how Jesus left love to the world and encouraging the attendees to spread the love of Christ to those who have not yet encountered Him. At 5pm, the world tuned in online to follow the service. The event was cohosted by Hassan Kibirango, a renowned pastor and author, alongside Barbara Umuhoza, an author and emcee. The duo set the tone for a truly inspiring and engaging experience, addressing both in-person and online audiences. Next up on the stage were Himbaza choir who performed soul-stirring songs that resonated with the crowd. The congregation was then asked to reflect on a thought-provoking question: “If Jesus came back today, how would we pray differently?” The New Life Bible Church choir led the attendees into a moment of praise and worship, singing along to the projected lyrics. The energy inside the arena was electric. South African gospel singer Rorisang Thandekiso followed with a sermon titled “Coming to a Banquet,” based on Luke 14:16-24. Her words about God’s invitation to the banquet of salvation stirred many hearts. Testimonies were shared about salvation, repentance, forgiveness, and reconciliation. Then, Nigerian gospel singer Tim Godfrey performed his hit song “Nara,” accompanied by two backup artistes. He shared his personal testimony of how he once worked as a tax conductor, street vendor, and houseboy, but God changed his story. “I can’t forget where God has brought me from, that is why I composed my song, Nara.” He posed a question to the congregation: “What are you grateful for? After Tim’s performance, Watoto Church pastors Gary Skinner and Marilyn Skinner led the believers in a prayer for hope, light, and peace, praying for Africa to experience something new, a spirit of unity, humility, boldness, and integrity. A story of Rwanda’s journey of forgiveness and reconciliation over the past 30 years, was told, praying for those still in need of reconciliation. The Watoto Children’s Choir then ministered with two songs. After their performance, Pastor Charles Mugisha of New Life Bible Church delivered a powerful message about walking in Jesus’ footsteps through repentance. “God came on the day of Pentecost at Jesus’ cross, and we see the Spirit of God moving. He is changing lives. He is empowering us to be witnesses of Christ to all the nations of the world,” he said. Rick Warren addresses the youth After Mugisha’s sermon, a message from Richard Warren, an American evangelical Christian pastor, was played on the screen. Warren urged the congregation to store their treasures in heaven. He called upon people, especially the young generation to finish the tasks God gave them, challenging the audience to proclaim the good news and live their lives for God. “Your generation has been given a unique opportunity. If you want the power and anointing of God in your life, care about what Jesus cares about. Be a great Jesus ally. Finish the task of the Great Commission,” he added. He reminded the gathering that 2.5 billion Christians have been commissioned to reach the 5.5 billion people who don’t know God yet. Those interested in joining the mission could visit the EverybodyEverywhere.com website to get involved in praying, giving, and sharing the gospel. Ugandan lead pastor Moses Mukisa of Worship Harvest Ministries then took to the stage, urging believers to develop intimacy with God. He stressed the need of spending time with God, praying daily, praying early, praying with passion, praying with the word, and praying with fasting. Tim Godfrey returned to the stage with even more energy, transforming the atmosphere into a concert-like experience. He taught the congregation dance moves to amapiano music, inviting them to repeat after him in his local language. He explained the meanings of the lyrics, creating an electrifying moment where attendees danced, jumped, and celebrated God’s goodness. It was a moment of unabashed joy and gratitude, where no one cared about breaking a sweat, but simply basked in God’s presence. After the lively session, attendees gave an offering toward the contribution of mutuelle de santé (community-based health insurance) for vulnerable communities. The event concluded with songs from True Promises Ministries, followed by a prayer from Pastor Mugisha, who made an altar call and discharged the congregation. The event that was supposed to end at 9pmofficially ended at 8:49pm, and attendees returned home filled with joy, creating memories of an unforgettable day. Outside the venue, people were seen posing for photos with friends as a reminder of the day. One notable aspect of the gathering was the time management; it was an event where no speaker spoke for more than 20 minutes. The sound and organization were exceptional. The New Times and Africa New Life were partners of the event.
