Gospel stars arrive for mega concert

Swiss-based Cameroonian gospel superstar Olivier Cheuwa and renowned gospel music couple Chris and Laura Christensen are in town for the much-anticipated gospel music concert dubbed Fragrance Worship. The concert, which will take place at the Nyarutarama-based Christian Life Assembly (CLA), tomorrow, July 16, will also feature Rwanda’s Gaby Kamanzi and Burundian gospel sensation Fortran Bigirimana. Speaking at a news conference on Thursday, organised by Moriah Entertainment, the four gospel groups gave a hint of what people should expect on Sunday. Swiss-based Cameroonian gospel superstar Olivier Cheuwa chats with local gospel singer Gaby Kamanzi at a news conference in Kigali, on Thursday. / Joan Mbabazi Cheuwa said the main aim of the show is to bring together people who love to praise and worship God through music, adding that the evening will be ‘fun and entertaining’. “I urge everybody to come because this is going to be a wonderful evening of worship,” the Persevere singer said. The France-based Groupe Exo said the concert is not aimed at making money or proving which artiste is better than the other but rather it’s an opportunity to worship and minister to God. “We came together the four of us to emphasise God’s message of unity, which is very important. God wants us to live in unity, our vision is to bring people together, and therefore if we are divided we cannot pass on God’s message to the public,” he said. “It is not about just fun or personal praise, but it is about giving all the glory to God as one,” said Chris. “We have waited for 20 years to come to Rwanda and have always yearned to be invited to perform here one day. When Fortran invited us it was like a dream come true,” the Groupe Exo member said. He said they hope to bring the best to people in Rwanda. Last week, the group performed in Burundi and the concert was billed successful. He said the band has done adequate rehearsals and was anticipating a powerful show. Groupe Exo was formed in 1989 by Chris Christensen and his wife Laura. They have since composed a number of songs, mostly in French and English. The French Gospel ‘power couple’ has been singing for many years, with both having a musical background. Chris used to sing in a band while Laura was in a choir. The first time Chris and Laura sang together was at a friend’s wedding before they became husband and wife. Later, people started encouraging them to always sing together. The rest is history. Explaining the background of the group, Chris said that Exois a Greek word that says ‘out from,’ or ‘moving out’; they are basically moving out to praise and worship God like their group’s name suggests. Cheuwa started singing 16 years ago.The concert will start at 6pm on Sunday. Entrance is Rwf10,000 and Rwf5,000. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Gospel stars arrive for mega concert­

Gospel stars arrive for mega concert