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Donnie McClurkin’s concert witnessed on Saturday.
People from different denominations and across the racial divide turned up in large numbers at the Glamis Arena, the venue of the “Call to worship” concert with Donnie who gave music lovers more than they had bargained for.
“He is blessed. I have never seen a musician who is as powerful as Donnie,” one fan said.
Another fan who sang along to Donnie’s songs said: “Through him we can see that God works in many ways than one. The guy just knows the ministry,” she said.
His teachings, his testimonies and his delivery of the gospel left nothing to imagination as he hit all the right chords, something that endeared well with the audiences.
Energy was high on and off the stage as there was hardly any space to swing a cat and all that worshippers could do was to lift their hands in praise and worship.
Throughout his performance, Donnie would stop the music and testify the grace of God.
Well to those who knew much about Donnie, it didn’t come as a surprise since at the age of eight, his two-year-old brother was hit and killed by a speeding driver and sadly on the night of the funeral, McClurkin’s uncle raped him.
His life went through turbulence induced by domestic violence and drug abuse.
The worst came when he was 13. Donnie was again raped, this time by his cousin, his uncle’s son.
According to reports, Donnie found comfort through an aunt who sang background vocals with gospel musician Andrae Crouch.
After staying close to Christ throughout his boyhood, he began to play piano and sang with his church youth choir.
In 1991, a sharp pain and swelling followed by internal bleeding led to a diagnosis of leukemia.
The doctor suggested immediate treatment, but McClurkin, who was then 31 decided to take his own advice.
“I tell people to believe that God will save you,” he once said.
He was ordained and sent out by Winans in 2001 to establish Perfecting Faith Church in Freeport, Long Island, where he is now Senior Pastor.
In 2004, he sang at the Republican National Convention.
The appearance generated criticism for the event organisers and Donnie for his statements on homosexuality.
He claims to have struggled with homosexuality during his youth for several years, but states that he is now “delivered” from the condition.
Donnie said he went through a process by which he became “saved and sanctified”.
But the most amazing thing about Donnie’s concert in Harare was that he would make references to his childhood abuse and how such adversity has shaped him as a Christian.
Each time he talked about his personal life, the crowd would respond with wild cheers not because of the drama, but because he spoke from the heart.
Donnie also gave a sermon at the New Life Covenant Church yesterday where there was another huge turnout.
There were no lowlights at the concert as it gained momentum with each performance.
Who could ignore the standout performance by the New Life Covenant Choir and the exalting sing along tunes?
You would not believe that this was a gospel concert as people were dressed to kill and from all walks of life mixed and mingled as one big family.
The Divine Concert sound, the organisers of the event proved their mettle in putting up such a fantastic concert that went without glitches including a state-of-the art stage, lights and high sound quality.