PhatFest rejuvenates believers’ faith

A believer lost in worship at PhatFest. PHOTO BY GODFREY LUGAAJU

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This year's PhatFest attracted believers to Lugogo Cricket Oval.

PhatFest could be one of the most popular Christian shows in Uganda. It attracted a mammoth crowd last Saturday at Lugogo Cricket Oval in Kampala. By 3.30pm, gates had been already flung open. The early birds moved around to catch the strategic spots to allow them a good view of the stage. Sooner, the throng intensified.

One of them, Martin Byekwaso, he learnt from previous PhatFest shows, one has to arrive early to avoid inconveniences and enjoy the show. “I arrived before 3pm. I want to enjoy myself and have the best spectacle of the performances,” Byekwaso said.

The show begins
The curtain raiser by Sandra Suubi drove people into a spirit-filled moment. She sang among others her songs Kingdom Come, Amen and the Anthem. Many lifted their hands and sang along.

“I feel overwhelmed the spirit. The glory of the Lord is in this place and Jesus is washing clean the wounded hearts and tortured minds right now,” a 20-something woman sang along.

It is thereafter that Red Cypher, a gospel group broke into one of their hip-hop hits from their Hidden Empire album. They also performed a vigorous dance that made the oval lively. The crowd, majority of whom were youths, danced as their shirts drenched with sweat. Some opted to stay in their vests.

Moment of truth
Most of the faithful realised much they yearned to know the true love of Jesus as Wake (real name Gordon Mugoda) and Noisey , Irene Mutuzu performed a poem entitled ‘The Proposal’.
“The poem is a comparison between human love and the true love of Jesus for us,” Wake explained, adding that “We seem to be lost in human love and forget how Jesus loves unconditionally.”

Then, the Watoto Church senior pastor Gary Skinner marched onto the stage amidst wild applause.
“As Power FM celebrates 20 years of committed service to our listeners, we want to thank them and show them love,” Pastor Skinner said.
He led a series of prayers and asked the audience to pair up and pray for each other.

Augustine Shisisa, a congregant of Watoto Church, says he looks forward to PhatFest because his faith is renewed through it.
“I renew my faith always through this show. When the artistes sing, dramatists act, preachers cast the gospel and poets perform, I see Jesus’ face, my faith grows and I’m changed. It is always a great moment,” Shisisa says.

Outstanding
Youths danced, sang and prayed for more than an hour before the main performer, an award winning group led by American gospel artiste Jeremy Camp, Speaking Louder. When the group came onto the stage, deafening claps and waving handkerchiefs took centre stage for some minutes. The group stood still to let the excitement cool off.

They then did one-and-a-half hours of song, dance and preaching. Camp would pause occasionally to encourage the revellers.
“The best we can be is love for each other. Remember Jesus said the greatest gift you can give to someone is love. You cannot stop loving, love until it hurts,” he explained.
This was followed by ululations and thunderous claps before the singer resumed what he does best. They performed songs such as; I will take you back, Mighty to save, You never let go, Everlasting God, Overcome, and Healing hand of God. As he performed, the audience sang along.

After the performance, he took a break to sip water and eat a banana. I was lucky to meet him backstage. “It was great performing in Uganda, I feel nourished and very happy,” Camp said.
Suubi said, “It is an achievement for me to have shared a stage with Jeremy [Camp]. I feel like I have taken a step in my music.”