The Made in Heaven concert was nothing short of success as gospel music couple Papi Clever & Dorcas led yet another evening of worship that left worshipers at Intare Arena in Rusororo filled with joy and a sense of serving God.
The music couple, distinctive hymn-based worship style, was staging their first concert since their debut concert, "Yavuze Yego,” held January 14, 2023 at the sold out Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village.
The concert started at 4:55 pm with a live performance by The True Promises. After a brief warm-up by Ntora Worship Team, renowned gospel artist Tracy Michella took on MC duties, setting the mood for an exciting evening of worship.
There were fears that attendance at the concert would be low due to heavy rain in various parts of the city. However, people still made their way to the venue no matter what.
True Promises began with songs like ‘Umwami Ni Mwiza Pe,’ ‘Mana Urera,’ and ‘Ntagikomeye Imbere Yayo,’ in a performance that sparked a powerful atmosphere inside the arena. Papi Clever & Dorcas took the stage for the first time. Their arrival changed the atmosphere especially when they performed their very first song on the playlist ‘Numvise Inkuru Nziza.’
It’s become a routine that the couple is better off when they have the audience singing along, and worshipers answered their call when they were asked to turn their phone torches. Their set included songs composed in English, Kinyarwanda, and Swahili, showcasing the couple's talent.
Several artistes attended to show their support. The likes of Bosco Nshuti, Dominic Nic Ashimwe, Prosper Nkomezi, and Jado Sinza were among notable attendees.
Papi Clever performed a mix of hymns and original songs like "Yesu Uri Agakiza Kanjye,” appealing to a diverse audience of all ages to sing along. And they never hesitated to join in even when they were not asked to.
Their Swahili song "Tembeya Nami” stood out as one of the best performances that excited the crowd, who began dancing from the very beginning until it ended. And the couple’s performances of” Impamvu Zibifatika” and "Nimeokoka na Furaha” stirred even more enthusiasm among attendees.
The singing couple had never felt so emotional in a while considering the love and admiration that he was shown during the concert.
Papi Clever could not hide his sentiments from the concert goers, and expressed his gratitude not only to God for allowing his wife to join him on stage just days after giving birth but also to their audience to overcome rain threat and still join them for the evening of worship.
"We thank God that Dorcas and I could perform tonight, especially that she gave birth only a month ago. And this concert comes right after month long tour in the United States," he said.
At 7:09 p.m, Pastor Hortance Mazimpaka took some minutes and delivered a message based on Isaiah 45:8, which emphasized that salvation comes solely from God.
Right after the message, Cryso Ndasingwa showed up in the concert's second part at 7:27 p.m, hitting the stage with his song "Ndakwihaye.” Performing alongside Ntora Worship Team, the singer then performed some of his beloved hits like "Wahinduye Ibihe,” "Wahozeho,” and "Ninziza.” The audience couldn’t help but sing along until he left the stage.
Papi Clever returned to stage at 8:09 p.m in what appeared to be his last performance. He acknowledged the high turnout and apologized to those who couldn’t enter the hall whose size was way smaller.
He, however, promised to move the concert to a larger venue next year, assuring attendees it would remain a free event.
Burundian Pastor Lopez was the last, but not least, to grace the stage and from the minute (8:58 p.m) he appeared, he made every moment of his performance worthwhile to ensure a powerful conclusion of the concert.