10 Questions with ... George Mhondera

1. How did you get here? More specifically, could you lay out your career journey as a musician from start to present?

I've always had a love for music and was moved by melodies and voices from a young age, but there were not many opportunities in Zimbabwe to pursue music as a career. But God opened a supernatural door when I met a band M.I.C from South Africa in my last year of school and I made the move from Zimbabwe to South Africa to join the band. I was with them for four years, and we won a Dove award for Best International Band. We also won the South African SAMA Awards.

I then moved to Manchester where I joined the World Wide Message Tribe for a season, and at the same time, started touring with Matt Redman more regularly. I worked as a part-time A&R for Kingsway, where I signed and developed bands in the U.K. as well as writing for many Christian artists and many mainstream pop artists, globally. Through touring with Matt, I got connected to Passion, Chris Tomlin and Christy Nockels, and also ended up touring with them.

I had a deal with Thank You Music/EMI CMG (now Capitol CMG) as a writer until signing with BEC two years ago. I am releasing my first solo project as well as continuing to write songs and help mentor and develop young artists coming through.

2. When was it evident to you that you were purposed to be an artist?

From age eight, I knew I wanted to be in music and felt that God had a plan for me to be a singer even with the odds that were stacked up against me, due to where I grew up. Not having a musical background and not having opportunities made it seem impossible. But from the age of 17, God used many amazing people in my life who mentored and taught me. In His favor, he continually opened amazing door after door to get me to where I am today!

3. Have you ever doubted—wondered if you were truly called into artistry or if that was all a misunderstanding?

Yes, doubt always creeps in, being in the music game. It's so fickle and so competitive and there are so many broken hearts and broken dreams. I used to doubt a lot more back in the day. But I have seen God do the impossible in my life. I have lived on three continents in five countries: Zimbabwe, South Africa, United Kingdom, Germany and now in the US doing music. For a kid who came from humble beginnings in Africa looking up at planes in the sky, thinking about where they had come from and where they were heading, dreaming about one day seeing the world and singing on stages. God has done more than I could have ever imagined. So when doubt creeps in, I remember His track record in my life!

4. Who are the people—in both ministry and artistry—that have had the most significant impact on your journey?

Ministry-wise: my father-in-law John Paculabo ran Kingsway Music / Thank You Music in the UK and was very influential in cultivating worship music in the UK and Europe. Signing the likes of Matt Redman, Tim Hughes, Stuart Townsend, Graham Kendrick, Chris McClarney, Kelly Minter and more. What I loved about him was that he so loved people and had a vision to see worship songs reach the ends of the earth. He had a desire to see worships songs written in other nations and languages, being translated and sung across the church as a whole. So he championed bringing worship leaders from different parts of the world together to write songs for the Church. He strongly believed that worship and justice went hand in hand. That we need to live lives of worship by serving others, caring about the things Jesus cared for, and loving and serving those who are less fortunate. He started building schools and supporting jungle pastors in the Amazon. I had the privilege of being a part of the ministry, and am still a part of it today with Justice and Mercy International.

I loved being at The Message Trust in Manchester, working in the inner city and doing outreach in schools and prisons as part of the World Wide Message Tribe. Andy Hawthorne, the founder, had a tremendous influence on me to be bold in sharing the gospel not matter what it takes.

Being involved with Passion for many years, I got to be around Louie Giglio and sit under his teaching. Being around him I really learned about being rooted in serving Jesus and continuing to trust God to do the impossible.

Artistry-wise: I have have had the privilege to be around Matt Redman for many years. He has been a great friend, inspiration and mentor, and I have learnt countless things about worship from him. I would also say the same about being inspired by Chris Tomlin and Christy Nockels in the same way!

5. Did you grow up on Christian music? What is the music that laid the groundwork for you as a musician…and as a person?

I grew up singing hymns at school and loved the rich melodies and words even though it was hard to understand them at times. My parents taught us many traditional African songs that we always sang as a family. I was also a part of many musicals during school and I guess it prepared me to be on stage. Had a bootleg tape of Hosanna Integrity Music and it was through listening to that I had many moments that helped me worship and experience the presence of God.

I love musicals, soul, 70s music, as well as 80s and Country music, good lyrics, great melodies, big choruses...all these have influenced me a lot. I love music in general and listen to it all.

6. You’ve spent a lot of time on the road with Matt Redman as part of his band. What have you learned most about being a worship leader from that experience? What have you learned most about yourself?

I have learned about leading and serving from a place of humility. Also learnt that in worship we are not creating something new, we get to join in with the eternal worship that is happening in heaven with all the saints and the angels. Pretty freeing, and takes pressure off because we can all just come as we are, and join in with this heavenly song!

I have learned that I have to stay dependent on Jesus as we lead His people and be sensitive to His spirit and get behind what He is doing. That’s when lives are changed and miracles happen.

I have learned that God can use me even with my insecurities and my limited abilities. I just need to continue being available and continue to keep my eyes on him and love him and serve him well and all will be well.

As a result, I love…LOVE…people!

7. In your wildest (or maybe not so wild) dreams, who would you really enjoy collaborating with in the songwriting sphere?

Have had the privilege to work with many great songwriters and artists. But, would love to write with Dolly Parton, Bono, Ryan Tedder, Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel and Sting.

8. Your current single “Heaven’s Symphony” impacts radio this week. What led you to write that song? What do you hope listeners will get out of it?

“Heaven’s Symphony” was written in a time of transition in my family’s life. We were in a season were we felt God was bringing change and that meant either moving to the US or back to the UK, or stay in Germany were we had been living for a couple of years. It felt there were so many options, but we just didn't know what to do. It's so easy for fear, anxiety and stress to creep in when you don't know what to do, it seems there is so much noise and you can't see a way forward. We know we had to press in to Jesus and hear his voice and we were reminded about Zephaniah 3 that the Lord was always with us, leading us, and rejoicing over us with singing even in darkest night of the soul. He is always singing a song of love, kindness, peace and grace over us.

9. How do you feel about taking this song out to radio? Did you have any reservations about this?

No reservations, just very excited! Grateful for the opportunity to be able to take it to radio and so encouraged that people would even want to hear it. Thankful that I get to share a bit of my story and God’s kindness through this song, and most of all I hope it blesses and encourages people to know that theres a God who is for them and rejoicing over them!

10. What else is coming up in 2020 that you’re most looking forward to?

Looking forward to too seeing my mum either Africa or here in U.S if she is able to travel.

Singing with Chris Tomlin at the Bridgestone on Good Friday Easter Service with a bunch of Country artists, celebrating what Jesus did for us on the cross—pretty epic!

Excited to be sharing my stories through these songs this year!

Have a European tour with Matt Redman in the summer. It will be awesome to be back in Europe.