‘I want whoever reads the Guiness World Book to see that the longest applause was for Jesus.’
A ministry in Uganda set out to break the world’s record for the longest applause — and those who participated did it with one goal in mind:
Every Sunday, Phaneroo Ministries International, a prominent Ugandan church, attracts thousands of worshippers for its vibrant, spirit-filled services.
On July 30, unlike the previous days of worship, the Christians gathered at the Uganda Manufacturers Association showgrounds came determined to break the Guinness World Record for the longest applause.
Apostle Grace Lubega, the senior pastor at Phaneroo, led the congregants in a challenge dubbed “Clap for Jesus.”
Pastor Rohi Bright, one of the key organizers of the event said, “We shall be celebrating our ninth anniversary in a matter of days, so we felt it prudent to give thanks to God in a special way for the wonderful things He has accomplished in us, through us and for us in the nine years. This world record challenge gives us the perfect opportunity to make history for God.”
The church goers followed strict rules set by the Guiness World Record team by maintaining a continuous applause with a sound level of 80 decibels, which is about as loud as a diesel truck. Making voice noises, using musical instruments and taking bathroom breaks were prohibited.
Participants all clapped at the same time. Once a participant stopped applauding, they were removed from the group by a steward and not allowed to rejoin the challenge. A panel of independent adjudicators carefully monitored the proceedings to ensure that all participants were adhering to these guidelines.
Inside the multipurpose hall, spirits were high as hundreds of registered churchgoers clapped in unison with electrifying energy. As the hours ticked by, they continued clapping in silence with unwavering determination despite their aching hands. Outside the hall, thousands of supporters cheered on the participants by singing and praying.
“I am doing this for the glory of God,” said one of the attendees, Elishifa Kimani, 38. “I want whoever reads the Guiness World Book to see that the longest applause was for Jesus.”
Phaneroo Ministries’ global audience also joined the “Clap for Jesus” livestream on Manifest TV and YouTube, where over 60,000 people tuned in.
After an incredible 3 hours and 16 minutes of continuous applause, the hall erupted with shouts of triumph. Phaneroo Ministries had set a new world record. The previous longest hand-clapping session was two hours and five minutes and was completed by Stevens Clark in the United Kingdom on July 20, 2019.
