A different kind of Sunday — Beer church finds a growing following

What started as a simple conversation between five people over a drink and a Bible message has blossomed into one of Zimbabwe’s most unconventional fellowship movements.

Every Sunday, a growing number of worshippers are gathering for Dare reCastle, a Harare-based Christian fellowship that blends prayer, scripture and social interaction over a beer, a concept that has sparked curiosity and debate across social media.

The initiative was founded by Victor Mupoperi, popularly known online as the “Castle Man”, a content creator known for promoting responsible consumption of beer while engaging with people from different walks of life.

A professional Class 1 journeyman refrigeration and air-conditioning entrepreneur, as well as a livestock farmer, Mupoperi first gained popularity through humorous and relatable online content that captured his interactions with locals and tourists while sharing his love for Zimbabwean culture and responsible enjoyment.

However, behind the viral personality is a man who says his mission is bigger than a drink; it is about creating spaces where people can connect with God in a more relaxed environment.

According to Mupoperi, Dare reCastle was created to remind people that faith remains central regardless of their lifestyle choices.

“The concept is a movement which aims to encourage people that regardless of them drinking or not, God is still the centre of our lives,” he said.

The fellowship has steadily grown since its launch, attracting new attendees every week, while others follow proceedings through social media livestreams.

“The reception for now has been good; the people are accepting the word of God, and they really want more of these sessions as they are more relaxed and open than traditional church gatherings,” said Mupoperi.

The idea behind Dare reCastle, he explained, came unexpectedly after a church service when he found himself sharing a message with people gathered at a drinking spot.

“I enjoy drinking a Castle Lager occasionally. The name ‘Castle Man’ was initially given to me when I was walking home from church one day and passed a place where people were drinking and enjoying themselves. After some thought, I joined them and decided to share the word of God with them.

“I told them that the following week, we would meet at the same place to talk about the word of God because you never know who might need it,” he said.

What began as an informal Bible discussion soon attracted more interest, turning into a weekly gathering that continues to expand.

“People actually started coming in large numbers. When we started on the first weekend, there were about five people, but slowly more and more people started joining us. Now, every Sunday, we have new visitors.

“More people join us through livestreams on our social media platforms. People don’t just come to drink, they also come to share the word of God. We’ve even had people travelling from different parts of Zimbabwe to attend our weekly gatherings,” he said.

While the concept may appear different from conventional church settings, Mupoperi said Dare reCastle follows a familiar structure. The gathering begins with praise and worship, followed by scripture readings and a sermon delivered by a pastor. The difference comes afterwards, when attendees share drinks, conversations and build friendships in a more informal setting.

For Mupoperi, the goal is not to place alcohol at the centre of worship, but rather to reach people who may feel disconnected from traditional church spaces.

He believes the relaxed atmosphere allows individuals to engage with faith without feeling judged.

Looking ahead, Mupoperi hopes to take Dare reCastle beyond Harare and introduce the concept to communities across Zimbabwe.

“To take this Dare to other places in Zimbabwe, we would really need sponsorship. Logistics such as accommodation and venue hiring in different cities mean that we must have money to share this concept with the whole of Zimbabwe,” he said.

Away from his growing online presence and the Dare reCastle movement, Mupoperi continues to run his refrigeration company while pursuing farming ventures. He owns a farm in Rusape where he is involved in goat rearing and planting fruit trees. *_-Herald_*