Billboard chart topper Christafari to bring reggae sound to Calvary Chapel Victorville

Before heading out to perform in Central Africa, the reggae band Christafari will kick off their end of Summer Tour in the Victor Valley.

Band founder Mark Mohr, a former drug addict and marijuana grower who now promotes Christianity through the Jamaican sound, will bring his group to Calvary Chapel Victorville on Aug. 23.

After selling a half-million albums worldwide and topping the Billboard Charts for nearly three decades, Christafari continues to tour globally, record new songs and produce music videos.

Christafari’s first major tour was the Reggae Sunsplash Tour in 1995, reaching 46 cities in 53 days. Over the past three decades, Christafari has performed in over 90 countries, two Olympic Games, a presidential inaugural ball, and during 1996's “Washington For Jesus!” before a crowd of over 500,000.

In 1999, after the release of "Soul Fire and Valley of Decision" with Gotee Records, Mohr founded his own record label, Lion of Zion Entertainment and GospelReggae.com.

With over 30 albums, Christafari was the first gospel band to hit No. 1 on the Reggae Billboard Charts with "Reggae Worship: A Roots Revival."

Mohr, his wife, Avion Blackman , their daughter Ziza Mohr, and band members Iris Spence, Renato Taimes, Alex Avila, and Justin Nalimu, recently recorded the music video “Praise,” an Elevation Worship Cover, which was shot at Yellowstone National Park.

“We’re not just a reggae band, we’re all family,” Mohr told the Daily Press. “Our goal and passion is for people to come and meet Jesus.”

The concert begins at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23, at Calvary Chapel Victorville, 15081 Center St.

For more information, visit calvaryvv.org . For more information on Christafari, visit christafari.com or facebook.com/ChristafariBand .

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Billboard chart topper Christafari to bring reggae sound to Calvary Chapel Victorville