Officials along with the participants during the Music Festival held at Impur on July 31. (Photo Courtesy: ABAM)
Mokokchung, August 1 (MExN): The Ao Baptist Arogo Mungdang (ABAM) Music Ministry on July 31 held its first-ever Music Festival at Impur, bringing together 12 church choirs and 396 singers from Zone I for a day of worship, fellowship and celebration.
Organised under the leadership of ABAM Music Coordinator Asenla Longchar, the festival brought together choirs from Alempang BA, Chakpa BA, Chuchuyimpang BA, Impur BA, Longjang BA, Longjang Compound BA, Longkong BA, Longmisa BA, Longpa BA, Süngkomen BA, Tzüsapang BA and Yisemyong BA.
Addressing the gathering, Longchar said the festival was conceived as a sacred gathering of worship, fellowship and spiritual renewal, aimed at glorifying God through collective voices, proclaiming the Gospel through music, strengthening unity among churches and choirs, encouraging one another through worship and fellowship, and inspiring younger generations to embrace and continue the ministry of music.
She said the initiative sought to emphasise music not merely as an element of church worship but as a ministry through which faith is nurtured, the Gospel is proclaimed, fellowship is strengthened and a spiritual legacy is passed on to future generations.
ABAM Executive Secretary Rev Temsü Jamir, in his address, said singing in the church is more than a performance and should be regarded as a sacred calling to lead God's people into genuine worship.
He urged choir members to recognise themselves as important pillars of the church and to approach their ministry with humility, devotion and spiritual preparedness.
Jamir also called on Ao Baptist churches to move beyond stereotyped and routine forms of worship towards vibrant, Spirit-filled and Christ-centred worship that actively engages the congregation and leads believers into a deeper encounter with God.
He said choirs have a vital ministry alongside pastors and should not limit themselves to providing musical accompaniment or performing before congregations. Instead, they should serve as spiritual leaders who awaken hearts, inspire participation and guide worshippers into authentic worship.
"When worship flows from hearts fully surrendered to God, music becomes a powerful instrument through which the congregation is drawn closer to God, renewed in faith and transformed by His presence," he said.
The inaugural festival concluded with a reaffirmation of the role of music as a ministry of worship, witness, fellowship and spiritual formation. Organisers described the event as a celebration of unity in Christ, fellowship among churches and the God-given gift of music, demonstrating how many voices can become one when offered for the glory of God.
The ABAM Music Ministry expressed gratitude to the participating choirs, singers, churches, organisers and supporters for making the inaugural festival a success and said it looked forward to strengthening music ministry across the ABAM family in the years ahead.
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