Date: Saturday, 18 October 2025
Venue: NJOMBE DISTRICT: AMANI COLLEGE
The ELCT Southern Diocese organized a unique Singing festival, bringing together a total of 24 choirs from various congregations within the diocese. The festival was a platform to showcase talents, encourage the ministry of singing as an instrument of the gospel, and strengthen the fellowship of believers through spiritual music.
List of Choirs that participated
- Hosiana Idunda – Njombe District
- Makambako Evangelism – Makambako District
- Hosiana Makoga – Ilembula District
- Idamba – Lupembe District
- Matembwe – Lupembe District
- Ituli – Lupembe District
- Nazareth Isisi – Chimala District
- Malangali – Kidugala District
- Elshama Ilembula – Ilembula District
- Ebenezeri – Makambako District
- Muungano Igawa – Chimala District
- Chunya – Chunya District
- Luvande Ilembula – Ilembula District
- Mbarali Evangelism – Chimala District
- Amani Palangavanu – Ilembula District
- Igagala – Njombe District
- Sinai Mswiswi – Chimala District
- Upendo Maguvani – Makambako District
- Matiganjola – Njombe District
- Jerusalem – District Njombe
- Ilembula Main Choir – Ilembula District
- Kidugala Main Choir – Kidugala District
- Umoja Muale – Chimala District
- Hallelujah Usuka – Ilembula District
The concert was attended by various church leaders including pastors, heads of dioceses, and invited guests led by the Assistant Bishop, Rev. Dr. Johnson Gudaga, who opened the concert by reading the Word from Psalm 98:1: “Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things…” In his speech, he urged the singers to sing with the aim of praising God, not for competition or show-off. He emphasized that singers are ministers of the Word, like pastors or preachers, so they should be attentive, humble, and ethical in their ministry.
Singing format: Each choir sang three songs on stage:
- Main song from the book Tumwabudu Mungu Wetu number 425
- Cultural song entitled “Where can we find such a one?” Genesis 41:38
- Selection song chosen by the respective choirs for their creativity
Vision and Results
This festival has strengthened the ministry of singing notes as a means of spreading the gospel and bringing comfort to the community. The choir groups have shown diligence, unity, and creativity in serving God. The diocese continues to encourage the training of notes and organize regular concerts to promote this ministry.
Overall results
- Main Choir Ilembula – Ilembula District 83.95%
- Uinjilisti Makambako – Makambako District 83.75%
- Upendo Maguvani – Makambako District 80.5%
- Ebenezeri – Makambako District 77.75%
- Hosiana Idunda – Njombe District 73.75%
- Matembwe – Lupembe District 72.75%
- Malangali – Kidugala District 71.5%
- Hallelujah Usuka – Ilembula District 71.25%
- Uinjilisti Mbarali – Chimala District 71.25%
- Luvande Ilembula – Ilembula District 70.25%
- Matiganjola – Njombe District 69.25%
- Nazareth Isisi – Chimala District 69%
- Jerusalem – Njombe District 68.55%
- Kidugala Main Choir – Kidugala District 68.25%
- Amani Palangavanu – Ilembula District 67%
- Chunya – Chunya District 66.75%
- Hosiana Makoga – Ilembula District 66.25%
- Idamba – Lupembe District 66%
- Igagala – Njombe District 64.75%
- Muungano Igawa – Chimala District 63.75%
- Sinai Mswiswi – Chimala District 62.75%
- Elshama Ilembula – Ilembula District 61.5%
- Umoja Muale – Chimala District 61%
- Ituli – Lupembe District 54%To watch some choirs click https://youtu.be/EMVq9ZCq_e4?si=ghssKCS0_qpe-oM7
Official Announcements
- Pastor Gudaga thanked all the choirs for their spiritual and artistic participation.
- The three choirs that received the highest scores were congratulated with victory shields:
- The first winner will represent the Southern Diocese at the Southern Zone Singing Festival to be held in Mtwara, between late September or early October 2026.
- The Annual Noteni Singing Festival will be held in Lupembe District on 10.10.2026.
Main Song: Let Us Worship Our God number 221
Cultural Song: From Philippians 4:4 – “Rejoice in the Lord always…”
Song of Choice: To be chosen by each choir
- The Instrumental Singing Festival will be held in the Chimala District on 22.08.2026. Choirs are encouraged to prepare early. Philippians 4:4 – “Rejoice in the Lord always…”
- New Plan – Singing for Young Children: To preserve the singing heritage within the Diocese, the church has planned to start a singing festival for young children starting next year. Every congregation is encouraged to organize a children’s festival. The main song for the festival will be Tumwabudu Mungu Wetu number 149
• Pastor Aman Kabelege, Chairman of the Evangelism and Mission Department of the Southern Diocese, reported that this year the leadership has prepared a beautiful and better shield for the first winner. He urged the winners to take care of it with respect, and concluded by saying: “If it breaks, then the choir concerned will only have to pay Tsh. 600,000 so that another one can be found!” The statement brought smiles and encouraged the winners to be responsible in taking care of the honorable gifts.
Conclusion of the Singing Festival – ELCT Southern Diocese
This festival has been not just a platform for sound, but an altar of worship, fellowship, and talent building. We have witnessed how singing can unite generations, awaken faith, and bring new hope to our communities. In every note, every voice, and every song—we have seen God at work. We have been taught that victory is not just a matter of numbers, but of a heart that worships God in truth and in spirit.
To all participants: You have made history. To the winners: You have carried the banner of the Diocese, but above all, you have carried the call to proclaim the Gospel through art. To our children: You will open the door to a spiritual heritage through singing. To our leaders: Thank you for your vision, inspiration, and blessings.
As we head to the upcoming festivals—Lupembe, Chimala, Mtwara, and the children’s festival—let us carry this spirit, remembering that every festival is a worship, every voice is an offering, and every participant is an instrument of grace.
Provided by:
Rev. Christian Nakoli
+255 769 628 082
nakolichristian@gmail.com