Music as a unifying force 

Perspectives — India

What I have received from participating in the international ensemble 

I thank God for the gift of music in our life. I see it totally as grace of God that I could be the part of the Mennonite World Conference international ensemble for Assembly 2022 in Indonesia. I had dreamed of that since I attended Assembly in 2003 at Zimbabwe. 

Taking part in music at the global MWC Assemblies, I learned songs in different languages. My first impression was that it seems strange to pronounce the words of the songs. The words in other languages sometimes have similarities in my language, but it gives a very funny meaning!  

As I became used to sing those songs in different languages, I enjoyed it a lot. Learning those songs became my favourite thing to do. 

A big global family 

Singing songs in different languages, I feel that I am a part of brothers and sisters whose language I am singing. I feel united with them, their style of music and their culture. 

Singing songs of different languages with Assembly choir with brothers and sisters from different continents, also gives me a picture of heaven. 

Songs like, “Dalam Yesu/In Jesus we are one family” or “You’re not alone,” help me to consider the reality that I am part of a big global family. I have many brothers and sisters standing with me in every situation I go through. 

Song like “True evangelical faith” is most memorable for me because it always reminds me to examine my faith and encourages me to live a life as a true follower of Christ. 

Singing those songs has also united my family. When I used to practice singing songs for Assembly, especially songs of other languages, my young daughters jumped to sing those songs with me. Compared to them, I was slow learner to catch the pronunciation. We as a family spent many hours learning those songs together unitedly. 

Building respect and curiosity 

What I learned at Assembly has come to the church I served. I have taught many different languages songs, like “Som’Landela,” “We want peace,” “Hakuna akaita sa Jesu,” Solo el a more, “Siyahamba” “Alabare,” “Tapaiko cheuma” (I am your child), “Segala puji syukur” (Shout for joy), “Kirisuto no heiwa” (May the peace of Christ), etc. 

I have translated some of these songs into Hindi so that church members could enjoy learning and singing those songs easy. Singing in English and Hindi gives us clarity about the message of the song, which is important for conviction and participation. People are usually more confident singing in a language they understand as well.  

But I usually encourage people to sing at least one verse or the chorus in the original language. 

When our church members to learn different words in a foreign language helps people experience the global nature of the song; it builds respect and curiosity for other cultures and makes the moment feel more united and meaningful. Ultimately it helps the congregation to find themselves united with the global family. 

Understanding God’s Spirit 

One of the members in my congregation shared that singing different languages songs helped her to understand God’s gratefulness. It can be seen in the language, pattern of music and culture. Even though we might not understand the meaning fully while singing songs from different languages, we feel that God has bestowed God’s joy and spirit in the language and music. 

Singing song like “You are not alone” helped her to understand that we are united. We share our pain and joy with each other and also stand in difficult situations with each other. 

Singing Assembly songs helped her to understand that she has a place in congregation as a part of the family to care for the other members of the family who are in need. 

In conclusion, I would like to say that Assembly songs have been very effective force to unite the church in their understanding for God, their place and role for the global family. 

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