Alarm Ministries, one of Rwanda’s pioneering gospel music and evangelical groups, is set to celebrate 26 years of praise and worship with a special concert dubbed “Iyo Niyo Data Live Concert.” The event will take place on November 30, at Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village (KCEV). Unlike previous concerts, this year’s edition will be a solo performance as no artiste was invited to join them on stage. According to the organisers, this decision aims to give the group enough time to perform at least 24 songs, part of its extensive catalog. “We used to invite other performers and ended up performing only six songs,” explained Ministry president Benjamin Serugo. “This time, we plan to perform up to 24 of our own songs, enough to take our audience through the journey of our ministry since 1999,” he added. ALSO READ: From rejection to stardom: The story of Alarm Ministries’ 20-year journey A journey rooted in faith and purpose Founded in 1999 by a group of 15 young Christians aged between 18 and 25, Alarm Ministries emerged during a time when choral music and organised gospel groups were still new in Rwanda’s post-genocide context. Despite the difficult beginnings, the group remained steadfast in its mission and that was to share the Gospel of Christ and promote unity, healing, and hope through music. According to Serugo, the vision of Alarm Ministries is to nurture a complete and mature servant of God, equipped for every good work, as written in 2 Timothy 3:16–17: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” “Our mission of Alarm Ministries is to promote the holistic well-being of humanity, based on a sound mind and spirit in a healthy body,” he noted. “All its activities aim to empower individuals mentally, socially, economically, and spiritually, enabling them to live a fulfilling life grounded in faith, self-reliance, and dignity.” Following its legal registration in 2009, Alarm Ministries established its headquarters in Remera Sector, Gasabo District, where it continues to operate. Over the years, the ministry has grown from a small local choir into an international gospel organization. In 2016, it expanded to the DR Congo, launching peacebuilding and church-planting programs in conflict-affected regions. By 2023, Alarm had officially established chapters in the United States and Canada, later extending to Sweden and the Netherlands, where it is finalizing legal registration to operate. The group has recorded about 11 albums and has over 400 songs, some of which are not included in the albums. Beyond its musical achievements, Alarm Ministries has made tangible contributions to Rwanda’s social and community development. Through its outreach programs, the organization has conducted gender-based violence prevention campaigns in Rulindo District, supporting children reintegrated into families. Their influence has also shaped Rwanda’s gospel music industry, inspiring numerous choirs and groups that later formed their own ministries. Alarm has been recognized with multiple honors, including three Groove Awards and accolades from the Salax Awards. “Staying true to our mission, Alarm Ministries will continue promoting evangelism and spiritual growth by training people to love and serve God. It will also strengthen development programs aimed at empowering its members, youth, women, and other beneficiaries,” he added. Tickets are available for purchase at www.tickets.authenticevents.rw at Rwf 50,000, Rwf25,000, Rwf 20,000 and Rwf 10,000.
