After three decades of ministry through music, Patmos Choir is set to celebrate its 30th anniversary with a special concert highlighting its journey of faith, service, and resilience. The choir traces its roots to 1996, when a group of friends who had attended the same Seventh-day Adventist secondary school in the Democratic Republic of the Congo reunited in Kigali to perform at a friend's wedding. Many of them had sung together during their school years, but their lives were disrupted by the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Upon returning to Rwanda, they decided to continue using music as a ministry to serve God and bring comfort to people recovering from the tragedy. Founded officially in 1996 with 35 members, Patmos Choir has since released eight audio albums and three video albums. Its mission has been to draw people closer to God through music while delivering messages of hope during one of the country's most difficult periods. Despite facing various challenges over the years, the choir has remained active and now has 22 members. Patmos Choir is widely known for gospel songs such as Isi Irashaje, Twifitiye Amazu Meza, and Nzi Yesu, among others, which have earned it a loyal following among gospel music enthusiasts. Our goal was to comfort people and bring them closer to God after the tragedy our country had experienced, said choir member Eugénie Mushimiyimana during a media briefing. We knew that music has the power to touch people's hearts, so we chose it as a way of sharing hope and the gospel. The anniversary celebration, dubbed the Timeless Praise Concert, will take place on August 15 at the Kigali Convention Centre. According to the choir's vocal coach and pianist, Aimable Niyonzima, the concert will feature 30 songs performed by a team of 30 singers, symbolizing the choir's 30 years of ministry. Niyonzima said the event will not only celebrate the choir's rich history but also serve as an opportunity to thank God for guiding the ministry throughout its three-decade journey. Also Read: Gospel group True Promises to perform in Kampala and Mbarara Beyond its musical ministry, Patmos Choir has also been actively involved in community outreach. According to the choir's president, Eduard Barema, members have supported church construction projects and assisted vulnerable elderly people in different communities. The Timeless Praise Concert is expected to celebrate Patmos Choir's remarkable musical journey while reaffirming its enduring commitment to faith, service, and community over the past three decades.
