Our Story

God’s Family Choir is a big family, mainly made of students and alumni of UR – CST (College of Sciences and Technology) (former KIST), alumni of CMHS (College of Medicine and Health Sciences) (former KHI) and CASS (College of Arts and Social Sciences), and others. Its origin began with group made by Adventist students, in order to pray together during morning and evening prayers. Most of former KIST and KHI students had come far away in different parts of country. So it was difficult for them to use local churches outside of campus on Sabbath. Some used SDA English church which was in the plot of SDA Rwanda Union Mission nowadays. 

In 1998 that prayer group started Sabbath School and divine services. Those programs were conducted by those who had experiences about church programs with help of Adventist staff members, Adventist soldiers from Camp Kigali and visitors from surrounding local churches. The leaders created small group of singers called “KIST-KHI Choir”, which was not only in charge of singing and praising but also all church duties. At the beginning KIST-KHI Choir was made by almost 26 singers. For some of them, it was their first time to be in choir, that’s why it was difficult for them to sing. In order to handle that problem, they create friendship with famous choirs like Patmos Choir, Friends of Jesus Choir and others, so that they should help them in voice practice. Because of not having their own songs, they used to sing ones of other choirs or translated songs of foreigner choirs.

Most of prayer group were members of KIST-KHI Choir, with many responsibilities because of many difficulties like writing weekly letter applying for a place (room) to use in praying programs and others. Sometimes it seems to be impossible to get the place. The first problem they had that they did not have the mother church which should be in charge of them. These difficulties finally led campus to the best idea of two official students’ associations, which were: KHISGA for students of former KHI and KISTAS for students in former KIST. By this reason, in 2000 by the means of Seventh Day Adventist leaders of Nyamirambo Evangelical district and KIST and KHI staff, it was put in consideration, decided and established ASA KIST-KHI “Adventist Student Association from KIST & KHI”. From that time, the association became official and allowed to use different buildings (rooms) of both institutes (KIST and KHI) in Nyarugenge campus while praying. 

After two years from ASA KIST-KHI establishment, in 2002, the KIST-KHI Choir members came up with idea of having special name of their choir. Among different many names suggested, they chose the one which was given by one member called “Angelique”, and all decided to call it “God’s family Choir”. This is because all members loved and helped each other like brothers and sisters in family of God (God’s sons and daughters). They kept loving each other and preach word of God through songs, and then other choir in association came after. By its development and becoming beloved by many people, God’s Family Choir members was increased slowly up to around three hundreds members today. Some of these members are still students, others are alumni. 

Today, God’s Family Choir is preaching the word of God in University of Rwanda Nyarugenge Campus, and its developing in all domains (best songs, singers capacity, preaching the gospel of Jesus abroad) is growing. 

 In order to improve its mission of god’s word preaching, in May 2015, the choir governance was changed. At the first time, Chairperson was elected, who has in charge to supervise choir by advising it daily, keeping the stability of choir and its progresses guide the lest elected leaders in their duties, in order to let them know the standard strategies, goals achieving and targets. Chairperson of choir must be one who is more experienced in choir, alumni from former KIST and KHI (UR Nyarugenge Campus). It was not only Chairperson who was elected at first time but also Alumni Coordinator

GOD’S FAMILY CHOIR’S GOALS

• Evangelical mission in University of Rwanda Nyarugenge Campus, campus surrounding and abroad by sensing spiritual songs, by the means of concert, launching Audio and DVD albums.
• Activities and works which rise the development of choir.

GOD’S FAMILY CHOIR’S VALUES

Every family has its own special values, this causes its members to be closely together or cause it to be together with other families. By the grace of God, God’s family has the following values:

• God respectful life by being the light of the world.
• Humility and being under Holly Spirit control
• Gospel workers.
• Having time to pray.
• Being trusty worthy people. 
• Kindness and discipline.
• Good governance and freedom in choir members.
• Courage and motivation on mission 
• True love, unit and brotherhood as God’s sons and daughters.
• Fellowship among members, especially new ones.

Prepared By NSHIMIYIMANA Kizito