Brief
History of NKST Choir Ministry
About us: NKST is an acronym which stands for: Nongo
u Kristu u i Ser u sha Tar. Translated Universal Reformed Christian Church
The Dutch Reformed Church Missionaries started the
work among the Tiv on 17th April, 1911. After many years, the Sudan
United Missionaries took over from the DRCM
One of those who came from the DRCM was Rev. Botha
who was a good singer. Among them also was Karl Zimmerman who was a linguist.
Zimmerman would translate the hymns from Dutch to Hausa language where they
would manage to teach the people since the people at Sai understood Hausa and
subsequently they translated the hymns to Tiv language.
The first hymn to be translated was from the living
hymns number 546, a hymn composed by Helen .A. Lannel. “TURN YOUR EYES UNTO
JESUS…”, which in Tiv hymn book is number 164.
These hymns were first written in Greek and later
translated to Latin, Dutch, English and Tiv language respectively. Mr. De Lange
was gifted in teaching the hymns; we can now say he was the first choir master
(teacher) of the NKST hymns.
In the year 1934, Dr. Sussan Cok one of the
missionaries from DRCM felt that, the Tiv converts be permitted to write hymns
in their language, it was this time at Jato-Aka (Turan Station) that Kainyam
Lyemen brought his song. However, the song was not approved due to lack of
theological and Evangelism bias. “M er asenge a an-iase kuma mer alu kwase amo,
Yesu soo imba la gaoo, Aondo kpa shi soo imba la zee…”, Meaning, I attempted
courting my open teeth girl to stay with me, but Jesus hates it, so God also
hates it.
As time goes on, with the leadership of the Holy
Spirit and instructions of the missionaries, reformation came among the Tiv
singers and the very person brought an approved song, now there are more than
300 hymns composers in NKST.
These songs were sang without instruments. The DRCM
missionaries believe that instruments would strike a Tiv man to dance, since
dancing was the hobby of a Tiv man. Until 1961 when the DRCM handed over the
work to Sudan United Mission that the Synod approved singing with instruments.
Leadership
in NKST Choir Ministry
The following are the leaders of the ministry; most
of them have gone to be with the Lord.
1. Dr.
Sussan Cok
2. Rev.
Tar Shande
3. Mr.
Ahile Amu
4. Evangelist
Gbaaondo Samu JP
5. Evangelist
Awarga Enger
6. Mr.
J.T. Tomor
The above leaders did tremendously well and they
were called chairmen. The synod finally approved the name “Director” for
leaders of the choir ministry. The following served under the name:
1. Rev.
P.T. Atir - 2000 – 2004
2. Rev.
K. Tyogyer Angwe - 2004 – 2008
3. Rev.
J.T. Aernyi - 2009 till date
NKST operates English choir as well which is aimed
at reaching the unreached as stated in Acts. 1:8 and Matt. 28:19. The vision
and mission are same.
The English choir started on the 18th
August, 2001 under the steering committee, led by Christopher Shirsha. Under
the directorship of Rev. P.T. Atir.
The committee included:
1. Late
Christopher Shirsha - Chairman
2. Arch.
Gideon Agber - Member
3. Mrs.
Rebecca Agbo - Member
4. Mr.
Dzer Nor - Member
5. Simon
Amokaha - Member
6. Aondoaver
Nyam - Member
7. Samuel
Mbaakaa - Member
The English choir now covers 50 consistories across
NKST.
