Voice of 'Music & the Spoken Word' Travels to Nairobi, Kenya

On Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at Upper Hill Chapel in Nairobi, Kenya, choirs and singers gathered from throughout the Nairobi area and beyond to join in a musical celebration of praise and worship. They listened to local leaders, special guest speaker Derrick Porter of “Music and the Spoken Word,” and others as they shared their experiences with and love for the sacred music of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

The meeting was conducted by Elder Johnny O. Baddoo, an Area Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He began his opening remarks by quoting the scripture in Doctrine and Covenants 25:12, which states, “For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads.” 

He added, “Music is more than just sound; music is a form of worship. It is also a form of appreciation for what our Heavenly Father has done for us. Music softens a troubled heart. Music heals a wounded soul and carries us closer to heaven.”

Following his remarks, Elder Baddoo introduced Dr. Charles Mulli, founder of Mully Children’s Family (MCF) and friend of the Church, who brought his own children’s choir to join in the celebration.

“I’m so full of joy in my heart for having gotten this opportunity to join all of you, the Saints,” said Mulli. 

He went on to speak of unity as we come “to be together with the brethren, brothers and sisters, irrespective of color, of creed, of tribe; we are one in Jesus Christ.”

Dr. Mulli's “MCF Mission Choir” then delighted the audience with two musical numbers, one in English and one in Swahili. 

Following their performance, Sister Christina Kyambadde, who flew in from Uganda for the occasion, favored the audience with her rendition of “His Eye is on the Sparrow.”

More music followed with the Nairobi-Kenya Campus Institute Choir singing “Redeemer of Israel” and the Nairobi West Stake Choir singing “Come Ye Children of the Lord.”

The congregation was privileged to hear from Brother Porter, who had made his first trip to Africa, traveling from Salt Lake City, Utah, to participate in this special event. He expressed his love for music, explaining that “Music has this ability to invite the spirit of the Lord into our lives, to build testimony and faith, to lift our spirits, to give us courage, and to inspire us to endure to the end.”

Brother Porter also called on several members from the various choirs to share their feelings about the music of the Gospel and its influence in their lives.

“Sacred music and hymns have brought a lot of peace to me,” said Sheffield Mwongela Masaku. “One of the things is that when I feel down and anxious, I just go and open hymns or even listen to them. I feel a soothing feeling in my heart, I feel a lot of peace, and this makes me understand that even when I am facing those struggles and challenges, that He still remembers me.” 

Others expressed how music helped them to recognize their true identity, soften their hearts and understand the gospel of Jesus Christ. Kennedy Munyao Ndinda explained how many times when he can’t find words, what he feels in his heart is “clearly expressed in the hymns, the sacred hymns that we sing,”  to which Brother Porter remarked, “The power of the Spirit that comes through singing sometimes is even beyond words; sometimes it is just deep in our heart.”

Monica Wasonga also shared her feelings: “Whenever I am faced with challenges and I sing the sacred hymns, it brings peace to my soul. It gives a sense of direction in my life, and through the sacred music, I have courage to even overcome the temptations. Through the sacred music, we are taught the gospel of Jesus Christ, and through that, it strengthens and fortifies my faith in Jesus Christ.”

Brother Porter replied, “This is true for any of us, young or old, that as we sing these sacred hymns of the Savior, they can strengthen us and strengthen our connection with Jesus Christ.”

There were heartfelt performances by the Imani Singers, the Nairobi East Stake Choir and a special duet by Pythagore Matubu and Anges Mambassa, two of the Tabernacle Choir’s global participants who flew in from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to participate in the celebration. 

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To wrap up the special evening, Elder Thierry Mutombo, President of the Africa Central Area, bore his own witness of the power of music in his life. He spoke of his humble life growing up in the DRC and the joy that the music of the gospel brought to him as it filled his home on a daily basis. 

He went on to quote President Oaks, “Sacred music has a unique capacity to communicate our feelings of love for the Lord. This kind of communication is a wonderful aid to our worship.”

Elder Mutombo added, “Singing the hymns of Zion unifies us with Jesus Christ” and expressing his gratitude that “we could come together, as sons and daughters of God to worship him tonight through the power of music.”

After a closing hymn and prayer, there was much goodwill and love shown as members and guests visited together. As a special treat, the MCF Mission Choir gathered for an encore performance that delighted all in attendance and ended the evening with joyful music.