The Global Anabaptist Music Ensembles Playlist
by Rashard Allen
For many of us, a highlight of Mennonite World Conference Assembly, a global Anabaptist gathering that occurs once every six years, is the variety of international music sung during the large group worship times. Hearing music from Paraguay, Kenya, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, France, the Philippines, etc., gives us a glimpse of the beauty and diversity of Anabaptism.
In 2022, I served as a member of the International Ensemble for MWC Assembly in Indonesia. That experience led to me visiting Uganda, Tanzania, and Ghana to conduct worship training seminars with Mennonite leaders in those countries. More recently, I was asked to serve as the Music Coordinator for the upcoming Anabaptism at 500 celebration in Zürich, Zwitzerland in May 2025. Part of my work for that project was to select one ensemble each from North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. During the selection process, I discovered that there are many excellent Anabaptist groups making wonderful music, and they should be known to the larger global Anabaptist community.
Therefore, I have curated a resource where you can find videos of Anabaptist ensembles from all over the world, now available on Youtube. The playlist, called Global Anabaptist Music Ensembles, includes music from various ensembles from Latin America, Europe, Africa, North America, and Asia. All of the groups who will be a part of the Anabaptism at 500 event in Switzerland next May are included, along with many others. Many of the videos feature original music written by the ensembles. These ensembles represent the diversity of musical styles within the Anabaptist world, and even within their own countries. You will find traditional Western choral music, contemporary pop/rock, traditional and modern African sounds, and many other genres.
Currently, the playlist features the following groups:
Agape Band – Paraguay
Songs of Peace – Switzerland
Lightclubbers – France
GKMI Gloria Patri – Indonesia
JPCC Worship – Indonesia
Eastleigh Mennonite Church Choir – Kenya
KMT Upanga (Goshen Choir) – Tanzania
Kunyatanyata Mennonite Choir – Tanzania
Brethren Choral Sounds Choir – Zimbabwe
Balarampur Church Youth Fellowship – India
Tollygunge Christian Fellowship – India
Pacific Mennonite Children’s Choir – Canada
Eastern Mennonite University Chamber Singers - USA
Oasis Chorale – USA
Laudate Mennonite Ensemble - USA
I am continuing to edit and expand this playlist, and am interested to learn of other musical groups. If you know of any ensembles associated with Anabaptists that have videos on Youtube, especially from Asia, Africa, or Latin America, please contact Rashard Allen at rashard@neffmc.org. We want this playlist to be as expansive and comprehensive as possible. We hope you enjoy!
Find the playlist here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL50H8MMjyEZTOPBxTnoQvm2yYtPur1coY
Dr. Rashard Allen is the Director of Music and Worship at Neffsville Mennonite Church in Lancaster, PA. He is a graduate of the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies (DWS) and Perkins School of Theology (MSM), and has 20+ years of full-time experience in worship ministry. He is invested in introducing global and multi-ethnic worship music and practices to majority Anglo congregations, worship theology, and worship renewal in the North American church.