29th July 2023: Over hundred gospel music artists gathered in Miracle Ground International Church for Gospel Music Conference organized by Brigap Orgainzation. The Brigap Gospel music Conference 2023 was the first of its kind in South Sudan for Gospel singers, instrumentalists, producers, music directors, media professionals and pastors to discuss critical issues affecting the gospel music ministry in South Sudan.

The gospel artists were drawn from about 45 different churches and christian ministries in Juba, denominational and nondenominational alike, according to the records of the attendance sheet collected.

The Conference tackled important issues such as music and spirituality, the importance of unity and humility in the ministry, the identity and lifestyle of a minister, the role of the church in promoting gospel music and the sustainability of the gospel music ministry.

Moses Kara, a prominent South Sudanese Bible and music teacher, said music is as old as the human existence; in fact, it is older than the universe because angels were created before the physical world and all they could do was to worship God through music and singing.

Mama Clare, a veteran gospel Singer, spoke about the importance of being united and remaining humble in the ministry because God resists the proud and give grace to the humbled.

Rev. Thomas Oyet suggested that there should be a technical body that can regulate, check and endorse song lyrics before they are produced and released to the public. This will ensure that the message being disseminated through the music is authentic.

On whether the gospel Artists should be paid or not, Rev. Emmanuel Otto Matthew, the Founder and Senior Pastor of God Is The Answer Church, said that there should be a clear distinction between artists whose motives are to preach and those whose motives are to gain fame and money.

The issue of paying gospel artists for their ministry in the church and outside remain a controversial topic of discussion in South Sudan Church. Gospel singers, instrumentalists think they should be supported because it takes energy and money to produce quality work of arts. Most pastors, on the other hands, are against this idea, citing that ministry should not be commercialized.

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