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 Music saturates African life. Emotion—whether it’s joy, sadness or grief—is expressed through song. Africans sing while they work, sing while in mourning, and sing when going into battle. Old men sing outside their homes strumming hand-made harps. Mothers sing as they pound cassava, babies bouncing passively on their backs.
As a missionary ethnodoxologist, I study the way people worship God through song. From creation (Job 38:1-7) to the end of time (Rev.5:6-14), God has, and will continue to use, music to declare his glory. In scripture, song is used to praise God, to evangelize unbelievers, and to strengthen the faith of the saints.
Missionary ethnodoxologist, Wendy Atkins One of my roles is to help church musicians understand what scripture teaches about music. I challenge Christian leaders to put scripture to song in a way that people relate to. We call it heart music; songs that reach deeply into the core of a person and communicate God’s life-changing message. Whereas traditional Zande songs glorify sexual relationships, jealousy, alcohol, and witchcraft, my aim is to encourage indigineous song-writing that supplies a biblical answer to the needs of the people.
These songs have the potential to permeate society as people sing and dance to them not only in church but in markets, at funerals, and evening campfires. Unreached people groups are also attracted to the Good News as they hear the Bible explained through culturally-relevant music.
"We anticipate the day when people from every tribe, every language group, and every musical style will be singing and dancing before the throne"When my good friend Ruta was dying, I would go into her home each morning singing a song based on Psalms 27 that she and I had taught to various women’s groups. “The Lord is my light and my salvation. Of whom shall I be afraid?” Several days before her death she was able to mouth those words along with me.
I think too of a recent funeral I attended. Musicians—churchgoers who took part in training seminar—sang a newly-composed song based on Rev.21:4 – “he will wipe every tear from their eyes.” As they stood around the body and sang, mourners joined in. We were comforted but also challenged to reflect on our own relationship with the Lord in light of eternity. 
In recent years, God has been making many missionaries aware of the critical role the arts can play in cross cultural ministry. As we teach God’s word through song, I believe that African people will be transformed—not only in their beliefs, but in how they live. God’s Word will not return void.
With this promise in our hearts, we anticipate the day when people from every tribe, every language group, and every musical style will be singing and dancing before the throne, bringing worship to our great God. Don’t be surprised if you can’t find me right away; I’ll be celebrating with the Africans!
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