SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Praising God through music was a dominant theme as a relatively small but enthusiastic congregation of worshipers came out for the service on Sunday at Yellowknife's newest place of worship.

Pastor Lovingson Mtongwiza preaches at the Miracle Arena for All Nations Church on Sunday morning. Yellowknife's newest place of worship has been welcoming worshipers since January. The new church took over the space in the Stanton Plaza previously occupied by the Glad Tidings Church. - John McFadden/NNSL photo

The Miracle Arena for All Nations has been in operation at the Stanton Plaza since the beginning of the year. It is run by Pastor Lovingson Mtongwiza who not only preaches but played the drums during several hymns.

Unlike most churches, the music carried on while the pastor continued to preach to his followers. Four women made up the gospel choir and they were accompanied by an organist.

The church has a strong emphasis on gospel music - hymns were sung in both English and African languages, including Zulu. The entire congregation got involved in the musical side of the service - everybody sang including youngsters, some of whom danced and played the tambourine during the hymns.

"Worshiping the Lord through song is an important part of our service because it is our opportunity to thank our God for all that He has done," Mtongwiza said. "Our teaching of the word of God is as intense as our worship through singing and dancing."

Mtongwiza, who immigrated to Canada from Africa, has been in Yellowknife for the last six years. He said he was asked by representatives of the mother church in Toronto to start a branch in Yellowknife.

"I do a little work on the streets, talk to people on the streets as well as the hospital and the jail. I always look for the people who are downtrodden. I was looking for something to address that," Mtongwiza said. "We deliver people from evil. Look where we are right now - there are people with alcohol issues, drug issues and people with various diseases which is what Jesus addressed. It is still something that people do not understand."

Mtongwiza said that he feels strongly that his church is addressing those types of issues as well if not better than other churches in the city. He said that is why they have a service on Friday at 10 p.m. to offer alternatives to lifestyles that may not be working for some people.

The church was founded in Toronto in 2011 by Prophet Kofi Danso. It now has several branches in the Toronto area and has expanded to other countries as well. Mtongwiza said he met Danso in Toronto and he encouraged Mtongwiza to start a branch in Yellowknife. He said that he is not 100 per cent sure where the name of the church came from but added it's fairly self-explanatory.

"It is an arena where miracles happen. It's as simple as that," he said. The all-nations part of the name refers to the fact that the church welcomes all races of people.

The space was previously occupied by the Glad Tidings Fellowship Church. Its former pastor Richard Birch and his wife Rebecca own Rebecca's Flowers next door in the Stanton Plaza. He said they turned the space over to the new church on New Year's Day.

"Even though my wife and I are not directly involved in the new church we still feel like we are a part of it," said Richard.

Besides Friday night, the church holds services at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Sundays and at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays.

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