MGM Festival 2025: A Day of Equipping and Celebrating the Vibrancy of Local Gospel Talent

 

The Malaysian Gospel Music (MGM) Festival 2025 lit up the church of Every Nation Church Malaysia, Bandar Puchong Jaya, on 5th September this year with a vibrant gathering of worshippers, musicians, and the wider Christian community. From the morning’s equipping workshops to the evening’s powerful concert, the festival once again affirmed its role as one of the nation’s most anticipated events for those passionate about worship and the growth of gospel music in Malaysia.

 

 

This year’s festival was more than just a day of music. It was an opportunity for the body of Christ to come together to learn, to fellowship, and to worship as one. Like every year, the event was designed to be both accessible and meaningful, with a wonderful sampling of the depth and breadth of local talent while having a meaningful purpose of shaping future talents who were eager to hone their music-ministry skills while being refreshed in God’s presence.

 

 

A Day of Equipping

The festival began at 9:00 AM with a series of workshops facilitated by experienced pastors, musicians, and leaders who volunteered to share their expertise. The workshops were planned such that there was something for everyone – whether a vocalist, instrumentalist, songwriter, or church media volunteer. The teachers were:

 

Pr Carmen Wong – guided participants in vocal techniques, helping singers strengthen their voice while learning how to minister effectively through song.

Pr Timothy Lim – taught on worship leading, offering insights on how to draw congregations into authentic encounters with God rather than performances.

Pr Neil Batiancila – unpacked the dynamics of playing together as a band, reminding teams that unity and sensitivity are as important as musical excellence.

Elder Raymond Tan and Pr Ng Wah Lok – conducted the songwriting workshop, encouraging participants to write songs that not only reflect biblical truth but also carry a distinctly Malaysian voice.

Pr Leon Lim – led the session on media, discussing how visual, sound, and technology can be employed to minister the message of worship if approached with intentionality.

 

The workshops were split into two sessions so that attendees could sit out on various topics and have more exposure. The atmosphere was lively and humble, with enthusiastic questions, lively discussions, and the sense of God empowering His people for greater ministry.

 

 

An Evening of Praise

As the sun set, the festival shifted gears into an evening concert that transformed the church hall into a vibrant sanctuary of praise. Worshippers filled the venue, ready to be led into God’s presence by a line-up of gifted Malaysian gospel artists.

The concert featured performances by Joanne Yeoh, Yuin Lu, Ignite FCC, Wondersigns, Sabrina Lee, Patrick Leong, and Ken Leong – each bringing their unique style, yet united in one purpose: to glorify God.

 

 

A soaring instrumental performance by Ken Leong on the saxophone and a medley by Patrick Leong set the mood to a vibrant tapestry of heartfelt original worship songs, the music carried by both artistry and anointing. The atmosphere was likewise of great breadth – from contemplative pieces by Wondersigns, Sabrina Lee and Yuin Lu about the magnitude of God’s love to energetic performances by the young band members of Ignite FCC celebrating the sovereignty of God’s power and even instrumental pieces by the violinist Joanne Yeoh.  It was more than just a concert – it was the sound of the Malaysian Church singing together as one body. 

 

 

A highlight for many was the opportunity to hear locally-crafted gospel songs that reflect the heart and journey of believers in Malaysia. For some, it was their first time experiencing such a broad showcase of homegrown talent. For others, it was a reminder that God continues to raise up voices and songs from within our nation for His glory.

 

 

MGM’s Vision in Action

In his opening speech, MGM President Pastor Dr Nicholas Wu shared about the foundation and forming of the Malaysian Gospel Music (MGM) fellowship. An overarching vision is that the Malaysian Christian community would birth a culture that celebrates our own homegrown talent and that, together, we can create an environment that not only worship God but do so through our own voices and from deep within the hearts and context of our identities as Malaysians. In line with this, the night was not just a concert. It was also an appreciation event for the achievements of local Gospel talents, some of which have a global reach that amount to millions in views and shares. 

   

 

The vision of MGM has remained the same over the years. Ever since the organization was set up in 2011, Malaysian Gospel Music has worked towards raising the standard of gospel music in Malaysia and creating platforms for Malaysian Christian artists. MGM has, throughout the years, organized concerts, workshops, showcases, and even an album of original music featuring songs written by Malaysians. Their School of Worship, launched in 2014 with Bob Fitts, is one of their flagship programs to train worship leaders and musicians to influence the worship culture in their local churches.

 

 

The Festival is MGM’s long-term vision in its most celebratory form. Every year, the event is built around three pillars:

 

1. Equipping – Empowering worship leaders, musicians, and media teams with skills and tools to minister to their congregations more effectively.
2. Celebrating – Giving a stage on which local gospel artists are able to share their God-given abilities with a larger community.
3. Uniting – Gathering believers from different denominations and backgrounds under one roof to worship God as one

 

The 2025 edition was no exception. From the hands-on training in the morning to the moving worship in the evening, the day carried a clear thread: the growth of both the heart and craft of worship in Malaysia.

 

 

Unity in Diversity

One of the loveliest aspects of this festival was the oneness that was so evident among the participants. Participants came from churches great and small, traditional and contemporary. So too with the performers. Some were seasoned musicians; others were relatively new talents. But all shared a common bond: their love for Jesus and their desire to bring Him glory in music.

 

 

In a world where divisions can so easily be formed, MGM is still a model of how praise can transcend boundaries. All the successes were enjoyed together as one and the festival was not bothered with who had the best worship band in their church or which artist was most popular. Instead, it was about the collective bringing of praise from God’s people in Malaysia.

 

A Day to Remember

As the final couple of notes of the night concert echoed and the people were still conversing, lingering, and fellowshipping, there was a palpable sense that MGM Festival 2025 had served its purpose. It was a day of refining craft, going deeper in terms of understanding, and most of all, encountering God again through worship.

 

 

For many, the festival provided not only practical training but also spiritual refreshment. Musicians were challenged that their gift matters in the kingdom of God. Worship leaders were encouraged that they are called not just to perform but also to serve. Songwriters were challenged to compose melodies and lyrics that will bring voice to the faith of the Malaysian Church.

 

 

As MGM grows and innovates, the festival stands as a testament that God is creating a new generation of worshippers and artists in Malaysia. From humble beginnings in 2011 to this year’s milestone celebration, MGM has remained faithful to its purpose – and the fruits are evident.

Whether through future albums, schools of worship, or upcoming festivals, MGM’s commitment is the same: to observe the standard of gospel music in Malaysia increase, and to observe believers trained to glorify God with their abilities. From the first chord struck in the morning to the last song sung at night, MGM Festival 2025 was truly a celebration of God’s work in Malaysia.

 

 

 

Christianity Malaysia is deeply grateful to MGM Fellowship for their warm hospitality and generous help in making this article possible. All photos here were kindly contributed by MGM. A video recording of the concert will be shared once it’s available.

 

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