Rev. Dr. Ernest Edwin Mall was an anointed man of God and a spiritual father, brother and a friend to many. Ernest Mall was noted not only for his incredible vocal talent, but for his ability to put into song his love, adoration and praise for his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Powerfully-voiced with a talent for improvisation that knew no bounds, listening to him sing was simply awe-inspiring. His love for the traditional Zaboors (Psalms) of the church was legendary, yet he also appreciated and introduced indigenous and contemporary music in the Pakistani Church. As a renowned singer, Ernest Mall has touched audiences worldwide.
Ernest Mall was known as a prolific songwriter, producer and artist but it was his impartation, encouraging spirit, humility and magnetic personality that attracted him to so many people. He crossed major barriers of religiosity, ethnicity, denominationalism, age and gender. He had a wealth of knowledge and was willing to share it with others. He remained faithful to serve Christ until his death and therefore, we believe, has received the crown of life. As promised by Christ, his name is written in the “Book of Life.” And in the history of the Pakistani church his name will be written in gold. I salute this celebrity, and hold the spiritual legacy he left with us in high esteem.
The greatest contribution of Ernest Mall is the introduction of a new style of worship which is uniquely interactive, inspiring and breathtaking. With devotion and vision, he invigorated and inspired the worship life of Pakistani church which was caught up with traditionalism. He challenged people to worship God with “Truth and Spirit.” He beautifully and skillfully integrated our indigenous and cultural music with worship music. He effectively took Gospel music to main stream audiences. So far, he is the only Pakistani gospel singer who has written and recorded hundreds of gospel songs in numerous languages of our time. We thank God for the gift of song that he has birthed in Gospel music. His songs have touched the lives of many people around the world. A multitude of people thronged to his services to have a glimpse of his grace and to listen to him speak and preach the gospel message though music. In his evangelistic meetings, we have witnessed hosts of people accepting and giving their lives to Jesus Christ. People experienced a gush of Holy Spirit fall upon them; great miracles happened and people were healed both physically and spiritually. Today Church people have learnt to spend hours in praise and prayers services. His songs are sung with great fervor in family and church services.
It is worth noting that though God had blessed Ernest Mall with the gift of a beautiful voice, Ernest like the “poor widow of the temple” offered this entire gift in the service of Christ. God valuing this sincere offering sanctified and multiplied his spiritual blessing, which he passionately and tirelessly used for the extension of God’s kingdom. He often talked about God’s providence which the almighty God kept showering on him. He knew very well that it is only in giving and emptying ourselves before God that God can truly fill us with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. He was thankful and contended for God’s providence and God filled him with all the good gifts.
Although he is no longer with us physically, but he has left a wonderful heritage and legacy in his unique and dynamic style of worship, inspiring songs, a dynamic style of worship, a multitude of devotees, and spiritual children for whom he was a father figure. We are grateful to God for endowing us with such a heritage and a role model. May God give us the grace and wisdom to preserve this heritage and use is abundantly for building up the body of Christ.
Growing up in the historical city of Lahore, Pakistan, as the youngest of four children, Ernest Edwin Mall was born on July 19, 1950. He was nurtured and trained in a respected Christian home. He lived in a house filled with music and love. From childhood he had taken a keen interest in music. His home was a center of love and happiness where friends and family gathered to praise and worship the Lord. His mother Esther sang melodious lullabies to him as a child. He learnt music lessons from his father Edwin Mall, and many other fine musicians of Lahore. In a very young age, he became a versatile singer. Different styles of music, as well as a strong presence in the church, helped to shape Ernest as a singer as well as a committed follower of Jesus Christ.
He won many awards both in secular and church singing without compromising his faith and devotion to his home church in Lahore (Naulakha Church). He pursued his academic education and earned Master’s degree in Economic (Pakistan) and Business Education (USA). In 1975, Ernest Mall migrated to the United States of America with his parents, older brother Kawal, and two older sisters Edna and Edith. He married Edwina Jiwan Mall of Gujranwala in 1977. His wife Edwina, promising young daughter Monica Jiwan Mall whom he loved dearly, and family supported and continue to support his ministry in the USA. In October 2004, he established “Morning Star Church” in Philadelphia, USA. He is the first Pakistani pastor to have established a church, owned solely by the Pakistani and North Indian community in the United States.
I was privileged to enjoy an exceptional and rewarding relationship with Rev. Ernest Mall. He was a good friend, a confidant, an advisor and a prayer partner. We knew each other from our youth and often participated in singing competitions and choir recital. After being inspired by his stirring gospel singing in California in 1991, I extended a sincere invitation to Ernest Mall to come to Pakistan. I had no doubt in my mind that this man of God will be a great blessing for the entire church. In March 1992, Rev. Ernest Mall and I with the patronage of Bishop Sameul Azariah of Raiwind Diocese of the Church of Pakistan established the “Pakistan Christian Music Convention” in the city of Lahore.
This convention brought a revolutionary spiritual transformation in church’s worship life. Keeping his promise for all these years, he very faithfully visited Pakistan each year to nurture people’s spirituality through Spirit filled music and the Word of God. This ground breaking event set a new trend of worship locally and globally. It played a pivotal role and was a landmark in establishing Rev. Ernest Mall’s International Ministry (EMM) all over the world. He often acknowledged and recounted this fact in his private and public meetings. His contribution to Youth Ministry in Pakistan is a result of his divine vision he had one night while he was asleep in the Diocesan Bishop’s House, at Warris Road, Lahore. The Diocese of Raiwind, Church of Pakistan is greatly indebted to Rev. Ernest Edwin Mall for bringing a great spiritual revival and teaching people to worship God in Spirit and Truth.
In the last few years of his life, I noticed an amazing steady change in Ernest Mall’s personality, which is worth mentioning. His devotion to Christ, a desire to be transformed in His likeness and to be with the Lord grew intense. He was passionately in love with Christ, and he expressed that emotion boldly through his songs, prayers and spiritual intervention. In early 90’s he sang a Christian song (gazal) which became very popular. The words of this song were:
Mujhe apne Lahu ka rung de-de; koi rung to ho mere jeene mein
Tera khoon chale meri rug rug mein, tera dil dharke mere seene mein.
It means, Lord, grant me the color of your blood, so that I may reflect your color and passion to live for others. In this song, he expressed his deep desire to be like Jesus. This song became a manifesto of his life. While singing this song, he and his listeners would often fall into a trance like meditative mood. This is one of his songs which had a great impact on my life also. It is no coincident that he chose, “Rung Liya” the title of his last music album released in May of 2008 in India, two months before his sudden death due to massive heart attack. This dedicated worshipper and loving servant of Jesus Christ expressed his great joy and a sense of achievement while singing the first song of this last album of his. The words of the song are:
Rung Liya Mujhe Rung Liya, Mujhe apne lahoo mein rung liya yesu ne
Dia apna lahu, dia apna masah, mujhe apna roop diya.
It means, “I have been completely transformed and colored into the blood of Jesus, who has given me His blood, His anointing, and His likeness.” He joyfully sang this song and appeared to be ready to see his redeemer face to face. This great devotee of Jesus left his earthly abode to be with his Savior face to face on July 14, 2008. We thank the Lord that our friend, brother and a dedicated servant of Christ has entered in the glorious presence of his beloved Lord Jesus Christ where he and all of us desire to be. It is our belief that Rev. Ernest Mall is resting peacefully in the arms of Jesus Christ, and is happily singing out his joyful praises to Christ on the biggest and most glorious stage along with angles and archangels in the presence of the most Holy of Holies. Glory be to God!