Hey Friends, this report is to share with you the good things I saw the Lord doing during my spring 2019 missions trip to Czech Republic, Austria, and Ukraine April 24 – May 18. God is on the move!
Project #1: Fusiondary Youth Choir Festival in Czech Republic
In the Czech Republic I served with a very creative and innovative youth evangelism movement called Fusiondary, a youth choir outreach program of Josiah Venture a missions organization that partners with churches throughout central Europe. Over 900 teenagers from 9 different nations participated in 45 pop/rock youth choirs for a weekend of learning, celebration and experiencing the gospel.
My role was to teach songwriting as one of several “Inspire Me” learning tracks offered during the event. Encouraging youth in developing their creativity and skills is part of the vision of the Fusion ministry.
This is one method I share the gospel, using my songs and stories about Jesus to teach young people how to write their own songs.
The Fusion Choir movement has been growing for over 10 years and is currently one of the most effective youth evangelism projects happening in central/eastern Europe. Several young participants told me they had never been to church, and became Christians primarily because of their experience meeting the Lord through the Fusion Choir. God is moving!
At the end of the four day choir conference, I caught a ride to Vienna on the bus of the group from Slovenia. That was a wonderful trip, the kids sang non-stop the entire 3+ hours of the journey. The sounded like the von Trapp family.
We arrived in Vienna with just minutes to spare before I had a bit of an adventure to catch the train(s) to head north to Horn, Austria for my next assignment.
It’s always more than a little complicated when I’m traveling to multiple locations on a missions trip.
PROJECT #2: S.I.M. Leadership / Mentorship Training in Austria
My project in Horn was quite different, leading worship and being a type of “spiritual director” for a week-long SIM leadership-mentor intensive. Serving In Mission(SIM) is one of the world’s oldest and largest missionary organizations, with over 4000 missionaries deployed on 6 continents in 70 countries, they “bring the good news to communities where Jesus Christ is least known through missions” serving some of the most difficult-to-reach people on Earth.
This was an incredible experience to co-labor with this group of heroic missionaries. They are some of the smartest, most inspiring people I’ve had the joy to meet. They serve sacrificially in the most challenging circumstances.
Rob – we can not thank you enough for these wonderful mornings when you bring us into His presence! Thank you for coming to bless workers like us.
SIM Missionaries, May 2019
In the USA, and especially in the Nashville area where I live, we have such a consumeristic mentality that people take music and worship leadership for granted. Not out in the mission field, these guys were so appreciative, and these times of worship really ministered to their souls.
This is only possible because of those who support our trips and help me go serve overseas. Thank you!
There was a prophetic purpose too, as the Lord released more of His Spirit through our gathered worship – giving wisdom, revelation, guidance, unity and strategic direction to our group. Awesome experience!
PROJECT #3: Kiev, Ukraine: Music in Worship Conference, UETS
After a week in Austria with SIM, I flew to Kiev, Ukraine to be part of the international teaching team for the 4th annual Music In Worship Conference at the Ukrainian Theological Evangelical Seminary. The theme was … Be A Voice, Not An Echo.
This was the biggest and best conference yet, the Lord is really doing a good work in Ukraine. One highlight was the spirit of unity and creativity in the body of Christ, and the excellence of the students.
I taught on songwriting with a fellow named Mattias from Germany, that was really cool to collaborate with him.
I taught several classes throughout the conference on worship leading, Biblical foundations, songwriting. I was also on a few panel discussions and would lead some of the worship in English, though most of it was in Ukrainian or Russian. There were about 300 people from all over Ukraine representing every possible denomination including Baptists, Reformed, Orthodox, Pentecostal, charismatic and non-denominational.
Our team was assembled with outstanding academic instructors from Los Angeles, Nashville, London, Coventry, England and Germany.
The week after the conference I stayed and taught in the regular seminary classes.
Summing it Up
This was a great trip, three countries and 24 days of ministering in very different contexts, once again I am very grateful for the folks who prayed and supported our mission. Much of the type of ministry I’ve done with SIM and Ukraine I have discussed in greater detail in my previous trip reports. These are such important and strategic organizations to be serving, it’s a joy to be part of them!
Two More Trips for 2019
I have two more trips on the docket for 2019. Next I will serve with a different group of SIM missionaries in the global leadership-mentorship program in northern Italy in late September, after that I’ll spend a few days at Nexus Worship School in England before heading to Ukraine to teach at UETS.
In November I have a mission trip planned to Bangladesh (and perhaps Sri Lanka will be added on).
God is on the move!
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