Slavic Gospel Association Canada
Thursday July 29th, 2010
Music is a vital part of worship and also a powerful outreach ministry in the evangelical churches of the CIS. Through sponsorship of music education efforts, SGA partners play a key part in equipping Russian Christians to lead worship and outreach ministries.
Music is very important to Russian Christians. Their songs, often in minor keys, are representative of a people who have endured great persecution in the past, yet are steadfast in their sure hope in the Gospel and eternal life in Christ. Since the fall of communism, new churches have been planted across the lands of Russia at a great pace. There is an overwhelming need to train biblical worship leaders, choir directors and children’s music teachers for these new congregations. Since a typical new church is 90 % new believers, teaching them to sing becomes a top priority.
North American churches with biblically-sound worship ministries can help our brothers and sisters across the CIS in a significant way, especially in conjunction with the Antioch Initiative. A growing number of choirs have begun to partner in the support of music training efforts in the developing Antioch churches. Each region of Russia is waiting for its own church music academy to be established and partner churches are helping them accomplish this vital goal. It is truly amazing to see how the Lord uses trained musical teams as a part of overall community evangelism and ministry. Music often opens great doors for ministry in orphanages, schools, hospitals, prisons, and community centers where access for Bible-preaching churches would otherwise be limited.