Since 2014, Music Mission Ukraine has been caring for thousands of internally displaced Ukrainians. These are people who have fled their homes, often with only the clothes on their back because of the war raging in Ukraine. Some live in Kyiv. Others live near the war zone. MMUC sends blankets, Bibles, candles, food, medications and other essential living supplies to those in need. Many of these are elderly widows. Programs serving internally displaced people in Kyiv include members of KSOC, who bring comfort through prayers, music, Bible and music education activities for IDP children.
The Kyiv Symphony Orchestra and Chorus (KSOC) is the musical arm of MMUC. KSOC shares friendship evangelism concerts throughout Ukraine. Recently Music Mission Ukraine Canada sponsored concerts in Ukraine including Zaparojhe, Lviv, Irpin, Lutsk, Ostroh National University and Rivne.. KSOC also travels to Canada from time to time to share the gospel and stories of God’s grace.
Evangelism and discipleship are core to all Music Mission Ukraine Canada activities. Bible distribution and Bible teaching are part of all of our programs. All friendship-evangelism outreach concerts of the Kyiv Symphony Orchestra and Chorus are rich in Biblical content. Many concerts are sung in the Ukrainian language, with words projected on large screen to enhance clarity and understanding. MMUC missionary Kim Janzen currently leads a weekly prayer meeting of widows, a weekly “Experiencing God” Bible study for pensioners, and two Saturday morning Bible lessons that reach over 400 pensioners each week, and a weekly Bible study for youth.
The Christian faith is clearly presented in the sacred Holy Bible. Sharing these scriptures is part of the work of Music Mission Ukraine Canada. The Bible in various languages, versions and styles such as large print Bibles for the sight impaired, or colourful illustrated Bibles for children, are readily available through the Ukrainian Bible Society in Kyiv. Music Mission Ukraine Canada missionaries Wes and Kim Janzen preach and teach from the Bible each week. Their calling is to share the glorious gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ with others.
A Music Mission Ukraine Canada eye doctor working in Kyiv cares for internally displaced people and widows, in the city of Kyiv. Through this important outreach many can now see clearly and also obtain appropriate medical referrals for other medical needs. Prescription eye glasses are ordered locally in Kyiv for a fraction of what they would cost in Canada.
Music Mission Ukraine Canada (MMUC) exists to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ and to provide humanitarian assistance to the needy, including internally displaced people, widows and orphans in Ukraine. Through Bibles, great sacred classical musical masterpieces that come from scripture, Bible studies and camps, educational programs, Biblical preaching, teaching and discipleship, MMUC is spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. Through Ukrainian musicians in the Kyiv Symphony Orchestra and Chorus (KSOC) the gospel is shared through friendship-evangelism concerts in Ukraine and sacred concerts in Canada. Through MMUC, needy Ukrainians receive humanitarian assistance in the form of food, clothing, blankets, medicine, eye care, shelter and other essential living supplies.
Wes Janzen guest conducted Kyiv Symphony Orchestra and Chorus for the first time in their first-ever performance of Haydn Creation. This sacred masterpiece, taken from the Bible and Milton’ Paradise Lost, brought tears of joy to Kyiv Symphony Orchestra and Chorus musicians. Creation was essentially new to them as it had been previously suppressed by communist authorities. After this first project with Kyiv Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Wes returned to Kyiv each year, with duration of visits increasing year by year. Wes and Kim Janzen continued to serve Missions Fest Vancouver and teach at Trinity Western University.
They also delighted in Kyiv Symphony Orchestra and Chorus outreach to the poor and needy. They witnessed an extraordinary outreach to widows and orphans. Wes was appointed Principle Guest Conductor of the Kyiv Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. Kim participated through singing and began to teach Bible lessons on a regular basis to widows, orphans and children.
The Janzen family continued to serve as “short term” missionary volunteers in Ukraine. Kim’s work as mentor and Bible teacher expanded significantly. Wes continued to conduct many KSOC performances, preach and teach. Several visits are thanks to Trinity Western University graciously allowing times for summer scholarly activity (conducting) and granting several leaves of absence.
Kim was appointed Interim Director of Outreach Ministries and Wes Interim Conductor and Artistic Director of Kyiv Symphony Orchestra and Chorus and Interim President of Music Mission Kiev.
Wes Janzen brought Kyiv Symphony Orchestra and Chorus to Tallin, Estonia for a major summer missions conference. In fall, Wes and Kim Janzen brought Kyiv Symphony Orchestra and Chorus to Canada for the first time.
In November, Wes and Kim Janzen accepted full time missionary positions in Ukraine and Wes announced his early retirement from Trinity Western University. Kim was appointed Associate Director of Outreach Ministries, Wes Conductor and Artistic Director of Kyiv Symphony Orchestra and Chorus and President of Music Mission Kiev and Director of Music Mission Ukraine Canada.
Wes and Kim Janzen brought 42 members of Kyiv Symphony Orchestra and Chorus across Canada, sharing music, the gospel of Jesus Christ, and stories of God’s grace. The ministries of Music Mission Ukraine Canada were shared with many Canadians. Prof. Dr. Wes Janzen was appointed Professor Emeritus, Trinity Western University.
Music Mission Ukraine Canada contributed uniquely to the outreach of Kyiv Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, with friendship evangelism concerts going beyond Kyiv to other cities in Ukraine for the first time. The gospel was shared through music and the spoken word in Zaparojhe, Lviv, Irpin, Lutsk, Ostroh National University and Rivne. Music Mission Ukraine Canada embraced another unique and new outreach, serving thousand of internally displaced people who fled their homes due to foreign aggression and war.
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Kyiv Symphony Orchestra and Chorus
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