Kyiv Symphony Orchestra and Chorus
Music Mission Ukraine Canada
Wes and Kim Janzen
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Ministries

MMUC works in a number of areas of need.

Internally Displaced People

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.

Kyiv Symphony Orchestra and Chorus (KSOC)

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

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.

Bible distribution, preaching and teaching

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.

Eye care for widows and internally displaced people

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.

MMUC

Prayer

Ministry updates and prayer requests.

  1. Pray for Music Mission Ukraine Canada (MMUC) evangelistic outreach in Ukraine. There are many worthy invitations from Ukrainian pastors and Christian leaders to share KSOC friendship-evangelism outreach events in cities throughout Ukraine. Pray for discernment, the necessary funds and open hearts to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Pray that Canadians would be generous in supporting the evangelistic activity of MMUC. Friendship-evangelism outreach events to Dnipro, September 30 – October 1, 2017, and to Donbass, May, 2018 were a great blessing to many traumatized people.
  2. Pray for our MMUC Doctor Shevchenko who provides loving medical care to hundreds of the poorest of the poor.
  3. Pray for our people who do deliveries to places of greatest need near the war zone. Pray for necessary funds to purchase blankets, food and other supplies.
  4. Pray for our ongoing outreach to internally displaced people. Pray for safety in travel. Pray that the blankets, food, Bibles, Bible studies and other essential supplies bless these needy souls.
  5. Pray for the many internally displaced children that we serve. Pray that MMUC outreach through music, Bible lessons, and healthy meals continues to bring hope, joy and comfort to these children. Ukraine now has 1.6 million internally displaced people. Praise the Lord for the IDP children who attended our summer outreach events and responded positively to the gospel and for our 2018 summer IDP children Bible camp.
  6. Pray for Wes and Kim Janzen, your Canadian MMUC missionaries to Ukraine, that we would be faithful to the calling that we have received from the Lord.
  7. Praise the Lord for a wonderful week of trauma and “Standing Strong Through the Storm” seminars brought in 2016 to Kyiv by Dr. Jim and Rita Cunningham and Paul Estabrooks (Open Doors). These master teachers served hundreds here in Kyiv through their preaching, teaching and seminars. Thanks be to God for this wonderful provision.
  8. Pray that our team will be led of the Holy Spirit and recognize God working that we may join Him. While doors are now open to serve in Ukraine we do not take this for granted. Pray for open hearts that listeners will be open and receptive to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
  9. Pray for Kim as she teaches literally hundreds each week. Her Saturday morning Bible lessons alone reach 520, every week.
  10. Pray for clarity and boldness. Pray that our strength would be only in the Lord, and that we might “fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel” (Ephesians 6:19).
  11. Pray that the gospel will “spread rapidly and be honoured wherever it goes … “ (II Thessalonians 3:1). Pray for strong and clear singing voices. Pray for members of the Kyiv Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. We brought 30 singers from the KSOC to Tbilisi, Georgia to share friendship-evangelism concerts. Over 100 people came forward and received Bibles in the Georgian language, after our concerts.
  12. Pray for clarity of mind. Pray for health, strength and stamina, which are often attacked by antagonistic spiritual forces.
  13. Pray for guidance and wisdom. “We ask God to give you a complete understanding of what He wants to do in your lives and we ask Him to make you wise with spiritual wisdom” (Col 1:9).
  14. Pray for protection. There is an ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Pray that the Lord will keep our people safe from those who might seek to hurt them. Pray for safety in travel. Some of our team members go to places of conflict. In recent months, two individuals have been assassinated, on sidewalks, where we walk on a regular basis.
  15. Pray for refreshment and rest. “We also pray that you will be strengthened with His glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need. May you be filled with joy” Col 1:11. We are normal people who deal with normal challenges, stresses and difficulties. Missionaries can struggle with these issues and feel somewhat alone, away from family members. Pray that God will encourage us with the knowledge that others are praying for us.
  16. Pray for Ukraine. Pray for peace in the hearts of Ukrainians. Pray for peace in Ukraine. Pray for the traumatized people that we serve.
  17. Pray for our family.
  18. Praise the Lord for wonderful summer Bible camps and the many children and youth that responded positively to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
  19. Give thanks for our fall 2016 Canadian tour which was a wonderful success. Glory to God. We brought 42 exceptional Ukrainian musicians across Canada, starting in Toronto and ending in Vancouver. We shared music, stories of God’s grace, and the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ at each concert. This is our calling.
  20. Pray for our Music Mission Ukraine Canada board as they give guidance to Music Mission Ukraine Canada; Steve Boakes, Michael Berg, Connie Dyck, Zena DeFehr, Betty Williams, Kim Janzen, Wes Janzen.
  21. Pray for those who give financially. Without ongoing financial support the ministries of Music Mission Ukraine Canada would not be possible. All categories of designation are currently in need. These opportunities to make a kingdom impact difference are worthy of support.
  22. “We never know how God will answer our prayers, but we can expect that He will get us involved in His plan for the answer.” Corrie Ten Boom

Mission Statement

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.

Our Story

By God’s Grace.

  • 2006

    Early Concert Collaborations

    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.

  • 2007

    Kim and Wes Janzen went to Kyiv for the first time together.

    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.

  • 2008-2012

    Continued short-term work.

    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.

  • 2012

    Transitions

    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.

  • 2012

    International Concerts

    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.

  • 2013

    Leap of Faith

    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.

  • 2014

    International Concerts

    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.

  • 2015

    Ukrainian Outreach

    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.

Our amazing team

Kim Janzen

Missionary

Wes Janzen

Missionary

KSOC

Kyiv Symphony Orchestra and Chorus

MMUC Board

Board

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Please send your donation, clearly marked “Music Mission Ukraine Canada” in the memo line to Multination Missions Foundation, P. O. Box 2401, Abbotsford, BC, V2T 4X3 or phone Helmut Wiens at 778 549 8031 to make a credit card donation. Donations are tax deductible. Music Mission Ukraine Canada is an agent of Multi Nation Missions Foundation. MMF is a Canadian Charitable Organization. BN Regd. N. 80737560RR0001.