The Fascinating Story of Music Mission Kiev

During my pastoral ministry at Xenia: Faith Community United Methodist, our church hosted members from Music Mission Kiev, a symphony from the Ukraine during one of their US tours. Their music was breathtaking and we enjoyed providing meals for them during their stay.

I had the privilege of getting to know their director, Roger McMurrin who has Xenia connections and who felt called by God to serve as a missionary in the Ukraine back in 1995. Since classical music often centers around the Christian faith, Roger felt called by God to form a symphony in Kiev to use as a means by which agnostics and atheists would be able to hear the good news of Jesus Christ. From this symphony, a church was formed and they provide ministries to support orphans and widows.

Under communist Russian rule, countries such as the Ukraine had not been permitted to hear classical music compositions such as Handel's "Messiah" because of it's focus on the Christian faith. Utilizing the beauty of classical music, Music Mission Kiev is sharing the good news of Jesus Christ to a people who are hungry for this particular genre of music that they for so long have been denied.

In this season leading to the birth of Jesus Christ, enjoy this piece, "For Unto Us a Child is Born," from Handel's "Messiah." Since I don't have access to this piece by Music Mission Kiev, here is a performance by the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus. Enjoy!