 | | Kim Janzen and Natasha Shevchenko, head of Music Mission Kiev Widow's Ministries. |
IN 1919, Henry Regehr, age 16, witnessed the death of
his sister – along with her newborn baby, his brother-in law, his
parents and his other brothers and sisters. They were all gruesomely killed
by the sword.
In the cold of a Ukrainian winter, young Henry jumped
through a window and fled for his life. Despite the horror of this event,
he chose to live a spiritually rich life after immigrating to Canada
– including forgiving the communist bandits who murdered his family
and many others.
Wes Janzen is Regehr’s grandson; and he has
another connection to Ukraine. Currently director of choral activities at
Trinity Western University (TWU), he also serves as principal guest
conductor of the Kiev Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. The appointment is
especially poignant to him when he tells the Kiev musicians the story of
his grandfather – how he chose the way of Jesus, including the path
of love and forgiveness.
The Kiev musicians identify with this story, because
they all have similar stories to tell from their past. They are also
thankful Ukraine is no longer under the grip of a communist system –
which brought suffering, imprisonment and death to so many.
Janzen and his wife Kim delighted in seeing 33 members
of a TWU choir group join them in Kiev this past Christmas.
They sang January 3 with the Kiev Symphony
Orchestra and Chorus in Kiev’s renowned Philharmonic Hall
But the real story here, Janzen stresses, is about Dr.
Roger and Diane McMurrin, who started this initiative in 1993 when they
hired professional Ukrainian musicians to perform Handel’s Messiah.
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This previously forbidden work created an explosion of
light. Many musicians accepted Christ, and a church was born.
The McMurrins resigned from their work in America and
founded Music Mission Kiev.
Roger had been minister of music for D. James Kennedy
at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Orlando, Florida – where he had
developed what was arguably one of the largest and finest church music
programs in America.
One of the first things the Ukrainian musicians, new in
their faith, began with the McMurrins was a ministry to the neediest widows
and orphans.
 | | One of the women who has benefited from the ministry. |
Music Mission Kiev cares for hundreds of them. This
ministry has impacted thousands of lives since its inception.
The Janzens wanted their TWU singers to witness this
first hand. On their recent trip, the TWU singers met many of the widows
and children. “My life will never be the same,” said one
singer.
Most uniquely, the Kiev Symphony Orchestra and Chorus
tours into former Soviet countries, bringing the gospel message through
sacred classical masterpieces.
The ministry is supported by individuals who believe
that the gospel message brings hope and new life.
The Janzens are deeply drawn to the vision and ministry
of the McMurrins, and have been granted a leave of absence from TWU to move
to Kiev for one semester, beginning in January, to serve as volunteers with
the ministry.
Contact: janzen@twu.ca or
www.musicmissionkiev.org
March 2008
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