Sons of Jubal bring music of the gospel to Russian citizens

Eddy OliverGBC

Crosses adorn one of the many Russian Orthodox churches in Russia. Although one venue prohibited mentioning the name of Christ and handing out programs with the plan of salvation, GBC Executive Director J. Robert White shared his comments about the country and incorporated his observation of the crosses and the artwork in the Hermitage Museum.

Russian citizens received a taste of the gospel wrapped in a Southern accent April 20-30 as the Sons of Jubal ministered in two of the nation’s largest cities.

The renowned vocal group, composed of ministers of music from Georgia Baptist churches, provided a variety of ministries as part of their first tour to the former Soviet Union. Working under the theme of “This is my story, this is my song,” the 114-member group – 95 which were members of the chorus – strengthened the work of Southern Baptist missionaries in the St. Petersburg and Moscow areas.

“The amount of ministry we were able to perform was amazing,” said Jon Duncan, who heads up the state convention’s music ministries. “In 10 days we presented 17 concerts, three leadership training events, distributed care packages to hundreds of orphans, and ministered in an adult mental illness facility.”

“We saw many people come to faith, but did not have any way of following up due to the limitations of the conditions in which we were serving,” he added.

GBC Executive Director J. Robert White and others taught a two-day Healthy Kingdom Church pastor’s conference which was attended by as many as 80 on one of the days. A secondary music leader training conference in Moscow was attended by 100 – including one individual who traveled by train for three days from Siberia.

Eddy OliverGBC

Steve Vickery, minister of music at Western Heights Baptist Church in LaGrange, talks with a woman who attended a concert at Mitishi City Baptist Church near Moscow. One person who attended this concert came to hear the American choir, but heard the voice of Jesus and left the room as a new Christian.

At least one of the missionary couples – Buck Burch and his wife, Leslie, who serve in St. Petersburg – have a Georgia connection. The couple are from Eastman and Leslie’s father, Steve Frazier, is pastor of Southside Baptist Church in McRae.

The Jubals presented a variety of concerts including music ranging from classical to Southern gospel. Many of the venues were held in high profile secular concert halls where an overt Christian witness is prohibited but was discretely woven into the performances, Duncan said.

Nearly 900 crowded into world-famous Pushkin Theatre in Moscow to hear the music and practice their English with the Georgians.

“What we received far exceeded what we gave,” Duncan added. “Our energy tanks were repeatedly exhausted by the schedule and the demands on our time but God replenished them again and again.

“Only eternity will tell the full story of this what occurred during these 10 days.”

Eddy OliverGBC

Two residents of an adult mental hospital near Moscow review the program prior to a concert. The Sons of Jubal also performed concerts and distributed gifts to several orphanages in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Eddy OliverGBC

Pastor Victor Sipko of Central Baptist Church in St. Petersburg receives a Georgia Baptist Convention pin from Executive Director J. Robert White during a Pastor’s Leadership Conference. Approximately 80 pastors attended the event which highlighted White’s book, Healthy Kingdom Churches.

Eddy OliverGBC

During a guided tour, the group visited the Peter and Paul Cathedral in St. Petersburg, which was the first building constructed in the city. Sons of Jubal members, led by director Jon Duncan, sang a piece titled “Let Thy Holy Presence” in order to hear the superb acoustics of the facility.

Eddy OliverGBC

Following a concert at Apostle Peter’s Lutheran Church in St. Petersburg, the group toured the catacombs of the church below the sanctuary. The evangelical church was converted into a gigantic swimming pool during the Communist era and the lower area is now decorated with elaborate artwork to tell the church’s story.