This site will be regularly updated with all available information on the Texas portion of the Fall 2007 Concert Tour (October 7-12.) For information on the remainder of the tour go to http://www.flfmissions.org/choir_tour_schedule.html

Admission is free. An offering will be taken and proceeds
will be used for church planting in Belarus.

for additional information on the Texas tour, please email at:
october@BelarusChoir.info

Hear a preview of the choir:

Printable flyer for Tyler Area

Printable Flyer for Fort Worth

The Belarus National Christian Choir, made up of men and women from evangelical churches in Minsk, Belarus, will be performing five concerts in Texas as part of their United States Tour during October, 2007. This is their fourth tour of the United States.

Eight of the choir members are graduates of the Academy of Music and the rest are non-professional singers. Together, the are a world class choir. The founder and main conductor is Nickolay Lomako. The spokesman is Victor Krutko.

Their music is a blend of religious and folk music, sung a cappella, or accompanied by traditional instruments. Some performances will also feature local musicians and orchestras.

This will be the choir's third trip to Texas since 1999. Other states in which the choir is performing are Georgia, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Missouri. A love offering will be taken, and the amount over and above expenses will be used for critical church planting in the Republic of Belarus, where the evangelical witness is growing despite strong measures to contain it.

Questions and Answers
updated 9/26/07

Q: "Where is Belarus, and what should I know about it?"

A: Belarus was part of the former U.S.S.R., and borders Poland, Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania, and Latvia.

Under Soviet Communistic rule in the 1900s, Christianity was forbidden for about 70 years. Christianity survived in Belarus during this time, even as church leaders were imprisoned.

In 1986, the South and Central portions of Belarus were the unfortunate recipients of about 60% of the fallout from the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. This has caused many hardships for the people of this country. The current government is, to understate, not encouraging the growth of Evangelical churches. There are those in government who would like to see Russia and surrounding countries regroup and reunite under Communist rule once again.

Despite a 70 year period where Christianity was forbidden, the lingering health and safety problems of a nuclear disaster, and varied levels of opposition from the government, the Christian church has survived in Belarus. Many of the top Christian leaders in Belarus today are from families who were persecuted for their Faith and have survived decades of hardship. In the last twenty years, they have developed an infrastructure that includes a Bible Institute and Seminary, and are training their own people in Biblical studies as pastors and church planters. Churches are being planted in strategic areas, and from those new churches, people are coming to know Christ as their personal Savior.

Q: "Why is the choir in the USA?"
A: This tour lets the choir use their God-given talents to Worship God with song, and to entertain, educate and inspire. Many who hear the choir will learn about Belarus for the first time the day of the concert. From a purely musical perspective, this is a "world class" choir. Quite frankly, the voices will astound. I have personally heard about a dozen performances, and have never failed to shed a tear as the voices rise in beauty and reverence to God. The choir members give of themselves, away from family and work for a month with a schedule that most certainly does not qualify as vacation, with a goal of raising money to further the church planting work in Belarus. Portions of the trip are sponsored by various organizations, and much of the tour planning is done by volunteers. An offering is taken at the close of each concert to allow those who wish to participate to do so.

On a final note, I would encourage you to invite a co-worker or neighbor to attend one of these area concerts. The performance will be outstanding, with enough variety to have a little something for everyone.

Q: "Is any of this in English?"
A: Yes, but much is in Russian or Belarussian. Some of the songs will be familiar. Both the music and the Message of God's Love will go beyond the boundary of language.

Q: "Will the choir be back soon if I miss them this time?"
A: The tours have historically been on three to four year intervals. Travel visas and transportation have made this the most challenging tour to date. I hope you can join us at least once during this tour.

Q: "So why three concerts in a row right in the Tyler area?"
A: I consider it good fortune. The answer is twofold: one, both individuals and congregations in Tyler (Colonial Hills specifically) have been involved in the ministry in Belarus for over a decade. This will be a "Homecoming" of sorts at Colonial Hills, as many of the choir members will be performing there for the third time, and both congregation and choir members are looking forward to this reunion. Secondly, scheduling and transportation costs made it more practical to remain in the area a few days. This will also give the choir a bit of a mid-tour break in East Texas, without the rigors of several hours of travel daily. It will also give church staff and committees a chance to visit with Victor Krutko during the day if they desire. In past tours, several who hear the choir one night will invite a friend to attend another performance nearby.

Q: What will the choir do during the day while they're here?
A: Typically they will have a time of Bible Study and prayer, a bit of recreation, and practice, practice, practice. Since they're staying in the area for a couple days, don't be surprised if there's a mini-performance in a school choir room or in the middle of a park downtown.

Q: I don't go to church anywhere. Is it okay if I show up?
A: Absolutely.

This is a regularly updated site. Check back daily for additional information.
Updated 10/1/07

for additional information on the Texas tour, please email at:
october@BelarusChoir.info