Breakthrough Mission Blog

Khmelnitskiy

The whole team thanks you for your prayers.  We are happy to report a great concert where we had 310 positive responses to Jesus Christ.  In only seven events over 1,600 positive decisions have been recorded.  Also, more than 1,000 copies of the New Testament have been asked for and freely given to those who attended. 

Although many team members are continuing to fight a cold virus, everyone is able to do his job with strength.  God has answered your prayers.

Khmelnitskiy, like all the other venues chosen in western Ukraine, is a major commercial center of 263,000 people.  Each city was visited by a Michael Gott team earlier and then visited again by the preparation team.  It is evident to all that this was a contributing factor to the attendance.

Today people in leadership roles asked, “What is the strategy of effective evangelism?  Have we outgrown or have we progressed beyond New Testament methods?”  Michael Gott and Breakthrough Band give the answer, and they give the answer not by theory but by action and illustration.

Michael Gott gives his warmest thanks to the Singing Men of North Central Texas for their support and involvement in this effective project.  At the most decisive time SMONCT financial support and encouragement gave us the clear sign to proceed with this project with a full forward mindset.  This would not have happened without that support.

In Khmelnitskiy the entire concert was filmed by the Christian media network.  The viewing audience on TV may far exceed those who attended in person.   Pray that the impact of the tour will continue for months – even for years due to the breakthrough nature of the music. 

In a TV interview Sean Mitchell said boldly, “We are not here to entertain.  That is not our purpose.  We are here to build a bridge into the world that is far too impacted by the secular mindset.  We are here to present Christian truths using a method that is effective to the current generation.  We spread this message through music. This is our purpose for the entire tour.”

In Khmelnitskiy, Lena, a feature writer from a local newspaper, came to the concert to write a feature article.  She wanted to know how much the CD’s would be sold for and was surprised that everyone at the concert would receive a CD with six songs by Sean Mitchell and a Gospel message interpreted into Russian absolutely free of charge.

Igor Kudelin, technical director for the tour, said, “It has been really cool for musicians and the young people of Ukraine that the band came to them with contemporary music that speaks their language.  We adapted not only the music, but the concert venues to meet them where they are. Advertising graphics and all forms of media promotion have been adapted to reach the youth of Ukraine.”

Traveling on the bus with the band is a sound engineer, Sasha   Vlasyuk, and his three assistants.  Their job, which has required the most physical work and the most technical knowledge, is to set up sound and media, run the sound, and tear down and pack every night.  They travel with the team, eat and sleep with the team, and work beside the team from early morning to late night.

Sasha Vlasyuk, the Orthodox sound engineer whose salvation many are praying for, has worked with various groups in numerous large halls in Ukraine.  He said about Breakthrough Band, “The band is very professional and gifted.  They have been easy to work with.  They give all they have on the stage in every concert.  The music they play fits perfectly what the youth like, and finally, they are good examples for Ukrainian youth.”

Keyboardist Steve Colburn said, “I’ve really enjoyed playing with these great musicians and talented singers.  I came here to help be a blessing to these people, but in the process the people and the team have been a huge blessing to me.  I feel that we’ve all grown together in the Lord through great times of worship, as well as times of Bible study.  I look forward to sharing many stories with you when I return home.”

Drummer Jared Shotwell said, “I’ve never been more sure that I am using my gifts for the glory of God than I have on this tour.  It’s a blessing not only to see so many people come to Christ for the first time, but also to worship among Ukrainians who are already believers.”

Vocalist and guitarist Michael Bridges shared, “It seems the youth of this country are hungry for worship.  I love how language has been no barrier to our worship together.”

With the last two concerts in sight we ask you for your continued prayer.  Even now, we are in the last stage of preparation for our concert tonight in Vinnitsya that will begin shortly.  Tomorrow morning we embark on our last journey in the Breakthrough tour bus back to Kiev for the final concert.  We want to end the tour with as much enthusiasm and intensity as we had when we began 9 days and almost 2,000 miles ago.