Faith In Focus

From May 14 to June 5 twenty-four members of the Faith Chorale will have the opportunity to take the gospel message to the Netherlands and Germany. They will work alongside the missionaries there, doing anything they can to assist them in their work. Their main ministry will be the informal concerts in the marketplaces and the formal concerts in churches. The Chorale’s past European tours have greatly enlarged the evangelistic endeavors of the missionaries.

Jennifer Swedberg, a freshman in the Sacred Music program, is a part of this year’s European team. These are her thoughts: 

Q: Where did you grow up?
A: I grew up in Olimpia, Brazil, the southern part of Brazil where my parents are missionaries.

Q: What do your parents do there?
A: My parents have mainly been involved with church planting. My dad has worked as an editor for a Regular Baptist Press in Brazil and has taught theology at a Bible college. My mom has taught music appreciation at the Bible college. 

Q: Growing up in Brazil and now heading to Europe for 3 ½ weeks, what do you see as being the biggest difference or adjustment?
A: I am very blessed to have grown up learning more than one culture. It will be good for me to see yet another culture and work on learning from the people in it. The culture in Europe, I’m sure, is much different than Brazilian culture. They are not as openly affectionate there as they are in Brazil, and it takes more time to gain their trust. That will be an adjustment for me.

Q: What are you most looking forward to about the European Chorale tour?
A: I love singing, and I’m excited to get to know the other Chorale members better and the believers there in the churches.

Q: What do you think will be your greatest challenge?
A: I think my greatest challenge will be talking to people I have never met before. Creating conversation has always been a challenge for me.

Q: What are you doing now to prepare for this ministry?
A: I am praying for this ministry and anticipating what I’m going to learn. We’re working hard on our music now so we can be adequately prepared both for our tour. 

Q: What is one thing you are praying God will do through you/your team while you are there?
A: I am praying we will be an encouragement to the believers. I know that the situation is tough for the missionaries in Europe, because the people are more closed to the gospel than in other cultures. The believers can easily be discouraged by the lack of converts in Europe, and I hope that we will be an encouragement to them.

Q: Why did you decide to become part of the European tour?
A: I love singing and I love the ministry of Chorale.

Please pray for the Chorale as they prepare for their European ministry. You may contribute to the expenses of this trip by call our Advancement Office at 1.800.409.3305.