Daniel Sharp

   A rather unique church has sprung up in recent years. The story of the Church of the Holy Trinity is both a testimony to the work of the Holy Spirit and the power of music. It is also a story of remarkable faith.
The story begins with Roger McMurrin, who has been Director of Music at Coral Ridge Presbyterian in Fort Lauderdale, Highland Park Presbyterian in Dallas, and First Presbyterian in Orlando. In 1992 he and his wife Diane visited Kyiv (Kiev), Ukraine, to conduct Handel’s Messiah with Ukrainian musicians. As a result of their experiences, they felt called to move to the Ukraine, where the people, suffering under communism for 70 years, are hungry for the Gospel.
They are also eager to learn the great Christian music classics, which they had  never heard. In 1993 McMurrin founded the Kyiv Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, which is the only prive choral-orchestral musical group in Ukraine. Beginning with 35 singers, it has grown today to encompass 165 musicians. Since its founding, the group has premiered, for Ukrainian audiences, such works as the B Minor Mass and St. Matthew Passion of Bach; the Requiems of Brahms, Berlioz, Durufle, and Faure; the Glorias of Rutter and Poulenc; Amahl and the Night Visitors; and Honeggar’s Christmas Cantata.
Out of this musical context has grown a unique Christian witness, which has become the Church of the Holy Trinity. The church now reaches nearly 53 million Ukrainians every month through the national television coverage of their concerts. The Church also provides food, material assistance, and spiritual nurture to over 150 widows and orphans.
In recent years they have provided a summer camp for youth. As a result of the camp, they were able to form an agreement with an internet cafe that enables their youth to meet there for Bible classes. After the classes, they are able to contact people of the same age by using the internet.  This vibrant ministry emanates from a congregation of 350, which is pastored by the McMurrins. As they tell it:
“The concerts are a great experience, but that experience eventually wanes. For Ukrainians, there is always the hope for more—something lasting—something to fill their lives with hope. It all began with a group of musicians who yearned to know and understand the scripture in a more personal way. They came together, and studied God’s word, accepted Christ, and were transformed by His Spirit.
“Now the church has become a growing congregation which also attracts those who come to the concerts and want to know more about this God who is able to save sinners and give mercy to those who believe.”
The musical ensembles have also toured throughout the United States. The tour provides employment for the musicians, who are still struggling with the economic hardships remaining from the communist years, and provides a witness to the audience as a way of raising donations to continue and further their ministry.    fine