Chorale Tour: Poland
Imagine bustling market places, sweet and savory pierogies, and soaring cathedrals full of worship. This is just a sliver of what the Moody Chorale got to see, taste, and experience on their May 2023 tour of Poland. Esther Jackson, Moody Chorale President, spoke of how she had, “Never felt so connected to an audience before. There was a real sense of oneness”. Polish culture values classical music and concerts, so getting people to a concert wasn’t difficult. But the percentage of Evangelical Christians in Poland is less than 1%, so using the concerts to give testimony to the gospel was imperative.
The purpose of going to Poland was to encourage this small percentage, while inviting the rest of Poland to hear the gospel preached and the Lord worshiped. There are also over 900,000 Ukrainian refugees taking shelter in Poland, so the chance to care for and share the gospel with them was also a large factor in determining the location of the tour. Over the 10 days they were there, the Chorale was able to convey testimonies, encouragement, and praise through their concerts. Jackson said that a common phrase from audience members was, “We can tell you meant what you’re singing”.
Off the stage, chorale members got the chance to pray with audience members, fellowship with the community, meet prospective Moody students, and, of course, eat some Polish cuisine. The trip was also a time of fellowship between the chorale members. Although the tour itself was fast paced, time away from schoolwork and busy Chicago life allowed these students the time to slow down, and really invest in each other. Jackson said it was a time for “improving in skill, growth, team building, and practicing Christ-like community”.
Even in such a short time, the memories made on this trip will last a life-time, and the gospel impact will last an eternity.
