Bruce and Nancy Muskrat

Bruce: We all have heard that there are two things in life from which none of us are exempt: death and taxes. If I might add a third, it would be “change.” Our world is constantly changing; our relationships are constantly changing; our email-addresses are constantly changing; the way we carry out our ministries…even our churches, and yes, our denomination is changing. Some of these changes prove to be beneficial and lead to healthy growth; others have resulted in destructive misunderstandings and divisive conflict. Discovering where and how each one of us "fits" within these changes is a challenge we all must face.

Twenty-seven years ago this coming August, 2004, Nancy and I were appointed as your music missionaries to Buenos Aires, Argentina, where we served, until recently, as seminary music teachers training nationals in the area of church music ministry. We want you to know how much we have appreciated and depended on your prayers for our ministry throughout these years. Many of you have shared with us your faithfulness in lifting up our names before the Lord.

Other music missionaries have served as music promoters on associational, state, or national levels, strengthening the worship and music ministries within local churches and conventions.

Paralleling the church development that characterizes many of the countries in which Baptist missions has a long history, qualified and talented nationals are now filling many of the leadership roles that have been historically assigned to missionary personnel.

In addition to these changes in leadership roles, all Southern Baptist missionaries are transitioning through a major paradigm shift dealing with how we should most effectively carry out the Great Commission. The traditional approach of growing one church at a time is being replaced with multiple church planting movements, a strategy that has the potential of seeing exponential growth in the coming years. Personnel are now organized into teams that target specific unreached people groups and population segments in a given society, which may or may not correspond to national boundaries. The particular segment of the population with whom we are working includes middle and upper class professionals. Our goal is to reach them for Christ and train them to be lay witnesses in their own workplace setting

Just because our tasks are changing doesn't mean that our purpose and calling as music missionaries is "history" or that it no longer has a priority in overall missions strategy.

Nancy: Music missions continues to be vital in communicating the message of Christ’s salvation and helping “fill the earth with music.” Because of music missions, Gladys, an Argentine concert pianist who had studied at the Julliard School of Music and had become one of our first contacts and friends, came to know Jesus Christ as her Savior. She is now ministering with her gifts as organist/choir master at a church in Long Island, New York.

Because of music missions, Pablo, a piano tuner and technician, and his family came to know the Lord. He established his church as the rehearsal and performance site for a local symphony orchestra, providing an evangelistic and cultural influence for the community.

Because of music missions, we have been able to train Argentine men and women to use their musical gifts in evangelism. We were privileged to help a young man named Omar as he made his way up through auditions and competitions to win a place as first violinist in the Colón Theatre Symphony Orchestra, the most prestigious symphonic orchestra in Argentina. Omar believes that the Lord allowed him to win that position so that he could witness to fellow musicians in the orchestra. Omar was able to lead his violin professor to Christ.

Because of music missions, we organized a chamber orchestra and piano trio. The chamber orchestra, called “Soli Deo Gloria” (to God alone be the glory), performed standard chamber music repertoire in addition to instrumental hymn arrangements. In the concerts, one or two of the members would share their testimony of how knowing Christ had changed their lives. It was an excellent opportunity for the members to invite their professors and friends in other orchestras to hear an evangelical witness for Christ. The ensemble later formed the core group for an orchestra that accompanied for the Billy Graham Crusade in Buenos Aires in 1991, and for the Baptist World Alliance in 1995.

Because of music missions, we have been able to present solo and two-piano concerts throughout Argentina and surrounding countries. These concerts allow us entry to museums, libraries, cultural centers, and other auditoriums to share a witness for Christ to people who otherwise would not be open to attending an evangelistic meeting in a church.

Because of music missions, the Christmas portion of Messiah has been translated into Spanish and performed in churches, theaters, and cultural centers in Argentina.

Because of music missions, our missionary colleagues, Paul and Laura Shelton, have carried out an effective 20-year ministry using handbells. The ensemble has performed throughout Argentina and has been invited many times by city and provincial/state governments to participate in special celebrations.

Because of music missions, Leticia, one of our music graduates from the Buenos Aires seminary, continued her education obtaining a master’s degree in voice at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and was appointed with her MK husband as missionaries to Uruguay, Nepal, and Argentina. They began and direct the new Center for Missions and Worship in which we are also involved. It is our desire that Christian musicians develop a true heart of worship and be trained to have firsthand experiences in missions and community service as they perfect their gifts in music. Leticia has also created a foundation for taking music and culture to the middle and lower classes of Argentina. Through quality concerts featuring a variety of musical styles, all proceeds and donations are used to provide aid to the community. The President of Argentina has taken an interest in the project and has given his stamp of approval. We ask you to pray for the development of this project throughout Argentina as we seek opportunities to be ambassadors for Christ.

Bruce: You can readily see how music missions has touched individual lives and how those lives, in turn, have resulted in an ever-expanding circle of outreach, not just in Argentina, but other countries as well.

Although it may appear on the surface that the IMB is no longer appointing career "music missionaries," it continues to seek those "musicians on mission" who have a passion for winning a lost world. When we have truly worshiped God, our response should be one of service and surrender to His will. The cycle continues and comes full circle when our missions outreach and service results in finding, winning, and equipping new worshipers.

There is no one pattern or mold for today’s "Musicians on Mission." They come packaged in many forms, many styles, and all ages. There are opportunities for youth and college students to be involved in both individual and group volunteer projects. Many of you know personally someone who has served two years overseas, working alongside career and/or associate missionary personnel. The International Service Corps and the Volunteer in Missions programs have also opened the doors for many adults to have a hands-on missions experience. Now the "Masters" program facilitates short-term (2-3 years) missionary service for those over 50. If there were time this morning, we would ask several of you whose churches are actively involved in ongoing volunteer missions groups how that outreach has energized your congregation, giving it new purpose and ministry, helping your church members discover their spiritual gifts.

One of the easiest places to learn how you and your church can plug in to being "on mission" is http://going.imb.org. Should you not find what you're looking for specifically, simply pick up the phone and call the Board's listed 1-800 number. There are hundreds of requests for both regular personnel and volunteers just waiting to be matched up with someone willing to be used of God.

Dr. Bruce Muskrat is a Southern Baptist Missionary to Western South America, serving as the Administrative Coordinator for the Argentine Mission. He also serves as professor of church music at International Baptist Theological Seminary, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Nancy Muskrat is professor of church music at International Baptist Theological Seminary, Buenos Aires, Argentina.