Esengo team chosen

ZAIRE

After extensive auditions and spiritual evaluation, 11 Zairians--seven men and four women--have been chosen for Esengo Zaire, a group of singing ambassadors from the Zaire MB Conference, which will make a world tour in 1997.

The performers were selected for their excellence in musicianship, combined with personal, Christian maturity. Of the group, which averages 26 years of age, eight are in their twenties. The youngest team member, Olga Kalumbu Mwaku, 16, is the only teenager.

Esengo will launch its musical mission with concerts at the Mennonite World Conference Assembly in Calcutta in January, 1997, followed by performances in MB churches in India. They then travel to Japan to minister to the Japan MB Conference, then criss-cross the USA and Canada for four months, concluding with ministry in Europe, June 3-30.

The North American portion of the tour will coincide with the North American MB Conference "Year of Global Mission". Every MB church will be strongly encouraged to hold a two or three-day major global mission emphasis in conjunction with Esengo's nearest appearance.

Tour organizers especially hope to spark new interest in global mission among the 20-40 generation.

Meanwhile, Youth Mission International has appointed Jeanine Janzen from Ontario to accompany the team and minister daily encouragement in French. The YMI attache will help interpret cultural contexts, assist in obtaining visas, make travel and lodging arrangements and provide translation as possible.

Financing for the $60,000 tour, which organizers hope to raise in advance, will come from three primary sources: MB youth fundraising through car washes, paper drives, bake sales, etc.; personal donations from the Mennonite Brethren Missions/Services Board and staff; and special gifts from individuals.

The funding plan enables offerings taken during the concerts "to go directly to world missions". Many volunteers are needed to make the venture a success, starting with host churches and homes.

Other needs include: a bus and driver for the 10,000-mile, four-month journey; and widespread fundraising projects by many youth groups. A ten-minute video is available for interested churches or youth groups.

For information on the choir, contact Steve Klassen, MB Missions/Services Secretary for Constituency Ministries of Canada, at (604) 853-6959.

Gary Hardaway, Communications and Public Relations, MBM/S

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