LIEPZIG, Germany—As the Baptist world’s youth gathered for worship, they were led with a Texas twang.
The Texas Baptist All-State Choir and Band—a select group of Texas Baptists’ finest young musicians—recently returned home after a series of concerts in Germany, including performing during the Baptist World Alliance Youth Conference in Liepzig.
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The Texas Baptist All-State Choir and Band present a concert at Schlosskirche in Wittenberg, Germany.
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Baptist General Convention of Texas Music and Worship Director Tim Studstill, who led the group, said the trip enabled students to use their gifts to spread the gospel in Germany and better understand how God is working around the globe.
The Texas students were able to hear voices of young people singing in different languages blend into a beautiful harmony, Studstill said.
The youth conference provided a glimpse of what heaven will sound and look like, with believers from opposite sides of the planet bonding and encouraging each other, he observed.
“As I look at the students as they walk into some of the historic churches, see different styles of architecture, experience unfamiliar food and meet people from all over the world, it is sometimes hard for me to contain my emotions,” Studstill said during the trip. “We have a great group of students representing Texas Baptists.”
Lindsay Clark of First Baptist Church in Baytown indicated the trip helped her see the common struggles and joys Baptists face around the world.
“This is a totally amazing experience,” she said.
“I’ve been blessed to be able to be here and meet so many brothers and sisters in Christ from all over, and it’s just amazing to know they all have the same struggles. It’s really cool that God’s shown me all of these things here in Germany.”
The trip included performances in several German churches, including the historic Castle Church in Wittenberg where Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses, which launched the Protestant Reformation in 1517. The students took in the history and reflected on the depth and history of Christianity.
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The Texas Baptist All-State Choir and Band recently returned home after a series of concerts in Germany, including performing during the Baptist World Alliance Youth Conference in Liepzig.
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Hannah Hoover of First Baptist Church in Port Lavaca said singing in such historic locales “gives me chill bumps.”
“To be in places where historical acts of our faith occurred, while praising our Lord with music, is a priceless opportunity,” she said during the trip.
While Germany impacted the students, group sponsor Staci Dillahunty of Calvary Baptist Church in Dumas said they also affected the Germans. The normally reserved audience quickly warmed up to the Texans.
“I wish you all could have been at the church yesterday to hear your students sing and play,” she said during the trip.
“It was a wonderful concert in a beautiful setting, but more than that, it was truly a worship experience.
“We saw Germans who do not normally clap in church stand up, clap and stomp their feet in demand for an encore. They were touched by the music, and we were overwhelmed with the positive reception.”
With additional reporting by Rex Campbell, Texas Baptist Communications.
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