Members of Musica Sacra Globale, the youth mission chorale, witnessed to the living faith of Methodism in both the world and the church as they visited Lithuania during their tour of Eastern Europe June 1 to July 20.

In Lithuania, more than 700 people came to hear gospel music from around the world. This widespread attendance was a strong show of support for the emerging faith communities in the former Soviet bloc.

"Activities of the General Board of Global Ministries in Lithuania send a message to the people that United Methodists live their faith not just inside a church building but in the life of the whole community," said Violetta Taeandis, a young Lithuanian American and Fulbright scholar assigned by the GBGM as a health care community developer to the region.

United Methodist mission in the region includes: development and rebirth of congregations; provision of health care services; economic development; and cultivation of future church and community leaders.

Members of the Youth Mission Chorale 1998 shared their music and their faith during a four-week concert tour of Russia and the Baltic States.

Directed by Dr. S T Kimbrough, Jr., associate general secretary for mission evangelism of the General Board of Global Ministries, 22 college students from United Methodist-related colleges and universities had experiences in history, culture, language, and religions as they performed for established European congregations and emerging United Methodist faith communities in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Russia.

"This was not just another choral group," Dr. Kimbrough pointed out. "Participants provided the GBGM Mission Evangelism office with personal faith statements prior to the trip, and they shared their personal witness throughout the tour. Through word and song, the mission chorale group was able to build on relationships in the faith communities and surrounding areas."

Lithuania is a predominantly Roman Catholic country of 3.7 million people. Methodism was banned there in 1944. After Lithuania declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, remnants of the Methodist Church were reorganized. This work, which began in 1995 under the leadership of Bishop Hans Växby, is undergirded by GBGM's Lithuania Mission Initiative Project Team.

Four GBGM missionaries are assigned to the region: The Rev. William and Mrs. Grace Warnock and the Rev. David and Mrs. Kristin Markay. The Lithuania

District includes seven congregations and faith communities, where there is participation for persons of all ages. The "mother church" of Methodism in Lithuania is in Kaunas, where worship is held each Sunday. There are 50 members, a youth group, and two Sunday school classes. Outreach programs include services for the elderly, a school for troubled youth, and youth camps. The church also provides medicine, food, home visits, clothing, and humanitarian aid in the surrounding areas. The example of Kaunas is followed in the neighboring regions of Siauliai, Pilviskiai, Birzai, Taurage, Kybarti, and Vilnius. The visit by young adults from the U.S. brought enthusiasm to faith communities where young people are in the minority.