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Who We Are
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Prairie's Ambassador Choir off to the Ukraine April 19, 2008
On Monday, April 28, twenty-one members of Prairie's Ambassador Choir are planning to leave North America for a four week ministry tour in Ukraine. In addition to their planned performances at churches in several cities and towns, the choir is also planning to host a one-week training seminar on worship for emerging young worship leaders. This trip marks the 3rd time in the last nine years that Prairie's Ambassador Choir will have had the privilege of serving in the Ukraine. This tour and choir is being led by Mr. James Janzen who over the years has developed a special relationship with many church leaders in this country. These leaders have openly sought Mr. Janzen to return to them as often as he can and when possible to bring Prairie's choir with him. At a special concert on the Prairie campus earlier in April it was noted that as a country, Ukraine was at a crossroads politically, economically, socially and religiously. In a similar consideration, Prairie's Ambassador Choir is also at a crossroad. The Ambassador Choir has provided musical expressions as an outreach ministry of PBI for more than 50 years. While the content performed by the choir has changed from year to year, the purpose has remained constant - to provide for quality choral instruction for students coupled with the opportunity to express this instruction in ministry contexts. Recently the Administration for PBI determined that several factors were making it too difficult to continue to offer educational programs in music training. Many people concluded that this decision meant that PBI would no longer support and offer students the opportunity to participate in musical ministry teams that would travel on behalf of the Institute and minister to people across North America and around the world. While it is true that Prairie will not longer be able to offer formal instruction in music, the Administration believes that musical expression will continue to be an important part of the overall experience for students at Prairie. The Administration respects the history and ethos of all its musical/arts ministry teams and will consider that respect in decisions that will be made regarding the naming of future groups the Institution will sponsor. It may be that the future groups will be best promoted with new and different titles. This determination will be made over the next several months and as the new semester begins in the Fall of 2008. "The Ambassador Choir has been a wonderful vehicle for students to develop and express their faith in God. I have personally appreciated the quality of preparation and instruction provided to this choir under the direction of Mr. James Janzen for the time I have been President of Prairie. I respect the nature and history of the Ambassador Choir as well as the contributions made by our Performing Arts and Worship Department as they have given leadership to this group. I realize the Institute's commitment and emphasis in this program area is changing but I believe musical expression will continue on our campus and in extension groups. As we are faced with decisions on what we will call the music/arts groups that form on our campus, we will need to be cognizant of the rich heritage of our former groups. I am not opposed to using new and different names for our touring groups if it is determined that they, the Institute and Jesus Christ would be better served by a change," Jon Ohlhauser, President of Prairie Bible Institute. On Sunday, April 13 the Ambassador Choir held a special concert to celebrate its history and to raise funding in support of the costs of leading a special conference on worship while in the Ukraine. Mr. Janzen, the members of the Choir and the PBI Administration would like to make a strong expression of thanks to all of those who supported the success of this concert. In total, $11,000 was raised to support this project. For more information, please contact the President’s Office at: President's Office Prairie Bible Institute Box 4000 Three Hills, AB T0M 2A0 403-443-3030 presidentsoffice@prairie.ed Prairie is a leading Canadian centre of higher education for Christians. We equip students to achieve their life, ministry and career purpose to fulfill their role within the Body of Christ.
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