News

Missional CD project proclaims one message through many voices
by Laurie L. Oswald

NEWTON, Kan. (MC USA) - Doug Krehbiel (KRAY-bill) woke up in the night with a tune about the missional church running through his mind. He whispered the words and tapped the beat into his bedside tape recorder to avoid waking his wife and music partner, Jude.

The impromptu recording helped him capture ideas for one of 10 songs for the CD, Let It Flow Through You, sponsored by Mennonite Mission Network and scheduled for release July 3 in Atlanta 2003, the churchwide biennial assembly convention. The Mission Network commissioned the Krehbiel duo -- mission musicians for the Mission Network -- to do this project to depict the missional values of Mennonite Church USA.

And so for the last 15 months, the duo has lived and breathed the missional vision. To glean ideas for their original songs, they read books, interviewed ethnic leaders, met with a reference group to fine-tune their work, recorded in their home studio and sang in the night. The final CD reflects the cultures and musical styles of many Mennonites, including Native Americans, Laotians, African-Americans, Anglos, Hispanics and West Africans and gifts of 10 other musicians on vocals and instrumentals.

Since 1980, the duo, called "Road Less Travelled," has collaborated to create folk music, give concerts and record eight albums. But they said that nothing rivals the collaboration of this project, reflecting many voices but one message -- that God calls Mennonite people to join God's mission wherever they are and whoever they are.

"Doug and I have done a lot of collaborating with each other over the years, but it was exciting working with people from so many different backgrounds," Jude Krehbiel said. "My vision of the missional church has been stretched, and the project has broadened my horizons."

Doug Krehbiel said, "Despite our many ethnicities, what ties us together is standing up for our faith, in spite of persecution. We should feel a special kinship and offer our support for non-Anglos who are suffering today for their faith in many lands, such as Latin America and Asia, whereas some of our European ancestors suffered similarly in generations past. It's one continuum."

At this juncture on the continuum, the Krehbiels' world has gone global. They heard stories of Laotian pastors jailed for refusing to renounce their faith; worked for days to find a recording of a Cheyenne drum beat or learn Hispanic phrases; and listened to John Powell, the Mission Network's director of missional church development, create an African-American spiritual on the spot.

This diversity wove other lands into the Krehbiels' lyrics, and nuances of blues, gospel, reggae, rock, four-part harmony and tribal celebrations into their characteristic folk style.

"We're still mostly an Anglo church, so we have so much to learn from our other ethnic brothers and sisters," Doug Krehbiel said. "We heard stories about how Hispanic people were tortured and killed for their faith, and about people who spoke out about injustices."

For example, "Jesus, You Have Called Us" grew out of stories about persecuted Laotian pastors, using I Cor.15: 58 as text. As Jude Krehbiel sang this song, people wiped away tears: "Jesus you have called us/You will never leave us/Give us the strength to follow you." In Lao, she sang, "Pah Jesu song em kha/Bo kheuy jak hang hem/Kho sem kam lang/Hai kha tam pai." The translation was by Kuaying Teng, the Mission Network's minister of multicultural ministries.

"And I was just blown away by the musical talent of all the people who worked on this project," Doug Krehbiel said. "We didn't try to duplicate pure ethnic music from the various cultures -- it's beyond our ability anyway. We still sound like Doug and Jude with some new influences. But because of all the diverse help we received, these songs can hopefully represent a sampling of our amazing multicultural church."

All of this was challenge enough. But one more challenge faced them. They created and recorded the music at the same time they did about 60 presentations. They toured, visited congregations and attend events to share this missional vision. Paradoxically, the most exhausting aspect of their work was the most exhilarating. They gained energy from sharing the music in true Anabaptist style -- with their community, they said.

"My biggest challenge was trying to be creative in the recording studio after spending so many days on the road," Jude Krehbiel said. "But the concerts have also been my biggest joy and were very helpful. Being out in the churches gave us a chance to hear people sing these songs, to get feedback on what works and what doesn't, to feel their support."

Doug Krehbiel said, "My biggest joy was also the community and participatory aspect of this project. Unlike our other work, we wrote these songs to be mainly used by groups -- congregations, worship teams, or as special numbers during offertories.

"At concerts when we were teaching these new songs, I sometimes only had to strum the first chord, and then I'd just hang on for the ride. Mennonites know how to sing, and by the second verse, they had already spun out four parts. For me, these concerts brought the idea of the Anabaptist spirit full circle. Here we were as a community, reflecting on what it means to be missional as we worshipped together."

On a much larger communal scale, the duo will share the project at Atlanta 2003. During a July 4 celebration, "Many Voices, One Spirit," they will lead the audience in singing some of the project's songs. The Krehbiels will be masters of ceremony at the event that will have music and other material representing some of the cultural diversity in Mennonite Church USA.

Mission Network staff and Mennonite Church USA Executive Board Office of Convention Planning staff believe " Road Less Travelled" is the right pair to pave the way for a multicultural evening of worship, fellowship and artistic expression.

"In planning the July 4 event, our biggest goal was to be missional in nature ... and being missional means many things to many different people," said Kent Miller, the Mission Network's event coordinator for Atlanta.

"We felt Doug and Jude created quality music that showed how many different ways people in the church are living out what it means to invite others into the kingdom of God. We want them to be a center-piece for other artists who share their gifts that night."

Jorge Vallejos, director of the Office of Convention Planning, said, "We are thrilled that Doug and Jude are sharing this project with us at the convention. But the burning passion to share the love of Jesus through good music in many styles is something that's been in their hearts for a long time.

"Even if we hadn't gone through this whole transformational process about becoming more missional, they would have created this kind of CD anyway. They just naturally have a love of good music and a love of God."

Those who won't be in Atlanta to attend the concert or to purchase Let It Flow Through You at the convention may purchase a CD for $15 (U.S.) and $22 (Can.) at Provident Bookstores; Mennonite Media, 1-800-999-3534; or the web site: musicians.mennonitemission.net. Cassettes will be available in the fall. For booking information, call toll-free at 1-866-866-2872. (The web address has many features, including their touring schedule, MP3 excerpts from the CD and a downloadable songbook for use by congregational musicians and worship teams).

Laurie L. Oswald is news service director for Mennonite Church USA
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