About our International Tours
Vanguard University values cross-cultural education and experience in which our student’s are challenged to develop a global worldview and make lasting global connections. The Music Department at Vanguard shares this vision and desires to see the music students and graduates become globally minded leaders using their musical gifts among the nations. Because of this desire we send out an annual international music missions trip team consisting of members of the Vanguard Singers & Band. Past overseas tours that have greatly impacted our students and outreach have included Europe (2001, 2004, 2007), South Korea, China (2003, 2005, 2008, 2010), Japan, Mexico, and Canada. We have international students at Vanguard today who made decisions for Christ as a result of our recent tours. Additionally, several Vanguard Singers & Band alumni are serving overseas or are directly involved with cross-cultural missions full-time because of the exposure and calling they received while on one of our music ministry mission trips.
Student Responses to the tours:
“The trip to Europe with the Vanguard Singers and Band was such an amazing Experience! Not only did I have several opportunities to share my faith with a wide variety of people, but I also got valuable experience sharing the gift of music with wonderful people. Also, visiting the many cathedrals brought about such a reverence that is near impossible to experience in America or anywhere else in the world…. It was fantastic to be able to see all the history that I had learned about right in front of me… This tour was so much more than a tour, it was an incredible time to grow closer to God and show His love to so many people. It was an amazing experience that future Vanguard music students would not want to miss out on! Thanks for such an incredible trip!” - Jenny Payne, Music Major – Class of 2011
Europe 2011
The Vanguard Singers and Band have received a special invitation to share concerts in Germany, Austria, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Belgium, as well as to assist Dr. James Melton in leading services and a music/worship conference in Lisbon, Portugal this summer from May 9 through May 28, 2011. Additionally, our music missionaries have been asked to participate in open-air concerts and street evangelism. While in Europe, we will also be ministering and sharing in some planned evangelistic meetings in Holland and Germany. During portions of our trip, we will be hosted by members of the Madchenkantorei Chorus of Bad Saulgau, Germany, which participated in our Carnegie Hall tour during May of 2006 and who we hosted here in Southern California and our university during May of 2009. These students, ages 14-24, are very excited to have our students visit their schools for several days and are very open to the gospel. Several concerts have been planned for us in some of the oldest Baroque churches and cathedrals in southern Germany (along the Martin Luther “road”), as well as in the Bavarian Cultural Arts Center. We will also be joining the Cova Piedade (Assembly of God) Church in Lisbon, Portugal, providing another wonderful cross-cultural experience for our students.
Particularly during these days of world uncertainty and unrest, the church in western Europe is further resolved to minister to those who need the true Prince of Peace. Because of the unique gift of music and its universal language and cultural appeal, the opportunities for witness and ministry available to us are limitless! Additionally, the response to our students’ trip to Europe 3 years ago was overwhelming. They truly were able to impact hundreds of our brothers and sisters in Christ from many different churches who came to be strengthened and nurtured in their own personal worship and as worship leaders in their own communities and congregations.
Here are just a couple of comments from the pastoral team in Lisbon who have already begun to specifically pray for our ministry, concerts, and time with them:
“His light will go out from your students as they sing, as they walk around the city, as they live here with our families and interact with hundreds during their time here.”
“They will not only attract thousands to their outdoor concerts, but they will refresh their brothers and sisters in Christ who live here as well as give us more opportunities to share the gospel based on the open doors we will have from their music…”
