Konstantin Zhigulin’s Spiritual Music Ensemble

1. Konstantin Zhigulin’s Spiritual Music Ensemble (L to R) Luka Klimanova, Lina Zhigulin, Jeff Matteson and Konstantin Zhigulin

2. The translators of Kostya’s hymns Mark Shipp Jeff Matteson Wiley Dean

3. Kostya's songs are beautiful, they are true praise, true worship, capturing the spirit and praise of the Psalms and telling the story of God and his people - the way that the old hymn writers did, with the technical ability of Bach. This is what Kostya's music can inspire in American writers. I pray that it does. Kostya's music captures the depth of traditional Christian hymnody. When he was hereat our little church, I saw people uplifted by the music in ways that I haven't seen in a long time. It seems to me that Christians in America are hungry for something - music that captures their experience of the life of faith and wraps it into the story of God, and that is exactly what Kostya accomplishes. - Todd Hall

4. Austin, Texasrehearsals September 2

5. Nashville, Tenn. September 3-4 Una Church of Christ

6. Margit Prosser’s Hermitage House Smorgasbord Hendersonville Church of Christ

7. With Russian & American friends in Nashville

9. Recording “My God and King” Sept. 5-8 Konstantin Zhigulin, Mel Witcher, Lina Zhigulin, Brad Merrell, Luka Klimanova, Mark Shipp, Diann Sloan, Hugh Morgan, Jeff Matteson, Judy Witcher

10. It was an honor and my  pleasure to work with these wonderful, talented, loving, but humble folks. They brought a style of music that was distinct to the Russian culture while reflecting a reverence for God, Son, and Holy Spirit, that frequently moved me to tears as I sang or listened to the words and music of Kostya's creations. His music, as it finds its way into the American churches, will greatly increase the depth of understanding of what worship is about. Hugh Morgan Austin, Texas

11. Originally written in the Russian language by Konstantin Zhigulin and translated by Christian brothers Mark Shipp, Wiley Dean and Jeff Matteson, this collection of hymns was inspired by the Psalms and other passages in the Holy Scriptures. Reflected in this project is God’s unfathomable work uniting nations and cultures for His glory. For this profound blessing we give all praise, honor and glory to God the Father through Jesus Christ our Lord.

13. Oklahoma City September 9-11 Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial

14. OC Music Department Chapel

15. With old and new friends in Oklahoma City

16. Morning Memorial Road Church of Christ

17. Lunch Soldier Creek Church of Christ

18. Wilshire Church of Christ Evening

19. OC Missions “Outreach” Devotional

21. Cox Blvd. Church of Christ Sheffield, Alabama September 12-13

23. Fredericksburg, Texas

24. Austin Graduate School of TheologySept. 16

25. Holland St. Church of ChristSan Marcos, Texas Sept. 17

26. The Spiritual Music Ensemble is so refreshingbecause they sing songs loaded with meaning andappropriate music. Contemporary worship and praisesongs are often just secular music with religiouswords.  The ensemble's hymns, like the ancient church,are set apart from the world, sacred and holy. - Lin Penland Minister of the Word Holland St. Church of Christ

27. Brentwood Oaks Church of ChristAustin, Texas September 17

28. At Brentwood Oaks, we were privileged to have Kostya and the ensemble sing in our assembly on a Sunday evening. The grace of God was evident in the hymns translated into English but also those in the Russian language.  The hour passed too quickly. However perhaps the best testimony to their ministry and its effect was, for me, visible in the chapel of Brentwood Christian School. 600 students sat in rapt attention as they sang.  Those who serve well children are a blessing to us all. - Roger L. McCown Minister of the Word Brentwood Oaks Church of Christ

29. Abilene Christian UniversitySept. 18-19 Konstantin’s hymns are spiritual and deep. May churches in America learn from and imitate his music. - Everett Ferguson

30. Old and new friends in Abilene

31. ACU Lectureship

32. High Pointe Church of ChristMcKinney, Texas September 20

33. Dallas, TexasSept. 20-24 Visiting with old and new friends

34. ITCM Board Meeting. Dallas, Texas

35. The content of their music focuses on the core reason for worship which is to communicate our deepest thoughts and feelings to our creator with all our heart,soul,mind and strength.Their music is timeless both modern and ancient, simple yet beautiful,truthful and spiritual,Russian yet universal, calming yet exciting to the soul.Their precise vocal skill and balance shows they take God seriously and their presentation with conviction and calmness shows their relationship to Him. - Bob Jones The ensemble of Russian singers were true Christian ambassadors in their visits to US churches. They represented the spirit of Christ in their hymns of praise to the Father, in their relations with each other and in their lovely spirit with hosting Christians. The groups hymnody was precisely targeted in praise and decidedly vivid in the blend of tonal parts. Kostya Zhigulin is a hymn writer whose name this and future generations should recognize. - Chuck Whittle

36. Richland Hills Church of Christ Ft. Worth, Texas September 23

37. I was our blessing to be able to host the St. Petersburg ensemble. The blessings received, for the churches in he US, are many and strong. The blessing of seeing and hearingfruit from evangelism efforts in Russia is testimony to God's grace to us and to the Russian people. There are also blessings for the Russian church that could stand for decades, should the Lord tarry. The opportunity for Russian psalmists like Kostya to be encouraged can have the result of providing God's Russian church with a reservoir of hymns that will last 'til the Lord returns. - Ron Holland Minister of Missions Richland Hills Church of Christ

38. Duncanville Church of Christ September 24

39. Pleasant Ridge Church of Christ Arlington, Texas September 24