Yelyzaveta Kaminska creates Christian music in Ukraine to uplift believers and reach non-believers.
When did you trust Christ?
My parents and I attended a Ukrainian Orthodox church, and although I saw God's hand in our lives, I began to live my own life at 16. I wanted to be a successful photographer, and even though I soon achieved that, I still felt empty. When I was 22, my parents bought a house, and their new neighbour was a Baptist pastor! They went to a Baptist church camp and repented. I went to their church because I was worried about them, since I had never been to a Baptist church. It was only after I repented that I understood the songs I had been singing. My parents and I all got baptised on the same day!
What have been the defining moments of your Christian walk?
The war in Ukraine helped me understand a lot of what God was doing in my life. On the first day of the war, I thought I would never write music or sing again because I didn't understand deeply what real fear was. I wrote in my songs that all fear, mistakes, and all enemies are nothing against God. And when the real fear came, I wasn't ready for it. However, I kept walking in Christ and kept this in mind in my heart. It helps to grow on the one hand and not to give up on the other. I know that God is still working with my heart, and it is just the beginning.
What do you hope to gain from participating?
I began this year and chose a church-planting program because I had already studied in one at the Kyiv seminary. I was amazed when the church-planting team arrived at our church, and now we really are going to begin a new church.
What is your ministry?
My music band is my ministry. There are 15 of us for now. We have more than 30 songs in three languages, all original. We have ethical instruments and a mixed contemporary style: jazz, etno, techno, rock, and indie. Usually, we hold evangelical events and play our music in parks and on the streets. The vision is to inspire other Christians to create Christian music and to show non-believers that Christian music can take many forms. To share the Gospel in a creative way.
What is your leadership role or what were your past leadership roles?
Today, I serve as a Bible teacher for all ages (women, kids, teens, youth), and I'm a leader in a youth music band, where I'm involved with most of the young people in our church. Also, I'm a leader at a youth theatre. Furthermore, I'm one of the leaders on our church's church-planting team.
Why should someone invest in your ministry?
If we are talking about church-planting, it is what Jesus told us to do, and we need churches in Ukraine a lot. Music ministry involves youth and teenagers and helps them discover their talents and gifts, and combines our national identity with the Gospel and God. I also have a vision to help other churches create their own church youth music bands with original music.
