Slava Korsak... amazing soul and spirit in song!

This afternoon I was blessed tremendously by Slava Korsak from Ukraine at Burks UMC.  He sang a variety of songs for a little over an hour, sharing his giftedness and from his heart.  Slava also sang this morning in both services, so I was blessed earlier in the day by him as well.

Though I had seen his name in print that he was coming, the name meant nothing to me.  Only after I posted a picture during church on Facebook did I learn that he sang at the Holston Annual Conference this past June.  Though I watched some of that through the live streaming, I had missed that.  I learned why... he sang during the power outage and storm there.  Based on the song he sang tonight that he sang that night ("Take My Hand, Precious Lord"), Stuart Auditorium had to have been filled with the Holy Spirit!

I watched Slava prepare as the video was playing prior to his heading down the stairs to begin sharing in song.  I could sense the power of the Holy Spirit even then.  I could tell that this man knows God personally in relationship and lives it freely and abundantly! 

After having experienced Slava share his giftedness with us, I know that to be true through experience, not just feeling.  After Slava ended his final song, he ended our time with these words (or something very similar): "We are all children of God; be kids everybody!"  Oh, what beautiful words to my ears, my heart, my soul!  What a perfect benediction!  At least, in my humble opinion.  For me, that is the cherry on top of the whipped cream on the top of the extra hot fudge on a perfect hot fudge cake (or sundae)!  I think I will save this for another post.  For now, let me get back to Slava.

Wil introducing Slava at 9am service.

Slava singing at 9am service.

Slava sang Gospel, Christian Contemporary, Taizé, blues, and jazz.  His range in notes was as extraordinary as his range in genre.  Slava showed soul and spirit throughout the entire time. 

Slava sang "Amazed", "I Love the Lord", "The Lord's Prayer", a song in the Ukrainian language "My Love" that was beautiful, two songs with Roy Treiyer from Argentina on piano-- "Take My Hand, Precious Lord" (the one sang at Holston Annual Conference) and "Breathe On Me Breath of God" (earlier in the concert), "Above All", "This is the Air I Breathe", "Go Down Moses", "Georgia On My Mind", "God Knows Your Name" and "You Raise Me Up" (as the last song).   I may have missed a song or two in there and/or gotten the titles incorrect.

"Georgia On My Mind"

Roy Treiyer and Slava Korsak finishing out "Take My Hand, Precious Lord"

 

Slava and Roy-- check out the joy on their faces.  Singing and playing "Take My Hand, Precious Lord".

 

Slava speaks 6 different languages, most of them in the Slavic family.  That is super cool! 

Slava's church in Ukraine is sponsored by the Holston Annual Conference, specifically a church in Johnson City.

The church for which he is raising funds and awareness in Prague (Czech Republic) is ESUMC.

Slava was on the news here locally in Chattanooga yesterday (Saturday), WTVC NewsChannel 9.

Slava Korsak on YouTube, singing "Hallelujah":

If you get a chance to hear Slava in person, I recommend that you take advantage of the opportunity.  Though I didn't get a chance to chat with him, I was tremendously blessed by his sharing of his giftedness and I did connect with him visually in the balcony prior to him heading down to share.  The Spirit flowed mightily throughout that church building this morning and this afternoon through worship in song led by Slava and through the choir, worship team, and the preaching.  It was a team effort, led by the Trinity.

Thank you Slava for sharing with us today!

Blessings to you Slava on your journey and to all whom you minister through word and song.

To all, may you live out your giftedness for the good of the Kingdom and the glory of the Creator!  And may we remember the words Slava exhorted us at the end of today's concert: "be kids, everybody".

Blessings on your journey,

Debra

P.S.  If you live in the Johnson City area, he will be at Munsey Memorial UMC on August 17th.  Go to the Munsey website for contact information to call for times, etc.
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More news on Slava and his visit here in Chattanooga: The Pulse

Slava Korsak's website in his country

I was trying to upload a video I took with my phone: "Breathe on Me, Breath of God" (not great video quality), but have been having some technical difficulties.  If I get it worked out, I'll add it later.