A Story of Grace Becomes Alive on Stage

In 1989, the people in Eastern Europe were betrayed by Soviet tyranny for nearly half a century and had struggled to find some truth to hold onto. Into that era of uncertainty, God sent some unlikely missionaries to tell them of a God who loved them and longed for a relationship with them. As a result of a few going to see what God would do, an incredible story of hope unfolded, more precisely a story of grace. Phil Metzger, pastor of Calvary Budapest in Hungary, will be releasing his recently authored book, “A Story of Grace: Beyond the Iron Curtain.” The book release launches with a live presentation tour in the U.S. with music, fascinating video footage, a live orchestra, and testimonies that bring to life what God has done the past 20 years when God opened a door for some missionaries to head in to Eastern Europe. Tour orchestra leaders are Michael Payne and Peter Kovács. This duo team brings with them a collaboration of talent and vision as they lead worship with classical worship. In 2008, Payne was leading worship at his church and felt a need to incorporate many of the extraordinarily talented classical musicians that attended the Budapest church to create an amazing classical worship team. There was a desire to break free from the standard worship team line up and make the corporate worship experience of the church broader — encompassing the wide musical tastes present in the European congregation. Peter, a graduate of the Frank Liszt Music Academy, works full time with the Hungarian Radio Orchestra. Peter has played on many movie scores, toured Europe and Asia with various symphonies, orchestras, and has played with many well-known conductors like Jean Bernard Pommier, Christoph Eschenbach, Pier Giorgo Morandi, Helmuth Rilling, Rico Saccani, Vásáry Tamás, and Fischer Ádám. Kovács has been part of several movie soundtrack recordings, working alongside Ennio Morricone and Michel Legrand. Michael and Peter work together to create the music and the worship team that plays regularly at Golgota Budapest and other venues. Many of the members of Golgota Budapest Classical Worship team play in professional orchestras. This incredible team of musicians is excited to come to the United States to be a part of the “Story of Grace” Tour. This free live presentation coming to the Packinghouse in Redlands on Sunday, June 29th is not just a story about a former drug-addicted plumber turned missionary, or two California surfers turned church planters. It’s not the story of some high school graduates out to see what God might do—this is a story of God's grace. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., program starts at 6:30 p.m. Childcare is provided and available for check in starting at 6:15 p.m. The Packinghouse in Redlands is located at 27165 San Bernardino Ave.