Based in Istanbul, StoryBox mixes a little bit of local musical influence into their blend of Western rock/pop. In Turkey, set lists usually contain well-known Turkish pop, Western covers and original tunes - many of which tell stories. Between the songs, you can also be sure that someone will tell a story or two as well, and in recent years shows have added more dance and drama elements.

Check them out on Nimbit or ReverbNation, StoryBox uses a mix of English and Turkish pop/rock and stories (sung and spoken) to share the faith. Check out the StoryBox website.

Tour Highlights

We did five concerts in southeast Turkey. One of the highlights was participating in the Malatya church's Easter celebration. However, it was surreal to find out that 10 days later, three of the men we worshiped with were martyred, and that some of the murderers had probably been in the congregation. We also got to play in a bar in Gaziantep. The bar is run by a Muslim, but he has enjoyed working with us and always invites us back. We learned that after this visit, he was fined US$1300 for not having a license to play live music; please pray that this won't end our relationship.

Based in Istanbul, StoryBox mixes a little bit of local musical influence into their blend of Western rock/pop. In Turkey, set lists usually contain well-known Turkish pop, Western covers and original tunes - many of which tell stories. Between the songs, you can also be sure that someone will tell a story or two as well, and in recent years shows have added more dance and drama elements.

Check them out on Nimbit or ReverbNation, StoryBox uses a mix of English and Turkish pop/rock and stories (sung and spoken) to share the faith. Check out the StoryBox website.

Tour Highlights

A local Lebanese chap joined the band to play bass, and the first few gigs we did were in high schools. Although the schools were Christian, most of the kids were from non- Christian families, 97% Muslim in one case! And we were able to share openly. In Lebanon, Christian schools typically provide the best education, so many non-Christians attend. It took a couple songs to warm the kids up, but we got to sign autographs later, and we hope that what we shared will stick with those young people. We also got perform at a Beirut Starbucks, and, finally, play for a conference for Arab pastors!

Berimbau are a performing arts group based in Brazil that use juggling, fire eating, Brazilian samba, acrobatics, Capoeira (a Brazilian martial art that looks a bit like dancing) and crazy football skills to get His message out into the world.

Tour Highlights

Berimbau performed at about 10 schools with the aim of putting out some 'hooks' and 'lines' to a big concert at the end of the tour. The big 'Finale' concert ended the tour on a high note with themes of the gospel and testimonies woven throughout exciting performances and music.

The OutlandersThe Outlander's Team consists of Chris MacDonald – band leader/lead vocals/guitar, Greg Davis – bass guitar/vocals, Sandy Black – drums/vocals, Jeff Coleman – keyboard/vocals, and Jon Thiessen – Soundman/tech. They use their music to preach the message of a God who can come into our brokenness and bring freedom and peace.

Tour Highlights

Through many concerts in Kazakhstan, all under the heading of "Youth Against Drugs" (Kazakhstan struggles greatly with drugs and alcoholism), the band was able to openly share the Gospel at many locations. Especially effective was the drummer Sandy's testimony about how Christ had saved him from a life of alcoholism. Many people were touched and we were able to have deep conversations after many of our concerts and watch several people profess faith and connect with the local churches. We did notice that sharing has gotten harder in Kazakhstan. Pray for the church there.

Berimbau are a performing arts group based in Brazil that use juggling, fire eating, Brazilian samba, acrobatics, Capoeira (a Brazilian martial art that looks a bit like dancing) and crazy football skills to get His message out into the world.

Tour Highlights

Berimbau performed at a newly growing fellowship and was an encouragement there. They were also able to witness to their driver, who was touched by their attitudes in dealing with people. In Istanbul they took to the streets with their talents and collected 60 surveys from people who wanted to here more about the Good News they shared.

Bill Drake, a published author and musician, using his songwriting to talk about his faith in Jesus Christ, and how God had redeemed his early life from brokenness performs his encouraging and uplifting brand of keyboard-driven symphonic rock with a full band. Check out the Bill Drake website.

Tour Highlights

Bill Drake, his band, and the team of other techies and dancers that would be involved in the tour met up in Diyarbakır for a couple of days of rehearsal. After they had prepared themselves, they were ready to start the tour! At concerts in Diyarbakır, Gaziantep, Antakya and Samsun, God provided many opportunities for them to openly proclaim the gospel. A pastor in Samsun, who was trying to find venues for Drake, faced many challenges, but the Lord provided -and there were two shows in Samsun to end the tour.

Artslink is the term TACO uses for a yearly group of Christian visual artists who they bring to Turkey. The goal is to connect with the Turkish people via the medium of art.
The last couple years, the group has worked in Cappadocia. They create artwork for an evangelistic exhibition held at the end of the time, while building relationships with local artists. They spend their time creating art, exchanging ideas, sharing meals and cups of tea with friends, meeting many new people, and praying for the town.

Tour Highlights

Artslink 2007 was TACO's first attempt at bringing a group of visual artists to Turkey. The group started in Bursa. They created murals for a center for handicapped children. In Ankara, they held a 9-day art exhibition at a local university. In Istanbul, they toured both the poor and the artsy leftist neighborhoods. They made friends by drawing hundreds of portraits of the children, and were able to start deep relationships and pray with people. The group also designed countless logos, artwork and murals and illustrations for the Turkish churches and their ministries and books!

The Regez Sisters are a group of five sisters who sang for the glory of God and the spreading of His kingdom in the early 2000s. Check out the The Regez Sisters website.

Tour Highlights

The Regez Sisters and their 3 honorary "sisters" (all male!) were an incredible blessing in Turkey. They gave many concerts that ministered to believers and unbelievers alike. They were also zealous in evangelism. When they boarded a train, they would often hold impromptu concerts for the "captive" audience, and they handed out tracts and started conversations wherever they went! They learned several Turkish Christian songs and sung those in open-air and impromptu concerts. The local believers who traveled with them used these to start relationships with several interested seekers.

High-energy rock music from Iowa

Tour Highlights

Emergency Landing had a rough start to their trip with flights cancelled and tickets not being reissued but still got to Bishkek anyway! Over their 9 days of concerts, 500 surveys were handed in for follow up, over 1000 DVDs were given out that addressed youth issues with biblical truths and 15-20 people came forward and made professions of faith at one concert in Jalalabad. EL's work in Kyrgyzstan was a huge encouragement to local churches and believers.

"No Longer Music" (NLM) was founded in Amsterdam in 1985 by David Pierce and has been touring the world ever since. Since its formation, NLM has made its mark through its bold and creative blend of music and theater. In many ways NLM has been and continues to be a refreshing exception to a music scene rarely daring to be different. Throughout the years the style of NLM has adapted but its commitment to cutting edge visuals and theatrics has ensured that international demand for the band has stayed strong. Check out the No Longer Music website.

Tour Highlights

NLM started their tour of Kyrgyzstan in Balikici with a couple of shows in an old communist theater. They continued with more shows in Tokmok, one outdoor and one in another old communist theater. There were also a couple of shows in a Jazz Club in Bishkek. After the first show ath the Jazz Club the owner asked David to tone down the message and stick to playing just music. But, with guidance from the Lord, David was able to convince her to let them do the show how they had the night before. That night she ended up praying to accept Christ after the show! Check out a video from the tour

"No Longer Music" (NLM) was founded in Amsterdam in 1985 by David Pierce and has been touring the world ever since. Since its formation, NLM has made its mark through its bold and creative blend of music and theater. In many ways NLM has been and continues to be a refreshing exception to a music scene rarely daring to be different. Throughout the years the style of NLM has adapted but its commitment to cutting edge visuals and theatrics has ensured that international demand for the band has stayed strong. Check out the No Longer Music website.

Tour Highlights

NLM continued their time with TACO with a tour in Turkey. They performed concerts in Istanbul, Antakya, Samandağ, and Arsuz. The venues in the various cities ranged from churches to dirty beachside streets. At all of the shows however, the Gospel was proudly proclaimed and people prayed to accept Christ. The tour had it's challenges but the many professions of faith made it more than worth it. Check out a video from the tour

Every two years, local believers from Turkey gather together to be encouraged and trained as worship leaders and creative artists. There is Bible teaching and seminars, workshops, and technical lessons for music, drama and dance over four days where participants develop their skills and draw closer to God.

Tour Highlights

This was our first Kanat Camp, and what a blessing it was! A typical day began with a biblical challenge from a Turkish church leader, followed by discussion groups. Then, a group of students led worship and receive feedback. Then students chose specialized studies: guitar, drama, voice, drums and darbuka. In the afternoon, students studied rehearsal skills, basic arranging concepts and worship skills. Evenings involved a mix of activities; different Christian artists blessed us, and, on the last evening, the students performed the songs and dramas they had worked on.

Cindy Ruakere is a New Zealand Christian itinerant worship leader, speaker and prophet whose passion is to encourage people into a closer relationship with Jesus Christ. Cindy embodies the pioneering spirit of New Zealand and through her worship and songs, encourages us to "Press On" into the things God has in store for us. Check out the Cindy Ruakere website.

Tour Highlights

The focus of this tour was to encourage the local churches and work together with local believers. Evangelism was a part of Cindy's tour, but the goal was to create times of true worship that would bring local believers closer to Christ. In Bursa and Izmir, Cindy worked with musicians from Kanat Camp. The believers were greatly refreshed by the concerts she led. Turkish musicians added an extra layer of joy to the concerts by working their Turkish instruments into Cindy's songs. Ten people who had never been in a church came as well, which was encouraging for the church.