Arts & Culture

Music in Cross-cultural Ministry: an Interview with Whitney Peck

This month, I was able to interview Whitney Peck, born and raised in Kansas, along with her three older siblings. Now she hails from Tirana, the capital of Albania, where she serves the Lord through teaching music and leading worship.

 

Hey Whitney! It’s a pleasure to be able to interview you. Can you walk me through your journey with music?

When I was little, my mom got me into music by introducing me to Hollywood musicals, which she loved. My favorite old one is “Calamity Jane.” I started piano but took it on and off; in middle school, I played the trumpet. I’m also a self-taught guitar and ukulele player. In college, I majored in vocal performance, and now, everything I do is music, although I had no idea then that I would end up in Albania!

 

Interesting! How, then, did God call you to cross-cultural missions?

According to my mom, I had always wanted to be a missionary when I was a kid—though I had forgotten about that. However, I have always loved learning about new cultures and traditions and meeting new people. Before I moved to Albania, I didn’t even know that it existed; it couldn’t have been anyone but God. Originally, I signed up with my organization to serve overseas for two years, but by September, I will have been here for seven!

 

What ministries are you involved with, and how have they impacted you?

I led a worship songwriting conference, where we wrote new Albanian songs for the church; most worship songs sung in churches here have been translated from English. I have also been a part of founding the first worship school in the Balkans, SELAH Worship School! Through this school, we hold worship nights, conferences, worship camps, and we also train worship teams.

One thing that God has taught me through my ministry is that there isn’t a certain kind of music that is worship—it’s the heart of the individual making the music. Someone once told me that music as a form of worship is one thing that will be carried on even in heaven, and I think that’s pretty cool!

 

That does sound amazing. What are some challenges to living cross-culturally? What do you enjoy about it?

Language is always a challenge, as well as finding a balance between work/ministry and personal time. And I love trying different foods and seeing what makes us all the same—we all want, and we all need. No matter where we’re from, those are the things that drive us. And, thanks to all the wonderful people I’ve met, Albania feels like home.

 

Turning back to music—what are some of your favorite songs?

For worship music, I really enjoy Maverick City and the song “Honey in the Rock”; it just reminds me that God provides no matter where I go. As for seculars, I like any funk and Tina Turner!

Similarly, the music I write is based on funk/blues; I draw inspiration from daily life and from spiritual moments.

 

Finally, to close, what’s your favorite Bible verse?

Deuteronomy 31:6, “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” I especially love the last sentence—knowing that and having hope in that can get you through a lot of difficult situations.

 

Image Credit: Whitney Peck

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