Virginia Mennonite Missions: Called. Sent. Transformed.

October 2011

Music educator shares in worship with the Italian Mennonite Church

October 20, 2011
by Maurita Eberly
Partners participant

When Phil and Marcia Lehman left Bari, Italy in 2009, Centro Koinonia prayed fervently that God would provide musicians. Over the past two years, these prayers have been answered through church members like Luigi, Elena, Valentina, Francesco, Chris, and Melody. However, the church desired more training, prompting them to request that VMM send me as a resource person this summer, because of my formal education and experience in leading worship, as well as my history with the Italian Mennonite Church. Having grown up in Italy and studied music at the …

Continue reading »

Humility and growth: Partners in Mission turns 25

October 7, 2011
by Lars Åkerson
Partners coordinator

Humility and growth: Partners in Mission turns 25

When I began working at VMM one year ago, the organization was in the midst of routine transition. A new strategic plan was in development, and several program directors were moving on from their posts. Like a plant entering a new season, the ongoing process of growth was being felt more acutely, in exciting and invigorating ways. It was as I studied the program I had been asked to coordinate that I learned Partners in Mission was celebrating its twenty-fifth anniversary. So, amidst the ongoing work of coming alongside Partners …

Continue reading »

Lezha Academic Center opens first school year

October 3, 2011
by Don Steiner
Chair, LAC Board of Directors

Lezha Academic Center opens first school year

The sounds of school ring loud and clear this September at Albanian Christian School’s Lezha Academic Center (LAC) in Lezhe, Albania. The city is located along the Adriatic Sea in the northwest corner of the country at the foothills of the Albanian Alps. Virginia Mennonite Missions has had a presence in this city of approximately 35,000 since the early 1990s when Sam Scaggs first proclaimed the gospel message there. Klementina Shahini, executive director and visionary for Lezha Academic Center and an appointee of VMM, provides major leadership in shaping this …

Continue reading »

.