Posts by Jon Trotter
God’s Arithmetic
Life Enrichment Church (LEC), a network of house churches in a forgotten rural corner of Thailand, was planted with the vision of multiplication in the late 1990s. How might God reach this impoverished, minimally educated corner of the country? Those first pioneer missionaries mounted their motorcycles, braving heat and dust – or monsoons and mud – to spread seed broadly, looking for the few who would respond.
Read MoreA Call to Shkodër
“We must make disciples for the kingdom of God,” Rafael Tartari writes. “We are not setting goals for our own convenience, according to our own agenda. This is not something we choose to do. It is something for which God has chosen us!”
Read MoreMy Coins Count Raises Over $17,000
My Coins Count is an annual campaign that benefits programs designated by Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) and VMMissions. In 2021, contributors donated a preliminary total of $17,073.74, of which $8,536.87 will benefit the family discipleship ministries of VMMissions workers Hannah Shultz and Seth & Theresa Crissman.
Read MoreTodd Van Patter Hired as Director of Operations
VMMissions is pleased to announce the hiring of Todd Van Patter as Director of Operations. Todd will lead the Support Services Team and serve on the Leadership Council. His background is in organizational design and practices that lead to vibrant and effective organizations.
Read MoreMotorcycles Go the Distance for Missions
In September, 24 motorcycle riders covered a total of 419 miles in support of the ministries of VMMissions. Despite ominous skies, the first group left Harrisonburg early Friday morning, and met up with other riders at Powhatan Mennonite Church.
Read MoreKeep Your Distance 5K Results
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Keep Your Distance 5K! Over six days, walkers and runners from around the world came together (virtually) and completed 232.5 miles while showing their support for VMMissions.
Read MoreA New Roof for Rosa
When it became apparent that Rosa’s house needed a new roof, church planter and pastor Armando Sanchez was ready to add his roofing skills to the energy already present in the Springdale and Waynesboro Mennonite churches. This led to a productive work day in which these congregations came together to give the house a new roof.
Read MoreIn Honor of Lloyd Weaver, VMMissions’ Longest-Serving President, 1966-1979
Lloyd Weaver Jr., ninth president of Virginia Mennonite Missions, died on April 7, 2020, at age 96. Recognized as humble, strong, encouraging, committed and full of good humor, he was enthusiastic about missions and especially enjoyed visiting the missionaries on location.
Read MoreThe Walls Came Tumbling Down: Our Entrance Into Albania
When the walls came down, “We were swept along, praising God for opportunities! We didn’t program it! We could hardly keep up with it,” Willard Eberly exclaimed. An isolated nation after a forty-five year communist regime, Albania opened in 1991 to the outside world and to the gospel of Jesus.
Read MoreIn Honor of Paul Timothy (PT) Yoder, 12th President of VMMissions
Paul Timothy Yoder, Sr., president of VMMissions from 1985 to 1990, died on December 16, 2019. He was 91. During his tenure, Paul envisioned VMMissions as a channel through which resources would be released for the purpose of expanding God’s kingdom.
Read MoreUpdate: Albania Earthquake Relief Fund
VMMissions is delighted to report that the Albania Earthquake Relief Fund needs have been met! In 2019, VMMissions received $28,712 towards the expenses of a temporary shelter in Lezhë for 15 Roma families who lost their homes in Albania’s 6.4-magnitude earthquake.
Read MoreIt’s #GivingTuesday!
This year for #GivingTuesday, join with VMMissions as we equip the church to share new life in Jesus Christ with neighbors near and far. All donations will go to the Mission Fund, which allows us to support 32 individual ministries in 24 countries.
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