VMMissions to co-host Coaching Training event with J.R. Briggs

Studies continue to reveal that leaders who participate in coaching are more effective and exhibit long-term vitality in their personal lives. Join us for a Coaching Training event with J.R. Briggs from Kairos Partnership, co-hosted by VMMissions and Virginia Mennonite Conference, October 1-2 at Harrisonburg Mennonite Church, Harrisonburg, Va.

Read More

Family treasure hunting

As a child, I loved treasure hunts. Almost as fun as finding my treasure was continuing to search in order to hide the knowledge of the treasure from my siblings and to share in their joy when they found it. Discovery, amazement, wonder and joy are all unmistakable markers of those who have discovered the Kingdom of God made flesh in the person of Jesus Christ.

Read More

Family on mission: God’s business over busyness

Carol Tobin

My husband Skip and I believe that God will pour his life through us in dynamic ways as we take steps to integrate our family lives into the family life of God. One place where we see deep desire for this kind of integration is in a “family on mission” huddle that we host in our home.

Read More

Not here to raise a family?

Laura Green (left) has developed a friendship with neighbors Michele and Maria, sharing the love of Jesus with them. Photo courtesy of Shawn Green

Worker Shawn Green sees godly parenting as an integral part of bearing witness to the gospel in Termoli, Italy. “Because teachers, as well as neighbors, notice our parenting, we have had opportunities to speak into their lives,” he writes.

Read More

Nurturing the faith of college students

College students worship in the living room of 264 OSH, a hospitality ministry called Eastside College that invites students into a growing relationship with God.

God awakened in me a dream for the dividing walls to be broken down and for all of us—university students and local members of congregations—to see each other as brothers and sisters in Christ, and for the unique gifts of these students to be nurtured for the sake of God’s kingdom.

Read More

Aaron M. Kauffman graduates with Doctor of Ministry degree

Dr. Aaron Kauffman

Dr. Aaron M. Kauffman, president of Virginia Mennonite Missions since 2014, graduated with a Doctor of Ministry degree from Asbury Theological Seminary on May 18, 2019. He has served as president of Virginia Mennonite Missions since 2014. His dissertation is entitled, “Thriving: Effective Strategies for the Evangelism and Discipleship of Emerging Adults,” which uncovers five key strategies of local churches that are successfully engaging young adults.

Read More

Seeing the harvest that Jesus sees

Michael H. prays for workers at a resource event for Ministry Support Teams. Workers in South Asia, he and his wife Ruthy practiced organized prayer as a foundational aspect of their ministry in a large Muslim city. They are currently exploring future ministry assignments. Photo: Carol Tobin

With one sweep of my husband’s eye on our garden, he sees past investment, present challenges, and future promise. I learn a lot when I ask him to show me what he sees. This is what we do when we pray. Rather than feeling overwhelmed by the enormity of the challenges or exasperated by the complexities—“What do we do? Where do we start?”—we ask, “Lord, what do you see?”

Read More

“Hello, my friend”

The sprawling Moria refugee camp in Lesvos. Photo: UNHCR

I came because I thought that I could do something for God. But I soon realized that God brought me to Greece so that he could do something in me. The stories of bravery and courage I heard have impacted me and changed the way that I see the world.

Read More