Stories of Mission
Explore mission themes in our quarterly magazine as workers tell stories of making disciples in the way of Christ.
Stay informed of all the latest VMMissions news.
Prayers felt in Albania
God gives us the opportunity to be His servants. He enables us to serve Him as He inspires and motivates us to do His will. My work with the Roma people has its up and down seasons. All of this brings me closer to God. Right now I am giving praise to God for the…
Read MoreJamaica Mennonite Church conference delivers deep impact
“The Word of God: Eternal, Powerful & Profitable” was the theme of the 53rd annual conference of the Jamaica Mennonite Church, March 4-6, held in Kingston. Delegates gathered on Friday afternoon and all day Saturday to discuss reports from congregations and directors of various areas of church work. During the delegate session, Morris Baker was…
Read MoreNew witness launched in central Italy
Termoli, an ancient and modern city several hours north of Bari, Italy, of approximately 50,000 people, is situated among the coastal hills overlooking the Adriatic Sea. Guarded by a picturesque castle, it nestles among flourishing olive groves and vineyards. Although without an established believers’ church witness, God is at work to carry out His purposes…
Read MoreThe global family of faith
As I stepped off the platform at Winter Delegate Session a couple weeks ago, I whispered to Conference Minister Owen Burkholder, “This is good!” We had just received two more congregations into Virginia Mennonite Conference, Eastside Church and Iglesia Discipular Anabautista. This is becoming a regular and healthy occurrence in our conference. In the history…
Read MoreA tribute to Paul Kropf, long-time missionary
On behalf of VMM, I wish to recognize the significant service rendered by Paul and June Kropf, long-term pioneer missionaries to Albania with Eastern Mennonite Missions. Paul died unexpectedly on Christmas morning. With great sadness and sense of loss, we remember Paul and his contribution to the Albanian church. Upon their arrival in Lezhe, Albania,…
Read MoreSeven joyful baptisms in Trinidad
On January 30, Margaret and I had the privilege of participating in the baptism of seven people. The baptism was scheduled for Saturday, but it was raining most of the day and at noon we learned there was a warning out that people should not go in the ocean because of dangerously rough water, so…
Read MoreTransformed, transforming.
God is on a mission to change the world. Everyone knows the world needs it. Humanity has a propensity of messing things up and we all have done our share. Sin, we call it, and it ripples out into all of our relationships, human institutions, and even affects creation. God’s mission to change the world…
Read MoreMennonite Church in Trinidad now “totally local”
Borrowing from a popular local slogan, Pastor Ganesh Kalloo described the signficance of the day at Sangre Grande Mennonite Church in Trinidad as “Totally Local.” On Sunday morning, January 9, the Mennonite Church of Trinidad and Tobago (MCTT) commissioned and installed the first Trinidadian as their conference overseer. Rawl Gunpath had pastored for many years…
Read MoreAmor Viviente pastor challenges Italian Mennonites
“Although God cares about poverty, suffering and pain, these human problems are not His first priority. He sent Jesus to bring forgiveness, to seek that which was lost, to give new life-abundant and eternal. Jesus commissions us to continue His ministry and make disciples. The message must be so clear that people either believe and…
Read MoreSigns of Life Fellowship celebrates one year
On January 9, Signs of Life Fellowship (SLF) celebrated it’s one year “birthday” of meeting for worship at the Shenandoah Valley Club of the Deaf. SLF is a joint outreach ministry of Virginia Mennonite Missions, Springdale Mennonite Church and Community Fellowship Church in Staunton. Four families from the two churches who had been functioning as…
Read MorePraying with the Early Church
On December 12, the Early Church (in downtown Harrisonburg) gathered to ordain Ron Copeland to the ministry. It was my first visit to their worship service and remarkable in many ways. The youthful diversity of the gathering—students from EMU and JMU—meet with the group on a regular basis. Persons with various racial/ethnic characteristics came together…
Read MoreThoughtful choices change lives with fair trade products
When you hear the term “fair trade,” what comes to mind? Whenever I give tours of our organization, I find that there are many folks who are not acquainted with the term or the impact that fair trade has on artisans and farmers around the globe. In a nutshell, fair trade organizations offer a market…
Read MoreMennonite Women gather to consider purpose, discipleship
When the new officers of Mennonite Women of Virginia met for the first time, we began by considering our constitution. We found elements that may need revision. However, we were encouraged to find that the purpose of Mennonite Women of Virginia has not changed. Briefly stated, it is to support each other as we “find,…
Read MoreThree baptized in Kemishtaj, Albania
The Adriatic Sea wind whipped our faces but the bright sun beamed upon the group of believers from the Lajmetaret e Jesus Krishtit (Heralds of Jesus Christ) church of Kemishtaj, Albania, gathered for the baptism of Lazi, Ilir, and Eva. A deserted beach-side food stand sheltered us from the wind as Allen Umble, VMM worker…
Read MoreBlood revenge claims life of Albanian pastor
On October 8, Pastor Dritan (Tani) Prroj died in a busy plaza in the center of Shkoder. Similar to Jesus, he was executed in his early 30s for the sins of others. His crimes? Belonging to the wrong clan, refusing to stay imprisoned in his own home, continuing his public ministry although knowing he was…
Read MoreShining the light in Hickory
Nearly 60 years ago, evangelists from Franconia Mennonite Conference brought the light to Hickory, North Carolina. On Sunday, November 7, the Mennonite churches that grew out of that evangelistic trip celebrated their history and Virginia Conference’s 175th Anniversary. The day consisted of a homecoming celebration for Mt. View Mennonite Church—current members, past members, and family…
Read MoreOur core values
Core values are those values we hold dear. They represent the orienting center of our lives, the priorities by which we live. They are usually expressed by how we live our lives and what occupies our attention in terms of time and money. Sometimes core values are also expressed by our words. When our core…
Read MoreThe Gospel in cultural context
With eyes riveted in wonder at the dancers and their gentle gyrations, Wiang’s heart leapt in longing. Who are these people who can dance with such freedom and joy? Did she care who they were? Not really. She simply sensed intuitively that she belonged among them. Wiang was attending a gathering of followers of Jesus. …
Read MoreBaptism as remembering
I attended a baptismal service again recently. Four members of the Daniel family went “under the water” as the pastor put it. Father, mother, and two sons all gave verbal witness to their faith in Jesus Christ and accepted the sacrament and sign of baptism in the presence of God and a company of people.…
Read MoreA half-serious lament
With a bit of sadness this summer, I witnessed the final decisions associated with dissolving Ohio District of Virginia Mennonite Conference. It made sense since the district had essentially become an “empty set” as Conference Minister Owen Burkholder put it. Chestnut Ridge, the last remaining congregation, had transferred amicably to Ohio Conference earlier. Still, since…
Read MoreFirst international tranSenders finish well
“We’re here to honor Dino & Mara for their service among us this year.” With these words, Centro Koinonia’s usual mid-week meeting suddenly burst into a surprise farewell party! After listing their many accomplishments, we gave them a hearty round of applause, words of appreciation, incomparable party delicacies, plus many embraces and kisses, Italian-style! Here’s…
Read MoreVision becomes reality for Albanian Christian School
Albanian Christian School (ACS), a vision of Klementina and Dini Shahini and an initiative supported by Virginia Mennonite Missions and Eastern Mennonite Missions, will open its doors in Lezhe, Albania in September 2011. A Vision Support Team is providing oversight to the school. Klementina Shahini, an Albanian and American educator, will serve as executive director…
Read MoreEducating for faith and life in the world
On Sunday evening October 10, Park View Mennonite Church hosted a community celebration of the many educational endeavors that have been associated with the Virginia Mennonite Conference. It was one of the events in a year-long series commemorating the 175th anniversary of Virginia Mennonite Conference. Park View Mennonite Church was chosen since it had its…
Read MoreOn the death of two bishops
By Owen Burkholder Lloyd S. Horst died October 7, 2010 at the age of 97. Truman H. Brunk, Jr. died October 8, 2010 at the age of 79. At both funerals, I heard the descriptor “Encourager.” And, “gentle.” Each of these men was ordained in Virginia Mennonite Conference. Lloyd served as pastor and ordained bishop…
Read MoreMennonite Publishing Network & Third Way Media plan to merge
Dynamic, innovative, fully integrated and multimedia—that’s the goal of a new organization to be formed out of an integration of Mennonite Publishing Network (MPN) and Third Way Media (formerly Mennonite Media), a department of Mennonite Mission Network (MMN). Their merger will bring together strengths in publishing, video, radio, and the internet. The planned merger, approved…
Read MoreLutherans reconcile with Virginia Peninsula Mennonite congregations
In response to an invitation from Reverend Frederick Guy and the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church congregation in Newport News, Va., representatives from four local Mennonite congregations attended a “reconciliation” service and reception on Sunday, October 3. Eighteen persons from peninsula Mennonite churches—Huntington, Providence, Warwick River and Williamsburg—were warmly welcomed by Trinity Lutheran as, “our sisters…
Read More“We could never do this on our own”
“We could never do it on our own.” These or similar words express the sentiment of everyone at VMMissions—our staff, our board and our workers. We constantly receive reminders that we are involved in something far larger than ourselves. Sometimes we lead. Sometimes we follow. Sometimes we just get out of the way! VMMissions continues…
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