Recent Worker Appointments and Reappointments

November 27, 2023

See a list of mission workers that VMMissions appointed or reappointed in 2023.

VMMissions Launches North Africa Earthquake Relief Fund

September 15, 2023

Our hearts are broken for the people of North Africa who recently suffered a catastrophic earthquake. Your gift by October 15 will enable the body of Christ to respond with compassion in a time of staggering loss and critical need. Let’s join in prayer for comfort and hope in the midst of grief.

VMMissions Awarded $1.2M Grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. for The Soil and The Seed Project

July 14, 2023

Virginia Mennonite Missions has received a grant of $1,222,766 from Lilly Endowment Inc. to support and expand the work of The Soil and The Seed Project, a faith formation project based in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The Project is being funded through Lilly Endowment’s Christian Parenting and Caregiving Initiative. The aim of the initiative is to help parents and caregivers share their faith and values with their children.

View the June 2023 Prayer Calendar

April 27, 2023

“The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” (James 5:16b NLT) Thank you for praying for the work and workers of VMMissions!

Invest in God’s Harvest

March 22, 2023

At VMMissions, we step out in faith with the God who can do more than we ask or imagine. This spring, we invite you to invest in God’s harvest with a gift to VMMissions. Can you help us raise the $65,200 we need by the end of April to keep pace with our budget?

WATCH: Merry Christmas From VMMissions

December 21, 2022

President Aaron Kauffman brings Christmas greetings and gives a few recent highlights from the ministries of VMMissions.

The Gospel is for Everyone

May 12, 2022

We launched A Church of Many Cultures in 2021 with the goal of raising $3 million for three new areas of ministry: Business for Transformation, Global Church Planting, and a Mission Training Center. I am happy to share that as of this month, we have raised nearly $2.7 million. If you haven’t already, please consider how God is calling you to support this campaign.

Thank You for Investing in the Life-Changing Kindness of Jesus Christ

December 3, 2021

Christmas is about kindness, God’s kindness toward us in Jesus Christ. In a world where kindness is in short supply, this is good news. We are invited to throw off the shackles of sin and receive the new life only Jesus can bring. Thank you for helping us share this kindness of God through a gift to the Mission Fund and meeting our year-end goal of $160,000.

Elio Milazzo: A Man Whose Voice Mattered

October 29, 2021

Within the Italian Mennonite world, there are few who would not recognize the powerful voice of Elio Milazzo, who for years was producer and voice of Parole di Vita, a radio broadcast sponsored by Italian Mennonites in partnership with Mennonites in North America, including VMMissions. The Italian Mennonite Church grieves his recent passing on August 29.

My Coins Count Raises Over $17,000

October 22, 2021

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.

Thank You for Helping Us Declare the Healing Power of Jesus

July 27, 2021

As we are seeking $100,000 to reach our Mission Fund goal for the fiscal year ending in August, I want to share two recent stories of the healing only Jesus can bring. Dramatic physical healing is not always our experience today, yet Scripture promises that the cross is God’s ultimate answer to the sickness of sin. Your generosity makes these stories possible.

Kauffman Reappointed to Third Term as VMMissions President

July 20, 2021

The Board of Directors of Virginia Mennonite Missions announces the reappointment of Aaron M. Kauffman as President for a third four-year term, beginning January 1, 2022. “Under Aaron’s leadership, VMMissions has continued to thrive and increase in numbers of appointed workers and in financial assets,” noted Lavonne Lehman, Board Chair.

VMMissions Blesses 130 Families through Relief Effort

May 27, 2021

In March 2020, VMMissions launched the Coronavirus Immigrant Care Fund as a domestic response to immigrants in need due to job loss and other hardships related to the coronavirus pandemic. Staff person Lizzette Hernandez led a distribution committee that fielded requests, verified needs, and made distributions. All told, VMMissions distributed $38,940 to 130 families in Virginia and North Carolina.

VMMissions Announces Updated COVID-19 Policy

May 25, 2021

As of May 24, 2021, all office staff and tenants at VMMissions are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. In accordance with updated guidance from the CDC and the Governor of Virginia, VMMissions is no longer requiring fully vaccinated staff or visitors to wear masks or maintain social distancing. We ask that all staff and visitors, even if vaccinated, make a point to accommodate requests to wear masks, socially distance, meet outside, or otherwise adjust office protocol for the sake of the comfort, health or safety of others.

Todd Van Patter Hired as Director of Operations

March 10, 2021

VMMissions is pleased to announce the hiring of Todd Van Patter as Director of Operations, beginning March 31. In this key role, Todd will lead the Support Services Team and serve on the Leadership Council. His background is in organizational design and culture: the systems and practices that lead to vibrant and effective organizations.

VMMissions Now Hiring: Human Resources Manager

March 5, 2021

Virginia Mennonite Missions seeks a full-time Human Resources Manager (consideration will be given for a part-time position if preferred). This individual will be the primary human resources officer for VMMissions, handling employment applications, coordinating hire and termination events, administering payroll and benefits, and leading the work to review and improve HR systems. Responsibilities will include administrative and office management duties to support the work of VMMissions’ staff.

Share the Light of Jesus

December 7, 2020

As 2020 came to a close, we invited you to help us reach our goal of raising $100,000 by December 31. Thank you for helping us reach our goal! Gifts are still coming in; as of January 4, we raised just over $101,000.

#GivingTuesday Raises $4,800 for Mission

December 2, 2020

VMMissions thanks the 36 donors who contributed a total of $4,800 to this year’s #GivingTuesday campaign. This includes a matching gift of $800 from Everence. VMMissions will use these contributions to multiply disciples among neighbors near and far as we join the work that God is already doing at home and around the world.

VMMissions Announces Two Staff Promotions

June 12, 2020

VMMissions is pleased to announce the promotions of Abe Hartzler to Associate Director of Advancement, beginning June 15, and Tom Yoder to Ministry Coach, with a particular focus on the Balkans, starting September 1. Both are current VMMissions staff members who have felt called to take on new or expanded roles.

Offices Open by Appointment Only During Phase 2

June 8, 2020

Thank you for your understanding in the closing of our offices due to COVID-19 these past several weeks. In view of the Governor’s recently announced guidelines for Phase 2 of Virginia’s reopening plan, effective Monday, June 8 we will be allowing visitors inside our offices by appointment only.

CARES Act Giving Options

June 1, 2020

Learn about changes in charitable giving options in light of the passage of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Coronavirus Sparks Responses of Compassion and Creativity at VMMissions

June 1, 2020

The last three months of the coronavirus pandemic have introduced unimagined challenges and tragedy to the entire world community. At the same time, this adversity has unearthed deep wells of adaptability, creativity and compassion. This is certainly the story at VMMissions.

MWC Global Church Sharing Fund Responds to Pandemic Needs

May 18, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic is exposing preexisting systemic inequalities that benefit some and disadvantage others. In response, Mennonite World Conference has invited Anabaptist mission and service partners to coordinate their financial response to COVID-19 hardships experienced by member churches around the world.

Keep Your Distance 5K Results

April 28, 2020

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.

VMMissions Response to COVID-19

March 17, 2020

We are all living with upheaval and uncertainty due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Yet as followers of Jesus, we need not give in to fear or hopelessness. With that confidence in God, Virginia Mennonite Missions is taking a number of steps to respond to the coronavirus crisis.

Update: Year-end financial goal exceeded

January 9, 2020

VMMissions is delighted to report that we exceeded our year-end financial goal of $100,000 by almost $7,000. Thank you! We are grateful to God and to everyone who has prayed, given financially, and supported our work in many ways.

End of fiscal year campaign nearly reaches goal

September 26, 2019

We express a hearty THANK YOU for your generous gifts to our Mission Fund during our fiscal year end campaign! We ended the campaign on August 31 with $146,404 received of the $150,000 goal. As we walk with longtime ministries and chart new paths with Jesus, the prayers and financial support of our donors and friends makes it possible.

Thank you for helping us share the greatest gift ever given

December 20, 2018

Thank you for your generosity as we finished 2018. We raised $103,401, or 92% of our Mission Fund goal. Thank you for helping us share the greatest gift ever given?

VMMissions short-term programs now accredited

December 5, 2018

VMMissions is excited to announce that it has passed the accreditation process with Standards of Excellence in Short-term Missions (SOE) and is now a fully accredited member of SOE.

Results of fiscal year end campaign

September 10, 2018

We are seeing the fruit of changed lives and communities that God is producing through our ministries! Like an abundant harvest, a great deal of work lies behind these fruitful ministries. Thank you for making this possible.

Goal exceeded!

August 7, 2017

Thank you for helping us extend the great chain of disciples who make disciples who make disciples. We slightly exceeded our fiscal-year-end goal of $110,000!

Mission Fund goal met!

August 18, 2016

  On behalf of Virginia Mennonite Missions, I want to thank you for your generous support. You helped us not only meet our goal, but exceed it! What a surprise! With God’s help and your gifts, we have successfully completed another year of making disciples in the way of Christ among neighbors near and far. […]

Board seeks nominations for three members

February 17, 2016

The Board of Virginia Mennonite Missions is seeking nominations for three at-large Board members. The 15-member Board of Directors is made up of a representative from each of the nine districts of Virginia Mennonite Conference, as well as six at-large members. This diverse group of men and women represents a range of vocational callings, both […]

Thank you! Year end goal exceeded

January 2, 2016

Due to your generous responses and the gifts of supporters who matched with $15,500, we have exceeded our goal of $60,000 with a total of $66,442 in our first-ever matching gift campaign! Thank you for investing in hope with gifts to our Mission Fund. The peace of Christ to you in this New Year!

VMMissions welcomes two new staff members

December 10, 2015

Virginia Mennonite Missions is pleased to welcome Steve Leaman and Melanie Sherer as new staff members. On December 2, 2015, Steve Leaman began employment with Virginia Mennonite Missions as Director of Public Relations. In this 60% role, he will lead the Advancement Team in the work of communications, public relations, and fundraising. Steve will also […]

Dianna Lehman to join VMMissions

December 28, 2014

Beginning March 16, 2015, Dianna Lehman will join VMMissions as Executive Assistant and Human Resources Manager. In this role she will provide administrative support to the President, including handling logistics for the Board of Directors and managing human resource functions for VMMissions’ staff and mission workers. Dianna has over 25 years of experience in executive-level […]

Special need for Shalom Church in Italy

December 22, 2014

The Shalom congregation in Palermo, Italy, began in the early 1990s in a part of the city that was dominated by violence. The church was named Shalom in hopes of bringing peace to that area of the city. It has grown under the capable Italian leadership of Pino Arena. Last week someone broke into the […]

Penny Power raises $28,210 for early childhood education

October 6, 2014

VMM welcomes new staff; transitions noted

April 2, 2014

Virginia Mennonite Missions has hired Sarah Schoenhals as Receptionist & Administrative Assistant, starting March 17. Sarah is a recent alumna of VMM’s tranSend program, serving with young adults and children in Det Udom, Thailand. . Janet Blosser’s role as Italy Field Director has been expanded to include VMM’s work in the Balkans (currently Albania, Montenegro […]

VMM welcomes two new staff members

December 6, 2013

Virginia Mennonite Missions is pleased to welcome Lynn Suter and Sherah-Leigh Gerber as new staff members. Beginning January 6, 2014, Lynn Suter will begin employment with Virginia Mennonite Missions as Director of Operations and International Ministries. This position will have two key areas of responsibility: assisting the President by providing oversight to the internal operations […]

Virginia Mennonite Missions selects president

October 21, 2013

Aaron M. Kauffman of Harrisonburg, Va., was chosen by Virginia Mennonite Missions’ (VMM) 15-member Board of Directors as their next president at the October 18-19 meeting. Kauffman has extensive local and international mission experience serving most recently as VMM global ministries director and advancement associate since 2011. A seven-member search committee of Virginia Mennonite Conference […]

Penny Power totals for 2012

October 9, 2012