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.
Mission in the middle
Always remember what you have been taught. Don’t let go of it. Keep safe all that you have learned. It is the most important thing in your life. Proverbs 4:13 If I were to tell you a story of Colombia, would you choose to hear about our runaway kitten that was secretly replaced by a…
Read MoreLet’s transForm missions and transform the world
When Shawn and Laura Green first tested their call to long-term missionary service through a one-year internship with tranSend, they discovered that nearly 50% of the support needed for their service was already in place. The tranSend grant fund was ready, covering up to 50% of the cost of one year internships for up to…
Read MoreDwelling in unity in a divided land
Photo: The Israel/Palestine group near the Temple Mount, standing on an ancient road through the market area. Jesus would have walked here. Photos courtesy of Phil Kniss. This year’s Partners team to Palestine and Israel embarked on a twenty day journey focused on studying the role of Christians in the realms of Empire. Through home-stays…
Read MoreOrganic church planters’ Greenhouse event coming to Harrisonburg
An excellent opportunity to continue to learn and grow as followers of Jesus is coming up soon. On October 19-21, Virginia Mennonite Missions and Mennonite Hispanic Initiative (MHI) will host an “Organic Church Planters’ Greenhouse” intensive training with Neil Cole from Church Multiplication Resources (CMAR), held at Harrisonburg Mennonite Church. A Greenhouse is a three-day…
Read MoreItalian “Happy Week” expands to impact adolescents
“How can our tiny church facility host the growing group of community children who love to participate in “Settimana Felice” (Happy Week)?” As the Centro Koinonia congregation submitted this question to prayer and discussion, an exciting idea emerged. Why not organize two weeks of activities— a “happy week” for elementary school kids and a second…
Read MoreMCTT’s mentoring move!
What an uplifting worship of praise and fellowship! The five congregations of the Mennonite Church of Trinidad and Tobago (MCTT) gathered for a joint service held on Sunday, April 29 in the Diego Martin Mennonite Church to install Bro. Ronald Latchman as Pastor Mentoree. The moderator of the service, Sis. Linda Gunpath gave everyone a…
Read MoreFlowing river baptisms provide firm foundation for faith
By Gloria Lehman In June, the Eastern Mennonite High School Touring Choir traveled to Eastern Europe for a three-week tour of Romania, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania and Italy. Galen and I accompanied this group of lively, talented young people and listened to them singing in both big and small worship spaces. On June 17, we were…
Read MoreMission and money musings
Is there a rise in donor fatigue? We at VMMissions are pleased that so many gifted persons are sensing a call to serve in mission here at home and overseas. In conversations, I sense that family, friends and congregations are pleased as well, yet have mixed feelings. “Does this mean yet another fundraising letter in…
Read MorePaid to serve the Lord?
I have no bone to pick with those who are paid to serve the Lord. After all I do know the Bible says that, “those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.” And too, I am one such person, which probably biases me in a particular direction. Being paid to serve…
Read MoreWith Pedal Power, cyclists of all ages gear up to support community development, missions
A year ago, Calvin and Eve Bixler were the youngest riders in the annual Bike Shenandoah. The siblings, six and two-years-old, respectively, completed the five-mile ride with their parents, Sarah and Ben, whose bikes were outfitted to bring the little ones along. “We really enjoy biking,” Sarah, who attends Eastside Church, said recently. “It’s good…
Read MoreAfrican Pentecostalism, a recipe for global church growth
On Saturday, May 19, 28 followers of Jesus from both Calvary and Eastern District congregations gathered in Williamsburg Mennonite Church to discuss what is a disciple and how do we make them? Two persons from international cultures and communities—Phil Detweiler who served with Mennonite Missions Network for 21 years in Africa and Skip Tobin who…
Read MoreA Trip to Albania: Our Availability as God’s Instruments in Mission
By Lee and Peg Martin A picture may be worth a thousand words, but actually being there is in a totally different category. For us, Albania was a distant place we’d hear about through faithful missionaries including Allen Umble and Norma Teles. Allen is a former member of our congregation, Mt. Clinton Mennonite, and Lee…
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