A Message from the Chief Executive Officer

The Core Values of VOMC

The "Importance of Discipleship"

"Discipleship means adherence to Christ and, because Christ
is the object of that adherence, it must take the form of discipleship."
~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Author of The Cost of Discipleship

"Discipleship" is a term often used in church and parachurch settings, but I wonder how many Christians truly understand what it means and entails. Noah Webster's 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language defines a disciple as a "learner" or "scholar." In essence, it describes an individual who receives or claims to receive instruction from another – such as a disciple of the ancient Greek philosopher Plato. Likewise, many influential leaders or teachers throughout Biblical history had disciples. So the fact that crowds of people sought to be in Jesus' presence to learn from Him was not unusual.

The Core Values of VOMC

Owning God's Mission

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded
you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
~ Matthew 28:19-20 ESV

Although few may recognize the name Harry Dixon Loes, many will easily recognize his well-known hymn, This Little Light of Mine, which has become a Sunday School classic over the years. With its catchy tune and simple lyrics, I sang it with all my heart as a young child:

“This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.”

The Core Values of VOMC

Vitality in Prayer

"But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your
Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
~ Matthew 6:6 ESV

Prayer serves as a bridge that connects our souls with our Creator, which is essential for living the Christian life. It is through prayer that the Holy Spirit helps us to express our deepest emotions and desires to God, while also guiding us to a better understanding of His will. This spiritual dialogue nurtures our relationship with our Heavenly Father by drawing us closer to His heart.

The Core Values of VOMC

“Core values represent the fundamental essence of VOMC and
serve as a guiding framework for our behaviour and actions.”

At VOMC, our executive leadership team desires to cultivate an energetic, inspiring workplace that embraces and avidly promotes the mission’s core values. Collectively, we embody these core values by presenting them in an acrostic, using the letters V.O.I.C.E., to ensure that each team member feels inspired and empowered to pursue their calling – both within the organization of VOMC and beyond.

The Mission of VOMC

Part Two

"Actively Remembering and Serving the ‘Church Persecuted.”

In the previous month’s blog message, I described the “persecuted church” as a local congregation of Christians gathered in a particular place. These places can be found in countries or regions that are hostile towards the Gospel – to the extent that followers of Christ face severe forms of aggression and violence because of their faith. The ministry of VOMC exists to raise a voice on behalf of the persecuted believers residing in these volatile areas and to make an urgent appeal for Canadian followers of Jesus to not forget them. As our persecuted brothers and sisters are also an integral part of the body of Christ, we must be mindful to care for them through prayer and practical assistance.

A church in Uganda.

The Mission of VOMC

Part One

"Actively Remembering and
Serving the ‘Church Persecuted.”
~ VOMC's Mission Statement

Since the founding of the Voice of the Martyrs Canada (VOMC), the term “persecuted church” has been a primary descriptor in shaping the ministry’s communication strategy. Why, then, would we alter our Mission Statement to say, the “church persecuted”? This question necessitates a deeper understanding of the broader ministry of VOMC and its missional purpose. However, before we delve into this topic, let me clarify what we mean by the term “persecuted church.”