A Message from the Chief Executive Officer

A man is drawing the pattern of a heartbeat. It forms the shape of a heart.
A man is drawing the pattern of a heartbeat. It forms the shape of a heart.

Heart Health


“Watch over your heart with all diligence,
for from it flow the springs of life.”
~ Proverbs 4:23 AMP


During a recent time of devotions and prayer, the Lord guided me to Proverbs 4:23. This verse instructs us on the importance of maintaining a healthy heart. Spiritually, “the heart” refers to one’s inner life – mind, thoughts, motives and desires. If the heart is healthy, what springs from it will be pure. A pure-hearted person has wholesome motives, holy thoughts, and a clean conscience before God.

Believers are praying and worshipping
Believers are praying and worshipping


Holiness in the Face of Persecution


“Strive for peace with everyone, and for the
holiness without which no one will see the Lord.”
~ Hebrews 12:14 ESV


In 1977, the Ugandan government, which was led by Idi Amin at that time, prohibited Pentecostal Christians from gathering to worship. He ordered for their churches to be closed, and announced that any noncompliance would lead to arrests, imprisonment and possible death.

A rolled up document with the title, "Universal Declaration of Human Rights" sitting beside a gavel.
A rolled up document with the title, "Universal Declaration of Human Rights" sitting beside a gavel.


Freedom of Religion or Belief
Can This Become a Reality in Today’s World?



“Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion;
this right includes freedom to change [their] religion or belief, and freedom
(either alone or in community with others…in public or private) to manifest
[their] religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.”
~ Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 18)
 

As a Christian, I uphold the Biblical basis for human rights, which acknowledges that all people are created in God’s image, and thereby worthy of dignity and respect – regardless of their religion or belief. Consequently, I agree with Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. However, while the intentions of this statement are admirable (since persecution because of one’s faith or belief is wrong), there is an essential element missing in the “freedom of religion or belief” (FORB) discussions held by the various political, religious and special interest groups that champion it.

A woman's hands are raised in prayer.
A woman's hands are raised in prayer.


Steadfast in Prayer


“Prayer lays hold of God’s plan and becomes the link
between His will and its accomplishments on earth.
Amazing things happen, and we are given the privilege
of being the channels of the Holy Spirit’s prayer.”
~ Elisabeth Elliot
 

As prayer is an essential core value of VOMC’s mission and ministry, it’s important for our ministry team to continue living lives of relentless prayer. So, at the beginning of the year, I challenged each staff member of VOMC to find a Bible verse on prayer to memorize and reflect upon throughout the year. I personally selected Colossians 4:2, which says, “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving” (ESV).

Head table at the prayer breakfast in Ottawa
Head table at the prayer breakfast in Ottawa

Hope Has a Name
 

“...and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been
poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
~ Romans 5:5 ESV

I used to make it a point to watch the late-night news because I felt that a responsible person ought to stay up to date on the issues of the day. I rarely lost any sleep over the reports I consumed, but I did discover over time that my heart grew cold and my outlook cynical. To alleviate these symptoms of data indigestion, I began to limit my intake of daily news reports.

A person playing a guitar
A person playing a guitar

That Little Guitar Slide
 

“Do you see a man skillful in his work?
He will stand before kings;
he will not stand before obscure men.”
~ Proverbs 22:29 ESV

I recently watched an episode of Everything Music on YouTube. It was hosted by Rick Beato, a multi-instrumentalist, music producer and educator, who took the time to honour the life of recently deceased Canadian music legend Gordon Lightfoot (November 17th, 1938 - May 1st, 2023). While growing up in the northern part of New York state, Rick and his brother were big fans of Gordon’s music. Rick shared a story of how his brother who – while playing him one of Gordon’s greatest songs, If You Could Read My Mind – had pointed out a subtle guitar slide in the song. Even though Rick wasn’t able to detect it at first, when he put his ear closer to the audio system speaker, he heard it. “That’s what makes this song great,” his brother said. Those musical details can quickly go unnoticed by the untrained ear but raise the bar of excellence in artistry.