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.”
For me today, this song illustrates Jesus' words in Matthew 5:16: “…let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (ESV). It reminds me that, as a Christian, I have a responsibility to not just believe in Jesus, but to share the message of His saving grace with others. The hymnwriter affirms in the next stanza of his beloved song that, rather than hiding the wonderful hope of the Gospel, we are to “let it shine” for all to see!
“Hide it under a bushel? No!
I’m gonna let it shine….
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.”
As a global body of believers, we ultimately shine the ‘light of Christ’ by fully embracing His mission in the following ways: making disciples (Matthew 28:19), building up the saints (Matthew 28:20), and bringing glory to God (Matthew 5:16). It is important to realize that when churches on a local level prioritize these goals, the congregations are not only greatly influencing their own communities, but they are also contributing to the overall expansion of God's Kingdom throughout the whole earth. While fulfilling this mission, churches within specific regions of the world may face opposition and persecution in varying degrees. However, we need not fear, as Jesus assures us in John 16:33: “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (ESV).
The work assigned by God to Voice of the Martyrs Canada (VOMC) involves facilitating a vast number of International Ministry projects through which greatly needed spiritual encouragement and practical support are provided to the suffering members of His persecuted church. At times, this requires coming alongside impoverished Christians – such as the widows of martyred pastors and their children – by providing basic necessities for their survival. At other times, it entails advocating for imprisoned missionaries and evangelists.
The ministry also serves the wider Christian community by rebuilding destroyed churches and training young Bible college students to become future spiritual leaders. Although VOMC is not necessarily a missionary-sending agency, it is dedicated to providing persecuted Christians essential resources and practical assistance so they can carry out the Great Commission of our Lord Jesus. This commitment to His Commission is, therefore, one of the ministry’s foundational values.
What does it look like as we strive to grow in this core value of owning God’s mission? At VOMC, four guiding principles shape our beliefs and actions in serving God and His mission:
- First, we firmly believe that the ministry of VOMC is directed and energized by the Holy Spirit. This means, we remain committed to submitting to the Lord’s guidance and control. After all, it is His mission; we’ve only been entrusted to administer the ministry work on His behalf. The awareness of this important fact requires us to obediently follow where He leads, trusting Him to utilize all our efforts for the accomplishment of His Kingdom purposes. In addition to guiding each of our decisions and actions, He empowers us to carry out the good works with acts of compassion and kindness – all of which demonstrate His love, peace, order and justice to a broken world.
- Second, we affirm that every aspect of the mission must be upheld in prayer. In his book, Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer, C.S. Lewis wrote, “Relying on God has to begin all over again – every day – as if nothing had yet been done.” Our efforts should always be grounded in prayer to ensure they are effective and yield lasting (eternal) results. Acting without prayer can lead to self-righteous behaviour, which tarnishes the true purposes of the ministry and diminishes the honour that’s rightly due to our Heavenly Father.
- Third, owning the Lord’s mission allows us to represent Him amid a fallen world. Rev. Richard Wurmbrand stated, “Not all of us are called to die a martyr’s death, but all of us are called to have the same spirit of self-sacrifice and love as these martyrs.” To have the ‘spirit of a martyr’ means to be a willing witness for Christ, which requires a readiness to suffer – perhaps even to the point of martyrdom – when serving Him and proclaiming His Gospel.
- Fourth, God’s mission drives the growth and spread of the church. In Matthew 16:18, Jesus declared to the Apostle Peter, “…on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it”(ESV). The Lord’s statement serves to remind all believers throughout the ages that He is establishing His church – and it is designed to advance. Unlike gates, which are stationary and defensive, the church is called to move forward with purpose and strength. As mentioned earlier, we will then continue fulfilling His mission by making disciples, building up the saints, and bringing glory to God. Through this divine momentum, His Kingdom will continue to grow exponentially – even in the face of opposition.
So, do not be afraid to let your light shine. Certainly don’t “hide it under a bushel.” And, whenever persecution comes, don’t let Satan blow it out. Instead, “let it shine, let it shine, let it shine”!
Keep looking up!
Floyd A. Brobbel
Chief Executive Officer
Voice of the Martyrs Canada Inc.
