The Five Purposes of VOMC
Purpose One: The Advancement
of the Great Commission
“And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in
heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 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 28:18-20 ESV
Pastor Promila suffered severe injuries that ultimately led to his death only 10 days after his release from prison, where he had endured intense torture for his unwavering commitment to share the Gospel. In the wake of this tragedy, his congregation stood resolute, refusing to abandon the ministry he started. They called for volunteers to continue his essential work among Nepal's tribal people.
Pastor Promila’s wife, together with four brave individuals, stepped forward to lead the mission while also caring for the couple’s five children. Relying on God for strength and provision, these courageous missionaries have continued ministering with perseverance and trust, witnessing many Nepalis come to faith in Christ.
In John 12:24, Jesus says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit” (ESV). Pastor Promila’s life and ministry, though tragically cut short from an earthly perspective, continue to shine with eternal significance. His faithful witness endures through those who have responded to God’s call to carry forward the ministry he began. At VOMC, we are passionate about contributing to the advancement of this critical work, which is the cornerstone of our strategic purposes.
The mission of VOMC is not solely to provide relief to persecuted Christians – although that remains an important aspect of what we do. Our founders, Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand, recognized that the immense struggles faced by the persecuted church were multifaceted. While they aimed to meet the physical needs of those suffering, they also understood that the most pressing requirement was the restoration of spiritual resources that had been stripped away or destroyed by oppressive regimes. Their vision was rooted in compassion, addressing both the immediate hardships and the deeper spiritual needs of those enduring persecution. The Wurmbrands firmly believed in the Great Commission and the vital importance of this work in regions hostile to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Therefore, it is no accident that the number one purpose of VOMC is to “encourage and empower Christians to fulfill the Great Commission in areas of the world where they are persecuted for sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” This purpose reflects the Wurmbrands’ passion for seeing the Gospel advance in nations resistant to the Christian faith. As Richard wrote: “We should never stop at having won a soul for Christ. By this, we have done only half the work. Every soul won for Christ must be made to be a soul-winner.”
Persecution is a tool used by Satan and his demons to hinder the advancement of the Gospel and attempt to destroy the church altogether. Although the Wurmbrands disagreed with the principles of Communism and its opposition to Christianity, they maintained a deep compassion for those who espoused Communist beliefs. Such love drove them to ask, “What must we do to win these people to Christ?” It was this passion for Jesus and His Gospel that led them to suffer in Communist concentration camps, where – despite horrific and cruel torture – they witnessed the sustaining presence of God.
The Wurmbrands, along with countless other brothers and sisters who have suffered in similar ways, have shown that even behind closed prison doors, the Good News cannot be stopped. Through the witness of the saints, many fellow prisoners – and even some of the most brutal guards – have been compelled to submit their lives to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Statistics continue to affirm that faithful believers are making an impact as they share the Gospel in countries around the world. In Nepal, for example, a recent census indicates that Christianity is growing rapidly. On July 2nd, 2023, Mission Network News reported that the Christian population in Nepal increased by 40 percent over the past decade. This sizable expansion comes despite the varying levels of persecution aimed at stymying church growth. Some experts even suggest that the true number of believers could be double the officially recognized total.
Regardless of the numbers, the church in Nepal remains committed to faithfully obeying Christ's Great Commission. As members of the same body – the body of Christ – we are behooved to encourage and empower our brothers and sisters as they fulfill this holy calling.
The Gospel will advance, and His Kingdom will prevail. To God be the glory, forever and ever!
Grace and peace,
Floyd A. Brobbel
Chief Executive Officer
Voice of the Martyrs Canada Inc.
