A Message from the Chief Executive Officer

  Ethical Stewardship

“If God was the owner, I was the manager. I needed
to adopt a steward’s mentality toward the assets
He had entrusted – not given – to me. A steward
manages assets for the owner’s benefit. The steward
carries no sense of entitlement to the assets he
manages. It’s his job to find out what the owner
wants done with his assets, then carry out his will.”
~ Randy Alcorn
 

Christians in the ancient region of Macedonia, despite being desperately poor and suffering for their faith, astonished the Apostle Paul when they refused to let their circumstances dictate their generosity (2 Corinthians 8:1-5). Paul, seeing their impoverished state, had chosen not to ask these struggling dear brothers and sisters to contribute to a collection he was organizing for needy Christians in Jerusalem. However, when the Macedonian believers heard about the opportunity to show their solidarity with the church in Jerusalem, they begged him to accept their donations. What struck Paul was that the Macedonians didn’t give out of pity or a sense of duty; instead, their response flowed from a deep relationship with God. Because of this connection, they felt a strong obligation to care for His destitute people.

  Bill C-9: Navigating Uncertainty
with Hope

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,
 so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
~ Romans 15:13 ESV

The birth of Jesus was far from the calm and tranquil scene often portrayed in our Christmas carols. He entered the world during a time when the Jewish people, under Roman rule, struggled with intense oppression, economic hardships and ongoing religious conflicts. This backdrop foreshadowed Christ’s earthly life, for He was not exempt from the political, cultural and religious pressures of His era. We know from the Scriptures that Jesus' life was defined not just by His challenges, but by His triumphant victory over sin and death. Through His sacrificial love and obedience, He fulfilled God's divine plan, restoring humanity's relationship with the Father and bringing Him immense glory.

The Core Values of VOMC

Committed to Fellowship

"Some Christians try to go to heaven alone, in solitude, but believers
are not compared to bears, or lions, or other animals that wander
alone. But those who belong to Christ are sheep in this respect, that they
love to get together. Sheep go in flocks, and so do God’s people."
~ Charles Spurgeon

Sitting together on the couch, the three Malaysian friends embodied a beautiful mix of personalities. Dian, the quiet one, always had the right Scripture to uplift their spirits. Budi radiated excitement and enthusiasm, sharing his thoughts with passion. Felipe, with his contagious laughter, brought joy and resilience to their gatherings. For seven years, despite being banned from church buildings and feeling rejected by their Muslim families, these three friends remained steadfast in their faith, courageously following Jesus the only way they knew how. And, during the process, they grew together in both fellowship and faith.

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.