David Hogan was exposed to church on and off as he grew up. Various people spoke into his life about God. His grandmother read him stories about the David in the Bible, because his name is David. His sister invited him to youth group, enticing him by saying that there were cute girls there. He did believe in God, but he was not following God. He was never quite sure how to use or live his faith. David says that his sin and the way he felt about church kept him from experienci

A cocoon is a temporary dwelling that provides an environment where God miraculously transforms a caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly. The City Center transitional living community offers a similar abode for people whose lives are in need of a metamorphosis. Within the walls of this temporary housing ministry, God is at work. Ventura Missionary has partnered with The City Center since its inception. Our Rooted Discipleship groups participate in serve experiences there, we

Sometimes we equate freedom with free choice, but not all free choices lead to freedom. Some, in fact, lead to bondage. One ministry that Ventura Missionary recently connected with in Mexico is making a difference in a dark place, where people's choices have brought bondage and trauma to all involved. This ministry is inserting God's truth and love in order to bring freedom to the captives. God's Word says, "I run in the path of Your commands, for You have set my heart free."

Recently, another YWAM Homes of Hope team from Ventura Missionary spent a weekend using their gifts to share God's love with a family in Mexico. On Saturday, April 1, they gathered on a freshly cured concrete slab, and introduced themselves to the family for whom they would be building a home. At that time, the family of six was living in an old motor home. Martin, Nelly, Martin Jr. (age 14), Linda (age 7), Gael (age 5) and Israel (age 3) survive on a combined family income o

Nicole Gonzales' immense, dark, compassionate eyes magnetize you when she speaks of her passions - her husband, her son, her walk with God and her desire to help others who suffer as she does. Her favorite song is, "It's Not Over Yet" by Kings and Country. The lyrics, "This goes out to the heaviest heart...to everyone who's hit their limit...It's not over yet...And even when you think you're finished...It's not over yet," speak volumes about the life of this petite firecracke

In 2006, Ventura Missionary Church determined that we were called by God to reach an Unreached, Unengaged People Group (UUPD). We realized that this would not be a short, easy or cheap endeavor. Once an UUPG had been selected, a year-long process, the leadership of the Songhai Project made numerous trips to Nigeria to locate, identify and meet with various tribal leaders of the Songhai. After selecting a village to work in, we met with the village chief to explain we felt we

This is a story about some very strong Christians living in an environment that is not conducive to being a Christian. The place is Ch-na. Imagine a place that when you visit a church, there is a notice on the screen that says, "This service is only for people with an international passport. If you do not have one, you must leave." And the first announcement reinforces that notice, with a "recommendation of where you can worship." That was my first encounter with the Ch-nese

Bob and Dallas Creson have a hard time remembering when they were not a part of Ventura Missionary Church. Bob started attending with his parents, Bob and Betty Creson, nearly 55 years ago! Dating through most of high school, they attended after they were married. Leonard DeWitt, then senior pastor of VMC, helped officiate their wedding. Dallas' parents, Windsor and Jeane Lacewell, also attended VMC. After graduating from college, Bob went into business with his dad doing pip

On May 15, Pastor Chad invited three volunteers from each of our services to a "Beat the Odds Challenge." These participants were given $100 and asked to: - Recognize that the money belongs to God - Use it to build God's Kingdom - Involve other people - Report back on June 12th about how they invested the money. Ten year-old Jillian Zollar was one of those volunteers, and she took the challenge seriously. She knew it was a big responsibility and she wanted to do well. She sta

On April 14, Ventura Missionary completed its second pilot session of Rooted, a ten-week discipleship experience designed to help people connect with God, the church and their purpose. It's an experiential journey into the rhythms of Jesus in the context of community. 119 people completed our Spring session. Out of that, 19 became members of Ventura Missionary, 3 were baptized on May 1, several renewed their commitments to Christ, and 1 accepted Christ for the first time! We

If Bobby and Will didn't know God cares deeply for the needs of children in foster care, this truth became very evident after a weekend as counselors at Teen Reach Adventure Camp. Bobby and Will themselves had difficulties in their backgrounds, and God had already done a work in their lives. As Bobby got to know the camper he had been assigned that weekend, he realized something amazing. Bobby's mother had started a rehabilitation facility, and this camper's mom was in that v