On October 25-28, Ventura Missionary Church, in partnership with YWAM's Homes of Hope ministry, sent a team down to Mexico to build a home for a family in need. The home was to be the first YWAM had planned for a new area in a town called, Valle Verde. But God's greater purpose for this trip was beyond what the team could have ever imagined. Elias, one of the younger members of the team says, "One thing that set this trip apart was the ability I had to connect with the kids o

Dave and Carolyn Banks have been following and serving Jesus for a long time. They have taught in our Ambassadors Adult Sunday School class for many years and have served Ventura Missionary Church in many ways. Currently, Carolyn is one of our Elders and serves at the Connection Center. Dave is on the Administrative Council and also serves on our Missions Advisory Team. They are also both professors at La Verne University. But, what many do not know is that Dave and Carolyn a

October 14 will be Baby Dedication Sunday. It's so fun to watch these meaningful moments, as the little ones melt our hearts. But often, we don't get to hear or see how God does in fact work in the lives of those who are dedicated. Gabby Pido was dedicated at Ventura Missionary Church in the late 1990's. Her parents, Sandy and Laurie, committed to raise her to follow Jesus, and this church committed to partner with them in this endeavor. Gabby is the youngest in a family of s

Several years ago, Greg Campbell began to sense a stirring to disciple people. As a result, he responded to an opportunity to serve at the Little Red Schoolhouse at the Ventura County Fair. Child Evangelism Fellowship not only hosts this annual booth, it also hosts the Good News Clubs. As Greg interacted with the CEF leaders while serving at the Fair, he decided he should volunteer with the Good News Clubs as well - to begin to apply his own faith by sharing the gospel with c

Psalm 62:5--8 is a refrain in Charlene Lingo's life. It is a chorus that this pianist returns to time and again. "Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress. I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; He is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in Him at all times..." These are not just words quoted by someone without hardship. Charlene has been pounded by some overwhelming storms. Her tru

On Sunday, August 26, Doug Colby was officially installed as Ventura Missionary Church's new Lead Pastor by the Missionary Denomination's Regional Director for the Western Region, Mike Livingston. Below, Pastor Doug shares how God wrote the story leading up to this calling and his excitement to see how God leads us forward: I never pictured myself becoming a Pastor. In fact, I went to school to become an English Teacher. It wasn't until I was volunteering in the Children's Mi

On their recent visit, VMC Missionaries Juris and Kristine Bekeri-Brivkalni, shared about their calling and vision to facilitate a ministry for families in Latvia on a piece of property that God provided. They are naming this family camp, "The Cave," and it will serve and resource families in an effort to bond and strengthen them, and in some cases, help keep them together. This is truly a trailblazing venture as this type of help for families is unheard of in Latvia, and yet

In 2006, the missions department of Ventura Missionary had a goal: to share the good news of Christ with an unengaged/unreached people group. After much prayer for discernment, we identified the Songhai people in a specific region of western Nigeria as the people group that we would adopt. It was a daunting goal, and many obstacles stood in between our reality and the fulfillment of that goal. There was a great distance between us and them, it would be a costly endeavor, we d

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

Gordon Griffith was dedicated to the Lord at VMC on October 19, 1986. He is one example of how the partnership between parents and the church, plays out over time. Gordon is the youngest of three brothers. His early years were filled with turmoil due to abuse in the home. He attended Sunday school at VMC, and Ventura Missionary Preschool and School as well. These ministries and the people associated with them helped provide stability, contributed to his spiritual foundation

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

On April 1, the Spring 2017 Rooted Discipleship Experience culminated with a celebration of what God had done in the previous 10 weeks. 140 participants took part in a spiritual journey which included 10 small groups, a prayer experience, 10 serve experiences at local outreaches and much more. Two individuals accepted Christ as their Savior during Rooted, and nine plan to be baptized on April 23. Here is what some of those who went through this session are saying about Rooted

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

Ezekiel is our full-time missionary in the village we have adopted in Nigeria. He lives on-site and shares the love of Christ with the Songhai, an unreached people group, on an ongoing basis. From time to time, Ezekiel travels to meet with key leaders and ministry partners. This story is about one such time. After some initial meetings, Ezekiel was traveling with a fellow missionary and their driver. The missionary asked the driver, Alue, if he had a relationship with Jesus.

Alex Mills was recently hired to be our new part-time Worship Leader at the 9:30 and 11:00am worship services and at Youth Group. In May, he will graduate from Azusa Pacific University with a Bachelor's degree in Commercial Music and audio Recording. He didn't originally anticipate serving at a church in Southern California, because his roots were up north. But through a series of "divine" circumstances, VMC heard about Alex, and Alex heard about VMC. Even though he had his o