As often happens, the trip to Kenya in October 2024 was encouraging, humbling, and challenging to Matt Craig.

The eagerness to learn and grow as pastoral leaders was evident as VMK pastors gathered together for training and discipleship. Because VMC has established relationships and gained trust with Kenyan pastors and congregations, people came because they saw the value in what was being offered. Being away from work and family for a week was a sacrifice for many VMK pastors, and yet they realized that it was a week well spent - for the kingdom of God, their congregations, and their own spiritual growth.

Matt was also humbled by the dedication and sacrifical love that the VMK pastors demonstrated. They were often doing a number of things to sustain their ministries. Being a pastor in Kenya often means holding another job to pay the bills. Especially for the pastors in more rural contexts. He said being a pastor almost feels like taking a vow of poverty for some of these pastors. Yet - their enthusiasiam and sense of urgency for sharing the gospel compels them to figure out a way to make it work. 

And Matt was challenged by his Kenyan brothers and sisters. He wondered - here in Canada, do we sometimes shy away from sharing the gospel? Do we step back when maybe we ought to step in? Should we allow ourselves to be stretched outside our comfort zones - for the sake of the gospel?

The encouragement and sharpening one another was mutual. The affection and love between VMC and VMK continues to grow and there’s a real sense of the unity of the body of Christ. It’s bigger than our own thing and we’re actually participating in something that is outside our control and is fueled by something that is not us.



This is the kingdom of God and this is the Spirit of God at work

Apples of Gold: The Perfect Words at the Right Time

That’s what caught Chris Atkinson's attention when he was in Kenya this past fall.

He met Joshua.

A 50 year old pastor, married with children.

Josh is a walking miracle.

He was diagnosed with AIDS years ago and was miraculously healed.

Today he is a healthy man with a healthy wife and healthy children.

And Joshua wants people to know Jesus.

He is passionate about evangelism.

He’s planted 16 or 17 churches, the largest one being about 500 people.

Here is a man who knows the transforming power of the gospel and he wants other people to know it as well.

It was such an encouragement to Chris - to spend time with someone with such zeal for evangelism. There was an enthusiastic urgency that Joshua embodied and those around him couldn’t walk away unaffected. It was the peace and joy of Christ made evident - as someone who has come face to face with Jesus.

Joshua needed help with organizational and discipleship structures. He needed connection with other pastors. So Chris was happy to introduce him to the VMK family of churches and to get some things in place for him. As more people come to Christ, it’s good to know that there are churches ready to welcome them. A great way that VMC and VMK continue to work together for the kingdom of God.

We want to tell you about something new!

Vision Ministries Canada and some partnering organizations are involved in an incredible new research project. This study is called Women in the Canadian Evangelical Church. We are actively investigating how Canadian women understand their role and participate in the local church.

Robust research on women in the church could help us gain insight into trends in women's participation and their future in the church as well as identify obstacles and opportunities for women's involvement in the church.

We want to hear from you!

This project is a big undertaking and requires feedback, surveys, and interviews of various kinds. Please share with your church.

Click here to participate Women in the Canadian Evangelical Church Survey