Candidate School Update

Hello again from beautiful Oregon!

Charis making friends with Brian Wechsler,
the Executive Director of Village Missions

The last few days have been wonderfully full. We've gotten to know seven other VM candidate couples (two of which are also interns currently) and their stories; we've gotten to know many of the staff members here at the VM headquarters, including executive director Brian Wechsler; and of course we have learned a lot about Village Missions' mode of operations, requirements, and expectations, as well as a lot of general ministry advice. In attendance is one current Village Missionary couple (that we had actually met last summer at the VM Conference since they're from our district - Watersmeet, MI) and one District Representative couple (from the area here in OR and surrounding states), so it's been neat also to get to know them and to hear about their involvement and experiences with VM.


Josiah has been having a blast with grandparents/aunts/uncles/cousins, as you can clearly see:

At the zoo with cousins :)

Feeding ducks at the park!

Josiah playing "baseball"

"So, what do you DO at Candidate School?"

On our way to Dallas

Monday afternoon, we met two other couples at the airport in Portland and drove together to Dallas. We checked in at the hotel and gathered with the other candidates and VM staff to have dinner together. We introduced ourselves and had a short session explaining the history of Village Missions.

Each morning has begun with a devotional (given by one of the Candidates) and prayer at 8:00, followed by a lecture (it's kind of like being back in college - without the homework). We have had several lectures each morning (with breaks in between); we have lunch together; we have afternoon lectures; and have dinner together.

Tuesday, we discussed Principles of Ministry; Evangelism/Missionary Heart; Visitation; Leadership/Integrity.

Village Missions Headquarters in Dallas, Oregon

Wednesday, the men and women were in separate sessions all day as we discussed more gender-specific areas. The men discussed Ministry of Preaching; Administration/Local Church; Men to Men; Time Management. The women's discussion topics were You and Your God; You and Your Husband; Hospitality; Ministry and Community Involvement; Organization and Scheduling.

Thursday was a long day. In the morning, we discussed Divisive Issues; Conflict Management; Pastoral Spiritual Care; Child Abuse Prevention.
We had a little bit of free time in the middle of the day, but in the evening after dinner we had a Commissioning Chapel Service that the candidates had to work together to plan. We were responsible for each sharing our testimonies and organizing the service/music, and the Executive Director of VM, Brian Wechsler, was responsible for the preaching.
The service went well and it was so neat to be able to hear the stories of the other Candidates and see how God has led each of us to where we are.
If you are interested in watching the service, it was broadcast live on YouTube (I didn't post previously because it was 11:00pm Indiana time) and can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VECcfgHVX2I. Our testimony begins at the 37:40 mark.

Our bulletin from the chapel service

Today (Friday), we discussed Deputation; Policies and Guidelines; Financial Reports; and had a Mission Update and a Final Challenge both given by Brian Wechsler. At 5:30 we will meet for dinner, and following dinner we will have our final interviews and fellowship. Sometime after our final interview, we expect to be notified of the decision made regarding our placement, and will be given a timeline for when we should expect to move. It's so exciting to finally be at this point!


Thank you so much to all who have been praying for us this week. Important decisions are being made both by the staff and by the candidates as each one seeks to discern God's leading in our lives. We so appreciate all who have supported us prayerfully and financially as the Lord has led us to this point, and are very excited to learn what He has in store for the future.