Well, faithful blog followers.. our Encore year is officially done. I can't express enough how good our God is.. the places we have been, the people we have met and the opportunities to share our stories has been remarkable.
Dear faithful co-workers, friends and supporters of Venture Teams International,
God has done great things for HIS glory through the 32 years of mission and ministry of Venture Teams International. From the ranks of these teams many have continued on foreign fields and on native land, in full time career missions. Many more continue to build into the Kingdom both here and abroad, in their respective workplaces, grounded and in their faith and witness, as the fruit of their time with VTI!
God has brought "thousands" to repentance and faith through the years of VTI’s service, and many more through through the mentoring of the second and third generations of believers and disciple makers.
In the recent years, recruitment and applications for teams have dwindled. Churches are recognizing their unique role of mentoring and discipling their own body members, dozens if not hundreds of organizations are doing what VTI does, and the special niche that VTI filled as a vehicle for facilitating and mobilizing teams has been eroded. The opportunity for Bible college interns to receive college recognized credits for training and practicum's are more widely available.
Given the small organization, smaller teams and maintenance of properties, operational costs have become prohibitive. Multitasking and extraordinary sacrificial service by staff have led to burn out among members of the organization.
The VTI board is concerned about the critical cash flow situation of the organization. To move forward in integrity requires immediate action. In light of this, the board is considering our options and is currently in dialogue with viable established ministries and mission organizations, including those who share the vision of VTI, to come together in some yet to be defined relationship, to address these issues. The goal is to exercise wise stewardship of the present ministry and assets entrusted to VTI, and to deal with the organization’s present financial indebtedness.
Steps have been taken to reduce all costs including staff and the closing of our Calgary office for the immediate consolidation of operations to the VTI training facility in Water Valley. We are limiting our activities until we have a clear direction for the future. We are also considering the future of our training centre in Water Valley. We will update you further as decisions are made and we are able to share these.
We recognize the call and gifting of our staff and would like to release them and bless them to God’s ongoing purpose and plan for their lives. In the financial realities and the uncertainties that are posed in times of transition, the board would value your prayers, that staff members, their families and the faithful supporters that have shared in their, and VTI's ministry over so many years, may know God’s guidance and peace throughout these challenging times.
Signed,
Brian Rushton
Board Chair
On behalf of the board of Venture Teams International
