What is the first thing you think of when you hear the word "Rwanda"? Genocide, right? But Rwanda has come a long way since the masssace of 800,000 in 1994. It is now considered a model for developing countries having achieved stability, economic growth and international integration (source: Wikipedia). But there are still scars....

Our 2010 GAP team will be in Rwanda July 13  - August 3, living at the YWAM base in Kigali. They will be using the arts to share the love of Jesus in orphanages and schools, working with orphans, widows, street kids and prostitutes and completing various work projects. Follow their journey on their blog.

... what's your part? Your influence for Christ can be global with Venture Teams International and the Friends & Followers program. It's a nine month program starting September 7 for ages 18 and up and includes 4 months of missions overseas. We will train you in ministry and performing arts before you go. This program is eligible for up to three semesters of academic transfer credits or internships with partnering Bible colleges. It's more than stage performance... it's about personal growth, building relationships and proclaiming the gospel of Jesus in a unique way. For more information, click on Teams, Friends & Followers. Click here for an application form (deadline is July 31).

39 team members have just returned from 12 days of ministry in Costa Rica. One team of 28 was from Heritage Christian Academy, Calgary. This is the 11th year we have taken an HCA team overseas. Mark Sorell reports: "It has been an honor and privilege to work with them. The theme of the trip was Impact with a cross over a heart. We saw God impact lives in a number of ways. It was impacting to see about 40 people make decisions to follow the Lord." To see video check out this link.
The second team was made up of 11 from Cornerstone Christian Academy, Kingman, AB. They were based out of Fortuna (Guanacaste) and Campamento Roblealto. They did physical labour and presented the gospel using the spoken word and the arts. This was the second time we have trained and helped to lead a team from CCA. Mark says, "It was a pleasure and a privilege to work with them. They had some amazing opportunities and we will hear some stories from them shortly."

We have a new issue of Pathways available! After a hiatus of two years, we are pleased to start publishing our Pathways newsletter again in a two-page format. With this shorter format, we will be able to publish it more often (four to five times a year) to help keep you better informed. Our Pathways newsletter contains news about our teams, staff and alumni, upcoming events, etc.

In this issue, read about our Friends & Followers' ministry in India, an update on our well, Jill Hagen's new CD, and our GAP team ministry last summer. Photo: Cayla Schlamp in front of 2,700 students at a high school in Mumbai.

To subscribe to Pathways (or unsubscribe) click on the Publications link to the left, or click here: Pathways Subscription.

Official tax receipts for the 2009 year were mailed to Canadian donors from our Calgary office February 16 - 23, 2010. For those who normally receive acknowledgements, we sent our last acknowlegement of the year for your October and November donations at the beginning of December (by mail and by email). If you have any further questions, please contact us online or call 1.800.565.3818.

Christian hip-hop troupe, Refined/Undignified, from Caronport, SK, will be "dancing with a purpose" on Friday, November 14 @ 7:00 p.m. at Foothills Alliance Church, Calgary. They seek to share God's love with teens through the medium of dance. They will be joined by Covenant Music Award nominee, Jill Hagen, and Kelsey Plowman & the Komforters. Tickets are $15 at the door (advance tickets no longer available).

Kelsey Plowman, VTI Artist in Residence, is kicking off her concert year at Zion Evangelical Missionary Church, Didsbury on October 5 @ 7 PM. Tickets are $10 in advance (call the VTI office at 1-800-565-3818) and $15 at the door. Opening for her is Jill Hagen (another VTI Artist in Residence), who has recently been nominated for 3 Canadian Gospel Covenant Awards: Inspirational Song of the Year, New Artist of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year. Special guest Annika Odegard (top 14 in Canadian Idol 2007) will also be opening. Come on out and be inspired! For more information on these artists go to: www.myspace.com/kelseyplowmanmusic or www.jillhagen.com. Band members include Ray Banman, bass (GAP 2007), Luke Ducharme, drums (F&F 02-03, Encore 03-04) and Kurt Driedger, guitar. Jill Hagen will be touring in Alberta and Saskatchewan in October and Kelsey Plowman will be touring in Alberta and Manitoba. For all upcoming concerts, go to Teams, Team Tours or click on: http://www.vti.ca/site/index.php?option=com_gcalendar&view=gcalendar&Itemid=172.

We work with many wonderful hosts around the world. Our ministry would not be possible without their dedication and commitment to hosting and mentoring. Here is what several say about our teams:

I want to thank you (Jill Hagen) and the guys in the Band for coming to Elliston and Avon this month. To say that the trip was successful would be a gross understatement.  The people of both churches were very blessed by the ministry and message you all shared. The music and worship were a true blessing. I can only give God the Glory for the turnout that we saw on March 14 at the school gym in Elliston. There were over 70 people in attendance, with the bulk of those being high school and junior high school aged kids. We have heard nothing but great things about you and the band, your music, message and overall show of love and concern for the choices the kids make. Many have asked, “When are they coming back?” That is awesome!

Again thanks for the time invested here. You all were gracious guests, personable, professional and Christ like. What more could we ask for? I do hope you will keep us mind when you are thinking of coming back this way. You and the band are always welcome to come and visit us at our home. Thanks again.

Dave Carroll, Area Missionary, American Missionary Fellowship.

"How is the Encore Team doing? I miss them. They were so humble & cooperative. I think God really used that great spirit in many ways as well as the team's wonderful talents. I have no words to describe how much I appreciated this team."

Dwain Fowler, Pastor of Grace Brethren Church, Beaver City, Nebraska (unsolicited testimonial).

"Hi there Calgary, I'm just back from dropping the Quebec (GAP) team off at the airport. Hopefully they and all 12 pieces of luggage will arrive intact.

"What a wonderful blessing they were. We enjoyed each one personally, and as a team they were such a strength as they ministered (here) at the VBS and then at camp. I personally have the most to be thankful for, I think. I directed my first-ever camp more by necessity than choice, and it went very well, thanks to the Lord's wonderful provision with your team. Crystelle agreed to co-direct with me, and she completely took over the activities part of the program. The rest were very capable counselors and wholly involved in the program. We had a great week, and we know that kids made first time professions and we know that others who had received Christ as Saviour other years were challenged to take a new look at what that means in their lives. I know there will be eternal rewards for their efforts here.

"They were such a great bunch. Cheerful, willing, caring, TALENTED, versatile, encouraging, fun, committed. What a blessing once again this year to have a team to help with the ministry here."

Sharon Bouchard, Camp Director, Camp des Iles, near Lachute, Quebec (unsolicited testimonial)

I just wanted to say thank you to the team (Friends & Followers 66) who came last Friday night, though I wasn't there, I heard great things about it. Alex, the team leader, was very helpful on the phone when I spoke to him and my volunteers told me he and the whole team did an excellent job on Friday night. Thank you again for sharing, we hope to host your team again in the future!

Megan Giesbrecht, Youth Director, City Church, Winnipeg, MB (unsolicited testimonial)

You can find a quick link to all the team and staff applications on our website right under the Quick Links title (left hand column, above the Pathways logo), or click here.

We are now set up to accept shares as a receiptable donation (through an agent). Please contact our office for more information.

Our talented Encore team has written and recorded a CD: Reflections which is now available for $10 plus shipping & handling. Send in this order form or contact our office at (403) 777-2970 or 1-800-565-3818 (will also be available on iTunes).

The Friends & Followers team will be on tour October 26 - November 12 in southern and central Alberta. Click here for their itinerary.

Our Encore team will be visiting various schools and churches in northern Alberta throughout October. Click here for their itinerary.

You can now donate your new or existing HBC Rewards points to VTI! Click on this link for more information.

You can now give directly online: click on one of these links (English or French) to securely give online by credit card.

We are pleased to welcome five new staff this fall: Bill Ginther, development; Jared & Cheryl Nickel, maintenance, music, youth, chalk art; Coralie Walker, mobilization, Encore itineration, children's ministry; and Becky McAskill, drama, F&F itineration, accounts receivables.

Our 5th issue of Pathways is hot off the press! If you would like to receive a copy please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Click here to download it from our site (2 MB).

Billet members of the F&F team in your home during their tour through western Canada, May - July. If you are interested, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Our flagship F&F team will be 9 months instead of 11, starting in 07/08. In addition, we have put the 4WRD program on hold. See the Major Program Changes article (Home).

Respond to the fire alarm... Become a VTI Firefighter and help us put out financial fires. Check out our Firefighter brochure and sign up!