We are pleased to announce that Jill Hagen, singer/songwriter, who spent several years under VTI's AIR program, is back ministering under the the AIR program. She just returned from touring Saskatchewan and Manitoba and is currently touring in California with Christian R&B artist, Martay. In order to enable her to minister full-time, please consider donating to Jill's ministry to young people through music. You can donate online or send a cheque to VTI (see Info on Donating).

Rod Bargen, long-time board member for VTI, reports on Celebration Sunday:

Celebration Sunday... perhaps better described as Celebration Weekend: the River’s Edge board met during the day on Saturday, then in the evening the VTI board met, with a number of new members, who are associated with the River’s Edge Camping Association (see board page). I’ve continued to have a sense of men and women with a heart for God, and unity, as we come together under our head, Christ. It was also a time to see Mike & Michelle Joos pack up and head out from their home at Discovery Lodge to a new ministry in Ontario.

On Sunday morning many of us celebrated “THE LIFE” together in Christ as we met for fellowship, sharing from the Word, and remembering the life and death of Christ through the emblems of the wine and the bread. The afternoon was an open house for  those connected with the ministry and was attended primarily by supporters of the River’s Edge ministry. There was a celebration service at 4:00 with praise music, recounting the work of River’s Edge over the year, a brief history and overview of VTI, and a message by Lance Duncalfe, with the theme “Today we celebrate the mystery of what goes on in unseen places, yet miraculously produces limitless, life-impacting potential!” Read the full text here.

We finished with an opportunity for questions and answers, and another meal together. For Ramona and I, it was a particular delight to reconnect with some people from our Sundre/Olds days when our children attended Olds Koinonia Christian School.

So, where to from here? We can honestly say, “Only God knows.” We have ideas, thoughts and dreams. We were reminded on the weekend of how “unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”  John 12:23 NIV. River’s Edge went through a “near death” experience in 2004 prior to growing to what it is today, and dreams for the future. Lance’s message highlighted this theme as well. As we proceed, we have a firm sense of the leadership of Christ and the unity the board, which is of greatest value. We covet your prayer as Christ leads us on...

Rod Bargen for the VTI board

For further questions, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or contact any other board member.

You have been a part of amazing moments in the history of VTI. For all of your investments and partnerships throughout the years, we are ever grateful! We want to update you on the plans that are being made to realign our ministries with River's Edge Camping Association (RECA).

First, VTI is not closing but rather realigning our ministries in partnership with River's Edge to continue the legacy of both ministries. The current assets and liabilities will initially be managed by an interim board that will decide on the organizational structure that will best benefit both ministries and comply with Canada Revenue Agency's requirements. The Leadership Team of RECA will form the ministry development and management team to realign VTI's ministries.

Second, the financial and donation side of the ministry continues to operate as VTI for now. All donations, including monthly automatic donations, will be receipted for tax purposes through the VTI charitable number and systems. As the ministry is still continuing to operate are trusting the Lord to continue to move in the hearts of His people to prayerfully sustain the ministry through their financial investment partnerships. We still need your support!

Third, Discovery Lodge Retreat & Training Centre is not closing. Though the Calgary office is now closed, Discovery Lodge will continue to host families, schools, churches and especially mission groups. The RECA Leadership Team will be seeking to promote and recruit an expanding ministry partnership that will eventually call the VTI facility their "home" for ministry training and sending events.

Fourth, River's Edge will become part of us just as we become part of them! As combined ministries, their programs, ministry events, facilities and missional opportunities will be available to all of us. We are joining forces to help River's Edge expand its focus and opportunities. We are confident that as God continues leading us into this new partnership that it is not about uniting a parcel of land but of expanding our collective global impact for generations to come.

Lastly, as in the past, we are seeking the Lord's confirmation and blessing in these decisions. We invite you to continue as a partner in impacting the world for Christ. We need to hear from everyone connected with VTI! Please complete the online response form - we want to give everyone an opportunity to join with us in creating something unique and engaging for the next generation of ministries hosted at the VTI site.

Yours, on behalf of those we serve,

Brian Rushton, Chairman of the Board

Click here to read the full update

River's Edge is the "camp up the hill" from Discovery Lodge and we have existed side-by-side for many years. Further to the board's announcement on April 29 regarding VTI's future, we are happy to report that we are in discussions with River's Edge to potentially have them operate our facility and continue to host retreats. This arrangement could potentially encompass training and sending mission teams overseas, continuing the VTI vision.

Here is a link to the website for River's Edge, a camping and retreat facility affiliated with the Evangelical Missionary Church of Canada. River's Edge was established in 1998 and runs camps for all ages, including horsemanship and adventure camps.

Some of you have seen this email from River's Edge. Please note that discussions are ongoing and this email may not capture most recent events. In the meantime, VTI staff are still living on the property and managing retreats. Discovery Lodge is still open for business and you may book retreats by This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or calling (403) 637-2997. Our office in Calgary closed on Monday, May 30. If you wish to get in touch with a VTI staff member, please call Discovery Lodge at (403) 637-2997 (leave a message) or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it us. You can also send mail to 3a, 3023 - 21 St NE Calgary AB T2E 7T1 and it will be forwarded to us.