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In the fall of 1981, I decided to go to San Jose Bible College for one year. As a relatively new Christian, I figured it would be a good investment in my future regardless of what vocation I chose. One afternoon I was playing some 2 on 2 full court basketball with the dean of…
Dear Saints of Valley Church, There is an old church joke about a Sunday School teacher who was using squirrels as an illustration for their children’s class. She asked, “What lives in trees, eats nuts, and has a long, bushy tail?” One of the children answered, “Well, it sounds like a squirrel, but the answer…
Dear Saints of Valley Church, For millions of Americans, this Sunday will be defined by the Super Bowl, where one team will become the 2025 NFL champions. They will have the honor of holding the Vince Lombardi Trophy and will soon have the honor of displaying their 2025 championship rings that will forever signify the…
In my early years of ministry, I discipled a young man of extraordinary athletic ability. It didn’t matter what sport he tried; he excelled in all of them. He was stronger, quicker, and better at any sport than anyone I knew. He truly was a “gifted” individual. In Luke 19:11-27 Jesus tells the story of…
Dear Friends, I was 12 years old when I first heard a song by the Platters entitled, “The Great Pretender!” It was so popular that it made it to number 1 on “American Bandstand.” Oh yes, (oh yes) I’m the great (the great) pretender Yes, pretending that I’m doing well Yes, my need (my need)…
Some of you know my mom and dad, Jack and Jo Popjes. His latest book was just published and it covers our family’s life with the Canela people in the Amazon Valley area of Brazil. He tells of a letter they received in 1967 from Ireland when they were just starting their work. “Dear Brother…
Dear Family, I love stories about journeys, whether aquanauts exploring the depths of the ocean, or pioneers going across the plains, or polar explorers battling the ice and cold. Journeys always leave the journeyers changed. Here are some journey books from our shelves. Why do I mention journeys? Because the middle section of Luke (chapters…
We are very excited about Craig Shigyo and his family joining our VC family. It is understandable that some of you might have questions about this change. For those of you who don’t know, the elders unanimously agreed to invite Craig, out of over 100 applicants, to be our next Lead Pastor. Rest assured Craig…
We were at a friend’s house on Christmas Day, and I was soaking in the scene. There was a table full of food, Christmas décor, discussions and laughter between friends and family, and a brightly burning fire in a beautiful and ornate fireplace set in a cabin in the snow. Except… we were in San…
Did you know that in Mexico many Christians put on Shepherds’ plays to retell the Christmas story and a favorite Christmas food is tamales? Did you know that in Egypt many Christians celebrate Christmas Eve on January 6 with a 10 pm church service after fasting for Advent? Did you know that some Syrian Christians…