Our Stories

The Master Artist at Work

May 26th, 2026

When the Master Artist fashions his creations, he paints into their minds and hearts broad and fine brush strokes that form the uniqueness of their beings. And if we follow the path down which he has led one of his masterpieces, we can observe that here he has given a ministry that focuses on a broad stroke, there he has provided an opportunity that highlights a fine line in the living painting that is his one-of-a-kind child.

Virginia Swartzendruber discovered her love of teaching while helping the teacher in her one-room-schoolhouse with students in the younger grades. She felt called into missions and led to South America while learning Scripture verses at Bible Memory Camp. These events evidence the broad strokes that God painted into Virginia’s being that lead her to ministry with South America Mission as a teacher at the Santa Cruz Christian Learning Center from 1979-2012.

But what about the years since 2012? Where can we see The Artist’s brush strokes in the opportunities he has given Virginia during her retirement years? Virginia has a definite artistic bent, loves painting, and loves piecing quilts. So, she has combined these to paint barn quilts and subsequently to teach classes on barn quilts. Ah, there we see a fine brush stroke being brought into focus! Virginia’s love of reading has her participating in a book club at Hesston Mennonite Brethren Church, as well as working in the church library. The experience she gained through many years as a missionary allows Virginia to share unique and wise contributions with the Church Missions Committee.

Broad strokes . . . fine strokes, all are combined on the canvas of Virginia’s life with the ultimate purpose of bringing glory to the Creator Artist!

It is both amazing and refreshing to observe that the activities and ministries that God has prepared for SAM missionaries in their retirement are consistent with the way he has created them, the experiences he has given them, and the skills he has helped them gain. Our God doesn’t waste a thing!

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