About JJS Missions
JJS Missions is committed to sharing the love of Jesus Christ throughout the world through missional engagements and activities
Our Mission and Our Vision
The Acts of the Apostles chapter 1, verse 8 serves as the scriptural inspiration of JJS Missions. The writer records a conversation Jesus is having with His disciples who are gathered in the upper room after His crucifixion and resurrection; “But you will receive power and ability when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth” (Amplified Bible).
Just as Jesus commanded the disciples, JJS Missions carries forward the spirit and intent of Acts 1:8 through Christ-centered mission experiences. Through prayer and preparation, we seek to invigorate and encourage those lives we encounter, removing self to serve selflessly. We go seeking God’s presence in all that we do physically and spiritually, instilling hope where there is hopelessness and restoring faith to the faithless.
In service, we rebuild homes, teach in schools, mentor youth, and care for infants and seniors. In other words, we share a personal testimony of God’s grace and mercy. In honor, we give reverence to God’s word through worship experiences. In adoration, we seek to uphold the command of God to love our neighbor as ourselves and care for the widows and orphans. Our hands and hearts become the eyes of difference and the instruments of hope to many who have been forgotten or overlooked.
Our mission is simply to serve so that all may know HE still lives.
What's in Our Name
The name of our organization is deeply rooted in Acts 1:8, a scripture that guides our mission. The “JJS” in our name symbolizes three levels of outreach: JERUSALEM, where we begin by serving our local community; JUDEA, where we extend support to surrounding neighborhoods; and SAMARIA, representing our commitment to spreading Christian love throughout the US. Our call to “the ends of the earth” is a reminder of our global mission to share the hope of Christ.
The Founder
Vernon L. Hammett, the founder of JJS Missions, is a native of Washington, DC. In 2009, while recovering from cancer, he experienced a profound stirring of God’s presence in his life. Though uncertain of God’s plan at the time, he sensed that a significant change was coming. On March 11, 2011, after a 36-year career in the Federal Government, Vernon retired, sharing these words as he left: “The Lord told me, ‘You have earned a living before; now it is time to build a life.'”
A Life Transformed Through Service
In 2012, Vernon embarked on his inaugural mission trip to Haiti, joining a group of 33 men to help rebuild homes for those displaced by the devastating earthquake in January 2010. It was during this trip that the words God spoke to him in 2009 began to take shape. Since then, Vernon has returned to Haiti each year, sometimes staying for several weeks at a time.
His passion for serving the people of Haiti has grown, and he joyfully ministers the gospel while traveling along rugged goat trails and mountain paths. He connects with people by cradling babies, tutoring school-age children, and sharing God’s love with everyone he meets. Over the years, he has raised funds, organized donation drives, trained missionaries, and led mission teams, all in service to the Haitian people.
Expanding the Reach of His Ministry
Vernon has also participated in three music ministry missions. In 2011, he participated in a music ministry mission to South Korea, where he ministered through gospel, spirituals, and sacred music to over 30,000 souls. In the summer of 2017, he was part of an ensemble that traveled to Italy and Switzerland to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. Vernon returned to Italy in the spring of 2024 to continue spreading God’s message of love.
His Service at Alfred Street Baptist Church
Vernon is a proud member of the historic Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, VA, where he serves as an ordained deacon. He is actively involved in the Missions Ministry and sings in several choirs. Vernon is also part of the Hidden Halos Team, a group dedicated to blessing the community through random acts of kindness.
Through his church affiliation, Vernon has been privileged to serve with Lott Carey Foreign Missions, assisting with disaster relief efforts in Haiti and Puerto Rico, as well as addressing the water crisis in Flint, MI.
He has a deep, genuine love for the Lord and a strong passion for serving as a missionary. His joyful spirit is contagious, and he wholeheartedly embodies Christ’s command to go and be His witness to the ends of the earth.
