July 2000

FIRST

TWORDS ••• from the editor

HE FIRST MOVIE I REMEMBER seeing in the theater was a re-release of the Sound of Music. A wide-eyed five-year-old, I sat mesmerized as I watched Julie Andrews and those seven children singing and dancing across the screen. I've been hooked on movies ever since.

As I got older, I started looking beyond the entertainment value of fIlm. In college I put my writing skills to practice with several movie reviews for the college paper. I also worked with fIlm and television in my literature studies in graduate school. If I can pull anything out of those experiences, it's that we must think critically as we watch fIlms. That is what we are trying to do, on a broader scale, in this issue of the Leader. We are surrounded by a vocal and pervasive movie industry. As Christians, we need to be on our toes, thinking critically and prayerfully about everything we see and hear.

Out of experience writing about and watching fIlms, I wrote the first article to share some things I have learnedthe most important being that we think both before and after we see a fIlm. Our second article puts that into practice by examining the mega-popular Star Wars saga for elements we should be cautious of as well as elements we can learn from.

Children are the target audience of many fIlms, so it's important that we include them in our focus on movies. Our third article examines the VeggieTale phenomenon that is taking over VCRs in homes and churches. The last article examines the importance of getting children to think about what they are watching on the VCR or in the movie theater.

Along the way, we've included some movies that our readers have recommended as well as some resources to use as you decide which movies-if any-you should see.

We hope that you find the articles in this issue thoughtprovoking and challenging. Blessings. -CA

COMING

-JULY 27-3O-Biennial U.S. Conference convention, Denver, Colo.

OCTOBER 26-29-Central District Conference convention, Huron, S.D.

NOVEMBER 10-1 I-Pacific District Conference convention

Can we get anything out of the

or are they a

In America, the Christian gospel is not without competition. Star Wars, for example, expresses one version of an American gospelbut is there yet another hidden within? BY

DOUG KAUFMAN

Mennonite Brethren churches, parents and children are singing the praises of an animated group of veggies. What is it about VeggieTales that makes it so popular? BY CONNIE FABER

Teaching our children to think about the movies they watch will help them realize that films carry meanings at many levels-and that we need to be alert as we watch. BY

MARY ANNE ISAAK

• No rest for the weary?

Minds

• Our relationship to government and modernists

• Houses that become a home

• Loving the stranger 24

• Bridging thegap 25

• Crossing the border 26

• Hammer of hope rings for disaster relief organization's past and future 28

• Hiebert named Tabor College "professor of the century" 29

• Long term support needed for Team 2000 30

• Hispanic convention celebrates oneness in Christ 31

• Mennonite leaders to gather for global meetings 32

• Surviving

ART CREDITS: Cover, Lucas Film Ltd.lReligious News Service and Dreamworks, LLC; Page 2, Dreamworks LLC and Lucas Film Ltd.lReligious News Service; Pages 4-5, Lucas Film Ltd.lReligious News Service, Dreamworks LLC and Corbis; Page 7, Corbis; Page 8, Lucas Film Ltd.lReligious News Service, Dreamworks LLC and Corbis; Pages 11-12, Lucas Film Ltd.lReligious News Service.

Printing by Valley Offset Printing, Valley Center, Kansas.

BOARD OF COMMUNICATIONS: Kathy Heinrichs Wiest, chair; Peggy Goertzen, Phil Neufeld, Dalton Reimer, Herb Schroeder.

The Christian Leader (ISSN 0009-5149) is published monthly by the U.S. Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches, 315 S. Lincoln, Hillsboro, KS 67063. The Christian Leader seeks to inform Mennonite Brethren members and churches of the events, activities, decisions and issues of their denomination, and to instruct, inspire and initiate dialog so members will aspire to be faithful disciples of Christ as understood in the evangelical/Anabaptist theological tradition. However, the views expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent the position of the Christian Leader, the Board of Communications or the Mennonite Brethren Church.

The editors invite free-lance article submissions, essays to Forum and letters to the editor. Forum is open to members or attendees of Mennonite Brethren churches. The essays can address any issue of relevance and interest to the faith and life of the Mennonite Brethren Church and should be no longer than 800 words and include the home church and occupation of the writer. A SASE must accompany articles and forum essays.

The Christian Leader is a member of the Evangelical Press Association and Meetinghouse, an association of Mennonite and Brethren in Christ editors.

WESTERN OFACE:

Carmen Andres, Editor 7531 Delta Wind Dr. Sacramento, California 95831

Phone: (916) 424-5710

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EDITOR

Carmen Andres

Connie Faber

'VE LOVED THE MOVIES ever since I was a kid. The scent of heavily buttered popcorn. The murmur of a packed theater. House lights dimming. The crackle before the sound kicks in.

I'm not unlike the 28 million Americans who see movies every week--or the many more who rent videos (International Motion Picture Almanac 2000). In fact, you're more likely to find my husband and me in the aisles of our local video store than the aisles of a movie theater these days. With a two-year-old, our usual viewing fare is Winnie the Pooh and VeggieTales.

In light of the large number of people who go to the movies or rent them in the stores, it's not hard to understand how movies have become a dominating presence in our culture. In America today, the movies play an enormously strong role in teaching people about right and wrong. For many people, television and movies have taken the place of church and schools as the main source of their beliefsmost ofthe time without their even realizing it. Christians aren't immune to this by any means.

This sets off warning bells for Christians. Isn't the Bible supposed tell us what's right and wrong? We end up asking ourselves, should we even be watching movies?

There are those who take the position that they won't watch movies at all. I can't say that's not a good way to go.

But believe it or not, not everything in the movies is bad. In fact, if you are on your toes, there are

some downright redeeming qualities to films, both in movies past and present. Some even come dose to getting it right. Christian critics list movies such ell; Tender Mercies, Prince of Egypt and Babette's Feast as films where God is present and making a difference in the lives of main characters. While most films do not present a Christian perspective or worldview, they can contain elements of truth that call people towards God.

Are there movies Christians shouldn't watch? I think so. Few Christians--movie critics or moviegoers-would recommend a movie like Showgirls or There's Something About Mary. On the other hand, few Christians wouldn't recommend Babe as good family viewing.

There are plenty of movies in between these two extremes. I can't begin to offer an authoritative guide on which ones to see and which ones to leave on the shelf. Christians vary widely on their criteria for a "good" movie-just read the reviews of a movi, by two different Christian movie critics and you'll see what I mean.

But there are some ways we can begin to look at how Christians relate to movies-what we should look for, how we should think about them and reasons to consider some of them as opportunities.

And we can begin with the apostle Paul.

MISSION TO MARS HILL

One of my favorite passages in the New Testament describes Paul's visit to Athens (Acts 17). In the city,

Paul debated every day in the marketplace with anyone he met. That included a couple of philosophers. They took him to Mars Hill to meet with a council that acted as an authority in the areas of religion and morals.

Respecting them as people who were "religious," Paul connects to them with a piece of their own culture, their altar to an unknown god. "Now what you worship as something unknown, I am going to pro· claim to you," he says (Acts 17:23).

As he begins to tell them about God, Paul obviJusly knows the literature of his audience. In fact, he luotes two poets, using them like stepping stones :owards God. These poets were not Jewish or Chris:ian, but their work contained elements of truth that )aul grabs onto in order to draw his audience along owards the whole truth of God. "For in him we live lnd move and have our being," Paul quotes one. "As ,orne of your own poets have said, 'We are his off· pring,'" he quotes another (Acts. 17:28).

This text gives us an example of how Paul talked vith people who were not Christians-in fact, they lid not even really know who God was. Paul conlects to them using writers that they were familiar lith-writers who formed or peddled some of the rorldviews of that day.

I like this passage because it gives me a biblical nage of my own experiences talking with people rho don't know Christ. They are usually familiar rith films or books that peddle worldviews they gree with-some of which reveal bits of truth that I m use to help connect them to Christ.

Can vue get anything out of the 1D0vies or are they a lost cause?

But my marketplaces and my Mars Hill are different than Paul's. My conversations with people who are not Christian usually occur over dinner or a cup of coffee. This isn't surprising, according to RobertJewett, a biblical scholar who has related Scripture to film. Jewett suggests that the primary locale for Paul's missionary work was similar to modern day coffee shops or living rooms. He says that recent scholarship shows that Paul spent long days in the secular arenas of the tentmaking shop, which was usually located in the marketplace near the theaters, temples and forums of the cities. Here he talked with customers, neighbors and visitors. A comparable place, says Jewett, would be the barbershop or beauty shop of recent America or "in contemporary society would probably be the living room or coffee shop where recent films and videos are being watched and discussed."

Paul's experience in Athens gives us an example of how we can connect with others using a medium that isn't Christian. For Paul it was ancient writers who helped form and promote worldviews different from Christianity. For us, it may be the movies.

THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE

I often hear people say, "That movie was really good!" When I ask them why they liked it, they respond by telling me everything from how it made them feel to lauding some quality of the filmmaking, such as special effects or cinematography. As we talk further, however, I usually find that the movie struck home with them because it caught an

experience or thought that rang true. The film resonated with them because it revealed something about human nature or the world around us. The longing to know love and be loved in Sleepless in Seattle. The horror of war in SaVing Private Ryan. The panic of middle age in Father of the Bride.

The idea that storytelling-which is what movies are-reveals truth is nothing new. We often talk about this concept as part of the value of reading novels. Novels can reveal truth about human nature or the way the world works--even if they aren't written from a Christian perspective. For example, we learn about the perseverance of human nature in Hemingway's Old Man and the Sea or the destructive power of unconfessed sin in Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter.

Films, like novels and other forms of art, can also reveal truth. Forrest Gump explores the power of love, how unconditional agape love can transform people. Schindler's List reveals the horror of the Holocaustso well, in fact, that I was literally left crying. That film also captures the power of the difference one person can make in standing against injustice.

Most films do not hold a Christian worldview, but they may capture a slice of truth-something about

Hawaii (.....) Un......

Reader's Choice

Christian Leader readers share films they recommend to Christians.

As with all films, spend time reading what other Christian critics have to say before you go to see or rent a movieincluding those listed here. These films may contain adult themes and language and may not be appropriate for children.

ourselves or the world around us that we can recognize to be true.

DANGER ZONE

But just as there are elements of truth in movies, we must be aware that they also reflect current worldviews that conflict with the way of Christ. This can be done in obvious and subde ways.

Bridges of Madison County was a well-received movie at the box office. On the surface it is a bittersweet story of a lonely married woman who finds lovebriefly in the arms of a photojournalist. The movie may accurately portray the loneliness of a woman in a marriage that didn't meet her expectations or needs, but it also romanticizes adultery. For Christians, this is a rather obvious problem with the film because it presents a worldview in which adultery is acceptable and even encouraged.

These worldviews can be subder. In spite of being a film in which we can learn a great deal about struggling with faith, Contact (a science fiction film about a woman's search for extraterrestrialllfe) presents a New Age type of worldview which is generally acceptable in our culture but runs counter to that of Christianity. In the Star Wars films, we meet the "force" which portrays

Hawaii, based on an epic novel by James Mitchner, focuses on the first missionaries to arrive in Hawaii. It presents a disturbing yet fair look at the impaq missionaries had on Hawaiian life. Most viewers fluctuate between love and hate for Rev. Hale, the main character. The film is a good starting point for discussion about mission. Be prepared to experience a number of emotions as the story unfolds. The novel covers more than the movie-read the book first if you can. -Karen Huebert sanchez

The PrIne.......... Cft87) PG

The Princess Bride is a fairy tale filled with humorous characters and a light spirit. It deals with the basic message of good triumphing over evil. Along way, the characters learn about the value of true love and friendship. A witty, contemporary fairy tale that stands out as unique among films of our day, The Princess Bride never takes itself too seriously-it's just good light entertainment. -Brad Thiessen

TheM...... C....)PG

Although sometimes.ponderous, The Mission is worth watching for the way it

shows the complex interplay of politics and missions. Sometimes people simplistically blame the early missionaries for cultural offenses when politics and business played a large role. Excellent cinematography and music. -Craig Hal/man

oeta r )PG

An excellent family movie, this film is based on a true story of a young boy with a dream to send rockets into space. His dream is nurtured by a teacher who believes in him but is hampered by a father who is bound by the family tradition of mining coal. An epic struggle of breaking out from the structures of the past and pursuing a new destiny. The person on whom the movie is based is currently an engineer with NASA working in the Space Shuttle program. -Michael Dick

A•••n ..._) PG·'II

The story of Archbishop Oscar Romero is one that every Christian should know. Bishop Romero spoke out against the Injustice and violence that oppressed communities in EI Salvador suffered at the hands of an oppressive government. In an age where the church has attached itself

a concept of God as an impersonal power which contradicts the portrayal of God in Scripture.

We shouldn't stop thinking when we watch Christian films, either. The Omega Code, a Christian film released by Providence, did very well at the box office its first weekend. But Marvin Olasky of World, an evangelical Christian magazine, points out that the movie's central premise-that Scripture contains a secret code that spells out everything from Princess Oi's death to the name ofthe antichrist-"smacks of gnostic ideas that pop up periodically: God's Word is not sufficiently clear and valuable, so [we] search for a secret treasure map." Olasky also questions how the film points to the gospel. "That's my definition of a Christian movie," Olasky writes, "and not just a film that plays off end-time prophecies."

LEARNING AND CONNECTING

Even in the midst of worldviews and material that are contrary to Christianity, we can find elements of truth that can teach us about our own lives or help us connect with others when we talk about Christ.

The Truman Show is one example. On the surface, it appears to present a different God than that of the Bible. Truman discovers that he has spent his

to institutions of power, Bishop Romero refused to succumb to that power and instead was an advOcate for the liberation of those suffering from economic, social and violent injustice. The "upside-down" power in Bishop Romero's message was r his staunch commitment to liberation through active nonviolence. Bishop Romero was assassinated in 1980. But his story and the gospel of liberationhe preached are still alive today. I believe Romero's commitment to peace and jus'\ tice will enrich our lives as we continue to search the true essence of the Gospel of IJesus Christ. I recommend this movie to all , followers of Jesus. -Felipe Hinojosa i 51 Bird (1998) PG

An excellent family movie that inspires and causes you to think deeply about your mission in life. Simon is a boy who is physically challenged, has non-supportive parents, and is caught up in a religious establishment that has trouble coping with him. What Simon does have going for him is a good friend and faith. Simon has a deep rooted belief that God has a mission for him and his ambition is to fulfill it. -Michael Dick

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My favorite movie of all-and one I'd recommend for Christians-is To Kill a Mockingbird. Though not overtly Christian, it has Christian themes. The story of Boo Radley is about an outcast making connections, and the larger community (In the form of the Sheriff character) reacting appropriately. The story of the trial of the black man is a search for justice. And at the center of it all is Atticus Finch, a hero who exudes courage and eschews violence-a worthy alternative to the John Wayne school of justice seeking. Steffan

TIle 1'1 ••• .... (....) PG

Not typically a Jim Carrey fan, I was pleasantly surprised by The Truman Show. light-hearted with clever originality, the film focuses on Truman, the unsuspecting and innocent young man whose life. unbeknownst to him, has been broadcast on live television since his birth. With this premise, the film explores questions of personal freedom, public versus private life and the illusion of a "perfect" world. When the enlightened Truman meets the visionary creator who has been producing and directing his life since birth, Truman

must make a decision. Should he continue to live in a controlled environment where he is completely protected or should he venture into the "real" world, where he could experience broken relationships, disappointments and physical pain? With humor and sometimes "less than subtle" religious parallels. The Truman Show leads us to better understand and appreciate the freedom God has designed for us as our Creator.

-Elaine Reimer Pare

Other films recommended by Christian critics

A Man Called Peter (1955) Unrated Babette's Feast (1987) G

Ben Hur (1959) Unrated

Chariots of Fire (1981) PG Sense and Sensibility (1996) PG

Shadowlands (1993) PG

Tender Mercies (1983) PG

The Cross and the Switchblade (1972) PG

The Hiding Place (1975) PG

The Uon, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1988) Unrated

The Prince of Egypt (1998) PG

One of the most important things we can do after we see amovie is to think critically. Just because a movie doesn't include aChristian perspective doesn't mean you need to leave it absent from your thinking and conversations.

life as the star of a 1V show. Everyone in his life is an actor and his house and town are a set. On the surface, it appears that Christof, the creator of the television show and Truman's world, is a controlling, emotionally distant, manipulating and self-serving representation of God.

Steve Lansingh in Campus Life holds to another, equally valid interpretation. "Say Christof doesn't represent God-he represents what happens when a human being tries to be God. He attempts to 'clean up' the real world God made and make it into his own ideal world. Christof gives Truman the American dream: the white picket fel)ce, beautiful wife, solid income and friendly community. He gives Truman everything humans often wish God would give us. And yet Truman isn't happy.... If you look at The TrumanShow this way ... you get a different picture of God. You see that God doesn't control people like puppets: he offers them freedom from their empty lives. He offers abundant, everlasting life beyond our wildest dreams. And that's a solid, Christian perspective you and your friends can learn from."

Films aimed at children can offer family viewing as well as opportunities to learn and share our faith. Dinosaur, a film recently released by Disney, tells the story of creatures seeking a safe place to live after surviving the calamities of a giant asteroid striking the earth. Heath McClure, MB pastor of Madera Avenue Bible Church, finds striking similarities between the movie and themes in Scripture.

"The idea of the destruction of the world by the asteroid is a reflection of the entrance of sin into the world in Genesis 3," he says. "The dinosaur survivors then are forced to flee and seek out a new place to live, again a mirror of Adam and Eve being cast out of the garden and living 'east of Eden.'

"The hostile land that the dinosaurs must cross, filled with enemies and loss is what the biblical story would call this world that we sojourn in. And the final hope for the 'Great Valley' is pulled from our hope for heaven, a place where all tears are dried and we find rest.

"So, while the movie is not Christian in any overt sense," McClure concludes, "its entire plot and theme are, interestingly, a mirror image of the way

we as Christians understand life and reality."

There are other good films out there-many accepted by Christian critics-ranging from the actionadventure genre to the more thoughtful. For example, the crowd-pleasing Deep Impact (an apocalyptic thriller about an asteroid striking earth) was nominated with the thought-provoking Simon Birch (a film about a handicapped child who articulates an explicit faith in God) for the 1999 MovieGuide Epiphany Prize, a kind of Christian Oscar sponsored by Ted Baehr's Christian Film and Television Commission.

Foreign films can also provide opportunities. Most Christian critics agree that Babette's Feast, a Danish film about a Parisian chef who comes to work for two religious women, gives us a beautiful image of how grace can transform people.

Though you should exercise caution when viewing films containing immoral behavior, violence and offensive language, these films can sometimes offer glimpses into truth as well.

A Christian couple my husband and I know really enjoyedjerry Macguire, the story of a sports agent who finds out that life is more than money and success. Though the film contains immoral behavior, they believe that, overall,jerry Macguire shows viewers the value of marriage. They point to the marriage of the Arizona football player-a kind of marriage that Jerry realizes near the end of the film is what really matters to him. "Not enough films do that these days," they lament.

The Matrix, a science-fiction film about a man who finds that the world he knows is little more than an elaborate computer simulation, has gotten mixed reviews among Christian critics. Some find that the graphic violence and popular culture language mixed with Christian analogies produces an unredeemable combination. Others, however, find that the Christian symbolism and metaphors work to produce fresh images of the spiritual concepts of sin and salvation as well as how faith transcends the barriers of our physical reality.

All these films continue to spawn countless conversations in living rooms, work places and coffee shops-and provide good opportunities to talk about a Christian perspective on the stories.

MOVIES IN OUR MIDST

So, what do we do? How do we relate to movies? How do we pick out which ones to see and which ones to leave alone?

• Remember that movies can both reveal and deceive. Keep in mind that movies can hold big or small slices of truth within a worldview that is not Christian. You probably won't find many films that won't have objectionable material in them somewhere-whether it is a worldview different from Christianity or objectionable language or immoral behavior. But we also encounter some of these same objectionable things in real life and in Scripture. Granted, Scripture uses these things to reveal God and truth. But movies can do that, too-even if they don't mean to.

• Know your standards-and abide by them. Decide where your lines are. Decide what is objectionable to you in a movie that will outbalance any virtue or insight you could gain from a film. These standards can be-and often should be-different for different members of your family, particularly young children. Once you decide what your movie viewing standards are, stick to them.

• Research films before you see them. This is one of the most important things you can do in deciding what movies to see. Read your local newspaper's movie reviewers. Are they accurate? Do they give you a good idea of what the movie is about? Or go on-line and check out Christian movie review Sights (see sidebar). Keep in mind, however, that Christians will often differ on their definition of what is acceptable.

AFTER THE MOVIES

One of the most important things we can do after we see a movie is to think critically. Just because a movie doesn't include a Christian perspective doesn't mean you need to leave it absent from your thinking and conversations. Next time you watch a movie, ask yourself some questions. Lansingh offers these as examples:

• If faith or spirituality plays a role in the film, what is being said about God?

• How does the film treat values that are important to Christians?

• Are there things I can learn from the movie that will help me understand God or live out my Christian values?

• How might this film's worldview or view of God and faith affect my own thinking? Strengthen my faith? Weaken it? No effect at all?

Lansingh believes questions like these will help you get "more truth and less bunk" out of movies you watch.

Also, discuss your insights with others when con-

versations turn to a film you've seen. Like Paul, we can use the vehicles that peddle the current worldviews to enter into discussions with the people around us.

Films as lowbrow as Babe and highbrow as Babette's Feast offer opportunities-to learn about ourselves and the world around us as well as to connect to others as we talk about Christ. We need to be discriminating viewers. We must think about what we see. We must be constantly vigilant and on guard, filtering our experiences and what we see and hear through Scripture and the Spirit. Movies are no different. When we hit the play button or sit down with our popcorn in the theater, we need to keep God's Word in the forefront of our minds .•

Carmen Andres, an avid movie watcher, is the editor of the Christian Leader. She lives in Sacramento, Calif., with her husband and old daughter. She is a member of Greenhaven Neighborhood Church.

ON LINE CHRISTIAN MOVIE REVIEW RESOURCES

A Christian Spotlight on the movies www.christiananswers.net/spotlight

The Movie Reporter www.moviereporter.com

Preview On-Line www.gospelcom.net/preview

The Christian Critic www.christiancritic.com

Crosswalk Movies movies.cr'osswalk.com

Preview: Family Movie and TV Review www.gospelcom.net/preview

The Dove Foundation www.dove.org

Hollywood lesus www.hollywoodjesus.com

Peaceweb: Movies with a Conscience

Plugged In Film Reviews (Focus on the Family) www.family.org/pplace/pilfilms

CaN Entertainment www.cbn.orglliving/ae/entertainment/index.asp

A TALE OF TWO GOSPELS

BY DOUG KAUFMAN

S AMERICANS AND AS CHRISTIANS, we learn two gospelsthe American gospel and the Christian gospel. An expression of the Christian gospel is found ,in Ephesians 2: 11-22, and an expression of the American gospel is found in Star Wars, a series of movies by George Lucas. In his book Saint Paul at the Movies, Robert Jewett calls Star Wars a gospel, meaning that it offers a view of salvation.

THE STAR WARS GOSPEL

What is the Star Wars view of salvation? The original movie pits the Old Republic rebels against the evil Galactic Empire. Luke Skywalker is the hero of the rebels, and Darth Vader is their nemesis in the Empire. The Empire has devised a weapon of ultimate destruction, the Death Star, able to destroy an entire planet in a single blast.

The climax of the movie occurs when the rebel cruisers descend upon the Death Star to attack its one weakness. Luke Skywalker, the only remaining pilot, evades Darth Vader and at just the right moment shoots two torpedoes. The Death Star explodes into a billion fragments, lighting up space in a spectacular nuclear explosion. Theater crowds have cheered this scene many a time.

In the movie there are clear-cut good guys and bad guys. The response to the bad guys is to destroy them. Salvation comes through the destmction of those who are evil. Violence is the way to salvation.

AN AMERICAN GOSPEL

Star Wars taps into a deep feeling in the American psyche. As we first watched that movie in 1977, we saw ourselves as the Old Republic rebels and the Soviet Union as the Galactic Empire.

One journalist has credited Star Wars with being a catalyst in the turnaround in the United States that occurred in the 1980s. In the

1970s, the economic recession, the oil crisis and post-Vietnam malaise all created a feeling that "there was nothing right with America."

The optimistic vision of Star Wars, that good will ultimately win over evil, helped fuel a sense that we could defeat our enemies. Two phrases from Star Wars entered the political vocabulary of the 19808 and helped undergird Ronald Reagan's confrontation with the Soviet Union. In a famous speech, Reagan called the Soviet Union an "evil empire." One ofhis military projects, the Strategic Defense Initiative, became known as Star Wars. So the message of Star Wars both shaped and was shaped by our national mood: For this reason, Star Wars is an American gospel.

The gospel Star Wars preaches is an old gospel, even older than the gospel of Jesus Christ. The tale it tells has been told for thousands of generations. Theologian Walter Wink, in his book Engaging the Powers, calls it the myth of redemptive violence. We find this myth not only in Star Wars but also in many of our comic books, cartoons and Western movies. This myth is at the heart of much of American civil religion, and much of our foreign policy is based on this myth.

THE CHRISTIAN GOSPEL

In this gospel (Eph. 2: 11-22), salvation comes not through inflicting violence but through peace. Jesus comes not only to proclaim the good news of peace, Jesus is peace.

God takes a bold initiative in Jesus. Instead of continuing a war with humanity, instead of exacting

more blood for the blood that we have shed, God makes peace. We might call this a unilateral disarmament. God decides to stop fighting us in the way that we fight each other. Rather than coming and drawing blood, God offers blood. Rather than inflicting violence, God absorbs violence in the blood of Jesus Christ.

And so, through his suffering on the cross, Jesus Christ makes peace between God and humanity. Through Jesus, those who are far from God are brought near. So the gospel is not just about peace with God but also peace with other people. The people far away now join the people near God.

In talking about those who are near and those who are far, Paul is referring to Jews and Gentiles. For Paul this was the most basic division in humanity. There are many ways we divide humanity. But in the cross ofJesus, Paul sees a new reality. He sees that in Jesus all of God's children can be brought close. There is no more distinction. On the cross, Jesus destroyed the dividing wall of hostility between those who are far and those who are near. So in this vision Paul sees a new community, the church.

God responds to enemies by loving them. The gospel of America responds to enemies by destroying them. The gospel of Jesus Christ responds to enemies by transforming them.

This is the problem with the myth of redemptive violence. In fighting our enemies as they fight us, we become like our enemies. This is the reason we respond in love instead of hate. By embracing hate we become our enemy.

[In

Return of the Jedi] Darth Vader, the epitome of evil, becomes again Anakin Skywalker, defender of the good .... George Lucas said that this really is the main point of the Star Wars series .... This is what we should learn from the Star Wars movies, the power of transformation, the power of love, not the power of weapons and violence.

DESTRUCTION OR TRANSFORMATION?

A lot has changed since the first Star Wars film came out in theaters. Since then the Cold War has ended. We defeated the Evil Empire, we said. The Soviet Union is no more. There is no more Evil Empire. Or so it seems.

You would expect this to usher in a time of peace. Instead we have fought two wars in the span of a decade. We hardly have noticed because both times we have suffered so little. Both times we were able to cause untold amounts of destruction against our enemy with little cost to ourselves. Oh, it cost us money, but we have plenty of that. As a nation we seem able to impose our will all over the world. We can destroy almost any nation that would stand against us. With our nuclear weapons we can, like the Evil Empire with its Death Star, obliterate any opponent. Has the Evil Empire been defeated, or is it slowly finding a new foothold?

This is the point of the Christian gospel. This is why we do not retaliate against our enemy in a likeminded way.

But transformation is possible. This is the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. And even within the series of Star Wars movies there is the possibility of transformation. In the second movie, The Empire Strikes Back, Luke Skywalker learns that Darth Vader is his father. His destiny is to face and then battIe his father. This is brought out at the climax of the third movie, Return ofthejedi.

With the evil emperor looking on, Luke and Vader battle. Hoping that this young man will tum to the dark side of the force like his father, the emperor encourages Luke to feel his anger. Luke is winning against his father and is ready to finally strike Vader dead. Suddenly he realizes that he is embracing the hate that made his father evil. And he says, "No. I'm not going to fight." He throws aside his weapon and refuses to kill his father.

In that risky act he saves himself and his father. Darth Vader, the epitome of evil, becomes again

Anakin Skywalker, defender of the good. In a Time interview with Bill Moyers, George Lucas said that this really is the main point of the Star Wars series. It won't be as obvious until the entire series is complete, but the basic question is how Darth Vader is saved. How do we get Darth Vader back? How do we get him back to that little boy that he was in the first [episode], that good person who loved and was generous and kind? Who had a good heart. How do his children help him become wholly himself again? How does he become who he was meant to be?

This is what we should learn from the Star Wars movies, the power of transformation, the power of Jove, not the power of weapons and violence. And this is how we should witness to our government during these years of regional wars. We should ask our government to be more creative in its diplomacy, to value the life of all God's children, even our enemies, to work with the community of nations rather than imposing our will on others. I am not so naive as to believe our nation will disarm. But I believe we should be much more reluctant to use violence.

We have a unique witness and challenge as Anabaptists in this nation. Our challenge is to make the initials USA stand for something other than a jingoistic chant at the Olympics or the letters on any number of our highly sophisticated and destructive weapons. Our challenge is to make the word "peacemaker" mean something more than the euphemistic name of a nuclear missile. We must dare to offer an alternative vision of our role as a nation. I don't want to be known as the most violent nation on earth. I want to be known as a nation that relentlessly pursues peace and justice. In a world where the myth of redemptive violence rules, we have an alternative. Let us pursue the gospel of peace with greater passion than those who pursue the gospel of violence .•

Doug Kaufman is pastor at Benton Mennonite Church in Goshen, Ind. This article was first printed in The Mennonite.

BY CONNIE FABER

Mennonite Brethren churches are using the Veggie Tales in their vacation Bible schools. Parents and grandparents are increasingly familiar with the veggie fare. Just what is it about Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber that has kids and adults alike singing their praises?

hat's with all the

•IDS MAY NOT BE INTERESTED in eating their vegetables but' they're consuming one veggie variety by the truck load.

VeggieTa/es, a computer-animated children's video series that teaches biblical truths, may not be leafy they are green: producers have sold 11 million copies of the series, which rules the Chnstian market and is breaking into the mainstream.

Why have videos starring Bob the Tomato, Larry the Cucumber and their vegetable friends produced such a bumper crop?

1'he-answer lies in storytelling that tries to "push kids towards God" using a combination of catchy music, clever and quirky humor and state-of-the-art computer graphics that appeals to adults as well

It's weird, but it works.

spans generations," says Janice Keaton who coordinated thetiIysses (Kan.) MB Church VeggieTa/es VBS inJune. "I can't tell you exactly it is, but kids are just intoxicated with [VeggieTa/es]. vas lessons are so applicable and very easy for children to underd. I think it has just the right amount of silliness."

.1he Gourds Must be Crazy, the New Testament story of Jesus' unter with the tax collector Zacchaeus is transformed into a Star t!1"ekfype adventure where it pays to be nice to people who are different than you. David and Goliath become Dave and the Giant Pick/e.

Jnjosb and the Big Wall, the people of Jericho (played by peas) dump Mr. Slushies on the Israelite vegetables (played by Larry, Bob and the vegetable gang) as they march around their city.

A popular feature of most videos is the "Silly Songs" episodes in whJctt Larry the Cucumber performs an original song. They're silly :.Put one can't help singing them over and over.

"If s unusual if one of the kids doesn't break out in a Silly Song day," says Phyllis Richert of Hillsboro, Kan., who says the ail'brush Song" is a favorite.

Rrehert, the mother of six children ranging in age from five to 21

years, says their family was introduced to Silly Songs and the Veggie gang several years ago by their oldest daughter who was a high school senior at the time. "Everyone of the kids loves to watch VeggieTales," says Richert. "I think its the way the characters interact and the music and songs."

The root ofVeggie craze is creator Phil Vischer, a.k.a. Bob the Tomato, who founded VeggieTale's parent company Big Idea Productions in 1991 with one computer, little capital and no connections.

Vegetables were the stars of choice because Vischer didn't have the budget for the equipment necessary to produce computer-animated characters with arms and legs. With the help of family, friends and two paid staff artists the first VeggieTales video, Where's God When I'm S-Scared?, was released in 1993. It was the first full-length, 3-D computer animated children's video ever produced in the U.S.

From the beginning, Vischer set out to create what he describes as "a Disney with a Christian worldview." And in less than seven years, Vischer's efforts to give kids "Sunday morning values, Saturday morning fun" has made Big Idea a good idea, both for the parents who buy the products and the companies who sell them.

"The first goal for Big Idea was to become the Disney of the CBA (Christian Bookseller's Association), and that was surprisingly easy to do," says Vis-

kids need to tbink too

cher in Computing Today.

VeggieTales was introduced to CBA by Word Music in 1994 and has dominated CBA's video sales charts for months on end and accounts for 70 percent of kid's productions sold in the Christian market.

Vischer's research shows that people shop by brand. They don't want religious TV shows, but they do want Touched by an Angel. Not just coffee, they want Starbucks. Not shoes, but Nike. Not mediocre videos, but Disney videos.

"People aren't attracted to the category (religious products) but they are attracted to Bob and Larry because VeggieTales is a brand," says Vischer, "and one that obviously doesn't look like a typical religious product. We are bringing people into Christian bookstores who have never been in one before because they received a video as a present and now want to find out where they can buy more."

People are also looking for superior quality and Vischer wants to meet or exceed people's expectations. "The technical excellence that people are used to seeing from Disney or Warner Brothers they will see from us," he says in an interview with Christian Reader.

"Our purpose as a company is to markedly enhance the moral and spiritual fabric of our society through creative media. That drives everrthing we do," VlSCher says in an Evangelical Press News Service

AS PARENTS of an eight-year-old and a ten-year-old, my husband and I long to teach our children to follow the way of Christ in this world.

One of the hurdles we face is the television. TV is in strong competition for the minds of our children. The advertising and programming are designed to shape their developing value system. Several years ago we decided to eliminate the competition by removing the TV from our home.

We experimented with option for over a year. After careful consideration, C we decided to try another route to help foster critical thinking skills. For almost three years now, on a weekend night we III watch a movie together as a family. RianII na and Peter know that when the movie is II over there will be a family discussion that C includes two basic sets of questions:

.Who changed? And why?

• What are the messages in this movie that we agree with? What are the meso I sages that we disagree with?

> The first set of questions takes us into a II discussion of transformation. Our

like to list physical changes first-Pollyanna went from being sick to getting better. Then we center the discussion around transformation of the characters, either growth or deterioration. As our family explores the reasons why the characters change, we identify motivations which shape us and we see how the interconnectedness of people makes a big difference in our lives.

Recently, we watched Animal Farm, an allegory based on a novel in which the animals take over a farm under the direction of the pigs. Rianna traced how the pigs began as noble animals wanting the best for the entire barnyard, and how they made more and more choices in favor of themselves over the good of the group. Peter remarked, "The pigs have become just like the humans they got rid of."

The second set of questions in our discussion are a tool to evaluate a movie without needing to categorize it as all bad or all good. For example, when watching the new version of Parent Trap our chil-

interview. "I've decided we're going to accomplish that by building a major media company, building a brand that represents Christian values in family media."

Building a major media company involves more than creating top-quality videos. It includes marketing just about anything one can imagine dressing up with an image of Bob and Larry-T-shirts, plush toys, neckties, stationery, games, puzzles, etc.

"You really have to follow how media works these days. All the money is in the ancillaries. Very little of the money is in the actual product itself," says Vischer.

But for ViScher, the products are more than moneymakers. VtScher believes the products can bring consumers into contact with God.

"I want to produce quality peripheral products that will cause children to bump into the videos and finally bump into the message of God's truth," says ViScher.

Each VeggieTales story includes a "nugget of truth" which is the biblical value or lesson around which the creators build each episode. Telling the truth, self-esteem, obedience, thankfulness, forgiveness, peer pressure and loving others are values addressed in these "veggiecational" stories.

Each video concludes with Bob and Larry standing on the kitchen counter saying, "Remember, God made you special and he loves you very much."

Vischer sees this message as markedly different from that of other 1V characters. "Sooner or later,

dren easily pointed out a message they agreed with. The movie showed the two fighting sisters working through their differences. forgiving each other and becoming friends. Our children agreed that the movie promoted kindness and working hard to be friends. This was a message they agreed with.

kids discover that their favorite 1V characters aren't real, that even Bob and Larry are make-believe. Bob never says, 'I love you,' because at the end of the day that would be meaningless. But God is real. His love is infinitely more real than any cartoon," says Vischer in a Big Idea newsletter.

Veggie Tales has enjoyed financial success thanks to Christian bookstores. "There are very few children's character sets that aren't owned by one of four companies: Disney, Viacom, Newscorp and Time Warner," says Vischer. "But we have one of them and we're profitable, thanks to the Christian bookstores. We'll never abandon that market."

During the first weekend the latest VeggieTales video, King George and the Ducky, was released, Christian bookstores around the country hosted over 300 premier events and scanned more than 62,600 units the first day. The largest single-store event was in Orlando, Fla., and drew 11,000 people for two premier showings.

King George and the Ducky is based on the story of King David taking Bathsheba, another man's wife, to be his own. In the Veggie version, King George, played by Larry the Cucumber, loves to bathe with a new rubber duck each day. His desire to possess one certain ducky prompts him to send young Junior Asparagus to fight in the country's fierce Pie War. Just as in the Bible, the king is confronted with his greed

Then, with the help of parental questions, we discussed the way the video treated the response of these sisters to the woman who wanted to marry their father. As an audience we laughed at the truly mean tricks the girls played on this woman, and we cheered as they chased her out of the family. But when we thought about it further, we found that the message was not so funny-be kind if the other person is kind, but if the other person is mean then you can be mean too. And the meaner you are, the funnier it is. When we asked our-

selves if this is Jesus' way. the answer was no. Jesus says to love even your enemies. So this is a message in the movie that we didn't agree with.

Our goal as parents is to continue to make our children aware that movies carry meaning at many levels and that we need to be alert when watching. One Saturday awhile back I felt like our postmovie discussion times were paying off. Peter was feeling angry about something. To show his rebellion he flopped down in front of the VCR and said defiantly, "I'll watch the movie, but I'm not going to think." Though I was concerned with the immediate situation, I was rejoicing inwardly. He was catching on-watching a movie and thinking go hand in hand .•

Mary Anne Isaak is associate pastor at College Community Church in Clovis. Calif. She lives in Fresno with her husband and their two children.

and turns from his wicked ways.

Big Idea has grown from a group of friends working together out of a spare bedroom to a corporation with more than 130 employees. The company just recently moved into its new two-and-one-half acre studio complex in Lombard, Ill. The development is designed to house up to 350 employees, will be open to the public for daily tours and special events and will include a Big Idea retail store and restored 1920s movie theater.

But becoming a top media company means moving beyond the Christian marketplace and challenging the sales success of the Rugrats and Teletubbies of the world. Big Idea started hoeing that row in 1998 when VeggieTales videos became available through mass retailers such as Wal-Mart, K-Mart and Target.

Since then, Big Idea has continued to strengthen its share of the mass market and is attracting the attention of other major media companies. In December 1998, The VeggieTales Christmas Spectacular! aired nationwide in prime time on PAX lV. That summer, two compilation CDs ofVeggieTale songs topped the Billboard kids' chart.

A year later, Big Idea and Mattel/Fisher-Price

signed a licensing agreement making Fisher-Price the "master toy licensee for Big Idea" and Chick-Fil-A restaurants began offering a VeggieTales book in their kids' meals.

This summer, Hallmark will be introducing a line ofVeggieTales products in its stores, chain drug stores, discount stores, supermarkets and other outlets that sell products with the Hallmark name.

In the current general market, VeggieTales videos account for 10 percent of children's video sales.

This fall Big Idea will release its fourteenth Veggie video, which tells the story of Esther, and will introduce a new series called 3,2, 1 Penguins featuring a quartet of space explorers who are penguins. A theatrical movie based on the story of Jonah is set for late 2001 or early 2002.

Keaton, the Ulysses VBS director who is employed at a local dental clinic, has seen first hand how VeggieTales has reached beyond church doors.

"VeggieTales spans all kinds of boundaries," she says. "I was at a dental seminar and a lawyer was talking to us about finances and he used Madame Blueberry as an example." Madame Blueberry is the star of

Satisfying the spiritual appetite

SEVERAL NEW VIDEO SERIES are attempting to direct children away from the vegetable aisle and towards other spiritual diets.

• Little Dogs on the Prairie is a new Tommy Nelson video series that goes back in time to the Old West. Scout, Sport and Darcy make up this crew of mischievous prairie dogs who act out humorous morality tales. Producers are hoping the characters, silliness and songs will attract the young children while older children and adults will enjoy the clever humor and fast-paced comedy elements. Pride, Prejudice and Fudge is the first installment.

• Pahappahooey Island, from Impact Productions, introduces children to a mysterious and faraway island by the same name. Each episode features the adventures of a band of Muppet-like characters led by Ali who are trying to find the special book (the Bible), the only thing that can

restore the land to a enchanting paradise. In the first of 26 videos planned for the series, the story line teaches that God the Creator will take care of every situation.

• Tommy Nelson is also the producer of JayJay the Jet Plane, a state-of-the-art computer animation series. A general-market version of JayJay the Jet Plane from Porchlight Entertainment! Modern Cartoons airs on The Learning Channel as part of its Ready Set Learn preschool programming. Focus on the Family, Porchlight and Tommy Nelson cooperated to add Christian content to the show for sales in Christian stores.

-CF

the video by the same name who is very "blue" inspite of all of her newly purchased stuff because she is not thankful.

Vischer admits that selling his vegetables in the mass market is risky business.

"In Christian bookstores we have people selling our stuff for us just because they like it," he tells EP News Service. "That's not going to happen in the mass market. So you really have to figure out why a parent is going to notice our videos on the shelf against all the Disney stuff and Barney stuff. Why will they buy it?"

The answer to that question isn't always pleasant. "Generally as a race, because we are fallen, we are attracted to that which is bad for us," says Vischer. "There are whole industries based on the desire to be bad. The tricky part is not to push the same buttons that they push to get that same reaction, but to try to get people to enjoy your products without pushing those same buttons."

Vischer says sex, violence, humor and spectacle are what motivate people to purchase entertainment products.

"Our problem, particularly in Christian media, is we can't do sex, we can't do violence and we can't afford spectacle. What does that leave us with?" asks Vischer. "Humor. That's it. And one of the problems with Christian media up to this point has been that it isn't funny. We have a lot of very dry films-very heartwarming, but heart-warming doesn't make people spend $7.50 on a Friday night. A hilarious story that happens also to be heart-warming-that will work."

As Vischer looks to the future, he sees his big idea growing even bigger.

"Twenty years from now, if you ask a parent on the street to name the top five family media companies, we want Big Idea to be one of them," Vischer says. "And when you ask which company they trust the most, they'll say Big Idea."

As VeggieTales continues to move into the mainstream marketplace, the question naturally arises: Will success spoil the veggies?

So far, Vischer and company have stayed true to their approach that has sold so well in Christian bookstores. Each video still ends with a Bible verse, something mass-market distribution companies that initially approached Big Idea suggested should be removed.

"From the beginning we had a very clear vision of what we were trying to achieve," Mike Nawrocki, VeggieTales cocreator and the voice of Larry the Cucumber tells World magazine. "We are doing the same things we've always done."

Vischer says, "We will always put the needs of the kids before the needs of the stockholders. It's more

important to help kids than to make money. That goal drives everything we do."

And for Vi scher, building a quality company that will endure the test of time will help ensure that kids and their parents will be brought closer to God.

"I think Bob and Larry will always be our Mickey or our Kermit," says Vischer. "But the plan is to build a media company that's still going to be here in 100 years making products with a Christian worldview that blows people away with their creativity long after everyone here now is dead. We're trying to build a company that has the structure and systems in place to do that, that will hopefully grow far beyond a tomato and a cucumber."

Time will tell if Vischer can grow his field of veggie dreams .•

Connie Faber, the Leader's associate editor, gets her healthy dose ofVeggieTales with her three children and husband in Hillsboro, Kan. She is a member of Ebenfeld MB Church just outside Hillsboro.

Reader's Choice

The Last Chance DetectIve series (Unr )

Produced by Focus on the Family, the three episodes are extremely well done-the acting is great, the suspense and story lines are superb and the themes are biblical and meaningful. The protagonist is a child worthy of becoming a hero to my children. These are movies that children (ages four and up) can enjoy-and adults won't yawn through them. My five-year-old was on the edge of his seat, and we were right there with him.-Cindy Sue Peters

The scarlet Pimpernel (1982) Unrated

The Scarlet Pimpernel was recommended to us when we were home schooling and studying the French Revolution. The characters and story captured our imagination, and it has become a family favorite.

Loosely based on Baroness Orczy's book by the same name, the movie is set in Paris and London in the late 18th century and tells of the exploits of a band of English noblemen (the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel) who set out to rescue innocent French aristocrats bound for the guillotine. The complex set of characters includes both historical figuresand fictional characters and gives a vivid sense of the times, showing both the causes and excesses of the Revolution. We like the way the movie's heroes use nonviolent means to combat violence and cleverly exploit the vices of the villains. Though the guillotine scenes and complex plot make the film unsuitable for young children, The Scarlet Pimpernel makes good viewing for families with preteens and teenagers.Steve and Kathy Wiest, Stephanie (14) and LynAnne (13)

Women's roles in the church

Once upon a time, a long long time ago, people knew how to live. They weren't dependent on computers to communicate. They didn't need cars to travel long distances. They could live without bathrooms and washing machines and all the modern conveniences that all of us have become so accustomed to. They lived at peace with nature and God. Or so it would seem.

At this same time in history there were groups of people who were denied the very right to be called "people." They were taken from their family, from their homes, stolen from their birthland and forced to work in slavery for people who were primarily interested in their own well-being. It is not a new story, not an unfamiliar story. It is the story of oppression of the black and Native American people during the first centuries of this country. But this time in American history is not unusual to human history. In biblical times there was slavery, children were little more than nuisances, women were treated as property and were gotten rid of as quickly as a mood could change.

Enter into this picture a man who would grow up in a culture of slavery, oppression and racial prejudice. He touched the unclean, he ate with sinners and spoke about Scripture with those who were the undesirables. Had he stuck to societal structure and remained with the scholars to talk about Scripture, he would never have allowed women to be part of the group that followed him as he taught Scripture, let alone sit among the men and listen as an equal. He would never have talked to a Samaritan, let alone a Samaritan woman, not only teaching her directly about the kingdom of God, but also using her as a vessel to spread the Word to the people of her city. He went beyond all social and cultural boundaries and asked his followers to do as he did.

In the times of slavery in American history, the arguments for keeping the slaves in their place was that Jesus never spoke

The Christian Leader welcomes brief letters on topics relevant to the Mennonite Brethren Church. All letters must be signed and will be edited for clarity and length. Send letters to Christian Leader, 7531 Delta Wind Dr., Sacramento, CA 95831 (e-mail: chleader@jps,net).

of slavery being wrong and Paul said for slaves to obey their masters. In retrospect, it seems ludicrous to believe that slavery is condoned by God, but it was a widely held belief dUring that time and people believed finnly in their right, scripturally, to own slaves-as firmly as churches who believe that women should not speak in church or talk about Scripture to a man in our culture today.

Women's roles in churches today seem as subject to societal pressure today as slavery issues were in the 1800s. I read one statement in the Christian Leader a while back that we are a divided people, that "God has given us Scripture to guide us, which are of no one man's private interpretation" (''What Reader's Say," May 20(0) and I agree that no one man (or woman) should try to interpret Scripture and be the lone authority because men/women can unfuilingly find their own opinions reflected in Scripture. And unfortunately, the way our conference has decided to handle women's roles in the church gives rise to the idea that we are trying to pacify or tolerate one group (namely women) in our midst when in reality our goal should be that of model· ing Christ's love for all men, women, children, black, brown, yellow, white and red-and his readiness. As Phil Wiebe said "we kill Jesus' example when our self- fabricated rules hinder our relationships How we serve-methods, traditions, institutions-can become more important than who we serve" (ph'lip Side, April 20(0). We forget that our highest calling is to first love God then our neighbor. All neighbors.

Paul's teachings are difficult to recon· cile with the church's stand on women's issues, and they are the greatest source of reference for practical matters for the church. Paul seems to speak very specifically about societal roles. But maybe that is the problem. He is speaking to specific roles in specific cultures. There are new studies on Greek culture that help us understand that Paul was very concerned about women's domination of the church in accordance to their worship of their Greek gods, not the issue of women's equality. These new studies are interesting and well worth reading as we continue the dialogue of what Paul was saying. To say that everything Paul wrote we should do means things I am certain we

do not entirely believe. I don't think we really believe that slavery was okay because Paul commands the slaves to obey their masters and the master should treat them with the same respect. We don't follow every directive Paul gives on head coverings because we recognize that some things Paul taught were cultural. They were letters to a specific church, after all. Who of us, if Billy Graham wrote to a church in India asking the men to walk with their women and for the women to cover their stomachs, would take that as a directive for a church in our culture? But, it is disconcerting to know that there may be sections that are cultural because then we lose our "rules." We have to release the legalism, the traditions that help us find our way.

As I mentioned, it was unheard of for women to be included in the religious discussions of that time and still are in some Orthodox Jewish circles. But Jesus often had women right at his feet as he taught. Ironically, one example of a woman's role turned upside down could be heard in households in North America today. Mary was sitting at Jesus' feet and listening to all he was teaching. He was the master, the Son of God. Certainly she was not about to question his authority (who would, except the pharisees!) or his teaching. He was the Messiah and she listened and learned at the master's feet. Her sister came in and seeing her there at his feet became jealous and asked Jesus to tell Mary to come and help her cook. Instead of making Mary feel badly for her presumptuous attitude he looks at Martha and says, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." Today, women are longing to be amidst the spiritual dialogue of the church, to be part of the spiritual "elite" and it is the one thing that the church withholds. And women and men alike are pushing them back in the "kitchen," back in their roles.

Certainly Jesus never made societal mandates that would change roles that were held at that time or we could use as a guidepost today. But his life changed cultural boundaries forever. It's time for the church-our churches-to do the same.

Danette Roland Denver, Colo.

On Course t

Afew months ago many of us watched on our television sets as people around the globe celebrated the tart of the 21" century and a new millenium. But for MBMS International, this year marks 100 years since we were incorporated as a global mission agency - and we look forward to Century Twol What has God done through us in the past century and what can we expect in the next?

In the first verse of Psalm 67, we read; "May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us". Indeed as a people of faith in Canada and USA, the past century has been one of experiencing God's blessing. We have moved from being mostly a struggling, German-speaking immigrant church to being one that includes urban professionals, multimillionaire business owners, and near the end of the century another wave of immigrants, this time from multiple countries and cultures. We have truly experienced God's blessing in this land.

"Mission exists because worship doesn't."

Verse two of this Psalm provides us with the purpose for God's blessing on his people; "that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations." Yes, God has blessed us so that we might be active in mission. And over the past century, we have been actively engaged as participants in God's mission. Through MBMS International our churches have sent out over 2,000 resident missionaries, and hundreds more have been sent through other specialized agencies. Cross-

enturyTwo

cultural miSSIOn is at the heart of who we are as a denominational family of faith.

by Harold Ens, General Director MBMS International

effort begun by North American MB's started at Kafumba in the Congo in 1924. The A.A. Janzen family began that work as independent missionaries and waited until 1943 for our North American conference to make it an official denominational effort.

May your ways be known throughout the earth, your saving power among people everywhere. May the nations praise you, 0 God

Psalm 67:2-3a

But mission is not an end in itself! Verse three of Psalm 67 states, "May the peoples praise you, 0 God; may aU the peoples praise you." As John Piper has said, "mission exists because worship doesn't." The first missionaries to serve under our denominational agency were sent to India. They went to a people group, the Telegu, who had little knowledge of the gospel and no multiplying church movement among them. Last fall I participated in the centennial celebration of the MB work in India, held at Jadcherla from November 11 to 14. As I rose to speak at the closing Sunday morning service of that event, my heart was filled with gratitude and awe as I saw a crowd of more than 3,000 Telegu MB believers seated before me under the big tent. God's blessing on our churches had led to mission to India, and today more than 200,000 people there in some 800 congregations join with us in worship in our global family of faith.

In 1901 the first MB missionaries from North America arrived in Shantung province of China. The Henry C. Bartel family began a work that took root in the Chinese culture. In spite of persecution and suffering during much of the second half of the past century, it resulted in a church planting movement that continues even today. The third major mission

The MB church in the Congo has grown and continues to multiply. When I left the Congo after four years of residence in Kinshasa in 1973, there was only one MB church in the capital city of Kinshasa. When I returned for a visit this past February, I was told that there are now 42, with up to three more being added each year! But it was a special one-day event of that visit that best illustrates for me what's ahead for us as a denominational mission agency as we enter Century Two. During this consultation on crosscultural mission with some 30 Congolese MB leaders and students, we discussed the potential for partnership in global mission. We listened in gratitude as the eight MB missiology students present shared their vision for reaching the unreached.

Mission exists because worship doesn't. Current mission research shows that 25% of the world's population still do not have ready access to the gospel. Yes, there are still some 1,596 people groups that do not have an active church planting movement among them. This is the great "unfinished task" of global mission that is before us. But praise God, those fifteen worshipping conferences that have emerged from the past century of MB mission stand ready to join with us In completing the task as we enter Century Two.

A Knock at the Door

byAKWiens

One evening after we had retired for the night, we heard a knock at the door. Since the Chinese usually hum or cough to make their approach known, Mrs. Wiens feared the knock might mean my abduction and suggested I dress warmly before opening the door. The intruder, impatient with waiting, knocked on the windowpane, and in so doing broke the glass and cut his hand.

When we opened the door, a Japanese general and his bodyguard burst in, both under the influence of liquor.

Only the pleading of the bodyguard with his superior not to harm the

.. missionary saved my life.

Immediately threatening to kill us, the general demanded wine and cigarettes. Informed that neither was available, the general went to the front court and forced one of the Chinese workers to purchase cigarettes for him.

Since martial law was in effect on the streets, the worker returned without having been able to make the purchase. At once the officer threatened him with his sword. I attempted to mediate. With sword drawn, the officer then challenged me.

Mrs. Wiens and the Chinese who were in our home slipped into the dark bedroom and through a hall which led to a door into the outer court. There they found refuge in the sheep bam.

The two officers shoved me into a comer in the living room, where they threatened me for the next two hours. A

sword in the hands of a vicious, drunken person is a lethal weapon.

While still in the homeland I had stated on various occasions that, if necessary, I would be willing to suffer martyrdom for the cause of Christ. Now, when the test came, I was not so sure. Only the pleading of the bodyguard with his superior not to harm the missionary saved my life. At two o'clock in the morning the intruders left, threatening, however, to return and destroy the mission compound.

Excerpted from Shadowed by the Great Wall by AK. and Gertrude Wiens

Missionaries Frank]. and Agnes Wiens provide /irst aid to wounded soldiers in China, 1921. Source: Linda Gerbrandt

India Church Marks 100 Years

In November. 1999 the MB Conference of India celebrated the arrival of the first MB missionaries from North America. Over 3000 believers, including guests from around the world. attended the opening celebrations. Indian church leaders and overseas representatives together lit the Centenary Lamps (pictured. left). Other elements of the celebration included a presentation of historical photographs and other materials, a souvenir book, a choir of 100 voices, groundbreaking ceremonies for a mission monument, and the release of a children' s song book and cassette.

Missionaries to Join Indian MB Evangelism Team

Beginning in fall 2000. Gordon and Gwen Nickel will serve as MBMS International missionaries to Muslim areas of Hyderabad. India, under the direction of Menno Joel from the India MB Conference. Gordon recently completed writing the book Peacable Witness Among Muslims. published by Herald Press (www.mph.org) and available at amazon.com. The Nickels previously served with MBMS International in Central Asia from 1988-1997.

Photograph by Ron Nickel

The Church is Alive in China

by Harold Ens

On Saturday, December 4, 1999, I left the large city of Zhengzhou and, with China Education Exchange director Rod Suderman and local pastor Wen, drove five hours to Caoxian. When we arrived at the hotel in Caoxian, we were met by local church leader Mr. Su, as well as two other church members and two agents of the China Religious Affairs Bureau. An hourlong conversation in our room followed. When we asked if we could give greetings at the church service on Sunday, we were told that foreigners are not allowed to preach in China.

We then drove across town to the church compound. The sanctuary seats about 1,000, and other buildings include a church office and some dormitory facilities. We had tea with Mr. Su, some other leaders, and some older ladies who we were told were the caretakers. They even sang a few hymns, which we recognized.

When we returned to our hotel, Mr. Su explained that membership in their region had grown from a few thousand to over 18,000 in the past decade. He said they celebrate baptism twice a year, on Easter and at Christmas, and had baptized over I ,000 people in 1998. When I asked him what I should tell our churches back home and what we should pray for, he answered:

I. Thank our churches for sending the Bartels, who brought the Gospel

2. Pray that the Chinese church will remain faithful

3. Tell the churches at home that the Chinese want to maintain contact with the Mennonites, since that is where they have their roots

4. Thank God that they have a good relationship with the government

On Sunday morning, we were again met at the hotel by the government agents and led across town to the church. As the worship service began, I was first asked to sit down, but then immediately told that now was the time to deliver greetings! We had received no answer to our request the previous day, but I was not about to turn down this opportunity. As I went to the pulpit, I noted that the entire sanctuary, including a large balcony, was packed with people.

To think that the seeds planted by the Bartel family nearly a century earlier have resulted in what is today a vibrant Christian witness!

I greeted them from the Mennonite Brethren churches of North America and they broke into applause. I went on to express my joy at being with them and that as the Bible says, we are one body in Christ. At the end of my brief words, there was again applause, and then we were led off the platform to a bench in the front for the rest of the service.

While my visit was short, it was a moving testimony to God's faithfulness over years of change, trial, and suffering. To think that the seeds planted by the Bartel family nearly a century earlier have resulted in what is today a vibrant Christian witness in the Caoxian region. Let us continue to pray for these believers and seek ongoing opportunities to contact them and encourage them in the Lord.

Passing a Language Milestone

in Burkina Faso

After five years of intensive language study, Phil Bergen was accredited for translation work in Nanerige, an extremely complex tonal language. He and hiswife Carol will now take on the primary work of reaching the Nanerige people in Burkina Faso, under Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission.

Team 2000 Prepares for Thailand

In June 2000, the six adult members of Team 2000 came together for training and team-building in preparation for mission service in Thailand. The team has committed to spending ten years among an unreached people group. The members will travel together to Kansas, Manitoba, British Colombia and California in fall, prior to departure in January, 2001.

Latin America: Building on Our Own Strengths

By Miguel Forero

After more than fifty years of mission to Latin America, there are nine countries where MBMS International has involvement through missionaries, funds, or a combination of the two.

Some of these countries have church conferences that are very independent. They are mostly self-funding, with their own leadership and vision, and they are sending missionaries to other countries. A second group of countries has some established churches and leadership, but still has need for missionaries and financial support. Two countries have no missionaries from MBMS International, and have limited resources in their churches.

The Latin American churches are at a crucial point in their development. Will they continue to build up a strong Anabaptist identity, and see themselves as a body that sends missionaries as well as receives them? Will MBMS International be able to work alongside Latin American churches, as equals under Christ? I believe this can happen if we build on our strengths.

Latin America is united by the Spanish Language (with some Portuguese as well), and some common ethnic roots. As a huge region with many Mennonite Brethren, we have the capacity to share our strengths for our common benefit. My hope is that in the coming years, I will be able to help link Mennonite Brethren conferences together to share resources, train leaders, disciple our youth and send miSSIOnaries.

Beginning in the coming year, part of my assignment will be to work at bringing together Mennonite Brethren from across Mexico, Central America and South America so that together, we can build a strong body of Christ.

Nine countries in Latin America where MBMS International is currently involved

Brazil

Colombia

Guatemala

Mexico

Panama

Paraguay

Peru

Uruguay

Venezuela

Miguel Forero with a Panamanian boy and his pels.

A Mexican Miracle

In southern Mexico along the Sierra Coast, rains from hurricane Mitch Hooded fifty rivers last September, washing out villages and taking several thousand lives. Many organizations rushed to bring aid to the battered areas, including Mexican Mennonite Brethren churches.

The National Presbyterian Church requested help for the village of Valdivia in the Chiapas region of southern Mexico. Peacemakers MB Church in Leon and United MB church in Guadalajara, responded. For several days, their team of doctors, nurses, counselors, and pastors distributed food, clothing, and medical attention to those who needed it.

MBMS International funded $9,000 for the aid, which provided over forty tons of food and clothing.

According to pastor Hugo Hernandez, pastor of United MB Church, God was involved in a special way on this project. Having counted the kits of food and clothing meticulously, the pastor knew they had only 250 kits available to hand out to the village. However, more

victims arrived from other villages, and the team continued to hand out the kils.

When it was all said and done, they realized they had distributed 150 more kits than they had brought. Like the loaves and the fish, Jesus provided where there was not enough. And having witnessed the miracle first-hand, two nonChristian physicians from the team accepted Christ. Enrique Rodriguez was one of the pastors who helped in relief efforts.

Cell Churches Bring Faith to Churches in Uruguay

After twelve years as missionaries in Uruguay, Ernst and Ursula Janzen have moved to a cell-church model for church planting. The strategy has resulted in several home churches developing over the past two years. "Having a small church keeps us focused on people instead of programs," says Ernst. "People hold each other accountable and look to each other for support." When a cell group grows beyond twenty people, it multiplies and starts a newgroup.

The Language of Partnership

By Harold Ens

During my trip to Africa this year, I visited the Meserete Kristos (Christ the Foundation) Church in Ethio pia. When communists took over in Ethiopia 26 years ago, there were fourteen congregations and 5,000 members. During that time, these groups met and multiplied. Today Christians in the MKC have grown to 150,000 and have a strong ministry to arabic-speaking people. There are so many new congregations that the MKC needs assistance in leadership training.

While I was somewhat aware of the church's rapid growth under Communist oppression, I was not previously aware of their passion for reaching people of other religions, both in Ethiopia and beyond. My guide for the week, an Evangelist named Kelbessa, shared of his own passion for reaching arabic-speaking people with the Gospel and his desire for further studies to be better prepared for that ministry. He also told me of a region in southern Ethiopia where a sheik was converted after experiencing a miraculous healing. He has become an evangelist and some 2,500 or more villagers from traditional religions have come to Christ in his area. The MKC also has a church planting effort in neighboring Djibouti and has a vision to cross the Red Sea for ministry in other countries. We were given an open invitation to explore partnership with the MKC in training teachers, missionaries, and in other possible ministries.

often meant was that these conferences became partners with us in MBMS International's ministries in their country.

"Alone we sit like frogs at the bottom of a well. But by connecting with churches elsewhere we see the worldwide mission of the church."

-Indian MB OJ. Arthur

Today, a growing number of the partner conferences are developing a vision for responding to the Great Commission by joining MBMSI in cross-cultural mission as well. We are already testing such mission partnerships with japan, Germany, Brazil, and Colombia. During my sabbatical travel, I explored such partnerships with maturing conferences in India, Indonesia, Ethiopia, and Congo as well. As we move forward with these partnerships in cross-cultural mission, we need to work toward patterns in which both partners contribute to the variety of resources that are needed. In a consultation in Congo, we agreed that four resources are essential for cross-cultural mission: personnel, prayer, administration, and finances.

While MBMSI and its partners may not provide equal resources in all these aspects, we agreed that each should be involved at more than one level.

I look forward to continuing to challenge both our North American churches and our partners overseas to broaden the scope of our partnerships in cross-cultural mission.

We have used the language of partnership for many years in our relationship with the emerging conferences that have grown out of our 100 years of missionary ministry. What we

Volunteers Help Turn Warehouse into House of

Worship

After years of meeting in a back yard, the MB church in Reichenhall, Germany completed renovation of a warehouse as its new church building. Volunteers from North America, such as Don Loewen and Ted Thiesen (pictured, l-r) and from Bavarian MB churches helped in the renovations, which took two years to complete. The church has grown in attendance from thirty-five people two years ago to about sixty today.

50th Birthday for Japanese MBs

On May 2000, the]apan MB Conference celebrated its 50th anniversary. The theme of the celebration was "Biblical, Evangelistic, and Peaceful." Celebrations included keynote speaker Larry Martens from Fresno, CA along with solo and group singing by a professional singer, youth, and the congregation. During worship on the second day, a phone call was given to each current and former missionary, and heard by everyone. The last call, to veteran missionaries Harry and Millie Friesen, was actually a suprise announcement that, though not expected to attend, they had been sitting in the front row!

Reverend Koji Honda preaching at a Gospel crusade in Osaka, Japan, 1970. Photograph by Roland Wiens

Photographs courtesy of Paul and Warkentin

The Global Bridge Project

Investing in a thousand futures

by Pakisa K. Tshimika

Over the past century, We as Mennonite Brethren have been attentive to the saving of souls. We have also followed the example of Christ in feeding the hungry, visiting prisoners and healing the sick. When needs arise around the world, especially where we have partner conferences, our church is present to provide a cup of cold water. Through schools, hospitals and several community development programs and projects, we have shown our compassion and commitment to those who are suffering or are less fortunate.

Unfortunately, our actions around the world have sometimes had limited long-term effect, because we either ignored or underestimated the influence of social structures under whicb our partners and work.

Through the Global Bridge Project, we are building a structural recognition of social ministry within the larger scope of our mission around the world.

How will we build bridges.?

Help promote and build a just and humane society in communities where Anabaptist churches are established or being planted

Facilitate our partner conferences in accessing resources in North Americaand Europe networking between brothers and sisters around the world

Educate our North American and European constituency on global social issues

The Global Bridge Project will focus on four areas:

Community Health with a focus on preventive and

promotional health, as well as hospital care and services, including collecting medical and surgical supplies and equipment from North America and Europe.

Community Development. We will focus on income generation for women, and encourage business people from North America and Europe to support community development activities and invest in countries where we have local partners.

Emergency Intervention

Capacity Building: We need to build structures that allow communities to maintain and develop social ministries.

What can YOU do?

Contribute to the Global Bridge Endowment Fund, which ensures ongoing funding for social ministries and allows for matching grants from government agencies.

Adopt a project related to social ministries

Subscribe to the Global Bridge newsletter. Email

Get involved - send people from your church to work alongside Christians in another part of the world

Build relationships by inviting someone from another country to visit your community

What do I need? Patients and Patience!

Treating the whole person - body, soul and spirit - can be rewarding. As medical people it is often tempting to give medicine for the physical ailment and think that will take care of all the needs of an individual. Often that is not enough.

It was many years ago that we first became involved with Ramaya. This tiny lady came to us with a severe case of lepromatous Hansen's Disease. Two daughters, aged eight and two, were with her in rags.

As a beautiful young lady, Ramaya had been a dancer and singer in a large city in night clubs. She had had several husbands and some older daughters were married. Then the dreaded disease struck. For a number of yearsshe could no longer dance, so she worked in the home of a wealthy family as housekeeper and cook. She became an outcast.

Now she was too ill to work and had intolerance to some of the medicines. The hospital and the staff provided food and a small hut for the family. Improvement began and Ramaya was given regular work. Both of the girls were sent to school and were good students.

Ramaya began to attend church services and eventually put her trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. She began to sing and share her joy with others. She loved having our children come to her house to eat. Periodically she would come to our house saying she wanted to "cut a chicken" and wanted us to come and eat it with her. We tried to tell her she

by Dorothy Seaman

shouldn't bother, but she would say how much she loved Jesus and what he had done for her. She wanted to express that love by making a meal for us. We had to learn not to quench the working of God's Spirit in her life by refusing to accept her offering to the Lord.

Ramaya has had her spiritualwanderings away from the Lord - who o(us hasn't? But we know that at least three persons will be in glory because someone cared for them by providing for them - medicine, housing, food, work, education - an example of God's love, spiritual life, and teaching in how to give of yourself to help others.

Dorthy served in India for one tenn before serving in Nepal/rom /966 to /99/. This article first appeared}n \\-1tness May/June /99/.

Photographs courtesy of Dr. Herb and Ruth Friesen

Learning by doing Turning Youth into Disciples

By Randy Friesen, YMI Director

Wen people go on short-term mission assign ments, they learn first-hand what it's like to take risks and stretch themselves. They get to fellowship with the global church in very real ways. YMI works with hundreds of MB churches each year in training young leaders through short term mission programs. It's a discipleship investment in the local church.

YMI offers nine programs ranging from nine days to nine months. Every assignment includes an intensive training camp prior to the ministry assignment, a teambased ministry assignment, and a debrief retreat where the assignment is processed and the youth learn ongoing discipleship principles. Youth learn about character, relational skills, ministry gifts, personality differences and ministry effectiveness, in a supportive environment.

Now that YMI and MBMSI are under the same umbrella, we have opportunities to move participants more , smoothly from short term to long term assignments. The qualities of character, spiritual disciplines, teamwork, and creative evangelism that are focused on through YMI assignments provide an excellent resource for preparing long-term workers. We are seeing the benefits of the YMI experience in producing career missionaries - eight of the long-term missionaries being sent by MBMS International this year have experience in YMI programs.

In the coming year, we will begin expanding our programs beyond youth and young adult groups to young marrieds and middle-aged people. YMI's discipleship

strategy will be used in an expanded adult-focussed program for local churches. The training camp, assignment, team life, and debrief retreat encourage growth in spiritual disciplines, evangelism and team work - all valuable skills that adults and young families require as well.

I encourage you to continue supporting YMI's discipleship and mission program. Better yet, join a team.

YMI is an investment in your youth, your church, and your own walk with the Lord.

YMI Program

Dates 2000-200 1

SOAR: for ages 15-18, as individuals or entire youth groups

SOAR Northeast (Ontario and Northeastern USA)

March 7-17,2001

SOAR Northwest (Abbotsford BC)

March 15-25,2001

SOAR Midwest (McAllen, Texas)

july 6-16, 2001

SOAR Tijuana

April 6-14, 2001

SOAR Pacific (Fresno CA - to Mexico, California and Nevada)

july 16-August 2, 200 I

ACTION: Inner-city and overseas assignments for post-high school age

Winter ACTION: jan 3-23, 200 I

May ACTION: May 7-june 2,2001

Summer Action: july I-August 10, 2001

TREK: Overseas assignments for ages 20 and up

All assignments run September 2000 -july 2001

Miracles surround youth meeting

On April 4, members of the MUUCO youth discipleship team from Bogota, Colombia traveled by bus to work with youth in Trujillo, Peru. Near the ColombialEcuador border, they met a road block set up by an indigenous group. demonstrating against the government. Knowing that the last road block of this type lasted for a month, MI]UCO leaders Trever and Joan Godard asked for prayer from supporters around the world. The block was lifted for one hour during the time the team was passing through, and was set up again once they had passed:

Missionary Robert Sukkau reports that the Colombian and North American MIjUCO members provided an example of mature Christianity to the Peru youth. In seven days, they held ten meetings and a Sunday School teacher workshop, presented dramas in the town squares, visited a school, and visited different tourist sites with the Peru youth.

On the trip back to Bogota, the bus stopped for an hour to avoid bandit attacks near the border. The next day, a landslide blocked the highway in one of Colombia's guerrillacontrolled territories, and the bus driver didn't want to go around - too much chance of being attacked. The MUUCO members prayed and sang on the bus for two hours. The driver decided to go for the detour route, and they all made it through safely.

Source: Bob and Erika Sukkau

Building on Ties to Former Homes

By Tim Bergdahl, Director of Programs for MBMS International

In the past year, I have had the opportunity to visit a number of Slavic Mennonite Brethren churches in the Pacific Northwest that have strong ties to their former homes in Russia and the Ukraine. Earlier, I traveled to Russia to see first-hand how Cod is working there along with the support of these Slavic Mennonite Brethren churches.

I look toward a day when Slavic MB churches - and indeed all MB churches with ties to other cultures - take ownership of MBMS International. I see a day when our missionary pool for short and long term workers draws heavily from these groups. In the mean time, we are partnering with these churches in the crosscultural ministries that they themselves have created.

Especially as we orient ourselves to greater work in the Ukraine, the North American Slavic church connection will prove invaluable in providing workers and other support. They already have many church to church relationships - for example, the church in Seattle has an ongoing relationship with churches in Cherepovets and Vologda, Russia.

Such arrangements are important if these new MB churches in North America are to fully integrate into the larger MB church. We need to recognize their particular strengths and ways that Cod is leading these communities. Their mission goals fit the vision of MBMS International, and allow us to rely more on missionaries who already have language and culture skills.

Milestones for Churches in Portugal

The number of MB churches in Portugal doubled this year when a church with African roots became Mennonite Brethren. Planting of a third church is anticipated in the coming year, as Craig and Fabiana Jost and Carola Unger (a German MB) join the MBMS International church planting team On the outskirts of Lisbon. Photographs by Franz Rathmair.

Pray for the former Soviet Union

By Franz Rathmair

MBMS International provides financial support to church workers in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, republics in the former Soviet Union. Pray for these men and women who sacrifice so much to share Christ's love.

Andrei S. is in charge of the printing press, radio studio, computer equipment, and translation projects of Ray of Hope mission. He asks for prayer that the translation work on the Kyrgyz New Testament will be completed soon. Keres, one of the translators, is sick and the doctors cannot come up with a diagnosis or treatment.

Irina P. is in charge of children's ministries in a large church in Kazakhstan. Two hundred children are taught in different groups, and she alsoholds meetings with children in homes. The church has begun to feed needy children one warm meal a day while teaching them Bible stories.

Belek O. is a deacon in a Kazakh Baptist church, which is gathering in several different locations each Sunday. One of his main concerns is the lack of trained leaders for their thirteen small groups scattered over the city. If they cannot train more leaders some of the groups may have to be closed. At the Easter Sunday services in two locations there were 120 attendants each - almost double the normal attendance.

Wjatscheslaw S. reports of a Kyrgyz man who left his family to live with another woman. The wife, a believer, asked the church to pray and fast, then went to him one last time. He returned to his family, accompanied her to church, and accepted the Lord in the weeks after.

The H. family rejoices that at recent evangelistic meetings fifteen people came to know the Lord, including

several Korean immigrants. In one location there are so many believers that the church may start a daughter congregation and purchase a meeting place.

Area churches are preparing to host summer children's camps. About 5,000 mostly non-Christian kids will have fun and adequate food - and be introduced to the Living Christ!

A movement of Kyrgyz congregations is seeking to form an evangelical alliance. Some churches have left their denomination and there is potential for conflict, but also hope for a new unity. A Bible training program is being developed and brought to churches throughout the region through an extension program.

Franz Rathmair is MBMS International's director of programs for Europe and the former Soviet Union.

Support for all who serve

We're expanding our missionary team!

By Ron Penner

MBMS International is changing its ministry to include many missionaries who, until recently, were not part of the MBMS International family. These are Mennonite Brethren missionaries, from our Mennonite Brethren churches, who because MBMSI did not work in a certain country, or because we didn't do a specialized kind of ministry, were not working under MBMS International.

We now do joint appointments with other North American mission agencies. A missionary can now go with a para-church agency and MBMS International. Of course, we already had some Mission Associates, but from September. 1999 until now, we have affirmed and approved twenty new Mission Associates and brought them into the MBMS International family.

We also have the opportunity of International Mission Associates. More and more, church conferences in other countries want to use MBMS International to help send out their missionaries. We worked out an agreement to send a church planting and leadership couple from the Congo to Angola. We have already facilitated the sending of a young lady from Japan to Thailand, a couple from Germany to Lithuania, and a couple from Colombia to Peru.

What does this mean?

A larger MBMS International family (thirty new missionaries this year!)

A greater support to missionaries who are called to ministry where MBMS International is not directly involved

The mission of MBMS International is to participate in making disciples of all people groups. sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ cross-eulturally and globally. in Spirit-empowered obedience to Christ's Commission and in partnership with local Mennonite Brethren churches.

Editor-in-ehief: Harold Ens

Managing & Production Editor: Brad Thiessen

Layout & Design: Brad Thiessen and Jeremy Balzer

MBMS International

4867 E. Townsend Avenue

Fresno CA 93727-5006

Phone /559) 456-4600/ Fax /559) 251-1432

2-169 Riverton Avenue

Winnipeg. MB R2L 2E5

Phone /204) 669-6575/ Fax /204) 654-1865

Broader ministry, in countries such as Senegal, Honduras, and United Arab Emirates

We are more of a servant to Mennonite Brethren churches and members

It means more people can be reached with the Gospel, and by those who love Him and His coming. And now we can do it together as never before!

If you know of a missionary who would like to become part of the MBMS International team, email ronpen@mbmsintemational.org, or call us toll-free at 1-888-UNO-MBMS.

302·32025 Dahlstrom Ave

Abbotsford BC V2T 2K7

Phone /604) 853-6959/ Fax /604) 853-6990

7348 W. 21 Street. Suite 116

Wichita KS 67205

Phone /316) 729-6465/ Fax /316) 722-8632

Phone toll-free 1-888-UNQ-MBMS

Youth Mission International 140B Frobisher Dr. Waterloo ON N2V 1Z8

Phone /519) 886-4378/ Fax /519) 886-6308

WWMr.mbmslntematlDnal.D'9 Printed in Canada

Evaluation to Bring Agency

Closer to Supporters

In April 2000, MBMS International began a sweeping evaluation of its efforts to relate to Mennonite Brethren in North America. The study will measure how people perceive MBMS International as well as what they expect the agency to do to involve them in cross-cultural mission. It will include 5,000 mailed surveys, along with 100 personal interviews and numerous focus groups in four centers across Canada and the United States.

The study will be a starting point for a re-evaluation of how the agency relates to its supporters in North America, and provide information to help develop new communication tools.

Help for Flood Victims

In 1998, over 300 people were killed and 85 villages destroyed by floods in Pakistan's Turbat region. Thousands had to relocate to higher ground with no shelter or water, and few shade trees. MBMS International support funds home building, water supply projects, purchase of blankets, and repair to a water pump and school grounds.

"We send a powerful message about the love of God when North American Christians help a people so far away," says MBMS International missionary Craig Hallman. Donations for the Turbat Flood Relief Project may be sent to MBMS International.

Illiteracy Doesn't Limit Student

Melvin Warkentin, a teacher at Indian Bible Institute (IBI) in Paraguay, teaches a class of twenty-seven future pastors and church planters. Melvin recently wrote a story of a student who is meeting the challenges of illiteracy.

"Benito Fleitas is one of our new students on campus. He comes from a ranching community some distance from here known as New Hope. He came as a result of the outreach of other Lenguas into his community. He came completely illiterate, but eager to learn. (Although we require all students to have a minimum of four years of schooling, we have made the exception in his case due to the lack of accessible schools.)

"I began teaching him to read and write outside of class time, and he is making excellent progress," Melvin continues. "Not knowing if he

could follow our class lectures, and unable to read, I was apprehensive about quizzing him orally in front of his classmates during our first class test. With a big grin on his face, he unashamedly answered correctly all my questions."

Melvin and Gudrun Warkentin are MBMS International Mission Associates. IBI is a ministry of the Paraguayan MB Conference.

BY PHILIP WIEBE

No rest for the weary?

We need a day to get over ourselves and give over to God our trust and war· ship-but are we doing it?

Astudy I recently read about concluded that Americans enjoy more leisure time than they used to. Contrary to the perception that everyone is working longer hours, most of us actually have more discretionary time than our forebears. This makes sense when one

reflects on certain developments over the last century. The average work week, for instance, has shrunk over time from six days to five. The standard eight-hour day wasn't always the norm, but represents a gradual reducing of work hours. And the nature of our work has changed. Manual labor has been displaced to a large degree by sedentary office and information jobs.

In addition, many tasks of home management have gotten easier. Clothes washers and dryers, dishwashers, microwave ovens and other home and yard gadgets have drastically cut time needed to perform household chores. Plus we have access to a huge variety of fast foods and instant services. We who take such conveniences for granted really can't fathom how time-consuming it once was to do laundry by hand, raise one's own food, make everything from scratch and so on. These days a 10 minute wait at Taco Bell seems like hardship.

Still, though most of us theoretically have more leisure time, the reality I see around me looks different. Not long ago I rushed to an evening meeting at church after a hectic day, feeling ill-prepared for the session ahead. It quickly became apparent that every person there felt exactly as I didtired, distracted, overscheduled. The thought occurred to me that something was seriously wrong with this. Scripture encourages us to spend our-

selves in service and ministry, but in this case it appeared we were all spent before we ever got to service and ministry.

So if the current generation supposedly has more discretionary time than generations past, where are all the hours going? I see a number of things happening that seem to hinder any sense of meaningful rest. First, the pace of life has speeded up. One weekend a couple of years ago I had to fly out for meetings in the Midwest on Friday and Saturday, then be back for something here in Oregon on Sunday. On the flight home it occurred to me how absurd this was. What kind of world was it where we scheduled meetings halfway across the continent on successive days, and considered it normal? A weary world, to be sure.

That's the downside of progress. Though jets and computers and telecommunication devices promise to give us more free time, in reality they regularly trap us into trying to do more in less time.

A second time-consuming factor of modem culture is that we've become very activity oriented. Surely we're slackers ifwe're not juggling six or seven things at once. And it's borderline abuse if we parents aren't constantly shuttling our kids from sports to music to clubs to other extracurricular activities. Vacations and weekends must also be extensively scheduled for maximum "fun." Pity the backward family who wastes time doing nothing.

I don't mean to belittle being busy, involved, prepared. But today's culture

tends to neglect an important element of "recreation." We think of it as fullbore activities of various kinds rather than "recreating" or refreshing ourselves physically, mentally, and spiritually.

A third way discretionary time gets eaten up is through entertainment. This isn't to criticize a regular diet of meaningless fun-I personally like to take in the occasional frivolous comedy or sporting event. But I think we all realize how consuming this can become in a day when dozens of movies, hundreds of TV channels and thousands of web sites are available 24 hours a day. Time and strength are sapped when entertainment becomes the focus of life, as it has for many in our age.

A final hindrance to genuine rest comes from the insulation most of us experience from the rhythms of nature and the seasons. Back when the world's business was farming, these rhythms were a given. There was a sea· son to plant, a season to harvest, a season to enjoy the fruit of one's labor. In the modem world all we ever seem to do is plant and harvest-run from one project to the next-while rarely taking time to rest in the results.

I think the biblical principle of "Sabbath" is largely about "resting in the results." That's what God did. After a period of intense creation he stepped back to celebrate the excellence of it all. God requested that his creatures do the same. Not because he said so, but because we needed a day to get over ourselves and give over to God our trust and worship.

Today's culture has clearly lost all sense of that need, but is it also disappearing in the church? Contemporary Christians might argue that New Testament writers treated Sabbath as a matter of attitude and heart more than adherence to a particular day. Looking at my own life, however, I'm wondering if that's just an excuse for not practicing Sabbath at all.

INQUlIUNG MINDS

BY MARVIN HEIN

QWhen I was young, the only question about my relationship to government was whether or not I should go to war. Today it seems the big question is how shall I respond to what I think is evil or wrong in government and society. How shall I respond when I'm persuaded there is injustice in government and society? (California)

AThe question is a good onegood in that nearly every day we read of Christian believers who make their objections known to some issue and do so in a fashion bordering on violence. If the action is as radical as shooting abortionists, most or all of us would object. But when it has to do with sit-ins and demonstrations or "a million moms" in the nation's capitol speaking to the proliferation of gun possession, the answers may not be so easy.

Personally I have become more "liberal" in my thinking about cooperating for a legitimate (biblical) cause with people who may not share all of my theological views. I now am prepared to stand with Roman Catholics and Jews and even unbelievers to give witness to what seems to be unbiblical. As our society becomes more and more "non-Christian" in its views and mores, it seems judicious for me to join others who hold similar views on an issue of morality.

What is not so clear is how far I should go in that kind of cooperation. And what do I do and say when such consorts use tactics unacceptable to me? Or what is my answer when others with whom I might cooperate are partly right and partly wrong (in my view)? Obedience to God and conscience requires that we speak and act against issues of human life, education, politics, etc., when they are anti-God.

Unfortunately, the Bible does not always give the detailed kind of instructions we'd like to have with respect to the questions raised above. However, Kenneth Kantzer, a noted evangelical scholar of the recent past, some five

years ago made several suggestions and my adaptation of his views follows:

• We are to obey government-bad laws as well as good, including unjust taxes. Even here not all Christians agree.

• We do not obey when government demands we do something that conflicts with our duty to God.

• We do not have the right to take the law into our own hands. No private violence.

• We are to seek the liberty and freedom of everyone, realizing that one person's freedom must stop where the next person's begins.

• We are to seek justice and fairness for all, distinguishing between what is "politically correct" and what is really best for all.

• Christians are citizens of two worlds and cannot free themselves from responsibility to either. But we also know which world (Kingdom of God) holds priority.

These principles leave unsolved many complicated issues. Yet, if followed, they would resolve many of our difficulties. There is one other element not to be overlooked. We must pray daily for governments, not only ours but others, that each will do what is good and just for all. That, too, is a command of God.

Have a question about a Bible passage, doctrine, conference policy, or other spiritual issue? E-mail Marvin at mheinl@fresno.edu or send your question to "Inquiring Minds, c/o Marvin Hein, 4812 E. Butler, Fresno, CA 93727.

QYears ago evangelicals fought modernists. Today the National Council of Churches wants to dissolve and include everyone. What's the difference between modernists and evangelicals? (California)

AOnce upon a time the difference was clear. Today the word "evangelical" takes on so many shades it's hard to know what is meant. Allow me to make a very concise and, I think, precise evaluation of the two schools of theology.

The basic assumption of a typical modernist theology is that human beings are basically good. People are born good, affinned and loved by their Maker, but the trials of life (sin) damage us. But in our damaged condition God keeps on caring for us and healing us, calling us to be true for what we were made. In short, people are good, hurt and then healed.

Classic evangelicalism, on the other hand, holds that we are born essentially fallen (depraved) and consequently we take to sin like ducks to water. To sin is to follow our nature. Our selfishness hurls us into a pit of estrangement from people and God. But we recognize that only the great sacrifice of the cross can rescue us if we accept Christ's death with humble gratefulness and resolve to obey his will even though it often runs counter to what we would do. This submission to God's will brings healing and self-fulfillment. In short, people are born fallen, rescued through the cross, obedient and then healed.

I ON TilE JOLII{NEY

BY ROSE BUSCHMAN

Houses that become a home

Habitat for Humanity-one way to meet the biblical mandate to help the poor and needy in our communities.

There's a new ministry in our city called Habitat for Humanity. This ministry is not new to the United States or even the world, just new to our community. Its purpose is to provide decent, affordable homes for families who cannot otherwise qualify for them. A group of people from several churches, with a burden for the poor in our community, got together and started sharing their concerns. It has taken several years of meetings, discussions and a lot of planning, but finally we have a local affiliate chapter of Habitat for Humanity in our city.

Habitat for Humanity International was founded in 1976 by Linda and Millard Fuller, in Americus, Ga., and is now an international ecumenical ministry dedicated to providing decent housing for the poor. In the U.S. there are now more than 1,900 affiliate chapters in all 50 states. Furthermore, Habitat for Humanity also operates in 63 other countries around the world. Former President Jimmy Carter has lent his name and efforts to a yearly project with Habitat for Humanity. This year in September he will be part of a major building project in New York City.

We are a local affiliate within the larger organization. This means we raise our own funds, make our own selection of recipient families and build our own houses or renovate existing homes. The international office provides us with information, training and a wide variety of other support services.

We are a local grassroots movement. No one came here and told us we had to do this. It has been exciting to see people representing a number of different churches all get together and plan to make a difference right here in our own community.

At the present time we are building our first home. It is a relatively small house with two bedrooms, a bathroom and a living-kitchen-dining area on the main floor. In the basement we will finish out two bedrooms and a bathroom. As I write this, the basement walls have been completed, the rough plumbing is in and later this week we plan to pour the cement for the floor. Hopefully, on Saturday, we will then be able to frame in the basement walls and get the floor joists in place.

Money and materials have been donated to make this project possible. A local land developer donated the land. Much of the labor in building the house is being done by volunteers. It has been gratifying to see how many people are interested in helping with this project.

Months ago our family selection committee screened applicants for the home and selected a single mom with four children and one grandchild. The family is presently living in a run-down rental unit with rotting floors and inadequate heating in the winter time. This mother works full-time and is struggling to provide for her family. She has done a good job of keeping up her place as best she could in spite of its poor condition. Unfortunately, we have a number of renegade landlords in our community-some are even Christians-who care only about their profits and don't bother to keep their properties in a good, livable and safe condition.

This is not a giveaway program. The selected family is expected to put in their own labor-sweat equity-into the building project. Not long ago our

prospective homeowner, her father and her two sons were all at the project helping to remove the forms from the basement walls which had been poured the previous week. Then last week they painted the same cement walls with a waterproofing compound.

The homeowner will also be expected to make monthly mortgage payments which include insurance and taxes. What makes this program affordable is that the mortgage loan is a no-interest loan and housing costs are kept down so families can afford to make the payments.

I am excited to be a part of this ministry. No, I'm not out there with a hammer and a saw pounding away. That's not my thing. But I can help in other ways, such as making sure we have sufficient insurance, getting the word out to those interested in helping with the project, coordinating volunteers and in providing snacks and drinks at the job site. I'll probably get my hands dirty when it comes time to paint and/or get some landscaping done. I can do that. What makes this ministry so special is what it does for families. Working together to provide a permanent home strengthens the family bond. Because of the sweat equity put into the project the family takes ownership of the home and becomes a valuable partner in the whole process. The new home provides children with stability and security which they may not have had up to this point. They have a nice, safe environment in which to live. They no longer need to be embarrassed about where they live and can invite their friends over to "their place." This does a lot to improve a child's self-esteem, which in tum makes a big difference in how this child succeeds in school. The whole family experiences the peace of mind that safe, permanent shelter provides. While not all Habitat for Humanity stories have happy endings, the vast majority do. If we are serious about breaking the cycle of poverty in our country this ministry is an excellent way of doing it. This is one way of meeting the biblical mandate to help the poor and needy in our communities. I am so thankful that I can share in this project.

Renewal: An Opportunity to Begin Anew!

Church renewal is an essential component ofthe Mission USA vision. To be effective, the church needs to be a healthy organism where members regularly experience rejuvenation and reach out into their communities to win the lost.

Here are some ways Mission USA can help your church move forward.

• Do a Health Check. We will help individual churches analyze current church health with Mission Analysis. Mission Analysis is a self study on church health and effectiveness which enables the church to look at essential elements for growth: need oriented evangelism, passionate spirituality, holistic small groups, inspiring worship services, loving relationships, empowering leadership, gift oriented ministry, functional structures, and faithful stewardship. Churches may contact Mission USA for information on the survey and the actions steps which follow.

• Focus onlDdividual Cnu:cbcs. Mission USA will partner with individual churches to resource and encourage growth in outreach/evangelism. The Target Church Program is a partnership between the local church and Mission USA which enables the church to develop a mission and ministry unique to the church and its area of influence.

Some special opportunities for church renewal begin this summer..

• 'TakiDgthe C1ash Out ofConfliet'. Mission USA is presenting a seminar on Saturday afternoon, July 29 on conflict management at the U.S. Conference in Denver. Conflict in the church is real. It was present in the first century church and has the capacity to be destructive in the church today. This seminar is designed to help us discover how to take the clash out of conflict. Instead of resorting to guerilla warfare and divisive tactics, we will learn how to establish a level playing field. We will examine root causes of conflict, accept that conflict is inevitable and learn how to manage it well. We will discover three key questions that will help us, and our churches, move from discord and crisis to understanding and resolution.

• Evangdism and Outreach. Mission USA is encouraging a nationwide emphasis on evangelism and outreach in our churches. For information on opportunities to expand your church's efforts to impact your community for Christ, contact Ed Boschman, Executive Director, Mission USA

For information about church planting and renewal opportunities you may now reach us at: Mission USA, 333 West Melinda Lane, Suite 200, Phoenix, AZ 85027-2926. Phone: 623-434-3301, Fax: 623-434-3299.

MISSION USA BOARD:

Ed Boschman, Phoenix, fI,Z

Chuck Buller, Visalia, CA

Phil Glanzer, New Hope, MN

Joe Johns, Weatherford, OK

LorettaJost, Aurora, NE

Brad Klassen, Glendale, fI,Z

Nancy Laverty, Jones, OK

Fred Leonard, Clovis, CA

Stephen Reimer, Shafter, CA

Randy Steinert, Bakersfield, CA

Tim Sullivan, Hillsboro, KS

Gary Wall, Lodi, CA

Ex OffIcio Members:

Henry Dick, Fresno, CA

Clinton Grenz, Bismark, N,D. Bruce Porter, Fresno, CA

Roland Reimer, Wichita, KS

Clint Seibel, Hillsboro, KS

Jim Westgate, Fresno, CA

Loving the stranger

•

MCC conducts two study in Texas and one in Central California-to explore the struggles and issues surrounding immigrants

Strangers in a strange land. An apt description for immigrants--one that Mennonite Central Committee would like U.S. Mennonites and Mennonite Brethren to embrace.

This spring, the world relief and development organization conducted two study tours in the U.S. aimed at doing just that.

"Scripture teaches us that when a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall love the stranger as yourself," says RebecaJimenez Yoder, a staff associate for immigration in the MCC U.S. office, quoting from Lev. 19:33-34.

"We want to create an awareness and understanding of the immigration situation in the U.S.," says Yoder. "We have churches full of immigrants and undocumented workers. How are we supposed to treat them?"

MCC hopes the study tours will help answer that question.

Mennonite and MB pastors, educators and church workers attended the two tours-one in south Texas, close to the border with Mexico and the Rio Grande River, and the other in Central California, which is home to many immigrant farm workers.

MCC has a long history of putting together these types of programs, which

One of the key aspects of both study tours was getting participants and immigrants together. During the South Texas tour, participants met immigrants to the U.S. like Mary (top right), who rents an unfinished house in a Texas colonia, as well as people who live in Mexico, like these children (bottom right), whose families share two small houses in a Mexican border town.

expose church and MCC workers to the issues and struggles facing people. Most of these programs have been offered abroad. These two tours are some of the first offered in the U.S.

"Immigration is a cutting edge issue for the U.S.," says Bob Buxman, an MB who directs the West Coast MCC office. Buxman believes the tours will help people begin to understand the issues surrounding immigrants. These issues are often complicated and easily misunderstood, both by the general public and the immigrant.

Becoming a legal resident of the U.S. is very often a long and difficult process.

During the Central california tour, Juan Montes (far left), pastor of the MB church Iglesia Hermanos Mennitas in Parlier, Calif., and Mary Elizondo (center), MCC West Coast Office worker and MB church planter, shared a morning break with farm workers.

While the U.S. allows immigrants from countries such as Cuba to apply for refugee status, those from countries like Mexico or EI Salvador who apply for a green card must be sponsored by a parent, spouse or individual willing to bear financial responsibility for the individual for up to 10 years or more.

The process for both refugees and legal immigration often takes three years or more-sometimes as long as 10 years, says Miriam Cardenas, an immigration specialist with the MCC West Coast office.

Many working with immigrants acknowledge that issues surrounding immigration are sometimes controversial and polarizing. Yoder and Buxman hope that the tours will educate people on the issues as well as challenge them to find ways to minister to the immigrant population.

"Hopefully we can get closer, grasp a bener understanding of what is happening around us," says Buxman. ''We want to see what a privilege and honor it is to walk together with all people-be they documented, undocumented, poor or wealthy."

Eleven people participated in the April 28-30 Immigration Study Tour in south Texas, just minutes from the Mexi-

can border and the Rio Grande River. The tour was guided by Border Witness, an organization that hosts educational tours focusing on immigration issues

and the people living in these communities, many of whom live in poverty. Participants met with people living in communities on both sides of the bor-

Bridging the gap

• Pastors and church workers see the reality of immigrant life

MANUELA SITS IN a folding chair under a shade tree in her front yard next to her five-year daughter, Selma, and younger son, Santiago. Mary Elizondo, a West Coast MCC worker sitting a few chairs away, holds Manuela's sleeping two-month old infant. Manuela's husband is working in the orchards. She is waiting for work to pick up again in packing sheds.

Manuela speaks in a quiet voice as she compares her life in the U.S. to the one she and her children lived in Mexico, just five short months before. Though they are now living in poverty by U.S. standards, she is happy.

"In Mexico, we would go hungry for a week," she says in Spanish. "I like it here, because we can work."

Manuela's experience is not unusual. Workers in the West Coast MCC office hear stories like hers almost every day.

Last May, the staff shared that reality with eight Mennonite and Mennonite Brethren pastors and church workers during the Central California Cross-Cultural Tour in the Reedley area of Fresno County May 21-23.

The Central Valley region's economy is driven mostly by farming. Much of the labor employed in the fields and packing sheds are immigrants from Mexicolegal residents and citizens as well as undocumented workers, says Elizondo, who organized the tour. Elizondo and her husband, associate district minister for the Pacific District Conference, are also MB church planters.

Finding a way for churches to minister to this immigrant population was a major goal for the tour, says Elizondo. "In this immediate area, there are many immigrants and undocumented people," says Elizondo. "How do we as a church in the Central Valley reach out to them?"

Organizers aimed to educate participants about immigration issues and

Ryan Jews (right), youth pastor at Madera (calif.)

Avenue Bible Church, listens to Manuela, a recent immigrant from Mexico, tell him and others who attended the Mec West Coast study tour about her life in Mexico.

struggles as well as dispel some misconceptions about immigrants.

One such misconception is that Mexican immigrants come to the U.S. to receive public assistance. This is not true, says Elizondo.

Most workers come to provide for their families by working in the fields and sending the money they earn back to Mexico, agrees Miriam Cardenas, an immigration specialist with the MCC West Coast office.

"They can earn three to four times more working in the fields in California than as a bank manager or school teacher," she says, adding that even "professional" jobs like these will not earn enough for them to support a family in Mexico.

As a child, Cardenas emigrated from Mexico. Her parents worked in the fields of Central California, and she joined them as a laborer during the summers. Her husband, a legal resident, works as a crew leader. "I hear people call them lazy. That is so untrue," she says. "They work 8 to 10 hours a day in hard, physical labor. "

Participants also learned that immigration policies are often complicated and difficult, especially for those coming from Mexico. To apply for legal residency, an immigrant must be sponsored by a parent, spouse or individual willing to bear financial responsibility for the individual for up to 10 or more years-and the application process takes three to 10 years.

Exploitation of those applying for legal residency is common, Cardenas points out. "Consultants" will promise

der. In addition to meeting those from a local economic development association, Border Patrol and immigrant advocate and support organizations, participants

them residency when they are not eligible or charge high fees to help them file their paperwork, she adds.

The MCC West Coast office tries to counteract that kind of exploitation.

"MCC tries to empower them to go through the process," says Cardenas, who helps immigrants with documentation for legal residency or citizenship. "If it takes helping them through the paperwork, driving them to the Immigration office and putting them in line, that's what we will do."

Participants had the chance to talk with a variety of people-local farmers who employ immigrants, INS personnel and immigrant advocates as well as both documented and undocumented immigrants.

It was important to the organizers that participants hear such a wide range of voices. Buxman cites Proverbs 31 :8-9"speak for those who cannot speak for themselves"-as the biblical basis for that choice.

"Nobody feels listened to," Buxman says.

By listening to immigrants and those involved with them, MCC hopes the tour will ultimately bring together the Central Valley churches and immigrants living around them.

"I would like the churches to embrace immigrants as their brothers and sisters. How would we want our own siblings treated if they were in these situations?" Elizondo asks.

continued on page 27

also heard first-hand stories of the struggles and challenges faced by people in these communities.

Surrounded by the fruit and crop fields of Central California, eight people participated in the Central Valley CrossCultural Tour May 21·23. The group met with farmers, immigrant farm workers, Immigration and Naturalization Service personnel and those who advocate for local immigrants. Like the Texas tour, participants heard first-hand stories of immigrant experiences.

The focus of the Central Valley tour was somewhat different from the Texas tour, says Mary Elizondo, an MB church planter and West Coast MCC worker who attended the Texas tour and planned the tour in California. The Texas tour focused more on the border experience of immigrants while the California tour

focused on the experience of immigrants already living and working in the U.S.

"They have already arrived-they are here, so now what do we do for them?" Elizondo explains.

As this was the first time for both tours, Yoder and Elizondo are weighing feedback and evaluations of the program from the participants. They hope to offer the tours again-and perhaps expand them to other parts of the country.

Those involved hope tours like these will not only raise awareness of immigrant experiences in the U.S. but also larger policy issues both at home and abroad.

"We need to live as a community, respect and value each other," says Luzdy Stucky, an MCC West Coast work· er based in Tucson, Ariz. ''We need to look at the relationship the U.S. has with other countries. Why aren't they self-suf-

Crossing the border

• South Texas study tour brings immigrant issues to life

EXPLOITATION. Community. Diversity. Hope. Perseverance.

That is how participants in the MCCsponsored Immigration Study Tour described the world that surrounds the border dividing south Texas from Mexico as they stood on the Mexican bank of the Rio Grande and looked over at Americajust a stone's throwaway.

Eleven Mennonites and Mennonite Brethren pastors, educators and church workers participated in the April 28-30 program guided by Rio Grande Border Witness Program, a nonprofit organization which hosts educational tours focusing on immigration issues and the people living in the Rio Grande Valley.

"We want groups to have the opportunity to see the reality of the border," says Michelle Bedard, a coordinator of Border Witness. "We want them to be able to be with people through personal contact, to give the community here a voice to share their suffering and needs. We want to open a bridge to connect both sides of the border."

The Rio Grande Valley Bridges are important in the Rio Grande Valley.

Population is growing and industrial parks are cropping up in the Valley on

Felipe Hinojosa, MCC Southem Teir Office worker and Fresno Pacific Uni· versity alum, stands on the bank of the Rio Grande in Mexico. He attended the South Texas tour, which aimed at giving participants a glimpse into the lives of people liv· ing on both sides of the border.

both sides of the border. Once covered with fertile fields of cotton and sugar cane, the region is moving quickly towards an industrial and service based economy.

A big draw for both people and industry are the maquiladoras-U.S. or foreignowned factories located just over the Mexican side of the border that assemble and process products primarily for export. Equipment and raw materials are temporarily imported into Mexico duty-free, usually over bridges spanning the Rio Grande River. Using Mexican labor and utilities, a plant assembles and processes materials and then exports the products back over the bridges into the U.S. Often, a support facility exists on the U.S. side to further assemble or distribute the product. On the Mexican side of the border,

ficient? Why do they want to immigrate?"

''We also need to educate people on issues that we as a church should be very aware of. A lot of the time we are ignorant and choose not to be informed because that keeps us from reacting. Issues are too abstract and we have no idea how to approach or understand these ideas. Education is key to that.

''We need to give the stranger a voice to teach us," Stucky adds. "Sometimes it is as simple as listening to people's stories."

"Sometimes we can't help people except by being a presence," agrees Elizondo.

The south Texas tour was sponsored by MCC U.S., and the Central Valley tour was a project of West Coast MCC. MCC's programs and efforts around the world are supported by 17 different denominations, including the Mennonite Brethren. -eA

maquiladoras draw workers from economically depressed states of VeraCruz, Tabasco, Chiapas, Oaxaca and Guerrero. In the factories, they can make $1.50 per hoursubstantially more than they could make in more depressed areas of the country.

But that is still not enough. Most of the workers and their families settle in unincorporated rural subdivisions called co/onias, which are characterized by substandard housing and inadequate water, sewer, road and other infrastructure requirements. Cities are reluctant to incorporate the co/onias since tax revenues will not offset the cost of extending services, according to Border Witness.

On the U.S. side, unemployment in the river valley is high. Forty-five percent of the population lives in poverty. Border

Bridging the Gap-con't

"We need to realize that we are not a healthy church without recognizing that we need everybody," adds Buxman. "That's the body of Christ mentality. We are disabled without the other."

Figuring out ways to minister to immigrants was another goal of the tour.

Elizondo says practical things churches can do include teaching English as a second language, parenting classes, raising immigration awareness in churches, providing immediate physical needs and helping them through the documentation procedure.

"Churches need to teach the Hispanic people about these things," agrees tour participant Juan Montes, pastor of the MB church Iglesia Hermanos Mennitas in Parlier, Calif. "We need to work together to open the doors, give workshops and teach

Witness reports that 340,000 people live in approximately 1,436 colonias in 23 Texas counties.

Residents tend to be young, poor Hispanics. Though two-thirds were born in the U.S., most use Spanish as their primary language. Eight out of 10 families with children have both parents living at home, and the average annual income per household is $6,800.

Many colonia residents will go to northern states for six to eight months each year to earn money in the fields.They often build their houses themselves, piece by piece, as the money becomes available.

Listening to witnesses

Through the study tour, MCC hopes to create a different kind of bridge.

The MCC group met with people on both sides of the border and heard firsthand stories of the struggles and challenges faced by people in these communities-from Rosie, a 20-year-old woman who has worked in the Mexican factories since she was 12 years old, to larry, a soft-spoken 21-year-old Colombian seeking asylum to escape the violence of his country's civil war.

Participants also walked through the co/onias in South Texas, talking with people who lived there. Mary, a legal resident who has lived in the South Tower colonia-or little Mexico, as it is knownfor 10 years, invited a small group into a partially built house she rents from her sister. life has been hard. For her insulin, she goes just across the border to Mexico.

people about immigration issues."

"And reach them for Christ," adds Elizondo, emphasizing that these programs give people the opportunity to come to Christ as well as support fellow Christians.

During a freeze that hit Valley farmers a couple of years ago, MB churches and Mennonite Disaster Services distributed food to out-of-work farm laborers. Elizondo remembers one particular family that ended up at one of the local churches.

"We took food to them because they were hungry. They came to church, accepted Christ, and their whole life changed."

Buxman sees these kinds of ministries and actions as integral to the Gospel. "Jesus said that when we feed the hungry, care for the sick or invite the stranger in, we are doing this for him. That's what I am about if I am a Christian."

"We can get it for $16 there," she says. "We would pay $80 to $100 in the U.S."

Meeting the people in these communities and hearing their stories were an important part of the tour, participants agreed.

"You hear the stories, but to actually talk to people is very impacting," said Anita Oliver, a peace and justice worker in MCC's Great lakes office.

The group also met with representatives from a local economic development association and the Border Patrol. The tour included a visit to an INS detention center and a federal courtroom processing immigration cases as well.

"We want to give those who participate in our program a chance to hear from different voices, says Bedard.

During the tour, participants were encouraged to think of ways to use what they saw and heard to impact their communities and churches.

"I think of the church being so important in playing a role in this," said Felipe Hinojosa of MCC's Southern Tier office. "I am excited about what the future holdshow we can best serve this community."

MCC hopes that participants will take the stories they heard back to their own communities and work to find ways to help immigrants and refugees.

The study tour was sponsored by the MCC U.S. Office on Immigration to raise awareness of immigration issues and struggles facing immigrants. -eA

Elizondo believes the programs will also help bridge the gap between the immigrants and those attending local churches.

"When you work with the people, you hear their stories," she explains.

"We need to build the relationships," adds Buxman. "We are people of the kingdom of God. Our community is the church without frontiers. We need to think in that mentality."

Participants in the Central Valley tour got their start by listening to people like Manuela. Ryan Tews, an MB youth pastor from Madera Avenue Bible Church, asked her if she could have one wish come true, what would it be. She sat for several minutes and then shook her head.

"I am very happy here. There is nothing to worry about." She smiled. "And there aren't any scorpions."-CA

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Immigrants new to the U.s. often do not know many of the things that we take for granted-from basic human rights to obtaining basic services. They may also need physical assistance, like food and child care. MCC offers these suggestions as ways you can help immigra1lts in your communiW.

a.-thei

c •• T1O<e tt;le initiative to get to know immigrants in your church -and 06mmunlty by giving an irlvitatlon fo'" meal or dessert. Educate yourself'on immigration issues. Volunteer witb an organization that works'Wlth immigrants.

a rellponse. Organize . A@y.er vigils, food drives, child care Bntrental assistance. Organize vol"Qntee,,-to docJ",I9;\ent abuses and file compIaiAtf"\,rith the appropriate authoritlh.

Hammer of hope rings for disaster relief organization's past and future

• Mennonite Disaster Service celebrates 50 years showing love of Christ to disaster victims

When 25-year-old Nathan Koslowsky hit a hammer on metal at the 50th anniversary celebration of Mennonite Disaster Service, he rang hope into the hearts of his elders that the young are catching the vision to serve.

Koslowsky and his wife, DanieUethe youngest project directors in MDS, serving in a tornado-ravaged part of little Rock, Ark.-spoke at MDS 2000 June 2-4 at Hesston College in Hesston, Kan.

About 820 registrants helped mark five decades of inter-Mennonite response to disasters with practical help and loving hope in Christ.

Some members from the two Sunday school classes who birthed the vision for a disaster service in 1950 (first called Mennonite Service Organization) listened to the Koslowskys June 3. The young couple thanked their elders for modeling how to serve and building an organization in which to serve.

Koslowsky hit the hammer on a railing and said that 2,000 years ago a hammer drove nails through "the wrists and

FEMA director James Lee Witt holds a copy of the MDS history book. The Hammer Rings Hope, as he talks to reporters.

Young women volunteers serve at the Mennonite Disaster Service Youth Event by fastening roofing panels to the new homes at the Morning Star Ranch in Florence. Kan.

ankles of our Savior, bringing hope."

He struck again: "Fifty years ago, a new hammer was picked up, bringing hope to survivors of disasters."

The sound echoed a third time: "Today, generations of the future take the hammer from tired hands and carry on the vision, pounding away at the homelessness and lostness in the world today."

Anna Ruth and Howard Beck of Hesston attended MDS 2000, where they met the Koslowskys. The Becks were part of the Sunday school classes from the two Hesston congregations who held a summer picnic to discuss organizing a disaster service.

Anna Ruth says some of the class members, who had participated in Civilian Public Service during World War II, wanted an avenue for disaster response. But they never envisioned it would eventually spark an inter-Mennonite, continent-wide agency.

"In our wildest thoughts and imaginations, we never thought it would grow to such large proportions," Beck says of MDS. "We were just trying to be faithful. I don't think we gave it a lot of thought. :;; We just did what we felt we could do ::! and left the results to the Lord."

IMDS 2000 included large group sessions Friday and Saturday mornings. Keynote speakers, MDS regional repre-

sentatives, recipients of disaster relief and :;; representatives of other groups spoke.

Groups included the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Friends Disaster Service, Church World Service and Christian Reformed World Relief Committee.

During the opening session, James Lee Witt, director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. government's top disaster-relief official, read a letter from President Clinton praising MDS for 50 years of helping people in times of need.

"Reaching out with generosity and compassion, you have helped people rebuild their homes, their lives and have brought the light of faith and hope wherever you have traveled," stated the president's letter.

Witt added his own praise for MOS, saying it sets an example of unselfish service and helps build stronger communities.

Other Friday activities included afternoon workshops and an evening banquet attended by about 1,155 people. Saturday participants took afternoon tours and attended evening reunions.

Sunday people enjoyed an outdoor worship service and picnic. The service included singing by the Amish Mennonite Kansas Youth Chorus and a report about the youth service project at Morning Star Ranch near Florence, Kan., a residential housing program for innercity young men affiliated with World

Impact. The 250 youth volunteers and their sponsors constructed two houses in a weekend building blitz that ran parallel to the MDS all-unit meeting.

During the weekend, people discussed how MDS could best pass the hammer of service on to the next generation.

The 21st century is vastly different from the simple farm communities of the 1950s, many said. Advanced technology has brought new possibilities, but a modern lifestyle has brought new challenges.

"We are facing a challenging transition,"said C. Nelson Hostetter, MDS's first full-time executive coordinator from 1971 to 1986.

''We are moving from spontaneity and concern for others because of a motivation of servanthood, to the need for more organization and structure to be able to respond to today's complex disaster scene," he says.

"It's so beautiful, the way the whole thing started out, by a leading of the Spirit and servanthood and I hope we don't lose that purity of service done in the name of Christ.

"But changes are needed, and I'm glad to see that Tom Smucker (current executive coordinator) and his staff and volunteers are making them."

The Koslowskys brought MOS founders and leaders hope that the young will continue to answer the call to serve. Their elders gave the Koslowskys the wisdom and perspective needed for the next 50 years.

The Koslowskys grew up in Winnipeg. Nathan's home congregation is River East MB Church. Oanielle grew up in a nonpracticing Catholic home.

Oanielle says, "In the world I grew up in, I never had to lift a finger to help anyone I wasn't taught to serve others, but to take care of myself.

"But I thank you, the original MOS, for building an organization that has given me the opportunity (to serve)."

Nathan says, "They have really inspired us Our whole first speech (scrapped in favor of the one using the hammer metaphor) was all about the need for vision, going places, doing things.

"But after talking with them, I realized that this was a bunch of ordinary people just being themselves. It's so simpie." -By Laurie L. Oswald, Mennonite Weekly Review,jor Meetinghouse

Hiebert named Tabor College "professor of the century"

Professor emeritus Clarence Hiebert was officially recognized as the Tabor College Professor of the Century during commencement exercises May 20.

Hiebert was announced as the recipient of this prestigious award May 12 during the annual TC faculty and staff appreciation banquet. Hiebert will receive a $5,000 cash award, made possible by an anonymous donor. An annual teaching award in his name has also been established.

The first recipient of the Clarence Hiebert Excellence in Teaching Award is Allen Hiebert, professor of chemistry. The teaching award includes a $2,500 cash award, also paid for by the anonymous donor.

Clarence Hiebert graduated from Tabor in 1949. He earned a master's degree at Phillips University, Enid, Okla., and a doctorate from Case Western

Seminary graduates 28

Twenty-eight graduates of MB Biblical Seminary in Fresno, Calif., were challenged by Doug Rumford of Tyndale Publishers to "rejoice in God's call, abide in Him, and bear fruit that will last" during the May 18 commencement service.

Rumford is the author of several Tyndale books and now works with other authors. He has served MBBS as an adjunct professor.

Of the 28 grads, 11 received the Master of Divinity degree: Thomas Atkins, Visalia, Calif.; James Bergen, South Surrey, B.C.; Traver Dougherty, Roseville, Calif.; Loren Dubberke, Fresno, Calif.; Lynnette Friesen, Vancouver, B.C.; Laura Kalmar, Vancouver; Paul Loewen, Saskatoon, Sask.; Annette Penner, Clovis, Calif.; Ridas Tolpezninkas, Penevezys, Lithuania; Catharine Wingert, Clovis; and Jeanine Yoder, St. Catharines, Onto

Thirteen received the Master of Arts degree: Hartwig Eitzen, Ascuncion, Paraguay; Brent Esau, St. Catharines;

Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio. He served as a psychiatric aid and pastor before returning to Tabor as an instructor in 1962. Prior to his retirement in 1989, he taught over 40 courses and led numerous travel/study tours. Hiebert served as Tabor's interim president during the 1994-95 school year.

Allen Hiebert graduated from Tabor College in 1963. He received both his master of science and doctorate degrees from the University of Illinois, Umana. From 1968 to 1984, he served as professor of chemistry at Knox College, Galesburg, Ill. He has served as professor of chemistry at Tabor College since 1984. Hiebert currently serves as chair of the division of natural and mathematical sciences and chair of the chemistry department.

Both winners were nominated and selected by faculty members, administrators, students and alumni representatives. -TC news release

Marlene Ewert, Wichita, Kan.; David Hebert, Fresno; Marine Herrmann, Muhr am See, Germany; Lori James, Fresno; Ina Kamaityte, Siauliai, Lithuania; Mark Noble, Mt. Bullion, Calif.; Andy Owen, Cimarron, Kan.; Joao Va Iter Pereira, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Maribel Ramirez, Orange Cove, Calif.; Jason Strong, Lemoore, Calif.; and Randy Thompson, Abbotsford, B.C.

Four received Diplomas: Bernardo Gutierrez, Selma, Calif.; Katherine Henshaw, Edmonton, Alberta; Karen Huebert-Sanchez, Fresno; and Rita Isaak, Detmold, Germany.

Annette Penner and Jeanine (Janzen) Yoder

Long-term support needed for Team 2000

• Mission agency's new Thailand mission team seeking financial, prayer support

The six members of MBMS International's Team 2000 are looking for a few good individuals-2,000 to be exact-to support their mission work in Thailand.

Team 2000 members Andy and Carmen Owen, Ricky Sanchez and Karen Huebert Sanchez and David and Louise Sinclair-Peters will officially come together this month. They will spend six months in team building, cross-cultural ministry training and church visitation, including travel to British Columbia, California, Kansas and Manitoba.

The team has committed to working in Thailand for at least 10 years. As they prepare to leave in January 2001, they are looking to North American individuals and churches for financing, prayer and support.

"We will be going to an ethnic group that has very little exposure to the Gospel message, or even a Bible in their language, and no Christian neighbors nearby," says team member Karen Huebert Sanchez.

"This is a huge spiritual work that we can't do on our own. We are looking for 2,000 people who will join us in bringing the saving power of Christ to Thai-

Team 2000 members include (from left) Andy and Carmen Owen, David and Louise SinclairPeters, and Karen Huebert-Sanchez and Ricky Sanchez.

land through ongoing prayer, friendship and financial support."

The 2,000-member support team will include single individuals from many churches and groups of individuals from some churches. People with a vision for an ongoing relationship with the missionaries are encouraged to pledge their ongoing involvement using the Team 2000 commitment card, available through MBMSI or on the Team 2000 web site, www.mbmsinternational.orgl Team2000.

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While the focus for support of Team 2000 is on individuals, churches can also have a role, says personnel director Ron Penner. Congregations are encouraged to identify at least 25 people who will commit to an ongoing relationship with the team. The financial goal of the support team is to raise money above and beyond current giving to MBMSI, rather than diverting funds from other missionaries and projects.

Penner says that support for Team 2000 will go beyond finances. "We are looking at Team 2000 as a test case of new ways to develop church involvement in cross-cultural mission," he says. "Our goal is to build direct relationships between supporters and missionaries, using team-to-supporter contact alongside technology such as video and the internet."

In particular, the agency is looking to younger adults for ongoing support and relationships for the missionaries.

"We're offering younger people a chance to take up a huge challenge of reaching an unreached people group," says Penner. "I believe there's a new generation of mission-minded believers ready to take up that challenge."

MBMSI is the cross-cultural mission agency of Mennonite Brethren churches in Canada and the U.S. -MBMSI news release

Hispanic convention celebrates oneness in Christ

• 500 attend annual convention

Every day Christians are faced with situations that require choices, but when decisions are made,do they really adhere to God's will? Christians think they know what his will is, but they ultimately need to turn to the Bible for answers. Christians need to prepare themselves and seek God to know his will.

This was part of the message given by Fermin Garcia, Jr., co-pastor with his father of a Tijuana, Baja California, congregation exceeding 5,000 members, at the annual Hispanic Convention held at the Dinuba (Calif.) MB Church May 26-27.

Historically this event has been held over Memorial Day weekend, but for the past two years has been held in October.

"The October meetings were held in

anson

WHAT

The biennial U.S. Conference convention, a gathering of members, attenders and leaders of U.S. MB churches and denominational ministries

WHERE Holiday Inn Denver Southeast Aurora, Colo.

1-800-962-7672

WHEN

Thursday-Sunday

July 27-30, 2000

THEME

Hear the Call:

Leaders for a New Millennium

campgrounds, and we wanted the least expensive time of the year to have our convention," says Mary Elizondo, an MB church planter. Her husband, Jose, serves as associate district minister for the Pacific District Conference. "So it was either early spring and risk snow or late fall and risk snow."

The purpose of this year's convention was to challenge, motivate, encourage and celebrate oneness in Christ. Garcia spoke of needing to feel the presence of God and emphasized sanctification and prayer.

A banquet topped the convention Friday evening with approximately 300 attending. About 500 people attended the convention altogether, according to PDC Hispanic Council chair Cesar Leyva, which included several workshops as well.

Attendance at the workshops and morning services fell a little short from past

year's number because of harvest in California's Central Valley. The evening service, however, was fully attended and "was really a time of celebration," Elizondo says.

And people came ready to celebrate. Pastor Rafael Paz andlO families from La Senda Antigua Church in Pacoima, Calif., camped by the Kings River at Pierce's Park in Centerville, Calif., using sleeping bags and tents.

Elizondo hopes attendees retain Garcia's challenge for all present to be leaders in the new millennium.

"The church used to be a leadeF (in the world) but now the roles have been reversed and the world is leading," says Elizondo regarding Garcia's sermon.

Horizons are broadened at this convention, says Elizondo. To those who have never attended, Elizondo offers these words of encouragement: "We can see farther than our community, we can hear what God is doing in other communities. We also come away feeling encouraged, we are not alone in this ministry, we are not alone in our struggles and our work is not in vain." -by Sara Cook, staff writer

GENERAL SESSIONS

• Hear the Call, Thursday evening keynote address

• Call to Stewardship, Friday noon

• Call to Church Planting and Renewal, Friday evening

• Call to International Ministries, Saturday morning

• Call to Integrated Ministries, Saturday dinner

• Hear the call, Saturday evening

• Sunday worship and communion, Sunday morning

• Plus worship, testimonies, ministry reports, and business sessions

WORKSHOPS

• Dealing with Conflict in the Church

• Calling Out Leaders from Our Churches

• Creating your Church Web Page

• The Fine Art of Spiritual Formation

• Stewardship in the Local Church

• Moral Development of Children: Can Home and School Work Together?

CHILDRBN'S ACTIVITIES

Activities are planned for kindergarten through 12th grade. Nursery care will be available for infants through preschool.

-

Mennonite leaders to gather for global meetings

• MB representatives will meet with other Anabaptists in Guatemala

All roads lead to Guatemala this month for Mennonite and Mennonite Brethren denominationalleaders.

The central event is an international Anabaptist mission gathering July 12-16 of representatives from all Anabaptist mission agencies. The consultation is hosted by Mennonite World Conference and the Council of International Ministries, an association of Canadian and U.S. Mennonite and Brethren in Christ agencies. Representatives from about 50 mission agencies of Anabaptist churches will meet together with the MWC General Council to seek a vision for Anabaptist mission for the new millennium.

Based on a survey sent to Anabaptist church groups around the world, 30 of the "newer" Anabaptist churches in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe are engaged in cross-cultural evangelism. They are deploying about 500 workers within their own countries and beyond. These churches include those planted by missionaries or emigrant movements from the historic Mennonite churches in

Europe and North America in the past century. Many are members of the Mennonite World Conference, some are not.

The Global Anabaptist Mission Consultation (GAMCo) will be a forum where Anabaptists engaged in cross-cultural evangelism and church planting will confer about mission theology, goals and cooperation on a global level. They will also dialogue about specific mission efforts.

There have been a number of smaller consultations on mission held in conjunction with MWC gatherings since 1975, but this meeting will bring together the full membership of the MWC General Council and about 100 representatives from mission agencies around the world. There will be a larger representation from the mission endeavors of churches in Asia, Africa and Latin America at this forum than there has been at any previous meeting.

Mennonite Brethren involved in GAMCo include planning team member Harold Enns from MBMS International and plenary speaker Nzash Lumeya from the Congo MB church.

Following GAMCo will be the annual Mennonite World Conference General Council and the MWC Peace and Faith and Life Councils meetings. Larry Nikkel, president of Tabor College in Hillsboro,

Kan., is the newly appointed U.S. Conference representative to MWC.

One agenda item to be considered by MWC representatives is a series of rec· ommendations for the future relationship between MWC, the worldwide Anabaptist fellowship, and Mennonite Central Committee, the Anabaptist world relief agency.

Church leaders Ray Brubacher and Pakisa Tshimika, who serves with MBMS International and is also a part-time staff member with MWC, have reviewed the relationship between the two agencies and are recommending that the relationship continue and be developed further.

Guatemala is also the site of this year's meeting of the International Committee of Mennonite Brethren. Representatives from the 17 national MB conferences will meet to discuss issues of common interest to MBs worldwide. Rolando Mireles, chair-elect of the u.s. Conference, will attend ICOMB representing the U.s. ICOMB will meet prior to GAMCo. Funding for the various meetings comes from the national conferences. David Reimer, chair of the U.s. Conference, has said that he encourages members of the denomination to assist the U.S. Conference in paying its share of the cost. Donations can be sent to the U.s. Conference office at 315 S. Lincoln in Hillsboro, Kan., 67063.

A report of the various Guatemala meetings will be published in a future issue of the Leader. -eF

The Christian Leader is looking for people who are interested in writing assigned news stories and/or willing to serve as correspondents for their region, reporting on the news and events occurring in Mennonite Brethren churches throughout the United States. Writers will be compensated.

If you are interested, please contact: Associate Editor Connie Faber

31S S. Lincoln, Box V, Hillsboro, Kan. 67063 cbIeader@southwind.net (316) '47-SS43

Baptism/membership

BUHLER, Kan.-Marc Pankratz, Sharon Pankratz, Brent Wichert, Anthony Wichert, Jesselyn Heidi and Janet Warkentin were baptized May 21. Jim Pankratz and Helen Pankratz joined by transfer.

BUHLER, Kan.-Hannes Rumpf, Cody Dick, Ryan Dick, Matt Pauls, Dustin Dick, Dylan Wray, Doug Gray, Matthew Gray, Thomas Gray, Larry Mullins, Maggie Mullins, and Jacob Hodges were baptized May 7. Joining by testimony were Doris Gray, Kelly Reed and Jolene Reed.

INMAN. Kan. (Zoar)-Ritz Balzer, Jennifer Prieb, Daniel Wiens and Jeff Buller were baptized March 26. Jenny Franz, Genna Neufeld, Lindsay Tolle, Adam Martens and Mark Schmidt were baptized May 7.

FAIRVIEW. Okla.-Kayda Ewald, Mika Pembrook, Michelle Rother, Barrett Karber, Daniel Koehn, Fred Penner, Erick Rankin, Colby Rowe and Andrew Whiteneck were baptized April 30.

DINUBA. Calif.-David and Judi Kruse and Les, Valerie, Robert and Sam Saberniak were received into membership April 30.

Proclamation

NEW HOPE, Minn. (New Hope)-Church rnembers are encouraged to create and design a bulletin cover this surnrner. The pencil or computer-generated design must contain a religiouslbiblical theme and be on a half-sheet of white letter size paper.

DINUBA, Calif.-DMBC basketball camp for all children grades 4-8 was held June 13-15. A dinner concluded the week June 1S.

REEDLEY, Calif.-An evening of praise was held by contemporary Christian artist Wes King June 11. King, known for such songs as "We Believe in God," "The Love of Christ," "The Robe," and "I Believe," has had numerous hits, including five #1 songs and several Dove Award honors in the past eight years.

HENDERSON, Neb.-Roland Marsch, former MBMS International missionary to Germany, spoke of missions June 7, participated in the men's prayer time June 8 and gave the morning message and an afternoon missions presentation June 11.

RAPID CITY, S.D. (Bible Fellowship)-A vow renewal service was held during two services June 4 with receptions following. Pastor Mike Petts spoke.

BUHLER. Kan.-Because he is nearing completion of 30 years of ministry at Buhler MB, Pastor Nick Rempel preached May 28 of God's work in his church for the past three decades.

DINUBA, Calif.-Sarah Hofer, Sarah Grunau and Kelsey Zimmerman were commissioned for their involvement in "The Young Continentals" May 28. They will be traveling for six weeks and will be in Dinuba MB July 6 for "Summer Celebration."

HENDERSON, Neb.-Albert Brumley, Jr., recently featured on the Bill Gaither video series, shared his musical talents during worship June 4. An accomplished guitarist, Brumley has been a recording artist, television personality, stage performer and composer. He also performed for the fiftieth wedding anniversary for President and First Lady George and Barbara Bush.

WEATHERFORD, Okla. (Pine Acres)-Jon and Juana Pritchard, MBMSI missionaries, shared during the morning and evening services about their work in Mexico for Mission Sunday, May 21.

CORDELl., Okla. (Bible)-Gary Janzen, pastor of

Fairview (Okla.) MB Church, preached instruction from God's Word during revival meetings May 7.

FERNDALE, Wash. (Good News)-Several ministries were featured during worship May 7. Irvvin Koehn represented LOVE INC., a program designed to help congregations organize for ministry, give churches safe, legitimate and manageable opportunities to serve and to protect the church resources. Joan Maricizh represented Mennonite Disaster Service, which gives emergency assistance to those who have undergone a natural disaster and personal loss.

TeachingINurture

FERNDALE, Wash. (Good News)-Sunday School teachers will be given a break this summer and volunteers were recruited to teach the elementary and junior high students.

DENVER, Colo. (Garden Park)-The summer Sunday breakfast program began in June for anyone who wished to come. Breakfast is served, followed by a program for both adults and children.

FRESNO. Calif. (Bethany)-Children were promoted and children's ministries workers were recognized during the Sunday school hour June 4.

CORN, Okla.-All high school girls were invited to join Chandelle Claassen who serves with her husband as the youth pastoral couple, for a six week summer Bible study on prayer.

Ministry

PAPILLION. Neb.(Rolling Hills)-Youth Mission International will be coming August 1-7 to help in outreach to the community.

BAKERSFIELD. Calif. (Laurelglen)-Finding Christian owned and operated businesses will be a little easier when the congregation's church business directory is finished. Members and regular attenders are providing the names of businesses and/or services to be included.

HURON. N.D. (Bethesda)-John Oros will be the guest speaker at the fall district convention Oct. 27-29, which will be hosted by the congregation. The theme, "The Church-Tried and True," will focus on issues that arise and challenge biblical beliefs and values. Oros himself was persecuted for years in Romania.

DINUBA, Calif.-Connie Pauls was commissioned May 7. She will be traveling to London, England, for ministry under Youth Misison International.

REEDLEY, Calif.-High school students raised money to attend the DCIIA Conference in June by decorating lawns with flamingoes for a fee. Members could "flamingo" others' homes or purchase insurance to avoid seeing pink themselves.

HESSTON, Kan.-The MBY traveled to Children's Haven Orphanage in Reynosa, Mexico, for their mission trip June 5-11.

Workers

DENVER, Colo.-Tabor Graduate Jason Stutzman has accepted the position of assistant director at DOOR, an inter-Mennonite ministry in inner-city Denver. He currently participates in the Garden Park Church community ministries.

CLOVIS, Calif. (College Community)-Bill Braun will begin his sabbatical May 15. He and his wife Joyce will spend time in Central America in service, study and

reflection. Werner Kroeker, the congregation=s first pastor and most recently an MBMSI representative to India, will serve as a part-time pastor May through November.

V1SAUA, Calif. (Neighborhood)-A church family barbecue was held May 21 in honor of pastor Chuck Buller and his family. Buller has resigned as the senior pastor.

Deaths

ADRIAN, SUSIE B., Corn, Okla., of Corn MB Church, was born Nov. 24, 1901, to Peter H. and Anna Vogt Bartel near Burrton, Kan., and died May 23, 2000, at the age of 98. On Aug. 29, 1932, she was married to Comey Adrian, who predeceased her. She is survived by two sons, Daryl and wife Rosalie of Muncie, Ind., and Cycil and wife Wilma of Fort Worth, Tex.; one daughter, Ann and husband Ken Bartel of Topeka, Kan.; one sister, Esther Bartel; one sister-in-law, Irene Bartel, eight grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

BUHLER, HENRY, Dallas, Ore, a member of Dallas MB Church, Dallas, was born Sept. 27, 1904, to Abraham and Elizabeth Martens Buhler near Dallas, Ore., and died April 7, 2000, at the age of 95. On June 9, 1929, he was married to Katherine Thiessen, who predeceased him. He is survived by one son, Tim and wife Judy of Dallas; three daughters, Ella and husband Art Penner of Fresno, Calif., Laura and husband Vernon Isaac of Shafter, Calif., and Gladys and husband Glenn Button of Kent, Wash.; six grandchildren, six step grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, 16 step great grandchildren, one great great granddaughter, and five step great great grandchildren.

ESAU, JUSTINA R., Buhler, Kan., a member of Buhler MB Church, was born Oct. 26, 1903, to Frank F. and Justina Wall Dick in Reno County, Kan., and died May 1,2000, at the age of 96. On Aug. 9, 1925, she was married to Peter M. Esau, who predeceased her. She is survived by two sons, Ron and wife Connie of Santa Cruz, Calif., and Frank and wife Monica of San Jose, Calif.; one daughter, Fern and husband Marvin Reimer of Buhler Kan.; one brother, Pete F. Dick of

Arizona church assists Hopi congregation

Members of the Desert Valley Church in Surprise, Ariz., have a new understanding of another culture thanks to a recent missions trip.

Fifteen members of DesertValley traveled to northeastern Arizona in early May to assist members of a Hopi congregation. They spent three days building handicapped ramps and steps in homes of several Hopi tribe members.

A highlight of the trip came Friday night as members of the two groups enjoyed a meal and worship service together. The dosing song, "How Great Thou Art," was sung in both English and Hopi. "We sensed a true 'one-ness' in the same Christ with these wonderful folks," pastor Ed Toews says, "and we are looking forward to our return trip for some additional projects."

The trip was made possible by contacts made through Russ Toews, pastor of the Hopi congregation.

Moundridge, Kan.; one sister, Hilda Friesen of Plainville, Kan., seven grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

HEIER, laMA WIENS, Reedley, Calif., a member of Reedley MB Church, Reedley, and a charter member of EI Camino Bible Church, Santa Clara, Calif., was born Nov. 3, 1913, to Peter J. and Mary Eitzen Wiens at Boyd, Okla., and died May 1, 2000, at the age of 86. On March 27, 1938, she was married to Paul Heier, who survives. She is also survived by one brother, Irvin Wiens of Reedley; and two sisters, Edna Kroeker of Bakersfield, Calif., and Lavisa Duerksen of Hillsboro, Kan.

HEINRICHS. LUELlA F., Fresno, Calif., of Bethany Church, Fresno, was born Dec. 26, 1920, to Abe and Anna Koop at Hillsboro, Kan., and died May 8, 2000, at the age of 79. She was married to Dr. Leonard Heinrichs, who survives. She is also survived by three sons, Martin and wife Ardie, Gordon and wife Ruth, Leland and wife Jeanette; two daughters, Annette and husband Jim Aiken and Laural and husband Doug Pannabecker; two brothers, Marvin and Ronald Koop; two sisters, Bea Warkentin and Rose Prieb, 11 grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

HOFER, ELSIE, Huron, S.D., a member of Bethel Church, Huron, was born March 22, 1925, to Martin and Maria Hofer Waldner, at Carpenter, S.D., and died May 20,2000, at the age of 75. On Dec. 1, 1946, she was married to Ben Hofer, who survives. She is also survived by one son, Lowel and his wife Nancy of Hesston, Kan.; two daughters, Darla and husband Harold Loewen of Carpenter, and Rachel and husband Dale Winter of Hillsboro, Kan.; one brother, Mike and wife Agnes of Carpenter; six sisters, Anna of De Smet, S.D., Esther and husband Elgin Hofer of Frankfort, S.D., Katie Glanzer, Lydia and husband Gearhard Hofer, Evelyn Decker, and Adina and husband Alvin Tschetter, all of Huron, and seven grandchildren.

GLANZER, JACOB. Freeman, S.D., a member of Salem MB Church, Freeman, was born Sept. 27, 1918, to Jacob s. and Anna Hofer Glanzer at Langham, Saskatchewan, Canada, and died April 27, 2000, at the age of 81. On Sept. 7, 1941, he was married to Katy Gross, who survives. He is also survived by sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Anna and husband Jake M. Hofer, Jessie Gross, Marcella and husband Aaron Glanzer, and Rosella and husband Melvin Glanzer.

KRAUSE, AUCE, Lehigh, Kan., was born October 15, 1916, to Jacob J. and Pauline Bechthold Prieb near Hillsboro, Kan., and died May 19, 2000. at the age of 83. On Oct. 31, 1937, she was married to David H. Krause, who survives. She is also survived by three sons, Rev. Carl Krause of Littleton, Colo., Rev. Harold Krause of Honduras, and David L. Krause of rural Hillsboro, Kan.; two daughters, Irene Forkner of Grand Junction, Colo., and Shirley Lane of Hillsboro, 13 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.

OLLENBURGER. RUBEN -RUBE,- Buhler, Kan., a member of Buhler MB Church, was born March 10, 1920, to Charlie C. and Mary Wichert Ollenburger near Balko, Okla., and died May 20, 2000, at the age of 80. On June 1, 1943, he was married to Lavina June Ediger, who survives. He is also survived by two sons, Jaryl and wife Jan of Hesston, Kan. and Royce of Buhler; two daughters, Charlene and husband Lou Ungo of Santa Paula, Calif. and Julie Schulz and her husband Tim; two brothers, Clarence of Fresno, Calif., and Elden of San Jose, Calif., three grandchildren and one great grandchild.

PANKRATZ, KATHRYN ANN. Buhler, Kan., a member of Buhler MB Church, was born Oct. 7, 1925, to George and Mary Regehr near Inman, Kan., and died May 23, 2000, at the age of 74. On May 19, 1946, she married Franklin Pankratz, who survives. She is also survived by five sons, Jim and Helen, Gene and Miriam, Keith and Jan, Lee and Kelley, and Bob and Kelly;

brothers, sisters and in-laws, Curt and Marie Regehr, Arnold and Fern Regehr, Art and Helen Regehr, Sara and Abe Thiessen, Betty and Sam Ediger, Emerson and Lilly Pankratz, and JoAnn and Les Snyder, and 16 grandchildren.

PAULS. SAMUEl JACOB. Sanger, Calif., a member of Reedley MB Church, Reedley, was born July 21, 1925, to Peter B. and Helen Funk Pauls near Corn, Okla, and died May 9, 2000, at the age of 74. On Aug. 29, 1947, he was married to Lillian Gaede, who survives. He is also survived by his mother, Helen Pauls of Reedley; four sons, Steve and wife Janet, Tim and wife Alice of Santa Rosa Beach, Fla., Nathan of Sanger, and Joe and wife Kathy of Clovis, Calif.; seven brothers, Jacob of Sun River, Ore., Vernon of Reedley, Calif., Wesley of North Newton, Kan., Melvin of Reedley, Calif., Adonijah of Fresno, Calif., Nelson of Paso Robles, Calif., and David of Woodbridge, Conn., and seven grandchildren.

THIESSEN. LIZZIE, Colony, Okla., a member of Com MB Church, Corn, Okla., was born Oct. 19, 1910, to Otto and Uzzie Warkentin Hoock near Colony, and died May 13, 2000, at the age of 89. On Jan. 13, 1929, she was married to Pete Thiessen, who predeceased her. She is survived by two sons, Abe and wife Kathrine, and Paul and wife Delores, all of Weatherford, Okla.; one daughter, Margie Flaming of Colony; three brothers, Herb, John and Albert Hoock, all of Corn; six sisters, Mary Schmidt of Cordell, Okla., Martha Fadenrecht of Corn, Rosella Caldwell of Weatherford, Pauline Strickert of Scott City, Kan., and Bertha Dalke of Oklahoma City, ten grandchildren and 25

great gran.dchildren.

UNRUH. MARCELlA A. GROENING. Hillsboro, Kan., a member of Parkview MB Church, Hillsboro, Kan., was born Oct. 28, 1913 at Lehigh, Kan., to Henry and Lydia Nickel Groening, and died May 31, 2000, at the age of 86. On May 30, 1940, she was married to Walter Unruh, who survives. She is also survived by one son, Jerald and wife Kaylene of Hillsboro; three daughters, Anabel and husband Lex deWit of Kimberley, South Africa, Sherry and husband Larry Jost of Peabody, Kan., and LaDonna and husband Stan Balzer of Inman, Kan.; one sister, Gladys Jantz of Hillsboro, ten grandchildren and one great grandchild.

WIEBE, CHRISTINE RUTH. Chicago, III., was born Nov. 19, 1954, to Walter and Katie Funk Wiebe at Waldheim, Saskatchewan, Canada, and died May 24, 2000, at the age of 45. She is survived by mother Katie; one brother, James; and two sisters, Susan Harms and Joanna.

ZWEIGLE, AGATHA, Reedley, Calif., a member of Reedley MB, Reedley, was born May 17, 1911, to Peter and Margarett Borne Ensz at Arena, N.D., and died May 27,2000, at the age of 89. On Sept. 2, 1934, she married Julius B. Zweig Ie, who predeceased her. She is survived by three sons, Norman and wife Betty, Julius and wife Judy, and Vern and wife Marilyn; three daughters, Evangeline, Ruth, and Bernice and husband Don; one brother George of Bismarck, N.D., two sisters Eva and Nettie of N.D., and 17 grandchildren.•

Clearinghouse

Have a position to fill? Looking for a new employment or ministry opportunity? Have a gathering or celebration to promote? Reach U.S. Mennonite Brethren through a Clearinghouse classified ad. The charge is 40 cents per word, with a $15 minimum. Withhold payment until an invoice is received. MB institutions advertising vacancies or position announcements may be eligible for a no-cost ad. Contact the editor for more information.

EMPLOYMENT-eHURCH

Assistant Pastor Forest Grove Community Church of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan invites applications for an assistant pastor, responsible for senior high youth. Forest Grove Church has a senior high youth group that has a current potential size of about 120 young people. We are a member of the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches. We believe that the successful candidate would be energetic, experienced, visionary and capable of developing meaningful relationships with a shepherd's heart. The position would be part of a pastoral team which includes, among others, pastors for junior

YOUTH MISSION INTERNATIONAL IS SEEKING A PROGRAM DIRECTOR

in for its office in Waterloo, Ontario YMI is the short term mission and discipleship division of MBMS International. The position reports to the YMI director and is part of the larger MBMSI administrative team.

FULL-TIME DUTIES:

• Provide oversight to TREK and SOAR directors in areas of program development, assignment location and focus and training resource development

• Responsible for YMI human resources development

• Oversee YMI related communication materials

• Responsibilities also include providing overall direction for the ACTION programs, summer ACTION coordinator, and representing YMI among the MB constituency

• Applicants must be MB church members who are in agreement with the MB Confession of Faith

• Deadline for applications is July 31, 2000 or until position

Ois filled. The position will be effective November 2000.

Send resumes and inquiries to: Harold Ens, General Director

MBMS International

4867 E. Townsend Ave. Fresno, CA 93727-5006

phone: (888) 866-6267

fax: (559) 251-1432

e-mail: harolde@ mbmsinternational.org

more about us, visit .youthmission.org and .mbmsinternational.org

high youth and for college and career. Resumes may be sent by mail, fax or e-mail to Youth Pastor Search, Forest Grove Community Church, 502 Webster Street, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 3P9; fax (306) 249-4464; e-mail fgcc@sk.sympatico.ca. If further information is required, please contact Pastor Harry Strauss at the above address or call (306) 933-2266.

Director of Student Ministries

Koerner Heights MB, a growing church of 250, needs a director of student ministries, junior high through college, who has a heart for discipleship and outreach in a community of 20,000. Send resumes to Gary Harms, Chrm. Search Committee, 14318 NW County Line Rd., Whitewater, Kan. 67154 or e-mail glharms@prodigy.net.

Pastor Grantham MB Church in St. Catharines, Ontario, is seeking a pastor. The applicant should have a heart for discipleship and helping others develop their gifts for ministry and outreach. By effectively communicating God's word, show a desire to lead the church into a deeper relationship with Christ. Please send resumes to Rick Wiebe, c/o Grantham MB Church, 469 Grantham Avenue, St. Catharines, Ontario L2M 3J2; e-mail JWWiebe@aol.com.

Pastor of Children's Ministries

Butler Avenue Mennonite Brethren Church in Fresno is looking for a qualified person to serve as pastor of children's ministries. The church is multicultural and multicongregational, located in a neighborhood rich in opportunities for ministry to children and their families. For more information and/or an application, please contact the church office: phone (559) 252-3741; fax (559) 252-8059; e-mail butlermb@fresno.edu.

Pastor of Music and Worship

Forest Grove Community Church of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Invites applications for a pastor of music and worship. Forest Grove is a congregation of approximately 900 with a diverse age demographic including young adults and young families to seniors. We are a member of the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches. We believe that the successful candidate would be gifted in leading the congregation into the presence of God through inspiring worship; capable of leading the choir, worship teams and orchestra; able to connect worship to evangelism. Resumes may be sent by mail, fax or e-mail to Pastoral Search Committee, Forest Grove Community Church, 502 Webster Street, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 3P9; fax (306) 249-4464; e-mail fgcc@sk.sympatico.ca. If further information is required, please contact Pastor Harry Strauss at the above address or call (306) 933-2266.

Pastoral Team

River East MB Church is seeking additional members for Its pastoral team. Women and men with gifts In the areas of pastoral care, disci piing, preaching coordination and outreach are invited to apply. Please direct inquires or c.v.'s to: Pastoral Search Committee, do River East MB Church, 755 McLeod Ave., Winnipeg, Manitoba R2K OB8. Inquiries can

also be made by calling REMB at (204) 663-5096 or through e-mail toschubert@pangea.ca.

Senior Pastor

Henderson (NE) Mennonite Brethren Church is seeking a senior pastor. This position requires leadership skills for mobilizing ministry in this congregation of 200. Applicants should have gifts for preaching and possess strong relationship building skills. Send your resume to: Pastoral Search Committee, Tim Klopfenstein, Henderson M.B. Church, Box 400, Henderson NE 68371. Fax: 402-723-5846.

Senior Pastor

The Shafter Mennonite Brethren Church is seeking a senior pastor that can creatively lead the congregation to fulfill our vision statement: To build the Body of Christ by equipping people for Christ-like maturity and for reaching unbelievers in our community. Inquiries or resumes can be sent to Pastoral Search Committee, do Stan Wilson, P.O. Box 817, Shafter, Calif. 93263; fax (661) 746-1620; e-mail: ewanwils@lightspeed.net

Senior/Lead Pastor

Bethany Mennonite Brethren Church, an established multigenerational suburban congregation of approximately 400 located in Fresno, is seeking a seniorllead pastor. The church is located in a rapidly growing area of Central California. The candidate should be strong in teaching and leadership skills and have the heart of a shepherd. Previous experience is highly desirable in leading and working with an existing multistaff team. Direct all resumes or inquiries to: Pastoral Search Committee, Jay WiebeChairman, 1902 Los Altos, Clovis, CA 93611; e-mail j-awiebe@prodigy.net. All inquiries will be held in confidence.

EMPLOYMENT-CONFERENCE

Stewardship/Planned Giving Advisor

The Mennonite Brethren Foundation is accepting applications for a stewardship/planning advisor. This full-time position is responsible for activity in the midwest and would be based in Hillsboro, Kan. Duties include encouraging and assisting Christians throughout the U.S. Conference of MB Churches in faithful stewardship. Specific responsibilities include planned giving, charitable estate planning, individual counseling, stewardship education and other Foundation-related activity. Candidates should possess strong interpersonal skills, demonstrated ability to communicate, aptitude for detail work, willingness to learn, Christian commitment and desire to promote the work of the Mennonite Brethren. Direct inquiries to Jon Wiebe, President, Mennonite Brethren Foundation, PO Box V, Hillsboro, KS 67063; phone (316) 947-3151; fax (316) 947-3266; e-mail mbfound@southwlnd.net .•

Surviving Survivor

Iwould only watch the first episode, write my scathing editorial and be done with it. But that's not what happened.

I'm talking about Survivor. Unless you've been on a desert island for the last four months, you've heard of this 13-week series, which began airing in late May.

The show's premise? Sixteen contestants divided into two "tribes" are "stranded" on a desert island. Each week, viewers watch as one person is voted off by fellow contestants. When only two are left, those already kicked off cast their votes. The last "survivor" gets a $1 million prize. .

Survivor is one of the latest in a series of "real TV' shows, also dubbed VIV--or television. The fare everything from MlV's Real World and the syndicated Cops to The 1900 House airing recently on PBS.

I have never been a.fu.n ofVIV. We don't have cable, so my only real exposure has been channel surfing past Cops-which I frankly find a bit boring.

It is easy to find faults with Survivor. It strikes me as cent of the coliseum in ancient Rome. (It's ironic that Gladiator, a film about a Roman general who is forced to become a gladiator, hit the big screen just as Survivor hit the small one.) Survivor has all the elements of the coliseum: spectacle, danger, risk taking, contest and voyeurism-living vicariously through the contestants. You don't have to look hard to find other critics who invoke the same imagery. The show is a critic's dreamenough material for columns and sound bites for months.

Of course, unlike the Roman coliseum, there is rib real physical danger for the Survivor contestants, who are provided with everything from aspirin to sunblock. As one contestant points out in the fourth episode, the contest is more about money than surviving.

That concept disturbs me as well. In order to win, contestants usually choose the weak and the unlikable to vote off the island. They have no "value" to the "tribe." This is contrary to Scripture. "Now the body is not made up of one part but many those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor" (1 Cor. 12:14,22-23).

So, with all this in mind, I sat pen-in-hand to watch the first episode. All was going as planned until the camera settled on Dirk, a member of the Tagi tribe. He was reading his Bible and praying.

Reading his Bible? Praying?

Turns out Dirk is a Christian. "I'm not afraid to share my testimony," says the 23-year-old, who is seen talking about Christ and his faith in subsequent episodes.

I don't know much about Dirk or his motivations for joining the contest. As I write, he has not yet been kicked off the island, which is when we really get to know the contestants as they tour the late-night and early-morning news shows.

But it was enough to get me thinking in another direction. Can we, like Dirk, find a way to share Christ in such a setting? I started thinking about why people are drawn to Survivor beyond the desire for coliseum-like entertainment, and how I could use that to minister to them.

• We want community. Our culture's emphasis on individualism has its price: we often find we are cut-off from each other. We are meant to live in community, and without it, people begin to search for ways to fulfill that need. Voyeurism is a safe way to go because it's one-sided. You get to know the person on lV, but you don't have to reveal anything about yourself.

• We want what's real. People today are exhibiting a desire to cut through all the fluff of life and get down to the real. Viewers see Survivor as a chance to glimpse into real people's lives-real people's real struggles.

This desire for the "real" is also reflected in the larger entertainment world. Viewers are searching for something beyond what life seems to offer-and Hollywood is responding with films addressing spiritual issues. Granted, most of them conflict with Christianity, but their presence seems to signal a recognition that people are exploring the poSSibility that there is'more to life than what they experience with their five senses.

As Christians, this yearning for something beyond one&elf becomes an opportunity. William Willimon, a biblical scholar, writes, "Sometimes believers look with scorn upon the religious infatuations of Christianity's cultured despisers. Pagans criticize the Christian faith as being 'simplistic,' 'pre-scientific,' 'superstitious' and then rush to strange consolations of astrology, transcendental meditation, parapsychology, esoteric cults or happy humanism. And they have the nerve to call Christians simplistic!

"Yet Paul might say, as he said on Areopagus, that at least they are searching. They at least know that something else is needed to make sense out of life, to give coherence to the world. The church, rather than standing back from pagan religiosity, pointing our fingers in righteous indignation, should like Paul in Athens, minister to their searching." (Willimon is referring to Acts 17, where Paul uses bits of truth from Athenian culture and religion as stepping stones to the Gospel story.)

It is easy for me to point a finger of righteous indignation at SurvivQr. Yet millions of viewers heard about Christ when Dirk talked about his faith. What an opportunity this presents for me in my conversations with others who don't know Jesus.

I'm still very concerned about VIV, especially in light of some of the recent incarnations of the genre. I think they are symptomatic of larger problems in our society-problems Christians are not immune to. But I think we need to be open to opportunities like Survivor, open to examine ourselves, share our lives and talk with others about what will meet their need for something real-Christ. -CA