've spent your life discovering and developing your Go d-given gifts - and honoring God with them We can help you continue to use your resources wisely, as you shape a legacy that affirms your faith and your values. Ask us about:
• Retirement income planning
• Estate planning/administration and charitable giving plans
• Medicare supplement coverage
• Values-based investing options
• Stewardship resources and workshops
For more information, call (800) 348-7468, or visit www.mma-online.org.
8 THE ROAD TO DAMASCUS ...VIRGINIA By Chris Eidse Hiking the section of the Appalachian Trail called "The Road to Damascus," Mennonite Brethren pastor Chris Eidse expects to meet God. Along the way, Eidse asks us to listen to God-to listen individually and as a corporate body when u.S. Conference delegates meet next month in beautiful Boone, NG.
9 WELCOME TO NORTH CAROLINA by Terry Hunt
10 MOUNTAINTOP TRANSFORMATION by Connie Faber Delegates to the 25th U.S. Conference convention, hosted next month by the North Carolina District Conference, can anticipate a mountaintop experience in more ways than one.
10 HIKING THE CONVENTION "TRAILS" by Connie Faber
Given that the 2006 U.S . Conference convention is being held in the Blue Ridge Mountains, we thought it appropriate to think in hiking terms when reviewing recommendations coming to delegates.
RECOMMENDATIONS
> FiRSTWORDS
(fro m the ed itor)
FOR ONE SUMMER, HIKING WAS MY LEISURE ACTIVl'IY of choice. It was the summer I lived in Yosemite National Park as part of a group of Tabor College students who worked, lived in community and ministered in the park. Hiking, the obvious free time activity, was initially foreign to a Kansas farm girl like me, but I quickly discovered the joys of hiking.
I learned that gorgeous mountain scenery and the company of friends makes walking-even strenuous walking-enjoyable. What I remember most clearly-even now, 25 years later-is the thri11 and sense of accomplishment in reaching the destination. I often felt like the little train engine that, convinced that he couldn't reach the mountaintop, kept repeating, "I think I can. I think I can." And on every hike, I reached our destination-including the breathtaking top of Half Dome.
Next month U.S. Mennonite Brethren will be meeting for our biennial convention in Boone, NC-a hiker's paradise. In keeping with this setting, the theme of the convention and the preceding Pastors' Conference is, "Transformed by God through mountaintop experiencesl" In the article th;lt opens this special pre-convention issue of the Leader, Chris Eidse, North Carolina District Conference youth minister, challenges us to come to the mountains ready to hear God's transforming message.
Transformation and mountaintop experiences are also the context in which the convention reports are presented in this issue, beginning on page 7. These reports tell us where we U.S. Mennonite Brethren have walked the last two years and offer a glimpse of the trails our ministries anticipate navigating in the future.
Given the many reports published in this issue, we made some changes to our regular content. You will notice that the thematic feature section and monthly columns are missing and that the news section is shortened. We also moved letters to the editors to the back of the magazine. Even though most readers will not be making the trip to Boone, we believe that all of us benefit ftom knowing what will be discussed during this mountaintop experience.CF
>QUOT ABLE
"I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in."-John Muir, early American conservationist who has been called "The Father of the National Parks System."
> UP & COMING
• June 26- Deadline for making hotel reservations for 2006 U.S. Conference convention
• July 26-28-U.S. Conference Pastors' Conference, Boone, NC
• July 28-30-U.S. Conference convention, Boone, NC
• Od. 26-29-Central District Conference convention, Henderson, Neb.
• March 31 - April 3, 2007-National MB Youth Convention, Anaheim, Calif.
Connie Faber EOITOR
Myra Holmes ASSISTANT EDITOR
Elaine Ewert GRAPHIC DESIG,NER
MANDATE The Christian Leader IISSN 0009- 51491 is monthly by the U S Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches 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 dialogue so members will aspire to be faithful disciples of Christ as understood in the evangelicaVAnabaptist theological tradition
EDITORIAl POLICY The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent the position of the Christia n Leader, the U S Conference Leadership Board or the Mennonite Brethren Church Scri pture references are from New International Version unless otherwise noted. The editors invite freelance article submissions ASASE must ac;c;ompany articles
RCAOER PARTICIPATION The editors invite readers to share their thoughts and opinions on topics relevant to the Mennonite Brethren Church using1ettel'$ to the editor and Forum e9S8y$ Letters to the editor should be brief- 300 words or less-and on one Jubject Letters must be lind iliclWe tM writer's city and state Letters will-be edited for clarity. appropriateness and length Letters witll/! Pufl.. lished, as SPlice allows, unless to" publication.· Forum is open to members or<attendees Of Mennonite Brethren churt"'s should not exceed 800 wolds, and should iliClil,de" the writ'er's name, address, nome church and OItCUpation
COMMl,INICATION All correspondellC& change of address, should be addres$ed to the Christian L.eader, Box 226, 1<5 61063 Phone: 620-941-5543 620-947-3266 E-mail: christianleaderfausmb.org
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Congolese prepare for national elections
M Bs and Mennonites hope election can revitalize country
Congolese Mennonites and Mennonite Brethren are becoming engaged in the political process as their country prepares to hold democratic elections this year.
The Democratic Republic of Congo, formerly known as Zaire, was devastated by decades of corrupt dictatorship and a civil war. Extreme poverty is widespread. and Mennonite Brethren are encouraging their church members and fellow citizens to participate in this year's elections as a way to revitalize their country.
Congo has two Mennonite and one Mennonite Brethren denominations with a combined membership of about 194,000, according to Mennonite World Conference.
Mennonite Central Committee is supporting a joint effort by these denominations to prepare their churches for elections. Together, the denominations are training several thousand Congolese Mennonites and Mennonite Brethren to serve as conflict mediators and election observers in their communities. They are also sending civic educators to teach churches and community groups about voting in a democracy.
"The Mennonite vision is to rebuild the country with nonviolent methods," says Pascal Kulungu, a Mennonite Brethren lay leader who is serving as chair of the interdenominational effort.
MCC is providing $84,000 to train conflict mediators, election observers and civic educators and to host a group of about 20 international election obseryers. MCC purchased posters that civic educators are using to teach democratic concepts to voters who may not know how to read. The posters depict the process of voting, warn against corrupt leaders and illustrate ideas such as equal tights and economic development.
While Congolese Mennonites and Mennonite Brethren did not hold government positions under former dictator Joseph Mobutu, Kulungu reports that some church members are now running for high offices. 'There will be Mennonites who will be senators, who will be deputies, and there is one who wants to be president," Kulungu says.
Congo's upcoming elections were originally scheduled for 2005, but logistical problems caused delays. The electoral commission recently announced that elections will be held July 30. -MCC
MCC responds to Serbian flood
Thousands of people in communities along the Danube River and its tributaries in Serbia were forced out of their homes in April when the Danube reached flood levels not seen since 1895 A state of emergency was declared in about 10 municipalities and in some areas water damaged houses, farmland and infrastructure, according to Amela Puljek-Shank, a Mennonite Central Committee regional corepresentative in Serbia
MCC is working with a local partner, Bread of Life, to provide international support for flood relief efforts "in the capital city
of Belgrade, the capital city in this country of 10 5 million The assistance is expected to include $10,000 for the purchase of pumps to drain water from houses submerged in flood water as well as a container of blankets, canned meat and relief kits for underprivileged families evacuated from their homes or affected by the floods
People receiving this support will include refugees from Kosovo , Bosnia Herzegovina and Croatia as well as the elderly, people with disabilities and the Roma population, says Puljek-Shank
Flooding risks from the Danube,
which flows from Germany and Austria through the Balkans to the Black Sea, subsided in May but the situation remains volatile because the river could breach dikes and other flood control structures weakened by prolonged water pressure.
Flooding in the Balkans last year killed dozens of people, flooded farmland and destroyed houses and infrastructure Some of these same communities were flooded again this year. MCC is the global relief, peace and service agency of North American Mennonite and Brethren in Christ churches - MCC
Volunteer slots limited for MDS hurricane response
Mennonite Disaster Service's projects in hurricane-ravaged parts of the South are full for the summer. Due to a lack of long-term leadership at its work sites, MDS is not accepting any more volunteers.
'We understand some people may be disappointed they cannot volunteer this summer," an MDS e-mail update states, 'but we have filled nearly every possible slot."
MDS director Kevin King says the four projects - at Bayou la Batre, Ala., Pass Christian, Miss., Point Aux Chenes, La., and New Iberia, La - are booked with volunteers through August. Summer is frequently a time for youth groups and other seasonal help to volunteer for MDS.
King said this year's numbers will be limited to about 2,000 volunteers because there are not enough people in long-term leadership positions to accommodate more "Long-term volunteers are our most critical link right now," King says. "What's critical is that leadership." In addition to project directors and construction supervisors, long-term
volunteers are needed to serve as crew leaders, cooks and office managers.
King says that two years ago, before two consecutive seasons of severe hurricane damage along the Gulf Coast, MDS had only two summer project sites. Though he would like to build the capacity to have as many as seven or eight work sites yearround, King believes the gains made so far are significant. 'We are grateful, and we are headed the right way," King says
King says long-term leaders don't have to be contractors or carpenters to lead work projects. Instead, administrative skills are most often required. MDS also offers training sessions for longterm leaders MDS is the disaster relief agency of North American Anabaptists.Mennonite Weekly Review
Fresno Pacific University trustees plan for 2006-2007
Dining service, budgets and tuition were among the topics dealt with by the Fresno Pacific University Board of Trustees during regular meetings March 3-4. The 2006-2007 budget was set at $32 million, about 5 percent more than the previous year. Overall expenses and revenues are expected to grow 5.5 percent. Initiatives for the year include adding space in the North Fresno Center for graduate and degree-completion programs
Traditional undergraduate tuition will be $20,550, up 5.8 percent. The institutional financial aid discount was also raised, so the increase for an average student will be 4.6 percent. Tuition increases for graduate and degree-completion programs will also range around 5 percent, depending on the course of study. Continuing education fees will rise 4.2 percent
Additional dining offerings and extended hours will begin in fall of 2006. Extended service hours will better accommodate students with irregular schedules
New eating options include a pastry and dessert table, made -to-order deli and pasta areas, light and healthy low fat, low carbohydrate meals, vegetarian meals and more frequent servings of carved roasted meats To help students make the most of the new features , room and board rate structures will be simplified
In other action, the board created an independent audit committee to select the firm that does the annual financial audit, continued work on the strategic plan and welcomed new members .- FPU
GOERTZEN BOOK RELEASED
The life of Bill Goertzen of Shafter, Calif., is recounted in the newly released book Where He Leads: Life Stories with Bill Goertzen, written by Goertzen's son-inlaw Ken Janzen. Goertzen, who has been married to his wife Martha for 64 years, shares his story out of a "desire to pass on a sense of purpose, continuity and connectedness to family members and friends," The Goertzens have crisscrossed the globe partnering with various mission organizations, including MBMS International, to attend to the physical, professional and housing needs of missionaries.
HOLM APPOINTED TO A SECOND TERM
The MB Biblical Seminary Board of Directors has unanimously appointed Jim Holm to a second term as president ending June 2011. As president, Holm oversees MBBS's three campuses in Fresno, Calif., Langley, B.C., and Winnipeg, Man. "I look forward to moving ahead on the mandate which has been given to the seminary, to be an important part of the work of calling and equipping men and women for leadership in the church and the world," Holm says.-MBBS
TC PROF AUTHORS SEVENTH BOOK
Richard Kyle, chair of the history and political science department at Tabor College, Hillsboro, Kan., has recently completed his seventh book. Evangelicalism: An Americanized Christianity, to be published by Transaction Books of Rutgers University, explains and examines chronologically evangelicalism's paradoxical relationship with American culture Tabor is a Mennonite Brethren liberal arts institution. -TC
beautiful setting of Booue, NC, in the lieart ot the Blue Ridge Mountains . will provide a mountaintop experience for delegates and pastors who attend the 2006 U.S. Conference conventiod and Pastors' Conference next month. It is the prayer of convention planners that God will transform u.s. Mennonite Brethren as we gather for warm fellowship, inspired preaching and denominational business. While we do not know exactly what delegates will encounter during · Convention 2006, this issue of the Leader provides a glimpse of the trails before us.
The road to Damascus.
God is speaking to us today. Are we listening? What will U.S. Mennonite Brethren hear God saying when we gather next month in Boone?
I WOKE EARLY IN THE MORNING, before the sun was up, and found the perfect spot. Sitting on the edge of a cliff, I looked down at cloud tops a thousand feet below. It was like looking out the window of a jet, except that towering oak and poplar trees surrounded me.
I set up my portable stove and started to brew some coffee, leaned back and took out my Bible. As the sun rose over the moun-
from Boone was access to the longest hiking trail in North America. Running 2,175 miles and touching on 14 states from Maine to Georgia, the Appalachian Trail was waiting forme.
I laid out my plans shortly after we moved: I would start with a simple overnighter to check out the trail. Fittingly enough, I began on the section of the trail that is
God has chosen many differe nt and dramatic ways to s peak to people in the past, but what I find most exciting is the fact that he speaks to his people today...• He has never stoppe d communicating his message.
tains the clouds burned off and I marvelled at the lake that had been hidden underneath. This was everything I had hoped for.
I gained a passion for hiking in the Canadian prairies. There was no shortage of wilderness to explore but only one serious hiking trail within driving distance. As my family and I moved down to work with the Mennonite Brethren churches in North Carolina in 2004, I must admit that God used the mountains to sweeten the deal for us
As I researched Boone and Lenoir I was excited to see that there was an endless supply of hiking trails in the area and best of all, one of the most famous hiking trails would be F---"".I virtually on my doorstep
called 'The Road to Damascus." This particular section of the ' i\T' leads to the town of Damascus, Va.
I knew the name of that section would be fitting. I fully expected God to meet me on this road. What did God have to tell me today, I wondered that morning.
There are many different ways God speaks to his people. He spoke to people in unique ways in the Old Testament. Here we see images of fire, thunder and massive earthmoving miracles. He communicates through the peaceful and profound-and unexpected-message of Jesus. Through Jesus, God gives a message that children could understand but one that leaves the educated confused. God communicated in still a different way after Pentecost, empowering regular and ordinary people with the Holy Spirit to spread his message around the globe.
God has chosen many different and dramatic ways to speak to people in the past, but what I find most exciting is the fact that he speaks to his people today! God is not silent in our era. He has never stopped communicating his message. God may use different • modes of communication in 2006, but his message is just as clear as it always has been.
With all of our unprecedented communication technology these days, isn't it ironic that so many pe0ple do not feel that God is still in the communication business? We may just have never stopped to listen. When is the last time we asked: What do you have to tell me today, God? What do you want to say to me through this worship service at church?
Virginia
What do you have for me in the pastor's message? What do you want to say through the Scriptures? What are you telling me through my spouse or children? What do you have to teach me at school or on the job?
God has messages for us that are wairing to be heard. They're all around us. The more rime we spend with him the better accustomed we will be at recognizing his voice. We just have to open our spiritual eyes to see them.
God didn't blind me with a flash of light on the hiking trail. I didn't hear a booming audible voice from heaven like Paul did on his road to Damascus. On my road to Damascus it was the still small voice of God.
God gave me the wisdom that I was searching for. He gave me the exact thing that I needed to conrinue on my journey. He spoke to me through my Bible and journal. He reminded me of lessons that he had taught me previously that I had been too busy to focus on. He brought me back to the importance of my family and the real priorities in ministry. He helped me look ahead to my goals and aspirations.
When we hear God's voice, renewed strength is often the by-product. On that physically demanding hike, he renewed my strength and gave me the desire to keep the conversation an ongoing part of my daily life.
Our North Carolina churches are excited about hosting the U.S. Conference convention in Boone this year. We pray that God will use this place and rime to communicate to our pastors and delegates in profound ways. We are just wairing to see how God will conrinue to speak to his people and renew their strength in this place. Chris Eidse is the North Carolina District Conference youth minister and associate pastor at Bushtown MB Church in Lenoir. He and his wife Rebecca have two daughters, Hailey and Cassidy. Eidse was previously involved in full-time ministry with Inner City Youth Alive, a parachurch organization in Winnipeg. Man.
welcome to North Carolina
On behalf.· of the North Carolina Conference of Mennonite Brethren churches I would like to welcome participating pastors and delegateS to :z.oo6 U.S. Conference convention.
Our churches are excited about . hosting this event for the 'first time.
- We are honored to rulVe the opporm,Utyto be blessed t>y the many godly leaders who wU1 be sharing .. with Us at this event. We look forward t9 the feUowshipand wisdom that you will be bringing to our region. We a small of churches thaf is reaDy ward to being an important part of , something of this significance. , We are also excited about having the opportunity to showcase <our North Carolina culture and surroundings. The of our is l;aSe4 9n -a hannonyof culture5 and _are prouc;lto,have a strong African AmeriC4ti tradition that isa big part of who weAlfet We aIS8 beHove that our region is a place of Beauty that be btat. The- uniqueness ¢of Appalacbiab Mountains, tlte luih forefts and endless JQotJotain s.treams and .traQs are like n.oWhe(e else. .
We are workint hard to finish up the aetans and ate pUftingIOOper, cent into this July QIle of the biggest higbliihts of youfi"...-. We look t., y:ou SOOn!
lbstor T""" Hunt .Btuhtoum AlB it • Nprib CaNllna district minUtet
Mountaintop
u.s. Conference delegates will trek to the Blue Ridge Mountains for inspirati
THE 2,51H u.s. CONFERENCE CONVENTION, HOSTED this year by the North Carolina District Conference. will gather July 2830 in Boone. NC Delegates can anticipate a mountaintop experience in more ways than one.
Western North Carolina. including Boone. is dominated by the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains. considered some of the most beautiful mountains in eastern America.
The state is home to just over half of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. almost 300 miles of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and 250 miles of the famous Blue Ridge Parkway. the most visited unit of America's National Park System. Mount Mitchell. at 6.685 feet the highest peak east of the Mississippi. crowns over 200 mountains rising more than 5.000 feet.
No doubt the scenic mountain setting is one reason convention organizers chose "Transformed by God through mountaintop experiences" as the weekend theme.
Convention planners anticipate that worshipping with the Mennonite Brethren of North Carolina, the only MB district conference located east of the Mississippi River. will be a highlight. This is the first time in history that the North Carolina MB Conference has hosted the U.S. Conference convention
Delegates will celebrate the more than 100 years of ministry enjoyed by the North Carolina MB Conference. established by the Krimmer MB Conference as a multiracial ministry. and will join the district in anticipating future ministry opportunities.
"Fabulous hospitality Southern comfort food, gospel choirs and inspire<! preach-
A guide to hiking thE
Here's a church hiker's guide to the 2006 U.S. Conference convention, meetin!
GIVEN THAT THE 2,006 u.s . CONFERENCE convention is being held in the Blue Ridge Mountains. we thought it appropriate to think in hiking terms when reviewing recommendations coming to
BYLAW P A S S
Hike
: Governance Trail
Distance: The three -pronged Governance Trail represents a combined total of as much as six years of work.
Difficulty: Three on a scale of five. with five most difficult. because of length and a steep learning curve.
Highlights: Three entities - the u S. Conference MBMS International and MB Biblical Seminary-are bringing bylaw recommendations
For the past two years. the u S Conference Leadership Board has been walking - and at times wandering- down "Governance Trail" in an effort to discern
the best way to put into writing the decision in 2004 to skinny down a multiple-board structure in favor of a model with a single leadership board and ministries that are staff-driven. Another goal of the new bylaws was to define and describe the relationship of the u.S. Conference with other denominational ministries incorporated as separate legal entities Thanks to the Canadian MB Conference and MBMS International. U.S. Mennonite Brethren were introduced to Les Stahlke and his relationship governance model. Stahlke describes relational governance as a model for the governance. leadership and management of nonprofit organizations that is based on biblical relationship principles and common sense. Both the u.S. Conference and MBMSI are asking delegates to affirm bylaws based on this governance model, although the u.S. Conference has modified Stahlke's approach to accommodate the needs of the conference.
The trail: Governance Trail is a hike that u S Conference delegates must navigate . Given that the
llowship a nd de nominational business
ing will mark our experience," says Chuck Buller, U.S. Conference executive director.
The convention will open Friday evening with a worship service highlighting the North Carolina MB Conference. NC District Minister Terry Hunt will speak and a district choir will lead in worship. Sunday morning convention attendees will worship at local MB churches.
While the location and local hosts are key ingredients to the mountaintop experience, transformation is another significant component. Delegates will be asked to approve bylaws that complete the U.S. Conference governance transformation begun two years ago. Delegates will also consider a budget that plans for growth in the area of church planting and bylaw revisions offered by MB Biblical Seminary and MBMS International.
Transformation will be emphasized at the second National Pastors' Conference, scheduled prior to the convention. Author and church leader Reggie McNeal is the keynote speaker for the July 26-28 event. McNeal's
latest book The Present Future "provides valuable insights to questions that all church leaders need to ask in any cultural context," writes Buller in the convention registration brochure.
A special Thursday session for pastors' wives will feature Christian counselor and pastor's wife Anita McMillan. The Pastors' Conference will feature comedian Kenn Kington, church planting pastor Reggie Hunt and times of worship coordinated by Rod Jost.
The Pastors' Conference and national convention will be held at Boone United Methodist Church located at 471 New Market Blvd. A block of rooms will be held until June 26 at six Boone hotels.
Registration information and forms have been mailed to all U.S. MB churches and are available online at www.usmb.org.-Connie Faber
=onvention 2006
Blue Ridge Mountains
Canadian Conference and now MBMSI and the U.S. Conference are shifting to the relationship governance model, it appears that this model is becoming the preferred method of governance among North American MBs at the national and binational level. The shift to a relationship governance model is new territory for the U.S. Conference. The question is: Will delegates embrace this model as their leaders have?
Another twist: MB Biblical Seminary is also bringing bylaw revisions that will bring the seminary into compliance with its accrediting agencies.
MBBS President Jim Holm admits the revised bylaws are difficult to understand but he offers a brief summary. 'The bylaws (as adopted by the U.S. and Canadian conferences in 2002) divided governance authority for the seminary between our Board of Directors and regional councils which were located in each of the places where we have a campus (Le. , Fresno, Winnipeg, Langley)," says Holm The new bylaws stipulate that the regional councils are only advisory bodies and not governing bodies The bylaws have
also been edited to conform to the requirements of the California code for nonprofit corporations, says Holm .
Hike: Theology Trail
Distance: The trail, now open after being temporarily closed for evaluation, begins with an easy loop within Governance Trail but likely leads to some difficult and even unexplored terrain.
Difficulty: Due to the MB conviction that applying the Bible to everyday life is critical, this trail is currently rated a two on a scale of five, with five most difficult.
Highlights: Two years ago, delegates approved a provisional U.S. Conference governance model that did not include a Board of Faith and Life. The hope was that the U S. Conference Leadership Board could also function as a theological board, a challenging goal given the variety of issues - and at times urgent matters - a single board must consider Add consultant Les Stahlke's convincing argument about the importance of a national theological board
and reinstating a Board of Faith and Life was a done deal. Reinstating a national Board of Faith and Life has been endorsed virtually without question by denominational leaders attending the 2005 and 2006 Institutional Summits, annual gathetings attended by leaders of the five U.S. Conference district conferences, MB Foundation, MBMS International. MB Biblical Seminary, Tabor College and Fresno Pacific University. With the firm support of these ministry leaders, the U.S. Conference Leadership Board is now bringing bylaws that reinstate a national Board of Faith and Life.
Warning: While the consensus is that there will be strong suppott for reinstating a Board of Faith and Life, this board will no doubt tackle some thorny issues in its efforts to serve as a theological compass for the denomination. So while the difficulty rating is currently low, we anticipate traveling the trail of theological unity will be significantly more difficult in years to come.
MISSION MOUNTAIN
Hike: Planter's Trail
Distance: This trail requires a long-term commitment. If completed successfully hikers are treated to beautiful vistas-and more trails to follow.
Difficulty: Four on a scale of five, with five most difficult, because of the length and elevation gain and loss.
Highlights: U.S Mennonite Brethren are quick to speak in favor of planting new churches and the proposed 2006-07 budget asks them to put their money where their mouths are They've done it before. Will they do it again?
In 2000, the U.S. Conference church planting and renewal ministry announced its intention to plant 20 new Mennonite Brethren churches by 2005 and had fund-raising goals in place to support that vision. Two years later, a shift in U.S. Conference funding strategy and divergent visions for conference ministry had put the breaks on most Mission USA church planting projects. Then at the 2004 U.S. Conference convention, Don Morris was introduced as the new Mission USA director.
The trail: For the past two years, Morris has been surveying the trail and he comes to the 2006 convention with a fistful of church planting opportunities in which MUSA will partner with regional conferences to plant new churches or renew existing ministries. Morris also works with immigrant congregations and has identified five potential congregations with which to partner. Ministry at these II project sites comes with a price tag of $302,822, about a 20 percent increase in the Mission USA line item and a nine percent increase in the bottom line. -CF
Leadership Board
Steve Prieb, chair Topeka, Kan.
Greg Quiring, treasurer Fresno, Calif.
Kathy Isaac Garden City, Kan.
Joe Johns Weatherford, Okla
Lynn Jost Hillsboro, Kan
Sue Kliewer Fresno, Calif.
John Quiring Hampton, Neb.
Valerie Rempel Fresno, Calif.
Henry Schmidt Fresno, Calif
At the 2004 convention the mandate was given to function provisionally for two years with a nine-member leadership board to evaLuate the ministry of the U.S. Conference and to create a new set of bylaws to govern this structure.
Leadership Board I
n the day-to-day life of the local church we focus on the worship service, outreach events, children's programs and other delivery of services in order to build relationships and draw people to Jesus Christ
Yet behind the day-ta-day life of the local church is a network of churches that enhance the ministry and bring coordination and synergy, multiplying the efforts of the growth of the kingdom of God. This cooperative effort to coordinate health and growth is a mandate given to the Leadership Board ofthe u s Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches.
History
Glancing over our shoulder, we are reminded of the IOo-year history of the General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches. With the divestiture of this conference in 2002 at Abbotsford, BC, came a new realization that the U.S. Conference would need to rediscover its focus and strengthen its vision.
At the 2004 convention in Salt Lake City, the mandate was given to function provisionally for two years with a ninemember leadership board, to evaluate the ministry of the u.S. Conference and to create a new set of bylaws to govern this structure. Your Leadership Board has worked diligently at this task, guided by Chuck Buller, USC executive director.
Process
In order to fulfill the mandate of writing new bylaws the Leadership Board sought legal counsel, for this document is a description of both a spiritual relationship and a legal relationship. We pared down our bylaws to a very slim skeletal document.
Recognizing the inadequacy of
such an approach and the enormity of the mandate, we hired Les Stahke, author of Governance Matters and a professional consultant for non profit governance . With his assistance a more complete set of bylaws was created. He has continued to walk with us throughout this process.
In order to make this a church document and not just something generated by the Leadership Board, a summit of leaders was called. This event, held at Denver, included the chief executive officers and board chairs from all U.S. Mennonite Brethren institutions and districts as well as the Leadership Board. With nearly perfect attendance, it was clear that conference leaders wanted to provide input to the creation of this new set of governing bylaws.
Using input from this summit of leaders, a revision draft was written and tested with the district ministers from all five districts and another summit was called. Again nearly every institution and district was represented at this Phoenix summit Similar to the first summit, the input received was taken into account and the bylaws document revised. Further legal consultation was obtained, and a final draft of bylaws was written for presentation to the churches and for consideration at the July 2006 convention.
Result
The final draft of the bylaws is available to all Mennonite Brethren constituents. You may find a
The nine-member Leadership Board has completed new USC bylaws.
copy at your church or on the Web at www usmb.org I encourage you to obtain a copy, glance through it and read parts of interest in greater detail. The new bylaws attempt to describe the relationship between Mennonite Brethren churches, institutions and districts It is an attempt to describe a kingdom relationship in legally acceptable language Your Leadership Board and staff have worked hard to create this document. In a project of this size the document will never be perfect. But it is good, and I commend it to you. We need each other in the relationships that are described in order to effectively carry out the health and growth of the kingdom of God These bylaws describe our relationships as we work together
Facing the future
As we move forward together beyond Convention 2006, the next task for leadership is to create a governance manual which more fully describes relationships berween the Leadership Board and U.S. Conference staff, and how we carry out the day-to-day work of church health and growth. That document will build upon the foundation of the bylaws
In addition , following Convention 2006 the work of the Board of Faith and Life will be picked up with new focus and energy. This work will seek to provide greater direction and definition to our biblical theology. The Board of Faith and Life will seek to provide answers to the issues that face the church in our world
We appreciate your involvement in the partnership of building the kingdom of God! We appreciate the trust you have placed upon the u S. Conference Leadership Board And we look forward to seeing you in North Carolina! -
Steve Prieb, chair
The mission of the U.S. Conference is to build and expand community in the Mennonite Brethren family of faith.
Executive Director
The past two years of u .S. Conference leadership can best be summarized by the new purpose and mission statement: We seek to build and expand community in the Mennonite Brethren family of faith.
Building
We build community through publishing the Christian Leader magazine, hosting a new pastor's orientation, coordinating leadership summits and electing members to our agency boards. This year we are proposing that we add back into our U.S. Conference structure a Board of Faith and Life. We believe a BFL will provide the theological glue that allows the community to shape its identity into the future
Our community of faith has delegated ministries in leadership development, mission and stewardship to the various boards that lead these efforts-MB Biblical Seminary, MBMS International and MB Foundation/Loan Fund respectively. We believe that unless we continue work at building community these ministties will simply become independent functions without a central identity to which they are attached The U.S Conference Leadership Board takes seriously its tole in this community building effort.
Expansion
Furthermore, we also believe that communities that don't expand or grow become stagnant. And so we continue to believe in, plan for and raise funds toward the establishment of new congregations under the canopy of Mission USA.
We are encouraged that several new church are being presented as viable new congregatIons that hold great promise for the future of the MB community These congregations range in location from Oklahoma to Colorado to North Carolina. We are excited that pastoral couples are in place and
ready to take the huge risk associated with planting new congregations.
Behind the scenes the U.S. Conference Leadership Board has spent most of its energy on the development of a new set of bylaws and the emerging governance manual that will guide the day-to-day operations of the U.S. Conference into a preferred future. This convention provides a chance to affirm these bylaws, this direction and our larger purpose. Thanks to all who have contributed to this larger process.
Special thanks go to our chairman Steve Prieb who has volunteered countless hours and has provided steady and capable leadership for a very complicated task . Thank you for the chance to lead I do not take for granted that leadership is always a privilege granted by God and his people.
It goes without saying that a community of faith with a national scope often highlights the efforts of paid staff such as myself, Connie Faber, Don Morris and Donna Sullivan. The reality is that 206 churches make it possible for us to serve in this capacity and to lead this community of faith in its appropriate role and responsibilities in God's larger family called the churchChuck Buller
All MB churches are strongly encouraged to support the ministries of the U.S. Conference through the per member giving goals as follows:
U.S. Conference
Churches with 1-49
50-99
100-199
$35/ member
$43 / member
$50 / member
200 & up$55 / member
M.B. Biblical Seminary
$22/ member
MBMS International
$100/ member
Over half of the 206 churches do not contribute any financial support. Those churches were encouraged to consider receiving an offering for the conference.
Administration
The various administrative programs and services of the U.S. Conference and its member churches are coordinated by the U.S. Conference administrative secretary. Many of these activities are carried out at the direction of the U.S. Conference Leadership Board or the executive director.
While the official U.S. Conference headquarters remain in Hillsboro. Kan .• USC staff members carry out their duties from various locations (Edmond. Okla .• Fresnon Calif.. Wichita. Kans.. and Hillsboro) via communication and media technology.
Pastoral and church services
The Congregational Employer Group Health Plan (CEP) was a health plan the conference owned for over II years. In consultation with Mennonite Mutual Aid. service agent for our plan. CEP was cancelled effective May I. 2006. After an attempt to improve the plan and increase enrollment failed to produce any new enrollments. the difficult decision was made to discontinue the plan.
The Church Workers Group Life Insurance Plan continues to be a good benefit for church staff members. district and national staff. Mennonite Retirement Trust administers this plan for us. Churches are encouraged to enroll their church staff and contribute a minimum of 6 percent of salary with the staff member voluntarily participating at a minimum of 3 percent. Having retirement income designated as housing allowance is one possible significant benefit for pastors remaining in the denominational retirement plan.
Annual reports are submitted to the Internal Revenue Service to maintain the Group Exemption status for the conference and member churches as 50I(ch tax exempt organizations.
Communication
The U.S. Conference Web site (www.usmb.org) has been redesigned and recently several new features were added. Check out the site to find portions of the Christian Leader posted each month as well as periodic updates from Mission USA. News and infottnation about upcoming events such
as the 2006 U.S. Conference convention and the 2007 national youth convention in Anaheim. Calif.• are also available. On the home page there is a link to a daily devotional from Rejoice! magazine and a link to make donations to the U.S. Conference. Infottnation about our history and our beliefs are handy resources on the site. Alisting of all MB churches and staff may be used to locate and contact churches and pastors.
In early 2006 a Strategic Directions Survey was mailed out to almost 10.000 MB homes asking for input in developing the future for our denomination. The Leadership Board will be using this data for future planning and direction.
The promotional brochure "People on the Way" has been reprinted and is available for churches and interested persons. In addition. 10 pamphlets dealing with various faith and life issues are also available at no charge. Titles include: Anabaptism. Children and the Lord's Supper. Christians and Gambling. Christians Protest War. Baptism and Church Membership. Homosexuality. Making Good Viewing Choices. When Marriages Fail. Why Not Just Live Together? and Who are the Mennonite Brethren? A promotional DVD for the conference was also produced and copies are still available.
Financial support
In June 2005 the U.S. Conference received its largest single gift from a charitable trust in the amount of $218.000. This gift has enabled the conference to have a positive operating balance this year to carry forward to the next budget year. The conference also received a gift of over $28.000 from the Dallas (Ore.) MB Church after the closing of the church and sale of their church property. These gifts are much appreciated and help to ensure the viability of the conference.
A detailed financial report will be distributed at the July convention.
The Leadership Board is recommending approval of a U.S. Conference budget of $723.340 for fiscal year 2006-07. This is approximatelya 10 percent increase over last year.
U.S. Conference staff members have been challenging churches to be faithful in their support of the ministries of the U.S. Conference. Over half of the 206 churches do not contribute any financial support. Those churches were encouraged to consider receiving an offering for the conference. - Donna Sullivan . administrative secretary
We must vigorously plant more churches and strengthen existing churches to reach more people with the Good News!
Mission USA
two years as director of Mission USA, I remain convinced that as a conference we ust vigorously strive to plant more churches and to help strengthen our eXlstmg churches. Why? In order to reach more people with the Good News!
Church plants
Mission USA is currently involved in several church plant projects.
Edmond, Okla.-A project team has been meeting for several months and this church plant is scheduled to begin this summer. An experienced church plant couple, Jason and Beth Gilbow, has been selected and a significant core group has come together. Launch Sunday is expected in late zo06 or early zo07. This is a partnership project with the Southern District Conference.
Sioux Falls, SD-Veteran church planters Rod and Donna Anderson along with worship leader Paul Rowenhorst have been chosen for this church plant in southwest Sioux Falls. The area targeted for this church plant is expanding rapidly and there are few churches in this part of Sioux Falls. This will be a partnership project with the Central District Conference. The Andersons began their ministry June I. Launch Sunday is expected late zoo6 or early Z007.
Denver, Colo. - Jeff and Lianne Nikkel have been selected as the church plant couple for this project. The Nikkels, newcomers to church planting, were enthusiastically approved for church planting by the Church Planting Assessment Center in early February. They are excited and ready to go, as is worship leader Gary Aronhalt. A start date for this partnership project with the Southern District is scheduled for late summer z006 Launch Sunday is yet to be determined.
Salt Lake City, Utah- MUSA is a cooperating partner, along with the Pacific District Conference and other entities, in the third and newest church plant in the Salt Lake City area. Michael Trostrud is the church plant pastor using a satellite model with messages by Paul Robie of South Mountain Community Church broadcast each Sunday on-screen. This new church plant held their first public worship service Easter Sunday at the Daybreak Community Center.
Lenoir, NC - This relocation project looks to
assist Bushtown MB Church, a growing congregation in Lenoir, in finding a new facility. Current attendance is around 1Z5 to 135. They have very limited space for any extended ministries or continued growth and a new location will be very beneficial.
Glendale, Calif.-This "emerging church" project-Shalom English Ministry-is geared toward building this Korean ministry over the next few years to the point that the English-speaking, Americanized young people will remain after graduating from college and begin to form a congregation of dedicated young adults. At this point a pastor would be incorporated into this rapidly expanding ministry. Around 60 to 65 young people (high school through college) currently attend.
Immigrant congregations
Mission USA also works with immigrant and newcomer congregations who desire to join the U.S. Conference. This work was formerly known as Integrated Ministries. Our current partnerships and projects include the following:
Light of the World in La Mesa, Calif.-Sergey Poonka is the pastor of this Slavic congregation. The core group is growing, meeting on Sunday afternoons in a Presbyterian church.
Spiritual Revival Center in Charlotte, N C -This vibrant, contemporary Slavic church is growing quickly. Vadim Shomnikov is the pastor.
Ethiopian Christian Fellowship Church in Sacramento, Calif.-Mission USA is partnering along with the Pacific District Conference to assist this growing church in providing for a full-time associate pastor, Roberto Parks. Tamirat Haile is the pastor. Shalom Korean Church in Glendale, Calif.-Daniel Kim is the pastor. The church will be in need of a new location soon.
Grace Family Church of Sacramento, Calif. -This Slavic congregation is currently pursuing membership -Don Morris, director
Connie Faber editor editorfausmb.org
Myra Holmes assistant editor newseditorrausmb.org
Donna Sullivan circulation secretary christianleaderfausmb.org
Elaine Ewert designer
A-com'mon priority among church journaliSts is cultivating the next generation of readers.
The Christian Leader
It doesn't take long to discover that thinking ahead is the only way to survive and thrive when publishing the Christian Leader
Thinking ahead means that in October I'm reading and editing Christmas articles in the morning and tramping through a local pumpkin patch in the afternoon. By Thanksgiving the Christmas issue is complete and on its way to the print shop. And come early December when most people are singing, "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas," the Leader staff has already moved on to the New Year.
No new news
Thinking ahead means that we finalize the news articles one month before readers receive the magazine. This means there is no such thing as new news . "News" isn't by the rime it gets to readers After working for 10 years as a Leader staff member, the eager journalist in me has made peace with the fact that I will probably never "scoop" anything other than ice cream. And that's OK because breaking news isn't what Leader readers expect.
Leader readers, in my experience, want to read thought-provoking articles that help them put their faith into practice. You want to meet denominational leaders and ordinary people because their stories inspire us in our own faith You want to hear about what other Mennonite Brethren churches are doing and about the educational and mission ministries we do together. You want to read about the global Mennonite Brethren church and the inter-Mennonite ministries we support. Thinking ahead involves periodically reviewing the content and design of the Leader and making appropriate changes to both. Since the Christian Leader was first published almost 70 years ago, the magazine's content and design have both changed with the times. The Leader was most recently redesigned last year with the help of a professional design team. Since 1980 the Leader has regularly conducted readership surveys.
We plan for such a review in 2007 and anticipate the results will guide subsequent content changes
Technology natives
Thinking ahead for a church journalist in the 21st century, we are told, will require more than keeping up on the latest trends and innovations in print communication. A common prioriry among church journalists is cultivating the next generation of readers Observe the teens in your family or church and you will quickly realize that communicating with this generation involves cell phones, iPods and computers with Internet access. My generation will always be immigrants in this new world of technology while our children 24 years old and younger are natives.
What does this mean for our denomination and for the Leader? I don't know. But I am convinced that addressing this issue is important. That's why this picture is posted near my computer. Last December reader Kristi Andres sent us this picture of her Is-month old daughter Abigail "reading" the Leader. 'We regularly enjoy the Christian Leader and it appears the next generation does as well," wrote Andres.
Ministering to the next generation and equipping them for leadership positions in our churches and denominational ministries is what life in the body of Christ is all about. I am confident that our desire to be a relevant, healthy and growing denomination will compel us to wrestle with these complex issues.-Connie Faber, editor
National Youth Convention Task Force
Task force co-chairs
Rick Bartlett Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary
Along with the move to Anaheim, the convention itself will be structured strategically to take advantage of an array of ministry opportunities.
National Youth Convention
A careful journey
Moving the national youth convention site to Anaheim, Calif., from Estes Park, Colo., is a huge shih It was not done without careful consideration and prayer. The journey included a series of initial conversations and meetings with youth workers and denominational leaders from across the country. It also involved a survey to elicit comments and concerns from a broader group of youth leaders. Some of the basic details were unveiled and discussed at a National Youth Leaders' Summit held in October 2005 in Anaheim.
The decision to move to Anaheim arose out of a clear set of values-one of which is to emphasize missions and service opportunities. This value clearly connects with the heart of who we are as a denomination And ministry opportunities are more readily available in a metropolitan venue
In May 2005, the National Youth Convention Task Force gathered together its Executive Planning Team for the first time. The team consists of:
• Rick Bartlett (Co-Chair, Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary)
• Wendell Loewen (Co-Chair, Tabor College)
• Tim Neufeld (Co-Chair, Fresno Pacific University)
• Joanna Chapa (LAMB)
• Chris Eidse (North Carolina )
• Jeral Gross (Central)
• Jeff Nikkel (Southern)
• Kelly Thomas (Pacific)
• Elizabeth Unruh (Pacific)
New location, new fonnat
Along with the move to Anaheim, the convention itself will be structured strategically to take advantage of an array of ministry opportunities. Participants will select a ministry track when they register. The two full days of the convention will only have an
Large group worship sessions at Anaheim 07 will focus on the theme "Everywhere."
evening general session to dedicate more time to service opportunities. Ministry track opportunities could range from worship leading and technology to creative writing and serving on skid row in Los Angeles. Along the way, the planning team is forging partnerships with MBMS International, DOOR, Central City Community Outreach and the city of Anaheim.
The conventIon s theme"Everywhere"-will very intentionally drive the main sessions. The speakers and worship during the four sessions will unpack the theme as follows: God is everywhere; we're from everywhere; the need is everywhere; and going everywhere. More details will be available at U.S. Convention 2006
This is an exciting and daunting venture. There's a lot of work yet to be done. Please be in prayer for the planning, that details will continue to fall into place. Pray especially for the students who come, that there will be a mighty movement of God among our young people.-Rick Bartlett, Wendell Loewen and Tim Neufeld
Historical Commission members
Peter Klassen, chair u.s.
Ken Reddig Canada
Bruce Guenther Canada
Linda Huebert Hecht Canada
Don Isaac U.S.
Abraham Friesen U.S.
Ex Officio members
Peggy Goertzen Hillsboro, Kan.
David Giesbrecht Abbotsford, BC
Kevin Enns - Rempel Fresno, Calif. For the 150th anniversary of the birth of the Mennonite Brethren Church, the International Committee of Mennonite
Brethren has initiated a global MB history volume.
Historical Commission·
The Historical Commission has embarked on a number of new ventures in the past two years as well as continuing much of what has proven effective in the past.
MB history project
One of the new projects was begun at the initiative of the International Committee of Mennonite Brethren. In view of the upcoming I50th anniversary of the birth of the Mennonite Brethren Church, ICOMB decided that it would be important to celebrate that event and to use it to forge a closer bond of unity and vision for Mennonite Brethren around the globe. While details of the celebration are still in process, ICOMB commissioned the publication of a global MB history volume, as well as the production of additional material in various media such as video and Web-based or other electronic forms.
The Historical Commission has created a small editorial group and also asked Paul Hiebert, missionary anthropologist, and Abe Dueck to accept major responsibility for the development and editing of the printed volume. Individuals from each of the countries or areas around the globe have been assigned to write the stories from within their context and perspective. It is anticipated that drafts will be completed this year. We envision that the book will be translated into other languages. The development of other media forms will follow. ICOMB will be responsible for most of the funding for the project.
Online project
Another major initiative has been the launching of GAMEO-a Global Anabaptist/Mennonite Encyclopedia Online (www.gameo.org).This project grew out of an earlier Canadian Mennonite Encyclopedia Online (CMEO), sponsored by the Mennonite Historical Society of Canada. The three initial sponsors of the new encyclopedia are the Mennonite Brethren Historical Commission, the Mennonite Church USA Historical Committee and the Mennonite Historical Society of Canada. Mennonite World Conference and Mennonite Central Committee International have been invited
to become co-sponsors and in time the site may become multilingual.
The site has been extremely successful, attracting close to 500 unique visitors per day, accessing about 3000 pages per day. Many of our churches, agencies and members benefit from this growing resource and many who have little or no connection with Mennonites also use the site. In addition to the new articles that are being written by various authors, the entire five-volume Mennonite Encyclopedia is being posted on the site.
Publications
The Historical Commission has recently produced another volume in its series of books, Perspectives on Mennonite Thought. The book was written by Abraham Friesen and is entitled, In Defense of Privilege: Russian Mennonites and the State Before and During World War II (Kindred Productions, 2006). This volume makes a significant contribution to understanding a fascinating period of Mennonite history and can be instructive for the contemporary situation of the church in many areas around the world.
Among the other activities of the Historical Commission is the quarterly publication of Profiles, which are short biographies of people in our history who have modeled a life of faithfulness in our past. In the future we hope to include more individuals from various ethnic backgrounds reflecting the diversity within our church family as well as more women.
The Web site ( www.mbhistory.org ) has been expanded with a number of online resources. The Historical Commission has assisted Mennonite Brethren communities in several other countries with the preservation, understanding and dissemination of historical materials in their own context. The Commission continues to work closely with archival centers in Abbotsford, BC, Hillsboro, Kan., and Fresno, Calif., in their efforrs to fulfill their mandate, as well as with the broader Mennonite community. - Abe Dueck, executive secretary
Board members
Ken Neufeld, chair Fresno, Calif.
Lynn Schneider, vice chair Huron, SO
E. James Enns, secretary Fresno, Calif
Sherri Baffa, assistant secretary Olathe, Kan.
Reginald Boothe Wichita, Kan.
Randy Hamm Enid, Okla.
Andrey Ivantsov Gig Harbor, Wash.
Greg Quiring Fresno, Calif.
Dan Ray Fresno, Calif.
MB Foundation helps people "put their money to good works" as they seek to integrate their personaL values with their investment and giving decisions.
ME Foundation and ME Loan Fund
Socially responsible investing SRI morally responsible investing green investing. These are buzzwords of the investment world today. But what do they mean? In its most basic sense, socially responsible investing means integrating personal values with investment decisions A brief search on the Internet makes it look like this is a fairly new phenomenon and one that is growing in popularity.
While I hope it is growing in popularity, I certainly don't think it is a new concept. Several thousand years ago, Jesus encouraged us to "store up treasures in heaven." That sounds to me like the supreme goal of integrating personal values with investment decisions.
At MB Foundation we help people "put their money to good works" as they seek to integrate their personal values with their investment and giving decisions. This report is an attempt to communicate our achievement/progress over the past biennium as we help Mennonite Brethren "put their money to good works."
Substantial growth
Since 2003, MB Foundation and MB Loan Fund have grown substantially. Assets are up $21.4 million or 45 percent to a December 31, 2005 balance of $68,686,778. The primary growth areas have been: I) loan portfolio has grown $5.5 million (18 percent) to $36.4 million; 2) certificate investment program has increased to nearly $42.7 Inillion (up $9.5 million or 28 percent); 3) charitable remainder trusts under management are now at $8.2 million (up $3.2 million or 64 percent); and 4) endowments under management are at a current balance of $21.4 million (up $3 6 million or 20 percent).
I know-these are a lot of numbers to digest! But the ones we are most delighted in at MB Foundation are the Contributions
Received and Distributions to Ministries
These are the real evidence of individuals "putting their money to good works."
2005 was a record year for the amount of Contributions Received at MB Foundation with $7,446,868 donated for future gifts to various ministries. For 200412005, we received $9,657,325. 2004 and 2005 both set records for Distributions to Ministries with a total of $4,517,992 distributed through MB Foundation to "do good works" and support Mennonite Brethren ministries around the globe, as recommended by donors.
Investing resources
Another way we are "putting your money to good works" has nothing to do with donations. Through MB Loan Fund individuals and ministries are able to invest their money in several different investment securities and have the satisfaction of knowing they are receiving a competitive return on their money, plus the funds are used to make loans to growing MB churches and ministries. Currently over 700 investors are participating with us. In 2004 and 2005, we loaned out approximately $18.6 million to churches and ministries for remodeling, construction and purchase. Now that's integrating values with investment decisions
At MB Foundation and MB Loan Fund we are excited to be part of the MB faInily. We take seriously our mandate to facilitate charitable giving, steward assets and to provide capital for loans to MB ministries. We enthusiastically support the growing work of Mennonite Brethren in all of its expressions. And we are humbled by the opportunity to "put your money to good works."-Jon C Wiebe, president and CEO
MB Biblical Seminary
Bill Loewen, chair U.S.
Jack Falk Canada
Randy Ataide U.S.
Ron Penner Canada
Doug Enns Canada
Steve Goossen U.S.
Mark Isaac U.S.
Barbara McKenzie Canada
Jim Holm President
Steve W Prieb
U.S. Conference moderator
Willy Reimer Canadian Conference moderator
Our mission as a seminary is to inspire and equip men and women to live as disciples of Jesus Christ and to serve and lead in the church and in the world.
MB Biblical Seminary
The 50th graduating class of MB Biblical Seminary walked across stages April 30 in California and British Columbia to receive their degrees and begin their ministries as pastors and other leaders in the church and in the world. These graduates join the more than 1,000 alumni of the seminary who serve in North America and all over the world .
Our mission as a seminary is to inspire and equip men and women to live as disciples of Jesus Christ and to serve and lead in the church and in the world.
Key issues
At the beginning of our sixth decade, our faculty, staff and board members are taking a fresh look at our vision, which is based on our mission statement cited above. Faculty and staff have engaged as working groups on what we defined as our key strategic issues: our relationship to you, our MB owners; what it means to be a single seminary with three campuses; how to more effectively recruit and retain excellent students; how to attain financial vitality; and how to continue to shape our academic programs to meet the needs of the church
Out of that process, a vision is taking shape. As people who support us in prayer and with your finances, you need to hear where the seminary is headed Here is where we want to be, as we build on the past SO years and look forward to the future.
Seminary of choice
We want to be the seminary of choice for Mennonite Brethren leadership training . Our goal is to become so well connected with our churches that when they think of leadership training, they will think of MBBS. We're not suggesting that we're the only seminary that students could choose. But with our commitment to excellence in teaching. to Anabaptist/evangelical theology, to spiritual formation of our students, and to the experience of a dynamic Christian community, we think we are and will be a place that students will want to attend.
When we say '1eadership training." we mean that our commitment first and foremost is to the training of pastors. We recognize that with the growth of the MB church in North America and around the world, more and more pastoral leaders will be required. Our challenge is to respond to that need, to work with our churches in calling people into leadership and to provide both the academic background and the ministry skills to make their training effective
Serving others
In addition to the inspiring and equipping of future pastors, there are others whom we will continue to serve. We remain a missionary training center, and we look forward to a continuing partnership with MBMS International and other mission agencies. We also offer equipping for Bible teachers, for marriage and family therapists and for lay people who want to be better equipped to serve the Lord in their everyday workplace. Finally, while our primary mandate is to serve the Mennonite Brethren, God has given us an opportunity to bring the biblical, theological and practical values we hold to a broad variety of Christian communities. In each of our locations (Fresno, Calif., Langley, BC, and Winnipeg, Man.) we have students who are not members of the MB church. While we respect the traditions and denominations from which those students come, we are also committed to share with them the principles of Anabaptist/evangelical theology
The challenges of the 21st century will be great. The resources of our Lord will be greater. With great thanks to God for the past SO years we joyfully build on that foundation as we seek to serve the Lord, the MB Conference and the wider evangelical world in the future . Come and join with us. This is a great enterprise. -Jim Holm, president
Board members
Ike Bergen. chair Canada
Paul Bottom U.S.
David Dyck Canada
Paul Dyck Canada
Dennis Fast U.S.
Delores Friesen U.S.
David Marshall Canada
Kathryn Siemens Canada
Lowell Stutzman U.S.
Brent Warkentin U.S.
MBMS International has focused its work on "holistic church planting that transforms communities among the least reached."
MBMS International
Mission and values: Our core
The MBMS International Board of Directors has focused our work on 'bolistic church planting that transfonns communities among the least reached." Holistic includes an awareness that the gospel speaks to all of life. New believers are invited into local churches where transfonned relationships. families and communities are nurtured. The least reached include over two billion people who have never had an opportunity to respond to this life changing gospel.
As a mission, we value dependency on Jesus, risktaking obedience, transfonning community, relational integrity and celebration. Our practices and strategy value the great commission and the great commandment, the least reached, holistic church planting, MB theology, the global MB family, prayer and God's Word.
Mission to world: New initiatives
The Asian tsunami of December 2004 resulted in an unprecedented response from MB churches. Over 200 volunteers traveled to Thailand to assist MBMSI missionaries in rebuilding homes and lives. A long-tenn church planting team of nine people is now preparing to serve on the southwest coastline of Thailand to assist in discipleship and outreach alongside new believers Additional church planting teams are being fonned for Thailand in response to a new openness and responsiveness to the gospel in this least reached country.
Our new initiatives are focused on holistic church planting through global teams. A team of three families, now serving in New Delhi, India, will reach the northern regions of India in a cooperative effort with the Indian MB Conference. A Guadalajara, Mexico team will assist church planting efforts and facilitate shorttenn ministries to Latin America. Additional teams are being fonned for Lima, Peru and North Africa. The ministries of all of our short-tenn teams will be integrated into our long-tenn church planting strategy.
Mission to church: Covenant relationships
We are committed to serving in mission alongside our global family of Mennonite Brethren conferences, the International Committee of Mennonite Brethren While some of these conferences are now much larger than our North American conferences, there are significant economic, social and spiritual challenges which call us to serve together.
MBMSI continues to support the training of pastors and missionaries in India, Congo, Colombia and other partner MB conferences Our community devel-
opment projects in Congo include small business loans, conflict resolution, agricultural projects, assistance in church and school construction, and medical assistance.
Mission to mission: A new dimension
Our partner conferences are already sending cross-cultural workers to other continents. We literally live in an era of mission from everywhere to everywhere. At the Latin American Retreat and Consultation (Nov. 7-13. 2005), we encouraged the fonnation of two missionsending structures in the north and south to serve the Latin American conferences . Our desire is to facilitate the development of similar structures for Africa. Asia and Europe.
Mission to North American church: Mobilization
MBMSI understands the importance of mobilizing churches through intentional discipleship that comes from experience in mission We have seen great success when short-tenn teams support long-tenn missionaries in their church planting efforts. This approach is building stronger relationships with sending churches in mobilizing both prayer and finances.
Last year MBMSI worked with MB churches to host six Celebration Missions Night events highlighting what the Lord is doing through MB missions and reporting on current and new mission initiatives. MBMSI is currently working on Celebration Missions Nights for 2006. Please check our Website (www.mbmsi.org/visit/cmn) for scheduled dates and cities.
Mission and governance
The MBMSI Board of Directors, following the Canadian Conference of MB Churches, has been adopting a model of relational governance. It is a model for the governance, leadership and management of nonprofit organizations that is based on biblical principles of relationships. As part of this process, the Board of Directors has prepared a set of amendments to the bylaws of MBMSI in order to comply with the principles and practices of relational governance .- Randy Friesen , general director
Offices
U.S.: 315 5 Lincoln, Box 220, Hillsboro KS 67063
Canada: 1310 Taylor Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3M 3Z6
1-800-545-7322
custservlClki nd redproductions.com
www.kindredproductions.com
Kindred
Pordudions is a former binational ministry now owned and operated by Canadian Conference with the U.S. Conference as a "preferred customer."
Kindred Productions
D isciPleshiP is cultivating a relationship with God: aligning with his values, loving him and his ways, and learning to walk with him through all of life."
These words from the introduction to A Lifelong Apprenticeship and our key resource values have formed the mandate for our ministry the last two years. As we look at the needs within the various churches or at various project ideas, we ask: What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus? How can we help others grow in their love and knowledge of God?
Several key resources have been birthed out of this mandate
Key Value: Priority to God's Word and approaching it as a listener
Interpreting the Bible Together is an interactive DVD curriculum that explores how we can read and interpret the Bible in response to relevant issues facing the church. Taking an in-depth look at Galatians 3:26-28, group activities prepare listeners for the video presentation, followed by discussion questions and interpretation exercises that help participants further understand and practice interpreting the Bible together.
Key Value: Connecting God's Word with life
A Lifelong Apprenticeship is a study guide for believers who want to explore what it means to be growing disciples together. Each session is an introduction to one of the six qualities of a growing disciple as outlined in the "Description of a Growing Disciple" brochure.
Edmund Janzen provided the latest volume for the Luminaire Studies Series. Turning the World Upside Down: Studies in the Acts of the Apostles is an action-oriented story citing the ' activities of God and his servants. Janzen's love and knowledge of Acts is very evident in this book.
Key Value: Encouraging and enabling the building of community
Helping to build communiry sometimes takes the shape of working with others to produce resources We did three projects with other MB agencies.
• In Defense of Privilege: Russian Mennonites and the State Before and During World War I by Abraham Friesen with the Historical Commission. World War I caused the Mennonites in Russia to ask the basic question:
"Who are the Mennonites?" This question helped the Russian Mennonites develop their identity in relation to their previous history.
• Out of the Strange Silence: The Challenge of Being Christian in the 21st Century, edited by Brad Thiessen with MB Biblical Seminary. A commemorative book for the seminary's 50th anniversary, these essays celebrate a legacy of theological education and spiritual formation
• Design of My Journey by Hans Kasdorf with the Center for MB Studies, Fresno, Calif. Kasdorf shares his memories and life experiences from Russia to Brazil to North America to Germany
Staff
Beverly Vogel joined the Kindred Productions staff in July 2005 working in the Hillsboro office. She replaced Shelly Loewen who provided cheerful, efficient service. Vogel has brought her organizational skills to the job, helping to maximize our space in the MB Foundation office. You may contact Bev at kphillsboro@yahoo.com. We want to thank MB Foundation for making space available to us.
New imprint
Publishing continually has a changing face like many other service sectors. In answer to these changes, we launched a new imprint titled Kindred Books. Resources for the church will continue to be published under Kindred Productions, the overarching agency. Kindred Books will concentrate on a variety of genres, many that fit the bookstore clientele. Preaching Biblical Sermons by Raymond O. Bystrom is the first title to be published under this imprint. We hope to do three to four titles a year with the Kindred Books logo.
New Web site
After many months of talking, planning and waiting, we launched a new Web site in fall 2005. The new site allows us to make changes, helping to keep the site up-to-date. We also added sample chapters for many of the books making it easier for you, the reader, to have a better understanding of the resource. The new site also has the shopping cart feature Are you looking for a book that isn't on our site? Call or email us and well get it in for you.
In a publishing world where niche publishers are disappearing, we are thankful for the support of the U.S and Canadian Conferences. This support and endorsement make it possible for us to continue to partner with the churches and help authors find a voice for their giftedness. - Marilyn Hudson, manager
Bringing peace to Colombia
M B leaders come to U.S. looking for relationships
For us, it's very strange," says Cesar Garcia, president of the Colombia Mennonite Brethren Church, "the feeling of security that you have here."
He describes the fear his wife Sondra and daughters Maria, 12, and Paula, 10, experienced driving through a British Columbia forest late at night. "Don't worry. We are in Canada," he remembers telling them. "Nothing will happen here."
This is quite a contrast to Colombia, Garcia explains, and is precisely why Mennonite Central Committee sponsored his family's two-month tour of Canada and the U.S. Garcia and his wife, co-pastors of the Torre Fuerte congregation in Bogota, spoke in a variety of settings about how Anabaptist churches are working for peace in Colombia The Colombia MB Conference is comprised of 44 congregations.
In Colombia, a nation of 44 million, half of the country's people live on less than $2 a day. Three million people are displaced, says Garcia, and 3,000 kidnapped. It is a nation of insecurity, violence, guerilla armies and corruption. In the past 200 years, Colombia has only known five years of peace.
"Since I was bom I have never experienced anything different than internal civil war," Garcia says. 'lli a Mennonite Brethren church, we are looking for a way to make a difference in Colombia."
However, in the past Garcia found that the Anabaptist theology of peace and forgiveness wasn't always "relevant" in a country where people seek
Cesar and Sondra Garcia visit with former MBMS International missionary Elizabeth Tieszen of Bakersfield at the West Coast Mennonite Relief Sale AprilS. The Garcia family spent two months traveling in Canada and the U.S.
relief and retribution.
"Many of our churches in Colombia are very biblical, but the light is not there. We are not giving light-being light in the midst of our social reality But this has begun to change."
Garcia relates the story of Javier Pinzon, a member of the Colombian military for 30 years. During those years Pinzon belonged to a revival church, and he felt no conflict being a Christian while still injuring others.
While there is a Christian revival in Colombia, Garcia is leery of the brand of Christianity promoted by these new churches. "It's a consumerist Christianity," he says. "It's very individualistic and very self-centered. It's a type of Christianity that says to people: 'Come to my church, bring all the money you have, and God will take care of all your needs.' In such a needy country, that sounds good."
At the same time, according to Garcia , the MB church was asking itself: What does it mean to be Mennonite Brethren? What are our roots as Mennonite Brethren?
PinzOn became interested in this theology. "He struggled with what it meant to be an Anabaptist," Garcia says. Struggling, as Garcia put it, "in this tension between the life he was living and the theology he was coming to believe,"
PinzOn and his family went to El Nogal, a club for the upper class in Bogota. Just as his daughters entered the building, a revolutionary group's bomb detonated causing the structure to collapse. PinzOn and his family escaped unharmed.
In a situation like that, Garcia says, one can imagine being vindictive against those who placed the bomb. "But it didn't happen that way," Garcia says "(Pinzon) decided to forgive his enemies He decided to take Jesus' word seriously and become a peacemaker." PinzOn resigned from the military and is now a pastor.
Garcia describes David and Marina, a couple supported by Pinzon's church. Formerly fashion models living comfortably in Bogota, the couple "decided to step out in a little more risky way, " Garcia says.
They now make their home in one of the improvised villages that house
Colombia's 3 million displaced citizens. These villages, with their sagging shacks of splintered wood and corrugated metal are "very dangerous places to live," Garcia says. "On the average, about 18 people die violentlyeach week." The couple is working to start a church, help the destitute and teach others how to forgive as Jesus forgave.
''This is what we, as Mennonite Brethren, are trying to do in Colombia," Garcia says.
He has other aspirations for the MB church in his country. There are plans to start new churches in other regions of Colombia as well as new schools and peace offices. The Colombian conference hopes to send more missionaries to different countries and to train new theologians.
These goals will not be accomplished without support, Garcia says. "When we were trying to make different arrangements (for the North America tour), many people said, 'Please don't come and ask for money.' 1 thought, Well, who said we want money?' We would like relationships."
Garcia compares the relationship between the MB church in North America and the MB church in Colombia to that of a parent and child. "I have a daughter who is Il years old. She is becoming an adolescent. As an adolescent, she has questions about her identity. And sometimes she does some things that, as a father, 1 don't think are so good. Sometimes 1 do some things that she, as adolescent, doesn't think are so good.
"What would you think of me as a father if 1 told my daughter as a Il-year-old, 'I think it's better for you to live on your own'?" asks Garcia. "What would my daughter think of me if 1 told her, 'I've supported you for Il years; now it's time for you to go out and leave; see how you can support yourself. Head to the streets.'
'That's what we feel like as Mennonite Brethren in Colombia," says Garcia. 'We have a parent-the Mennonite Brethren churches in North America But exactly in our time of adolescence, when we are struggling with our identity, the message that we heard was, We're not interested in you; we're not interested in relating with you.'"
•.• body LIFE
Garcia's primary goal during his time in North America was to build such relationships. He has established contacts with different churches, seminaries and organiza-
tions throughout the U.S . and Canada, including Pandora Press in Ontario and The Center for Peacemaking and Conflict Studies at Fresno Pacific University in California.
He also visited members of several historical commissions. Mennonite history is particularly important to Garcia. 'The historical identity that you have (in North America) is very important to us," he says. 'We don't have a history like that, but we can identify ourselves as children of faith in this same history "
Garcia hopes the resources gained on this trip and the contacts he has established will continue to benefit the churches on both continents. He believes everyone can benefit from working together.
One North American who heard Garcia's presentation encouraged him to trust God. "I think that's a good idea," Garcia says. "But 1 also believe that, as Mennonite Brethren, we can do a great deal if we act as a global church rather than national churches." And Garcia is determined to see this goal realized.-Conlan Spangler, newswriter
2006 OMI Campaigns
M B schools celebrate graduations
More graduates at seminary, colleges this year than last
This spring the three Mennonite Brethren institutions of higher education- MB Biblical Seminary, Tabor College and Fresno Pacific University- celebrated the graduations of more than 600 students.
The MB Biblical Seminary campuses in Fresno, Calif., and Langley, B.C. presented degrees to 44 students trained to be pastors, missionaries, counselors, Christian ministry workers and lay leaders.
Twelve seminary graduates received the Master of Divinity degree, 26 received the Master of Arts degree and five received Diplomas. More than half the graduates, from numerous denominations including Mennonite Brethren, Presbyterian and Episcopalian, will be serving in various ministry positions in North America and around the world.
MBBS's campus in Langley, B.C. graduated II students during their ceremony at South Delta Baptist church in Delta, B.C. Guy Safford, executive vice-president of Trinity Western University, gave the commencement address. MBBS is one of six seminaries that make up Associated Canadian Theological Schools (ACTS), located on the campus of Trinity Western University.
MBBS 's Fresno graduation ceremonies were held Sunday, April 30 at Fresno First Baptist Church. Marva J. Dawn, theologian, author, educator and teaching fellow at Regent College in Vancouver, B.C., gave the keynote address. Speaking from I Timothy 1:12-17 she encouraged the graduating class to serve in humility wherever God takes them, in a commencement address entitled, "How Do We Help People Look Like Jesus?" Student responses to the graduating class were given by Merlin Enns of Abbotsford, B.C., and Bobbi Trask of Fresno, Calif.
An honorary Doctor of Divinity degree was conferred upon Gordon Donoho, senior director of Fresno's One by One Leadership, for his contribution to the community. This year's Community Service Award was given to One by One Leadership, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to engage people in urban leadership that transforms the community.
MBBS is owned jointly by the U.S. Conference of MB Churches and the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
More than 155 students were expected to receive degrees from Tabor College Saturday, May 20, at Tabor's 96th commencement ceremony. Ninety-eight students from the Hillsboro, Kan., campus and 56 from the Wichita, Kan., campus received undergraduate degrees. Three
students received master's degrees.
Commencement ceremonies were held in the Tabor College gymnasium on the Hillsboro campus. A symphonic band concert preceded commencement activities.
Phil Kline, the 41st Kansas attorney general, addressed the graduating class. As Kansas attorney general, Kline has sought to protect the state's children, seniors and the developmentally and physically disabled. The Drug Endangered Children program, Vulnerable Adults Task Force, Consumer Protection Emergency Response Team, Operation PADLOC (Parole Absconder Detection, Location and Capture), and the Task Force on Crime and Sentencing have been established during his tenure in office.
Tabor is a four-year liberal arts college owned by the Central District, Southern District, Latin American District and North Carolina District Conferences.
Commencement ceremonies for Fresno Pacific University were held Saturday, May 6, in the special events center on the university's main campus in Fresno, Calif.
Bachelor's degrees were awarded to approximately 285 undergraduate students and master's degrees to about 110 students.
Peter Mehas, Fresno County Superintendent of Schools, spoke on "Now What?" Mehas is the instructional leader of the county's 34 public school districts. He has been a teacher, coach, principal and lobbyist in Sacramento, Calif., and Washington, D.C. He has served as state secretary of education and member of the California State Board of Education and Board of Governors for California Community Colleges. He is currently on Governor Schwarzenegger's Advisory Committee of Education Excellence and the Governance SubCommittee.
FPU is owned by the Pacific District Conference and has campuses in Fresno, North Fresno, Bakersfield and Visalia, Calif. This spring's graduation count is up from last spring, when the three schools
A FPU graduate celebrates with her spouse and family.
MB senior care center hosts Serbian guest
Guest and Palm Village residents learn from each other
Wen a Serbian humanitarian organization asked Mennonite Central Committee to put them in contact with an Anabaptist retirement community in the U.S., Palm Village Retirement
a Mennonite Brethren senior care center in Reedley, Calif., stepped up to the plate. As a result, the Serbian organization more about how churches can care for seniors, and Palm Village residents were encouraged by the faith of a visitor from another culture.
Jasmina Tosic, the director of Bread of Life, visited Palm Village for six weeks in February and March in order to learn from residents and workers. She lived with residents Cornelia Neale and Ruth Kliewer for three weeks each.
Neale says that by helping Tosic learn how to better serve in Serbia, "I became involved in something worthwhile."
Kliewer echoes that desire to be helpful and adds, "I knew it would be interesting."
Bread of Life was formed by Evangelical churches in Belgrade, Serbia, in 1992, during a time when wars in the former Yugoslavia displaced millions of people. Over the next 10 years, Bread of Life provided food, clothing and other aid to about 100,000 refugees from Croatia, Bosnia and Kosovo.
Today the influx of refugees has ended and Bread of Life assists people, including retirees and people with disabilities, whose needs are neglected as Serbia struggles to recover from war
Older people are particularly vulnerable to poverty and social isolation in Serbia, according to Tosic. Many families are unable to support elderly parents and grandparents because of high unemployment.
Bread of Life staff members and volunteers make daily visits to several hundred retirees and people with disabilities in Belgrade. They cook meals, do household chores, assist with medication and provide other assistance.
MCC, the relief, service and peace agency of the North American Mennonite and Brethren in Christ churches, partners with Bread of Life by providing $10,000 a year to help pay staff and transportation costs.
David Reimer, president and CEO of Palm Village, says Palm Village was interested in hosting Tosic for three reasons: 'When we explain what we do and why we do it, it makes us better; we need to have friends that live farther than the eye can see; and we come from a faith tradition that says caring for people is what Jesus wants us to do."
For the first week of her stay, Tosic shadowed Palm Village workers. 'i\£ter that," Reimer says, "we let her go do whatever she wanted to do." She spent considerable time with activity workers, personal care workers, social service workers and the chaplain as well as residents.
Tosic says she learned about the social, cultural and religious activities that Palm Village residents enjoy She also observed that residents benefit from a strong sense of community. 'There is a very strong commitment in the community that people are taking care of each other," she says.
Although the visit was intended as a learning experience for Tosic,
Jasmina Tosic is the director of Bread of Life, a Christian humanitarian organization in Serbia. She recently visited Palm Village Retirement Community in Reedley, Calif., to learn about elder care from a Christian perspective.
Palm Village residents benefited as well. "She gave so much to us," Neale says.
Neale and Kliewer describe Tosic as intelligent, kind, friendly and loving-a delightful companion who endeared herself to many Palm Village residents. Both women were encouraged by Tosic's testimony of faith. "Her faith was paramount every hour of every day," Neale says.
Kliewer recalls with fondness the many walks and conversations she had with Tosic and Tosic's deep concern for those who don't know Jesus, especially those of the older generation. Kliewer says that, while it is often the older generation who teaches the younger, in this case the younger, 40-something Tosic became the teacher. One thing Tosic taught Kliewer was "to stand up for what 1 believe, regardless of what anybody else says."
Tosic says that she would like Bread of Life to Start a Christian retirement community in Serbia but adds that it will take years to realize this dream.
There are no Christian retirement communities in Serbia because religious groups were not allowed to run organizations under Yugoslavia's communist government, Tosic says. Serbia has some government-run retirement communities, but they are only able to serve a small fraction of the elderly population.
"Our level of care is growing each year," Tosic says. 'We learn more and more and this is a process of learning and growing."
Reimer says, "Bread of Life has large ministty goals Their commitment to follow the teachings of Jesus and their ability to network with churches in Europe and North America is wonderful to see." - from reports from MCC and Palm Village
Hillsboro MB breaks ground
Armed with shovels and party poppers, members of Hillsboro (Kan.) MB Church broke ground April 23 for a new meeting acility. The event marked a major milestone on a journey that began March 7, 2004, when the congregation's facility in downtown Hillsboro was destroyed by fire.
Prior to gathering at the new location on the city's east edge, the congregation met for worship at its adopted home: the Hillsboro High School gymnasium, which was decorated with helium-filled balloons.
During that gathering, pastor Bruce Porter spoke on the topic "A T1JJle to Build," incorporating into his message a review of the rebuilding process by church moderator Don Ratzlaff and an update on finances by Jack Braun, a member of the capital campaign committee.
At the site, members gathered at the future entrance of the 40,000 square-foot-building which was outlined in the open field with powdered chalk. Members of the congregation's nine-member planning committee turned over the first shovelfuls of dirt. Following words of congratulations from the building contractor, architect and Southern District Conference minister Tim Sullivan, Porter led in a prayer of dedication.
Upon its conclusion attendees fired off their party poppers and then used their own shovels to tum more dirt as attendees took their place around the perimeter of the future building.
Work on the $5.2 million project was expected to begin in April but was delayed due to weather and is expected to be completed by the first week of April 2007.
In addition to the construction of a ministry center on an II-acre campus, the project has a 5.6-acre residential component that will be developed by a central Kansas developer with ties to HMBC . The residential project will be developed in two phases. In all, 14 residential lots have been platted for development.-Hillsboro Free Press, reprinted with permission
fossil fuel freedor
Oil from MCC sale fritter booth to power crosscountry trip
Harnessing the power of used vegetable oil, a Fresno Pacific University professor planned to drive cross-country in 48 hours over the Memorial Day weekend.
History and political science professor Ken Martens Friesen and his friend Steve Friesen took leftover vegetable oil collected from the fritter booth at the Mennonite Central Committee West Coast relief sale to power a modified Volkswagen Jetta TOI across the U.S. May 27-29.
They planned to start from the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and hoped to arrive about 48 hours later at Rehoboth Beach, Del.
romotes
Using a relatively simple conversion system, diesel cars can run on used deep-fry oil, according to Martens Friesen. The result is an engine that uses only recycled, renewable fuel and runs cleaner and more efficiently than one using fossil fuel. It also smells like whatever was cooked in the oil.
Martens Friesen says the "Fritter- Fried- Fossil- Fuel-Free Drive Across America" is being made to prove a point about American drivers' dependence on gasoline and diesel.
"It comes down to demonstrating alternatives to our current addiction to fossil fuels," Martens Friesen says on a Web site about the drive.
Martens Friesen is in the process of converting several VW Jetta TDIs, which run on diesel, to bum the used vegetable oil.
'l\t the MCC West Coast sale on AprilS, we collected 40 gallons of used vegetable oil," Martens Friesen says. 'We will supplement this with about 30 gallons of used soybean oil from a Japanese restaurant. The total of 70 gallons should be enough to power the Jetta the 2,950 miles we are expecting to drive."
The driving duo's hope was to raise $5 per mile in pledges and contributions- a bou t $I5,00o-for MCC. Pledges were accepted until May 27 The final pledge total was not available at press time -reprinted from Mennonite Weekly Review
We need you now!
"SO
Don, wha t·s so importa nt about planting new churches?" I hear that sentiment quite often in my travels across the U S I believe it is absolutely crucial that we plant more churches! Why ? I can think of at least three reasons .
I. New churches are four times more effec.. tive in reachin g los t people than ex istin g churches. Many of those who study the church in America today affi rm this fact .
In the U S , it is also true that three churches close for every one that is started. In oth er word s, we're losing ground - and that's not good .
3. I believe that Mennonite Brethren have a message that people need to hear So we need to be in more places in order to spread that goodnews.
I am dedicated to starting as many churches as we can . These will be Mennonite Brethren churches! They may have a style that is contemporary but the Word will be taught and taught well . We won't settle on a church plant pastor that just wants to promote «fluff." The world needs to hear the full message of God's Word. Mission USA is all about planting vital, meaningful, Spirit-driven churches
This will take funds. And here is where you can make the difference . Without your help, we won't be planting many churches . I want to go on record to say that we will strive to place value on what you give toward church planting We will try to make every dollar you give count, and we will be accountable for how we spend your donations .
We need you, and we need you now! Right now we have opportunities for new church plants in the works that will take significant resources to become a reality.
Would you help make a difference? Would you help us plant churches? Would you help us reach more lost people in America?
Send your donation to: Mission USA - U.S. Conference P.O. Box 220 Hillsboro, KS 67063
Please write "Mission USA" on the memo line of your check .
Thank you so much for your generous support of Mission USA
Don Morris Mission USA director
Safety nets spread thro ughout Tanzania
Evelina Maligana. an expectant mother in the remote village of Mudemu. Tanzania. opens her hut made of branches and clay and invites visitors inside. In her sparse bedroom a new cone-shaped funnel of blue mesh hangs from the ceiling She proudly tells the visitors that the net will keep her new infant safe from the anopheles mosquito. a dangerous predator that bites at night and spreads malaria.
Maligana is one of more than a million pregnant mothers in Tanzania who have acquired an insecticide treated net (ITN) in the past year through a special partnership between the country's Ministry of Health and Mennonite Economic Development Associates.
The program. called Hati Punguzo. aims to put affordable ITNs within reach of every pregnant woman and infant in the country to help battle the country's leading health menace.
Malaria claims an African life every 30 secondsnearly 3.000 a day-rivaling HIVIAIDS. Healthy adults can survive it. but expectant mothers and small children are highly vulnerable. Pregnant women can suffer anemia. premature delivery. intrauterine death and stillbirth. Infants suffer fever. vomiting. diarrhea. poor appetite and convulsions leading to death.
There is no effective vaccine against the disease. The best prevention is a mosquito net treated with insecticide. approved as safe by the World Health Organization.
Maligana heard about Hati Punguzo when she went for a checkup at the village maternity clinic and was given a voucher which she took to a nearby retail shop. The voucher did not give her a free ITN but covered 2.750 shillings (about $2.60 U.S.). which she could "topup" with about 50 cents.
Her physician. Dr. Fortunatus Nkane. credits the voucher program with dramatically boosting the use of ITN s. Before the program started his clinic saw 60 to 80 malaria patients per month. Now they get only a few. In another region ITN use by pregnant women soared from 16 percent before the program started to 95 percent now. says Dr. Miriam Ongara. district medical officer in Kibaha region. "This is well beyond the UN's Millennium Goal for ITN usage-and 10 years early." she says. adding that in the past year no one in her district has died from malaria
The program grew out of MEDA's efforts to explore
Evelina Maligana, pictured in her bedroom with her mosquito net, is one person benefiting from MEDA's efforts to battle malaria in Tanzania
how business could playa role in health care Jerry Quigley. MEDA's director of production-marketing linkages, and Greg Foster. MEDA's Tanzania director developed a public-private partnership built on expanding commercial networks
Behind the simple act of getting a voucher into the hands of a pregnant women is an enormous logistical task. managed by MEDA. involving 4.000 public health clinics all over the country, some very remote and impossible to reach du rin g the rainy season.
Equally important are the 3,000 retailers who stock the nets and ensure a steady supply Before the voucher scheme started. shops selling nets were concentrated around towns Now they are everywhere.
''A year ago it was very difficult to buy a net in the rural areas." says Greg Foster. "Now there are 3 000 distributors selling nets. 80 percent of whom weren 't selling nets before . For the first time. ITNs are now available in most regions of the country."
In 2005. the first year of the program. one million vouchers were distributed to clinics. This year the goal is 1.5 million. The redemption rate for those that have found their way into the hands of expectant mothers averages 87 percent.
Foster and Quigley hope other countries will see the benefits of harnessing commercial networks to attack this and other medical foes. '''There are a lot of people around the world watching to see how this works." says Foster. - MEDA News Service
A trip worth taking
Who know that North Carolina had so much to offer?
Wen I was younger, my mental map of the U.S. was such that the size of the city was directly related to how often I heard adults talk about a place. Sure, textbooks and news reports talked about New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago but I knew the really important-and therefore large - cities were Fairview, Freeman and Mountain Lake.
Next month our family will travel to North Carolina for the 2006 U.S. Conference convention. On my childhood map, North Carolina has two major cities-Boone and Lenoir - with other major centers being Newland and Ferguson. Why? Mennonite Brethren churches are located in these cities. Thinking that it might be helpful to broaden my familiarity with North Carolina, I ordered and read the official 2006 North Carolina Travel Guide. Who knew that North Carolina has so much to offer its visitors? Apparently everybody but me!
The U.s. Conference convention will meet in Boone, located in the western mountain region. In July the average temperature in Boone, a popular destination for those wishing to escape the summer heat, is 77 degrees . That's 10 degrees cooler than "off the mountain" and a cool 20 degrees below the average July temperature in the Midwest. Mountain towns like Boone are also popular among adventure sports enthusiasts for rock climbing, white-water rafting and mountain biking In fact, Boone was recently named one of the top four multi sport vacation destinations by Adventure Sports magazine.
The state's middle region is called the piedmont, a word used to loosely define the area between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the eastern "fall line" where each river has its last rapids before the coast. Come to this region to go furniture shopping in High Point, the "Furniture Capitol of the World ," or to golf at the famed Pinehurst Resort and Country Club, considered the birthplace of American golf North Carolina's coast is home to the famous Cape Hatteras National Seashore and its three lighthouses. The Outer Banks and barrier islands are famous for their beaches and colorful history and many visitors enjoy exploring the "inner banks," a system of sounds and rivers that attracts sailors, fishermen and skiers .
Since Boone is located in western North Carolina, I did some specific research on this region. Here's what caught my eye.
• Did you know that North Carolina has nurtured an unusual number of fine writers? Maybe the mountain air will rub off on me. The most famous is Thomas Wolfe, born in Asheville in 1900 and author of Look Homeward, Angel. Charles Frazier, also born in Asheville and now living in Raleigh, wrote Cold Mountain, winner of the 1997 National Book Award that was recently made into a movie Pulitzer Prize winning author Carl Sandburg moved to North Carolina when he was 67 and wrote for 22 years ftom his farm in Flat Rock, now a national historic site. The mountain village of Blowing Rock, one of the destinations for kids attending the U.S. Conference convention, inspired the fictional title town in Jan Karon's "Mitford" books.
• America's largest home is located in Asheville. Judging ftom the photos in the travel guide, the 250room Biltmore Estate, built by the Vanderbilts and now a National Historic Landmark, is more like a castle. This summer several sections of the home will be open to visitors for the first time
• 'l\merica's Favorite Drive," the most-visited unit of the National Park System, is located in North Carolina. The 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway is a recreation-oriented scenic byway that connects the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina with the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. In North Carolina you can drive 252 miles of the Parkway, including the Linn Cove Viaduct. The Viaduct is a 1,243-foot long S-curve section that, according to the travel guide, seems to be suspended in midair as it hugs the face of Grandfather Mountain, one of the best-loved landmarks of the Southern Appalachians. I wonder if there is a way to look at this engineering wonder without having to drive it?
While it's nice to know that the Tar Heel State has lots to see and do, my motivation for traveling there next month has little to do with the many attractions. I have long dreamed of visiting North Carolina because of the Mennonite Brethren churches located there. And I have no doubt that Pastor Terry Hunt and the team of local hosts will warmly welcome U.S. Conference guests. Ready or not - here we come! - CF
BAPTISM/MEMBERSHIP
Corn, Okla.-Dean Schmidt was baptized and received as a member May 14.
Shafter, CaUf.-Melissa Bloemhof and Benjamin Coyle were baptized and accepted into membership May 7. Other new members were Carol Kroeker and Treanna Pierce.
Bakersfield, Calif. (Rosedalel-Denny Stout. Anna Worth, Noah Lozano, Ashlyn Klopfenstein, Julia Meyer and Micaylan Shepherd were baptized and welcomed into membership May 7.
Weatherford, Okla. (Pine Acresl-Kolton Gipson, Monica Jantzen and Curtis Dick were baptized April 1516 Ron, Marie, Brian and Renee Koehn and Clint and Derylin Thomas were accepted as members April 16.
Bakersfield, CaUf. (Laurelglenl-Erica Singer, Andrea Haddon and Scott Zaballos were baptized April 15-16 Mike and Pam Bell, Bryan and Kim Clanton, Claudia Costello, Andrea Haddon, David Hardt, Tim and Cheryl Harris, Cliff and Edna Kirkemo, Jeff and Kelly Pray, Greg Warrick and Christopher and Alexandra Watson were received as members April 8-9.
Reedley, CaUf.-Joseph Krahn, Stephanie Penner and Richard (Dieter] Shellenberg were baptized and received as members April 16. Robert Bizzell and Ruby ' Miller were also received as members.
Fresno, CaUf. (Bethanyl-Mike Harding was baptized April 16
Bakersfield, Calif. (Heritage Biblel-Ian Pace was baptized April 9.
Enid, Okla.-Ricky Hakel was baptized April 6. , Dinuba, Calif.- The church received 11 new members through testimony and baptism April 2: Marvin and Brenda Artis, Luke Bese, Jesse Heinrichs, Brian Klassen, Tyler Lutz, Christina Mejorado, Brandon Sawatzky, Forrest Smith, Ben Sorber and Mark Wall.
Sioux Falls, SD (Lincoln Hillsl- The church welcomed 16 new members in April : Mike Guthrie, Damien and Mashele Simkins, Cory and Mary Hughes, Lee and Jan Hendrix, Clark and Diane Poole, Jim and Esther Weems, Matt and Rebekah Coombs, Terry and Daisy Johnston and Harry Waltner
FELLOWSHIP
Fresno, Calif. (Bethanyl-Marcia Ramsland, a professional organizer, spoke on simplifying life at a women's spring dessert May 18 Men of the church served a Mother's Day brunch May 14.
Kingsburg, Calif.- The church held an end-of-the-year carnival May 17 with families from their Happy Days School and midweek children's programs as well as members of Iglesia Agua Viva, an MB Spanish -speaking congregation. The church reports that Kingsburg MB serves 100 people, Iglesia Agua Viva serves 20 members, the preschool serves 70 families and the midweek program serves 40 people The church celebrated new
believers recently by displaying balloons at the front of the sanctuary representing two children who accepted Christ.
Enid, Okla.-Women of the church enjoyed manicures, pedicures, makeup and hair services and massages during a night of pampering May 8.
Bakersfield, Calif. (Rosedalel- The congregation celebrated Children's Day May 7 Church youth led worship, including music, skits and Scripture readings. Following worship the congregation enjoyed a picnic with games for the entire family
Buhler, Kan.-Guest speaker Andy Addis, from a local church, addressed the topic "Spring Cleaning for the Soul" during a women's spring brunch April 29. Women signed up to host a table decorated with their china April 2 was family movie night at the church Families brought drinks to share; popcorn was provided.
Enid, Okla.- "Pieces of Our Lives" was the theme for the annual women's luncheon April 29.
Shafter, Calit.-Church women held a spring brunch April 22 with the theme ORe-purposing Everything in Life." The brunch featured recycling and restoring ideas, music and stories of personal renewal.
Topeka, Kin. (Cornerstone Communityl-An allchurch social and outreach event April 1 had a Hawaiian luau theme. The event included a "loudest shirt" contest.
Hays, Kin. (North Oakl-The church recently posted photos of families on a wall in the church in order to help members and visitors connect names and faces.
MINISTRY
Weatherford, Okla. (Pine Acresl-The church planned its first Mega Sports Camp for May 3. The camp taught skill in basketball and cheerleading as well as biblical and life skills for children in first through fifth grades.
Topeka, Kin. (Cornerstonel-Families participated in a citywide clean-up project May 13.
Reedley, Calif.-A team of 2!>people traveled to Newton, Texas, for hurricane relief work with Mennonite Disaster Service April 9-15.
Sioux Falls, SD (Lincoln Hillsl-A group of men from the church spent the morning of March 18 salvaging building materials from demolished houses to be used to build new homes with Habitat for Humanity.
PROCLAMATION
Olathe, Kan. (Community Biblel-Pastor Tom Cartney led a two-day class April 28-29 on discovering, understanding and using spiritual gifts.
Fairview, Okla.-Pastors Jeremiah Tesfamichael and Tomas Bayou from Ethiopian Evangelical Church, Aurora, Colo., were guests for the April 23 service. They shared student testimonies, presented a PowerPoint about Ethiopia and preached. After the service, the con-
Urban Wichita congregation closes doors
United at the Cross an II -year-old ,Mennonite Brethren church in Wichita. Kan .• held its fin al service April 30 The Southern District Conference partnered with World Impact. an urban missions organization. to plant United at the Cross in an economically and racially divetse patt of the city where drugs. gangs and prostitution are not uncommon and needs are great.
The church had strong suppott from the district during its lifetime and had a significant ministry in its community. Some 50-60 children from the community attended a weekly kids' club staffed by students from Tabor College, Hillsboro, Kan .• and youth from First MB Church. Wichita, Kan Recently, however, attendance, finances and energy had dwindled to a point where the congregation could no longer sustain a church in this demanding area . In early April. church and district leaders decided for these and other reasons that it would be best to close the doors . Pastoral couple Mike and Mary Jane Furches plan to continue meeting informally with several other couples from United at the Cross to encourage each other and to continue reaching out to the community
Tim Sullivan, SDC district minister, admits that "it feels like failure" when a young church closes but adds that "church planring is still wotth doing because of the kind of (life changing) ministry that happens ." Sullivan says the SOC still has a vision for ministry to "the least and the lost" in the district and in the United at the Cross area According to the SOC newsletter, 'The hope of leadership in the district is to wait on God's timing and leading regarding the possibility of targeting that area again for urban church -planting sometime in the future ." - Myra Holmes
CHUR CH news ···
gregation enjoyed an Ethiopian meal as a fund-raiser. Ethiopian Evangelical is planning to take 11 students on a missions trip to Ethiopia
Freeman, SD (Sal em)- The church held pre - Easter services in conjunction with Neu Hutterthal Mennonite Church April 2-4. Chuck Asche, a church planter who specializes in "re-start" churches, was the guest speaker:
Garden City, Kan. (Garden Valley)-S Solomon, vice president of India's MB Centenary Bible College, spoke April 2.
TEACHING/NURTURE
Reedley, Calif.- Christian Education Sunday April 30 featured children during the morning worship service and included an all-church picnic.
Fresno, Calif. (Bethany)-Forrest Jenan, pastor of student ministries, led a four-week exploration of questions raised by the popular book and movie The DaVinci Code A ministry for newly married or engaged couples began April 23 to encourage couples spiritually, draw them together and give them tools for a healthy marriage.
Wichita, Kan. (First)-Pastor Brent Warkentin has been encouraging the congregation to use personal journaling as a way to spend quality time with God each day. Small groups that use journaling as a study format are also available.
WORSHIP
Topeka, Kan. (Cornerstone Community)-Church members were invited to join in singing the Hallelujah Chorus during worship on Easter Sunday, April 16.
San Jose, Calif. (Lincoln Glen)-The choir and string ensemble presented an Easter musical titled "Experiencing God : Discover Your Spiritual Journey" April 16.
Olathe, Kan. (Community Bible)-Easter weekend events included a Maundy Thursday service led by the high school youth. a community Easter egg hunt and "Easter Sunrise Walking Tours" held at a nearby lake. Families were invited to reserve times for a guided 30minute tour that dramatically portrayed the cross, "Galilee Point" and the empty tomb.
Dinuba, Calif.-The choir presented an Easter musical titled "Bow the Knee" April 16.
Minot, ND (Bible Fellowship)-Easter celebrations April 15 included "Behold the Lamb," a time during which lambs were available in the church parking lot to pet and feed
Hillsboro, Kan. (Ebenfeld, Hillsboro MB, Parkview)Pastors from the three churches led community Holy Week services April 9-12 organized by Tabor College students and held on the campus.
YOUTH
Littleton, Colo. (Belleview)-Members prayed in every Sunday school classroom during a prayer walk for children 's ministries April 26.... The church held a children's Easter egg hunt April 8 for families from the neighborhood and the church's day care center:
Reedley, Calif.-Parents of junior and senior high school students discussed the popular MySpace com Internet site Sen ior pastor Dennis Fast and youth pastors Chris Bennett and Jerin Kliewer led the April 23 discussion San Jose, Calif. (Lincoln Glen)-Youth invited church members to donate used items for a flea market which was open to the community April 22. The event was a fund - raiser for the youth group Several other youth groups initiated similar fund-raisers this spring. including Zoar MB Church, Inman, Kan., Garden Valley Church, Garden City Kan., and Henderson INeb ) MB Church. Dinuba, CaUf.-Some 84 teen girls attended a seminar hosted by the church April 22. The seminar. called B.A.B.E., is designed to teach young women ages 12-17 that they are Beautiful, Accepted, Blessed and Eternally significant. Andrea Stephens, beauty and fashion editor of Brio magazine, was the guest speaker. The seminar also included beach balls, makeup samples, drama, fashions, videos, food and a concert. The church reports that five girls received Christ.
Huron, SD (Bethesda)-Some 875 people attended an April 5 youth event organized by Area Youth Ministries, a cooperative effort of several area churches including Bethesda, and 200 people responded to an invitation to make first-time or recommitments to Christ.
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DEATHS
ANDERS, WILLIAM HENRY, Shafter, Calif , a member of Shafter MB Church, was born Jan 10, 1934, to Jesse and Bessie Anders in Pep, Texas, and died May 1, 2006, at the age of 72. On July 16, 1966, he married Thelma, who survives He is also survived by one son, James of Shafter; one daughter, Janice Anders of Shafter; two sisters, Christine Holt of Kentucky, and Lorene Chancellor of Bakersfield, Calif , and three grandchildren
ENNS, HENRY BAUER, Toutle, Wash. , was born Aug 2, 1912, to Henry H and Katherine Balzer Enns in Hooker, Okla , and died April 20, 2006, at the age of 93. On Sept. 7, 1941, he married Ruby Bernice Reimer, who predeceased him July 24, 1997 He is survived by two sons, Paul and wife Mary Anne of Lancaster, Calif., and Nelson of Seattle, Wash., seven grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren
GIERE, LINDA A.. Littleton. Colo ., a member of Belleview Community Church, Littleton, was born March 22, 1955. to Patrick and Lucy Prichard in Denver, Colo., and died May 4, 2006, at the age of 51 She is survived by her husband, Dave ; her mother; two daughters, Rebekah and Hannah; and one brother, Dave
KLINGENBERG, ROSELLA HEINRICHS, Shafter, Calif , a member of Shafter MB Church, was born Dec. 2,1918, to Frank and Bertha Heinrichs in Balko, Okla , and died April 5, 2006, at the age of 87 On Nov. 21, 1937, she married Don Klingenberg , who predeceased her July 1, 2005 She is survived by one son, Bob and wife Connie of Bakersfield, Calif ; two daughters, Linda Klingenberg of Los Osos, Calif., and Janet Klingenberg of Santa Cruz, Calif.; one sister, Luella Thiessen of Whittier, Calif., and two grandchildren
REIMER, HELMUTH (MIKEl, Dinuba, Calif , was born March 26 , 1925, in Waldheim, Sask , and died April 4, 2006, at the age of 81. On Aug 12, 1948, he married Helena Peters, who survives. He is also survived by four sons, George and wife Arlys of Blaine, Wash., Ed and wife Jean of Reedley, Calif , Dan of Flagstaff, Ariz , and Paul and wife Becky of Fresno, Calif.; one daughter, Frieda Walls of Reedley; two brothers, Ernie and wife Elfrieda of Fort SI. John, B C , and Dave and wife Frieda of 100 Mile House, B C ; two sisters, Hedy Reimer of Clearbrook, B.C , and Elizabeth and husband Jake Konrad of Langley, B C , 13 grandchildren and one great-grandchild
conI. page 35
> Readers SAY
Inter-Mennonite cooperation
"Why can't we look at one another's hearts?" asks Chuck Buller CLabels that don't stick," Aprilzo06). He suggests that the labels (conservative, liberal, evangelical, Anabaptist) we attach to individuals or denominations stand in the way. God looks beyond labels, he writes. Buller believes that partnerships with the larger Mennonite family would give Mennonite Brethren a "bigger view" of God's kingdom work.
We cooperate well at the Mennonite Centtal Committee and Mennonite Mutual Aid level, in missions overseas and in Mennonite World Conference, but too little at the local level. Here in Wichita some of my fellow church members can't identify the other five Mennonite churches and church plants.
In the past 40 years my writing and speaking ministry has been mostly in other Mennonite bodies and in recent years with other denominations. Like Buller, I have found huge benefits of such inter-fellowship in helping me to define my own faith more clearly and recognizing the gifts these groups bring to the work of the kingdom. They expand my thinking by showing methat the MB way isn't the only way. Others too are Christ seekers and followets.
Perception is reality, we have often been told. Even as Mennonite Brethren probably label other denominations, they also label us. When I hear MBs referred to as isolationist and sometimes rigid in our theology, bordering on fundamentalism, I ask why we are perceived this way. Why is it hard for us to come close to other believers in the same family of faith unless they are clearly labeled "evangelical"?
Is the reason for such distancing fear of the unknown, or of having our faith diluted? Or is it being forced to face our theological uncertainties? Or maybe even fear that God might not recognize us without our MB label? I believe that we would grow as a denomination if we joined hands with other Christians, including Mennonite believers, "to confront and be confronted by the enormous complexity and terror" of our modern world. We need all the help we can get.
Katie Funk Wiebe, Wichita, Kan .
A blessing
John is more than " just John," as told in his stoty in the April issue No one knows this better than I do. Recently, as my husband was dying of cancer in the hospital and our pastor
was sick, guess who came, stayed and prayed with us-John Langer.
He has been there for my family in many ways and God truly blessed us when he sent John that night. John came, stayed and prayed with us all night until Glenn passed away the next morning. What a blessing John was to our family.
Jeanette Westphal, Gettysburg, SD
Meeting God
I've never responded in any way to an article in the Christian Leader so I'm really stepping out of my comfort zone, but I need to voice my feelings after imagining with the author what the day might be like when we meet God face-to-face. ('i\dopted into God's family" published in the May z005 issue) . Author Ray O'Neil suggests that Jesus might come down off his throne to rehearse with us individually "our entire lives saying, 'I was there when .' And then I think he's goirig to say, Welcome home, good and faithful servant no more an orphan.'"
I responded by bowing my head and whispering a prayer that I will not miss a single opportunity in this life to be God's representative and to hear a "well done" when it comes my turn.
I also applaud the editorial by Myra Holmes CLost" in May zo05 issue). I've ofren wished for more freedom to celebrate in a corporate worship setting. She closes the editorial with, "Let's give heaven a reason to celebrate." I would add to her sentence, "and let's give ourselves permission to celebrate." After all, it's the same Lord we worship who is the Lord of the party.
Thanks for a job well done with the Christian Leader.
Jeanette Grunau, Com, Okla
Thinking «right"
I would like to comment on Philip Wiebe's article "Get with the times" in the March issue of the Christian Leader. I think to a great extent our Mennonite Brethren churches have gotten with the times. Instead of being a separate and distinct group of believers, we have been caught up in the "religious right" evangelical way of thinking.
We now worship the gods of militarism, nationalism, wealth, power, security, anything that is new-the list could go on We still preach the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ, but in our actions there is scant difference from the world.
We should remember the words of Jesus when he said the road to destruction is wide but the path to everlasting life is narrow.
Donovan Ediger, Inman, Kan
TOY, FREDERICK R., Reedley, Calif., a member of Neighborhood MB Church, Visalia, Calif , was born Oct. 5, 1923, and died April 17. 2006, at the age of 82. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn; one son, Tim ; one daughter, Lois, six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
WARKENTIN, CLARA NEUFELD, Dallas, Texas, was born June 16, 1915, to Arthur and Elizabeth Neufeld in Dinuba, Calif., and died April 21, 2006, at the age of 90. On June 7, 1942, she married Milton Warkentin, who predeceased her in 2002. She is survived by two sons, David and wife Marion and John and wife Debbie; two daughters, Ann Wilson and Lois and husband Pat Gourley; three brothers, Dan and wife Gladys, Ray and wife Ethyl and Charlie and wife Verna; one sister-in-law, Ann, 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Clearing HOU5E -
MPlOYMENT: CHURCH
Lead Pastor: The Buhler MB Church in Buhler, Kan., is looking for a lead pastor to be part of our four person pastoral team We are an active, healthy, 5oo-member small town church that believes Jesus Christ is Lord of our lives. Buhler MB is committed to being a sending chu rch to the pastorate and missions and feels called to fulfill our Christ-centered purpose in the world. Applicants should have an understanding and belief in Anabaptist theology, preferably with five years experience in a lead or associate pastor position in a multiple staff setting. We are looking for a man with demonstrated gifts for leading, preaching, teaching, caring, communicating, developing strong staff, and vision for the future. Resumes may be sent to the Search Committee at Buhler M B. Church, 415 N. West Street, Buhler, KS 67522 or e-mailed to inf00buhlermb.org 17/121
Lead Pastor: Corn M.B. Church is seeking a senior pastor to join a youth pastor to lead approximately 225-250 committed believers on a weekly basis in Corn, Okla. We are a rural, outreach-minded congregation that is very mission oriented. Our farming community of about 550 draws members from a 15 to 20 mile radius of larger towns. We require a masters degree and would prefer a man in the 30 to 50-year-old-range. We require previous experience in senior or associate pastoral work. We currently offer a blended style of worship. Primary responsibilities include: Preaching and teaching, visitation, provide encouragement and input to various boards, committees and office administration Resumes may be sent to Stacy Reimer, Search Committee, Corn MB Church, Box 66, Corn, OK 73024 or e-mail to stacycarmen0itlnet.net. 14/61
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