May 2006

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10 ADOPTED INTO GOD'S FAMILY by Ray O' Neil

What happens when parents aren't there for their children? There is a longing in their lives that one researcher has dubbed 'lather-need." A similar longing is present in the lives of people who don't live under the loving care of their heavenly Father. What is our responsibility to those who aren't part of the family of God?

13 A PLACE TO BELONG as told to Myra Holmes

Babies don't just suddenly appear on one's doorstep. But that's almost exactly how little Gabe came to join Steve and Annie Willems' family. And with the Willems family came a church family and a heavenly Father. That's more than Gabe could have hoped for.

15 A SHINING EXAMPLE by Helen Lepp Friesen

We talk about living an exemplary life. How many of us consider dying an exemplary death? From his daughterin-law's vantage point, Herb Friesen did just that as he modeled for his family how best to move from this life to eternal life

17 LO ST AND FOUND by Linda McMillen Stern

The seven junior high boys gathered around her were seething in anger. The creative idea she thought God had given her for the Sunday school lesson seemed to have blown up in her face. What now?

> FiRST WORDS

(fro m the editor]

I'VE OFfEN WONDERED WHAT IT WOULD BE LIKE to be the first person to see or do something. What was it like to discover the geysers of Yellowstone National Park or Niagara Falls? To be the first person to walk on the moon or to stand on the North Pole?

This month the Leader introduces us to a contemporary Mennonite Brethren adventurer of sorts. Victor Wall of Paraguay is the first person to fill a global leadership position among Mennonite Brethren. He is the newly appointed-and first-executive secretary for the International Committee of Mennonite Brethren. He won't be the first person to scale a mountain-at least we don't think that will be the case-but he will blaze a new trail for us as a global family of faith. Read about Wall's vision for international cooperation on page 19.

We are thankful to Meetinghouse, a fellowship of Mennonite editors in Canada and the U S • for this interview with Wall as well as our coverage of the recent Mennonite World Conference General Council gathering in Pasadena. Calif. Wall was among the 220 Mennonite and Brethren in Christ church leaders from 50 countries who met for the purpose of developing fellowship and unity among the Anabaptist movement worldwide. You can read a review of their activities beginning on page 24.

U.S. Mennonite Brethren are preparing for our own biennial gathering. This summer the U.S. Conference convention will feature another first-the first time the North Carolina Conference will host this event. You can read an update of convention plans in the news section. The June Leader will include reports from all U.S. Conference ministries. a summary of all recommendations and additional information about all there is to see and do in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Begin making plans now for your trip.-CF

> QUOT ABLE

"Since the just-war criteria require that war be a last resort. those who subscribe to just-war theory should put millions and millions of dollars and thousands and thousands of people into the campaigns of nonviolence like Christian Peacemaker Teams to see how much we can do that way. My appeal is both to just-war people and to pacifists to massively expand what CPT is doing." - Ron Sider in an interview with Rob Moll posted March 28 at ChristianityToday.com

> UP & COMING

• J une 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

• Oct. 26-29 - Central District Conference convention , Henderson, Neb .

• March 31 - Ap r il 3. 2007- National MB Youth Convention, Anaheim, Calif

Conn ie Faber EDITOR

Myra Holmes ASSISTANT EDITOR

Ela ine Ewe rt GRAPHIC DESIGNER

MANDATE The Christia n Leader (lSSN 0009 - 51491 is published mont h ly by t he U S Conferen ce of Mennoni t e Bret hren Churche s The Chris t ian Leader seeks to inform Mennoni t e Bret hren me mb ers and chu rc he s of the even t s, activit i es. deci sions an d issue s of the ir denomination , an d to instruct , inspire and initiate dialogue so members will aspire t o be faithful di sci ple s of Christ as understoo d in t he evang elicaVAna baptist theolog i ca l tra di tio n

EDITORIAL POLICY Th e views ex pressed in thi s publ ic ation do not nece ssarily re pre sent the posi tion of the Chri st ian L eader th e U.S. Co nference Leadersh ip Board or the Mennonite Brethren Church Sc ripture references are from New International Versi on unless otherwise noted The editors i nvite freelance article submission s A SASE must accompany articles

READER PARTICIPATION The editors invite readers to share their thoughts and opinion s on topics relevant to the Mennonite Brethren Church using letters to the editor and Forum essays Letters to the editor should be brief- 300 words or le ss- and on one subject. Letters must be signed and include the writer's city and state Letters will be edited for clarity appropriateness and length Letters will be published as space allows, unless ma r ked - Not for publication - Forum is open to members or attendees of Mennonite Brethren churche s. Essay s should not exce ed 800 words, and should include the writer 's name address. home church and occ upation

COMMUNICATION All correspondence. including change of address. should be addressed to the Christian Leader, Box 220. Hillsboro, KS 67063 Phone : 620 - 947 - 5543 Fax : 620 - 947 - 3266 E- mail : christianleaderlilusmb org

SUBSCRIPTIONS $18 for one year $34 for two years and $50 for three years ($20 $38 $54 in Canada!; $1 .50 per copy

MEMBERSHIP The Chris tian Leader is a member of th e Evangelical Press Associ ation and Meetinghou se, an association of Mennonite and Brethren in Chri st editors

PO STMASTER Send addre ss changes to th e Christian Leader Box 220 Hillsboro , KS 67063 Periodical s postage paid at Hill sboro, Ka nsas

CONNIE FABER

ByTed Mclrvin

Christian troops need our prayers

HOW should we pray for the members of the U.S. armed services? While there is no easy answer to the question, I know from personal experience that our troops who know Christ personally and have accepted him as Savior need our prayers. I suggest these general areas as a starring point.

Pray for their faith People in the service are bombarded every day with ideas, beliefs, philosophies and religions that challenge their belief in God and Jesus Christ.

Pray for their faithfulness. We should pray not only for their faithfulness to God but also faithfulness in other areas of life. Faithfulness in their own personal values and standards, to their spouse and to the church.

Pray for their personal integrity. We can pray that their lives will show that they mean what they say-that they can be trusted It is so easy to compromise especially when among those who don't know you. We can pray that they would lead the same life thousands of miles from home that they would live at home.

Pray for their loyalty to those with whom they serve. Can the members of their unit trust them to watch their backs and to keep them safe? Are they dependable? Years ago when I was in the service we said a trusted buddy would «cross over hell on a rotten log" for you .

Pray for their compassion for the civilian population where they are serving. Genuine compassion is not easy to come by, superficial compassion is. Then may those who do not know Christ accept him as their Savior, Lord and Master

Pray for their families. Whether the soldier is living with his family on a base or is separated by great distance, their family needs to be lifted up in prayer.

Pray for their witness. The greatest opportunity for missionary work in the world today is in the U.S. military. We need a Christian witness in the military itself Christians in the military also serve in almost every country in the world. There is no need for visas or permits of any kind.

How we need Christian military personnel whose daily lives show they are different. Actions speak louder than words. We can pray that their lives be so surrendered to Christ that their buddies as well as others they come in contact with will know they have something different.

May we pray that each person in the U.S. armed services who claims Christ as Savior makes him Lord and depends on him for the leading and strength to be ambassadors for Christ where they are. And may we pray for those who do not know Christ, that they will accept him as their Savior.

Ted McIrvin lives in Lehigh, Kan., and attends Parkview MB Church in Hillsboro, Kan.

> Readers SAY

Research global warming

I was very disappointed to read that some of our evangelical leaders had signed on the global warming phenomena, especially a human-caused global warming. Even if there is an actual warming trend, it isn't likely that humans have caused it. We are such a very small part of the equation.

Mostly it is cyclical in nature, meaning the sun is changing. the orbit is changing. the sea floor is spreading. there are white vapor clouds, volcanic dust, polar ice caps and a host of other happenings in the universe that are causing this socalled global warming. There is a scientific explanation for all of these alarmist attitudes we hear from the media and others that would have us change our lifestyle drastically to suit their agenda.

According to satellite measurements, the earth has not gotten warmer in the last 18 years they have been taking data. Satellites record the temperature more accurately than ground readings. 99.72 percent of the «greenhouse effect" is due to natural causes. All I would ask anyone to do is to research this issue more thoroughly.

Randy Regier, Madrid, Neb.

Needing a day of rest

Thank you for your article on busyness in the March Christian Leader ('Whirling churches" editorial.) I am finding it hard to attend church, much like your husband, because it's just something else on my «to-do" list.

My church bulletin has at least a quarter of a page of activities happening on Sunday afternoon. What happened to our day of rest? I need it so badly! I tend to be pretty relaxed; how must the people around me who lead even busier lives be feeling? How can we as Christians ever grow if we don't get our refreshment?

Thank you for dedicating your editorial to this topic. I hope it sparks conversations that need to happen.

Melissa Bergen, Shafter, Calif

Rethinking instrumentation

The words or instrumentation? Why do we call the team of musicians a «worship team" when so much of the instrumentation is such an irritant to many?

Without question, the instrumentation and style come from worldly, secular entertainment and has programmed our youth with this idiom. For decades the church set the tempo for musical excellence with the many oratorios, cantatas, classics and hymns.

Now we still have some wonderful words, but set to the world's instrumentation.

The apostle Paul instructs us not to let the world press us into its mold. Nevertheless we let the contemporary church musicians press us into the world's mold. I challenge any worship team to eliminate all instrumentation for one month and note the difference

Happily the tide is turning toward more worshipful, meaningful and doctrine-teaching music. The old contemporary tradition of rock noise is on its way out Let's set a new tempo and lead with such music at the U.S. Conference.

Harold E. Franz, Wichita, Kan.

Now for tonight's starting line up

Someone recently asked me why I still have hope for our denomination. Almost without thinking I said, 'We currently enjoy a talented line up with good team chemistry."

I have been involved in the Mennonite Brethren leadership team for about 10 years now and for the first time I feel a real sense of unity and purpose in our mission. There isn't a single leader on the MB team who isn't trying his hardest to do what God has gifted them to do to help us have a successful "season." And it is my sense that we enjoy better "team chemistry" than I can ever recall. All of this leads me to believe that God (the owner) has provided us the resources to build up a family of faith into a maturity that would please him.

Leading off this year and playing center field is Randy Friesen, CEO of MBMS International. We drafted Randy

hands ahd powerful bat of Jon Wiebe, CEO and president of MB Foundation. No other organization drives in more runs and creates more production than MBF. Jon has played this position with excellence and productivity for the past nine seasons and looks to be in the prime of his career. Whether managing millions of investments or creatively managing a church loan portfolio, Jon has helped the Foundation become a dependable anchor in a very deep lineup.

Batting fifth and playing second base is Tim Sullivan, Southern District Conference minister. Our second largest and most historic district is clearly in the middle of our infield. While kicking up enough Kansas and Oklahoma dirt on the right side of the infield, Tim also is adept at turning the double play with our PDC shortstop and provides a solid presence as an RBI producer working behind our cleanup hitter.

Batting sixth and playing third base is Roger Engbrecht. Central District Conference minister Roger protects the "hot comer" which is as wide as a drive

'Th e re is n 't a s in gle lea d er on the team who isn 't trying hi s harde s t to do wh ..11 God ha s g ift e d them to do to help us have a suc ces stul "s e ason . " And it is my se n s e we e njo:y b e t te r " te am c h e mistry " than J can ever rec all. from Montana to Minnesota. No player covers more . ground. And don't let his

from Canada for this vital position. Anyone who knows MB history knows that world mission is at the center of our game and Randy roams this position with youth and speed, covering more ground than was ever expected. Watch carefully as Randy will make some spectacular catches and start fantastic rallies from his leadoff position.

Batting second and playing first base is Jim "Stretch" Holm, president of MB Biblical Seminary. Jim has finished his first three-year term as president and was recently granted a four-year contract extension by the seminary board. Jim is on the right side of the infield and that is exactly where our denomination prefers its seminary presidents Jim has had to dig out a few errant throws in the last three years and is expected to reach every direction to cover his position. It is generally agreed that Jim is everyone's favorite guest preacher and so he will have plenty of turns at the plate.

Batting third and playing shortstop is Gary Wall, Pacific District Conference minister. As the leader of our largest and most diverse district, his range is enormous. Whether turning the double play of being in Seattle and Phoenix on the same weekend or relaying the throw to home plate from a local church shot to deep left field, Gary has honed his skills in the almost four years he has been on the field.

Batting cleanup and playing left field we have the sure

position on the left side of the infield fool you! Roger is solidly right of left even when guarding the third baseline of the denomination! The beauty of batting sixth is the role of starting rallies when least expected. Take the new church plant in Sioux Falls, SD. Roger helped cut through the "red tape" smoother than a knife through butter.

Batting seventh and eighth respectively are the team's two utility players. While the rest of the team is under contract, these two so love the team that they pay their own wages and play whatever position is necessary! Sometimes as designated hitters, sometimes as pinch runners and always as vocal cheerleaders for the team, they volunteer their time as district ministers of our two smallest districts. Terry Hunt of North Carolina and Rolando Mireles of the Latin American Conference epitomize the strategy of the owner who has on his office wall a plaque written in blood that simply says, "Let him who wants to lead first become a servant."

Batting ninth and playing catcher is yours truly. From my place behind the plate they let me call a few pitches. move the defense around. call for a conference on the mound and sometimes argue with the umpire about the size of the strike zone. In case you wonder, the umpire is always right and has on occasion told me he is tired of my complaints!

All of this takes us to the important role of pitcher. Everyone agrees that pitching wins championships. Would it surprise you if I said that our pitcher's name is Jesus Christ? Should make for a great season! Hope you bought your tickets.

CPT hostages freed peacefully in Baghdad

Fourth hostage killed but not tortured

Three Christian Peacemaker Teams members, held captive in Baghdad for nearly four months, are home. Canadians James Loney, 41, and Harmeet Sooden, 32, and Norman Kember, 74, of London, England, were found in a vacant house in Baghdad and freed March 23.

Families and friends around the world rejoiced at the news of their rescue and that no one was killed or injured in the operation. Their joy was tempered with sadness, however, because of the death of American Tom Fox, the fourth hostage. His body was found March 9 in a Baghdad street, just days afrer the release of an ominous video showing only the other three men. Fox had been shot.

The hostages did not know the fate of their teammate until afrer their release, although they had picked up hints that he had been killed. Their captors, calling themselves the Swords of Righteousness Brigade, had threatened to kill all the hostages, twice giving execution deadlines if their demands for the free-

dom of Iraqis detained by the invading forces were not met.

The three men spent their first night of freedom at the British Embassy in Baghdad after an hour-long reunion with fellow Christian Peacemaker Teams members serving in Iraq. Other than having lost weight, their colleagues reported the former captives appeared to be in good health. They said they had not been physically abused.

In a March 24 statement, CPT refutes rumors that the body of Tom Fox shows evidence of torture. Two CPTers and two independent sources, the statement says, examined the body and saw no signs of torture. "Until the final autopsy report is released, we ask everyone to withhold their judgment," the statement says.

Christian Peacemakers Teams was founded in 1986 as a result of a speech by Ron Sider at the Mennonite World Conference Assembly in Strasbourg, France in 1984. He challenged Christians to be willing to risk their lives for the sake of peace just as military personnel do for the sake of war.-MWC/CPT

SDC U-SERV volunteers in Tulsa

The Heart Church of Tulsa, Okla , hosted a Southern District Conference Team U- SERV group March 6- 13 Wyman Penner of Cordell, Okla., directed the group of volunteers in refurbishing the congregation 's building to meet city codes The volunteers worked at a variety of projects. Pictured left to right: Charles Watts and Harley Tuell replace ceiling tiles, while Aaron Flaming removes the old wall. Kent Heisey and Wilmer Thiessen bundle communication wires In addition to volunteers from the Heart Church, the team included Tom Baker, Conway, Ark , Jerry Crain, Marshall, Ark , Harley Tuell, LeSlie, Ark., Charles Watts, Marshall, Ark , Art Dalke, Tulsa, Okla., Aaron Flaming, Corn, Okla , Ernie Reimer, Collinsville, Okla., and Wilmer and Hildegard Thiessen, Hillsboro, Kan. The congregation recently purchased the building which they had been renting and the change in ownership prompted the group to meet the latest city codes.-U- SERV

MCC helps prevent bird flu in Vietnam

Mennonite Central Committee helped notthem Viemamese fanners and health workers take steps to prevent the ttansmission of bird flu during an outbreak of the disease this winter.

At least 42 people have died of bird flu in Vietnam since a deadly sttain of the disease emerged in the country's poultry in 2003. All known human cases of bird flu in recent years have resulted from contact with animals, but the World Health Organization warns that the disease may spread from person to person in the future, causing a global pandemic.

MCC suppotted bird flu prevention activities in four rural districts of Phu Tho and Vinh Phuc provinces where MCC also supports agricultural development and public health projects.

MCC provided funds for local agriculture and health officials to ttain about 16,000 people in vaccinating poultry, recognizing bird flu, culling infected birds and protecting themselves from the disease. MCC also provided 84 agricultural communities with disinfectant, protective uniforms and guidebooks on preventing livestock diseases.

Lowell Jantzi, an MCC country representative in Vietnam, says that preventing the spread of bird flu is especially important because rural health facilities are not equipped to tteat the disease. 'This has put a large burden on the health system, because out in those areas

they have no way of treating patients or any way of diagnosing them," Jantzi says.

The bird flu outbreak is also placing an economic burden on Vietnamese farmers and families that raise livestock. Malnutrition affects about 25 percent of children under age five in several districts where MCC works, and poultry is an important part of local diets.

Whenever an infected bird is identified, the government requires all birds in a three-kilometer radius to be killed. Financial compensation for these losses is much less than the value of the poultry, Jantzi says.

MCC is continuing to monitor the spread ofbird flu in Vietnam and is examining further ways to support bird flu prevention. MCC is the relief, service and peace agency of the North American Mennonite and Brethren in Christ churches. -MCC

Vietnam Mennonite church recognized by authorities

The Ho Chi Minh City, Viemam, Committee for Religious Affairs has officially recognized one of the Mennonite congregations in the city. In a document signed March 6, the head of the committee, Nguyen Ngoc San, said the committee was approving the request for registration of religious activities of the Viemam Mennonite Church represented by Nguyen Quang Trung. This represents a significant development in a process begun by Trung in the mid-I980s.

The new recognition of Trung's congregation by the Ho Chi Minh City government officials applies only to the city. A Mennonite congregation in the city's District 2 also pursued registration but was denied, reportedly because of the congregation's negative stance with authorities. The District 2 congregation was repeatedly harassed by local authorities following the arrest of the six leaders in a 2004 incident. Harassment has lessened since the congregation's pastor, Nguyen Hong Quang. was released from prison last August.

Even though the Evangelical Church of Vietnam both in the north and the south has legal status, the majority of evangelical Christians in Viemam today are related to unregistered house churches. Many of these churches seek recognition Some Christian leaders, however, prefer non-registration, concerned that reporting activities to the local government and seeking permission for new branch churches would stifle church Jife.-MWC

KINDRED RELEASES BOOK

Kindred Productions has released In Defense of Privilege: Russian Mennonites and the State Before and During World War I, by Abraham Friesen. The book, another in the "Perspective on Mennonite Life and Thought" series, is written in four parts. Friesen is professor emeritus of Renaissance and Reformation History at the University of California in Santa Barbara. -Kindred

FPU STUDENTS ACT ON AIDS

Some 60 students, faculty and staff at Fresno Pacific University dramatized the plight of children orphaned by AIDS when participants donned bright orange shirts with "orphan" written on the front March 22 to symbolize the 5 percent of children in sub-Saharan Africa whose parents die of AIDS. This and other events are part of a nationwide campaign of 54 college and university chapters sponsored by Acting on Aids, a program of World Vision, a Christian relief and development organization. FPU is an MB-owned university in Fresno, Calif.-FPU

MARTENS CONTRIBUTES TO COMMENTARY

Elmer A. Martens, president emeritus and professor emeritus of Old Testament at MB Biblical Seminary, has written commentary on the biblical text of Jeremiah and Lamentations for Cornerstone Biblical Commentary's 600 page volume. In addition, Martens' 1986 commentary on Jeremiah, for the Believers Church Bible Commentary series, has recently been reprinted. The Cornerstone volume features two authors writing on three biblical books. Tyndale House Publishers of Wheaton projects 18 volumes for the series of which the Isaiah-JeremiahLamentations is the first to be published.MBBS

Adopted into God's family

Every follower of Christ has been adopted into God's family. What is our responsibility to others who aren't part of our new family?

I RECENTLY WAS PART OF A MISSION team our congregation sent to Swaziland. One day we visited El Shaddai, an orphanage located on what seemed to be the top of the highest in a long series of hills. We spent the morning planting vegetables in their garden. After lunch the men continued planting while the women spent time with the children.

Georgia Penner told us later about a little orphan boy, maybe five years old, who climbed up into her lap and just snuggled in. For 30 to 40 minutes Georgia cradled him in her lap. For those brief moments he had found a nurturing home. 'The hard part was when we had to say 'goodbye,'" she told us. "He cried when I had to put him down."

In John 14, grown men are troubled and afraid Jesus is saying goodbye to his disciples and they aren't sure at all what Jesus means when he says, "I must leave you." In the context of their unsettledness, Jesus gives them a promise in John 14:18: "I will not leave you as orphans." Literally this means, "I will not leave you as one without a father."

At the heart of Christian faith is the biblical concept of adoption. Every follower of Jesus Christ has been adopted into God's family. In the Living Bible Ephesians 1:4-5 says: "Long ago, even before he made the world, God chose us to be his very own, through what Christ would do for us; he decided then to make us holy in his eyes, without a single fault-we who stand before him covered with his love. His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by sending Jesus Christ to die for us. And he did this because he wanted to!"

God our Father

It's significant that God is referred to as "Father" only 14 times in the Old Testament and always in an impersonal way, referring to the nation but not individuals. But when Jesus comes onto the scene in the New Testament, except for one time when he quotes Psalm 22 on the cross, Jesus addresses God only as "Father."

More than 60 times in the gospels, Jesus refers to God as "Father." The amazing thing is that the

word Jesus uses is not an informal or impersonal word. It's the common Aramaic word used by a child to address his or her father-'l\bba," safe and intimate Father.

The contemporary Christian group "New Song" sings 'Your Favorite Name Is Father." The song lists God's names: Almighty God, Lord of all Creation, Ancient of Days, the Holy One, Eternal King and Alpha and Omega. And then comes this statement:

"So many names you've given us to call you

But one name remains your favorite name

Your favorite name is Father

Abba Father, Holy is your name

Abba Father"

Lost fathers

The January Focus on the Family newsletter deals with the fatherless family. Which nation, according to this newsletter, leads the world in fatherless families? It's not Swaziland or another Third World country. It's America.

The newsletter reports that, "roughly 24 million children (or 34 percent of all kids in the U.S.) live in homes where the father does not reside . Nearly 40 percent of children in father-absent homes have not seen their dad during the past year, and more than half of all fatherless children have never been in their dad's home. The number of children being raised by single mothers has more than tripled between 1960 and 2000."

Bill Maier, vice president of Focus on the Family and resident psychologist, saw the impact of fatherlessness firsthand during the years he worked at a community mental health clinic in Long Beach, Calif. He writes: "Most of the children with whom I worked were low-income kids from single-parent homes. Many of these boys and girls had never met their fathers. Others had dads who were living on the street, involved in gangs, in prison or dead."

Moyer continues, 'The young boys, in particular, had an incredible hunger for male attention and affirmation. They cherished the one hour each week that I met with them for their individual counseling session. When I visited them at their public school, their eyes would light up and they would excitedly tell their friends, That's my counselor-and he's here to see ME!'

"Often, their classmates (who were also fatherless) would gather around and ask, 'Can you be my counselor, too?' My heart broke for these children-aching for a man to simply talk to them and take an interest in their lives Psychiatrist Kyle Pruett at Yale University calls this longing 'father-need' and it perfectly describes what millions of boys and girls in the U S experience every day of their lives."

Peter Pan Father-need.

I find Stephen Spielberg's movie version of Peter Pan very fascinating. It illustrates this idea of father-need in our culture. Peter Pan is usually depicted as a youthful, very playful leader of the Lost Boys in Never- Never-Land, a place where people never grow up or grow old. Peter really loves Wendy, but Wendy leaves Never-Never-Land and comes to the real world where she grows up and eventually grows old. Peter visits Wendy and over the years, he remains a child while she grows up Eventually Peter leaves Never-Never-Land for the real world; now he starts to grow up and grow older

o

In Spielberg's movie, Peter Pan is played by Robin Williams as a middle-aged, obsessive-compulsive, phobiadriven, preoccupied hospital administrator who has no conscious memory that he is or was the great Peter Pan. He's married, more to his job than his wife. The father of two young children, he is constantly making promises to them that hel1 be at the recital or baseball game. His young son begins to emotionally distance himself from his father, so they take a family vacation to England and the home of now elderly Aunt Wendy.

While there, Captain Hook kidnaps Peter's son and daughter and takes them back to Never-Never-Land. Tinker

son in that great multitude.

God's words

"I was there as you stumbled through that prayer when you first believed and all of heaven let loose with a great hallelujah chorus.

"I was there when you sat with a child in Awana and helped him hide the Word of God in his heart

"I was there when you volunteered to counsel a boy's cabin at junior high camp, and you cried out to me for wisdom and strength.

"I was there when you stood in the gap for that person; when you were awake at night praying for a wayward child.

Th e B i ble t ells us that the church is th e Bride of Christ and th e world need s the churc h to be th e church v ery badly. The church can address f ath er - need.

Bell comes for Peter and against his will transports him back to Never-Never-Land. The movie chronicles the Lost Boys' efforts to rediscover Peter Pan and for Peter to rediscover himself. The Lost Boys fight through their suspicions and shock, and look behind the wrinkles, midlife bulge and facial hair in order to find the Peter that Williams' Peter Pan once was.

Meanwhile, Captain Hook has the children hostage on his ship. He's trying to dislodge their loyalty and affection for their father by doting his affection upon them. But it's Peter he wants, a battle to the end.

In the end, Peter rediscovers himself, learns that he can fly and with the Lost Boys plans an assault on Captain Hook's ship and crew to rescue the children. The children, when they see their father, can't believe he's Peter Pan. Peter and company rescue his children.

This brings us to the important moment when Peter is flying to safety with his daughter held safely in his arms. She looks back at Captain Hook, and with the perception of a child she says to Hook, "You need a mommy very badly."

Being the church

The Bible tells us that the church is the Bride of Christ and the world needs the church to be the church very badly The church can address father-need.

Romans 8:19 says, '1\.ll creation is waiting patiently and hopefully for that future day when God's children will be revealed." We are waiting for the day when our adoption will be complete and we will see God face-to-face. I don't know exactly what that day will be like, but I can imagine us in the great multitude, standing around the throne of God.

The Lamb of God- Jesus-is seated on the throne. Only I don't think he is going to stay on the throne. He who left heaven to come to earth and who knelt to wash his disciples' feet will come down off the throne. I think he's going to place his nail-scarred hands upon our shoulders, and he's going to rehearse our entire lives. One by one, he will come to every per-

"I was there when you took food to your neighbor who needed more than food. They needed to know someone cared.

"Ray, I was there when you preached your first sermon. It really wasn't very good.

"I was there when your heart was breaking because you didn't want to let go of the Swazi people."

I think he's going to go through our entire lives saying, "I was there when " And then I think he's going to say, 'Welcome home, good and faithful servant.. .no more an orphan." Then I think all of heaven is going to erupt in praises, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty. Worthy is the Lamb who was slain."

Faith in action

Menno Simons is one of the founding fathers of Mennonites in Holland. He lived in the 1500S during the time of the great Protestant Reformation. He wrote, 'True evangelical faith cannot lie dormant." Try to protect faith by locking it away in a safe, private place, and something of faith dies.

Simons goes on to say, "True evangelical faith clothes the naked; it feeds the hungry; it comforts the sorrowful; it shelters the destitute; it serves those that harm it; it binds up that which is wounded."

In Matthew 9, Jesus goes about the villages teaching and preaching. As he looks out on the crowds, he has compassion for them. They are harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Jesus says, 'The fields are white unto the harvest" (Matt. 9:37). He prays to his Father that he might raise up workers in the field.

I would like to change the metaphor. Today let's think of the church as God's orphanage He desires us to be his orphanage workers.

Are you ready ro make a declaration? Are you ready to say, "Until Jesus comes again or he takes me home, I'm going to be a worker in his orphanage?"

Romans 12:1 says, "Present your bodies as a living sacrifice...this is your reasonable act of worship." Let us pray to our Abba Father that we will worship him as workers in his field-his orphanage

Ray O'Neil is minister of pastoral care at Reedley (Calif) MB Church. This article is based on a sermon preached this winter

A place to belong

How God brought toge ther a famiLy, a church and a troubLe d boy

ANNIE WILLEMS REMEMBERS TIlE W AY HER HEART skipped a beat the first time she heard about a little boy who needed a home.

She remembers exactly where she was standing when the boy's aunt called to arrange a first meeting.

She remembers the date, just 10 days later, that Gabe came home for good.

Annie and Steve Willems, members of Kingwood Bible Church, Salem, Ore., are amazed at how God gave a troubled boy a place to belong in their family. Steve says, «God just worked things out in a way I never could have imagined."

Boy on the doorstep

The couple had one biological daughter, eight-year-old Sierra, and had talked about adopting a second child-perhaps a preschool-age boy-but had not pursued it.

Annie even longed for someone to «just drop a baby on my doorstep," but never imagined it could actually happen. She says God must have known that unspoken yearning, because «that's pretty much what ended up happening "

It was July I, 2005 and Annie was having dinner with some co-workers when one casually asked, "Do you know anybody who wants a little boy?"

"I immediately perked up and said, tell me more," Annie recalls

Steve was in Mexico on a short-term mission trip with the church youth group when Annie called to ask his opinion 'We really didn't know anything for sure, just something to think about and pray about," he says. «I thought it would be a good thing to pursue."

The couple met Gabe and his aunt July 9 at a McDonald's to get acquainted. Steve chuckles as he remembers his first impression of the five-and-a-half-yearold boy, face smeared with his sister's lipstick and needing a haircut. "He seemed like a nice kid," he says

Initial visit

Two days later the Willemses brought Gabe home for a day-long visit. "I remember it well," Annie says. "He was sitting out on the curb outside the apartment complex with a grocery bag with a change of clothes.

"Coming for the day turned into staying for the night, and then it turned into staying for two nights," Annie says, "and he never went home."

His mother had decided to keep her three daughters but not her son She has shown no interest in meeting the Willemses and little interest in continued contact with Gabe. "How you do that to a five-year-old child I really don't know," Annie says.

Steve and Annie soon became Gabe's legal guardians and are in the process of finalizing his adoption into their family.

Troubled life

It quickly became evident that Gabe's short life had been troubled His biological father was unknown and no

one had filled that role in his life. He had heard things no child should hear and seen things no child should see. At first, if Annie raised her voice he'd flinch, seemingly afraid that she'd strike him. He had never brushed his teeth and never been to school. He'd been abused both physically and sexually. His nicknames were unprintable. He'd never heard about God, except as a curse word.

But it just as quickly became evident that Gabe belonged with the Willems family. "He just felt like ours right from the beginning, right when he walked in the door," Annie says. "He belongs here."

Now the boy who had no father has a father and a new family. On his first night with the Willems family, he asked if he could call Steve "Dad." Steve says, 'That meant a lot that he actually bonded. He'd never had a father before."

Annie and Steve say that their daughter was in on the decision to bring Gabe home and has accepted him readily, like "instant brother/sister," as Steve says. Since both Steve and Annie's families live near, Gabe has also experienced extended family in new and positive ways.

A place to belong

Now the boy who had no idea who God was has a place to belong within a heavenly family. Gabe's first day with the Willems family happened to be the first day of vacation Bible school at Kingwood, with Annie as VBS director. So Gabe attended VBS and sang what he called "God songs." Bedtime and mealtime prayers included Gabe. As he asked questions, Steve and Annie told him about a heavenly Father who loved him. "It was a constant conversation with him," Annie says.

Before long, Gabe prayed to accept Christ. Steve says he believes Gabe has made a genuine commitment to Christ, although he still has a lotto learn.

Annie, who has worked with many children as former children's ministry director at Kingwood, says that unlike children who take the familiar Bible stories for granted, Gabe has remarkable openness and views God as a new friend. "I feel like he has a relationship at a younger age," she says.

Now the boy whose family rejected him has a place to belong within a church family. The couple says Kingwood has supported them in

both tangible and intangible ways, beginning with finances. Because a private adoption in Oregon is expensive, the church held a rummage sale that helped the family raise a good portion of the needed funds. The family also received cash in unmarked envelopes to help with expenses.

It takes the church

Gabe arrived at the Willems home with only one change of clothes, so the church threw a shower for him. The shower was not only a way to supply the family's sudden needs, but also an expression of love for Gabe. Annie says, "He just ate that up because that was the first party that anyone had ever had for him."

Beyond such tangible expressions of support, the church has embraced Gabe as part of the family. Annie says he is literally embraced every time he enters the church. One church member told the family, "You aren't adopting this boy alone. Our whole church is adopting him. This little boy belongs to all of us."

Steve and Annie say that their church has supported them and celebrated with them as they would any parent of a new child, an approach they both appreciate. Steve points out that the church's support, especially prayer support, is vital for adoptive parents and biological parents alike. "It takes the church body to raise a child, not just the parents," he says.

In the church and in his new family, the boy who was once nicknamed curse words is now loved unconditionally. "It's a new start for him," Annie says. "He's not all those things he was before. He's here and we love him because he's Gabe."

Living with the past

She goes on to compare that unconditional love to God's love for those adopted into his family: "It has nothing to do with my past or what other people think of me. God loves me because I'm me."

Although the adoption process has been relatively straightforward for the Willemses, it hasn't all been easy Gabe's troubled past means his new family must work through some painful issues with him and are doing so with the help of a counselor. Gabe has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, which means parenting him is a challenge.

And, although Gabe considers the Willems house his home, he snuggles to understand why his mom rejected him. "I know that he doesn't understand it all," Annie says. "But I also think he knows who God is already. We've told him that even when we don't understand, God does."

The Willemses say they tty to help Gabe understand without placing blame on either him or his mother.

'We've told him that we feel like God wanted him here," Annie says. "Somehow, God knew there was a little boy named Gabe who needed a place with good parents, and we were here."

Myra Holmes is the Leader assistant editor.

Reflections on a father's exemplary death

You OFfEN HEAR HOW SOMEONYS LIFE SHINES as an example and how the brilliance of it attracts others like bugs to a light. We talk about living an exemplary life but do we talk about modeling a laudable death? Can the manner in which someone dies be something I would want to emulate?

The passing away of my 75-year-old father-in-law Herb Friesen last summer brought the reality of death right into our home. As I reflect on his final months, I can say Herb died an exemplary death.

Doctors diagnosed Herb with pancreatic cancer in May. Being a physician himself, he knew the pain that he would likely be subjected to in enduring this illness. The nature and position of the cancer excluded any chemotherapy or radiation treatment. Surgery did not offer much hope for recovery either, so after the first surgery he chose no treatment at all.

Over the next four months he prepared for his imminent death. If there is such a thing as dying gracefully and with dignity, Herb showed us how, even while enduring excruciating pain.

Celebrating family

From his ruddy farm upbringing in a large family to his many years of working as an ophthalmologist in developing countries, life had seasoned Herb to agree with Paul. "I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with plenty or little," writes Paul in Philippians 4:12. Herb would have added, 'Whether it is in life or in death."

Herb wanted to be surrounded by his family during the last months of his life. When we celebrated my in-laws' 50th wedding anniversary in July he savored every minute of the outings, tributes, songs, skits and feasts with lots of laughter and tears.

One of the anniversary outings included an afternoon trip to a local reservoir for a picnic and swim with the whole 26-memher family tribe, half of them grandkids. We expected Cpa to sit quietly on the shore and watch. He must have swallowed a lot of pain to don his bathing suit and jump in the water to clown around with his sons and grandkids.

His gaunt skin accented the protruding ribs and the kids couldn't help but stare at the large scar from his recent surgery that decorated his abdomen. Watching him laugh, jump to catch a ball and splash his grandkids, you would never guess that he was running his final victory lap with the finish line in view. By joining in, he averted the attention from his pain and illness and focused it on the family celebration.

Herb was always game for a plan of action. While not even dying could take away that enthusiasm, that afternoon at the lake Herb showed us that sometimes a plan of action requires rest.

Quietly Herb took his towel and slipped under a shady tree for his nap. He would gather strength from the cancer-induced exhaustion for the next activity. The hubbub of his family, snatches of conversation, happy screams of kids splashing in the water, and the wind whispering in the trees above lulled him to sleep.

That summer also marked the grand Friesen clan reunion. Every three years Herb's siblings and their families gather for an extended family reunion. It usually lasts three days and attracts about 100 relatives from all patts of the world. Herb would have had every reason to excuse himself due to his illness, but he wouldn't miss it for

anything, not even a death sentence.

So after the 50th wedding anniversary, we all traveled in caravan from Kansas to Oklahoma where the reunion took place. One of the highlights of the family reunion was listening to Herb and his siblings sing together. Over the years the number of brothers had dwindled as one after the other went on to glory.

As the seven brothers sang "Oh Victory in Jesus," we all knew that Herb would be singing his part from the heavenly loft at the next reunion. As he stood proudly singing with his brothers, we stood in amazement at his ability to let life continue on its way. He never seemed to mind knowing he was getting off at the next stop. He didn't resist the inevitable but accepted it gracefully.

Pen and list

Even in his last months of life, Herb maintained his sense of humor and organization. A funeral was nothing to shy away ftom. Always ready with a pen and list of his many errands stowed in his pocket, he planned his own funeral the way he had organized other tasks in his life-a cantata, a drama, class lecture preparation or a hospital budget.

In September, two weeks before his death, when his pastor came to visit at the hospital, Herb made his request: "Pastor Steve, will you do my funeral for me?" Pastor-check.

To four of his friends Herb asked, 'Will you sing a quartet at my funeral?" Quartet-check

To my son and husband on a visit to the hospital: 'Will you be pall-

bearers along with two other grandsons and sons?" Pallbearers-check.

Something respectable

There was one request my sister-in-law could not grant. As the only daughter in the family, she made sure her father and four brothers were appropriately attired for all occasions: shirts matched to pants matched to ties, to hats, to socks. To her chagrin, her father relentlessly wore an old brown shirt, his favorite, everywhere.

When her father asked to be buried in his favorite brown shirt, Julie said, "Dad, that is one wish that we will not grant. We will not bury you in that old ragged brown shirt. We will bury you in something respectable."

That they did: a nicely embroidered sky blue Afghan shirt complete with list and pen in his shirt pocket and ophthalmic flashlight in his folded hands along with his glasses and his Bible. There just may be eyes to check in heaven.

Songs, humor and rain

Herb's funeral service reflected his planning. Songs filled the sanctuary. Herb loved to sing and with zest had filled his home with ever-present music sung acapella or accompanied by piano or guitar. His hospital room had overflowed with songs. When he couldn't sing anymore, those in the room carried the tune

True to his witty nature, Herb had the crowded church in laughter at his humorous eulogy, which he wrote himself of course, complete with jokes and word plays.

Even the weather cooperated with Herb, who loved rainy days. September 15, the day of Herb's funeral, announced itself with a gusty downpour.

Besides leaving behind an inimitable legacy, Herb left us all with an example of how to step out of this world to the next gracefully, like a ballet dancer pirouetting off the stage and disappearing behind the curtain. The curtain closed after his heroic performance, but the music and dance steps of his life resonate in our memories.

Helen Lepp Friesen is a freelance writer and the wife of Herb and Ruth Friesen's son Daniel. She and her family live in Winnipeg, Man.

Lost and found

The true story of how seven junior high boys glimpse the Good Shepherd's Love

THIS TIME, I THOUGHT, I'VE GONE TOO FAR.

Gathered around me were seven junior high boys seething in anger. And it was all my fault. The creative idea I thought God had given me for teaching this week's Sunday school lesson seemed to have blown up in my face.

When I had taken over the youth department of our Sunday school, finding teachers for the upcoming year had initially gone well. 1 had secured able, talented staff for all the classes-except one. No one would take the junior high boys.

1 couldn't blame them. These boys were a wild bunch, and their former teachers had quickly burned out. 1 knew what sort of teacher they should have-a man, of course, and young, probably someone in his 20S.

New ideas

However, after three likely candidates declined, 1 began to feel impressed that I should teach the class myself. A crazy idea, 1 thought at first. A 40-something woman, I didn't fit the profile 1 had established. Yet 1 began to sense this was a nudge from God. So 1 made a deal with God: "If youl1 give me ideas on how to keep these boys' interest, 111 teach for as long as you want."

1 had begun by making several changes. We moved the class from the pastor's study-far too formal a setting-to the former nursery located above a small sanctuary no longer used for services-a room far enough from other classes that we wouldn't have to be whisperquiet. Beanbag chairs took the place of folding chairs and carpet remnants covered the vinyl floor.

Then God and I came up with a new approach to the hour-long format. No more lectures and fill-in-theblank workbook pages. We began with lemonade and donuts.

Teachable moments

Many teachable moments took place as we munched our donuts and talked informally One of these discussions is memorable. Brian volunteered in a conspiratorial tone that he had gone to see an X-rated movie that week, and his parents didn't know it. My mind raced. 1felt honored he had shared this. But 1 couldn't let his revelation pass without a comment. 1 discovered the Lord putting words in my mouth.

"Brian," 1 said. "you know it's important what sort of pictures you fill your mind with. If your hands get dirty you can wash them. But if your mind gets dirty you can't wash it. Those images are forever."

Turning to the rest of the class, 1 added, "Someday when all of you get married, your sexual relations with your spouse will be special. But

if you fill your mind with dirty images now, what should be wonder won't be as great as it should be. Those pictures will haunt you. So choose your movies carefully."

Their thoughtful attention told me I had made contact and that Brian didn't feel put down. This is

''Youll know," I told them 'Trust me, youll see." Mystified, they bounded down the stairs-I don't think they ever walked-into the sanctuary and started rummaging through the place. Before long one found his missing treasure and then the others realized what they were looking for. Before long each one had recovered his prized possession. As they found them, they

What they need ed to discover wa s not the f acts of th e story but the f e elings of the s hepherd I wanted them to expe ri e n ce on a dee p emotional leveL how much th e sheph e rd cared a bout h i s Lost s heep

really odd, I thought to myself. I thought I needed a young man to teach this class and here I was talking with these boys about sex-and it was working.

Each Sunday I would remind the Lord that he had promised to give me ideas on how to teach the Bible lessons. And each Sunday a unique idea on how to present the material would take shape in my mind.

Backfired

But this Sunday the teaching strategy I thought the Lord had given me seemed to have backfired. The lesson was on the Good Shepherd who left 99 sheep safe in their pen to look for one that had strayed.

I knew these boys, having grown up in church homes, had heard this story many times. What they needed to discover was not the facts of the story but the feelings of the shepherd I wanted them to experience on a deep emotional level how much the shepherd cared about his lost sheep.

So earlier in the week I had phoned each boy's mother and asked her to bring in before class time the one possession her son valued most. I also asked them not to tell their sons what they had done.

Each mother knew immediately what her child's prized possession was. They brought me a fishing rod, a wallet, a book and other items. Before class I hid them in various places throughout the sanctuary located just below our classroom.

Lost treasures

That Sunday the boys arrived visibly upset. They had all discovered their loss, and they were cettain their mothers were responsible. When they had gathered, I announced, 'This morning we're going to start with a scavenger hunt downstairs You're each to find one item."

Puzzled, they asked, "How will we know what we're supposed to find?"

became even angrier-not with me but with their mothers.

"Okay," I told them, "well go back to our room now."

They bolted up the stairs, two or three at a time. The boy with the wallet was so upset he threw it up the stairs ahead of him shouting, 'Tm gonna kill my mother when I get home!"

Angry boys

And now, here I was, surrounded by seven angry boys who were wondering what all this had to do with Sunday school.

I began by asking them what was special about their lost item. "It was my favorite thing," they answered in unison.

Then I inquired how they had felt when they had discovered it was missing. Their responses came quickly. 'Terrible."

"Really upset "

"00 you think God has possessions he values above all others?" I continued.

They thought a moment and then suggested, "People?" "Us?"

Agreeing, I then asked, "Does God ever lose one of his treasured possessions?" They thought a minute and replied, ''Yes, sometimes people tum their backs on him."

"How do you think God feels when people tum their backs on him?" was my next question.

They were quiet a moment. I could see from the looks on their faces that they were associating the sense of grief and loss they had felt with what God must experience when someone rejects him. I knew the lesson had struck home when a young man sitting beside me exclaimed under his breath, 'Wow!"

Then we reviewed the story of the shepherd who went in search of his one lost sheep. So the idea I thought had backfired hadn't after all. God knew what he was doing.

That day's creative teaching strategy turned into my most memorable Sunday school class. It also led to seven young boys getting a glimpse of how much God cares for his lost sheep-and junior high boys

Linda McMiUen Stern is a former missionary with the Brethren in Christ Church and currently lives in London, Ky. This article first appeared in Visitor, a publication of the Brethren in Christ Church.

Victor Wall: International trailblazer

Wall reflects on his role as f i rst ICOMB staff member

Victor Wall quickly brushes off the idea that he might be the world's top Mennonite Brethren leader. "No, the top MB leader, I hope, is Jesus," he says Wall, of Paraguay, began serving in February as executive secretary of the International Committee of Mennonite Brethren, but he hardly has the power of a pope He's under the direction of the ICOMB executive committee.

The description that does fit Wall, however, is ttailblazer. He's the first to fill the global MB organization's newly created leadership position.

The broad assignment for his half-time role is to direct ICOMB's mission of fostering cooperation among 17 national MB conferences.

'We have a saying in Spanish: ' Pilgrim, there is no road; you open the road by walking,"' he says.

Wall may be forging new paths, but the destinations are not uncharted His interests in evangelism, church planting, building unity and enabling partnerships will guide his work.

"I am excited when I see the church becoming global, international, multicultural," he says in an interview during the Mennonite World Conference General Council meeting March 9-15 in Pasadena, Calif

Wall, 51, is a former pastor and former chair of the Paraguay-German MB Conference. He's spending a year in Germany "to renew myself" and to pursue postgraduate studies With him in Germany are his wife, Margita, and daughter, Debora, 17 Two older sons remain in Paraguay. The family is attending the MB congregation at Lage, Germany.

During his decade of leading the Paraguayan German conference, from 1997 to this February, he didn't leave pastoral work completely behind Beginning in 1996, he helped develop Raices MB Church in Asuncion.

The Spanish-speaking congregation has become famous as the church home of Paraguay's president, Nicanor Duarte Frutos, and his family. The president's wife, Maria Gloria Penayo Solaeche, is a member

" It was my hobby," Wall says of working with the congregation which has grown to 240 members and an attendance of 400 to 500 "God has been good; God has blessed."

Being the church of the president has its challenges .

"How do you do church with the president of a coun-

tty?" Wall asks. "He has to have bodyguards "

Duarte comes to church when his job allows, and seats are always reserved for him and his family. But "it's all brothers and sisters" in the congregation, Wall says, without celebrity status for anyone.

In a countty that's more than 90 percent Catholic, having an evangelical president has taken some getting used to.

"He identifies with the beliefs of evangelicals, and he prays, and that's a scary thing to some people because they're just not sure what that means," Wall says.

Duarte was elected to a five-year term in 2003, and there is no provision for re -election So he will no longer be president in 2009 when Anabaptists from

around the world come to Asuncion for the next MWC assembly. MWC holds a global gathering of Anabaptists every six years.

Wall believes preparing for that event will help bring together Paraguay's three Mennonite groupsGennan speakers with an immigrant heritage, Paraguayan nationals and indigenous people.

He also believes it will educate the country about Mennonites.

"It's going to have a strong testimonial effect to show that Mennonites are not only white Europeans who make cheese," Wall says. "It will give a complete picture of who Mennonites are."

In some ways, ICOMB mirrors MWC on a smaller scale. Both are built on a church-to-church concept rather than mission-agency-tochurch, which fosters mutual accountability and equality.

'We are a complement to MWC to strengthen our international relationships," Wall says of ICOMB. 'We want a healthy relationship with other Anabaptist bodies."

A challenge is to make ICOMB not distant but something with concrete meaning for the national conferences

One of the key contributions ICOMB can make, Wall says, is to help improve leadership training. Better networking between schools of higher education would contribute to this.

'The future of our churches, to a large extent, depends on how we succeed in the area of leadership ttaining," he says Cooperation in missions and church planting is also a priority.

'We want to promote a vision for the international church where missions and ministries have a global approach," Wall says. 'We want to have space for communication to strengthen our spiritual unity with brothers and sisters around the world."- by Paul Schrag for Meetinghouse

Reconciliation in Congo Could events in the MB church

be mirrored in national politics?

Sunday, Jan. 27, 2006, is a noteworthy day in the city of Kikwit, Congo, home to more than 5,000 Mennonite Brethren. On this day in the Kimpwanza MB Church, more than 450 MBs from more than a dozen area churches witnessed the beginning of an end to a conflict that had ravaged the Congo MB Conference for almost two years. 'The mood was one of festivity which this church has not known for some time," reports Pakisa Tshimika.

Tshimika, associate executive secretary of Mennonite World Conference and founder of Mama Makela House of Hope, observed the reconciliation process when he visited his homeland over a year ago and again in January. He speculates that this reconciliation within the church could be a model for wider reconciliation in a country he describes as morally bankrupt and plagued with conflict.

"Small steps of reconciliation are good signs for the country," Tshimika says. "When leaders can humble themselves as they did in Kikwit, chances are many others will follow In a country where more than 80 percent of adults profess to be Christians, such acts can have a major impact on the society in general."

The conflict in the Congolese conference, latent for years, flared when the outgoing general secretary of the conference made a series of nominations to key positions as he was leaving office. The nominations were contested by many who considered them a strategy to get leadership into the hands of his

In a photo taken last year, current Congo MB general secretary Pelende Damien (L) talks with former general secretary Ndunda Gilbert.

tribe. Incoming leaders were caught in the conflict, especially when one group took their defense to court. The conflict took its toll on the church, dividing leaders along tribal lines, destroying trust and creating alliances among lay members.

When Tshimika visited Congo in January 2005, he reports the conflict had escalated until one group was ready to leave and start its own conference.

To resolve this conflict, the conference called in mediators. First, Tshimika reports, the conference agreed to bring together a dozen trusted people from the community to discuss ways of putting an end to the conflict. The group worked on a strategy so the incoming and outgoing leadership teams could at least meet to finalize the end of term for one and the beginning for the other. A few months later, Nzash Lumeya, a former Congo MB Conference leader who now lives in Fresno, Calif., met with this group to continue the reconciliation process

Meanwhile lay members of the conference recognized that those in conference leadership were no longer capable of resolving the conflict and organized a team to assist the process Pascal Kulungu, a graduate in leadership and peace studies from Fresno Pacific University, Fresno, Calif., was chosen as facilitator.

In January 2006, when Tshimika again visited Congo, a meeting of the Conference Executive Commitree was called in Kikwit. For two full days, Pascal worked with the leaders together and separately.

Tshimika reports that the leaders came to an agreement that made it possible to separate administrative issues from interpersonal ones. The committee was able to annul several nominations and new candidates were officially nominated. They set up a mechanism for dealing with the interpersonal issues and agreed to have a public ceremony to express confession and forgiveness.

Tshimika says "It was a very emotional time for all who attended and participated. It was also obvious that this was not an easy thing to do for many of these leaders . Now it was no longer a private affair but a public one. Tears of joy and pain were shed-in public . Although painful and humbling, it was a great testimony for the church."

Reconciliation within the Congo church comes at a critical time In the nation's history, just after the results of Congo's constitutional referendum were published and just before local. regional and presidential elections.

The national mood was positive, according to Tshimika. because the country now had a constitution that guarantees the rights of its citizens, paving the way for the elections to be held before June 30. 'There was a sense of optimism in the air. People on the street talked about national reconciliation, adopting the Truth and Reconciliation Model used in South Africa," Tshimika says.

After more than 30 years of dictatorship by Mobutu Sese Seko and seven years of civil unrest that left the country economically, morally and socially bankrupt, Tshimika says the Congolese people are ready for lasting peace 'They want to move on with their lives," he says. 'There is a sense of fatigue about the conflict. It drained energy to a point of not leaving much for accomplishing what counts or is life-giving."

Tshimika speculates. "Is that Sunday morning in Kikwit a glimpse of what will occur in Congo at the national level? Will we see tears of pain and yet of joy from humble hearts among top leaders in all the churches and political parties?" -from a report by Pakisa Tshimika

Hispanic leaders set goals

Annual retreat focuses on future

Eighty-five representatives from Hispanic churches of the Pacific District Conference gathered at San Simeon, Calif., for their annual pastors' and leaders' retreat March 17-19. The adults were joined by 65 children.

The retreat focused on defining a vision for healthy churches. 'There was much enthusiasm and desire to continue to grow toward healthier churches and healthier ministries," says Juan Wall, chair of the PDC Hispanic Council.

Meeting in small and large groups, the leaders worked to define something concrete on which to focus in the future. The weekend netted four initiatives on which the churches are going to focus. The group made a commitment to prayer and to continue trusting and depending on the work of God to accomplish the ministry to which the church is called. The leaders committed to helping local churches define a clear sense of what God is asking that particular church to do and made "an absolute committnent" to be faithful to that understanding. The leaders agreed to focus on making disciples, including a growing effort to prepare leaders for ministry The group committed to expanding the kingdom of God through focused outreach and mission .

'We realize that the real work starts now," writes Wall in his retreat report, "and ask that you pray for us as we seek to be all that God wants us to be and to do all that God wants us to do." -from a report by Juan Wall

Boone more than a vacation destination

Convention materials mailed to churches in April

US. Mennonite Brethren will be gathering this summer for their biennial convention in one of the country's most popular tourist destinations. Boone, NC, located in the heart of the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains, has a national reputation for its many outdoor sporting opportunities, mild climate, fine arts and area furniture outlets.

But for Mennonite Brethren, Boone and its neighboring communities are important not as vacation locations but because they are home to a loo-plus-year-old conference of MB churches. North Carolina District Conference moderator Terry Hunt and a contingent of local organizers are preparing to host the USC convention for the first time in history.

Hunt will speak at the opening convention session. A mass choir from the seven local churches will lead in worship. Local congregations will host delegates and guests at Sunday morning worship services. The NCDC is also organizing the children's program and making other local arrangements.

Tourist season will be at its height July 26-30 when the U.S. Conference will be meeting in Boone. Given an average summer temperature of 77 degrees and the fact that Boone was recently named one of four multisport vacation destinations by Adventure Sports Magazine, lodging is at a premium.

Registration information for the 2006 U.S. Conference convention and Pastors' Conference, recently mailed to all churches, urges convention goers to make hotel reservations by the June 26 deadline. USC convention planners were able to secure a block of rooms at six Boone hotels. Noting that 'botels are often full" during July, the registration brochure says, "Our blocks of rooms will be released after June 26 and there may not be rooms available after that date."

Because the weekend event concludes with Sunday morning worship at area MB churches, U.S. Conference executive director Chuck Buller encourages pastors and delegates to make travel and lodging arrangement accordingly.

The registration brochure includes information about the pastors' wives gathering, an event recently added to the schedule, and children and youth activities.

Anita McMillan, a Christian counselor and pastor's wife, will be the guest speaker for a special gathering Thursday morning for pastors' wives. McMillan has been ministering to pastors and their wives for over 20 years and is the director of His High Places Christian Counseling Center located in Banner Elk, NC.

Donna Sullivan, U.S. Conference administrative secretary, and Jennifer Greer, on-site convention coordinator, will host the women's gathering Sullivan is the wife of Southern District Conference minister TIm Sullivan and served with her husband for 14 years as lead pastoral couple at Parkview MB Church in Hillsboro, Kan. Greer is from Boone MBChurch.

While adults gather daily at Boone United Methodist Church, their children will be exploring the greater Boone community. Children and youth activities are being organized by Chris Eides, North Carolina Conference district youth minister.

Eides' preliminary plans for all the kids include playing miniature golf or going go-cart racing and visiting nearby Blowing Rock, a favorite tourist destination named after the immense cliff that sits 4,000 feet above sea level overhanging the Johns River Gorge 3,000 feet below. Blowing Rock, known for its storybook setting, was the basis for Jan Karon's popular "Mitford" series.

The children will also visit Tweetsie Railroad, a family theme park centered on the narrow-gauge railroad that was built in 1881, do some easy hiking and enjoy local Price Park. Youth will be involved with a service project, do some rafting or caving, and interact with local youth at Club Cornerstone, a ministry of the congregation led by convention speaker and church planter Reggie Hunt.

The convention weekend opens with the Pastors' Conference that begins Wednesday evening, July 26. Nationally known church leader Reggie McNeal is the keynote speaker for Thursday. Christian comedian Kenn Kington will entertain the group Thursday evening during the dinner hour The Pastors' Conference will conclude Friday noon following a tour of Samaritan's Purse, a relief ministry headed by Franklin Graham and headquartered near Boone.

The USC convention begins Friday evening with an opening worship session hosted by the North Carolina Conference Saturday business sessions will include reports from the USC Leadership Board and conference staff members, MB Foundation, MB Biblical Seminary and MBMS International as well as other agencies. Ministry reports will be published in the June issue of the Christian Leader.

Delegates will take action on a number of recommendations, including new bylaws as presented by the USC. The convention concludes Sunday morning.

Both the Pastors' Conference and the convention will be held at Boone United Methodist Church, a large facility located near the convention hotels.

Convention goers are asked to register by July 1 using the form included with the brochure or online at www.usmb.org using the link at the top of the home page. Registration fees include lunch and dinner, convention activities and speakers as well as most of the activities for youth and children. There may be some additional cost for kids' activities.-Connie Faber

Volunteers aim at heart of children's education

Students work with ReadFresno

The fluorescent lights inside the Greenberg Elementary School cafeteria tinge everything a hazy green. Children shout and the sales of their sneakers squeak as they dan among the long tables. It is 3:00 p.m. in Fresno, Calif., and school is out. These kids are here for the after-school program. On the stage, behind a blue cunain, a soft piano accompanies a wary flute.

Beyond the shouting, squeaking and music, Fresno Pacific University sophomore Federico Santillan sits at the end of a table in the comer. He has spread a colorful assortment of books on the table before him. He fingers the white identification badge that hangs on a lanyard around his neck.

The noise in the cafeteria dissipates as children go outside to play. The piano and flute continue behind the cunain, and third grader Elizabeth sits down next to Santillan. "Hi," he says. "Do you want to read some books?" Elizabeth nods.

Santillan is one of 35 FPU students volunteering as pan of ReadFresno, a project of One by One Leadership, a Fresno organization committed to economic, educational and spiritual transformation. Eighty-one percent of Fresno's third grade students scored below grade level in reading, according to the ReadFresno Web site (www.readfresno.org). The goal of ReadFresno is that every child will read on grade level by the end of third grade.

Volunteers include college students and church members. They first attend a two- to three-hour orientation, where they are trained in ways to encourage a child in reading. They carry a bag of donated books each week to elementary schools throughout Fresno. Over a Is-week period, they follow a curriculum that begins by reading to the children. By week IS, the children are reading to them. Children who complete the program receive a certificate and may keep one of their favorite books.

In September, FPU President D. Merrill Ewen introduced the program to the university. Rici Skei, director of student ministries, is in charge of organizing the student volunteers. Two elementary schools within a few miles of FPU, Burroughs and Greenberg, panicipate in the program, Skei explains. These schools are in "our neighborhood," and students and administrators felt responsible, she says.

Books were donated and arrangements were made for students to volunteer at the schools, but the beginning was slow going, according to Santillan. "They had supplies," he says of ReadFresno, 'but no (student volunteers) showed up."

Once word got out, however, students like Santillan took the opportunity to help. "Now they have volunteers," he says. FPU students spend a few hours one day a week at the schools. Those without transponation get rides from campus safety.

Santillan has been volunteering since September. He enjoys spending time with the kids. 'They're cute," he says. "It's fun."

Elizabeth, the third grader, reads to Santillan quietly. At times her voice is drowned out by passing children, but she keeps reading. Santillan leans in to hear. He corrects mispronounced words and says "good job" often as she navigates difficult passages.

Between books, Santillan asks what the story was about, and

encourages her to try more difficult. Elizabeth leaves with a smile on her face after the half-hour session.

First grader Avery greets Santillan with a high five. Avery likes reading: "It's a fun thing, kind of," so he enjoys his weekly ReadFresno sessions. They even "kind of" help him in school.

Avery sweeps his thick brown hair out of his eyes with one hand. With the other, he traces a line under the words as he reads confidently.

He stops in the middle of a line to rub his eyes.

"What's wrong?" Santillan asks.

"Nothing," says Avery. 'lust that my eye is itchy."

"Do you want to put some water in your eye?"

''No thanks," Avery says, 'but thanks for the offer."

Nothing will keep him from reading.

Dawn Griffin, known to the children as "Ms. G.," is the site coordinator in charge of the after-school program at Greenberg. 'The kids love to go to ReadFresno," she says, giving a thumbs-up. "It's an excellent program for the kids." The children need someone to motivate them to read, she says.

The ReadFresno program provides just that. She has seen improvement in reading, she says, but the interaction with volunteers also helps the children with social skills. 'They're a good group of people," she says of those who come to help.

Avery's session is almost over as he finishes his third book. He still follows along with his finger as he reads: 'We've traveled through shapes, but before we're through, I have one more shape and it's just for you ."

He laughs and points to the page. "It's a hean!"

Santillan smiles.-by Conlan Spangler for FPU news service

Federico Santillan, FPU sophomore, looks over reading materials and tutors a Greenberg Elementary School student for ReadFresno.

Rejoicing, • mourning .. nurturing

MWC General Council approves shared-beliefs statement.

proposes peace work

Encouragement for those who endure persecution. The first official summary of beliefs shared by Anabaptists around the world. An African woman's plea for equality with men. Setting a goal to do peace work with Catholics.

These were among the highlights when about 220 Mennonites and Brethren in Christ from 50 countries gathered March 9-15 in Pasadena, Calif., to nurture the global Anabaptist movement.

They came for the Mennonite World Conference General Council, a meeting held once every three years to foster unity and cooperation among more than a million Anabaptist members worldwide. Lynn Jost of Hillsboro, Kan., is the u.s. Conference representative to the General Council.

'When the global church gathers, we rejoice and we mourn," said Larry Miller of France, MWC executive secretary, at a March 12 worship service at William Carey International University. Participants from the Los Angeles area's ethnically diverse Anabaptist churches swelled the crowd to about 600.

Reasons to rejoice included the testimony of Vietnamese leader Hien Tri Truong who told of Mennonites' perseverance amid religious repression and the release of six imprisoned church members-the last March 2 after two years in jail.

'1\lthough at times it seemed the church would be scattered, through the grace and mercy of God the church stands firm," Truong said.

Mourning followed word of the death of Christian Peacemaker Teams worker Tom Fox whose body was found in Iraq on March 9. MWC member churches in North America are among CPT's staunchest supporters.

Fox, a Quaker, was the first to lose his life to violence in CPT's 20-year history. His death was "a reminder of the costliness of following the gospel of peace," said Jeff Wright, a Southern California Mennonite leader, at the March 12 worship service.

Encouragement for persecuted believers continued the next day with prayer for Bishop Lesly Bertrand and the Grace Assembly Network of churches he leads in Haiti.

Bertrand told of his escape from death Feb. 18 when 12 armed bandits opened fire in a church in Croix-des-Bouquets, killing one worshiper and wounding four. He described the attack as politically motivated.

Bertrand's network of 27 congregations has formed a partnership with Franconia Conference of Mennonite Church USA. He plans to apply for Grace Assembly to become one of MWC's member conferences.

General Council delegates prayed for Truong and Bertrand and the Vietnamese and Haitian believers they represent-two examples of MWC efforts to support churches that endure suffering.

Shared convictions

In a historic action, the council approved a statement of shared convictions to give members around the world a clearer picture of beliefs they hold in common. The document's seven points describe basic beliefs shared with most Christians, such as salvation through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, as well as beliefs that Anabaptists especially emphasize, such as nonviolence.

It is the first statement of beliefs adopted by leaders of the worldwide Anabaptist community. It does not replace conferences' official confessions of faith. But it could be especially useful for those that do not have a formal confession, council members said. It also is intended to help define Anabaptism to others.

The first draft was written at the MWC assembly in Zimbabwe in 2003. Revisions were made based on responses received from member churches over the past three years. The statement of shared convictions will be online in English at www.mwc-cmm.org, with Spanish and French ttanslations coming later.

Peacemaking efforts

After a five-year series of dialogue meetings between MWC representatives and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, the General Council endorsed several new initiatives with the Catholic Church.

One goal is to start joint peacemaking efforts. If the Catholic Church is receptive to the idea, Anabaptists and Catholics would propose "a concrete plan of action for a specific situation of conflict that would demonsttate the existence of viable and practical alternatives to military action."

Preferably, this would happen in a place where violence affects both Anabaptists and Catholics, such as Congo or Colombia.

Javier Soler of Honduras, Carlos Marin Montoya of Honduras, Tilahun Beyene Kidane of the U.S. and Rod Alcazar of the Philippines enjoy their coffee break during Mennonite World Conference General Council meetings.

Also in 2007 MWC will organize a delegation to visit Rome, at the invitation of the Pontifical Council. Then, in 2008 and '09, MWC and the Pontifical Council would organize two consultations "in regions of the world where Mennonites and Catholics encounter each other in significant and perhaps problematic ways "

Peace witness

The 100-member General Council functions in two other forms, as the Peace Council and the Faith and Life Council. During Peace Council sessions, members discussed how to strengthen their churches' peace witness and beliefs.

Peter Stucky of Colombia proposed three commitments, which council members approved:

To make our churches "sanctuaries of peace, [which] impacts our message, our space and our people."

To follow "the way of nonviolence as a nonnegotiable value."

To "stand against the taking of all human life "

The Peace Council listening committee observed that "fear is a serious obstacle to developing a culture of peace." In some countries, peacemakers fear for their physical safety. In other countries, "we may fear what other people think of us "

Delegates approved designating the Sunday closest to Sept. 21 as Peace Sunday, to be observed in MWC member churches. Churches that already observe Peace Sunday on a different day are encouraged to continue that observance. Sept. 21 was selected because it is the United Nations' World Day of Peace.

Women in leadership

Among those who told of experiences in their home countries, Rebecca Osiro of Kenya gave a calmly stated but passionately worded call for the acceptance of women as equals with men in African churches

Representing the African Mennonite Women Theologians group, Osiro called for removing batriers that reserve pastoral roles for men and that prevent women from using all their gifrs in ministry

'We are ready to be by your side as coworkers in the field," she said. "Even in abject disillusionment, we have hands by

which Jesus can lift us up."

Osiro praised the Mennonite Brethren in Congo for ordaining a woman, Kadi Halumaye, in 2004, and said she hoped more ordinations of women would follow.

Relationship with Pentecostals

The council identified the relationship between Anabaptism and Pentecostalism as an issue for continuing work by MWC leaders. After an evening symposium on '1\nabaptism and Pentecostalism: Creating Understanding," several participants affirmed the Pentecostal influence on their churches. Others said the impact was not always positive.

Pentecostalism emphasizes the Holy Spirit's power to transform a believer's life and is associated with charismatic forms of worship.

A findings committee concluded that Anabaptists and Pentecostals need to learn from each other. A committee statement said both are restorationist movements based on Acts 2, and both are considered radical alternatives to mainstream culture.

Assembly 2009

Paraguayan representatives encouraged council members to promote attendance at the next MWC assembly in Paraguay in July 2009.

"The presence of the global Anabaptist family will have a favorable impact on the countty and also a positive influence on our churches," said Alfred Neufeld Friesen of Paraguay

The council also:

• Approved a program plan for 200609, which includes a goal to "shift a significant part of MWC's administtative capacity to the global South" by opening a regional office in Africa or Asia. 'We think it is imperative that MWC not have all its offices in the global North," Miller said. MWC eurtendy has offices in Strasbourg, France; Kitchener, Ont.; and Fresno, Calif.

• Heard that the second volume of the Global Mennonite History Project, the book on Europe, will be published in June. The Africa volume came out in 2003.

• Accepted the 565-member Nepal Brethren in Christ Church Society as a full member of MWC.

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• Elected Danisa Ndlovu of Zimbabwe as MWC president-elect. He currently serves as vice president and will succeed Nancy Heisey of the United States as president in 2009.

• Appointed Larry Miller to another three-year term as executive secretary, from 2009 to 2012.

Wealth gap

In a consultation sponsored by MWC and Mennonite Central Committee prior to the mini-assembly, MWC and MCC leaders accepted a mandate from several hundred participants to lead an international debate over the next three years concerning the disparity of wealth between members of the global Mennonite and Anabaptist family. The leaders will bring a report of the results to the 2009 MWC gathering in Paraguay.

The consultation was moderated by Pakisa Tshimika, MWC associate executive secretary, and Ron Mathies, former executive director of MCC. It was described as a time to talk about «diakonia," the biblical Greek word that means «in service to the world." But in this case, the service envisioned was to each other within the global Anabaptist and Mennonite network of churches.-by Paul Schrag with Everett J. Thomas for Meetinghouse

MWC leaders angered by visa denials

Fifteen members of the Mennonite World Conference's general council were denied visas to attend the March mini-Mennonite World Conference gathering in Pasadena, Calif. The group represents more than 10 percent of MWC's general council. Those denied visas were from Congo, Ghana, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico and Venezuela.

MWC leaders were clearly angry about the denials.

'We are struggling with the forces of globalization," MWC president Nancy Heisey told the council March 9. "The economic powers that are trying to keep us apart are very strong. How can we be the church if we cannot meet together? We must renounce their efforts to keep us apart."

A statement adopted by the General Council responding to the denial says, 'We have not received a clear explanation from United States immigration authorities as to why our delegates were refused visas."

The statement continues, "From our contacts with these we can only conclude that these are arbitrary refusals based on the unfounded fear that our delegates will attempt to settle permanently in the United States. We wish to remind these authorities that our delegates are church leaders with deep commitments and responsibilities to their families, churches, and home countries."

The statement called for General Council members to pray for the absent delegates as well as U.S. policy-makers and immigration authorities and to encourage U.S. Mennonite churches and agencies to continue requesting an explanation for the government's acrions. The statement also asked other Christian world communions to pursue avenues of mutual assistance and advocacy on travel and immigration issues in the U.S. and other G8 countries.-by Everett J. Thomas for Meetinghouse

MWC president Nancy Heisey and executive secretary Larry Miller read a statement responding to the denial of visas for 15 General Council members at a March 12 worship service. The empty chairs symbolized the absent members.

MWC youth set goal for gathering

The Mennonite World Conference's global youth committee, AMIGOS, concluded its meetings here with a commitment to raise $100,000. The money will help Mennonite. Brethren in Christ and Anabaptistrelated young people from all over the world to attend the Global Youth Summit in 2009. The GYS will be held in conjunction with the next MWC world assembly in Paraguay.

AMIGOS was established in 2005 to maintain and build on the momentum arising from GYS 2003. The committee consists of one representative from each of the five continental regions and is responsible for exploring ways for youth around the world to share important faith and life issues, to network with one another and incorporate youth in the life and leadership of the church. Tyler Prieb of Topeka, Kan.• represented the U.S. Conference.

The first GYS was held in Zimbabwe in 2003 along with the MWC world assembly. MWC at that time raised enough money to hold the event and subsidize 15 delegates from Africa, Asia and Latin America. About seven qualified delegates from Latin America could not attend GYS due to insufficient funds to pay for their travel. One delegate raised his own funds to come to Zimbabwe.

AMIGOS expects the $100,000 fund to partially subsidize about 50 delegates and cover AMIGOS' operational expenses between 2006 and 2009. Fund-raising will take place through many forms in each continent: calls for donations, church or individual sponsorship especially to fund a delegate from the southern hemisphere, matching funds and sale of goods. Conferences interested in sending a delegate will be challenged to fund, or partially fund, their own delegate.

"By challenging each conference to raise funds to send a delegate. we hope to increase their sense of belonging to the GYS and to equipping young leaders. Some conference leaders we talked to have agreed (to this plan), and we are delighted to have this support from them," says AMIGOS chair Elina Ciptadi.MWC

MMA aids community outreach

Agency awarded 17 grants in 2005

Wat kinds of community outreach are important to Mennonite Brethren church congregations today? One way to find out is to follow the money trail. And one such trail tracks 17 community outreach grants dispersed iIi 2005 to churches by Mennonite Mutal Aid, an Anabaptist stewardship organization. A review of these grants paints a picture of some outreach ministries that have hearts and called MB congregations to action.

Evangelism in their local areas was a high priority for MB congregations who requested grants. Of the 17 grants, five helped congregations spread the good news of Jesus Christ

The most common purpose, however, was social aid to uplift disadvantaged people in communities. More than half of the nearly $7,000 in grant monies awarded by MMA's Sharing Fund helped congregations assist local homeless shelters, food pantries, soup kitchens, women's shelters and other social aid ministries.

To receive these grants, congregations are required to match or exceed the amount they are requesting. So, the congregations themselves also contributed more than $9.000 to these outreach programs in 2005. The churches are also required to be involved as volunteers in

the ministry

Of coutse, these examples of community outreach are just that: examples. "Every Mennonite Brethren congregation must determine the ministries it is best suited for-and most passionate about," says MMA's Judy Martin Godshalk. "Successful ministries are less about following a trend, and more about following God's call."

Outreach grants -are just one type of grant given by MMA to congregations. MB congregations received many other types of MMA matching grants during 2005 as well. MMA's Sharing Fund gave just over $98.700 to MB churches last year.

David Faber of Hillsboro, Kan., and Paul Quiring of Fresno. Calif., represent the U.S. Conference on the MMA Board of Directors. MMA is a stewardship solutions organization that helps people within the Anabaptist faith tradition (including . MB, Mennonite and Missionary denominations) through holistic stewardship through its expertise in insurance, financial services, charitable-giving programs and fraternal benefits.

For more information about the Sharing Fund grant program and qualifications, look for the Sharing Fund in the "What is MMA?" section at www.mma-online org or call Phyllis Mishler. (800) 348-7468, Ext. 30I.-MMA

"MB Biblical Seminary equipped us to deeply process our faith and gifts, which equipped us to join God's mission of reconciliation in counseling and m inistry. "

-Jeanine Yoder, Profossor of Biblical & Re/igiqrtJ SIIItiW. Frono Padjic Uniflmity; and Gng Yoder, licenstJ Marriage Family Therapist.

Inspiring & equipping to serve and lead.

Addition a tool for growth

Kansas church anticipates expanded ministry

North Oak Community Church, Hays, Kan., dedicated a 13,000square-foot addition to their church facilities April 9. The expansion includes a 400-seat worship center, four classrooms, a gathering space, restrooms and parking lot. It will provide space for youth ministry and midweek children's programs and will welcome visitors.

Ultimately, however, the congregation sees this addition as a tool. 'This space is but a tool to allow North Oak to expand its outreach into our community," says Dana Cunningham, chair of the building committee.

North Oak clearly needed more space. 'We have been out of room for the last 15 years," Pastor Ken Ediger frankly admits.

Even with two services, the old sanctuary was uncomfortably full on Sunday mornings. Ushers struggled to find seating. and some visitors were turned away. Between services the foyer was packed with folks coming and going. Events such as the children's Chrisnnas program were overflowing. Ediger says that although people are the ministry of the church, the building had become a limitation.

North Oak began discussing expansion as long ago as the mid1980s, but strategically waited until the church was financially sound and the congregation's infrastructure could support a larger ministry. 'This has been a long journey for North Oak," says Cunningham.

The congregation broke ground on the new addition in March 2005 and finally moved into their new home in March 2006.

Before the first service in the new worship center March 19, the congregation dedicated the building through prayer and Scripture reading. For 24 hours March 17 and 18, volunteers read Scripture aloud in the new sanctuary "The first words proclaimed in the new sanctuary were to be the continuous reading of the Word of God," Ediger says. Volunteers read through the entire New Testament and well into the Pentateuch. Readers represented all walks of life, including seniors, families and children just learning to read.

The building was then opened for a day of prayer. Printed guides encouraged participants to walk through the various parts of the facility, "prayerfully putting the building into use by lifting it up to the Lord," Ediger says. In the new classrooms, for example, volunteers prayed for children's education. In the new entry and gathering area, they prayed that the church would be a welcoming place for newcomers.

Above all, Ediger says, they prayed that the new building would be used as a tool for ministry. 'The building is not the light of the world. The building is not the salt of the earth; people are," Ediger says.

The congregation dedicated the building in a public way April 9. Invited guests included representatives from the Southern District Conference, MB Foundation and the community. They also invited the contractors, who worked long hours to complete the project, and plan a separate dinner to honor them and thank their families.

As the church family makes the new facility home, they look forward to new ways to minister. Cunningham says midweek children's programs will feel an immediate benefit, since the church's location near both an elementary and a junior high school means potential for growth.

Ediger says that as North Oak members speak about Christ to neighbors and co-workers, they will now have a more inviting place to bring them.

The old sanctuary will be converted into space for youth ministry Jeff Neher, youth pastor, looks forward to space for musical worship, a prayer room and game room. "I believe that it will be a fun place for students to come and worship and interact with their Lord and Savior," Neher says.

Church moderator Earl Watkins also notes that the newness of the facility itself might attract some newcomers. "We hope to 'trap'these people in the Holy Spirit and bring them into the family of God," he says.

Watkins says the building process has been positive and unifying for North Oak. He credits that in part to numerous meetings for communication and in part to the congregation's continual emphasis on the building as a tool for ministry, not an end in itself.

"The building was not the object of the effort, but the object was to utilize the tool of ministry that the building would be," he says.-Myra Holmes

In the event that I am kidnapped

Are we ready to live the radical teachings of Jesus?

In the event that I am kidnapped, I understand that there will be no ransom paid for me. Furthermore, should I die while on assignment, the ministry will not be responsible to return my body to the USA."

This statement was part of the application package I received for a short-term mission trip to the South Pacific in the spring of 2001. I was to sign that I acknowledged the international mission organization's policy with regards to the possible threat of abduction. The packet artived on a Friday but it took me until the following Monday to actu-

whole world would notice it. Only eternity will reveal the impact these peacemakers have had on the people they have witnessed to.

The radical peacemaking that Fox and other CPTers believe in has its roots in Anabaptist theology which seeks to look at how to live out the Christian faith through the eyes of Jesus. They ask first 'What would Jesus do?" in any given situation.

Jesus' teachings in this area are so radical. ally sign that statement. Even though I agreed with the organization's approach in principle, it was a different thing when I was directly confronted by the possibility that I had to abide by it.

Tom Fox, a Quaker from Virginia, knew the risks he was taking when he traveled as part of a Christian Peacemaker Team to Iraq. He had discussed these risks with his family and friends. He even spent one semester at Eastern Mennonite University studying in their

:: :: '1()11l Fox living out hi s faith in radi cal, nonviolent and determin ed to be a witn es s to an to v iol en ce , ;.lnger and ... bl oodshed . J Ie knew the po ssihle consequenc es and was willin g to take the risk s .

Center for Justice and Peacebuilding Graduate Program just before going to Iraq.

In spite of the danger, he went. He went because of an inner conviction that his faith was leading him in that direction. His was a radical faith that was expressed in his actions. He and three of his colleagues were kidnapped November 26, 2005. His body was found March 9 in a garbage dump in Baghdad, hands bound, with gunshot wounds to the head and chest. The other three hostages were rescued by British and U.S. special forces March 23.

Some people see Fox's peacemaking efforts as ineffectual and of no value and his death as a tragic waste of his life. Cal Thomas thinks so and in his March IS column denounces Fox's efforts and states that his "theology is as wrong as his politics." The critics of Jesus' day probably said some of the same things about him after he was crucified. What a waste of a good life!

However, whether we agree or don't agree with Fox's beliefs, actions and ultimate sacrifice is not the dominant issue here. Fox was living out his faith in a radical, nonviolent and loving manner, determined to be a witness to an alternative to violence, anger and bloodshed. He knew the possible consequences and was willing to take the risks.

Rick Warren, Tom Sine and others have written that if only 10 percent of the Christians today lived out their faith in a radical manner the

• 'Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it" (Matt. 10:37).

• "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather be afraid of the One who can destroy both body and soul in hell" (Matt. 10: 28).

• "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you ...then your reward will be great" (Luke 6:27, 28, 35).

• "Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, tum to him the other also If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles" (Matth. 5:39, 41).

Jesus preached a message of an upside-down kingdom which is in serious variance with much of today's culture. For some Christians these teachings are so difficult that they dismiss them as not relevant for today. Rather, they delegate them to some future paradise. To many they don't make any sense. I don't think that Cal Thomas understands Jesus' teachings of love being stronger than hate and/or force.

I am a Mennonite by birth and by choice and an Anabaptist by persuasion. As a result, I understand the Christian Peacemakers' motivation and resolve. The verdict is still out on whether I can live a radical Christianity as they do.

I remember hearing a speaker many years ago ask this question, "If you were arrested for your faith in Jesus Christ, would there be enough evidence to convict you?" Ouch!

Private versus corporate wedding ceremonies

Does the guest list or ceremony location matter?

QDoes a "private" wedding ceremony line up with a Christian theology of marriage? Does it fit a Mennonite Brethren understanding of what a wedding ceremony involves and represents? (Kansas)

ATO help readers understand the question, I will quote the rest of the inquiry: 'There seems to be a trend, especially among young professionals, to have a 'destination' wedding attended by parents and maybe siblings and a handful of very close friends. These weddings are often held in Italy, the Caribbean or Hawaii. Sometimes there is a reception in the person's home community."

The inquirer goes on, ':A 'private' ceremony that may not even include one's immediate family seems to indicate quite a different understanding of a marriage ceremony than does one that includes one's family, close friends, members of one's home church and other supportive individuals."

Without much thought and no research, my initial response to the question is quick and simple: "No! A private ceremony does not line up with a Christian understanding of marriage."

I've officiated at several hundred marriage ceremonies. The farthest I ever got hom

1my home in J:iillsboro, , Kan., was MUnich, ND. Maybe if I had been invited to do the honors in Italy or Maui (with expenses paid), I'd have a different opinion! One thing is certainthe answer cannot come directly from the Bible. Another certainty is that even the expanded and revised Confession of Faith, which has several pages of commentary and pastoral application on "Marriage, Singleness and Family," does not address the issue.

Do such weddings represent Mennonite Brethren understandings of marriage ceremonies? One of the primary issues in my mind is: Are Christian marriage ceremonies simply pri-

Have a question about a Bible passage, doctrine, conference policy or other spiritual issuer Send your question .to "Inquiring Minds," c/o Marvin Hein, 3036 East Magill Avenue, Fresno, CA 93710 or e-mail Marvin at marvinhein@sbcglobal.net.

vate or family matters or are they "community" affairs? I have sometimes said that public wedding ceremonies not only unite two persons in holy matrimony but they serve as occasions for the guests to remember and reinforce their own vows.

I would contend they are far more than private. Just as in baptism we urge already baptized believers to think of themselves as having a real part in the spiritual growth of the newly baptized, so at a marriage guests become a part of the nurturing process in that marriage. Perhaps a reception "back home" can have something of this effect, but my experiences at such occasions don't make me optimistic about receptions being highly "teachable" occasions.

The Mennonite Brethren insistence on the local church as "community" would, in my mind, certainly encourage that the marriage ceremony be a corporate event of the worshiping body. One conference leader has suggested that sometimes a couple's decisions about their ceremony result in questionable rituals such as communion or washing of feet for just the twoordinances that have been given to the church as a body of believers.

Another matter to consider is the question of financial stewardship. It costs money to fly to Hawaii, Rome or Jamaica. But before I can come down very hard on that one, I have to ask if we wouldn't do better by addressing the larger question of stewardship at weddings in the church. My personal opinion is that we often fail grossly by making "wedding spectaculars" rather than Christ-honoring and God-centered worship services.

Perhaps a couple can justify using some exotic venue for their wedding since they would travel there for their honeymoon anyway. That again, however, leaves a question of wise stewardship.

We live in a culture that believes we can do whatever we wish if we can afford it and sometimes even if we can't. Perhaps I shouldn't question wedding stewardship issues so long as I live in a comfortable house, drive a nice (but aging) automobile, eat out whenever we have the urge, attend an occasional concert that costs $75, indulge in my favorite recreational pastime twice weekly and generally enjoy many other benefits of an affluence not enjoyed by many in the world.

Aside from the stewardship issue, it is my opinion that, allowing for some exceptions, we should desire the worshiping community to bless and witness the wedding. The ideal would be to have the service within the bounds of the church and involve church leadership as an appropriate metaphor of Christ and the church

BAPTISM/MEMBERSHIP

Fairview, Okla.- Conner Ewald, Kori Fast, Oakleigh Nickel, Jeremy Quimby, Kody Strader, Evan Fast, Hayden Nickel, Reed Nickel and Matthew Regier were baptized April 2 Reggy Nickel, Danya Nickel and Brook Strader were received as members April 2. Topeka, Kan. (Cornerstone Communityl-Clinton Beasterfeld, Chae Baysinger, Tess Baysinger, Michelle Flory, Catherine Flory and Hannah Wuerfele were baptized and received as members April 2. Kevin Flory and Scott Petersen were received as members Meno, Okla. (New Hopedalel-Emily Buller, Kelsey Richert and Emily Suderman were baptized March 26. Bakersfield, Calif. (latirelglenl-Randall Acosta, Bryan and Kin Clanton, David Hardt, Ryan Hickman, Greg Warrick and Chris Woolsey were baptized the weekend of March 18-19 Mike and Pam Bell, Christy Chance, 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 March 26 Ferndale, Wash. (Good Newsl-Madelyn Hostetler and Selah Walker were baptized March 19. Kevin and Kara Pentz were received as members Denver, Colo. (Garden Parkl-Kristina Bartz, Bryan Neufeld and Patti Spencer were baptized and received as members March 12.

Reedley, Calif.-Robert Bizzell, Joseph Krahn, Ruby Miller, Brian Penner, Shandra Penner and Stephanie Penner were welcomed as members April 2 Fresno, Calif. (Bethanyl-Matt and Sybil Kolbert were welcomed as members March 19 Hays, Kan. (North Oak Communityl-Steve and Leslie Hess, and David, Anita and Alana Settle were welcomed as members March 19. Kala Boyles, Brent and Jill Goertzen, Loren Groening, Tom and Normadine Noone, Kevin and Rebecca Poland, Allen and Cindy Schmidt, Monte and Brandon Smith, Wayne and Sandra Thies and Noman and Elizabeth Williams were welcomed as members March 26.

Mountain lake, Minn. (Community Biblel-March 12 the church welcomed into membership 14 members of the now-closed Carson MB Church, Delft, Minn.: Anton and Viola Dick, Anna Ewert, Frieda Ewert, Lena Ewert, Ed and Nettie Eytzen , Wes and Elaine Kroeker, Ted Lepp, Henry and Mabel Rempel, Harry A Wiens and Helen Wiens.

Hillsboro, Kan.-Jona and Mary Baltzer and Vernice Ratzlaff were received as members March 26 Howard and Lois Fast were received as members March 5.

FELLOWSHIP

Garden City, Kan. (Garden Valleyl-Church members were invited to bring their own shovels for a brief groundbreaking ceremony held between services Feb 12 for a new activity building, expected to be completed in late 2006

Fairview, Okla.-The church held a " Golden Age Banquet"" April 6 with Mike Miller, administrator of

Fairview Fellowship Home, as the speaker

Sioux Falls, SD (Lincoln Hillsl-Mothers and young children meet weekly for a playgroup and Bible study.

Wichita, Kan. (Firstl-Gracia Burnham, former captive of terrorists in the Philippine jungle, was the guest speaker for a women's tea April 1.

Reedley, Calif.-Senior adults were invited March 28 to a parody of the game show 'Who wants to be a millionaireT featuring past and present pastors as contestants.

Ferndale, Wash. (Good Newsl- The church rented a local roller skating rink March 27.

San Jose, Calif. (Lincoln Glenl-Women from several area churches, including Lincoln Glen, Country Bible, Orland , Calif., and El Camino Bible, Santa Clara, Calif , attended the annual Northern California women's retreat March 3-5, with Beth Clifford from the Bay area as guest speaker.

MINISTRY

Herriman, Utah (Daybreak Communityl- The church began services Easter Sunday, April 16, at Daybreak Community Center. Michael and Rachel Trostrud lead this new Pacific District church plant. Visalia, Calif. (Neighborhoodl-Volunteers distributed flyers April 1 in a southeast Fresno, Calif , neighborhood to invite homeowners to the first service of an MB church plant in the area. The Grove, led by Sam and Annette Sarkissian, held its first service April 9.

Weatherford, Okla. (Pine Acresl-Church members handed out nine-volt batteries for smoke detectors

to every home in Weatherford March 26 This is the second event in the church's new community ministry effort. Corn, Okla.-The church has established a fund to help church volunteers who work at Mennonite Disaster Service project sites

Fresno, Calif. (Bethanyl-A Chinese fellowship meets at the church regularly for a Friday evening Bible study and a Sunday morning worship service.

San Jose, Calif. (Lincoln Glenl-Eighteen people served on a February short-term mission trip in Sao Paulo, Brazil alongside MBMS International missionaries Vic and Marty Wiens.

Lustre, Mont.-Pastor Frank Lenihan led a team of 11 people to Israel in January to learn about the land and people and to build bridges of understanding between Jews and Christians. The team worked with the Christian ministry Bridges for Peace. The church invited anyone in northeast Montana to hear from the team members at a Feb. 26 program.

Onida, SD IEmmanuell-The church has a regular column in the local paper called, 'What the Bible says" The church plans to show three movies in April as a community outreach. The first, " Messiah: Prophecy Fulfilled," follows the discoveries of a first-century rabbi during the year following Jesus' crucifixion.

Henderson, Neb.-A community store has been set up in the church's family center. The store accepts donations of items such as food, school supplies and gift certificates, then distributes them in the community.

Omaha, Neb. (Iglesia Agua Vival- The church has started Bible studies in three homes to reach those who would not otherwise attend a church. Between 10 and 40

Montan a church celebrates 50 years

Gospel Fellowship Church, Wolf Point, Mont. , will be celebrating its 50th ann iversary June 17- 18 The celebration will beg in with a banquet Saturday even ing and cont inue Sunday with a morn ing worship servi ce, followed by a noon meal and an afternoon of sharing memories Jim Holm , who grew up in the church and is now president of MB Bibli cal Seminary, will be speak ing at bot h the Saturday evening banquet and Sunday morning servic e The church invites all former membe rs and friends to attend For more information, contact the church at 406 -653- 1059 or gfcbogarfill1,lidrivers com

Parlier celebrate s golden anniversary

IgleSia Fuente de Vida of Parlier, Calif , celebrated its 50th anniversary March 10 - 12 with three days of spe ci al services The anniversary celebration "focused on exalting the name of Jesus for all the marvelous things that God in his grace has ac compli shed through , and sometimes in sp ite of, Iglesia Fuente de Vida, - says pastoral staff member Juan Wall "God deserve s all praise and obedience on ou r part :'

The chu rc h was started in January 1956 by a group of people from Reedley MB Chu rc h and wa s lead by Arnold W. Sc hilchting "Although th e people that started did not speak any Span ish , they started the church in a Spanish -speaking community God wa s able to ove rco me the language shortcoming s," says Wall

The chu rc h grew rapidly and by the end of the yea r had an average attendan ce around 100 The missionaries that started the church had a vision to start a chu rc h and leave it in the hand s of lo ca l leadersh ip, says Wall By 1962 the first Hi spanic pastor took over the chu rc h He was Frank Rodriguez , a young man in his ea r ly 20s who had received Jesus under the mi ss ion arie s' ministry and had been di sc ipled by them

Iglesia Fuente de Vida has been involved in the start of seven congregations, six of wh ich currently continue in ministry A number of pastors and leaders have co me out of the chu rc h and currently are ministe r ing in different churches Wall's prayer fo r Iglesia Fuente de Vida is that the cong regation "will choose to continue to disciple people for the kingdom in a growing manner. "- from a report by Juan Wall

people attend at each home.

Mountain Minn. (Community Biblel-A record 119 children ages kindergarten through sixth grade attended the church 's midweek AWANA program in March PROCLAMATION

Enid, Okla.-Jim Holm, president of MB Biblical Seminary, was the featured speaker April 2-3 at renewal meetings that emphasized spiritual refreshment and refueling Bakersfield, Calif. (Laurelglenl- The congregation focused on missions in March. Reggie McNeal, director of leadership development for the South Carolina Baptist Convention, spoke during services March 4 and 5 and a dinner March 12.

WORKERS

Huron, SD (Bethesdal-Phil Plett began work as associate pastor March 15 The congregation welcomed him and his wife, Sharon, with a grocery shower.

Littleton, Colo. (BeUeviewl-Jeff Nikkel, pastor of student ministries and adult discipleship, has announced his resignation. He and his wife, Lianne, are working toward planting an MB church within the Denver metro area.

, WORSHIP

Reedley, Calif.-Attendees of all ages were invited to bring flowers to decorate a six-foot cross on the church green Easter Sunday morning as a demonstration of the beauty of Christ's resurrection Saviour: A Modern Oratorio" was presented April 14 and 15 by the church choir and orchestra

Dinuba, Calif.- The church distributed some 900 door hanger invitations for two performances April 16 of the Easter muscial "Bow the Knee " A continental breakfast was served between performances.

Ferndale, Wash. (Good Newsl- The church participated in a 40 Days of Prayer campaign for their community during Lent. The campaign followed a different theme each week, as outlined in the prayer guide, Seek God for the City 2006. Following Easter, the church held an outreach service to further reach their community.

Wichita, Kan. (Firstl-Women were invited April 6 to a time of music, Scripture and meditation as a guide into celebration of Easter. This is part of a regular women's worship time.

YOUTH

Visalia, Calif. (Neighborhoodl-A team of 85 youth and sponsors traveled to Mexico April 9-15 for a short-term missions trip

Kingsburg, Calif.-A team of youth from Kingsburg and Shafter (Calif J MB Church traveled to Mexicali, Mexico

April 7-14 for short-term missions experience. Fairview, Okla.-The church held its first "Wildside X-treme " mini-conference April 1. The theme of the one-day event for youth in sixth through eighth grade was "Facing and conquering your giants " A group from Tabor College, Hillsboro, Kan., led worship times and Fairview 's youth pastor, Jason Quiring, was the speaker.

Fresno, Calif. (Bethanyl-March 31 was a Hawaiianthemed mother/son night with a dessert, activities and a speaker Over 100 university students attend a weekly Thursday night service led by youth pastor Forrest Jenan The church's kitchen crew, led by Beverly Watts, provides a dinner to begin the evening Interns Stephanie Berg and Jeff Zimmerman helped establish the ministry.

Yale, SD (Bethell-Four high school seniors and two adults from the church were part of a group that traveled to New Orleans, La., April 8-15 to help with a cleanup project for a Baptist church, school and food pantry affected by hurricanes

DEATHS

BULLER, HARRY PETE, Reedley, Calif., a member of Reedley MB Church , was born March 20, 1918, to David and Lena Buller in Henderson, Neb., and died March 18, 2006, at the age of 87. On Oct. 9, 1943, he married Kathrine Jost, who predeceased him. On Dec. 17, 1998, he married Viola Bolt, who survives He is also survived by two sons, Loren and Myron, both of Reedley; one daughter, Sharon Krause of Reedley; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild

EWALD, ERVEN THEODORE, Fairview, Okla , a member of Fairview MB Church, was born Feb I, 1921, to Edward and Esther Epp Ewald in Fairview, and died Aug. 7, 2005, at the age of 84. On April 28, 1946, he married Lovella Patzkowsky, who survives. He is also survived by three sons, Keeven and wife Karlea, Rodean, and Bradley and wife Melvena, all of Fairview ; 10 grandchildren ; eight great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild GRAHAM, J.C., Fairview, Okla., a member of Fairview MB Church, was born May 20, 1928, to Forrest and Mary Howerton Graham in Fairview, Okla., and died Oct. 13, 2005, at the age of 77. On Dec 27, 1948, he married Elizabeth Dague, who survives. He is also survived by one son, Steve and wife Jana of Scottsdale, Ariz ; one daughter, Suzanne and husband Dale Thurman of Canton, Mich ; three sisters, Kleta Wheat of San Diego, Calif , Mary Ann and

husband Morris Lynch of Fairview, and Janice and husband Jerry Bryan of Tipton, Okla., and five grandsons HEINRICHS, CORNELIUS EDWIN (CHUCKI, San Jose, Calif., a member of Lincoln Glen MB Church, San Jose, was born Aug 25, 1915, in Henderson, Neb., and died March I, 2006, at the age of 90 He married Mary Ann Duerksen, who survives He is also survived by two sons, Jerry and wife Sandra, and Roger and wife Ina; one daughter, Joanne and husband Barry Girkins; five brothers, Abe, John, George, Victor and Robert; two sisters, Martha Schultz and Tillie Willems; seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren

PENNER, CAROL ANN, Reedley, Calif., a member of Reedley MB Church, was born Dec 28, 1947, to Fred Reiswig and Bertha Lau in Clinton, Okla., and died March 29,2006, at the age of 58. On Dec 3, 1966, she married Peter P. Penner, who predeceased her in 1972. She is survived by one son, Nathan and wife Bridget of Visalia, Calif ; one daughter, Rebecca and husband Larry Cooper of Reedley; two sisters, Donna Dyck and Johneta McMillin; and three grandchildren

REIMER, LINDA LENA, Buhler, Kan., a member of Buhler MB Church, was born Nov. 21, 1909, to George F. and Agatha Ediger Reimer at Corn, Okla , and died March 8, 2006, at the age of 96 She is survived by one sister-in-law, Laurene Reimer; two nephews, Mike Reimer of Tucson , Ariz., and Jeff Reimer of Hutchinson, Kan ; and four nieces, Edith Graber of Marion, Kan., Suzanne Wedel of Manhattan, Kan., Barb Luckert of Tempe, Ariz., and Sandy Hayden of Wichita , Kan.

SCHMIDT, EVALYN MAE, Buhler, Kan ., a member of Buhler MB Church, was born July 6, 1922, to Ezra and Lydia Major Steinle in Dorrance, Kan., and died March 19, 2006, at the age of 83 On Dec. 28, 1942, she married Clinton Schmidt, who survives. She is also survived by two sons, Gary and wife Genny of Pratt, Kan., and Craig and wife Linda of Minneapolis, Minn ; one daughter, Connie and husband Loyal Ediger of Eugene, Ore ; one sister, Darline Shogren of Topeka, Kan.; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren

STOESZ, ANGUS R., North Oaks, Minn , a charter member of New Hope (Minn.J MB Church, was born Dec. 4, 1930, to Peter D. and Elizabeth Janzen Stoesz in Mountain Lake, Minn., and died March 3, 2006, at the age of 75 On June 29,1951, he married June Nikkel, who survives. He is also survived by two sons, Michael and wife Beth of Lino Lakes, Minn , and Steven and wife Anna of Minneapolis, Minn .; one daughter, Patricia and husband Robert Hoium of Shoreview, Minn.; and eight grandchildren

C Lea rin gHOUSE

Pastor of Youth/Family: The Hillsboro (Kan.J MB Church is seeking a full-time Pastor of Youth and Family Ministries. This is a great opportunity to lead a dynamic junior high through college age youth program and train others in ministry We are seeking a person who has been recognized as a mature disciple of Christ, affirmed for their gifts in youth and family ministries, and embraces and affirms the ministries and theology of the Mennonite Brethren church. Available starting date: September 2006 Send resume or inquiries to : Hillsboro MB Church Youth Pastor Search Committee, 132 N Main SI. Hillsboro, KS 67063 or e-mail hmbclilhillsboromb com (1/1 J

Staff Accountant : Mennonite Brethren Foundation seeks a Staff Accountant who will assist the Treasurer in all accounting duties This is an entrylevel accounting position for someone who desires to grow with the organization Duties : The Staff Accountant will assist the Treasurer in all general accounting duties including accounts payable, expense track ing, general ledger, fund management, audit preparation, monthly financial statement preparation, etc Qualifications : Required qualifications include a bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent work expe r ien ce The candidate must be a self-starter with strong interperson -

al skills, PC skills and a commitment to working in a team atmosphere. The candidate must also be committed to the ministry of stewardship among the Mennonite Brethren Send resume to Jon C. Wiebe , MB Foundation, PO Box 220, Hillsboro, KS 67063; e- mail: jwiebelilmbfoundation.com; phone : 620-947 -3151; Fax: 620-947-3266

CRlISTWfSUVIcE ALlJi

Contad Us: We would love to hear from 1982-88 volunteers in the Mennonite Brethren Christian Service Program We would like to hear about your family, occupation, church involvement, Christian service involvement, etc We are thankful to you and to God that we were able to be part of your lives for a short time. Dan and Gladys Neufeld, Sierra View Retirement Homes, 1140 E Evening Glow #61 , Reedley, CA 93654

by Philip Wiebe

When failure is success

It's easy to believe your effort has paid off when you win.

Recently my son's eighth-grade basketball team won his division's middle-school championship. That was pretty cool. Seth played great in the title game, hitting a variety of shots, handing out assists, playing tough defense. All right, I'm gushing. Let's move on to the point of all this, which is to express, on a more serious note, 'Wildcats Rule!"

Okay, 111 stop now. The point I'm ttying to get at regards something that happened after the cheering died down and the medals were presented. I tumed to my son and said, 'Woo Woo, Wildcats Rock!"

Sorry, I'm really done this time. What I said to Seth, later on the way home, was, "Looks like

Paul had visited Thessalonica briefly and planted a church but opposition chased him out. He didn't really know if the church had taken hold. Timothy later reported that the believers were hanging in there, though one doesn't sense the fledgling work had exactly become a megachurch

Yet Paul deemed it a success because the good news had been shared.

In a similar way, one can say that meaningful effort is success in itself, even when it doesn't lead to spectacular results. Hard work does payoff even when you don't win the title game. A good life is worthwhile even when the outcome includes more difficulties than rewards. This is biblical. It also goes completely against the grain of our culture, which upholds winning and wealth as the greatest payoffs, with all

] Often \\ih at seem., to hcbilurc is rea lly s ucce ss in th e building of st re ngth and character and connection ., with others. Oft en w'hat appears to be Sll ccess is actu al1 y failur e in th e underlying d es tru ction

/ all those losing seasons and years of hard work have finally paid off."

other outcomes being inferior.

I thought that was a pretty good statement. Since he'd started playing basketball as a second-grader, we'd always taught Seth to play his best, practice hard and be an excellent teammate. We'd advised him to be a good sport and to avoid whining if he felt he didn't get enough playing time or had a difficult coach. Winning wasn't everything. Which was a good thing considering all those losing seasons he went through.

Finally in eighth grade, everything came together.

Since my brilliant pronouncement about the hard work paying off, however, I've been thinking about things from a different angle. What if Seth's team had lost that title game? What if they'd lost a bunch of games earlier and hadn't even made it to the championship? In these cases, would all the previous hard work not have paid off?

Ahem, well, I probably wouldn't have thought that way. We've always told Seth that giving one's best effort is its own reward, win or lose Admittedly though, it's a lot easier to believe your work has paid off when you win.

What got me thinking about this is something I read in the apostle Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians. "You yourselves know," he wrote, "that our visit to you was not a failure . You know how badly we had been treated at Philippi just before we came to you and how much we suffered there Yet our God gave us the courage to declare his Good News to you boldly, even though we were surrounded by many who opposed us" (2:1-3 NLT) .

I struggle with this as much as anyone. It's easy to conclude that if you win the title, your work has paid off. If you lose all the games, then your effort has been wasted.

Yet I know this isn't necessarily true. Often what seems to be failure is really success in the building of strength and character and connections with others. Often what appears to be success is actually failure in the underlying destruction of relationships and lack of meaning in life.

That's not to say all failure can be deemed success. Sometimes you lose because you make poor choices, or have a bad attitude or care only about yourself. For example, teams full of talented players sometimes self-destruct due to individualism and lack of teamwork. Likewise, teams made up of less talented players sometimes go far because they truly buy into the team concept.

Similarly, a church really does fail when it chooses selfishness over caring, indifference over spiritual passion, and self-preservation over outreach. In such cases the lack of effectiveness is no great mystery.

But when believers' motives are pure and God-honoring, and they truly care about others (as Paul wrote to the Thessalonians about his ministty team) then their ministty is a success whether it reaches hundreds or just a few.

So it's good to be wary in a culture that likes to divide everything between success and failure, winning and losing Sometimes you just can't tell who the real winners and losers are at first glance.

Lost

What I learned from a lost diamond and a lost coin

111 never forget my panic. Driving home after a grocery run to one of those discount warehouse stores, I glanced down and saw the fitting for my wedding diamond-empty. My diamond was lost.

That day I came to understand the woman in Jesus' parable in Luke 15 who lost one of her 10 silver coins. That day, I was that desperate woman.

Three things jump out at me now when I read that parablethree things that apply to the family of God, especially as we consid-

them into the family?

I confess that I like my rourine and my comfort. I'm not yet bold enough to proclaim my faith to everyone I meet, like the clerk at my local grocery store who cheerfully scans cereal and talks about Jesus. I'm not yet willing to sacrifice regular electricity and running water, as one missionary I know has done in order to bring the gospel to an African village.

Do we fe el the S"lme ur ge n cy o ve r th ose who are spiritually lo st? How l;uch -of my ow n comfort ,,1m I willing to to hrin g them int o the bmily?

But I can tum the television off to make time to pray for or talk with a lost friend. I can drive a carload of my daughters' friends to a youth event at church. Maybe I can even kick my Starbucks habit to give more to global missions. It's a er that Jesus clearly compares that lost coin to a person lost in sin.

First, what's lost is precious.

The young men in Linda McMillen Stem's Sunday school class dramatically experienced the pain of losing something precious (see story pages 17-18). Likewise, people are precious to God, and it matters to him when even one is lost.

I don't always see my acquaintances that way. I think of the friend I meet for breakfast, my twin daughters' classmate, that teacher at the school, the clerk at the mailbox store, that retired neighbor-they're lost.

Do I care? Do we care? God does.

The second thing I learned from a lost diamond and a lost coin is this: Seeking is urgent.

The woman in the parable began an immediate search for her lost coin. The Message paraphrase says she "scoured" the house, looking in "every nook and cranny."

I remember what that's like. A family member helped me empty the kitchen garbage and examine every banana peel and sift through coffee grounds in hopes of finding my lost diamond. I wouldn't normally dig through ttash, but my own comfort took a backseat to the urgency of finding what was lost.

Do we feel the same urgency over those who are spiritually lost? How much of my own comfort am I willing to sacrifice to bring

beginning

Thankfully, my story has a happy ending I found my wedding diamond. It had fallen to the bottom of my purse as I reached for my checkbook at the store.

I exhaled for the first time in hours . I wept. I announced it to the others in the house: I've found what was lost.

Which brings me to the third thing I've learned from a lost diamond and a lost coin: Finding is reason to rejoice.

Jesus says that God's angels throw a party every time one lost soul is found. What would happen if our churches celebrated like that when a person becomes part of God's family?

The woman in Luke 15 made a public announcement. What if our church prayer chains were filled with news of church members sharing the gospel with neighbors?

Steve and Annie Willems recount how their church family celebrated with them when they adopted a young boy (see story pages 13-14). What if we threw a party for a new believer just as we do for a baby or adoptedchild?

Maybe we'd begin to see evangelism in a more positive light. Maybe we'd be able to focus more on bringing folks into the family and less on our own comfort and fear.

Let's ask God for eyes to see the lost as precious, hearts to sense the urgency of the task and willingness to sacrifice in order to seek.

Let's give heaven a reason to celebrate. - MH