May 2008

u.s. CONFERE EGISTRATIO

Pinpointing Portland

We welcome and appreciate your generous support of Mission USA.

Please send you r donation to:

Mission USA U.S. Conference PO Box 210 Hillsboro, KS 67063

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To see more ... come to know HIM!

The Pacific District Conference, Laurelglen Bible Church of Bakersfield, Calif., and Mission USA are planting a brand new Mennonite Brethren church in the Portland, Ore., suburb of Milwaukie.

Church planters Nathan and Susan Carlson moved to Portland in January. Nathan was previously on staff at Laurelglen Bible Church. They are preparing themselves for the process of developing a core group and moving toward a launch, probably in 2009.

While Portland is known for a lot of good things, we know that a low percentage of the population attends church-or has anything to do with God, for that matter. The mission field in Portland is wide open.

Mission USA is dedicated to helping people find Jesus.

Will you help us?

19 > What brothers do for brothers

Flying to where God wants Tabor to be

> Ministry Quest goes to college

Lectureship features John E. Toews

FEATURES

10 LIFE, DEATH AND TRUTH by Steve Boma r

His newborn son lies hidden by a tangle of wires, resp irator tubes and almost a dozen intravenous lines, struggling to breathe. This is the story of a time when a young fathers certainty in God is challenged and when he discovers that he does not possess Gods truth. The truth possesses him.

12 THE BEST IS YET TO COME by Gay l ord Goe r tzen

Our earthly bodies may be temporary, but we love them. As old and worn-out as our earthly "tent" becomes, we want to patch it, mend it and repair it so that we can keep living in it. Hardly any of us are ever ready to give up our bodies - they are all we know. In 2 Corinthians 5, Paul challenges us to look forward to God's plan for our new bodies

14 MARVIN'S INQUIRING MIND

His body weakened by chemotherapy, CL columnist Marvin Hein found that his mind was as busy as ever. In three essays, wonders about his future-the process of dying , the value of "setting your house in order," and how he'll find his friends in heaven Marvin died Jan. 5, 2008, at the age of 83.

16 "WE'LL LAUGH AGAIN" by Nadine Fr iesen

How can adults help children cope with their grief following the death of a parent, sibling or anyone close to them? Based on her personal and professional experience, former Mennonite Brethren pastor and current hospice chaplain Nadine Friesen offers her observations and suggestions.

> FiRST WORDS

[ f rom the editor]

THERE ARE OCCASIONS AS AN EDITOR, AND TInS IS ONE OF those instances, when God does the work and our job as editors is to just sit back and go with it. God's timing for this month's focus on death, dying and heaven started with a Christian Leader staff conversation initiated by then CL editorial assistant Nadine Friesen. Would someone diagnosed with a terminal illness be willing to write about the experience? After thinking about how we would go about finding a person who would be willing to be transparent about something so personal, we concluded that this was one of those things that would most likely someday just land in our laps.

And now it has, and this realization grieves me because I don't ever wish life and death experiences on anyone. Because I am convinced God orchestrated the timing and content of this feature section, I am also certain that there are readers who will say, 'This is exactly what I needed to hear "

Two of the essays included in this month's feature section were unsolicited-Steve Bomar's essay on his son Luke's birth and Marvin Hein's reflections on dying. Unexpected articles are always a blessing and two on the same topic are providential. Gaylord Goertzen, a veteran Mennonite Brethren minister who recently preached a Sunday evening sermon series on heaven, and Nadine, who is now a hospice chaplain, readily agreed to contribute to this issue. Securing two willing writers on the first try can also feel like a miracle.

Jules Glanzer, who is inaugurated this month as the new president of Tabor College, talks with the Leader about his new role. In this interview, President Glanzer says that as he and his wife look back on their lives, they see that God is always preparing them for what is coming next.

All of us will someday encounter death-the death of those we are close to and eventually our own . Death is what's next, and God does not leave us alone and unprepared for the challenge of saying goodbye to our earthly lives My prayer is that we will be blessed by what our writers this month have to teach us about God and our eternal future with him.-CF

> QUOT ABLE

"There still isn't any Katrina fatigue. I keep hearing that those who come down go back and bring back more people " -Kimberly Durow, director of the Greater New Orleans Disaster Recovery Partnership, in the Times-Picayune on the thousands of volunteers still pouring into the city, especially during school break periods.

> UP & COMING

• July 23-25 - National Pastors ' Conference, Wich ita Kan.

• July 25 - 26 - U S Conference convention , Hillsboro. Kan

• Sept. 20-21 - North Carolina District Conference Convention Lenoir, NC

Connie Faber EDITOR

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Authentic manhood

Calling all men to get off the sidelines

One of the things I do at my home church is get together with a group of guys at 6 a.m. on Wednesdays for what we call Men's Fraternity. We are working our way through The Quest for Authentic Manhood, a study guide developed by Robert Lewis about what it means to be a biblical man.

A lot of guys are wondering about this and some are enormously frustrated by the question. The pressure in our world toward absolute egalitarian-

ism has left a bunch of guys trying to figure out whether or not they have a unique and significant role to aspire to in their marriage, in their relationships with their children,

Marx's book is a dead ringer match for what Lewis teaches . Ehrmann builds into his players an understanding of both football and life. He prioritizes relationships and preaches that men need to have a cause bigger than themselves. He drills his guys to accept responsibility and to risk leading with courage. "More important than points on a scoreboard" is empathy, integrity and service. And then what you wouldn't expect: The baseline relational battle cry for Coach Ehrmann is telling the players that he loves them. "My job is

[:] One of the maladie s of the modern m ale, without doubt, is to sit out .

To he or at le3-. t di s intere sted, is often v ie wed a s norma l manly trait.

on the job or in society in general. Robert Lewis says that he thinks men do have an important role, and his view is that the role grows directly out of creation and is clarified in the Scriptures

A couple of months ago I read Season of Life, a book by Pulitzer Prize winner Jeffrey Marx. In this story-within-a-story Marx tells how he researched the life of Joe Ehrmann, who found fame and fortune during his football career with the Baltimore Colts and then laid it down to become an ordained minister and high school football coach.

to love you guys, and your job is to love each other," is how he says it to them That is man talk?

The message of the Authentic Manhood material is that it can be defined-that there is a definition for men to know, understand and aspire to reach. Here it is: Real men reject passivity, accept responsibility, lead courageously and expect God's greater reward. As we have studied, thought, discussed and prayed our way through these four ideas, good things have happened in all of us.

One ' of the maladies of the modem male, without a doubt, is to sit out. To be dispassionate, or at least disinterested, is often viewed as a normal manly ttait. Squirming out of responsibility and accountability has frequently been adopted as another inalienable right.

Closely linked to the above is the increasingly popular stand-on-the-sidelines approach to life. This is especially noticeable where family and household responsibilities are concerned. Most of us like rewards immediately, even if they are not of high quality or any duration. Self-denial for the sake of godliness and/or future better rewards is not in season.

The message in

core Marx, by the way, was a ball boy for the Colts during Ehrmann's tenure.

Maybe a review of what it means for us as the male of the species to take seriously basic high quality and godly mandates can restore clarity for us. And then we will know of what we speak, how to live and where we are going.

> READERS SAY

Researching labyrinths

Reading the "New Old Spirituality" by Tun Neufeld (March zooS) left me a bit puzzled. Why is the prayer labyrinth, an ancient pagan practice, entering into Mennonite Brethren circles? After reading the article, I decided to do a little research on the labyrinth, its history and uses.

The first place we should look, as believers, for spiritual guidance is to the Bible itself. I can find no reference anywhere in Scripture to a labyrinth or any other "tool" being used for prayer. In fact, we are severely warned by God not to use any tool for prayer as we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus himself, who allows us to come directly unto the throne of grace. The location of our praying is to be alone but there is no other directive given In fact, when Jesus taught his disciples to pray in Matthew 6 he was extremely specific.

Tim Neufeld tells us that the labyrinth was "adopted from Greek culture by Christians in the first centuries following Christ's death as a tool for prayer." I have found in my own research that the first known incidence of the labyrinth occurs in Greek mythology. From the crystalinks Web site comes this information : "Something was being shown to visitors as a labyrinth at Knossos (an island of Crete) in the first century. There was a Lady who presided over the Labyrinth . A tablet inscribed in Linear B (early form of Greek) found at Knossos records a gift 'to all the gods honey; to the mistress of the labyrinth honey: All the gods together receive as much honey as the Mistress of the Labyrinth alone. 'She must have been a Creational Goddess '"

Tim also mentions the labyrinth embedded in the floor of the Catholic Chartres Cathedral in France. The main purpose of this labyrinth was to be a substitute for a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, which most people could not make. Walking the labyrinth on one's knees was consideted more pleasing to God . This implies justification by

The editors invite readers to share their thoughts and opinions on topics relevant to the Mennonite Brethren Church usingietters to the editor. Letters should be on one topic, not exceed 300 words and include the writer's name and city. Letters will be edited for clarity, appropriateness and length .

works and clearly is not biblical. Labyrinths are used in virtually all pagan religions, including the Hopi Indian "Symbol of Emergence." It is inconceivable to me that born-again Christians would be lured by such things.

We need to remember that Menno Simons wrote a renunciation of the Roman Catholic Church, in which he was a priest. and it nearly cost him his life. He was willing to become culturally irrelevant in order to be true to God's Word. Of course, this only happened after he began reading the Bible for himself ':At length I resolved that I would examine the New Testament attentively. I had not proceeded far therein, ere I discovered that we (Catholic priests) were deceived," he writes in his renunciation. Should we be any less careful as stewards of our faith? Just because something is new and attractive does not necessarily mean it is biblical.

Melody Unruh Reedley, Calif.

"Old" practices dangerous

Reading your PDF article online 'The New Old Spirituality" (March zoo8) was shocking. These "new old practices" you are advocating are dangerous and experiential of old forms of mysticism. It sounds no different than promoting Ophraism and her influences with new age gurus.

Have you read The Martrys You will be enlightened to what persecution and martyrdom the AnabapistlMennonites enduted for the cause of Christ because they resisted the false pagan practices of the Romist. Luthernist and Calvinist of the early church. Yes, Menno and our Mennonite ancestors would be rolling over in their graves to learn of the ungodliness forming within the Mennonite Brethren Church of the 21st century Our heritage is based on being profound wimesses of the gospel of Christ alone, not add-ons to appease the times in presenting another gospel.

Carol Barker Surrey, B.C.

Earthquakes in DR Congo prompt MCC aid

Aid targets women and children left homeless

Mennonite Central Committee, the peace, relief and service agency of North American Mennonites, is providing $10,000 in emergency material assistance to help shelter and care for 100 women and children affected by two February earthquakes in Democratic Republic of Congo.

Two earthquakes caused considerable damage in Bukaw, in the Rift Valley area Feb. 2 and 14. According to the Bukaw mayor, the first earthquake killed five people and injured 149. The second quake injured 44 persons, two seriously.

The Church of Christ in Congo, which is the national council of Protestant churches in Congo, (ECC), an MCC partner, plans to use the money to provide clothing, blankets, mattresses and plastic sheeting to the women and children. In addition to the material aid, the women will participate in a workshop to learn about constructing safer houses and choosing safe area sites on which to build. They will also have time to talk about their fears and their children's problems due to the trauma of the earthquake and the insecurity of the frequent aftershocks.

Bukaw has experienced war and natural disasters frequently over the past 20 years. Rapid construction of housing and buildings without regard to building codes has left people, especially women and children, living in homes built on unsafe sites or in poorly constructed houses full of dangerous cracks and broken walls.

The earthquake either destroyed or damaged a lot of these seriously dilapidated houses. Many women and children have been sleeping outdoors in poor conditions. They are wlnerable to mistreatment, illness and ongoing emotional trauma. Workshop organizers hope to help the women and children learn how to reduce their vulnerability in these situations.

According to Suzanne Lind, MCC worker in DRC, this aid is an expression of MCC's support for the ECC as it provides assistance and a model in eastern Congo of churches and church agencies working together which others can replicate.-MCC

Convention registration forms available

Registration forms for the u.s. Conference Pastors' Conference and National Convention have been distributed to chwdtes and are inserted in this month's ChristMn Leader The registration deadline is July I and can be completed online at usmb.org. An informative DVD has also been mailed to all U.S. Mennonite Btethren churches

The biennial events are scheduled for July 23-26. The Pastors' Conference will take place July 23-25 at the Hyatt Hotel in Wichita. Kan and the National Convention will follow July 25-26 in Hillsboro. Kan • on the Tabor College campus and at Hillsboro MB Church The

Convention Parade. a tour of historic points of interest between Wichita and Hillsboro. connects the two events.

Dan Southerland. pastor. speaker and leadership consultant. is the conference and convention speaker He is the author of Transitioning : Leading TOUT Church Through Change. an issue that the 2008 convention planners have asked Southerland to address U S. Conference executive director Ed Boschman will also be speaking at both events.

A new component of the National Convention will be the presence of a group of young leaders gathered by Cam Priebe as part of a new initiative to train and nurture

the next generation of church leaders Priebe is the director of Ministry Quest. the MB Biblical Seminary leader development program. The convention event is one of several partnerships between the U S Conference and Ministry Quest to broaden the leader development program beyond the current focus on high school students

The Pastors' Conference and National Convention are being held in the Southern District this summer as part of the Tabor College Centennial Celebration In honor of its looth anniversary. Tabor College will be hosting the Friday evening dinner and a reception following the opening session.- USC

FPU boards convene

Coming capital projects and current organizational issues were on the agenda of the Fresno Pacific University Board of Trustees, while the FPU Foundation Board looked at new methods to further its mission. Both groups met March 7-8 on the Fresno, Calif., campus.

Srudents living in East Hall will rerum to a fimess center and redecorated entryWay in fall 2008. The board approved building a 4 , 200 square-foot center on the west side of the first floor and decorating the entry, lobby and stair tower of the residence facility. Construction will begin this summer and the cost is estimated at $500,000. As part of the whole project, East Hall will be renamed for Chester and Clella Jost, two long-time FPU supporters from Bakersfield, Calif.

Capital improvements were a major topic of conversation. The full board authorized the board executive to make decisions on a bond issue to build a 319bed residence hall and campus central plant when the financial situation is right.

The work is part of the campus master plan approved as part of the strategic plan in June 2006.

A budget of $35.9 million was set for 2008-2009. This represents an 8.7 percent increase from $33 million for 20072008. In addition to the East Hall improvements, the new central plant and the new dormitory, the budget also anticipates the creation of an RN to bachelor of science in nursing degree-completion program and the building of new regional centers in Visalia and Bakersfield, Calif., that will more than triple the number of classrooms at those sites. The board welcomed three new trustees: Skip Suess, Bellingham, Wash., Bud Klassen, Reedley, Calif., and Michael Eldridge, San Jose, Calif Foundation trustees approved placing about $500,000 with the MB Foundation, in a move to provide long-term financial security to the university. The university board commended the plan. FPU is operated by the Pacific District Conference of MB Churches.-FPU

Siberia Mennonite history event scheduled

The largely hidden story of Mennonites in Siberia will be explored in a conference slated for the spring of 2010 in Novosibirsk. "It is time to consider Siberia as the profoundly important place it holds in Mennonite global history," says historian Peter Penner. The conference will be sponsored by the Russian Academy of Science and the Chair of Mennonite Studies at the University of Winnipeg. Various Mennonite historical agencies in Canada and the U.S. and some Mennonite aussiedler groups in Germany will be co-sponsors.

Important for the development of this conference was the Siberian Mennonite Research Project The effort, led by Paul Toews of Fresno Pacific University and

Andrej Savin of the Russian Academy, resulted in the 2006 publication of a book listing 1,000 archival files dealing with the Siberian Mennonite story.

Petr VibeRoyden Loewen, chair of Mennonite Studies at the University of Winnipeg, will chair the North American planning committee. Other members include Ken Reddig, director of the MB Historical Commission, Hans Werner, University of Winnipeg, Peter Penner, retired historian from Calgary, Peter Letkemann, Winnipeg businessman and scholar, Aileen Friesen, doctoral candidate in Russian history, Rudy Friesen, Winnipeg architect, Olga Shmakina, Mennonite guide in Ukraine, and Paul Toews, Fresno Pacific University. - Peter Penner

FPU HOSTS FORUM

Donald Miller, author of Blue Like Jazz, was the featured speaker at the Central Valley Ministry Forum April 17 at Fresno Pacific University, the Mennonite Brethren university in Fresno, Calif. The event, aimed at pastors, ministry teams, youth directors and lay leaders was expected to draw more than 500 people. This is the fifth year FPU has hosted the Central Valley Ministry Forum.-FPU

MBF MOVES WEST COAST OFFICE

MB Foundation's Fresno, Calif., office has moved to 4867 E. Townsend, in the same office complex with MBMS International. The new location allows for greater access and accommodates expansion plans, says MBF. Contact information for Ross Merritt, MBF planned giving advisor, remains the same: (559-458-7208 or rmerrittlambfoundation.com). MB Foundation is the denominational financial and stewardship service agency.-MBF

ONLINE MILESTONE

The 10,OOOth article was posted March 12 on the Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopaedia Online (www.gameo.org). The article by Richard Thiessen, GAMEO assistant managing editor, was on Katharina "Tina" Lepp Ewert, long-time matron of the Mennonite Brethren girls' home in Vancouver. GAMEO is now focused on getting the rest of the print version of Mennonite Encyclopaedia online. About one fourth of the encyclopaedia's 4,666 printed pages are left, GAM EO managing editor Sam Steiner estimates, and could be done by the end of 2008. GAMEO is supported by five Mennonite agencies, including the MB Historical Commission. - GAMEO

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'Life, death ' and truth

As his newborn son struggles to breathe, a new father encounters his Heavenly Father.

TRUTH IN A POSTMODERN CONTEXT IS A polarizing discussion and one of many issues that continually threatens the unity we've been called to as the church. As the pastor of a young missional church I am often asked to give my perspective on truth. My immediate reaction is to duck before the doctrinal punches start flying. But as a pastor and a fellow Christian I can no longer sit idly by, bandaging the wounded from both sides of the debate As I consider describing a personal perspective on truth I can't begin by wading chest deep into philosophy or science. It is something much closer to my heart.

In August 2007 my wife and I were blessed with the birth of our first child, Luke. He was born two weeks early but was fully developed and considered full-term. As I finished cutting the cord and the doctor laid our new-into-theworld son on my exhausted wife's chest, it became clear that something was not right. Sometime during labor Luke had contracted an aggressive lung infection . Since the lungs are on e of the last organs to develop, his breathing was an issue.

Immediately the nurses snatched Luke and began doing things to help him breathe better Initially they gave him oxygen, and I watched as his fragile body strained against the mask that was providing him with 100 percent oxygen . The monitors indicating the oxygen content in his blood continued to drop, and it was clear this wasn't the solution .

Five hours later I was helping my wife, who refused to wait for a wheelchair, hobble down the hall to watch as our newborn son , now a gray-bluish color, was whisked away on an ambulance cart with one of the four paramedics manually squeezing air into his lungs. They quickly pushed a Polaroid of Luke into our hands and explained that he was being transferred to another hospital that was better equipped to handle the severity of his condition . About five minutes later I realized the staff had given us the picture because there was a very real chance we would never have another

Shortly after Luke arrived at the new hospital we were told by phone that he was not improving but, in fact, was

getting worse. My wife, her intravenous line still attached, was allowed to leave the hospital she had given birth at just hours before so that we could be with our son. When we attived at the hospital now caring for Luke, we were told they did not expect him to live.

We entered the room where they were caring for Luke, and amid noisy machines, monitors and fast-moving personnel, we saw his small bed. It took a few moments for me to find Luke's small gray body beneath the tangle of wires, respirator tubes and almost a dozen intravenous lines. But once my eyes found him,

and I don't think I will ever understand it this side of heaven. Why were my wife and I blessed while so many others were left to deal with the pain and loss?

This story reminds us of the fragility and miracle of childbirth. But this is also a story of a time when my certainty in God was challenged and when I found that I do not possess the truth but rather it possesses me. I don't know why our son still lives and others die. I don't know all of God, as if God were something I could remain relationally detached from while conducting

It took a few moments for me to find Luke's sm all gray body beneath the tangle of wires, respirator tube s and almost a dozen IV lin es. But once m y eyes found him, aU else became background.

all else became background. The attending physician compassionately told us, "He's hanging by a thread."

This was by far the darkest hour of my life. If ever there was a time to doubt God, this was it. This was the moment to question the reality of God, the truth of God. But as my wife and I walked out into the waiting room to allow for a shift change by hospital staff, we were greeted with the open arms and tear-filled eyes of Christ. Unknown to us, members of the church I pastor had gathered at the hospital at 4:00 a.m. to pray and to offer support. They did not offer descriptions of the objective truth of God's sovereignty or well -formed arguments to remind us of God's omniscience or omnipresence. What they did offer was a relationship.

Luke was transferred by air to his third hospital where he received a last-hope treatment called ECMO. We were told that only 50 percent survive the treatment and if Luke did survive there was the strong possibility that his major body systems would experience permanent damage due to the diminished amount of oxygen and increased level of C02 in his blood for such an extended period of time.

Almost one month to the day after he arrived in this world, my wife and I brought Luke home with nothing more than a few stitches where they had made an incision to filter his blood through the ECMO machine. He had responded incredibly well to the treatment and made an amazing recovery. For over nine months Anne and I have been enjoying the joyful presence of our son Luke.

Though our journey through darkness ends happily there are some that do not . During our days at Luke's bedside and our nights at the Ronald McDonald House, my wife and I developed relationships with mothers and fathers who did not bring their precious babies home I don't understand all of this,

experiments over a Bunsen burner.

But I am confident that God is faithful and reliable. I am confident in the character of God that can only be known and seen in relationship. I am confident in the truth of God and thankful for an account of God's historical working in the world described in Scripture. I am looking forward to each day as I continue to learn more of that truth just as I did in the shedding of fellow church members' tears that morning at the hospital.

Reflecting on this experience has led me to a time and a place where I had the greatest opportunity to doubt God, to question his faithfulness and his love. Would I have the same perspective had Luke not made such a wonderful recovery? I know I would be different. I would have suffered differendy and doubted differently, but I am convinced that I would look back and see the same relational presence of Christ through the church.

It's fair to say that a truth about God is that he can be doubted, because God makes contact with reality. God is not a distant other but enters into history and works through an imperfect people called the church to bring about his message of purpose, redemption and future hope available for all humanity. The truth of God is close to my heart in a way that no sensible argument or treatise can explain. I have experienced the truth, am left with no other option but obedience and expectandy await what new aspects of truth God will reveal to me each day.

Steve Bomar is a student at MB Biblical Seminary and is pastor of InnerSection Church in Fresno, Calif He wrote this essay on truth last faU for Ministry in a Postmodern World, a class taught by Rick Bartlett

ONE OF MY BEST MEMORIES FROM GROWING up in California is camping in Yosemite National Park. We'd leave after my dad got home from work and drive the three hours to Yosemite for a three-day weekend. When we arrived I'd help my dad unfold the canvas tent and pound the tent stakes into the ground. Then I'd help hold up the top of the tent so he could put the pole inside. It would be dark when we finished so my mom would hang the Coleman lantern in the tent, and we'd roll out the sleeping bags to sleep in our new home I can still smell the canvas tent and hear the hissing of the Coleman lantern.

Camping in Yosemite was great, but all too soon it was time to pack up and go home. up the tent was fun, but taking it down was hard work. We had to sweep out all

the pine needles and dirt and remove the tent pole. Then we'd pull up the tent stakes and carefully fold the tent, sweeping it with every fold we made. I never enjoyed packing up the tent. Not only was it hard work, but it also meant our camping trip had come to an end, and we had to go back home. I wanted to stay in Yosemite. I wanted to live in Yosemite

Then one summer our family went camping in Yosemite for a whole week. That was heaven - at first. As much as I enjoyed camping, I got tired of living in a tent. It was hard work carrying water to our campsite for drinking, cooking and washing dishes. Worst of all, I did not like the long walk to the bathroom. By the end of the week I was ready to pack up that tent and go home. I remember how good it felt to be back home in my own room, with my own soft bed and a bathroom just down the hall.

The apostle Paul. a tent-maker, compares living here on earth to living in a tent and dying to going to a new heavenly home. He writes: «Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven not built by human hands. Meanwhile, we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling" (2 Cor. 5:1).

'We know," says Paul. What do we know? We know that our earthly bodies are just tents. Funerals continually remind us that our earthly bodies, our tents, don't last forever. Funerals also remind us that we love these earthly tents. They are the only homes we know; we've never lived in anything else but this tent. As we grow older we

When our earthly tent is destroyed by death, we are at home with the Lord because we enter the presence of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord who is in heaven. When Paul thought about being at home with the Lord he wrote: "I am tom between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body" (Phil. 1:23-24).

The Greek word translated "depart," which Paul uses to describe death, is also used to describe breaking up camp and pulling up tent stakes. For Paul. death is packing up his earthly tent and

Funerals continually remind us that our earthly bodies, our tents, don't last forever . Funerals also remind us that we love these earthly tents. They are the only homes we know.

see how the tent of our body slowly changes from the new tent it was to the ragged and worn out tent it's become. Yet as worn-out as our tent becomes, we want to patch it, mend it and repair it so that we can keep living in it. Hardly any of us are ever ready to give up our tents-they are all we know.

We also know that God's Word promises us new heavenly homes. But we've never seen these heavenly homes. Death is hard because it means facing the unknown. Death is leaving the earthly tent we can see for the heavenly home, the mansion, we can't see. So as Paul says in verse seven, 'We live by faith, not by sight." Actually, we die by faith not by sight.

Faith in what? Faith in Jesus, for Jesus says: "In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you and if I go and prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you to myself that where I am, there you may be also" (John 14:2-3 NKJV).

We know that Jesus is coming again to take us to be with him in the Father's house. We know we will have a heavenly home. But what about now? What happens between the time when our earthly tents are destroyed and Jesus comes again to take us to our new heavenlyhome?

We know that too After saying that we live by faith not by sight, Paul says, 'We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with Lord."

At home with the Lord! We know that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. We also know that to be with the Lord is to be in heaven, for Jesus is seated at the right hand of God in heaven. We know that heaven is a perfect place, a place where there is no more death, no more mourning. crying or pain (Rev 21:4). We know that heaven is a wonderful place, a perfect place because heaven is where God is and where Jesus sits at the right hand of God. We know that in God's presence there is "fullness of joy" (Ps. 16:11).

departing to be at home in heaven with Christ. Paul knows that being in heaven with Christ is "better by far." We know that it's better by far to have a house for a home than a tent. There's no comparison between the two. We also know that being at home in heaven with Christ is better by far

A woman named Martha had the gifr of hospitality and loved to invite people to her home for dinner. She always cooked an excellent meal but was best known for her scrumptious desserts. When the main meal was over, she would clear the table and say to her guests, "Keep your fork, the best is yet to come."

When Martha was diagnosed with cancer and given only months to live, she met with her pastor to make all the funeral arrangements . On the day of her funeral, people walked by Martha's casket to pay their last respects. As they did, those who knew her smiled through their tears, for there in the casket Martha was holding her Bible in one hand and a fork in the other. Martha wanted everyone to know that she was keeping her fork because the best was yet to come.

We live by faith and we die by faith knowing that when our time of camping out in a tent on this earth ends, we will be at home with the Lord. We know that the best it yet to come. "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" (I Cor. 2:9).

Gaylord Goertzen is the senior pastor at Ebenfeld MB Church of rural Hillsboro, Kan. Last fan Goertzen was the pastor in residence at the MB Biblical Seminary campus in Fresno, Calif

>MARVIN'S INQUIRING MiND

His body may have been weakened by cancer but his mind wa s as busy as ever

> Setting my house in order

My wife and I have surprisingly often spoken about preparations for our exit from this life into the next. We have always agreed that we would prefer a sudden passing. Our family may not prefer th is, but we would. This thought was erased very quickly in late July 2007 when the

oncologist announced that bone marrow tests revealed I had acute leukemia. The prognosis was from one to three months

After several days of dare, two of our daughters came and together we

visited the lawyer who about a decade ago had made our will and living trust. His first counsel was to install grab bars in all our bathrooms! What? I thought we had come to visit an attorney-at-law not a hardware salesman. I have since learned that his counsel was quite wise and the bars were installed in less than 24 hours. The two or three or more months God is giving me I consider a blessing

We have time to set our house more correctly in order For us this is not a new idea For many years we have kept a list of assets, liabilities, records of IRS returns, deeds and trusts, locations of keys and projected income in the event one of us depaned. But a visit to the attorney and the bank made us aware that your house is probably never completely set in order. God's delay of my entrance into glory has given us time to reassess and rearrange our . material possessions. Some few things may well remain undone, but for the most pan we are prepared.

Spiritual preparation is far more imponant, but for now let's think simply of the material. A fatal hean attack would have lefr me no time And how many of us have good intentions about our planning but still have not nailed down the details? We have had the blessing of preparation time We have had time to organize a memorial service that is designed to honor God We have chosen most of the music. The preacher, instructed to base his message on the Word not on a man, has already had three weeks or more to begin preparing - all this only because God has given us the gift of preparation time

> "Are we there yet?"

Serious illness can send you back to your childhood, in more than one way. In one of my recent sleepless, restless nights I remembered how as young children we would ask our parents, "Daddy, are we the re yet? " Or, "Mommy, how far is it yet?" The prospect of meeting Grandma and Grandpa was exciting but the journey was oh -so -far

I have felt this way many times recently I hum the words of the hymn: "Face to face with Christ my Savior . . . face to face in all his glory, I shall see him by and by." The problem just now is that I look forward earnestly to the destination, but often I have had to ask: '1\bba! Father! Are we there yet? How far is it?" The destination is wonderful; the journey, if I can be honest, is the pits. That's not intended to be an afftont to God, because I know he has traveled my road ahead of me.

Like a child, I become impatient. Pain and the prospect of leaving family and loved ones hurts terribly! Moreover, sometimes the devil seems to be in the details. The other night, lying in bed wishing that sleep would come, some disrespectful varmint crunched his little "pincher" into my skin on my upper leg, leaving a welt a half-inch long and a disgusting itch that persisted until I got up and applied some medication.

"Lord," I say, "I could get along without a flat tire on this final leg of the journey "

"No son, we aren't quite there yet," he replies, "but we are on the way. I know the way I have been there. I know how you hun. 111 never leave you."

In all my humanity, I still wince a bit when I hear the congregation sing so gleefully, "Oh, that will be glory for me." While I know the pain of the journey, I ttust the Savior's leading and look forward to the hour when "we all get to heaven what a day of rejoicing that will be!"

> Visiting in heaven

How will I ever get around to visiting with all my ftiends who have preceded me to heaven? I know we will have all of eterniry, but even then, how will I even find them? Just the past several weeks there have been a bumper "heavenly" harvest of some of my best friends. Will we be able to share notes? And then there are the myriads of believers I've never met but always wished I could - Francis Schaeffer, Menno Simons, Peter and Paul and a host of others.

Oh, I know I'm wasting my time wondering such thoughts . But that's about all I can do now - think! I'm cenain God has an answer to my questions about visiting 111 bet Bill Gates

will look like a chump when we discover what God has arranged for communication in heaven. Maybe wel1 be too busy praising the Savior but don't you think wel1 have some way of relating to everyone else?

I have a hunch, though not a holy one, that somehow well get our chances to renew acquaintances and make new ones. No, not in any way we can now imagine but in God's way. Didn't he say something in the Bible about preparing things for his children that we aren't to ask or think?

There's one other thing that's plagued me a bit. What about meeting those dear saints that gave me grief? The couple that thought I should leave the church. The man who just couldn't get a blessing ftom even one of my sermons through 20 years . Now that's one thing 111 enjoy in heaven: "Marvelous, infinite grace . Grace that is greater than all my sin " No offenders. no poor preachers, no grumblers. What a wonderful place to spend eternity!

Marvin Hein. retired pastor. educator. denominational executive and Christian Leader columnist for IS years, wrote these essays in early September 2007 after his first round of chemotherapy He died Jan 5 2008, at the age of 83 ·

What grieving kids need to hear from the adults around them

'WE'RE GOING TO CRY FOR A WHILE, BUT SOMEDAY welllaugh again," my mother said to my sister and me the morning she came to let us know that our daddy had died during the night. I was eight; Brenda was four. The words spoke volumes of wisdom, reality and hope and have served me well as a child growing up with several deaths in my immediate family and in my current role as a hospice grief support chaplain.

When I hear of or meet kids who are dealing with the death of someone close to them, particularly a parent or sibling, I find myself wondering how they will make it. Will they ever be happy

When children are old enough to feel attachment to a person, a pet or even a possession, they are also able to grieve a loss. While their sense of loss is just as great for them as it is for us as adults, the ways that children express their grief may be quite different. Understanding a child's perspective and offering our support and understanding regarding the mysteries of death and dying, as limited as it might be, is most important. It is generally more helpful for kids to face the reality of death to the degree that they are able rather than to be shel-

Opening the door to kids' question s and answ er i ng t hem as as ked increases t heir se nse of security It is also most appropri ate to acknowledge that an sw er s are not always easy to find

again? Then I remember: I was one ofthose kids. I made it, and I look back on a happy childhood. I also gained a deep awareness and gratitude for my Abba Father who guided me through the journey of grief.

What made this possible?

Looking back, I think my mom processed her own grief in good ways. If adults always appear to be strong and upbeat and send the message that life is normal, children may not feel free to share what's going on inside for them. Mom cried with us but she also had friends and pastoral support. This let her deal with her own pain and therefore find strength to offer us hope and joy for the future.

While there are many questions and emotions that can be intimidating to those wanting to offer support for grieving kids, the most important help one can give is simply to be available. A community of caring people can provide added encouragement when family members are in need of support for themselves Going home with a friend who had a "complete" family was always a special event for me as a kid. There have also been substitute dads along the way who helped fill some of the void of Dad's death.

I have had the privilege as a pastor and hospice chaplain of walking with a variety of families on grief journeys as they adjust to the transitions that are part of life after a death. I trust the following observations will be helpful to those who want to support children in times of grief.

tered or protected from the sadness and finality. Opening the door to kids' questions and answering them as asked increases their sense of security. It is also most appropriate to acknowledge that answers are not always easy to find.

Children's concerns are often quite practical. One little boy whose grandpa died developed what was thought to be asthma or panic attacks whenever he went to bed. After talking with his parents, it seemed that his breathing problem was more likely related to the fact that he was worried about his grandpa being able to breathe underground in that closed box. After the boy was able to talk about his concern the breathing issue was resolved.

As adults, we need to think carefully about the language we use. To a child phrases like "gone away," "on a long trip" or "we lost our sister" suggest that a return is possible. Without more detail or intensity than children can handle at their age and developmental stage, it may be helpful to say the body has stopped working and cannot be fixed, that the part of the person that is most important can live forever with Jesus, and that we can meet again.

Do these responses answer all questions? Definitely not - not for children or for us adults. But it gives perspective to the grief journey of adjusting to life without the phys-

ical presence of someone loved. After hearing that her grandma had gone to heaven, a child accompanied her family to the viewing at a funeral home. After wairing for what seemed to her a very long time, the child said to her mom, "If this is heaven, it's really boring!" Adults who attempt to think in literal terms as children tend to do can add much sensitivity to their support for kids.

Being alert to children's possible fears at the time of a death is helpful in providing a safe place for them. Death brings many changes. I remernber praying every day as a child that my mommy wouldn't die Now I knew that the death of a parent was very possible. What would

place. Continuing to find ways to honor the memory of the one who died is an important part of the grief journey for years after the death.

Children, like adults, will continue to revisit their grief at various stages of life Being only eight when Dad died, I was accustomed to life without him. So why did I cry intensely as a young adult seeing "Fiddler on the Roof?" I finally recognized that watching Tevia's interactions with his daughters made me realize some of what I had missed growing up without a dad's perspective and encouragement.

I remember praying every day as a child that my mommy wouldn't die. Now I knew that t he death of a pa r ent was very poss ible Wh at would happen to us kids if Mom died?

happen to us kids if Mom died? Assuring children that the remaining parent hopes to live a long time and that there are others who love them and will always be available to care for them is comforting.

Sometimes children fear that they are somehow responsible for the death. Maybe there had been a recent disagreement or behavior that causes the child to wonder if the death is a punishment or result of something they did or didn't do. This possibiliry highlights again the importance of sharing with children about diseases and accidents that are part of this imperfect world but are not the fault of anyone person.

Statements such as "God nee9ed Mommy in heaven" can be very troubling for a child- or adult-who wants and needs to trust God and his goodness and comfort Our mother did an exceptional job of telling and demonstraring that God was a "father to the fatherless." Rather than being told that God took our daddy, we were frequently reassured that God loved us, would care for us, understood our sadness and would walk with us.

A child's sense of security may also be threatened by concerns about family finances. Who will pay the bills? Who will do the things the deceased always did? Kids may also develop a strong sense of responsibility for the remaining parent or family members . They may take on more responsibility than they need to at a time when they need to process their own wlnerability and just be kids.

At the same time, it's impottant that children not feel excluded from adult planning and processing. if they desire to be involved. There is a difference between grieving and mourning for kids just as there is for adults. Grieving describes what is felt inside such as sadness, anger, confusion or fear. Mourning is the outward expression of those feelings .

Helping kids find ways to express what they feel inside is a wonderful gift. Encouraging them to write a letter or draw a picture for their loved one that is placed in the casket or read at the memorial service can be helpful . They might want to gather some favorite items that remind them of the one who has died and place them in a special

It's also very common for kids to want to get away at times from the sadness, to be alone, to be with friends and in situations that feel normal. Giving permission and even encouraging expressions of happiness and play in the midst of sadness is a way of reminding children of hope . Grief is best processed in smaller doses, not all at one time

Time with friends can be most helpful, especially for adolescents. While youth may appear uncaring or distant, they are dealing with their own fears and discomfort with feelings they don't feel free to express in public . If children and adolescents act as if their world has turned upside down, it's because it has . Gifts of space, love and support when kids are ready may be what they most need.

Each child's grief journey will be unique It's important not to make comparisons among death experiences or among children in terms of coping skills and methods of processing. Each child's relationship with the deceased is unique as is each child's way of dealing with the loss.

There are no schedules or time limits for the grief process. Finding a new normal can be a long. slow, winding part of the grief journey. But it is a journey of hope. Christ's resurrection impacts every part of the process, even though at times that reality is something we choose to believe in our heads when we don't feel it in our hearts.

As I look back, we did cry and missed much without Dad. But we also laughed and discovered that facing the realities of death gave opportunity to grow in dependency, love and trust in the Giver of Life.

Nadine Friesen is a hospice grief support chaplain with Hospice Care of Kansas . She seroed on the pastoral staff of Hillsboro (Kan ) MB Church for 26 years and was the editorial assistant for the Christian Leader for almost two

What brothers do for brothers

Churches to work together as SOAR returns to South Texas

When a big task needs to be done, a brother can be counted on to add his muscle to the effort. It makes the load lighter, the day shorter and the relationship stronger. It's what brothers do for brothers.

That's what will be happening this summer near the Texas/Mexico border, as teams from Mennonite Brethren churches in the nation's heartland arrive, gloves on, ready to go to work alongside their brothers and sisters from South Texas MB churches.

The effort is called SOAR S. Texas, a short-tenn mission under the umbrella of MBMS International, the global mission agency of North American Mennonite Brethren. The name has a familiar ring: SOAR, an acronym for Sold Out And Radical, has been around for a while, offering twoweek mission experiences in locations throughout Canada and the U.S.

Past SOAR missions originating from the U.S. side have included North Carolina, Ensenada, Mexico, and even South Texas. After a several-year hiatus, SOAR is returning to South Texas July 8-18, led by MBMSI's Midwest regional mobilizer, Craig Jost.

The nine congregations of the Latin American MB Conference are family, born out of missionary efforts by Midwest congregations in the 1940s. 'These are our brothers and sisters," Jost says.

Still, Jost points out that the SOAR experience will offer participants from the Midwest"a taste of a different culture."

The predominantly- Hispanic LAMB congregations are located in the southernmost point of Texas near the Mexico border, an area the SOAR S Texas Web site describes as "a country apart" with a unique cultural blend: "Mexicans play baseball; Americans eat fajitas . Texan supennarkets operate in Mexico; Mexican companies build warehouses in Texas ."

While past SOAR missions in the area used LAMB churches as a base for outreach across the border in Reynosa, Mexico, this SOAR mission will emphasize com -

ing alongside the LAMB churches to "complement the ongoing vision of our church," says Rolando Mireles, Jr., a lay leader in the LAMB conference. 'That will provide for more of an ongoing relationship, because we're all part of this family that we call the Mennonite Brethren."

SOAR S. Texas participants - Jost is hoping for 85 to 100 of them-will begin with orientation and training at Grulla MB Church, the largest of the LAMB churches, located in La Grulla, Texas. From there, teams of about 15 will scatter among the LAMB churches with work gloves on, literally and figuratively.

Assignments will vary according to the needs and vision of the individual churches Mireles says, 'The groups will be having quite different experiences, but I think they're going to be experiences that are more enriching for both sides "

Grulla MB, Mireles' home church, will use teams to help with a relatively new youth outreach in their community as well as other out-

One goal of the SOAR S. Texas mission this summer is to build relationships between participants and between LAMB Conference churches and other congregations.

reach efforts the church has initiated. SOAR participants at Grulla will stay in homes of church members in order to encourage relationships. At other locations, teams might be asked to help with summer programs for children, sports camps or outreach in Reynosa, to name a few possibilities. Some churches will be looking for ways to simply "bless the community," so teams might put on their work gloves quite literally to pick up trash or paint buildings

Those donning work gloves for SOAR S. Texas will likely include several youth groups from the Southern District Conference, one from the Pacific District Conference, individuals from the Ministry Quest leadership training program and a team from the LAMB conference. Jost says MBMSI also wants to extend such shortterm experiences to what he calls "multigenerational teams"- families, small groups and church teams.

Bible MB Church, Cordell, Okla., is pulling ,together a youth team. Youth leader Michelle Schmidt says SOAR S. Texas is inviting because she trusts the leaders and

doctrine of an MB-organized experience and likes the idea of helping other MB congregations. "I believe that SOAR will be a safe environment for the youth to step out of their comfort zones and serve God and others in a new way," she says.

As brothers and sisters from different parts of the country and different cultures live and work together during SOAR, both Jost and Mireles hope relationships will be strengthened. " How do we work out Christ's love as we break down batriers and minister with each other? " Jost asks. 'That's the community we want to facilitate that creates transformation. We never learn from someone unless we,1eam to love them. " Jost hopes relationships built will last long after teams return home.

Mireles points out that youth from the LAMB churches have benefited immensely from the connections made during past SOAR experiences in South Texas; he's hoping youth are able to make such connections again this summer.

Ultimately, the goal of SOAR S Texas 'extends far beyond the IO'-day experience.

'We pray for transformation," Jost says.

He points out that MBMSI wants short-term mission to be a catalyst for longterm discipleship. He hopes SOAR participants will integrate what they've learned into their daily lives, their church lives and their personal relationship with Christ. To encourage that, participants will be strongly encouraged to have mentors in place that will help prepare, pray during the trip and integrate the experience after they return home.

Russ Claassen, youth pastor at Corn (Okla.) MB Church, hopes that youth who might participate with a team from Corn will come away with nothing less than "a deeper love for and relationship with Jesus." He says, 'The goal 1 have for a trip like this is to provide an experience in which our youth have the opportunity to experience Christ and kingdom work in a new way that will move them in their relationship with Jesus in a way in which they must respond."

Mireles points out that many of the young generation of leaders in the MB family were involved in short-term mission as youth He says that SOAR has the potential to change lives-if participants come prepared. He encourages those planning to come to spend ample time in prayer to "prepare themselves to be used by God."

As for the LAMB host churches and communities, Jost hopes for similar transformation-"a breath of newness of the Holy Spirit moving and excitement as they step forward as churches to minister to their communities and to know they're not alone in that."

Sounds like what happens when brothers and sisters work togetherencouragement, stronger relationships and a lighter load.

For more information on SOAR S. Texas, visit the Web site, www.mbmsi.orglsoartexas or contact Jost at 1-888-866-6267 or craigj@mbmsi.org. Registration deadlines are May 10 for teams and June 9 for individuals. Jost also hopes to post updates and prayer requests on the Web site during SOAR. - Myra Holmes

SOAR S. Texas volunteers will work alongside local church members in various ministry assignments.

Flying to where God wants Tabor to be

An interview with President

Jules Glanzer

jules Glanzer will be inaugurated May 9 as the 13th president of Tabor College in a celebration that marks the beginning of the colleges centennial celebration. Glanzer, raised in the Salem MB Church of Bridgewater, SD. is a 1974 graduate of Tabor College. and a 1978 graduate of MB Biblical Seminary. Fremo. Calif. He has served as a pastor and church planter for the Mennonite Brethren and Evangelical Covenant. In 2000 he received a doctorate from Fuller Theological Seminary and the next year became dean of George Fox Evangelical Seminary. He and his wife. Peg. have three children. who 'along with their spouses are all Tabor College graduates. Glanzer recently talked with Leader editor Connie Faber; excerpts of their hour-long conversation follow.

CL: What attracted you to serving your alma mater as president?

Glan:er: When the chair of the presidential search committee first talked with us about this role. a deep shock came over me because this was not something that had ever crossed my mind. But as I began to play back my life to that point. I saw how Godarranged this entire piece was. Unbeknownst to me. things that had happened. that were beyond my control. had prepared me for something like this. There seemed to be a match between what Tabor needed and my experience and what I could bring to the table.

It also felt like this would be an opportunity for us to give back to Tabor College.

Tabor has given us so much. It shaped my own life. All three of our children found their spouses here. While our kids were at Tabor. they transitioned their faith from being borrowed from us to their own. What more can a parent want? Tabor helped them integrate how faith and their vocation would come together. We just felt we owed Tabor so much. and this was one way to pay it back. I love Tabor. I love a leadership challenge Why not give this a try?

CL: What is the greatest challenge facing Christian college leaders today?

Glanzer: There are two broad chal-

lenges. First. that we raise the banner even higher that we are decidedly Christian-that the centrality of Christ and the integration of faith and learning in the total educational experience are central.

The second challenge is relating to a changing culture. How can we prepare people to respond to and be prepared for this world? This is as a major challenge for us. and I think this is true for all Christian schools of higher education. Are we in tune with engaging culture with the good news of Jesus? Do our graduates see their vocations as a way to make the world the way God intends it to be?

That's the challenge: On the one hand to be very Christ-centered and the other hand to have one foot in the world engaging culture, speaking to it and shaping it.

CL: If you are "successful" as president, what will Tabor be like in 10 years?

Glanzer: Last night I finished reading the Tabor College history book and this morning I wrote the epilogue This book helped me understand the role of the president more than anything else I've read or any seminar I've attended to date. It posed the legacy question for me, and college presidents I have talked with are aware of this question. So here are the things I would like to be known for

[J

sayi ng that is I want Tabor to be innovative Innovative and creative in discovering ways to serve the church and society.

I'd like Tabor to be known as the best college for the world, not in the world but for it- that the world is a better place because of Tabor. We've had not quite 5,000 graduates over the past hundred years If we believe that one person can make a difference in the world, shouldn't thousands? If we make the world more the way God wants it to be, then Tabor is the best college for the world

I want this to be a place where the faculty and staff love working and serving. I want there to be an environment in which they can thrive . I want Tabor to be a place with a positive feel.

CL: Why have you again become involved in the ministries of this denomination?

Glanzer: Because I think (being missional) is our future. I see us as needing to hang on to the Mennonite Brethren values while also becoming more broadly evangelical. And I think the Tabor College Board of Directors realizes that our future is tied to being as much broadly evangelical as we are to being Anabaptist Mennonite Brethren.

CL: Can the college help the denomination to grow?

Glanzer: I think we can. We can help the denomination to become healthier. I have a lot of confidence in the national and district leaders this denomination

I hope rhJt 'rabor can he seen a generous pbce. \Ve need to oive ourselves awa\, and with ..lbJnc\on. just like o .. currently has in place We understand what it is to be missionalwe just need to practice it more By this I mean asking how we can Jesus did continues to do.

First is student leadership development. I hope that we are always turning out leaders that will make a difference in God's world and in God's way.

I hope that Tabor can be seen as a generous place. We need to give ourselves away recklessly and with abandon, just like Jesus did and continues to do. Jesus is alive and at work in the world today. Our job is to follow where he is going. What is he doing? What is he telling us to do? I'd like us to become a missional organization, and that's very Anabaptist. I think that we are most like Jesus when we are generous and when we are taking risks.

CL: That's an interesting combination.

Glanzer: It is, isn't it? But this is what the Christian faith is supposed to be for us. God was generous. Coming down here was risky; it cost him his life. Healing on the Sabbath, confronting the religious leaders, living life as he did was risky. So I want Tabor College to be a generous place and a risk-taking place Probably another way of

A legacy isn't numeric growth or financially viability. But I think growth comes as a result of these things.

CL: What do you most appreciate about being raised and trained in the Mennonite Brethren tradition?

Glanzer: The vision of being missional. Tabor drilled this into me; MBBS drilled this into me. And now emerging churches and other denominations are starting to pick this up. All of the friends that I have in the emerging church and colleagues at a number of seminaries have just discovered missional. It's a whole new thing for them-that the church has a missional identity and that we should be creating missionalleaders.

This is what Mennonite Brethren Anabaptists have always been about. In this regard the Mennonite Brethren shaped and molded me and others for exactly what the church in the West is asking. Mennonite Brethren are too apologetic about this . We need to tell the worldwe've got something here.

participate with what God is doing in the world. He's doing a lot of things.

Tabor College can help the denomination in creating and providing identity and equipping and training leaders for meaningful mInIstry and service. Churches need people that have integrated faith and life and an educational institution can do that for them. Now, we need them as well.

CL: And that's my next question: Why does Tabor College need the Mennonite Brethren Church?

Glanzer: We need the church so that we can fly. We need the church for a sense of our history, our identity and our roots. We need to honor the past while we live in the future. We need the church for the networking it allows us to do to achieve the things we are called to be and do. And then we need the church to help us be able to fly to where it is God wants us to go. Our existence depends on the people of God. We are here to help the church accomplish her mission and the church is here to help us accomplish our mission

Pastors gather

Storytelling was a common way presenters at the 2008 National Pastors' Orientation acquainted pastoral staff members who are new to the Mennonite Brethren denomination with the history, vision and ministries of the U.S. Conference. The National Pastors ' Orientation was held March 31-April 2 at Fiesta Resort Conference Center in Tempe, Ariz. A total of 61 people, 47 pastors and spouses from all five district conferences and 14 resource people, attended the NPO.

The six orientation sessions focused on the value of a denomination, the structure of the U.S. Conference and the way it relates to Mennonite Brethren and inter-Mennonite agencies, the history and beliefs of Mennonite Brethren and the Mennonite Brethren ministries supported by U.S. congregations. Presenters emphasized that the denominational ministries and institutions want to serve, support, connect with and help resource the pastors and churches and to make educational training and ministry doable and accessible. The sessions highlighted the value the denomination places on youth, leadership development. evangelism. church planting. mission and discipleship. Resource people for the event were Ed Boschman. U.S. Conference executive director; Rick Bartlett. representing Ministry Quest and National Youth Committee; Jim Holm. MB Biblical Seminary president; Jon Wiebe. MB Foundation president; Galen Wiest. representing MBMS International; and Joe Johns. chair of the U.S. Conference Leadership Board

District ministers Roger Engbrecht of the Central District Conference. Terry Hunt of the North Carolina District Conference. Gary Wall of the Pacific District Conference and TIm Sullivan of the Southern District Conference participated in several panel discussions throughout the NPO.

While a primary goal of the N PO is to introduce new pastors to the denomination. the event was also designed to provide spiritual nurture. Ed Boschman. Rick Bartlett and pastor Brad Klassen provided devotionals Arizona is home to five Mennonite Brethren congregations. including Copper Hills Community Church led by Klassen. Copper Hills also provided the NPO with worship leaders Scott Huska and Chris Krebbs. NPO participants rated the worship times very highly in their evaluation of the orientation

The 2008 NPO also included opportunities for participants to become better acquainted More than one participant remarked on the double blessing of warm weather and warm fellowship. A highlight of the orientation was an evening at Rawhide Western Town and Steakhouse where the group enjoyed a BBQ dinner and a live country-western band and could experience gunfights. stagecoach rides. train rides. gold panning. a blacksmith and other activities.-Connie Faber

Ministry Quest goes to college

Tabor College sends 18 students to MQ leadership retreat

Ministry Quest headed to college this spring. The leadership development program of MB Biblical Seminary typically works with high school students, but this spring MQ facilitated weekend retreats for college students at three Mennonite Brethren-related schools : Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kan. , Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg. Man ., and Bethany Bible College in Hepburn, Sask.

Eighteen Tabor College students gathered March 14-16 for their retreat at Morning Star Ranch near Florence, Kan. Resource people included: Lynn Jost, MBBS academic dean; Nadine Friesen, a local ministry representative; Paul Klassen, pastor at Memorial Road MB Church, Edmond, Okla.; Del Gray and Wendell Loewen, Tabor College faculty members; and Cam Priebe, Ministry Quest director.

The retreat sought to focus attention on the call to vocational ministry. "We want to create a space for young leaders to be able to take time to explore their calling," says Priebe. 'The Ministry Quest retreats provide an opportunity for people to ask good questions and be intentional about learning more about their purpose and their journey

to leadership and ministry as they seek to understand how they can best serve the kingdom of God."

Speakers emphasized examining biblical call stories , hearing contemporary call stories and finally starting to shape and articulate one's own call story-a process that grows as the student discovers language and questions to help process the possibility of ministry as a vocation

Carrie Schroeder, from Parkview MB Church, Hillsboro, Kan., says that studying the call stories was especially helpful. "One example that really stuck out to me was Abram's story," she says . "He was called by God and he left, having no idea where he was going That is exactly where I feel that I am at right now. It was comforting to see a biblical example of where I am at right now."

Team-building exercises and games during the retreat were designed to teach leadership by experience Kayla Vix, from First MB Church, Wichita, Kan , says, 'l\lthough sometimes frustrating, these games were perhaps the greatest learning experiences of the entire retreat."

For Ben Friesen, one teamwork activity proved to be a personal highlight. "I acted as

a director and encourager, and when things went wrong I encouraged us to try again," says Friesen, from Memorial Road MB Church, Edmond, Okla. "When we debriefed my group said that that showed leadership qualities, and I didn't think of that being a leadership quality. That enabled me to think about things in a different way."

Unlike Ministry Quest's high school program, which relies mainly on the local church for partnership, college retreats require the participation of numerous partners. Each school nominates and invites students that they believe would benefit most from the weekend retreat experience.

Friesen had participated in MQ programs as a high school student and says he accepted the invitation to explore his potential as a leader. "I am both a Christian ministries and a business management major, so both of my majors involve leadership. I went to learn about being a leader, both as just a standard leader and also a spiritual one."

Other participants, like Schroeder and Vix, had not participated in MQ programs during high school. " I didn't know what to expect from the retreat, and I didn't really consider myself a leader," says Schroeder. "I just decided to go with an open mind and get out of it what I could."

Once invited by a faculty or staff member, the host college sends a letter to the participant's church inviring the congregation to support the participant with prayer and with some of the retreat costs Both the Canadian and the U.S. national Mennonite Brethren conferences have a partnership agreement with Ministry Quest to cover some of the costs for the resource people to attend. Finally, MB Biblical Seminary/Ministry Quest facilitates the retreats by providing the program content.

"I believe it's exciting to see all the different partners coming together-explaining this to the participants sends a powerful message that many people believe in

Games and activities helped Tabor '« College students experience what it is to ffi be a leader.

-' w D

them and are will in g to invest in their lives," says Priebe.

Friesen seems to have gotten that message. "The fact that I was affirmed as a leader, or even as a potential leader, really allowed me to see myself in a new way, and it gave me confidence," he says.

For Vix, the timing of the retreat was "divinely planned." " I had really received the idea of my call only a coup le of months before the retreat. H ere I was, kind of lost and confused with this hazy idea of direction for life in front of me, and I end up at a weekend that helps to shape that idea. How perfect," she says. " I feel I know better now how to use the tools I am given, and how to understand those other ideas and calls around me."

Schroeder says she looks at her future differently because of the retreat " It's not so much what I do that's the issue, it's how close I get to God, because once I am in step with him, whatever I do will be him overflowing through me."

Students attending Tabor's MQ retreat included IO students from Mennonite Brethren churches: David Alanis, Koerner Heights Church, Newton, Kan.; Ben Friesen, Memorial Road MB Church, Edmond, Okla .; Jerin Kliewer, Reedley (Calif.) MB Church; Leah Kopper, Garden Valley Church, Garden City, Kan.; Danielle Pohlenz, Hesston (Kan ) MB Church ; Victor Rogers, Ebenfeld MB Church, Hillsboro, Kan.; Carrie Schroeder, Parkview MB Church, Hillsboro; Rachel Unger, Good News Fellowship, Ferndale, Wash .; Kayla Vix, First MB Church, Wichita , Kan.; and Danae Warkentin, Com (Okla ) MBChurch.

The Canadian Mennonite University retreat was held Jan. II - 13 at Camp Nutimik, Man.; 18 students attended. Bethany College held their retreat at Redberry Bible Camp, Sask., Feb. 29-March 2 with 20 student participants

Ministry Quest is a program of MB Biblical Seminary, the denominational seminary for theological education, with campuses in Fresno, Calif.; Langley, B.C.; and Winnipeg, Man. The primary focus of Ministry Quest is to assist North American Mennonite Brethren churches in calling out people for Christian leadership opportunities .- Megan E. Richard with Myra Holmes

NEW KINDRED SPIRITS

Long road home on Grand Bayou

Ancar family first to move home thanks to MDS

When Hurricane Katrina battered the Gulf Coast in August, 2005 the bayou countty south of New Orleans was devastated. At the end of the road where Ruby Ancar and 25 other families get in their boats to reach their homes on Grand Bayou, nothing remained.

Mennonite Disaster Service opened a recovery unit in nearby Diamond, La., in the fall of 2006. Volunteers with MDS offered to help Ruby and the other families rebuild. However, even with MDS help, the road home has been long and difficult, and some wondered if they would ever make it back. Yet Ruby was determined, and recently MDS volunteers helped her family move home, the first ones back.

For generations these hardy Atakapa- Ishak American Indians have lived on Grand Bayou, their lives depending on fishing and ttapping. . The "yellow school boat" would pick up the children and take them to the two-room school. Everyone, including women and children, helped eke out a living cleaning fish and shrimp. Generations have survived previous hurricanes. They would bunker down, ride out the storm or evacuate and come back and repair homes and boats, and life moved on

However, Hurricane Katrina was different. "When we went home," Ruby says, "everything was wiped out. The government didn't know what to do. The people on the island/marsh side of the levy winding south from New Orleans have been forgotten. Everything was dead, no life, no animals, no home, only skeletons of homes and debris."

As time passed, life on the road side of the levy was being restored. Just a mile away where weekend spott fishermen come from

hundreds of miles around, large new homes and commercial establishments were being rebuilt. Ruby and her island friends found "temporary" lodging in the FEMA trailers while waiting for help. Thitty months later, they were still there, living amidst the formaldehyde problem and concerned about its effect on their children and grandchildren Ruby states emphatically, "We will go back. That is our home, where we will live with our children and grandchildren We are Grand Bayou people."

New government restrictions made it more difficult to rebuild, meaning help came slowly. The levies pushed more water on the island side, destroying matshland they need to preserve. The government allowed rebuilding only with elevated homes but gave little financial suppott for the more costly building involved.

By late summer of 2007, MDS volunteers had completed Ruby's home. Ruby proudly invited any who would join her in the small skiff she powers up for the short trip down the bayou to visit her new home. But she couldn't move back, the road home remained blocked.

The electrical network needed to support living on the island had been destroyed by Katrina. Rebuilding to places like Grand Bayou was costly. Families in other locations were required to pay a monthly surcharge of $2 to $3 per month to help rebuild the infrastructure. Ruby, along with the other people in Grand Bayou, was asked to pay a $70 a month surcharge that would continue for ten years.

This seemed like the last straw for Ruby and others who could not afford to pay those surcharges. Out of solidarity and in protest, Ruby decided not to return to live in her new home until this was changed. MDS and other agencies rallied to their support and added their voices for a just solution.

Finally in early March 2008, Ruby received a call from a friend: 'The electric company is out at your home connecting your electricity." Filled with excitement Ruby got a boat to take her to her home. Yes, the electricity had been connected. Turning on the electrical breakers she ran from room to room flipping on all the

Travel by boat is the only way to get to Ruby Ancar's home, and it was by boat that she and MDS volunteers moved her things into her rebuilt home Ancar is pictured here with Kevin King, MDS executive director

switches The refrigerator began its quiet hum. And upon inquiring. Ruby learned that both the surcharge and the need for a long-term contract had been cancelled Ruby was thankful for all who joined her in advocating for a just resolution. Now she could go home!

When reached by phone March IS, Ruby was overflowing with joy. She had just been to the hospital where she had visited her first grandchild, a boy named Daniel. She was on her way back to her FEMA trailer to pack her last belongings. When her daughter, husband and grandson came home from the hospital the end of that week, they were the first family to move back to their home on Grand Bayou. Fears of taking her new grandson into a formaldehydeladen trailer evaporated into joy and thanksgiving. "I cannot find words in the English language to express my feelings," says Ruby. "This is fantastic. I am so thankful to the many people who have come from all over Canada and the United States to help us return to our home."

As she promised, Ruby, with a new generation joining her, is returning to the land of her people. MDS volunteers have nearly completed the building of the next home for another family who should soon join Ruby's family on the island. Several more rebuilds are planned during the coming months. 'This is our heritage, our past, and our future," says Ruby, confident that when others see them returning. most of the people from the community will return.

"Come join us for the celebration," Ruby invites. 'We will gather our village people and all who helped make this possible. We will have a seafood feast. Like Moses and Joshua, we've wandered in the wilderness, but we will cross the bayou and reach the promised land."

MDS is a volunteer network through which various constituencies of the Anabaptist church can respond to those affected by disasters in Canada and the U.S. While the main focus is on cleanup, repair and rebuilding homes, this activity becomes a means of touching lives and helping people regain faith and wholeness. - Lowell Detweiler

• Semmary

Zimbabwe's future still uncertain

Congo MB among MWC election observers

Zimbabweans wait. They wait in food lines, for fuel and to get cash. And they wait to learn the results of elections in their country. Days after the March 29 elections, official results had still not been announced

'We think the opposition may have won the elections," says Danisa Ndlovu, Mennonite World Conference president-elect, 'but it is possible that there will be no clear majority." MWC is a global fellowship of Anabaptist-related churches.

N dlovu acknowledges that the delay in announcing results was creating anxiety and that a declaration of a win by incumbent Robert Mugabe has "the greater potential for violence." Mugabe has been in power since Zimbabwe's 1980 independence &om Britain; Morgan Tsvangirai leads the opposition party, Movement for Democratic Change. Since 2000, Zimbabwe has suffered an economic collapse, with sky-high inflation, widespread unemployment and the mass emigration of working-age adults. Basic services, such as health care, have deteriorated dramatically.

The post-election violence in Kenya was very much on the minds of Zimbabweans, says Ndlovu, but tribal outrage is unlikely in Zimbabwe. Violence could occur, he predicts, if the opposition party feels Mugabe's party has rigged and therefore stolen the election.

Ndlovu says the church is praying that the former ruling party, if it loses the election, will "accept the outcome ... and contribute to the good of the future of our nation as a positive and credible opposition."

He hopes that if Tsvangirai wins, he will create a culture of tolerance, support development programs and be a leader who will unite the nation.

'i\s a denomination, we will want to position ourselves so that we are able to carry out some of our programs that we have been unable to do due to the economic hardships we are currently experiencing. The church must remain neutral and vigilant as well as retain and jealously guard its prophetic role and voice in all seasons," says Ndlovu.

'The Brethren in Christ Church has been praying for peace to prevail," Ndlovu says. 'We see the calmness which prevailed during the voting exercise as an answer to the prayers of the church in Zimbabwe and beyond."

Zimbabwe's BlCC church organized 20 volunteers to monitor the election, including four election observers sent by MWC at the BlCC's invitation. They were to monitor all stages of the election process and have free access to the polling station, says Pascal

Kulungu, &om the Mennonite Brethren Church in the Democratic Republic of. Congo. However, the Minister of Justice denied accreditation for Kulungu and the other MWC observers, who came from South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia. According to Kulungu, some faith-based observers were accredited. Others were not.

'The (Mugabe) government is generally keen at accrediting those groups that they believe are friendly to them. The church is often viewed with suspicion," explains Ndlovu, adding that political leaders also know that the church represents a significant constituency that cannot easily be ignored.

Without accreditation the observers could not enter polling stations, but they did visit polls in Harare and several rural areas. They talked with people going in and out of the polling stations and to police who were on hand to maintain order. Kulungu feels the quiet presence of the MWC observers made a positive difference in the election process.

Mennonite Central Committee, the peace, relief and service agency of North American Mennonites, also partnered with a local organization to monitor the election. MCC provided $10,000 to Habakkuk Trust, a Zimbabwean Christian advocacy organization, to help monitor the electoral process in and around Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second-largest city. Habakkuk Trust trained and organized 60 volunteers to monitor electoral centers before, during and after the voting process.

Dumisani O. Nkomo, chief executive officer of Habakkuk Trust, said March 31 that election monitors were reporting that opposition candidates won by a wide margin in the Bulawayo area. He said that the electoral commission appears to be delaying the release of results in areas where opposition candidates defeated Mugabe's ruling party, Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front.

"For the first time in years, people have had hope," he says. "But as time goes on, hopelessness is creeping in, tension is creeping in."

An MCC staff person served also as an election observer from the Swaziland Council of Churches, says Bruce Campbell-Janz, MCC Africa co-director.

The BICC sees the response of MWC to its invitation to send observers as "another practical effort by the worldwide family of faith to walk alongside their brothers and sisters at a very crucial time of seeking to discern God's will."

A change of government should give Zimbabweans new hope and a better economic situation, says Danisa Ndlovu, but it will take time. 'We have not crossed the bridge yet," he warns. 'We call upon the church around the world to be in prayer for Zimbabwe at this important time."-from reports by Ferne Burkhardt, MWC, and Tim Shenk,MCC

John E. Toews was the featured lecturer for the Janzen Lectureship in Biblical March 27-28 at Fresno Pacific University. Additional hosts for the lecture series included MB Biblical Seminary and the Council of Senior Professional s.

The lectureship was created in 2003 in the name of Edmund Janzen , former president and faculty member who served the university for 35 years and is now retired in Fresno The goal of the lectureship is to promote careful scholarship in biblical interpretation, as well as the witness of the Christian church . The lectureship is open to university and seminary faculty and students, pastors and lay leaders

MBBS and the Council of Senior Professionals hosted the 100 guests at the opening lecture and a dessert reception on the seminary campus . MBBS President Jim Holm , in his greeting and introduction, unveiled a commissioned pomait of Toews to honor his 18 years of service to the seminaty as academic dean emeritus (1980-1992), professor of New Testament (1977-1995) and as Acting President (spring of 1985, 1989 , 1992-1993).

In his first lecture, Toews focused on the politics of Rome. Claiming that the rext of Romans is profoundly political as well as theological, he compared examples of Paul's language with that of the imperial language of the day, showing how words meant for the emperor were now being ascribed to Christ According to Toews' research, Paul was countering imperial ideology in order to buildup house church members in Rome as followers of Messiah Jesus, a new radical community, and committing treason in the process.

Toews' second lecture was given at FPU's College Hour Speaking mainly to university students, Toews expanded on his thesis: The confessions of the early church were simultaneously theological and political. Using a variety of confessional texts, Toews compared Paul's language to that of the imperial language. In his closing. Toews challenged the students to discover what it means to live with allegiance to Christ alone

The Lectureship was extended this year to include a Friday afternoon symposium and an evening banquet celebrating Toews' 40-year contribution to the Mennonite church, Mennonite higher education and scholarship. Symposium contributors included MBBS faculty members Valerie Rempel, who presented " Holding to the Center: The Life of John E Toews," and Jon Isaak who spoke on "New Testament Theology in the Tradition of John E

Lectureship features Toews

Toews recognized for contributions to church, schoLarship

Toews." Gordon Zerbe, Canadian Mennonite University faculty member, presented "Citizenship and Politics According to Philippians: An Engagement with John E. Toews' Romans"; and Jim Pankratz, of Conrad Grebel University College, spoke on "Leading from the Front "

Toews served at Fresno Pacific College from 1961-1968, Tabor College from 1973-1977 and MB Biblical Seminary from 1977-1995. He was president of Conrad Grabel from 1996 until his retirement in 2002. Toews has many scholarly achievements He is the author of the volume on Romans for the Believers Church Bible Commentary Series and has edited The Power of the Lamb and Your Daughters Shall Prophecy He and his wife, Arlene, attend College Community MB Church in Clovis, Calif.-Megan E. Richard

A holocaust?

Many Mennonites died during Stalin 's reign of terror

Did you know that there was a "Mennonite" holocaust? I first heard the tenn this winter as I was collecting infonnation for our family history Did you know that during his reign of terror Stalin murdered three times as many people as Hitler did during his? That Stalin, who was from the Ukraine, declared war on his own people? Did you know that during the winter of 1932-33, at Stalin's command, 25,000 Ukrainians per day were shot or died of

starvation and cold? Did you know that many of these were Mennonites?

Writing in the Toronto Sun

Why the brutality? Stalin had set up the collectivization of fanns in the area. He perceived there to be resistance from some of the fanners (he called them kulaks) and he was detennined to crush it Anyone who wanted to emigrate, who criticized USSR policies or who wrote letters to the West was suspect Anyone who received a letter from the West was arrested without trial. Siemens writes : "Entire families were sentenced to prison camps in Stalin's vast gulag. The survival rate was one winter. Millions died."

' Iears come when I read these bcc]use som e of the victims of this holoc;'Hlst

(Nov. 16, 2003) Eric Margolis documents some of the atrocities Stalin organized and carried out. During this horrible winter, seven million Ukrainians, three million of them children, were murdered and another two million were deported to the gulags (prison camps) where most of them died

In 1989 a stash of letters from one of the gulags, written during 1930-1937, was found in a Campbell's soup box in the attic of an old house in Saskatchewan by Peter Bargen, son of the recipients . In a newly published book, Remember US, Ruth Derksen Siemens, a first generation Canadian of Russian-Mennonite descent, has documented 131 of these letters. Mennonite prisoners Jasch and Maria Regehr and some of their children wrote the letters.

The letters provide a firsthand glimpse into the horrible conditions of these prison camps. They describe the bonechilling cold, the lack of food and the cramped living quarters and ask for wanner clothing and money to buy food. They document the unjust actions ofthe commandants. The correspondents question the senselessness of the terror and difficulties they face daily and wonder what God is trying to teach them through these experiences. Like Job, they don't understand what is happening to them, but they know they must trust God to see them through.

How these letters got out of the prison camp and made it eventually to Canada is a mystery. They were written on any scrap of paper the writers could find and often arrived "postage due." Recipients in Canada were in the midst of the depression and money was scarce. However, they did what they could, sometimes sending $1, $2 or $5 to help out.

were my people

However, the death rate from the mass murders and deportation to the gulags was not high enough to suit Stalin, so he instituted a "mass death by starvation" plan. Margolis writes : 'J\ll seed stocks, grain, silage and fann animals were confiscated from the Ukrainian fanns .. .. Troops sealed all roads and rail lines Nothing came in or out of Ukraine. Farms were searched and looted of food and fuel. Ukrainians quickly began to die of hunger, cold and sickness The precise number of Ukrainians murdered by Stalin's custom-made famine and firing squads remains unknown ." Historians estimate that approximately 25 percent of the Ukrainian population was extenninated.

Why is this important to me? Why do I care? Tears come when I read these accounts because some of the victims of this holocaust were Mennonites, my people On the Friesen side of my family, only Grandpa Friesen, his brother and their families escaped before massive killing began . Most of the remainder of this family died by starvation, execution or in prison camps.

Growing up in Canada I met many displaced families who arrived after World War II that were missing fathers and older sons. The mothers and younger children struggled to survive as best they could. My Tante Liese and Tante Susie both lost their husbands to goon squads that came in the middle of the night, arrested them and took them awaynever to be heard from again.

My father's second wife, Susie, is a 12-year survivor of a gulag in the Siberian forests She and her teenage siblings were strong enough to survive the inhumane conditions, but their mother died of starvation Several years ago when I spent a weekend with her, Susie told me her story. Often we sat and cried together.

I asked her, "How could you survive all that brutality?" Her response was, "My faith in God That kept me going Only thad"

The Mennonite/Ukrainian holocaust was for real. Sometimes digging into family history is difficult. In researching the facts of this historical tragedy, my tears were never far away.

BAPTISM/MEMBERSHIP

Bwlne, WBsh.(Bin:h Bay Bible Communityl - Bobby and Sara Stiles and Peter and Lori Binskin were received as members March 30

SIIn Jose, Calif. (Uncoln Glenl-Leon Accorne. Betty Dyer. Robin Franks. Chiquita Lockhart. Verna Powell and Jesse Sanchez were baptized March 23 Mary Sanchez. Atley Stroup and Twyla Stroup were received as members

Fairview, Okla.-Holly Heinrichs, Kay Koehn, Brooklyn Neufeld, Caleb Neufeld and Cassie Whiteneck were baptized and received as members Man:h 23. Rhonda Regier and Scott, Dan and Mark Niles were received as members.

Reedley, Calif.-Reghan Frueh , DJ Reimer, Ivana Ching-yee Wong, Conor Jost, James Kawagoe, Dylan Trott and Shelby Trott were baptized and received as members March 23 Joe Agee and Wes and Eva Thiesen were received as members Manhattan, Kan. (Manhattan Mennonitel-Seth Bitikofer, Sheryl Cornell, April Friesen and Christopher Ivey were baptized March 23 Fresno, Calif. (North Fresnol-Hannah Barton, Sarah Barton, Cecilia Pessoa and Kristina Regier were baptized March 23.

Littleton, Colo. (Belleviewl-Ken, Ruth, Benjamin, Jacob, Heidi and Maria Wilson were baptized and received as members March 18 Chris and Lisa Lord, Julie Jimerson and Sue Herrera were received as members.

Madera, taUf.-Becky Woods and JR Jensen were baptized March 16.

EASTER EVENTS

Gettysburg, SD (Grace Biblel - Good Friday service included an opportunity to share personal testimonies.

UttIeton, Colo. (Belleviewl-Families were invited to construct crosses, no more than three feet tall, out of any materials they wished The crosses were used to decorate the foyer on Easter morning Hays, Kan. (North Oald-Easter activities included an outdoor sunrise service, weather permitting, and breakfast in the youth center: Tulsa, Okla. (The Heartl-Easter observances included an early-morning Good Friday time of prayer and reflection, as well as a Good Friday evening service West Jordan, Utah (Shadow Mountainl-About 700 people attended an Easter Family Festival hosted by the church at a local recreation center: The fest ival included bounce houses, hot dogs, cotton candy, popcorn and game booths Free books, such as The Purpose Driven Life and 50 Reasons Why Christ Came to Die, were available at a resource table The festival was held at a location near a future church plant in order to build a foundation in the community

Buhler, Kan.-Maundy Thursday service included a drama based on John 13 by 17 men from the congregation and communion

Rapid City, SO (Bible Fellowshipl - Easter events included a Good Friday service, sunrise service at a local park, breakfast at the church and Easter worship Olathe, Kan, (Community Blblel - Maundy Thursday service included a dramatization of the Last Supper: Clovis, Calif. (College Communityl - Easter service included "The Flowering of the Cross:' Attendees came forward to pin flowers on a cross at the front of the church.

Fresno, Calif. (North Fresnol-A community Easter Eggstravaganza at a loca l park March 21 included an egg hunt, Easter drama, games, crafts for children and a free lunch at the church . Bakersfield, Calif. (Laurelglenl- The congregation offered a free pancake breakfast and free family portraits to those in their community March 22. Activ ities for children were also available Minot, NO (Bible Fellowshipl - The congregation gathered for an extra worship time during the Sunday school hour on Easter, then had a time of fellowship with rolls followed by the regular worship service San Jose, Calif. (Lincoln Glenl-Children from the community were invited to the annual Easter egg hunt in a park March 22 Church volunteers collected candy, and res idents at Lincoln Glen Senior Manor filled the 3,000 eggs Hillsboro, Kan. (Ebenfeldl - The congregation was encouraged to give up eggs for Holy Week. A farT]ilyfriendly Maundy Thursday service began with a focus on eggs. The opening group activities concluded with participants breaking eggs at the foot of a cross as a physical reminder that Christ's death broke the power of sin and death. Children and youth were dismissed for age-appropriate follow-up activities while the adults celebrated communion Instead of Sunday school on Easter, there was an all -church breakfast that marked the end of the fast from eggs

FELLOWSHIP

Draper, Utah (South Mountainl-A women's retreat was planned for May 16-18, with a theme of Come back to your first love." A "Married for Life" date night Apr'iL 18 provided couples with an evening for relaxation and challenged them to renew their commitmen t. Ch ildcare and dinner were provided The date night was fo llowed by a three-week series on ma rriage, beginning April 28

Bakersfield, Calif. (The Bridgel-A free event at an ice skating rink May 4 honored volunteers A family event at a park April 13 included a BBQ, family obstacle course and bounce houses Fresno, Calif. (North Fresnol - A mother/daughter tea scheduled for May 3 featu red singer and speaker Jill Ludlow

Buhler, Kan - Women participated in a "Flower Power" outing Ap ril 26. The outing included breakfast at a restaurant, a visit to a greenhouse to learn about container garden ing , a stop at a local ministry to plant flowers and a short devotional.

Com, Okla. - Christian educat ion workers were invited to an appreciation banquet April 11.

Hillsboro, Kan. - Jeff Blackburn , pastor of Greensburg Mennonite Church, was the guest speaker for a men 's breakfast April 5 Greensburg , Kan., was destroyed by a tornado in May 2007.

Rapid City, SO (Bible Fellowshipl-Adults were invited to a game night April 4, with a foosball tournament, air hockey, board games, word games and volleyball. Childcare was provided.

Shafter, Calif.-Volunteers gathered for "Peppernut Making and Pizza Eating - April 1 They baked peppernuts for their local MCC relief sale. Pizza was served to all volunteers.

Clovis, Calif, (College Communityl-A chili cook-off was held March 30. Funds raised will support a youth service trip to Mexico

Harvey, ND-A "March Madness " gathering March 30 hosted by the deacons included a "mad " activity and a short devotional titled "What are we Mad ForT Wichita, Kan. IFirstl-Seniors displayed their "Arts, Hobbies and Collections" March 27, followed by a lunch.

Huron, SO (Bethesdal-A women 's event March 19 called "Step into Spring" included a "Step up to fashion " presentation by a local shoe store

San Jose, Calif. (Lincoln Glenl-Women participated in a retreat Feb 29-March 2

MINISTRY

Reedley, Calif. - A team of men combine basketball and evangelism for a ministry called "Cross Trainers." They play league basketball and share Scripture before each game Men who played this past season were invited to a men 's retreat.

Clovis, Calif. (College Communityl-Children and families from the church 's preschool were invited to storybook reading and audience participation drama April 20 The congregation donated books and money to buy books to be given away at the event, called "Books Alive !"

Tulsa, Okla. (The Heartl-April 19 - 20 was "Community Awareness Weekend," with plans to pick up trash at a local park on the 19th, then hold a blood drive, food drive and potluck meal with various ethnic dishes and a giveaway on the 20th.

Henderson, Neb.-An all -church verenike dinner April 13 raised funds to support missionaries

San Jose, Calif (Lincoln Glenl - A team of 12 went to Mexico April 5- 12 to build a house

Blaine, Wash (Bin:h Bay Bible Communityl - A team of 10 went to Mexico for a mission trip April 3-8

Garden City, Kan. IGarden Valleyl-The congregation was asked to participate in the church's lunch outreach to local high school students, Lunch on Us, by donating cookies for the freezer At least 56 dozen cookies were donated in March

Bakersfield, Calif. IHeritagel-Youth served in Mexico March 16-22.

Bakersfield, CaUf. ILaurelglenl-A team of 70 high school students and adults built four houses and put on a vacation Bible school in Tijuana, Mexico, March 14-19.

Bakersfield, Calif.IThe Bridgel-A team of 40 youth and leaders built homes for an orphanage in Mexico during a four-day trip in March

Buhler, Kan.-17 youth and six adult leaders went on a mission trip to World Impact in St. Louis, Mo. March 7-12

PROC LAMATION

Sanger, Calif. IGrace Communityl-A drama team from Fresno Pacific University presented "Parables"

April 13

West Jordan, Utah IShadow Mountainl- The church co-sponsored a Bible conference April 11 - 12 at a conference center. The conference, called "Aletheia," is the vision of pastor Cory Anderson and pastor of the co-sponsoring church and is intended to help believers "become rooted and raised in biblical truth:

Clovis, Calif. ICollege Communityl-Tim Huber and Michael Sharp, representing the Military Counseling Network, spoke during the adult education hour April 6 MCN is founded by the German Mennonite Peace Committee and provides counseling services to military personnel stationed in Germany. Hillsboro, Kan. IParkviewl-The church hosted a worship seminar April 5, addressing both individual and corporate worship.

Gettysburg, SD IGrace Biblel-Arlyn and Marcy Niles, missionaries with AWANA, spoke on "Importance of Children's Ministry" during the service March 30.

Huron, SD IBethesclal-Steve Prieb, representing MB Biblical Seminary in Fresno, Calif , was the speaker March 30.

TEACHING!NURTURE

Baker sfield, Calif. IThe Bridgel-Sixth through eighth grade children and their parents were invited to a class April 13 on preparing for adolescence, using the book So You Want to be a Teenager. Tulsa, Okla. IThe Heartl-A marriage improvement seminar, titled "One Heart," was offered April 12 The event included a meal, teaching on marriage issues and an opportunity for couples to discuss and connect. Childcare was provided Reedley, Calif.-Sixth grade girls meet on Wednesday evenings for "Girls' God Squad." The goal is to "help the girls understand what it means to be a Christian young lady and to grow their faith."

Bakersfield, CaUf. ILaurelglenl-A Military Prayer List includes family members and friends serving in the military so that attendees can pray regularly for them.

Topeka, Kan. IComerstonel-Wednesday evenings adults are studying "The Truth Project," described as "an in-depth Christian worldview experience."

Balko, Okla. ICrossroads Biblel-Men and boys are studying Dangerous Book for Boys as they learn some "manly" skills Women are studying Women of Grace. Bakersfield, Calif. IThe Bridgel - Families were invited March 29 to worship, pray and sign the columns of the congregation's new building , which is currently being constructed

WORKERS

Garden City, Kan. IGarden Valleyl - Jim and Jo Ann Hossler are serving as the interim pastoral couple. Hillsboro, Kan, IEbenfeldl-Associate pasto r Vaugh n Jost has announced his res ignation, effect ive July 1. He and his wife Taryn and thei r children will be moving to Denver, Colo , and Jost will pursue seminary training through George Fox Theolog ical Seminary's distance learning program

WORSHIP

Sanger, Calif. IGrace Communityl-"Friend Day" March 30 included a sermon from John 3:16 and a BBQ lunch

YOUTH

Olathe, Kan. ICommunity Biblel-Camp physicals were offered at the church by appointment this spring in preparation for summer camps Fresno, CaUf. INorth Fresnol-Youth helped put on games, activities and food for a bloc k party in a Fresno neighborhood April 19

DEATHS

CLASSEN, DAVID J., Hillsboro, Kan., of Hillsboro MB Church, was born July 13, 1915, to John L. and Mary Classen in Meade , Kan , and died Feb. 24, 2008, at

Associate Pastor of Family Ministry: Hesston MB Church, a church of approximately 280 attendees, in Hesston, Kan , is seeking an Associate Pastor that will foster, execute and promote the disciplesh ip of young fathers and mothers to convey to their children the personal relationship of Jesus Christ and the appropriate lifestyle patterns and fam ily lifestyle patterns that would be pleasing to our Lord and Savior. This pastor will oversee children's ministry and family ministry programs and all staff to help facilitate ministry development from nursery through sixth grade Visit our Web site www.hesstonmb org to view a job description and learn more about our church Inquiries and resumes can be e-mailed to secretaryfilhesstonmb org or mailed to the attention of Carol McMullen, 610 W. Randall. Hesston, KS 67062 Phone contacts may be made to 620-327-2847.11/11

Lead Pastor: Hillsboro MB Church, a congregation of 400+, is seeking a lead pastor with a vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ. The successful candidate is expected to bring spiritual vision and direction for the church's mission and programs, have positive relational skills and a strong preaching/teaching ministry. The lead pastor is one who desires to lead, develop and partner with other members of the pastoral staff and lay leadership team This intergenerational church is located in a progressive college

the age of 92 In 1938, he married Martha K Friesen, who predeceased him He is survived by one son, Paul and wife Judy of Newton, Kan. ; one daughter, Jan ice and husband Steve Fast of Wichita, Kan ; one daughter-in- law, Joce lyn of Marion , Kan.; two sisters and two sisters - in- law, Nett ie Hooley, Selma Ulbrich, Eva Classen and Donna Classen, five grandchildren and five great -grandchildren.

NIC KEL, EARL, Dinuba, Calif , member of Reedley ICali f.1 MB Church, was born March 1, 1918, to Henry G and Katie Reimer Nickel near Dinuba, Calif., and died Feb 28, 2008, at the age of 89. On Nov 25, 1944, he married Mary Jane Reiswig, who survives. He is also survived by one son, James and wife Lila of Wenatchee, Wash ; one daughter, Janice and husband Robert Wi lson of Clovis, Calif. ; two brothers, Clarence of San Jose, Calif., and Henry and wife Jeanette of Fresno, Calif , five grandchildren and one great-grandch ild

ROBERTS, ELIZABETH "LIZ," Fairview, Okla., member of Fairview MB Church, was born Aug. 11, 1944, to Al bert "Lowell" and El izabeth "Pearle" Laughlin in Pittsburg, Kan., and died March 21, 2008, at the age of 63 On Feb. 25, 1967, she married David Roberts, who survives. She is also survived by two sons, Daniel and wife Jennifer, and Nathan and wife Vanessa, both of Tulsa, Okla.; one daughter, Ruth Ann and husband Steve Miller of Tulsa ; one brother, Albert and wife Janice of Enid, Okla .; one sister, Charlotte Cook of Pittsburg, Kan., and six grandchi ldren

town. Seminary graduate preferred Please send resume to Pastoral Search Committee, Hillsboro MB Church, 300 Prairie Pointe, Hillsboro, KS 67063 or email inquiries to : hmbcsearchfayahoo.com. (1/11

Lead Pastor: Good News Fellowship, located in Ferndale, Wash., is a Mennonite Brethren church of approximately 200 attendees with a heart to reach their community for Christ. We are seeking a qualified lead pastor to serve as part of an effective Elder Team that provides leadership in all areas of pastoral and congregational care. Visit our Web site at www.goodnewsfellowship org prior to e-mailing your resume to searchteamlilgoodnewsfellowship.org and look for the Good News Fellowship Pastoral Candidates link, or you may send your resume to GNF Search Team, PO Box 1733, Ferndale, WA 98248. (3/71

Senior Pastor: Kingwood Bible Church, a Mennonite Brethren congregation in Salem, Ore , is seeking a Senior Pastor who can grow our congregation and he l p us reach out to the unsaved in our city Kingwood is a congregation of approximately 100 members and is located on the west side of Salem. Besides the senior pastor position, we have one fulltime youth pastor, a part-time Children's Ministry coordinator and a part -time church office secretary. We seek to grow our church through evangelism and disc ipleship. At least six years experience as a pascontinued on page 35

What do I know?

Today's cultural climate downplays truth

Afew weeks ago I had a discussion during which my conversation partner must have felt privileged to be talking with uch an intelligent person. Yes, I mean me, in case you got confused. During our discussion I presented such wise and convincing opinions that the other person was eventually compelled to disagree. It was sad to hear the shaky arguments that allegedly refuted my poor conclusions. After that I summoned my superior brainpower and let the other person have it. That's right, I hung my head and apologized because it tumed out I was wrorig.

I hate it when that happens .

But I've had plenty of experience with it. After proper apologies and sheepish feelings I'm usually able to move on. This

extreme. People used to think about how they would fit into the world, but now they try to fit the world to them. Fixed truths are no longer "out there" to discover. Rather, each person blends bits and pieces of a belief system with their own tastes and whims. Such a cultural atmosphere can be wearing. You start to feel weird searching for absolutes when everyone else is saying, 'Whatever."

Finally, to paraphrase an old saying about education, the more humanity learns, the more it realizes it doesn't know. A while ago I read about some astronomers who estimated that we've now discovered approximarely four percent of the contents of the universe. Four percent isn't very time, however, the whole thing kept bothering me. A few days later I was still feeling crummy about it. How could I have

_ : Ju st when I th i nk I know the answer or have mastered so methin g or ha ve gather ed th e ap pro priate kn owle d ge , eV e l)1hin g s uddenly c h;]n ge s and d is co mbobul a tes what I thou g ht I und e rs to o d .

started out so sure of myself and ended up feeling so dumb? I knew being wrong is simply part of being human, but somehow that didn't make me feel better. Finally I realized what was getting me down was a larger question that had been ttoubling me: How can anyone know anything for sure?

Sorry, I just had a flashback to my college days as a philosophy minor. But I'm no longer sitting in a campus vacuum pondering the nature of truth; I'm scratching my head about it in real life. Just when I think I know the answer or have mastered something or have gathered the appropriate knowledge, everything suddenly changes and discombobulates what I thought I understood. It makes me want to throw up my hands and sigh, 'What do I know?"

These days the cultural climate tends to enhance this feeling. First, there's the pesky information age. It can be hard to get a fix on the facts. I remember a period last year when it seemed like the news about coffee changed every week. First it was bad for you. Then it was good for you. Then it was bad for you. Then breathing in the coffee aroma was good for you while actually drinking it was bad for you (That was a real report. I'm not making it up.) This kind of thing happens all the time with our wonderful 24hour media. When so much conflicting information comes out about all kinds of subjects, it's hard to know what to believe.

Second, the norm in our society is to start with "me." This has always been part of our fallen human nature, but in recent times things have gotten

much, but when you think about the universe, doesn't it sound like a gross overestimate? Humans have made gigantic strides in learning during recent centuries, but we still have a little way to go.

Today's information overload and "whatever" attitude affect me to some degree, but it's "the more I learn the less I know" thing that does me in. I think I should have more of the answers by now, but then I come out of a conversation feeling stupid. I work hard at something over a period of time but then it sort of fizzles. I seem to advance in a relationship then some vague problem comes about to tum it cold. Situations like these get me wondering if I ever really knew what I was doing in the first place.

Lately the strange thought has been occurring to me that the inevitable mistakes and failures and moments of cluelessness may actually be touches of grace. I'm the type who agrees that a person can't possibly know everything and do everything. Then, I go out and try to know everything and do everything. Needless to say, this doesn't always work out. Ive been realizing that God gets an opportunity to get a word in edgewise when I find myself muttering, 'What do I know?" At that point God can say, "You know me."

After striving so long and hard to do it all, I think I'm beginning to get the picture. I need to step back more and let God be God in my life and in the lives of those around me That's one thing I know for sure.

How we die

Preparing for death is all about living today

Most editors have file folders - paper and the electronic kind- full of articles submitted for possible publication . Because the Christian Leader is a denominational publication, we carefully select the manuscripts we accept for publication that are written by people who are not involved in Mennonite Brethren churches or agencies or who are not from related Anabaptist denominations. But sometimes the perspective these freelance writers bring to a topic is so

D

"1 have heen gl\'cn time to prcp ..He for my meeting with Christ. It is a hlessing fe\\:' are lortunate enough to experiencc."

die but in how we live. It is the great promise of Christ that as we live, so shall we die. To live for Christ means that we must be prepared to die daily. To truly prepare for death, we must live each day as if it is our last. And we must live that day for Christ This is not as easy as it sounds, for it is easy to get distracted and to count on tomorrow always being there. We must not waste the few glorious opportunities we have to live for Christ unique that I hold on to the piece, thinking that someday there will be the opportunity to publish it.

This month I have edited one of these "file" essays to fit the space allocated to the editorial. Michael B. Ross wrote this essay about 10 years ago and his perspective on death and dying is one that few writers can offer. I hope his closing invitation sticks in your brain as it has in mine.

I live on death row. Not the death row that preachers will tell you that you live on. Mine is more concrete, more immediate. I will be executed by the state of Connecticut. I will know, to within a few minutes, the exact day and time I will die and meet Christ. And while I expect it may sound strange to you, to me this has been a great blessing.

I have been blessed with enough time to try to set things right and to make my peace with God I have been given enough time to ask and seek forgiveness from those I have hurt. I have been given time to heal my own hurts and to forgive those who have hurt me. I have been given time to seek reconciliation-with those I have hurt, with those who have hurt me, with myself and with God. I have been given time to prepare for my meeting with Christ. It is a blessing few are fortunate enough to experience.

Don't misunderstand me. I don't look forward to my execution. I don't welcome death . I have my concerns and fears about death, as I expect we all do . We all fear the unknown-and death is undoubtedly the greatest of unknowns. And I pray daily that some miracle will come to pass that will deliver me from this man-made death row and spare me from the hands of a human executioner. I would like a second chance at life-anyone in my situation would. However, should I not get that chance, then I am at least fortunate enough to have had the time to prepare for my death .

This may sound ironic, and it is perhaps life's greatest paradox, that preparation for death is not a factor in how we

I sit alone here in this cell and look back on my life with great anguish. I see all the lost opportunities of yesterday. I see all the things that I could have done or should have done, things I didn't do because I figured I would always get tomorrow. It is a terrible feeling of a wasted life-a feeling you don't have to experience. Don't count on tomorrow. Cherish and live each day as if it were your last. Live the life God has given you to its fullest potential and for his glory. Don't forget the words of Jesus: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your souls and with all your mind .... Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matt. 22: 27, 39 LB). Not just sometimes. Not just when you have the time and it is convenient but every day For your next encounter with your neighbor may be your last. Seek forgiveness and forgive those who have hurt you. Not tomorrow, but today. Make peace with God for past transgressions and live each day to further his glory Now, right this minute. If you live each day as if it were your last, you will need not worry about your death, for you will be truly prepared for that day when it does come.

I live on death row and I invite you to join me. Not here on Connecticut's death row-there are too many of us here already-but on God's death row. For when you live on God's death row you live for God, as he wants, for his glory, every day. And while you may not be fortunate enough to know when your death is at hand, you will be prepared.

After spending IS years on death row, Michael, the first man in 45 years to be sentenced to death by the state of Connecticut, was executed May 13, 2oo5·- Connie Faber

CLear-ing HOU5E continued from page 32 tor is preferred. Mennonite Brethren background/ordination is also preferred, but not required. If interested, send a resume to: Dave Davis, co-chairman, Pastoral Search Committee, 2225 Dorchester Drive S., Salem, OR 97302; phone 503-581 - 9507 ; E-mail davyactsfClaol.com. A packet of information on our church and the surrounding area is available upon request. [5/12J

Youth Pastor: Bethany Church in Fresno, Calif., is seeking a strong leader who is passionate about students, grades 7-12 Resumes can be sent to Bethany Church, attn : Youth Pastor Search, 9161 N. Maple Ave. Fresno, CA 93720, or officelObethanychurchonline com. [5/12J

Employment: Agency

Representative: MB Foundat""io-n""'i-s -a-cc-e-p'="tin - g - ap - p-'li""cations for Representative. This person will represent MB Foundation programs and services to individuals and ministries and will be based out of our Fresno, Calif., office. The Representative will encourage charitable giving through current giving, estate planning and lifetime gift plans; will also provide customer service in all other areas of the Foundation's ministry. Qualifications include strong interpersonal skills, demonstrated ability to communicate, aptitude for detail work, desire to learn and grow and an eagerness to promote MB ministries and causes. If interested, send a resume to Jon C. Wiebe, President, MB Foundation, PO Box 220, Hillsboro, KS 67063 jwiebelOmbfoundation com [1/1 J Executive Director: Laurelville Mennonite Church Center, a 600-acre camp, conference and retreat

center located in SW Pennsylvania seeks ED. Qualified candidates will need a deep commitment to organization's mission, administrative expertise with budgeting, board relations, staff development, gift of hospitality and ability to cultivate financial support Candidates contact Kirk Stiffney with MHS Alliance at kirkKlstiffneygroup.com or 574-5378736 [1/2J

CEO: Kings View Behavioral Health System seeks CEO to lead its large, multisite, Mennonite-founded organization in Fresno, Calif. Health services include mental

health, chemical dependency, drug treatment/prevention and services for developmentally disabled. Qualified candidates will have senior leadership experience in large organizations, strong financial knowledge, ability to develop productive work culture consistent with organizational values, board experience and passion for the organizational mission. Behavioral Health experience preferred, but will consider other disciplines with strong executive skill sets. Candidates contact Kirk Stiffney with MHS Alliance at kirklOstiffneygroup.com or 574-537-8736. [1/2J

For more information or to register contact us at: 316- 283-5696 frontdesk@khcmb.org www.khcmb.org

320 North Meridian, Newton, KS

WOULDN.T IT BE NICE IF YOUR INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT (IRA) COULD BE USED TO SUPPORT THE GROWTH OF GOD'S KINGDOM?

Mennonite Brethren Loan Fund is now offering Term Certificates for Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA) ! You can now assist MB churches through a Traditional, Roth, or SEP IRA investment. A partnership with GoldStar Trust Company allows the investor to set up an IRA with GoldStar and instruct them to invest in a MB Loan Fund certificate. While you earn interest on your certificate, we are able to make loans to churches that are expanding their ministry.

You too can be part of transforming lives!

"I want to be a good steward of th e money God has g iven me [and for] my money to be used to pro mote Christian values, help society, and return interest to secure the f u t ure of my fam ily I like the fact that my money is going to help others come to know Christ."

CONTACT US TODAY at (800) 551-1547 o r visit u s online at www mbfoundation.com to find out more information about how to open an IRA, invest with MB Loan Fund, or obtain an Offering Circular and Purchase Application & Agreement

Hillsboro, Kansas 800-551 -1547

Fresno, California 888-339-8845

www.mbfoundation.com info@mbfoundation.com

WELCOME

Greetings sisters and brothers,

Conventions are intended to be about you. and for you. They are also meant to be about us and for us. It is at convention that we get together. We do our version of a pilgrimage so that we can hear about. celebrate and then honor God for what he is doing among and through U.S. Mennonite Brethren. The joy of relationship building and networking is a natural and valuable bonus of spending several days together.

Dan Southerland will be your ministry coach for these days. We will take quality time for musical praise and worship and also for relevant and practical biblical teaching. We will be sharing great news with you about Kingdom results in our various ministry initiatives.

We will have a little business to do. but we have our homework done so it should be relatively painless.

Dan Southerland

Our conference and convention speaker is Dan Southerland. Following 13 successful years as the lead pastor/ teacher of Flamingo Road Church. in Fort Lauderdale. FL, Dan started Church Transitions Inc .• an organization that trains-;pastors and church leaders to effectively manage major transitions. Dan has trained over 100.000 pastors and church leaders in the past seven years. His focus is how to implement the purpose-driven paradigm in existing churches. Dan is now one of the pastors at Next Level Church in Charlotte, NC. See www.churchtransitions.com

Ed Boschman

Ed Boschman. new Executive Director of the U.S. Conference. will be speaking at the Pastors' Conference and the National Convention. Ed has spent a lifetime serving the church in a variety of ministry roles. From 1978-1989 he served as

The two-day Pastors' Conference that precedes the National Convention will be a great opportunity for our front line ministry servants to connect and to be informed and inspired. The better we know and understand each other as mission outpost leaders, the better we will be able to be collaborative partners in this family of faith.

It is a privilege to invite you to be with us in Kansas this summer. We are convinced it will be worth your investment to join us.

Warmly,

Ed Boschman, U.S. Exec. Director, and U.S. Conf.

Staff

Joe E. Johns, Chair and Leadership Board

FEATURED SPEAKERS

the founding and senior pastor of Laurelglen Bible Church in Bakersfield. CA, and as its executive pastor for the past six years. From 1989-1996 Ed was the senior pastor of the Willow Park Church in Kelowna. British Columbia. Ed served as the Executive Director of Mission USA from 1996-2002 and was the moderator of the North American Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches from 1995-1999. Ed also acts as a coach/mentor for leaders of church renewal and church planters. Ed and his wife Carol live in Bakersfield. CA.

Danny Oertli

Our worship leader at the Pastors' Conference will be Danny Oertli. Danny has traveled across the U.S. and the world singing and playing his guitar. He has played in stadiums. arenas. churches and even on a few hay bales. Most weekends will find Danny performing concerts or leading worship. He has performed at over 1.000 different venues around the world including Dare2Share conferences. retreats.

camps and churches. He has recorded five records. the latest produced by Grammy award winner jason Burkum (AudiO Adrenelin and Tree63). With a unique blend of guitar playing, stories and song. Danny is able to engage audiences of all ages. Danny and his family live in Colorado. www. dannyoertli.com

Joyce Williams

joyce Williams. of Wichita. KS. together with her husband Gene Williams founded Shepherds Fold Ministries. a ministry providing encouragement/affirmation/renewal for pastors and their families around the world. She has been a pastor's wife. is a certified Personal Evangelism Trainer and speaks across the U.S. and other countries. She is also a writer and has published in more than 35 different magazines including Decision and Guideposts. She has also written six books. She and Gene are frequent speakers for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association Schools for Evangelism. joyce will be sharing with pastors' wives during the Pastors' Conference.

SCHEDULES

PASTORS' CONFERENCE

July 23-25

Hyatt Hotel, Wichita Kansas

July 23, Wednesday

2:00-6:00 pm Registration

6:00 pm Dinner

7:00 pm Worship - Danny Oertli. Teaching - Dan Southerland Fellowship

July 24, Thursday

7:30-8:30 am Breakfast

8:30 am

9:45 am

10:15 am

12:15 pm

I:00-6:00 pm

6:00 pm

7:00 pm

8:30 pm

July 25, Friday

7:30-8:30 am

8:30am

10:00 am 10:30 am

12:00 pm

I:30-4:00 pm

Worship - Danny Oertli. Teaching - Dan Southerland Break

Encouragement for Pastors - Dan Southerland

Insights for Ministry Wives - Joyce Williams

Ministering with Sincerity - Danny Oertli Lunch

Free Time, Recreation, GolfToum., Tour Options Dinner

Worship - Danny Oertli. Teaching - Dan Southerland Concert - Danny Oertli

Breakfast

Worship - Danny Oertli. Teaching - Dan Southerland Break

Final Session/Commissioning - Ed Boschman Lunch

Convention Parade (see details!)

CONVENTION PARADE!

Join in the parade! It begins at I:30 pm in Wichita at the Hyatt Hotel. then north and east to Hillsboro and Tabor College. Feel free to join in the parade along the way at Peabody. KS. Enjoy fellowship. refreshments. fun activities for the kids and historical sites of MB Significance. Our speaker Dan Southerland and Executive Director Ed Boschman will lead the way on motorcycles!

TRANSPORTATION:

Mid-Continent Airport. Wichita. KS

The Hyatt Hotel has complimentary shuttle from the airport. If you need transportation from the airport to Hillsboro. please contact the Convention Coordinator - Donna Sullivan at 1-800-257-0515.

NATIONAL CONVENTION

July 25-26

Hillsboro, Kansas

(Tabor College and Hillsboro MB Church)

July 25, Friday - Tabor College

I:30-4:00 pm Convention Parade (see details!)

I:30-5:00 pm Registration - Tabor College Student Center

Optional Tours available (Tabor College.

Mennonite Historical Tours)

6:00 pm 7:00 pm

Dinner - Tabor College Cafeteria/Student Center

Celebrating our Proud Past Worship/Opening Session - Tabor College Chapel

Speaker - Dan Southerland

Tabor IOOth Anniversary Celebration

Social and Reception

July 26, Saturday - Hillsboro MB Church

7:30-8:30 am Continental breakfast - Fellowship Hall

(MBMSI alumni meeting - for information

contact Craig Jost at craigj@mbmsi.org)

8:30 am

Worship - U.S. worship team

Speaker - Dan Southerland

U.S. Ministries Highlights

12:00-1 :00 pm Lunch

I:00-5:00 pm 6:00 pm

7:00-9:00 pm

(MBBS alumni gathering)

U.S. and MB Ministries Highlights

Celebration Banquet

Celebrating our Promising Future

Worship - U.S. Worship Team

Speaker - Ed Boschman

Communion

Convention Ends

July 27, Sunday-Worship in area MB churches

CHILDREN AND YOUTH ACTIVITIES:

Activities for children and youth will be available for both the Pastors' Conference and National Convention. Activities for youth will include an all-day Thursday mission service project, canoeing. ropes course. swimming and other activities. Children will enjoy the zoo. children's museum. swimming and other activities More information will be available soon.

ATTRACTIONSTOVISIT IN KANSAS!

Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center - Hutchinson· www.cosmo.org

Kansas Underground Salt Museum - Hutchinson· www.undergroundmuseum.org

Sedgwick Co. Zoo - Wichita • www.scz.org

Exploration Place - Wichita • www.exploration.org

Museum of World Treasures - Wichita • www.worldtreasures.org

All Star Sports Parks - Wichita • www.allstar-wichita.com

MENNONITE ATTRACTIONS

Historic Church - Hillsboro· Located on Tabor College campus. is the oldest Mennonite Brethren church structure still standing in the U.S.

Mennonite Settlement Museum - Hillsboro· An original adobe house and barn.

Mennonite Heritage Museum - Goessel· heritagemuseum.mennonite.net

Other Hillsboro Attractions:

Hillsboro Aquatic Center

Hillsboro Municipal Golf Course

Marion Reservoir - Camping. nature trails. fishing. boating. skiing

Shopping Downtown: Antiques. Collectibles. Gifts. Quilts. Crafts. Christian bookstore and gifts

ACCOMMODATIONS

You will need to make your own hotel room reservations. Deadline for reservations is Monday, June 23. You are encouraged to make your reservations as soon as possible. Rates and availability cannot be guaranteed after that date.

PASTORS' CONFERENCE:

HYATT HOTEL - 316-293-1234 • www.hyattregencywichita.com • Wichita, KS • 400 W. Waterman· Wichita, KS 67202

1-4 Persons: $99/per night (plus tax) • 2 Doubles or I King bed

All rooms feature river view, two full restaurants and a coffee shop featuring Starbucks, attached parking garage, indoor pool. [Pastors and families may choose (and are encouraged) to stay at the Hyatt for the entire weekend and drive to Hillsboro for the convention on Friday evening and Saturday.]

NATIONAL CONVENTION:

HOTELS (rates are per night and do not include tax)

Country Haven - 620-947-2929 or 1-877-404-2836· 804 Western Heights· Hillsboro, KS 67063

24 rooms available: 14 wI 2 Queens and 8 wI I Queen: $62.00, 2 suites with King bed/jacuzzi tub: $73.00 Days Inn - McPherson, KS - 800-325-2525 • 2300 N Kansas Ave· McPherson, KS 67460 (25 mi from Hillsboro)

King: $64.99, 2 Queens: $69.99

Ask for "U.S. MB Churches" group of rooms

Holiday Inn Express and Suites - 620-241-5566

2302 E Kansas St. • McPherson, KS 67460 (25 mi from Hillsboro)

Complimentary breakfast. indoor pool/hot tub, business center, micro/fridge, internet access King suites (includes convertible couch): $119.99, King: $109.99, Two doubles: $109.99, Ask for "U.S. MB Churches" group of rooms.

Best Western Red Coach Inn - 316-283-9120

1301 E First St. • Newton, KS 67114 (25 miles from Hillsboro) King: $83.99, Two Queens: $77.99 • AAA-AARP

Tabor College - Tabor College has 32 rooms available in the new Townhouse student housing suites. These are separate bedrooms with bunks, shared bathrooms and living areas. Cost is $25 per bedroom per night. Contact the Convention Coordinator, Donna Sullivan, to reserve these rooms at 1-800-257-0515.

Private Homes - If you would prefer housing in a home in Hillsboro, please contact the Convention Coordinator, Donna Sullivan, at 1-800-257-0515.

REGISTRATION

Name delegate/guest (circle one)

Name delegate/guest (circle one)

Children (if attending)

Name

Name

Name

Email: Home

Pastors' Conference Ouly 23-25):

$200/couple, $125/single

Youth (age 10-18)

Children (age 2-9)

(Children under 2, no charge)

National Convention Ouly 25-26):

Adults (Delegates & Guests)

Youth (age 10-18)

Children (age 2-9)

(Children under 2, no charge) TOTAL COST

Please enclose check for total amount payable to: U.S. Conference of MB Churches and send in by July I. ($25 late fee after July I.) MAIL TO: U.S. Conference of MB Churches, PO Box 220, Hillsboro, KS 67063-0220. OR REGISTER ON-LINE!! See convention information and registration on our Web site at: www.usmb.org, top of the home page under "Pastors' Conference and National Convention 2008." For more information call 1-800-257-0515. Registration fees include meals for the pastors' conference and convention, activities and speakers, as well as activities for youth and children.

Thursday Afternoon Pastors' Conference Optional Activities - Sign up at Registration If interested please indicate how many would attend: GolfToumament How many? ___ Kansas Underground Salt Museum: How many? ___ (must be 4 or older to go in underground museum) KS Cosmosphere & Space Center: How many? __

Convention Parade

We plan to participate in the Parade Friday: Yes 0 No 0 How many? __ We w ill join the Convention Parade in: 0 Wichita 0 Peabody