The Messenger Vol. 53 No. 9 September 2015

The Messenger a publication of the Evangelical

Mennonite Conference

Volume 53  No. 9  September 2015

MWC Assembly Gathered 2015 pages 16-23, 30

INSIDE: Persecution Non-Negotiables (Matt. 10:16-20)

page 6

Entering the Other Room page 10 JIM CHENG

The Typhoon of Life page 13 MWC Assembly celebrates faith and cultural diversity page 16

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Editorials

Respect farmers

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s we enter fall, think of Canadian farmers— people some of us might take for granted, but all depend

It’s often said that farming is both a lifestyle and a business. Both have the potential to be handed down through the generations, but the potential and the reality can be quite different.

The EMC is changing; its churches and members are less linked to farming than they used to be. Canada itself, though, is still dependent upon farmers and it will continue to be. We need food and farming produces it efficiently.

Respect the occupation of farmer. It does not have the prestige of the past. It is not as common as it used to be. Our dependence remains the same. We need farmers and they are worthy of our respect.

Right now farmers are assessing their year’s likely return, and some are making tough choices.

– Terry M. Smith

How would we define a “family farm” today? Farming has never been easy, but today it seems more complex; it’s now linked to multinational corporations, creation care, and much more.

upon.

Some farmers are doing well, some less so, and some poorly. The weather has varied across our nation; so have the harvests from crops. At this point, the price for beef seems good—better than during the crises of the recent past.

The rural to urban shift is a reality in Canada. The practice of farming itself is also changing. The numbers of farms and farmers have decreased in our nation, while the size of some farms has increased dramatically. How would we define a “family farm” today? Farming has never been easy, but today it seems more complex; it’s now linked to multinational corporations, creation care, and much more.

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Refugees and Canadian Anabaptist history

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MC churches are exploring how to assist refugees from Syria and Iraq. This is appropriate.

“Do not mistreat an alien or oppress him, for you were aliens in a foreign land” (Ex. 22:21; see Ex. 23:9). This oft-quoted verse reminded ancient Israel of its responsibility to care for the dispossessed foreigner. In reminding Israel of its history, it also referred to a host government at both its best and its worst: saving foreigners from famine, but later enslaving them so that their deliverance or flight is needed.

As it reflected, Israel was to respond by treating others well. Old Testament laws often explicitly add their ultimate grounding, a divinely-given mandate: “I am the Lord” (Lev. 22:3).

Israel was to treat others as it wanted to be treated. “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do

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to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” (Luke 7:12). These words are relevant not only for ancient Israel; they remain appropriate for modern Israel and all nations. These words are instructive to the Christian Church whose members are citizens within most countries.

If any parts of the Christian Church should be especially supportive of and responsive to the needs for freedom, emigration, and immigration, one is the Canadian Anabaptist church. Its history includes much wandering about the world in the search for freedom and safety.

For more information, contact MCC or the EMC national office.

– Terry M. Smith

If any parts of the Christian Church should be especially supportive of and responsive to the needs for freedom, emigration, and immigration, one is the Canadian Anabaptist church.

Table of Contents Features

Columns

Departments

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5

2

Editorials

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Pontius’ Puddle

4

Notices

Persecution Non-Negotiables (Matt. 10:16-20) – Nik Ripken

10 Entering the Other Room – Dr. Arley Loewen

13 The Typhoon of Life – Ervin Dueck

16 MWC Assembly celebrates faith and cultural diversity – Carlos Martinez Garcia

17 Mukawa calls for reconciliation with God, others – Connie Faber

Writings Shared The Great and Holy War – Darryl G. Klassen

23 Focusing On

MWC Assembly 2015 – Tim Dyck

26 An Education App Reformation Sunday, a time for education – Terry M. Smith

30 Further in and Higher Up

34 Here and Far Away

20 Inter-church relations mark MWC meeting

35 Stewardship Today

21 LWF's Junge: 'Transforming power of reconciliation'

36 Kids’ Corner

– Cornelia Kästner

22 'The Holy Spirit is wooing the whole church to witness and service' – Jewel Showalter

27 With Our Churches 31 News 33 Shoulder Tapping

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Love and battle in the Mennonite world – Layton Friesen

18 The MWC General Assembly was a wonderful experience!

– Ron Penner

– Gordon Houser

24 With Our Missionaries

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Avalanche – Jocelyn R. Plett Ripples of generosity – Peter Dryden How do you do a task you don't like?

– Loreena Thiessen

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www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 3

The Messenger Volume 53 No. 9 September 2015

EDITOR TERRY M. SMITH

ASSISTANT EDITOR ANDREW WALKER

Submissions to The Messenger should be sent to messenger@emconf.ca.

The Messenger is the monthly publication of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference. It is available to the general public.

Its purpose is to inform concerning events and activities in the denomination, instruct in godliness and victorious living, inspire to earnestly contend for the faith.

Letters, articles, photos and poems are welcomed.

Unpublished material is not returned except by request.

Views and opinions of writers are their own and do not necessarily represent the position of the Conference or the editors. Advertising and inserts should not be considered to carry editorial endorsement.

The Messenger is published by the EMC Board of Church Ministries, 440 Main St, Steinbach, Man., and is a member of Meetinghouse and Canadian Church Press.

Subscription rates 1 year $24 ($30 U.S., $45 foreign) 2 years $44 ($55 U.S., $85 foreign) 3 years $65 ($82 U.S., $125 foreign) Manitoba residents add 8% PST. Digital only subscriptions: $15 per year.

Single copy price: $2 Subscriptions are voluntary and optional to people within or outside of the EMC. Subscriptions are purchased by the Conference for members and adherents.

Change of address and subscriptions Undelivered copies, change of address and new subscriptions should be addressed to: 440 Main St, Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z5 Phone: 204-326-6401 Fax: 204-326-1613 E-mail: messenger@emconf.ca www.emconference.ca/messenger Second-class postage paid at Steinbach, Manitoba.

ISSN: 0701-3299 Publications Mail Agreement Number: 40017362 Advertising The Messenger does not sell advertising, but provides free space (classified and display) to enhance our Conference, its churches, boards, and ministries; inter-Mennonite agencies and educational institutions; and the wider church. Ads and inquiries should be sent to messenger@emconf.ca.

THE MESSENGER schedule: No. 12–December 2015 issue (copy due October 08)

4 The Messenger • September 2015

Notices How Wired Are You?

Did you know The Messenger is available in digital form? Members and adherents can opt for receiving the magazine monthly in digital format; it is sent to your e-mail address. The subscription cost is paid for by the conference (council decision). People who are not members or not attending an EMC church can receive it for $15/year.

Currently about 300 digital copies are sent per month; a few members opt for both digital and print copies.

Let Andrew Walker know of your wishes (awalker@emconf.ca).

Those not involved in EMC churches who wish to review The Messenger for free can find copies on our conference website.

– Terry Smith Executive Secretary

Magazine continues, but grant funding ends Delegates will discuss this in November STEINBACH, Man.—The Messenger will continue. But some of its current funding will not, it recently learned.

And decisions will need to be made.

Throughout its history The Messenger has consistently benefited from generous donations by EMC churches and members through the conference budget. In more recent years it has also benefited from grant funding.

On July 28, after a lengthy process, the magazine was informed that it would no longer receive the grant funding. Since The Messenger has done nothing differently than in the past, this news is a matter of concern.

The Board of Church Ministries has been actively working with the situation. Delegates will receive more information to guide discussion and decision-making at the November 2015 conference council meeting.

Guidelines for letters

Letters published are generally to comment on issues raised in The Messenger. The magazine reserves the right to edit letters for length, style, legality, and taste. It can refuse publication.

Letters by regular mail and by fax must contain a handwritten signature with at least the writer’s first and last names and an address.

The Board of Church Ministries decided on Aug. 20 that members and adherents would continue to receive The Messenger as usual at their homes through 2015. Other subscribers will also see the magazine coming as usual.

Throughout the magazine’s history, the subscription price has never reflected actual production costs. It is to be widely available without barrier, does not accept paid advertising, and is a small press run.

Since 1963 The Messenger has been a major connecting point, teaching venue, news source, and social contact within our conference—reflected in its being an integral part of our conference’s yearly budget.

We welcome the counsel and decision-making that will yet occur.

– Board of Church Ministries

For letters by e-mail, the writer’s name and e-mail address are deemed to be an electronic signature. The writer’s regular postal address is to be included in e-mail correspondence.

The writer’s name and general address are to be published. In sensitive matters, names may be withheld. Letters to the editor are to be 250 words or less.

Column • Writings Shared The Great and Holy War: How World War I Became a Religious Crusade, Philip Jenkins (New York, NY: HarperOne, 2014). 448 pp. $15.99 USD. Reviewed by Darryl G. Klassen pastor of Kleefeld EMC and editor of Theodidaktos, Journal for EMC theology and education.

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common perception of the Great War (1914-1918) suggests that ethnic and political tensions were coming to a boil in Europe and war was inevitable. Another common perception speaks of royal relatives (King George V, Tsar Nicholas II, and Kaiser Wilhelm were all cousins) playing live chess with their armies.

Causes aside, Jenkins proposes that motivating the common citizen, specifically soldiers, was achieved through religious means.

Clergy on both sides of the war, Anglo-American and Germanic, urged their congregations to get involved. The pre-millennial teaching of Scofield and others greatly influenced the masses to believe that this war was prophetic, even a fulfillment of Scriptures. When Allenby captured

Jerusalem in 1917, preachers had a solid sign that this war was indeed the work of God and every man and woman should rise to the call.

Jenkins reveals the sad truth of the fallout of the Great War. Millions died.

The Kingdom of God did not enter into our reality because of this war. And one hundred years later, our world continues to reel from the consequences of that war. Our struggles with Islam and the Middle East would be almost benign if not for the Great War. The Great and Holy War does not recount the battles won and lost. It goes behind the veil of horror and war to investigate religious motivations for the war. Thus Jenkins calls us to consider the disturbing reasons that thrust a world into war and the part the Church played in it.

Jenkins calls us to consider the disturbing reasons that thrust a world into war and the part the Church played in it.

Guadalajara Prayer Team 2015

Advancing Ministry Through Prayer

Apply By: Friday, Oct. 2, 2015

November 6-16, 2015

Cost: $1400 (approx.)

Ministry Project: $100 of your trip fee goes towards a ministry project that will help further the efforts of the missionaries’ work.

Accommodations: Billeting in missionary homes.

Food: In missionary homes and local cuisine.

Contact: Call the EMC office at 204-326-6401 or email Diana (dpeters@emconf.ca) or Gerald (greimer@emconf.ca) to request an application form.

www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 5

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Second Message

Persecution Non-Negotiables (Matt. 10:16-20)

DESIGNPICS

by Nik Ripken

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he Church in the West has developed a non-biblical missiology of persecution.

In essence our cultures have lied to us.

Our cultures have told us that persecution is bad, it is to be avoided, and that the persecutors are to be punished. These thoughts and feelings are not rooted in the biblical narrative. Believers in persecution teach us that suffering in and of itself is neutral in value.

If someone in your church or on your team is fearful and afraid of persecution, you must deal with it firmly, lovingly and biblically, because fear is not of the Lord. Persecution is not something that you run away from.

Yet if you have someone on your team, or in your church, who wants to be persecuted, then take them to a mental health care specialist.

They are not in their right mind if they want someone to beat them, put them in prison, or even kill them!

While persecution is not something you run away from, it is also not something you run toward.

the sun is coming up in the East!’?”

I told him that I had never done this as our sons would think that I was crazy because the sun always comes up in the East. He said to me, “That’s why we don’t talk about our persecution, write books, or make movies of our suffering.

Our persecution is like the sun coming up in the East. It’s normal.”

Another evangelist in Ukraine asked me, “When did you stop reading your Bible?” I assured him that I read mine daily! He questioned this as he said that, “Everything that has ever happened to us is already recorded in the Bible.

If you would read your Bible, you would also hear our stories. Why would God have us write down our stories when He has already recorded them in His book?”

May Sound Arrogant

If someone in your church or on your This may sound arrogant, but the number team is fearful and afraid of persecution, one cause of persecution in history and you must deal with it firmly, lovingly and on the planet today is people giving their lives biblically, because fear is not of the Lord. to Jesus. It is a little-

Persecution is Normal

GERALD PRASCHL: USED UNDER CREATIVE COMMONS

Believers in persecution remind us that being persecuted because of the name of Jesus is normal.

We heard this throughout the former Soviet Union. In interviews, believers following Jesus in persecution told us that persecution is normal, biblical. Meeting with pastors in Russia, I was astounded to hear stories that were biblical-like in all regards. It was as if I was interviewing the apostle Paul or Elijah.

Struck by their stories, I asked them why they had not written books concerning their suffering or make movies from their stories? One gentle pastor took me off to the east side of his house, saying, “I understand that you have three sons. How many times did you get up in the morning, take your sons to the eastern side of your house, point to the sun and say, ‘Look, boys,

known fact concerning persecution that the quickest way to measure what God is doing is to look for evil’s response to the presence of God. Stated another way, where there is a great harvest, there is always a great persecution. It was true in the Bible and it is true within movements toward Jesus Christ among the nations today.

The opposite is also true. Where there is little response to Jesus in the marketplace, there is little persecution as there is little worth persecuting. ➢

Gulag Perm-36: a Soviet era forced labour camp, closed in 1988.

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be released. He’s been arrested and in prison illegally, according to Western forms of human and civil rights.

Yet we must ask ourselves the question, what happens if we get Joseph freed from Pharaoh’s prison before he can interpret Pharaoh’s dreams? The answer is obvious: both the Jews and Egyptians die of starvation.

The Church must struggle with the fact that today there are situations where God needs modern-day Josephs in jail for the sake of the Kingdom of God. We must pray in accordance with God’s will, as the only way to stop persecution today is to stop people from coming to Christ. How can we be psychologically, emotionally, spiritually, and physically strong enough to know when to leave Joseph in jail? This is never easy, nor should it become so.

DESIGNPICS

We Will Cause Persecution

Here’s one of the biggest problems in the modern Western Christianity. The Church has been taught to pray for persecution to cease, for it to end, for it to be stopped. If believers in persecution are to be believed, the only way to stop persecution is to stop people from coming to, believing in, Jesus. The only way for God to answer our prayers for persecution to cease is to hinder and limit the Kingdom of God and its growth.

It is never wrong to ask God to be delivered from suffering, nor to ask God to deliver others from suffering. There is no sin in praying that “let this cup pass.” Jesus himself prayed this prayer.

But this is only half of the prayer. The last half of the prayer that Jesus prayed was for the Father’s will, not his, to be done. The Church has ceased to struggle with the fact that sometimes God needs Joseph in Pharaoh’s prison for the sake of the Kingdom of God. What do we do today when “our” Josephs are arrested and placed in persecution? We petition governments by e-mail and through governmental hearings, demanding that “our” Joseph

Therefore, if we are obedient to take Jesus to the nations, it can be argued that we will cause persecution. What happens if we are faithful to go to the nations? Let’s assume that we do everything right. We go long-term, learn the language, embrace the culture, heal the sick, and clothe the naked—in essence do everything right as Jesus modeled for us. We earn the right to be heard in the marketplace.

We create a space, a bubble of history, where the good news can be heard, understood, and believed. What will be the end result of such practices? People by the hundreds—no, often by the thousands—will believe in Jesus the Christ.

What will be evil’s response to such a renewed presence by the Kingdom of God in their midst? Sadly, new believers will lose their jobs.

Some will have their children taken away from their parents as they are considered unfit to raise them as new followers of Jesus.

Others will be arrested and sometimes beaten in police stations. Still others today will go to prison long-term and be tortured. Emerging leaders in these new movements toward Jesus will often be killed for their strong faith in Christ.

As such is true, what does this do to the Western worker who carries Christ to the

What do we do today when “our” Josephs are arrested and placed in persecution?

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JIM CHENG

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The number one cause of persecution is people giving their lives to Jesus. (The MWC Assembly gave evidence of evangelisim and persecution.)

nations? Often it is the practice of Satan to leave the Western worker alone while attacking the fruit of one’s witness.

It is not uncommon, therefore, for Western media outlets, the opposing religious entity, as well as for other Christian entities to criticize the one who was obedient in sharing Christ’s love broadly with others. One hears such comments as, “If you had just continued to do good works without inviting others to become followers of Jesus, this person would not have been harmed. You were the one who got his person hurt. It is your fault.

You are to blame.”

is normal is a good first step. Embracing the fact that the more people come to Christ the more they will suffer will bring strength for the journey. Knowing that you can’t make persecution fair, calls us to a strength of faith known by the saints of both the Old and the New Testaments.

Evil does not give up its territory readily, and we are in a spiritual battle that is real. Those of us who follow Jesus have chosen sides, and we have determined that we will be partners with Jesus.

Let us determine to be wise and strong sheep among the wolves. Let us determine to be good partners with Jesus Christ, staying the course, especially through suffering and persecution for the name of Jesus.

Evil does not give up its territory readily, and we are in a spiritual battle that is real.

Persecution Is Not Democratic

You cannot make persecution fair. It is not democratic. A biblical theology of suffering is not comparable to Western democracy based on human and civil rights. Loving the nations, especially those influenced and controlled by organizations such as ISIS, demands a biblical missiology of suffering.

Understanding that in the Bible persecution

Nik Ripken is a missions veteran of 30 years concerned for the persecuted Church. He has written The Insanity of God and The Insanity of Obedience. He served as EMC convention speaker, where a longer message was presented on Saturday evening. Because of his travels, we choose not to publish his photo.

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ISTOCK

Entering the Other Room

by Dr. Arley Loewen

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hink of two rooms. In our room, we feel at home and secure. We enjoy being together with our own people. As the saying goes, “birds of the feather flock together.”

Indeed it’s biblical: “let us not give up meeting together” (Heb. 10:25).

However, what about those who are in the other room? That room is strange to us. We’ve never been inside it. We stare at those people and easily imagine negative and fearful things about life there. We naturally become estranged (alienated) from those who are strange.

Some of us research the “other room” to discover as much evil as possible about the room.

Oddly, we tend to overlook the evils in our own room and if anyone ever does some good in the other room, we don’t bother to hear it. After all, don’t they—at least Muslims—want to hurt us?

To love Muslims, at the very least, means to respect them for who they are, to listen to them, to try to see the world from their perspective.

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Because threats from outside enforce our team solidary, we tend to embellish threats and explore ways to defeat those in the other room.

Maybe we should just shoot them. Yet, we’ve never stepped inside the other room. This is exclusion.

(Others only see the bad at home and the good on the other side, like the anthropologist who loves all cultures except their own.)

Respecting Muslims

Love God, love your neighbour. These commands are a given, but who are my neighbours?

Just those inside our room? Jesus says “even the sinners do that.” How can we love neighbours in the other room if we never enter their room?

To love Muslims, at the very least, means to respect them for who they are, to listen to them, to try to see the world from their perspective.

Here’s a few thoughts on respect.

Who are they?

Sometimes people ask me, “Why do ‘they’ want hurt us?” I ask, “Who are ‘they’?” There are 1.5 billion Muslims, a vast mosaic. The illustration of the “other room” breaks down because there are many rooms.

Is Islam the religion of peace or violence?

At times, when Muslims reject radical Islam saying, “That’s not Islam,” I urge them to realize

their own mosaic. Similarly, I ask Christians to acknowledge that Muslims have varied ways of interpreting the Koran and their history.

Who is Mohammad?

Mohammad preached that the Arabs should reject idolatry and return to the worship of the One God. He understood himself to continue the line of the prophets.

The Mohammad of his first 10 years in Mecca did not preach warfare. After he migrated to Medina, he raised an army to fight their enemies. Here we see jihad.

A simplistic comparison is to say that present-day Muslim fundamentalists and radicals cling to the Medinan Mohammad, while reformers to the earlier Meccan Mohammad.

Who is Jesus?

Muslims have a high view of Jesus from their perspective. They say he was born of a virgin, performed miracles (healed the sick and raised the dead), He is alive today and will come back to this earth (as a Muslim).

Years ago, Turkey banned the movie The Last Temptation of Christ because they saw it as an insult to a prophet of God. Muslims, at least, have an awareness of Jesus and respect Him. Can we not respect Muslims because they respect Jesus, the Messiah? Yes, there is much more (cross, resurrection, deity), but we can begin here.

What about their spirituality?

When we see Muslims pray, fast, give alms, go on pilgrimage, we sometimes dismiss all of this as outward showmanship. Even if it is, perhaps their devotion should cause me to reflect on my walk with God. A Canadian Pentecostal professional working in the Middle East, has written a delightful book in this regard: Learning from Islam: How to live as a Christian (Kamal al-Kanady).

Who are we?

For a variety of socio-historical-political reasons, “we” in the West are considered Christians and Christians are seen to be violent. This, sadly, is our witness, our reputation.

I shuddered as I watched parts of American Sniper, an award-winning movie of 2014. “We,” too, are bloody and violent. What if Iraqi tanks were rumbling through our streets?

Of course, we do not want Muslims to generalize the West with one brush, but if the Muslim world assumes that Westerners (Christians) are pro-war and committed to violence, we’ve messed up somewhere.

Engaging Muslims—Three practical Steps

But more than respect, we are called to engage the other room. We cannot do mission if we stay in our room.

Yes, we are to be separated from the world, but does this mean to isolate ourselves from the world? How can we move out of our room and step into the other room, be they neighbour, a stranger, or enemy?

How can we open our doors and welcome the stranger into our room?

Food

I mentioned earlier we naturally fear that which is strange—xenophobia (fear the strange). One of the two New Testament words for hospitality turns xenophobia on its head—we are called to be phila-xenos (to love the stranger).

What if we invite Canadian newcomers into our homes?

Instead of isolating ourselves ➢

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Faith

from them (a form of hostility) can we becomes hosts and provide hospice? Let us put on dinners for newcomers, kebabs (barbeque), curries, and special rice. We can get over our hot-dogs and farmer sausages and celebrate the foods of the world.

As we eat together with strangers, we begin to enact a holy sacrament of evangelism—by not only sharing our bread, but the Bread of Life.

Family

As we eat together with strangers, we begin to enact a holy sacrament of evangelism— by not only sharing our bread, but the Bread of Life.

Most evangelical Christians are committed to the “Focus on the Family.” Muslims, indeed, most Asians and Middle Easterners have an even stronger, almost obsessive focus on family.

Do you want to connect with Muslims? Connect with their families.

To start a conversation with newcomers from the Middle East, ask them about family, their father, mother, children, and so on. Now be sensitive. If you’re male, don’t ask the husband about his wife. Rather ask him about his parents.

Show them how much you appreciate your family and believe in family stability.

Can we re-orientate our “focus on the family” from our backyard decks and nuclear family vacations, to “serve others through the family?”

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With most Muslims, you can have “Godtalk” without wondering how to weave it into a conversation. It’s part of everyday conversation. They are a God-oriented people.

Talk about your prayer life, your love for God, about your desire to please God in all things, about your desire to see your family pure, on the right path and secure.

You can choose to highlight differences and soon you will be in a heated argument. Win the argument, if you can, but you will likely lose the person. You can also discuss commonalities and trust the Holy Spirit to lead the discussion further. Talk about the Creator, the prophets (Noah, Abraham, Joseph, and many more). Of course, highlight the Prophet Jesus.

But as you talk about Jesus, his miracles, and teachings (e.g., Sermon on the Mount), sooner or later we find ourselves talking about the cross. But never leave out that Jesus is alive after the cross!

Let’s open the doors of our rooms and invite others in. Let’s move out of our rooms and get ourselves invited into the other rooms.

Here begins mission.

Dr. Arley Loewen (with his wife Janice) builds bridges between people, cultures, and faiths.

For his first MA (on Persian literature), he studied in Pakistan and wrote his thesis in Persian. He later got another MA and then a PhD, the latter in Middle Eastern Civilizations, both at the U. of T.

ISTOCK

The Typhoon of Life

by Ervin Dueck

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oseph Conrad’s seafaring novella Typhoon presents an interesting and dramatic tale of the steamer Nan Shan sailing through a storm in the China Sea. Jukes, the first mate, loses his bearings as the vicious and violent hurricane strikes. In fact, he is almost thrown from the ship. It is at this moment, the moment that he is most certain all might be lost, that he seeks and finds his captain.

Prior to the storm, Captain McWhirr is described as a reserved and distant individual, unwilling to engage in trite or trivial matters. Jukes views McWhirr as stupid because the captain, when faced with the option of sailing around the storm, decides not to alter the Nan Shan’s course. He thus risks the lives of the entire crew and passengers. In McWhirr’s view, you can’t know how bad a storm is unless you sail through it, and because the captain remains a distant enigma, Jukes simply does not respect his captain.

fears he’ll be dragged overboard and desperately seeks to hear from his captain amid the storm.

McWhirr’s voice, however, can barely be heard over the sound of the crashing waves and the howling wind.

In describing the captain’s voice, Conrad seems to allude to the story of Elijah and God’s still small voice (1 Kings 19). In the story, Elijah does not hear the voice of God in the storm; he hears it quietly in the silence.

In contrast, Conrad depicts the storm as seeking to mute the captain’s voice—and the storm is somewhat successful in this undertaking.

McWhirr’s voice is consistently described as quite and distant, yet sure and stalwart.

Indeed, Conrad’s description of the voice is specifically linked with the apocalyptic day of the Lord: And again [Jukes] heard that voice, forced and ringing feebly, but with a penetrating effect of quietness in the enormous discord of noises, as if sent out from some remote spot of peace beyond the black wastes of the gale; again he heard a man’s voice—the frail and indomitable sound that can be made to carry an infinity of thought, resolution and purpose, that shall be pronouncing confident words on the last day, when heavens fall, and justice is done…. ➢

It is at this moment, the moment that he is most certain all might be lost, that he seeks and finds his captain.

Still Small Voice

The hurricane hits the Nan Shan with the fury of a villain bent on revenge; the storm tosses the ship as it wishes and places the crew in great peril. The frantic and desperate endeavours to survive are most notably present in Jukes, who

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The narrator describes the voice as carrying an infinity of thought and confident, and although Jukes thinks his superior is stupid and unintelligent, the typhoon creates an irony. The storm makes Jukes desperate for one thing only—to hear the voice of his captain.

For Jukes, much like the still voice of God to Elijah, the captain’s voice exudes assurance amid fear, certainty amid doubt, and calm amid chaos.

And Jukes desperately needs to hear it.

Conrad’s description here is tantamount to how I sometimes feel when the storms of life hit me. Like Jukes, I do not always understand my captain. I doubt my God. I doubt God’s word. And, sometimes, I do not like the way he does things. But, amid the peril of a storm in my life, I desperately want only one thing: to hear my captain and God speak.

Bound to Leave Something Behind

One of the most interesting features of Conrad’s typhoon story is the storm’s capacity to fragment communication between the captain and his first mate. While the narrator provides the reader with what Jukes says, Captain McWhirr’s words and responses are often broken up. The storm noise either silences Jukes’ captain or inadvertently mutes his words and forces Jukes and the reader to interpret the jumbled conversation.

Amid the peril of a storm in my life, I desperately want only one thing: to hear my captain and God speak.

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The jumbled words occur when the typhoon wrestles away the Nan Shan’s two lifeboats.

The loss is devastating and Jukes attempts to tell McWhirr. The captain, however, is unfazed and responds with a mere and simple “all right.”

Jukes thinks he was misunderstood or that the captain had not heard, so he again cries out, “Our boats—I say boats—the boats, sir! Two gone!” What McWhirr says next is striking.

Analogically, as I think of my God and as I think of the storms that God allows in my life, I can imagine God saying what MacWhirr says to Jukes. Conrad describes the interchange as follows: The same voice, within a foot of him and yet so remote, yelled sensibly, “Can’t be helped.”

Captain MacWhirr had never turned his face, but Jukes caught some more words on the wind. “What can—expect—when hammering through—such—Bound to leave—something behind—stands to reason.”

The captain seems unmoved by the fact that the lifeboats, the most valuable of possessions in a storm, are gone. Not only is McWhirr wholly unmoved by this loss, he sees the loss as inevitable when hammering through storms.

In his mind, storms do this—storms are destructive. They take things, things of value, things we think we need. In much the same way, God too seems unmoved by the things we lose in our storms.

In fact, because God is sovereign and because he holds our lives perfectly, he is not beholden to the things we value (Ps. 115:3). We imagine losses as devastating, but God knows that in the storms of life, we are bound to leave things behind—valuable things. But these things cannot be compared to the future glory (Rom. 8:18). We must trust our God and captain.

He Had Found His Captain

At one point in the storm Jukes thinks himself tossed overboard and calls out, “My God! My God! My God! My God!” The scene alludes to Jesus’ cry and sense of abandonment (Matt. 27). As Jukes struggles, he finds MacWhirr: “He clawed ferociously [for the railings,] lost them, found them again, lost them once more, and finally was himself caught in the firm clasp of a pair of stout arms. He returned the embrace closely round a thick solid body. He had found his captain.”

Jukes cries out, “Is it you, sir? Is it you, sir?”

And just like Elijah, Jukes hears a quiet voice uttering one word: “Yes!” The presence of his captain is wholly relieving to Jukes. Amid the tumbling of the current and waves, amid the loss of lifeboats, and amid the peril of losing one’s own life, we like Jukes need the voice of our captain. We need the “Yes!” that says our God is present, much like the words of Jesus to his disciples in the storm: “It is I, do not be afraid” (John 6:20).

We do not always hear God’s “Yes!” Storms make it hard to hear the still voice of God. It is in these moments, however, that we need fellow believers who come alongside of us and do what Paul maintains is the root of

prophetic utterance: we encourage, strengthen, and exhort (1 Cor. 14).

We speak life into each other’s lives by remembering our God. We recite creeds, noting God’s sovereignty and grace; we cite doctrines, noting God is with us and will not abandon us; and we read the Scriptures, reminding us of God’s presence in the midst of our storms. And in doing so, we hear God’s “Yes!” Ervin Dueck, BTh, MA, MTS, attends North Langley Community Church in Langley, BC. He teaches Bible and English at Pacific Academy in Surrey and is a part-time instructor for Trinity Western University, Langley, BC.

www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 15

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MWC Assembly celebrates faith and cultural diversity More than 8,000 people attended

JIM CHENG

HARRISBURG, PA—The party of global Anabaptism was held here.

With more than eight thousand participants, the Mennonite World Conference Assembly in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania happened on July 21-26.

The inaugural act of the great meeting had multicultural expressions in music with musicians and singers from different countries.

The variety of music accompanied the tunes that the participants sung. A diversity of languages of those giving speeches on the stage showed the growing reality of faith communities all over the world: The predominant languages spoken in the Anabaptist family are no longer English nor German.

Each day, the emphasis in the plenary sessions was centred in some region of the world.

Latin America was first with rhythmical songs. The expressiveness of the continent spread to attendees from other lands who are more moderate in their musical worship.

The theme of PA 2015 was Walking with God. MWC General Secretary, César García, from Colombia, was in charge of the first talk. He celebrated the diversity of the global Anabaptist family and its willingness to share and serve with its gifts in a world with multiple needs.

García noted that the Gospel

16 The Messenger • September 2015

of Luke describes the act of walking in several different circumstances. According to Luke, walking is closely related to discipleship. He mentioned the case of the two who were walking to Emmaus. After a long journey without understanding the meaning of the experiences they had before following Jesus, their eyes finally opened.

With their hearts burning, they recognized Jesus as Lord and they returned the same way they had come. They went back to Jerusalem to proclaim the victory of Jesus over the death.

According to the Gospel of Luke, when the disciples began the journey, they were rather sad and downhearted (24:17). In contrast to the beginning of their journey, toward the end, after Jesus explained to them about the Scriptures (24:27), the disciples desired to act. They were determined to announce the invigorating message of the gospel.

It is not just about walking. It’s about walking with God. It is realizing that during the act of walking our eyes will discover new horizons. We have to go to the place where the sun meets the morning sky.

-Carlos Martínez García Carlos Martínez García is a pastor and journalist from Mexico. Check MWC’s website for the original Spanish version.

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Mukawa calls for reconciliation with God, others

DALE D. GEHMAN

People are needed with attitude of Abigail

Nzuzi Mukawa preached on July 23.

HARRISBURG, PA—Nzuzi Mukawa, a Congolese MB pastor and educator and the MB Mission team leader for Sub Sahara Africa, challenged his audience on July 24 to leave MWC Assembly 16 as men and women reconciled with God and others.

Mukawa’s text was I Sam. 25:1-35, the story of David, Nabal and Abigail. The conflict here, said Mukawa, begins with one person—Nabal, a rich but insensitive man with a bad heart.

When Nabal rejects David’s request for help, David decides to seek revenge. The resolution to this conflict also begins with one person—Abigail, a beautiful woman with a good heart. When David accepts her gift of reconciliation, the conflict is resolved.

“Why is there so much conflict in the world?” asked Mukawa. “I realize that it is because people are accepting the ideas of Nabal.”

When people take advantage of wealth, education, and power, the result is conflict—in families, among countries and even in the church. We need to be careful of this attitude, said Mukawa.

“We need men and women who will adopt the attitude of Abigail—to go toward the other,” said Mukawa. “What attitude will we take when we leave this place?”

Reconciliation is the work of God, said Mukawa, referring to 2 Cor. 5:17-20. “In the moment when we were God’s enemies, God came toward us. God has reconciled us in Christ Jesus.”

Mukawa encouraged those that filled the arena to confess Christ. “Only one name has been given by which we can be saved,” he said. “And that is Jesus. Are you in agreement with me?” The crowd’s repeated applause indicated they were.

Why are we Mennonites and Anabaptists such a diverse group? asked Mukawa. It was because the first Anabaptists went out with this good news, and he was happy that his ancestors are among those who accepted Jesus Christ because of this witness.

He encouraged local congregations to use the word “Mennonite” or “Anabaptist” in their church name, as congregations do in his country. “Why are you ashamed of this tradition? And if you are ashamed of this tradition, why have you come here?”

God calls his disciples to proclaim the cross and to work to resolve conflict. Citing current world examples, Mukawa called for a resolution to ethnic, tribal, and racial conflict. The MWC Assembly represents the great diversity that we will enjoy in heaven when we stand before the Lamb of God, said Mukawa. “I am happy for that day.”

Music during the service highlighted Africa. The singing was enthusiastic and energetic and included performances by two African choirs. While Brethren Choral Sounds Choir from Zimbabwe numbered about 40 singers, only five singers represented Eastleigh Fellowship Choir from Kenya; the other 25 were denied visas.

Others were also unable to attend this global event, and master of ceremonies Don McNiven lead the audience in silent prayer for those who were missing because their visas were denied.

– Connie Faber, editor, Christian Leader

www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 17

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DALE D. GEHMAN

M

The MWC General Assembly was a wonderful experience!

by Ron Penner

T

he sixteenth General Assembly of Mennonite World Conference held in Harrisburg, PA, was a wonderful experience of how the Bible describes the body of Christ in operation. Here are a number of reasons why I make this statement.

With over 7,000 attendees from the Anabaptist community of approximately 80 countries represented, you can imagine varieties of languages and colours, cultural and economic differences coming together in praise and fellowship, worshipping God in a spirit of love and unity.

The worship band, from the five different continents, led us toward the vision of the church in Revelation, gathered around the Throne, celebrating God’s blessings. According to people who were there, there is nothing like singing that can cross cultural boundaries and bond us into

one body. Twice daily, we gathered for worship services, with three languages—English, French and Spanish—being employed for the diverse people groups in attendance.

The general theme of “Walking with God” was approached from the perspectives of a diverse group of speakers.

Main speakers came from Congo, Japan, Guatemala, the United States, Europe and Canada, each highlighting how a faithful walk with God is demonstrated in their context.

A response to each sermon by a young Anabaptist, again from a different cultural group, was an enriching and delightful experience. After each worship and teaching session, the congregation was invited to gather into fellowship groups to converse about the messages.

Over three hundred circles formed to continue the blessing in fellowship and learning.

Late in the week, the worship service seemed

The worship band, from the five different continents, led us toward the vision of the church in Revelation, gathered around the Throne, celebrating God’s blessings.

18 The Messenger • September 2015

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to climax when a communion service of many thousand Mennonites and Brethren in Christ came together to celebrate our unity in the family of God. Even as we were warmed and blessed by the inspiration of the worship times, we were graphically reminded that we are called to “bear each other’s burdens” in the body of Christ. Though it appears that we are not suffering much in North America, our brothers and sisters in other parts of the world often pay a price for being faithful to their God. Prayer was regularly expressed for the needs of the people of the global Mennonite church. A pastor from Nepal described the massive destruction in their country in a recent earthquake, and a mission leader from Europe shared about the grim displacement of thousands of people because of the civil war in Ukraine. A young man in South Korea was sentenced to prison for refusing military participation because of his Christian profession. Refugees from North Africa flooding into Europe are testing the resources there of church and state.

Additionally, Muslim-Christian relationships in Indonesia, the ongoing issues of poverty in Congo, the political conditions in Zimbabwe, and the request for military exemption in Colombia for Mennonite Christian youth were among the many prayer requests for our churches in other parts of the world. In

these and many more cases, the members of our family of faith urgently request our prayers on their behalf.

Service opportunities “in the name of Christ” were also a part of the week’s program.

MCC’s meat canner provided canned goods for the food pantries of the community; a house was being built for Habitat for Humanity, providing a place of shelter for a needy family; and quilting and kids’ programs were also a part of Christian service for the week.

The final service included the passing of the staff from President Danisa Ndlovu of Zimbabwe to Nelson Kraybill of the US, symbolizing the role of shepherd of MWC was now in the hands of a new person.

Finally, César Garcia, the General Secretary of MWC, together with the delegates from Indonesia, invited the people to consider attending the next Mennonite World Conference’s General Assembly in 2021. Hopefully, many in the EMC will accept that invitation.

Ron Penner (Aberdeen) serves on MWC’s Executive Committee as a North American representative and is our EMC representative.

Free for Sunday School!

Contact info@emconf.ca or 204-3266401.

www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 19

20 15 W C M

Inter-church relations mark MWC meetings Some official dialogues, including about baptism

DALE D. GEHMAN

HARRISBURG, PA—During both morning and evening worship sessions on July 22 and 23 at the MWC Assembly, representatives from various Christian communions brought greetings to MWC participants. Nearly all praised Mennonites for their long-standing peace witness.

In the morning worship on July 22, Gretchen Castle of the Friends World Committee for Consultation brought greetings. That evening, Larry Miller, former MWC General Secretary, brought greetings from the Global Christian Forum, followed by Monsignor Gregory Fairbanks of the Roman Catholic Church.

On July 23, greetings came from Elizabeth Miller of the Moravian Church and William Wilson of the Pentecostal World Fellowship in the morning, followed by Isabel Phiri of the World Council of Churches, Martin Junge of the Lutheran World Federation and Diop Ganoune of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists in the evening. Junge received sustained applause as he expressed gratitude for MWC extending forgiveness to Lutherans in 2010 for their treatment of Anabaptists in the past.

Several workshops also addressed ecumenical concerns. Jonathan Seiling and Fernando Enns led a July 22 workshop, “Introduction to Mennonites and Ecumenism,” which introduced the reasons and contexts in which Mennonites have entered into official dialogue with other Christian denominations. That same day, Valerie Rempel led the workshop “The MWC-Seventh-day Adventist Dialogue,” which highlighted the outcomes of a dialogue that happened in 2011-12.

On July 23, Alfred Neufeld, John Rempel, and Seiling led the workshop “Trilateral Dialogue: Catholics, Lutherans and Mennonite Conversations on Baptism,” which

20 The Messenger • September 2015

reported on dialogues between MWC and the Lutheran and Catholic churches, a five-year process that has dealt with the healing of memories, theologies and practices that separate us, the meaning and function of a sacrament and the problem of Christian initiation.

The workshop focused primarily on the dialogue about baptism. The delegation met four times in the past four years, Neufeld said. He reported that while there is a high level of agreement about the meaning of baptism, there is much disagreement about its practice.

He handed out a paper that noted the following: • For Roman Catholics the topic of what happens to original sin in baptism is still most urgent.

• For Lutherans the topic of divine promise and salvation by grace without works is central.

• To a certain extent, Catholics, Lutherans, and Mennonites are re-exploring the meaning of sacraments as signs/symbols.

• In Anabaptist perspective, water baptism is a strong communicating act. All communication happens through signs and symbols.

• All three traditions share an interest in the dialectics of human voluntarism versus God’s sovereign grace.

• How to practice believer’s baptism for the children of the church is a challenge for Mennonites.

Among the questions that have come to the forefront is this: How do we handle situations when Lutherans and Catholics who have been baptized as infants want to join a Mennonite church?

Catholics and Lutherans have said that Mennonites don’t take original sin seriously enough, while Mennonites have said that Catholics and Lutherans practice “indiscriminate baptisms”—they don’t pay enough attention to the faith of the parents.

Rempel noted that there are differences within denominations as well as between them. He said there is a great imbalance in Mennonite history between pursuing a perfect church and a united church. “Splitting is the great sickness of the Mennonite tradition,” he said.

He added that we are not the only normative part of the body of Christ. “When you see the presence of Christ in other traditions,” he said, “it relativizes your own tradition.”

If we say Catholics and Lutherans are Christian, he added, “we have to take seriously their traditions.”

– Gordon Houser, editor of The Mennonite

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LWF’s Junge: ‘Transforming power of reconciliation’

LWF

Forgiveness allows churches to serve together

Dr. Martin Junge

HARRISBURG, PA—Five years after Lutherans asked Mennonites to forgive violence against their ancestors, The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) General Secretary Dr. Martin Junge told the MWC their forgiveness brought Lutherans and Anabaptists closer together to serve the world.

Through the Anabaptist action at the LWF Assembly in 2010, the LWF apologized for Lutheran persecution of Anabaptists in the 16th century, the ignorance towards these actions till the present day, and for inappropriate and hurtful portraits of Anabaptists by Lutheran authors.

The Assembly prayed for healing of memories and reconciliation between Lutherans and Anabaptists. Reconciliation brought new energy into the relations between Lutherans and Anabaptists, Junge said.

“Your forgiveness has helped us to continue engaging in much deeper conversation about issues we still see differently, differences, however, that do not prevent us from seeking closer witness to the Triune God,” he said.

Greeting the MWC on July 23, 2015, Junge recalled MCC’s offer to support LWF’s services in the Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya, home to half a million Somalian refugees.

This was made only a year after the Assembly in Stuttgart.

“We understood as never before that reconciliation among Christian communions will always want to transcend the realm of the church and become a telling story to people suffering, deprived from life in abundance,” Junge said. He received a standing ovation.

Speaking at the MWC’s General Council meeting on July 20, Junge reflected on LWF’s being a communion that emphasizes both catholicity and diversity. Churches ought to follow God’s call for unity and connect Christ’s universal message of salvation to local contexts.

“To be the church in apostolic tradition is to stick both to the faith of the apostles, and to the ways the apostles related to each other on the basis of this faith, even in difficult times,” Junge added. “To be the church in apostolic tradition is to care about both: the truth of faith and the unity of the church.”

LWF comes together as a communion of 145 churches worldwide not as a strategy, but because God calls them together, he said. Their relationship is a gift of God. Member churches continue to be called to witness in their local contexts, serving people who need justice, healing and reconciliation. “They offer the universal message of God’s love for the world and of God’s works of salvation in Jesus Christ to their specific reality,” Junge said.

Junge shared that catholicity and contextuality or diversity must be held together though they are sometimes in tension. Member churches need “to be the church in its context, thereby avoiding an alienating hegemony on each other,” he said, and “ to connect to its catholicity, thereby avoiding its cultural captivity or absolutism.”

– Cornelia Kästner, LWF

Leading Well:

A workshop for Song Leaders and Worship Leaders

Saturday, November 14, 2015 | 9:30 AM - 12:00 NOON Canadian Mennonite University Chapel, South Campus 600 Shaftesbury Blvd, Winnipeg

cmu.ca/leadingworship

www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 21

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‘The Holy Spirit is wooing the whole church to witness and service’ Mission Commission coordinates joint meeting for GMF and GASN

DALE D. GEHMAN

Harrisburg, PA—“The Holy Spirit is wooing the whole church to witness and service,” said Richard Showalter, chair of the MWC Mission Commission (MC).

He welcomed delegates and observers to the joint assembly of the Global Mission Fellowship (GMF) and the Global Anabaptist Service Network (GASN), July 16–20, 2015, at the Radisson Harrisburg convention centre. “We’re all called to witness in word, deed and being,” Showalter said. “Our different gifts and callings are brought together in the Spirit of Jesus.”

In seminars and table groups, GMF/GASN participants sang songs in multiple languages and shared stories from network members.

John Wambura from Tanzania left a good job at the U.S. embassy in Dar es Salaam to work for a small, poor congregation. “I was fighting poverty, disease, ignorance—and sin,” he said.

As Wambura helps people see what they have, gives training in business and began revolving fund meetings couched in worship and Bible study, the church has grown and had an impact on the community. Hundreds of people from different religions and backgrounds now come to more than 100 groups in 30 regions.

Paulus Hartono works for peace by deploying mixed teams of Muslims and Christians in disaster relief in the Muslim community.

Plenary speaker Ofelia Garcia, spoke on the theme of “walking with God” in mission and service by examining

22 The Messenger • September 2015

Jesus’ words about the cost of discipleship in Luke 9.

Sharing about her work with children in Chihuahua, Mexico, Garcia noted that children are often the most needy in a community.

“The call of Jesus cannot be postponed,” said Garcia, a Mexican pastor and MC member. “We must let go of the tyranny of material goods and accept a new faith family that comes ahead of our human family.”

In a plenary address, John Fumana of the Democratic Republic of Congo spoke from 1 Cor. 12:4–12 (the body and its many parts). “We are called to be creative stewards in partnerships,” Fumana said. “There can be no service without mission and no mission without service.”

As MWC grew beyond a celebration gathering every six years, Anabaptist mission and service leaders from around the world advocated for space to learn from each other, said MWC general secretary César Garcia. These impulses gave birth to the Mission Commission in 2009.

The GMF, formed in 2003, and GASN, formed in 2012, operate under it.

There are 72 members of GMF and 55 members of GASN, says Rafael Zaracho, MC staff secretary: 42 GMF and 39 GASN delegates attended the Harrisburg meeting.

“These networks are an integral part of our global family of faith,” said César García.

– Jewel Showalter, MWC

M C W 15 20

Column • Focusing On

MWC Assembly 2015 hat is the purpose of your visit?” the customs officer asked the young man from Africa. “I’m here to attend Mennonite World Conference,” he replied. The officer stopped, looked directly at the young man, and asked incredulously, “Are you a Mennonite?”

The global Mennonite Church shatters any preconceived ideas of the traditional race, language, and practices of Mennonites. This was just one of the many stories I heard in connecting with hundreds of people throughout the weeklong gathering in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, at the Mennonite World Conference gathering.

I wasn’t sure what to expect on arriving in Harrisburg for the General Assembly, but the organizers did a wonderful job of directing us to the main session and then to our home stays in the evening. I was hosted by a delightful family in Lancaster. We became quick friends and discovered that we had much in common. It was obviously a God-ordained connection.

Each morning we were bused from Lancaster to Harrisburg, making good friends with fellow riders along the way. In our morning and evening sessions we were challenged and encouraged by speakers from all five continents. The theme was

DALE D. GEHMAN

“W

by Tim Dyck General Secretary “Walking with God” and each day focused on a different aspect of our walk with God. One highlight of the week was the gathering of church leaders from EMC-connected churches in Canada, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Burkina Faso. We shared our joys and challenges in ministry, prayed for one another, and then shared a meal together.

About 20 members from the EMC churches were among the many thousands who attended Mennonite World Conference. I was privileged to attend and participate on behalf of EMC and found the experience rich and rewarding.

The next gathering will be in Indonesia in 2021. Will you be there?

••

The officer stopped, looked directly at the young man, and asked incredulously, “Are you a Mennonite?”

MWC world membership rises to 2.12M Church of the Brethren included for first time HARRISBURG, PA—The latest MWC census counts 2.12 million baptized Anabaptists in 305 organized bodies and national conferences located in 87 countries. Not all are MWC members.

Membership by continent: Africa (736,801), North America (682,559), Asia (431,313), Latin America (199,912), and Europe (64,610). Leading countries are the U.S. (538,839), India (259.611), Ethiopia (255,493), Congo (235,852), Canada (143,720), and Indonesia (111,372).

– Mennonite World Review

www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 23

With Our Missionaries

Poplar Hill relationships are developing On July 12 our plane arrived safely on the gravel runway about six kms from Poplar Hill, NW Ont., and Pardemus, a band member, was there to meet us. We loaded his truck with our payload of 370 kgs and seven people.

At the start, our lodging arrangements were confusing.

We ended up in the hotel with three rooms and a kitchen common to all guests. We had little privacy, a boil water advisory, and no phone. Things got better.

The week of ministry on July 12-18 included a men’s breakfast, a community wiener roast, radio broadcasts, crafts and Bible lessons for the children, and home visitations. There were gifts for the ladies and blankets for babies. A church had donated some money, people shopped, another sewed, another lady crocheted, still another made special cards, and the result was amazing.

Muriel LeClerc and Kristen Brown led the kids’ Bible lessons, outdoors for the first two days because the school was unavailable (water issues). Each child received a button with their photo. I had a devotional about the importance of a name—that God knows our name, knows everything about us, and cares for us.

The men’s breakfast saw 42 out in the community hall.

A police officer working in Poplar Hill came out to serve the men. I had never seen an officer, wearing a firearm, serving breakfast pancakes. It was neat to see him serve. I

Allison Schneck enters Ascend Internship We invite you to pray for Allison Schneck (Vanderhoof ) who will be spending eight months (Sept. 2015 to May 2016) in Guadalajara, Mexico, participating in the Ascend Internship Program. The internship is part of her Columbia Bible College program requirements. She will be serving with our GDL missionary team in their ministries.

We welcome more inquiries about the Ascend Internship Program.

Gerald D. Reimer Missions Mobilizer EMC Board of Missions

24 The Messenger • September 2015

ALBERT MARTENS

NW ONTARIO

The team at Poplar Hill found the ministry to be worthwhile.

had placed a fishhook at each place as a gift. John Friesen did a devotional and then the coffee, pancakes, and sausages tasted even better.

It was also a first to organize a two-km run for the youth ages 10-15 in the afternoon (34C, high humidity).

The police officer led the way with his vehicle. Prizes were given to the winners. I had a short running story after for the children.

Don Wiebe and Chris Lerm, musicians, did two or three radio broadcasts. The community wiener roast was successful; we served 300 hotdogs. I taught one boy to consider the elderly sitting behind the baseball fences—to serve them hotdogs and drinks. He did that many times.

The Northern store donated the bread, buns, wieners, ketchup, mustard, relish, and juice.

Children, teens, and adults like to participate in the baseball games. The firework is always a great feature for the kids. A dog sniffed one after it was lit; one display fell on its side and the rest of the shots were fired at ground level. Fortunately, no one was hurt. After that, the ball diamond was covered with smoke, taking care of the mosquitoes.

This ministry is worthwhile. We get to know people more each year, develop good relationships, serve and learn, and share our faith in Jesus. Members of our team were Kristen Brown (Abbotsford), John and Marlene Friesen (East Braintree), Muriel Leclerc and Chris Lerm (Lorette), and Don Wiebe and myself (Steinbach). Thank you to our sponsors and for praying for us.

– Albert Martens Albert Martens (Steinbach EMC) serves with Athletes in Action.

With Our Missionaries

Pauingassi, a joy and a challenge Planning and preparing to go to a community like Pauingassi is a joy and a challenge. There are so many little but important things to line up before we can go. To name a few: the dates, the volunteers, housing for our team, the flights, the weight of cargo, all the paper work that the government and our mission expects us to complete.

Then we find challenges and changes that come up at the last minute. For our Pauingassi trip we were 12 staff, and with more staff you also need more lodging, room on the plane, and space for more cargo. Supplies on the average equal about 45 kgs per volunteer.

Walter and Winnie Fehr, from Emmanuel Mennonite Church in Winkler, recruited our volunteers for Pauingassi. This church, and especially Walter and Winnie, has been a huge support to Pauingassi and to Tadoule Lake, Man., and Poplar Hill, Ont. Because we were a larger group, we had to take two planes and two boats to get to Pauingassi. Kristen Brown, Linda Blatz, Stephanie Fehr, and I flew out of St. Andrews with a seaplane with Amik Aviation, taking the extra supplies. The more adventurous travel was undertaken by eight other staff who flew out of Steinbach, landed at Little Grand Rapids, and then boated across Fishing Lake to Pauingassi.

The ministry went well. Community people like Pastor Allen, Moses, and Cindy receive us warmly and help with transportation and lodging.

ALBERT MARTENS

NORTHERN MANITOBA

The ministry went well.

The kids were waiting for us. Our volunteers have formed long-time relationships with many children. They receive lots of attention from us, T-shirts, and cookies.

We have them for Bible lessons, baseball, swimming, and sometimes fishing. Of course, there are lots of piggyback rides. I think Mitch gets a great work out for his hockey season. The children love to play ball, especially batting.

The annual men’s and ladies breakfasts are a huge hit, and many come for the gifts and pancakes. The community wiener roast was especially great this year, because Winnie connected well with the community ladies, making bannock burgers and bannock dogs in the school for people.

The Northern store is always generous in helping us with the supplies. During the week we were there, Moses set up a tent for Gospel meetings, where we often helped and attended the services.

We had two minor injuries that caused some headaches—literally. On the first day I bashed my head hard against the end of the plane wing. Winnie tripped on some luggage and fell, hitting her head on the floor.

We ended the week with some great fireworks the night before we left. In general the staff all felt it was one of the better weeks we have had with the Pauingassi people.

Thank you to all our supporters and friends who gave and prayed for us during our time in Pauingassi on Aug. 1 to 7.

– Albert Martens Albert Martens (Steinbach EMC) serves with Athletes in Action.

www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 25

Column • An Education App

Reformation Sunday, a time for education

A As Reformation Sunday nears, let us believe, proclaim, and live within Christ. This is the heart and goal of Christian education.

26 The Messenger • September 2015

ISTOCK

Terry M. Smith Executive Secretary

s Reformation Sunday (Oct. 25) nears, we are children of the Christian Church—the good, the bad, and the ugly. Reformation Sunday reminds us of the need for discernment.

Some of us might consider ourselves Christian, Protestant, Evangelical, and Anabaptist—in that descending order of importance. What about Catholic, a term that predates the separation of the Western (Roman) and the Eastern (Orthodox) Church in AD 1054?

The EMC is indebted to ancient forms of the Church (Western and Eastern), to the Reformers of the 16th century (Zwingli, Luther, Calvin), and to the Radical Reformation. Like the Anglicans, Anabaptists can see themselves as neither Catholic nor Protestant (Walter Klaassen). Alternately, I see Anabaptists as double Protestants, critiquing both Roman Catholicism and wider Protestantism.

The EMC is decidedly Evangelical. This includes a focus upon Scripture, Jesus and his Cross, evangelism and the wider mission of the Church.

This is no conflict with being thoughtful, drawing upon scholarship, and valuing the wider Church.

Consider me a displaced mainliner re-rooted through Evangelicalism (in the Word, Jesus, and the Cross) and enriched through Anabaptism (community, justice, and peace).

The United Church of Canada introduced me to stories of Jesus, congregational life, social justice, and critical thought. My journey then took me to evangelical circles, to baptism in a Baptist church, and to pastoral training in Central Pentecostal College (Scripture, the Spirit, and church planting). In 1979 I transferred to SBC and joined the EMC. Being in the EMC brings together these evangelical, believer’s baptism, and social justice influences.

The United Church now is in serious decline, a not-so-quiet crisis. Within the tradition of liberal Protestantism, its congregations range from being Trinitarian and orthodox to “post-theistic” (no longer believing in God).

Martin Luther

Denominational decline and renewal are complex matters. Currently the United Church’s internal analysts focus the reason for the decline on shifting demographics, a loss of social interest in the Church. Ultimately, this one-sided analysis seems too convenient.

The United Church I respect needs to look deeper. Let it re-examine its having in practice (if not officially) a weak Christian confession that has deteriorated over nine decades. Ministerial candidates are asked if they are in “essential agreement” with its beliefs, but “essential” is undefined and leaders can stray far from what the apostles considered of “first importance” (1 Cor. 15:1-11).

Parts of the United Church show a disturbing capacity for dialogue with anything but Christian orthodoxy. The denomination’s central need is to believe, proclaim, and live within a richer understanding of Jesus Christ—man and God, Lord and Saviour, crucified for our sins and physically raised for our eternal life. Let it reaffirm the foundation of its existence, Jesus Christ, as it seeks to engage and transform society until our Lord returns (1 Cor. 1:26-31, 3:11, 15:1-11; 2 Cor. 11:1-4, 19-20; Rev. 11:15).

The Protestant Reformation was, ultimately, a time of much needed changes. As Reformation Sunday nears, let us examine ourselves (1 Cor. 13:5) and change where we err. Let us believe, proclaim, and live within Christ. This is the heart and goal of Christian education.

– Terry M. Smith

With Our Churches Roseisle EMC

Births, weddings, and much more

REMC

R

OSEISLE, Man.—Our church is celebrating the birth of three babies in 2015. We welcome Owen Peters (Jeremy and Rebecca), Madison Doerksen (Brian and Danielle), and Jemma Martens (Andrew and Jerri). God’s richest blessings on your lives today and always.

Congratulations also go to Kelby Friesen and Michelle (Hoeppner), who were wed on May 1, 2015, at Fort Garry MB church in Winnipeg. Elated parents are Darryl and Eleanor Friesen, and Jim and Denise Hoeppner (Altona).

Travis Friesen and Rachel (Sawatzky) were wed on June 20, 2015, at Altona EMM Church. Parents are Darryl and Eleanor Friesen, and Ed and Ruth Sawatzky (Altona). All the best to the newlyweds!

We ran a Kid’s Klub program twice this winter for community children ages five to 12. Our first event was in March and our second evening was held in May. We had a great turnout both nights, with a church full of kids who showed up for games, worship, crafts, and snacks.

On March 14, our two-person youth group was accompanied by Paul and Lyndsey Bourgeois to SPLAT 2015 at Steinbach Bible College. They report having a great day of worship and fellowship with other youth. They made their presence known during a game of dodge ball. Way to represent, Blaine and Emily!

Our annual perogy supper was held in April. The ladies’ fellowship served up more than 300 plates of perogies and sausage to an appreciative crowd. I’m sure they all agree— Mennonite girls can cook!

Three couples dedicated their children to God and commited to raise them according to His Word on June 14: Rebecca and Jeremy Peters with their son Owen, Casey and Ryan Peters with their children Chloe and Lachlin, and Paul and Kaylee Walker with their daughter Olivia. As a church, we affirmed that we would support these families.

On June 27, Roseisle and the surrounding area were hit hard by a wind and hail storm that caused extensive damage to buildings and property. As baseball-sized hail rained down, the winds gusted to 100 kph. We are thankful that there were no reports of injuries during this storm. What a testament to both the power and mercy of God! Our Sunday School picnic was scheduled for June 28 and went ahead as planned. Not even that super-cell thunderstorm could keep us down. The day was hot and humid, but we enjoyed an outdoor morning worship service, a barbecue lunch, and races for kids of all ages.

Paul Bourgeois, Lucas and Wes Klassen at the Waffle Breakfast

With hardly a pause, we launched right into the annual waffle breakfast, hosted by our church for Roseisle’s Canada Day celebrations. The waffle irons were hot and our volunteers were armed with buckets of custard for the hungry crowd.

Pastor Paul Walker’s baptismal and membership classes culminated on July 15, with a testimony night at the church. Paul Bourgeois, Blaine Huston, Ashley Peters, and Jason and Roxanne Wall presented their testimonies. We welcomed three new members that night—Paul, Jason, and Roxanne.

The annual Roseisle EMC campout was held from July 17-19 at Stephenfield Provincial Park. The weekend was full of fun and laughter, and, of course, food. Blaine Huston and Ashley Peters were baptized in the lake during the Sunday morning service. Congratulations to you! We wish you all the best as you continue your spiritual journey.

Praise to God for our wonderful new pastoral family, Paul, Kaylee, and Olivia Walker, who have been getting to know both the congregation and people in the community.

We are thankful that the Lord has blessed us with worship leaders, Sunday School teachers, church council members, Christian Education committee members, and the many volunteers who use their God-given gifts to make Roseisle EMC a welcoming place to worship and grow.

– Michelle Cenerini

www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 27

With Our Churches Portage Evangelical Church

STAN WIEBE

PEC people serving at camp PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE, Man.—PEC people are serving at camp this summer: Mark Ronald, Medori Moman, Anicka Loewen, Christian Loewen, Colton Wiebe, Kari Miller, Steven Warthe, Tim Neufeld, Gord Utz, Pastor Glenn Loewen, Melissa Moman, Jon Giesbrecht, and Regan Wiebe. We call them our summer missionaries.

There is nothing more valuable than seeing a child transformed as they come to know Jesus— that’s a response I got from one of the workers. I asked Anicka Loewen to send a report. Here it is.

It’s hard to think of any summer job with less pay than summer camp. But it’s even more difficult to think of a summer job with more eternal value and Natasha Loewen and Pauline Sheffield smile at our recent carnival. fruit. That’s why I love camp!

I’ve had the privilege of working as a counselor during Just this last week, I had the opportunity to lead a three weeks of camp so far this summer and it has been an camper to Christ along with my co-counselor. We sat out amazing experience. It is so beautiful to see that as I pour on the porch of our cabin and, as the sun warmed our my heart out to campers, Jesus keeps filling me up with faces, we discussed the cross and the new life Jesus brings. more love for him.

It was so wonderful to listen to this camper’s well thoughtIn a place free of distractions form the outside world, it out questions and doubts, and to reassure her of Jesus love seems that one can find their heart more focused on Christ and sacrifice. and his gospel. To me, camp is a place of peace in utter I let her know that life as a believer was certainly not exhaustion, love when it’s my last natural instinct, and easy or smooth, but it will always end gloriously for the salvation when I least expect it. one who doesn’t give up. She did not jump into this decision blindly or on a spur-of-the-moment whim. I could tell that she had wrestled with herself and then chosen to accept Jesus forgiveness and mercy.

And so, as tears rolled down her face, she said a prayer that could only come out of a heart of true surrender and peace. I found myself crying with her as I could only imagine what Jesus’ face looked like and how the angels would be celebrating at this girl’s decision.

A butterfly floated by and I knew that the Holy Spirit was filling this girl with his light and hope. All of the money in the world could not buy an experience like this. I’m so thankful to my Jesus for allowing me to witness this miraculous new birth.

I would encourage anyone my age (or any age!) to go to camp and see what the power of God can accomplish and how your heart can be changed when you enter an environment of fruitfulness and unity.

Colton Wiebe and Tim Holm serve with youth music band.

– Catherine Epp and Anicka Loewen

28 The Messenger • September 2015

With Our Churches Pansy Chapel

PANSY, Man.—August 2, 2015, was one very special day for the church. Three men had chosen to get baptized, the weather was gorgeous, the river just the right depth, and the crowd of more than 200 was excited. Even the mosquitoes sort of behaved themselves.

Each of the three had their own unique story to tell.

Myles, the baseball player who has travelled far in more ways than one; Sid, who comes fresh with youthful zeal; Melvin, special needs notwithstanding, loves Jesus with a passion (his foster mom Tina Bergen spoke for him).

And they all connected with the theme that Pastor Ed Giesbrecht so aptly highlighted—obedience. Plus the desire to honour God with their lives. And the celebrations continued long after the service. To God be the glory. May He give them each much grace for the journey!

– Betty Barkman

BEETTY BARKMAN

Three men baptized

Myles Hiebert, Pastor Ed Giesbrecht, Sid Derksen, Melvin Thomas, Pastor Dylan Barkman

•• La Crete Christian Fellowship

LA CRETE, Alta.—“The Lord has done great things for us and we are full of joy” (Psalm 126:3).

La Crete Christian Fellowship has been without a senior pastor for quite some time. God is faithful and provides what we need in His time.

David and Merna Thiessen have agreed to fill this position for three months starting in September. Peter and Justine Rempel, a couple who have been attending the church for some years now, have been chosen to be the associate pastoral couple, also starting in September.

We believe that with the addition of these couples to the pastoral staff already in place, our church will be in capable hands. We as a church are so thankful for the Lord’s provision and excited to see how He will lead the church in the coming months.

A church without a full pastoral staff is not a silent church. Our church body has been faithful in helping where they feel led. A group of four men have been actively trying to find a pastor since Peter and Martha Doerksen moved on.

DIANA PETERS

La Crete is not a silent church!

La Crete Christian Fellowship meets here.

Many new members have come to be baptized and receive membership. The VBS committee is preparing for a week of frosty adventures with Everest VBS, scheduled for Aug. 9-14.

We are blessed to serve a God who cares for our every need and always provides a way.

– Tena Doerksen

www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 29

20 15 W C M

Column • Further in and Higher Up

Love and battle in the Mennonite world

T

he gathering of the Mennonite World Conference (MWC) every six years is a sprawling, brimming, boisterous celebration of the kind of love that global Anabaptism hopes to be. The recent Harrisburg, PA, event was my third General Assembly, and was the most theologically substantive and spiritually invigorating MWC gathering I have attended. Here are some notes.

I visited the nearby Civil War battlefield of Gettysburg on a tour led by Brethren in Christ pastor Kevin Ley. We need more pacifists like him, though I don’t know that he was a pacifist. He was a passionate Civil War historian who knew the minutest anecdotes of every turn of the battle.

Ley showed us the moral urgency of the conflict and the issue at stake in the battle. He makes a regular pilgrimage to this historical monument to grieve and to be spiritually depressed by the destruction in its cauldrons of fire. Too often pacifism amounts to no more than calling war stupid without truly appreciating the moral righteousness inherent in war. Pacifists need to study war, to acknowledge its quest for glory, and grieve its futility all the more.

I painted the hallway of a local public school with Mennonite Church USA pastor Tom Albright. Tom and his wife Carolyn started Ripple, a church with the homeless in Allentown, PA. Recently he led a funeral for Anthony, a homeless drug-addict who served as a “deacon,” bringing his friends to this church from far and wide.

by Layton Friesen

DESIGNPICS

Pacifists need to study war, to acknowledge its quest for glory, and grieve its futility all the more.

30 The Messenger • September 2015

Gettysburg monument

Anthony was killed when the dumpster he fell asleep in was emptied into a garbage truck. The two of us stood and cried. Tom cried because Anthony was his friend and I because the Spirit was so heavy upon this pastor and his church.

Each morning the plenary session featured a “young Anabaptist” speaker. These were often the most provocative, incendiary, and thus interesting sermons of the day. Remilyn Mondez, a woman from the Philippines, told of how church conflict nearly wrecked her childhood faith. To church leaders embroiled in conflict, she said, “Remember that there are children and young people who are trapped in the midst of church conflict. Usually they are the ones who grow as church haters. And then we wonder why we are losing our young people in the church.”

To young people in churches now in conflict, Mondez said: “I want you to know that God’s love is persistent, nurturing and pursuing. Abide in his love, surrender to him and never lose sight of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Always remember the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross...

Our leaders... need our prayers and perhaps also our forgiveness.”

The conference brought 8,457 Anabaptists together from 77 countries. An urgent voice in many sermons called Mennonites back to mission. Often this was the global south preaching to the north, but not always. Mzuzi Makawa of DR Congo said, “Without mission Anabaptism is nothing.” Today there are more Mennonites in Africa than in North America because of mission.

My fellow Oakville, Ont., resident, Bruxy Cavey, a Brethren in Christ minister, closed the conference by calling us to Christ’s supreme and singular commandment to love one another. If we say that we love God but do not love our neighbour, we are not imbalanced or in need of spiritual growth—we’re just liars.

May the voice and presence of the EMC at the MWC be persistent, loving, and courageous. This is where we belong.

News

Project Builders has an impact on EMC Missions Words of appreciation from Burkina Faso, Madagascar, and Brazil

BOM

STEINBACH, Man.—Twentythese we also support some ten one years ago, when the first other projects through our 2015 Project Builders golf tournabudget. We are well aware that ment was organized, the idea of providing material support is using golf as a means of raising complex but where it is done in funds for charitable work would partnership and cooperation, have been seen as a somewhat can be a tremendous encourageradical idea. It was obviously ment to our global fellowship of an idea that has caught on, as believers.

Clinic under construction in Madagascar funded by PB. dozens of organizations now Project Builders golf tournause this as an annual means to raise funds. ment brings together a unique mix of our conference For Project Builders the biggest motivation for continu- membership. It is a combination of older and younger ing with the golf tournament, as one of the means whereby people, of clergy and lay people, of those from all walks of we meet our budget, is to hear the stories of how we are life and from across a wide geographic region. The fellowable to work alongside our mission workers and the naship we see as people interact with each other is always a tional church. It has been particularly encouraging to hear highlight of the day. testimonials given publicly or in person, as to how much This event is also a venue for us to promote the vision our support had benefitted the spiritual and physical lives of Project Builders and to encourage membership in the of so many people. organization. Within the next month we will again be Within the past several weeks alone, we have received receiving applications from our missionaries to assist words of appreciation from a number of fund recipients: in a special area of need in their ministry. A number of for the micro-loan fund in Burkina Faso giving over thirty these applications will also welcome work teams to work local believers the opportunity to become more self suffion construction-related projects. Those who participate cient in starting small business ventures, for the construcin work teams invariably gain a new appreciation for the tion of a clinic in a remote area of Madagascar, and for work of our missionaries. funds to develop a camping program in Brazil.

For an annual donation of $250, members can be Our projects for this tournament were specifically directly involved with our EMC missionaries in specific for the completion of Inner City Youth Alive’s office area areas of ministry. For information you can go to the EMC and for a grist mill for a village in Ethiopia. In addition to website and click on Project Builders.

– Len Barkman

••

MCC Ottawa celebrates 40 years Much has happened since then!

OTTAWA, Ont.—The Ottawa Office celebrated its 40th birthday in May. To mark the occasion, it hosted a drop-in open house at its Sparks Street Office, May 28. Blossoms have sprung over the years from seeds planted in 1975.

Immediately following our 40th birthday party, staff from its office plus colleagues across the country attended Kairos’ Time for Reconciliation gathering and also the closing events of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, both in Ottawa.

These five days, May 31 to June 3, were historic moments in the history of our country. Pray that nonIndigenous Canadians will commit to building authentic relationships with the non-Indigenous people of this land, and together we can move forward on the path to reconciliation with courage, commitment, and good faith.

– MCC Ottawa

www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 31

News

EMC General Board signs Statement of Intent EMCers concerned about needs, MCC has expertise

ISTOCK

STEINBACH, Man.—Through its General Board, the EMC, along with many other Evangelical denominations, has signed on to a Statement of Intent as coordinated by the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, in response to the refugee crisis that is so prevalent in the news these days.

In part, this statement says: “As Church leaders in Canada, we feel compelled to respond to this significant need and work to settle refugees in Canada. We commit to recruiting congregations across Canada who will sponsor refugee families from Iraq and Syria; to welcome them, to provide a new home for them, to befriend them and to help them integrate into Canadian society where they can live in freedom.”

We are fortunate to be affiliated with MCC, an organization that has the expertise and connections to facilitate refugee sponsorships. If your church is interested in

Syrian Refugees await acceptance into Tripoli.

sponsoring a refugee family, please contact your provincial MCC office. More information can be found at: http:// mcccanada.ca/learn/what/relief/syria – Tim Dyck General Secretary

•• Evangelical Mennonite Conference

Convention Donations for 2015 Our time of celebration at Convention in Brandon this past summer was enhanced by the generous donations of those attending. We received the following amounts towards Convention projects: SBC Convention Expenses Missions Projects Total

$2,701.50 $5,630.46 $22,649.70 $30,981.66

Thank you for your generous support!

– Board of Trustees

32 The Messenger • September 2015

Calendar Manitoba October 23-24

Mennonites, Medicine and the Body: Health and Illness in the Past and Present The University of Winnipeg Free admission. Register on site. http://mennonitestudies.uwinnipeg.ca/ events

Shoulder Tapping *With any applications for EMC church pastoral positions, candidates are expected to also register a Ministry Information Profile with the EMC Board of Leadership and Outreach, which can be obtained through Erica Fehr, BLO Administrative Assistant, at efehr@emconf.ca or 204-326-6401.

working together towards building an active community of believers. If God is directing you in this mission please forward your resume to either Jake Neufeld at j.neufeld@peacecountrypetroleum.com or Greg Derkson at mariederkson@gmail.com or by phone Jake (780-821-9432) or Greg (780-926- 9553).

EMC Positions*

Pelly Fellowship Chapel is seeking a three-quartertime pastor. Pelly is a small community located in a farming area, surrounded by lots of fishing and hunting opportunities. PFC is a small church with a predominately older congregation. We do have an active children's ministry with bridges to young community families.

PFC is looking for someone who has strong preaching and teaching gifts along with a heart for reaching the lost. PFC has a nice manse with a large yard and garden area.

Interested applicants can contact Gordon Bellows at 306-548-4361 or email a resume to gbellows@sasktel.net.

Taber EMC is seeking a full-time youth/associate pastor. Candidate should have the ability to plan and oversee a comprehensive youth ministry and oversee associate pastor ministries as arranged by the church leadership. Valuable assets would be skills in sports and music. Contact church board chair Abe Klassen at 403-223-0588 or 403-331-9563. Send resumes to Taber EMC, Box 4348, Taber, AB T1G 2C7 or taberemc@ yahoo.ca.

The Church of Living Water in Tillsonburg, Ont., is seeking a full-time senior pastor. We are a young church with attendance ranging from 70-100. We have a growing children and youth ministry. CLW is seeking a pastoral couple who will live among us to guide and direct the church to deeper and greater ministry in our community.

We believe the senior pastor role to be that of a shepherd who guides his congregation, needs to be a strong encourager and a pastor who has passion for God and his people. This is best accomplished by studying and teaching, praying and preaching, and visiting and visioning, all based on God’s Word. Previous pastoral experience is preferred, and candidate must be in agreement with our EMC Constitution and Statement of Faith.

Applications or resumes should be sent to the CLW Board of Elders: Abe Neufeld (chair) abeneufeld@bell.net and David Dyck (vice chair) daviddyck@hotmail.com.

Mennville EMC, a rural congregation with an attendance about 90, located in Manitoba's Interlake region, seeks a full- or part-time pastor. The pastor will work within a ministerial team as the church seeks to renew and grow. College or seminary training and pastoral experience are definite assets.

Starting date is flexible and salary will reflect EMC guidelines. A candidate should be a collaborative leader (team player), comfortable in the pulpit and in pastoral care, familiar with the EMC Statement of Faith, and respectful of various cultures and rural living. Contact minister Terry Dueck at frontier104@ hotmail.com.

High Level Christian Fellowship (HLCF) is seeking a full-time pastor. HLCF is a diverse but well established congregation serving in a community where oil and gas, farming and forestry are the driving industries. HLCF has an average attendance of 130 members and adherents. The successful candidate would be able to relate and work well with people

Pelly Fellowship Chapel is seeking a three-quartertime pastor. Pelly is a small community located in a farming area, surrounded by lots of fishing and hunting opportunities. PFC is a small church with a predominately older congregation. We do have an active children's ministry with bridges to young community families.

PFC is looking for someone who has strong preaching and teaching gifts along with a heart for reaching the lost. PFC has a nice manse with a large yard and garden area.

Interested applicants can contact Gordon Bellows at 306-548-4361 or email a resume to gbellows@sasktel.net.

Other Positions Mid-Way Christian Leadership seeks a full-time caring team member to support the small group of believers in Grand Rapids, Man., under the leadership of Fred and Stella Neff. It is a paid position moving into a raised support funding model.

The individual will support Christians as they grow into the Christian leaders of the north in Manitoba.

Helping lead Sunday School, preaching, and leading Bible studies are some of the more formal “programs” that exist today, but, most importantly, people either need to accept Jesus or follow Him in victory. We are building a team passionate about following God by discipling people into mature Christians and ultimately replacing our leadership positions from those we work with. Please email us at generaldirector.mcl@gmail.com for a full job description or inquiries.

Providence University College and Theological Seminary invites applications for the position of enrollment officer.

Candidates with a strong Christian value system and lifestyle, and a commitment to

Christ-centred university education are encouraged to apply.

This is a full-time, 12-month position. The Enrollment Officer plays an active, important part in the work of the Enrollment Management Office as the primary contact between the future student and the institution throughout the application process.

Applicants should have a commitment to Christian higher education; have strong interpersonal skills, excellent communication skills, customer service attitude, team-player attitude, strong organizational and detail management skills, and a high degree of personal initiative. Must be prepared to organize own schedule and work independently. They should be familiar with the programs of Providence University College, Mile Two Discipleship School, and Providence Theological Seminary.

Inquiries and Resumes should be addressed to Human Resources, Providence University College, Otterburne, MB R0A 1G0; 204-433-7488, ext. 222; (fax) 204-433-7158; hr@prov.ca.

Mennonite Disaster Service seeks director of region V (Canada) beginning Jan. 4, 2016. The director works out of the MDS office in Winnipeg, Man. This position has the overall strategic and operational responsibility for Canadian programs, staff, financial objectives, and execution of the vision and mission.

The director is part of the Leadership Team of the binational organization and directly reports to the Region V board of directors.

MDS is a volunteer network of Anabaptist churches that responds in Christian love to those affected by disasters in Canada and the U.S. While the main focus is on clean, repair and rebuilding homes, this service touches lives and nurtures hope, faith, and wholeness.

Email resume with a cover letter to jobs@mds. mennonite.net. For questions call 866-261-1274. To view the full job description, go to http://mds.mennonite.net/about-us/employment. Applications will be considered until the position is filled.

Where are position ads to be sent?

Please send all position ads, including pastoral search ads, to messenger@emconf.ca. All ads are to be 150 words or less. All ads can be edited.

Please advise us when it is no longer needed.

Join with Christ in shaping our

WORLD

Evangelical Mennonite Conference Board of Missions 204-326-6401 info@emconf.ca www.emconfer ence.ca

www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 33

Column • Here and Far Away

Avalanche

O I sing with hands raised in praise to my glorious and utterly sovereign God and think about whether I really mean what I’m saying. If God took these freedoms, will I still love him?

34 The Messenger • September 2015

ISTOCK

by Jocelyn R. Plett www.writewhatyousee. wordpress.com

ur church sings “Like an Avalanche,”

by Hillsong United, in our worship meeting. When I sing that song to my God, I am full of both adoration and trepidation.

Take my life Take all that I am With all that I am I will love you Take my heart Take all that I have Jesus how I adore you I sing with hands raised in praise to my glorious and utterly sovereign God and think about whether I really mean what I’m saying. If God does take my life, be it literally, or, like Job, He takes my health, my wealth, or my children, what will my attitude towards Him be? I sing acutely aware of my boys beside me, of how I have the strength to lift my arms and stand up straight.

Because we are foreigners in a strange land, it’s never far from our minds that something could go very wrong and we could be locked in jail for unjust reasons.

If God took these freedoms, will I still love him?

It’s a startling question to ask outright, yet I do know a bit of how difficult it is to turn my face toward the God of Love from within the abyss of suffering. Submerged in pain, it’s sometimes a challenge to embrace the One who declares that He is always good and always in control.

If we sing these songs of sacrifice and commitment to God and He takes us at our word, will we keep our word, will I indeed “not be shaken” despite heinous circumstances?

I wonder if my struggle to do so

is indicative of how little I really understand of the greatness of God, His sovereignty over every aspect of my life and over the whole universe.

Could it be that my fear of loss stems from my incapacity to see the ways of God clearly? I’m certain that I don’t fully understand the extent of my own sinfulness and how far removed I am from God without the reconciliation of Christ.

Surely I don’t comprehend how very great and very gracious God is.

When I know fully and am fully known I’m confident of this: that what God will give me and take away during the time on earth I have to seek God and enjoy Him, it will all show itself to only be grace upon grace.

Until then, it continues to be a battle to put the faith I have in knowing He is who He says He is into heart knowledge. I have had awe-some glimpses of the peace that comes from releasing the tight grasp I have on what I perceive to be true for what the Word declares is true. There is often a big difference between the two.

I see only as through a glass darkly. That is, in a fog of my own misconceived perceptions of who God is and what He’s doing. He is so much greater and loving than we could ever fathom.

Column • stewardship today

Ripples of generosity

H

by Peter Dryden DESIGNPICS

ollywood loves a surprise ending. My wife and I experienced that when we watched the Nicholas Sparks film, The Longest Ride. It’s a romance with parallel storylines involving a modern young couple whose lives are interrupted by discovering each other, and an old man, who recounts his undying love for his late wife, Ruth, an avid art collector with an eye for the avant-garde.

The film has a typical Hollywood scene: people gather (at an exhibit of Ruth’s art collection) for the reading of the will that provides a shocking twist. While it certainly makes for a compelling story, it is not true to life in the managing of an estate.

At Mennonite Foundation of Canada, we encourage families to avoid surprises by having conversations about their will and estate planning. These allow you to share your values and your intentions. Communicating your wishes beforehand makes it easier to manage your estate and provides peace of mind for you and your family, especially during a time of loss.

Some of our clients take an active approach to legacy planning by creating an annual family ritual of generosity. One family set up a 20-year legacy of generosity plan, which includes an annual family gathering, affecting not only the children but also the grandchildren.

The family’s patriarch was passionate about supporting charities that he loved. To ensure their support after he was gone, his will earmarked a significant portion of his estate for these charities—distributed over 20 years.

He also set up undesignated charitable funds stipulating that his children would decide yearly where this portion would go.

This creative estate plan not only ensures support for his favourite charities, it also brings his family together around the joy of giving generously to the causes they love, with a gift from their father’s estate.

MFC is administering these charitable distributions; we have the privilege to meet with this family every year as they decide who they will bless. While there is the usual playful

family banter and the sharing of ideas, a spirit of joy envelops the room during that sacred time, as they honour their father’s life and carry on his legacy of giving. He certainly would have enjoyed these gatherings and would be proud of the rippling spirit of generosity that grows in his family.

Another family has a different approach.

They are building a family foundation to provide future support to the charities they love. The foundation is managed by MFC, which gives them most of the benefits of having their own foundation without the red tape. Each year, family members contribute to this fund, which ensures the fund will grow as well as support the charities they wish to support.

What are your wishes for your family? Now is the time to avoid the Hollywood surprise ending by having the conversation with your children and grandchildren. Share your values and the story behind your commitment to generosity. Let them know which charitable causes you hold dear and why. Every family is unique, and so is our approach to each MFC client. Let us help you create your ripple effect of generosity.

Peter Dryden is a stewardship consultant at Mennonite Foundation of Canada serving generous people in Alberta. For more information on generosity, stewardship education, and estate and charitable gift planning, contact your nearest MFC office or visit MennoFoundation.ca.

What are your wishes for your family?

Now is the time to avoid the Hollywood surprise ending by having the conversation with your children and grandchildren.

www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 35

Column • kids’ corner

How do you do a task you don’t like?

by Loreena Thiessen

Doing a task well pleases God too. Read Colossians 3:17.

Activity: Every day fractions Need: a clock, an egg carton, a calendar page, coins, meter stick Do: write the correct fraction in the blank space; remember a fraction is a part of a whole.

15 minutes is __________ of an hour 2 eggs are __________ of a dozen 1 dime is ___________ of a dollar 1 centimeter is ___________ of a meter 1 day is __________ of a week 1 hour is _________ of a day

36 The Messenger • September 2015

DESIGNPICS

S

o you’re back in school. You’re excited, meeting your old friends, making new ones, getting to know your teacher, finding your way around the school again.

But you may not like everything that comes your way. What do you do if you’re assigned a task you don’t like to do? What if there are chores after school you don’t really care for?

What do you do?

If you hate a task but you must do it anyway, try changing your attitude toward it; try thinking about it differently. Let’s say you have a page or two of math problems as homework. You think it’s an awful task and stare at it in agony. You anticipate the worst; it will be too difficult, take too long, so much time wasted when you could be doing something you enjoy. What can you do?

Make it a game; pretend you’re a valued accountant working for a big company. Your job doing the numbers is important. Tackle the first problem with this in mind; it’s no longer just math, it’s an important job. Does thinking differently about it help even a little?

Another thing you can do is look at the bigger picture. Will math help you in any way?

Will it help you better understand how numbers work? When you divide a number can you see how the parts make a whole? Does dividing a number help you understand fractions?

Math and numbers are important, not only as an assignment but everywhere. When you pay for something yourself you must know how much you need and whether you have the right amount. As you get older understanding math and numbers well will be a great benefit to you.

For now, if you work at your task until it’s done you will have the time to do the thing you love.

A third way to tackle your task is to break it up. If you have twenty problems divide them into four parts, five in each. Do the first five and take a short break. Have a glass of milk, walk around the room, throw a few baskets, but don’t forget to go back to your task. Do another five. Make sure your breaks aren’t too long. You do want to finish.

When you’ve completed all twenty you know you are ready for tomorrow. Your teacher will be pleased and you will feel good about yourself.

You’ll be ready for the next lesson.

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