The Messenger Vol. 43 No. 19 November 2, 2005

Messenger The

EVANGELICAL MENNONITE CONFERENCE VOLUME 43 NUMBER 19 NOVEMBER 2, 2005

Thoughtsonwar and

remembering a life well lived

The

editorials

Messenger

An appreciation that goes beyond agreement

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ometimes first-time pastors, or pastors new to our conference, get approached to write lead articles.

Often they are asked to submit a topic of their choice, though one can be assigned. The feature article introduces them and their theology to the wider conference, and there is value in this.

When we read a lead article or hear a sermon by someone new to us, how well do we put it into perspective? With realism, especially if we disagree—after all, it’s

A minister can deserve an appreciation that goes beyond the need to agree on every point. only a snippet of their views. Theology is important, both what’s spoken and lived; the second, though, is tougher to glimpse through the printed page.

However, a minister can deserve an appreciation that goes beyond the need to agree on every point. One minister and I

have known each other for as long as I’ve been in the EMC (a quarter-century)—long enough for frankness.

While we both have a rich Believers Church perspective, we don’t always agree on other aspects of theology or practice.

But I know some of his theology-in-life. As a fellow student at Steinbach Bible College, he befriended me. When my truck needed a new motor, he negotiated with a repair shop to get a reduced rate. And once, when I got off the bus at the wrong stop in the country, he, after being phoned, drove up in a big truck to give me a ride.

Those memories remain—though I’m no longer a young college student trying to fit in and there’s a diversity in our conference that I’m gladly part of.

Don’t hang a minister based on one snippet of their theology. If you take time to understand a leader more thoroughly, you might be relieved to have left the rope T behind. M Terry M. Smith

Peace and prosperity for all

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ome EMC members travel to Ukraine because their families are linked to there. Others are connected with Germany, Poland, or The Netherlands. Some Mennonites are linked with Mexico, Bolivia, or Paraguay.

Central and South America have connections for some Mennonites, while others look to the British Isles. The EMC has been in Canada for 130 years.

Mennonites, in fact, have links with all continents and dozens of countries. The lands we love are multiplying.

In our movement we do well to follow the Lord’s instruction to Jews from Jerusalem taken to Babylon: “Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to

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the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you will too” (Jeremiah 29:6–7).

In modern Iraq (ancient Babylon), in Canada, in all countries, we are to seek the “peace and prosperity” of where we live, but not only for ourselves.

The apostle Paul instructs us to pray “for everyone, for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”

Our goals must not be selfish.

Why? Such world-wide concern reflects our Father’s heart: “God our Savior… wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men” (1 T Timothy 2:1–6). M Terry M. Smith

EDITOR Terry M. Smith

ASSISTANT EDITOR Rebecca Buhler THE MESSENGER is the publication of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference. It is available to the general public. Its purpose is to inform, instruct and inspire: 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. The views and opinions expressed by the writers are their own and do not necessarily represent the position of the Conference or the editors.

THE MESSENGER is published twice a month (once a month in July and August) by the Board of Church Ministries of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference, 440 Main Street, Steinbach, Manitoba.

Subscriptions: $12 per year (Manitoba residents add 7% PST, total: $12.84). Subscriptions are voluntary and optional to people within or outside of the EMC. In cooperation with the EMC Conference Council, members and adherents pay through their church.

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The magazine and its publisher, the Board of Church Ministries, are obligated to work within the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act. Mailing information: All correspondence, including undelivered copies, change of address and new subscriptions, should be addressed to: The Messenger 440 Main Street Steinbach, Manitoba R5G 1Z5 Phone: 204-326-6401 Fax: 204-326-1613 E-mail: emcmessenger@mts.net On-line edition available at www.emconf.ca/Messenger

MESSENGER SCHEDULE: No. 20 – December 7 (copy due November 25)

THE MESSENGER

MCC faces demand for school kits MCC needs your help to meet this year’s demand for school kits.

In 2004, MCC sent 90,000 to various countries around the world. This year, in addition to filling the requests from countries like Russia and Nicaragua, MCC’s partners in Sudan and Iraq have requested extra kits. MCC also stocks school kits in the event of a major disaster, where material goods would be part of an aid package. This means that MCC is looking for approximately 140,000 school kits.

MCC has sent 24,000 school kits to Iraq as part of its work supplying aid to people displaced by continuing violence and insecurity. These kits, in addition to another 10,000 that have

been requested, will go to children in low-income areas of Baghdad.

School kits are MCC’s most requested material resource. They are small bags containing basic school supplies like notebooks, pencils and pencil crayons.

School kits are simple to make and are often put together by children here in North America who are returning to school themselves.

Children who receive school kits are often living in areas that have suffered from natural, political or economic disaster. School can often be a safe place where children can learn and play.

MCC

coming events November 11–12 MCC Ontario Annual Meeting Wainfleet BIC Church Niagara, Ontario 800-313-6226 November 15 Streams of Living Justice KAIROS St. Boniface Cathedral Winnipeg, Manitoba 877-403-8933 ext. 243 November 18–19 MCC Manitoba Annual Meeting Morweena EMC NW of Arborg, Manitoba 204-261-6381 November 18–20 Canadian Educators Leaders’ Gathering Mennonite Church Canada Canadian Mennonite University Winnipeg, Manitoba 204-888-6781 or 866-888-6785 November 19 Caring for ex-prisoners Healing and reintegration Rev. Dr. Pierre Allard and David Milgaard, speakers Foothills Alliance Calgary, Alberta 403-275-6935 November 20 International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church More than Conquerors www.idop.ca 905-479-5885, ext. 234 January 27–29, 2006 Break Forth Canada Equipping and Renewal Conference New Creation Ministries Shaw Conference Centre Edmonton, Alberta 780-417-5082

Canadian Volunteers (MDS Region V)

Remember to connect with the MDS office in Winnipeg after making service arrangements directly with an MDS project. This will ensure that you receive a border crossing letter, travel assistance/ receipting details and other important MDS information. The extension office’s phone number (Winnipeg) is 866-2611274 (toll free in Canada). Read our newsletter online at: http://www.mds. mennonite.net.

MDS

November 2, 2005

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A new radical rem

a child

Saturday, November 24, 1945 Turned on radio at 9 a.m., to get broadcast from Weyburn. Heard the train coming in and all the cheers of welcome. Then we heard Archie saying “Hello” to us. Oh how wonderful it was. At about 1 p.m. he phoned me. He sounded about the same and very happy to be home in Saskatchewan. At 6:15 Orville, Keith and I left town to go to Belle Plaine to meet my dear husband. At last the day has come that I have waited for the last 2 years. We had to wait about half an hour in the house at Belle Plaine. Then the train came and we saw him through the train window at first. Then he got off the train. He looked wonderful, in the dim light. (Yes, in the bright light too). He gave us both a great big hug then we got in the back seat of Orville’s car. Keith sat on daddy’s knee and didn’t make any protest. I think he knew him as his Daddy. When we got home and in the house we had some more hugs, then a lunch. Got Archie poached eggs on toast as was his request for his first meal at home. Got Keith to bed and after a lot of talking went to bed ourselves.

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THE MESSENGER

emembers

of God

Pastor Bill McCaskell

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hat was my Grandmother Grace’s diary entry on the day my Grandfather Archie William McCaskell arrived in Saskatchewan after serving with the Canadian army in Europe. He had been overseas for over two years and made it back home a day before his only son’s (my father’s) fourth birthday.

Thirty years later, when I was six, my parents moved back to the farm where my Dad grew up, and built a house in the same yard as my grandparents, making a visit with my Grandpa only a two-minute walk—or a 30-second run in the dark—away.

As only grandparents do, he always gave me the impression that he had all the time in the world to November 2, 2005

listen to yet another wild and imaginative story, and only after I was finished would he share one of his stories, which to me were just as interesting as my tall tales; and unless my curiosity got the better of me and I would prompt my Grandfather with a question, he never talked about the war.

It was as though he did not want his life to be defined by those years. He never marched with the other veterans on Remembrance Day, or donned his military uniform, and I never saw his medals, or, for that, matter knew he had medals until after he died.

My Grandfather had another passion that stirred in his heart. It was one that he wanted others to know him for, and that was his love for God. He would easily talk about the things God had been showing him from his study of the Bible, the ways he had served God in years gone by, or how God had directed him to where he was now.

My grandparents had both wanted to serve in China as missionaries, but because my grandmother had rheumatoid fever when she was young they were unable to go, so they committed their lives to a life of service. They traveled 5

Bill McCaskell, along with his wife Bev, their two teenaged sons, and a very old cat, lives in MacGregor, Man., where he serves as pastor of MacGregor EMC. Bill graduated from Nipawin Bible Institute in 1990 and served with Youth For Christ for three years before entering into the business world for more than 10 years.

by bike for hundreds of miles every summer, organizing and leading Vacation Bible Schools; and supported in prayer and from their meager earnings the dozens of missionaries whose pictures filled a large bulletin board in their living room.

If he were with us today I would ask him more questions about the war, but not ones of adventure and glamour from a starry-eyed eight-year-old boy. Rather, I would ask him what he thought of the war? Why did he transfer at the halfway point of the war from the position of artillery gunner to a stretcher-bearer in the medic corps?

What did the war do to him and his faith? Or maybe a better question: What did his faith do for him in the war?

Most of all, I would love to discuss with him his greatest love—Jesus.

We could discuss the struggles he had as he strove to follow Jesus in a deep way, how his faith grew through life’s hardships, and how he handled disappointment that came his way. I would love to hear his heart, and how God changed and molded him to be the man that he was.

God directed me to be introduced to a people of faith that I knew nothing of 15 years ago, and how, when I listen to their stories, days like November 11 begin to take on a new meaning for me.

I would share with him how I have discovered that there was another type of courage that was displayed in those early years of the 1940s, a courage that defined a man not only by what he did, but also by what he refused to do. These men and women displayed a boldness that did not come from defending one’s country, but by standing for one’s faith. It was and is a radical approach to following Jesus.

I would want to be honest with Grandfather in my doubts and questions regarding my faith. How does God call me to be a radical for Him? What does an Anabaptist in the 21st century look like? Will I ever be asked to give all to follow Him? I know that we say we give all to follow Jesus, but when I look at what I have given up compared to those I look up to (those in previous generations), I wonder what, if anything, have I given up.

Commemorative days like

I am thankful for the life my Grandfather lived, and the rich spiritual heritage he left his family with, and I use days like Remembrance Day to remember him—not as a veteran, but as a child of God who dearly loved his heavenly Father.

Knowing Grandpa he would want to know about my journey and my heart.

He had always believed God called me to be a pastor, though it took me over 35 years to believe it myself.

I would tell him how God worked in my heart and led me from full-time business to serving the church family full-time.

I would share how God has given me a desire to follow Jesus and take the words of Jesus at face value. I would let him know how early leaders in the Anabaptist faith and their uncompromising beliefs that earned them the name radicals have inspired me.

I would tell my Grandfather how 6

Remembrance Day are most meaningful when one can personalize them, when there is a particular connection between the significance of the day and my own experience. I am thankful God has given me fresh experiences to connect with for this day—experiences that cause me to pause and wonder and ask myself soul-searching questions.

I am thankful for the life my Grandfather lived, and the rich spiritual heritage he left his family with, and I use days like Remembrance Day to remember him—not as a veteran, but as a child of God who dearly loved his T heavenly Father. M THE MESSENGER

Marks of the Spirit

Second of two parts

Bear one another’s

BURDEN

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n the previous instalment of our discussion I sought to hear the welcoming voice of the Church in Paul’s portrait of the Spirit-fused community found in Galatians 6:1–2. In his letter Paul is angry that they have so quickly thumbed their noses at the Good News and are now pretending to live by law instead of Spirit.

He gives us three signs to tip us off to the work of the Spirit in the community of Christ. The first is a Spirit of gentleness toward Christians who have fallen into sin. We neither ignore nor disgrace those—all of us!—in the Church who fall into sin.

The second is a profound suspicion about what everyone is up to in their own hearts. The Church is a community that has finally realized itself to be sinful, and so should not be surprised when sin seeps out at both the corporate and individual level.

The third sign in our text is right in step with the other two: “Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you fulfill the law of Christ.” This is the part of the show where grace comes out and performs her most virtuoso number. Tolerance, a willingness to politely ignore one another, is the song Chopsticks compared to the dazzling musical masterpiece we pull off in this movement. When you begin to hear music played like this, suspect that the Holy Spirit is conducting.

The Old World Law This old world has an Iron Law which seems vice-like in its grip on human life.

This Law declares that you basically get what you deserve. If you do right, if you don’t slip up, keep a stiff control on your life, grit your teeth and do

November 2, 2005

Layton Friesen

everything with mathematical precision, things may go okay for you.

But if you make a mistake, expect consequences. You will do your time: For many of us, our time is a life sentence with no parole. We have made choices in the past with consequences we may never see the end of.

Many of us look back to the way we parented our children with regret—seeing the way our children now suffer the consequences. Some of us made “unforgivable” financial mistakes, which will haunt us till the day we die. Someone does one night of hard drinking and a fun game of chicken on a country road, and the family is left tending his vegetative existence for the rest of his life. He does the crime, he does the time.

That is the Iron Law of cause and effect: It has to be that way.

Without it life quickly becomes meaningless.

But that Iron Law becomes oppressive in a hurry and leads to despair. All of us will eventually protest: “I know I did wrong, and that there are consequences, but for how long? Is there no end to my prison term?”

We as the church have words placed into our mouths, words which I think determine all we do. They are the answer to this cry from the human heart. They come to us in poetic form from a crisis in the story of Israel, the time of the Exile.

Here the people sank beneath this very Iron Law. “How long must we pay for our sins? How long must we endure the wrath of God? We did wrong. We ripped off widows. We let the orphan fend for himself. We soiled the land. We arrogantly played big league politics with the nations around us. Our sin has packed its own whopping punishment. But forever?”

No to the Iron Law! We hear from the words of Isaiah 40, “Comfort, comfort my people, says her God, speak tenderly to Jerusalem and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord’s hands double for all her sins.” In other words, “Enough already! Somebody tell the Beloved that the salt mine is shut down. For good.”

On one level God is the one responsible for the people’s suffering. He designed the system to work by the Law. But the system eventually becomes odious to God, and He breaks out in a rage against the Iron Law.

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The Iron Lay says, if you make a mistake, expect consequences.

But the Church must look that Iron Law in the eye and shout “Halt!” in the name of the law of Christ.

A single woman comes to church with an eight-year-old son. The son is obviously suffering from FASD, a result of the mother’s drinking during pregnancy. It’s rough going. Letters come home from school telling her that not only is her son failing his classes, but he is beating on kids on the playground. She can’t take him to the normal places eight-year-olds like to be because he is so disruptive. His care is totally exhausting.

We might say, “Well, tough. You made your bed, now sleep in it.” But the law of Christ is a very different piece of work than the Iron Law of cause and effect.

We go to this mother and we say instead, “When you become a part of this Spirit-led community we will do everything possible to take the punishment for your sins onto our shoulders. We will do everything we can do to make sure that boy never becomes a burden to you. We will bear your load, we will help pay the penalty, and you will do the same with us for our sins— we will stand together as a community.”

We look that Iron Law in the eye and shout “Halt!” in the name of the law of Christ, the One who was banished from the land of the living because He was not willing that any should do the time for their wrong. When the Church has said that, it has its work cut out for it. Grace entails far more work than the old Iron

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Law ever demanded. But it is now shared work—work in which we bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Now, of course, the Church’s bearing is always going to be a one-dollar solution to a ten-dollar problem. There is too much “effect” in even one person’s life for a church community to completely carry. Our life together is meant to be the dress rehearsal for the feats of grace to be unfurled in the resurrection, when all is made perfect by the same word of grace we toy with so naively today.

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hat rehearsal is a Church which is at once crucified with Christ, and also carrying out the powerful consequences of what was accomplished. A gentle Church. A Church that knows itself as sinful. A Church where we do each other’s time.

When you see that, begin to wonder whether you may not in fact have found a truly charismatic community. A welcoming Church.

As you go through life you will find yourselves in all kinds of churches—some alive, some dead, some fast, some slow.

But carry the vision, the ideal of Paul in Galatians 6, with you. I welcome you to that kind of Church. We also need your participation in living that welcome; we have miles to go before we sleep.

I hope you find the Church to be a place where you can feel at home. It should also be a place where you can be a little discontent, maybe even a little angry at times, when you see us settling for the Iron Law rather than the law of Christ. But all to the greater glory of the God who set us T here in the first place. M Layton Friesen is senior pastor at Fort Garry EMC in Winnipeg, Man. This message was adjusted from part of his commencement address at Steinbach Bible College’s graduation ceremony on April 17, 2005.

THE MESSENGER

with our missionaries Paraguay

Festival of Hope, an evangelistic campaign in Toledo From September 23–25, 2005, Revita and I were privileged to help along in three evangelistic evenings in Toledo, a community about 25 minutes drive north of Tres Palmas. This community, made up largely of Portuguese and German Brazilian immigrants, has a lot of religion, but a lot of decadence. There are many small churches of almost all denominations, but most do not give evidence of a personal relationship with God. The event was organized by the evangelistic team Jesus Responds to Today’s World with evangelist Walter Neufeld. Two local churches, plus some from farther away, including Tres Palmas EMC, were heavily involved in

Chris Kroeker teaches the TEE course to new Christians.

Evangelist Walter Neufeld spoke at each session.

November 2, 2005

the organization. At least 10 trucks were hired to bring people from outlying areas, and there was a lot of preparation for and work during the event.

The evenings were well attended despite the rain Saturday morning and the threat of rain on the other evenings, which did hinder many from neighboring communities from coming.

Quite a variety of cultures were present, including German and Portuguese Brazilians, Paraguayans, German Mennonites, and Natives. It is estimated that over 2,000 adults and youth and over 1,000 children participated during the three evenings.

There were special activities for the kids during the two-hour services, and the concession stand was busy afterward.

Radio Mensajero had done a lot of publicity for the event and aired each of the messages the following day. Our Caaguazú bookstore also had a stand, where one of our staff helped out. Many Radio Mensajero Tshirts, music CDs, stickers and books were sold.

Even though Revita and I had not been able to participate in the counselor preparation sessions, we were asked to help along. The first evening we were short on counselors, as the Lord moved in a mighty way. All in all,

148 cards were filled out, most of which were first-time decisions. Eighty-eight children also responded and indicated a decision for Jesus. It was exciting to see the Spirit move and use the simple, yet powerful messages that Walter preached in Spanish.

One local pastor was so happy that the “worst” person from Toledo came to the Lord the first night. Some Mennonites from Tres Palmas invited their Brazilian and Paraguayan workers and neighbors to these evenings. It was wonderful to see that three of them made peace with God during these evenings.

Now, Revita and I have the privilege of discipling them and their partners, using the Abundant Life course in Spanish.

It’s quite a mixed group, with various cultures and spiritual histories.

It’s so refreshing and such a joy seeing young Christians eagerly take in the “milk of the Word” and apply it to their lives. After our second lesson this week (on sin and repentance), one of the new Christians was convicted and gave back something she had stolen from one of the other students. Praise the Lord, He is at work, and He will bring to completion what He has started. All glory to Him! Chris Kroeker Chris Kroeker (Rosenort) is involved with Radio Mensajero and Spanish-Guarani ministries in Paraguay.

An estimated 2,000 adults and youth and 1,000 children attended the evangelistic meetings.

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with our churches

Dave and Kendra Funk now at Abbeydale from there now make this their home.

• These people enjoy being together and doing life together. At Helen’s place on Tuesday night there were people of all ages, and a lot of them! They seemed to be genuinely enjoying each other’s company, and were joyfully wrecking stuff. (Note: Contrary to how this sounds, it was preimprovement destruction!)

• When you first get to know Harold and Sandra, you get the sense that Harold (the supervisor of the renovation and a Klema sponsor), although sincere, is full of mischief. And then you find out that his wife, Sandra is at least his match.

• God has been here. I sense new creation in people I talk with. The seed of God’s kingdom has taken root here, and I can hardly wait to find out more about the shape it is taking.

Building on this last observation Pastor Dave encouraged us with a sermon that illustrated how God uses the ordinary (for example, ACF) to accomplish His extraordinary work, which is the redemption of the world.

At Abbeydale we’re grateful to have a new pastor leading us in God’s redemptive work.

Dave shared the story of his spiritual journey and his deep appreciation for the foundation he received from his home church, Prairie Grove FellowAt the installation service, Kendra and Dave Funk were surrounded ship Chapel. We at Abbeydale

by Abbeydale elders and conference pastor David Thiessen and his thank them for that and are wife Merna. grateful that they are entrustAbbeydale (Calgary, Alta.): The banners at the front of our church tell the story: “See, I am doing a new thing!”

(Isaiah 43:19). And the first Sunday of September saw a major new thing happen at Abbeydale, the long-awaited day of welcome for and David and Kendra Funk as our new pastoral couple.

After a hectic Saturday spent moving into their new home with the help of Klema (Abbeydale’s hardworking young adults), Dave and Kendra were gifted with groceries and gift certificates to be used in their new city. Dave said that if our goal was to make them like us by being nice, it was working! One week later he shared some of his first impressions of our church family: • It sometimes feels like a support group for ex-Manitobans. So many people

ing this new pastoral couple to us.

Early in his sermon Dave gave one member of the congregation opportunity to show her quick humour. When he paused to ask how particular we are about a 12 o’clock dismissal time—would it be all right if he went until 10 past the hour?—there was an amused chuckle and then a voice from the back called out, “Which hour?”

The installation service was held on Sept. 18. Pastor David Thiessen, conference pastor and one of the first pastors of Abbeydale Christian Fellowship, spoke to Dave and the congregation. Following the service we had a time of getting to know one another at a potluck meal. Dave and Kendra responded by graciously inviting the congregation to an open house at their new home the following Sunday.

Brenda Dick

New pastoral couple Kendra and Dave Funk with a small part of their welcome gift.

A busy summer at Roseisle Roseisle, Man.: Our church was thrilled to have West Park School choir, their families, and some staff (from Portage la Prairie) join us for the Sunday morning service on May 19, 2005. The choir, led by Karen Lesser, shared beautiful numbers with us, and a few of the students led in musical worship.

Our annual Sunday School picnic was held on June 12 at the old Roseisle School grounds. Each class prepared a piece to share during the morning service. We had a wonderful barbecue for lunch, followed by afternoon races

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June 26 was a busy Sunday morning for our church. It started earlier with a Promotion Sunday ceremony and then four sets of parents dedicated themselves to teaching their five children to live for the Lord: Kelly and Karen Lesser (pastoral couple), Kathleen and Tim Freeman with Isaiah, Connie and Darcy Dueck with Bradley, Paul and Lyndsey Bourgeois with Peyton, and Debbie and Sheldon Kuhl with Dominic and Rhianna.

THE MESSENGER

for all ages. Baseball filled the rest of the late afternoon for the kids. Watermelon and roll kuchen (pastry) along with leftovers and dainties was served for faspa (light supper). Baseball for adults ended the day.

Jackie Friesen, Casey Siemens, and Cameron Van Assen were three of our youths who graduated from high school in June. Jackie is attending Providence College, taking the TESOL course.

Casey is attending Canadian Mennonite University in the out-of-town program; to finish the program, she will travel to Guatemala in the new year for three and a half months on a missions trip. Cam is busy working for the year.

Our community’s annual Canada Day celebration took place on July 1. Our church youth group started the day with a superb waffle breakfast. There was an amazing turnout, and it was a great fundraiser.

Sunday school was cancelled between July 3 and September 4. Church started half an hour earlier, giving us more time to worship together as a congregation.

Our puppet friends George and Bonnie joined us, as well as church members who shared children’s features with our youngest members.

On August 21 Wilf Unrau shared his experiences with distributing school kits and blankets in places like Sudan and Kenya. After the service we packed 24 school kits to be sent to needy kids around the world, who are anxious but unable to attend school without supplies.

Our youth had the opportunity to hike and stay overnight in the Whiteshell on August 27–28.

As fall fast approached, so did our annual hayride through the Roseisle hills. As we headed to Babcock Bridge we were able to admire God’s wonderful creation with the changing season.

Some were able to enjoy God’s gift of energy as they climbed the hill, while others marveled and relaxed by the creek. After returning to the church, everyone enjoyed a wiener roast and wonderful fellowship.

This summer we had three families leave our small community and church.

We will truly miss Dennis and Marion Klassen, John and Elsie Hodges, and Darcy and Connie Dueck with Rachel and Bradley.

Lindsay Bourgeois

From May 30 to June 2 Roseisle church held Vacation Bible School. Our theme this year was Serengeti Trek.

The kids loved learning new songs and hearing Bible stories told in new and exciting ways. Many kids and volunteers turned up to help.

Ken and Val Zacharias dedicated to ministry Kleefeld, Man.: Ken Zacharias has been appointed to the position of Foreign Secretary for the EM Conference, a position formerly held by Lester Olfert.

During the morning worship service on October 2, Ken and his wife Val were dedicated to this ministry.

Ken explained that the position would include shoulder tapping; discerning the needs of our brothers and sisters, especially in Paraguay, Mexico, and Nicaragua; and working alongside our missionaries in these countries.

Ernie Loewen, chairman of the EMC Board of Missions, encouraged Ken and Val with the words of Exodus 14:13, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today.” Surrounding Ken and Val during the prayer of dedication were Ernie Loewen, Pastor Darryl Klassen,

and Kleefeld’s mission board chair Abe Bergen.

There is plenty of activity and excitement in the lower auditorium of our church for 15 minutes each Sunday before the start of Sunday school.

Children in grades 1 to 6 are invited to come early and participate in a variety of casual activities at various stations, such as table games, Bible memorization, crafts and small sportsrelated activities.

These activities are led by members of our youth group and are geared to give the children an opportunity to relax and have fun with other children and their teachers. Following this, after participating in a common musical opening, children are dispersed to their classes.

Louella Friesen

Board of Missions chairman Ernie Loewen and Kleefeld pastor Darryl Klassen flank Val and Ken Zacharias.

Ken is the new EMC foreign secretary.

November 2, 2005

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Pastoral couple sent forth with love High Level, Alta.: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:19).

We firmly believe it is in obedience to that call that Richard and Kathy Klassen packed up their earthly belongs and headed east to Straffordville, Ontario.

Our church and community have been blessed by their guidance, love, steadfastness in the faith, dedication and

commitment and many more Christlike attributes. We wish them many more years of God’s guidance and good health as they shepherd the flock, wherever it may be.

The same can be said for Henry and Caroline Krahn and family as they headed south to Picture Butte, Alberta.

They have been a vital part of the church and community for many years. God has called them to help alongside Abe and Anna Bueckert as they start a church in the small southern town. Both our church and the new church will be blessed by the

Richard and Kathy Klassen moved to Ontario to pastor Straffordville EMC. Now the pastoral search at High Level is underway.

Krahns’ obedience to our Lord’s calling to go when asked to.

Our pastoral search committee is in pursuit of a new pastor for the church and are anticipating God’s will for this position. While in transition, men in the church have brought messages and a number of speakers from out of the area have shared what’s on their hearts. This opportunity has led men to “try their wings and have found out they can fly!”

We are truly thankful for their willingness to serve when there is a need.

With trees bereft of their leaves again, waiting for that beautiful crystallike white stuff to cover them, we too anticipate the normal activities of winter.

The routine programs such as Bible studies, AWANA programs, Sunday school or children’s church, and junior varsity have swung into action and we hope to see much spiritual growth in the hearts of children and adults as we journey this earth together seeking God’s will for us.

Our prayer is that many hungry hearts will be fed this season, as the harvest is ready and waiting.

Margaret Brock

The Krahn family is now assisting Abe and Anna Bueckert with church planting in Picture Butte, Alta. They were a vital part of High Level church.

Victories at Wymark Wymark, Sask.: Three wonderful people were taken to their heavenly home this summer. Tena Peters, 85, of Swift Current, Sask. passed away on March 21, 2005. The service was on March 26 at the Church of the Open Bible.

John Dyck, 76, husband of Margaret, passed away on April 20, 2005, at the Cypress Regional Hospital, Swift Current, Sask. Their children are Bill (Eileen), Edith (Lyle), John (Jennifer), Pauline (Steven) and Carolyn (Jonathan). The service was held April 24 at Bridgeway Community Church, Swift Current, Sask.

Dr. Herbert Peeler, President Emeritus of Millar College of the Bible, went to be with His Lord on April 16. It was graduation weekend at the college—what a fantastic graduation for Dr. Peeler. Dr. Peeler fellowshipped with us here at Wymark for some time.

Those were victories for all three. Tena,

12

John and Dr. Peeler lived their faith to the end and were a blessing to many folks throughout their lives.

On that note, I have other victories to report. These took place at family camp held at Camp Elim. This reporter got to spend the afternoon in a kayak, paddling around playing with the kids. I noticed two girls having a hard time going down the waterslide, so I called them over and we had a short prayer together. Now with Jesus by their side, they went down the slide more than once, coming up to say with enthusiasm, “Hey, that’s fun!” Praise the Lord!

These two girls sent over one of their brothers. “Go pray with Holly,” they said.

“She will help you.” That boy also went down the slide and it was fun for him too.

Another little fellow was afraid to go on the water in or on anything, or with anyone. His mother and I prayed last year

that he would be able to go on the water without fear. This year he said, “Let’s go to the playground.”

It was across the water a little way, so he and a friend and I got into our kayaks. When we got to the playground they got out to play. After some time we were on our way back. When we got back to camp, he said, “Let’s go again.” This time there was no terra firma needed and very soon we were on our way back again. It was a blessed way to spend a day.

Students from Millar College of the Bible are back fellowshipping with us for the winter months. We enjoy their presence with us.

Thank you to all who pray for us here at Wymark. We appreciate it so much, and we ask you to please continue to pray.

Holly Lightfoot

THE MESSENGER

Where to Find Him Look not for Christ on the cross, You will not find Him there.

His work was done; His spirit He Committed to God’s care.

Look not for Jesus in the tomb, No body you will find.

He rose and lives for evermore, Left death and gloom behind!

Look for him in God’s precious word As you read His story there, Learn the precepts that He taught, Hear Him lift His voice in prayer.

Look for Him in His living Church As His followers praise His name, Reach out in His compassionate love, And publish why He came.

Walk With Me Walk with me, Lord Walk with me When the darkness Eclipses all the light When the negatives Overwhelm all the positives Walk with me.

Look for Him on the doorstep Of your own heart within.

Then open to His knocking And let your Saviour in!

L. Marie Enns

EMC Writings My Dad, Mr. Peter T. Kroeker, as I remember him Frank P. Kroeker 167 pp. $7.50 ($2.25 supports Paraguayan radio and AIDS ministries).

Mailing extra.

Contact EM Conference office

Preacher’s Kids on the Homestead L. Marie Enns 176 pp. $14.50 (includes mailing) Contact EM Conference office or L. Marie Enns 306-236-2480

One Who Dared Life Story of Ben D. Reimer, 1909–1994 Doreen Reimer Peters 307 pp. $17 (mailing extra) Contact EM Conference office or Doreen Reimer Peters 204-326-4134

Bueños Dias, Señorita: Stories of Mexico Dora Friesen 288 pp. $15 (mailing extra) Contact EM Conference office

November 2, 2005

Walk with me, Lord Walk with me Through the pain Of feeling alone My thoughts, my actions Misunderstood By those around me Walk with me.

Walk with me, Lord When the path of life Climbs steeply upwards When all my good years Are behind me Is there any good ahead?

In the dark loneliness Walk with me.

Walk with me, Lord Walk with me You who were alone In the presence of loved ones Forsaken, denied, tormented Let me walk in your steps I place my hand in yours I want to walk with you.

Laura Plett Siemens

13

CFGB responds to southern African food crisis The toughest “hunger season” in more than a decade Canadian Foodgrains Bank, working through its member agencies, is responding to a food crisis affecting 12 million people in southern Africa. To date (October 15), projects are in place to distribute over 6,500 metric tonnes of food in the region with a budget of about $3.2 million (Canadian).

Areas in southern Africa have been hit with the poorest maize harvest in over ten years, erratic weather, high prices for food, and a shortage of seeds and fertilizers at critical planting time. Set against a backdrop of chronic poverty and HIV/AIDS, these conditions make it the toughest “hunger season” in more than a decade, according to the World Food Programme.

With funding support from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), CFGB member agencies, including MCC, are currently implementing projects in the following countries: Malawi: A $1 million project will supply 1,750 metric tonnes of maize, 350

tonnes of split peas, and an additional 34 tonnes of seed. The food and seed will be distributed in the central area of Malawi to some 5,000 households.

Mozambique: A $180,000 project will supply some 350 tonnes of maize and 28 tonnes of beans to 1,500 households in Tete Province. A seed component is also being developed.

Zambia: A $2.2 million emergency food response for Zambia will provide 3,608 tonnes of maize, 440 tonnes of split peas, and 520 tonnes of seeds. The food and seed will be distributed to 10,650 drought-affected households in various parts of Zambia over an eight month period. In addition, a $65,000 project will provide 59 tonnes of a special food mix for a school feeding project.

Zimbabwe: A number of projects are being considered for Zimbabwe.

Canadian Foodgrains Bank member agencies and their partners are working to overcome political constraints they face in being able to effectively distribute food.

The maize for these projects is being purchased from surplus producing regions in southern Africa. The split peas are being supplied from Canada. Locally appropriate seed is being purchased in the region.

A recent change in Canadian government regulations allows CFGB to purchase up to 50 percent of government funded food aid from developing country farmers. This has already resulted in a cost savings of over $1 million for our southern Africa programming, meaning that we can help many more people.

CFGB

MCC Manitoba appoints VNV program coordinator

October 5, 2005, correction :

For more tour details contact Tour host: Len Loeppky 204-326-2613 aloeppky@mts.net 14 Springwood Bay Steinbach, MB R5G 2E8 or Sylvia Bartlett at Holiday Travel Clearspring Centre Unit 23, 178 PTH 12N Steinbach, MB R5G 1T7

The names of young people baptized during Fort Garry’s family camp should have read Janna Plett, Jenelle Falk, Adam Russel, and Dayna Kroeker.

EMC Women’s Hockey Tournament

Holiday Travel presents 7th annual

Mennonite Heritage Ukraine and Historical Russia Tour 18 days in Kiev, Zaporazhye, Moscow and St. Petersburg

Departure date: May 29, 2006

Arena at Landmark, Man. January 20–21, 2006 (Friday evening and Saturday)

Jane Woelk of Winnipeg has been hired as the new coordinator for Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Manitoba’s Voices for Non-Violence program.

Woelk began October 3, assuming leadership from Kathryn Mitchell Loewen, the program’s interim coordinator for the past year.

Voices for Non-Violence seeks to raise awareness and understanding of violence and abuse, as well as to provide resources and support for those in need.

“Understanding the need in our congregations to decrease the incidents of abuse is what brought me to Voices,” said Woelk.

Woelk and her husband David attend McIvor Mennonite Brethren Church.

MCC Manitoba

14

Interested teams or individuals contact Meghan Storey at meghan_storey@hotmail.com.

Entry deadline is November 18, 2005.

Used German Bibles Sought

A German-speaking Mennonite church in southern Manitoba needs used 100 German Bibles for their Sunday school classes. The Bibles should be in good condition and have the Latin script (not old Gothic). Please bring them to MCC Canada office, 134 Plaza Dr., Winnipeg, Man., (Mary Friesen); or contact Rev. Abe Rempel, Winkler, Man., at 204-325-4693.

THE MESSENGER

Ambassador’s tribute to Soviet Christians remembered ‘The Christians in our country are our best workers’ News about the October 18 death in Moscow of Alexandre Yacovlev reminded me of my one encounter with him. It was in the early 1980s when he was the Soviet Union’s Ambassador to Canada. There were reports of a new wave of repression against Mennonite and other Christians resulting in, among other things, the imprisonment of many ministers. MCC compiled a list of more than thirty imprisoned ministers which it then asked me to present to the Soviet Embassy in Ottawa with a request that the government in Moscow look into the cases.

My assistant Freda Enns and I went to the Embassy at the appointed time and two officials received us. We then began to explain our concern. After 15 minutes the Ambassador appeared. He was short, somewhat heavy, with bushy hair, thick eyebrows, a stern face and a strong voice. He used a cane and walked slowly, but he wasted no time in making his two points, starting with the question: “Do you personally know the individuals on your list? Are you familiar with them? Do you know their personal lives?”

Of course I didn’t know them personally, but I argued that that we were fully confident as to the accuracy of our list, that we were not motivated by a desire to criticize his government, that our organization was not on a crusade against communism, that we just wanted the basic rights of these people respected. “So,” he interrupted, “since you do not personally know these individuals, you have to admit that there is at least a small chance that they may be in prison, not for the reasons you say but because of some hooliganism.”

“Also,” shaking his finger for emphasis, “you Christians in the West have a totally wrong view about how my government sees the Christians in our country. You think that we hate them. That is not true, absolutely not! The Christians in our country are our best workers. They don’t steal from our factories. They don’t come to work drunk. When they say they will do something they do it. They are reliable.

They are our best workers. Our economy would be in big trouble without them. We

like the Christians in our country. It is high time that you Christians in the West understood that!”

I do not remember how I responded but I will never forget the testimony that his words conveyed. Clearly, Christian people, by being faithful in “ordinary things,” had made a substantial impression at high levels of the Soviet government, despite all the restrictions and hardships under which they lived.

It was a wonderful tribute both to their personal faith and integrity and to God’s sustaining grace.

A few years later, after Mr. Yacovlev was recalled to Moscow, newspaper stories referred to him as the architect of Glasnost, that is, the move toward greater freedom in the Soviet Union. Those small groups of oppressed Christians had planted some of the seeds for that historic move.

Bill Janzen Bill Janzen is director of the MCC Canada Ottawa office.

Photos courtesy of Mennonite Church Canada Witness

November 2, 2005

15

pages from the past Dave K. Schellenberg

Preserving our heritage

W

e will not hide them from our children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done (Psalm 78:4).

Unlike most commodities, want to know what can only go up in value as time goes on? Our Conference Archives. Our Conference Archives formally began almost 25 years ago.

Why is this important? Peter and Elfrieda Dyck say, “Most persons won’t read history, we are told. If that is true how are they to know their own past, and the past of their people? How are they to appreciate their heritage and know about the great works of God?” (Out of the Rubble).

The late historian J. B. Toews said emphatically, “He that does not know his past does not understand his present and has no direction for the future.” Both statements, and more, provide a good reason for our Conference starting an archive department almost 25 years ago.

Myron Augsburger once said this: “We do not worship a heritage but the Lord of the Church. But believing that the Holy Spirit is acting in history, we take seriously what the Spirit has been doing through this heritage.”

In 1981 a summer student was hired, by what is now the Board of Church Ministries, to organize existing archival material, to do interviews, and to gather new materials. The system used by Mennonite Heritage Centre, in Winnipeg, was adopted for cataloguing and storage. Today we have over 300 volumes of archival material.

However, the idea for gathering archival

Betty Koop works with photos.

16

conference material goes back farther than that, and we need to take off our hats to far-sighted ministerial members. In 1957, an EMC ministerial was concerned about gathering such material. Material seems to have stored in individuals’ homes, but it took a quarter-century for the leap forward of officially organizing and continuing our holdings.

Thanks in large part to volunteers, the EMC Archives have seen significant progress in the past few years. For instance, an EMC missionary on furlough devoted a large part of his furlough to entering material on database in the Archives. He streamlined various functions, which gave extra much needed storage space.

Cataloguing hundreds of pictures accumulated during the publication of The Messenger over the past 40 years is carried out by another volunteer. Identifying persons and dates can be a slow painstaking job, but a good start has been made.

As well, there is by now an accumulation of books which needed identifying and processing for easier access; this too has been started by volunteers. And then there was the backlog of boxes of materials needing filing. During the summer, a volunteer made good progress on this.

All this progress makes us happy. It can only enhance the value of the EMC Archives.

However, an acute need is for more storage space. Our storage facilities at the EM Conference office are stretched almost to the limit. And it is something which will have to be faced soon for the greater usefulness of our archives. It has been on our agenda for some time.

Some 25 years have gone by since we started actively pursuing collecting and storing current and historical material for our Archives. We need to commend the vision and foresight of those who started this. The importance of having this data on hand cannot be overstated.

The following person has said it well: “In history we cannot just dismiss each other. We need to listen to each other’s stories with respect and an attempt to understand why others think and act the way they do and why we think and act the way we do” (Old Colony Mennonites in Canada, p.46).

So far, we could say our Archives have made very few demands on our overall EMC budget. However, we can by no means see this effort lie dormant. If it means digging a little deeper into our pockets in the future, T it will be well worthwhile. M

THE MESSENGER

a woman’s journey of faith Betty Koop

Tunnels: Breaking through to the

T

he Pennsylvania Turnpike is an exciting road for us prairie people to travel. The road climbs hills and swoops around curves. Beautiful scenery is a feast for the eyes.

But the most interesting experience for us, when we travelled it back in the 70s, was driving through the tunnels. Instead of going around the mountains, or over, we were suddenly in a long tube, surrounded by solid rock. The headlights penetrated the darkness, but it was a strange feeling to have the whole mountain on top of us, so to speak. But we drove on steadily, aiming for the light at the end of the tunnel.

The climb into the Pyramid of Cheops in Egypt was a tunnel experience that I was glad to miss, but one my husband Glen enjoyed. This was a man-made “mountain” built as a tomb for the Pharaoh. They walked and crawled 480 feet to get to the Hall of the Sarcophagus. I was relieved to see Glen emerge after being buried alive inside this immense tomb.

It seems we all face mountains in our personal lives. But the Lord promises to be with us with His unlimited power and immeasurable love.

Recently I read in 2 Chronicles about King Hezekiah building a tunnel to assure a water supply when the Assyrian army was threatening to besiege Jerusalem. This reminded me of our visit to that ancient tunnel.

Prior to our trip to Jerusalem, I had read about this tunnel, built in the 8th century BC and rediscovered in the 1800s. Our tour itinerary included a walk through this ancient underground waterway, and I was hoping to be part of it.

However, when I heard that it was only four feet high at places, flowed in an S-shaped curve, and had no lighting, my claustrophobic tendencies rebelled. I must confess I stayed safely at the hotel. Fortunately, Glen took the walk so I could enjoy it vicariously.

They started out at the Spring of Gihon and waded through knee-deep water to where the channel ended in the Pool of Siloam.

Glen wrote in his journal: “We each had a candle or two, lit them and started down. At first the water was cold but we soon got used to it. The water comes slightly above the knee. We walked through a number of S curves.

“Sometimes we had to bend down to walk through and at other times the ceiling was eight to 20 feet above us.

However the width remained the same, approximately 20 inches. It was about one-third of a mile in length. It was an

November 2, 2005

light

experience I would not have wanted to miss.”

What I found especially intriguing was that the tunnel excavators started at each end and met in the middle.

Without our modern technology, how did they find each other underground, especially since the channel was not cut in a straight line?

How long did it take to chip away the solid rock, using picks and axes? Did the workers get sore feet from constantly working in cold water? The Bible doesn’t answer these questions, but we know they completed this great engineering project and Jerusalem had water during the siege.

On the wall of the tunnel, archeologists found an inscription describing the last few feet of excavation and the excitement of the two parties when they could hear each other and then finally met “axe to axe.”

It seems we all face mountains in our personal lives.

God’s Word says that Christians will suffer. But Peter also says, “Cast your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). The Lord promises to be with us with His unlimited power and immeasurable love.

Let’s humbly admit our helplessness and need. He may miraculously blast a tunnel through the mountain. On the other hand, it’s just as likely that He’ll work alongside, giving strength, as we chip away at the rock wall, till we T break through to the light at the end of the tunnel. M

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stewardship today Darren Pries-Klassen

For this water, may we be truly thankful

B

owing our head in prayer to give thanks prior to enjoying a meal is common practice for many Christians. But why do we stop there?

Why not give thanks for water? This may sound a little strange given the easy access we have to fresh water but, then again, that could be precisely why we need to give thanks. Consider these statistics: • Planet Earth is about 70 percent water but only 2.5 percent of it is fresh water; most of which is not readily accessible since it is found in glaciers and icecaps.

• One billion people in the world do not have access to safe drinking water and nearly three billion people do not have access to adequate sanitation systems

necessary for reducing exposure to water-related diseases.

• According to the Pacific Institute for Studies in Development, Environment & Security, between 14 and 30 thousand people—mostly children and elderly people—die each day from water-related diseases. The average North American uses over 700 litres of water each day (this includes drinking, cooking, bathing and sanitation), which is more than seven times the per capita average in the rest of the world.

We need food to survive but we also need water.

In fact, the human body can survive for much longer without food than without water. Jesus was well aware of this. Why else would he have used water as a metaphor of God’s Holy Spirit when he referred to

Each time you use water, whether it is for cooking, drinking, watering plants, washing clothes, mopping floors, swimming or whatever, pause and give thanks to God for the gift of water. drinking water from which you will never thirst again?

The problem is that we in North America are gluttonous in our use of water and easily forget the precious gift it is.

So, here is a challenge. Each time you use water, whether it is for cooking, drinking, watering plants, washing clothes, mopping floors, swimming or whatever, pause and give thanks to God for the gift of water. Not only will you find yourself connecting with God our creator and provider, you might also find you use less water, leaving more of the precious resource for others.

“For the water we are about to receive, may we be T truly thankful.” Amen. M For stewardship education and services, contact your nearest Mennonite Foundation of Canada office.

Abbotsford – Dave Kroeker, 888-212-8608; Calgary – Gary Sawatzky, 877-717-0708; Niagara – Darren Pries-Klassen, 888-212-8731, Kitchener – Mike Strathdee, 888-212-7759, Winnipeg – Edwin Friesen, 800-772-3257.

18

THE MESSENGER

shoulder tapping Executive Position A church planting director is required for the Evangelical Mennonite Conference. The position requires a passion for church growth and development. The Director will work closely with regional churches to encourage and initiate new church plants. Strong written and oral skills are essential. This is a .5 position. For a job description and information, please contact the office at 204-326-6401 or e-mail emconf@mts.net.

MDS seeks project directors (preferably who served previously in an MDS leadership role) and construction foremen and crew leaders (experience ranging from contractors to construction helpers) to serve several months per year, especially during May to September, for the next several years.

Training for these positions will be provided in Canada, likely in November, with travel costs provided. Project travel, room and board, and a stipend after initial period at projects are also provided. We seek a commitment of two- to threemonth terms per year. Also required are cooks and office managers (often spouses). Call or e-mail Lois Nickel to inquire and apply: 866-261-1274 tollfree or lnickel@mds.mennonite.net.

Anola Fellowship Chapel (EMC) seeks a full-time pastor to bring solid leadership and teaching to our church family of approximately 130 people. This person will help equip the people in our church family to reach out in their area of influence and lead others to Christ. AFC is a rural church located 25 minutes east of Winnipeg and is comprised of people from diverse cultural and church backgrounds. Contact Orville Friesen at 204-371-9922 or ofriesen@nutrihealthgroup. com.

MCC Manitoba seeks a full-time material resources/activity centre coordinator (salaried or voluntary service) for the Winnipeg, Man., warehouse beginning early January 2006. Within the Resource Generation Team, the coordinator is responsibility for generating the Winnipeg material resources response to international relief efforts, including volunteer management, material procurement and fulfilling resource commitments.

The coordinator participates actively in providing educational options for groups and individuals.

All MCC workers are to have a Christian faith, be actively within a Christian church and be committed to non-violence and peacemaking. Forward applications to Janelle Siemens at jms@mennonitecc.ca, Sol Janzen at sjj@mennonitecc.ca, or call 204-261-6381.

Endeavour Fellowship Chapel in east-central Saskatchewan, with a congregation of about 50, is currently looking for a pastor. Contact Tom Treen (Elders’ Chairman) at 306-547-3383 or tdpromise@sasktel.net.

Morris Fellowship Chapel (EMC) in Morris, Man., seeks a part-time youth leader to give direction to

November 2, 2005

our senior high youth ministry. Time commitment and remuneration will be based on experience and availability. Contact Pastor Ward Parkinson at 204746-2424 for information, or email jwpark@mts. net.

Crestview Fellowship (EMC) seeks a parttime youth director with a strong personal spiritual foundation who is able to build strong relationships with youth. Must have the ability to work alongside a team of youth sponsors in discipling youth, and be creatvie and energetic in planning regular Bible studies and organizing fundraisers. Contact Pastor Vern Knutson at 204-837-9490. Resumes can be forwarded by email to finkswpg@mts.net or by mail to Crestview Fellowship, c/o Christine Fink, 271 Hamilton Ave., Winnipeg, MB R2Y 0H3.

Christian Fellowship Church in Steinbach, Man., seeks a full-time senior pastor for a spiritually growing church of 450 people, with dual services. Our church has one youth pastor, one congregational care pastor, and runs Sunday school and the Awana program for elementary students.

The pastor is to be of a mature nature, have a love for God and the Scriptures that is evident in their leadership, teaching and speaking. If your spiritual gifts fit and you feel God calling you, apply by e-mail, jtcandy@mts.net; or by mail, Christian Fellowship Church, Search Committee, Box 1784, Steinbach, MB R5G 1N4. Check our website at www. christianfellowshipchurch.ca.

La Crete Christian Fellowship in La Crete, Alberta, seeks a youth pastor for a new position as part of our pastoral team. LCCF is a forwardlooking church of about 400 regular attendees.

The youth pastor will work with the senior pastor to implement our ministry vision of helping people establish and strengthen their personal connection to Jesus Christ. The youth pastor will have a primary role in developing programs and working closely with youth and youth leaders.

LCCF’s service to God is based on the core values of a commitment to teaching God’s Word and outreach to the community.

The pastor will be people oriented and have demonstrated abilities in various ministries, including outreach, teaching, and visitation; and be able to train and develop a support network of lay ministers. This is a vibrant church with great potential for spreading the Word through men’s and women’s ministries, AWANA, youth ministry, and small groups. Send a resume with references to lccfc@telus.net or LCCFC, Box 385, La Crete, AB T0H 2H0 Attention: Pastor Frank Winsor.

Kleefeld EMC, a church of about 300 members in Kleefeld, Man., is seeking an associate pastor. The primary focus would be to work with the youth program in a discipling and mentoring capacity, involving youth and youth workers. This position would also include one other major involvement— depending on the applicant’s giftedness—such as Christian Education resource, music ministry, etc.

We are looking for a leader to join us in catching the vision and excitement of a growing church community. Send resumes to Ron Harder, Box

4, Kleefeld, MB R0A 0V0; e-mail kemc@mts.net; phone 204-377-4248.

Vanderhoof Christian Fellowship (EMC) in northcentral British Columbia seeks a half-time associate pastor of youth with a love for God and heart for youth. The leader will give mature leadership, work with church in moulding youth, guide them into becoming faithful followers of Jesus Christ, and work within the EMC statement of faith. Our Sunday morning attendance is 100.

Our youth group (without a youth pastor for some time) is rebuilding, currently 12 to 20 people, with an average age of 14. There is potential for growth. Contact VCF, Box 377, Vanderhoof, BC V0J 3A0; phone 250-567-9198; fax 250-5672064; vcfemc@telus.net.

More members are sought for a long-term EMC team for Central Asia. This team will be a purposedriven community that will serve others in the name of Christ. Central Asia has been overlooked and misunderstood by the West for centuries. There are possibilities for all kinds of professions and trades to be utilized. Most importantly, we are looking for people who love God and people. It will be an incarnational ministry of language, cultural and religious learning, and relationship building.

With this background, true inter-faith dialogue can take place and the peace of God’s reign can increase in our world. Leadership will be provided by EMC missionaries with the Conference providing support and accountability. If you want to experience community and God in an ancient needy land, contact the conference office for details at emconf@mts.net. Please pray for God to have mercy on us and on those we serve.

MacGregor EMC is looking for a youth pastor with a love for God and students to serve approximately 30 junior and senior high youth and their friends of our church family. This is a new, currently half-time position for our church; however, we would assist the leader in finding suitable complementary work. Contact Bruce Unger at bunger@mpi.mb.ca or send your resume to Box 133, MacGregor, MB ROH ORO. Taber EMC in southern Alberta seeks a senior pastoral couple to start September 2006, due to a retirement. The church is bilingual in Low German and English, and has an average attendance of 125 people. Applicants should contact Nick Enns, 403223-3386 (cell 634-0020); or Peter Wall, 403-3829184 (cell 382-9184).

MCC Canada seeks a director of human resources (Winnipeg) to give leadership to staff in the MCC Canada human resources department. Prefer candidates with a degree or diploma in human resources and relevant experience. Equivalent education and experience will also be considered. All MCC workers are expected to exhibit a commitment to a personal Christian faith and discipleship, active church membership, and nonviolent peacemaking.

Contact Marsha Jones at 204-261-6381; E-mail: mgj@mennonitecc.ca. View job descriptions on the web at: www.mcc.org.

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the personal touch

Henry Isaac:

I

DAD had time for me

have been privileged to have Henry Isaac as my father-in-law (Dad).

When I met Mom and Dad Isaac I felt instantly loved, welcomed, and accepted. They coached and encouraged me. I felt as though I had lost my best Kleefeld friend in 1986 when Mom died.

Dad never made me feel as though I was unworthy of spending time with. He praised and encouraged me in every area that a daughter wants to be blessed in. Other friends, when asked for help, went and did the job for me. Not Dad. He came alongside and provided tools, instructions, and coaching.

We planted lilacs, picked raspberries and chokecherries, shingled and painted. We shared countless meals; hours of visiting; and too many smiles, laughs, and jokes to count. We loved to compare how baking soda for me and boric acid for him would fix our problems.

I never felt that I was a good cook. Dad was always grateful for anything that I would prepare for him. He’d show up with pails of raspberries and chokecherries for canning and jam. I’ll never know if he ate all of the fruits of my labour, but he was always thankful when I brought him the full jars. That encouraged me.

Dad and I had a common love for vanilla ice cream. I taught him to eat it on pancakes and he taught me how to eat it with fresh honey.

Dad frequently was a man of few words. In recent years he told me to come and see him anytime for as long as I wanted. He expressed gratitude for every visit we had. Dad showed the same love for our children as for me. He read The Bike Lesson countless times to them. They were proud to show Grandpa when they learned to ride a bike.

Our children learned to talk to Grandpa so he could hear them. He shared many handshakes with Fraser and hugs with Anja. Fraser has humorous hunting memories with Grandpa and Anja shared Dad’s love for metal puzzles and showmanship. Both children were featured in The Carillon with Grandpa on his parade float.

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Robyn Isaac

The three of them shared the love of drawing and creating art. When in hospital, he told the children that he had moved his art from his hands to his mind. He had now become a mind artist.

Dad’s life taught me a lot about how God loves us. God sees our imperfections (Henry was somewhat of a perfectionist and God is perfect), but He still loves us and wants to spend time with us. He is also patient with our attempts at what we do. In the hospital prayer times we had with Dad he allowed us to see how personally he shared with God. We saw another dimension of Dad’s trust in God. I thank God for answering my prayers for Dad’s health a few years ago. Dad had an unexpected episode which caused me to believe that he might not make it. I asked the Lord to extend Dad’s life so that both of our children could remember him. God honoured that prayer.

I praise the Lord for Henry Isaac, my Dad who was T generous with his time. M Henry Isaac (March 1, 1913 to July 13, 2005) was a member of Kleefeld EMC. Robyn Isaac lives in Kleefeld, Man.

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