The Messenger Vol. 46 No. 20 November 19, 2008

THE

MESSENGER

a publication of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference

volume 46, number 20 November 19, 2008

serving in the

ICYA photo

INNER CITY

www.emconf.ca/Messenger

editorials

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Crucified in the Scottish Highlands

s we enter the Advent Season, Thomas Torrance, former moderator of the Church of Scotland, would remind us that Israel, ancient and current, was selected to reveal God to humankind. Yet that choice placed Israel under a terrible strain.

He says, “…Israel had to suffer above all from God, precisely as the chosen medium of his self-revelation to mankind, for divine revelation was a fire in the mind and soul and memory of Israel burning away all that was in conflict with God’s holiness, mercy, and truth” (The Mediation of Christ, Helmers and Howard, 1992).

Israel’s relationship to God also placed it under stress both “mental and physical, in its relations with other peoples.” For Torrance, God’s revelation through Israel and the nation’s often begrudging response “laid bare” wider humanity’s rebellious reaction to a holy God. Israel, in its response to God, represents us. This

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resulted in the Jewish Holocaust during World War Two, and current anti-Semitism reflects humanity’s on-going distaste for God, he says.

In short, if God had chosen to reveal himself through Germanic tribes or Scottish clans instead of through Israel, the end result would have been the same: Jesus crucified on a hill in the Black Forest or in the Scottish Highlands (the illustration is mine).

But knowing that, God was still committed to a covenant with Israel; in other words, he persistently pursues us despite our rebellion.

The ultimate result, he says, was the coming of God incarnate in Jesus. In Jesus is united the perfect revelation of God (being true God) and the perfect response of humanity (being true Man) on our behalf. Even our crucifixion of Jesus couldn’t stop God’s loving response T to us in our desperate need. M Terry M. Smith

Goodbye, Editor Emeritus!

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ood morning, Mister Editor!”

Though he retired in 1987, Rev. Schellenberg That’s how Rev. Dave K. Schellenberg remained involved. He served at times as sometimes greeted me, though it was more than a simple greeting.

Steinbach EMC’s church reporter, wrote two It was an act of respect, of courtesy, of columns for the magazine, and served as recognizing that he no longer sat in the editor’s chair, and of the on-going importance of this archivist emeritus in the national office. magazine’s ministry. Rev. Schellenberg died on November 6 at age 91.

Rev. Schellenberg enjoyed occasionally joining with He had poured much of his life into this magazine. Earlier, he edited the English language section of Christlicher national staff members during our afternoon coffee Familienfreund (The Christian Family Friend), the German break. Sometimes he and I met at a local restaurant or language periodical produced by our Conference. But he in his apartment. This allowed him to keep somewhat envisioned an English language magazine and for its first in touch with Board of Church Ministries matters, and I benefited from his sense of faith, Conference history, and 25 years (1963–1987) served as its editor.

Though he retired in 1987, Rev. Schellenberg remained of the magazine’s purpose.

We were fellow believers, editors, ministers, and involved. He served at times as Steinbach EMC’s church reporter, wrote two columns for the magazine (By the friends—though I was his junior in so many ways.

T I will miss his greeting. His influence will continue. M Way and Pages from the Past), and served as archivist Terry M. Smith emeritus in the national office.

THE MESSENGER is the 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 EDITOR ASSISTANT EDITOR are welcomed. Unpublished material is Terry M. Smith Rebecca Buhler not returned except by request. Views and tsmith@emconf.ca rbuhler@emconf.ca opinions of writers are their own and do Address changes and submissions to The Messenger not necessarily represent the position of the Conference or the editors. should be sent to messenger@emconf.ca THE MESSENGER is published twice a month (once a month in July and August) MESSENGER SCHEDULE: by the EMC Board of Church Ministries, 440 No. 22 – December 17 Main St, Steinbach, Man. (copy due December 5)

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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. Subscriptions are purchased by the Conference for members and adherents.

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MESSENGER

On-line edition available at www.emconf.ca/Messenger

THE MESSENGER November 19, 2008

letter Blessed by Conference’s diversity I recently read about Kim Stoesz’s appointment as pastoral leader of the Braeside congregation [church news, Sept. 17]. I want to convey the profound sense of blessing I experienced as I realized the broad diversity represented in our Conference.

I am humbly grateful to God for the privilege of participating in a community such as the EMC which has room for visceral disagreement on substantive issues, and yet can continue to work

together to build God’s kingdom in many corners of the globe.

I wish Kim and the people of Braeside God’s blessing as they continue to follow God’s leading. I wish the same for the rest of our Conference as we work out how to be faithful to our own call to the kind of unity that is strengthened by diversity.

Henry Friesen Arborg, Man.

Letters to the Editor Letters published are generally to comment on issues raised in The Messenger.

Letters by hand or fax require a handwritten signature. All letters require a name, an address and a phone number.

Letters can be edited for length, clarity, legality, and taste. The focus of letters is to be on an issue, not a personality.

The views and opinions expressed by the writers are their own, and do not necessarily represent the position of the Conference.

All publication of letters is subject to the policy approved January 2002 by the EMC Board of Church Ministries.

MCC launches major appeal for southern Sudan Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) is launching a 10-year, multimillion-dollar campaign to help people in southern Sudan recover from a devastating civil war.

MCC’s campaign Coming Home: Sudan is focused on building schools, supporting education, assisting farmers and promoting peace in southern Sudan.

MCC is seeking to raise $400,000 for southern Sudan by March 2009 with an eventual goal of raising $2 million per year through the campaign.

Sudan’s 22-year civil war decimated communities in southern Sudan, which is one of the most impoverished regions in the world. About 2 million people were killed and 4 million people were forced to flee their homes before a peace agreement ended the conflict in 2005.

Since then, about 1.7 million people have returned to their home areas after spending years in refugee camps or other temporary living arrangements.

More people are continuing to arrive despite the fact that few resources exist, such as schools or food supplies, to accommodate the rapidly growing population.

MCC’s campaign grows out of more than 35 years of partnership with Sudanese churches, according to Arli Klassen, MCC’s executive director. During the war, MCC worked with Sudanese

THE MESSENGER November 19, 2008

church organizations to distribute food aid and support peacemaking efforts.

“Now we have the opportunity for community building,” Klassen says. “The churches are asking us to step up in a major way to help rebuild. Our challenge is ‘Can we respond?’”

MCC and its mission partners have already begun the work of rebuilding.

In June, Christian Ecumenical Action in Sudan completed the construction of six classrooms for two schools in Juba, southern Sudan’s capital, with about $250,000 in funding from MCC. Earlier this year, MCC contributed $30,000 to provide the Juba Hospital with medical supplies and equipment.

MCC is also seeking to expand its staff in southern

Sudan’s 22-year civil war decimated communities in southern Sudan.

About 2 million people were killed and 4 million people were forced to flee their homes.

Sudan, according to Leroy Willems, an MCC Sudan representative from Glendale, Ariz. MCC currently has four workers in the region and is developing additional assignments related to agriculture, vocational training and peace-building.

“Sudan is a very rough place to work,” Willems says. “You have to be resourceful and flexible and able to make adjustments on the run. I know there are people like that out there.”

Tim Shenk, MCC

Parkiela John and her children Manuel Gabriel and Mary Carda, near Rumbek, southern Sudan, are among the 1.7 million people who have returned to the region since 2005.

(Melissa Engle)

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A big helping of

powerlessness

Kent Dueck

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number of years ago I was called out to a situation where help was needed. I jumped in my truck and went blindly into a bad situation to try to help two people that I knew well.

The house I entered was a rough place but, sure enough, there in the back were the reasons for my visit. A bunch of people were drinking and I tried to slide in beside my friends unnoticed, but I guess I stood out a bit.

The music was roaring some AC/ DC tune and there was a lot of yelling.

A woman who had too much to drink seemed to need to channel some of her rage about life at someone and started taking verbal jabs at me for some reason.

Her crazed threats escalated until she breathed her ultimate intent out loud: “I am going to kill you.” All eyes were on the person who was standing over me yelling. I was trying to hide my terror while the others in the room looked on.

How I got chosen for this I don’t know, but even in the drunken slur of this individual’s threat I could feel the gravity of my situation. I knew enough Anabaptist theology to know that I couldn’t just take a table leg to this woman and run for the door.

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THE MESSENGER November 19, 2008

At some point someone had thrown off the lights and, even though it was light outside, the back porch area was so sealed that I couldn’t see past my nose.

So I did all I could do: I negotiated in as relaxed a voice as I could muster. I knew the kids of this woman and brought that up as well.

It was a good strategy, but it really didn’t seem to get through to her; the booze was making her mind fuzzy. So there I was, a little Mennonite boy with a big problem.

I was powerless. It was a real inversion as well.

I was used to being the resource guy, messiahtype, to people in our community; and, suddenly, everything shifted and I needed a saviour.

The short version of this story is that my friends created a distraction and I was able to bolt for the door. I had found my saviours: two intoxicated but loyal friends who helped me out of a jam.

I had a big helping of powerlessness, and, I can tell you, I hated it.

I have been told that people assert power in inverse proportion to the powerlessness they have felt. I have met people who bristle at the mention of power or seeing people assert their power; but having tasted of powerlessness a few times in my life, I can tell you, it is no better.

In the book La Vida—A Puerto Rican Family in the Culture of Poverty it is asserted that by the time a child in poverty is six or seven they have absorbed the basic values and attitudes of the culture.

It contends that they are not psychologically equipped to take advantage of opportunities that might be given to them to break away. This cultural impoverishment renders them powerless over their environment.

We used to say we should empower the poor until we started to hear the paternalism in that: That means that the poor have to come to us to get power.

Julio Santa Ana, a Uruguayan theologian, philosopher, and sociologist echoes that sentiment, and proposes that injustice springs from powerlessness. With no power to control their lives the poor will perpetuate the impoverishment and oppression of those social structures into which they were born.

Values that have been reinforced for generations take some big interventions to change. We used to say we should empower the poor until we started to hear the paternalism in that: That means that the poor have to come to us to get power.

I don’t know how you feel about yourself on this, THE MESSENGER November 19, 2008

but I certainly don’t trust myself to dispense the kind of power that can lift somebody up to a higher place.

So what is the power that gets people out of that hard place they find themselves?

Recently I was being interviewed and the host of the show was proposing that education was the way out of the powerlessness of poverty. I know I was supposed to agree with him so we could move on to the next point, but I just couldn’t.

I have seen people chase jobs, addiction recovery, and all sorts of empowering pursuits; but, unless God is a part of it, it’s like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.

You see, I have concluded something lately: You are not enough for you.

Although education is a critical part of balancing the power equation in poverty-stricken communities, it is not enough. Learning to read is important, having a job is critical, finding a place to belong really matters, and we at ICYA invest all kinds of energy doing those things in our community.

But it is possible to have all that and yet feel really empty. Jesus’ life was bracketed by powerlessness. In His birth, Jesus had to relinquish His God power; his crucifixion reemphasized his intent to empty Himself (Philippians 2:5-11).

God, through his Son, felt powerlessness and yet remained God in full power. Jesus came to “give life and give it abundantly” (John 10:10). He came to complete us, fill us, and “give us power to trample on snakes and scorpions” (Luke 10:19).

The legacy of Jesus is that He illustrated through nail-pierced hands the effects of the power of love.

I have seen people chase jobs, addiction recovery, and all sorts of empowering pursuits; but, unless God is a part of it, it’s like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. It might look nicer but our situation really hasn’t improved.

Most of the kids we work with know that, though.

Sister Bernadette from Rossbrook House, a local drop-in centre, told me one time, “I have never met an inner city child that didn’t pray.” I guess I just T wanted to remind myself again. M Kent Dueck, with roots in Rosenort Fellowship Chapel, is executive director of Inner City Youth Alive in Winnipeg’s North End. He holds a BRE from Briercrest and is working on an MA from there, though education isn’t enough for him or the people he meets.

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Canadian history I never learned in school

Andrew Reimer

They dress the wounds of my people as though it were not serious. “Peace, peace,” they say, when there is no peace.

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(Jeremiah 8:11)

or much too long these words of the prophet Jeremiah have described the attitude of many Canadians towards the painful legacy of colonialism and Indian residential schools.

Some of you might be familiar with the history of the Canadian residential school system, but many of us have heard very little about it, so here’s a summary.

Beginning in the late 1800s, the Canadian government made it compulsory for Aboriginal children to be taken away from their families and home communities and placed in church-run residential schools.

The government of Canada had an official policy of assimilation; the aim of these schools was to replace the children’s Native culture, beliefs, and identity with European “Christian” culture, beliefs, and values.

This policy was based on the belief that Aboriginal peoples and cultures were inferior. Many children at these schools were victims of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse from the clergy and staff who were responsible for their education and care. Some never survived to return home.

These schools continued for most of the 20th century. The last residential school in 6

Canada closed in 1996. Over 150,000 Aboriginal children were part of this system. Today there are approximately 80,000 residential school survivors in Canada who are still alive.

For a hundred years, generation after generation of Aboriginal children was torn away from their families, communities and cultures. Along with religion, reading, writing, and arithmetic they learned abuse, self-hatred and that God didn’t like Indians.

The effects of this on Native communities across Canada have been devastating. We often see the visible symptoms of this such as alcoholism, abuse, and high-suicide rates, while failing to recognize that these are symptoms of deep wounds resulting from sins committed against Aboriginal people in our colonial history.

A very present reality All this talk of history could make this issue seem distant or irrelevant to you, but to us and our neighbourhood it is a very present reality. In a community where sixty percent of our neighbours THE MESSENGER November 19, 2008

are Aboriginal, we are in contact every day with people who are dealing with the harmful effects of the residential school system.

Many of our friends here in the North End are the children or grandchildren of residential school survivors. I also know several people my parents’ age who were in residential schools as children.

Recently, I’ve spent time visiting with one of these survivors, a woman who, as I’ve gotten to know her, has shared about some of her experiences in one of these schools. The other day a man told me that he is seeing a therapist to help him work through his residential school experience.

Our Aboriginal neighbours are on the long journey of healing, of de-colonizing themselves. As Amie and I become more aware of these realities, we are realizing that we too need to de-colonize ourselves, to be healed and set free from assumptions and attitudes that create a “dividing wall of hostility” (Ephesians 2:14).

As I observed earlier, our attitude towards the Aboriginal experience has often fit the description of the prophet Jeremiah: “They dress the wounds of my people as though it were not serious” (8:11). We must begin to treat these wounds with the seriousness they deserve.

Non-aboriginal Canadians now have the responsibility of living up to the repentance and solidarity expressed by our elected representative, Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

We all must find ways to join Aboriginal people on this journey towards healing. For Christians this means following the way of Jesus who taught, “Blessed are those who mourn…Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (justice)…

Blessed are the peacemakers” (Matthew 5:3–12).

Healing On June 11, 2008, Prime Minister Stephen Harper stood in the House of Commons and apologized to Aboriginal peoples “for Canada’s role in the Indian residential school system,” and, on behalf of the government of Canada, asked their forgiveness for “failing them so profoundly.”

“You have been working on recovering from this for a long time,” Harper told Canada’s Aboriginal peoples, “and in a very real sense, we are now joining you on this journey.”

This apology is an important step towards healing and reconciliation for all of us. It is very difficult for anyone to forgive or experience healing if they are unable to recognize how they have been wronged or hurt.

I have spoken to some Aboriginal neighbours, and have heard of others, for whom the apology has freed them to face and talk about the residential school experience in a new way.

Recently, and even before the apology, a few of my Native Christian friends have become more active in exploring their cultural roots, seeking to discover the value and beauty in their own culture and to renounce the colonial lie that their people and culture are inferior.

Instead of more shame, self-hatred, confusion and despair, there is hope that this can lead to greater healing for Aboriginal people and a discovery of the Gospel of Jesus incarnated in their own culture.

What this looks like for Amie and me right now is sharing with and listening to our Aboriginal neighbours in the North End and sharing what we are learning with those of you who live in different contexts.

What does this journey of healing look like for T you? M

I have spoken to some Aboriginal neighbours, and have heard of others, for whom the apology has freed them to face and talk about the residential school experience in a new way.

THE MESSENGER November 19, 2008

We all must find ways to join Aboriginal people on this journey towards healing.

Andrew Reimer (Steinbach EMC) is the pastor of the TriConference North End Community Church in Winnipeg, Man.

“Unfortunately, though we often talk about forgiveness within the church, very often by the way we deal with things—attempting to suppress conflict, not making judgments, keeping things secret, not enforcing the ethical conditions we talk about, not holding the powerful accountable—we actually create a situation that stops people from being able to forgive.”

– Peter Horsfield, Forgiveness and Reconciliation in Situations of Sexual Assault The text of Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s apology can be read here: www.ctv.ca/servlet/ ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080611/harper_ text_080611/20080611/ The response of Phil Fontaine, national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, is also available: www.youtube.com/watch?v=56eXFyo6oI0 The 2002 film Rabbit-Proof Fence effectively depicts the injustice of Australia’s residential school policy, which closely parallels what happened here in Canada.

Andrew Reimer

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What I learned in ’

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WINNIPEGS NORTH END Eric Isaac

or much of my life I subconsciously believed that I was more deserving of heaven than many other people were.

I never would have said this because it opposes the fact that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23).

However, in reality I believed that a good person like me with my Christian pedigree was halfway into heaven without Jesus. Thankfully, while living in the North End of Winnipeg, God showed me otherwise.

By September of 2005 I had completed two years at Steinbach Bible College and was convinced that I wanted to do pastoral work as a career. To complete my degree requirements, I chose to move to the North End of Winnipeg where I did a 15-week internship with Andrew Reimer, the pastor of North End Community Church.

During that internship I made some mistakes, but one wise thing I did was to go on weekly prayer walks. These were not times to finish my personal devotions. I would walk out my door, ask God for an open mind and heart, and then do nothing but listen to God and walk.

This is what I expected to happen as a result of these prayer walks: God would give me insights into the North End’s problems, Andrew and I would discuss and pray about these insights, and we would start to help the people of the community deal with their problems.

God definitely spoke to me, but it was nothing like how I had expected.

On some of my first prayer walks God started to point out some of the sins in my own life, and initially I was okay

After 15 weeks of prayer walks, God and I did not even get to the sins of the North End people. But at least we made progress on me.

iStockphoto.com

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with this. However, the more prayer walks I did the more God would convict me.

He kept pestering me about sins that I knew existed in my life but seldom took seriously. This was not supposed to happen! God was supposed to give me insight into the evils of the North End, not the evils of my own heart.

One sin that God convicted me of was that I was not fully honest with the people I loved. I was fortunate enough to have made some close relationships during my internship and I had some very good talks with some young guys. The problem was that I rarely confronted them about the sin in their lives.

They were growing and I was trying to help them grow, but I was afraid of getting into an argument or of losing their approval. This caused me to avoid subjects they probably would have been okay talking about. My popularity was more important to me than their growth.

Another sin God showed me was pride: I had this idea that I, the Christian worker, was a better person than the non-Christian I worked with.

I wanted to look like an impressive Christian. My pride became so powerful that at times I wanted the people I was working with to hurt me so I could play the role of the martyr. Though ministry should be done to glorify God, I did it to glorify Eric.

A third sin of mine was prejudice. I naively thought prejudice was not an issue in most Canadian churches, so it really hurt when God showed me that this was an issue in my own heart.

When the churches of southeastern Manitoba produced people devoted to Christ, I saw it as normal. But when the churches and Christian organizations of the North End produced people devoted to Christ, I saw it as a miracle.

To have this perspective was unfair to the people of the North End, the people of southeastern Manitoba, and especially to God. I thought the Holy Spirit was more powerful in me and my people than in other peoples.

After all of this, I realized that I have something in common with the substance abusers, prostitutes, drug dealers, unloving parents, and gang members of the North End: a lot of my actions really hurt God. Am I as enslaved to my sinful habits as they are to theirs? Sometimes almost as much. Do my sins hinder my relationship with God as much as their sins do? Yes. Are my middle class sins as worthy of hell as their sins? Yes. After 15 weeks of prayer walks, God and I did not even get to the sins of the North End people. But at least we made progress on me.

And so I realized that the people of the North End are not T the only ones that desperately need Jesus. I need Him too. M Eric Isaac, raised in Kleefeld EMC, lives in Winnipeg, Man.

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with our missionaries Arizona

Just a pile of stones?

In our busy lives we don’t often look back and appreciate all that God has done. We miss out on the blessing of seeing God in action.

As finite beings we know nothing about the future and have only fading memories of the past. We are only familiar with the present, but even then we “see but through a glass darkly.” To improve our awareness and appreciation of God’s faithfulness we must often listen to those faithful believers who have gone before us.

Remember how Joshua instructed the Israelites to create a pile of 12 stones in the middle of the Jordan River and another on its bank (Joshua 4:8–9)? Like the Israelites, we must see the milestones around us and ask why. What does this mean? The old men in Israel could point to those stones and tell the young about how God had divided the Jordan River and given them the land of Canaan.

I would imagine that the young saw little but dust as they plowed the same old soil of Canaan year after year. But to the old that very soil represented a great provision from God. Those elderly men and women had known the barrenness of the Sinai Desert. They had seen their own horizons change from sand dunes and rocks to “a land flowing with milk and honey.”

Ellen and I are serving with New Tribes Mission Aviation at its new facilities on 640 acres in Arizona. We serve NTM with

28 aircraft in nine different countries.

Like the Israelites I must ask how has all this come to pass?

The retirement of the founders of NTM Aviation has caused me to look back at what God has done through these godly men who have gone before me.

We, as young people, seldom realize that what we take for granted today was nothing but a prayer or a vision in the hearts of our forebears.

In 1969, Jim Ferguson and Forest Estelle, the founders of NTM Aviation began with nothing. They had no money and no airplane. In Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania, they began by faith in a cornfield to build a runway and a shed for a future airplane.

In a few months God provided the first aircraft. Since then the faithfulness of God has been demonstrated at every step to bring us to where we are at today in Arizona.

God has provided us first class repair facilities. We rebuild and send out aircraft.

We train and send out pilots, mechanics, and technicians to the mission field with those aircraft.

Our worldwide fleet transports an average of 22,000 passengers and almost 5 million pounds of cargo every year for NTM missionaries.

So what is the conclusion? Like the pile of stones in the Jordan River, the testimonies of those older believers among us are there to remind us of the past so that we can face the future with confidence. God will continue what he has begun.

What is the unknown future today will some day be the past; a past littered with the footprints of God and milestones of His faithfulness. We look forward to all that God has for us and covet your prayers as I continue serving with NTM Aviation as its General Secretary and as manager for the Avionics Department.

Phil and Ellen Koop

Like the pile of stones in the Jordan River, the testimonies of those older believers among us are there to remind us of the past so that we can face the future with confidence.

Ellen and Phil Koop (Kleefeld) serve with New Tribes Mission Aviation.

Nigeria

Warkentins return after 21 years

Elmer and Elvira Warkentin returned to Nigeria, October 8–31, after an absence of 21 years. Why Nigeria? Why now?

SIM is conducting reviews in all of the countries we have ministries. SIM Deputy Director, Dr. Joshua Bogunjoko who is in charge of directing these reviews in West Africa, asked Elmer to join him on the Nigeria team. Elvira went to assist the team where needed.

The first two weeks spent on this demanding project includes travel and many interviews. We wanted to connect with former students, SIM colleagues and Nigerian friends from our 13 years of life there.

THE MESSENGER November 19, 2008

There is a battle for the soul of Nigeria and Africa. Much of the world has its eyes on Nigeria, the most populous African nation, which also is the richest in natural resources.

Our arrival in the capital city of Nigeria, Abuja, proved to be rather overwhelming.

After 21 years to be greeted by a group of our former students was absolutely amazing. We wanted to meet as many students as possible and with the cell phone our expectations were met over and beyond our imagination.

There is a battle for the soul of Nigeria and Africa. Much of the world has its

eyes on Nigeria, the most populous African nation, which also is the richest in natural resources.

SIM began here 115 years ago. God has blessed with the birth and growth of the SIM-related church, which now numbers six million in approximately 6,000 churches.

How well is SIM functioning in Nigeria (continued p. 10)

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today? What should SIM’s role be in the future? These were the questions our review team tried to find answers for as we traveled all over Nigeria interviewing about 80 people and groups in a week.

It was a joy to have the opportunity to visit many Nigerian places which have been a part of SIM ministries for so many years. God has done amazing things.

There are amazing ongoing challenges.

We asked key, pointed questions of church leaders, missionaries, professionals, and educators. And at the end we sat together as a team for several days to compile the results and make some recommendations.

On the final day we met with the representative SIM Nigeria council and shared our findings. We pray that in the days and months ahead this Review will prove to have been worthwhile as SIM Nigeria moves into the future.

Thanks for praying for us on this trip to Nigeria. We stayed healthy, were kept safe in travels and felt God’s presence and blessing on this return to the country of our first years of ministry with SIM. Elmer and Elvira Warkentin

Bible Tour March 29–April 7 Have you wanted to see the land of the Bible up close and personal? Consider the Israel 2009 Biblical Discovery Tour that is being planned for March 29–April 7, 2009.

Hosted by Pastor Dale Dueck (Winkler EMMC), you will experience many sites read about in the Scriptures.

Tour base price of $2,749 CAD includes non-stop airfare from Toronto to Tel Aviv return, transfers and assistance upon arrival, hotel, two meals daily, modern air-conditioned tour bus, admission to various sites.

Elvira and Elmer Warkentin (Steinbach EMC) have served with SIM since 1974, including serving in Nigeria (1974–1987).

There are incidental tour costs which can be explained when you call for information (204-325-7667 or pastordale-wemmc@mts.net).

The Philippines/Canada

A jam-packed van and 8,800 kms

Being in Canada on a year-long North American assignment is a privilege and a challenge. We have enjoyed seeing family and friends, and reconnecting with our home church, Pleasant Valley EMC. After our two oldest boys finished their year in grade school in Rosenort, they headed to a four-day camp at Red Rock Bible Camp. Then we attended the annual EMC convention in Steinbach and shared about Honest Hands.

After that, we racked up 8,800 kms to see many people in Western Canada and Washington State, including a visit to Action International’s office. Then in August it was great to zoom out to the field in Manitoba to help my dad harvest his crop of oats and not cause any major problems.

Now we are back to school. I have a full course load at Providence Seminary.

It is great to spend some time back in the

Pray for some of our graduates who are now doing a Wood Tech course. It would be so great for these former street boys to gain some marketable skills, but the pressures to drop out or get discouraged are enormous.

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classroom; until now most of my courses were done online or by independent study with little interaction with other students.

Samuel started kindergarten, Jacob grade 2, and Isaiah grade 4. Lisa takes care of Malachi and organizes all the other details of our lives.

Our fall schedule has been busy as many churches have a missions focus, and we have had good opportunities to share. We are trying to stay in our home church at least half the time to serve there and to give our children a good stable place to call home.

Our thoughts are often with Honest Hands, our discipleship work in the Philippines. Please pray for Melchor who is doing a street level outreach while we are in Canada.

Also pray for some of our graduates who are now doing a Wood Tech course.

One of them is struggling to get travel money to come out for classes; another guy is to answer to some charges relating to a weapons charge prior to the start of classes.

It would be so great for these former street boys to gain some marketable skills, but the pressures to drop out or get discouraged are enormous. In many ways Honest Hands is an entry level program for the roughest guys—helping them get stabilized a bit in their lives,

adjust to a schedule and rules, and grow deeper in their faith in Jesus.

We are enjoying our furlough so far and have appreciated all the encouragement and generosity that we have experienced so far. God is truly our provider in amazing ways.

We intend to return to the Philippines in July 2009. Our thoughts veer back and forth across the Pacific Ocean to the needs and concerns over there. But that is just the reality of missionary life, and it’s a good life!

Carl Loewen

Lisa and Carl Loewen (Pleasant Valley) serve with Action International.

THE MESSENGER November 19, 2008

with our churches

Parents and children dedicated Picture Butte, Alta.:

Parent/child dedication was held in May 2008: Pastor Abe and Anna Bueckert, Juan and Heidy Klassen with Brenda and Rosanna, Frank and Margaret Kroeker with Linda and Kevin, Eva and Peter Wiebe with Melissa and Melanie.

Caroline Krahn

Immanuel There’s a voice that echoes from generations past A barren womb rejoices at last!

The way prepared for the time had come To reveal the awaited Anointed One! To the city of David, a journey begins For the sheep must be counted in the house of their kin When they had arrived and found no place to sleep Our Shepherd was born amongst His sheep Born into the world His hands had made To be rejected by those He came to save So to whom has the Arm of The Lord been revealed To lowly shepherds in a nearby field?

From the Father’s bosom to the Virgin’s womb From swaddling cloths to a shroud in a tomb How can the darkness understand That the True Light gives light to every man?

O Bethlehem, Your King is born!

O Bethlehem, Your mothers mourn From the shadow of death your Star has comeTo light the way like the rising sun!

Can we leave The Saviour in the manger, a babe?

Can we know the way that God has made?

This Spotless Lamb from the House of Bread Has become the Bread of Life for those who are dead!

Brigette Toews Luke 1–2, Matthew 1–2, John 1:1–34, Revelation 5:1–14, Isaiah 52–53, John 6:32–59, Colossians 1:15–17 THE MESSENGER November 19, 2008

11

My HOPE is in You God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).

Lord God, I praise You For being my refuge To Whom I can always go.

You are my Rock To give me stability.

You are my Shield To keep me from harm.

You are my Fortress Where I hide in times of trouble.

You are my Hope For the present and the future.

You are my Peace If only I rest my mind on You. You are the Dependable One When my circumstances Consist of uncertainties.

Lord, you give me strength When I am weak.

You give me grace To conquer my tears.

You give me comfort Th rough Your Word When I hurt inside For my suffering daughter As I glance out her ICU window and a mountain reminds me of Psalm 121: I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, From whence cometh my help?

My help cometh from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.

12

Lord, you are the Great Creator, You are the All-Powerful One Who brings miracles to pass.

You are the Great Physician Who heals the sick.

Surely You can bring healing, Restoration, and joy again.

In Your mercy, help me trust You! Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee.

Trust ye in the Lord forever: For in the Lord Jehovah Is everlasting strength (Isaiah 26:3-4).

L. Marie Enns

THE MESSENGER November 19, 2008

EMC and

Statement of Faith Church Practices A 25-part series

Arden Thiessen

The Board of Leadership and Outreach has invited EMC pastors and writers to reflect on the meaning of our Statement of Faith and Church Practices. These writings are intended to inform and to invite conversation.

In the end, this 25-part series might be published as a booklet. Have you heard a sermon on these articles? Encourage the preacher to forward the material to The Messenger.

1. GOD We believe in only one God, eternal, infinite and unchanging. He alone is the Creator, the Sustainer and Redeemer. He exists and reveals himself in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. All persons in this triunity are fully and equally God (Genesis 1:26; 17:1; Deuteronomy 6:4; Psalm 90:2; 139:7–12; 147:5; Isaiah 40:28; 44:6; 57:15; Malachi 3:6; Matthew 11:25; 28:19; Mark 12:29; John 6:27; 8:41–59; 15:26; 16:13–14; 17:1, 8, 18, 23; Acts 5:3–4; Romans 15:6; 1 Corinthians 2:10–11; 8:4; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Hebrews 1:8, 12).

Statement of Faith Article 2: On Believing in God

B

elieving in God means embarking on a lifelong adventure of exploration.

We may notice God’s influence in our lives, in the historical story of humankind, and in our natural environment. However, the primary witness to the being of God is the Bible. It is the book of God. It keeps on reminding us that God is there and teaches us to think of God, and to worship God, as Father, Son, and Spirit.

The triune being of God is a mystery. How can one God be three? Perhaps the most helpful approach

The triune being of God is a mystery.

How can one God be three?

for our time would be to return to the wisdom of the fourth-century thinkers and visualize the Trinity as a relationship of love.

In other words, God is not to be thought of as a mathematical formula but as a dynamic, eternal love relationship that we are invited to join.

Each of the biblical metaphors that the Church has customarily used of the divine community says something about God’s relationship to his people.

That we are to think of him as Father reminds us of his attentive care and his protective love.

The fact that God’s human presence in this world is called the Son reminds us that the visitor from heaven is like the Father in all respects. If we want to know what God is like we have to look at Jesus.

The term Spirit reminds us that God is present like the air around us and is actively involved in all lives, like a wind that keeps on blowing.

God’s loving interest in each of our lives is also a mystery. His steadfast love will never end. In his sovereign oversight he gives us the freedom to choose how we will live and hopes that we will acknowledge him and love him in return.

Without determining or controlling human decisions God foresees a future when all of creation will be in harmony with his will. He is the God of hope.

As we worship him, we can’t help wondering how it is with those who say they believe in God but cannot accept the Trinitarian vision of God to which the Scriptures witness.

The question is not, do they believe in the same God? There is, according to our Christian definition, only one God. The question about them is: do they believe in God at all if they don’t know him as Father, T Son, and Spirit? M Arden Thiessen, D.Min., is a minister and a long-time educator within our conference.

THE MESSENGER November 19, 2008

13

MEDA to help till ancestral soil in Ukraine Forgiveness and farming are coming together in a new Ukraine project of Mennonite Economic Development Associates.

With support from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), it aims to help smallholder farmers in areas once populated by German Mennonites who fled to Canada after the Bolshevik Revolution.

The five-year, $10 million project will help 5,000 smallholder farmers in the Zaporozhye and Crimea regions improve production of table grapes, potatoes, berries, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and medicinal herbs.

Land owned by Mennonites and others was collectivized after the revolution of 1917. When the Soviet era ended and Ukraine achieved its independence in 1991, the land was returned to current occupants in small plots of 10 to 25 acres.

“While it is highly fertile, much of it is poorly cultivated, or not at all,” says Fred Wall of Winnipeg, a MEDA volunteer.

“Now they have much motivation but they need help with things like credit and market development.”

“Ukraine is not as poor as some other countries where MEDA works, but it suffers great economic disparity, with farm income in the eastern regions far below the national average,” says Fred Wall, a MEDA volunteer.

20 years ago. Numerous Mennonite agencies have returned.

The efforts have not gone unnoticed by local people or CIDA, says Wall.

“People there have been amazed that after all the persecution and hardship Mennonites endured, their descendants are back trying to help without any attempt to recover ancestral property,” he says. “They see it as a lesson in forgiveness as well as an expression of genuine concern for former neighbours.”

“It’s exciting to work with people whose grandparents may have known some of our own ancestors,” says Wall. “In a sense, we are becoming neighbours again.”

MEDA

Both of Wall’s parents were born into Mennonite families in Ukraine and immigrated to Canada in 1924 after they lost their farms.

“That land is now farmed by Ukrainians whose parents and grandparents were neighbors of our ancestral family,” he says.

“Ukraine is not as poor as some other countries where MEDA works, but it suffers great economic disparity, with farm income in the eastern regions far below the national average,” Wall says.

MEDA was one of the first western agencies to re-enter the former Soviet Union after the collapse of communism

14

THE MESSENGER November 19, 2008

Biking 11,000 kms for the Youth Summit

As a part of BikeMovement Americas 2009, Lars Åkerson and Jonathan Spicher will bike about 11,000 kms from Harrisonburg, Virginia, in the U.S. to the Global Youth Summit and Mennonite World Conference Assembly in Asunción, Paraguay.

Throughout the two-wheeled, sixmonth pilgrimage they will seek to learn from and serve those they encounter, and to connect with Anabaptist congregations and service workers.

Their route passes through the southeastern United States, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Paraguay.

Antique tractors assist mental health!

On August 16, 33 enthusiasts with antique tractors traveled 40 kms in southern Manitoba to raise more than $40,000 for Eden Foundation during its 40th anniversary. Riders and tractors traveled through Reinland, Blumenfeld, Hochfeld, Chortitz, and Winkler. The money will support Eden’s mental health services in the area.

Eden

Holiday Travel presents

BikeMovement Americas hopes to raise $30,000 to help emerging young leaders from around the world attend the summit in Paraguay.

The riders hope to arrive in Asunción in time for the fifteenth Mennonite World Conference Assembly and second Global Youth Summit, July 10–19, 2009.

The summit’s focus is Service: Live the Difference, while the Anabaptist assembly at large will Come together in the way of Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:1– 11).

More than 220 young adults from 28 countries gathered for the first Global Youth Summit and nearly 7,000 who attended the general assembly in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, in 2003.

Working with AMIGOS (the world conference youth committee), BikeMovement Americas hopes to raise $30,000 to help emerging young leaders from around the world attend the summit in Paraguay. AMIGOS has raised over $75,000 toward this goal.

MWC Editor’s note: The EMC plans to have one delegate from Canada at the Youth Summit.

THE MESSENGER November 19, 2008

Eastern Europe: Mennonite Heritage Ukraine and Historical Russia May 18–June 5, 2009 (Deadline March 15)

Eden gets CMHC award. On Monday,

November 3, 2008, Eden Health Care Services’ program (Eden East) received one of Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s 2008 housing awards. Penfeld Court in Steinbach, Man., offers affordable housing with ongoing mental health support. Ken Giesbrecht, Eden East board director, and Ben Fry, Eden East board chair, stand with a representative of the CMHC. Eden

South America: Bolivia October 12–26, 2009 (Deadline August 15) Contact tour host Len Loeppky: Phone 204-326-2613, E-mail: aloeppky@mts.net www.holiday-travel.ca

Join with Christ in shaping our

world

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

15

stewardship today Dori Zerbe Cornelsen

A

Edwin Friesen, a model of generosity

t Mennonite Foundation of Canada we are mourning the untimely loss of our colleague and good friend Edwin Friesen, who passed away on October 23, 2008.

Edwin worked with MFC for 13 years as a stewardship consultant, giving shape to that role within the organization. While he was based in the Winnipeg office, Edwin worked with clients and congregations throughout Manitoba and Saskatchewan, nurturing relationships wherever he was.

I had the special privilege of having Edwin as a mentor in this first year of my work with MFC. Edwin was a patient teacher who led by example. In his life and work, Edwin demonstrated the kind of generosity that he encouraged in the donors and congregations with whom he worked. Here are a few ways I experienced that generosity.

First, Edwin was generous with his time. In this past year, he made himself available to respond to my seemingly endless questions about what it meant to be a stewardship consultant with MFC. I’m sure there were times when he could have used fewer interruptions in his day, but he was always gracious when I showed up at his door.

It was also apparent that Edwin spent quality time with clients and donors, sometimes bending his own schedule to make in-person meetings possible. Edwin valued each individual, couple or group he met and worked diligently to assist them with whatever issues they raised, investing his time with them.

Second, Edwin was generous with his insights. He was passionate about ongoing learning and discovery especially when it came to connecting faith and everyday life. Edwin was not afraid to test his ideas and often engaged us in lively discussion at coffee time.

Because of his ability to put his thoughts into writing, MFC asked Edwin to take on several writing

Dori Zerbe Cornelsen is a stewardship consultant at the Winnipeg, Man., MFC office. For stewardship education and estate and charitable gift planning, contact your nearest MFC office or visit mennofoundation.ca.

16

Edwin was generous with his insights. He was passionate about ongoing learning and discovery especially when it came to connecting faith and everyday life. projects exploring the spiritual significance of money in our daily lives. Edwin put his efforts and heart into resources such as God, Money and Me and First Things First. MFC will continue to benefit for years to come from his willingness to share what he had learned through study and discernment.

Third, Edwin was generous with his respect. It is an understatement to say that Edwin did not claim to be an expert, even with all of the experience he brought to his work at MFC. He was always genuinely collaborative and sought out the wisdom of others with whom he worked.

Very early in my tenure with MFC Edwin invited me to be a co-presenter with him for a class at Steinbach Bible College. He was clear that he expected me to help shape the presentation, even though I still had so much to learn. His confidence in me was humbling.

Who are the people you can name that have modeled generosity for you? The stories of people that we remember and repeat are the stories that help shape us.

While it has been difficult to say goodbye to Edwin, he leaves behind an incredible legacy of generosity that we T will cherish. M MFC General Manager Erwin Warkentin adds: “We know that he is no longer in pain, and indeed he is experiencing the glory of being closer to God now than he has ever been before.

But we also know the pain of our separation from Edwin, and we mourn. Edwin was a valued colleague, but he was also much more than a colleague; he was a friend, a mentor, and a Christian role model. His faith was evident in everything he did, and his love for the Church infused his life. We will really miss him.”

THE MESSENGER November 19, 2008

pictures of God Joanna Plett

I

Change we can believe in

f there was one theme surrounding the 2008 U.S. elections, it was change. Although neither voters nor candidates seemed to agree on exactly what change was necessary or how to implement it, they all seemed convinced that their country could not and must not stay the same.

During the campaign, anticipation of change was reflected most often by two different, but often coinciding, emotions: hope and fear. Hope for a brighter future, but fear of change itself and what it might entail.

Jesus’ own three-year campaign was wrapped around change. “You have heard that it was said...” he would begin, “but I say...” There was not an area of life he did not promise to radically transform—religion, politics, economy, family, society.

He spoke with power and charisma to an audience discontent with their current situation, yet hardly ready to tack their eternal fortunes onto the over-blown promises of a religious fanatic. Responses from his contemporary Jewish audience fluctuated between hope and fear.

He toyed with their rigid holiness ethic by calling God “Father,” and by his frivolous disregard of the Sabbath.

He dismantled the Law and re-interpreted the Prophets.

He skewed social norms of gender, age, and ethnicity.

Change to these traditions threatened the very core of Jewish religious, social, and eternal security.

At the same time, however, he offered a wild hope.

He healed the sick and forgave sins with abandon. He had access to power and direction from God that gave him confidence others were lacking. He painted pictures of grace for sinners and peace for society. He approached life with purpose and death without fear. The hope was tantalizing, but the fear was debilitating.

My own experience of change often parallels these emotions. As much as my life choices and current university setting are characterized by change and innovation, I find myself resisting changes that shake premises I thought were non-negotiables in my life and faith.

Although I am not content to stay where I am, I fear change that may not allow me to return to my previous securities.

In the past few years, these changes have taken many forms, from new encounters with the Holy Spirit, leading me through the undefined realms of the mystical into new levels of clarity in faith and direction, THE MESSENGER November 19, 2008

to enlightening encounters with people previously shrouded by negative stereotypes, showing me their depth and how much I have to learn from them.

What constitutes a change I can believe in? To what extent does my hope need to over-ride my fear? How much security do I have to be guaranteed in order to jump into change?

Jesus offers us a change that we can believe in, an ongoing transformation to which we must constantly abandon ourselves, knowing that our fear of the unknown is dwarfed only by the fear of losing the hope he offers by stagnating in the security of religion.

As Americans resoundingly declared that what they needed in 2004 and 2000 was not what they need in 2008, so I have come to discover that the traditions, perspectives, and theology that maintained my faith last year do not necessarily carry me today.

Jesus offers us a change that we can believe in, an ongoing transformation to which we must constantly abandon ourselves, knowing that our fear of the unknown is dwarfed only by the fear of losing the hope T he offers by stagnating in the security of religion. M

17

HELENA F. DUECK 1912–2008 Helena F. Dueck was born in the Morris (Man.) Municipality on February 27, 1912, to Gustav Schellenberger and Annie Friesen. After her mother’s passing, ten-year-old Helen was fortunate to be welcomed into the home of the Abram D. Loewen family.

There she learned to cook, sew, and can all manner of fruits and vegetables for the steady flow of visitors at the house. Helen’s love of reading was developed by the few years she spent in formal education at the Rosenhoff North School.

In August 1931, Helen was baptized in the Kleine Gemeinde Church at Morris.

She attended Rosenort EMC throughout her adult life, but once it became too difficult to negotiate the drive out of town, she and her husband Jacob made Morris Fellowship Chapel their home church.

As a young woman Helen met Jacob J. Dueck who was working as a field hand on one of the local farms. Jacob and Helen were married on May 12, 1935.

The young couple inherited ten acres of land at the small village of Riverside, where they bought and moved the oneand-a-half storey house they called home for the next 50 years. They had two children, Maureen Cecile and Robert

Paraguay 2009

Mennonite World Conference Assembly Gathered Asunción, Paraguay 14–19 July 2009 “Come together in the way of Jesus Christ.”

– Philippians 2:1–11

Assembly Scattered across Latin America and Caribbean before and after Assembly Gathered

REGISTER NOW! www.mwc-cmm.org

18

Allen, and adopted Elgin Dale. By 1986, Jake and Helen moved off the acreage in the Parkside Villa in Morris.

Jake passed away in 1997 after a brief struggle with cancer, and Helen keenly missed her husband of 62 years. When it became apparent Helen was struggling to maintain a safe standard of living on her own, she made the move to Red River Valley Lodge.

Helen was a musically gifted singer and could often be heard humming a tune or singing all sorts of popular songs or hymns from church. She loved to strum her guitar when free from chores. Her garden always contained her favourite flowers: petunias, snapdragons, and lupines.

The grandchildren all counted on a colourfully crocheted afghan from their Grandma. In 2002, one of her creations was entered in the Big M Exhibition where she went on to win a well-deserved Honourable Mention.

Helen Dueck passed away peacefully in her sleep on Monday, August 11, 2008, at the Red River Valley Lodge.

Besides her beloved husband Jake, she was predeceased by her son Dale in 2000, and by two brothers and four sisters. She leaves to mourn her brother Bill Schellenberg of Morris, her daughter Maureen and husband Rick Klassen, son Robert and wife Tina, seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and many special nieces and nephews.

If friends so desire, donations in Helen’s memory may be made to The Gideons.

Her funeral service was held at Rosenort Evangelical Mennonite Church on Friday, August 15, with interment in the Rosenort Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at the Red River Valley Lodge for the wonderful care our Mom received for the 10 years she was there.

Her Family

coming events November 29 EMC Conference Council meeting see information below

November 29–December 1 EMC Ministerial Retreat Celebrating the Call of God in Ministry Speakers: Dr. Henry and Linda Ozirney Wilderness Edge Retreat Centre Pinawa, Man. 204-326-1644 www.emconf.ca

January 11, 2009 EMC Day of Prayer Pray for EMC missionaries around the world Your church 204-326-6401 www.emconf.ca

January 22–24, 2009 Refreshing Winds: Worship come to its senses Canadian Mennonite University Winnipeg, Man. 204-487-3300 or 877-231-4570 dhiebert@cmu.ca www.cmu.ca/conferences.html

January 30–February 1, 2009 Break Forth Canada The largest equipping and renewal conference in North America Speakers include: Phil Callaway, John Eldredge, Frank Peretti, and more Edmonton, Alta.

780-417-5082 info@breakforthministries.com www.breakforthcanada.com

July 3–5, 2009 EMC Annual Convention Radical Discipleship: Increasing the Kingdom’s footprint in our world Speaker: Dr. Pierre Gilbert Riverton Recreation Centre Riverton, Man. 204-326-6401 www.emconf.ca

Calling all delegates to the EMC Conference Council meeting Aberdeen EMC, 265 Flora Ave (Trinity Lutheran Church building)ad!!

Conference Council Winnipeg, Man. Aberdeen EMC November 29, 2008 Winnipeg, Man. 9:00 a.m. (registration at 8:30 a.m.)

204-326-6401

THE MESSENGER November 19, 2008

shoulder tapping

Full text of ads available at www.emconf.ca/service.htm

THE EMC seeks a full- or part-time archivist to fill the equivalent of a one-year term position at the Conference office in Steinbach, Man. The archivist will work with the Conference’s archival collection, about 300 boxes of materials, and periodicals and books. The main goal of the year is to prepare the collection for transfer to a suitable archival facility.

A full job description and list of qualifications are available upon request.

The archivist is to be committed to a personal Christian faith and work well within a denominational office setting. Salary details are available upon request. Interviews for the position will continue until a suitable candidate is found.

Please contact General Secretary Tim Dyck at tdyck@emconf.ca or 204-326-6401.

WYMARK EMC, a country church located 20 miles southeast of Swift Current, Sask., is accepting applications for lead pastor. We aim to be a friendly, family-welcoming church body of 70 to 90 people, and seek a pastor who can encourage us by word and example to grow to maturity in Christ.

Enquiries can be directed to the Pastoral Search Committee at 306-773-9089 (leave a message) or funkfarm@gmail.com (Paul Funk).

CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP Church (EMC), located in the village of Birch River, Man., seeks a full-time pastor to begin early in 2009. For information or to submit a resume and names of three references, contact Harold Th iessen, Elders Board Chair, at 204238-4443 or RR1, Bowsman, MB R0L 0H0.

GOOD BUSY people wanted. We’re adding staff to our great team. We’re a vibrant church with many young families, 500-plus attendees, three services, twoRegister languages and growing. early—before February 20, 2009 • $50/person Can you contribute long-term interim, fullafter February 29, 2008 •or $60/person rate for 3 or sharing more fromin one church $40/person timegroup or part-time, roles of•administrative leadership, preaching/teaching, worship Call Christal at SBC 1-204-326-6451 coordination, leadership development, and Register online at www.sbcollege.ca outreach?

Do you have an Anabaptist understanding and training of the Bible, love for people, love for God and a passion for ministry in a church setting? Or do you know someone who does? Contact Dan Rempel or Abe Harms at Aylmer EMMC in Ontario (serve@aemmc.ca). Check out our vision at www. aemmc.ca.

STEINBACH EMC in Steinbach, Man., has a new opportunity to fill a half-time director of worship arts. You have a heart of worship, seeking to worship God in spirit and truth. You enjoy the richness of diversity in music and worship arts.

As a disciple of Christ, you are a willing, and teachable leader. Your love for the Lord and strong faith in Him is reflected in your ability to work well with many artists involved in worship arts ministry here. If this is you, we encourage you to check www.emchurch.com for information and how to respond. Blessings to you as you follow the Lord’s call on your life.

MORRIS FELLOWSHIP Chapel (EMC), located in Morris, Man., is looking for a full-time pastor for a congregation of about 120. Previous pastoral experience and leadership abilities are assets. For job description and information, please call Brian Klassen at 204-746-8102.

HILLSIDE CHRISTIAN Fellowship (EMC) La Crete, Alberta, seeks a full-time pastor.

Where is La Crete? Where the sun shines 20 hours a day in summer, the northern lights light up the sky in fall; moose, deer, and bear are common sights; Canada geese gather by the thousands in fall; and the snowmobilers long for winter.

People of La Crete are hardworking, loving, caring, optimistic people.

Desired: married couple, some pastoral experience, willing to work with all ages.

Competitive northern Alberta salary package, housing available, country church, excellent public education system K-12. Local economy: farming, logging, oilfield. Local languages: Low German and English.

If the Holy Spirit is tugging at your heart, give us a call. You might be surprised at what God has in store for you and His church. Contact Johnny Wieler at 780-928-3880 or avll@siscanada.ca.

RESERVE FELLOWSHIP Chapel (EMC), located in Sioux Valley (west-central Man.), seeks a fulltime pastoral couple to serve the church and to develop long-term relationships with people of the community. Direct inquiries to church planting coordinator Ward Parkinson, 204-326-6401, e-mail: wparkinson@emconf.ca.

THE MESSENGER November 19, 2008

PELLY FELLOWSHIP Chapel (EMC) seeks a youth worker or couple to develop a program for youth and junior youth. PFC is a small church in the village of Pelly, located in central Sask., close to the Manitoba border. Submit resume to Pastor John Froese, Box 70, Pelly, SK S0A 2Z0. Phone 306-595-2074. E-mail pastor@pellyfellowship.com.

MANAGER (1.0) and food services coordinator (.5) required for Camp Moose Lake, a small, well maintained, year-round facility in southeastern Manitoba operated by Mennonite Church Manitoba.

Skills and abilities required in hosting, menu planning, food preparation, facility and equipment maintenance in an isolated setting, fi nancial management, encouragement. Full job descriptions available at www.campswithmeaning.org. Contact

Director of Camping Ministries at 204-895-2267 or camps@mennochurch.mb.ca MENNONITE FOUNDATION of Canada seeks a second full-time stewardship consultant to work in its Calgary, Alta., office. This person will be responsible to provide charitable gift and estate planning services and to promote biblical stewardship of financial resources in our constituency churches in Alberta.

MFC also seeks a second full-time stewardship consultant to work in its Winnipeg, Man., office.

This person will be responsible to provide charitable gift and estate planning services and to promote biblical stewardship of financial resources in the CMC, EMC, EMMC, and EMCC in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

The successful candidates will communicate effectively with individuals and in public presentations; have a good understanding of charitable gift and estate planning; be creative, organized, and self-motivated; support and incorporate MFC’s stewardship mission in personal life; be willing and able to contribute as part of an inter-dependent staff team.

The position will open on January 1, 2009.

Processing of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Submit resumes to Erwin Warkentin, General Manager, 12-1325 Markham Rd, Winnipeg, MB R3T 4J6, Ph. 800-772-3257, fax 204-488-1986, e-mail ewarkentin@mennofoundation.ca, web www. mennofoundation.ca.

VALLEY VIEW Bible Camp (CSSM), near MacGregor, Man., seeks an assistant camp manager/ director. The manager should have managerial experience, a background in Christian camping, be capable of general maintenance, interact well with the public, and work well with the manager/director.

VVBC has a strong camping and retreat ministry.

Salary to be negotiated. Contact 204-668-2776 or mb@cssm.ca for application forms or information.

with Dr. John Neufeld

Register early—before February 20, 2009• $50/person

after February 20, 2009 • $60/person group rate for 3 or more from one church • $40/person

Call Christal at SBC 1-204-326-6451 or register online at www.sbcollege.ca 19

KIDS’

corner

Activity: Loreena Thiessen

The story about Hannah does not stop here. It has grown much larger. For your activity, go to www.ladybugfoundation.ca to find out more about Hannah. You can download and listen to her speech which she has given to inform people about her dream. Make sure you talk to your parents first.

God says that if you know you can help someone you must do it. Read James 4:17.

What can you do?

M

any years ago in the country of Holland there lived a young boy. As he awoke one morning the aroma of freshly baked bread drifted up through the house. The boy got up quickly and ran down the stairs. Sure enough a fresh slice of warm bread awaited him.

“Eat quickly!” his mother said. “I’ve packed bread and a few cakes for our friend. I want you to run these over to his house while they are still warm. You should be back before dark.”

The boy was happy to deliver the bread. He enjoyed visiting their friend and off he went.

On his way home the boy walked along a dyke road.

As he walked he kicked the loose stones and hummed happily to himself. On one side of the road were the farmers’ fields. On the other side was the sea. The dyke kept the sea waters from flooding the fields. He knew how important the dyke was.

All at once he heard a trickling sound. He thought it was a stream but instead he saw a tiny spout of water coming out of a hole in the dyke.

The boy was alarmed. “Help!” he shouted. “The sea is coming through!” But there was no one to hear him.

He ran over to the hole in the dyke and stuck in a finger. Instantly the trickling stopped.

It got darker. The boy was worried and he called out again and again. “Help! Is anyone there? Help! Help!”

The water was very cold and fog began to roll in from the sea. Soon he could not feel his fingers. He grew weary and his hand began to hurt. He thought about his mother. He waited and he called. “Help! Is anyone there?”

Then he began to pray. “Help me, God!” he prayed.

The boy was too tired to stay awake, but all night long he did not take his finger out of the hole in the dyke.

In the morning a farmer found the boy asleep against the side of the dyke. His hand was swollen with cold, but the dyke had held. No more water had come through. The boy was quickly brought home to his mother and the dyke was fixed.

PAGE 20

This is the story of one boy’s action that saved a country. It has become a legend and is well known all around the world.

Hannah is 11. When Hannah was 5 she first saw a man eating out of a garbage can. Hannah asked her mother, “Why? Why is he eating garbage?”

Hannah’s mother explained, “Some people have no home. They do what they have to do to get by.”

Then Hannah saw it again; another man digging in the garbage for something to eat. Hannah felt very sad whenever she thought about him.

“Sometimes,” Hannah’s mother said to her, “if you do something about the problem you don’t feel quite so sad anymore.”

“What can I do?” thought Hannah. Hannah went to school and talked to her teacher about it. Together they decided to hold a bake sale. The children would bring something baked and sell it. The money would go T to help people with no homes. M

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