The Messenger Vol. 48 No. 2 January 20, 2010

THE

MESSENGER

a publication of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference

volume 48, number 2 January 20, 2010

S U S ! s E r e J matt (DesignPics.com)

www.emconf.ca/Messenger

editorials

Lord of the locked places he Christian faith is news of hope and grace.

Christ’s grace is often proclaimed within our churches; words, phrases, and thoughts become familiar. Yet various Christians sometimes struggle with how grace seeps deeper into particular, locked portions of their lives.

There is no easy process to opening such locked places. Part of the good news, though, is that the Lord is

gracious even as Christians struggle to become more open about contents that are known to Him. The extent of the Lord’s patience is displayed in his work of atonement.

Karl Barth, the great Swiss Reformed theologian, made four short, great statements on one part of Christ’s atonement, which Dr. Chris Holmes of Providence Theological Seminary reduced to a single statement: in Christ “the Judge was judged

Various Christians sometimes struggle with how grace seeps deeper into particular, locked portions of their lives.

Diversity and accountability s we rejoice in church diversity within the EMC, we need to remain accountable in our understanding of Christ and his mission.

As Barry Plett asked in 350,000 kinds of beetles (Jan. 6, 2010), “Why do we think he [God] has pleasure in only one type or model of church?”

Currently we have local churches that vary in government, liturgy, out-

Our challenge is to affirm the tasks to which Christ calls each church without thinking that we have exhausted his mission.

EDITOR Terry M. Smith tsmith@emconf.ca

ASSISTANT EDITOR Rebecca Roman

rroman@emconf.ca

Address changes and submissions to The Messenger should be sent to messenger@emconf.ca MESSENGER SCHEDULE: No. 4 – February 17 (copy due February 5)

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reach, culture, and language.

Some churches might consider themselves traditional; others try hard not to be traditional. (Do untraditional churches become traditional in seeking to be untraditional?)

We have members who are evangelists and others who are social activists. Some are passionate about the mission (wider task) of the Church, others focus on missions (our call to personal conversion), and many are beyond simple definition.

Our challenge is to affirm the tasks to which Christ calls each church without thinking that we have exhausted his mission. Even further, we are to in-

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 are welcomed. Unpublished material is not returned except by request. Views and opinions of writers are their own and do not necessarily represent the position of the Conference or the editors.

THE MESSENGER is published twice a month (once a month in July and August) by the EMC Board of Church Ministries, 440 Main St., Steinbach, Man. Subscriptions: Canadian subscriptions are $24 for one year, $44 for two years,

in our place.” Here is the word of supreme grace, unmatched among world religions.

Do Hinduism and Buddhism with their reincarnations based on merit touch it? Does Islam with its judgment via a scale that tilts according to the greater weight of good or evil deeds?

Does Judaism with its atonement by repentance? Does our human merit?

Our concern as Christians is not to play judge. This is not our role.

We need to be tender with both Christians and non-Christians who struggle in responding to the grace of Christ. “A bruised reed he will not break” (Mark 12:20) as he seeks to T “release the oppressed” (Luke 4:18). M Terry M. Smith clude even more of his wider mission within each local church, moving past fostering short-sighted divisions.

In our understandings of Jesus and our mission our views are to be tested; we are to give and to receive counsel.

Our accountability must be real.

Pray, therefore, for our conference’s Harmony Project and how we respond to its work. We do not want it to become similar to some government Royal Commissions: much work, some recommendations, of little impact, and mostly wasted effort.

If you don’t know about the Harmony Project, ask your church’s conference council delegates for informaT tion. M Terry M. Smith

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MESSENGER

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THE MESSENGER January 20, 2010

letters Responding to hurting Bolivian Mennonites Many of us are appalled when we hear about the atrocities occurring among Mennonites in Bolivia [‘The least’ among us, Dec. 16, 2009].

My parents have been participating in annual trips there for the last six years and have heard many terrible accounts, which they say are first-hand.

According to these accounts, women and girls are horribly abused. Severe torture inflicted during “church discipline” sometimes ends in death. People that call out to Christ and are noticed attending forbidden activities—Bible studies or evangelical services—are often persecuted.

However, there is also evidence of light piercing the darkness. Many are desperate and receptive to deeper understandings of the gospel. Men and women from our conference have been making a variety of trips.

The group I’m familiar with has been going with Campus Crusade (now called Power to Change). They set up on a street corner in Santa Cruz that’s frequented by Mennonites and share with them, present gospel programs, speak on the radio, teach marriage classes, and distribute Low German Bibles.

Readers may have seen the photo on the ChristianWeek cover [Team visits Mennonite colony plagued by rape, Nov. 1, 2009] of evangelist Willy Reimer as he speaks to young men arrested in alleged connections with “a series of assaults.” Reimer is a man that EMCers gave a Bible to several years ago when he was searching and are now supporting as an evangelist.

There are also other such local workers supported by people from our conference. Some of these local workers are running a Bible study on the now highlighted Manitoba Colony.

This group from our conference goes along with these local workers to visit homes on the colonies, distributing Christmas gifts and sharing the Christmas story, which many of the children haven’t heard.

I also understand that our EMC Project Builders has been instrumental in contributing to a women’s shelter in the past year. Our Verna Doerksen is working at that shelter.

Another aspect of our response is to Bolivian Mennonites in our area.

THE MESSENGER January 20, 2010

Evangelical services have begun among this population in Winkler, Man., area. People are turning to a deeper understanding of the Lord.

I’m aware that local farmers and businesses have people with this background working for them and are sensitive to their background and seek to minister to them.

Darnell Plett Lorette, Man.

Covenant is seamless Re: Ministerial discusses ins and outs of membership [Dec. 16, 2009, page 6], after a described panel discussion on what to do about increasing church membership, it was noted that “[I]n the Old Testament, a covenant was ‘one time’”; and that “the covenant could be reaffirmed.”

This seems to suggest that Mennonites teach a theology that can be characterized as an hierarchical, “supercessionist” theology, rather than a theology that is seamless, lateral, and “inclusive” as on a continuum.

That is, the covenant(s) the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob made with Abraham, and Abraham’s seed through Isaac and Jacob, seem to be perceived of as a “one-time” event, thus conveniently laying the groundwork for a systematic theology that would teach that because the Jews rejected the coming of the Redeemer the first time, they have been replaced by “the church.”

When reading Menno Simons’ writings, both in High German and in English, there is no allusion to anything even vaguely reminiscent of the replacement of one covenant with another covenant. That is, the covenant the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob made with the seed of Abraham, through Isaac and Jacob has been replaced another covenant, exclusively with the gentiles.

Yes, scripture does state, through the prophet Jeremiah, that God would make a New Covenant, but it was not to be one of supercessionism, but rather of inclusion—that then all those who accepted the redemption for the Jews/ salvation for the pagan gentile nations, offered by the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, would all be included.

M. J. Moll Calgary, Alta.

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 or the editors.

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

A fine young man Beside the article 48 hours (written August 2009) of issue Dec. 2, 2009, a photo was used of a young man. He is, in fact, a model who is in no way connected to the events discussed in the column. His picture was identified as coming from Designpics.com, a national photo service source, and it was used only for illustrative purposes. We regret if the photo’s being used, in this instance, caused any uneasiness or concern to those who know the young man in the photo.

Editors

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He is good news!

JESUS matters!

David W. Shenk

(iStockphoto.com)

(Dreamstime.com)

Surely one of the reasons Jesus really matters is because of the good news answers he brings to each of life’s ultimate questions.

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THE MESSENGER January 20, 2010

“

W

hat is the meaning of life?” I recently asked a small cluster of Chinese university administrators and professors in Shanghai over a dinner meeting.

“As I see it you have abandoned your ancient philosophies such as Confucianism and Taoism,” I said.

“Buddhism is in disfavour. The Chinese people have even abandoned Mao Tse-tung’s little red book that promulgated atheistic Marxism.”

One professor interjected, “That is a very good question! We do not know the answer to that question.

That is one of the reasons for high suicide rates on our campuses. Students have no idea what is the meaning of life, unless it is to be number one. But that goal doesn’t wear very well.”

Then there was a surprising comment from the other side of the table: “I think Jesus might have the answer to your question.” The dinner conversation shifted to reflection on what difference Jesus makes for students who are seeking the meaning of life.

A few weeks later I had lunch with a Christian Chinese professor at the University of Beijing. This was her story: “As a PhD student I was very depressed for I did not know the meaning of life. So I seriously investigated all the alternative answers that I was aware of: our ancient Chinese philosophies and religions, Islam, modern atheistic philosophies and humanism, educational philosophies, and Darwinism.

“I did not find a satisfactory answer. So I was considering suicide. Then someone gave me a Bible.

Alone in my dormitory room I carefully read that book.

And I found the answer to my quest. God has created me in his own image.

“I have fallen short of that glorious vision of who I am. But in Jesus God has come near to forgive me, to transform me, and to bring me into the family of God. So the purpose of life is to glorify God now and forever.

“As I understood and believed in Jesus, my life was transformed for I knew the meaning of life. Then I discovered the church and was baptized. So I am not alone in this journey with Jesus.

“I think that I will be put in prison before long because the university authorities are not happy about the many students who come to my apartment to learn about Jesus.

“Students come because the word is out on the campus that I know the answer to the question: what is the meaning of life?”

There are many important questions, but the German philosopher Paul Tillich probably had it right when he said that there are only three ultimate questions that every human being asks: What is the meaning of life? How can I find forgiveness for my short-comings? What is the meaning of death?

Surely one of the reasons Jesus really matters is because of the good news answers he brings to each of THE MESSENGER January 20, 2010

those questions.

It is not only that Jesus provides a philosophical answer to those questions, but that he meets us and calls us to believe in and follow him within the fellowship of the church as he unlocks the mystery of these three ultimate questions.

Here are only some dimensions of the mystery that Jesus reveals to us in regard to these ultimate questions.

What is the meaning of life?

For several years I taught in a university where most of the students were atheists or agnostics. A required course was theology; the students came into that class skeptical about theology having any relevance to life.

But early on each year we would hit this question: who are you? In their high schools all the students had been taught Darwinian evolutionary theory from an atheistic commitment. So almost in unison they would exclaim: we are only intelligent monkeys.

Then we went to the great surprise of Genesis 1:27: God created us in his own image. The class would explode with vibrant interest. Then we would fast forward to Matthew 1:23: Jesus is God with us! Not only are we created in God’s image, but in Jesus God has come into our history revealing his boundless love for us.

Often students would write in their weekly journals: I have always hated the “scientific” idea that I am only a monkey. How I hope that this word from the Bible is true, that I am created in God’s image and that God loves me so much that he has come near in Jesus.

Then occasionally in the journal entries I would read: I have now become a believer. I now know the purpose of my life! (And, of course, I would shed a tear of joy!)

Often students would write in their weekly journals: I have always hated the “scientific” idea that I am only a monkey. How I hope that this word from the Bible is true, that I am created in God’s image.

How can I find forgiveness?

That is, how can I resolve feelings of shame or guilt, a sense that I am falling short of what I should be?

I often visit new church plantings where most of the participants are new Christians. I often ask, “Why have you become a participant in this church?”

This response comes from a young man in his early (continued on p. 6)

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twenties. “I was an atheist. I lived for myself. I became increasingly depressed. This depression was because I felt very guilty for my evil ways.

“I fought the guilt. There is no God! Why, then, these feelings of shame and guilt? The more I fought the guilt, the more depressed I became.

“Then an acquaintance told me that this church is about a man called Jesus who forgives and who removes our guilt and shame. So I came to this church to check things out. Who is this Jesus who removes guilt and shame?

“And I discovered that Jesus has taken my place on the cross. I discovered the Man who has the authority to forgive my sins. I believed in Jesus, and my sins are gone. I am a forgiven man. And, remarkably, my guiltinduced depression is gone as well! I am a free man.

Jesus is my Saviour.”

in Jesus we meet the One who has promised bodily resurrection and that we shall live and reign with Jesus eternally.

What is the meaning of death?

How does Jesus matter in regard to the third ultimate question? When my mother died in a tragic air crash, I was teaching in a Muslim school.

I told my students that I know I will meet my mother again in the presence of God. They were astonished.

“How can you know your destiny at death?” they asked. “In Islam there is no assurance of a person’s ultimate destiny.”

I responded, God raised Jesus from the dead, and God has promised that all who believe in Jesus, God will also raise from the dead. Jesus has promised, “I am the resurrection and the life. …Whoever…believes in me will never die!” (John 11:25-26).

When we consider the alternatives, this promise by Jesus is truly astounding. For the materialist, death is only our biological bodies turning to dust. For a Hindu or Buddhist, death means rebirth into another form of life, or for the enlightened person the fusion of the soul into the universal sea of life, as a drop of ocean spray being absorbed into the vast sea.

The diversities are amazing. But in Jesus we meet the One who has promised bodily resurrection and that we shall live and reign with Jesus eternally.

A million years from now I will be just a young man getting started on the vast adventure of eternity with Jesus!

Jesus does matter! We have looked at only vignettes of how significant Jesus is to each of the three ultimate questions.

All these are foundational, yet there are many other dimensions of Jesus as astonishing good news for 21st century people.

On a recent trip, I spoke to about 40 faculty and students at a religious research institute. This was their final question, “Why is the church growing so rapidly around the world?”

I responded, “Because of Jesus. He is good news!”

T They invited me back for more discussion. M David W. Shenk is co-editor of Jesus Matters: Good News for the 21st Century (Herald Press, 2009, 250 pages, ISBN 978-0-8361-9448-7), which explores ways that Jesus brings “surprising good news answers to life’s ultimate questions.”

Shenk was born in Tanzania and has taught in Somalia and Kenya. Since 1980 he has been based in the U.S., coordinating interfaith commitments.

He will be the EMC’s convention speaker in 2010 in Leamington, Ont.

Women’s EMCup hockey tournament February 27, 2010 Ste. Agathe, Man. Register as an individual (you will be placed on a team) or as a church team. Get some exercise, participate in a great sport, and fellowship with new and old friends.

Contact Bonnie Kroeker at 204346-0381, (cell) 392-3029, or e-mail bonniekroeker@yahoo.ca.

Registration deadline: February 14

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THE MESSENGER January 20, 2010

Mennonites agonize over Bolivian rape victims

Karla Braun

The story of Mennonite men drugging and raping women on Old Colony Mennonite settlements in Bolivia hit the news summer 2009, from local Spanish papers to The Guardian Weekly in the UK. Meanwhile, English-language Mennonite media has given it scant reportage as Mennonites from conservative to evangelical struggle to respond appropriately—if at all.

“The silence is deafening,” says Abe Warkentin, founder of Die Mennonitische Post, a German newspaper which connects Mennonites across the Americas. He “plead[s] with Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) to address these problems the same way MCC has addressed other issues so effectively in hundreds of programs.”

Twelve men are accused in the 140 officially confirmed cases of rape on 2,000-member Manitoba Colony in Bolivia. Mistrust, denials, and suspicion of authorities make it difficult to accurately report the extent of the tragedy. Anecdotal reports suggest such abuse is ongoing, affecting neighbouring colonies as well.

Missionaries have been concerned about domestic abuse on the colonies for years, and Kurze Nachrichten Aus Mexiko, a Latin American news source, says a drugging-and-rape incident was reported five years ago.

Family Life Network (FLN) staff reported in 2000 about “the church

in crisis” on Old Colony settlements in Mexico (home of the original Old Colony Bolivian settlers in 1967). In 2008, FLN staff said letters received from Old Colony teen listeners in Bolivia told of “addictions, depression, and sexual abuse common in the colonies.”

Some have called the incidents a wake-up call for North American Mennonites to address the poverty, lack of education, and denial of women’s dignity in the closed, patriarchal structure of Old Colony Mennonite society.

“The scandal is little more than an enlargement of social problems, in which more energy is put into hiding them than confronting and solving them,” Kurze Nachrichten reported.

Responses As yet, none of the Mennonite agencies that interact with the Old Colony Mennonites offer a targeted response to the female victims of abuse, nor aid in dealing with the offenders.

Academics research the ways and traditions of these Mennonites, but do not make judgments on the Old Colony lifestyle. That the crime came to the world’s attention is a sign of the colonies’ health, says Royden Loewen, chair of Mennonite studies at the University of Winnipeg.

He has a long history of studying Old Colony Mennonites in Canada

and Latin America, and visited the Bolivian colonies in July as part of a research project on anti-modernity.

“My impression is of a God-fearing, gentle, hardworking people with high ethical standards,” he says of his visits to the colonies. “They are deeply distressed about the rapes.”

Loewen recognizes there is abuse in Old Colony homes but “in no greater percentage than any other society in the world.” Referring to a 1991 study by Isaac Block, which found 10 percent of Winnipeg Mennonites had experienced abuse, he says the largely urban North American Mennonites “have ways of covering up our abusive situations,” while the “isolated but more visible Old Colony Mennonites” are more vulnerable to disclosure.

Jacob and Helen Funk have been coordinators of Low German programming for FLN for the past 15 years. “We know the problem of sexual and physical abuse is widespread in most if not all colonies in Bolivia,” he wrote in an email to the Herald, in which he said colony leaders use “extreme adherence to tradition and legalism” to “control membership of the community and church.”

FLN uses radio programs and evangelistic meetings “to reach out to the people in the colonies that are left wanting by their own church; to reach out to those who are searching for Christ.”

FLN also provides written materials and solar-powered audio players containing the New Testament for the Old Colony Mennonites, whose low education and rejection of modernity makes other access to the Bible and teaching difficult.

Women often confide in Helen about abuse, but FLN programming does not specifically address the domestic abuse. However, Funk points to a women’s shelter, primarily sponsored by the (continued on p. 8)

THE MESSENGER January 20, 2010

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Evangelical Free Church of Canada, nearly completed near Pailon, a central location for Mennonite colonies.

FLN works closely with the Evangelical Free Church, Power to Change, and several Mennonite conferences in Bolivia.

Call for understanding MCC, a relief and development organization, has provided aid and training to the colonies since the 1970s. They released “a call for understanding and prayer” July 9, 2009, in response to breaking news stories about the rapes.

MCC Bolivia provides ongoing farming, health, and education training and support to the colonies, but their offer of counseling for victims of abuse was rejected. MCC is careful to work with colony leaders to bring programs and offer aid.

John Janzen, Low German

Coordinator for MCC Canada, says “the colony leaders are taking a stand against this.” He points to a large ad the colony leaders took out in a Santa Cruz paper shortly after the news broke, stating: “We are sorry. We will try to regain lost ground. Please remember we are not all like this” (loose translation).

“As Christians, we should have concern for both the victims and the perpetrators (men) who did this,” Janzen says. “I see MCC in Bolivia striving to make things better,” he says, emphasizing the importance of parachurch and denominational ministries supporting each others’ efforts.

“It is all very sad,” says Warkentin, who advocates for education and a “hemispheric” Mennonite strategy to help the colonies. “While we acknowledge there are things that must change in these colonies…we must be

conscious that we are also a broken people.

“We need people with vision and creativity—and guts to take on this huge problem.”

Karla Braun is assistant editor of the Mennonite Brethren Herald. Reprinted with permission (January 8, 2009).

Generic photos of positive colony life courtesy of Die Mennonitsche Post. (See p. 15 for information about a lament service for Bolivian victims.)

with our missionaries Sudan

Protection, education, and direction International Teams serves the poor in Southern Sudan by rebuilding schools, providing clean water, providing income generating activities, and encouraging and training evangelists and pastors.

All of our work is through direct partnership with national lead ministries and leaders who focus on the poor: refugees, women, children and the physically challenged.

These ministries focus exclusively on providing protection, education, and direction. Protection is for the weak, vulnerable, hungry, displaced and abused.

Education is for children and women and also includes water sanitation and income generating projects. Leadership development and spiritual direction are through discipleship.

The provision of potable water in

Southern Sudan has been understandably a high priority. And, with the growth in NGO and national infrastructure, the business opportunities for supplying water are significant.

Water remains a most valuable commodity to sell. Thanks to our dedicated supporters, this income generation will serve The Sudan Evangelical Revival Movement well into the future. Since project inception, 127 bio-sand filters have been constructed, providing a source of clean water to many communities.

Some of these filters were donated

by SERM to very poor communities, while others were sold at about $40 each, resources permitting. During this reporting period an 1,800 squarefoot facility was constructed for water filtration.

Since project inception, 127 bio-sand filters have been constructed, providing a source of clean water to many communities.

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A pick-up truck was purchased to transport filters to their various locations for resale. And a rock crusher was purchased, to lessen and quicken the pace of the backbreaking work of crushing rocks (a vital part of filter construction). Forty bio-sand filters were constructed during this reporting period.

Gordon Skopnik

Sharon and Gordon Skopnik (Wymark) serve with International Teams.

THE MESSENGER January 20, 2010

with our missionaries Tadoule Lake, Man.

Connections strengthened with time In August 2009 our Athletes In Action team went to Tadoule Lake, Man., the fourth year that we have gone to this northerly community.

Tadoule Lake is situated 250 kilometers west of Churchill. The only way to get there in summer is by air.

It is a beautiful location for the Sayisi Dene people to live, but they are quite isolated. The nearest hospital and high school is in Thompson.

Originally we were asked to do a baseball camp with the children in Tadoule Lake. So we went up there with about seven adults and youths, who taught baseball skills as well as basic Bible lessons.

Community wiener roast

By now our work has evolved to Bible lessons and crafts and games with the younger children, baseball with the older youth, ladies outreach (visiting ladies in their homes and bringing them a gift bag from one of our sponsoring churches), a men’s breakfast (this title did not deter some of the women from coming as well), and church services.

Steinbach EMC associate pastor Rick Bettig was involved with a child dedication.

THE MESSENGER January 20, 2010

The last evening we are there we organize a community wiener roast and end the evening with fireworks on the beach.

We feel welcomed by the community and get lots of attention when our plane lands on the beach. A few ATVs and trucks come down there to pick up our supplies and deliver them to the nurses’ station where we make our home for the week.

The church is a three-minute walk from the station and this is where we have all the activities for the kids, except for the baseball which is up the hill close to the school. Between 30 and 45 kids participate in the daily activities.

As we are out and about visiting people in their homes, or fishing along the beach, we have opportunities to get to know the individual people and families.

This year Pastor Rick Bettig from our Steinbach EMC was with us to do the church services, and he also ended up doing a baby dedication. His love for fishing gave him opportunities to get to know some of the men in the community on an individual basis.

Although the adults had specifically asked us for church services, it took quite a lot of effort to get them to actually attend. They would tell us they are

Anglican, although the Anglican priest might come there only once a year. We were quite informal in our approach and Rick preached a basic message on the love of Jesus.

We look forward to going back to Tadoule Lake in 2010. We ask for prayers for the right staff as well as the funds that are needed for this ministry. We are so thankful for the dedication of the staff that come up there with us.

It is an adventure to get there and an adventure to learn how to live with more sand flies and mosquitoes than any of us are used to.

Edna Martens

Edna and Albert Martens (Steinbach EMC) serve with Athletes in Action.

The Athletes in Action team in Tadoule Lake

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with our churches

Workers appreciated Rosenort EMC (Man.): Amos and Wendy Fehr served our congregation in youth ministry faithfully for over 20 years and the REMC, youth, and surrounding community have been deeply blessed.

The memories of camp, VBS service, Abundant Springs, Spring Break tours, drama teams, worship groups, hayrides, and firesides, as well as baptisms and weddings are well documented with hundreds of photos and testimonies shared.

God continues to raise up actors, musicians, technicians, directors, and teachers from in our midst.

The preaching, teaching, and discipleship that the Fehrs have done cannot be measured in terms of years of service, since investment in youth ministry has eternal consequence. Many youth that have been discipled are actively involved in church and mission outreach. We are thankful.

Our church participated in the local Region 6 mission conference on November 7 to 8. We were challenged by a church planting minister Sam Owusu (from B.C.)Â to be deliberately intercultural.

A special focus that the world, in the form of immigrants, was coming to our doorstep in Winnipeg was noted with a challenge to be ready to embrace them.

He emphasized that in heaven every tribe and nation will worship together and the time to begin is immediate.

We are thankful to the volunteer youth sponsors who stepped in to provide the youth with leadership this summer, including Sherri Paul, Alex and Melanie Loewen, Carlos Bartsch, Debbie Thiesen, Todd Reimer, and Mike and Alyssa Thiessen.

Kevin and Becky Friesen were appointed interim senior youth coordinators while Debbie Thiesen is coordinating junior youth.

Our Christmas services were held back to back on December 20. The Sunday School program and the evening church cantata were both amazing.

God continues to raise up actors, musicians, technicians, directors, and teachers from in our midst. All He needs is our faithfulness and He provides the gifts.

Lorilee Scharfenberg

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Long-time youth pastoral couple Amos and Wendy Fehr with one of their earliest youth groups.

On June 14, 2009, we had a baptism service and transfer of membership. Joining us as members were Bern Schellenberg, Brian and Anita Peters, Julia Fast (baptism), Nick Reimer (baptism), and Nick Dueck.

Favourite carols chosen

Morris, Man.: Here we are into 2010 and how swift the days fly by. This proves to be a cold and snowy season so far, but this did not keep people from coming to the service on December 25, 2009, at Morris Fellowship Chapel.

It was a special time for all to gather around tables in the lower auditorium and enjoy a continental breakfast.

Upon entering the service, each one was given a paper and pencil to cast a vote for their favourite Christmas carol. The top five carols were selected and after each song a PowerPoint clip was shown depicting an aspect of what Christmas really means in our daily life.

Then chairperson Ward Parkinson had each table discuss the lesson in each clip. The informal service seemed to be enjoyed by all and the

closing song had each one lighting a candle in the darkened auditorium.

Our church held their annual Sunday School program with a good turnout. The youngsters did a great job performing along with the choir during the performance of the drama Ticket to Christmas.

Treat bags, a good old tradition, were enjoyed along with refreshments after the service.

Get well wishes to Eva Kroeker who was hospitalized for a few days near Christmas, also to Colleen Bartel who is recuperating well after being on crutches for a while. Mr. John Doell is still hospitalized in Morris waiting for a transfer to the Red River Valley Lodge.

Wishing you a blessed New Year!

Lorraine Loewen

THE MESSENGER January 20, 2010

with our churches

‘Have you seen? Have you heard?’

Tillsonburg, Ont.: Similar words were spoken by angels to shepherds as they announced the Messiah’s birth.

This Good News brought life-changing experiences throughout the world.

The Church of Living Water shares Great News to bring hope to the surrounding area. We have gathered for service in our new church building. Yes, we are finally in!

After almost 10 years of renting space, we wish to give praise for the Lord’s provision. With five years in planning and two years building we are glad to see the completed project.

Much construction was done by dedicated workers from within 50 adult members. Workdays were set for Saturdays and every volunteer was needed and appreciated. Our church was blessed by members who attended almost every Saturday and through the week.

Chantelle Reimer was the first born in our church (in 2000) and little Naomi Neufeld is our newest member.

This was Naomi’s first Sunday to church.

The building’s front

On November 1, 2009, the doors opened for the first service. The smell said everything was new. There was no longer just one room to enter. People no longer carried bags of material for the service or children’s church. The ushers did not set up chairs and, after, could visit; there were no chairs and sound system to pack.

The song Hosanna—Praise is Rising took on a new meaning. The Lord had been great. One hundred and ten worshippers gathered—family, friends, and a few from Region 9 churches.

Uncle Charlie, from the Children’s Bible Hour of Michigan, USA, hosted an afternoon program. Pastor Gary Herrfort shared from Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 about God’s Timing and My Time.

On November 8, six Sunday School classes met at 9:20 a.m. Teachers and students were thrilled to have classrooms and the adult class met for Bible lessons.

Classes for the senior high and College and Career groups are still planned; we don’t have enough spaces.

The pavement is spread, the lawn is prepared, and young trees are planted, meeting occupancy requirements. The town holds some of our funds; upon our receiving the final permit, it will release them, hopefully, within two months.

Then the kitchen and sound system can

Uncle Charlie showed him well, but Pastor Gary Herrfort didn’t get this one. How frustrating!

THE MESSENGER January 20, 2010

be installed.

The sanctuary seats 150 people comfortably. We purchased interlocking chairs to serve as a bench. About half of the chairs were pledged for. This opportunity is still open.

Our 10th anniversary morning service and our afternoon dedication service are planned for February 7 and open to anyone.

Our building is a centre for spreading the Word of God. As we give thanks for every square foot of space, we want to remain open for guidance and not rest comfortably.

We are discovering our new responsibilities in committees and caring for a building. We have much to share and teach, as we have learned from our teachers, Dave and Audrey Wiebe and, now, Gary and Susan Herrfort. Their guidance and vision made all the difference to our project.

May we continue to follow Christ wholeheartedly and serve passionately.

“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord” (Romans 12:911).

Marge Sawatzky

John Klassen and Marge Sawatzky work at planting the division trees.

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writings shared John Dyck

A

The Faith Given Once for All: What Christians Believe, Why They Believe It, and Why It Matters, Charles Colson and Harold Fickett (Zondervan, 2008), 240 pp., $18.99, ISBN 978-0-310-27602-6. Reviewed by John Dyck, pastor, Hillside Christian Fellowship.

re you looking for a good read for someone who is making beginning steps in the faith? Perhaps you like to keep on hand tools that act as handouts for those you encounter that are sceptical about what Christianity is. I would recommend The Faith as a resource that could prove helpful in this regard.

The book is easy to read and I found myself pulled in with the stories that are relayed as they added significant weight to any of the many arguments for a serious rethink of the Christian worldview.

In the authors’ words “progress does not always mean discovering something new. Sometimes it means rediscovering wisdom that is ancient and eternal” (29). At just over 200 pages, the book does require more than just a skimming through in order to take everything in that is presented by the authors, but it proves well worth the effort.

I found it striking to hear a former military and a former government man speak to the issue of violence and its destructive powers.

Colson highlights how with violence there is a revolving cycle,

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I found it striking to hear a former military and a former government man speak to the issue of violence and its destructive powers.

and that the cycle can only be broken when forgiveness reigns; the Christian community has to be the one that exemplifies this especially in how we relate to our brothers and sisters in other denominations.

This, no doubt, is a result of the experience of many years of being personally involved in prison ministry—seeing firsthand

the destructive nature of violence played out in the lives and families of countless inmates.

Overall it is a good overview of the basics of the faith, and is not a let down from what the subtitle of the book indicates regarding the content.

The only other work that I have read by Colson is his autobiography titled Born Again (read some seven years ago). Some of the same style is reflected in The Faith: it is written in an unapologetic, apologetic fashion with ample stories of God’s power coming through in dramatic fashion in people’s lives.

T Enjoy it, and be challenged! M

THE MESSENGER January 20, 2010

pictures of God Joanna Plett

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Holding hands in hard times

yerson University’s Chang School of Continuing Studies’ latest ad campaign trumpets the slogan: IT IS POSSIBLE to achieve your dreams, to transfer your skills, to land on your feet, to succeed in this economy, to be in demand, to love your job.

Targeted at a mass of professionals feeling the pressure of a tight economy, these ads offer the hope of tightening their grip on the shaky corporate ladder.

Yesterday I noticed a minor edit to one of the signs on the subway. Someone had taken a black marker and replaced part of a sign with: IT IS POSSIBLE to spare some change.

This line, likely written by a frustrated panhandler, weary of cold hours hearing reasons why passersby couldn’t spare a little change, is perhaps a timelier message than the original advertisement.

This year’s economy has affected all of us. Some have lost jobs, others have friends or family members who have lost jobs, others may simply be cringing at rising prices.

In these times I guard my money more carefully. An uncertain future makes it hard to let go of what little I have, not knowing when things might get worse. But the early church modeled a different way of living in hard economic times.

The Early Church would remind us that God is an extravagant Father who cares for his children and that he has called us to care for each other in community.

The early Christians’ first hope and last security was God. They took Jesus’ teaching seriously when he said: “Do not worry, saying ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ …For…your heavenly Father knows that you need them” (Matthew 6:31-32). Ultimately, it was not their financial security, but their eternal security, that enabled them to be generous.

Faith also brought them together into community, and community protected them in the tough times. As brothers and sisters, they recognized that they belonged to each other. They saw (photo by Joanna Plett) it as their responsibility to care for each other and could be at peace in hard times, knowing that the community would also care for them.

But they not only lived in community, they also gave in community. It was in the context of their Father’s provision and their family’s support that the early Christians were able to share generously and joyfully.

Although the Early Church was far from perfect, their model for coping as Christians in hard times would tell us that IT IS POSSIBLE to spare some change. They would remind us that God is an extravagant Father who cares for his children and that he has called us to care for each other in community.

If you are feeling the crunch of the economy, seek to know God and trust his provision. Burrow deeply into your church family. Care for them as they care for you.

And if you find that you can spare some change, give it generously, knowing that the future may be uncertain, T but you couldn’t be in better hands. M Come Check us Out! Steinbach Bible College

“No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had…There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales…and it was distributed to anyone as he had need” (Acts 4:32-35).

This economic policy was possible only because of three governing principles: faith, community, and generosity.

THE MESSENGER January 20, 2010

Discovery Days 2010 February 25-26 5:00 pm - 1:30 p.m.

Free for students Grade 11 & up

1-800-230-8478 email: info@SBCollege.ca visit www.SBCollege.ca

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news

Thrift store sales hit record $5.9M MCC thrift shops in Canada contributed a record $5.9 million to MCC’s work this past year.

Judy Dyck, coordinator of the 56 MCC thrift shops in Canada, said the steady growth over the years indicates that an ever-increasing number of customers and donors value and support the mission of MCC thrift shops. They see thrift shops as a sensible and environmental-friendly option for “affordable rare finds” and “secondary uses for their own surplus goods.”

Sabrina Minich, a Grade 11 student at Niverville (Man.) Collegiate and an August 2009 émigré from Germany, earned a community service credit through volunteering.

“I heard this is a secondhand shop that makes a lot of money for people in other countries,” she said. “We don’t have something like this in Germany.”

“It is the volunteers that make it happen,” said Gerald Loeppky, Niverville manager. “Our volunteers are generous beyond belief. They have caught the

vision that happiness comes from doing things for others.

They know they are making a difference in the lives of others.”

Sadie and John Friesen regularly work in the thrift shop.

“It is the satisfaction of helping people in need—not just what MCC does with the money but that we can help people here,” said Sadie, a founding member of the Niverville shop, which celebrated its 35th anniversary last November.

This passion for helping people, she said, goes back to stories when her parents talked about their experiences in Russia in the 1920s and how MCC, an Sabrina Minich, a Grade 11 student at Niverville Collegiate earns organization that started in a community service credit through volunteering at the MCC thrift 1920, sent food and tractors to shop in Niverville, Manitoba. (photo by Gladys Terichow, MCC) families in Russia and Ukraine.

“We know the money is being put to good use,” Sadie said. “That’s what keeps us going.”

MCC

Taking a sabbatical from homelessness The week before American Thanksgiving, two homeless men from Seattle Mennonite Church (SMC) helped rebuild a home in Dulzura, Calif., lost in a wildfire.

The hospitable culture of a Mennonite Disaster Service project gave these men a goal beyond trying to get through another day on the streets.

“The irony of homeless people building houses for other people, when they themselves sleep in parks and on sidewalks, is not lost on us,” said Jonathan Neufeld, community minister at SMC. SMC operates a community ministry that strives for peace and justice among urban poor.

The ministry team at SMC understands that the gifts and unique abilities that many homeless people possess are often overshadowed by a culture of survival. Where is your next meal going to come from or sleep tonight? These survival instincts often push aside dreams and life aspirations.

“The MDS community,” Neufeld said, “helped take them out of a culture of trauma and place them into a culture of reconciliation and partnership. This experience was totally healing for them.”

Carl and Joe, the two homeless men,

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felt valued and valuable as they contributed to helping bring another family home. For one week, they broke out of their daily routine of hardships. Now they are part of a community making a tangible difference to a displaced family.

Carl wanted others to know he was “taking a sabbatical from homelessness,” as he would say. Sleeping in a trailer with strangers was an upgrade from Carl’s routine of camping. Morning devotions, worship, building a house and doing community with others gave him a healthy and healing routine.

Projects can help homeless restore faith in themselves and others.

Joe was eager to learn new construction skills and soon learned that the people he would be working with were accepting of him. He felt loved and realized that not all people define you by your skills.

Neufeld said, “I never realized how good and transformational this could be for them.” He adds, “Using shortterm opportunities as transitional work

experience and housing could become an important tool for us.”

In a way, the MDS project served as a temporary housing sabbatical for these two men. The opportunity helped them to become acclimated to a new daily routine, even if only for one week.

“Housing is medicine,” explained Neufeld. Although this is not the first time homeless folks have served with MDS, it is a reminder that projects can help homeless restore faith in themselves and others.

Neufeld wrote MDS a letter: “We hope to return with more people out of the homeless community and expose others to the good, collaborative Spirit that God has given MDS to embody and share.”

Before Carl said goodbye, he gave the morning devotional. He opened his Bible to Matthew 6:9-13. He had the group read the Lord’s Prayer, noting it was held close to his heart.

Both Carl and Joe have left the street, been in search of work, and taken on more leadership responsibilities in the congregation’s effort to support people experiencing homelessness.

Brian Pipkin, MDS

THE MESSENGER January 20, 2010

news

MCC responding to Haiti earthquake, welcomes donations Mennonite Central Committee is responding to the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti late Tuesday afternoon.

MCC workers in Haiti include nine people from the United States, Colombia and the Netherlands; seven Haitian program staff members; and additional support staff.

All program staff located in Port-auPrince, the capital, are accounted for. Although the communications infrastructure in Haiti has been disrupted, staff were able to send a message via the U.S. embassy. MCC is still working to contact staff outside Port-au-Prince.

Although it is too early to provide a lot of details, MCC is preparing for the long haul, says Peter Rempel, executive director of MCC Manitoba.

“This was already the poorest country in the western hemisphere,” said Rempel.

“Most people simply won’t have the

material and financial resources to deal with this catastrophe.”

MCC’s regional disaster management coordinators, based in Honduras, will travel to Haiti as soon as possible to help with planning and implementing MCC’s response.

MCC’s work in Haiti over the past years has focused on reforestation and environmental education, human rights and advocacy for food security.

Donations to MCC’s response in Haiti are welcome. They should be designated Haiti Earthquake. Donations can be made: • Online at mcc.org • By telephone 204-261-6381 or tollfree 1-888-622-6337 • By mail: MCC, 134 Plaza Drive, Winnipeg, MB R3T 5K9 MCC

MCC is responding to a January 12 earthquake in Haiti, where it has several programs, including Fonkoze’s Chemen Lavi Miyòe (Haitian Creole for “Pathway to a Better Life”) in which Dieula Mertyl (pictured with child) is involved. (photo: MCC)

February 7 lament service for Bolivian victims An inter-Mennonite group of volunteers will sponsor a special “prayer and lament” service for women and girls who have been victims of recent sexual assaults and abuse in Manitoba Colony, Bolivia.

The service will be held Sunday, February 7, at 7 p.m. at Morrow Gospel Church, 755 St. Anne’s Road, Winnipeg, Man. The service is open to all and has been planned as a result of concern over reports in world-wide media of allegations that some Mennonite men were involved in sexually assaulting colony women and girls.

Various church agencies are involved in seeking to assist the Bolivian colonies.

The Bergthaler Church is working together with the Evangelical Mennonite Mission Conference.

David Janzen, field director for the joint Bergthaler-EMMC work, said last week that a meeting of many of Mennonite workers at Pailon, Bolivia, took place in late 2009. Campus Crusade, the Evangelical Free Church, as well as the EMMC and Chortitzer Mennonite Conference were united in working together.

THE MESSENGER January 20, 2010

In a July news release, Mennonite Central Committee called for non-judgemental “understanding and prayer” and noted an offer of counselling assistance to Manitoba Colony was declined.

The purpose of the Winnipeg church service February 7, according to one of the organizers, Dora Dueck of Winnipeg, is to show love and compassion for, and solidarity with, the Mennonite women of Bolivia.

The service, states co-organizer Leona Dueck Penner, Winnipeg, is expected to include music, litanies of prayer and Scripture, candle lighting, and stories of Bolivian women.

The service is open to all and a free will offering will be held for a new women’s shelter presently nearing completion at Pailon, Bolivia. The money would help pay for the kitchen and dining room.

Abe Warkentin, another meeting participant, may be contacted at myrnwa@ yahoo.ca (204-326-4367) for information regarding the church service.

Abe Warkentin

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news

MEDA convention explores new frontiers Efforts to help poor women in some of the world’s most volatile areas are like a Mennonite counterinsurgency force with a peace dividend of its own, says Helen Loftin, who directs Pakistan projects for Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA).

“Though the intent of counterinsurgency sounds very Rambo and un‑Mennonite, I would argue that this is what our work does,” she told 320 people at

more respect (and better treatment) in their families and communities. In Pakistan, the spin‑offs of women’s empowerment were more income, family stability and community strength which helped counter destabilizing influences.

She said MEDA could look at these programs as a new frontier “to showcase our brand of peacemaking.”

Under the theme New Frontiers: New Solutions, the gathering was held in the heart of California’s Silicon Valley. MEDA chose as its opening keynoter Stephen Kreider Yoder, San Francisco bureau chief of the Wall Street Journal.

He said Silicon Valley was one of the country’s “most concentrated spots of green technology,” yet little was being done to adapt new technologies to benefit the needy.

“Capitalism isn’t so good at closing these gaps,” Keynoters Len Penner and Stephen Kreider Yoder Yoder said.

Keynote speaker Len Penner, MEDA’s annual Business as a Calling president of Cargill Canada, asserted convention, November 5-8, 2009, in San that the world had plenty of food, but, Jose, Calif. “This is peace‑building. How because of cost and uneven distribution, are we doing it? By strengthening eco16,000 children died every day from nomic opportunities for women.”

In Pakistan, “the face of poverty is female,” she said. “When food, water or medicine is scarce, men receive it first, then boys, then women, then girls.”

This continued subjugation of women reinforced poverty and instability, she added.

Loftin said MEDA’s programs have boosted incomes for thousands of homebound women entrepreneurs whose traditions do not allow them to interact with men beyond their immediate family members. Providing access to new markets enabled women to not only earn more money but also gain

Providing access to new markets enabled women to gain more respect (and better treatment) in their families and communities.

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hunger-related causes. Food production needed to double by 2050, but “this is something we can do” without drawing huge amounts of additional land into production, he said.

“As followers of Jesus who are taught to love God and love our neighbor, do we see the malnourished today or the growing populations of tomorrow as our neighbor?” Penner said. “Tackling this challenge is not an option; it is a must.”

MEDA president Allan Sauder reported to members that despite a difficult economic year the organization ended 2009 in the black.

“Most gratifying, we were able to help almost 2.8 million families to live healthier, happier lives (up 156,000 from last year) through 120 partners in 44 countries,” Sauder said.

More than two dozen seminars examined an array of new business frontiers ranging from green technology and social entrepreneurship to immigration issues and investing for the poor.

The next Business as a Calling convention will be held November 4-7, 2010, in Calgary.

MEDA

A milk collector is among women assisted by MEDA in Pakistan.

THE MESSENGER January 20, 2010

stewardship today Kevin Davidson

I

Show me the money!

n the movie Jerry Maguire a slick sports agent, Jerry, makes a tough moral decision to switch from the greedy and dishonest attitude found extensively in the sports management business to one that values people, loyalty, and fairness.

As a result he loses his job and ends up in the now famous shouting match, “Show me the money,” with his only remaining client.

When we step back and look at our own financial decisions in the past, in the present and into the future, what are these decisions saying to us and our children?

If you haven’t noticed, our habits, behaviors and attitudes toward money have a huge impact on the next generation.

According to Nathan Dungan of Share Save Spend, children today spend five times more money than their parents did at the same age—and that’s adjusted for inflation.

Does our belief about who owns the money have a direct influence on how we manage it?

I think so.

What is at the root of how we ultimately spend money? Is it our belief system? And if it is, who do we really believe owns the money?

The Lord reminds us in Deuteronomy 8:17-18: “Remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth.” In 1 Chronicles 29:14, King David says, “Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.”

In his book The Treasure Principle, Randy Alcorn lists six attitudes or beliefs that affect our money management decisions: Unbelief: we don’t believe that God can and will provide for our needs, so we tend to hoard our money instead of giving it away.

Insecurity: If we give something away, there will not be enough for ourselves.

THE MESSENGER January 20, 2010

Pride: We are the source of our provision instead of God. Idolatry: Material things become idols when we value them so much that we don’t use and give them according to God’s purposes.

Power/control: We refuse to acknowledge God’s ownership and use money for selfish purposes instead of kingdom purposes.

Home: We believe the illusion that earth is our home.

Does our belief about who owns the money have a direct influence on how we manage it? I think so.

I remember some excellent financial advice my wife and I received during our pre-marriage counseling: give 10 per cent, save 10 per cent and spend the rest.

The percentages are not the issue; spending the money is not the issue. It’s about what we value most.

I know if I didn’t intentionally manage my finances in this way, the giving would be at the end and there would not be anything left.

When our hearts come to terms with the fact that God is the source of our finances, our money management decisions become clearer and simpler. If you don’t believe me, just ask my wife.

The year 2010 is a new time to “Show me the money.”

T The million-dollar question is, who is “me” going to be? M Kevin Davidson is a stewardship consultant at the Calgary, Alberta, office of Mennonite Foundation of Canada (MFC).

For stewardship education and estate and charitable gift planning, contact your nearest MFC office or visit Mennofoundation.ca.

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news

Friesen newest MFC consultant Arnold K. Friesen is the news Abbotsford, B.C., stewardship consultant for Mennonite Foundation of Canada.

A graduate of Providence College, Arnie went on to receive an MA from Providence Seminary and an Ed.D. He has a long history in student development and the Bible College movement.

Originally from Manitoba, Arnie and his family have called the Fraser Valley home for the past 12 years. He is an elder at Jericho Ridge Community Church in Langley, B.C. MFC

in memory

ANDREW SIEMENS January 21, 1991– January 23, 2003 Our lives have changed And time has brought healing...

But not a day goes by that we don’t think of you And we realize that we don’t love or miss you any less than the day you died.

You were a precious gift from God. We shall cherish and love you forever...

The beauty of your life shines even in your death.

Love, Mom and Dad, Jeremy and Carly

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Wiebe and Friesen new ROH directors Two long-time staff members of the Recovery of Hope (ROH) counseling program, Valerie Wiebe and Sandra Friesen, have been appointed its new codirectors.

coming events February 6 Nurturing Healthy Sexuality Conference Canadian Mennonite University Winnipeg, Man. www.abuse.mcc.org

February 25–26 Discovery Days Steinbach Bible College Steinbach, Man. 204-326-6451 or 800-230-8478 www.sbcollege.ca

February 27

Valerie Wiebe and Sandra Friesen

The director’s position became vacant in mid-2009 when Joanne Klassen moved to a position with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority.

Assuming responsibility for the day-today office administration and scheduling functions for Winnipeg and five satellite offices is Sandra Friesen, who has been with ROH for over 12 years.

Valerie Wiebe will assume leadership for the management and well-being of the 13 counseling professionals.

Wiebe has been with ROH for about 13 years, providing counseling services in Winnipeg and Portage La Prairie.

She will oversee counseling standards, training of new counselors, and student practicums.

Eden

MCC Manitoba Circles of Support and Accountability welcomes you to

Journeys to Wholeness An evening of music, stories and great food as we celebrate walking together to break out of cycles of violence and grow towards healthy and safer living!

Location: Crossways-In-Common, 222 Furby (Broadway at Furby) Time: 7:00 pm, February 27, 2010 Donations collected during concert. Contact CoSA at 204-9251915 for free advance tickets to qualify for door prizes!

Women’s EMCup hockey tournament Ste. Agathe, Man. 204-346-0381

February 27 Journeys to Wholeness MCC Manitoba Circles of Support and Accountability event Stories, music, food Winnipeg, Man. 204-925-1915

March 6 SPLAT Junior high discipleship event Steinbach Bible College Steinbach, Man. 204-326-6451 or 800-230-8478 www.sbcollege.ca

March 19–20 SBC Leadership Conference Transforming Discipleship Speaker: Greg Ogden Steinbach Bible College Steinbach, Man. 204-326-6451 or 800-230-8478 www.sbcollege.ca

March 25 Being Evangelical in a Complex World: Stats, Facts, and Trends Evangelical Fellowship of Canada Christian Leaders Connection Providence College and Seminary Otterburne, Man. Register by March 11 866-302-3362 ext. 236 www.evangelicalfellowship.ca/clc

THE MESSENGER January 20, 2010

shoulder tapping 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).

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 306595-2074. E-mail pastor@pellyfellowship.com.

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.

North Kildonan Mennonite Brethren Church in Winnipeg, Man., is looking for a children’s ministry director. The children’s director, who will focus on visioning and implementing a Christ-centred children’s program, will be an integral part of the pastoral leadership team. The children’s director is a half-time position. For an applicant who also has a vision for small groups ministry, consideration will be given for a full-time position including both ministry responsibilities.

NKMB is a multi-generational congregation of nearly 600 members with many young families.

Inquiries and resumes may be sent to: Search Committee, NKMB, 1315 Gateway Rd., Winnipeg MB R2G 1P2 or email: brigittep@nkmb.org.

Richmond Park Mennonite Brethren Church is searching for the lead pastor whom God has chosen to lead us into the future. We are a multigenerational church of 250-plus that is seeking to faithfully make an impact on our city and surrounding area with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

We have recently completed a refocusing process and require an individual who can lead us through equipping and mentoring others for roles in ministry. Gifts should also include teaching and preaching.

Brandon is a city in Western Manitoba with a population of about 50,000 people, which is experiencing growth and increasing cultural diversity. Please forward resumes and inquiries to lysackd@mts.net. Closing date: March 15, 2010.

Brightwood Ranch, near Edmonton, Alta., is a year-round facility that runs summer and winter camps for underprivileged kids and year-round programs for men and women with addictions.

We are seeking a full-time, year-round head cook starting April 15, 2010. Salary and accommodations. Head (March 1) and assistant instructors (June 22 or Sept. 1) are needed for Horses of Hope, a program which reaches hurting kids through the focus of one child, one horse, one instructor, at no cost.

THE MESSENGER January 20, 2010

Full text of ads available at www.emconf.ca/service.htm Summer positions are paid. Four-month positions are: main site program director, tipi village program director, wrangler training program leader, maintenance, secretary, head wrangler, youth development program leaders, horse camp instructor. Two-month positions are: senior male and female counselors, wranglers, assistant cooks, youth development program counselors, unit leaders, nurse/first aid attendant.

Email resume to bright.wood@hopemission. com; www.brightwoodranchcamps.com; or mail to Brent Ankrom, Ranch Director, Brightwood Ranch, Box 277, Evansburg, AB T0E 0T0.

Continental Mission in Thompson, Man., needs a general director. This is an executive position. Qualifications for this position includes ministry experience, and an ability to lead and challenge missionaries in various ministries. A knowledge of the Word and a walk with the Lord are essential.

An evangelical ministry, Continental Mission (started in the 1940s) is involved in evangelism, church planting, camping, and drop-in ministries among First Nations people, mostly in northern Manitoba. The director will need to live in Thompson. Experience in working with Aboriginal people is an asset.

Send your resume to the chairman of the board: Ruben Goertzen, Box 57, Ashern, MB R0C 0E0, e-mail rgoertz@mts.net, phone 204-768-2455. Or call the interim director, Bill Penner, at 204-7788771 for information.

Rainbow Christian School, in Vanderhoof, BC, seeks a principal.

RCS is a growing K–8 Christian professional learning community and has been in operation for 20 years. It is a classified Group 1 Independent School and currently has a staff of six and an enrollment of about 80 students.

Applications must include: resume, three references (including a pastor’s), transcripts, BCCT certificate, statement of faith, philosophy of Christian education.

The principal is a full-time position (.6 admin. and .4 teaching).

Send a cover letter, resume, philosophy of Christian education with statement of faith.

Rainbow Christian School Search Committee, Box 710, 2994 Burrard Ave., Vanderhoof, BC V0J 3A0; ph: 250-567-3127; fax: 250-567-3167; e-mail: rcschool@telus.net.

Gruthal Bergthaler Mennonite Church is prayerfully seeking a senior pastor who has a heart for people and is community outreach minded.

We are an evangelical church located in Grunthal, Man., 45 minutes southeast of Winnipeg, and 20 minutes southwest of Steinbach. The town consists of about 1,000 people and is supported by a strong farming community. The church is multi-generational, with a core of middle-aged families, a strong youth program run by a fulltime youth pastor, and a strong Sunday School program.

We seek a pastor who has the heart of a

shepherd and a desire to see our church grow through reaching the lost and investing in the church’s people. He should have strong preaching and teaching skills. The candidate must have a Bible college degree. Some pastoral experience is preferred. He must be in agreement with our constitution and statement of faith.

Anyone who possesses these qualifications and is interested in this position can forward their resume, along with references, to the following address: Grunthal Bergthaler Church, Box 70, Grunthal, MB R0A 0R0, Attn: Elder Board; or e-mail gbmcleadelder@mts.net.

MacGregor Youth for Christ seeks a satellite director. Job description involves giving overall leadership to YFC ministries in Macgregor and Gladstone, Man., its staff and its ministry; vision crafting, ministry development, staff/volunteer care and development, community/church relations, fundraising, evaluation. Please contact yfcmacgregor@mts.net.

MacGregor Youth for Christ seeks a campus life youth worker. Job description involves spending time in the local High School offering student support to the local youth, as well as connecting with the local youth through the Drop-in Centre and various programs. Please contact yfcmacgregor@mts.net.

Arborg Youth for Christ seeks an executive director to help launch and run a youth centre in Arborg, Man. This exciting opportunity is revving up and will soon be ready to go with a committed team there to support and back you up.

Reporting to and supported by a committed steering committee, this person will promote the ministry throughout the community, develop the drop-in program, and supervise team members.

Applicants must be able to embrace and sign the YFC Statement of Faith and Conduct. The ability to handle administrative and financial duties will be required. Qualifications include a love for youth, drive and determination, creativity and an ability to work independently.

E-mail resume to Keith Tarry at keith@ yfcwinnipeg.ca or 325 Talbot Ave, Winnipeg, MB R2L 0P9 or 204-669 4205 ext 224.

A senior volunteer couple is needed to host the EMC Mission guesthouse in El Paso, Texas, starting April 2010. This is a selfsupporting position with a one- to two-year term of service. For more information contact Ken Zacharias, Foreign Secretary, EMC Board of Missions, kzacharias@emconf.ca or 204-326-6401.

19

kids’ corner Loreena Thiessen

W

Light, is it important?

hat colour is the sunrise? Have you looked?

In January daylight arrives in streaks of pink in the grey eastern sky.

Night is long, about 16 hours.

That leaves only eight hours for the day.

In the summer it’s the other way around; daylight has 18 hours and darkness has only six hours. This helps us play and walk in the evening while it’s still light.

If you lived in the most northern town in Norway you would be in darkness from October to February. That’s one-third of the entire year. It is so far north that your compass needle would point south.

Would you be okay if you lived in darkness even during daytime hours? Of course you would have light, artificial light, (Designpics.com) from electricity.

Your home and school would have light, the streets would have street lamps, and cars would light up the road ahead with their headlights just like they do now. Airplanes would come in with their landing lights on and land between the runway lights just like they should.

So why do we need daylight at all? Maybe we’d be just fine in perpetual darkness.

Actually, we would not be fine. Light is as important as eating. In fact if we did not have light, sunlight, we might not be eating many things at all. Without light, life would not be possible on earth.

First, plants could not grow and produce seeds or fruit without sunlight. Sunlight helps plants produce food for them to grow and it helps us because we eat the plants and their fruit.

If there was no light there would be no plants for people or animals. Can you imagine no bananas, apples, or French fries?

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Second, we see things because there is light. No object would be visible if we had no light. Imagine trying to get dressed in the morning if you could not see your clothes.

Which t-shirt would you choose, the blue one or the red one? But wait, it wouldn’t matter because no one could see it.

You might step on your cat. You would have a hard time finding its food or its dish to fill it. Everything would take longer if you had to spend time finding it first.

Do you have a toy that needs batteries?

Energy from light can be captured and stored in batteries. So light could power your toy.

Do you drink milk? Milk has calcium for healthy bones. Sunlight has Vitamin D which helps your body use the calcium. So sunlight is good for your bones.

And sunlight warms the earth. Without the sun our earth would return to the Ice Age. We need the light.

Jesus says, “I am the Light of the world” (John 8:12). Without him we are like people living in darkness, stumbling.

If we know him, Jesus is the Light that will guide us and we will not longer stumble, we will T know where to walk and what to do. M

Activity: create a shadow You will need: stuffed animal, large sheet of white paper (newsprint), flashlight, thick felt pens, table.

What to do: Set up a turned on flashlight on a table. Place a stuffed animal in front of the flashlight, sitting on the large white paper. Trace the shadow of the stuffed animal on the paper.

Observe: 1. The light is blocked by the stuffed animal 2. You can create a shadow

THE MESSENGER Evangelical Mennonite Conference 440 Main Street Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z5 Publications Mail Agreement #40017362 PAP Registration #9914