The Messenger Vol. 48, No. 5 April 2010 by The Messenger

THE

MESSENGER

volume 48, number 5 April 2010

www.emconf.ca/Messenger

Let the Word speak!

The Word in worship: using the Bible in our services

a publication of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference

THE

editorials

MESSENGER

Ever considered a lectionary?

s Dr. Christine Longhurst says, Dr. Elizabeth Achtemeier, a profesChristians need more Scripture sor of preaching and interpretation, in our services. taught that an Old Testament passage How can the Word’s authority be is to be paired with one from the New upheld when we do not hear Scripture Testament. She said “the Old Testament itself? has no outcome without the Would the discipline of The Old Testament New” and “the New has no a lectionary assist us? A full presentation of the mesprepares for Christ’s sage of salvation without lectionary is a schedule of selected Scripture passages coming, the Gospels the Old” (The Old Testament (Old Testament, Gospel, and the Proclamation of the tell of it, and the Letters) to be read at weekly Gospel, Westminster, 1972). Letters reflect on it. worship services. Lectionaries have flaws: The Revised Common readings might not fit a parLectionary (on the Internet) is used at ticular date or a sermon series; selections times by some EMC congregations. can seem odd and need adjustment. A lectionary keeps a pastor from In fact, evangelical leaders might drifting toward “pet” texts and helps to simply be motivated to choose their decide, “What will I preach on?” own Old Testament, Gospel, and Letter More importantly, it reminds us that portions, widening the Scriptures read, the Old Testament prepares for Christ’s used, and taught. coming, the Gospels tell of it, and the Even when a lectionary if not folLetters reflect on it. The historical flow of lowed, the discipline behind it serves Scripture is vital. What the Bible “means us well. The Word is the point, not the to me” isn’t enough! lectionary. Terry M. Smith

The Messenger goes monthly

he magazine will go monthly (36 pages) in a new format and at the end of 2011 it will be re-evaluated. This was the decision of the Board of Church Ministries on March 17, based on the recommendation of both of its editors. The decision considered the 2009 EM Conference financial shortfall, the substantial cost savings of a new format and frequency, and the desire to realign funds within other areas of the Board of Church Ministries’ work in education and publication. Going to a monthly with the new format in a 36-page issue (the same pages in a typical month with the 22-issue format) saves about $1,400 per month in production costs alone. Beyond this, there are

THE MESSENGER | April 2010

anticipated savings in taxes, postage, and circulation audit expenses. This year, because of a broken schedule, there will be 13 issues with a total of 396 pages (only four pages less than in a normal 22-issue year). In 2011 there will be 12 issues totaling 432 pages. Lead articles, mission reports, church news, and most columnists will have the same space. Shoulder Tapping and Coming Events are reduced to 12 times per year—so ad information needs to come in earlier. If kept to the one-page format, editorial pages would be reduced from 22 to 12, but the editors have the freedom to adjust space as needed. As our EM Conference makes financial adjustments, ministry continues. Terry M. Smith

EDITOR Terry M. Smith tsmith@emconf.ca

ASSISTANT EDITOR Rebecca Roman

rroman@emconf.ca

Submissions to The Messenger should be sent to messenger@emconf.ca THE MESSENGER is the monthly publication of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference. It is available to the general public. Its purpose is to inform concerning events and activities in the denomination, instruct in godliness and victorious living, inspire to earnestly contend for the faith. Letters, articles, photos and poems are welcomed. Unpublished material is not returned except by request. Views and opinions of writers are their own and do not necessarily represent the position of the Conference or the editors. THE MESSENGER is published by the EMC Board of Church Ministries, 440 Main St, Steinbach, Man. Subscriptions: Canadian subscriptions are $24 for one year, $44 for two years, $65 for three years (Manitoba residents add 7% PST); U.S. subscriptions are $30 for one year, $55 for two years, $82 for three years; all other countries are $45 for one year, $85 for two years, $125 for three years . Subscriptions are voluntary and optional to people within or outside of the EMC. Subscriptions are purchased by the Conference for members and adherents. THE MESSENGER is a member of Meetinghouse and Canadian Church Press. Second-class postage paid at Steinbach, Manitoba. ISSN #0701-3299 PAP Registration #9914 Publications Mail Agreement #40017362 We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada, through its various programs, toward our production and mailing. Undelivered copies, change of address and new subscriptions should be addressed to: 440 Main St, Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z5 Phone: 204-326-6401 Fax: 204-326-1613 E-mail: messenger@emconf.ca

MESSENGER SCHEDULE: No. 6 – May issue (copy due April 23) On-line edition available at www.emconf.ca/Messenger

contents Features 9

The Word in worship

using the Bible in our services – Dr. Christine Longhurst

12 Moving toward joy

dancing without fear or condemnation – Brigitte (Bouvier) Toews

Columns 5 A reader’s viewpoint

Who cares about academic freedom? – Al Hiebert

6 Archives alcove

Silenced within the snows of Siberia – Terry Smith

34 Pictures of God

How far would you go for a free cup of coffee? – Joanna Plett

35 Stewardship today

Plastic surgery – Sherri Grosz

14 Sudan: Moving in the Mabaan church step 15 Canada: To the ends of the earth, including Winnipeg? 16 Lesotho: A season of suffering 17 South Africa: Unprecedented opportunities for ministry 18 Grand Rapids, Man.: Mission work: ‘we are in it together’ 19 Nicaragua: My key memories? Of dedicated pastors!

With our churches

36 Kids’ corner

With our missionaries

What do you mean to say? – Loreena Thiessen

20 Steinbach EMC: Encountering God 20 Portage Evangelical Church: Anicka: baptism is a sign of new beginnings 21 Roseisle EMC: Church reaches out, workers report 22 Pelly Fellowship Chapel: Region 3 enjoys missionary conference 22 Taber EMC: Taber holds dedication 23 Heartland Community Church: If the Lord doesn’t build the house... 24 Many Rooms Church Community: Simple church fills many rooms

Departments 2 Editorials 3 Pontius’ Puddle 4 News briefs 29 In memory 31 Calendar 31 Births/weddings 32 Shoulder tapping News 7 8 26 27 28 29 33 33

Curling event comes down to final shot Greg Ogden presents a ‘no brainer’ EdenB meets a need The Philippines taught ‘many lessons’ Friesens end five years at Pass Christian Rea challenges students toward social justice MEDA sees peace dividend in youth program Turning toward peace to help Afghan children

33 Correction to Feb. 3, 2010, issue: Lisa Penner was baptized on July 12, 2009 at Leamington (Ont.) EMC.

THE MESSENGER | April 2010

news briefs

AKRON, Pa.—More than a decade after 121 nations gathered in Ottawa, Ont., to sign a treaty banning anti-personnel landmines, the U.S. has agreed to conduct a comprehensive review of its landmine policy. Campaigners hope this will result in a decision to sign the Mine Ban Treaty. “It is unacceptable for the United States to remain silent on this issue,” said Mary Stata, legislative assistant for International Affairs for the MCC U.S. Washington Office. “Now is the time for the U.S. to join the treaty and ban this weapon that indiscriminately affects civilians.” The U.S. has not used landmines since the Gulf War in 1991, despite wars in Kosovo, Afghanistan, and Iraq. The U.S. has not exported landmines since

1992 or produced them since 1997. All major U.S. allies have signed the treaty. Since the Ottawa Treaty was signed, the world community has severely stigmatized landmines. These factors provide good incentive for the U.S. to sign the treaty. Titus Peachey, director of peace education for MCC U.S., said, “This is a unique opportunity that we must seize. A U.S. signature on the treaty would affirm the tireless work of thousands of landmine survivors around the globe and send an important signal to other non-signatories such as China, Russia and Israel.” For information on U.S. policy related to both landmines and cluster munitions see: clusterbombs.mcc.org. MCC

Christians in Iraq “Christianity has been evident in Iraq for fourteen centuries,” but the “Iraqi church has not faced greater danger or forced dispersion as has taken place since the U.S. led invasion in 2003. This country has rewritten its constitution and now enters an election period, but Iraqi Christians are living without being able to request or enforce the Iraqi constitutional right of religious freedom. In fact, instead they face cruel persecution for their faith.” – Don Hutchinson, chair, Evangelical Fellowship of Canada’s Religious Liberty Commission.

60th Convention

the

of the

IUMPH

LAMB Christ, His Church in Missions 60th Annual EMC Convention July 2, 3, 4 2010 Leamington, Ontario United Mennonite Educational Institute Keynote Speaker: David W. Shenk

emc

THE MESSENGER | April 2010

A poster in Iraq warns passersby of the presence of landmines.

Will you be there for

The Triumph of the Lamb? Plan to attend EMC Convention July 2-4, 2010, in Leamington, Ontario Inspirational sessions, children’s programming, youth event, and more Registration beginning April 15, 2010 at www.emconf.ca

Ph.D

March 5, 2010, report on Christians in Iraq is available on the EFC website: www. evangelicalfellowship.ca

PHOTO: TITUS PEACHEY, MCC

Landmines: Calling for bold action from the U.S. in 2010

Speaker: David W. Shenk, Ph.D.

a reader’s viewpoint

Who cares about academic freedom? by Al Hiebert

any assume college and university faculty and students should be free to think, say, and do whatever they want, limited only by law.

Really? Should a prof at an evangelical school be free to insist that Jesus was not God? Should an evangelical prof at a secular university be free to argue that non-Christian religions are unwarranted myths, but Christian faith is divinely revealed? How do colleges deal with such academic freedom issues? Can a Christian school have academic freedom and remain Christian? Who cares? The Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) demands that universities defend their faculties’ “right to teach, learn, study and publish free of orthodoxy or threat of reprisal and discrimination.” In the past year CAUT has challenged several Christian schools over their “faith test,” their asking faculty to respect core Christian beliefs or lifestyles. The Association of Universities and Colleges in Canada (AUCC) says: How the members of universities will teach and impart skills, conduct research and the pursuit of knowledge, and engage in fundamental criticism is best determined within the universities themselves. It is here that academic freedom, in its collective form of institutional autonomy, can ensure freedom of inquiry for individual faculty members and students.

Not surprisingly, Christian Higher Education Canada (CHEC) prefers the AUCC perspective. In the CHEC Board discussion of this last fall, Trinity Western University (TWU) president Jonathan Raymond observed, “CAUT is simply out of step with higher education in North America.” When CAUT representatives visited Canadian Mennonite University (CMU), an amicable two-hour

Since secular convictions dominate public education, naturally some academics dismiss Christian scholarship and question the legitimacy of Christian colleges and universities.

conversation led CMU president Gerald Gerbrandt to urge CAUT to list CMU as a faith-based university. TWU has offered to sponsor a conference to open more public dialogue with CAUT on best practices on academic freedom in Canadian higher education generally, particularly at faith-based universities. CAUT has not yet agreed to participate. Is bias a problem? In a 2007 Ipsos Reid national study of 7,800 Canadians most assumed Christian higher education is “biased.” Fair enough, in one sense. We should expect that an avowedly Christian institution with a mission, statement of faith, and code of conduct would respect such stated convictions, even if CAUT disagrees. How about bias at secular Canadian universities? Some employ evangelical faculty. But these are vastly outnumbered by faculty who hold to secular convictions such as: • A supreme being, divine revelation, an afterlife, divine moral norms and supernatural events must be excluded from the public square; • Whatever happens must be accounted for by natural causes only, as science/reason requires; • Freedom requires support for “politically correct” agendas including a woman’s right to choose abortion and same-sex activism. Since secular convictions dominate public education, naturally some academics dismiss Christian scholarship and question the legitimacy of Christian colleges and universities. One study suggests that some 80 per cent of churchgoing students walk away from faith during public universities studies. CAUT may celebrate such numbers. Christian philosophers argue that this change shows the replacement of one worldview by another. Let’s agree that all colleges and universities are biased and that their “world views” influence how graduates see life. Higher education free of bias is impossible, in principle and in practice. Students have a choice between higher education with a Christian bias or with a secular bias. Let’s affirm the 17,000 Canadians annually who care enough about their faith to prefer studies with those who confess Jesus as Lord, though they may freely disagree on other matters. Al Hiebert, Ph.D., is an ordained EMC minister and the executive director of Christian Higher Education Canada, an association of 34 colleges, universities, and seminaries affiliated with The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada. Both SBC and CMU, institutions associated with the EMC, are part of CHEC.

THE MESSENGER | April 2010

archives alcove by Terry Smith

Silenced within the snows of Siberia

THE MESSENGER | April 2010

PHOTO: DREAMSTIME.COM

n 1820 ministers in Molotschna Colony in Russia (now Ukraine) dealt with a situation of abuse. Franz Thiessen was accused of incest with his daughter Anna. Ministers in the Grosse Gemeinde (the Great Church, which the EMC left) complained to authorities, who arrested and imprisoned both Thiessen and Anna. On October 23, 1821, KG (now EMC) minister Abraham Friesen wrote to the ministerial, asking for mercy for Thiessen and Anna. The plea was unsuccessful and Franz Thiessen died in prison. On December 27, 1821, Friesen wrote to the District Government asking for mercy for Anna, with no clear lasting effect. Released from prison in October 1824, Anna was sent to Siberia. She said the journey took more than a year; she was robbed “of clothes and monies” on the way, reduced to what she wore. Forced by “dire circumstances” to forsake her “religion,” she “accepted the anointing” (perhaps baptism in an Orthodox church), and was made to marry a settler named Jakob Saweljews. Anna wrote her family on December 9, 1829, pleading not to be forgotten, and called herself a “miserable wretch” saddened by living in an “alien” place. She requested that a few possessions be distributed among her siblings and her share of family inheritance be sent along with funds from selling her cow. She likely minimized her poverty and anguish: “In my absence I kiss all my friends…At the time of sending this letter, I am well—thanks to

God—and sufficiently provided for.” Both father and daughter were both presumed guilty, yet in the power structure of the home how could this be? Editor and historian Delbert Plett writes that the incident is a “stark reminder that injustice is found in every community.”

Friesen saw the injustice inflicted on Anna by the Council as akin to that of Lazarus by the Rich Man. Abraham Friesen’s intervention was impressive. He wrote to the ministers, “That these people are forced to languish in confinement and to endure your judgment completely divorced from all compassion gives me a very disquieted spirit and conscience.” He said “for the sake of the love of Jesus do allow yourselves to be moved.” Friesen bravely wrote to the District Council on Anna’s behalf. He

was critical that “not a single one of you has personally traveled to visit her.” He said, “In the evening you peacefully proceed to recline in your beds in your homes with your own, but she must go to sleep on the cold floor and is separated from all her blood relations.” Friesen saw the injustice inflicted on Anna by the Council as akin to that of Lazarus by the Rich Man, and warned “those who take people into arrest that they themselves do not simultaneously lead their own souls into that eternal imprisonment (Revelation 13)” (see Delbert Plett, Leaders, 1993, 244-249). Ultimately, one ponders Anna’s agony. And though she felt forced to forsake her “religion,” did she actually deny it? Why did she use the term “the anointing,” rather than “baptism”? Beyond that, Anna’s sad voice became silent within the snows of Siberia—unless later relatives have more information to share.

news

Curling event comes down to final shot ‘Ringer’ Paul Thiessen saves the day for Team Parkinson STEINBACH, Man.—There was only one rock to be delivered. The almost annual EMC national office staff curling event (IN SYNC, for short) was held on March 9, 2010, at the Steinbach club. Though numbers were depleted (one had just returned from Nicaragua, another was out with a health concern), six staff and an imported “ringer” added their perspectives and skills. On average they made good shots; those that were too short were balanced by those that were too long. Skip Ward Parkinson brought limited curling knowledge from Morris, Man., and once helpfully stood behind a person “holding the broom” to point in a different direction. Skip Gerald Reimer socialized and quipped throughout, including when Ruth Anne Peters was in the hack, which made her laugh; her resultant delivery form was a joy to behold for the opposition (which Gerald was). For the record, Gerald owes Ruth Anne a coffee for suggesting the wrong weight for another shot. Rebecca Roman, besides placing two in the house, showed skill and speed in being able to deliver a rock, run up to it, and sweep. She only lacked the capacity to “hold the broom” in the house as she threw a rock, but she’s working on it. She delighted to keep score. Ruth Anne Peters organized the event, collected money from curlers to pay for it, and displayed good humour. She was a dedicated curler who worked at her roles with typical efficiency and grace under pressure. Tim Dyck treaded carefully on the ice, spouted witticisms, and filled in a “general” (secretary) way where needed in the line up and in the house.

Terry Smith made sweeping statements, avoided sweeping, and got to know the ice quite well. Team members traded throwing rotations, swept the opposition’s rocks, and mostly encouraged all present. Team Parkinson took leads of 3-0 and then 5-0. But Team Reimer battled back, making it 5-3 and 5-5 before taking a 7-5 lead. Team Parkinson came back 7-7, then Team Reimer went ahead 9-7. In the eighth end there were several rocks out front and each team had one in the house near the button. Team Parkinson’s final stone needed to hit the hole and Graduation stop as second shot. Throwing fourth stones was2010 an import, a “ringer” whose Spring Concert previous curling experience consisted of the seven previous 23 at 7:30 pm ends of play, a few April rocks thrown in practice, and coping with C.P. Loewen Chapel • SBC Campus 40 C heat in Burkina Faso,New Africa. featured: Creation & Free Servant performing Could Be You”.the national office’s Being a true EMCer, Paul“ItThiessen, Alumni coffee time to follow. honourable missionary-in-residence, was singularly qualified Graduation for the predicament: being unfamiliar with the fine points, or 25 atgame, 3:00 pmhe was still game! almost any points, April of the Steinbach EMC • 422 Main Street Paul’s final rockspeaker: had good line and speed, hit the hole, and Tim Houck Truth Matters Ministries with sweeping cut out Team Reimer’s stone as second shot. Alumni Barbeque Team Parkinson had scored two to tie the game. June 19 from The tie was considered by2-6pm many as a fitting result to a game SBC Campus with much camaraderie (asareusual) EMC staff persons, even All alumni invited toby come with old friends if some might havereconnect secretly desired tofrom win. college. See www.SBCollege.ca for Earlier Paul hadmore been asked how he was doing. He replied details. he could see himself again. 50 PTHcurling 12 N • Steinbach, MB •Then R5G 1T4 came the historic www.sbcollege.ca shot. Thiessen is now experienced under pressure, ready for another challenge, and prepared to join another team. Kevin Martin, are you listening? Terry Smith

Graduation 2010 SBC invites you to these special graduation events…

Spring Concert PHOTO: KEN ZACHARIAS

April 23 at 7:30 pm C.P. Loewen Chapel • SBC Campus featured: New Creation & Free Servant performing the drama, “It Could Be You”. Alumni coffee time to follow.

Graduation April 27 at 3:00 pm • Steinbach EMC • 422 Main Street speaker: Tim Houck, Truth Matters Ministries

Alumni Barbeque June 19 from 2-6pm • SBC Campus

Staff curling participants were Ruth Anne Peters, Terry Smith, Ward Parkinson, Rebecca Roman, Gerald Reimer, Tim Dyck, and (seated) ringer Paul Thiessen.

All alumni are invited to come reconnect with old friends from college. See www.SBCollege.ca for more details. 50 PTH 12 N • Steinbach, MB • R5G 1T4 www.sbcollege.ca

THE MESSENGER | April 2010

Prepared for use in The Messenger, The Recorder, The Chronicle

news

Greg Ogden presents a ‘no brainer’ SBC Leadership Conference speaker focuses on discipleship

PHOTOS COURTESY SBC

STEINBACH, Man.—Men and women from Alberta through Ontario gathered at Steinbach Bible College for its annual Leadership Conference on March 19-20, and heard the speaker present a “no-brainer.” Dr. Greg Ogden, executive pastor of discipleship at Christ Church in Oak Brook, IL, and author of Transforming Discipleship, Discipleship Essentials and Unfinished Business, challenged 190 participants to rediscover intentional discipleship as the foundation for healthy church ministry. It seems like a “no-brainer”—invest time and energy discipling two people who will invest time and energy into discipling others. It seems so natural and perhaps too simple. Isn’t this what the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy? “And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2). Four levels of discipleship are implied. As Paul taught Timothy so Timothy must teach others who will be faithful to teach even more. This principle of multiplication summarizes this year’s message. There is little here that is novel, yet the message transforms the way ministry is done. A pastor seeking to inspire a congregation to follow the way of Jesus should not look to a rousing sermon, but to intentional relationships developed in the lives of individuals within the congregation. Following this process can turn the way that we do ministry on its head. As Greg Ogden pointed out, the responsibility for much of what is done by pastors is actually that of the entire congregation. “The term ‘pastoral care’ is banned in our church,” said Dr. Ogden. “Rather it is the ministry of care that we talk about.” This shift in responsibility requires that congregations emphasize the “priesthood of all believers.” The model which Dr. Ogden put forward utilizes groups

Participant Mike Doerksen visits with SBC professor Gord Penner.

THE MESSENGER | April 2010

In this model, the pastor is no longer the only one who can care or lead; the entire congregation is motivated to accomplish this. of three or four in an intentional discipleship relationship with a commitment to reproduce these groups after going through the process. This process places less importance on program and performance-based ministry and elevates the importance of people committed to leading others. In this model, the pastor is no longer the only one who can care or lead; the entire congregation is motivated to accomplish this. Walking away from a conference like this can be frustrating. Dr. Greg Ogden challenged participants to rediscover While it makes sense to put into intentional discipleship as practice the material presented, the foundation for healthy habits formed in ministry need to church ministry. be broken. There are expectations that need to be understood. Change requires energy; and for a pastor who is exhausted from doing the visiting, preaching and leading, it is sometimes overwhelming to think of changes. In addition, pastors must surrender their desire to be the “superhero.” The good news is that the change doesn’t have to be a radical shift. It can begin with one person choosing to disciple two or three others who will disciple two or three more. Leadership Conference is a great time for friends to reconnect and network. The coffee house on Friday night and break times were filled with many conversations spun off of the sessions. The Leadership Conference served as an affirmation of our college’s commitment to disciple our students and an exhortation to improve in that work. Patrick Friesen Director of Communications

The

Word in worship: using the Bible in our services by Dr. Christine Longhurst

PHOTO: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM

How much of your worship service is spent reading and hearing Scripture? Ten per cent? Fifteen percent? More? Less?

n 2004 my doctoral thesis advisor, Dr. Constance Cherry, who teaches worship and Christian ministries at Indiana Wesleyan University, surveyed a wide variety of churches in the U.S. to see how much time was spent reading Scripture during worship. She discovered that in traditional, contemporary and “blended” churches, only two to five per cent of the service was spent reading the Word. In most congregations, significantly more time was taken for announcements than for Scripture reading. Granted, this was a study of American congregations. But I suspect a study of Canadian churches would look quite similar. An Integral Part Throughout history, the reading and hearing of God’s Word has been an integral part of Christian worship. Early worshipping communities seemingly couldn’t get enough of hearing Scripture. In one of the earliest descriptions of Christian worship (155 A.D.) we read that “the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits.” By the beginning of the seventh century, a listing of suggested Scripture readings for each worship service (known as a lectionary) had been established. The great reform movements of the sixteenth century sought to keep Scripture at the very heart of the church’s life and worship. Lengthy Bible readings—often a chapter or two at a time—were

part of every worship service. Some churches even provided a running commentary alongside the readings, so that people could understand what was being read. Tremendous reverence and respect for Scripture was demonstrated in many different ways: through the careful selection of gifted readers; in the reverent way in which Scriptural texts were handled in worship; in the spoken and sung congregational responses before and after the Word was read; even in the beauty with which Scripture was copied and illustrated. The reading of Scripture in worship was understood to be much more than just the sharing of information. There was a clear expectation that, when the Word was read, God was again speaking to the gathered community. Is this how you experience the reading of Scripture in worship? Do you find yourself listening eagerly and expectantly, anticipating a word from God? Ideas to Strengthen If your congregation is interested in strengthening the reading and hearing of Scripture in worship, here are a few ideas you might consider.

Pray before the reading of Scripture. Throughout history, congregations have prayed for the active presence of the Holy Spirit before Scripture is read. Traditionally, a prayer before the reading and preaching of the THE MESSENGER | April 2010

Word was called a prayer of illumination. A prayer like this reminds us that we are dependent upon the leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit if we are to hear the Word that God has for us.

Use more Scripture. Instead of limiting the Scripture reading to the sermon text alone (as is the case in many congregations), consider using multiple texts throughout the service. Whether you follow the Revised Common Lectionary or devise your own reading plan, increasing the number of readings and their placement in the service can greatly enhance your opportunity to hear God’s voice. There are many places where Scripture texts can enrich worship: in a call to worship (Psalm 100); an invitation to praise (Psalm 33:1-4); a prayer of thanksgiving (Ephesians 1:3-14); an invitation to the offering (Psalm 116:17-18); a prayer of lament (Psalm 12) or confession (Psalm 51); the assurance of God’s forgiveness following confession (Romans 8:1-2); a call to prayer (Psalm 55:16-17); the blessing of God as we leave (Numbers 6:24-26). Some congregations make a point of including a spoken or sung psalm in every service. Reading the same passage of Scripture more than once in the same service can be very meaningful. Using different voices and translations can help us hear the passage in new ways. An entire worship service can even be built around a single passage, exploring it textually, musically, dramatically and visually.

readers should be given a chance to study the texts, and prepare them carefully in advance. Some churches put together a list of guidelines to help readers in their preparation; others have found it helpful to create a readers’ group, where individuals can receive feedback and encouragement in a smaller setting. Two books that can help are Jack Hartjes’s Read the Way You Talk (Liturgical Press) or Aelred Rosser’s A Well-Trained Tongue (Liturgy Training Publications).

Use drama. In 2001, Wanda Vassallo, a D.Min. student at McMaster Divinity College in Hamilton, Ont., studied the effect of adding drama to Scripture readings. She discovered that people remembered and responded to Scripture readings much better when they were acted out in some way than when they were simply read. Not all Scripture passages lend themselves to dramatic presentation, but many do. Costumes and sets are not always required; a simple readers’ theatre approach can also be effective. Michael Perry’s The Dramatised Bible (recently republished by HarperCollins), does a wonderful job of presenting Scripture in a readers’ theatre approach.

PHOTO: DESIGNPICS.COM

People remember and respond to Scripture readings much better when they are acted out in some way.

Use a variety of voices—young and old; men, women and children; newcomers and life-long believers. What better way to illustrate that the Word of God belongs to the whole congregation?

Encourage and equip readers to read well. As is the case with other public ministries in worship, those who read Scripture should possess some natural gifts, and be willing to work at improving their public reading skills. Rather than being handed readings at the last minute, 10

THE MESSENGER | April 2010

Interpret texts visually. While we continue to value print and oral media, we live in an increasingly visual culture. Why not consider adding a visual component to Scripture readings? If your church is set up for video projection, you can easily have access to a wide range of traditional and contemporary art on biblical themes.

A website like The Text This Week (www. textweek.com) offers a wonderful index of online artwork linked to Scriptural passages and topics. You might also explore the use of video—The Work of the People (www.theworkofthepeople.com), for example, offers thoughtful video clips, and is searchable by keyword or lectionary date.

Sing Scripture. Many of the hymns and songs we sing are scripturally-based. Some are metrical settings of complete Scriptural texts; others are paraphrases, or clearly allude to Scriptural events or teaching. Acknowledging the Scriptural basis of the songs we sing—either verbally or in print—is a good way to highlight Scripture during worship. Churches that use bulletins can simply note the Scriptural source beside the song title in the worship order: Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven (Psalm 103) or Better is One Day (Psalm 84). If you use video projection, it’s easy to simply note the relevant Scriptural text(s) on the first slide. If you use hymnals, you can take advantage of the “Scriptural allusions and references” index at the back to help you find songs to match the day’s readings. If you sing more contemporary styles, you may need to do a bit more research on your own; while much Praise and Worship music is deeply scriptural, accessing Scriptural references is not yet quite as easy.

Allow Scripture to shape prayer. That is, allow the images and substance of Scriptural passages to enrich the content and shape of your corporate prayer—what Russell Mitman in Worship in the Shape of Scripture (The Pilgrim Press) calls “the art of transposition.” If you are interested in exploring how Scripture can help shape worship leading, check out Mitman’s chapter on “Transposing the Texts.”

Another wonderful source for learning to praying biblically is Laurence Hull Stookey’s Let the Whole Church Say Amen! A Guide for Those who Pray in Public (Abingdon Press).

Listen attentively, and with anticipation. The writer of Hebrews tells us that the Word of God is “living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). The Word we proclaim in worship is not merely a record of how God once intervened in history—it is a living continuation of that intervention. Those who read Scripture in worship are not merely teachers conveying information about God. Rather, they are the vehicle through which God’s Word comes to life again in the presence of the gathered people. Aelred Rosser, author of A Well-Trained Tongue, once wrote: “The word of God is not a history lesson, though there is history in it. The word is not a story, though it is full of stories. “It is not a set of rules to live by, though there is much in it to guide our choices. No, the word of God is a living and dynamic presence, achieving the very salvation about which it speaks even as the reader proclaims it.” Christine Longhurst, BRS, BA, MMus, MSM, DWS, is a former pastor of worship at River East MB Church in Winnipeg. She is currently a sessional instructor at Canadian Mennonite University and Booth College in Winnipeg, Man. She offers workshops on worship and music to congregations across Canada (clonghurst@faithmatters. ca.). A Meetinghouse publication.

Are you interested in serving with Spanish churches of Mexico in camp ministry, kids’ clubs, work projects and evangelistic outreaches? Join the Destination Mexico team this summer. Ages: 16 – 20 years old July 27 to August 20, 2010 Chihuahua State, Mexico Cost: $1,800 Registration deadline: May 15 Contact Gerald Reimer, EM Conference Youth Minister, at 204-326-6401 or greimer@emconf.ca for application forms.

Chihuahua State in northern Mexico is home to 3 to 4 million people, but only a small percentage is evangelical. The team will travel in the state’s interior, avoiding the more violent border areas.

THE MESSENGER | April 2010

toward joy by Brigitte (Bouvier) Toews

n certain Mennonite circles dancing is a bad word, and, in some Christian circles, so is Oprah. In 1994 I repented of “Dancing and Oprah” when I became a Christian living in a German Mennonite community. Dancing was labelled as “immoral” and Oprah, who had immersed herself in the teachings of the New Age movement, was labelled a heretic. In my French heritage, though, dancing was an expression of joy and celebration. I danced at my wedding, I danced at other people’s weddings, and I often danced when I was alone. When I became a Christian, however, I all but abandoned anything not German Mennonite-ish, though I still preferred potato perogies, garlic sausage, and beet borscht to the verenika, farmer sausage, and summa borscht of my husband’s tradition. Joylessness And even after tasting the Lord and seeing that He was good, I still squelched all desire to dance. Over time, I slowly gained the weight of joylessness in my private devotional life. I am not much of a singer; and though German Mennonites are rich in this form of worship, I am poor.

I became disenchanted with the lack of joy I was experiencing in my life. Though I valued the rich biblical flavour of my adopted Mennonite heritage, something was missing. 12

THE MESSENGER | April 2010

My brother, however, sang and played guitar most of his life, and on one beautiful evening in the summer of 2006 I went to listen to his band play at the pier in Gimli, Man. My whole family went to support him. The street was closed off, lawn chairs and blankets were spread out, and unsuspecting passersby sat on the curb and enjoyed the music. After the first warm up set, a number of my family members got up to dance. I did not. During the next set, My dad got the urge to dance again and as he got up, he looked at me, then passed by and asked my cousin instead. He sensed I no longer did that! That year I became disenchanted with the lack of joy I was experiencing in my life. Though I valued the rich biblical flavour of my adopted Mennonite heritage, something was missing. In my pursuit of looking for it, I came dangerously close to falling away, but it was during this time that I felt God hold on to me even more securely. He used people and circumstances, and his word, both spoken and written, in extraordinary ways. He wooed me and echoed the words of Michael W. Smith in my ear: This is your time; this is your dance; live every moment; leave nothing to chance! An open Bible Not long after this, I happened upon an old sermon on the evils of dancing which quenched my spirit once again. I cried out to God once more and said, “Look at this. Am I not to dance anymore because this man says so?”

PHOTO: DESIGNPICS.COM

I opened my Bible. It opened to Psalm 150. And then two thousand, and finally, twenty thousand there it was! “Praise him with timbrel and dancing” people joined the largest “Flash Mob Dance” ever (Psalm 150:4). The Psalm before it said it too! “Let choreographed to date (available on-line). them praise His name with dancing” (Psalm 149:3). Sometime afterward, Oprah asked people in her As usual, the reality of sin enters and has studio audience how this event affected them. One corrupted the dance. Some people danced in an act man, holding back tears, thought it might be a taste of idolatry with the golden calf (Exodus 32:19); the of what heaven was like. He went on to say it was daughter of Herodias danced likely in an immodest like joy rising when all the people held their hands manner (Matthew 14:6). in prayer then raised them to the heavens. What started out as a beautiful and excellent I, too, was washed over with joy. Did all of the way of joy and worship participants dance, then, to can easily be turned into honour the Lord? I don’t know. I something that is ugly and doubt it. What if the church moved in offensive, both to God and Yet, as a second wave hit me such unison, and sang the man. earlier today, my spirit cried So how do you redeem out, “What if the church moved same song with so much joy the dance? in such unison, and sang the that others would want to I believe Jesus has done same song with so much joy that so! Matthew 11:17-19 says others would want to participate participate in the celebration Jesus went to the place of in the celebration of heaven?” of heaven? tax collectors and sinners Christians, we have the using wisdom in his actions, best news that the world needs speaking of children who to hear. Revive us before the dance in play. And in Luke 15:25 it says the father harvest, Lord, so that we may be celebrates the prodigal son’s homecoming with waves of joy rising up to you! celebration and dancing, even to the dismay of his older brother. Brigitte (Bouvier) Toews is a part Now it’s September 2009, and my husband is of Heartland Community Church turning 50. To celebrate his birthday, we planned (Landmark, Man.). an outdoor pig roast and concert. My brother, my husband, his two brothers, and my two sons entertained us all evening long. I invited both of our families and a few of our closer friends. That night I danced with my dad and I had no fear or condemnation. Evangelical Mennonite Conference A wave of joy Quarterly Financial Report So, what does this all have to do with Oprah? I use discretion when watching Oprah and one The Board of Trustees would like to provide quarterly reports through The Messenger on the status of Conday I decided to watch a replay of her 24th season ference finances. This is the first of these reports. We opener celebration. Unknown to Oprah, the show’s are also pleased to note that the first quarter of 2010 producers surprised her with the live song: I gotta is one of the best in many years. Thank you for your feelin’ performed by the Black-Eyed Peas on an faithful giving to the Conference! outdoor stage in Chicago. As the Black-Eyes Peas sang with great energy, Jan-Mar Jan-Mar one woman in the crowd started joyfully dancing 2010 2009 in the front row, while the rest of the people around Receipts and Transfers 363,000 232,435 her stood still. From the stage, the crowd behind Disbursements 390,570 452,585 her looked like a gigantic multi-coloured sea. All of a sudden, a seemingly spontaneous wave Shortfall (27,570) (220,150) of joy hit twenty more people, and they joined in the dance. But then, two hundred more followed,

THE MESSENGER | April 2010

with our missionaries

Moving in the Mabaan church dance step SUDAN Under the big shade tree by the Gasamalla church, a solitary figure squats by a large drum. A series of quick beats gets the leather vibrating and his hands remember their skill. Soon the rhythms begin to flow out of the homemade bass drum and float off down the hill to the house where the song leader lives. It is late in the afternoon and by the sound of the beat, he knows the drummer is doing more than a warm-up; he is calling the singers to keep their appointment to take the gospel to the streets. The song leader sits quietly for a moment, mentally reviewing the list of songs

he’s planned. He breathes a prayer. Back at the big shade tree, male and female singers are gathering. A novice song leader sings the opening line of a song. Without looking up, the drummer adjusts his rhythm to fit the tune. When Benjamin—the song leader—arrives from down the hill, he finds all the youth assembled and singing heartily. Next, his clear voice rings our as he calls out words of encouragement. “Be bold,” he says. “Don’t be afraid. Let us sing to our Great God all around Sherkole camp.” After a brief prayer, he sings the opening line of the first song on his program. The worshippers sing their reply. Their bodies sway slowly back and forth and their feet begin to shuffle in the trademark, Mabaan church dance step. Not the stomping of the drunken parties that often take place on the streets of their village, but a lithe, mirthful step.

PHOTO: DREAMSTIME.COM

The drummer is doing more than a warm-up; he is calling the singers to keep their appointment to take the gospel to the streets. With a loud crescendo and the exuberant ululating of the girls, the choir moves out of the shade into the hot sunshine. They turn their faces toward the hub of the refugee camp—the market—and set out down the road, moving and singing in unison under their fluttering banners. Like a megaphone they come, declaring their allegiance and their love. The gentle breeze carries the notes and wafts them over the town. 14

THE MESSENGER | April 2010

Old men on sleeping mats stir and sit up. The middle-aged men playing cards by the tea shop play a few rounds in silence, listening as the choir passes by. To these men it has become a familiar sound, but they still do not quite comprehend the joy written all over the faces of that choir. Throughout the camp they go, declaring the praises of God, teaching a sad and hurting world the joy of the Lord and inviting them to come follow Him. This description of the Mabaan Christian Youth Fellowship paints a picture of the Christian life of Sudanese youth. This particular Sudanese tribe are known for their love of singing. On average, church services include two hours of singing praises. A bass drum keeps time and a small four-litre drum peals out electrifying rhythms that get your heart going. Typically one attributes the use of drums and dancing to pre-Christian traditions, but among the Mabaan, it is the church that has adopted the use of drums; their animist counterparts do not use them. Rolf Kruse

Angela and Rolf Kruse (Kola/Rosenort Fellowship) have served Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia. They are currently in Canada.

with our missionaries

PHOTO: HARVEY THIESSSEN

To the ends of the earth, including Winnipeg? CANADA The North-South Divide (or RichPoor Divide) is a socio-economic and political division that exists between wealthy developed countries, known collectively as the North, and poorer least-developed countries, or the South. The divide is not wholly defined by geography. The North is home to four out of five permanent members of the UN Security Council and all members of the G8. As nations become economically developed, they may become part of the North, regardless of location; while other nations that do not qualify for developed status are, in effect, deemed to be part of the South. The world of mission is an increasingly complex mosaic of strategy, people, agencies, denominations, opportunities, and challenges—even within OM. How does one meld together more than 6,000 people from all walks of life (rich, middle class and poor) and nationalities (112)—never mind different ethnicities within nations and denominational heritages? It’s not just who but also how: integrating strategies such as Business as Mission, relief and development, proclamation evangelism, justice advocacy, education, literature, media, and even ships adds more colour (and complexity by a magnitude). A large proportion of OMers originate in the Global South. Even in Canada, 40 per cent of our OMers were born in traditionally “receiving nations.” A new picture of “who’s

Logos Hope line-up in Jamaica in March 2010. Logos Hope is one of OM’s ships that visit ports around the world, supplying literature, providing relief, and more.

who” in missions is rapidly evolving as clear, geographical distinctions of the past fade into a blurred Rorschach inkblot. While geography still describes mission objectives (here and there), it is becoming less distinct. Massive people migration, the rapid advance of new ways of message delivery (downloading entire Arabic Bibles onto cell phones), and the explosive growth of the Church in new places means that, like it or not, missions is changing. But we like it! Adding to the complexity, why are we, as an overseas mission, involved in Toronto and Winnipeg this year? It’s not complicated: all of the above means that networks in Canada directly affect Pakistan, Yemen, India, and the world. When we share the Good News with a South Asian in any large Canadian city, it translates directly into the gospel affecting villages in Pakistan. Many Canadian Christians I meet are afraid of Muslim migration to Canada; I see it as an opportunity to spread the Good News to countries where it is still difficult to preach openly. To stir the pot, this past year OM merged with an indigenous African mission, Pro Christo. While OM has long promoted the emergence of

new sending nations and indigenous workers, we need to go further in a new era of collaboration that recognizes the strength and gifts of every participant in the Kingdom of God. Working together doesn’t merely mean that one sends the money while the other preaches. True collaboration is much more rich and wonderful, a symbiotic relationship that celebrates one another’s abilities and insight. Who knows what the Lord wants to do through us—all of us—in 2010? Our goal is that the Lord Jesus would rule in our lives. The mosaic of how this is fleshed out will be even more colourful and interesting a year from now. In the first months, we have already celebrated of a full year of ministry with the Logos Hope, where more than 500,000 visitors came aboard. Many others were ministered to in the context of street meetings and church, hospital, and school visits. I hope that you can anticipate with me that God will surprise us this year—and that you will be a part of it! Harvey Thiessen Harvey Thiessen (Wymark) is Executive Director, OM Canada.

THE MESSENGER | April 2010

with our missionaries

LESOTHO

We praise the Lord that no one was hurt, but the airplane was damaged beyond repair. This was the airplane that we had waited so long for and which finally arrived in Lesotho in May of this year. The Lord gives and he takes away. In early October we sent a family back to the U.S. for medical reasons. Jason and Joselyn had been here for nearly a year when it became

apparent that they would need to return home for an indefinite time to seek healing. Our hearts are hurting with them in this time and it is our prayer that God would bring healing and return them to us in the near future. The Lord gives and he takes away. In the midst of our pain, God offers us hope: the promise of new life. Sebastian Malcolm Thiemann arrived on February 9 and another little one is expected to arrive in May. God is so good! May the name of the Lord be praised! Kari Peters

“The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised” (Job 1:21). The months before Christmas were very difficult for us as we seemed to be going through a time Everything seemed okay until of increased suffering. In a six-week period we experienced the death just prior to touch-down when of three Basotho friends. Two were former MAF employees and the third a gust of wind came up and was the YWAM Lesotho Director. played havoc with the controls. Melvin and Kari Peters (La Crete) These men were all dearly loved serve with Mission Aviation and will be greatly missed. Fellowship. We trust that God fulfilled his purposes in their lives and that it was time to call them to their eternal home. A number of us on the MAF Lesotho team have also been affected by the deaths of loved ones back home, including Melvin’s uncle Henry Siemens. The Lord gives and he takes away. An airplane crashed at Methaleneng, a challenging airstrip Martin Busa, former loader and fueller for MAF On September 23 we in Lesotho. The airplane was damaged beyond repair. Lesotho and a very dear friend of the Peters. experienced the dreaded “Mayday, Mayday” radio call as one of our pilots landed at Methalaneng, Planning for one of the most challenging airstrips EMC Youth Leaders’ Retreat in Lesotho. Everything seemed okay October 15-17, 2010 until just prior to touch-down when Wilderness Edge, Pinawa, Man. a gust of wind came up and played Registration deadline: Sept. 24, 2010 havoc with the controls.

TRU 2010?

Our 61 churches have about 250 to 300 adults in youth ministry, and only 20 per cent receive a salary We hope every church will plan to send its junior and senior youth leaders for: Training related to youth ministry, Refreshment for body, mind and soul, Unity as a team and with other church leaders. Melvin prepares for a normal Friday coffin run, bringing bodies back to their villages for burial.

THE MESSENGER | April 2010

Contact Gerald Reimer at 204-326-6401 or greimer@emconf.ca.

PHOTOS: KARI PETERS

A season of suffering

Unprecedented opportunities for ministry SOUTH AFRICA “Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him, saying, ‘You also were with Jesus of Galilee.’ But he denied it before them all, saying, ‘I do not know what you are saying’” (Matthew 26:69-70). The “No Room” part of the Christmas story is well known to Christians, but what about the “No Room” part of the Easter story? Except for the women weeping at the cross the Lord’s defence is painfully quiet! Rather, His friends join ranks with the plaintiffs; His disciples are bored stiff with Jesus’ repeated plea for prayer and fall asleep; Judas switches allegiance for a handful of coins and betrays Him; Peter determines that his odds are better at impressing the girls. Where does the matter of giving room to Jesus rank? He simply says, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). It would be fitting for us to take a moment during this season to ascertain that we intentionally decide on activities consistent with God’s expectations of His children. For us New Year’s Day came in the middle of a missions conference. A special feature was that we held it with our Zimbabwean colleagues; we even had a partial lunar eclipse on New Year’s Eve and studied the sky as did the Wise Men, though for dissimilar reasons. Our TEAM senior director, Ross McCordic, spent a couple of days with us after conference going over some ministry area matters. Then David and Kathy Driedger

from our home church, Blumenort EMC in Manitoba, visited for two weeks in mid-January. We organized our pastoral travels to coincide with this, which took us to two HIV/AIDS ministries in Northern KZN and to a church missions outreach in Mozambique, not to mention a strategic stop in Swaziland. We had missionaries coming and going, which gave them a picture of missionary family. We tied it to- David and Kathy Driedger, Pastor Michael and Philisiwe Manyanga of Ekuseni, Olga and Joe Reimer gether with reflection and photos at a game reserve. Swaziland necessitated a second Many people from countries trip in mid-February. A network was closed to the gospel will be where no formed with another HIV/AIDS agency law forbids them to hear of Jesus’ love. that a missionary couple will now Pray for South African churches to participate with. The trip also brought take advantage of this. If this interests opportunity for deeper involvement you, visit www.theultimategoal.co.za. with another HIV/AIDS initiative. Jesus Thank-you for praying for Olga’s said, “I will build my church” (Matthew back surgery; she still has some 16:18); community needs are creating nerve-related pain in her lower leg, an unprecedented opportunity. There but is mending. We have several are 1.8 million women with children health concerns among TEAM perunder two in South Africa. Sixty-four sonnel: one with a persistent cough percent of them are single moms since early January, one heart surgery, (www.eighty20.co.za). and another with a failed hip replaceSouth Africa is hosting the FIFA ment. Durban Bible College did not World Cup games in June. Building get its anticipated accreditation and and upgrading South Africa’s ten got few students. World Cup stadiums costs apJoe Reimer proximately R13.6 billion ($1.8 billion) (www.eighty20.co.za). SA breweries Joe and Olga Reimer (Blumenort) have hope to sell ten million litres of beer been involved in missions since 1973. then (Afrol News).

A special missions conference was held with Zimbabwean colleagues. THE MESSENGER | April 2010

PHOTOS: JOE REIMER

with our missionaries

Mission work: ‘we are in it together’ GRAND RAPIDS, MAN. Missionaries have one of the most purposeful occupations I can think of. After all, not too many people get their job descriptions and commission from God, the Creator himself. Or do they? I think that all Christians are told to go and make disciples, whether that is far away in another country or another culture within the country, or next door.

We had such visitors in January. Four Steinbach Bible College students, part of Mission Exposure North, came to learn more about life in the north and to share the love of Christ with children, teens, and adults of Grand Rapids. They held gym nights for young people, a kids’ club for the younger kids, and a gospel hour on local TV. Native people, especially the old and the young, readily accept those who bring the Good News of Jesus Christ. Over the years we have had other groups come to bring the gospel through children’s ministry. They

I think that all Christians are told to go and make disciples, whether that is far away in another country or another culture within the country, or next door. all have left a little bit of their hearts behind with their new-found young friends. This year’s SBC students came at a time when the Winter Carnival was on, so they were fortunate to see one of the six dog sled races. What an object lesson it is to see about 20 dog teams at the starting line. I have never heard so many dogs—180 to 200—bark at the same time. They were so excited to get

Manfred and Stella Neff (Swan River) serve as pastoral couple in Grand Rapids, Man.

PHOTOS COURTESY ANNA PENNER

Being a missionary is rewarding, but at times it has its challenges, which can affect enthusiasm and zeal. The loss of our church building and now going through the process of rebuilding is such a challenge. As a small congregation this can be overwhelming. That’s when out of town visitors are especially welcome. They remind us that we are part of a bigger family, God’s family with a common goal.

going. They seem to cheer each other on, straining in their harnesses. Then, when the starter flag is lowered, off they go and it is quiet. Every team is putting all their energy into running and not wasting it on barking. We can learn from these dogs. I am sure if there would have been dog races in Palestine (without snow?) in Jesus’ day, He would have used it to teach what commitment to His cause should be like. So, we are in this together and we can cheer each other on! We need to do that because there are so many obstacles in this race we are running. The opposition to the gospel in our time is growing. The enemy uses all kinds of distractions, lies, and shackles to keep people from entering the race. That’s why we have to be even more determined to run the race of face. These dogs run for the love of running. We should be in the race responding to God’s love by loving others (1 John 4:19) with a great prize waiting for us at the finish line. Manfred Neff

Sled dogs are excited to get going on the race. Students serving in Grand Rapids were fortunate to see one of six dog sled races during the Winter Carnival.

THE MESSENGER | April 2010

Steinbach Bible College students held clubs for younger children.

with our missionaries

My key memories? Of dedicated pastors! NICARAGUA

PHOTOS COURTESY JARED SCHROEDER

Most guys like an adventure, whether sledding in the mountains, rock climbing or cliff-jumping. On February 18 to March 3, 2010, I got to be a part of an adventure I won’t soon forget. I was a part of the EMC team that went to Nicaragua and helped out at Camp Maranantha with Lester and Darlene Olfert. Being in a different country and different culture was only the beginning. After the first week, I joined Ken Zacharias and two local pastors in travel into the more mountainous region and visited villages and churches. We traveled by Jeep on the first day and then for the next two and a half days we took rocky mountainous trails on mule. Now that’s what you call a guys weekend out of town. From Friday to Monday we visited five mountain communities and worshipped with our brothers and sisters, hearing of what God is doing

in their communities and learning of their needs. We traveled almost 10 hours on mule, being very thankful for these amazing creatures that carried us through difficult terrain under the hot sun. However, it did feel good to jump off once in a while and stretch the legs a bit. Juan Salgado, pastor of San Antonio church The memories that will stay with me forever are of pastors I met and of their stories. sisters in Christ in Nicaragua in our We met humble men that love Jesus prayers. Many of those in the mounChrist and love people. These men do tain villages were so thankful that not receive a salary or mileage as they we came to visit them, and even said travel to communities they serve. that at times they feel like they are Many of these pastors either walk “forgotten people.” or ride mule for two to three hours Pray that the gospel of Jesus one way, to get to the village where Christ will continue to be shared and they pastor. They do this, not just received and that their physical needs on Sundays, but two or three times will be met as they call out to the a week. These men travel anywhere Lord. from 12 to 24 hours a week out love I want to thank EMC Project for Christ and His bride. What a Builders for sending me on this trip. testimony of perseverance and comProject Builders has been involved in mitment to serving the Lord! helping many ministries in Nicaragua A verse that became more prefor many years. cious to me is Isaiah 52:7: “How They have helped many of the beautiful on the mountains are the churches that I visited, and I am feet of those who bring good news, grateful for all of you who have who proclaim peace, who bring good supported your brothers and sisters tidings, who proclaim salvation.” in Christ in Nicaragua through your Let’s remember our brothers and support of EMC missions and Project Builders. Jared Schroeder Jared Schroeder is the associate pastor at Mission Heights Community Church (Grande Prairie, Alta.).

EMC foreign secretary Ken Zacharias, Jared Schroeder, Gerardo Chavarria (pastoral supervisor, northern churches), and Nicolás Sequeira Brizuela (vice-president, FIEMN)

Len Barkman, PB staff member, adds: “Over the years Project Builders has provided funding for church construction, built and renovated Camp Maranatha facilities, built new homes for families whose houses were destroyed by hurricane or earthquake, and assisted with the buildings of the Gethsemane Orphanage. To become a member of Project Builders go to www.projectbuilders.ca or contact the EMC office.

THE MESSENGER | April 2010

with our churches

STEINBACH EMC, Manitoba

PHOTO COURTESY ANNA PLETT

unday, December 20, was a day of rejoicing for our church family. A brass band, under the direction of Shannon Sawatzky, blessed us with the joyful sounds of Christmas. Pastor Garry continued on the sermon series Encounter, focusing on Mary and Elizabeth (Luke 1) and their response of praise and worship as they experienced God’s work in their lives. God is actively involved in each of our lives as well, and we need to respond to

Him with submission, devotion and worship. We rejoiced with the baptismal candidates as they spoke about their varied encounters with God and their responses to these encounters. What a joy to welcome new people into our membership, and we praised God for each one who chose to become part of our church family that morning: Caitlyn Dyck, Audry Goertzen, Erika Goertzen, Kelly Kroeker, Thomas Penner, Heather Reimer, Kenton Schellenberg and David Watt (by

A Sunday School Christmas program never seems to be quite complete without the sweet voices of children singing Away in a Manger.

Anicka: baptism is a sign of new beginnings PORTAGE EVANGELICAL CHURCH, Portage la Prairie, Manitoba

t seems like spring is here! And with spring comes the beginning of new life, the leaves are budding, the flowers are blooming, and baby animals are being born. Also with spring comes the reminder of Easter and Jesus’ death and resurrection, even that speaks of new life. In the Bible Jesus is the life giver and the life saver. In John 20:13, Jesus says that if you believe that he is the Son of God, you may have life in his name. 20

THE MESSENGER | April 2010

Sometimes we forget that as Christians, Jesus should be our life. That he should live and control it. We forget to ask him to help us make decisions according to his will. But through what he did on the cross, we can have a new start if we repent and ask him to forgive us. This summer I was baptized as some of you might have seen in an earlier issue. To me that is a sign of new beginnings, a new life in Jesus. That day showed that I had given him my life to control and use for his purposes, and I have never regretted it. Anicka Loewen, 11

PHOTO COURTESY STAN PLETT

Encountering God

Special guests at the Seniors Christmas Banquet on December 4 were Susanne Koop (piano) and Melinda Complin (violin) of Brandon.

baptism); Nancy Giesbrecht, Susan Friesen, Peter Wall, Corey and Karen Wiebe (by transfer). That evening we again encountered God in the story of Christmas, through the eyes of children, at the Sunday school Christmas program. A special feature was the drama Where is Christmas? written and directed by Sherry Peters. “I need wisdom!” Have you ever said those words? Have you ever been in a situation where you felt completely at a loss as to how to respond or what to do next, and the one word that popped into your head was wisdom? The winter 2010 sermon series is titled The Way of Wisdom, based on the life of Solomon (from 1 Kings). The two goals for this eight-week series are to be wise in our relationship with God and to be wise in how we live our daily lives. February 17 marked the beginning of 40 Days of Focus. We were encouraged to observe this time in one or both of the following ways: 1) Set aside a time each day to read Scripture, meditate and pray (in addition to our regular devotions; 2) Fasting: abstaining from certain foods, skipping one meal a day, or giving up something that we value, something we consider a sacrifice. “Our Lord has written the promise of the Resurrection not in books alone but in every leaf in springtime.” – Martin Luther Martha Kroeker

with our churches

Church reaches out, workers report ROSEISLE EMC, Manitoba

PHOTO COURTESY ELEANOR FRIESEN

o begin our year, Pastor Kelly Lesser challenged us on Joy from Philippians. It was a reminder that joy should not depend on our circumstances, but on our attitude. We can remember to be joyful in suffering, in knowing Christ and in serving others. 2010 has been busy for our church family. The church council re-introduced Guess Who’s Coming for Dinner on February 7 with a twist. The hosts provided the home, dessert, and drinks while guests provided the main course. It was a good evening of getting acquainted with our church family and great food. Last fall, the council decided that our church should do another local

outreach event. On Feb. 27 we hosted a Community Family Fun Day at our outdoor skating rink—an afternoon of activities, free food, to connect with community people who may not enter our church. Cam Dyck, a church council member, says, “We played some bowling games with milk jugs filled with colored frozen water. This was a hit for the kids especially. We also did some human bowling on the rink where people sat in big plastic tubs and were flung with a tow rope towards some pylons. We had a good game of broomball and for those who wanted to stand around and visit, a warm fire was made nearby to enjoy. “At 5 p.m. a simple supper of hotdogs, chips, drinks and squares

PHOTO COURTESY ANNIE PETERS

Darrell and Eleanor Friesen (front, third and fourth on the left) and the mission group that served in Dominican Republic. They worked to provide homes for families in need.

Annie Peters (front, second from the left) traveled to Mexico to work at an orphanage.

was served. A more serious game of hockey followed. It was good to see people from Roseisle who most of us don’t meet very often. It was also great to put on a fun day where everything was free with no strings attached. Most people will never know that our church ‘sponsored’ the event, but if they do find out, we hope that our church will be seen as a generous and loving contributor within our community.” On Saturday, March 13, our youth again hosted their curling bonspiel in Miami and invited church adults. It was a full day of curling with 12 rinks. The theme was The Olympics and some individuals came in creative Olympic gear. It was a fun spiel, but the competition got intense when the final game came down to final rocks and a measurement to determine the winner. Two mission reports were given on March 14 by Annie Peters and Darrell and Eleanor Friesen. Annie traveled to Mexico to work at Pan de Vida, an orphanage near Queretaro from Jan. 30 to Feb. 13. This was her second trip with Children of Hope, an organization from B.C. Her work was similar to last year, painting and laying blocks. She enjoyed interaction with children and noted how grateful and polite they were even in their need. Darrell and Eleanor Friesen traveled to Sosua, near Puerto Plata, in the Dominican Republic for a two-week work trip from Feb. 12 to 26 with a team of 16 people from Greenvalley Equipment, Darrell’s employer. They joined local missionaries and two missions organizations who are providing homes for families in desperate poverty. Their ministry involved house construction, children’s ministries, hospital visitation, and a feeding program. They were deeply moved by what they saw and experienced. Eleanor Friesen THE MESSENGER | April 2010

with our churches

Region 3 enjoys missionary conference PELLY FELLOWSHIP CHAPEL, Saskatchewan

t the time of writing we are experiencing a bright, sunny, Spring day. We, at Pelly, are ready to welcome Spring. Each season has its joys and challenges, and so we look forward to the changing seasons. Near the close of 2009 a Sunday School program The Fumbly, Bumbly Angel Christmas Pageant was presented to the appreciative audience that filled the sanctuary, followed by a social time in the lower hall.

To close out the year we had a games and snack night and a prayer time. Some renovations have been done in the church to make a room and move the sound system up on a higher level. It seems to be working out well. January through March we continued with our planned family meal, with almost all the Fellowship family taking part. It has been a blessing, whether hosting or being among the guests. These have been good times of visiting and sharing.

Taber holds dedication TABER EMC, Alberta

PHOTO: EVA KOETHLER

ne of the greatest blessings in our lives is children, and that is why it is so important to have dedication services. It encourages us as parents to do our best in raising our children in a way that pleases our Father in Heaven.

We, as parents, have such a big responsibility to do everything we can when it comes to the young lives of our future generation. They will be the ones who, God willing, will be the leaders of the Church. Let’s try our best to make sure that happens. Eva Koethler

Taber EMC’s dedication service was held on January 17, 2010.

THE MESSENGER | April 2010

We have much to be thankful for as many prayers have been answered. Some in our fellowship have had surgery or other health problems. It is good to see them up and about. There is a lady in our congregation who celebrated her 92nd birthday in February. She brings joy and is a regular attendee. We welcomed Arthur Shostal and his bride Caroline into our midst. They were married in late fall and have recently settled in their home in Norquay. We looked forward to and prayed for the missionary meetings that would be held in Region 3 on March 12 to 14. It seemed a coincidence that each speaker had been ministering to Muslim people for various lengths of time and in different countries. On Friday evening one worker shared about the life of he and his family, working in the Middle East. On Saturday evening another worker talked of his work in two countries. On Sunday morning another couple shared of their work in Africa. With pictures, stories, monologues, quizzes, and real-life encounters, these speakers gave the audience a good view of Muslims—their hospitality, culture, friendliness, beliefs, and way of life. They also gave insight into how God has given wisdom to workers in ways of getting his message to people, and how local believers share with those around them. Statistics are that more Muslims have come to faith in Jesus in the past 25 years than in all of history. As a congregation we are grateful for each one who served in these meetings. Vivian Anfinson

with our churches

If the Lord doesn’t build the house... HEARTLAND COMMUNITY CHURCH, Landmark, Manitoba

hat does it take to build a church: a vision, a plan, labour, materials? Any contractor could tell you that to build without a plan is foolish. So how do we plan when there are so many visions? Can one plan be followed by everyone? What if we looked at a number of plans then built them to specification, what would that look like? These types of questions were presented at our multi-generational service on February 21, facilitated by our Education Committee. The plan: Love in Action. This service employed a number of willing labourers. The children’s choir, led by Cheryl Warkentine, taught us a song, Reach out. Then Deb Rogalsky’s hands reached out and directed us in worship; and Alvin and Katherine Plett’s hands reached all the way to Bolivia, to hand out bibles, disciple, and encourage believers there. Wendy Hildebrand and her cohorts Dillon Unger and Jeremy Dueck, along with many construction workers, performed a drama about team work.(Nehemiah rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls). Then we, as the church, were taken through a fun exercise of paper airplane construction to see what it looks like to follow directions. We had a number of models to choose from: a bird, a glider, a space shuttle, a bat, a stunt plane, a diver, and a UFO. We found out that, although many had followed the same plan, the results were different. And when we made different

planes and finally launched them from the balcony of our sanctuary, some glided, but not very far; some flew a longer distance; one nearly put out an eye; some dove straight down at first, then caught the jet stream, so to speak, and rose above the rest; and still others simply fell out of the hands of immature pilots and spiraled to the floor. What was the point of this exercise? It was to show us that some of our ministries (plans) would

This was a great exercise for community building and idea sharing. From building airplanes… to building relationships… to building houses… to building the church. But for all of our plans, if they don’t glorify Jesus, the Chief Cornerstone of the church, on which we were built, then what have we gained? Only a building! For without the Cross, Christianity is garbage (Galatians 3:1); without the Resurrection, Christianity is hopeless (1 Corinthians 15:12-19); without Hope, the workers labour in vain (Psalm 127:1). Brigitte Toews

Without the Cross, Christianity is garbage (Galatians 3:1).

PHOTO: BRIGITTE TOEWS

be short-term and some would be long-term. It also helped us to see that there can be many ministries launched, but not all of them would fly the way we planned them, or even take off at all. When we grasped this important lesson, we were then taken into the practical application of it. We discussed many plans and were presented with a few more options. Who would take initiative to pilot some of these projects? What would be the implications to the greater community? What could be done right now or in the near future?

Portage EMCers, Where Are You? Portage EMC 50th anniversary and building dedication August 28 and 29, 2010 Registration: August 28, 1-3 p.m. More information to follow on our church website. Please respond by July 31: 204-857-4146, www.portagepec.ca, or www.facebook.com (search PEC 50th anniversary)

THE MESSENGER | April 2010

with our churches

Simple church fills many rooms by Josiah Neufeld MANY ROOMS CHURCH COMMUNITY, Winnipeg, Manitoba

any Rooms likes to keep church simple. You won’t find this church listed in the Winnipeg white pages because it doesn’t have a phone, a building, an organist, or even a pastor. Sunday nights the congregation gathers in groups of 10 or fewer in each other’s homes to share potluck suppers and collaborative church services that may or may not include Scripture reading, prayer, singing around an old piano and stories from each other’s colourful lives in the West End of Winnipeg, Man. If this sounds more like a family

afford in Winnipeg’s core area and “fill it up with people.”

‘Needed to mess up’ gathering than a church service, it’s “We really needed to mess up our because the assortment of individulives with people,” Travis explains, als and young families—all of whom sitting in the house’s brightly live in the Spence Neighbourhood— painted living room. His shaved are much more concerned about head and bushy beard might be being good neighbours than with intimidating if he didn’t laugh so attendance numbers, music styles, often. or pastoral politics. “We needed to live with them, to “We wanted to know they were hunlive life, be good gry, to know when Travis Unger: “We Christians, love our they had needs. We wanted to live life, be neighbours,” says just wanted to be Travis Unger, who good neighbours— good Christians, love isn’t the pastor. “Our that was an aspect of our neighbours,” goal was never to Christian faith, and have a building, a we needed to live it worship band, or a paid pastor. We out in community.” just wanted to be salt and light.” In 1999 the Ungers bought a Ten years ago Travis and his wife 4,400-square-foot rooming house Stephanie decided they wanted to on Spence Street, swept out the dead buy the largest house they could cockroaches, and renovated it. They

Beaver Creek 40th anniversary You are invited to the 40th anniversary celebration of Beaver Creek Bible Camp, June 26-27, 2010, at the BCBC grounds.

PHOTO COURTESY TRAVIS UNGER

Come Saturday evening at 6:30 p.m. for games, food, a live band, camp friends, and (of course) fireworks! Join us Sunday morning for a church service outside at 10:30 a.m. Stay for a potluck lunch (please bring a dessert or a salad). Burgers and drinks will be provided. RSVP by June 10, 2010: bcbcregistrar@lakenet.ca or call 204-378-5238.

THE MESSENGER | April 2010

Some MRCC members gathered for a house party; Dallas Kornelsen is third from the bottom right.

with our churches

Forming a church After a few years the group began to consider forming a church. They began a process that took several years. “Our leadership model isn’t top down, so for everything we have to come to a consensus or almost consensus, and that always takes time,” says Fiona Thiessen, a member of the church’s leadership team.

In 2007 MRCC became the most unconventional church to join the Evangelical Mennonite Conference. The church settled on a leadership team of seven leaders and one leader-in-training. None of them are ordained. “My mom taught me that everyone’s a missionary,” Travis explains. “It’s easier for people in the neighbourhood to understand that not everyone gets paid to be a leader.” In 2007 Many Rooms Church Community became the most

PHOTO COURTESY JOSIAH NEUFELD

moved in and rented out half of the bedrooms to international students at the University of Winnipeg and the other half to men who needed a place to stay. Two other households of young Christians trying to make a difference in Winnipeg’s inner city started meeting with the Spence Street home for weekly prayer meetings. Eventually some moved in with Travis and Stephanie. They invited people in, held after-school baking clubs, organized neighbourhood cleanups, and barricaded the street for Christmas block parties that included igloo building, broomball, and wiener roasts.

Stephanie and Travis Unger are part of MRCC’s leadership team.

unconventional church to join the Evangelical Mennonite Conference. As the group became too large to meet comfortably and share openly in one house, they choose to divide into three smaller house groups that gather once a month for a joint service. The challenges of community A few people who once lived in the Spence house now own their own houses in the neighbourhood. Dallas Kornelsen was a long-time resident at the Spence house until he got married in January 2009. Living in community with a variety of people isn’t always easy, he discovered after lending his room out to a man who needed a place to stay. One day he got a call from his bank to inform him that man had written out one of Kornelsen’s blank cheques to a prostitute “for services rendered.” “Anytime you put a whole bunch of people in a house together

you have the challenge of your own desires competing,” says Thiessen. “That’s the biggest clash in humanity—the way I live versus other people.” Josiah Neufeld, who has many EMC and other connections, is associate editor of ChristianWeek, where this article was originally printed (June 11, 2009). It is reprinted with permission.

Subscribe to The Messenger on-line Issues of The Messenger are posted on-line in pdf format at www. emconf.ca/Messenger. All you need to view the issue is Adobe Acrobat Reader (software free to download at adobe.com). To receive an e-mail notification when the issue is posted on-line, send an e-mail to messenger@ emconf.ca. Provide your name, mailing address, and e-mail address, and indicate whether you wish to continue receiving the print version.

THE MESSENGER | April 2010

news

EdenB meets a need

WINNIPEG, Man.—In the past decade western Canada has Lester Olfert will teach experienced a steady stream of Latin American immigrants the fourth this spring. into its urban centers. As is true in any migration story, peoMuch as EdenB is ple of similar background, language, and culture will seek a work in progress, we ways to socialize and fellowship. This provides opportunity trust the Lord for several for the church to welcome immigrants and use contacts to outcomes. form Spanish-speaking churches in western Canada’s cities. Students have shown These fledgling Hispanic churches face considerable great appreciation for the challenges. Fellowship groups are generally small. Many opportunity to study theEdenB student leaders have little formal theological training and a limited ology and church leadernetwork or study resources to assist them. ship in their heart language. With this need, discussion began with Spanish pastors We have seen significant cooperation among evangelical from eight different denominational churches in Winnipeg Spanish churches. Many pastors met each other for the first to organize a Bible School program. A coordinating comtime in connection with EdenB. Several inter-church events mittee was formed with Angel Infantes (Braeside EMC), have taken place as a result. Fred Stoesz (World Impact), Len Barkman (Heartland, We anticipate that this program will help equip the RGBI Canada), and Raul Bogoya (Bethel Spanish church in Winnipeg and prepare Mennonite Church). Andrew Reimer (now some students for ministry in SpanishMany pastors met each with Inner City Youth Alive) was on the speaking countries. committee during the formative months. As the program proves itself, it may other for the first time in Spanish pastors embraced and supalso be implemented in other Canadian connection with EdenB. ported plans for theological training, and urban areas. in the early months of 2009 the EMC has long given concerted program began to take shape. missionary effort to Latin America. A Spanish curriculum, with 16 Our ministry in these countries modules, prepared by The Urban has given us trained and expeMinistries Institute was accepted. rienced workers, and it has also Each module requires at least ten, helped our constituency apprecithree-hour class sessions so the ate people of Latin culture. Today program can be completed within thousands of Latin Americans are a three-year framework. Since at our doorstep. What a privilege most students maintain full-time and an opportunity to utilize this jobs, classes would be held in the treasure to help build the Spanish evening. Escuela de Entrenamiento church in Canada. Bíblico (EdenB) was born. Len Barkman Implementation was not Coordinating committee members Len Barkman, Andrew Interim Director Reimer, Angel Infantes, Raul Bogoya, and Fred Stoesz. without some anxiety. Would RGBI Canada people come, who would teach, where could we find Spanish resources, would we have the funds? It was amazing to see God work. A new issue of Theodidaktos: In September we started the program with a two-day Journal for EMC theology and seminar taught by Gordon Johnson, president emeritus of education is available free. RGBI. Then we accepted student registrations for the first Check it out on-line at www.emconf.ca module. Where we had expected five to ten students, we reBundles of copies are also sent to ceived 20. There was a scramble to order more textbooks and churches; check with your church leader resource materials and to locate larger classroom facilities. to pick up a print copy. For additional EdenB conducts its classes at the Christian Family Centre print copies contact Rebecca Roman at on Talbot Avenue. Angel Infantes, Raul Bogoya, and Ernie 204-326-6401 or rroman@emconf.ca. Koop have each taught one of the first three modules and 26

THE MESSENGER | April 2010

PHOTOS COURTESY LEN BARKMAN

Spanish-language Bible training helps equip church leaders

news

The Philippines taught ‘many lessons’ SBC president Rob Reimer is privileged to lead students on MX3

PHOTO COURTESY SBC

STEINBACH, Man.—In January of this year I had the privilege of leading 12 of our third year students on Mission Exposure 3 to the Philippines. Like many people, I have wondered what really happens on an MX3 overseas trip— is it really a significant experience for our students? How does it benefit our students? My questions have been answered and I am pleased to share with you the impact of our experiences. After 33 long hours of travel, our Philippines host Carl Loewen, an EMC missionary, met us at the Manila airport, taking us on the last leg of our journey—the one hour drive to Second Mile. We arrived around 1:30 am, thoroughly exhausted, but excited that MX3 Philippines had finally begun. Our first days were spent in orientation, some initial exposure to Filipino culture, and overcoming a 14-hour time zone difference from Steinbach. During our first weekend in the Philippines, we went individually or in pairs to spend time with Filipino families. We lived with people we had never met, in a culture we were not familiar with, ate food we had never had seen or tasted before, and in a setting that was very different from North America. Understandably, our students expressed some fear and anxiety before leaving, along with anticipation of what God was going to do through this challenge. All of us experienced tremendous hospitality and acceptance from total strangers during the home stays. It was

Pastor Lino dela Pena, EMC missionary Carl Loewen, and SBC president Rob Reimer. Pastor Lino has been the houseparent at Honest Hands (a discipleship ministry) for the past three years, works in street ministry, and is church planting in a “squatter” community.

amazing to us that the common link of love for Jesus and our desire to passionately follow and serve Him was all that was needed to have fellowship with each other. It was during this weekend that we fell in love with the Filipino people. Throughout the week we served in a variety of ministries. Some of the ladies served at Micos Clinic, a medical clinic for the poor, by sharing their faith and praying with the patients.

Through MX3 we discovered that God uses our inadequacies and clumsiness to encourage others and build up the Kingdom. The other ladies served at a private Christian elementary school sharing about our culture and enjoying interaction with the children. The men helped disciple the students at Second Mile in the mornings and working on a roofing project sponsored by EMC’s Project Builders in the afternoons. The second weekend was spent working with the poor in Manila. On Friday and Saturday we distributed food, sang, shared our testimonies and played games with some of the people living on the streets and in squatter villages. Our hearts were broken for the people living in such decrepit, indescribable conditions, but our hearts were also broken for the spiritually impoverished. We talked about how God was transforming our view of the spiritually poor in our own communities and country. Through MX3 we learned many lessons. We witnessed that joy is not a by-product of wealth and a life of luxury, but rather a result of knowing Jesus and having fellowship with other believers. Secondly, we discovered that God uses our inadequacies and clumsiness to encourage others and build up the Kingdom. Finally, we examined our own lives and wrestled with how we can better live out our faith as we return to Steinbach. SBC’s goal and vision to train servant leaders for God’s kingdom is furthered in experiences such as MX3. We are encouraged to see God’s hand at work, shaping the hearts and lives of the students who seek to follow Jesus and hear His call. Rob Reimer, President, Steinbach Bible College

THE MESSENGER | April 2010

news

Friesens end five years at Pass Christian

PHOTOS COURTESY SANDRA FRIESEN

Much appreciation expressed as homeowners had opportunity to speak

PASS CHRISTIAN, Miss.—5 Years, 38 New Homes, 3400 hostess, construction foreman, and crew leaders. The unity Volunteers – Thank You, MDS! So reads the front page of and commitment we experienced provided for a rewarding the Gazebo Gazette (March 5, 2010). This experience. weekly newspaper serves residents and When orientation began Sunday night friends of Pass Christian, Mississippi. we were ready for a new set of short-term We dedicated our last two homes on workers that hailed from churches all over Friday, February 26. Our hearts overCanada and the USA. These volunteers flowed with joy as we watched the families came with a wide variety of skills and “an celebrate this joyous “homecoming.” eager willingness to serve.” “Mama’s place is home, it’s where we Our accomplishments at the end of come together,” responded Ms. Thelma each week were new friends, the blessing as she placed her arm around her Mama. of fellowship through devotions and meal Ms. Hazel with her granddaughter Jasmine Another homeowner, Ms. Hazel, retimes, relating to clients while working on sponded from her wheelchair, “I am truly their homes, and an abundance of work blessed; it’s good to be home.” completed. MDS volunteers presented the homAn added task for us this year was to eowners with a Bible, a wall hanging, the close down the Pass Christian site. There book The Hammer Rings Hope, the occuare still many families without homes, pancy permit, and finally the keys. but funding for materials has run out. For The mayor, members from the Rotary Saturday, Feb. 27, we invited MDS hom(the funding agency), neighbours, and eowners, friends, business acquaintances friends came to show their support. and pastors to a wrap-up celebration. Pastors came to pray a blessing over these The huge shed that housed all our new homeowners and their families. building materials for the last four years My husband Harold and I have had the became a place of shelter from the rain privilege of volunteering with Mennonite Ms. Georgia with her family in front of her and cool weather. Much appreciation Disaster Service in Pass Christian, MS, for new home built by MDS volunteers. was expressed as each homeowner was January and February the past five years. acknowledged and given an opportunity to speak. In our role as project directors God blessed us with inWe fellowshipped around a bountiful potluck table of credible long-term volunteers. This team included cooks, southern dishes and watched as neighbours and friends greeted and welcomed each other home. What a blessing it is to be a part of such a warm, caring, supportive community. No, their problems are not over. Will they make it? Yes, God’s love abounds. On our last Sunday we attended Goodwill Missionary Baptist Church. Thank you was expressed to MDS and its volunteers. The men’s choir dedicated a song to “the Mennonites” called God’s got a blessing waiting for you. When our black brothers and sisters worship, they sing from the bottom of their hearts. We were blessed by their warmth toward us. Don’t cry because it’s over; smile because it happened! I say from the bottom of my heart: I am truly grateful for this experience. God has smiled down on us MDS volunteers. I trust that we finished well. Sandra Friesen Our long-term team of volunteers this last winter (with Sandra and Harold Friesen, project directors, bottom right).

THE MESSENGER | April 2010

Sandra and Harold Friesen are part of Abbeydale Christian Fellowship (Calgary, Alta.).

news

Rea challenges students toward social justice

PHOTO COURTESY PROVIDENCE

From curling rinks and post offices to fighting global injustice OTTERBURNE, Man.—Kristine Rea grew up in Otterburne, Man., which is “pretty much a curling rink and a post office.” Now she uses her training in psychotherapy to train people around the world and empower others to fight global injustice. “I was born and raised in Otterburne,” says Rea, a psychotherapist in couples therapy and trauma recovery who volunteers with the International Justice Mission doing fundraising and training nationals to go back to their countries to help with post-trauma recovery. “I didn’t see myself as a global power player, but I think I was deceived,” she said. “I started off in Otterburne, but I had options.” On Feb. 4, Rea returned to Providence Kristine Rea speaks College and Seminary for Missio Dei, a twoon social justice to students at Providence day event helping over 500 students, staff, College and Seminary. and faculty to become aware of issues of social injustice in the world. Rea—and other event

in memory

Allan Kavanagh 1938–2009

On Remembrance Day 2009 Allan gave his last peaceful breath surrounded by his wife, Bev, children and his pastor, David Funk of Abbeydale Christian Fellowship. This church’s warm and tender fellowship surrounded Allan’s family with unequaled love and service. His funeral proved to be a most touching testimony of Christ’s love to Allan’s family, here in Calgary and from across Canada. Through tears we were reminded to hold on to Allan’s favourite saying: “We are in Good Hands.” Allan was born in Ottawa, Ont., where he married Sylvia and where his

speakers—also promoted tangible ways the students could make a difference in the lives of others around the world. “Injustice is the misuse of power,” says Rea. “Most people in the world don’t have a lot of power. I have a lot of power compared to how the women in the rest of the world live.” Rea encouraged the students to look at the level of education, food intake, accommodation, clothes, healthcare, and transportation available to Canadians. She described the option to have an education as an indication of the power we have. She also recognized that students at Providence are already making a difference. “What I noticed from the students at Providence was a sense of people saying, yes, I see this. How can I help?” Missio Dei helped encourage Manitoba students to choose to get an education, choose to buy products not made by slaves, and even choose a profession in fighting injustice. “There are a lot of students who are doing this already,” said Rea. “I can really see how this generation is growing up with a sense of justice… It’s very encouraging.” Sara Dacombe, Providence College and Seminary

six children were born. After a long struggle with alcoholism, Allan became a member of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) in 1976. He moved to Calgary with his children and wife Beverly. During these first very difficult years it was through AA and Al-Anon that God provided His steadfast support and the beginnings of spiritual growth. In 1981, when the time was right, God provided two Christian Al-Anon members to lead to the next step, a loving growing Bible study group in Helen Cameron’s home led by David Thiessen, pastor of what was to become Abbeydale Christian Fellowship. David became a patient and very close partner in Allan’s journey to Christ. This small group became our church (like in the book of Acts) for nearly a year before Allan and I would venture into the church to join the rest of the flock. God’s people upheld Allan and his family while God worked through the next couple of years’ struggle to clear up the rubble. In 1983 we were baptized together. In God’s strength, Allan grew in faith and gratitude to become an example of what God can do for anyone, even a Prodigal Son, as Allan always called himself. Allan

always remembered “this son of mine was dead and has returned to life.” In gratitude and grace Allan became a beacon of God’s hope for the downcast who are lost and weary as he had been. Allan will be remembered for his spontaneity—starting a trip to “somewhere.” He demonstrated his creativity by decorating wedding cakes, one of many skills he perfected by “just trying them out.” He bought wrecked cars and restored them to their shiny, original state. His apple pies were acclaimed as the best at our church suppers. His wife Bev sadly misses Allan and the oneness in both their marriage and in their shared relationship with God. Allan is survived by his wife Bev; six children, Shawn (Lauran), Jeffrey, Kevin (Jaqueline), Kerry, Erin (Keith), and Tara (Ryan); two stepchildren, Jeffrey and Lorie. He delighted in his six grandchildren, Angel, Amanda, Brandon, Devin, Lindsay, Tyler and Courtney, treating them to “Special Surprise Events.” Allan was also blessed with two great-grandchildren, Alex and Quaid. Bev Kavanagh and Family

THE MESSENGER | April 2010

in memory

Helen Ethel (nee Fuller) Ronald 1931–2010

With family at her side, Helen Ronald, aged 78, entered into the presence of her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ on January 25, 2010, while in the Portage District General Hospital. She was predeceased by her loving husband William, stepson Hugh, stepgrandson Glenn Ronald, and

Neil (Cornelius) Friesen 1941–2008

Neil was born in Aberdeen, Sask., on November 6 1941, to Jacob and Anna Friesen, the tenth of thirteen children. After school Neil worked at various farm jobs before going into construction. He met his wife Helen Harder in 1963 and they were married in 1964 in Martinsville, Sask. In 1969 Neil and Helen moved to Calgary, which then became their home. Neil gave his heart to the Lord in 1973 in Mayland Heights Baptist Church. In 1974 Neil and Helen met Dave Dueck , an EMC church planter. Under his teaching, Neil grew in his walk

THE MESSENGER | April 2010

parents William George and Anna (nee Sawatzky) Fuller. Helen leaves behind her daughter Carla (Larry) Schmidt of Elm Creek and son Kelly (Cheryl) Ronald of Portage la Prairie; stepchildren Neil, Joah, Keith, and Garth; nieces, nephews, and their families; grandchildren Bethany (Aaron) Beauchamp, Jacly, Jennifer and Brian Schmidt, and Nicolea and Mark Ronald; sister Betty Fuller of British Columbia, brother Bill (Hilary) Fuller of Portage la Prairie, and sister Lois (Tom) Warkentin of Whiterock, B.C. Mom was born on April 21, 1931, in Portage la Prairie, Man., the first child born to William and Anna Fuller. She and her family attended the Portage Gospel Hall, where she accepted Christ as her Saviour as a young teenager. She attended Central School, Portage

with the Lord. Shortly after, he became a member of the EMC church (now Abbeydale Christian Fellowship). Neil faithfully served in the church in numerous ways, some of which were Sunday School teacher and superintendent, Bible study leader, usher, as well as treasurer. Neil loved to play guitar and sing, praising his Lord. He often sang with his wife and brothers at family gatherings. Evenings were spent singing with Helen, his son Calvin, his daughter Jennifer and later with his grandchildren. On May 6, 2008, Neil was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblast Leukemia, and was given three months to live. He had such peace about dying, but worried about his family, what would happen to them when he was gone. Neil went to be with his Lord on Nov. 27, 2008. Neil is greatly missed by Helen, his wife; his two children, Calvin and Jennifer; daughter-in-law June; three grandsons, Keegan, Kade, and Austin; as well as three granddaughters, Connie, Sammie, and Jessie. His Family

Collegiate, and business school. She was no stranger to hard work. She worked in the family business of Fuller’s Bakery and in the Manitoba Telephone office. In summer 1958 she married our Dad, a widower with five children. Together they moved to a farm east of Portage, where she lived till her passing. Carla was born in 1961 and Kelly in 1962. Everything she did centred around her faith in Christ, raising her family, and serving alongside her husband. Bill, her husband of 40 years, passed away in 1998. Mom’s days were filled with serving others. She was known as “Grandma Helen” because of her warmth and care. Whether hosting people for meals, taking them for lunch, or good conversation over tea, Mom made people feel special. She ministered to women at the Portage Correctional Institute for over 30 years, and nothing brought her more joy than sharing about the Lord. She filled many roles in church, being on hospitality teams, ushering and greeting, teaching Sunday School, and helping in the nursery. Recently she fell in love with the people of Cuba, making eight trips there to visit churches over the past six years. Her passion drove her to overcome fears of flying. Flying alone and being tracked by the Cuban military were only the beginning of her adventures. The clothes in her bag were often replaced by children’s toys, earning her the name of “the doll lady.” We wondered if she would return with anything besides the clothes on her back. Following her trip to Cuba in March 2009, Mom had health struggles. Despite this, she made time for what was important to her: sharing Christ with others and making harvest meals. When presented with her health prognosis, Mom’s calm reply was, “I choose to go.” When asked where, her quick reply was, “Heaven, of course,” with a peaceful smile. Her funeral service took place at Portage Evangelical Church on Jan. 29, 2010, at 2:30, led by Pastor Glenn Loewen. Her Family

in memory

calendar British Columbia

Frank F. Doerksen 1916–2009

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our dear husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather Frank Doerksen. At the age of 93, on December 22, 2009, after a short battle with cancer, he went home to be with his Lord and Saviour at the Arborg (Man.) Hospital with his family by his side. Frank was born in Olgafeld, south Ukraine, on July 13, 1916. In 1925 his family immigrated to Canada to a farm near Eyebrow, Sask. He was the oldest of eight children and learned the meaning of hard work at an early age. When he was older he worked for a neighbour and also on a threshing gang in the harvest seasons. Later on he was able to attend Bible School at Rosemary, Alta. This is where he found his assurance of salvation and God became very precious to him. After Bible school, Frank started working for a neighbour on a large grain farm. In 1940 he met Mary Heinrichs and

births BARKMAN – to Trevor and Val Barkman of Winnipeg, Man., a son, Emmett Alexander, on Nov. 29, 2010. BOURGEOIS – to Paul and Lyndsey Bourgeois of Roseisle, Man., a son, Zander Paul, on Feb. 9, 2010. CORNELSEN – to Curtis and Jennifer Cornelsen of Rosenort, Man., a daughter, Elizabeth Pamela Moreta, on Sept. 28, 2009. EIDSE – to Keith and Stacey Eidse of Winnipeg, Man., a daughter, Ava Lynn, on Mar. 11, 2010. KOOP – to Dwayne and Pam Koop of Anola, Man., a daughter, Kailee Moriah, on Mar. 29, 2009. PLETT – to Ryan and Heather Plett of Rosenort, Man., a daughter, Rayya Katherine Faith, on Sept. 7, 2009. SCHELLENBERG – to Scott and Kristel Schellenberg of Anola, Man., a son, Eric Riley, on Mar. 29, 2010.

in 1943 they were married. He continued to work there for a total of 20 years. In 1956 they, with their six children, moved to a mixed farm in Geysir, Man., near Riverton, where another child was born two years later. It was not easy at first and Dad and Mom worked very hard farming and raising their family. Dad loved farming and had many stories to tell of his experiences from working with horses, then with steam engines, and then with the modern machinery of today. He never retired and was fairly active right to the last. Church was very important, and the family attended the Riverton Gospel Chapel regularly right from its beginning. Dad prayed every morning for his whole family and faithfully listened to Back to the Bible and Thru the Bible Radio, following along in his Bible. Dad did a lot of reading and kept up to date on world events. He loved visiting and gave people his undivided attention. He had a genuine interest in others, which was appreciated by many people from all walks of life, young and old. Left to cherish his memory are Mary, his loving wife of almost 67 years; sons Albert (Norma) and Leonard (Elizabeth); daughters Marianne (Patrick) and Betty; daughter-in-law Linda (Jake); 12 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his sons Alfred, Edward, and David. A funeral service was held on December 28, 2009, at Riverton Gospel Chapel, followed by interment at the Geysir Cemetery. We miss you so much, Dad, but we know that we will see you again. We love you. His Family

weddings RAINFORTH – PENNER: Andy, son of Bill and Sheila Rainforth of Lacornbe, Alta., and Shannon Penner of Red Deer, Alta., daughter of Mary and the late Menno Penner of Arborg, Man., were married on Jan. 24, 2009, at Crossroads Church with David Thiessen of Winnipeg, Man., officiating. REGULA – WIEBE: Coleman, son of Dennis and Donna Regula of Anola, Man., and Heidi, daughter of Don and Ev Wiebe of Anola, were married on Oct. 3, 2009, at the Forks Market Amphitheatre, with Pastors Dan Cosens and Jack Cosens officiating.

no events currently

Alberta no events currently

Saskatchewan no events currently

Manitoba April 11: SBC Fundraising Faspa at Steinbach Bible College, Steinbach, 4 p.m. Call 204-326-6451 for complimentary tickets. April 18: Eden Foundation Four on the Floor Concert featuring the Winkler Men’s Community Choir at Winkler Bergthaler Church, Winkler, 7 p.m. April 23: SBC Spring Concert at Steinbach Bible College, Steinbach, 7:30 p.m. April 25: SBC Graduation at Steinbach EM Church, Steinbach, 3:00 p.m. June 24: Eden Foundation IronMan Golf Tournament at Winkler Centennial Golf Course, Winkler June 28–July 2: Thriving in a Firestorm: Congregational Peacebuilding at Canadian Mennonite University, Winnipeg; instructor: Dr. Lois Edmund www.cmu.ca/csop

Ontario May 1: A Friend’s Hand: Healing in Community Recovering from Abuse Workshop at the Bethany Community Church, St. Catherines eileenh@mennonitecc.on.ca or 800-313-6226 July 2–4: The Triumph of the Lamb, EMC Annual Convention at United Mennonite Educational Institute, Leamington; 204-3266401 or www.emconf.ca

THE MESSENGER | April 2010

shoulder tapping Pastoral positions Fort Garry Evangelical Mennonite Church (fortgarryemc.ca) is searching for a university/ young adult pastor whom God has chosen to help us reach University of Manitoba students and young adults with the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are a congregation of 250 located a block from the U. of M. Fort Garry campus. Supported by a committed discernment group, this person will get to know the Fort Garry campus and establish relationships with present campus ministries. By creating relationships with individuals, the pastor will support the development of their faith by connecting them to people at FGEMC. A second phase may include program development. Applicants must be able to embrace and sign the FGEMC Statement of Faith. Qualifications include a love for people, enthusiasm and determination, creativity and an ability to work independently. A graduate degree and ministry experience on campus are assets. Anticipated start date is August 1, 2010. Inquiries and resumes may be sent to Mark Plett, Search Committee chair, Fort Garry EMC, 602 Pasadena Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2S9 or e-mailed msplett5@shaw.ca. Braeside Evangelical Mennonite Church in Winnipeg, Man., is looking for an associate pastor. Responsibilities will include youth ministry as well as worship ministry (including worship technology). Ideally this position would be filled by one person, but we are open to other arrangements. Please send resumes to: braeside@ braesidechurch.ca, Attention: Search Committee, www.braesidechurch.ca. MacGregor EMC, a small community church of 120 people located in MacGregor, Man., is prayerfully seeking a full-time lead pastor. Previous pastoral experience and leadership abilities are assets. For job description and information go to www.macgregoremc.com and follow the link or contact Sheldon Giesbrecht at 204-685-2685. Graysville Mennonite Church, “a community striving to learn and live the teachings of Jesus Christ,” is a country church located 10 miles west of Carman, Man. We seek a lead pastor able to start spring 2010. Time commitment is negotiable between .5 and .75 FTE. We await the leading of the Holy Spirit as we seek a pastor committed to the Christian faith as exemplified in Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective. We are a mature church of nearly 50 members emerging into a congregation of all ages. We seek a pastor able to serve all ages, willing to tackle the challenges of a truly rural church and recognition of the value of cooperation with other Christian churches of all faiths. Inquiries and resumes may be sent to: Cam Stockford, council chair, Graysville Mennonite Church, Box 31, Graysville, MB R0G 0T0. E-mail stockfor@cici.mb.ca or visit our website at www.graysvillemc.org. Morrow Gospel Church in Winnipeg, Man., seeks a full-time associate pastor to work with the

THE MESSENGER | April 2010

senior pastor as a pastoral team. MGC is a multigenerational EMMC congregation with an average Sunday morning attendance of about 150. We seek a self-motivated pastor gifted with good communication and motivational skills, a passion for outreach and evangelism, for building practical and meaningful relationships, and for investing time and energy training and mentoring young people and young families to grow in their faith and spiritual lives. The pastor should have preaching and teaching skills and be willing to work as a member of a team and with a board of elders. The pastor must be a born-again Christian and agree with the MGC statement of faith. Experience working in outreach/evangelism and experience as a pastor to young people and young families is desired. Relevant post-secondary education is required (a Bible college degree is preferred). For information or to submit a resume and cover letter, please contact Morrow Gospel Church, Pastoral Search Committee, 755 St. Anne’s Road, Winnipeg, MB R2N 4G6; e-mail: mgcemm@mts.net with subject: pastoral search committee.

Youth work Rosenort EMC is a rural church with a regular attendance of 250 people. Our church is a multigenerational church with strong family ties. We are actively searching for a full-time youth pastor who will develop a vision and provide leadership for our junior and senior youth programs. The community of Rosenort is situated in southern Manitoba with agribusiness as the main industry. Send resume or c.v. by April 30, 2010, to Arlin Scharfenberg, ascharfenberg@xplornet.ca, Box 106, RR 1, Morris, MB R0G 1K0, 204-746-6154. 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.

Other opportunities Vision Valley School in Antananarivo, Madagascar, needs qualified Christian teachers for 2010/2011 academic year. It especially seeks for native English speakers for primary grades 3, 4, 5, 6; within grades 7-12, teachers are needed in art, music, and two in English (with native speakers a high priority). See blog: xanga.com/jocsh; 21 February. Faith Christian School, grades K-12, in beautiful northeast Texas is seeking teachers dedicated to Christian education in a German Mennonite setting. For more info contact: Neal Thiessen (w) 903-783-9814, (h) 903-737-9663, (cell) 432-5284361, pastormec@sbcglobal.net; or Ted Friesen 903-739-8607, tfriesen@wb4me.com.

MFC seeks a full-time consultant to work in its St. Catharines, Ont., office. The successful candidate will be responsible to promote biblical stewardship of financial resources and to provide charitable gift and estate planning services. The successful candidate will support and incorporate MFC’s core values of stewardship in personal life; communicate effectively with individuals and in public presentations; have knowledge of, or ability to learn, charitable gift and estate planning; be creative, organized, and self-motivated in balancing multiple projects; be willing and able to contribute as part of an interdependent staff team. A start date for the position is negotiable. Processing of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Submit resumes to: Darren Pries-Klassen, executive director, 22-595 Carlton Street, St. Catharines, ON L2M 4Y2; fax: 204-488-1986; dpklassen@mennofoundation. ca; Mennofoundation.ca. 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. 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. 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. E-mail resume to bright.wood@hopemission. com; www.brightwoodranchcamps.com; or mail to Brent Ankrom, Ranch Director, Brightwood Ranch, Box 277, Evansburg, AB T0E 0T0. Wanted: energetic, upbeat principal for Rainbow Christian School. Join our enthusiastic staff and students (K-8) in Vanderhoof, BC. We are a Group 1 Independent school. The candidate must be a BC certified teacher, a strong leader, good communicator, and have a commitment to Christian Education. Administrative experience would be an asset. For information or job description, contact rcschool@telus.net or 250-567-3127. The Messenger does not sell advertising, but provides free space (classified and display) to enhance our Conference, its churches, boards and ministries; interMennonite agencies and educational institutions; and the wider church. Ads are not to be for monetary benefit. To place an ad, e-mail messenger@emconf. ca or call 204-326-6401 and ask for Rebecca Roman.

news

MEDA sees peace dividend in youth program YouthInvest aims to help youth find safe, self-sustaining livelihoods

Pityn sees a potential peace dividend in these programs. “Long-term joblessness among young people can lead to mass emigration, social unrest and entrenched cycles of poverty, leading to an increased susceptibility to recruitment by extremist groups,” she says. MEDA

PHOTO COURTESY MEDA

YouthInvest, a job and business training program aiming to train 50,000 young people in Morocco and Egypt, has been launched by MEDA. “The global population of young people is soaring, but job prospects lag far behind,” says Kim Pityn, a MEDA vicepresident. YouthInvest aims to boost financial literacy and entrepreneurship among Moroccan and Egyptian young people (ages 15-24) by providing Business 101 training and smoothing access to financial services. The five-year $5 million program, sponsored primarily by The MasterCard Foundation, got underway late in 2009. Pityn predicts in three years an additional 150,000 can be reached with greater access to savings and credit, increased incomes and skills, helping them find safe, self-sustaining livelihoods. A second phase is being set up in Egypt and could be replicated in Jordan, Sudan, and Yemen. YouthInvest builds on other youth programs by MEDA. In Afghanistan a program trains construction trade apprentices. A program in Egypt provides customized micro-loans with educational and safety components to assist children working in family businesses.

Moroccan young people attend a focus group to discuss their need for financial services.

Turning toward peace to help Afghan children MCC U.S. provides avenue for war tax resisters to help children in Afghanistan

PHOTO: MELISSA ENGLE, MCC

AKRON, Pa. – Each year thousands of people in the U.S. withhold the tax portion that would support war efforts and use it to support peace. MCC U.S. offers Turning toward peace—an initiative to redirect war tax dollars to help children in Afghanistan through

Students outside of Kabul, Afghanistan, study peace education at a school funded by MCC.

its Global Family education sponsorship program. GF sponsorships help maintain peace rooms – safe places where children acquire skills to help heal trauma and receive educational supplies. Titus Peachey, director of peace education for MCC U.S., said the struggle with conscience regarding taxes that support war has a long history. “European Hutterites in the 1500s, Prussian Mennonites in the late 1700s, and contemporary peacemakers from Canada and the U.S. to Ethiopia and Japan are among those who have wrestled with this question,” he said. Peachey says most who withhold taxes believe “if we cannot conscientiously participate in war with our bodies, we cannot pay for it, either. We need to give our money to causes which build up rather than destroy the presence of God in each person.” “Given the presence of Western military action in Afghanistan today, the opportunity to contribute to peacemaking there is timely,” said Peachey. GF’s program can checked at us.mcc.org/wartaxes or donate.mcc.org/global-family. MCC THE MESSENGER | April 2010

pictures of God by Joanna Plett

How far would you go for a free cup of coffee? things I could do with my time. When Jesus offers us free grace, he doesn’t give it to us by direct deposit, but invites us into relationship. Sometimes accepting free grace feels like sheepishly taking a free cup of coffee from a harried server and then walking out without buying anything. My pride and independence can keep me from accepting free gifts, even grace. I like to believe that somehow I can or should

PHOTO: DESIGNPICS.COM

or myself, as a coffee connoisseur (addict may be more accurate), March has been an extraordinary month. Between free coffee at McDonald’s for the first half of the month and “Buy one, get one free” at Second Cup, I managed to almost completely avoid fuelling my bitterness by “Rolling up the rim to lose” at Tim Hortons. But despite this seemingly endless flow of free caffeine, I occasionally still found myself craving a coffee. Sometimes it was because I was too lazy to walk 10 minutes to the nearest McDonald’s; other times

Sometimes accepting free grace feels like sheepishly taking a free cup of coffee from a harried servier and then walking out without buying anything. I was too late for class to stand in line at Second Cup. Ironically, I daily counted the cost of free coffee. As the month went on, I realized that I often do the same with free grace. Sometimes choosing the road to free grace can feel like contemplating a two-hour Tim Hortons run (well known to coffee lovers in my home community in rural Manitoba). Time is often my greatest barrier to grace. I want to experience the grace of Christ, but I’m too busy to make time for Bible reading, study or prayer, so my relationship with Jesus suffers. Cultivating a relationship takes time, effort and commitment. It demands a conscious choice, an affirmation that a relationship with Jesus is worth more than all the other

THE MESSENGER | April 2010

be good enough to earn my own salvation, and that God should save his grace for people who really need it. But God is like the manager of our local McDonald’s, who set up a coffee stand outside the front door, handing out free coffees to all passers-by. His bright smile affirmed that he had no expectation that we would buy anything, but just wanted us to enjoy the coffee. Jesus, too, came to us, inviting us to accept his free grace and the relationship that goes with it. We have to humble ourselves to accept the grace which we can neither earn nor pay it back. Sometimes our commitment to our own religious systems can keep us from accepting the grace God

offers us, like a faithful Starbucks patron stooping to accept a McDonald’s coffee. Just as many religious leaders preferred their long established traditions to Jesus’ free grace, our elitist attitudes and comfortable traditions can keep us from accepting the peace and joy of God’s grace—on his terms. How far would you go for free grace? Is it worth taking time out of your schedule to cultivate a relationship with Jesus? Is it worth humbling yourself to accept for free what you cannot earn? Is it worth surrendering your religious traditions into his hands?

stewardship today by Sherri Grosz

Plastic surgery

was really surprised at how wire money if needed, I struggled It seems that having a credit card uncomfortable it was to leave the with leaving my credit card behind. with me gives me a sense of security. house. I pondered my struggle at various I feel safe knowing that if an emerIn July 2009 my husband and I moments in our trip. gency were to arise, I would have the accompanied a group of youth to I often use a credit card, espemeans to deal with it. Mennonite World Conference in cially for work. It’s almost required I could pay a tow truck or repair Paraguay. The packing list for our to rent a car or book a flight. Since centre if my car broke down. I three-week trip included only the I am reimbursed for my expenses, could pay for a hotel room if I were necessities: sleeping bag, clothes, it’s handy that expenses don’t come stranded. I could deal with whatever toiletries, a bible and a few small out of our personal bank account financial need arose. gifts, with everything to be immediately. Carrying that piece of plastic carried in one backpack. By using a credit makes me feel safe; I can indepenIt was a little weird to card for workdently fix any problem that might leave the house without ID. related arise. The group coordinator still But this is a false sense of securihad our passports from ty and a false sense of independence. her embassy visit and A credit card doesn’t keep me safe, was going to have and it won’t keep my loved ones safe. them at the airport. While it may provide PHOT No need for a driver’s me with a financial O: IST O CKP H O T O.COM license or health card, so buffer and it can be they stayed at home. helpful on occasion, a We were advised that debit credit card cannot solve cards were rarely accepted in my problems and it cannot Carrying that piece Paraguay or Brazil so there was protect me. It was good for me to no point in taking them along. leave my credit card home this of plastic makes The credit card, however, was summer and to wrestle with my me feel safe; I can the most difficult of all. I knew attachment to plastic. I wouldn’t need it, and yet Back at home I’m using the credit independently fix any leaving it behind remained a card, but I’m keenly aware that my problem that might arise. struggle. safety and security rest—appropriThe “what ifs” of internaately—in the hands of God. tional travel ran through my head. costs, I can submit my expenses What if we were stranded at an and by the time the credit card bill Sherri Grosz is a stewardship airport? What if we had to pay for comes, I’ve usually received my consultant at the Kitchener, Ont., medical care or medications? What if reimbursement cheque. office of Mennonite Foundation of there was an emergency and someMy husband and I pay off our Canada (MFC). For stewardship one needed to come home? personal cards monthly and we don’t education and estate and charitable Despite the fact that we were use them to buy things we can’t gift planning, contact your nearest carrying sufficient cash, the group afford. The credit card is strictly for MFC office or visit Mennofoundation. had travel insurance, our coordinaconvenience. So why my struggle to ca. tor was carrying a credit card and leave the card at home? Was I that the conference office would surely dependent on plastic?

THE MESSENGER | April 2010

kids’ corner by Loreena Thiessen

PHOTO: DREAMSTIME.COM

What do you mean to say?

hat do you do when you want something? “Well,” you say, “at school I raise my hand.” This is a signal to the teacher and it may allow you to speak. At home you simply ask. What about your cat? Does she speak? Not with words, but when she meows at the door you let her out. She meows when she’s out of food or water. When her head bumps against your leg, she’s feeling friendly and wants attention. Maybe you rub her head. Cats sniff at a visitor’s handbag or shoes. They can tell if another cat has been there. They sniff each other’s face to see if it’s a family member.

They communicate without words. Imagine that you lived in a dark place. There’s no sun or light of any kind. And you cannot speak. What would you do? The ocean floor is like that. It’s completely black. There’s no light. There are millions of sea creatures down there swimming about looking for food. Yet they do not bump into each other. Why? In the deepest part of the ocean the sea creatures make their own light. Parts of their bodies glow, like fireflies. This is called bioluminescence. And, like seeing cars on a freeway at night, these glowing sea creatures see each other and know whether they are near or far away. They signal to each other, “Come closer!” or “Stay away!” In the darkness of the deepest ocean dots of moving lights commuActivity: Make a whirligig nicate with each other. You need: You communicate with Kitchen string. words. English words carry One large button with 2 or 4 button holes meaning from a long ago time and other languages. The word Do: man and book, for example, Cut a piece of string as long as your arm. are similar in several other Thread the string through 2 holes; if it’s a languages, such as Old English 4 hole-button thread the string through the and Old High German. If I say, 2 holes opposite each other. With the button in the middle grab the “That’s bunk!” what do I mean? ends of the string and whirl the string until It’s from an old word used in it’s all twisted. the 1820’s, bunkum, which Now pull the string outward, then inward means meaningless. again. Keep doing this to keep the button Some words imitate the spinning. sound they make. The words, Listen for the whirring sound. zing, whang, bong, and pop Do this with a friend: see who can spin are words from sounds like the button the longest. vibrating string, a long willow branch whipping through the 36

Glowing sea creatures signal to each other, “Come closer!” or “Stay away!” air, and the sound of a drum drumming. Pop is the sound your lips make when you quickly snap them closed and open again. But you have more than words. How your voice sounds will tell whether you are sleepy or sick, hurt or happy; your face shows unhappiness with pouty lips, surprise— Wow!—displeasure with a frown, or disbelief with wide eyes and open mouth. Does God speak? God’s words are the words we read in the Bible and as you read them you will know what he is saying if you listen. God speaks in other ways too. In Bible times God spoke with light and angels speaking words, as he did to the shepherds. He spoke to Moses from a burning bush. He spoke to Pharaoh using signs of frogs, insects, and water turning to blood. He spoke to the wise men using a star. God can speak to you in whatever way he chooses. But you have to listen. You can read about Moses in Exodus 3.

THE MESSENGER Evangelical Mennonite Conference 440 Main Street Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z5

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April 2010

The Messenger Vol. 48, No. 5 April 2010

Articles inside

Rea challenges students toward social justice

Heartland Community Church: If the Lord doesn’t build the house

Curling event comes down to final shot

Grand Rapids, Man.: Mission work: ‘we are in it together

Friesens end five years at Pass Christian

Many Rooms Church Community: Simple church fills many rooms

The Philippines taught ‘many lessons

EdenB meets a need

South Africa: Unprecedented opportunities for ministry

Sudan: Moving in the Mabaan church step

Lesotho: A season of suffering

Roseisle EMC: Church reaches out, workers report

Nicaragua: My key memories? Of dedicated pastors

Canada: To the ends of the earth, including Winnipeg?