The Messenger Vol. 50 No. 6 June 2012

The Messenger

50 years of edifying the EMC!

Volume 50 No. 6 June 2012

WHAT WILL HEAVEN BE LIKE? 6 page

Editorials

On Scripture and Menno

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t is reasonable to require all EMC ministers to study, or to have studied, Evangelical Anabaptist theology and history at a college or seminary level, and for adult and youth Sunday School teachers to do so at the local church level.

No theological tradition is perfect or complete, and the EMC dare not pretend to be unique or to exist in isolation from the wider Church. Yet specific study, resulting in thoughtful teaching of Scripture, is properly expected of our ministers.

Within a conference that bears his name, Menno’s life and thought are to be known by our ministers. Every minister (senior, assistant, associate, youth, “lay,” whether or not processed

How can we fairly know and test Menno’s teachings if most ministers do not have his writings?

by the Ministerial Examination Committee) serving an EMC church ought to own a copy of The Complete Writings of Menno Simons (Herald Press, rev. 1984). To not possess it seems both awkward and odd.

If a minister doesn’t have one, obtaining a copy can become a priority in book purchasing. It is, after all, only one volume (its modest size reflecting how Menno was often a hunted man)—not a long shelf of books as in the case of Luther or Calvin.

Menno Simons did not say people had to agree with him; he did ask them to use the Word to test his teachings. How can we fairly know and test his teachings if most ministers do not have his writings?

“Why bother?” some people might say. “Let’s just teach the Bible!” In doing so, they risk displaying scant awareness of how they have been shaped in their understanding of Scripture, theology, biblical interpretation, and church history. We need to do better.

– Terry M. Smith

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Reaching out to Canadians

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n 10 years, may the EMC have 20 more churches!

Contrary to popular mythology, the EMC is not aggressive at, particularly skilled at, or unusually effective in starting churches.

The EM Conference has grown from five to 62 churches in about 70 years of effort—hardly strong growth. Our increase is as modest as our financial commitment to new church starts.

The EMC is strongest at starting churches in DGR Mennonite circles and we have succeeded, partly through the generosity of recent immigrants, in developing Hispanic congregations. Our conference remains weak, though, in reaching out to people of French and British backgrounds, the two largest cultural groups in Canada.

In fact, reaching out to people of British and French cultures seems to be relatively unimportant in our life as conference. This is

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a long-standing, revealing, sad state of affairs.

Yes, we have gifted church planters; but some have retired, others are inactive, and still more need to be identified. We have leaders gifted at leading traditional churches, ministers better suited to serve “moderns,” and others fit to reach “post-moderns.”

Recently we have displayed more flexibility in the churches that are part of our conference and in models used to develop congregations.

We can rejoice in this. But are we aggressive in church planting? Not yet.

– Terry M. Smith

Our conference remains weak in reaching out to people of French and British backgrounds, the two largest cultural groups in Canada.

Table of Contents Features

Departments

6

2

Editorials

3

Pontius’ Puddle

9

What will heaven be like?

Why do so many live with barely any anticipation of the afterlife?

– Javan Rowe

The glory of God in the ordinariness of life

Because of his humanness Jesus identifies with us – Jeff Plett

11 Jesus, politics, and the future of non-resistance in the EMC Bicentennial feature – Zac Klassen

page

15

4 Letters 16 With Our Missionaries 18 With Our Churches 21 Births 22 News

page

31 In Memory

18

32 Calendar 33 Shoulder Tapping

14 Heinrich Balzer (1800–1846) An influential figure in EMC history – Harold J. Dyck

page

9

Columns 5

Writings Shared

No Mercy: A Haunting-Beautiful Story and This Republic of Suffering: Death and the American Civil War

15 Archives Alcove

page

34

Grace amid the messiness of history – Terry M. Smith

34 Pictures of God Celebration!

– Joanna Enns

35 Stewardship Today What are you doing for vacation this summer?

– Harold Penner

36 Kids’ Corner

Free to choose and free to believe – Loreena Thiessen

www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 3

The Messenger Volume 50 No. 6 June 2012

EDITOR TERRY M. SMITH

ASSISTANT EDITOR REBECCA ROMAN

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

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

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

Letters, articles, photos and poems are welcomed.

Unpublished material is not returned except by request.

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

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

Subscription rates 1 year $24 ($30 U.S., $45 foreign) 2 years $44 ($55 U.S., $85 foreign) 3 years $65 ($82 U.S., $125 foreign) Manitoba residents add 7% PST. Digital only subscriptions: $15 per year.

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

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

ISSN: 0701-3299 Publications Mail Agreement Number: 40017362 We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage for our publishing activities.

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

THE Messenger schedule: No. 7 – July 2012 issue (copy due June 15)

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Letters God is the master of time

I have read the articles written on creation and the responses. Why do Christians get so passionate about creation? God controlled the creation of the world.

Ray Hill is someone who is in wonder of God’s creation, not someone who knows exactly how it came about. He sees God did not give us the complete story. He ponders those unanswerable questions. Maybe the story of creation is more than we can understand.

The church has struggled with so many types of new thinking. What if no one questioned or pondered the truth of today? There would be no science.

I can send this letter anywhere at the touch of a button. It wouldn’t be possible if it were not for science. Why are we often opposed to this? Why do we readily accept the improvements to our life that science brings?

Is God stuck in time or has God made time for us? If we believe God controls time, then He is the master of it. I am excited for my children when they learn something new. God is just as excited when he sees us discover something new.

I believe that the story of creation is miraculous. Maybe if the church did not condemn people we would have a better chance of fulfilling our commission to give the Good News of Jesus.

A faith fully understood is dead religion. God is too wonderful to ever comprehend, but he did not tell us not to try.

– Tim Moore MacGregor, Man.

Guidelines for letters

Letters published are generally to comment on issues raised in The Messenger. The magazine reserves the right to edit letters for length, style, legality, and taste. Letters to the editor should be 250 words or less.

A consultation

Hi, God, There are things going on here that are confusing me, so I thought I’d consult with you—sorry, with You. We are being told that Your Word is authoritative, but it needs to be interpreted, and that is resulting in a lot of confusion in Your family.

That is true.

Does it have to be that way?

I have no part in confusion.

Okay, but your people are getting an education and they come back demanding answers. What do I tell them?

Try telling them that my foolishness is wiser than all their wisdom.

Please, God, don’t try to be funny.

Seriously, I need an answer.

The answer is all around you.

True, but what do I say to those who come up with different conclusions?

My dearest, it’s in the Book.

That’s just the problem. People interpret what’s in the Book in different ways, and that’s what concerns me.

It concerns me too.

So why don’t you just write it in stone with Your own finger. That will end all confusion.

I did.

Really? Where’s that?

Exodus 31:17, 18.

Okay, that’s certainly clear, but it is so far removed from what today’s scientific knowledge is discovering.

How can we understand the Truth in the midst of such great differences?

My son, that’s why I sent you Deuteronomy 29:29.

Yeah, someday we’ll understand, right?

Right, and don’t forget 2 Timothy 4:3-4.

We’re in that time, eh?

Yes, my son.

Thank you, God. No more questions.

– David Schmidt Asunción, Paraguay

Columns • writings shared No Mercy: A Haunting-Beautiful Story, by Preston Gillham (Bonefish Publication: Fort Worth, Texas, 2009). 337 pp. $14.99. ISBN 978084510306. Reviewed by Wannetta Fast (Kleefeld).

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his novel deals with spiritual warfare and I was fascinated when I read the author’s forward: “When I began this work, I had no aspiration to write a nice book.

Rather, I determined to write an honest book in an unconventional style hoping it would embolden us all to consider profound failure, love’s pursuit, heart’s desire, and divine solution.”

It piqued my interest as I wondered how he would do this. The novel has good intentions, but I was disappointed in how some scenes were portrayed.

The novel is quite graphic about physical

warfare and temptations toward sexual sin. Was all of this graphic description really so necessary?

In fact, I found some of the descriptions so difficult to deal with that I decided against finishing this book.

I feel guilty that I have to give such a negative review, but I do.

The novel is quite graphic.

Was all of this graphic description really so necessary?

This Republic of Suffering: Death and the American Civil War, by Drew Gilpin Faust (Vintage Books, 2008). 324 pp. $15.99 USD. ISBN 9780375703836. Reviewed by Terry M. Smith, executive secretary, Board of Church Ministries.

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rom 1861 to 1865 the American Civil War would see more than 600,000 American soldiers killed—an American toll higher than in any other conflict.

Faust, president of Harvard University, writes of the reality of suffering and death: of dying, killing, burying, naming, realizing, believing and doubting, accounting, numbering, and surviving. The book is well-documented and both clearly and tightly written; it makes me interested in her other titles.

This Republic of Suffering tells of a country in conflict, of families deeply and specifically affected, of bureaucracies that struggle to respond, and of people of various faiths who grapple to make sense and move forward. Though not written for a Christian market, it remains challenging for Christians to read.

The portion of the Kleine Gemeinde who chose to settle in the U.S. in 1874 was spared, by only a few years, of being present during the war, but was affected by its aftermath. Other Anabaptist groups present during the war were

[The book] tells of a country in conflict and of people of various faiths who struggle to respond. directly affected, and their spiritual descendants now look back to see how to respond today.

Mennonite Central Committee has been a voice for peace before, during, and after times of conflict. Anabaptist denominations, including the EMC, become vocal when their nonresistant rights are threatened, yet local EMC churches are often rather low-key on the teaching of peace. During the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War we might ponder how to effectively engage wider society on the biblical and moral issues of peace and war. www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 5

WHAT WILL HEAVEN BE LIKE?

by Javan Rowe

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couple weeks ago I watched a program on the

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afterlife that included accounts of those who

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had supposedly died and came back to life. 

One man was a Christian who claimed he had seen the pearly gates. An atheist woman died and saw a deceased loved one, yet was sure the vision was her own mind coping with her voyage into nothingness.

As I watched, I wondered how many believers were questioning what their heavenly experience would be like. I also could not help speculating why so many live with barely any anticipation of the afterlife?

I am convinced we need a true vision of heaven in our churches today.

What will heaven be like?

It is difficult to know exactly what we will experience immediately upon death. Future prophetic verses tend to focus on end times, culminating with the re-creation of the heavens and earth.

Until we reach that time in history, my guess is we will live in a city atmosphere with

It seems that heaven will be a physical place, similar to our experience here on Earth.

Jesus, perhaps in the holy city mentioned in Revelation that comes down to the New Earth.

Regardless, because the majority of our time will be spent on the New Earth, that will be my focus here.

It seems that heaven will be a physical place, similar to our experience here on Earth. Isaiah 65:17 tells us, “Behold I will create new heavens and a new earth.”

We all know what the words “earth” and “heavens” mean. One is the place we currently live and the other we see by gazing into the sky.

Though it will be greater than what we currently witness, it will still be similar or else God would not have used those terms.

Think of all the wonderful sights on earth— large mountain ranges, the Grand Canyon, beautiful flowers, or sturdy oak trees—only imagine them perfect. When Adam and Eve sinned, the world that was originally created as “good” was put under a curse.

The new Earth will bear many of our current natural wonders, only better because it will be free from the present pollution and decay. Even

under sin, we have clues that point to future realities.

Thinking about the “new heavens” from Isaiah, we need to only look into the evening sky to see the future cosmos. It too will be free from the curse, meaning the moon’s position will no longer cause tsunamis.

There will be no fear of meteors colliding with Earth, wiping out our species. Perfect harmony will reside in the universe. Even greater, the entire universe will be accessible, as we are given all of eternity to explore the far regions of God’s magnificent creation.

What will we be like?

Just as we look to the natural world and envision it without the curse, we can also look at ourselves for ideas on how we will look. Jesus’ resurrected appearances give us examples of continuity regarding our physical bodies.

When people saw Jesus they recognized Him. The only times He wasn’t identifiable was when God hid Jesus’ identity from the disciples on the road and when Mary saw Him. The only reason she didn’t know it was Him was because it was customary for women to not look at men when they approached. She simply did not realize it was Jesus until she looked up.

Just as Jesus had a literal body following the resurrection, we too will be physically raised.

Our bodies will be much greater than they are now because they will be free from sin and the resulting decay.

I will no longer deal with contacts, high cholesterol, or frustrating arthritis. My sister will not have to worry about MS slowly crippling her body. My parents’ hearts will function properly. Our bodies will be without the imperfections that resulted from the curse.

In fact, I am convinced we have not even come close to the physical potential we will experience then.

Our heavenly community

It may be best to think of heaven as a place of community. Never again will loneliness grip us.

We will never worry if someone dislikes us and talks about us behind our backs. We will remain close to the friends and family we had on the old Earth, while constantly meeting new friends in the immense family of God. With the absence of sin, we will experience 

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 even greater community than in the best ex-

amples today.

We have a foretaste of this kind of community in our local churches. My family has been attending the same church for over ten years and it is great belonging to a community.

There is a unique closeness and an attitude of serving one another that mirrors our future heavenly relationships.

We will even find ourselves in a community with the animal world not seen since Eden. “The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together” (Isaiah 11:6).

We will never again have to worry about being harmed by any of the animals because the current hostility will no longer exist. Peace will reign.

kingdom. Our actions today will affect our heavenly experience.

Heaven will also involve learning. When I was younger, I erroneously believed that in Heaven I would know everything possible for me to know.

The truth is, ignorance is not a product of sin, but is a natural part of learning. I was not more sinful as a child just because I was unfamiliar with hermeneutics (principles of interpretation of Scripture).

We are born learners and will continue to learn in heaven. Unlike some of our classroom experiences, it will be exciting for us to regularly study God and His universe.

The Gospel is the good news that we are going to participate in a future other civilizations have only dreamt about. We can anticipate that future because God has left us reminders that give glimpses— though incomplete and distorted—of heaven.

If we look at nature, technology, animals, the arts, family, and every other area of life, we catch shadows of our future heavenly experience. Just look around and see what awaits us, only imagine it uncorrupted.

Let us live today in expectancy of this glorious future awaiting Christ’s followers!

We will enjoy work, using our talents in that job, and glorifying God through that work.

Daily life in heaven

Our daily lives will consist of work, but excluding any negative connotation we may associate with it. Even if you do not enjoy your job, think of a time you did some kind of work but thoroughly enjoyed it. That is what heaven will be like.

Many of us, due to pressures and costs, work jobs that do not utilize our God-given talents.

This will not be the case in heaven. We will enjoy work, using our talents in that job, and glorifying God through that work.

Heaven is going to be more than simply a reward; it will also be an opportunity to serve God. We will actually be administrators and coworkers with the Lord Almighty.

The important thing to know, though, is our responsibilities will be determined by our service in this life. We should live now in such a way that the Lord will use us in his eternal 8 The Messenger • June 2012

Javan Rowe, with his wife and children, attends East Side Grace Brethren Church in Blacklick, Ohio. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance and is working toward a Theology Certificate issued jointly from Grace Institute and Grace Theological Seminary, Winona Lake, Indiana.

The glory of God in the ordinariness of life

by Jeff Plett

The Word and Co-Creator

The first two verses introduce the heavenly drama of the Gospel story: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning” (John 1:1–2).

John likely wants us to connect with the first words of the Bible: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen. 1:1). The Word already existed with God in the beginning, before the earth was created. There never was a time when the Word did not exist.

In the first verses John does not identify who is the “Word.” Who is he thinking about? In verse 14 it becomes clear. He writes, “The Word became flesh and lived for a while among us.”

This is a clear reference to Jesus Christ. Jesus “became flesh,” was born as a baby, and partook of our human nature.

This baby, whose birth we celebrate, is none other than the eternal Word! He “was with God in the beginning!” Not only was he with God, “He was God!” (verse 1).

Nothing higher, nothing greater, can be said of the Word, Jesus, than that He was God! All that can be said about God can be said about the Word. He is not only like God, He is in His person, God. He is part of the Triune Godhead.

John says that Jesus is the co-creator with God. All created beings were brought into being through “the Word,” Jesus. Jesus was there as cocreator at the beginning of creation. John writes, “Without him nothing was made that has been made” (verse 3). “Through him all things were made.” God created “through” the Word, “through” Jesus.

A downward movement

The Word became flesh and lived for a while among us (1:14). Jesus is the living, eternal Word, in the beginning with God, co-creator with God, through whom everything was made. The Gospel is a miracle indeed!

We cannot truly celebrate the Gospel until we worship Jesus as the Eternal Word, as God. His story does not begin at Christmas, but in eternity.

The coming of the Lord Jesus was a downward movement from 

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ost of life is quite ordinary. From one day to another things look and feel much the same. Few things are new. We go through familiar routines and patterns. We travel in the ordinary.

As Christians, we rejoice in the story of our Lord, because it is a story of God’s glory shining into ordinary places. Young Mary, who is pregnant, and her husband Joseph make a hasty trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem because of a census. When their baby is to be born they are in a lowly stable.

All of that is pretty ordinary.

Yet God’s glory shines into that ordinariness. John shares his unique perspective of the birth story in John 1:1–18. As the curtains of heaven are slowly pulled back, the universe stands still, amazed at this monumental event. Jesus, the very Son of God, coming to earth as a baby!? The angels must have looked at each other in surprise and wondered, “What is God up to now? This is a strange way to save the world!”

God stepped into our ordinariness, our history and humanity. www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 9

 heaven to earth. The eternal Word became

flesh—Jesus was born a baby. God stepped into our ordinariness, our history and humanity.

John says that he and the other disciples were witnesses of Christ’s glory: “We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

John says God pitched his tent in our midst for a while. God actually lived among us. He didn’t stay at arm’s length. He didn’t give directions from a safe distance, send a heavenly messenger, an angel, or a flash of light to tell us about God. No, he actually became human, like we are.

In Jesus, God became part of the pain, loneliness, suffering, poverty and helplessness of human existence. It seems like a risky plan.

Life is unpredictable, uncertain, dangerous.

God entrusted his only Son, Jesus, into the arms of a peasant girl and a poor carpenter. For thirty-three years he would feel everything you and I have ever felt. He felt weak, grew weary, and his feelings got hurt.

He was disappointed in His disciples. He was sorely tempted to give in to sin. Satan tried every trick to divert him from giving his life on the cross so our sins could be forgiven.

Because of his humanness Jesus identifies with us. He knows how strong temptations can be, the heartache of being misunderstood, and the pain of being abandoned by friends. He knows the human experience of death in a most cruel way.

“For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted” (Hebrews 2:17–18).

Because of his humanness Jesus identifies with us.

He knows how strong temptations can be, the heartache of being misunderstood, and the pain of being abandoned by friends.

The Creator unrecognized

Many times in John’s gospel there is a reference to Jesus being the true light. As “the light,” Jesus illuminates the path to God. He is the only way to God, leading people out of darkness and sin. In 1:5 we see that Jesus, the light, “shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” In verses 7 and 8 we see that John the Baptist was

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not the true light, but a witness to it. In verse 9 we see that Jesus, the true light, gives light to every man by coming into the world.

Then we get to the sad part: some people’s response in verse 10. Even though he was in the world made through him, the world did not recognize him. By and large people failed to know Jesus intimately.

They didn’t trust him, didn’t want to be in a right relationship with him. The world missed a great opportunity to know “the Word,” Jesus, even when in its midst!

This we might have expected of a sininfected world. But he came to his own Jewish people: “He came to that which was his own” (v.

11). Some of them did not receive him either.

Leon Morris points out that the verb speaks of a decisive act: they rejected him by nailing him to the cross.

The Creator recognized

There were some who recognized him. “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” We need to receive Jesus, invite him into our life, love him as a friend. We need to believe that he came to earth, that he is God’s only Son, that he died and rose again in three days. He took our sins upon himself. When we ask him to forgive us our sins, he does so and we are free of them.

Jesus has done His part, but you need to do yours. You need to receive him and believe in him for you to “become a child of God.” If you have not done so, do it today!

Jeff Plett, BRS, MDiv, is the pastor of Evangelical Fellowship Church in Fort Frances, Ont. He is a “reasonably avid stamp collector” and a golfer (selfdescribed as “a hacker”). He and Laural Ann have four children and two grandchildren.

Sources: The article’s title and some of its ideas come from an article, “The glory of God in the ordinariness of life,” by Dr. John Vissers in ChristianWeek (December 15, 1992). Dr. Leon Morris’s commentary on the Gospel of John (NICNT) has also been relied upon.

Jesus, politics,

and the future of non-resistance in the EMC

by Zac Klassen

Then Pilate… asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?” Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the

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Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from

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Pilate’s response to Jesus, “Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?” suggests Jesus was a national threat. Jesus claimed an authority unparalleled in the political-religious hierarchy of his nation.

But Jesus’ claim to authority was not limited to the Jewish nation. The kingdom which Jesus claimed to reign was not located on the same plain as the nations; rather, it was above all nations.

It is of no small significance that Jesus illustrated this by contrast: a worldly kingdom would fight for its king, but Jesus’ kingdom “is not from here.” 

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Jesus was a threat to national stability

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n this conversation between Pilate and Jesus, we receive a radical definition of Christian discipleship. Following Jesus in a world of competing powers will always involve us in a contested loyalty.

Here we learn of the fundamental competition that precedes all other war and conflict on the earthly stage. True conflict is between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of a rebellious creation.

In the rebellious creation, humans tend to vie for power and control through the politics of violence and coercion. When someone threatens the stability of a human kingdom or nation, the nation takes steps to “deal” with him or her—to display who is “in control.”

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here” (John 18:33–36).

emc 1812 ~ 2012

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In the kingdom of God, followers of Jesus proclaim all power and control to lie in the hands of the sovereign God revealed in Jesus.

And Jesus showed us that God’s sovereignty is manifested, not in manipulation and coercion, but in his self-giving and selfless love.

The Christian proclamation of God’s sovereignty gains credibility through the lives of those who seek to follow Jesus through the political practice of non-resistance.



Kingdom conflict in EMC history

The EMC’s beginnings contain some parallels to what took place in Pilate’s headquarters 17 centuries earlier. From the beginnings of conflict between Klaas Reimer and Jacob Enns to the continuing conflict between the Grosze Gemeinde and the newly-formed Kleine Gemeinde, one primary contention lay in how the Church should faithfully relate to the kingdom of the world.

Consider an example: when violence broke out in Molotschna colony between Christian brothers, Enns wanted to let the colony administration handle it. Reimer disagreed because the administration would not seek a redemptive resolution, but perpetuate the cycle of violence.

It was as if Reimer was asking Enns: “What kingdom do we live in?” If all who were involved in this conflict were of the kingdom of the world, it would make sense that their disagreement would be solved through retribution. But was this the case?

While different in significance, Enns’ decision was not unlike the Jews handing Jesus over to Pilate. It was trying to keep order and control by deferring authority to a worldly kingdom.

But Enns and the brothers in question were part of the Church and of a different political reality called the kingdom of God, a kingdom that, while deeply present in the world, is “not from here.”

Those within the kingdom of God were to fight evil with good by seeking peace between warring brothers, just as Jesus sought and attained peace for estranged humanity through the cross (Ephesians 2:15-17, James 5:6).

This was not the end of the conflict in the Grosze Gemeinde. When Russia was invaded by Napoleon’s troops, the Czar asked the colonies for contributions for the war against Napoleon.

The Grosze Gemeinde had a choice: support the

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wars of the nations or withhold support.

Through several meetings and a failed attempt by some to support the war effort, the decision was made to withhold support. Such a decision may not have been popular, but it seems a faithful decision to follow the King who said, “If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over….”

Which kingdom will receive our loyalty?

Today as we navigate complicated issues surrounding the Church’s relationship to the state(s), will we make our primary allegiance to Jesus’ kingdom or will we falter under the pressure to secure specific cultural and national forms of identity and economic status, through coercive and violent means if necessary?

Answers to this question often become a debate between those who affirm the necessity of nations going to war in some circumstances and those who oppose war without acknowledging the complexities of our modern existence.

We are called to a more humble and so difficult conversation.

Will we make our primary allegiance to Jesus’ kingdom or will we falter under the pressure to secure specific cultural and national forms of identity and economic status, through coercive and violent means if necessary?

another in this battle, as our allegiance is to a different kingdom that is not from here.

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Pilgrims seeking a different kind of home

As the example between Enns and Reimer illustrates, nonresistance and the life of peace is so much more than the question, “Should we support a war effort?” although it is that too.

Non-resistance is a form of daily life in which we seek to witness to Jesus amidst the messiness of life by being obedient to the way of life he displayed. At its best, the nature of our dialogue around complex issues like war should be a witness to what non-resistance looks like.

National ‘freedom’ and Christian freedom

To a large extent, our First World existence in the West has made us numb to the fact that a battle is going on in our world. The battle, contrary to popular media, is not between the enemies of “freedom” and the protectors of freedom, but between the nations who vie for economic power and control through the politics of violence and coercion and the God who calls citizens of all nations to a way of living in the world defined by peace and receptivity to the other (our enemy).

As Christians we should not find ourselves taking sides absolutely with one nation over

As modern-day EMCers we do well to recognize the importance of our Bicentennial celebrations.

They challenge us to remember the witness of non-resistance that we have received from our Anabaptist forebears. It should cause some self-examination as a conference asking, “Which kingdom has our loyalty?” and “What kind of home do we seek?”

As Tripp York has noted regarding Anabaptist history, the Anabaptist commitment to nonviolence “necessitated the notion of being a pilgrim people. Like the early nomadic disciples, Christians do not find a permanent home in any earthly polis, but roam through and endure this time and space, providing a glimpse of that eternal city that all of creation is destined to inhabit.

This city cannot be found on earth, even though it is often parodied.”

May the EMC be challenged to take up this nomadic form of discipleship as we imaginatively follow after, embody, and proclaim Christ, our sovereign Lord and King!

Zac Klassen is pastor of The ConneXion in Arborg, Man. He is a graduate of Canadian Mennonite University and plans to continue his education in the not too distant future. He is married to Melodie, and they have two young, energetic boys.

Sources: Harvey Plett, Seeking to be Faithful (EMC, 1996); Tripp York, The Purple Crown: The Politics of Martyrdom (Herald Press, 2007).

www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 13

CE

LE

NG 2 0 0 Y

RS

I

n 1833, Heinrich Balzer, a minister in the Ohrloff church in Molotschna, crossed a painful divide to join the Kleine Gemeinde.

He had already come to know the KG minister Abraham Friesen, but the primary impetus for this step was his conviction that the Mennonite church in Russia had abandoned the simplicity of following Christ and had succumbed to a fatal compromise with the world.

To the KG, Balzer brought an unusual sophistication in presenting the case for a lifestyle committed uncompromisingly to brotherly love, earnest devotion to God, and avoidance of vain pleasures and prideful endeavours. His writings were cherished within the KG community well into the 20th century and, in some cases, published.

AT I

EA

Heinrich Balzer (1800–1846)

by Harold J. Dyck

BR

emc 1812 ~ 2012

by God as a natural light by which to make rational choices, including moral ones.

The spiritual, or mental, life is the most intimate connection to God, but it “faded out” in the Fall. It is restored, through the Resurrection, to those who are reborn.

True understanding of the awakened mind and knowledge of God’s will comes to the reborn through the Scripture and the illumination of the Spirit. In contrast, the natural light of reason alone, restricted to what can be seen and tested, has been corrupted by the Fall, so that it leads to all kinds of foolishness and hostility to God. That which belongs to salvation, says Balzer, lies completely beyond the limits of reason.

Their understanding enabled the early Christians to give themselves over to that simplicity in Christ that accepted suffering and embraced humble community in love and equality. Understanding animates the heart. Reason, in contrast, finds such a life intolerable, tending always toward selfrealization, wealth, honour and pleasure. Its activity is in the head.

Although Balzer discouraged higher education beyond what a simple life, preferably in farming, required, his antithesis was not that of soul versus spirit or faith versus reason as such. Rather it was between reason alone as a guide to life and reason illumined in faith.

Reason and its methods are from God, he insists; they can discover what is seeable and testable, but it requires something “beyond” this to move from mere rationalism to the fuller understanding and life commitments of faith. Doesn’t this sound like something still being argued today?

True understanding of the awakened mind and knowledge of God’s will comes to the reborn through the Scripture and the illumination of the Spirit.

Of particular contemporary interest is an essay contrasting Verstand and Vernunft (understanding and reason), written about the time he joined the KG. From an earlier German publication, an English version was published by Robert Friedmann in 1948 (Mennonite Quarterly Review). More recently, it has been reprinted by Delbert Plett (The Golden Years, 1985).

Writing perhaps to explain his decision, Balzer carefully distinguished between that understanding which comes through faith and that which is of the head only. The distinction was important to him because the two dimensions of knowing entail contrasting attitudes and lifestyle expressions.

Balzer described the human person as a threefold life of body, soul, and spirit (“mind”).

It is the soul that thinks and reasons, directing the body by way of the senses. Reason is given 14 The Messenger • June 2012

Harold J. Dyck has served as a schoolteacher, an EMC pastor (Crestview), and a college and university professor. He is retired and living in Winnipeg.

Columns • archives alcove

Grace amid the messiness of history were equally unlikely to ask who had previously owned the land. Yet within the messiness of history, and despite questions unasked and unanswered, God’s sovereignty and providence were and are at work.

For what is of paramount importance within the EMC? It is the gift of God’s salvation in Christ. God’s revelation occurs within history and is ultimately shown in Jesus, who is both the hope and judge of messy human history. The gift of Christ is what draws people to the EMC and sustains us within it.

The EMC does, however, face challenges in how, where, and how effectively we share the Good News of Christ: in the past 12 years we have plateaued and declined slightly in members. We have started churches mostly in rural areas and small cities, and we lag behind in cultural diversity, according to a recent report by Tim Dyck, EMC General Secretary.

We have religious freedom and live in multicultural Canada among many needs. That, in this setting, the EMC has leveled off in membership should cause us concern.

Given the messiness of history, what will Christ’s grace motivate us to do now?

by Terry M. Smith

History is rarely simple. When Dutch-German Mennonites moved to Canada, some obtained land from which First Nations peoples were dislocated.

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

W

hen the EMC started in 1812, Russia was being invaded by Napoleon. Meanwhile, British and American forces would fight each other in Lower Canada and in the U.S. Tim Reimer, raised in the EMC and now a Mennonite Church Canada minister, suggests we might link the EMC’s start and Canada’s War of 1812.

Paul Thiessen suggests “weaving in the theme of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 overture, which was written to commemorate Russia’s defense of Moscow against Napoleon’s advancing army. We could celebrate our EMC 200th with this symphony’s climactic volley of cannon fire, ringing chimes, and brass fanfare finale!”

These suggestions—serious or not—remind us that history is complex.

Also about 1812 was the establishment of the Red River Colony in Manitoba. When crofters, tenants of divided farmlands, were forced out of the Scottish Highlands, Thomas Douglas (1771–1820), the fifth Earl of Selkirk, proposed they emigrate to British North America.

In 1811–1815 settlers of Scottish and Irish descent settled near the present site of Winnipeg, Man. The North-West Company was unhappy and drove out the settlers by 1815.

With the help of soldiers, within two years the Earl of Selkirk restored order and reinstalled the colonists. Later came a civil court trial and Selkirk returned to England, broken in health.

He died shortly afterward.

Lord Selkirk and the early settlers, it is said, prepared the way for what is now Western Canada to be open to pioneers. Without this, would the Kleine Gemeinde have found a home in western Canada?

History is rarely simple. When Dutch-German Mennonites moved to Russia, some settled on land from which Russian Cossacks were displaced; when some later moved to Canada, some obtained land from which First Nations peoples were dislocated.

In both cases, the promoters of immigration were unlikely to highlight who had been displaced, and the delegates considering emigration

Landing of the Selkirk Settlers, Red River, 1812, J.E. Schaflein, Hudson’s Bay Company’s 1924 calendar illustration.

www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 15

With Our Missionaries

Mali needs our prayers

a Muslim audience in a way they could understand and MALI accept.

It was good to return to Mali this winter God prepared two special and to reconnect with former students Malians to produce these and Malian co-workers. I shared their programs: Jeanne for Women joy at weddings, baby dedications, and of Hope and Davide for CBS. pastor ordinations.

Both are gifted speakers I also shared their tears at several dedicated to serving Christ. funerals of dear friends. The pastors I Because of their motivavisited showed cheerful trust in God tion and hard work we are and enthusiastically shared how God now broadcasting on 30 was working in their churches and radio stations. Some of these communities. I was amazed at their are church stations and absolute trust in God’s faithfulness in others are secular stations the face of famine and war. operated by Muslims. All In 2006, when I was preparing to agree that these programs are retire from the field, I asked God to meeting a need. show me how I could continue minToday Mali is in crisis.

Evelyn Barkman with Jeanne, who produces the Women istry to Malian Christians and reach The chaos of famine, war, and of Hope program. out with God’s Word to the 95 percent anarchy has brought an even Muslim population. For over 30 years more sinister threat, radical Islam and Bamako, where the church is now I had been director/teacher at a Chris- forced Sharia law. caring for them. tian school for Malian girls.

Tauregs in northern Mali, emBecause of this volatile political More recently I had developed a powered by mercenaries and huge situation, most missions have opted 52-lesson program for Chronological quantities of sophisticated arms out of to withdraw their personnel until Bible Storying (CBS) and had been Libya, renewed their objective to have there is some stability. I am thankful training teachers to use it. I felt God their own Taureg nation. They made for Christian radio programs that are directing me to use this experience to rapid progress against a poorly armed going out unimpeded to the Malian facilitate the production of two radio Mali military, killing many. people at this time. programs in the Bambara language.

Taking advantage of a growing disSome stations airing the programs This resulted in the Women of satisfaction within the population and are near the rebel held territory so Hope program, giving practical teach- military over the government’s hanthe message is going out even though ing and Bible principles on day-to-day dling of the Taureg rebels, junior mili- churches have been destroyed and issues, and CBS to bring the Gospel to tary officers, on March 22, overthrew Christians have been forced to flee.

Mali’s democratic Please pray for Mali: that sufficient government. In rain from June to October would the ensuing chaos, produce good crops; that a rapid and rebels quickly peaceful process would restore stable took control in government; that believers would the north and show Christ through their love and established Sharia would grow strong in faith. law.

– Evelyn Barkman Non-Islamic religions were no Evelyn Barkman (Heartland) served longer tolerated for many years in Mali and remains so Christians fled actively concerned about the country.

Lots of visiting happened around the tea pot. to the capitol city, 16 The Messenger • June 2012

With Our Missionaries

Questions in the classroom PARAGUAY

“What religion are you?”

This was the question asked of Joanne Martens and myself by a grade nine student writing her exam for the Crossroads course we were teaching in a public school. She was really asking, “Are you Catholic?”

“Christian,” I answered, and then added, “Evangelical” to clarify that, no, I wasn’t Catholic.

“Then you don’t believe in Mary.”

It was more of an accusation than a statement or a question.

“I believe that Mary existed,” was my response.

“But you don’t believe that she is a virgin.”

“I believe she was a virgin until she got married. The Bible mentions that Jesus had brothers.”

“But that refers to his brothers in Christ.” Someone had been paying attention in catechism class.

She continued, “How can you disrespect Mary by not believing in her,

not believe that she is still a virgin?

She is almost as powerful as God. She is as powerful as God.” “Who created God?” I asked her.

“No one.”

“Who created Mary?”

“God.” I had her there.

“You see, God is much more powerful than Mary. Mary is only a human being.” By focusing on the Person of God and the truth we hold in common, the truth of everything else becomes clear.

She quickly adjusted her argument. “But Mary intercedes for us.

We need her to intercede. She is important.”

“The Bible doesn’t say that we need Mary to intercede for our salvation.

It says that if we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ we will be saved.

“I have a challenge for you for next week: find in the Bible where it says that Mary intercedes for us.” Maybe I can convince her to read her Bible, something that she doesn’t even do in catechism class.

Another student joined in: “Your Bible is different than ours.” That would be an easy explanation for why our beliefs about Mary are different and a convenient excuse to not to have to read her Bible.

‘The Bible doesn’t either say everything about Mary. The Bible doesn’t have all the information.’

“It’s the same Bible,” I replied. At least the New Testament is the same.

We don’t have the Apocrypha, but that is another rabbit trail for another conversation. The part that mentions Mary is the same.

“But the Bible isn’t always right.”

That answer took me by surprise.

She clarified her answer. “The Bible doesn’t talk about everything. The saints existed and the Bible doesn’t mention them. The Bible doesn’t either say everything about Mary. The Bible doesn’t have all the information.”

And so the Church supplies the missing information.

Is Mary still a virgin? Is Mary as powerful as God? Is Mary’s intercession necessary for our salvation? Are the evangelical and Catholic Bibles different? Is the Bible sometimes wrong or incomplete?

These are questions that we have to deal with and they are questions that matter because they affect how people view God and respond to Him. We all have questions. May our search for answers bring us closer to the truth.

– Travis Zacharias

Join with Christ in shaping our

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

Travis Zacharias (Kleefeld), with wife Rosey and family, is a cross-cultural worker under the EMC Board of Missions.

www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 17

With Our Churches Oak Bluff BIble Church

Meridian Youth Rally a great success Oak Bluff, Man.—Saturday night, April 21, 2012, was one exciting night at the Starbuck Hall. Representatives of churches, belonging to various denominations and towns, worked together to plan the first ever Meridian Youth Rally for the rural municipality of Macdonald and surrounding area.

After months of planning, leaders from various churches were so pleased to see more than 100 teenagers attend. Youth from Grades 6 to 12 were invited, and with a registration fee of $10 they were treated to a pizza party, games, door prizes, a souvenir t-shirt, a worship sing-along, and entertainment by the band Reinstate.

With an MGM (My God and Me) Grammy night theme, the kids walked the “red carpet” also called the “walk of faith,” attended a short film festival, and even received “Grammy” cookies at the end of the night.

Oak Bluff Bible Church organized the worship for the evening and did a wonderful job of leading the kids in

18 The Messenger • June 2012

praise songs. It started with “City on our Knees,” challenging everyone to make the choice to follow Jesus and setting the tone for the evening.

Then the band Reinstate, with members from southern Manitoba, entertained the crowd and kept them energized for an hour. Justin Willems, from the La Salle Community Fellowship Church, shared from his heart and God’s Word.

Willems challenged the kids in their faith walk, to find their identity in Jesus alone, and to make him their top priority. He invited the audience to make the personal commitment to Jesus and led them in a prayer of salvation.

We pray there were some decisions made that night.

Leaders from all churches desire nothing more than to have their young people come to know Jesus, walk in their faith, and stay involved in their local church.

The event drew people to plan, to work, and to worship together. The evening was a great success. It was the first Youth Rally for the area, and it will probably not be the last.

– Val Wolowich

With Our Churches Region 1

Leaders meet at PRBI single moms. On Saturday morning four or five people assist with moving, yardwork, or housework.

Gordon said, “We are making ripples in the spiritual world.”

Corney Peters (Vanderhoof ) said their congregation has many young couples and gaps in some age groups. Pastor Brad Schneck has brought stability. Leaders are seeing new areas of need, especially in community outreach. The town requested that their church host “Sensation Summer Camp,” a secular camp, and it accepted this challenge.

(continued on p. 21)

Garry Koop (Steinbach EMC) led the teaching sessions.

PHOTOS: COURTESY BRAD SCHNECK

Sexsmith, Alta.—EMC leaders from northern Alberta and B.C. (Region 1) met at Peace River Bible Institute on April 27–28 for teaching and encouragement. The theme was Lord, Teach Us To Lead.

Martha Doerksen (La Crete) led in worship with volunteers from each church. The praise to God was uplifting and worshipful.

Garry Koop (Steinbach EMC) led the teaching sessions, effectively communicating biblical leadership principles. He led us to consider personal qualities of a leader (a willingness to learn, humility and authenticity) and dealt with needed knowledge: of scripture as foundational, of ourselves and our culture, and how to actively and effectively speak into our culture.

In church reports there was, overall, optimism and expectancy as to God’s moving in communities.

Henry Wieler (La Crete) reported growth through births and baptisms.

About 450 people meet on Sundays in the new church building, and the church is seeking another associate pastor to join the team.

Ed Peters (Burns Lake) said during some struggles it is hard to understand what God is doing. Their congregation had experienced God’s love and patience through a pastor’s leaving and the interim ministry of Peter and Telita Janzen (Hillside).

Following the tragedy at Babine Wood Products, there have been new opportunities for counselling.

Gordon Banman (High Level) reported that they sought to strengthen marriages and began to ask what to do for the community. They plan to build a multipurpose facility. A Helping Hands ministry has started to assist

Volunteers from each church came together to lead in worship.

www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 19

With Our Churches

Participate in EMC’s internship program! (one to two years)

(continued from p. 20)

Chris Doerksen (Westpointe Community Church) said that they were enjoying a new church building in a new neighborhood. In this growing community, they have eight to 10 first-time visitors each Sunday. They are reaching out by offering a Day Care, VBS programs, and a 55-plus group. They are active in short-term missions programs.

John Dyck (Hillside) said that their church is involved studying the training of ministry teams. His ministry ranges from pre-marital counselling to palliative care. The men’s class is involved in Saturday prayer breakfasts and Wednesday prayer times. They

enjoy a positive relationship with the community, and want to be used of God to draw people.

Common to these reports is: “To God be the glory!” As people praise the Lord, the enemy is defeated. The battle, the work, and the victory are the Lord’s.

Individuals shared heartfelt needs in their church community. The body became active in surrounding leaders, with laying-on of hands and the upward look toward the Lord. We came before the throne that we might find grace and help, and were blessed and drawn closer to one another in the presence of the King.

– Rosalind Petzold

Copies now available free!

To order your copies (mailing extra) contact Rebecca Roman, rroman@ emconf.ca or 204-326-6401.

20 The Messenger • June 2012

The purpose of this program is to give those who sense the call of God to serve in full-time missions a comprehensive understanding of EMC missions work, to prepare for future service, to work alongside career missionaries, and to give them a context in which to develop their gifts in outreach, leadership, intercession, and discipleship.

Ministry assignment Ministries will include: • weekly ministry focus and accountability meetings with missionary team representative, focusing on mentorship and coaching; • assist the missionary team with ministry activities such as outreach, physical work projects, and specific weekly program initiatives; • development of a specific ministry that complements the missionary team’s church-planting efforts; • regular fellowship wtih local believers; • billeting with missionaries and nationals.

Participants We are accepting applications for departure in January 2013. Preference will be given to couples/individuals who have been recommended by their home church.

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

With Our Churches Northern Fellowship Chapel

NFC celebrates 50 years!

Creighton, Sask.—Fifty years! That’s a long time for a little church to be active in a community.

The congregation began to meet in l960. The building was up in l962 and the congregation organized in l964. Twenty-five years ago, Northern Fellowship Chapel in Creighton, Sask., celebrated its 25th birthday.

With our present small congregation, we decided that our focus would be on a celebration in our community with the resources we have at the present time. We had always wanted to host a “coffee house” and it seemed possible and appropriate to do this for our 50th birthday.

We opened our doors to our church family and community the night of Saturday, April 21, 2012, and we were delighted to host 50 people.

Cornerstone Church gals Harriet Melenchuk, Judy Schmidt and Deb Odegaard (who led music in NFC for many years) worked behind the scenes serving, so that we could enjoy the evening.

Pastor Randall Krahn welcomed our guests and opened in prayer.

Our faithful member since 1964, Marg Cone, was here to encourage us and hand out programs to guests as they arrived. Also ever gracious

and present, Lorne and Margaret Moorhead, part of the pastoral care team, were ready to assist.

We had managed to create a “coffee house” atmosphere in our upper floor by re-arranging furniture, dimming the lights and lighting candles. The aroma of fresh coffee and a superb array of desserts all contributed to a delightful evening.

Lorne Moorhead and Pastor Lee Davis on guitar Our musicians cerRandall Krahn tainly came through for us. There were four sets and the musiWe are so thankful for our guests, cians sang alone or in duets or trios. our church family who pitched in to Faith Krahn, our amazing singer/ help, our Cornerstone church family, composer, treated us to many songs: and to Randall and Faith Krahn for Father We Come, One Candle, Like a their love and leadership in our comTree, All of Me as well as Windows of munity. We are so blessed. our Time composed for EMC’s 50th, We are also very thankful to our and a song of blessing May the Lord wider EM Conference for the faithful Bless You. support during many times when we Lee Davis treated us to a song he truly needed help. had composed about his twenty-one If anyone wishes to send greetings day canoe trip, and he sang for us in honour of our 50th birthday, please The Reason. Kristen and Kevin Imrie email to imrie.family@sasktel.net and sang Trouble in the Fields (a tribute to the messages will be shared with the those who work the land), as well as congregation. Thank you. solos by Kevin by Rich Mullins (Hard – Janice Imrie to Get), Caedmon’s Call (I Boast No More), and Chris Rice (Live by Faith).

Kristen and Kevin’s duet It’s Good to be Back Home Again was PETERS – to Deric and Ashley Peters of familiar to many. The Roseisle, Man., a son, Dean Samuel Edwin, on closing hymm Great is Apr. 2, 2012.

Thy Faithfulness was DERKSEN – to Brian and Danielle Derksen of sang by Faith, Kristen Roseisle, Man., a son, Shane Brian, on Apr. 17, 2012. and Kevin, and accompanied by Kevin on the violin.

Births

Kristin Imrie, Faith Krahn, and Kevin Imrie

www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 21

News

New EMC church planting coordinator is hired Charles Koop will start on July 1, 2012 STEINBACH, Man.—The Board of Leadership and Outreach (BLO) is pleased to announce that Charles Koop will be our new EMC Church Planting Coordinator.

Raised in southern Manitoba, Charles has been connected with the EMC since he was a child in Kleefeld EMC. He has served as the lead pastor in WellSide Community Church (Calgary), Abbeydale Christian Fellowship (Calgary), and La Crete Christian Fellowship, all in Alberta. He has also served as a staff member at the King’s

Fold Retreat Centre in Cochrane, Alta. He is an ordained minister within the EMC. Charles holds a BRS from SBC, an MA in Theological Studies from Prairie Graduate School, and has studied Spiritual Direction through Soul Stream at King’s Fold Retreat Centre.

He and his wife Lorraine live in Calgary, Alta. They have three grown children, two of whom are married, as well as four energetic grandsons.

It is anticipated that Charles will remain in Calgary, making trips west and east, north and south as needed. We look forward to his start on July 1, 2012.

– Board of Leadership and Outreach

Charles Koop

••

EMCers join to fight modern slavery CD money goes to IJM Canada “Most people imagine that slavery died in the 19th century...Yet, today there are more slaves on the planet than at any time in human history” (E. B. Skinner).

After realizing that slavery exists and is a growing problem, I came across International Justice Mission’s work to free slaves, done in Jesus’ name in answer to God’s call to justice (Micah 6:9). I purchased Terrify No More, written by Gary A. Haugen, IJM founder and president, and embarked on the hardest read of my life.

“You may choose to look the other way,” William Wilberforce once said of slavery, “but you can never again say you did not know.”

As my burden grew for children trafficked and sexually exploited, I asked God what I could do. He directed me to use my passion for singing and songwriting.

An amazing group effort brought together EMCers and community members to create the CD Sing Your Praises.

22 The Messenger • June 2012

All the money goes to IJM Canada to rescue children from slavery and, to date, it has raised almost $7,000.

I was blessed to work with a wonderful group, many of them my fellow EMCers. I want the wider EMC family to know about this project and encourage you to help end modern day slavery.

Followers of Jesus, it’s time to raise our voice. It’s time to fight injustice. We have no other choice.

To learn about IJM, visit www.ijm.ca.

To learn about or to purchase the CD, visit http://www.singyourpraises-karlenethiessen.blogspot. ca.

– Karlene Thiessen Karlene Thiessen and her husband Anthony (La Crete) hope to be attending Spanish language school in August in preparation for service with TEAM in Mexico. They previously served in Zambia with MCC.

News

Honourary national staff member heading to Burkina Faso Paul Thiessen welcomes opportunity to return to Tin STEINBACH, Man.—Paul Thiessen is eager to return to Burkina Faso in West Africa.

After all, he has family obligations there: he and the Thiessen household are part of a Burkinabe extended family in the village of Tin. He has work there: he is involved in Bible translation and literacy in the Siamou language.

Since 2009 Paul has divided his time between Canada and Burkina Faso, continuing his translation/literacy efforts while helping to inform the EMC and wider church in Canada.

Paul and Lois Thiessen with two of their children: son Caleb and daughter Sarah.

e world...can you e in th volu r e nte Wh er wi t

hM DS

photo by Duane Steiner

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His training relates to there: Bible college, linguistics training, French-language study, and global studies at seminary. His calling is there: since 1980 he and his wife Lois have felt the Lord’s leading in the ministry. And his heart is there!

Since 2009 Paul has divided his time between Canada and Burkina Faso, continuing his translation/literacy efforts while helping to inform the EMC and wider church in Canada on the challenges of such service.

His office was in the basement of the EMC national office, across from that of Gerald Reimer, conference youth minister—who will now be lonely.

Paul was our honourary worker-in-residence, educating us on a few of the wonders of Siamou. We became aware, for instance, that the Siamou word for jealousy means cowife—a reflection on strained relationships in polygamous marriages common among Burkinabe.

Despite his eagerness, will Paul miss the national staff with whom he shared so much? Yes. Even more he will miss his grown children that he leaves in Canada and France.

Of course, Lois is going back with him. (Their time in Canada permitted her to study counselling at Providence Theological Seminary.)

They leave Canada on July 12, will see a son married in France on July 21, and will depart from Paris for Burkina Faso on August 10. May the Lord bless them!

– Terry M. Smith

These Canadian volunteers are helping their neighbours in Minot, ND. The experience is out of this world.

Call or write 1-866-261-1274 mdscn@mds.mennonite.net to discover what is needed where and when.

www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 23

News

SBC’s 75th anniversary year ends in style 47 grads highest since 2006 STEINBACH, Man.—The 75th year of Steinbach Bible College closed with a weekend that blended the past with the present. This year’s graduation held special significance with the participation of past presidents, faculty and board members of SBC, while celebrating the achievements of this year’s 47 graduates.

Many of the 65 special guests expressed their sincere gratitude for being included in this weekend.

Former president Abe Bergen stated, “Your recognition of past board members, faculty, and presidents spoke well of the institution and its sense of gratitude, and was appreciated by the Former and current presidents of SBC: Gordon Reimer, son of Ben D. Reimer ; Harvey Plett; special guests.” The day brought back Ben Eidse; Elma Plett, wife of Stan Plett; Abe Bergen, Rob Reimer many memories as individuals reconnected with SBC and each other. and past faculty, and graduates. It was an inspiring sight.

The weekend’s festivities began Friday evening with The keynote speaker, Dr. Harvey Plett, encouraged the our annual spring concert. The concert featured musical graduates to remain true to God’s Word as they leave SBC selections from current and former students. An alumni and enter a whole new world. Greg Plett from Morweena was the valedictorian while Nate Siemens from La Crete gave the undergraduate response.

The graduation banquet provided an opportunity to recognize the academic achievements of a number of students. Award recipients for 2012 were: Harvey Plett Award – Richard Klassen; Betty Reimer Memorial Award – Nicole Dyck; ABHE Delta Epsilon Chi Honor Society Award – Christina Kroeker; Bible/Theology Award – Gwen Reimer; Children’s Ministry Award – Rebecca Fehr; Peer Counselwomen’s trio (Hilde LaBelle, Marie Klassen, and Flo ling Award – Travis Plett; Worship Arts Award – Ryan Friesen), as well as a men’s quartet (Clint Toews, Len Sawatzky; Youth Ministry Award – Greg Plett; MFC Spirit Sawatzky, Gordon Schellenberg, Reuben Klassen), all grads of Generosity Award – Rebecca Fehr; Timothy Award – of the ’60s, took us back in time.

Sarah Barkman, Nathan Dyck.

A group of our current students, Ignite! also led us in a This year’s graduating class, the largest since 2006, time of worship singing. The first half of the concert ended included 13 EMC, seven EMMC, and two CMC graduates. with a mass choir led by Luann Hiebert. The second half They will be remembered for their emphasis on commuof the concert saw New Creation Drama Troupe perform nity and their desire to influence a hurting world. their rendition of “Esther” to a near-capacity audience. The Many of these graduates will leave SBC to serve overevening set the tone for the weekend by honouring the seas, enter into pastoral positions, or work at camps and past and celebrating the present. other para-church organizations. Others will enter the Graduation ceremonies and banquet were held on work force and use their SBC training to share the faith Saturday, April 21. President Dr. Rob Reimer led the gradu- there, while also serving in their church. ation processional, followed by past presidents, current – Iris Bartel, SBC

Keynote speaker, Dr. Harvey Plett, encouraged the graduates to remain true to God’s Word as they leave SBC and enter a whole new world.

24 The Messenger • June 2012

News

Thirteen EMCers graduate from SBC

EMCers at Providence graduate

Elaine Peters (Kleefeld) Providence Theological Seminary MA, Educational Studies (TTESOL)

SBC’s 2012 graduates from EMC churches: (back) Travis Plett (Heartland, Landmark), Kurstin Dueck (Kleefeld), (middle) Matthew Boese (Portage), Devin Peters (High Level), Greg Plett (Morweena), Jeremy Penner (Community Bible Fellowship, Swan River), Nathan Dyck (Riverton), Trevor Reimer (Morweena), (front) Karen Barkman (Blumenort), Kaitlin Reimer (Ridgewood), Nicole Dyck (Roseisle), Geralyn Wichers (Anola), and Karissa Waldner (Rosenort EMC).

Kyle Martens (Kola) Providence University College BA, Youth Leadership

CHANGE A

LIFE. SENd A kId to CAmp Camp…builds self-esteem, character, leaders and community.

The difference one summer can make to an underprivileged child is enormous. Just $200 will send a child to camp for one week.

Make your donation today.

204-582-8779

email: info@icya.ca • www.icya.ca

Subscribe to The Messenger electronically Prefer e-copy to hard copy? Issues of The Messenger are available electronically. You can sign up on-line at www.emconference.ca/ messenger or e-mail messenger@emconf. ca. Provide your name, mailing address, and e-mail address, and indicate whether you wish to continue receiving the print version or not.

For those who are not members or adherents of an EMC church, there will be a $15 annual subscription fee to receive the electronic version only; no additional fee applies if the full print subscription rate is paid.

Danae (Plett) Parkinson (Pleasant Valley) Providence University College Certificate of TESOL

ICYA has provided HOPE TO THE CORE since 1986.

www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 25

News

Churches and organizations respond to violence in Kenya Local workers distribute food, water, blankets NAIROBI, Kenya—Beginning Saturday, Feb. 25, and continuing for three days, about 2,000 youth, armed with machetes, attacked villages in inter-ethnic violence east of the city of Kisumu, Kenya, an area where the Kenya Mennonite Church has a strong presence.

Now that the violence has abated, the focus is on continuing support for displaced persons and on addressing issues behind the violence.

Local Mennonite bishop Clyde Agola informed Eastern Mennonite Missions and MCC workers in Kenya.

EMM and MCC responded promptly with $3,000 of emergency aid before other humanitarian aid groups were on site.

Local partners used the money to provide food and water, with a priority for nursing mothers and blankets for elderly people. National television filmed the distributions.

“The quick action you have taken has made people realize they are not alone,” said Bishop Agola.

According to the Kenyan newspaper Daily Nation, five people died. About 6,000 villagers took refuge in school

buildings, one person said. The newspaper said raiders stole cattle and goats, and burned 40 homes and several hundred acres of sugar cane.

Kenyan politics and ethnic identity are deeply linked.

Local residents believe that the attacks are motivated by political and ethnic tension.

Now that the violence has abated, the focus is on continuing support for displaced persons and on addressing issues behind the violence. There is a need for shelter, medication, clothing, seeds, fertilizer, and farm tools.

The peace initiatives include joint meetings of Luo and Kalenjin elders. They seek resolution of a land dispute, to restrain youth from engaging in war, and to initiate joint projects to engage idle and jobless youth.

– Combined from EMM, MCC and MWC releases

Celebrate 200 years with us!

26 The Messenger • June 2012

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EMC Convention 2012 July 6, 7, 8 Providence University College Otterburne, Manitoba

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News

MCC responding to drought in Mexico Food packages going to colony households WINNIPEG, Man.—As drought spreads across parts of Mexico, MCC and members of the Low German-speaking Durango Colony are distributing food packages to households in the colony.

Crop yields last year were below normal and some analysts believe this is Mexico’s worst drought in 70 years.

Many dairy farmers have already sold their cattle to generate income.

The price of food for families and the cost of livestock feed are high. About 422,000 people in the State of Durango are affected, including members of the colony, farmers and indigenous people.

MCC staff and Servicios Integrales Menonitas will distribute the food packages to about 300 households in the

colony, and MCC is exploring the possibility of obtaining cattle-feed to help maintain livestock. In addition, MCC is exploring providing assistance beyond the Durango Colony.

The Durango Colony was established northwest of the city of Durango in 1924 by Old Colony Mennonites coming from Canada.

Donations are welcome. Cheques should be made out to MCC and designated Mexico Drought. They can be mailed to your nearest MCC office. Contributions can also be made by calling your nearest MCC office in Canada at 1-888-622-6337.

– MCC

••

In India, women need to reach women with the Gospel Jalem's family considered her a curse: she was a woman GUELPH, Ont.—Much of India’s female population is trapped by poverty, illiteracy and isolation. Their lives and rights are trampled by a male-dominated culture.

There are about 30 million widows in India—nearly equal to Canada’s population. They are forsaken by their families, shunned by friends and despised by their communities. To provide food for themselves and their children, they resort to begging and prostitution.

Some women commit suicide.

About one-half of adult women cannot read—about 242 million.

Men are severely limited in ministering to women. The hope of women is found in thousands of other women—educated, trained and compassionate.

The suicide rate among young women is 10 times Jalem higher than the world’s

average. Poor young girls are abducted and forced into prostitution—and face an early death from AIDS. Every year more than 7,000 women are burned to death

Jalem's life changed when she learned of her hope, dignity, and value in Jesus. by their husbands. Their crime: an insufficient dowry.

Jalem’s family considered her a curse. She watched as her brothers went off to school while she did manual labour. She was beaten, half-starved, locked away, and sometimes chained.

Her life changed when she learned of her hope, dignity, and value in Jesus. She found a loving church and received an education. After three years of training, workers like Jalem have one passion: to relieve the pain and suffering of women through Jesus’ love.

They face persecution, imprisonment and even death.

India needs more women like Jalem to bring hope to untold millions.

– Keith Knight, Gospel for Asia

www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 27

News

SBC appoints two full-time faculty members Bible, counselling, and ministry slots are filled STEINBACH, Man.—SBC is pleased to announce the appointment of two faculty members effective August 1.

Arlene Friesen is our new faculty member in Bible and ministry studies.

She brings a wealth of experience in worship leading, Bible teaching, and mentoring to the college.

She will be teaching James to Jude, Introduction to Ministry, History of Christian Worship, Christianity and the Imagination. She will be mentoring students, directing Student Arlene Friesen Ministries, and leading Free Servant, the chapel worship team.

Before serving as adjunct instructor at SBC, Arlene served as worship coordinator and youth worker in Aylmer EMM Church for 17 years. She received a BRS from SBC and an MTS from Tyndale Seminary.

Hali Reimer will serve as faculty in counselling and ministry studies. She brings a unique blend of experiences in counselling and drama to the college.

She will be teaching Crisis Counselling, Educational Psychology, and Art of Persuasion. Hali will be mentoring students and leading New Creation, a college drama team.

While serving as adjunct instructor at SBC, Hali worked as a counsellor/advocate in southeastern Manitoba. She received a BA in Social Hali Reimer Sciences and MA in Biblical Counselling from Providence University College and Theological Seminary.

SBC offers three- and four-year BA degrees, a diploma, and certificate with focus areas in Bible-Theology, Children’s Ministry, Global Mission, Peer Counselling, Pastoral Ministry, Worship Arts, and Youth Ministry.

– SBC

••

MCS celebrates attaining charitable status Still strongly linked with MCC Ontario Mennonite Community Services (MCS) in Aylmer, Ont., together with MCC Ontario celebrated on March 22, 2012, the journey of establishing itself as an independent charity under local leadership, while maintaining a strong partnership with MCCO. It was 1973 that MCCO first supported the work in Aylmer. Subsequently, the documentation work began with the establishment of a centre where newcomers to Canada accessed information and counsel during the early years of migration from Mexico to Canada.

Local partnerships between churches began in 1981 when a committee was formed comprising of members from various church groups in order to facilitate the beginnings of the Thrift Store. The succeeding years bore forth a desire to continue working together to welcome

28 The Messenger • June 2012

newcomers into the community by assisting them with documentation, employment, housing, education and connections with the local community.

Presently, MCS is under the direction of a board of directors comprised of constituents from five local churches.

On their shoulders, rests the responsibility for the Community Thrift Store, the newcomer settlement program, volunteer driver program, family education and support program, a radio station (De Brigj), an employment services worker, and visitation program.

While MCS continues in partnership with MCC to address global needs, MCS will concentrate on building local support.

– MCS

News

Irma Janzen is PTS’s Alumna of the Year 1978 grad honoured for commitment OTTERBURNE, Man.—A church worker with a long history of service within the Mennonite church in Canada has received this year’s Alumna of the Year award from Providence Theological Seminary.

Christian education and care-giving, particularly toward those suffering with mental illness. She has done this professionally and also through her church.

As Irma reflects on her time at Providence, she notes, “While I did my studies in Christian Education, my best memory, my most valuable experiences, were the courses in Old Testament. They opened up the treasures of the Old Testament for me‌a lot of credit for that would go to Garry Smith!â€? – PTS

She was part of the seminary’s second graduating class and was the first woman to graduate from PTS. Irma Janzen, a member and an associate pastor of Fort Garry EMC in Winnipeg, Man., graduated from PTS in 1978. She was part of the seminary’s second graduating class and was the first woman to graduate from PTS. After graduation, Irma taught Christian Education at Winkler Bible Institute. Later she became involved in chaplaincy training and worked with the Mental Health and Disabilities Program of Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) from 1994 until 2006.

She has also worked as a part-time associate pastor at Fort Garry EMC since 1996. When she retired from MCC she spent six months teaching in China.

Irma has devoted her adult life to two main causes:

BCM needs two more nominations

Board of Church Ministries seeks two more nominations for a three-year term.

Duties: Provide resources and services to help congregations with Christian education, family-life teaching, music ministries and youth work. Minister to post-high school students and make arrangements for Conference youth events. Produce Conference publications and periodicals. Promote the writing and publication of Christian literature. Administer the Conference Archives.

Please forward names of church-approved candidates to Tim Dyck, General Secretary, at tdyck@emconf.ca or 204-326-6401.

Irma Janzen (right) stands with Susan Meszaros, PTS coordinator for alumni relations.

Enjoy singing?

Join the EMC Convention choir!

Practice: Saturday, July 7, 10:30 a.m.

Performance: Saturday, July 7, 7:00 p.m.

đ?…

Practice and performance are on-site at Providence University College in Otterburne, Man.

www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 29

News

Kenyan Anabaptists write their history 'The KMC needed to record their journey with Jesus Christ' NAIROBI, Kenya – Nine Kenyan delegates and three editors gathered together at the Mennonite Guest House in Nairobi the last week in January 2012. Their task: to proof the manuscript of a history of the Kenya Mennonite Church (KMC), a Mennonite World Conference member church.

The idea for this book chronicling KMC’s 50-year history was birthed in 2003 at the Mennonite World Conference summit in Zimbabwe, in a discussion between Kenyan bishop Dominic Opondo and David W. Shenk, author and EMM global consultant.

“This is the account of the acts of the Holy Spirit in calling forth and forming the Mennonite Church in Kenya,” wrote Francis Ojwang, primary researcher and author of

the book, in the foreword. “Just as ancient Israel and the early church made a very high priority of writing their history of the acts of God among them, so also the KMC needed to record their journey with Jesus Christ.”

During the reading, David Shunkur, a Maasai pastor from Olepolos, read a section of the manuscript that described his own congregation’s story.

Shenk, who served as a consulting editor, said, “It was a moving scene to see Shunkur proofing a paragraph about history he had made himself years before. The delegates showed an enormous amount of ownership in the process.”

The book will be published by Uzima Publishing House, the Anglican publishing house in Kenya, early in 2013.

– MWC

••

EFC reviews Canadian bullying statistics Body, image, school grades are three major reasons OTTAWA, Ont.—The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC) has reviewed recent statistics on bullying in Canadian schools. In By the Numbers: Rates and Risk Factors for Bullying: A Brief Examination of Canadian Bullying Statistics, it finds some surprising results.

“If Canadians are going to legislate on certain behaviours, we should make sure we’re using current and accurate information on the issue,” explains Faye Sonier, EFC Legal Counsel.”

“While we might think from the media coverage that children are most often bullied for reasons relating to sexual orientation or gender identity, students are actually most frequently bullied, both in traditional forms of aggression as well as through cyber-bullying, for three primary reasons: body image or appearance; school grades or marks; and cultural background and race,” states Don Hutchinson, EFC Vice-President and General Legal Counsel.

“One survey showed that body image alone accounted for 38 per cent of cases of bullying, grades or marks accounted for 17 per cent and cultural background for 11 per cent.”

“Additionally, a 2012 poll revealed that adults believe that bullying occurs through all stages of life and 84 per 30 The Messenger • June 2012

cent believed that bullying should be considered a crime,” continues Sonier.

“We believe that every child is made in God’s image and is of inestimable worth, deserving of dignity and respect,” concludes Hutchinson. “We believe that no child should be bullied, marginalized or suffer discrimination for any reason.”

– EFC

EMC Birthday Bash and Coffeehouse with Mike Janzen performing Friday, July 6, following the 7 p.m. session at Providence University College, Otterburne, Manitoba See www.emconference.ca for details.

News

Well in Uganda dedicated to Kaitlin Her dying wish was water for others LONDON, Ont.—When Kaitlin Boyda, a teenager with brain cancer, was contacted by the Children’s Wish Foundation, she chose to build a well for children in Uganda.

Kaitlin died in May 2011, but her family traveled to southern Uganda to dedicate the well.

Her selfless generosity inspired thousands from across Canada and around the world, and Kaitlin’s Legacy has raised nearly $300,000 to bring clean water to children across Africa through Compassion Canada.

Kaitlin’s well is located at the Kabanda Child Centre, in a community where most people are subsistence farmers and earn about $5 per month. Now children here, and in many communities across Uganda, will have access to water that will prevent them from getting sick and will save them many hours gathering water.

Canadians haven’t been the only ones inspired by Kaitlin’s generosity. At the dedication ceremony Rev. Mwesigwa Samuel shared how Kaitlin is challenging Ugandans as well.

Now in this remote village near the shores of Lake Victoria, there stands a well with a plaque commemorating Kaitlin’s act, which has now rippled, bringing life-saving clean water to children across a continent.

– Compassion Canada Note: in the EMC Annual Report 2012 (inserted into the May 2012 issue of The Messenger) dates on the Convention schedule (p. 23) should have read July 6, 7, 8.

••

Elvira (nee Friesen) Penner

1926–2011 Elvira Penner (nee Friesen), our dear mother, grandmother, and greatgrandmother, passed away peacefully in Maryfield, Sask., on Dec. 3, 2011, at the age of 85.

Elvira was born in Ile des Chenes, Man., on July 11, 1926. She grew up and attended school in Steinbach, Man. At the age of 16, she was baptised upon her confession of faith in the shed blood of Christ.

In Memory

While attending Steinbach Bible Institute, Elvira met an eligible bachelor instructor, Archie Penner, whom she married upon graduation in 1947.

Elvira’s life took on many different roles besides wife and mother. She became an editor, proof reader, and typist of manuscripts; breadwinner; encourager; travel guide; and even a farmer.

Mom stood behind the scenes as Dr. Penner took an interesting career path that started in Steinbach, then Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, and Ohio, before returning to Steinbach and Kola, Man., where she enjoy “retired life” on the farm near her children and grandchildren.

When Dad’s health began to decline, they moved to Brandon, Man., where our Mom cared for Dad until his death in 2007. When her health declined, she went to live with her daughter.

After regaining her strength, Mom moved into the Sunrise Villa in Maryfield, Sask. Our family is very thankful for the care and friendships she had at the Villa.

Mom will always be lovingly remembered by her son Jim (Joy) of Airdrie, Alta.; daughter Lucille (Bob) Yutzy of Virden, Man.; and son Earl of Regina, Sask. (Florence of Kola, Man.); as well as by her 11 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

She will also be remembered by her sisters Katie (Arley) Reimer, Violet (Crayton) Weese, and brother Leander (Joyce) Friesen as well as sister-inlaws Ruby Plett, Adina (Doug) Robb, and Bertha Friesen.

Elvira was predeceased by parents Paul and Marie Friesen; two brothers and a sister-in-law, Glenn Friesen, Edgar and Lottie Friesen; and two infant brothers.

– Her Family

www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 31

In Memory

Helena Loewen Thiessen

1922–2012 Helen Thiessen passed away peacefully on Friday morning, Feb. 3, 2012, with family by her side at the Morris General Hospital. She would have been 90 next month.

We believe she is now rejoicing in heaven, no more pain, with her eyesight restored, seeing Jesus her Saviour and her parents and eight siblings that went before her.

Helen was born on March 18, 1922; the first child of the second marriage of her mother Elizabeth Loewen and John B. Thiessen.

Living on a farm brought responsibilities of hard work. Tending a large garden and many household chores were her lot. Helen was a good baker, baking the best cookies and perfect fluffy cakes.

She loved flowers. She always knew what kind of flowers she wanted her niece, Liz Loewen, to purchase and plant around her apartment. She loved to tend a few tomato plants beside her patio.

Helen was baptized upon the confession of her faith in Jesus and was accepted as a member into the Rosenort Church. She was loyal to the church, praying for and giving generously to various missions. When she did not attend church any more she waited to listen to tape recordings of the services.

In the early 50’s, Helen ventured out, living and working in Winnipeg.

32 The Messenger • June 2012

Calendar She worked at the Municipal Hospitals as a nurse’s aide for five years.

After this she took her Licensed Practical Nurse’s training at St. Boniface Hospital in 1957. Her first job as a trained nurse was at the Altona hospital where she worked for about six years. She loved her job!

When her father died in 1963 she moved back home to be with her mother. She lived at home and worked at the nearby Eventide Nursing Home for about 30 years.

Helen and her brother Pete lived together in the farm home until 1997 when she moved into her own new apartment at Roselane in Rosenort.

She was a woman of few words.

When she spoke we listened. We wanted to hear her opinions and thoughts. She loved to hear from her nieces and nephews, being very interested in their lives and remembering what they were up to.

Helen was an avid reader. Reading God’s Word was a priority.

She enjoyed a trip to Meade, Kansas, once a year to visit her sisters, Tina and Annie and their families. She most often travelled with her mother and brother Pete or with her other geschwista when the opportunity came.

She was sad and lonely when her sisters passed away, as she connected regularly with them by phone. She grieved deeply when her brother Pete and her nieces Dorothy Friesen and Liz Loewen passed away recently.

Helen is survived by two brothers, John Thiessen and his wife Gladys of Rosenort, Abe Thiessen and his wife Adella of Steinbach; two brothers-inlaw Ben Reimer of Meade, Kansas, and Peter Hiebert of Mexico; and 29 nieces and nephews.

A favourite verse in Isaiah 26:3 says, “Thou wilt keep ‘her’ in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee; because ‘she’ trusts in Thee.”

– Her Family

Manitoba July 6–8 EMC Bicentennial Convention Providence University College 204-326-6401, www.emconference.ca

July 6 EMC Ministerial meeting Providence University College 204-326-6401, www.emconference.ca

July 7 EMC Conference Council meeting Bicentennial activities in the afternoon Providence University College 204-326-6401, www.emconference.ca

July 7 MCC Manitoba Cycle Clear Lake 204-261-6381, mccmanitoba.ca

July 11 MCC Manitoba golf tournament Bridges Golf Course 204-261-6381, mccmanitoba.ca

Ontario Sept. 29 MCC Ride for Refuge Waterloo, Niagara, Brampton wendya@mennonitecc.on.ca rideforrefuge.org/partner/mcco Check website for more dates and locations

Oct. 13 MCC Ride for Refuge Markham wendya@mennonitecc.on.ca rideforrefuge.org/partner/mcco Check website for more dates and locations

Shoulder Tapping Pastoral positions Picture Butte Mennonite Church, a young congregation of about 200 people, seeks a full-time pastor to begin as soon as possible. Picture Butte is a small town in Southern Alberta approximately twenty minutes north of Lethbridge, the closest city centre. As our congregation consists largely of Mennonites who have settled here from Mexico, the successful applicant must be able to speak and present their messages in both the English and Low German languages. Please forward resumes with references and all other inquiries to: Henry Krahn, Box 891, Picture Butte, AB T0K 1V0; 403-732-5994 or krahn21@telus.net First Mennonite Church, Burns Lake, a small body of believers in northern BC, is looking for a part-time or fulltime servant leader pastor. We desire to find a person who shares our vision and will work with us to fulfill it. Our ideal candidate will have an exceptional ability to inspire discipleship, outreach, and a desire to embrace our community, while holding firm to sound biblical doctrine. Our candidate will agree with the Confession of Faith in the Mennonite Perspective. Please send your resume to FMC c/o Wilf Dueck wedueck@telus.net, phone 250-692-3455 or (cell) 250-692-6454.

New Life Christian Fellowship in Stevenson, Ont., seeks a senior pastor who has a heart for people and loves the Lord. We are an evangelical church located in Stevenson, Ontario. The church is mostly young families with average attendance between 80 and 100 people. The majority of the people attending have a Low German-speaking background. We seek a pastor who has the heart of a shepherd and a desire to see our church grow. He should have strong preaching and teaching skills and ability to develop leaders. Pastoral experience is preferred. He must be in agreement with our constitution and statement of faith. Anyone who possesses these qualifications and is interested in this position can forward their resume to nlcf@ciaccess.com.

La Crete Christian Fellowship Church (EMC) seeks a fulltime associate pastor.

La Crete, located in NW Alberta, offers rural lifestyle and a progressive outlook. With a range of family-oriented amenities, it’s a great place to raise a family.

LCCFC is a vibrant church of approximately 500 regular attendees who desire to spread the Word through a variety of ministries.

The associate pastor will provide direction to our care giving and outreach ministries as well as work closely with the pastoral team to strengthen the parishioners’ personal connection and commitment to Jesus Christ.

The applicant should be committed to a personal Christian faith, a disciple of Jesus Christ, a willing and teachable leader, and a person whose love for the Lord is reflected in their ability to work well with others.

If the Holy Spirit seems to be inviting you to pursue this further, please contact Bill Neudorf at 780-814-1439, neudorfs@telus.net, or www.lccfc.ca.

Rosenort EMC, in southern Manitoba, seeks a senior pastor who will prepare and preach sermons that inspire, challenge and convict, emphasizing spiritual development. He will equip members, teaching and modelling local evangelism and missions and oversee the Leader-InTraining program. His ministry team includes a full-time

youth pastor, lay ministers, deacons, and 250 members.

He will be a servant leader, modelling faithfulness and love for the Lord, caring for those with needs while guiding, directing, correcting and unifying the church with sound Biblical teaching. He views the Bible as the inspired and true Word of God, the authority for faith and action. Having a deep personal faith, strong convictions, and valuing family highly, he is a warm and loving person.

He relates to us as a listener; not afraid to reveal personal pain and struggles; a compassionate and godly man.

See www.rosenortemc.com for full ad. Contact: Arlin Scharfenberg, ascharfenberg@xplornet.ca, 204746-6154.

Ridgewood EMC is looking for a full-time senior pastor to begin August 1, 2012. This multi-generational family oriented rural church is located north-east of Steinbach, Man., with over 200 in attendance on Sunday mornings.

As the spiritual overseer, the senior pastor is the shepherd and guardian of the congregation. This ministry is accomplished by studying and teaching, praying and preaching, and visiting and visioning on the basis of the Word.

Ridgewood EMC members strive to be a people that minister to the whole family, worshipping God together, sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ in love, responding to needs around, and cultivating a culture of Biblical discipleship, prayer and fellowship—all for the glory of God. Applications along with a cover letter should be sent to Stan Hamm, stan.hamm@prov.ca, or Stan Hamm, Box 140, Blumenort, MB R0A 0C0.

Do you enjoy fishing? How about quiet community living? If you are God-fearing with a deep personal faith and seeking a full-time pastoral position, Treesbank Community Church (EMC) could be the place for you.

We are a small country church located in southwestern Manitoba, between the Souris and Assiniboine Rivers. If you are interested in this position, please contact Leonard Plett at 204-824-2475 or at lplett@mts.net.

Other opportunities The Morweena Christian School (MCS) is looking for a classroom teacher to serve on the teaching team in High School. Candidates with strengths in Math and Science will be given preference.

MCS is a rural school about 90 minutes North of Winnipeg Man., serving about 120 students.

The two-grade split classes range in size from 15 to 26 students. MCS was founded in 1966 by families of the local Morweena Evangelical Mennonite Church.

The candidate needs to be certifiable in the Province of Manitoba, needs to embrace the Evangelical Mennonite Conference Statement of Faith and be active in congregational life.

Send resume to Tim Reimer, Principal, timr@morweenaschool.org.

Steeprock Bay Bible Camp seeks passionate and caring individuals to fill the roles of senior cabin leader, junior cabin leader and lifeguard. There are also many volunteer opportunities with the camp for cooks, nurses, maintenance or other. No prior camp experience required, just a desire to serve and to learn. Police checks are required for people 18 and over.

Steeprock Bay Bible Camp is an interdenominational camp that teaches the Word of God and principles of Christian life so that children in this area may know the Lord Jesus Christ—the Way, the Truth, and the Life. SBBC is located in northern Manitoba on the Steeprock River near Sapotaweyak Cree Nation.

Camps are for ages seven to 14, primarily First Nations children, and run from July 2–August 4. There is also a teen camp for ages 13–18 that will take place August 6–11.

See the Camp Info tab at steeprockministries.com for applications. Contact Bethany Abrahamson at 281-3583 or bethany@steeprockministries.com for information.

Arborg Youth for Christ is seeking a satellite director to lead a beautiful and active youth centre in Arborg, Manitoba.

Reporting to and supported by a dedicated steering committee, this person will promote the ministry throughout the community, develop the drop-in program, and supervise team members. The ability to handle administrative and financial duties will be required.

Qualifications include a love for teens, superior communication skills, and an ability to work with a team of volunteers from a variety of backgrounds. A history of participating in a church community is an asset.

Email resume to Keith Tarry at keith@yfcwinnipeg. ca or 333 King Street, Winnipeg, MB R3B 0N1 or 204-6694205, ext. 204.

Are you looking for an opportunity to make a difference this summer while making some money? Work for Gem Lake Wilderness Camp and experience an adventure of a lifetime while influencing a child’s life.

Inner City Youth Alive is looking for committed, passionate Christian leaders to work as counsellors and lifeguards this summer. Openings available: May-Aug. and July-Aug. Contact: gord@icya.ca or call 204-582-8779, ext. 212, for more details.

Jobs at ICYA: Inner City motorsport assistant (10-15 hrs/week with possibility of more, May-August). administrative manager: The main responsibility for the administrative manager position is to lead and manage the administrative team and support staff. This person will also serve as part of the ICYA leadership team in giving output for organizational direction. This is a full-time, permanent position. Resumes can be sent to James Driedger, james@icya.ca.

For detailed information on these positions, go to www.icya.ca.

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 (150 words or less), e-mail messenger@emconf.ca or call 204-3266401 and ask for Rebecca Roman or Terry Smith. Ads will run twice unless other arrangements are made.

www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 33

Columns • pictures of god

Celebration!

M

SUZY ENNS / SIMPLE ELEMENTS PHOTOGRAPHY

by Joanna Enns

y husband and I are celebrating our first wedding anniversary. It’s hard to believe that a year has passed, but harder to believe how far we’ve come in only a year.

Although it was marked with long seasons of waiting and uncertainty with immigration, employment and finances, I am not sure I have had a year with as much celebration as this past year.

When we said our vows on the beach last June, we were celebrating more than only the beginning of our lives together. We were also celebrating the redemption that God had brought to each of our lives personally and through our relationship.

It was a celebration of healing and of hope.

For us and for our friends and family who had walked with us and prayed for us through these dark seasons of our lives, those memories made our joy deeper and our celebration more extravagant.

I will never forget another celebration that occurred seven months later. On Tuesday, January 24, 2012, we received the news that my husband’s Permanent Residence application

34 The Messenger • June 2012

had been approved. He was not home at the time and I could not contain my excitement as I waited to talk to him, running laps around our living room.

We had been waiting and fighting for this approval for nearly a year. We had combated horror stories, delays, lies and uncertainty waiting for this moment to come.

This began a series of celebration—when we received the news, when Larry received the documents in the mail, when he crossed the border and officially became a landed immigrant, when he got his social insurance number and a job.

When I look at our finances, I see extravagant dinners and memorabilia marking these times of celebration. Some may judge us for these seemingly unnecessary expenditures. But as I look back over this year, the dark seasons and the celebrations are intimately connected.

Just as our wedding was a double celebration of marriage and redemption, so these were celebrations not just of special occasions, but of light finally dawning after a long, dark night.

This interplay of breaking darkness and extravagant celebration also play out in the Bible.

In Mark 13 a woman was judged for pouring expensive perfume all over Jesus. Later, Jesus celebrates his last Passover with his disciples.

These passages tend to be read somberly as leading up to Jesus’ death. However, both stories symbolize and occur at the intersection of deep darkness and glorious light.

Just as the Passover was both a celebration of freedom from Egyptian slavery and a symbol of waiting for the Messiah, so Communion is both a memory of Jesus’ death and our darkness and a celebration of our new life in him. When Jesus accepted the extravagant anointing, he saw not only his burial, but the celebration of his—and our—resurrection.

These stories and memories encourage me to embrace hope and celebration by weaving darkness and light, despair and hope, tears and celebration into God’s story of my life.

When we said our vows on the beach last June, we were celebrating more than only the beginning of our lives together.

Columns • stewardship today

What are you doing for vacation this summer?

If you enjoy gardening, plant extra this year and bring the produce to a local food project or soup kitchen.

lifeguards, nurses, or other support positions.

There may be a building project or mission agency that could benefit greatly from your labour or skills as a tradesperson.

Farther afield: Connect with a missionary you know and offer to assist them on a project or just encourage them and get a better understanding of the ministry they are doing.

Go on your own or encourage others to join you in whatever ministry you decide to get involved. You will feel good that you had an opportunity to help others and perhaps see someone decide to follow Jesus because you were willing to serve.

If you include your children, you will influence them as they see your example and experience the blessing of serving others.

Some of these ideas work only in the summer, but most are possibilities any time of the year. If you have additional ideas, share them with others at church, with your neighbours or with your co-workers or share them with other Canadians by writing a letter to the editor of this magazine.

Whatever you choose to do on your vacation may you be blessed, refreshed and encouraged to continue living faithful, joyful, and generous lives.

by Harold Penner

Harold Penner is a stewardship consultant at the Winnipeg, Man., office of Mennonite Foundation of Canada (MFC). MFC provides stewardship education and estate and charitable gift planning at no cost.

Contact your nearest MFC office or visit Mennofoundation.ca.

DESIGNPICS.COM

W

e are have reached the end of another Canadian winter and are enjoying the change of seasons.

Many of you have likely made plans for your summer vacation.

Some may have plans for renovation projects while others are planning time to relax by the lake or in the backyard. Maybe your plans include a road trip near or far to visit family or take in the many activities or natural wonders of North America.

A rest is good for the soul, a time to refresh and gain new energy to take on the day-to-day events of life.

It just might be that you are considering doing something different this summer. Something even more rejuvenating than a getaway.

Something more engaging. Something more generous.

If you are one of those looking for ideas for a more others-focused summer, consider some of these options.

From home: If you enjoy gardening, plant extra this year and bring the produce to a local food project or soup kitchen. Influence local children by volunteering in a Vacation Bible School program.

Volunteer at a youth drop-in centre. Visit a seniors’ centre and enjoy time with the residents. Spend some time helping at a thrift store or food bank. Offer to do that much-needed painting job in the church youth room or Sunday School rooms.

Nearby: Bible camps are always on the lookout for staff to be cabin leaders, cooks,

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Free to choose and free to believe

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DESIGNPICS.COM

by Loreena Thiessen

hat is your favourite activity? Is it playing baseball or soccer? Is it reading a good story?

Do you take it for granted that you are able to do what you choose? What does “take it for granted” mean?

It means that while you can choose an activity you like today, in the past there were reasons or conditions that made it difficult; they were not easily possible long ago. We don’t often think about that.

One example is reading your Bible. You may have a Bible that tells the stories and promises of God in easy to understand English. When you read it you know what it says.

Five hundred years ago no one could read the Bible except for certain leaders in the Church.

The Bible was written in Latin, and before that in Hebrew and Greek. Only the people who had studied these languages could read it.

A man called Martin Luther in Germany translated the Bible into German in 1521; a few years later a man called William Tyndale translated it into English.

These men translated the Bible so that everyone could read and find the truth him- or herself. Before they could read it for themselves sometimes the truth was hidden. Both Luther and Tyndale believed that everyone should know the truth.

Today we have the freedom to choose to read the Bible and we can choose to believe it. We can choose other things too, like which language we will speak, what we want to study, where to live.

Canada was settled by people who made the choice to come and live here. At first it was the French people from France and the English from England. Your ancestors made the choice too.

Some of them, Dutch-German Mennonites, chose to come to Manitoba from Russia 138 years ago. They came because they wanted the

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Columns • kids’ corner

emc 1812 ~ 2012

Today we have the freedom to choose to read the Bible. freedom to read and believe what the Bible said.

They wanted the freedom to farm their own land. They wanted the freedom to educate and train their children using the Bible as their guide. They wanted to be safe.

Seven thousand Dutch-German Mennonites came to Manitoba in the seven years from 1874 to 1881. A marker at St. Agathe, where the Red River and the Rat River meet, shows where they arrived.

From there they built homes, farms, and communities like yours. Another marker at the Pioneer Cemetery in Steinbach has a list of the first families who came.

God says it’s important for you to know and remember what He has done in the past. Read Deuteronomy 5: 6–22, Deuteronomy 6: 20–25, Psalm 78: 6–7.

Activity: Your story

Ask your parents or grandparents to tell you the story of how your ancestors arrived in Canada.

Ask questions: Who are my ancestors? Where did they come from? When did they come? Where did they live? What was their experience? What was difficult? What was easy?

Look at photos of your ancestors and where they lived.

Draw the people who are your ancestors, their homes, and their activities.

Share what you have learned with friends, teachers, and family.

The Messenger Evangelical Mennonite Conference 440 Main St, Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z5 Publications Mail Agreement #40017362