The Messenger Vol. 50 No. 10 October 2012

The Messenger

50 years of strengthening the EMC!

Volume 50 No. 10 October 2012

Celebrating the present! page 6

ALSO INSIDE:

Appreciation, criticism and thanksgiving page 9 The Art of Communication page 12 ‘You save humans and animals alike, O Lord’ page 14

$2.00

Editorials

How many more copies for your church?

E

ver used copies of the EMC Yearbook and Memo Calendar sent to your local congregation? They contain much that can draw us together as a conference.

The Memo Calendar is a (now) 17-month pocket-sized calendar of empty spaces and significant events within the EMC, EMMC, CMC, and SBC. It contains contact information for national leaders and pastors within the three conferences and administrative staff and faculty members for SBC. Finally, it has the church year listed to assist members in planning services along major themes in Christian teaching. As part of good stewardship, the Calendar is provided free to all EMC congregations through the Board of Church Ministries using funds provided graciously by you to connect our churches.

The EMC Yearbook lists information for contacting leaders across our 62 churches; on

missions personnel and ministers-at-large (need a guest speaker?); on regions, conference administration, conference boards and committees; and contains minutes from both conference council meetings. The EMC Yearbook isn’t free, but the cost is minimal.

There’s a lot of information available at our fingertips. But who actually gets to see a copy?

Some churches order too few copies of the EMC Yearbook and Memo Calendar and, as a result, too few people get to see them. If more copies were ordered and shared widely within local churches, this would only assist us in keeping better informed and connected as a conference of churches.

When the EMC Yearbook and Memo Calendar are ordered this year, please consider carefully how your church could benefit from more copies.

– Terry M. Smith

••

Being thankful in October

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et’s be thankful for the Protestant Reformation—a wonderful, messy, complex period that saw protesters seek to reform the Roman Catholic Church by the great “onlys”: only scripture, only grace, only faith.

Let’s honour the Reformation by upholding scriptural truth. While we respect our brothers and sisters in the Roman Catholic Church, the mechanics of salvation within it have not changed since Martin Luther protested in 1517.

At the same time, let us repent of part of our Protestant past (or “the Mennonite sickness”): to repeatedly divide the Church. The Christian Church is ultimately one if its focus is truly on Christ.

Also, while Canadians don’t mark Thanksgiving with the U.S. story of pilgrims and First Nations peoples celebrating together, two themes from it are relevant for Christians here: gratitude for God’s provision and the need to face the injustice of our colonial past.

2 The Messenger • October 2012

To rebuild credibility, the Christian Church needs to show its Reformation heritage partly by displaying scriptural concern for justice and grace within society.

Chief Dan George, from B.C., said that when the white man came to Canada, he had the Bible and the Indian had the land; but soon the Indian had the Bible and the white man had the land. Is this truly what the Christian faith stands for?

To rebuild credibility, the Christian Church needs to show its Reformation heritage partly by displaying scriptural concern for justice and grace within society. More First Nations people might then be inclined to listen to the Church and become a part of it.

– Terry M. Smith

Table of Contents Features

Departments

6

2

Editorials

3

Pontius’ Puddle

9

Celebrating the present!

Like the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we must retreat in order to draw near – Layton Friesen

Appreciation, criticism and thanksgiving

Can we be the most thankful people in the world or in history?

– Dr. Al Hiebert

12 The Art of Communication

A road trip and unspoken expectations – Betty Koop

14 ‘You save humans and animals alike, O Lord’

If there will be a new or renewed cosmos, that renewal must also include animals – Dr. Gordon Matties

4 Noted 21 With Our Missionaries 23 With Our Churches 28 News 32 In Memory 32 Calendar 33 Shoulder Tapping

page

12

17 Henry R. Reimer, early leader at Prairie Rose

page

31

His life as a servant of God – Ron Penner

18 Penner and Sharps honoured at recognition supper

A community gathers to say thank you – Terry M. Smith

page

14

Columns 20 Archives Alcove

The beauty of our faith – Terry M. Smith

34 Here and Far Away

Perfect love: an invitation to a life of freedom!

– Jocelyn R. Plett

35 Stewardship Today Impulsive generosity – Kevin Davidson

36 Kids’ Corner

Are you thankful?

– Loreena Thiessen www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 3

The Messenger

Noted

Volume 50 No. 1 October 2012

Arsenault and Plett serve on SBC board 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. 11– November 2012 issue (copy due October 19)

4 The Messenger • October 2012

STEINBACH, Man.—Steinbach Bible College is pleased to welcome Elda Plett (Heartland Community Church) and Trevor Arsenault (EFC Steinbach) to the SBC board for a three-year term. Elda and Trevor join Michael Zwaagstra (EFC Steinbach) and Kim Penner (Good News) as EMC representatives.

SBC would also like to extend thanks to Trudy Dueck (The ConneXion) and Neil Rempel (Good News) who recently completed six-year terms on the board. Thank you for faithfully serving in this way.

– SBC

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.

Ride raises more than $500,000 for Eden Head for the Hills 2012 a great success WINKLER, Man.—Bicyclists took to road and trail on Sept. 8, 2012, for Head for the Hills ride, raising more than a half million dollars in support of Eden Health Care Services programs.

The 140 riders formed the largest contingent to have taken part in this event and raised the greatest amount of support in the ten years of its existence.

Organizers had challenged participants to exceed last year’s support, and participants and sponsors did not disappoint.

The money raised from this event, and others, supports the programs of Eden to provide professional counseling services, help people to find work and develop a sense of belonging to the community, and help those with issues of mental health to find a place to live. These services are part of a firm belief that people with issues of mental health can achieve hope, healing, and recovery.

The 2013 Head for the Hills is scheduled for September 14, 2013.

– EHCS

Noted

MDS volunteers begin work after Hurricane Isaac

Good News Community Church (EMC) has a website worth checking out!

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28th Annual EM Cup November 9–11, 2012 Steinbach TG Smith Centre To register as a church team or an individual contact Keith Barkman (karbarkman@gmail.com, 204-3718507) or Josh Plett (snjplett@mts.net, 204-320-9336).

Evangelical Mennonite Conference

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Quarterly Financial Report

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BRAITHWAITE, La.—Wearing Tyvek suits and tall rubber boots, volunteer members of a Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) Early Response Team glopped through sticky mud on September 11 to muck out and gut the lower level of a home in Plaquemines Parish in southern Louisiana. The team, from Lancaster County, is volunteering through MDS Storm Aid. They were among the first outsiders to dig in to help victims recover from Hurricane Isaac, which destroyed some 450 homes in the parish and damaged at least an additional 400. Isaac hit on August 29, seven years to the day of Hurricane Katrina. The east bank of Plaquemines Parish, the most devastated area, was flooded with up to 14 feet of water after the gulf-side levee was breeched.

STEINBACH, Man.—Good News Community Church would like to highlight its website. It includes five separate posting sites, which are all interactive.

We invite people to read and respond to the posts. One of the posting sites features children’s stories. The site is accessible through the EMC website or www.gncconnect.com.

– Wally Doerksen

Receipts and Transfers Disbursements Excess/Shortfall

Jan–Sept 2012 1,099,337

Jan–Sept 2011 1,255,069

1,332,442 -233,105

1,352,371 -97,302

– Board of Trustees

www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 5

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Message three of four

Celebrating the present!

by Layton Friesen

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he EMC has travelled into the world of evangelicalism and this is a journey to be celebrated. Much of what we love about the EMC today has come by becoming evangelical.

Evangelicalism has brought us a reckless courage for mission beyond our own churches.

But worried voices have warned us that if we go into the world on evangelical mission we will come back wearing the filthy garments of sin.

To join the concern to preach the good news recklessly with the concern to stay unstained by world, I offer you a reflection on the biblical manner of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The Manner of the Father

There is a big question behind the prophet’s words in Isaiah 40: God, are you still there?

“Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, My way is hidden from the Lord?” The people, in their own way, ask: “God, are you living off in your own Mennonite village, pure from the stain of our worldliness but shut off from the cares of our world?

The prophet says, “Do you want to know how willing and able God is to help? Then see how far off he is. God is free of every unhealthy attachment that corrupts our involvement in the world, preventing us from loving authentically.

In this holy God we finally have someone who can love us.”

All the kings of the earth are like little weeds that God can puff away like stubble. God has no need for their support. He simply has the power and the freedom do what is right.

God will not be handy like an idol. Yahweh, the God of Israel, is someone who stands beyond 6 The Messenger • October 2012

creation. No one finds him handy, but just so, no will ever bribe away his love. Now those who wait on the Lord will walk and not faint.

God will not be worldly—therefore, he is an ever-present help in time of need. We go on.

The Manner of the Son

Mark begins his story with words from Isaiah 40. Now the exalted God would renew the strength of His people. Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew. The Messiah has come to an address. God is now as near to His people as an idol—that’s reckless.

Has God come so close to his people that they will nail him down forever? In this house Jesus found Simon’s mother-in-law in bed sick with the fever. Jesus touched her, took her by the hand and lifted her up. Now she would walk and not faint.

And that evening, at sundown, Jesus delivered his people.

But what happened overnight? The village woke in the morning and headed over to that address again to get some more God-fix—but Jesus was gone. He was not there but he had risen in the dark and gone to a deserted place.

The disciples hunted and found him. “Everyone is searching for you,” they said. Jesus did not say to his disciples, “Fine, I’ll go back to that village and do again what I did yesterday—needs, needs, needs.”

No, he said, “Let’s go to the neighbouring towns, so that I can proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.” In the dark of the night Jesus bound himself utterly to his Father and thereby extracted himself from the clutches of Simon’s town. He refused to 

God will not be handy like an idol.

Yahweh, the God of Israel, is someone who stands beyond creation. No one finds him handy, but just so, no will ever bribe away his love.

PHOTO: REBECCA ROMAN

– Layton Friesen

www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 7

 become the local idol of that village so that he

could be the loving Lord of all the villages.

This was his manner for life. His communion with the Father made him at once unattached and free of the world, but also utterly present and able to meet their needs.

This came to a climax on the morning of the resurrection. The people of Israel had in fact nailed down their Messiah. They did not find him handy so they handed him over to three iron nails. But early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus slipped from their grip to go meet his Father.

To Mary he said on that morning, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to my Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” We go on.

The Manner of the Spirit

Whatever we do, let us go to our Father in Heaven so that we can truly draw near to the world.

If this is the manner of the Father and the Son, what would we expect the Holy Spirit to be orchestrating in the EMC as we wrestle with the twin concerns of being involved in the world and staying unstained from the world?

The tendency of evangelicalism is to be a thousand miles wide and one inch deep.

Encountering God demands a set of spiritual disciplines of which we have become novices.

Specifically, I worry that we are becoming increasingly juvenile at a spiritual engagement with God in the Scriptures.

For Jesus, Scripture was first a prayer book.

The expression of Jesus in prayer was not concocted from the musings of his own soul as we tend to pray. The grammar of his prayer was shaped by the writings of the lawgivers, prophets, psalmists, sages and storytellers of scripture.

It is vital for our spiritual depth to understand that we won’t encounter God as we should until, like our Brother Jesus, the Word of God has shaped of our inner life. When our minds, spirits, souls, hearts, and even our bodies have been marinated for decades in the Word of God,

8 The Messenger • October 2012

then our most personal heart-cry to God will be structured by the grammar of his Word to us, not by our own thoughts. Which makes us less worldly and more attuned to the love of God for the world.

But now the well is deep, and I fear we have no bucket to draw water.

On Friday, Arden Thiessen made a suggestion and I have one, too, though mine is more expensive. Over the last century the EMC has given millions of dollars and hundreds of life spans to going out and changing the world. And that is half the pattern.

Is it not time that we devote some money and time to creating a place where we can leave the world, such as a retreat centre? A place where we can go to live the other half of the pattern?

A place where we can imitate our Saviour and slip from the world to gaze into the face of our Father?

We need to create a place where people can’t find us for a while. An EMC retreat centre would be one way to show that this pattern of the Father and the Son is becoming the pattern of the Spirit among us.

Going away to come close. Becoming strange so that we can be loving. Every now and then an EMC member, a church leadership team, a missionary on furlough, or a pastor on sabbatical should say to the world, to their family, to their church, “Do not hold on to me. I am going to my Father and your Father. To my God and your God.” Whatever we do, let us go to our Father in Heaven so that we can truly draw near to the world.

In the name of the Father, the Son and Spirit.

We go on.

Layton Friesen, BRS, MCS, MTh, recently resigned as senior pastor of Fort Garry EMC (Winnipeg) and as chair of the Board of Leadership and Outreach in order to pursue further studies at the University of Toronto. He and his wife Glenda have two children. Layton spoke at the 2012 convention on Sunday morning.

, n o i t a i c Appre and m s i c i t i r c g n i v i g s k than bert

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ie

by Dr. Al H

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n his wisdom and love, God created us social beings. Our interactions with others bring us both joy and sorrow.

Some joy comes when others appreciate or thank us; some sorrow comes when others criticise us. We welcome appreciation and prefer to avoid criticism, but tend not to handle the latter well.

A poster in a pastor’s study once caught my attention: It’s not the critic who counts, not the (wo)man who points out how the strong man stumbled or where the doers of deeds could have done better.

The credit belongs to the (wo)man who is actually in the arena; who strives valiantly, who errs and comes short again and again, because there is

no effort without error and shortcoming; who does actually try to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion and spends himself in a worthy cause, who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.

Far better to dare mighty things, to win the glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat (adapted from a speech by Theodore Roosevelt in Paris 1910).

Today we enjoy the highest living standards in history. Can we be the most thankful of people in the world or in history?  www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 9



Who is habitually thankful this Thanksgiving? Or are we habitual critics? As Dale Carnegie put it, “Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain—and most fools do. But it takes character and self-control to be understanding and forgiving.” It also takes character and self-control to show genuine appreciation and thanks to God and others throughout the year.

Need more love

Most families could use more appreciation and less criticism simply because they need more love. Sure, criticism, correction and exhortation are needed at times. But more appreciation and thanks could smooth strained relationships, encourage the discouraged, cheer the depressed, and reinforce positive attitudes and behaviours.

ion and t c e r r o c , m Sure, criticis eded at e n e r a n io t exhorta iation c e r p p a e r o times. But m smooth ld u o c s k n a and th hips. s n io t la e r d straine

Let’s be thankful for the good our civic leaders do. Let’s not merely complain the government is not doing enough to stimulate the economy, but when it launches a stimulus package, then complain it is running a deficit.

Thankfulness spawns joy. Crabby habits well entrenched in our culture don’t. A popular T-shirt around Disney theme parks reads I’m

10 The Messenger • October 2012

Grumpy because You’re Dopey. I wonder how Tshirts would sell that read I’m Thankful Because I’m Forgiven.

Criticism has a place

We all know Jesus’ command, “Judge not, that ye be not judged” (Matthew 7:1 KJV). Does this mean all criticism is immoral? I think not.

Perhaps Jesus really meant that we need to avoid a habitual judgemental or critical spirit.

Note that our Lord warns: “Watch out for false prophets...A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit” (Matthew 7:15, 18). Hence, we must evaluate (judge) who are “false prophets” and why and who are “bad trees.”

False doctrine must be critiqued. The same is involved in every rebuke and restoration of sinners (Matthew 18:15–17, Galatians 6:1).

Voicing complaints to leaders can be constructive, if done optimistically. But voicing criticisms of leaders to those who are in no position to correct the problem may better be labelled as “griping” or “murmuring.” Griping commonly expresses criticism and pessimism that the problem never will be resolved.

Voicing thanks for corrected past injustices may be more effective than simply pointing to present injustices. Ending all criticisms and complaints would surely be irresponsible on many real injustices.

Chronic pain can feed criticising, correcting, complaining, and condemning (the C’s) habits.

It’s hard to be cheerful when we hurt. Frequent or intense criticisms typically threaten good relationships.

Whether or not they manifest “tough love” depends on whether we balance our criticisms with appreciation, affirmation, adapting and affection (the A’s) for the target of our criticisms. James Dobson observes that family members need at least a dozen affirmations to balance each negative judgement.

As imperfect humans, we warrant thanks for our strengths, though we also warrant criticisms and corrections at times, and so do those around us. When the latter are unduly frequent they likely constitute “nagging.” The real issue is whether these criticisms and corrections are given and received amidst clear expressions of appreciation, affection and thankfulness, or whether they are

given and received merely as dismissive judgements.

We tend to view our negative judgements of people as attempts to teach them what is right and true.

While we can never control how others will react, we can control our own responses of appreciation, affection and thankfulness.

The sandwich principle

nkful Positive tha strucn o c is g in k thin ractive. tive and att

To make our criticisms and corrections more palatable, use The Sandwich Principle: always “sandwich” them between an opening appreciation of the other’s strengths and a closing expression of hope that future performance will show the desired improvement. We thus demonstrate genuine appreciation, affection and thankfulness. It’s the “spoonful of sugar” that “helps the medicine go down.”

Successful corrections require our openness, vulnerability, honesty, willingness to apologize, request forgiveness and extend forgiveness where we may have misunderstood someone.

Some children habitually dispute virtually any suggestion from others. So do some adults.

Positive thankful thinking is constructive and attractive. Negative thinking is destructive.

Negative judgements of people, their beliefs and behaviours, when expressed in tones of irritation and anger, often generate retaliatory judgements against the critic, in similar tones. This is The Principle of Reciprocity—we get what we give.

Too many pastors spend too much time with whiners who insist they have their way. Appreciation and thanksgiving are foreign to whiners.

We reward habitual criticism with our attention.

Those who criticise habitually often display fearful imaginations of possible calamities. Can habitual criticism be blunted by framing such comments as questions, or as silent gestures?

Likely not much.

Whining children are confident that their parents, teachers or leaders will grant their demands in hope for a little peace. Let’s rather model a spirit of thanksgiving and teach our children the same.

Some parents, teachers and leaders respond to whiners with, “I have selective hearing. I cannot hear what you say in a whiny voice.” Respectful behaviour warrants appreciative and thankful reinforcement. Such strategies are rare.

Social maturity

Developing social maturity requires habits of contented appreciation and thanksgiving. If we really want to, we can choose an attitude of gratitude. Many are lazy here.

The NIV Bible uses “thank” in various forms 144 times. In 1 Timothy 6:6–7 Paul notes, “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.”

We all think we’re entitled to a life of unbroken happiness. If our happiness is disrupted, we feel a moral right to gripe, snipe and whine.

What thanklessness! How childish!

Instead, let’s join John when he writes, “It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth” (3 John 3–4).

Joseph in Genesis and Elizabeth in Luke had a right to complain. Yet both chose not to. So should we.

This Thanksgiving can we replace habits of criticism with a perpetual attitude of gratitude?

In the Holy Spirit and Scripture we have the power to do so.

Dr. Al Hiebert, an ordained EMC minister, is a Senior Associate with Agron and Associates (accreditation consultants). A former executive director of Christian Higher Education Canada, he previously taught at Providence University College and Theological Seminary, then at Briercrest Seminary.

www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 11

The Art of Communication

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by Betty Koop

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he first number of years that Glen was teaching at Steinbach Bible College, the board members hadn’t yet gotten their minds around the concept of paying their staff for the full year. After all, they didn’t teach for a full year.

Believe me, they put in way more than enough hours during their teaching stint to make up for the so-called “holiday months” in summer, but that was not recognized. Staff had to come up with some work or study project that would benefit the college to justify a pay cheque during the summer months.

One year Glen chose “further studies” as an option, deciding on Regent College in Vancouver, B.C., for a two-week course that would enrich his teaching. I decided to accompany him and audit the same course.

I was then employed at the Steinbach Regional Secondary School and the last few days in June were the very busiest of the year, as all the students’ marks had to be entered into the computer and report cards produced.

With close to a thousand students and some

12 The Messenger • October 2012

teachers who were slow in handing in their marks, it usually caused a bit of tension, not to mention working overtime. There was no possibility of leaving work a day or two early.

However, the course began very soon after Canada Day and we had to drive out there from Steinbach. It was a scramble to get there on time and those days of driving were long and tiring.

I comforted myself with the thought that on the way home we could stop and holiday a bit, especially in the mountains.

The course went well. The professor was very interesting and we took a lot of notes. Soon we were on our way back home.

Glen thought it would be great to stop at a sister’s for the night in Kelowna, B.C., and I agreed. This meant we had to drive pretty steadily to make it there from Vancouver, so there was no time to stop at Hell’s Gate Canyon or other scenic spots.

We had a good visit with them and went on our way. Glen phoned another sister who lived near Calgary to invite ourselves for the next night.

As we left I looked forward to doing some sightseeing in Banff, enjoying the mountains and maybe spying some wildlife. As we wound through the beautiful scenery, I was waiting for Glen to pull over at the lookout so we could get out and enjoy the view. But he drove on at a steady pace.

Finally I said a bit hesitantly, “Aren’t we going to stop for a bit?” His reply: “Why?” I was dumbfounded!

“To enjoy the scenery,” I said, “and maybe we can spot some wildlife as well.”

He said, “Look out the window. There are the mountains!” and kept on driving.

My temperature IST OC was going up. I was KP HO TO sure we had talked . CO M about taking some time to holiday in the mountains, and this did not seem to be happening.

I don’t know what I said, but finally he caught on that I was not happy.

He skidded into a lookout, stopped the car, got out and said, “There. There’s some wildlife. Have a look.” It was a gopher!

I don’t know if I left the car, but I certainly was not happy.

We had to hurry on to reach our next stop, Calgary.

The drive through Saskatchewan was very quiet as I wrestled with my disappointment and my dear husband’s seeming obtuseness when it came to reading my feelings and thoughts. This was a holiday?

After working extra hard to get ready, zooming across the prairies to Vancouver, attending two weeks of classes, I deserved a holiday, but I wanted him to know that without being told.

Finally, when the temperature in the car grew pretty frigid, he realized something wasn’t quite right and he asked what was wrong. All my feelings tumbled out: I had thought we’d stay at least one night in Banff, do a leisurely drive through the mountains, and enjoy some sights as we relaxed after all the hard work.

Finally I said a bit hesitantly, “Aren’t we going to stop for a bit?”

He hadn’t realized my expectations, and, anyway, we had to get back so he could write the research paper that was part of the course. There was a deadline, so he had to get home and get to work—surely I could see that!

But he did realize my deep disappointment and wanted to make things right. So instead of driving through to Steinbach, which would have made a very long day, he graciously stopped in Brandon. Not exactly Banff, to

His reply: “Why?” I was dumbfounded! be sure!

The name of the course that we both had just taken? Understanding and Coping with Family Life Today.

The above incident happened in the 1980s. A few days ago we happily celebrated our 49th wedding anniversary, and I think I can say that we “read each other’s minds” a bit better by now. Or at least we have learned to talk about things; but then, that’s what communication is all about.

I did ask my good husband if he had any reservations about having this published and he graciously gave his consent. That must be a sign of a mature person—the ability to laugh at oneself.

Betty Koop (EFC Steinbach) and her husband Glen have learned to read each other’s minds, in part, during pastoral ministry in the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Alberta, in the U.S. state of Virginia, and in the southern African country of Lesotho. www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 13

by Dr. Gordon Matties

I

once held a hummingbird in the palm of my hand. I cradled it until I could release it

at the open door of the boathouse.

It was one of the holiest moments of my life. And there have been many more like it.

While snorkeling in Eilat, Israel, I swam carefully over some 50 metres of nondescript grey brain coral toward deeper water. In an instant—a moment for which I was totally unprepared—I found myself hovering over a massive drop-off illuminated deep down by radiant shafts of sunlight. The vista of countless brightly coloured tropical fish literally took my breath away. Once I recovered from the gasp—and the water in my lungs!—I spent hours lingering on the surface, then diving among the brilliance.

14 The Messenger • October 2012

On the first night of this summer’s vacation, two loons fed just metres off shore. Early the next morning, an osprey landed on the beach in front of me. It bathed in the shallow water, spread its wings—all five feet of them—and flew away. At suppertime, two great blue herons glided past at eye level. The next morning, a kingfisher waited patiently on a pole we had erected on the beach, our way of showing it some human hospitality.

These experiences remind me of the haunting song Beautiful Creatures by Bruce Cockburn, in which he laments the ecological crises we face, including the threatened loss of such beauty. His simple chorus repeats the line, “the beautiful creatures are going away.”

An intimate connection

Although the biblical prophets weren’t aware of the kinds of ecological threats we now experience, they well knew the intimate relationship between creation and humankind. Because of the violation of the moral order, Hosea lamented, “Because of this the land dries up, and all who live in it waste away; the beasts of

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‘You save humans and animals alike, O Lord’

the field, the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea are swept away” (Hosea 4:3). Jeremiah’s lament makes the connection plain: “Because those who live in it are wicked, the animals and the birds have perished” (Jeremiah 12:4).

Biblical writers were not worried about species extinction. But they were aware that the consequences of human behaviour reverberate throughout creation. The Bible speaks of the redemption and transformation of human beings’ relationship with God. Yet, throughout the Bible, we also find astonishing echoes of God’s own response to creation. From “it was very good” (Genesis 1:31) to “I am making everything new” (Revelation 21:5), the Bible is infused with God’s love for all creation and God’s commitment to its transformation.

“

I then referred to the confession’s article on creation and humanity (number three), which reflects the assurance of the psalmist: “Heavens and all creation long to be set free…. In Christ all things are being reconciled and created anew.” The article on salvation mentions “creation and all of humanity,” and offers the hope that “the redeemed are gathered in the new heaven and the new earth.”

If there will be a new or renewed cosmos, I suggested, that renewal must also include animals. And if that’s God’s intent, perhaps we ought also be concerned about their welfare, and that of all creation. Don’t we believe our eschatology—our hope of salvation in the future—gives concrete shape to our lives now? If that’s not enough of a reason, then we need only to ponder the fact that we’ve been made from the dirt (Genesis 2:7), created to participate with God in caring for, even serving and protecting, the earth (Genesis 1:26–28; 2:15).

If we believe in heaven, we also have to believe in earth.

So, yes, I think there will be animals in God’s renewed creation.”

Animals part of a renewed earth

A few years ago, as I was reading through the Psalms, I noticed this odd line: “you save humans and animals alike, O Lord” (Psalm 36:6 NRSV). It’s hard to believe that I had never seen that before. Yet there it was, the most common verb for salvation in the Old Testament! The poet understands God “to save,” “to deliver,” or to “liberate” animals. The NIV translation “you preserve both man and beast” misses the point and the power of the poet’s use of the Hebrew verb.

But please don’t misunderstand my insistence on the verb “to save” here. Let me explain.

I once taught an adult class on the Salvation article (number five) in the MB Confession of Faith. During that session, I said something outrageous like, “There is no heaven [at which I paused for effect] without a new earth.” Someone perceptively wondered whether animals will be in heaven, to which I replied, “If we believe in heaven, we also have to believe in earth. So, yes, I think there will be animals in God’s renewed creation.”

A journey through Scripture

The psalmists celebrate how God feeds the animals (Psalm 104:24–30; 147:9). “Even the wild animals cry to you,” says the prophet Joel (Joel 1:20 NRSV). To the devastation of creation, he writes, “Do not fear, O soil…Do not fear, you animals of the field” (Joel 2:21–22 NRSV). The whole earth community will sing because God comes to save—a saving that restores justice and righteousness on the earth (Psalms 96:11–13; 98:7–9).

New Testament writers take up these themes. In Romans, Paul writes about the liberation of a groaning creation (8:19–23).

In Colossians, we read of the creation and the reconciliation, effected by Christ’s peacemaking death, of “all things in heaven and on earth” (1:15–20). In John’s apocalypse, the One on the throne says, “I am making everything new” (Revelation 21:5), an echo of Isaiah’s “new heavens and a new earth” (Isaiah 65:17), in which “all

www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 15

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flesh shall come to worship before me” (Isaiah 66:22–24 NRSV).

John sees, in anticipation of God’s ultimate victory over evil, “every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing” (Revelation 5:13 NRSV). This is surely an echo of Genesis 1, a vision of a joyfully restored cosmos in which all

God determines to save creation from its demise at human hands. He makes a covenant with Noah, and instructs Noah to bring into the ark ‘every living thing.’” things will be renewed and all relationships reconciled. And the mystery is that, in Christ, we have begun to participate in that new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 6:15).

I punctuate these reflections by referring to one of the most overlooked biblical passages.

The flood story provides a basis for God’s (and our) concern for animals (and by extension all creation). Although human violence had

brought creation to the point of uncreation (Genesis 6:11, 13), God determines to save creation from its demise at human hands. He makes a covenant with Noah, and instructs Noah to bring into the ark “every living thing” (Genesis 6:19 NRSV).

Only that the end of the story do we learn of God’s covenant “with you and your descendants after all, and with every living creature” (Genesis 9:9–10 NRSV). In the verses that follow we read six improvisations of that refrain, which mention an “everlasting covenant” with “every animal on the earth” (v. 10), “every living creature” (v.

12), “the earth” (v. 13), “every living creature of all flesh” (vv. 15–16), and “all flesh that is on the earth” (v. 17).

Against that backdrop of God’s commitment to the earth and its creatures, it’s no wonder that the psalmist writes, “you save humans and animals alike.”

Gordon Matties, PhD, is professor of biblical and theological studies at Canadian Mennonite University and a member of River East MB Church, both in Winnipeg, Man. He has a creation care resources webpage at www.cmu.ca. The article is reprinted from Mennonite Brethren Herald (October 2011).

Management Principles

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taught by David Driedger

October 18–20, 2012 Thursday and Friday 7:00–9:45 pm, Saturday 9:00 am–4:00 pm

16 The Messenger • October 2012

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seldom raise his voice or react in anger when others were clearly passionate in a negative sort of way about matters in the church.

Throughout his public life, in the school classroom and later in the church, he urged young people to become Christians. Again, his was not an overbearing, adamant approach to soul winning, but the peaceful demeanor of a godly person encouraging, from the pulpit, young and old to follow Christ.

His was not an overbearing, adamant approach to soul winning, but the peaceful demeanor of a godly person encouraging, from the pulpit, young and old to follow Christ.

The life of Henry R. Reimer ended in 1959 and the well-deserved message of Revelation 14:13 was appropriately used at his funeral.

“Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord...they will rest from their labour, for their deeds will follow them.”

My grandfather Henry R. Reimer was, to my then eight-year-old mind, as close to a picture of God as anything I could imagine. His neatly trimmed beard and his friendly and gentle eyes seemed to portray a man of near-godlikeness.

Of course, he was only a servant of God. But the memory of his thankfulness, gentle leadership, and peaceful concern that we follow Christ are still in my memory and affect my seeking to live a faithful life.

PHOTO COURTESY STAN PENNER

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NG 2 0 0

emc

by Ron Penner

enry (Heinrich) R. Reimer was the grandson of the founder of the Kleine Gemeinde (EMC), Klaas Reimer. The deep desire of Klaas Reimer to live a consistent Christian life obviously affected this grandson of his who had that desire as well during the time he lived among us in Manitoba.

Reimer was born in Blumenort, Man., on July 26, 1876, just two years after Mennonites from Russia had arrived in Manitoba. When Henry was fourteen, his father died, leaving him the task of looking after the work on the farm.

Though not professing to be follower of Jesus, Henry was an obedient and conscientious young man as he sought to provide for his widowed mother in this new land. He gave his heart to the Lord eventually and was baptized at the age of twenty. Helen Dueck was baptized at the same time and shortly thereafter became his bride.

Reimer’s work included farming, teaching, and preaching. When the settlement at Prairie Rose emerged in 1918, he soon became the leader of the Kleine Gemeinde church started by the settlers. It was here, in the fifth oldest congregation within the EMC in Canada, in his role as spiritual leader for about 40 years that he made his strongest contribution.

Reimer, my grandfather, was a thankful person and consistently gave God praise for his faithfulness.

In most of the church services he led, he would, at the outset, quote Psalm 103, “Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and all that is in within me, bless his holy name.”

His leadership style was not domineering and autocratic. In church affairs, when the male membership meetings became heated, this gentle man of God would create a tone of kindness and goodwill as the issues at hand were debated. He would

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Henry R. Reimer, early leader at Prairie Rose

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www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 17

Penner and Sharps honoured at recognition supper

by Terry M. Smith

Steinbach, Man.—To honour Esther Penner and Dave and Laura Sharp, “retiring” career missionaries, it was with joy and appreciation that about 90 people—friends and family, Board of Missions and national office staff members—gathered on Sept. 6, 2012, at Steinbach EMC. Gerald Reimer, BOM “missions mobilizer,” welcomed people. “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news” is a “messianic statement,” he said.

He commented on the rich mix of workers present: retired, active, and preparing. “Right away” he wanted to say “thank Dave and Laura Sharp, and Esther Penner you” for “your obedience to the King….” He led in prayer. Dinner behind Esther and their girls Pearl followed. and Jewel.

After dinner, a male quartet from Esther continued with Mission Steinbach EMC (Loren Koehler, Dean Aviation Fellowship in the USA Buhler, Randall Buhler, Brian Warkenfor five years and in Canada for 10, tin with accompanist Beth Koehler) and then served with Wycliffe Bible sang Your First Day in Heaven and On Translators Canada for 14 years. the Jericho Road.

For a time, Tim Dyck and Esther Garry Koop, also from Steinbach worked together in Wycliffe Canada’s EMC, gave a devotional, saying that Calgary office. to “retire” was a milestone with Heroes are not made in a single struggles, doubts, and fears. Scripture act, but persist daily to serve others says God is truth, merciful, steadfast with little or no recognition, as in love, upright, faithful and that he Esther had for 35 years, he said. As a saves, pardons, leads, and instructs. widow with two young children, she The good news of Jesus is that he calls sinners into rela- had continued, never flashy, but faithful. He was thankful tionship with himself, and the truth we proclaim to others for her fortitude and gracious spirit. is also for us. To remember this helps in the “intersections” Ken Zacharias read Esther a note and presented her of life, he said. with a wrist corsage, both from her daughter Jewel and Tim Dyck, general secretary, outlined Esther Penner’s son-in-law Warren. The Board of Missions then presented history of service. She and her husband George, whom she her with a gift. She responded that she was grateful that met at (now) Millar College of the Bible, farmed briefly ministry is “community” and the Conference had also before George took aviation training at Moody. ministered to her.

They served with Mission Aviation Fellowship in HonArden Thiessen, a former pastor of Steinbach EMC, duras and Guatemala from 1977 to 1982. George, a pilot paid tribute to Dave and Laura. He said he didn’t know and a technician, died in a flying accident in 1982, leaving how they functioned on the field, but he had observed

Ken Zacharias, foreign secretary, said it took three years to have the recognition for Sharps because mission workers, he had learned, do not “retire” but are in “transition.”

18 The Messenger • October 2012

PHOTO: TERRY M. SMITH

A community gathers to say thank you

them on “furlough” or “home assignment.”

He appreciated how they worked together. They, unlike some missionaries, did not look down on those who were not mission workers and did not just look for money.

Dave, from the U.S., appreciated Steinbach EMC and saw being here as coming home. He was interested in people. “People matter to him,” said Arden. “That’s good.”

Most importantly, Dave displayed “imperturbability,” an ability to be at peace and flexible as they moved in tribal work, in administration and teaching, and now as a chaplain at a seniors’ residence in Florida.

David and Laura Sharp began serving with New Tribes Mission in 1970, ministering in both Brazil and the USA. They have two daughters, Kim and Vicki.

Ken Zacharias, foreign secretary, said it took three years to have the recognition for Sharps because mission workers, he had learned, do not “retire” but are in

“transition.” The Board of Missions presented Sharps with a gift.

Dave expressed thankfulness for the faithfulness of family, friends, and conference. What they have done has been “together with you,” he said. Ken led in prayer.

Two more songs were sung by the quartet.

Ken Zacharias explained that the Missionary Recognition Supper is an annual event and that a regular feature is a prayer time for needs identified by those present.

Some requests were voiced in general: for a worker’s health on a trip, for 88 new workers with an associate mission, for the political situation in Mali, for an upcoming baptism. Other requests were shared and prayed for around each table.

At the evening’s close, Ken Zacharias mentioned prayer teams are being planned for Paraguay and Mexico (the city of Guadalajara).

The Lord is faithful in whatever circumstance Huehuetenango in midwest Guatemala, the mountainous terrain of “eternal springtime” home to the Mam people, was a refreshing change weather-wise from our previous assignment with Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) on the hot swampy savannah east coast of Honduras among the Miskito people.

In Honduras we were invited to serve under the Moravian Mission, but in Guatemala it was CAM International that invited MAF to provide safe, efficient air travel for their missionaries in remote locations.

My husband George was the pilot of the MAF Cessna 185 and also its mechanic. Whenever the horizontal stabilizer got beat up from the gravel on the runways, it was a Saturday repair project at the hangar. I learned well the use of the bucking bar as George riveted new aluminum sheets in place.

These things may seem like “mechanical” reasons for being in Guatemala. As important as the daily maintenance routine was, even more important was God’s calling for us to help make the gospel

available to the people groups of Guatemala.

CAM International had a boarding school in Huehuetenango, so during school holidays the passengers in the Cessna 185 were students flying home to spend time with their parents. During the year and a half that we lived in Huehuetenango my daughters were day students, not board students as in Honduras. Sometimes we had the best of times.

And then came the worst of times. Mother’s Day weekend in May 1982 was the last time George took off from the Huehuetenango airport in the MAF Cessna 185. He was flying a new route and did not clear the mountain range on his way home with a full load of passengers.

In the middle of George’s memorial service in Huehuetenango, a Mam lady from a remote village ran sobbing to the casket, saying, “¿Que voy a hacer sin mi piloto?” (What will I do without my pilot?). I sat there echoing the sentiment.

The tribute on the headstone carved for the crypt (donated by a

business family in Huehuetenango) where we buried George reads, “El piloto serviador” (The servant pilot). He was happy serving the indigenous people of Guatemala who were appreciative of the help.

That was many years ago. George and I were only 35 years of age.

Just as the Lord was faithful to us up to that weekend in 1982, the Lord has been faithful to me in the years that followed. At the end of 2011, I retired from full-time service with Wycliffe Canada, but still volunteer in a few projects.

It is of particular interest to me to learn of the New Testament Scriptures dedication for a people group—the Pokomchi—in Guatemala. A part of me got rubbed off on that foreign soil during my brief sojourn in Guatemala, and I get tugged back to the recollections of that home.

I pray that the people for whom Guatemala is home will also realize that the Lord is faithful to them in whatever circumstance.

– Esther Penner

www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 19

Columns • archives alcove

The beauty of our faith

T

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Missionaries were sent to various centres and countries to strengthen existing Anabaptist churches and form new ones; so many died that historians now call it the Martyrs Synod (Graber, in Hershberger, Rediscovery, 162; also GAMEO).

The Mennonite Brethren, started in Russia in 1860, became bold in its evangelism and church planting, even considering work among

by Terry M. Smith “Persians.” Catherine the Great welcomed evangelism among Muslims (see the works of James Urry).

However, the MBs ran into trouble when they planted churches among the Russian population.

Because the MBs had violated the agreement against proselytism, the government said to receive these churches into their conference meant they would lose their privilege to avoid military service. The Russian-descent churches formed a separate conference. In 1889 the MBs sent their first missionaries to India (in part, MB Missions website).

Contrary to its 16th century roots and by comparison with the MBs, the Kleine Gemeinde (later EMC) was a latecomer to the modern missions movement. Within Canada, from 1946 to 1961 the Western Gospel Mission (WGM) sought to plant churches in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and NW Ontario, often deliberately in non-German areas.

WGM did not begin, however, as an official effort of the Kleine Gemeinde (KG); it reflected the support of members within several KG churches. WGM, in turn, changed the KG in ways that better reflected the concerns of Scripture and early Anabaptists: we are stewards of a message intended for all peoples.

Beyond Canada, in 1953 the EMC’s Board of Missions began, our formally sponsored workers now serve in about two dozen countries, and other EMCers serve today in many places.

Klassen’s words point us unPelly Fellowship Chapel in Saskatchewan is one of several congregations begun as a result flinchingly to Christ and hold us to a of Western Gospel Mission efforts. Founded in 1950, PFC continues to have a vision for comhigh standard and goal.

PHOTO COURTESY HELEN FROESE

he beauty of a faith like ours is that cultural walls are meant to be broken down so that all may come and know Jesus,” said Darryl Klassen (Kleefeld) at a recent bicentennial gathering. “We in the EMC have a particular perspective of Jesus and we want to share him with others.”

Klassen’s statements show sound desires and Anabaptism at its best.

Anabaptists in the 16th century were concerned to reform the existing church or to reinstitute the New Testament Church. They also, unlike the Magisterial Reformers, believed that the Great Commission remained the task of the Church and, within it, of every member—as historian Franklin Littell, a Methodist minister, emphasized.

Given that Radical Reformers intended to restore New Testament Christianity, for whom was the Good News intended and who could be included in the Church? The reply seems obvious: the Good News is for the whole world and inclusion in the Church is open to all who believe, shown by repentance and following.

“I seek and desire nothing else…but that the most glorious name, the divine will, and the glory of our beloved Lord Jesus Christ may be acknowledged throughout the world,” said Menno Simons (Complete Writings, 311).

On Aug. 20, 1527, Swiss, South German, and Austrian Anabaptist leaders met in Ausburg, Germany, in what Littell called the “Missionary Synod,” to divide responsibilities within “a grand map of evangelical enterprise.”

munity outreach and recently hired a youth worker to serve the community’s young people.

20 The Messenger • October 2012

With Our Missionaries

Dialects and rival family groups OAXACA, MEXICO

I heard via the grapevine that José is going around saying that the recently published book of James was not translated well. A statement like that kind of catches a translator’s ear.

On a recent trip to the village I made a point of going to José’s house.

Unfortunately I was unable to talk to him, but his wife told me that he didn’t like the word ttaba (pride) which we used in chapter 4. She also told me that her husband didn’t think Pancho, the man reading James on the CD, spoke correctly.

the Zapotec he speaks is the correct Grace Thiessen way to speak.

(Steinbach EMC) Not so long ago a man told me one has been involved of the words on the Zapotec calendar in translation and was missing the letter u. I tried literacy among pointing out to him that few people Zapotecs in southpronounce that word with a u, but he ern Mexico since didn’t believe me. According to him, 1974. what we had written was wrong.

Sometimes we can move phrases *The names of people mentioned in around, choose a different word, or this article are pseudonyms. make other changes to make the translation more acceptable to people; but if someone can’t accept the scripture in Zapotec because his way of speaking is different from what is written or recorded or because the NOVEMBER 17–18 people who have worked on the translation come from a rival family group, that is harder to address.

Interestingly enough, Global Connections 2012 when I told the fellow who Steinbach EMC reads with me in the village 422 Main St, Steinbach, Man. about the complaint regarding James, he said: “I didn’t find anything wrong Speaker: Dr. Sam Owusu with James when I read it.”

The translation team values Session 1: Nov. 17, 9 a.m. people’s comments and suggestions. (brunch provided) We want the translation to speak Session 2: Nov. 18, 10:45 a.m. clearly, using words that people are Session 3: Nov. 18, 7 a.m. comfortable with and understand.

We are right now preparing to Mission-centred teaching and activipublish three selections: Philippians, 1 ties for children will take place during and 2 Thessalonians, and the epistles all sessions. of John—each read by a different reader. We want to distribute these Notify the Steinbach EMC among the people to get some more (204-326-6572) if you plan to attend feedback from them. the brunch session on Nov. 17.

Please ask God to give us much wisdom as we finish the revision of the New Testament. We need feedback that is useful and we need good ideas when addressing problems areas.

Please pray that those who read and listen to the books we will be distributing will hear God’s voice.

– Grace Thiessen

Each person thinks that the Zapotec he speaks is the correct way to speak.

I wonder what is really bothering José. Does he think we should have used another Zapotec word for “pride”? (I’m not sure what word that would be.)

Perhaps he thinks that the word ttaba is too strong a word to be used in Scripture or maybe he understands the word in the Spanish scriptures to mean something else. Or…?

Perhaps José doesn’t like Pancho.

There is much distrust and ill will between various family groups in the village, usually because of something that has happened in the recent, or not so recent, past.

Perhaps José does not like the way Pancho speaks because José speaks differently. Zapotecs tend not to be aware that each person has his own particular idiolect, that some words are pronounced differently by different people. Each person thinks that

One Mission, Many Fields

www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 21

With Our Missionaries

A rich practice of oratory EUROPE

I found that both the EMC and the Lovangai church, which we previously served in Papua New Guinea, have a rich practice of oratory.

It is probably true that in Lovangai society matters get decided more by speaking and less by the use of written texts than in EMC society. Still, in important ways both in EMC and in Lovangai church group contexts people continually interact with each other face to face and by speaking out loud.

Bible translation specialists, missiologists, evangelists and church planters have been urging us in recent years that more effort should be made on behalf of people like Lovangai

Perhaps the EMC, the Lovangais and the first Christian audiences are more closely related and united than we have often been led to believe.

church members for them to be able to hear Biblical texts, rather than be expected to read them individually and silently.

These missionaries have been reporting of their work with people in different parts of the world—mostly “traditional peoples”—to make biblical texts come alive in oral and dramatic performances.

Though I am happy to see the Bible come alive, my experiences in both the EMC and the Lovangai church make me wary of discriminating too sharply between “Western” Christians and people like Lovangais regarding literacy and orality. We can too easily assume that it is they, the “traditional,

Service Opportunities with EMC DVBS/CAMP MINISTRY WORK TEAMS Bolivia: November 1–12, 2012 School construction project in Pailon Cost: $3,000 per person Bolivia: January 2013 San Jose Ministry Centre

Summer 2013 Mexico ministry with the Mexican CEMM (Spanish-language Conference) including DVBS and camp ministry.

ASCEND INTERNSHIP PROGRAM PRAYER TEAMS Paraguay: Jan. 30–Feb. 13, 2013 Cost: $2,500 per person Guadalajara: Feb. 19–26, 2013 Cost: $1,200 per person

22 The Messenger • October 2012

A one-year internship beginning January 2013 in the city of Guadalajara, Mexico.

For more details on these opportunities, contact Diana Peters at dpeters@emconf.ca or 204-3266401.

oral” people, who need help with understanding the biblical texts and so should experience it orally because their culture is oral.

Perhaps all three groups—the EMC, the Lovangais and the first Christian audiences—are more closely related and united than we have often been led to believe. There is a significant tradition of speaking with and to one another among all three of us.

I think that both the EMC and the Lovangai church, in our North American and South Pacific settings, might explore ways to create events where we hear biblical texts as units of persuasive speaking to a group.

This could lead us to fresh ways of hearing, enriching our understanding of the texts and thereby shaping and influencing the way we live.

– Lesley Fast

Lesley and Marianne Fast (Blumenort) worked with the Lovangai church, in Papua New Guinea, on a Bible translation and literacy project from 1986-2000. Currently Marianne works with Wycliffe Netherlands and Lesley works in Europe as translation tutor and as translation consultant for Romani translation projects.

With Our Churches Community Bible Fellowship

Summer busy at CBF Swan River, Man.—It has been a busy summer for the CBF church family.

Our high school grads were acknowledged during the July 1 service. Pastor Ron Thiessen made a small presentation to them.

This fall, Nina Balboa is off to Briercrest, Michelle Peters and Tyler Carr plan to remain in Swan River to work and Tyler will also begin university classes here in Swan River via distance education. Reise Nemez is an

were impressed that they met this setback with such stoicism and good humour.

The staff, students, parents, board members, and friends of CBF Christian School spent the past year raising funds for a new play structure for the school. The main body of the structure was assembled and cemented into place in August by some of those same people.

One teacher commented that she could hardly believe that this was finally happening after all the years of talking, planning, praying and hoping.

Before the rest of the equipment can be purchased, more fundraising needs to take place.

– Betty Warkentin

PHOTOS COURTESY BETTY WARKENTIN

Madge Lake Bible Camp saw people from our church family work as counselors, campers, cooks and board members.

apprentice in Phat Boys’ Body Shop here in Swan River, something he began in his final year of high school.

Once again, all but one of the five Nemez siblings spent their summer at Steeprock Bay Bible Camp as counselors. Other people from CBF also helped out at the camp as counselors, cooks and even board members.

Madge Lake Bible Camp also saw people from our church family work as counselors, campers, cooks and board members.

Our pastoral couple, Ron and Rita Thiessen and family, had barely settled into their newly purchased home when sewage found its way into their partially renovated basement. Heavy rains this spring and early summer caused many basements to flood here in the Swan River Valley. Some of us

Brian and Tracy Burick’s grandsons test the school’s new play structure.

High school graduates: Nina Balboa, Michelle Peters, Tyler Carr, and Reise Nemez

www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 23

With Our Churches Leamington EMC

Leamington, Ont.—Prayers have been answered for the EMC church of Leamington. The congregation welcomed Jake and Anna Enns as the new pastoral couple on March 4, 2012.

A potluck luncheon was later served in their honour and many came to show their support. Jake and Anna have expressed much joy and love for their new congregation and we give thanks to the Lord as we continue to grow as one body in Christ.

A baptismal service was held on Sunday, June 24, 2012, where 11 young people, supported by their family and friends, shared their testimonies and were baptized and welcomed as new members into the EMC church family.

Baptism was done differently this time around, as Pastor Jake invited the fathers of those being baptized to take part in the immersion of their own children. With Pastor Jake on one side and their father on the other, they publicly confessed their love for the Lord Jesus Christ. Sentimental in more ways than one, the congregation was very blessed by the service.

– Jessica Penner

PHOTOS: JESSICA PENNER

New pastoral couple

Baptized were: Jennifer Peters, Michael Fehr, Nancy Fehr, James Wolf, Andrew Penner, Neil Fehr, Stephanie Klassen, Lisa Wolf, Erica Dick, Judy Boschman, Eva Peters

Jake and Anna Enns

save the date Leadership Conference 2013 March 1-2, 2013

with speaker Stuart Murray

author of The Naked Anabaptist Please note the date change for this year in order to accomodate Stuart Murray’s schedule.

SBCollege.ca 24 The Messenger • October 2012

Pastor Jake Enns officiates at the baptism of Erica Dick assisted by her father Dan Dick.

With Our Churches Steinbach EMC

Messengers bring Good News different skills and games, and sharing their lives and the love of God with them.

There were many challenging moments with disruptive kids and those who struggled with various issues, which gave the youth opportunities to practice patience, wisdom and love, resulting in growth and a greater dependence on God. We praise God for the campers who gave their lives to Jesus and pray that they will continue to follow him.

Erika Goertzen brought the good news to kids at Red Rock Bible Camp during the summer, and she says it was amazing to see God at work. One week the girls in her cabin all got sick, making it difficult to keep their attention.

She and her fellow counselor surrendered their entire cabin to God and relied on Him to give them the strength to reach the girls. They were amazed at how God gave them opportunities to share his love and plant many seeds in the girls’ lives.

John and Marlene Friesen, together with a team representing

Athletes in Action (AIA), spent six days sharing the good news in Poplar Hill, Ont., in August. They report that they quickly became a close team as they worked together to clean their accommodations and plan their week.

The children warmed up to them as they interacted in DVBS and on the baseball diamond. Fishing with some of the children during their “free” time also became a time of building relationships.

Connections were made with some of the adults at a men’s breakfast, the community barbecue and through the delivery of gift bags to the women in their homes.The team looks forward to seeing what God will do with the seeds that were planted. “We plant, someone else waters, but it is God who brings the fruit” (1 Corinthians 3:7).

Others from our church served with AIA baseball camps in Pauingassi and Tadoule Lake in northern Manitoba.

Thank you to those who provided information for this report.

– Martha Kroeker

PHOTO COURTESY JASON HEIDE

PHOTO COURTESY JOHN AND MARLENE FRIESEN

Steinbach, Man.—“How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!” (Romans 10:15). Many messengers from our church had the opportunity during the summer months to bring good news to others.

July 8–12 was an action-packed week, with 333 children and 121 volunteers at Vacation Bible School.

The theme was SKY—with God all things are possible. The church was decorated with airplanes, kites and other things that fly in the sky. The sanctuary was filled for the parent program on Thursday.

After the program everyone enjoyed snacks outside and a “fly-by” by a local pilot. We praise God for those who made commitments to the Lord and for the $3,790 that was collected for an orphanage in Africa.

Seventeen youth and four leaders spent July 15–21 at Midway Bible Camp, near Thompson, Man. Most of the youth served as camp counselors, while others were involved in maintenance and in the kitchen. They had the awesome privilege of sharing Bible stories with the kids, leading them in

The youth group and leaders at Midway Bible Camp

The AIA team at Poplar Hill

www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 25

With Our Churches St. Vital EMC

St. Vital holds block party

PHOTOS: LORENA PENNER

Winnipeg, Man.—At St. Vital EMC we enjoy interacting with our community.

On Sunday, August 26, 2012, we hosted our fourth annual Block Party for our neighbourhood. Activities have included inflatables, water guns, pony rides, hot dogs, popcorn, good old fashioned visiting, and much more. We are seeking to let our light shine to those around us and to shower them with God’s love.

– Lorena Penner

•• Pansy Chapel

Pansy, Man.—September 9, 2012, was an important day in our church. Many children lined up eagerly as all of us began another year in Sunday School.

Even the teachers are excited and the new material looks promising—walking through the Bible right from the beginning.

Then there was the big announcement. We have just unanimously decided to launch our long-anticipated building program, with the hopes of going ahead as soon as things can be put together. The goal is to double the size of our sanctuary, something we need, since we are frequently crowded.

However, the eleven o’clock service held a significant event. Ordained 26 The Messenger • October 2012

and installed as a teaching pastor was Dylan (and Sheila) Barkman.

Conference Pastor, Ward Parkinson, spoke on “Oh, So You’re a Pastor.” Together with the worship singing, the dedication ceremony and the pizza party lunch served afterward, it was a momentous occasion.

Since a pastoral team serves our church, Dylan and Sheila will now join Ed and Sabrina Giesbrecht in their leadership role. Leonard and Betty Barkman have recently stepped down from active pastoring to a more supportive role with visitation and one-on-one ministry a priority.

Dennis Friesen remains the mission projects coordinator—at which he is doing a great job.

– Betty Barkman

PHOTO: BETTY BARKMAN

Pastor ordination and installation

Sheila and Dylan Barkman and family

With Our Churches Fish Creek Christian Fellowship

Yahoo for best Stampede breakfast in the West!

Community Bible Fellowship

their 100th year for the “greatest outdoor show on earth” and traditional stampede breakfasts throughout the entire city, Fish Creek Christian Fellowship was no exception. During what would have been worship hour, we provided a free Stampede breakfast to about 450 people.

We were assisted by the community association as well as River of Life Church, another church which meets at the same community hall.

Live entertainment was provided by Wilmer Reimer and River Of Life worship band.

People came together from all walks of life, from city slickers, farm boys, real cowboys and “wanna-be” cowboys.

As planning transpires for another

Stampede breakfast to be held next year, the big question for Fish Creek Christian Fellowship would be: “How do we as a church body reach out to these community people and bring them in to our fellowship or “giddy up,” so to speak, for the “greatest show in heaven”?

– Joyce Landis

PHOTOS: JOYCE LANDIS

Calgary, Alta.—While cowboys were getting ready to “giddy up” for their biggest rodeo of year, Fish Creek Christian Fellowship was getting ready to “giddy up” in a different type of rodeo arena.

As Calgary Stampede celebrated

••

CBF assists with VBS at Grand Rapids There was a team that came to lead from Landmark, Man., and we went to help. Rita and Kendra headed up

the music part of VBS and Pastor Ron gave the daily message. The rest of us filled in as helpers with snack, crafts, games and just spending time with the kids.

We had 35 to 40 children a day. The kids were very enthusiastic and it was a fun time.

It was a great team and the fellowship with each other, along with Fred and Stella, was an amazing time.

– Sanna Scales PHOTO: RITA THIESSEN

Swan River, Man.—Two families from CBF went to help with Vacation Bible School in Grand Rapids, Man., on Aug. 19 to 24.

The families were pastor Ron Thiessen, his wife Rita, and children Kendra, Jayden and Myron; and Kevin and Sanna Scales and their children Reign, Jadzea and Joaquin.

Pastor Fred Neff and his wife Stella are missionaries with Mid-Way Christian Leadership (formerly Continental Mission) in Grand Rapids and they hosted our stay.

www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 27

News

Telling God’s Story: a workshop on communication Missionary Fellowship meets for afternoon training session STEINBACH, Man.—“I am carried on the shoulders of those who cannot see the landscape I describe. I owe them far more than my weight.”

This quote by Judith Dupre set the tone for the afternoon workshops led by Bill McCaskell, executive director of Canadian Sunday School Mission, on Sept. 6, 2012, at Steinbach EMC. Thirteen missionaries, on home assignment or serving locally, joined staff and Board of Missions members to hear Bill teach on this relevant topic.

Bill’s material took us through the ABC’s of “storytelling,” which include awareness, belief, and the two-way street of communication. Incidentally, he purposely separated the two words “story-telling” to emphasize that our focus is to be on God’s story.

He spoke about the key components of a great story, including brevity, painting a picture, and introducing a conflict. He likened a great story to the touch-and-go take-off and landing of an airplane, stressing the importance of “landing” your story well at the end.

Bill also equipped us with six stories we need to tell. Sharing a “history” story is much more engaging than facts and figures. A “spiritual

need” story educates your audience. The “miracle” story helps people identify their own journey with yours. The “return on investment” story demonstrates the value of engaging in another’s ministry. Clearly, the “end result” story of success on the field translates into celebration at home. And the “worth it” story both reveals the reasons behind your ministry and allows you to challenge others to get involved. Naturally, Bill used many personal stories throughout the afternoon to illustrate his points.

Thank you, Bill, for your insightful teaching. To read more of Bill’s thoughts, check out his blog at www.billmccaskell.com.

– Gerald Reimer, EMC Missions Mobilizer

PHOTO: GERALD REIMER

Bill McCaskell purposely separated the two words “story-telling” to emphasize that our focus is to be on God’s story.

THIRD ANNUAL LEGACY EVENT Rest Haven Auxiliary presents

Light the World: story of Ben and Helen Eidse dramatized by Wilmer Penner

Can’t get enough of the

Ben and Helen Eidse story?

28 The Messenger • October 2012

Friday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m.

55 Plus Centre, Steinbach, Man. Tickets at $15 ($10 for students) may be reserved at HavenGroup office: 204-346-0126

News

MCC says donations to Middle East crisis urgently needed Syrian conflict is spilling over into Lebanon

MCC PHOTO BY SILAS CREWS

WINNIPEG, Man.—Almost 1.5 million Syrians are now seeking a safe place to live within their own country, displaced by conflict. About 400,000 have fled the country altogether— many with a suitcase and the clothes on their backs.

MCC workers say the demand for everything from food to fuel has reached a critical stage and the need for donations is urgent. Sarah Adams, MCC’s representative

Syrian children play at a centre operated by Caritas Jordan, an MCC partner, in Mafraq, Jordan.

in Lebanon and Syria, says communities struggle to keep up with the arrivals. In one Syrian town, a population of 35,000 has opened its doors to 90,000 newcomers.

Adams says the conflict in Syria is spilling over into Lebanon. MCC is working with partner organizations to build peace. “Lebanese do not want another civil war,” she says.

Since the spring, MCC has shipped four containers— containing blankets, relief kits, hygiene kits, school and infant care kits—to Jordan. Two have been sent to Lebanon.

In addition, MCC is working with its partners in Syria to provide food baskets, medicine, fuel and cash for families affected by the conflict in the Homs area. In Jordan, MCC is working with Caritas Jordan to provide milk and diapers to 250 Syrian families.

As of the end of August, MCC’s Middle East crisis appeal had received $400,000, but prayers and donations are still urgently needed.

Donations should be designated Middle East Crisis donate.mcc.org/project/middle-east-crisis. For information about assembling relief kits please call the nearest MCC office or visit mcccanada.ca/kits/relief.

– MCC Canada

••

Sellout crowd for Living Proof simulcast at SBC Women challenged to walk in faith

PHOTO: SBC

STEINBACH, Man.—“Meaningful and each site’s planning committee powerful!” to be bold in expectancy— “[I received] confidence and strength to go expectancy that God would on…” come and work in the heart “[The message] was developed with me in of each person participating mind…” in the simulcast around the “It is time for me to forgive…” world. SBC’s planning and These are just a few of the comments that prayer teams were praying for ladies made after Steinbach Bible College’s third this and experienced the blessannual Living Proof Live simulcast with Bible ing of seeing it happen. teacher Beth Moore on Sept. 15, 2012.

We are thankful for God’s Challenges to the sellout crowd of over 200 Attendees gathered for breakfast. presence and work on this day women included the need to walk in faith beyond and pray that he continues his their comfort zones, and to let go of the fears and burdens work in each woman who attended. that hinder that faith. Over 150,000 women participated in SBC plans to host our fourth annual Living Proof the event worldwide. simulcast on September 14, 2013. Watch for details.

In pre-simulcast training Beth Moore had challenged – SBC www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 29

News

RGBI: ministering to the Latin Church EDINBURG, Tex.—It’s been said that it’s a mile wide and an inch deep. The rapid growth of Christianity in the last few decades has left many churches in Latin America virtually leaderless.

A church’s pastor will usually be the individual who has been a believer the longest. With little teaching and few resources, believers are vulnerable to false teaching and to falling back into former lifestyles.

The Rio Grande Bible Institute (RGBI) in Edinburg, Texas, exists to develop Christian leaders for these churches. For over 60 years RGBI, a Spanish language, degree-granting college, has been preparing Latinos from more than 20 countries to go back to their homes and be the Christian leaders their churches so desperately need.

EMCers also recognize the value of RGBI for its Missionary Language School. Dozens of EMC missionaries and their families preparing to work in Paraguay, Mexico, Nicaragua and other countries had their introduction to the Spanish language and Latin culture at RGBI. Along with the classrooms, RGBI also prepares and distributes many Bible training DVDs. The school publishes resource books, and reaches out to the needy areas of northern Mexico by AM and FM radio.

The winter worker program and Bibleville, other ministries of RGBI, provide opportunities for work, relaxation, fellowship and the escape from a Canadian winter.

Want to learn more about the ministry of RGBI? See the ad in this Messenger about a tour visiting RGBI and South Texas this coming February. Space is limited so contact the RGBI Canada office soon to reserve your seat.

– RGBI

South Texas, here we come!

Enjoy some winter sun and see the ministries of

Rio Grande Bible Institute Experience the history of San Antonio and spend time on the campus of RGBI. You’ll meet the students, you’ll get together with the winter workers, and you’ll see some sights of the area.

Tour dates are February 21 to March 4, 2013.

Contact Freida Johnson at 204-254-3639 or fjohnson@riogrande.edu for more details.



••

MCC PHOTO BY JENNIFER VANDERMOLEN

MCC Ontario breaks ground on facility KITCHENER, Ont.—Hopes were raised as MCC Ontario celebrated the official groundbreaking of a new facility that will increase its capacity to respond to human need. This active and welcoming space will increase capacity to share God’s love and compassion with all, through increased volunteer opportunities, a growing thrift presence and collaboration with other Anabaptist agencies.

Of a minimum fundraising target of $4 million, $3.2 million has been

raised. The remaining $8 million of the $12 million project will be financed through Thrift Shop revenues and lease payments.

The Raising Hope building project (51,000 square feet on two floors) is to be completed in December 2013.

MCC Ontario is pleased with the fine work of the contractor and architects in designing and building a welcoming space and a facility that cares for creation.

– MCCO

MCC Ontario board members Karen Cornies and Sara Cressman officially broke ground at the new building project. They were joined by church leaders, dignitaries, volunteers and representatives of the eight Anabaptist organizations who will operate within it.

30 The Messenger • October 2012

News

CMU opens Graduate School of Theology and Ministry Programs of study developed to meet needs of students, says director Karl Koop with courses in Bible, history, theology, ethics, and in practical theology and ministry.

“I believe our programs of study are well developed to meet the needs of our students,” says Koop. “They are CMU Graduate School of Theology solidly biblical and director Karl Koop with CMU students theological and encourage growth in spiritual and leadership formation. They allow for the testing of gifts through supervised ministry experience and provide opportunities for students who wish to pursue advanced research and scholarship.”

– CMU PHOTO: CMU

WINNIPEG, Man.– Building on the vision of its founding colleges and its Anabaptist Church owners, Canadian Mennonite University on Sept. 19, 2012, opened its new Graduate School of Theology and Ministry.

“Opening the Graduate School renews and formalizes CMU’s commitment to inspire and equip students for pastoral ministry, leadership, scholarship, and service,” says Karl Koop, Graduate School director.

The Graduate School of Theology and Ministry continues to have significant connection with various inter-Mennonite denominations. It will serve uniquely as a teaching centre of Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary Canada, and is a member of the Winnipeg Theological Cooperative and a partner with Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (Elkhart, Ind.) and Steinbach Bible College.

CMU’s graduate programs of study include a Master of Arts in Christian Ministry and Master of Arts in Theological Studies, as well as a Certificate in Christian Studies,

••

Green hunger: people still in crisis in the Sahel

PHOTO: CFGB

“I do not have any food left” says widow in Burkina Faso WINNIPEG, Man.—Burkina Faso’s countryside is green, and the crops are growing. But that hopeful scene belies the food crisis that still grips millions in that country, and across the Sahel region of West Africa.

That’s the observation of Canadian Foodgrains Bank Executive Director Jim Cornelius, who visited Burkina Faso September 10–12 as part of delegation led by new Minister of International Cooperation Julian Fantino.

Many refer to this period as “green hunger,” since everything is green but there is no food.

Adding to the problem are high food prices.

The result, says Cornelius, is that people are depending on food assistance from groups like the Foodgrains Bank to get by.

One of these people is Elizabeth Nabaloum, a widow living on her own in Burkina Faso’s Maguet Commune.

“I do not have any food left from the last harvest,” she told Cornelius at a Foodgrains Bank-supported food distribution site.

For the new Minister of International Cooperation, visiting a refugee camp in Burkina Faso opened his eyes.

In speaking to the press, Fantino urged Canadians to help with the Sahel food crisis by donating to registered Canadian charities working in the region.

People who want to help can donate to the Foodgrains Bank’s Sahel Emergency Food Appeal online at www. foodgrainsbank.ca/sahel, mailing a cheque to Box 767, Winnipeg, MB R3C 2L4, or by calling 1.800.665.0377.

– CFGB

Elizabeth with her food ration.

www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 31

In Memory

Annie Harms Kroeker 1920–2011

Our dear mother, Annie Kroeker, passed away on Thanksgiving Day, Oct. 10, 2011, peacefully with family at the side at the Health Science Centre in Winnipeg, Man., at the age of 90.

She was predeceased by her husband Frank, one great-granddaughter, her parents Peter and Maria, two brothers and three sisters. Mom will be lovingly remembered by her children, Norman (Laurette), Gladys (Ken Gruenke), Irvin (Sylvia), Helen, Marianne (Larry Peters), Jerry (Val), twelve grandchildren, and twelve great grandchildren.

Mom was born on Oct. 22, 1920, the fourth child of twelve born to Peter and Maria Harms of Rosenhof, Man. Mom grew up on the family farm and received her education at the Rosenhof School. She would talk about many special memories of growing up with her brothers and sisters.

She had to work outside the home at a very young age to help with the family income. Mom was a hard worker and found much joy and satisfaction in doing her work to the best she could with the gifts and skills God had given her.

Mom accepted Christ as her Lord and Saviour at a young age. She was baptised on the confession of her faith on July 25, 1937, into the Kleine Gemeinde Church, now the Rosenort Evangelical Mennonite Church. On June 1, 1940, Mom married our dad, 32 The Messenger • October 2012

Calendar Frank L. Kroeker. They settled on a farm half a mile East of Rosenort.

Mom’s optimistic outlook on life was what Dad needed to get them through the tough times on the farm.

In 1970, Mom and Dad moved to Abbotsford, B.C. They enjoyed working together during the three years they lived there. They worked as custodians at the Mennonite Educational Institute, but came to realize they most complemented each other as painters.

In 1973 they moved back to Rosenort. Dad sold the farm and built a new house just east of the farmstead.

This was a bigger house with two rooms built onto the garage, designed especially for Mom’s massage therapy.

It was common for her to have ten to twelve patients a day. God had given her a very special gift in her hands to help relax and loosen tight muscles.

In 1989, Helen moved from Vancouver, B.C., to live with Mom and Dad. She would be a strong support to Mom and Dad, as Dad’s health started to decline.

Mom and Dad decided to sell their house in 1991 and move to Rebecca Cove in Morris. Dad was with her a very short time at this apartment until he was admitted into the Red River Valley Lodge. Dad passed away in 1992.

Mom’s home was always open for family, relatives, and friends. She loved entertaining her grandchildren and great-grandchildren with stories and songs. She enjoyed quilting, knitting, and sewing. She loved sharing her baking and enjoyed faspas and coffee breaks with neighbours, family, and friends.

Mom, we will miss coming to your apartment and seeing your outstretched arms to welcome us. In the meantime, we look forward to meeting you in Heaven. What a day of rejoicing that will be.

– Her Family

Manitoba Nov. 2 Third Annual Legacy Event Rest Haven Auxiliary presents Light the World: story of Ben and Helen Eidse 55 Plus Centre, Steinbach Tickets $15 ($10 for students) 204-346-0126

Nov. 9–11 28th Annual EM Cup Hockey Tournament TG Smith Centre, Steinbach Register as a church team or individual Keith Barkman: 204-371-8507, karbarkman@gmail.com or Josh Plett: 204-320-9336, snjplett@mts.net

Nov. 23 EMC Ministerial Meeting 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (registration at 8:30 a.m.)

Evangelical Fellowship Church 200 Woodhaven Ave, Steinbach 204-326-6401, www.emconference.ca

Nov. 24 EMC Conference Council Meeting 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (registration at 8:30 a.m.)

Ridgewood EMC 37015 PR 311, near Giroux 204-326-6401, www.emconference.ca

Ontario Nov. 10 MCC Ontario Fall Conference Niagara Christian Community of Schools 2619 Niagara Parkway, Fort Erie 519-745-8458 or 1-800-313-6226

Shoulder Tapping Pastoral positions West Zion Mennonite Church, a rural church near Carstairs, Alta., is seeking an experienced full-time senior/lead pastor for a multi-staff growing congregation of 180–200 in a rural/urban setting 70 kms north of Calgary. We are a Mennonite church that is evangelical and outreach/missions oriented. The applicant should be a deeply spiritual leader gifted in preaching/teaching and one who is committed to doing pastoral work. Interested persons should send a resume, a brief biography and statement of faith to: James Miller, Box 1078, Didsbury, AB T0M 0W0.

The Australian Conference of Evangelical Mennonites Church of Hope requires an enthusiastic pastor with a passion for Christ to come to Australia for a minimum term of two years to take over the spiritual leadership of the church.

We are a small congregation wanting to continue the Mennonite/Anabaptist vision here in Australia, looking for a person(s) to help us in that work.

For information on this position please contact: Anne McQueen (annemcqueen@dodo.com.au) or David Rouse (dmrouse@idl.net.au).

Crestview Fellowship (www.crestviewfellowship.ca), an Evangelical Mennonite Conference church located in Winnipeg, Man., is prayerfully seeking applications for a senior pastor. If you feel God calling you to this position or if you have any questions about the position, please call Alex Wiebe at 204-837-2516 or send resume and references either electronically to the Pastoral Search Committee, Attn: Alex Wiebe (alex@flyinglow.ca) or by mail to Pastoral Search Committee c/o Crestview Fellowship, 271 Hamilton Ave, Winnipeg, MB R2Y 0H3.

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 La Crete Christian Fellowship Church (EMC) seeks a full-time 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 780814-1439, neudorfs@telus.net, or www.lccfc.ca.

First Mennonite Church, Burns Lake, a small body of believers in northern BC, is looking for a part-time or full-time 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.

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-In-Training 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. 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 Camp Cedarwood is currently seeking to fill the position of a full-time prep cook. The year round ministry of Camp Cedarwood is a division of Youth For Christ which facilitates ministry retreats, youth group events, and outdoor educational experiences in our 31,450 sq foot lodge and 35 acres of forest and lake front property. Our site and facilities are located an hour and a half north west of Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada in the pristine Canadian shield territory.

The candidate will be responsible for assisting the head cook by preparing food. They will work with a team of 3 other kitchen staff to also set and clean the dining room. We are looking for a person with a heart for ministry, experience in the food industry, joy for cooking and ability to work and live in a close community. If you feel that God is calling you into this support based position of ministry, please contact Scott Kelusky, Director of Cedarwood for more details at 204.345.8529 or email: cedarwood.campsite.director@gmail.com.

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 • here and far away

Perfect love: an invitation to a life of freedom!

K

by Jocelyn R. Plett

nowing what you have makes all the difference.

As believers, we have been given everything we need for life and godliness (Ephesians 1:3–14), but if we don’t know it, we will never experience the reality of it.

I miss out on freedom if I don’t allow peace to rule in my heart. Colossians says to let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts (3:15).

If I will allow it, the peace of Christ will guard my heart and mind against the lies of my enemy. It will guard between me and the thought that we are vulnerable here as strangers in a country where we have no medical resources should anything happen and no leg to stand on because the foreigner is always wrong in any conflict.

DESIGNPICS.COM

Perfect love allows me to launch myself off the cliff of worldly caution to do that which I hear the Spirit calling me to do.

34 The Messenger • October 2012

It’s not true, but it feels like it because that’s what circumstances have shown us when viewed through the eyes of the flesh.

Letting peace rule. I’ve caught glimpses of what that means: utter confidence that we are taken care of, provided for, and we have no need to worry or be anxious about anything (Philippians 4:5–7). It seems to be a wildly vulnerable risk I’m taking when I mute the flesh-voice of caution that says, “How can you live and raise your children in a place where your life is at risk?”

“Perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18). I understand this as an invitation to live a life truly free, truly abundant: to live knowing that the eye of the Almighty God is on me and he has given me every spiritual gift to do the things I know are right and pleasing to him without thought of the “what ifs.”

It allows me to launch myself off the cliff of worldly caution to do that which I hear the Spirit calling me to do.

Rather than, “What if I get malaria when I go minister to the isolated people of Madagascar?”

Or, “What will people think if I...,” I should be asking, “What if I don’t go and instead live a life of mediocrity?” That is a risk! A risk of living a mediocre life rather than the phenomenal adventure of a life of obedience to the Spirit.

What is the Spirit leading you to do?

As I write this I’ve just received a text that a friend has been medevaced to South Africa with frightening symptoms. Although the terror of experiencing something similar gives me chills, if I really understand and believe what the Word says, we are equipped to handle terrifying situations because of the gifts God has given us.

Not the least of these gifts are his grace to endure suffering, the peace that passes understanding, and the hope that it is only him who is in control of whatever happens to us.

That is freedom, my friends. Freedom from fear. Freedom from worry over what others will think. Freedom from needing to have control over everything around us. Freedom to live life abundantly.

Columns • stewardship today

Impulsive generosity

I

n his book Money, Sex and Power, Richard Foster tells this story: “A doctor once asked a very wealthy patient, ‘What on earth are you going to do with all of that money?’ The patient replied, a bit reluctantly, ‘Just worry about it, I suppose.’ The doctor went on, ‘Do you get that much pleasure out of worrying about it?’ ‘No,’ replied the patient, ‘but I get such terror when I think of giving some of it to somebody else.’”

Times haven’t changed. Being generous, especially with money, isn’t easy. Would you believe that I struggle with giving money to others?

Just ask my wife.

As I think back, I realize how often my family and I have been the recipients of someone else’s generosity. Or should I say, impulsive generosity.

following week when I arrived at my office, there was the sheet set. This same couple had bought it with the highest bid. My son has been sleeping with it ever since.

Jesus tells a similar story: “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here’” (Luke 10:33–35).

About.com defines impulsive behaviour as “behaviours that occur quickly without

by Kevin Davidson

DESIGNPICS.COM

We can truly experience the joy of impulsive generosity when we plan for it.

I attended Capernwray Bible School in New Zealand. My friends and I would often travel on weekends and semester breaks to tour the country. Many times we crashed overnight at people’s homes and woke up to a delicious breakfast. We didn’t know these people personally, but they had generously offered hospitality based on a last-minute phone call from a professor.

I was in the Tim Hortons drive thru and the attendant told me there was no charge. The previous customer had paid for it.

My family and I attended an auction and my four-year-old son was introducing himself to everyone as Peter Parker (Spiderman). There was a Spiderman sheet set up for auction and a couple noticed my son’s interest in it. The

control, planning or consideration of the consequences of that behaviour.”

However, we can truly experience the joy of impulsive generosity when we plan for it. First of all, by acting our wage. Living within our means and learning to be content with what we’ve been given in today’s world is a tricky business.

Second, building capacity within our means.

Reducing and/or eliminating expenditures we can learn to live without affords us greater capacity for generosity.

And third, listening and watching for the Lord’s leading. God opens many doors for impulsive generosity. Are we ready, willing and able to walk through it?

Through my work at Mennonite Foundation of Canada, I have been witness to, and a participant in, these acts of impulsive generosity. I can tell you firsthand that the model works, time after time. Experience joy. Plan to be generous.

Then act impulsively. Experience joy.

Kevin Davidson is a stewardship consultant at the Calgary, Alta., office of Mennonite Foundation of Canada (MFC). For no-cost information on impulsive generosity, stewardship education and estate and charitable gift planning, contact your nearest MFC office or visit Mennofoundation.ca.

www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 35

Columns • kids’ corner

Are you thankful?

by Loreena Thiessen

36 The Messenger • October 2012

DESIGNPICS.COM

O

ne reason to be thankful is your family. Your mother and father make sure you are safe. They provide good food for you, and allow you to experience fun and useful activities, like camping in the summer time or shopping for school supplies once school begins.

Do you have a best friend with whom you share secrets and play time? Be thankful for your friend.

What about school? School is a place for training and for friends. In school you learn facts and how to think about something. You meet new friends and can learn how to be a good friend. Be thankful for school.

Are you safe going to school each day? Can you drive safely along the road to your grandmother’s house or to see your cousin? Do you return safely to your home? These are things to be thankful for.

There are many examples of people who are thankful; you can read about them in the Bible.

One example is Paul. Paul hopes to visit and teach God’s people in Rome. He is thankful for this opportunity and he thanks God for their faith. You can read about Paul in Romans 1:1–5.

Can you think of something good that has happened to you or to someone you know? One day Jesus met ten men who had leprosy. He healed them. One of the men was so thankful he returned to Jesus to tell him. When something good happens you can thank God for it. Read the story of the lepers in Luke 17:11–15.

Jesus thanks God for hearing him when he prays. You can read about that in John 11:41.

You can do that too.

Another reason to be thankful is because that is what God wants. In Psalm 100 King David reminds us that God made us and we belong to him. King David says this is something to be thankful for.

In Psalm 116 King David gives a long list of many things God has done. Can you name some things God has done for you? Tell God you are thankful for those things.

Activity: Make a thankful reminder You need: • Coloured paper • Pencil or coloured pencils • Scissors • Tape Do: • Trace your hand on coloured paper one time each day.

• On each hand, print one thing you are thankful for.

• Cut out the hand shape and tape it onto a window where you can easily see it.

• Ask your family to help you think of things to be thankful for.

• Read the reminders each day.

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