The Messenger May/June 2022

The Messenger a publication of the

Evangelical Mennonite Conference

Volume 60 No. 3 May/June 2022

He is risen!

living in light of the resurrection

INSIDE:

2022 Annual Report Inside!

The stone was rolled away! page 6 LIGHTSTOCK

Homemade lollipops and unmerited favour page 10 Love that conquers shame page 14 Shigematsu explores how love releases from shame page 18

Editorial

Our fight for freedom

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efore we’ve even learned to walk, we humans begin fighting for freedom; first, in play but then more seriously as we object to authority, consequences, expectations, guilt, pain, doubt, anxiety, and death—the freedom wish list is very long.

But finding freedom is not simple. Restrictions often act as prison guards at opposite ends of our cell. We want to be free of obligations but if we don’t fulfil them, we’re weighted down by guilt. We want to be free of authority and rules and find ourselves paying penalties or facing retribution. Some freedoms we fight for have zero possibility of success, but that doesn’t stop us from trying.

understandable? Because trusting in the Holy Spirit for our righteousness is too slow, or it’s too hard to figure out if we’re making any progress? Maybe freedom just seems too…free.

In the case of the Galatians, Paul places the blame on people in their midst who are throwing them into confusion and trying to pervert the gospel of Christ: “Agitators” who have “cut in on them.” But he doesn’t let the Galatians off the hook. They need to take responsibility for holding on to the gospel they received and not trade it back in for slavery to the law.

Whatever or whoever it is, trying to lure us or frighten us back into slavery, Paul insists we hold on to the freedom in Christ. Hold on to the gospel that saved us and stay in step with the Spirit, loving our neighbour as ourselves.

In this issue of The Messenger the writers focus on themes of resurrection and Pentecost: preventing shame from keeping us enslaved

by Ken Shigamatsu (p. 14), and again by Jesse Penner who reports on the SBC leadership conference at which Shigamatsu spoke; trusting God when obstacles are insurmountable by Andrew Dyck, p. 6, and loving wary neighbours

by Heidi (surname withheld), p. 10 who lives and works in Spain.

Read Kevin Wiebe’s column too and have fun again. Read Karla Hein’s column and have wonder again.

Read Layton Friesen’s last column as Conference Pastor— right to his surprising ending, and have…well, that would be a spoiler.

– Erica Fehr

Why, when we are so desperate for freedom, and we receive it in the Holy Spirit, do we need to be told to stand firm and not let ourselves be burdened again by slavery? Is it because law feels safer and understandable?

Maybe freedom just seems too…free.

Here we are, between the resurrection and Pentecost.

The power of death and sin defeated by Jesus—grace and freedom the new reality as we’re filled with the Holy Spirit.

Grace and freedom are a big deal to Paul. He pulls no punches when the Galatians give up freedom in the Holy Spirit for a return to the law. “Who has bewitched you?” he says in chapter 3 (v. 1). “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves Note on discussion within The Messenger be burdened again by a yoke of slavEvery community will have a of people in our lives. These disery” (Galatians 5:1). Of course, this diversity of views and opinions, cussions should also reflect the freedom doesn’t mean being able to which provides opportunities reality that some groups and act however they want, he reminds for us to learn from each other, individuals have not always felt them (5:13ff ). being quick to listen, slow to welcome in Christian communiBut why, when we are so desspeak and slow to become angry ties. We welcome your responses perate for freedom, and we receive (James 1:19).

Our discussions are to articles and topics discussed in it in the Holy Spirit, do we need inevitably impacted by our own The Messenger. to be told to stand firm and not let experiences, and the experiences – Board of Church Ministries ourselves be burdened again by slavery? Is it because law feels safer and

2 The Messenger • May/June 2022

Table of Contents Features

Columns

6

5

The stone was rolled away!

– Andrew Dyck

10 Homemade lollipops and unmerited favour

We are called to welcome all refugees – Angel Infantes

21 A Path To Peace

– Heidi

14 Love that conquers shame – Ken Shigematsu

18 Shigematsu explores how love releases from shame – Jesse Penner

A Reader’s Viewpoint

page

23

The fun of peacemaking – Kevin Wiebe

34 His Light to My Path Our magnificent God, the Creator – Karla Hein

35 Further In and Higher Up page

6

He’s a tough act to follow – Layton Friesen

page

36 Kids’ Corner

29

The colours of spring – Loreena Thiessen

Departments 2

Editorial

4

Letters and Notices

23

With Our Missionaries

26

With Our Churches

28

News

32

In Memory

33

Shoulder Tapping

Wha Wh at’s Next?

Healing for the Past... ...Vision for the Future

info on page

22

EMC Festival 2022 June 10 and 11 Steinbach Bible College Steinbach, Manitoba

www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 3

The Messenger

Letters and Notices

Volume 60 No. 3 May/June 2022

Evangelical Mennonite Conference

Year to Date Financial Report January-April 2022

MANAGING EDITOR ERICA FEHR

EDITOR REBECCA ROMAN

evangelical m e n n o n i t e

PUBLICATION AND PURPOSE The Messenger is the publication of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference, 440 Main Street, Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z5. 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.

Phone: 204-326-6401 messenger@emconference.ca www.emcmessenger.ca www.issuu.com/emcmessenger ISSN: 0701-3299 Publications Mail Agreement Number: 40017362 Second-class postage paid at Steinbach, MB

c o n f e r e n c e

Income* Expenses Excess/Shortfall

*Income includes donations and transfers from other funds (e.g., estate funds).

EMC hires new communications assistant

The articles printed in The Messenger are owned

by The Messenger or by the author and may not be reprinted without permission. Unless noted, Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

TM

SUBMISSIONS

CHANGE OF ADDRESS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS Print subscriptions are free of charge to all members and adherents of EMC churches in Canada. For all others, print subscription rates are as follows: $20/year ($26 U.S.), Manitoba residents add 7% PST. To sign up for the email newsletter or submit an address change, email messenger@emconference.ca.

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 can be sent to messenger@emconference.ca.

4 The Messenger • May/June 2022

General Fund 2021 407,040 480,983 -73,943

We give thanks to God for the continued strong support of EMC ministries, and we acknowledge the contributions of EMC churches and individuals who give so generously.

- The Board of Trustees

COPYRIGHT

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.

Letters, articles, photos and poems are welcome.

Submissions should be sent to messenger@emconference.ca.

General Fund 2022 406,113 476,224 -70,111

Adrienne Funk

The Personnel Committee of the EMC General Board is very pleased to announce that Adrienne Funk has been hired to fill the role of Communications Assistant. This appointment is effective April 1, 2022. Adrienne will fill the position recently vacated by Andrew Walker.

Adrienne’s primary responsibilities will be to serve as an

Administrative Assistant to the Board of Church Ministries, the Board of Trustees, and the Board of Leadership and Outreach. She will also provide other communications services in areas of graphic design and video production.

Adrienne has considerable experience in Christian ministry, having served in church administration as well as with Youth for Christ. She also has training in biblical counselling. Her passion is music, and she loves to teach children to play musical instruments.

She and her husband Trevor live in Tolstoi and attend the Pansy Chapel.

Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Adrienne as she transitions into this new responsibility at the EMC. You can reach her at afunk@emconference.ca or 204-326-6401.

– EMC Personnel Committee

Column • A Reader’s Viewpoint

We are called to welcome all refugees The movements of large groups of people across the planet occur in all directions. In the South American context, in the 1990s there were up to two million refugees living in Ecuador.

Currently, more than four million Venezuelans found refuge in Colombia, and more than one million in Peru. In spite of poverty, many people in these countries have continued to show solidarity with refugees. These countries do not provide a house or a job but a community into which little by little refugees can integrate.

The church in Canada has been welcoming refugees for years. In 2009, our home church

Believers need to go further, faced with the age-old dilemma of “who is my neighbour?”

By Angel Infantes

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country at war pushes people to seek refuge, to migrate. Lately, we have seen this in Syria and Ukraine.

Both the local church and the church globally realize at this moment their response is to help displaced people. The maxim of “loving your neighbour” stirs the believer inside, translating into actions of compassion, commitment of time, skills, finances, and even to risk their own lives.

This last was an action taken by Cinthia and Martin Corona, Mexican missionaries in Ukraine. They decided to stay in the city of Dnipro to help people by taking them to the border with Poland and returning with groceries for people who cannot leave the country. Corona says, “We felt that we couldn’t leave just like that; we couldn’t turn our backs on people and pretend nothing was happening.” Believers in other nearby countries have not waited to help Ukrainians suffering because of the war.

Western society has responded by opening its borders to receive millions of displaced people. As members of that society, we long for this to be the standard of commitment to help the most vulnerable in all conflicts.

Some critical voices point out the different attitudes of some countries toward refugees from past conflicts. At times, these countries have taken action to stop refugees from crossing borders, halt those fleeing by sea from reaching the coast, and keep them in refugee camps for years. While society tries to justify its behaviour due to its religious and ethnic proximity, the church needs to act differently.

We welcome governments opening their countries’ doors to refugees and encourage them to continue to do so. But believers need to go further, faced with the age-old dilemma of “who is my neighbour?” The fulfillment of the commandment is revealed when the one considered an “enemy” discovers the image of God in the helpless along the road, which moves him to compassion.

Similar is the action of God in sending his Son so that everyone, without partiality, can attain a full life. That is our model.

sponsored a refugee family; MCC provided the names. A group from the church went to welcome the family at the airport. Our gazes did not rest on any of the people who descended the stairs but on a lady that approached a group of people beside the stairs. “Do you speak Spanish?” she asked. It was an Afro-Colombian family. It was one of those moments your inner self is exposed and touched by the grace of God at the same time, and you understand who your neighbour is.

Just as this emergency in Ukraine has opened the hearts of many, it must remain open for others skin colours as well, who also bear the image of God, which means everyone.

Angel Infantes (Aberdeen EMC) serves with EMC Missions in Guadalajara, Mexico. www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 5

stone was rolled away!

The

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By Andrew Dyck

6 The Messenger • May/June 2022

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f you are looking for a piece of advice this Easter season, I can provide one from the outset: Never move a piano. At the very least, never try to move one on your own.

I learned this lesson the hard way in college, being conscripted to move a piano up a narrow set of stairs in the music wing. Of course, there were several of us on the job, pulling from the top and pushing from the bottom. About halfway up the staircase our energy flagged, and the piano started to move back down the stairs, which was quite the turn of events for those of us on the bottom. The only way that piano made it to the top floor was to find fresh arms and legs to help.

Moving that piano was almost impossible. It would certainly have been impossible for someone to do on their own strength and, if someone told me that one day the piano moved to the top floor without any help at all, I would have told them that was definitively impossible! Or, perhaps, a miracle.

nothing that those who loved him most could do about it. This seemed like a time to despair.

Despite Jesus’ teaching of his resurrection, his disciples gave in to this despair at the time of his death. They were in mourning, and understandably so. The one that they had given up their lives to follow, the one they believed was the long-awaited Messiah, was dead. Their personally constructed hopes and dreams died with him. At a more basic, yet profound level, they lost someone they loved deeply.

In her mourning, Mary Magdalene (along with a small group of other women) went to the tomb with spices to anoint the body of Jesus.

Mary had been there when Jesus was buried, and therefore knew her plan had a problem: The stone was in the way.

In Mark’s gospel, the women ask an important question we should not miss, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” (Mark 16:3). They could not roll that stone away on their own power any more than

In Mark’s gospel, the women ask an important question we should not miss, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” (Mark 16:3).

The tomb was sealed

One such miracle did take place on resurrection day, equally as impossible and largely unlooked for. After Jesus was crucified, the Gospels reveal that he was buried in a tomb belonging to Joseph of Arimathea. Once the body was prepared, a large stone was rolled across the entrance, and the tomb was sealed.

The chief priests and the Pharisees—those who worked to see Jesus crucified—remained concerned Christ’s disciples would steal his body and claim he had risen from the dead. Pilate gave them permission to post a guard in front of the tomb to prevent any such thing from happening. By all accounts from a human perspective, it was impossible for anyone to get past the guards and move that vast stone. Jesus was dead, his body was sealed away, and there was

you or I could move a piano up a set of stairs on our own. Yet there they were, spices in hand, ready to show their love and appreciation for Jesus one last time. The fact it would be impossible to do so was an open question, but not enough to stop them from making that journey.

What an act of faith!

The impossible accomplished!

Even Mary and her friends, full of faith and love for Jesus, could not anticipate the nature of the miracle they encountered. The huge stone, unmoveable, sealed and guarded, was rolled away! In its stead was an angel of the Lord, declaring the ultimate message of hope: “[Jesus] is risen; he is not here” (Mark 16:6).

In one glorious moment of realization, hope pierced through mourning, and light overcame

www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 7

SHUTTERSTOCK

There is no glory gained in trying to push a piano up the stairs on our own, only the potential for pain and shame.

the darkness. The unbelievable miracle of the resurrection of Jesus Christ was encapsulated by the simpler, tangible miracle of the sealed stone rolled aside. What was once an insurmountable obstacle was transformed into an image of the impossible: victory over death. Mary and the others were astonished, and they were afraid, because the stone was rolled away and that changed everything.

Pushing the piano on our own

There are many moments and situations that certainly qualify as stones in our lives. We are all faced with things that are guarded, sealed and impossible to overcome on our power. It could be the sudden loss of a job, with a lack of certainty as to how to provide for the family’s needs. A stone could be revealed in strained and broken relationships between family members, exacerbated by the stresses and polarization the pandemic ushered into our homes. For many, the situation of Mary Magdalene is ultimately relatable, as the passing of a loved one brings a keen sense of loss and the realization that there are some things in life that are far beyond our control.

8 The Messenger • May/June 2022

One temptation common to humankind is the desire to accomplish things on our own. If only we believe enough in ourselves, if only we receive enough training and experience, if only we try a little harder, surely these stones will roll away. But what if it isn’t possible? What happens when the realization dawns on us that our own power and strength is insufficient?

There is no glory gained in trying to push a piano up the stairs on our own, only the potential for pain and shame. It would be ridiculous to make the attempt; yet are we guilty of being equally ridiculous in attempting the spiritually impossible? The fierce independence fostered by the world around us is fuelled by pride and contrary to the Christian walk. The first step to overcoming an immovable obstacle is to humbly admit that we cannot.

Our dependence on Christ

To journey with Christ is to admit daily that we are dependent on him. In our darkest moments, our hearts’ cry echoes the question of the women on their way to see the body of Jesus, “Who will roll away the stone?”

The resurrection story not only provides the setting for the stone being moved out of the way, but the greater promise behind it. This has never been about the stone, but about the power to move anything that bars our way to Jesus. This power knows no limits, even to the point of bringing the dead back to life, which is our only hope. Christ alone can make all things possible; it is to him we should look when there is no discernable path forward.

to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:17—21) So let us acknowledge that our strength is not enough. Let us cease striving for independence and humbly lean on our resurrected Lord. Let us watch in amazement as God—in his wisdom and love—proves that the entrance of the tomb of Jesus was just one stone of many that he will roll away.

Andrew Dyck (B.A., MDiv) is the Senior Pastor of Stony Brook Fellowship in Steinbach, MB. He thoroughly enjoys his roles as husband, father, pastor, friend, and— most importantly—follower of Jesus.

This has never been about the stone, but about the power to move anything that bars our way to Jesus.

This power knows no limits.

I do not know how God will choose to answer your prayers. Certainly, we do not come across a promise in Scripture that all difficulties will be swept aside. Instead, we find a better promise. A whispered promise that, when we put ourselves to the side and rely on the power of Christ at work in us, God can accomplish even greater things than we could anticipate.

“So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according

www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 9

homemade lollipops and unmerited favour What we’re learning about building trust in a wounded place

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By Heidi

10 The Messenger • May/June 2022

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zzz. Bzzz. The dog barked her warning that someone was at the door. It was just about 10 at night—acceptable here in our host country where many are eating dinner at this hour. Because I was already getting ready to end the day, my husband ran down the stairs to answer.

After a few minutes, I hear the door close, and Marvin is back with a small cup in his hand which is decorated with pretty wrapping paper and holds six homemade peanut-brittle lollipops. He tells me that the neighbour lady has just arrived back from her pueblo (town) and reciprocated our offering of Valentine cookies from last week. The lollipops were brought in from her hometown in honour of their patron saint. If this were an isolated occurrence, and we did not live here very long, we might consider this to be in line with our own customs and expectations.

In our passport country, when friends invite us for dinner it would be normal that those friends would soon enough be seated at our family table as our guests because we are friends.

smile goes a long way and I readily explain who I am and how I’d love for them to receive this small gift from us.

A gift is not earned; it is given because of grace.

Grace is unmerited favour

What is grace? According to Bible Study Tools website, “the word ‘grace’ in biblical parlance can, like forgiveness, repentance, regeneration, and salvation, mean something as broad as describing the whole of God’s activity toward man or as narrow as describing one segment of that activity. An accurate, common definition describes grace as the unmerited favor of God toward man. In the Old Testament, the term that most often is translated ‘grace,’ is hen [ej]; in

The fact the sun came up and the sun went down is unmerited favour from our God. Rain falls on both the righteous and the wicked—an unmerited act of favour from our God.

A preamble to the gift

Our family has lived in the same house for five years; even so, we’re still working to gain trust from people in our neighborhood. When we give our neighbours cookies, breads or cakes, they usually accept them with ease. This has not always been the case, and still I preamble the offering with how, in our country, we enjoy giving away baked goodies as a token of friendship.

Sometimes I am greeted at the door with a slight frown or furrowed brow revealing a silent question: Who are you and what do you want with me? It is an unseen but real trademark of Spanish hospitality for trust’s foundation to be deep and wide before expectations match.

Coffee time, lunch dates or play time happen frequently and joyfully outside while vulnerability is reserved for intimate hosting in our home; only the closest, most trusted friends see our masks removed. However, as in any culture, a

the New Testament, it is charis [cavri”]” (https:// www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/grace/).

It has a simple definition, but the ramifications are profound. The fact that we are breathing in and out today is unmerited favour from our God. The fact the sun came up and the sun went down is unmerited favour from our God. Rain falls on both the righteous and the wicked—an unmerited act of favour from our God. Jesus dying on the cross, then resurrecting to victorious life to purchase our freedom, is the most significant act of grace we can name.

Cultural challenges to comprehend

We have lived in the beautiful country of Spain for over a decade and still we learn something new almost every month. In preparation for our move, it was explained to us how the incredible history of battles, betrayals and gross hypocrisies gave way to a buildup of mistrust among its people. Boasting grand imperialism and divine blessing, monarchies abused power while the hope of millions dissipated like a mist and left a

www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 11

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We could count on hard soil, a graveyard of sorts in which many fellow workers had abandoned their fields after years of attempting to plow cement with a fork.

chill that seeped into later generations. We could count on hard soil, a graveyard of sorts in which many fellow workers had abandoned their fields after years of attempting to plow cement with a fork. As foreign workers we could expect envy and disbelief; later, we’d receive knowing looks which said, “We’ve done that before and it didn’t produce anything.”

The seeds of doubt and disillusionment had fallen on soil sustained by the Word—fellow believers we came to love and respect. We saw this sense of gloom in our first year when our church planned to participate in an evangelistic outreach. In their minds, pedestrians were expected to ignore us, reducing our efforts to a seemingly hopeless activity.

On the western side of Spain, our friends experienced burnout after energetically serving nearly ten years; they are now relocated in a new ministry area, diligent in their faithful obedience. Back in our agency training rooms, we thought, could this all be true? No stark reality was left unsaid, no stone unturned as to what lay ahead as plans finalized for our new assignment.

We personally know people torn apart in their childhood by severe immoral acts of disgrace affecting their ability to comprehend a God of grace and mercy. Betrayed by men and women who vowed to follow a code of divine authority but willfully denied their consciences a rebuke of their horrid actions.

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In a wonderful park, beneath layers of concrete and dirt, lie scattered ashes of those burned to death for believing that Jesus brings transformation, that faith and baptism are by understanding that Jesus saves. We have walked the cobblestones where embittered family treason resulted in centuries of unresolved conflict, just barely out of sight today. A repetition of half-truths still saturates the airwaves within the spired cathedrals corresponding to the gilded wood, metal and stone seen throughout Spain.

Thinly veiled are the centuries of bondage to idolatry in spirit and action, defiant to the God of truth and grace.

Yet Jesus remains our treasure

We’ve prevailed through particular sorrows and the highest of joys while sojourning here and we reflect on where God’s grace has fallen on us.

We remember “we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So

we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:7– 10, 16–18). Jesus is our treasure, and he lives to intercede for us, to be our life and hope—and our bodies carry this testament as a letter that breathes.

Grace allows us to receive and give freely

Many years ago, we made a special order from friends in Canada to send us mint flavored candy canes to add into prepared little baggies for strangers and friends alike. During the Christmas season, hearts are softened, eyes are bright with the anticipation of gifts and treats. It appears that almost every child and adult longs for hope in the Christ child’s birth.

A group took to the streets while others stayed behind to pray for the simple act of sharing the gospel story through a piece of candy.

On the street, small hands eagerly accepted the baggies while some older hands were closed, brushing off any desire to hear or read any Christmas greetings. A few asked how much they had to pay; eyebrows shot up when we said, “It’s free. A small gift for you.” Finally, an older gentleman took a baggie then beckoned Marvin to a nearby storefront entrance where his key unlocked the door. He grabbed a handful of his own candy, stuffed it into Marvin’s hand and walked away. He’d paid back in full what he’d been gifted.

A sense of indebtedness itches like a bad rash, and it must be alleviated by matching that

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The power of God’s grace in their lives enables them to give freely, not expecting anything in return.

which was given. It’s not a problem if someone owes you—your aim is freedom from being beholden to anyone. In our experience, becoming unhinged from this sense of obligation happens when Christ becomes Lord. There is a night and day difference between those who live freely in the kingdom of God and those who are yet on the fringes of God’s family.

The disciplines of grace are widely seen in our Spanish family: a collection of singles, families and couples who have embraced us during our years of learning their culture—their language of love. They are born again believers who have drawn from the well of living water and are living in light of the resurrection. The power of God’s grace in their lives enables them to give freely, not expecting anything in return. Coming from a culture of intense mistrust, where you live out your faith often in a solitary community because you are the only Christian and hiding behind an “I’m good, you’re good” veneer, it’s clear to see the transformation Jesus accomplishes.

In Spain, we want to learn how to be better “be-ers” and not only “do-ers” since being the difference seems to open pathways to further communication. We want to model what being a Christian is like when so much of what’s been shown is fraud. We, who have been saved

by God’s grace, can and should be reflectors of his kindness. “That the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body” (2 Corinthians 4:10).

Living in light of Resurrection Sunday will look slightly different for each of us depending on where God has placed us. In our neighbourhood, folks are not eager to stop and chat more than just about the weather or simple family news. Our connecting with them will be intentional: more goodies, being vulnerable, asking about the ailing family member and, at the very least, a smile with our “Hola!” Smiles can go a long way to show unmerited favour.

Heidi and husband, Marvin, currently serve with Avant Ministries/EMC in Spain. Heidi volunteers in the front office at a small school where there are mostly TCKs (Third Culture Kids) and loves the community there. Heidi’s great joy is being a wife and mother, relaxing while reading and learning more about God in her surroundings.

www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 13

conquers SHAME LOVE THAT

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By Ken Shigematsu

14 The Messenger • May/June 2022

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rom time to time, I have a nightmare: I’m in the church sanctuary, the offering is being taken, and I am about to get up and preach in a couple of minutes—but I have no idea what to say. I begin to frantically scratch out an outline on some scrap paper. I get up, move to the pulpit, and glance down at my notes. To my horror, all I can see are these completely indecipherable symbols: #!%?3^R*^&. As I begin to wing it, the auditorium empties.

Here’s another one: I’m in a car, heading to a speaking engagement. On the way, I realize I have nothing to wear. I’m basically naked—just in my underwear—and I’m running late!

Coming up short

At a subconscious level, I have a fear of being shown up as deficient, of not being enough.

Each of us struggles at some level with the feeling that we come up short, that we’re not good enough in our own eyes or the eyes of someone else.

We can feel doubt about our abilities, our likability, or embarrassment over our bodies.

We can feel inferior because of some kind of dysfunction in our family, not having enough money, or an addictive habit we have.

Writers in the ancient world of the Bible and contemporary social science researchers have described this feeling as shame. As Brené Brown puts it, shame is the “intensely painful feeling or

experience of believing that we are flawed and therefore unworthy of love and belonging.”

But this intensely painful feeling isn’t confined to those of us who have failed or fallen short, those who have been abused or gone through trauma, or those who have been told they are stupid, ugly, or would never amount to anything.

Even people who seem extremely successful—with wealth, status, talent, fame or acclaim—struggle with feelings of falling short, being unworthy, or not being enough.

Not long after the American decathlete Ashton Eaton repeated as the gold medallist in the decathlon at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, I asked him if his gold medal made him feel like he was enough. He told me winning a gold medal—and especially the first one— felt great, but after a while he looked down at the medal and thought—it’s just a medallion. It wasn’t the answer—it wasn’t enough to make him feel like he was enough.

Shame is universal, but we can heal

Regardless of where we are from, human beings the world over live with a sense of shame, of falling short. And most of us can point to areas in our lives where we feel innately flawed and unworthy of love and belonging.

For anyone who struggles with a deep sense of shame, seeing a therapist, developing selfcompassion, and learning to tell different stories about oneself can be important aspects of the healing journey. But there are also riches in our spiritual heritage that can support us in healing our pain.

Before sin entered the world, our ancient ancestors Adam and Eve were free from feelings of shame. We are told in Genesis 2:25, “Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.”

Shame was not an emotion human beings experienced at the dawn of creation. Shame entered the world because of sin.

Shame, as Adam and Eve discovered, separates us from God and each other. When we experience shame, we hide ourselves from God,

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At a subconscious level, I have a fear of being shown up as deficient, of not being enough.

www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 15

that she had never really asked God if he specifically loved her. So, she started asking.

Every day she just asked, “Do you love me, Jesus?” It wasn’t demanding or accusatory, and it didn’t have a time limit.

She just wanted to hear from Jesus about herself.

She prayed and persisted.

About a month into this prayer, she was reading the Gospels, specifically the suffering of Jesus related to the cross.

As she read the familiar passages on Jesus’ crucifixion, she thought to herself, “I know this. I don’t want to read it again.” But instead, she pressed on. Then she felt a very strong impression, words that were not her own: “I died so that I could be with you forever.”

These 10 words now hang at the entrance to her home.

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She felt a very strong impression, words that were not her own: “I died so that I could be with you forever.”

fixate on our shortcomings, and feel so unworthy that we are unable to accept the forgiveness he offers us. We also hide ourselves and become less transparent with one another.

One of the ways our feelings of shame are healed, then, is through a deep experience of God’s love and a genuine experience of belonging and connection in the community of Christ.

The apostle Paul understood this; in Ephesians 3:17–20 he prayed this prayer for the early church and those who would follow Christ down the corridors of time, including us: I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Defined by the fullness of God

We know that perfect love casts out fear, including the fear of rejection, which is at the root of shame.

I can think of no goal as noble and transformative as seeking to experience deeply the love of God, so that our shame does not define us, but the fullness of God does.

I have a pastor friend here in the city of Vancouver. His wife, Julia, has been following Jesus since she was 11. A few years ago, she realized

16 The Messenger • May/June 2022

God’s love is unchanging and available

For others, being open to God’s love might take the form of seeking beauty.

Curt Thompson is a psychiatrist and author I know. He recently told me he loves listening to Dvořák’s Ninth Symphony. For him, this piece of music is stunningly beautiful. The wonder he experiences as he listens to this gorgeous symphony reminds him of the wonder God experiences over him.

Perhaps regularly spending time pursuing beauty and experiencing wonder can give you a deeper experience of God’s love as you are given a window into the wonder God experiences over you.

Or perhaps being open to God’s love takes the form of being open to other people. In Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians, he says it is “together with all the Lord’s holy people” that we grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ. If shame separates and isolates us, it is Christ’s love that can draw us together, healing our shame through human connection and belonging.

For those of us who have been hurt through negative experiences in the church, reaching out to connect with others can be especially difficult.

Knowing this, each of us is called to help cultivate an environment of belonging in which we express the love of God to each other and experience the love of God through each other.

While I don’t know how God will affirm his love for you, I know God’s love is unchanging

and available. You can pray for and seek it while meditating on Scripture or in prayerful silence.

You can catch glimpses of it in the beauty of creation, human creativity, and in Christian communities that are vulnerable and open with each other in love. Regardless of where we’re at, what we’ve experienced, or what others have said about us, we are all worthy to participate in the love of God.

Ken Shigematsu is senior pastor at Tenth Church in Vancouver, British Columbia, and author of two awardwinning bestsellers on the spiritual life, God in My Everything and Survival Guide for the Soul.

Christian Fellowship Church Birch River, Man. August 6–7, 2022

Join us to celebrate 60 years!

RSVP by May 31 to Michelle (dkmhamilton73@gmail.com)

Everyone welcome!

www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 17

Shigematsu explores how love releases from shame Ministry leaders gather at SBC Leadership Conference held March 11–12

By Jesse Penner

S

PHOTOS COURTESY SBC

hame is one of the most universal human God’s grace is sufficient experiences. Whether we are young or The first session explored how the abundant old, students or teachers, leaders or folgrace of God is sufficient to cover our shame. In lowers, all of us can identify with the sting of Genesis, we are reminded that before original failure. For many pastors sin, Adam and Eve “felt no and ministry leaders this shame” (2:25). Satan—the season of division and loss angel who felt he wasn’t has brought with it deep quite enough and reached feelings of inadequacy for more—approaches and exhaustion. How do humankind then and now we combat the feeling in with the same message: our souls that we aren’t you aren’t enough, you enough, or that we don’t need to be more. As we measure up? well know, reaching for On March 11–12, 2022, more gave us less. Adam Steinbach Bible College and Eve, who once felt no and its supporting conshame, now felt the need ferences held the annual to cover themselves with Leadership Conference, fig leaves. We, too, feel the welcoming Ken Shigeneed to cover ourselves: in matsu, senior pastor at work, hobbies, status, minTenth Church in Vanistry, religious structure couver, B.C. Shigematsu and social media. But these shared that President Rob are flimsy garments that Reimer gave him an open do not bring fulfillment or invitation: “speak on what- “How do we come home to our true self?” asks freedom. ever you like, as long as it Dr. Ken Shigematsu.

The question at the is a topic you have not spoheart of this session is ken on previously at a conference.” “how do we come home to our true self?” In Shigematsu came with new material from Genesis 3:21, God, the “nurturing seamstress” an upcoming book Now I Become Myself: Overin his mercy creates clothes for Adam and Eve. coming Shame and Discovering our True Self.

He deals with their shame and foreshadows Shigematsu drew from a wide variety of sources his ultimate solution to shame, a death on the including Scripture, theologians, poets, psychol- cross where Jesus bore our shame and freed us ogists, and stories from his own life, ministry, (Hebrews 12:2). and unique cultural context. He explored with As we find ourselves able to rest in God’s us the theme of how a deep experience of God’s gift of grace—to believe that despite our failures love, delight and grace can free us from shame God wants to clothe us in glory and honour—we and transform our relationships with God and start to reflect the words of the poem from May others.

Sarton. “Now I become myself. It’s taken time,

18 The Messenger • May/June 2022

We, too, feel the need to cover ourselves: in work, hobbies, status, ministry, religious structure and social media. But these are flimsy garments that do not bring fulfillment or freedom.

many years and places; I have been dissolved and shaken, worn other people’s faces…but now I become myself.”

Freed by deep community

Shigematsu’s second session, titled Seeing God’s Face in Others, looked at how our deep community can free us from shame. We are profoundly shaped by how people respond to us. Our relationships have great potential for damage and pain, but they are also where shame can be undone.

The author of Hebrews understood this, calling his church to “discover creative ways to encourage others and to motivate them towards acts of compassion…com[ing] together…to encourage and urge each other onward.” (10:24– 25 TPT). In fact, when we have difficulty hearing from God, or receiving grace or love from him, our community becomes an essential tool to connect with him. When people in community with us show us love and support, it helps us to understand how God feels about us.

The fight against shame is an uphill battle, though. Studies have shown how the brain is set up to hold on tighter and more quickly to negative experiences than positive ones. Practices that can help us hold on to the positive are meditation and journaling.

Finally, confession to trusted community is essential to combating shame in our lives. Holding secrets is psychologically and spiritually

damaging and bringing it out into the light allows us to deal with it directly and to cultivate healing. Although it can be overwhelming to open up, Shigematsu assured us “in the deepest blackest night of despair, if you can get just one pinhole of light…all of grace rushes in.”

Limits can bring liberation

In Shigematsu’s third session he spoke on how limits can paradoxically bring great liberation in our lives. We tell children, “You can be anything if you try hard enough,” but this messaging inevitably sets us up for failure. If we don’t achieve, it must be our own fault. In Marlow’s play The Tragical History of Dr. Faustus, a demon tells the main character that the definition of hell is a place that “has no limits.”

Shigematsu argues that in life, limits actually bring significant freedom. Think of art, poetry and music, which are all bound by clear limits. Their beauty is not in spite of, but because of the limitations they are under. We also look to Jesus and see his example of a limited life. Jesus embraced limits, born and raised as a human, limited geographically, hungry, sleepy, tired and thirsty. As we learn to accept limits and place healthy boundaries in our life, it frees us to reach our true potential, and become our true selves.

We gain the courage to say—as spiritual writer Henri Nouwen does—“This is my life, the life that was given to me, and this is the life that I have to live the best that I can.”

www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 19

Pursuing beauty as a spiritual discipline

In his final session, Shigematsu reflected on the power of beauty to break us out of shame.

Shame causes us to curl inward on ourselves, to become self-focused. Beauty, on the other hand, “requires of us to give up our imaginary position at the center” and allows us to step into something larger.

As we experience beauty, studies have shown that we become kinder, more compassionate and empathetic.

All of us have moments in our lives where we experienced awe at beauty. Perhaps a piece of music or artwork, a moment in nature, or even an incredible meal. As we meditate on these moments, we can “dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of [our] life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple” (Psalm 27:4). More than this, as we experience beauty, studies have shown that we become kinder, more compassionate and empathetic. Shigematsu encouraged us to pursue the spiritual discipline of “putting yourself

intentionally in the path of beauty every day.” In doing this, we can break the cycle of shame, and grow in empathy to the people around us.

Shame is universal, yes, but we worship a God who has borne not only our sin, but also our shame. A God who graciously covers us with grace and love despite our failures. As we grow in relationship with God, who is in his very nature love; as we connect into a trusted community; as we embrace our limitations and set healthy boundaries; and as we intentionally open our eyes to the beautiful things around us, we can break out of shame and understand how God sees us. We are his beloved sons and daughters, in whom he is well pleased. Now, we are freed to become our true selves.

Jesse Penner (pictured here with son August) is a student at Steinbach Bible College. He is working toward a BA in Christian Studies with a pastoral focus. He is currently the lead pastor at Pleasant Valley Church (EMC) in Rosenort, Man.

Afghan Christian Refugee Project June 20 is

We invite your church to dedicate a Sunday to the plight of the refugee Sign up to receive your free worship guide to help you plan a service by scanning the QR code or visiting: mcccanada.ca/refugee-worship-guide

20 The Messenger • May/June 2022

Sponsor a refugee family through your local EMC church or donate to the project fund.

Find out more at emconference.ca/respond

Column • A Path To Peace

The fun of peacemaking

M

ost of us don’t think of peacemaking as an endeavour we would call “fun.” It is hard, messy and difficult work. There is, however, a strategic element of peacemaking that includes an intentional focus on shared recreational activities.

I once watched a video interview of the marriage expert Willard Harley. He described how in marriage, when we live through many negative experiences with our spouse with few positive ones, part of our brain will eventually come to identify our spouse as a danger. Our fight-or-flight response can be activated simply by this person walking into the room or the mention of their name, without a new negative experience. While we might expect this in abusive situations, it can also happen over the course of time with more ordinary kinds of conflict and negative experiences. (Please note that this advice is not about dealing with abuse but more ordinary conflict).

At this point, while it might seem like the end of a marriage, Harley went on to explain how we can retrain our brains by spending time together and creating positive experiences with one another. When conflict reaches the point of instinctive fight-or-flight responses, meaningful and vulnerable conversation becomes nearly impossible.

there is some level of mutual trust, and spending time having fun helps to develop that kind of relationship.

This same process is also needed at times in whole communities. Through conflicts or times of trial we can begin to see one another as enemies. Over the course of time our fight-or-flight responses may be activated by the presence of those we disagree with, even those we once thought of as close friends.

I have watched this play out not only in marriages, but in communities in conflict, and have watched as a focus on non-confrontational recreational activities, while awkward at first, eventually built trust between hurting people and led to reconciliation and healing. This process has also happened on the scale of nations in turmoil. Think of the role of soccer (football) in South Africa, and how a shared love of the sport facilitated positive experiences and camaraderie between folks who would have called themselves enemies.

I believe sometimes the most spiritual thing we can do in times of conflict is learn to have fun together again. As we take a step back and intentionally do something with those we are in conflict with, we retrain our brains and learn to see them once more as people made in the image of God.

By Kevin Wiebe

So, as the advice goes, the solution is to have fun together. At first it will feel awkward.

It may feel like it isn’t genuine because you are intentionally setting aside the difficult conversation that eventually needs to happen. This, however, is not disingenuous. It is, in fact, generosity in action. By learning to focus on the positive parts of your spouse, you build trust in your relationship, and foster positive affection for one another. The difficult conversations are best had in the context of a relationship where

ISTOCK

Sometimes the most spiritual thing we can do in times of conflict is learn to have fun together again.

www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 21

Wha Wh at’s Next?

Healing for the Past... ...Vision for the Future

EMC Festival 2022 June 10 and 11 Steinbach Bible College Steinbach, Manitoba

Friday, June 10 9:00 | Ministerial Meeting 7:00 | Not-So-Late Show

The Not-So-Late Show with your host Andrew Dyck. We will laugh together—and quite possibly cry together—as we hear from guests who are living out their faith in daring ways.

Saturday, June 11 7:00

| EMC Run

You are invited to participate in the EMC Run, happening at L.A. Barkman Park or on your own anywhere, any time this weekend! This run will be in support of Open Schools Worldwide and their Kilometres for Kids fundraising event.

EMCers are encouraged to pledge a donation per kilometre logged, per runner or walker that participates, or give a one time donation. Breakfast will be served.

9:00 | Conference Council 4:00 | International Market

Come and wander through the international market for a taste of different foods from around the world (provided by current and former EMC missionaries, church planters and more), music from talented EMCers, conversations with friends old and new. Stop in for supper or stay a while to take it all in!

7:00

| Worship Evening

The EMC is pleased to invite you to an evening of prayer and worship, featuring the musical talents of ISLAND BREEZE, an exciting ministry in Steinbach, Manitoba, serving as part of Youth With A Mission (YWAM). They are a global missions organization that seeks to know God and make him known through his gifts and expressions within the nations.

Find more information and register at www.emconference.ca/convention 22 The Messenger • May/June 2022

With Our Missionaries

‘I was pastor to a lot of people who didn’t attend church’

PHOTOS SUPPLIED

WINNIPEG, MAN. As a community minister, I conIt was December 27, 2001, when tinued walking with individuals and Amie and I first put our key into the families I already had relationships door of our house on Burrows Avewith. I also had new opportunities nue in Winnipeg, Man. Over twenty and formed new friendships— years later, we see how God has including with gang-involved youth guided, sustained, provided for and and young men. My work focussed renewed us. on community-building and menWe came to the North End as toring young adults, contextual Bible church planters commissioned by studies, pastoral care with families a partnership between the EMC, and supporting friends on their healEMMC and CMC who would parting journeys. ner with Inner City Youth Alive Andrew Reimer (right) speaks with a young I have had the privilege of work(ICYA) to start a church with youth dad at ICYA’s annual Summer Block Party. ing in some exciting partnerships and families in this community. with other community and IndigThe resulting faith community was North End Commu- enous leaders including the School of Urban Leadership nity Church. and the Ma’wa’chi’hi’to’tan Journeying in a Good Way Having children brought new challenges and changed conferences. the way we did ministry. We learned new rhythms and new In 2018 I began a new role as ICYA’s Director of Leadboundaries. Many of our friends in the North End have ership Development. I work with our team to nurture loved and prayed for our children. As our daughters have health and growth in our staff and to disciple, mentor and grown up, they have found their own ways of connecting. empower young emerging leaders.

Around 2009 I realized I was pastor to a lot of people We are blessed to have been invited into so many lives who didn’t attend church while the church we had planted and stories: by children, grandmothers, teens, single moms was losing momentum. We had strong relationships in the and dads, and new parents, by residential school survicommunity, and I was involved in meaningful ministry, but vors and grieving families, by gang members and people in it didn’t seem to result in an established church. We felt addictions, by committed Christians, skeptics and spiritual called to continue living and serving in the neighbourhood searchers. Some of these friendships have been sustained and I began a role on staff with ICYA as one of the comover one or two decades. And we have mourned the loss munity ministers. of some of these precious lives. In all these relationships we have striven to model Jesus and point to his love and power.

We have encountered God already at work. Being allowed into these lives, encountering God’s fingerprints of beauty and grace in unlikely situations has often felt like walking on holy ground.

As we look back on these 20 years, we are grateful for support through prayer, encouragement and generous giving. This is incredibly humbling—all glory to God! – Andrew Reimer Reimers have been blessed with some great neighbours! Amie visits with some neighbourhood kids while on a walk with daughter Miriam (in the stroller).

Andrew and Amie Reimer (Steinbach EMC) have been involved in Winnipeg’s North End since 2001.

www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 23

With Our Missionaries

Maybe self-sufficiency isn’t the goal MIDDLE EAST

Let me introduce you to my new home. It’s a city where roses bloom in the winter and some trees stay green all year. Children play in the streets long after dark and neighbours will often invite you in for tea the first time you meet them. The aroma of freshlybaked bread wafts from bakeries on every street corner, and street vendors set up carts of sticky sweets or pick-up trucks loaded with fresh fruit.

On clear days you can see the mountains in the distance beyond the city; other days they are hidden behind a veil of dust. Dust is everywhere; it seems to coat my tile floors no matter how often I sweep them.

Five times a day, an eerie polyphony of On clear days mountains can be seen beyond the city; on other days they are hidden by dust. sound fills the air as the call to prayer sounds from minarets far and near.

In the last month, the logistical whirlwind of arrival, It’s been one month and one week since I arrived in finding a house, and all the accompanying bureaucracy and Riverland. It’s hard to fathom just how far I’ve come and set-up has subsided. It has been a relief to settle into more how much I’ve learned since my arrival; I’ve probably of a routine. I’ve been able to dive head-first into language never learned so much in such a short time. Yet, I still feel study, which is exhausting but rewarding. I’ve gotten to very much like an outsider. I’ve made lots of surface-level try lots of new and (mostly) delicious food. I’ve met some observations about this new world and its people, but the very friendly neighbours and visited a few of them with my language barrier and cultural ignorance keep me from housemates. diving deeper, from really understanding how people We even got a dinner invitation from a family a few think, what they value, what they fear, what they hope for. doors down. Conversation was quite limited (mostly conThese barriers will take a lot of time, patience and persissisting of “very good” and “thank you” and smiling) but they tent effort to overcome. were very friendly and gracious. Hospitality is a core value in this culture and I’ve certainly experienced that.

Starting life in a new culture comes with many challenges. Even the simplest everyday tasks are unfamiliar and difficult. But Jesus said, “[Whoever] will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it” (Mark 10:15). It’s actually not such a bad thing to be reduced to the level of a young child, needing help with everything. I’m reminded that self-sufficiency is not the goal here. Perhaps God can display his glory even in my helplessness.

Would you join me in praying for the people of my new home?

– A Cross-Cultural Worker

PHOTOS SUPPLIED

It’s actually not such a bad thing to be reduced to the level of a young child, needing help with everything.

Hospitality is a core value in the culture.

24 The Messenger • May/June 2022

With Our Missionaries

EMC missionaries share about media ministry STEINBACH, MAN.

colonies, and serve as one of only a few ways to build connections into a colony.

Between radio ministry and family connections, Ester has many opportunities in the colonies and spends a significant amount of time in visitation. These colonies are often spiritually dark places with much abuse and hopelessness.

Nearly a year has passed since Benny’s death, and the family continues to grieve as they adjust and face different challenges.

Ester requested prayer for the people on the colony to truly grasp and understand God’s salvation for them, for the Christian families that remain in the colonies because they do not have the means to leave, for the radio work, and for her and her kids as they grieve and as she parents them on her own.

The next missions prayer meeting is coming up on June 28, 2022. This evening will have a focus on missionaries doing mission in a business setting, including mission aviation. You are invited to join us online or in person at our office in Steinbach; register at www.emconference.ca/pray or by calling the EMC office at 204-326-6401.

– Ruth Block, EMC

PHOTOS COURTESY BOM

Media is one way some EMC missionaries minister: from radio work to filming projects, from social media campaigns to audio recordings distributed by WhatsApp. On April 19, 2022, EMCers who gathered on Zoom to pray had the privilege of hearing from two of these missionaries.

Alex Reimer, with his Alex and Miriam Reimer new wife Miriam, is a part of a small team in Northern Ireland creating films designed to stir people to ask life’s biggest questions. Having only recently relocated to Northern Ireland, they are building relationships with their church, neighbourhood, and the Northern Irish film community with the desire to embody the Gospel as they work on their projects. Their next project, Generous Illusion, is underway.

Alex requested prayer for him and Miriam as they navigate their first year of marriage, and for the Generous Illusion project.

You can find Alex’s work at www.soulcatalyst.org and on the Soul Catalyst YouTube channel.

Ester Fehr, an EMC missionary working in Bolivia, continues in the radio work she and her late husband Benny took on with their arrival in Bolivia around three years ago. Their two radio stations, San Jose and Nueva Estrella, reach into a number of Low German-speaking Mennonite

Ester Fehr and children

www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 25

With Our Churches Abbeydale Christian Fellowship

CALGARY, Alta.—Psalm 117:1 says, “Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples.” It is indeed a blessing to be joined together in worship with people of other nations. The blessing becomes even more tangible when born-again believers who have been raised in other beliefs or countries intentionally choose to become a part one’s own church body.

From Burma, and raised in a Buddhist family, Feelain Leung came to Canada to join and be married to her fiancé. Never having been interested in or embraced Buddhism, she was introduced to and accepted the Lord many years later through her son’s friend, a believer. Her husband accepted the Lord two years before he passed away in 2003, leaving her to raise her children alone in a country not her own. The comfort she finds in Matthew 6:33 continues to sustain her.

From Nigeria, Favour Ushie (Ann) now a high school student, has been in Canada for seven years. The “home time” the pandemic caused has been a gift from God to her, as are the social media videos and articles that many Christians took time to produce and post. Sensing the obstruction of a tall brick wall between her and God for years left her wondering what the wall actually was and how to remove it. Her questions were answered by taking time to be still and hear God’s voice. Understanding that the wall was her sin, she asked God to remove it. Almost immediately, the sun shone brightly in a special way, seemingly just for her; Favour moved toward the light and began walking in it. Her prayer is to love God and people more and to live her life for the glory of God. Randy Kelm, raised on a family farm in central Alberta, lived a rough life of drinking, profanity, poor financial decisions, car accidents and other destructive behaviour, all leading to depression and divorce. He is grateful for his (late) second wife through whom he found the Lord. A few years later, God blessed him with a Godfearing wife; together, they are committed to serving God in and with the body of believers at Abbeydale. Romans 5:1 and Romans 10:9 are special verses of promise that Randy shared with the congregation.

Gloria Kelm, an only child and raised on a northern Alberta family farm, has lived most of her life as a single mother of a son with a disability. As such, life has been fraught with challenges, but she and God decided

26 The Messenger • May/June 2022

PHOTOS SUPPLIED

The nations are gathering at Abbeydale

Abbeydale’s newest members are (clockwise from top left) Favour Ushie (Ann), Feelain Leung, Randy Kelm and Gloria Kelm. They presented their testimonies and officially joined the church on January 30, 2022.

together that she would be “up for the job.” These challenges are what helps her to grow closer to God. She and her husband, Randy, are enjoying the Bible studies, fellowship, services and helping with ACF’s food program, Community Cupboard. When she gets to heaven, Gloria expects God to greet her with, “Oh, there you are! You’ve kept me very busy!”

The unabridged testimonies of these newest ACF members can be heard on Abbeydale Christian Fellowship’s YouTube channel recorded on January 30, 2022.

– Ivy Plett

With Our Churches Pansy Chapel

From southern Manitoba to Israel, Ukraine and beyond

PHOTO SUPPLIED

PANSY, Man.—Although a myriad of stuff has been happening within and around us, it seems timely to write about our church’s international mission emphasis. Our church has been going through a six-week series detailing these ministries. Each connection involves heartfelt prayer and longing as well as physical work and generous deep-pocket giving.

Mt. Carmel Church in Israel: Jesus’ own stomping grounds are in Israel, and it’s where many Bible scenes take place.

Seeing the pictures gives us goosebumps—very few of us have been there in person. This evangelical church has an amazing, powerful and ever-expanding ministry to Jew and Gentile alike.

Ensenada, Mexico: Our long-standing friendship with Randy and Sandra Huebert at The Refuge is strong. We have built many houses together for the needy, and have a strong love for those Mike and Trish (Gagne) Braun are celebrating God’s faithfulness, with their eight children, living in the girls’ home. Dennis Friesen of whom six are adopted from Ukraine. The two boys on front right and the little girl playdoes a fine job of keeping us up to date ing peekaboo are newly arrived in Canada. and passionate about this ministry.

Cuba: We have so many brave and faithful believer friends there. A people restricted and suffering, many times literally from hunger, yet so exemplary in their passionate prayer meetings and devotion to Jesus and others, even us. Jake Rempel, through ASSIST ministries, does a great job of telling the stories. He’s just back from a threemonth stint there this winter, and he will deliver any gifts people are becoming our people. And we’ve found a fast you wish to send. and reliable channel for giving aid. For more information, Ukraine: Whose heart hasn’t been torn by the tragedies contact pastor Dylan Barkman. transpiring in what was once upon a time a homeland to Of these children the last three were—miraculously some of our ancestors? But our church has personal reaand after weeks of waiting—already enroute home by long sons to be even more broken than most. We have in our and tedious paths with Trish Braun, when the war in all its midst now seventeen lovely children and youth who have fury broke out. Mike and Trish (Gagne) Braun, you may rather recently been rescued at great cost from orphannever have been more prayed for in your life and we can’t ages there. These represent two families, the Steeves and stop thanking God for his leading and provision in this the Brauns (Gagne). These children weep and sometimes situation. spend sleepless nights as they see the horrors happening to – Betty Barkman people and places they know. And we cry with them. Their

We cry with them. Their people are becoming our people.

www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 27

News

Blanket exercise brings hope for reconciliation

PHOTO COURTESY NORM HIEBERT

WINNIPEG, Man.—Twenty-six attendees spent the evening of March 19, 2022, interacting and listening to learn about the history of our Indigenous communities in Canada and the impact of contact with white settlers/ Europeans who came to live in this great land.

Kerry Saner Harvey (MCC Indigenous Neighbours program) lead us through the exercise, Elder Karen Jolly shared insights, and attendees responded. We learned about treaties made and broken, land taken, custom and

Stephanie Unger (far left) shares during a Kairos blanket exercise on March 19, 2022. EMC churches in the Winnipeg area joined together to imagine what the experience of Indigenous Peoples in the last centuries has been as treaties have been made and broken and to think about how to respond.

culture and language denied, and children separated from their families to attend residential schools or placed in foster care. Indigenous Peoples welcomed the first Europeans, offering to share their land. But over time they came to be treated like unwelcome foreigners. Efforts by our government and the church created much pain and suffering to our Indigenous communities.

We also learned there is hope for change and reconciliation. We can work together. We can admit where we have harmed our Indigenous neighbours and work toward change. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission has spoken of education as one of the important steps to lead us to lasting change, understanding, reconciliation and community.

Luke 10:27 says, “‘Love the Lord your God...’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” May we attempt to follow these words as we move toward action. The hope of the event planning committee is to see many more EMC church families participate in a blanket exercise in the future—to learn, to grow, to be saddened, and to have hope and demonstrate God’s love to all.

– Norm Hiebert, Fort Garry EMC On behalf of the planning committee The event planning committee consists of Kerry Saner Harvey (MCCMB Indigenous Neighbours), Norm Hiebert (Fort Garry EMC), Jennifer Kornelsen (Many Rooms Church Community) and Verna Reitmeier (St. Vital EMC).

How can EMCers help Afghan Christian refugees?

STEINBACH, Man.—In August 2021, the country of Afghanistan came under the rule and authority of the Taliban. For many Afghans who follow Christ, this change in government meant they needed to flee the country, or—in situations where they had already fled—they could never return.

In response, the EMC General Board is encouraging EMC churches to consider sponsoring Afghan Christian refugee families to come to Canada. EMC and other Mennonite denominations have an agreement with MCC Canada to provide the sponsorship support for this initiative.

28 The Messenger • May/June 2022

You or your church can help in two ways: 1. Sponsor a family to come to Canada. Once a church or group makes the commitment to sponsor, a family will be assigned to that church.

2. Provide funding. Since the costs can be considerable, the General Board has created a special project of $50,000 to provide seed money (up to $5,000 per church or group) to churches that will sponsor these refugees.

Go to www.emconference.ca/respond for more information or to donate to this project.

– EMC

News

Awesome KidMin conference provides connection, teaching Event assists people with a passion for children’s ministry

PHTOS BY LEONARD ULRICH

WINNIPEG, Man.—Has anyone else had moments in the last months where you go to a service or event that at one point in time would have been nothing really out of the ordinary, but after two years of COVID-19 isolation you can’t believe how good it is?

This was my experience attending the Awesome KidMin conference held March 11–12, 2022, in Winnipeg, Man. I was thankful the event was also offered online because it allowed for those living farther away to participate. But, after two years of Zoom, it felt amazing to connect face-to-face with other people in Manitoba and beyond who share a passion for kids and ministry.

To start off the conference on Friday, March 11, we listened to Marie Thiessen speak on the topic of understanding complex trauma and attachment issues in children, and Cathy Dyck on being a shepherd, not a hired hand. Our main speaker, Christie Penner Worden, spoke on Who is our Anchor.

Each of these women spoke with words of wisdom and a clear passion for our Lord Jesus and for ministry. The topics were so relevant to what the church is facing, as we have all faced some level of trauma—without question, our kids have been dealing with trauma as well. Marie Thiessen challenged us to be aware of many ways in which children can be affected by trauma.

As a children’s ministry coordinator, I’ve also been faced with the question of why I’m doing what I’m doing through this era of constant change. Am I just going

through the motions of a job description, or am I shepherding volunteers well by modelling an authentic and passionate love for Jesus, as Cathy Dyck spoke about?

Christie Penner Worden’s encouragement to us from the book of Hebrews was timely as well. We’ve all faced some storms, and all need the reminder of what it means to hold fast to an Anchor that will hold us Christie Penner Worden even in the fiercest storm.

I could go on about the many other speakers and resources available, but my absolute highlight was the personal fellowship. Most faces at the conference were strangers when I arrived on Friday. As we shared and ate way too many delicious locally made snacks and meals together, we also shared our hearts around the tables.

I played the “Mennonite game” (making family relation connections) and talked about all the people we both knew together with a Bible camp director. I spoke to a children’s pastor of the pain of losing countless volunteers and feeling overwhelmed with the possibly of starting up programs post-COVID-19. I asked questions about how other children’s ministry workers handled particular challenges in their own churches, what curriculum worked for their programs, and many other things. By the end of the conference on Saturday night, my heart was filled with a lot of different emotions.

More than anything, I was struck by how we all left with what we might have needed most: connection.

– Amy Plett Amy Plett is children’s ministry coordinator for Blumenort (Man.) Community Church.

Those with a shared passion for children’s ministry gathered March 11–12, 2022, at the Awesome KidMin conference in Winnipeg.

www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 29

News

MCC partners in Ukraine work to meet physical and spiritual needs All the work Anna is doing with the church and alongside other local organizations is supported by generous donations to MCC’s Ukraine emergency response.

For years, Anna’s work has involved supporting displaced people from other parts of the country, and now she’s having that experience from the other side. She says that even as prepared as her family was physically to flee their home, it’s essentially impossible to be prepared emotionally for what it is like.

“When I came to the church [last week], I entered the building and I started to cry. I started to cry a lot, I could not stop. Because I was feeling that I lost something, or I was leaving something in the past. I understood that we are refugees now. We are far away from our home.”

While her experience as a refugee has been emotionally and spiritually taxing, she says she’s found a great deal of meaning and hope by choosing to help others experiencing the same challenges.

Children recover and rest on the mattresses and blankets assembled by an As she welcomes refugees, “I can understand Evangelical Baptist church in the Lviv area for refugees fleeing the conflict. what they’re feeling,” says Anna. “ I tell them that The work of this church has been supported by MCC. The name of the church now they’re in a safe place—praise the Lord—and has been withheld for security purposes. that we have friends around the world.”

In addition to Anna’s efforts near Lviv, MCC Uplifted by that quiet moment of inspiration, the continues to respond to immediate needs in Ukraine church’s pastor suggested some of the young people in the through its local partners. church record a performance of the song as an act of wor– Jason Dueck, MCC ship. He hoped the lyrics speaking of God’s power and protection might offer spiritual comfort in a dangerous *Last name withheld for security. time.

But this hymn about God’s love and power isn’t the only thing the church is offering to their neighbours. Anna and her family fled Zaporizhzhia, their home in southeastMCC staff member Anna* ern Ukraine, as the conflict edged dangerously close. They made this pot of borscht while were taken in by the church’s pastor and his family near on kitchen duty at a refuLviv. Anna and her family immediately joined the efforts gee shelter assembled with of the church to house, feed and care for as many of the support from MCC by a local masses of refugees moving to or through western Ukraine Evangelical Baptist church in as they could manage. western Ukraine. The flowers They’ve filled the upper level of the church with foam she holds were a handmade mattresses and blankets to offer rest to the weary. They’re gift from her youngest daughfinding temporary homes for as many refugees as they can, ter to mark International often dozens of people each day. They pray with and for Women’s Day on March 8. those who are without hope. And they prepare hot meals and clean water for the hungry and thirsty.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MCC STAFF

PHOTO COURTESY OF MCC STAFF

In the silence that lived between the deadly warnings of air raid sirens, the sound of a small choir, singing a song of praise, echoed out of a church sanctuary in western Ukraine. Just the night before, Anna*, administrative coordinator for MCC Ukraine, had absent-mindedly hummed a few bars of the song during an evening tea break at the church.

30 The Messenger • May/June 2022

News

Layton Friesen leaves EMC for SBC role lives of the pastors and church leaders across Canada. He will be sorely missed.

But EMC’s loss is SBC’s gain. With the role of Academic Dean at SBC, he will help to nurture and disciple young people for service in God’s kingdom. We are grateful for the time that he has committed to the EMC, and we wish him much success in his ministry at SBC. Layton will conclude his time with EMC at the end of June. We want to bless Layton and Glenda as they transition into this exciting new opportunity.

– EMC Personnel Committee

EMC

STEINBACH, Man.—We are saddened to report that Layton Friesen will be concluding his time as Conference Pastor with the EMC. Layton has served with the EMC as Conference Pastor since 2017. He will be taking on the role of Academic Dean at Steinbach Bible College (SBC).

Layton has contributed significantly to the life and growth of the EMC during his tenure as Conference Pastor. He has introduced many improvements that enhance the functioning of the Ministerial, and he has invested himself in the

Dr. Layton Friesen

Layton Friesen named Academic Dean of SBC STEINBACH, Man.—Steinbach Bible College is pleased to announce the hiring of Dr. Layton Friesen as the new Academic Dean.

Friesen has served with the Evangelical Mennonite Conference (EMC), one of the four supporting conferences of SBC, as Conference Pastor since 2017. He is an SBC alumnus with master’s degrees in Theology and History from Regent College in Vancouver, and a PhD from the University of St. Michaels College in Toronto. He has also served as Pastor of the Fort Garry EMC Church and Associate Pastor of Youth at Crestview Fellowship Church, both situated in Winnipeg.

“I’m excited to welcome Layton to the SBC Administration Team,” Dr. Terry Hiebert, Interim President of SBC, shared. “His vision for Bible college education is evangelical, Anabaptist, and rooted in the broader church, which will shape the way we empower servant leaders to follow Jesus, serve the Church, and engage the world.”

“As Academic Dean I would anticipate resourcing and coaching the faculty,” Friesen stated. “Pastoring is near to my heart, and I would look forward to being a pastor to teachers. I lead through friendship, team-building and courageous ventures.”

Friesen replaces Hiebert, who served as SBC’s Academic Dean for 16 years before becoming Interim President.

Layton Friesen: “I want to further SBC’s vision to be a community of disciples preparing for mission in all manner of contexts.”

He is married to Glenda, who is a worship and youth pastor at the Fort Garry EMC Church. Together they have two children, who both recently graduated from SBC with mission and theology degrees.

“I am excited to explore new curriculum opportunities and strengthen existing initiatives,” Friesen stated. “I want to further SBC’s vision to be a community of disciples preparing for mission in all manner of contexts.”

God bless you, Layton, on your new role, and we look forward to the contributions you will make in the years to come at Steinbach Bible College.

– SBC

www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 31

In Memory

SARAH MARTENS

1930–2022 Sarah Martens was born to Peter and Helena Martens, on August 18, 1930, at home in Landmark, Man., as the third child of 12. Because she grew up among brothers, she had to take responsibility for the younger siblings and could not finish school.

She was a lively girl who gave her life to the Lord Jesus at a young age.

At age 14, she was baptized in the Prairie Rose EM Church on confession of her faith. She attended Steinbach Bible Institute for four years (1954–1958). After that, she completed 12th grade and went on to complete her teacher’s training. She taught for four years in Canada before going to Paraguay.

In January 1965, at the age of 35, through contacts with the EMC and pastor and teacher Frank Kroeker, she joined the newly converted group who had left Bergthal Colony and founded a new church and school in Colony Tres Palmas.

Sarah shared her knowledge and faith willingly, with all her strength and energy. She taught mathematics, geography, German, English and history.

Her former students remember how Sarah sang songs with them in their morning devotions. She was a spiritual example for these young people.

Only once did she return to 32 The Messenger • May/June 2022

Canada to care for her sick mother. In total, she worked as a teacher for 30 years, and for several years as school principal.

In all that she did, she taught Christian values such as sincerity, order, punctuality, diligence, helpfulness. She was a leader, respectable, authoritarian, decisive, friendly, selfless, loving, respectful, helpful, well informed, always concerned with the good of the other, a passionate teacher with a vocation from God In addition to teaching school she also taught Sunday school for many years and was Sunday school superintendant for ten years.

Outside of school, she was also a blessing. She and Anne Braun, who worked on the Indian mission in Santa Teresa, became friends and shared a home. Their hospitality was well known and appreciated by all. Unforgettable are her delicious, beautifully decorated cakes, which she baked on order for weddings, graduations and birthdays.

Sarah also cooked for many years as head cook at the youth camp in Lucero.

Sarah and Anne moved into the

S

Senior’s home in Tres Palmas in 2017 where she spent the last five years of her life.

There she passed away in her sleep at 5:55 a.m., Friday, March 11, 2022.

What a joy it is to know that she is with Jesus, her Saviour and Redeemer, whom she loved and served so faithfully. Sarah reached the age of 91 years, six months and 21 days.

Predeceased are her parents Peter and Helena, brother Henry as an infant, brother Abe and wife Norma, brothers Jake and Pete, brothers-inlaw Frank Braun and Walter Kruse and niece Daphne Dueck.

She is survived by siblings John, Mary Braun, sisters-in-law Helen and Olga, Helen and Gerald Reddekop, Cornie and Faith, Anne Kruse, Susie and Laurence Dueck, Leonard and Evelyn, John and Heather Saxon, and a total of 37 nieces and nephews.

In the Senior’s home she leaves behind her friends Anne Braun and Helen Dyck.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept faith” (2 Timothy 4:7).

– Her Family

Shoulder Tapping Additional EMC Openings Often there are more churches looking for senior, associate, youth, and interim pastors than are identified on this page. For information on additional openings, contact Conference Pastor Layton Friesen (lfriesen@emconference.ca) and Director of Canadian Church Planting Gerald D. Reimer (greimer@emconference.ca). The national office phone number is 204-326-6401.

EMC Positions The EMC National office is seeking an individual with a passion for Christ, the church and missions to fill the position of Executive Director, starting in the summer of 2022.

The role of the Executive Director is to champion the vision of the EMC in the constituency and to lead the Executive Team to support and enhance all ministries and boards of the EMC. The Director will have a specific focus on the ministry of the General Board and the Board of Trustees, relating also to all EMC boards in areas of strategic planning and goal setting.

Qualifications include a degree in Theology, Missiology or Christian Ministry, senior leadership and administrative experience in a church or mission agency, strong interpersonal, communication and financial management skills.

This position requires Canadian and international travel. It offers equitable pay and benefits with opportunity for professional development.

Applications are accepted at applications@ emconference.ca.

Picture Butte Mennonite Church (Picture Butte, Alta.) is prayerfully seeking to hire a full-time pastor to oversee our German-speaking ministry. PBMC currently holds an English and a Low German service each Sunday morning which both connects us to our cultural heritage and gives us a unique outreach opportunity to more traditional, Low German-speaking communities.

We are looking for a man that is experienced in ministry with a strong ability to shepherd in preaching and teaching from the Scriptures in Low German as well as an ability to relate to and care for members of the culturally Mennonite community. This pastor will also meet the biblical requirements for leadership in the church as laid out in 1 Timothy 3:1–7 and Titus 1:5–9.

For more information or to submit a resume, please contact Isaac Thiessen, Chair of Leadership, at 403-308-5093 or by email: isaact@genicadev.com.

Abbeydale Christian Fellowship (Calgary, Alta.) is seeking a full-time co-pastor to work alongside our current pastor and congregational leadership team.

We expect the successful candidate to have the following characteristics: previous pastoral

experience, agree with Anabaptist theology, relational, a good communicator and preacher, and comfortable working with a diversity of people. This person has post-secondary education, demonstrates humble leadership, the ability to work in a team setting, and can offer Christian life counselling as needed. Cross-cultural experience with Latin American believers and the ability to speak Spanish is considered an asset, as is other cross-cultural experience.

We are an urban congregation of 125 members with an informal atmosphere. ACF is Anabaptist in its theological roots, congregational in its governance, and committed to love through service to one another and to our community. Visit Abbeydale.org/ co-pastor-search for more details on this position.

Email resumes to pastorsearch@abbeydale.org.

Morris Fellowship Chapel is a Christ-following, Biblebelieving, family-friendly church of around 130 people in the small rural town of Morris, Manitoba.

People of all ages are a part of Morris Fellowship, including children, young adults, adults and seniors.

We are looking for a pastor to help with preaching, teaching, and building community in our church.

This would include preaching on Sundays, teaching midweek Bible studies, personal visits and church community events.

Contact Cliff Reimer, Pastoral Search Committee Chairman: cliff0955@gmail.com.

The St. Vital EMC Church is seeking to hire a parttime youth pastor who will lead and disciple our youth aged 15–18 years old. We are an established and friendly church in south Winnipeg with approximately 120 congregants who aspire to love God and live as Jesus Christ lived.

The successful candidate will demonstrate a passion for Christ through their vibrant and growing relationship with Jesus. Demonstrable leadership and influence among youth will mark this person’s character on a consistent basis as well as the ability to discern truth and obey God’s calling within the broader scope of the church’s ministry. The person taking this role needs to demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively on a small ministry team.

Previous applicable experience working with youth is essential. The position will require approximately 16 hours of time per week. A resume, with cover letter, can be sent to: Oswald at ozzy_wald@ hotmail.com.

The ConneXion in Arborg, Man., is seeking a pastor with a love for Jesus, emotional intelligence, spiritual discernment, and the ability to capture and carry out the vision of our church. The ConneXion is a diverse group of people that are seeking to make Jesus the center of all we do. We lean into the BELLS acronym discussed by Michael Frost in his book Exiles. Please reach out to 204-250-5534 or email theconnexion@ hotmail.com if interested.

Straffordville (Ont.) Evangelical Mission Church is seeking an associate pastor. SEMC is a rural church in a growing community with a congregation of about 160 people. We are a multigenerational congregation and have great existing ministries. We work hard at developing relationships in the community.

We are looking for male applicants who have a clear sense of calling and love for the body of Christ, to serve and equip her for works of service, stemming from a growing relationship with Christ.

This person must be able to preach, teach and show pastoral care.

The successful applicant will work alongside the senior pastor and lay ministers in preaching, teaching, care giving, and providing resources and support to the other volunteer-based ministries in the church according to his strengths and abilities.

Applicants must agree with the EMC Statement of Faith and display an understanding and general agreement with our Anabaptist theological background. Contact psc@straffordvilleemc.ca.

Other Positions Midway Bible Camp near Thompson, Man., is seeking work groups to commit for a week between May 15 and June 30, 2022, to assist in preparing the Moak Lake site for summer. The greatest need is mechanic experience (diesel and small engine). Other needs include tree clean up, firewood cutting, brush cutting, mowing, general maintenance, cabin cleaning and fishing. A full kitchen and cabins are provided; however, groups must bring their own food and cooks. Please consider partnering with us in reaching kids and families for Christ in 2022! To arrange for your team to assist with this ministry opportunity contact: Thomas Olney, work team coordinator at thomas.olney@interactministries.org.

Steinbach Bible College is currently seeking a President who will provide overall supervision of the College, giving leadership and executive direction. The President supervises and implements the objectives of the College as set out in the constitution by having adequate staff, proper facilities, and by working in cooperation with the Staff, Board, and its Partners. For a more detailed job description, please go to sbcollege.ca/president-position-opportunity.

CBF Christian School in Swan River, Man., is seeking a principal, a secretary, and a part-time teacher.

Applicants for principal and teaching positions must have a valid MB teacher certificate. All positions to begin August 29, 2022. For more information visit https://www.cbfchristianschool.ca/job-opportunities. Send resumes to cbfchristianschool@gmail.com.

Please send all position ads (150 words or less), including pastoral search ads, to messenger@emconference.ca. Ads may be edited. Please advise us when it is no longer needed.

www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 33

Column • His Light to My Path

Our magnificent God, the Creator

By Karla Hein

From a verbal command, complexities were created that lifetimes are spent researching and exploring. Where were you, vaporous man (and your cherished idol), when God “laid the earth’s foundation?” (Job 38:4).

One early morning, my dad and I joined some boys from the orphanage home to climb Kubbal Hill. Our hike ended at a temple where I stared into an idol’s unblinking, cold eyes. The image was clothed in a saree with untouched food by its side. Guarded by two stone lions, a bell hung ready to rouse this god from slumber.

What a stark contrast to the One who fashions eyes and neither slumbers nor sleeps (Psalms

34 The Messenger • May/June 2022

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s a teenager, I convinced my parents that I should join their 25th wedding anniversary trip.

They were travelling to a land of over a billion people so I figured one more (or two, since my friend also accompanied us) was hardly noticeable. We crossed the ocean with a suitcase full of ventriloquist puppets and landed with astonishment during a protest at the international airport in Bangalore, India.

My memories of the trip remain vivid and colorful: the pungent smells, incessant sounds, opulent patterns—a beautiful, complex country. Surrounded by the blaring horns and brilliant colors, I felt a heavy spiritual darkness that confronted differently than the Canadian culture’s stifling pursuit of self. In India, I saw idols of wood and stone. I heard the Muslim call to prayer and the sounds of frequent Hindu festivals. We drove past people, rich and poor, trapped in rituals of fear and obligation. Whenever we returned to the Christian orphanage home, I was relieved because the peace of Christ was tangible in contrast to the oppression of evil.

94:9; 121:3–4)! This idol’s temple was built on a mountain created by the God I serve (Psalm 121:2).

Consider the superiority and magnitude of the Uncreated One’s voice speaking “and there was light” (Genesis 1:3). From a verbal command, complexities were created that lifetimes are spent researching and exploring. Where were you, vaporous man (and your cherished idol), when God “laid the earth’s foundation?”

(Job 38:4). How devastating that men’s intellect attempts to explain away creation through the winding tale of evolutional process!

Recently, I was reading in the Psalms about the Lord’s laughter (Psalms 2:4; 37:12–13; 59:8).

If the sound of his voice created the world—how terrifying must his laughter be! The powerful evil and careless destruction of the wicked is not something God is anxious about. He is in control and unalarmed by the plans of futile man.

Even my own well-intentioned plans are not excused from God’s sovereignty (James 4:1315). Once I have surrendered my will to his, I find comfort in knowing his thoughts and plans are higher than my own short-sighted expectations (Isaiah 55:9). “Among the gods there is none like you, Lord; no deeds can compare with yours. All the nations you have made will come and worship before you…. For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God” (Psalm 86:8–10).

Column • Further In and Higher Up

He’s a tough act to follow

I

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sn’t it surprising how much Christianity can happen without Jesus being that involved?

Jesus has always been a tough person to follow. The church has never mastered the art of imitating the whole Jesus. Its easy to say “Jesus” and then change the subject to something more manageable. Why does Jesus make himself so hard to follow?

Some find that his way of life is too lofty.

Who can truly abandon family, possessions, safety and future the way Jesus seems to call us to do? Jesus can sure make 21st-century Christians feel guilty.

Some find him far beneath their standards.

His use of violent stories involving torture, prison, and grinding teeth in outer darkness seem barbaric. What kind of person would feel at home in that world?

Some think he’s only relevant to our private, personal lives. His was a spiritual, inner message that shouldn’t influence our politics or economics. Jesus said his kingdom was not of this world—so who would ever try to model everyday human community after his teaching?

Some think that, while his ethic is fine, his relationship to the Father was for him alone. We can pick out the bits about not judging, worrying, killing, but leave out the nights of prayer, the stuff about “I only speak what the Father has shown me.” You shouldn’t have to be “spiritual” to follow Jesus, should you?

Some can’t believe Christ’s way of living is supposed to be for all people. It’s clearly given for spiritual elites and people like nuns who have left their families, given away their possessions, and spend all night in prayer. The rest of us have to get on with life.

Some can’t accept his teachings on nonviolence. Some can’t accept his teaching on

sexuality. Some can’t accept his teaching on worry or money. Some won’t seek his wonders, exorcisms and healing. Some won’t follow the way he related to women. Some think his readiness to turn the other cheek and be crucified is a sign of a sad, self-loathing mental illness. Some think Paul corrected Jesus and gave us grace instead of Christ’s obsession with morality.

Why do you find Jesus hard to follow?

Many criticize the church today for failing at following Jesus, but I would suggest a different posture. We should be amazed that any group anywhere has even begun to live out the matchless life of this Jewish builder. It’s easy for me to pick my favourite part of Jesus, the part I find

By Layton Friesen Conference Pastor

It’s easy for me to pick my favourite part of Jesus, the part I find possible, and then criticize you for only getting your part right. possible, and then criticize you for only getting your part right. Let’s admit that no institution or person has ever been handed as daunting a mission as the church was given when Jesus said, “Follow me.”

We don’t seem to be able to follow Jesus, and yet we are compelled to come back to the sheer glory of his simple majesty. We can’t seem to focus on him for more than a second, and yet we cannot look away.

If you have glimpsed a flicker of the beauty of Jesus even once somewhere in your life, you are of all people most blessed. If that was truly Jesus Christ you saw, that one flicker will be enough to light your path to the kingdom of heaven.

www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 35

Column • Kids’ Corner

The colours of spring

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By Loreena Thiessen

pring is green, the colour of life. New green grass replaces the brown of winter.

Velvety buds on branches open to become tender new leaves.

Spring is blue. Winter’s grey storm clouds are gone. Now the sky is blue, friendly, and comforting.

Spring is yellow. Rows of yellow daffodils nod to the sun. A sea of yellow dandelions brightens backyards and boulevards.

Spring is white. Apple blossoms dress apple trees and fill the air with their sweet scent.

Spring is pink. A canopy of cherry blossoms lines the street. Rows of pink flowered trees stand like waiting princesses.

Spring is soft and furry. New baby bunnies hop about over the grass to find sweet new grasses and dandelion flowers for breakfast.

Spring is warm. As the earth heats up, roots stir and send fresh growth up through the ground. The sun feels warm on your bare face and arms. Toques and mitts are gone; parkas

put away. Spring is cool. Gentle cooling breezes refresh you with new vigour, renewed energy, before the heat of summer.

Spring is filled with aroma: the smell of new grass being cut, the moist earth freshly turned waiting for seeds to be planted, the fragrance of lilac bushes covered in their rich cone flowers, the perfume of apple blossoms in your neighborhood. Spring is the beginning of new life, bright colours, and scents that tickle your nose. You know something new is happening.

God has created the universe, and our Earth, so that the seasons are possible. The systems and laws he put in place allow Earth to continue to get the perfect amount of light and heat from the sun to sustain life. God says in Genesis 1:14 (NIRV), “Let there be lights in the huge space of the sky. Let them separate the day from the night. Let the lights set the times for the holy celebrations and the days and the years.”

Spring is a time of renewal. Spring rains come. The water cycle feeds the earth and replenishes the lakes, streams, and oceans for life to continue. “The desert and the dry ground will be glad. The dry places will be full of joy.

Flowers will grow there” (Isaiah 35:1 NIRV).

Read Isaiah 35:1–2.

Activity: find something new

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Need: notebook, pencil, camera, pencil crayons.

36 The Messenger • May/June 2022

Do: Take a walk around your neighbourhood, a nearby park, or playground. Find something new for the season: a new plant; a new animal, or bird; a new scent; a new feeling, something that feels warm, cool, smooth, rough, or sticky; a new sight.

Draw your new findings. Take a photo of each one. Share and discuss with your family.

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