The Messenger September 2021

The Messenger a publication of the

Evangelical Mennonite Conference

Volume 59 No. 5 September 2021

Growth!

INSIDE:

Processing Moral Failure from the Anabaptist Perspective page 6 Hospitality: Listening and Loving in the Middle of Our Messy Lives page 10

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Swords into Plowshares page 13 HavenGroup Celebrates 75 Years of Senior Care page 17

Editorial

The Case for a Low Pain Tolerance

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n modern society, we seem to prize having a high pain tolerance. An inability to handle pain is almost seen as a character flaw; to be stoic in the face of pain is, in contrast, heroic.

Two articles in this issue deal with how the church has caused pain. In one case, it is the pain of betrayal through sexual and spiritual abuse by a trusted church leader (p. 6); in the other, it is the pain of Indigenous people, caused by the residential school system in Canada (p. 13). (Also included is a news item from Evangelical Fellowship of Canada that details resources for the reconciliation learning journey on page 28).

I tend to be uncomfortable with pain—mine, or the pain of those around me. I struggle to connect with my children in the midst of their pain, rather than be dismissive.

It’s a challenge to set aside my task list to sit with them in their pain as long as they need.

How does the church handle people’s pain, whether caused by the church or some other institution? Russell Moore points out that churches have sometimes resorted to deflecting blame for abuse by making it about the victim’s reaction to the abuse rather than the abuse itself. “Sometimes that happens when a person critiques the particular way the victim brought forward the complaint,” he says, “or searches for other issues to pin on the victim” (“It Takes a Village to Escape a Toxic Leader,” Christianity Today).

At the root of victim blaming behaviour, I believe, is the desire to protect the image of the church. If sin is rampant

in the church, what do we have to offer to the world? However, when we cover up sin, it only thrives and persists. It’s only when sin is brought to light that there can be repentance and healing (1 John 1:5–10).

In our bodies, pain is a signal to us that something is wrong. We ignore it at our peril. Similarly, people’s pain caused by the church is a signal that something is wrong within the church. It’s meant to make us uncomfortable, so we sit up and pay attention.

In the gospels, we see people thronging to Jesus to express their pain. Jesus responds with compassion and healing.

Revelation 21 gives us a snapshot of what is to come when God establishes his “Holy City”: “there will be no more death, or mourning or crying or pain” (v.

4). If the church is to be a picture of God’s coming kingdom, how do we correctly respond to pain?

Obviously, we can’t abolish the reality of pain in this life—this is the “now, but not yet” reality of living out God’s kingdom on earth. But the church can become a safe place to express pain and a place to heal from pain. This means treating the pain as real, even if we don’t agree there “should” be pain. This also means being willing to listen to ways the painful situation might have been prevented, even if it reflects badly on us or the church. It may also mean apologizing and acknowledging wrong where that’s needed.

Within the EMC, and the broader church, let’s have a low pain tolerance!

– Rebecca Roman

At the root of victim blaming behaviour, I believe, is the desire to protect the image of the church. If sin is rampant in the church, what do we have to offer to the world?

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Table of Contents Features

Columns

6

5

Processing Moral Failure from the Anabaptist Perspective – Darren Plett

10 Hospitality: Listening and Loving in the Middle of Our Messy Lives – Laurie Rempel

13 Swords into Plowshares – Peter Fehr

17 HavenGroup Celebrates 75 Years of Senior Care – Doris Penner

A Reader’s Viewpoint Do We Need Another Hero?

– Stephanie Unger

20 A Path To Peace

Peace Makers or Peace Fakers?

– Kevin Wiebe

21 Focus On

2

Editorial

4,30

Letters and Notices

22

With Our Missionaries

24

With Our Churches

27

News

31

In Memory

33

Shoulder Tapping

17

New Opportunities to Gather for Prayer – Ruth Block

34 His Light to My Path

Taking Root and Bearing Fruit – Karla Hein

35 Further In and Higher Up

Departments

page

Good Riddance to the Old Caboose – Layton Friesen

page

22

36 Kids’ Corner

Thanksgiving and a Rainbow – Loreena Thiessen

page

27

page

26

www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 3

The Messenger Volume 59 No. 5 September 2021

INTERIM EDITOR REBECCA ROMAN

Letters and Notices Update on EMC Director of Communications and Education

ASSISTANT EDITOR ANDREW WALKER

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 content 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

COPYRIGHT 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.

This is an update to the constituency on our Director of Communications and Education, Terry Smith. His formal work with the conference came to an end on December 31, 2020.

In June 2020 it was the decision of the General Board that, in light of the difficult financial situation the EMC had been experiencing for several years, and with the prospects of further reduction for 2021, they felt they needed to reduce the number of our staff to stay within budget. After much deliberation, prayer and consultation, the Personnel Committee decided that the position of EMC Director of Communications and Education needed to come to a close.

As was communicated previously to Conference Council, the changes to Conference structure a few years ago had a significant impact on our boards and staff. These changes affected all working relationships, including between the Director of

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Communications and the Executive Director. The decision of the General Board was communicated to Terry in August in the midst of mediation. The mediation was not completed. Terry went on medical leave which continued until the end of the year.

We are so grateful for the gifts Terry has offered our Conference for 23 years in the national office and, before this, as a pastor in northern Saskatchewan. His tireless work in producing The Messenger, in keeping our history (archives), and in producing educational materials has made us stronger and more faithful to Jesus.

All of this was possible only with the support of his wife Mary Ann. Terry and Mary Ann love the church and we wish to honour them.

We ask that you pray for Terry and Mary Ann as they adjust and move forward. Also, continue to pray for our conference leadership as they navigate this challenging season.

– EMC Personnel Committee

SUBMISSIONS 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 considerence to carry editorial endorsement.

Letters, articles, photos and poems are welcome.

Submissions should be sent to messenger@emconference.ca.

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.

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A Mistake to Assume, Rather than Seek to Understand I recognize the frustration of those who feel held back by EMC policies in regards to women in pastoral roles.

However, I am saddened and disappointed by how quickly we assume the worst of our brothers and sisters in Christ who disagree with us.

I have heard it said that in the discussion of women in leadership we need to keep two things in mind.

Egalitarians don’t have their beliefs because they are throwing out Scripture, and complementarians don’t

have their beliefs because they want to “keep women down.”

If you believe women shouldn’t be pastors because you believe the Scriptures say this, that is not sexism.

You just interpret Scripture differently than egalitarians. If you have this belief because you feel women are inferior, that is sexism. It’s about the heart. We damage the church when we attack each other instead of trying to understand each other’s hearts.

– Jen Isaac, Morweena, Man.

Letters continued on page 30

Column • A Reader’s Viewpoint

Do We Need Another Hero?

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ong days at sea provide lots of time to read. I really love a good story and have been introduced to the world of young adult dystopian novels. This genre of fiction is filled with amazingly gifted, mature teenagers who, through their courage, sacrifice and prowess, save the world. A similar storyline, popular on the big screen these days, is that of the superhero. Young adults find themselves suddenly endowed with unusual ability and are thrown into an epic life-threatening adventure during which they must choose whether to use their power for good or evil.

The contrast between the thrilling lives of the teens in these stories and the lives of teens in North America is stark. In reality, most teens today are living in a society where their choices seem to have no effect on the world around them. There is huge pressure to perform and succeed but very few compelling results from all this effort. Perhaps that is why many people are seeking adventure in fiction, movies and video games, where they can vicariously feel what it is like to do something amazing.

Statistics tell us that more and more young people are leaving the church in their search for adventure and purpose. Yet, it is Jesus who offers each of us a real-life chance to be heroes. The Spirit of Christ offers us abilities and wisdom beyond our own. He invites us to the dangerous and exciting mission of following him beyond our comfort zones. At times this mission can

STEPHANIE UNGER

Fifteen years after buying an 11-bedroom rooming house in Winnipeg’s Spence neighbourhood, Stephanie, her husband Travis and their kids, Shadrach and Rachel, embarked on a sabbatical. They left Winnipeg, towing their sailboat Schemma down south, and splashed her into the Gulf of Mexico to sail around Florida, across to the Bahamas and managed to return six months later.

For details, check out www.ungersail. com. This is the third of a series of four articles.

even be life-threatening, and it is guaranteed to change the world!

What role do we as churches and parents play? Are we encouraging our young people to take risks in learning to follow Jesus, modelling this by stepping out in faith ourselves? Do we challenge our young people to surrender their own plans, dreams and ambitions so God can make them living sacrifices for him? Could we say along with Paul, “When we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true…So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 1:5–6 NLT)? If young people today think that heroes are fictional, we know where the problem lies.

As dystopian novels and superhero movies teach us, those who make a difference in the world must throw caution to the wind, leave behind the security of the status quo, and be willing to sacrifice their lives for those they love.

This is the power available to the church: when we whole-heartedly give ourselves to Jesus, his life-changing, transforming power fills us and spills out of our churches into the whole world.

By Stephanie Unger

Statistics tell us that more and more young people are leaving the church in their search for adventure and purpose.

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Processing Moral Failure from the Anabaptist Perspective

by Darren Plett

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hy do strong Christian leaders fall into the trap of moral failure? How do I process this when it happens to someone I looked up to and respected? Is there anything I can do to avoid this trap in my own journey as a leader? Is there anything in our theology that can help us in this journey? And, how do I objectively process all this in a spirit of grace, without being critical and judgmental—because I certainly recognize that I am not without sin.

It is not my intent here to give a comprehensive answer to these questions, but to encourage you as you process these and other related questions. I will make several statements and give a short explanation for each. This article is written in part as a response to the allegations of moral failure against Ravi Zacharias. It is not my intent to defame or judge him, but to make some objective observations using his ministry,

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his position and some of his statements as the back-drop.

We need to humbly stand for truth. Always.

We need to take time to ensure that our sources are reliable and our information is balanced and accurate. As I read some of the articles surrounding the allegations against the late Ravi Zacharias, I was encouraged to hear that there was a commitment from Ravi Zacharias International Ministries, the ministry Zacharias founded, to hire an independent investigator and to be fully transparent with the results of the investigation.

After the release of the latest difficult report it appears as though the ministry is living up to this commitment. The temptation is high to cover up and whitewash our sins, or the sins of those we love and respect, but in God’s kingdom “the truth

will set [us] free” (John 8:32).

We always need to take time to seek and stand for truth.

We all need to be part of a network of people.

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One comment that stood out from articles that I read, was that Zacharias regularly lamented, “I am lonely.”

Nobody is designed to thrive in loneliness; it always leads toward vulnerability and poor choices.

It is important to note that loneliness is often an inherent result of success. So, whether loneliness is a result of success (positive life circumstances) or a result of failure (negative life circumstances)—both are equally possible—the lonely individual becomes an easy target for the devil.

God’s kingdom is about authentic community and congregating with a group of people that know you well, love you regardless, and are willing to hold you accountable. Participating in and humbly submitting to a network like this creates a huge safety net.

We need to cultivate a culture of servant leadership.

We need to challenge the modern view of leadership. Is it really true that a good leader must maintain a certain distance from those he leads? Does true kingdom leadership need to focus on creating vision and rallying the troops, taking them to new heights? Is an insatiable drive to be bigger and stronger and better and more influential a necessary kingdom leadership quality?

In true servant leadership the direction of service is always toward the grassroots, not from the grassroots toward leadership. True kingdom leadership serves and is accountable to the grassroots.

Christian leaders are never entitled.

Zacharias lamented the toll that his ministry had taken on him and he allegedly used that as justification for some of his immoral requests.

Leaders are servants in God’s kingdom along with all fellow brothers and sisters.

Be wary of leaders who somehow use their position, the degree of their sacrifices or the level of their influence to rationalize entitlement or sin.

Jesus is our Master and King and we are his disciples.

It is hard for humanity to keep this firmly in mind. I cannot begin to imagine how many people, particularly more vulnerable ones, have become disillusioned and turned off by Christianity because of disappointment in a person.

Zacharias was a strong leader and teacher but, along with all other humans, he did not deserve to have disciples.

Only Jesus deserves that; only he can live up to the expectations that come with that.

God’s kingdom asks both lay people and pastors, leaders and teachers, to remember and practice this.

God’s kingdom is about authentic community and congregating with a group of people that know you well, love you regardless, and are willing to hold you accountable.

We need to accept a theology of small.

For much of my life I chaffed at this truth. Kleinegemeinde (small group)…really? And we are

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good with that? My chaffing led to study and I have come to believe that, actually, “small” is a kingdom principle.

Study your Bible and be amazed at God’s emphasis on “small.” David was the youngest of Jesse’s eight sons but of the others God said, “do not consider his appearance or his height” (1 Samuel 16:7).

Bethlehem was small among the towns of Judah, but “out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel” (Micah 5:2). With five small loaves and two small fish, Jesus fed about 5,000 men (John 6:9–10).

A poor widow put two very small copper coins into the temple treasury, and Jesus said, “[She] has put more into the treasury than all the others” (Mark 12:43). “Let the little children come to me…for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14). In response to the lamenting of the Israelites about the fact that the new temple was going to be smaller than their first temple, and that it was not going to be the same kind of power statement to the world around them, God replies in Zechariah 4:6, “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit.” And in verse 10, “Who dares despise the day of small things?”

Does God really need one man to fly back and forth around the world and preach? Can humanity handle that level of success and popularity? Does flying around the world making public appearances create a god out of a person?

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Is humanity wired to live up to this? Is it fair to say that God’s kingdom is not a kingdom of earthly power, but a kingdom of millions of small acts of service?

Most of these statements challenge assumptions and principles that govern our world.

God’s kingdom, as described in the Bible, has been referred to as an Upside-Down Kingdom (Donald Kraybill). Leaders and lay people alike face the challenge to embrace and live out this description.

Darren Plett and his wife Pearl have served as pastoral couple in the Pleasant Valley Church for the past 23 years. Recently their role has shifted from lead pastor to associate pastor in community and caregiving.

Throughout this time Darren has been active and connected in the community through numerous volunteer roles and as a small construction contractor. Darren and Pearl love riding their motorbike and spending time with their four adult children, in-laws, and grandchildren.

This article was first published online in the first issue of EMC’s Growing Together newsletter. To subscribe to future issues go to https://emcmessenger.ca/ growing-together-sign-up.

A newsletter supplement to The Messenger online

What Is Growing Together?

Growing Together is a new newsletter supplement to The Messenger online but with a specific focus.

It is intended to be responsive to what is happening in our culture, and to discuss issues that are challenging for the church, in a thematic format.

As a small church conference, we cannot, and will not try to do what larger organizations do. What we will do, is discuss the issues that have an impact on us, with insightful arguments and material to assist us to think through issues intelligently and soundly and from a number of angles. That includes providing perspective based on Anabaptist theology and practice, though this will not likely be explicitly stated in every issue. As with everything we do, we are committed to the Bible as the word of God and the source for truth.

We Can and Need to Learn from the Failure of Others

Unless we’re already too jaded to care, news of sexual abuse by yet another respected Christian leader will be unsettling and discouraging.

The final report into sexual misconduct by Ravi Zacharias is expected to be released in the next month, but preliminary reports from the law firm hired by Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM) have largely confirmed allegations.

Read more at https://emcmessenger. ca/2021/01/28/gt-jan-2021-1/

Thinking about Survivors of Pastoral Misconduct

by Carol Penner Pastoral sexual misconduct is regularly covered in the news. A famous celebrity pastor, whom everyone looks up to, leaves their post suddenly. In the months that follow we hear

about allegations and investigations. This is the case with Bill Hybels, celebrity founder of the influential Willow Creek Community Church.

Sometimes the stories of abuse surface only after the death of a leader, such as with Ravi Zacharias and Jean Vanier—both influential authors, speakers and founders of international ministries.

Read more at https://emcmessenger. ca/2021/01/28/gt-jan-2021-3/

Interview with Gerry Pettijohn

LF: Today our topic is the whole question of accountability, especially for leaders. And as we all know the news of another Christian leader or pastor ruining their ministry by sexual infidelity or addiction or abuse of some kind. It’s become almost a miserable routine in the Christian church by now, and every time it happens, we ask ourselves again “how could this have been prevented?” And somebody will inevitably say “well, we need our leaders to be accountable— that's the solution.” And yet, as we know these accountability groups or this accountability that men have been forming maybe for the last couple of decades, they don’t always seem to work.

I’d like to hear from you why is it that accountability, at least sometimes, seems to fail. Why is accountability not always the silver bullet that we hope it is?

GP: The first thing I’d like to say about that, is that accountability is a tool. If somebody hands you a power tool and you’ve never used it before, you might not do a very good job with it.

Accountability works if you actually use the tool properly. The same with groups like the accountability groups; if you use them properly they will work.

Watch the interview or read the transcript at https://emcmessenger.ca/2021/01/28/ gt-jan-2021-4/

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Hospitality: Listening and Loving in the Middle of Our Messy Lives

By Laurie Rempel

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s we continue to search for ways to meet our deep longings for communion with God and others, let’s consider how the practice of hospitality might be just the thing we need as we ride out this pandemic. It may help us to enjoy and share the kind of connection and ongoing friendship we have missed not only at church, but also with our neighbours.

Expanding our definition of hospitality

First, let’s look closely at some old words pertaining to the context of hospitality and our attitudes toward others. According to René Stockman, “We know the Greek word xenos, means ‘stranger’ but also ‘guest.’ The stem is found in these two words: xenophobia which indicates a negative attitude towards the stranger; and philoxenia which means love and hospitality for the stranger. Another correlated Greek word is oikos, which means ‘house,’ the place where I belong, where I have rights and obligations. In Latin, we also have the word hospes, meaning ‘guest.’ This word is similar to hostis, which means ‘enemy’. The word ‘hostile’ is derived from it. However, the word ‘hospitality’ is also derived from hospes” (“Brothers of

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Charity: Hospitality as a Community of Brothers,” Vincentian Heritage Journal, Vol 33 No 1).

It is interesting to note that beliefs surrounding the practice of hospitality are deeply engrained in every culture and context around the globe. From contemporary pre-industrial societies, as well as earlier historical periods, we find that hospitality was and is extended to both neighbours and strangers. Because of this, it has always represented a fundamental, moral, imperative (Conrad Lashley, course on Hospitality Studies).

However, with the rise of individualism and materialism as well as our increasing use of technology for connection, the practice of hospitality is often neglected and considered too cumbersome. Then, because of COVID-19, we have been asked to live in isolation for long periods of time. So how do we begin to literally put our lives together again?

Experts say we need regular rhythms of sleeping, eating and exercise. Religious leaders tell us we need time to pray and meditate.

I suggest we also consider offering and receiving hospitality with friends and neighbours. Not simply entertaining, but true hospitality.

The reciprocity of hospitality

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Consider with me for a moment how hospitality is reciprocal—it always involves a host (giver) and a guest (welcoming recipient). There is mutual giving and receiving happening as we humbly share our lives, loving and listening to each other.

According to Scripture, humans were created in the image of God. Even now, as the Holy Spirit animates us, we are being restored or recreated to the image of God, which means we are learning to love God and others more fully.

This involves a sort of circular motion so that as we breathe in God’s life and bask in God’s love, we can put off our selfishness and put on God’s selflessness. We keep trusting God to be our unending source of abundant goodness. And we keep leaning into our generous Host who provides us with all the resources and energy we need to love and be hospitable. Once we know who our Good Parent is, and this identity becomes deeply rooted in us, giving ourselves away becomes a way of life.

Imagine how hospitality might illustrate the sense in which our belonging and purpose are continuously being wrapped into and flowing out from God. Suppose that when God created the cosmos, the earth and humans, he became a divine Host to our planet and to us. We did not create ourselves; rather, God arranged to put humans on earth. He walked with Adam and Eve in the garden, in perfect harmony and communion. In his creation, we are made to belong with God and be “at home” with God. Here, we fulfill our calling to tend and watch over the garden God puts each of us in; we plant seeds, pull weeds, and eat the fruit of our labour together.

Hosting the Host of the world

To observe this circle of hospitable giving and receiving more profoundly let’s take a closer look at two scenarios from Scripture. The first is when three angel guests come to visit Abraham and Sarah (Genesis 18). Here, Abraham graciously hosts the Host of the world! In this moment between Abraham and his guests, he is given the gift of a promise—his longing for children will be fulfilled. And this gift will extend well beyond his own family and the next generation. Abraham is also given the gift of a new name. Both of these gifts speak to Abraham’s identity and calling.

Another picture of the reciprocal host/guest relationship can be found when Jesus asks the Samaritan woman for water (John 4:1–42).

Notice how the Host of the world becomes a guest, asking a stranger for hospitality. An everyday routine is transformed through a conversational exchange with the Source of “living water”! Can you begin to imagine the transformation that occurs when we humans encounter God as either host or guest and experience his hospitality?

The Trinity as a picture of hospitality

The concept of the Trinity also conveys hospitality. Here’s why. As theologians in the early church tried to describe the Christian God who appeared to be consistent with the Israelite Yahweh, the divine/human Jesus, and the empowering Holy Spirit, they eventually settled on the word Trinity to help explain this mysterious phenomenon. They wrote about a God who is revealed in three persons but still one in nature, substance and essence (Richard J. Plantinga, Thomas R. Thompson, Matthew D. Lundberg, An Introduction to Christian Theology, pp. 109– 146). One of the church fathers, Basil of Caesarea, expressed that the Trinity has always existed as a sort of continuous and indivisible community (Colin Gunton, The Promise of Trinitarian Theology, p. 10).

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He multiplied fish and bread for a hungry crowd.

He welcomed children to approach him. He touched, defended, and healed the outcasts.

Jesus humbly loved on others even as he did real life with them. There was a give and take. Martha and Mary hosted Jesus for dinner and Jesus made breakfast on the beach for his disciples.

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Practicing hospitality in our messiness

It can be helpful to picture this kind of God-community as the Greek wedding dance, perichoresis. This dance involves at least three participants who move in circles, weaving a beautiful pattern of motion. They start to go faster and faster, while staying in perfect rhythm with each other. Eventually, they are dancing so quickly that as you look at them, the dancers become one continuous, circular, moving ball of synergy. Their individual identities are part of a larger dance where we see three eternally self-giving persons who are open to one another without forfeiting particularity or identity (John J. Navone S. J., “The Grace and Call of the Hospitable God,” Vincentian Heritage Journal, Vol 33 No 1). Consequently, we may think of the Trinity as a loving, harmonious set of relationships in which there is mutual giving and receiving.

God as receiver

It is easy to think of offering hospitality from the one-sided sense of only being the giver.

However, even God offers hospitality from the position of receiver. Jesus allowed himself to be carried in the womb of a woman and born a helpless baby. A baby is the epitome of “receiver.”

This humility and vulnerability displayed by God still boggles my mind. Yet, God the creator and giver, graciously becomes the receiver.

Scripture tells us that while angels sang and wise men travelled from away far to worship Jesus, a certain King Herod wanted to kill him.

The Host of all creation was not welcomed when he came to earth. There was no room or place for the creator of cosmic space, not one place to lay his head!

Those who did make space for Jesus experienced his hospitality in very practical ways. He turned water into wine for a friend’s wedding.

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We tend to want to entertain and be amazing at it; yet, hospitality can be a posture of listening to the other, extending and receiving grace. Here we can talk about the loss, disconnection and brokenness we feel, and remind each other of who God is and who God says we are.

Pain, evil and this pandemic will never overcome the beauty and love found in God! All the flaws and sicknesses of humanity are reconciled in Jesus. He treasures us and makes sacred each misstep in our lives. The Holy Spirit empowers us with gifts to bless and energize others. Consequently, the communion with God and creation we lost in the garden is recreated as we choose to join in the hospitable embrace of the Trinity now.

Maybe this kind of hospitality is more like when we go camping—eating, laughing and crying together with Jesus in the midst of our messiness. I suggest we try humble, vulnerable hospitality as an antidote to our burnout brokenness. Let’s not think of hospitality as something that only happens around the table but also in the office, the hospital, the barn or in our kitchens while we are canning salsa.

Laurie Rempel (BA, William Jewell College; MA, Fuller Seminary) lives in Abbotsford, B.C., with her husband Sheldon. Hospitality has been a huge part of their ministry. They have served with Avant Ministries since 1994. They are associate members of EFC in Steinbach and became EMC Associate Missionaries in 2006. They have served in Mali, France and Canada, and are currently involved with member care for Avant missionaries in five countries.

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Swords into Plowshares Reshaping My Thinking About the Pain of Indigenous People

By Peter Fehr

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e will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore (Micah 4:3; Isaiah 2:4).

The prophets Micah and Isaiah share a vision. Isaiah’s vision was for Judah and Jerusalem; Micah’s was for the last days, where nations cultivated relationships and not strife. It was a God-given vision for his people. For two decades or so this vision has been part of my journey. It is a vision that reshaped my thinking. At times the reshaping was a slow process; in other times it was jolting and painful.

was extended to us as participants shared their very real, painful and vulnerable stories.

From the perimeter of the room, I listened to testimonies that bore great grief and pain.

A woman small in stature began to share. Her voice matched her stature—small, soft-spoken.

She had a way of immediately drawing me in.

It was easy to be with her as she picked berries as a child or wildly rode horses through the meadows with her sisters. I felt the anguish her family went through as they tried to comply with the law to sent their children to an approved school.

Here, her story took a dramatic turn. She fell to the floor, broke down and began to wail.

“Why was it so bad to live with her family, why was being First Nation evil? Why, Duncan Campbell Scott, would you allow evil people to come and do unimaginable things to children with no consequences? Why, Duncan Campbell Scott, would you make laws that tore families apart?” For five minutes she lay on the floor wailing and asking why.

I was struck by how much grace was extended to us as participants shared their very real, painful and vulnerable stories.

Testimonies of great grief and pain

At Truth and Reconciliation Commission meetings I attended in Edmonton, one of the exercises was to witness a sharing circle. As I sat in on this event, I was struck by how much grace

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The sword in my thinking and attitude

An ugly sword was revealed inside of me as I sat in that room: “I wasn’t part of the residential school, the sixties scoop. I had no part in it. I am not at fault here.”

That sword in my thinking and attitude seemed so unbelievably cruel as I sat in the presence of her pain and vulnerability. How could I ever wield such a sword as she lay there exposed? That feeling became overwhelming and the sword began to be reshaped.

The thinking changed from, “I was not part of the problem,” to “How can I be part of the solution?”’ “What is my part in finding healing and redemption in our ugly and painful past?” occupied my thinking.

younger brothers, ran to see what was the matter. She was especially affected at how distraught her grandmother became. They were told the children had to leave their home and go to school, otherwise their parents would go to jail.

She remembers her grandmother taking her by the shoulders and telling her, as the oldest, she had to take care of her brothers.

She promised she would not let anything bad happen to her brothers. But the moment they arrived at school they were separated and she never saw her brothers during the school years.

Her home was shattered and she saw things in her home during the summer months she never knew existed before they were taken away. She continued to tell of how she battled past addictions and abuse in her adult life, got her degree in counselling and helped others in her community through their struggles for 35 years.

She had recently retired at age 59.

A short while ago her brother had stopped in and shared what he had gone through in school.

She became quiet at this point in the story with her head down. We sat quietly for a long moment, until she lifted her head, tears streaming down her face and whispered, “I didn’t keep my promise to my grandmother.”

That sword in my thinking and attitude seemed so unbelievably cruel as I sat in the presence of her pain and vulnerability.

‘I didn’t keep my promise’

As a friend and I were doing follow-up after a summer of camp, we were invited in for tea and bannock at a grandparent’s house. We sat at their table, and the grandmother shared the difficulty she was going through with relationships in her family.

She went on to tell of when she was nine years old and a red suburban pulled up to their threegeneration cabin. Two police officers and a man dressed in black talked with her parents and grandparents. When both her parents and grandparents started crying, she, along with her two

14 The Messenger • September 2021

A sword is a sword

I was once again jolted and deeply ashamed at the sword I held in my mind: “Get over it.” Perhaps a personal story of my family history and how we moved through hardship could appear to be helpful and encouraging advice. However, a sword is a sword and a spear is a spear no matter how I would like to decorate it. The only way my thinking could be used to cultivate was to have it completely reshaped.

ISTOCK

Solutions and easy answers seem so right, but only from a distance. The moment I placed my feet underneath their kitchen table, the quick answers were a little less forthcoming. At best the platitudes were useless, more likely they were harmful and destructive.

Kevin Wiebe, in his book Faithful in Small Things, talks about serving the needy. “We are talking about human beings,” he says. “They have faces, names and stories.” He goes on to say that as Christians we believe everyone is an image bearer of God. That should affect us profoundly as we seek to serve the needy. The same is true in relating with Indigenous people. “Those people” has to be replaced with names, faces and truly listening, without quick answers, as life is shared.

Radically change or walk away

“Who is my neighbour?” was the question asked by an expert of the law in order to justify his thinking and life. Jesus went on to tell such a powerful story (Luke 10:25–37) it could illicit only one of two responses—radically change or walk away.

The exchange ends by Jesus telling him to go and show mercy. We don’t know how the lawyer responded. It is difficult to change the things we are so comfortable with and feel justified to hold on to.

How do we become the neighbour Jesus asked the expert of the law to be, in light of

the church’s history with the Indigenous people in Canada? There are many out there doing just that, becoming a neighbour. There are others that are fearful of becoming part of another story that history will reveal as destructive and evil, so they hold back. Others still, respond like the lawyer, seeking to justify their thinking and life that is comfortable.

Asking how to become a neighbour is a conversation we need to continue to have in our homes and churches. These conversations are crucial to have in order for us to engage in the vision God has for his kingdom: turning swords into plowshares, cultivating true relationships.

Peter Fehr and his wife Martha, along with their three teenage children, live in Rocky Lane, Alberta. They have been involved in various roles in both La Crete Christian Fellowship and High Level Christian Fellowship, and have served with local mission organizations. They are members of High Level Christian Fellowship. Peter serves on the EMC committee dialoguing about ministry to Indigenous people in Canada.

www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 15

Welcome Home!

ISTOCK

By Peter Fehr

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young boy waiting outside, wanting to say thank you to someone kind and patient.

Inside he heard voices, a young teacher exasperated, “I can’t even get him to read,” An older voice, one who had given up hope, hardened, replied “Don’t stress about it, he’s just another Indian boy.”

Turning away, the words penetrated, stung, hurt were there should be no hurt: “I am just another Indian boy.”

Going shopping, walking in stores, the eyes following him, some were stares.

Perceived, reality it didn’t matter; he couldn’t help but hear a silent voice calling.

A voice louder than all else seemed to shout— “Look, there goes just another Indian boy.”

Bad decisions, wrong choices, a place of being rejected and alone.

Having his fate in someone else hands, his future will soon be decided.

Court in recess, judge needs a break; he gets up to stretch his legs.

He passes his lawyer and hears, “Who is after the break?”

The young assistant, without looking up, “I’m not sure, just another Indian boy.”

He walks into the hall sullen and angry, “What do people expect; I’m just another Indian boy.”

Having a great time, just hanging out with his friends; in a split second, it all came to an end.

“Who is that” the question is asked of the stretcher in the corner.

16 The Messenger • September 2021

The answer comes “I’m not sure, just another Indian boy.”

Standing before the King of Kings, the Prince of Peace, the Righteous Judge, he bends his knees.

Being pulled up by the Master, “Welcome, now come with me” he is told.

Wait a minute, I am just an… the thought remains incomplete.

This singing from heavenly hosts is celebrating your homecoming.

Confused, he wonders, don’t they know I am just…

“Follow me” he hears. Walk into the hall and sit at the table are his instructions.

“You are no longer last.”

A banquet that words can’t describe, he sits in total awe.

Gathering up his courage, he walks to his Master at the head of the table.

He starts, “Don’t you know that I am just…”

“Stop,” the Master cries. “Stop!” Eyes burning with compassion the Master speaks, “The father of lies is defeated; he has no place here.”

“I formed you. I look at you, I see my image.

I heard your cries. I know your struggle. You are covered with my blood, you are my child, you are my workmanship, what I have I give to you.

What you were about to say; there is no ‘just’ anybody. Those words will not be spoken in my presence.”

“Child, welcome home! You belong”!

Peter Fehr shared this short narrative poem in 2005 at the memorial of a young man who was staying with them when he died in a vehicle accident.

HavenGroup Celebrates 75 Years of Senior Care

By Doris Penner

T

EMC ARCHIVES

he HavenGroup organization in Steinbach, Man., had its beginnings 75 years ago, caring for six clients in an old “invalid home” on Hanover Street.

Today, the organization is poised to open its doors to a new 143-bed facility for seniors who need nursing care.

In addition, it provides suites for 400 more seniors in five residences.

With the new Rest Haven Care Home nearing completion, CEO David Driedger reflects on a decade of work and planning that has brought them to this point. When the Henry R. Friesen, pictured with wife Mary, was the only member of the building project was finally approved original Rest Haven board still living when Rest Haven celebrated its by the Manitoba department of 50th anniversary in 1996. health and seniors care in 2019 and construction had begun, COVID-19 committee to find a suitable facility and formuhit, but for Driedger this is just a blip in the grand late policy. scheme of things.

Within a month, the committee had pur“We are nearing our goal for HavenGroup— chased an invalid home with a 20-bed capacity to provide a continuum of care for seniors of in Steinbach for $10,000, including property and our community from the time they move into a inventory. Maria Vogt who owned the facility 55-plus apartment and live independently to the was moving to Winnipeg—and with her went point where they need nursing care,” he says. most of the residents. The six who remained While the changes became the first clientele HavenGroup has underof the Mennonite Invalid gone since its inception are Home. dramatic, one thing that has not changed is its mission— Operated as a ministry to provide housing and “Right from the start, it was personal care services in a clear that the Home would Christ-centered community be operated as a ministry that promotes the dignity of of the church for the comseniors. This continues to munity, not merely as a guide their day-to-day pracbusiness,” says Henry Klastices and decisions for the sen, who served as chair future. of HavenGroup’s board of HavenGroup was started by five churches directors for nine years, as well as interim CEO in the Evangelical Mennonite Conference who at one point. Care of the whole person would be saw the need for a home that would provide emphasized—not only the physical, but also the services for older seniors with a chronic illspiritual and emotional. ness or dementia. In 1946, representatives from The first order of business was hiring a churches in Steinbach, Kleefeld, Blumenort, matron who would take on the tremendous task Landmark (Prairie Rose) and Rosenort formed a of running the facility. A phone call in the dead

HavenGroup was started by five churches in the Evangelical Mennonite Conference who saw the need for a home that would provide services for older seniors with a chronic illness or dementia.

www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 17

EMC ARCHIVES

held Sunday morning services. Soon Rev. Jacob Dueck from Steinbach EMC took on the role of chaplaincy, serving for 25 years; this remained a volunteer part-time position until 1991 when it became paid work.

In 1960, the Rosenort church decided to build their own facility (Eventide) for seniors on the West Reserve, but crowding remained an issue at the facility on Hanover in Steinbach. The building was also fast becoming outdated. These two factors led to the construction of a new 60-bed personal care home on Kroeker Avenue which opened under the name Rest Haven Nursing Home. From 1964 to 1970 three more apartment complexes were constructed on the same property—Ashwood and Birchwood (both later sold to Eden East) as well as Cedarwood which serves as supportive housing.

Rev. Jacob P. Dueck served as the first chaplain of Rest Haven Nursing Home, 1960–1984.

of winter to Elizabeth Reimer (later Friesen) in Kleefeld, Man., with an invitation to help out for three weeks secured them the services of this plucky young farm woman who had taken a nursing course by correspondence. After one week of training with Vogt, she plunged into her role—and stayed for eight years.

Half a dozen young women were hired to cook, feed residents, heat water on the wood stove, wash linens, scrub the floors and keep a vegetable garden.

They had their work cut out for them, especially when the facility quickly filled up to its capacity of 20 beds, and 12 more rooms were added. Sewing circles from the churches stepped in to assist with mending, sewing curtains and supplying canned goods and butchered meat.

An administrator was hired for maintenance, to keep records and help with male residents.

Costs of running the home were kept moderate because of an abundance of volunteer labour.

Right from the start, spiritual care was worked into the fabric of the facility. Staff members conducted daily devotions and local pastors

Care costs subsidized

In 1973 Manitoba Health Services initiated a plan to subsidize personal care costs—this was welcome news since nursing care costs were escalating. However, with it came more stringent standards for care and building codes, which made the current building obsolete. By accepting government money, the churches feared they would be forced to give up Christian programming.

When health officials made it clear they were not interested in running the senior home, but simply wanted it to operate according to recommended standards, the churches resumed discussions with government for a new updated facility. EMC churches were responsible to pay for the land ($50,000) which, when divvied up among church members, would only come to “a few coffees less per month at Pete’s Inn” over the next five years, as one board member put it.

The new 60-bed facility on Woodhaven Avenue opened in 1984. It might seem short-sighted to ignore the opportunity to increase personal care homes at this juncture, but government files consistently showed the crush for nursing care beds would level off.

They had their work cut out for them, especially when the facility quickly filled up to its capacity of 20 beds, and 12 more rooms were added.

18 The Messenger • September 2021

HAVENGROUP

Dietary staff member Joyce Wiph and health care aid Grace Garcia play a card game with a Rest Haven Care Home resident. Under the DementiAbility program, there is increased emphasis on meeting individual interests and needs.

and visitation, remains of prime importance.

The enlarged chapel is part of an atrium on the main floor where Sunday worship services, Bible studies and hymn sings—involving a large slate of volunteers—will continue to be held as in the past.

For 75 years HavenGroup has faithfully listened to the plea of the writer in Psalm 71:9, Cast me not off in the time of old age—forsake me not when my strength fails.

EMC ARCHIVES

Certainly over the last few decades the need for nursing care comes at a later stage, and involves a smaller number of individuals aged 75 and older. Current thinking sees the importance of providing supports for seniors that will allow them to remain in their homes as long as possible. HavenGroup has recognized this trend and seeks to fill these needs in the facilities they operate for those aged 55-plus. This includes Parkview Apartments in the old Rest Haven building and Woodhaven Manor, attached to Rest Haven Care Home, making it convenient for a couple who may need different levels of care to live in proximity.

To include under one title the various entities owned and operated by the organization, the Rest Haven Nursing Home board of directors changed its name to HavenGroup in 2005.

Currently eight churches have representation on the board of directors—Stony Brook Fellowship and Evangelical Fellowship Church in Steinbach, Ridgewood Church (near Giroux, Man.) and Heartland Community Church in Landmark have joined the original four churches in operating HavenGroup facilities.

Excitement is mounting among Rest Haven staff and residents for the move—early in 2022— into the new care home. The facility is designed to allow residents live in more intimate “households,” so it feels like home as much as possible, says CEO David Driedger.

Spiritual care, which includes conducting services as well as individual counselling

Receiving recognition for long service at the Rest Haven Nursing Home at their annual Christmas banquet in 1974 are Margaret Reimer (21 years), Helena Siemens (11 years), Gustav Toews (21 years), Katherine Klassen (25 years) and Susie Wiebe (18 years).

www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 19

Column • A Path To Peace

Peace Makers or Peace Fakers?

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While there are many times where our disagreements are about minor disputable matters, other times we remain silent when we shouldn’t.

20 The Messenger • September 2021

ISTOCK

By Kevin Wiebe

re we peace makers or peace fakers? There are times when, instead of doing the hard work of reconciliation and peacemaking, we sweep problems under the rug and equate a lack of outright confrontation with peace.

When we fake peace, however, we may prolong the pain of the conflict, preventing the needed resolution because of our unwillingness to be brave and confront what is wrong.

In 1 Corinthians 11:18–19, the apostle Paul writes, “I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval.”

The Corinthian church had some major issues, where some people were most certainly in the wrong. Paul reminds them there must be conflicts and divisions, because the people of God ought not to accept everything. By failing to confront the sins in their midst, involving both sexual immorality and the mistreatment of those in poverty, they prolonged the pain of this situation.

While there are many times where our disagreements are about minor disputable matters, other times we remain silent when we shouldn’t.

When we ignore clear injustices in our midst or fail to take sin seriously, we make a mockery of our worship.

Most people, however, don’t like to stand up in situations where we have collectively been silent for far too long. None of us wants to be seen as a troublemaker.

There is a fascinating story in 1 Kings 18.

There had been a famine in the land through the prophetic ministry of Elijah. After years of this famine, Elijah confronts King Ahab. In verse 17,

as Elijah approaches, Ahab says, “Is that you, you troubler of Israel?” Elijah was called a troublemaker for refusing to accept Ahab’s sinful ways.

Elijah responds in verse 18 by saying, “I have not made trouble for Israel…but you and your father’s family have. You have abandoned the Lord’s commands and have followed the Baals.”

In situations such as this, those who stand up to injustice are often viewed as troublemakers by those who live contrary to God’s ways or by those who prefer a simple lack of conflict to the real peace of God. Make no mistake, however, Elijah was not the troublemaker, but the courageous hero of this story.

So I ask again: are we being peace makers, or peace fakers?

Column • Focus On

New Opportunities to Gather for Prayer

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hile we are tired of online events, they continue to hold new opportunities to gather in ways we wouldn’t have previously imagined. This spring the Board of Missions (BOM) tried something new—an online gathering for missionary sharing and prayer.

On March 4, 2021, we heard from three missionary couples who are focused on Bible translation. Paul and Lois Thiessen were unable to join, but provided a short update regarding the Siamou Bible translation project in Burkina Faso. Two other couples working in more sensitive areas also joined to share about their current work.

On June 24, 2021, church planting was the focus as we heard from Bill Janzen, Dallas and Tara Wiebe, and Jeremy and Adrienne Penner.

Bill Janzen, EMC church planter in St. Thomas, Ont., shared how The Forge, the only church in the northern half of this city of around 40,000 people, was gathering people together who had become disillusioned with church, or had never attended before. It took some time to get going, but over a space of a few months their group nearly doubled in size.

As in many other cases, COVID-19 has caused issues, but the church looks forward to gathering in person again.

Dallas and Tara Wiebe, EMC missionaries church planting in Guadalajara, Mexico,

Jeremy and Adrienne Penner with their children

By Ruth Block Missions and Finance Assistant

Bill and Beth Janzen with their children

are excited to welcome people into their study groups who have not been able or willing to join them in person. The church continues to grow stronger as they focus on leadership development, and they continue to connect with couples through Dallas’s counselling. The most recent Missions Alert video, focussed on Guadalajara, is posted online at www.emconference.ca.

Jeremy and Adrienne Penner, EMC workers with Multiply in Thailand, shared several encouraging stories of the church among the migrant population they work with. Local leaders work hard to spread the good news among their people, but often lack the access to further biblical training. Jeremy and Adrienne’s team partners with two different local Bible schools, sending roughly twelve students in a typical year; in the last year, as restrictions moved classes online, they were able to send nearly forty!

While these events will continue to be held online, the BOM is working toward making in-person options available. If you are in the Steinbach area and would like to join us in person at Steinbach EMC, please email or call the office to register. The next prayer meeting will be held on October 14, 2021, at 7 p.m. (CDT) with a focus on education. Visit www.emconference.ca/prayermeeting to learn more or register.

While these events will continue to be held online, the BOM is working toward making in-person options available.

www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 21

With Our Missionaries

Coming Full Circle in Ministry CANADA

In 1992 my wife Sherri and I, with our less than one year old daughter Lindsey, moved to Germany to begin a music evangelistic ministry with the Janz Team in association with the Evangelical Mennonite Conference.

We lived and worked there until 2013, at which point we moved back to Canada. I served as worship pastor at the Emmanuel Evangelical Free Church in Steinbach, Man., for six years. When that drew to a close we came full circle and began working again with TeachBeyond (formerly known as the Janz Team) and the EMC. This “coming back” was in many ways like a wonderful home-coming!

We will continue living in Canada and I will travel to Germany, Brazil, Belarus and other countries, supporting the churches in those locations with my gifts. Many churches in these places lack certain resources, which I can offer, in their work in making and training new followers of Jesus. I will be involved in 25 to 30 concerts per year, other music events, recordings, teaching on biblical worship and personal mentoring.

One of my favourite things in ministry is mentoring.

I regularly bring along on tour young musicians who are passionate Christ followers in order to train and mentor them, and offer them life-changing ministry opportunities.

Sven G. is a young man I’ve had the pleasure of mentoring over many years. Sven lives in the former communist DDR, which is in the east part of Germany, close to the city of Dresden.

Sven is a gifted and effective influencer. Since I first got to know him as a teenager, his desire has been to influence people in his world to become followers of Christ.

Over the many years of mentoring and working with Sven and his home church, through countless concerts and events, many have been reached for Jesus. In addition, through Sven’s successful metal building company, his influence as a follower of Christ has a strong effect on his employees and his business partners.

Danny Plett with Sven G., a gifted and effective influencer.

22 The Messenger • September 2021

Danny Plett's work involves mentoring young people, such as this group.

I continue to work with other influencers for Christ who run the gamut from church lay people and pastors to business owners, medical doctors and a born-again Belarusian rock star.

Pastor Mischa and wife Irena S., pastoring a thriving evangelical church in Minsk, the capital city of Belarus, are, at the moment, facing very difficult days in their work as their country continues to go through deep political waters.

Because of my long ministry history and experience in Germany, Belarus and Brazil, God has enabled much groundwork to have already been laid down together with these influencers, upon which further kingdom building is going on and will continue into the future.

– Danny Plett Danny Plett lives with his wife Sherri in Steinbach, Man. He trains and mentors worship leaders and serves in worship ministry through TeachBeyond to Germany, Belarus, Ukraine and Brazil.

With Our Missionaries

How Would You Advise Someone Thinking About Missions?

A Q&A with some EMC missionaries “Go on a mission trip and embrace and celebrate the concept of serving. Approach the culture on the trip with an attitude of ‘it’s not wrong, just different.’ Ask a lot of questions of the host missionary.”

– Danny Plett, EMC Missionary with TeachBeyond serving Germany, Belarus, Ukraine and Brazil “If the Holy Spirit is drawing you toward full-time ministry, start talking to your local mission committee even while you’re studying in Bible college or seminary. Effective long-term mission strategies neither happen cheaply nor by being thrown together at the last minute, and your church needs to begin preparing as you prepare!”

– Arlyn van Enns, EMC Missionary with Multi-Nation Mission Foundation serving from North America “Remember that God calls every one of us into his mission. That calling to enter into his redemption story comes before the call to a location or a people; once we surrender our lives to him, we can discern where that surrender will take us. Missions can be in Canada. Missions can be overseas. The most important thing is stepping into that first calling like Isaiah, and saying “here I am Lord, send me!” Isaiah was sent to his own people—some of us are sent to far off places. The common thing here is availability to Jesus.”

– Jeremy and Adrienne Penner, EMC Workers with Multiply in Thailand “Pray, focus on your relationship with God, be involved in your local church getting experience in many different departments or ministries, go to Bible school, talk to different missionaries about their experience, and then come to Paraguay!”

– Travis and Rosey Zacharias, EMC Missionaries in Paraguay

“Learn how to cook for yourself with whatever is in the fridge. Cooking is an under-rated skill when it comes to living in a new culture!”

– Alex Reimer, EMC Missionary with Greater Europe Mission in Northern Ireland “Talk to someone that is in missions or has worked in missions for an extended period of time to help orient you as to what to expect and how to prepare well.”

– Dallas and Tara Wiebe, EMC Missionaries in Mexico 1. Get a marketable skill 2. Learn another language—maybe Arabic 3. Go on several varied mission or vision trips 4. Take Perspectives 5. Pray 6. Build a support group for prayer, support, friendship 7. Study theology 8. Study missiology 9. Go through the website http://honorshame.com/ 10. Take http://theculturetest.com/ – A and J, EMC Missionaries serving a Central Asian people group: 1. Learn to be flexible: expect plans to change.

2. Be sure of your calling—that God is behind it; that you love people.

3. Go through an inner healing process to clean up your baggage, like Caring for the Heart counselling.

4. Get involved cross-culturally before going overseas.

Learn to work in a team.

5. Be aware of attitudes of cultural/spiritual superiority and come to learn.

6. Get very involved in your church’s missions/outreach program—and beyond.

– Chris and Revita Kroeker, EMC Missionaries in Paraguay

These were originally posted on EMC’s Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Follow us on our social accounts for more questions and answers with our missionaries! www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 23

With Our Churches Pansy Chapel

Rejoicing in Spite of Challenges PANSY, Man.—There are many good things to rejoice about. In spite of setbacks, church goes on. Through various stages of the pandemic, we have tried different formats. Currently we conduct two services, making it easy for everyone to attend.

Following the instructions Paul gives in Philippians 4, we look for the lovely and admirable. Yes, we are grateful for: the new surface on the church yard, adopted children/families thriving in spite of many obstacles, clear Bible teaching from our pastor and guest speakers, 12 high school grads this year and us being able to host them a party, involvement in the area’s exciting mini-VBS program, youth groups (both junior and senior that are flourishing regardless of the odds) and their committed leaders, many other ways God speaks to us—refreshing, renewing, healing and encouraging.

Kleefeld EMC

Hovering around the top of the thankful list are seven baptisms held in July. With the ongoing restrictions each happened individually by invitation only—regardless, we are grateful. We wish each person much Rebecca Rupert Hiebert is baptized joy, growth and Holy in Joubert Creek near Pansy Chapel Spirit power as they

by Pastor Dylan Barkman and her continue their spiritual husband, Dustin Hiebert, on July 11. journey one step at a time. Baptized were Julia Brydges, Kara Penner, Rebecca Hiebert, Luke Giesbrecht, Jaida Zarecki, Alexis Braun and Makaila Braun.

– Betty Barkman

••

Mourning Losses, Celebrating New Additions KLEEFELD, Man.—As is the case in most churches and places of worship this year, the pews at Kleefeld EMC have often been empty. Due to COVID-19, pastors often preach to a virtual audience and worship teams singing without response from the congregation. However, as we have returned, some seats remain empty. A number of the senior members of our church family have passed on to their heavenly reward and are singing in the choir of angels. We mourn the loss of Bruce Barkman, Helen Fast, Nettie Fast and Clara Koop. Others of us have lost mothers, fathers, siblings, cousins and friends. We long for the day of reunion in heaven.

We are fortunate, however, to be a congregation of diverse age groups. We are blessed with the wisdom and experience of our seniors, especially those who have been members of long standing in the church. We are encouraged when we see members of our youth worshipping with us and preparing to become leaders in the church. We are

24 The Messenger • September 2021

excited to see parents assuming responsibility for the spiritual welfare of their young children.

On two separate Sundays this spring, March 14 and 21 (during a time limited church attendance was possible), seven couples brought their young children to church to participate in a parent-child dedication. The parents dedicated themselves to raise their children with Christian understanding and see them grow up to serve the Lord.

Taking part in the dedication services were Doug and Tori Priest with Thatcher, Valerian and Dorothea Bergen with Kaitlyn, Lyndol and Coralie Fast with Spencer, Colton and Carlee Froese with Lark, Silas and Chantelle Bohren with Dawson, Stephen and Keesha Simard with Harper, and Will and Caycie Rogalsky with Juliet. Being reminded of the old African proverb that it takes a village to raise a child, members of the congregation stood to indicate that they were willing to support these young families through prayer and encouragement.

– Louella Friesen

With Our Churches Ridgewood Church

The Benefits of a Church Missions Committee!

GIROUX, Man.—The Great Commission according to Mathew 28:18–20 has not been fulfilled. There are still several billion people who have not heard the gospel. We want to make Jesus known to as many people as possible. One way to help is to have a church missions committee.

The committee keeps in touch with EMC missions and works alongside them to reach the goals they have set. The chairperson of our committee will attend EMC Convention to see what is happening in missions in our conference. The chairperson will then report to the Ridgewood congregation. That is one way our missions committee promotes missions in the Ridgewood church.

There are other ways the committee promotes missions. Together with the pastor, we plan a missions emphasis month in January. During this time, a different missionary reports every Sunday to our adult Sunday School class and brings the morning message. We try to get a variety of speakers—from foreign missions to more local missions.

Our church also has a different missionary from our church as missionary of the month. The missionary is featured in our bulletin for a month, and shares and asks for prayer for different situations. This helps our church stay in touch with the missionary while promoting missions within the church.

The missions committee also stays in touch with our missionaries by writing letters, listening to whatever questions the missionary may have, or give extra encouragement as needed.

When a missionary arrives on home assignment, we make sure that the missionary gets to report and bring the Sunday Israel and Sandra Chavez Plett

Joyelle and Richard Sayer with their children

morning message. If they are home during January, we ask them to do the report for one of the Sundays. We give them gift certificates for groceries and gas, and encourage church members to do the same. If the missionary needs a place to rent, we pay for part of the rent. We also find out if congregants have a vehicle that can be loaned to the missionary. The missions committee debriefs the missionary and uses this information to better care for and help them with concerns or difficult situations.

Our missions committee also gives application forms to people who want to become missionaries—both shortterm and long-term. We interview them and let the church know we have approved them. For short-term missionaries of less than a year, we ask them to report on a Sunday morning of what they will be doing and let us know their financial needs. They provide congregants with letters to let us know what they will be doing and ask for prayer and financial support. They are asked to report when they come back. This is true for long-term missionaries as well, and they also receive financial support from the church when approved by the membership. Long-term missionaries receive up to 29 per cent of their support through our local church; this support increases annually according to cost of living.

Consider how you can support your church’s local missions committee, or start one in your church.

– Peter Plett

www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 25

With Our Churches Abbeydale Christian Fellowship

Application for Conversion CALGARY, Alta.—“Conversion” must be one of the most versatile words in the English language. One can “convert” almost anything. A pile of old shirts can be beautifully converted into an heirloom quilt, or a seemingly useless piece of wood can be converted into a beautiful gift for a loved one.

Recently, I received a form in the mail to fill out and return: Application for Conversion. The return address was not heaven; the sender was not God. Those who are over the age of 65 may remember applying for their own “conversion.” The form’s title sparked a few thoughts.

My immediate reaction was “Thank you, Lord, that New ACF members are initially from various Spanish speaking counyour people just simply need to ask you to change them tries, with some from Braeside or Brandon Spanish EMC church plants. from the inside out. Nobody needs to first prove who they are by filling out an application for conversion and then several cultures shared their experiences in negotiating the hope that you approve it. This is certainly cause for rejoicdifficulties of immigration. There were discussions relating ing and praise!” to socializing norms, time management, discipline differMy next thought was spurred on by the memory of the ences, meaning of and responsibility of freedom, language recent Cultural Awareness afternoon held at ACF. Immibarrier issues and more. Some thought provoking quesgrants and others who are not firstly Canadian struggle in tions were also raised. “converting” to a different culture.! Of course, not nearly How can long-time Canadians help immigrants (espeeverything in their lives requires converting to a new and cially their children) assimilate into important aspects different way of speaking, thinking and behaving, but the of Canadian cultural in a healthy way? At the same time, emotional and physical effort required to convert to just there may be non-negotiables of their mother culture that the necessary aspects of Canadian culture is an exhausting are in polar opposition to Canadian ideals. and lengthy process.

As an example, how do different cultures handle an Even those of us who have mostly assimilated into Cana- offer or invitation if the offer recipient’s answer is negative? dian culture over generations try to hang on to some aspects Canadians usually politely decline after thanking the perof their mother culture, whatever culture that may be. son who posed the question. In some cultures, a negative At the Cultural Awareness event, speakers representing answer is always impolite. What is the alternative? Answer affirmatively but not follow through? Clearly, there is potential here for a huge misunderstanding. Is the “Canadian” way the only right way?

A comment made at the event was God’s Word Minga Guazú, Paraguay Guadalajara, Mexico is the filter through which all cultural ideals and actions should pass. Is the attitude or action ChristThe church planting team in Team members are sought to like? Does it line up with Christ’s standards of Minga Guazú is looking for join the team church planting honesty, love and respect for others? individuals to join their team to in the large urban city of GuaJesus met people from many cultures during his partner in leading the church dalajara. A potential direction time on earth. In that time, he focussed on the one planting efforts, or focus of ministry would be to cultitruth that held strong for every culture: his love. specifically on youth and chil- vate connections and small Since we have received the spiritual conversion he dren’s ministry. groups to broaden the reach of offers to us, we are obliged to follow his example. the local church.

May we be faithful.

Learn more at www.emconference.ca/serve or contact the office at info@emconference.ca – Ivy Plett

Mission Opportunities

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26 The Messenger • September 2021

With Our Churches Rosenort EMC

Rosenort EMC Baptizes Three ROSENORT, Man.—On Sunday, August 15, the Rosenort EMC congregation celebrated, with many guests, the baptism of three young people from our church family. Pictured are Abby Dueck and Breezee Kroeker (front) and Jonah Dueck with Pastor Ward Parkinson (back).

It is always a thrill to mark this important step of faith in the lives of believers, and an opportunity for us all to reflect on our own commitment to Jesus. We enjoyed a fellowship meal afterwards.

– Anita Peters

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PB Golf Tournament Raises Over $45K STEINBACH, Man.—Many descriptors have been used to put into words the unique challenges of this past year. Not isolated from these challenges, Project Builders saw a number of projects delayed as materials were hard to acquire or international and domestic travel was suspended. In spite of those challenges, it has been encouraging to see the creative ways in which our mission workers have carried on with their ministries.

The annual golf tournament is a significant part of Project Builders annual funding. In 2020 the tournament was cancelled; however, sponsors came through in amazing ways to help us meet the year’s funding goal.

We commented then that we could look forward to June of 2021 when everything would be back to normal.

By March the golf committee was aware that June would not be normal and decisions needed to be made as to how the tournament would be organized. We optimistically moved ahead with a late July date with the understanding that we would make whatever adjustments needed to meet COVID-19 protocols. We were very thankful to see guidelines opening up and we were able to run the golf game as planned.

This being peak holiday season for many and very busy times for construction and farming sectors, the number of golfers was reduced, but we still gathered people from across the province. We could visit and enjoy an excellent day for golf. Instead of a large gathering for a meal and reports from project recipients, food was served at several stations on the course. We were privileged to have mission workers on the course who interacted with golfers as they came through.

News

Garry Reimer, Project Builders Golf Tournament committee member

Four projects were featured as recipients of funds raised by the tournament: a building project for Inner City Youth Alive, discipleship ministry in Central Asia, expansion of a counselling and restoration centre in East Paraguay, and ministry to northern Manitoba communities. Through the generosity of our sponsors and individual golfers we had a net income of just over $45,500. Funds raised beyond the listed projects will go toward other projects approved by the Project Builder membership at its annual general meeting this past November.

As a member driven organization, we welcome those who would participate with us in assisting our missionaries with the many initiatives they have to promote and build their ministries. Learn more and become a member at www.projectbuilders.ca for further information.

– Len Barkman

www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 27

News

Resources for the Reconciliation Learning Journey

EFC

RICHMOND HILL, Ont.—In early June, like so many other Canadian ministry organizations, the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC) struggled to find the right words to express our lament over the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation’s confirmation of the unmarked graves of 215 children at the site of the Kamloops Indian Residential School. This announcement was quickly followed by the Cowessess First Nation’s confirmation of 751 unmarked graves at the former site of Marieval Indian Residential School in Saskatchewan.

Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commis- In June 2020 an EFC working group presented seven commitments for sion included the opportunity for survivors of conversation and action among EFC affiliates the Indian Residential Schools system to share their stories and experiences. The final reports of the Truth Commission, ‘reconciliation’ is about establishing and and Reconciliation Commission are available for reading maintaining a mutually respectful relationship between and learning, and are meant to help provide a way forward Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples in this country. toward reconciliation. They include stories and even statis- For that to happen, there has to be awareness of the past, tics of some of the Indigenous children who lived and died acknowledgement of the harm that has been inflicted, in Canada’s residential schools. atonement for the causes, and action to change behaviour.”

In our June 2, 2021 statement of lament and recommitWe are not there yet. The relationship between Aborigment to reconciliation, we committed to listening, learning inal and non-Aboriginal peoples is not yet a mutually and then acting. We can turn to the significant body of respectful one. material, including first-hand accounts recorded by the In 2016, as part of the EFC’s ongoing journey of reconTruth and Reconciliation Commission, to learn more. ciliation with Indigenous peoples, we gathered Indigenous Visit www.nctr.ca to view all the reports that are availand non-Indigenous evangelicals to provide a response to able (and instantly downloadable), including a 2016 report the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, specifically to entitled Missing Children and Unmarked Graves. That Call to Action #48. report includes first-hand survivor accounts of witnessSubsequent meetings with representatives of denoming the deaths of classmates, records of school fires, and inational affiliates and Indigenous leaders led to the insight into the process of locating unmarked graves. The establishment of the EFC Indigenous-Settler Relations report “is a systematic effort to record and analyze the Working Group, who presented a paper, Stewarding Sacred deaths at the schools, and the presence and condition of Seeds, at the 2020 NAIITS Symposium. The paper includes student cemeteries.…” The report also acknowledges that seven commitments around which the EFC would prompt its report of 3,200 deaths is likely too low, a reality we are conversation and action among its affiliates, which were likely going to see made visible in the months to come as embraced by the EFC. more Indigenous communities search former residential Established in March 2021, the Seven Commitments school sites across Canada.

Working Group is comprised of leaders and influencers In the report entitled simply Reconciliation we can from a broad spectrum of evangelical communities and understand better what the Truth and Reconciliation interchurch contexts.

Commission means by the word “reconciliation,” and then The Seven Commitments can be found at TheEFC.ca/ become familiar with the Calls to Action (churches and SevenCommitments. ministry organizations will want to pay special attention to In recent weeks, many of us have committed to “learn numbers 48, 58–61, and 73–75). and to listen.” The resources we need are already readily In the Reconciliation report we read: “To the available.

– EFC

28 The Messenger • September 2021

News

MWC General Secretary Says, ‘Politics Matters’ What Is God’s Kingdom and What Does Citizenship Look Like? Mennonite World Conference general secretary César García explored these questions in a book in the “The Jesus Way: Small Books of Radical Faith” series by Herald Press in February 2021.

Mennonite Central Committee’s United Nations Office asked him questions about the subject. This is a shortened version of an interview originally published in the May 2021 UN Office Global Briefing.

MCC UN Office: As a church leader, why did you decide to write this book? Why a book about politics at this time?

César García: In my homeland of ColomMennonite World Conference general secretary César García bia, our churches were so divided by partisan politics it was a nightmare. We were not able to speak about the ongoing peace process in our country because it oppressors, demanding laws that don’t take into account was so divisive. On social media, we found varying comthe freedom of minorities. But there is another alternative. ments and even lies spreading and affecting our church In the Old Testament, there are voices that critique members. We lacked material to speak about political the Israelite monarchies, and see that form of government engagement in a very simple yet deep way. as an unfortunate stage in the people of God. In the end, ancient Israelites found themselves in exile. It is in that In the book, you say Jesus’ message was political. Many context that leaders like Daniel, for instance, were influpeople would be surprised to hear that. What do you encing society from a perspective of vulnerability. mean?

This is the type of politics Jesus identified with—wise Many people confuse politics with partisan politics. leadership in a context of oppressive empire rather than Politics matters because it is concerned with how our soci- top-down power. What we are called to do is to invite peoety is organized. It has to do with the way we think about ple in a voluntary way to adopt good values. money, how we relate to people who are different, and to Much of the church has not talked about issues of social marginalized people and injustice in society. structure and how to engage with them. Do you think The message of Jesus was deeply political because he structures can be sinful? was speaking about a new way of organizing a society.

Sin is more than individual behaviour. Sin has to do When Jesus uses the term “kingdom of God,” he is using with the environment in which we live. Our societies natupolitical language. He’s speaking about a political reality, rally create structures of domination. our way of organizing our society, our values, and the way Unfortunately, it is difficult to recognize these strucwe relate to each other. tures because we were raised in them. We are like fish In your book, you mention “exile politics” as your preswimming in a big ocean, unable to recognize the waters, ferred model of political engagement. Can you speak to the structures our society creates, until we are taken out of that? the water.

When I was growing up in Colombia, some Christian That is what living into God’s kingdom means. God’s churches were not legally recognized, and not allowed to Spirit empowers us to live a different kind of society. We meet freely. People even attacked church buildings and can then influence the societies of this world again in a way threatened church leaders. Now that Christian churches that is coherent with our values. are legally recognized, some churches have become the – MCC UN/MWC

www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 29

Letters and Notices Deeply Concerned with Ministerial Decision The Aberdeen EMC congregation believes in a God that welcomes everyone to the table and affirms each person for their gifts regardless of gender, ethnicity, country of origin, disability or sexual identity.

As a congregation, we embrace this inclusive spirit and have been blessed over the years by several woman pastors called from our midst, as well as many other women who led—and continue to lead—our congregation with humility, wisdom, and discernment. Given this, we are deeply concerned with the decision of the EMC Ministerial to continue to refuse to recognize the leadership and bless the ordination of women pastors.

The Aberdeen congregation has been a part of the EM Conference for many years, and we have valued our relationships with the conference and our sister churches.

For this reason we have not always spoken up when we should have. We need to speak up now. We want to bless each church and the conference as a whole as it seeks to be true to its calling. We hoped that our sister churches could extend the same blessing to us, and others like us. With this most recent decision, it seems that this is unlikely to happen.

To continue to deny women the opportunity to fully use their gifts to further the work of the church is contrary to our understanding of who we are called to be as followers of Jesus, and we are troubled and disappointed with this action.

– Aberdeen EMC Executive Committee Winnipeg, Man.

Women Need Their Voices Heard In her July 2021 editorial, Rebecca Roman stated, “Those with the most to lose don’t really get a say in the outcome.”

It is quite the opposite of Proverbs 31:8–9 where the Bible talks about speaking up on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves.

In this case, because only the credentialed ministers can vote and the majority of those members are male, it means the people (women!) that need their voice to be heard are not being heard. Through this vote, it seems women like Teresa Enns Zehr are told that they are not fully capable as pastors because of their gender, and therefore cannot be ordained or have their votes count at Ministerial meetings.

It is a contradiction to have the Conference say that they can only give those lead positions to male pastors and yet say that each church can decide for themselves. The BLO cannot support both egalitarian and complementarian views at once, as they seem to be agreeing with the egalitarians through their statement. Not every woman should have a leadership position, but neither should every man have a leadership position if he is not gifted in that area.

Jesus was all about empowering and enabling people to use their gifts, and in this matter it seems as though the Conference is determined to not enable and empower believers in their gifts.

– Suzanna Hopcraft Winnipeg, Man.

Note on discussion within The Messenger Every community will have a diversity of views and opinions, which provides opportunities for us to learn from each other, being quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry (James 1:19). Our discussions are inevitably impacted by our own experiences, and the

30 The Messenger • September 2021

experiences of people in our lives.

These discussions should also reflect the reality that some groups and individuals have not always felt welcome in Christian communities. We welcome your responses to articles and topics discussed in The Messenger.

– Board of Church Ministries

In Memory

Clifton Chester Abrahamson 1932–2021

Clifton was born in the great depression to Wilhelm and Edith (Larson) Abrahamson. He died in a global pandemic and never had a lot of this world’s wealth or ease in between, yet repeatedly spoke of having a good life.

Though not a great fan of school, he was a lifelong learner who could do most anything that he put his hand to.

His early work as itinerant farm hand lost its appeal when feisty young neighbour girl Sylvia Rae How caught his eye. From then on, all tasks revolved around raising his expanding family on that stony section of poplar bush that we called the Rocking C. Operating, riding, repairing, building, trapping, contracting—Dad usually had some side hustle on the go in a desperate effort to keep his farm and his family thriving and intact. A wide

variety of animals, pastimes, toys, and family sports were encouraged by him along with good old-fashioned sweat equity. Even though we kids tested his patience past the breaking point more than once or twice, he was always able to see beyond our failure and believe great things for our future.

Described once as hopelessly optimistic, he seemed to see potential in everything. That meant there were always plenty of projects awaiting him, even to the point that his shop became almost inaccessible. It also meant that there was always room in his life for more people. Though our immediate family was large, there was always room for more. Extended family, large groups of neighbours, young people, and even complete strangers, were always welcomed and made to feel important and well fed by Mum and Dad. As a young father, he was introduced to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ the son of God, and that became a defining part of who he was and what he felt was most important for his family. Weaving together his faith, his family and his farm became a lifelong passion that guided so many decisions that were based on people, not profitability. When he and Mum decided that keeping the farm in the

family was more valuable than maximizing profitability, it was a natural progression of so many significant life choices!

Asked recently by his eldest grandson about regrets in his life, his response was, “If I had my life to live over, I’d just do the same thing all over again.” In recent years, and especially since his brush with death in September of 2018, his songs and his words have been particularly focused on his great desire that his family and friends not miss out on being in heaven with him one day.

Predeceased by all but one of his siblings, his son-in law Ger, and his grandson Jarred, Dad is sorely missed by his wife of 62-and-a-half years, as well as the large tribe over which he remains the patriarch. This includes 11 biological children as well as numerous foster children and several others who considered him Dad. It also includes 51 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

His ready smile, laugh, and welcoming handshake will also be missed by his brother, his extended family, his church family, and his community.

He died a rich man, and each of us is richer for knowing him.

– His Family

www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 31

In Memory

Willie B. Dueck 1923–2021

Our Dad was born on July 18, 1923, in Morris, Manitoba—the 17th of 19 children. Dad entered eternal rest, forever united with Elizabeth, the love of his life, on April 16, 2021.

When Dad first proposed to Mom in 1948, Dad’s family was literally in the process of moving to Mexico. At first Mom said no, but, realizing that she did not want to lose him, called him up and told him that she had changed her mind and would love to marry him. Using the trip to Mexico as an excuse to travel, Dad took Mom on a month-long honeymoon around the west coast.

Mom and Dad ended up living in Mexico for 15 years. While

32 The Messenger • September 2021

there they started a pharmacy, clinic, hospital, farm, and agricultural implements business, all while becoming parents of eight children, and being heavily involved in colony life and governance.

Mom and Dad moved back to Manitoba in 1963 to a farm in the Vidir area. With two more children, and the demands of a mixed farm and several businesses, life continued to be hectic. In spite of this, Dad always had time for the needs of the people around him. Dad did not dream of doing big things, he was simply there to respond to whatever the need was.

When Mennonites from Mexico migrated to Seminole, Texas, Dad invested heavily to establish schools and churches that would help them adjust and thrive in a new country.

Dad was intimately involved in the work of MCC and was instrumental in starting Die Mennonitische Post and the Canadian Foodgrains Bank.

As he aged Dad began thinking of retirement and what that would mean for them as a couple. He deplored the way in which older couples were often torn apart when one of them would need more care than the other. Consequently, he donated money to the municipality to kick-start building

of the House of Hope. As it turned out, the house was ready when Mom and Dad needed to move out of their home in the country because of Mom’s failing health. Mom passed away in 2012.

We can never thank Rose enough for dedicating much of her life to being a caregiver, first for Mom and then for Dad. Thank you, Rose! Gloria, you too committed much time and effort in organizing and helping to create the space Dad needed to age gracefully in the House of Hope.

Thank you!

Dad leaves us to continue his legacy of faithfully caring for others around us. He challenges us to leave the world a better place for everyone.

Dad truly loved those who are marginalized and was convinced that it is only when we share our resources with the most vulnerable that we truly do God’s work.

Thank you, Dad, for proclaiming and enacting the kingdom of God by who you were and how you lived.

The service is available at https:// livestream.com/accounts/5435418/ events/9630359.

– His Family

Shoulder Tapping Where are position ads to be sent?

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

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. Speak with Erica Fehr, Church leadership assistant to the BLO, to request a cell number for a particular person.

EMC Positions* The St. Vital EM Church is seeking to hire a part-time youth pastor who will lead and disciple our youth aged 15–18 years old. We are an established and friendly church in south Winnipeg, Man., with approximately 120 congregants who aspire to love God and live as Jesus Christ lived. As members of the body of Christ, we seek to serve and worship God while serving our community.

The successful candidate will demonstrate a passion for Christ through their vibrant relationship with Jesus. Demonstrable, consistent leadership and influence among youth will mark their character, together with discernment and obedience to God’s calling within the wider scope of the church’s ministry. A collaborative team approach is required.

Applicable experience working with youth is essential. The position requires 16 hours per week.

Send your resume, with cover letter, to Oswald at ozzy_wald@hotmail.com.

Closing date: October 15, 2021.

Other Positions Beauty Out of Ashes is a mission agency serving abused and abandoned girls in Haiti. We are looking for a couple, one or both with teacher training.

Instruction will be done in English.

Besides teaching, the couple would work in providing supervision and oversight of the home in areas such as shopping, administrative duties, and supervision as needed. Candidates must have a deep commitment to serving Christ, be members in good standing and with the recommendation of their local church. Strong relational skills are required. Basic accommodations are provided however additional financial support would be raised by the candidates.

Visit boahaiti.org for an overview of the ministry. Heartland Community Church is helping to sponsor this ministry. For more information contact lfbarkman@gmail.com or mkubanek@mymts.net.

Fort Garry Mennonite Brethren Church is hiring for the role of worship director. This is a two-year term position at 0.75 FTE. FGMB is a healthy, diverse intergenerational congregation of 400-plus located in the suburbs of southwest Winnipeg, Man. We believe that worship is an essential part of equipping the body for fellowship and belonging, faith formation and mission engagement.

The worship director needs to be a creative and engaging person who is passionate and growing in faith. The applicant should also be gifted in leading and inviting others into meaningful worship, work well in a collaborative team environment and connect well with people across generations, and should be familiar with the video editing and digital media skills needed for production of livestreamed services.

For a longer job description see fgmb.ca/jobopportunities. Email cover letter and resume to info@fgmb.ca by May 30, 2021.

At Inner City Youth Alive (ICYA) our mission is to bring hope through Christ, and we’re seeking to fill ministry positions serving kids, youth and families in Winnipeg’s inner city neighbourhood. Available positions include ministry and administrative roles. Our diverse team members are both local leaders and from outside our neighbourhood. As a faith-based ministry we hold all staff to our lifestyle and morality commitments, and core values. ICYA and our staff are supported by generous individuals and churches from across Canada. To view full job descriptions, visit: www.icya.ca/careers or message Karen Jolly, director of programs, at karen@icya.ca.

Manitou Christian Fellowship, a multi-generational, rural church in south-central Manitoba, seeks to glorify God by helping people find and follow Jesus. We are looking for a full-time lead pastor who is a gifted teacher and has a heart for evangelism and discipleship. It is important for us to be biblically centred in all we do. We welcome people from all backgrounds to join us in learning and growing together in our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Recognizing that our work extends beyond the walls of our building, we aim to have a positive impact on people’s lives and advance the cause of Christ. Our people are generally involved in local community events and in developing relationships outside of the church family. In the last year, we have focused on loving our neighbours and doing community outreach, while also discipling those around us. This is currently an open position and we wish to hire ASAP. For more information and to apply, please contact Traci Johnston at 204-8764617 or by e-mail at 24johnston@gmail.com. See our website at www.manitouchristianfellowship.com.

Mennonite Central Committee Canada (MCCC) is looking for a Director of Human Resources.

The successful candidate for this salaried position will provide leadership to a staff team responsible for the human resource function of MCCC. This includes recruitment, screening, placement, maintenance of personnel information and related data, training and care of workers, overseeing salary and benefits delivery, and human resources policy development. The Director of Human Resources works in close relationship with the Director of Human Resources (MCC U.S.) to lead and manage the human resource functions for International Shared Program. The position also consults and collaborates with provincial HR staff on HR matters.

To view the full job description and to apply visit: www.mcccanada.ca.

Evangelical Mennonite Conference

Year to Date Financial Report January-July 2021

Income* Expenses Excess/Shortfall

General Fund 2021 905,148 852,342 52,806

General Fund 2020 1,053,235 933,669 119,566

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

www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 33

Column • His Light to My Path

Taking Root and Bearing Fruit

“T I look at the motley assortment of characters who define themselves as Christians.

I peer at my own frail life. I soak up these words, thirsty for hope in a hostile environment.

34 The Messenger • September 2021

ISTOCK

By Karla Hein

he survivors that are left of the house of Judah will again take root downward and bear fruit upward. For out of Jerusalem will go a remnant, and survivors out of Mount Zion. The zeal of the Lord will perform this” (2 Kings 19:30–31 NASB).

COVID-19 has slapped humans in the face and left churches fragmented and stunned. One cannot simply blame the illness for our fatigue. The social climate has heated up with many cultural and doctrinal conversations—a deluge of words that can cause confusion and distort the truth. When social restrictions began to relax in my province, people emerged from their homes as if struggling free from a tight-fitting cocoon. Eyes blinking in the bright light and wings still fragile, they considered whom to trust.

During this turbulent time, I happened upon King Hezekiah. He appears shortly after God’s grim verdict against disobedient Israel “who did not trust in the Lord their God” and “rejected his decrees…and the statutes he had warned them to keep” (2 Kings 17:14–15). Sennacherib, the proud king of Assyria, expects to conquer Judah; he has already swept through a long list of other kingdoms. “Has the god of any nation ever delivered his land from the hand of the king of Assyria?” (18:33). Hearing this threat, Hezekiah immediately implores God to declare his authority “that all kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone, Lord, are God” (19:19).

Here we get an intriguing glimpse into the intercessory work of prayer, reminiscent of Moses’ plea for God’s mercy on the people many years before (Exodus 32:11–14). “Because you have prayed to Me about Sennacherib king of Assyria, I have heard you” (2 Kings 19:20 NASB). Then, the words that speak beautiful hope to hearts weary of fear, oppression, and

judgment. “The survivors that are left of the house of Judah will again take root downward and bear fruit upward” (19:30 NASB). Who is this One promising preservation, even fruitfulness after the severe pruning of Israel? The same One who now speaks hope over the church: “to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless” (Ephesians 5:27). I look at the motley assortment of characters who define themselves as Christians. I peer at my own frail life. I soak up these words, thirsty for hope in a hostile environment.

I recall Jehoshaphat, another king of Judah who also exemplified a confidence in God’s sovereignty during an urgent time of need. What is his response to God’s promise that “the battle is not yours, but God’s” (2 Chronicles 20:15)?

A concert of praise, exalting God’s loving-kindness. A declaration of trust, triumphing over debilitating outward circumstances.

“In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while [for what is a few, disconcerting years in the face of forever with him?] you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.

These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith…may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed” (1 Peter 1:6–7). “The zeal of the Lord will perform this” (2 Kings 19:31 NASB).

Column • Further In and Higher Up

Good Riddance to the Old Caboose

H

By Layton Friesen Conference Pastor

ISTOCK

ave you heard of the “Wesleyan Quadrilateral”? That’s a fancy phrase for how John Wesley thought the Bible, reason, experience and tradition should be ordered. In your search for truth, how would you rank those four?

Today we are in the midst of an “experience boom” where everyone wants their own personal experience of life to determine what, for them, is truth. There are those who react against this “experience boom” by saying personal experience is an unreliable guide to truth. I have heard the analogy used of a train: Scripture is the engine, reason and tradition need to follow the engine, and the (useless) caboose rattling along at the back is our own personal feelings about the matter.

Can I suggest a different way of looking at our feelings? First, our emotions can be trained. A large part of child-rearing is training children to respond emotionally to things in the right way.

If I see someone being bullied I should respond with anger and compassion. If I stand before the Grand Canyon it is only right that I am moved to awe and wonder. A mature, healthy person is someone who responds emotionally in ways that match reality, that are fitting.

Second, as Christians, one central way we are trained to have appropriate, fitting emotions is by studying the Bible to learn what appropriate emotional responses are. How should I feel toward God? Toward sin? Toward the poor?

Toward creation? For example, we learn the right emotional response to injustice by entering emotionally into the anger of God unleashed through the prophets.

But here it gets interesting. When our emotions are trained by the Bible, they don’t need to

be the useless caboose anymore. Bible-shaped emotions lead us into more genuine engagement with the Bible. The Bible forms us to respond emotionally in ways that are appropriate to God, and then we read the Bible better. I cannot have too much emotion when reading the Bible, when those emotions have been trained by the Bible.

In order to really hold Scripture in its highest place of honor, I need to develop the full emotional ability to love what it loves, and hate what it hates. Once our experience is trained in this way, we can truly know the Bible in a deeper, more transformative way. In order to truly honour Scripture I need more experience, not less, when this experience has been shaped by the Bible.

Interestingly, recent neuroscience has shown that people who have no emotions because of a brain injury have no rationality either. Apparently, unless we are moved by our feelings to think rightly, we tend to think nonsense.

So, we need more feelings, not less! You cannot have too much emotion when these feelings have been stoked, disciplined and shaped by the Bible.

In order to really hold Scripture in its highest place of honor, I need to develop the full emotional ability to love what it loves, and hate what it hates.

www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 35

Column • Kids’ Corner

Thanksgiving and a Rainbow

W The flood is not a myth or just a story that teaches a lesson. The rainbow is a real promise, a covenant, an agreement, made by God.

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By Loreena Thiessen

hen a rainbow appears in the sky, people stop for a moment in wonder. A rainbow is a marvelous sight.

We stop because it doesn’t happen every day.

In ancient myth, the rainbow had spiritual meaning. For the Norse people the rainbow was a bridge from earth to the heavens where their gods lived.

In Japan, and for the Navajo in America, it was a path for spirits to travel to and from earth.

In Ireland a legend says there’s a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow guarded by a leprechaun.

Scientists explain a rainbow happens when light and water combine. When a beam of sunlight comes down to earth the light is white.

When light hits a raindrop the light is bent, or refracted. Light goes through each raindrop and reflects its colour, a different colour for each raindrop. The colours we see reflected on the other side are the colours of the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet.

Why is a rainbow in the shape of an arch? A rainbow actually forms a complete circle. We see half of the circle above the horizon.

Can you find the end of a rainbow? No, because the rainbow is an optical illusion. An illusion is something that is not as it seems. We think it begins somewhere and ends at a certain point. But if you move to go after a rainbow, it

Activity: What are you thankful for?

Make a list of things you are thankful for: 1. Find five things indoors you are thankful for.

2. Find five things outdoors you are thankful for.

3. Share your list with your family.

36 The Messenger • September 2021

moves too—away from you, and you can never catch up to it.

In the Bible the rainbow represents a promise and a hope. It first appears at the end of the story of the worldwide flood, as told in Genesis 6–9. Because God found sin all over the world, he caused rain to fall and flood the entire earth.

It rained for 40 days and 40 nights.

The flood killed everyone, people and animals, except for Noah and his family, and the animals aboard the ark. Then God stopped the rain and Noah’s ark found dry land. When Noah got out, he built an altar of worship, an offering of thanksgiving to God for saving them.

God answered Noah by placing a rainbow in the sky. The rainbow was a promise to Noah and his family, and to the animals, that never again would he bring a flood to destroy the earth.

The flood is not a myth or just a story that teaches a lesson. The rainbow is a real promise, a covenant, an agreement, made by God. This promise is for all the generations that followed Noah, a promise of hope for all people. It promises a future, another chance to start again. The promise of the rainbow points to the time when God sent his Son, Jesus, to die on the cross and rise again, to give everyone a chance to be saved and escape judgment.

Read Genesis 9:8–17.

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