Parade Or Protest March - Evangelical Mennonite Conference

Transcription

The Messenger
a publication of the Evangelical
Volume 53 No. 3 March 2015
Parade Or Protest March:
What Are We Celebrating
On Palm Sunday?
page 6
ALSO INSIDE:
Another Day: Awakening To An Explosion In Syria page 10
ISTOCK
A Hard Question page 12
$2.00
Mennonite Conference
Editorials
As Easter approaches
A
s Easter approaches, let’s point to Jesus Christ
for both those both near and far.
In a single passage Menno Simons uses many
biblical titles to describe Jesus, including “Christ is our King,
Prince, Lord, Messiah, the Promised
David, the Lion of the tribe of Judah...
the right Way, the Truth and Life, the
promised Prophet, our Master and
Teacher, our Redeemer, Saviour, Friend,
and Bridegroom. In short, our only
and eternal Mediator, Advocate, High
Priest, Propitiator, and Intercessor; our
Head and Brother.” Menno said “the
foundation on which the entire edifice of our faith must be
placed, is Christ Jesus alone” (Complete Writings, 329, 339).
What has Christ done for us? Menno says God
“for our sakes gave Him over, humbled Him, suffered
Him to endure hunger and thirst, to be reviled…to be
scourged…condemned, crucified, and slain, so that we
through His weakness and stripes might attend to health;
through his poverty to wealth, through His humiliation
to glory, through His cursing to
blessing, through his punishment to
grace, through His blood to pardon,
through His sacrifice to reconciliation,
and through His death to eternal life”
(337-338).
Easter season is a high point in
the Church Year, a time when many
wondering and wandering people are
intrigued enough to attend services. May we use this opportunity well to present the wondrous person and work of
Jesus Christ.
– Terry M. Smith
As Easter approaches, wondering
and wandering people are
intrigued to attend services. May
we present Jesus Christ well.
••
Yes, let’s plant more churches!
W
e need to plant more churches! That’s the
reality presented by Charles Koop, Canadian
church planting coordinator, who shared
some of his thoughts in our Jan. issue.
Some local EMC churches and regions will decide
to plant a church nearby; they can take the initiative. In
other settings where there is no EMC
church nearby, church planting needs
to be a national act and initiative.
Frankly, we must prepare to fail at
some church plants. Some starts stop
in all denominations. To succeed in
more church plants, we need to start
more church plants. The reason? To
help people have life in Christ in its
many layers.
Pray for coordinator Charles Koop and the Church
Planting Task Force members (chair Les Kroeker, Angel
Infantes, Glenn Plett, Peter Reimer, and David Wiebe) as
they assist us to this purpose.
As well, pray for church plants by our wider family in
Christ in Canada. We have reason to rejoice when we see
Baptists, Evangelical Free, Pentecostals, Free Methodists,
many more evangelical groups, and mainline church
groups start new works across Canada. We are, ultimately, in the Lord’s
eyes one team working together.
Whether in new or established
churches, we want the light of
Christ as gracious Saviour and Lord
to be seen. And if it’s obscured in
some way, we pray that a richer
understanding of Christ and his work
would break forth and radically change churches from
within.
– Terry M. Smith
Frankly, we must prepare to fail at
some church plants. To succeed in
more church plants, we need to
start more church plants.
2 The Messenger • March 2015
Table of Contents
Features
Columns
6
5
What Are We Celebrating
On Palm Sunday?
– Dr. Tim Geddert
10 Another Day: Awakening To
An Explosion In Syria
– Pastor Ibrahim Nsier
12 A Hard Question
– César García
14 Una Pregunta Dificil
– César García
Departments
2
Editorials
3
Pontius’ Puddle
4
Letters
17 With Our Missionaries
20 With Our Churches
23News
31 In Memory
Focusing On
The persecuted church in Nigeria
– Tim Dyck
16 An Education App
Three overlapping commitments
– Terry M. Smith
page
11
22 Further In and Higher Up
The password to the promised land
– Layton Friesen
29 Here and Far Away
page
That is sure!
– Jocelyn R. Plett
19
30Poetry
The Enigma
– Brigitte Toews
35 Stewardship Today
Year-round generosity
– Darren Pries-Klassen
36 Kids’ Corner
What happens in March
– Loreena Thiessen
33 Shoulder Tapping
page
27
www.emconference.ca/messenger • The Messenger 3
The Messenger
Letters and Notices
Volume 53 No. 3 March 2015
The power of grace
EDITOR
TERRY M. SMITH
ASSISTANT EDITOR
ANDREW WALKER
Submissions to The Messenger should be sent to
[email protected].
The Messenger is the monthly publication of the Evangelical
Mennonite Conference. It is available to the general public.
Its purpose is to inform concerning events and activities in
the denomination, instruct in godliness and victorious living, inspire to earnestly contend for the faith.
Letters, articles, photos and poems are welcomed.
Unpublished material is not returned except by request.
Views and opinions of writers are their own and do
not necessarily represent the position of the Conference
or the editors. Advertising and inserts should not be
considered to carry editorial endorsement.
The Messenger is published by the EMC Board of
Church Ministries, 440 Main St, Steinbach, Man., and is a
member of Meetinghouse and Canadian Church Press.
Subscription rates
1 year $24 ($30 U.S., $45 foreign)
2 years $44 ($55 U.S., $85 foreign)
3 years $65 ($82 U.S., $125 foreign)
Manitoba residents add 8% PST.
Digital only subscriptions: $15 per year.
Single copy price: $2
Subscriptions are voluntary and optional to people within
or outside of the EMC. Subscriptions are purchased by the
Conference for members and adherents.
Change of address and subscriptions
Undelivered copies, change of address and new subscriptions should be addressed to:
440 Main St, Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z5
Phone: 204-326-6401
Fax: 204-326-1613
E-mail: [email protected]
www.emconference.ca/messenger
Second-class postage paid at Steinbach, Manitoba.
ISSN: 0701-3299
Publications Mail Agreement Number: 40017362
We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the
Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical
Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage for our publishing activities.
Advertising
The Messenger does not sell advertising, but provides free
space (classified and display) to enhance our Conference, its
churches, boards, and ministries; inter-Mennonite agencies
and educational institutions; and the wider church. Ads and
inquiries should be sent to [email protected].
THE MESSENGER schedule:
No. 06– June. 2015 issue
(copy due April 08)
“For by grace are we saved through
faith and not of ourselves, it is a gift
from God, not of works lest anyone
should boast” (Eph. 2:8-9). The word
grace means unmerited favour. It was
freely given to us. We cannot earn
it, nor can we buy it. Jesus Christ is
the only channel for grace. Grace is
sufficient to meet our every need.
Grace has the power to turn the world
around.
“For we maintain that we are
justified by faith apart from the works
of the law” (Rom. 3:28). “For the law
came by Moses, but grace and truth
came by Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). For
Christ is the end of the law. The only
way to have faith is by grace. Sin has
been destroyed by grace. Grace has
been given us by full measure and not
by degrees.
Grace enables us to keep from
falling. Sin shall not be your master
because you are not under law, but
under grace. By grace we have the
power to bind every evil force. No
matter how weak or how failing our
life has been, we are as victorious as
we want to be. By faith we are made
righteous without being righteous.
Ultimate grace appeared when Jesus
died in the cross at Calvary.
– Olga Nahnybida
Pelly, Sask.
ABUNDANT SPRINGS 2015
Not that I have already obtained all
this, or have already arrived at my goal, but
I press on to take hold of that for which
Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers
and sisters, I do not consider myself yet
to have taken hold of it. But one thing
I do: Forgetting what is behind and
straining toward what is ahead, I press on
May which
15-18
toward the goal to win the prize |for
God has called me heavenward in Christ
Jesus.
Philippians 3:12-14
speaker | gord penner
band | bold as lions
Why was the March issue delayed?
Some readers might receive this issue
in April, affecting use of the April
EMC Missionary Prayer Calendar.
We regret this.
One-third of the magazine’s budget
comes from the Department of Canadian Heritage, which selects periodicals
for a circulation audit. On Feb. 23 we
were informed of an audit and provided
information. Late on March 10 we
received a detailed list of information to
be provided by March 19.
The magazine has only two parttime staff. With the help of general
worship/band | the color
artist | riley armstrong
secretary Tim Dyck, accountant Wannetta Fast, former assistant editor
Rebecca Roman, administrative assistant Diana Peters, and the magazine’s
staff, we complied with the DCH’s
expectations.
We fully respect the Government
of Canada’s desire to ensure good
stewardship of its funds. As a result
of our compliance, the March issue’s
production was delayed.
–Terry M. Smith
Executive Secretary
Columns • Focusing On
W
hen we read or hear news about
the atrocities that are taking place
in Nigeria, I hope that we will be
moved to prayer for many people who are suffering at the hands of the terrorist group known
as Boko Haram. The terror is inflicted upon
Christians and Muslims alike.
There is, however, a significant link to the
Anabaptist church in this reign of terror. Many
of the Christians living in this region of Nigeria
and suffering the actions of the terrorists are
from the Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the
Church of the Brethren in Nigeria).
The Church of the Brethren is an historic
peace church that is influenced by the Anabaptist tradition, although it is not part of the
Mennonite World Conference. It should not be
confused with the Brethren in Christ, who are
members of Mennonite World Conference.
Sharon Williams, a Mennonite minister
with Church of the Brethren roots, says recent
reports on the persecution of Christians and
Muslims in northeast Nigeria reveal “the conflict
is worse than we’ve heard and has been going
on for a long time, the witness of EYN is a testimony of kingdom proportions, and we need to
pray and be vigilant.”
She provided the material below to the Bearing Witness website. (The article is shortened
and edited.)
The EYN started in 1923. There are 500,000
members and a total of 1.4–1.5 million people
who worship in EYN congregations and preaching points each week, more than all Anabaptists
in North America combined. These EYN
congregations compete to lead people to Christ
through establishing preaching points. This
missionary activity is likely the reason why Boko
Haram attacks EYN.
Boko Haram, a militant, radical group claiming to be Muslim, has been operating in Nigeria
since 2001. For six years it incited riots and
burned some churches and mosques. In 2008
it began targeting Christians and churches. In
2009 it started to openly pursue an insurgency
to create an Islamic state in Nigeria.
DREAMSTIME
The persecuted church in Nigeria
It was declared a terrorist group by the U.S.
government in 2013. Their leaders trained with
Al Qaeda groups in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Upon returning to Nigeria, they began recruiting and training youth to persecute their people.
The areas controlled by Boko Haram overlap
with a concentration of EYN congregations.
As of September 2014, 1.5 million people
have been displaced by the Boko Haram violence—700,000 of which are connected with
EYN. Of 50 EYN districts, only seven are
functioning. Additionally, 278 (of 456) church
buildings and 1,390 (of 2,280) preaching points
have been destroyed. Most of EYN’s 456 pastors
and 450 assistant pastors are homeless; eight
EYN ministers have been murdered, alongside
8,034 EYN members.
Whole villages and cities—homes, businesses, schools, churches, and mosques—have been
obliterated by bombs and fire. These numbers
have continued to escalate.
The kidnapping of the 276 Chibok schoolgirls—most of them high school seniors, 178 of
them EYN members—is horrifying. Fifty-four
girls escaped off the truck on that fateful night
last April, while 218 girls are still missing and
have reportedly been sold as soldiers’ brides
or killed. Sixteen of their parents have died of
trauma.
Worse yet, the Chibok girls are just the tip
of the iceberg—4,500 children and women have
been kidnapped, including an EYN minister, a
pregnant pastor’s wife, and her three children.
“Call out to God for EYN, to have mercy on our
people,” Dr. Musa Mambula, EYN’s spiritual
director, pleaded with us.
To read more about Nigeria, go to www.
anabaptistwitness.org/blog.
by Tim Dyck
General Secretary
When we
read or hear
news of the
atrocities
taking place in
Nigeria, I hope
we will pray
for people,
Chrstians
and Muslims,
suffering
because of
Boko Haram.
What Are We Celebrating On
Palm Sunday?
DREAMSTIME
by Dr. Tim Geddert
P
alm Sunday is a day of pomp and
pageantry. Many church sanctuaries are
decorated with palm fronds. I’ve even
been in a church that literally sent a donkey down
the aisle with a Jesus-figure on it. We cheer with
the crowds—shout our hosannas—praising God
exuberantly as Jesus the king enters the royal city.
But if Matthew, the gospel writer, attending
one of our Palm Sunday services, I fear he would
respond in dismay, “Don’t
you get it?” we call Jesus’
ride into Jerusalem “The
Triumphal Entry,” and just
like the Jerusalem crowds,
we fail to notice that Jesus
is holding back tears.
Jesus did not intend for
this to be a victory march
into Jerusalem, a political rally to muster popular
support or a publicity stunt for some worthy project. Jesus was staging a protest—a protest against
the empire-building ways of the world.
handsome dividends. Here is someone who can
get them out of the mess they are in.
And Jesus weeps! Each of the Gospel writers
hints that Jesus is on a completely different
wavelength than the celebrating crowds, or, for
that matter, than the 12 men who are supposed
to be his faithful followers.
Matthew does this by telling us in the previous chapter that Jesus’ followers are still completely oblivious to what
lies ahead. They are still
competing for positions of
power left and right of the
soon-to-be world ruler.
Mark does this by
having this so-called Triumphal Entry lead directly
into the fateful temple
inspection that confirms all Jesus’ suspicions.
The entire religious establishment is a sham, and
it will stop at nothing to stay that way, even if it
means making protesters pay with their lives.
Luke does this directly by reporting Jesus’
tears: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, if you, even you, had
only recognized on this day the things that make
for peace” (Luke 19:42). John does it by bluntly
Jesus did not intend for this to be a
victory march into Jerusalem, a political
rally to muster popular support or a
publicity stunt for some worthy project.
The script for Jesus’ dramatic action is found in
Zechariah. Matthew makes this unmistakably
clear (Matt. 21:1-11). Zechariah refers to “a colt,
the foal of a donkey,” and since the script has
Jesus on a donkey that is what it must be. And
two of them, if necessary.
The crowds have read Zechariah’s script.
Well, part of it, at least. I quote from Zech.9:9:
“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you,
righteous and victorious” (TNIV).
If that were the end of the text, we might well
say, “Good for you, Jerusalem crowds. Shout it
out. Cry your hosannas! You got it! Jesus is playing his scripted role, and you are playing yours.”
But really, they don’t get it.
Jesus’ script has him coming, “triumphant
and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey.”
The crowds somehow manage to ignore the
animal on which Jesus rides and thus misunderstand the script that Jesus is following. They are
sure that Jesus is coming to restore their national
fortunes.
They are certain that his popular appeal can
be turned into political advantage. They envision
the day his ability to rally the troops will pay
DESIGNPICS
Zechariah’s Script
saying that Jesus’ followers just didn’t get it, nor
would they until after the resurrection—and then
just as blunting reporting Jesus’ response: “Now
my soul is troubled!” (John 12:27).
No wonder. This was not supposed to be a
parade. It was supposed to be a protest march, or,
rather, a protest ride. After all,
that is what the script calls for.
Reasons To Rejoice
Jesus understands the script.
So he recruits not a war
horse, but a humble donkey.
And he knows where this
protest ride will take him.
The script does indeed call for
Israel to rejoice, but not in the
mistaken hope that the oppressors will finally be wiped out of
the land. Israel is called to rejoice that a king is coming, one
who will spread peace through
non-violence, who will cut off the chariots,
break the battle bows and spread another kind of
dominion from sea to sea. But the crowds don’t
read past the opening lines, and so they cheer.
Jesus understands the script. So he recruits
not a war horse, but a humble donkey. And he
knows where this protest ride will take him. The
principalities and powers, the powerful leaders
of institutionalized religion, and the combined
ingenuity of local and foreign politicians, ultimately representatives of the world empire, will
conspire to wide out this dangerous peacemaker.
But God will have the last word.
So Jesus recruits a donkey and rides humbly
into Jerusalem. People cheer as though they cannot distinguish a donkey from a warhorse. And
Jesus weeps.
What About Us?
So why do we sing praises this day? Why do
we not weep with Jesus?
If we are cheering along with the crowds,
Jesus will continue to weep. But if we cheer for
very different reasons, then a smile of resurrection joy will spread across our Saviour’s face!
On Palm Sunday, if we really don’t get it,
then I suppose we can just continue cheering
along with the crowds. We can misunderstand
this Prince of Peace. We can
explain away his call to love our
enemies, to pray for those who
persecute us. We can turn a
blind eye to the fact that Jesus
practices what he preaches and
is killed because of it.
We can say, “This no way to
run the world! We want someone with power and charisma.
We want someone who will
look out for our national security, who’ll make
our nation strong, who’ll rally us and make us
proud of ourselves once more!”
In fact, we can cheer because we don’t really
know what to do with Easter week—all that
morbid stuff about suffering and blood and
death and complicated theories about how this
saves us from our sin. We could cheer because
the crowds around us are cheering—and Jesus
will continue to weep.
But if we understand what Jesus is doing, we
can cheer for a different reason. We can cheer
because we see in Jesus the one who turns the
world upside down, or rather right side up, by
identifying with the weak and helpless, by loving and forgiving where others only condemn,
by turning the other cheek where others strike
back, by transforming hearts where others
impose rules, by absorbing violence rather than
resorting to it.
We can cheer because we have seen in his
Jesus our only hope for the kind of peace that
ISTOCK
So we join with Jesus as he
cuts off the chariots, breaks
the battle bow, reshapes
swords into plowshares and
rides the donkey to protest a
world gone mad.
really matters and that ultimately lasts. We
can cheer because we are given the privilege of
following him, of saying “yes” even if this means
carrying a cross. We can cheer because, having
made this decision, having begun to walk that
road, we are also experiencing the resurrection
life to which that path inevitably leads.
We can cheer because Jesus takes the risk
and vulnerable road and demonstrates that it
leads to glory on the other side of the cross.
And because we have the privilege of joining his
protest ride, and his death march, and his walk
right out of the tomb.
because we misunderstand, but because we look
back on the day we are celebrating today, from
our vantage point beyond the resurrection. We
celebrate because we have begun to understand.
We understand that the way of the donkey, not
the way of the warhorse, leads to the goal.
So we join with Jesus as he cuts off the chariots, breaks the battle bow, reshapes swords into
plowshares and rides the donkey to protest a
world gone mad. We weep still, but not as those
who have no hope. And we journey on, riding
our donkeys, entering that kingdom of peace
that shall one day rule the world.
More Triumphs Ahead
Dr. Tim Geddert is professor of New Testament
at Fresno Pacific Biblical
Seminary, a Mennonite
Brethren institution. He
was the speaker at our
EMC convention in 2013.
This article is reprinted,
with permission, from the
Christian Leader (April/
May 2011).
I think that we should keep on calling this the
Triumphal Entry because we know about Jesus’
Triumphal Exit, right out of the tomb—and then
his even greater re-entry into our world as the
one who conquers violence and death, that greater Triumphal Entry that we will be celebrating on
Easter Sunday and then again on Pentecost.
And so we can celebrate already. We celebrate not with the crowds who did not get it,
but with Jesus who did. For Jesus, despite the
tears in his eyes, has something of a smile on his
face. He knows that there is suffering up ahead,
but “for the joy set before him, he is willing to
endure the cross!” (Heb. 12:2).
And so, despite our own tears, we also
rejoice! We rejoice greatly, we shout aloud, we
cry hosanna, we sing our songs of praise. Not
Free for
Sunday
School!
Contact
[email protected]
or 204-3266401.
Another Day:
Awakening To An
Explosion In Syria
by Pastor Ibrahim Nsier
T
DREAMSTIME
his morning I woke up early
at 4:30 a.m. to the sound of
a mortar exploding. I said to
myself, “A new day is started.” This is
something normal in Aleppo.
I went to the kitchen, hoping to get some tea
or coffee, but I had an urgent call from one of
our members who was injured by the shelling.
He needed someone to take him to the hospital.
I got my shoes and got to the car quickly.
Thanks to God, they dealt with his wounds
quickly and he was in church for our service.
Even a Tiny Thing
Today I preached that we should use what God
has given us. No one can say, “I don’t have,”
because if God has given us even a tiny thing, we
can do a lot with this tiny thing in this situation
in this community.
The church where we worshipped before the
war was bombed, so now we meet in an apartment building. It’s up five floors, almost 120
stairs. We have had mortars hit the building, but
God saved us and as many as 150 of us continue
to worship there.
Being a pastor in this crisis is not as much
about preaching as it is being with the people
in their difficult time. Even if we cannot give
money or fulfill their physical needs, we can at
least pray with them, try to comfort them.
A Day Like Every Day
After the service, I received another call—two
older women who had not one ounce of water
and had run out of money to purchase water
after paying for their rent and medicine.
I got my family and went looking for someone in order to get them water, which I am sorry
to say costs a lot of money. We need $300 a
month for a family of five for drinking and washing water.
After that I received more calls asking me
to go quickly to look for a home for two people
whose houses were damaged from the mortar
attacks that morning. We called a family from
church that was out of town. They agreed to
lend their house for a week until we can make
repairs.
This day I described is like every day. Even
what I have said doesn’t describe fully what is
going on.
My Family
I am thankful to my wife and my family who
remain with me in Aleppo during this crisis.
Without my wife, I could be failing. She is my
supporter.
We have three children, ages six to 12. This
situation has forced itself over their lives. My
children, when they hear a lot of bombing, they
come to our room to feel a little bit secure.
When we send our children to school, believe
me, we say goodbye to each other because we
don’t know if we’ll have the opportunity to see
each other once again.
Being a pastor in this crisis is
not as much about preaching
as it is being with the people
in their difficult time.
MCC
Rev. Ibrahim Nsier in Allepo, Syria
Always we teach the children that although
it is difficult in this time, our security is in God.
We try to teach them that we suffer as Jesus
suffered and that the day of resurrection will
come someday.
A Lot To Do
teach them that being a human means having
a responsibility to the others. Believe me, we
never think in ways that this is Muslim or this
is Christian. We think differently. We think we
are here for a message and this
message should be clear for
everybody—that God loves all
the people and I insist on the
word “all.”
We are not only supporting
Christians, we are supporting
the whole community to
teach them that being a
human means having a
responsibility to the others.
We believe we have a lot left
to do in this community. As I
walk around the neighbourhood, I see the despair on
the faces of the people. I see
children on the streets begging
for money. I can see people
walking without shoes.
In 2013, through the
church, we distributed food
baskets to 100 families for two
months. Last summer we were able to help 118
families with monthly cash allowances, which
helps families pay for things like medical treatment, food, tuition. From August to December
2014, 65 of the most vulnerable families got
monthly allowances. [MCC supported these
efforts through its partner, the Fellowship of
Middle East Evangelical Churches.]
We are not only supporting Christians,
we are supporting the whole community to
Called to Live in Hope
We are called to live in hope.
We trust God and we do our
job—praying, taking care of
each other, reading the Bible,
and being an instrument of love
and peace in this community.
This is what we do and this is
the hope we live in.
Please don’t forget us in your prayers.
Ibrahim Nsier is pastor of the Arab Evangelical
Presbyterian Church of Aleppo, Syria. MCC
supports the church’s work to meet urgent needs
and distribute food, working through the Fellowship of Middle East Evangelical Churches. This
article was reprinted from MCC’s A Common
Place (December 2014).
A Hard Question Posed in Malawi
by César García, General Secretary
Mennonite World Conference
S
DESIGNPICS
ome months ago I had the
privilege of visiting our churches
in Malawi. There we were,
along with delegates of several local
Brethren in Christ (BIC) congregations,
gathered under a tree in order to worship God and speak about our global
communion.
After a vibrant time of worship, I
had the opportunity of speaking about
following Christ in our worldwide
Anabaptist family. Then a pastor raised
his hand and asked: How can we follow
Christ in contexts of poverty, economic
inequality, and intense financial needs?
That was a hard question. What
could I say—as a comparatively wealthy
Latin American—to my brothers and
sisters facing such a difficult context?
In Malawi there are around 4,500
baptized members in about 46 local
congregations. All of them face low
life expectancy, a high infant mortality, increasing statistics of HIV/AIDS, and lack financial
resources.
An Answer Observed
All these facts, plus the images of the immense
financial resources that we have in other parts
of our global family, came to my mind when I
considered how to respond. After leaving our
I was amazed when there was the
time of offering. Every member,
children included, got out of
their chairs and went to the front
to deposit their donation. Not a
single person stayed seated!
meeting a clear thought came to my mind: This
church already had the response to the pastor’s
question. Generosity that balances economic
inequalities brings hope and practical ways of
overcoming this inequality.
Some days before our service under the tree I
attended another service in Blantyre, one of the
main cities of Malawi. I was amazed when there
was the time of offering. Every member, children
included, got out of their chairs and went to
the front to deposit their donation. Not a single
person stayed seated!
The joy and hope expressed in worship that
followed that time of offering amazed me. Generosity, I thought—generosity of resources, and
generosity of spirit in worship to God—is the
answer to the pastor’s question.
Generosity is an action that transcends
economic inequalities to bear fruit as hope.
Generosity proves that the immediate situation
can be overcome. Through generosity, our global
community can find hope in the midst of our
economic inequalities. How could this happen?
Being able to wait means resisting the threats
and seductions of the present, not letting oneself
be brought into line, and not conforming.”
Find A New Identity
Look To The Future
First, we could follow the words of the German
theologian Jürgen Moltmann, writing in his book
Ethics of Hope (Fortress Press, 2012): “Perceive
things not just as they have become and now exist
but also in the different ways they could be.” Our
life needs to be eschatologically oriented.
We can look to the future that is revealed by
God—a future without economic inequality—
and, in this light, denounce, criticize and look
for ways of changing current circumstances that
contradict such a future. As Johannes Baptist
Metz and James Matthew Ashley claim in their
book Faith in History and Society (Crossroads
Publishers, 2007), the imminent coming of a
final point in history—a point in which justice
and restoration will be a present reality—brings
hope and strength in order to transform current
realities of injustice, suffering, and oppression.
Third, we must find a new identity and fellowship. This new identity must be more important
for us than the old one. “We are Christians first
of all, and only after that are we members of our
own particular country,” concludes Moltmann.
This means we should develop a Kingdom
of God mentality instead of a nationalistic
mentality.
Let’s start to think as citizens of a new nation in
which there is not a gap between rich and poor,
but where economic equality exists between all
people. Let’s start to experience the reality of
this new Kingdom among us today. Our church
is called to be a foretaste of this kingdom. Let us
live it here and now!
César García, MWC
general secretary, works
out of the head office in
Bogotá, Colombia. The next
Assembly Gathered will be
held on July 21-25, 2015,
in Harrisburg, PA. For
information, check www.
mwc-cmm.org/pa2015.
Resist Materialism’s Pressures
Second, we need to be set free from the world
around us, and resist its pressures. Consumerism and identity based on materialism are modern idols that feed inequalities. We can destroy
them through the practice of generosity.
Moltmann affirms: “People who expect God’s
justice and righteousness no longer accept the
so-called normative force of what is fact, because they know that a better world is possible
and that changes in the present are necessary.
Una Pregunta Difícil Posed en Malawi
por César García, secretario general del CMM
H
ace unos meses, tuve el privilegio de
visitar nuestras iglesias en Malawi.
Nos reunimos bajo un árbol, junto
con los delegados de varias congregaciones
locales de los Hermanos en Cristo, para adorar a
Dios y conversar sobre nuestra comunión mundial. Después de un culto muy animado, tuve la
oportunidad de hablar sobre lo que significaba
seguir a Cristo en nuestra familia anabautista
mundial. Luego, un pastor levantó la mano y
preguntó: “¿Cómo podemos seguir a Cristo en
un contexto de pobreza, desigualdad económica
y graves carencias económicas?”
Era una pregunta dif ícil. ¿Qué podía
responder, desde mi lugar de latinoamericano
relativamente acomodado, a mis hermanos y
hermanas inmersos en dicha realidad tan dura?
En Malawi hay alrededor de 4.500 miembros
bautizados que pertenecen a 46 congregaciones
locales. Todos padecen una baja expectativa de
vida, alta mortalidad infantil, aumento del HIV/
SIDA y falta de recursos económicos.
Una Respuesta Observada
Teniendo en cuenta estos datos y pensando
cómo respondería, me vinieron a la mente
imágenes de los cuantiosos recursos económicos
que tenemos en otras partes de nuestra familia
mundial. Al retirarme, me quedó claro que esta
iglesia ya tenía la respuesta: la generosidad que
¿Cómo podemos seguir a Cristo en
un contexto de pobreza, desigualdad
económica y graves carencias
económicas?
equilibra la desigualdad económica, brinda
esperanza y maneras prácticas de superar dicha
desigualdad. Unos días antes había participado
de otro culto en Blantyre, una de las principales
ciudades de Malawi. Quedé asombrado a la
hora de la ofrenda. Todos los miembros (incluso
los niños) pasaron al frente a dar su ofrenda.
Ni una sola persona permaneció sentada. Me
asombraron la alegría y esperanza expresadas
en el culto que se celebró después de la ofrenda.
Generosidad, pensé—generosidad de recursos y
generosidad de espíritu al adorar a Dios—es la
respuesta a la pregunta del pastor.
La generosidad es una acción que trasciende
las desigualdades económicas, cuyo fruto es la
esperanza. La generosidad demuestra que la
situación inmediata se puede superar. A través
de la generosidad, nuestra comunidad mundial
puede hallar esperanza en medio de las desigualdades económicas. ¿Qué hacer para que esto se
pueda lograr?
DESIGNPICS
La generosidad es una
acción que trasciende las
desigualdades económicas,
cuyo fruto es la esperanza.
necesarios en el presente. Ser capaces de esperar
significa resistir las amenazas y seducciones del
presente, y no dejarse caer en el conformismo.”
Buscar una Nueva Identidad
Mira Hacia el Futuro
Primero, citando al teólogo alemán Jürgen
Moltmann, podríamos “percibir las cosas no
sólo como son sino también cómo podrían ser”.
Es necesario que nuestra vida se oriente escatológicamente. Podemos vislumbrar el futuro
revelado por Dios—un futuro sin desigualdades
económicas—y, a la luz de ello, denunciar,
criticar y buscar las maneras de cambiar las
circunstancias actuales que contradicen dicho
futuro. Tal como manifiestan Johannes Baptist
Metz y James Matthew Ashley en su libro, Faith
in History and Society (La fe en la historia y la
sociedad), la inminente llegada de un punto final
en la historia—un punto en el que la justicia y
la restauración serán una realidad presente—
brinda esperanza y fortaleza a fin de transformar
la realidad actual de injusticia, sufrimiento y
opresión.
Tercero, debemos encontrar una nueva
identidad y hermandad. Esta nueva identidad
debe ser más importante para nosotros que
nuestra antigua identidad. “Antes que nada,
somos cristianos, y solamente después de ello
somos miembros de nuestro país en particular”,
concluye Moltmann. Esto significa que debemos
desarrollar una mentalidad consecuente con el
Reino de Dios, en vez de una mentalidad nacionalista. Empecemos a pensar como ciudadanos
de una nueva nación donde no haya una brecha
entre ricos y pobres, y donde la igualdad
económica exista entre todos. Empecemos a experimentar hoy la realidad de este nuevo Reino
entre nosotros. Nuestra iglesia está llamada a
ser un anticipo de dicho Reino. Vivámoslo aquí
y ahora.
César García, secretario
general del CMM, tiene su
oficina en la sede central
en Bogotá, Colombia. La
próxima Asamblea Reunida
se celebrará los dias 21 a 25
de Julio, 2015, en Harrisburg, PA. Para obtener más
información, consulte www.
mwc-cmm.org/pa2015.
GRADUATE SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY AND MINISTRY
The GSTM is a special place that helped
me—by its faculty who care and think,
students from different traditions, and
subject matter that stretched the soul—
to serve in the Church. The bursary for
EMC students helped a lot, too.
Resistir las Presiones de Materialismo
Segundo, es necesario que nos liberemos del
mundo que nos rodea y resistamos sus presiones. El consumismo y la identidad basada en el
materialismo son ídolos modernos que generan
desigualdades. Los podemos destruir a través
de la práctica de la generosidad. Moltmann, en
Ethics of Hope (La ética de la esperanza), afirma:
“Las personas que esperan la justicia y rectitud
de Dios ya no aceptan la llamada fuerza normativa de lo que es un hecho, porque saben que un
mundo mejor es posible y que los cambios son
David Kruse MA (Theological Studies),
2011 Grad
A bursary for graduate students
from the Evangelical Mennonite
Conference is available.
For more information contact [email protected].
cmu.ca/gstm
CANADIAN MENNONITE UNIVERSITY
Column • An Education App
Three overlapping commitments
Do you believe that Jesus Christ is Lord, that the Bible is the Word of God, and that salvation is only
through the Lord Jesus Christ?
Have you repented of your sin, accepted Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, and are you committed
to follow Him as the Scriptures teach?
Do you accept the Statement of Faith of our church and are you committed to support the
church with your prayers, gifts, and service as God enables?
– Evangelical Mennonite Conference (Minister’s Manual, 1999)
by Terry M. Smith
Executive Secretary
Do you believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, his
only Son our Lord, who was born into the world, and who suffered death for us; and in the Holy
Ghost, the Holy Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints, the Forgiveness of sins, and the Life
everlasting?
Will you then endeavour to keep God’s holy will and commandments, and to walk in the same all
the days of your life?
Do you promise to make diligent use of the means of grace, and in all things to seek earnestly the
peace and welfare of the Church of God?
– United Church of Canada (The Book of Common Order, 1950)
I
n the Book of Acts people confessed their
faith in Christ and were baptized on the
same day (2:41, 8:36). Many centuries later,
it’s more complicated.
Churches commonly ask questions that
revolve around three overlapping essential commitments of a believer: to Christ (personal), in
life (discipleship), with others (the Church). A
pledge is being made (1 Pet. 3:21), but how many
details need to be sorted?
Related to this, the EMC Constitution says
that prospective members, both regular and associate, are “to be in agreement with the Statement
DREAMSTIME
Today we
need to highlight the three
irreducible
commitments:
to Christ in life
with others.
Have you now the assurance of the Holy Spirit that your sins are forgiven through faith in Jesus Christ?
Do you intend to serve God by the full use of the abilities He has given you?
Do you accept the Articles of Religion, the Membership Covenant, and the Organization and
Government of the Free Methodist Church, and will you endeavour to live in harmony with them?
– Free Methodist Church in Canada (Book of Discipline draft, 1990)
of Faith.” What does “agreement” mean? The
EMC ministerial has grappled with this. Pastors,
members, and would-be members still do.
How carefully do people read and scrutinize
any Statement of Faith before saying they agree
with it? Does “agreement” mean total, perfect,
partial, essential, with “the important stuff,” the
basics? Agreement likely varies among people.
In Acts, new believers were asked of their
faith in Christ and expected to connect with
each other and to learn together (Acts 2:4144). The Church then focused on Christ and
explained differences with non-Christians, not
with other Christians.
Today we need to highlight and maintain
the three irreducible commitments: to Christ in
life with others. As faith in Christ begins, or as
we transfer as believers, we are to follow and be
accountable within the Body of Christ. There the
“apostles’ teaching” continues (Acts 2:41-44) and
further discussion occurs.
Are you committed to Jesus Christ as Lord
and Saviour? In life? With us?
With Our Missionaries
A nudge toward gratitude
RESPONDING REBUILDING RESTORING
To find out how you can
help bring people home:
call
1-866
866--261
261--1274
or go online
mds.mennonite.net
BOM
PARAGUAY
Last week I felt like the rug was suddenly pulled out from
under my feet when my landlady informed me that she
was selling the house and I had two weeks to find another
place to live. Many conflicting thoughts filled my mind and
heart. How do you keep a clear and steady focus and not
panic?
Just this morning in my devotional I read in Luke 21:9
“And when you hear of wars and insurrections, do not fall
into a panic.” War and insurrection are rampant in the
world today and are much worse than simply being told
you have to move.
Each of us, in our own little worlds come face to face
with situations that take us by surprise, whether it be an
unexpected diagnosis of an illness, a sudden accident or
some other scenario. How do we react to the unexpected?
Where does our strength come from?
If we have allowed the Holy Spirit to take control of our
lives, we have a source of hope and a firm foundation on
which to put our trust. The memory verses for our ladies
this week are Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about
anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the
peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will
guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
I believe this peace comes only with practice, and exercise. Practicing a daily communion with Jesus Christ and
exercising or putting into practice the commands of God’s
Word. Just like learning to play a musical instrument or
learning another language takes much practice, so learning
to walk in a way that is pleasing to God also takes practice.
In fact it takes a lifetime.
Joanne Martens’ home in Paraguay.
However, as we move forward, we gradually learn to
trust the character of God. And that in everything that
happens to us, He has a purpose, a purpose for our good
and for his glory.
So what thoughts chased each other through my mind
when I received the message that I had to move? I thought
to myself, “Don’t rush it. Take your time to analyze your
situation. Can this really be true? Is she serious? What are
my rights? Does the one-year contract that I signed just
two months ago mean nothing? How do I negotiate? What
is God trying to teach me through this?”
I decided not to be too hasty to respond because there
was no way I’d be able to find a new house, have repairs or
painting done, and move in two weeks. I waited two days
and, in the meantime, got advice from other people about
what they thought I should do.
The day before I was going to go out to look for another
rental house, I got a message from the landlady saying she
had changed her mind and I wouldn’t have to move after
all. I could stay in the house as long as I liked.
I still don’t understand why this happened, but I do
know that it made me look to the Lord for strength and
direction and it made me very grateful for my home. I have
a good relationship with my landlady and this incident reminded me to pray for her as well. I guess every once in a
while we need a bit of a scare or a nudge into gratefulness.
– Joanne Martens
Joanne Martens (Kola) is part of the church planting team
in Minga Guazú, Paraguay.
Pouring into students’ lives at NTBI
ABUNDANT SPRINGS 2015
Philippians 3:12-14
THE RUNNERS | THE ROUTE | THE RACE | THE REWARD
May 15-18, 2015 Caronport, Sask.
Workshops
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Real Questions for Real Men – Dallas Kornelson (Males only)
Living Life Like a Girl – Irene Ascough (Females only)
Freedom From Addiction – Terry Thiessen (Teen Challenge)
When Bible Reading is NOT Boring – Gord Penner
The Truth About the Gospel – Carl Loewen
Why Bother With the Church – Patrick Friesen
The Nuts and Bolts of Missions – Mary Beth Penner
MythBusters: Five Lies I believed as a Christian univserity
student – Brett Loewen (Power to Change)
9. Talking to Youth about Same Sex Attraction – Raena Peters
(Youth Leaders only)
Please pray that these guests would provide much more than just entertainment.
NTM
WISCONSIN
Dear EMC family, you are a part of such great wonders
that the Lord is doing. We are so involved in students’ lives
and we don’t often have pictures and stories of us teaching,
mentoring, discipling, and loving. Yet seeing people on the
mission field is a big picture story of why we do what we do.
That is the whole reason our family is serving here
at New Tribes Bible Institute. If the students here didn’t
continue on into ministry to reach the lost world, then we
would not be serving here.
So here’s a story about BJ and Jill Sanders, Jack and
Lael Crabtree, and Jeremy and Mandy Hambrice. Through
them, your prayers and partnership travel far even into
the deep jungles of Papua New Guinea and are directly
attached to the Wanatikia people who will one day hear the
gospel.
Four years ago they were some of Dave’s first students.
We were a part of the couples’ learning, growth, and
discipleship during their two years here at Bible school.
They were in a class of about 80 students and these families
became close friends.
They continued to the next phase of New Tribes training together and then went back to their hometowns to
raise support. Now they are all new arrivals in Papua New
BJ and Jill Sanders, Jack and Lael Crabtree, and Jeremy and Mandy
Hambrice were some of Dave Field's first students at NTBI.
Guinea. They have stuck together as a team for many years
and their story is just beginning.
They made a video recently (available on YouTube)
showing how the men were flown into a remote jungle area
with five villages in a mountainous region. They hiked for
hours over mountains to visit each village. Each village had
been asking for a missionary. The good news is that all five
villages are of the same language group, and the goal is to
work with all of them.
The villagers were happy that the missionaries had
finally arrived. They had waited so long. The men were
welcomed warmly and shown where they could build their
houses. Thankfully, there was no competition between the
villages; they understood the missionaries were there for
all of them.
The men prayed for wisdom to know where to settle
for the gospel to spread the most. Then they were met by
the helicopter and flown back to NTM’s base. Together
they decided on the village that would be their new home
among the Wanatikia people.
Now the men must once again leave their families and
go back to the village and build their houses. The men will
be in and out to spend time with their families, but they
plan, with help, to have their three houses built and moved
into sometime around March.
Wanatikia. Remember that name because one day you
will see people from this language group standing before
the throne and the Lamb shouting, “Salvation comes from
our God on the throne and from the Lamb.”
Stories like this keep the fire burning under us as we
faithfully pour into the lives of students around us at this
moment.
– Kim and Dave Field
Kim and Dave Field (Steinbach EMC) serve at New Tribes
Bible Institute, Waukesha, Wisconsin.
Project Builders, team make a difference
CENTRAL ASIA
FLO FRIESEN
“The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who
do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing”
(Einstein). A team of 11 chose to “do something” in Central
Asia last fall.
Flo Friesen led the team that came from EMC churches
in Kleefeld (seven), Morris (one), Rosenort (one), and
Morweena (one). We went to renovate a safe shelter for
abused and trafficked women, and to encourage local and
foreign workers.
“In the path where I walk men have hidden a snare for
me. I am in desperate need. Rescue me from those who
pursue me. Set me free” (see Psalm 142:3-7). This could
easily be the prayer of a woman trafficked or abused.
In 2012, Starr, with help from EMC Project Builders,
purchased a two-storey home for 15 women rescued from
“at risk” situations. The house is structurally sound, has a
high wall, a beautiful courtyard where children can play,
several grapevines and fruit trees—all make a suitable Safe
Shelter. But it needed renovations, hence the October 2014
team.
Plumbing issues and mouldy walls caused by circulation problems were remedied with new paneling, fresh
paint, some new flooring, and a shower stall. New dishes,
kitchenware, pillows, and an oven enhanced the facelift.
We loved hearing stories of women who had been
rescued, rehabilitated, trained in a new job, and given their
lives to Jesus. Starr also runs four businesses that provide
job training during the rehab process: jewellery-making,
food services, sewing, and computer skills.
Colton Plett from Kleefeld repairs a floor.
Janine Parkinson from Morris cleans a kitchen wall.
When asked what affected the team most, we agreed
that while the renovation work was important, the heart of
the trip was in the meaningful interactions with those we
met. Starr, Hans, Jack (a local pastor) and a local Christian
counselling group all broadened our vision.
Hans, a businessman, hires women who’ve suffered
abuse or whose husbands have left for Russia. He trains
the women to sew yak and goat leather bags that are then
sold. We were able to pray for Hans after his recent cancer
diagnosis. (He has since had successful surgery.)
We enjoyed Jack and his micro-finance company. Last
year, with help from EMC Project Builders, they gave loans
to over 1,000 people, using $1.5 million USD. As clients
pay back their first loan, they qualify for a second larger
loan.
Cotton and vegetable farms, a store in the local bazaar,
bee and cattle operations were thriving examples. Families
are empowered to provide for themselves; this inspires
others to join. They see and hear the gospel while learning
solid business practices.
A highlight was visiting several local house groups;
we marvelled at their vibrant faith. There was so much
freedom despite persecution running fairly high in this
country.
Human trafficking, prostitution, alcohol, domestic
violence, and unemployment are huge social issues in Central Asia. God delights in using us to help shoulder such
Kingdom concerns. We were all immeasurably blessed to
play a small part in bringing hope to the hopeless.
– Merle Plett and Flo Friesen
With Our Churches
Ebenezer Christian Church and Ebenezer Tabernacle
BRANDON AND DAUPHIN, Man.—“He named it Ebenezer (which means ‘the stone of help’), for he said, ‘Up to this
point the Lord has helped us!’” (1 Sam. 7:12 NLT).
The Ebenezer Christian Church (Brandon) and the
Ebenezer Tabernacle (Dauphin) had numerous occasions
in 2014 to recognize and celebrate Ebenezer: “Up to this
point the Lord has helped us!”
April 13, 2014, marked the end of “wandering” for the
Ebenezer Christian Church in Brandon. From one rental to
another, the church now has its own place of worship.
The church is grateful to God’s blessing and provision
channelled to us from other churches and fellow believers.
This was a major milestone, and we continue to recognize
that “Up to this point the Lord has helped us!”
August 2-4, 2014, saw Ebenezer Christian Church
(Brandon) and Ebenezer Tabernacle (Dauphin) meet in
Manipogo Provincial Park for the annual church retreat.
As always, we pitched our tents, shared our food, played,
fished, visited, worshiped, and had a baptismal service.
This year seven people were baptized and I’m sure there
will be many times in their Christian walk that they will
say, “Up to this point the Lord has helped us!”
2015 Spring and Summer intensives.
Enrol today!
Psalms
God Through the Centuries
The Justice of God: Questions of Justice in the
Bible and the World
A Graduate School of the
Church rooted in
the love of God,
the grace of Jesus Christ,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit.
cmu.ca/gstm
GRADUATE SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY AND MINISTRY
ECC
‘Up to this point the Lord has helped us!’
Pastor Hernán Benîtez Diaz, Landis, and family
Aug. 31, 2014 was the day chosen to celebrate the one
year anniversary of Ebenezer Tabernacle (Dauphin). The
celebration was complete with a worship service, decorations, cake and a soccer game. This young church was very
aware that this first year had been possible because "Up to
this point the Lord has helped us!”
On Oct. 5, 2014, the two churches joined together to
celebrate their pastors, Hernan Benitez Diaz and Oscar
Hernandez. The celebration included a worship service,
games, and a potluck lunch. As pastoral couples we
acknowledge that our ministry would be futile if we could
not count on and testify that “Up to this point the Lord has
helped us!”
Nov. 30, 2014, was the 10-year anniversary of Ebenezer
Christian Church (Brandon). An anniversary is a good
opportunity to look back and see how far we’ve come and
look forward to where we still want to go.
This celebration also included Pastor Hernan Benitez
Diaz handing over the keys of the church, symbolizing his
resignation. Hernan and Landis know beyond the shadow
of a doubt that the last five years of pastoral leadership
were possible because “Up to this point the Lord has
helped us!”
In 2015 may we all remember to recognize and
acknowledge Ebenezer: “Up to this point the Lord has
helped us!”
– Landis Benitez
With Our Churches
Heartland Community Church
Andy Woodworth new pastor at Heartland
Island Gospel Fellowship
During
Andy’s visit
with us,
he shared
that he
was raised
in the
Stephanie, Tyler, Cole, Pastor Andy, Mara, and Emma
Maritimes
Woodworth will be reunited in July.
and his first
desire in life was to become a pilot. He oriented all his
schooling toward that goal. But God had another flight
plan and eventually redirected Andy to Bible school for
some ground training. Andy married Stephanie a month
after graduating and his first solo experience was to pastor
a small 75-person congregation in PEI.
Both Andy and Stephanie will bring valuable ministry
and life experience to their roles at Heartland, and we look
forward to getting to know their whole family better once
they land here.
– Brigitte Toews
HCC
LANDMARK, Man.—As David Thiessen’s interim pastoral
term at Heartland was coming to an end in 2014, we knew
we had to hunker down and begin looking for someone
else who could help us uphold and fulfil our church’s
values and vision. After five months of searching, process,
interviews, discernment, and much prayer, we are pleased
to announce that we now have our new lead pastor.
After spending a week with us in January filled with
meetings, interviews, and social gatherings, Andy Woodworth and his wife Stephanie, along with their family, have
accepted our invitation to be a vital part of Heartland
Community Church body. Andy will move into his role in
March, while Stephanie and three of their children will be
moving here in July.
The Woodworth family comes to us from Belleville,
Ont., where Andy has led a congregation in the Brethren
in Christ denomination for thirteen years. Andy and
Stephanie have four children: Mara (23) married to Jay,
Tyler (20), Emma (16), and Cole (15).
••
BURNS LAKE, B.C.—Here we are at the beginning of
another year. As always, when we look back, some very
positive things happening and some not so positive.
We have been blessed with more people coming to
Island Gospel Fellowship. Families with young children
make for a nice homey feeling.
Amanda Plesko and Deanna Driedger were baptized on
Aug. 31, 2014. Two couples, Philip and Christine Bogora
and Ruben and Sharon Gaytan, also joined our congregation’s membership by transfer.
A year ago last October our pastoral couple took on
another job: that of being parents-in-law; their youngest
daughter Amanda married Evan Plesko.
The Acts of Love ministry responds to various physical
needs within our community by providing grocery gift
cards, household items and transportation to those in
need. The Men’s Group hosts a weekly Saturday breakfast
and on Valentine’s Day they invited the ladies and cooked a
wonderful breakfast for all.
IGF
Members, marriage, and ministries
IGF: a church that Christ is blessing.
The Men’s Group is also busy serving the community
by providing firewood for those in need. The Ladies’ Group
serves the community by catering for funerals and other
events. Through the ladies’ fundraising efforts, a number of
renovations were completed in the church this past year.
We’re still waiting for a youth pastor to move to Burns
Lake and begin ministry here. In September the church
called a couple to come and serve in this capacity. In the
end, they were not able to come and we are now searching
for another youth pastor.
May God richly bless and keep us all.
– Anne Fehr
Column • Further In and Higher Up
The password to the promised land
M
To know
the law is to
be a skilful,
crafty, and
plain smart
gamer in this
strange place
brimming
with life and
immediate
danger.
LAYTON FRIESEN
by Layton Friesen
y son Marcus and his
friend Mattaus taught
me something about
the Law (Torah) of Moses.
I am puzzled by how affectionate the ancient Israelites could
be about the details for sacrifice,
cooking, making love, styling hair,
and boiling goats they found in
Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and
Deuteronomy.
Psalm 119 is a lush poem of
176 verses lingering over the life
provided by the Law. But how
can they delight in something so
Marcus and Mattaus ponder their moves.
many Christians find so bizarre,
even embarrassing? We assume the Torah (the
Law) is abolished and that in the Spirit we can
describes how this wild and free Creator can live
ignore it.
in the camp and stream life down from generaMarcus and Mattaus love to play long and
tion to generation.
complicated board games like Settlers of Catan
The Law then describes reality. It is a treafor which I have little patience. They love the
sured tip into what sort of God came up with
rules. The most obscure rule to guide a specific
this world, how God wishes to live among his
aspect of the game is a delight to them.
people, and how that presence shapes the life
You will get a stiff argument if you say,
in creation. These are not arbitrary restrictions
“Rules, schmules. We don’t have to be so picky.”
imposed from outside the world.
It is precisely the rules that make the game
They are insider’s tips on how the world
interesting. To play the game (from what I can
works. If you ignore them, well, in the words
tell, sitting across the room) is to be ushered into of Leviticus, your blood is upon you. To know
a wide new country with resources, enemies,
the law is to be a skillful, crafty, and plain smart
possibilities and dangers.
gamer in this strange place brimming with life
The rules are a description of this land and
and immediate danger.
make it possible to even be there. The rules do
The question for us: how exactly did Jesus
not restrict; they provide the very possibility of
take up and live in this strange land, as its lawstaying alive and maybe winning it all at the end. giver, keeper, and punished outlaw? Jesus did
The better they understand the odd quirks of
not tear that world down—rather he showed
this place, the more skill they have in navigating
skill and freedom by living recklessly within this
the twisting paths.
world. Jesus loved this Law. He did not abolish
That’s a little like the Israelite understanding
one iota of its force or precision (Matt. 5:17-20).
of Torah. To the ancients, creation is opened as
He saw it as the Father’s loving provision of
a strange, new gift coming from a fierce, loving,
a community for him to dwell in, the shape of a
unpredictable, and very intelligent God. God is
life given by which he could submit to his Father
coming into the world, seeking a home among
and offer the world’s sins. To know Jesus, then,
his creatures.
we must learn again to imagine the world as
God wants to stream life into the world
described in the Law and see its shape fulfilled
by being there, present, immediate. The Law
in Christ’s life.
News
Canned meat provides drought relief in Central America
WINNIPEG, Man.—Central America faced its worst
drought in 40 years in the summer of 2014 when an El
Niño weather pattern hit. The dry spell affected the first
growing season between May and August, causing widespread crop loss.
Governments in Guatemala and Honduras declared
states of emergency. In Nicaragua maize and beans crops
were 75 percent less than the year before. The drought
put more than 500,000 families in a vulnerable position
because of lower yields and lost income, according to the
European Commission.
To help farmers make it through to the second growing
season, MCC provided emergency food assistance to 1,666
families. That included a distribution of 30,384 cans of
meat in El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua. The distributions were done with MCC partners in each country. ,
“Purchasing beans locally became expensive due to
the drought, so the canned meat helped bring the caloric
and protein content of the food basket up”, says Elizabeth
Scambler, MCC’s regional disaster management coordinator in Central America.
In Honduras, the canned meat and food baskets were
given out by CODESO, part of the Brethren in Christ
MCC
Helped familes until second growing season
Agripina Osorto, a farmer and mother of three in Orocuina,
Honduras, received two months of food assistance from
MCC partner CODESO. MCC photo by Elizabeth Scambler.
Church. MCC and local partners also provided seeds in
Nicaragua and Guatemala so farmers could plant new
crops for the second harvest.
While results of the harvest have varied, it has been
significantly better than the first. Many families are able to
eat three full meals a day; before they only had one, says
Scambler.
View this story online: http://mcccanada.ca/stories/
canned-meat-provides-drought-relief-central-america
– Emily Loewen
••
Ben Dueck new director of advancement at SBC
SBC grad comes with wide work background
their three young children. The
family attends Niverville Community Fellowship, where Ben
currently serves on the elder
board as the Elder of Worship.
Ben says, “I’m excited about
this opportunity to contribute to
the ministry of SBC. SBC played
a huge role in my own spiritual,
personal, and leadership development, and I look forward to
being a part of the college’s mission to train servant leaders.”
– SBC
SBC
STEINBACH, Man.—Steinbach Bible College is pleased to
announce the appointment of Ben Dueck to the position of
Director of Advancement effective March 2015.
Ben is an alumnus of Steinbach Bible College, graduating in 1999 with a BRS (Youth). He completed his MA in
Leadership at Trinity Western University in 2012.
Ben comes to SBC with a wealth of experience in many
fields. Most recently, Ben established Cantera Properties,
a home and condo building company. Prior to this venture
he worked at Red Rock Bible Camp for five years, serving
as the on-site camp director and programs manager. He
has also served as a youth pastor and in several other
volunteer ministry roles.
Ben and his wife Kendra live in Niverville, Man., with
Ben Dueck
News
An Anabaptist light in isolated Albania
WALLY KROEKER
LEZHA, Albania—Klementina Shahini admits she didn’t
know what she was getting into when she raised her hand
at an evangelistic meeting. “My husband raised his,” she
says, “and like a good Muslim wife I did the same.”
From that gesture some two dozen years ago, she and
husband Dini became the first Mennonites in Albania
and formed the first Mennonite congregation in it. Today
Klementina has become an educational entrepreneur,
founder, and principal of the Lezha Academic Centre in
Lezha, Albania.
Albania used to be the most isolated country in the
world, known as a hard-core Soviet satellite. Her family
was persecuted. “My sister was put in jail for 10 years and
I spent many years in labor camps,” she says.
When the Soviet Union collapsed in the early 1990s,
communist control in Albania eased and doors opened to
Christian visitors. “When Dini raised his hand at an evangelistic meeting, I did too, to follow him,” says Klementina.
“We became Christians.”
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Klementina Shahini, school principal
Klementina got a job in a library and studied English.
More Mennonites showed up and when a local group was
created Dini and Klementina were asked, “Can you keep
this group together?” Before long she and Dini became the
first baptized Mennonites in Albania.
But during the civil uprising in 1997, the Shahini family was in danger, fled to Greece, then moved to the U.S.
Klementina obtained a master’s degree in educational
leadership.
A mentor urged her to go back home and start a Christian/Mennonite school. So in 2011 they moved back to
Albania and she became principal of a school that was not
yet established.
“By the end of June 2011 we had four teachers, books
and furniture,” she said. The school opened in September
2011 with five students.
The school now has 85 students in grades 7 to 12.
Besides the perpetual need for finances, a big need is
teachers. Last year 15 students were turned away because
of a teacher shortage.
The Lehza Mennonite Church, the only Mennonite
congregation in the country, now numbers about 50
people. It meets in a converted bar.
The continuing struggle with Islam and communism is
not to be taken lightly. Klementina says the Mennonite emphasis on peace and justice is sorely needed in her country.
– Wally Kroeker
News
Livestock herders begin farming in Ethiopia
Lessens burden on women
CFGB
ETHIOPIA, Africa—Halima Muhammed is five, but her
life will be light years from that led by countless earlier
generations of women.
Halima’s family members are herders in the remote,
arid northern Afar region of Ethiopia. They used to depend
entirely on their livestock,
moving to grazing land.
The men walked
alongside the livestock. The
women followed, carrying everything the family
owned, often with a baby on
their back.
After walking, women
set up the huts, gathered
firewood, and cooked the
meal. It was a tough life,
Her life will be different.
particularly for women, says Halima’s mother, Medina, and
rare for a child to be enrolled in school.
With assistance from Canadian Foodgrains Bank and
its member, Canadian Lutheran World Relief, Halima’s
father, Muhammed, now also grows cereal crops, fruits
and vegetables. It’s a huge change in lifestyle. But, as Muhammed says, “we had no choice.” Droughts, population
growth, and famines in population forced the change.
Gebreyes Haile, an Ethiopian who is an agricultural
engineer, designed irrigation dams to divert water from
nearby streams and rivers to land that was formerly unusable. Today it produces maize, bananas and papayas. Families no longer have to travel long distances to buy food.
The biggest winners are women like Medina and their
daughters.
– Amanda Thorsteinsson
••
Millions of people near major food crisis in South Sudan
Food access a problem for people trapped by conflict
“Missed crop cycles in
conflict-ravaged parts of
the country mean we’re
now expecting household
food stocks in the worstaffected counties to run
out by March 2015—
much earlier than in a
normal year,” said official
Sue Lautze in a United
Nations release.
The CFGB, through
its members, is responding, both in more
CFGB is helping.
peaceful areas of the country, as well as in areas that have
experienced more conflict. “The ongoing challenges we
are faced with as we try to respond to the crisis in South
Sudan are large, but not insurmountable,” adds Macdonald.
“We invite Canadians to join us in praying for lasting peace
for the people of South Sudan.” – Amanda Thorsteinsson, CFGB
CFGB
SOUTH SUDAN—Millions of displaced people in South
Sudan continue to be on the brink of a major food crisis as
the country’s violent conflict continues.
“We are deeply concerned for the well-being of the
people of South Sudan,” says Canadian Foodgrains Bank
international program director Barbara Macdonald.
“Increases in violence could quickly become catastrophic
for many of the most vulnerable people, especially children.”
According to UNICEF, at least 229,000 children in
South Sudan are estimated to be suffering from severe
acute malnutrition, a number that has doubled since the
start of the conflict a little over a year ago.
And in a population of only 11 million people, 4.1
million people are estimated to require humanitarian assistance in the coming months, with 2.5 million people at
risk of emergency or crisis levels of food insecurity.
In a nation where much of the population relies on
small-scale agriculture for survival, not being able to
grow crops or tend livestock because of the fighting
that has driven them off their land can have devastating
consequences.
News
CFGB: 12 projects worth $5.2M committed in January
Includes additional support for South Sudan crisis
CFGB
WINNIPEG, Man.—More than 231,000 people in nine
countries will benefit from 12 projects worth $5.2 million
committed by Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB) in
January.
The projects are being implemented by Foodgrains
Bank members Mennonite Central Committee (MCC),
World Renew, World Relief Canada, Presbyterian World
Service & Development, Adventist Development and Relief
Association, and Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, in
collaboration with their local partners.
One project, through MCC in Boricha, Ethiopia,
is working to help farmers reclaim degraded land and
sustainably manage it for future generations of growers.
The land in Boricha is so degraded that many farmers have
difficulty growing enough food to last them the whole year.
As well as helping farmers reclaim land, MCC’s local
partner, the Meserete Kristos Church Relief and Development Association, is also providing farmers with tools and
improved seeds to start them off in the right direction.
About 70,800 people are benefitting from this project.
Another project, through World Renew, is working
with 600 farm families in the war-affected nation of South
Sudan. War, economic crises, internal displacement, and
ineffective traditional farming practices have all contributed to the food insecurity in this area.
Many farmers work long hours on their small pieces of
land, but are still unable to grow enough food to last their
families the whole year. This project is training farmers to
manage soil fertility and produce more staple food crops
through conservation agriculture, a low-input and no-till
method of growing a crop that uses green manure and
cover crops. About 4,200 people are benefitting from this
project.
Andreas Berreira in Boricha, Ethiopia, shows off red beans he’s
grown on rehabilitated land with the help of MCC/CFGB. It’s the first
time in several years he’s been able to grow a crop on his land.
The red beans some farmers were able to grow this year with the
support of MCC/CFGB.
Other projects committed in January include:
• A joint food assistance and agriculture and livelihoods
project in Bangladesh through Nazarene Compassionate Ministries worth $632,000 benefitting 7,500 people
• A joint food assistance and agriculture and livelihoods
project in Bangladesh through World Relief Canada,
and supported by the United Church of Canada, worth
$223,000 benefitting 7,950 people
• A joint agriculture and livelihoods and nutrition project
in Bangladesh through MCC worth $70,000 benefitting
10,500 people
• A nutrition project in Laos through ADRA Canada
worth $239,000 benefitting 7,500 people
• An agriculture and livelihoods project in Mongolia
through ADRA Canada worth $245,000 benefitting
2,980 people
• An agriculture and livelihoods project in Myanmar
through MCC worth $116,000 benefitting 6,833 people
• An agriculture and livelihoods project in Laos through
MCC worth $400,000 benefitting 5,000 people
• A food assistance project in Pakistan through Presbyterian World Service & Development supported by the
United Church of Canada worth $1,178,000 benefitting
10,800 people
• An agriculture and livelihoods project in Sierra Leone
through World Relief supported by the United Church
of Canada worth $97,000 benefitting 1,000 people;
• A food assistance project in Sri Lanka through World
Renew worth $290,000 benefitting 5,625 people.
Projects supported by Canadian Foodgrains Bank are undertaken with support from the Government of Canada.
– Amanda Thorsteinsson, CFGB
News
MHSC continues to tell Anabaptist story
MAID will aid archives and researchers
WATERLOO, Ont.—The Mennonite Historical Society of
Canada (MHSC) continues to press forward with its work
of telling the Mennonite story across Canada and globally—as its annual general meeting revealed here on Jan.
16-17.
Part of the story: Ray Dirk’s traveling exhibit “Along
the Road to Freedom” tells stories of women who led their
families out of persecution and suffering in World War II
Russia to lives of freedom and peace in Canada.
Sam Steiner, who has devoted much of his life to
preserving the Ontario Mennonite story, was awarded
the MHSC’s Award of Excellence. It is given annually
to persons who have made significant contributions to
the advancement of Canadian Mennonite history. Sam’s
••
GERMANY–A strange looking vehicle rolls down the
highways and byways of six towns in the former East
German state of Saxony. A curved cross on top of the 3.6
metre high, 4.8 tonne vehicle makes clear it is, indeed, a
Church on Wheels (Kirche-auf-Rädern, KAR).
The idea is to bring the church to the people. Gerry and
Blanca Dueck (formerly of Rosenort EMC) are Canadians
who have served as Salvation Army officers in Germany
since 1994 and in the former East Germany since 2001.
They have hot soup and coffee, but, more importantly,
open ears and arms for people they encounter at pre-established meeting points. The base of operations is Meissen, a
1,000-year-old town with a stunning castle overlooking the
Elbe River.
Inside the church is place for about 12 persons. In the
middle of the “sanctum” is a table and wooden benches.
A flat-screen television shows a Word of the Week while
people enjoy their soup and coffee. Some eat at small
picnic tables outside, especially in summer. Church can be
a picnic, a place to chill, a meeting place, family.
Every week about a 120 people experience this moving
church. Many carry the label of needy or asocial. But one
could imagine Jesus feeling at home here, eating and drinking with the publicans, away from the holy huddle of the
ninety-nine.
KAR
KAR: a church on the move
long-standing service on the executive committee of the
MHSC has shaped its direction.
The archives group’s work over the past year has
resulted in a functional Mennonite Archival Image Database (MAID); it will be a tool for archival partners and of
benefit to researchers.
The gifts of technology are helping to disseminate the
Mennonite in Canada series. E-book options are being
explored for volumes one and two.
The society is excited to celebrate its fiftieth anniversary in 2018. Established in 1968, MHSC is comprised of
six provincial historical societies and four denominational
bodies, including the EMC.
– MHSC
Sam Steiner receives Award of Excellence
The KAR in operation in Germany.
The KAR hit the road first on Dec. 15, 2014. Media
interest has been high ever since.
The idea to take the church to the people is not new.
William Booth, the Salvation Army’s founder, did just that.
The form of “doing church” or “being church” may change,
but not the message. The model for KAR in content and
methodology is Jesus. How did he “do church”?
– Gerry Dueck
Editor’s note: The Church is wider
than the EMC and many members
go on to serve the Lord elsewhere
within it. Gerry Dueck, who has
served as an EMC missionary in
Paraguay, tells a bit of what has
happened since then.
News
Through MDS love awakens hope
HARTVILLE, Ohio—Restoring hope is at the core of the
work and experience of Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS). This was evident during its all-unit annual meeting held
Feb. 13-14 at the Hartville Mennonite Church, where close
to 300 MDS volunteers, staff, and donors met.
The meeting brought together a spectrum of Amish,
Brethren-in-Christ and Mennonites under one roof. The
event included reports from all five regions in the U.S. and
Canada and testimonies from survivors of disasters. The
meeting’s theme was “A Touch of Love Awakens a Taste of
Hope” (from Song of Songs 8:7).
From High River, Alta., Pauline Claydon spoke of how
her family’s situation seemed hopeless: 2013 flooding of
their home, concern for the future of a disabled son, rezoning of their land, the demolition of their home, and limited
finances.
But Claydon says they found a way to build a home that
met the zoning for a multi-family unit, a duplex to also
house a single mother with children who lost her home
because of the development of a floodway.
MDS
MDSers hear stories of survivors, projects
Volunteers bring hope to communities.
With MDS assistance the duplex will be built and both
families have homes and hope for their future. “The MDS
has allowed us to prepare for the care of our disabled son,”
she said. “We have a place to go to.”
During 2014 there were 3,636 volunteers serving with
MDS as short- and long-term volunteers, including 261
summer youth volunteers. Some 463 disaster survivors
were served in nearly 20 communities around the U.S. and
Canada.
– Mark Beach, MDS
••
CMU rates at top among 28 universities
Students give top marks to faculty, academics, and community
WINNIPEG, Man.—Canadian Mennonite University
students have given top marks to the faculty, academics,
and community at the university.
A Maclean’s Magazine February feature gives a snapshot of the 2014 Canadian University Survey Consortium’s
(CUSC) findings, in which CMU placed in the Top Four
out of 28 universities in four categories highlighted in the
article.
When presented with the statement, “Generally, I am
satisfied with the quality of teaching I have received,” 58
per cent of respondents from CMU said that they strongly
agree—earning CMU the top spot out of the 28 universities surveyed.
Student responses to the statement, “Most of my
professors treat students as individuals, not just numbers,”
also put CMU at number one.
CMU placed second when students were presented with the statement, “Most of my professors are
intellectually stimulating in
their teaching,” and fourth
when presented with the statement, “I feel as if I belong at this university.”
To obtain the results, the CUSC administered an
online questionnaire to a random sample of middle-years
students at each school.
CMU president Dr. Cheryl Pauls says she is deeply
encouraged by the way students ranked their university. To
view the Maclean’s Magazine article, visit www.cmu.ca/
macleans.
A Christian university in the Anabaptist tradition,
CMU offers undergraduate degrees in arts, business, humanities, music, sciences and social sciences, and graduate
degrees in theology and ministry. CMU has over 1,600
students, including in its Menno Simons College and Outtatown programs.
– CMU
Column • Here and Far Away
That is sure!
“T
by Jocelyn R. Plett
www.writewhatyousee.
wordpress.com
DESIGNPICS
he gospel,
God’s
free gift
of grace in Jesus, only
works when we realize
we don’t have it all together” (Miller, A Praying Life, 55). Realizing
that I don’t have it all
together, that’s when the
good news reveals itself
as Good News. In the
midst of suffering, when
I admit my poverty in
spirit, my poverty in
body, my poverty in
material things, I see
that I must rely on the
One who has things well
in hand.
That is, not myself!
“...Power in prayer comes from being in
touch with your weakness. To teach us how to
pray, Jesus told stories of weak people who knew
they couldn’t do life on their own. The persistent
widow and the friend at midnight get access,
not because they are strong but because they are
desperate. Learned desperation is at the heart of
a praying life” (Miller, 114).
As J. I. Packer wrote, ‘’Where we are not consciously relying on God, there we shall inevitably
be found relying on ourselves.” That’s true for
me as I find myself worrying over our upcoming
sabbatical. Where will we live? Where will my
boys attend school? Will we find a vehicle? Will
stresses of living in a “foreign” country overwhelm the benefits that Canada can provide? It’s
a challenging lesson on trusting God to provide
for our needs, and to humbly receive that which
He will give.
When I come to the end of my own ability to
control my situations and declare, “Your will be
done,” I am entering God’s will for my life and
moving with His flow. When I understand that
my challenges can bring Him glory, that is when
I experience that God has overcome suffering,
and death has lost its sting!
Poverty in spirit—being overwhelmed, not
having wisdom—is the door to prayer. “We don’t
need self-discipline to pray continuously; we just
need to be poor in spirit. Poverty of spirit makes
room for his Spirit” (Miller, 66). This is the truth
that is so difficult to see when I strive to do
everything on my own strength: provide for my
family, attempt to fight the battles I face.
Yet the Lord in His graciousness often
speaks in Scripture words similar to those written in 2 Chron. 20:15-17: “’Do not be afraid and
do not be dismayed..., for the battle is not yours
but God’s. Tomorrow go....You will not need
to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your
position, and see the salvation of the LORD on
your behalf.... Do not be afraid and do not be
dismayed. Tomorrow go out...and the LORD
will be with you.’”
I will make my requests known, as Jehoshaphat did in this story. Then I will go out
and stand firm in the knowledge that my Lord
can provide for us in Canada just as He has done
in Madagascar, and the LORD will be with us. In
the face of unsettling unknowns, that is sure!
The Lord can
provide for us
in Canada and
will be with
us. In the face
of unsettling
unknowns,
that is sure!
Columns • Poetry
The Enigma
A Meditation on Matthew 27 and 28
by Brigitte Toews
The irony is as thick as cold blackstrap molasses
A murderer set free—Barabbas, son of Abba
The Son of Abba—Jesus, his ransom!
Out of all the prisoners set for execution that day,
Did not Pilate handpick the bandit in passionate mockery of the Jews?
Set up against Jesus, now who would they choose?
The Bandit
Did the murderer see the one who took his place?
Did he see his Redeemer’s bloody beaten face?
Could he feel his pain with every crack of the whip?
Or did he enjoy the enactment of the mock kingship?
Did the bandit see Jesus fall down at Simon’s feet
And watch him carry the cross down a roughshod street?
Did he numbly walk to The Place of the Skull
Where the suffering Messiah was offered wine mixed with gall?
Were the thieves on the cross the Bandit’s partners-in-crime?
Was he a shadow in the crowd, laying low, biding time?
Could the rebel imagine his pardon was a divine second chance
Or that God’s Kingdom would come through a non-violent stance?
Jesus
All of God’s love was displayed on the cross
Forsaking His power and wrath to gain what was lost
A ransom for many, even murderers and thieves
Yet, we must choose for ourselves whether to mock or believe
DESIGNPICS
But in darkness the people demanded signs from above
“Let God rescue Jesus! Let him prove His great love!”
So God opened the heavens and rolled back the stone,
Raised his “Beloved” Son Jesus and gave him David’s throne!
In Memory
Werner Barkman
1952-2015
Werner Barkman was born on May
2, 1952, in Steinbach, Man., to Jacob
and Anna Barkman. He passed away
peacefully on Feb. 2, 2015, at Bethesda
Place, Steinbach, Man.
Werner is survived by his brothers
and sisters and their families: Elma
and Peter Reimer, Ben and Phyllis,
Tina and Arnold Thiessen, Cornie and
Erna, Melvin and Arlene, Margaret
and Neil Reimer, Jake and Ruby, Anna,
Orla and Martin Loeppky, and brother-in-law Dave and Mary Brandt. To
meet him in Heaven were his Mom
and Dad, one brother Abe, sister Adeline and sister-in-law Caroline.
Two months after Werner was
born, he moved with his parents and
family to Mennville, Man. This is
the community where he spent his
growing up years and younger adult
life. With his having been born with
Down Syndrome, he and his parents
and family faced many unique challenges. Integration of children into
the regular school system was not
done at that time. After a great deal
of deliberation Werner was enrolled
in Kindale School, in Steinbach. He
loved school, but not the boarding
home. His parents decided that no
education was worth the pain of separation for Werner.
Werner’s parents remained his
caregivers until they were no longer
able to do so. He spent countless
hours with his toys taking great care
of them and guarding them. His
loving and teasing personality was
contagious and created many fond
moments for all the family. He was
very sensitive to people’s response to
him and developed the fondest relationships with those who engaged him
both emotionally and relationally.
In 1987, his Mom and Dad were no
longer able to care for Werner and he
moved in with his oldest sister, Adeline and Dave Brandt in Blumenort,
Man. While living at the Brandts, he
worked at the Kindale Workshop sorting bolts and other like tasks. It was
while he lived with Adeline and family
that he started his hobby of colouring.
We were always amazed at how he
intuitively coordinated his colours and
created designs unique to him.
In 1996 both of Werner’s parents
passed away, and in 1997 Adeline
became ill and was no longer able to
care for Werner. He then was moved
to a group home in the Steinbach
area. Shortly after moving to this location, Werner lost interest in going
to Kindale. Given that Werner had
some major family losses, as well as a
home where he loved, a decision was
made for him to live with his brother
Ben and Phyllis in Mennville, where
he stayed until he was emotionally
more settled.
In 2000, he was enrolled in the
Riverdale Workshop and also moved
into a Riverdale Group Home in
Arborg. He thoroughly enjoyed both
the group home and the workshop.
He bonded quickly with his buddies
at the home and caregivers. At the
workshop he once again pursued his
love for colouring.
In the winter of 2014 Werner’s
physical condition became such that
he was no longer able to stay at the
group home. Subsequently he was
moved to Bethesda Place where he
lived until he passed away.
– His Family
In Memory
Pauline Penner (nee Unger)
1924-2014
Our mother, Pauline Unger, was born
in the hamlet of Prairie Rose, Man.,
on Nov. 22, 1924, to Abram and Katie
Unger. Several years later her parents
moved to a bend in the Seine River
near Ste. Anne, Man.
Mom would sometimes talk about
her growing up years, about her
school years, the time spent doing
farm work, and her work later as a
bookkeeper at Ste. Anne Co-op. It was
during these years at Ste. Anne that
she gave her heart to God.
She had been seeing our Dad, Jake
Penner, for a while when, in his typical
“get to the point” way, he said, “We
should get married.” That’s what they
did in 1951 on Dominion Day, which
later became Canada Day. Mom
thought it nice that all of Canada
would celebrate their anniversary.
Mom became a homemaker, going
with Dad to winter bush camps in
the Whiteshell. Their first months of
marriage were spent at Betula Lake.
We children treasure those bush camp
memories.
Children were born: Jake Orlando,
Marjorie Ellen, Lorne Howard (two
daughters died in infancy, Sheila Ann
and Karen Ruth) and then Myrna
Ruth.
Dad and Mom then made a livelihood in the gravel business. Mom
learned to drive a truck and would
sometimes pick us up at school in bad
weather with a single axle tractor. We
as children look on the gravel pit days
with fondness: our exploring, swimming, and Mom’s picnic lunches.
Mom was lonely after Dad’s tragic
passing in a vehicle accident in 2000.
She continued to live on the acreage
they had enjoyed. She was driven to
hard work, and we children would be
told of the hundreds of bags of leaves
gathered in fall. Although Dad had
been ready to call family for fun and
yard work, Mom was independent
and managed those six acres of lawn
and trees mostly by herself. She spent
her senior winter months crocheting
doilies.
Failing health saw her move into a
self-care suite in Maplewood Manor
in 2012 and, suffering dementia, into
full care in 2013. She was glad to
spend her last years with her sister
Nettie and her older sister Lizzie.
Here she passed away on Oct.
4, 2014, leaving us an assurance
of finding her eternal reward. She
cared about the spiritual welfare of
those coming after her. Mom will be
remembered as a hard worker and
a caring mother who lived through
times far from easy.
She was predeceased by Dad, two
infant daughters, daughter Marge,
grandson Daniel, and brothers Abe
and Otto. Left to mourn are two sons,
Orlando and Luanna of Blumenort,
Lorne and Carol of Ste. Anne;
daughter Myrna of Steinbach; and
son-in-law Winston and his wife Noreen; 18 grandchildren and 31 greatgrandchildren; two brothers, Bill and
Laverna, Tony and Eva; and sisters
Nettie, Lizzie, Matilda and husband
David Wohlgemuth; and sister-in-law
Frances. She will be missed by all.
We as a family say thank you to
the staff at Maplewood Manor for
the professional and loving care she
received, which made her last weeks
easier.
– Her Family
Calendar
Manitoba
April 11
MDS Spring Banquet
Rebuilding Homes, Restoring Hope
North Kildonan MB Church Winnipeg, Man. Speakers: Harold and Sandra Friesen
Janet Plenert, and others. 1-888-261-1274
April 18
MCC Manitoba 50th Knox United Church Joe Clark, speaker Buffalo Gals
Winnipeg, Man. mccmanitoba.ca/50 204-261-6481
April 24
SBC Spring Concert
Steinbach, Man. SBCollege.ca
April 25
SBC Graduation
Steinbach EMC SBCollege.ca
May 15-18
Abundant Springs
July 3-5
EMC Convention July 3
EMC Ministerial
Ebenezer Christian Church Brandon, Man.
July 4
EMC Conference Council Western
Manitoba Centennial Auditorium
Brandon, Man.
Shoulder Tapping
*With any applications for EMC church pastoral
positions, candidates are expected to also register a Ministry Information Profile with the EMC
Board of Leadership and Outreach, which can be
obtained through Erica Fehr, BLO Administrative
Assistant, at [email protected] or 204-326-6401.
EMC Positions*
Taber EMC is seeking a full-time youth/associate
pastor. Candidate should have the ability to plan and
oversee a comprehensive youth ministry and oversee
associate pastor ministries as arranged by the church
leadership. Valuable assets would be skills in sports
and music. Contact church board chair Abe Klassen
at 403-223-0588 or 403-331-9563. Send resumes to
Taber EMC, Box 4348, Taber, AB T1G 2C7 or taberemc@
yahoo.ca.
Hillside Christian Fellowship is looking for a fulltime or interim pastor. Previous experience is
preferred and housing is available. Hillside Christian
Fellowship is a rural church located on Highway 697
in the Buffalo Head Prairie area, about 25 kms from
La Crete in northern Alberta. The industries that
drive our community are farming and logging. We
have about 50 to 60 people attending on average
each Sunday. For information contact Jim Friesen at
[email protected] or call (work) 780-928-3880 or (cell)
780-926-7717.
La Crete Christian Fellowship is seeking candidates
to fill the role of senior pastor. LCCF is located in a
beautiful, prosperous farming and logging community in northern Alberta. We are a multi-generational
congregation with a strong commitment to missions. Our average Sunday attendance is 450.
The senior pastor would be a team member
working with and providing general oversight to
the associate pastor, youth pastor, office staff, lay
minister and a large, supportive ministerial. He
would have appropriate Bible college education and
preferably a number of years of pastoral experience.
He would agree with the EMC Statement of
Faith and Church Practices. Duties include, but are
not limited to, preaching, teaching, some administration and officiating at various church functions.
Information can be found at www.lccfc.ca.
Please contact Darryl Olson at darrylwolson@gmail.
com or 780-821-0287 if you can serve together with
us in this capacity.
The Church of Living Water in Tillsonburg, Ont., is
seeking a full-time senior pastor. We are a young
church with attendance ranging from 70-100. We
have a growing children and youth ministry. CLW is
seeking a pastoral couple who will live among us to
guide and direct the church to deeper and greater
ministry in our community.
We believe the senior pastor role to be that of a
shepherd who guides his congregation, needs to be
a strong encourager and a pastor who has passion
for God and his people. This is best accomplished
by studying and teaching, praying and preaching, and visiting and visioning, all based on God’s
Word. Previous pastoral experience is preferred,
and candidate must be in agreement with our EMC
Constitution and Statement of Faith.
Applications or resumes should be sent to the
CLW Board of Elders: Abe Neufeld (chair) [email protected] and David Dyck (vice chair) [email protected].
Mennville EMC, a rural congregation with an attendance about 90, located in Manitoba's Interlake
region, seeks a full- or part-time pastor. The pastor
will work within a ministerial team as the church
seeks to renew and grow. College or seminary
training and pastoral experience are definite assets.
Starting date is flexible and salary will reflect EMC
guidelines. A candidate should be a collaborative
leader (team player), comfortable in the pulpit and
in pastoral care, familiar with the EMC Statement
of Faith, and respectful of various cultures and rural
living. Contact minister Terry Dueck at frontier104@
hotmail.com.
Abbeydale Christian Fellowship (Calgary, Alberta) is
seeking a full-time pastor to work alongside our current pastor and our congregational leadership team.
We would expect the successful candidate to
have the following characteristics: previous pastoral
experience, very relational, a good communicator
and preacher, and comfortable working with all
age groups. This person would have post-secondary
education, would be able to work in a team setting,
and be able to mentor others.
This pastor's focus of ministry would be on the
discipleship of the congregation through preaching,
teaching, the encouragement of small groups, and
prayer. This pastor will also lead in caring for the
congregation.
We are an urban congregation of 100 attendees
with an informal atmosphere. ACF is Anabaptist in
its theological roots, congregational in its governance, and committed to love through service to one
another and to our community. Email your resume
to: [email protected]
High Level Christian Fellowship (HLCF) is looking for
an interim pastor effective immediately. HLCF is a
diverse but well-established EMC congregation, in
northern Alberta, serving in a community where oil
and gas, farming and forestry are the driving industries. HLCF has an average attendance of 130 members and adherents. The successful candidate would
be able to relate and work well with people working
together towards building an active community
of believers. If God is directing you in this mission
please forward your resume to either Jake Neufeld
at [email protected] or Greg
Derkson at [email protected] or by phone
Jake (780-821-9432) or Greg (780-926-9553).
Blumenort EMC is seeking a full-time community
life pastor who will focus on developing Christian
community inside our congregation and providing
oversight for community outreach ministries. Key
responsibilities will include creating vision and
enabling our members to be effective in their connections inside the church and in ministry outside of
the church. Previous pastoral experience is preferred
but all candidates will be considered.
This is a new opportunity which we hope to fill as
soon as God provides. The candidate must be in agreement with our EMC Constitution and Statement of
Faith. For a full job description or to send in a resume,
please contact Anthony Reimer at anthony.reimer@
blumenortemc.ca or 204-326-1644.
Other Positions
Mennonite Foundation of Canada has an opening
for a full-time administrative assistant in its Calgary
office. Expected start date for this position is July 6,
2015.
This person will be responsible for providing
administrative support for the Calgary office. Key
responsibilities include front desk and telephone
reception, processing incoming and outgoing mail,
faxes, bank deposits and receipts, preparing letters,
reports and presentations, and offering information
to clients. Flexible attitude and team spirit, strong
organizational skills, exceptional computer skills,
superb verbal and written communications skills, and
professionalism are essential competencies.
MFC offers a competitive salary and benefits
package. A complete job description is available at
www.MennoFoundation.ca. Applications will be
reviewed upon receipt. Only those selected for an
interview will be contacted. Please submit resume to
Shelly Wilcoxson, 12-1325 Markham Road, Winnipeg,
MB R3T 4J6 or
[email protected].
Where are position ads to be sent?
Please send all position ads, including pastoral
search ads, to [email protected]. All ads are
to be 150 words or less. All ads can be edited.
Please advise us when it is no longer needed.
www.SBCollege.ca
Courier Correo Courrier
Pennsylvania
at
aa glance
Pennsylvania 2015
2015 at
at a
glance
2015
glance
Pennsylvania
Register
RegisterToday!
Today!
Register Today!
Mennonite
Mennonite
World
Conference
Mennonite
World
Conference
A
Community
of Anabaptist
World
Conference
related
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A Community
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Arelated
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Community
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Anabaptist
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Churches
Congreso
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Conférence
Conférence
Mennonite Mondiale
Conférence
Conférence
Mennonite
Mondiale
Une Communauté
Mennonite
Mondiale
Mennonite
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Une
Communauté
Une
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Une Communauté
Communauté
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Reflections
Reflections
Reflexiónes
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Réflexions
Réflexions
Who is
is coming
coming to
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PA 2015?
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Who
Who
is coming
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Global Mennonites
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Assembly
AssemblyGathered
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21-26
Assembly
Gathered
21-26July
July2015
2015
Harrisburg,
Pennsylvania,
21-26
July 2015
Harrisburg,
Pennsylvania, USA
USA
Theme:
with
Harrisburg,
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Theme:Walking
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Courier
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Global
GlobalYouth
YouthSummit
Summit
See note below about programming for children and youth under 18
Global
Youth
Summit
For
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adultsage
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17-19
July
2015
For
youth
and
young
adults
age
18
and
over
17-19 July 2015
17-19
July
2015 Mechanicsburg,
Messiah
College,
Messiah
College,
Mechanicsburg, PA
PA
PA
Theme:
to
Messiah
College,
Mechanicsburg,
Theme:Called
Called
toShare:
Share:My
My Gifts,
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Our Gifts
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Theme: Called to Share: My Gifts, Our Gifts
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Program
ProgramHighlights
Highlights
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Program
Highlights
In
an
Program
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themes
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themesand
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afternoon,
participants
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workshops,
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afternoon,
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participants
will
choose
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workshops,
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projects,
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and
service
projects,
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and
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Nouvelles
Registration
Registration
Registration
Registration
Registration:
Registration
Registration: US
US $75-465
$75-465 plus
plus
Registration:
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$75-465plus
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Registration:
US
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meal
Registration:
US
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plus
meal plans
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and
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and
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Lodging: US
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$25-159/night
Lodging:
Lodging:
US
$25-159/night
Lodging:US
US$25-159/night
$25-159/night
Visas
Visas
Visas
If
Ifyou
you need
need aa visa
visa to
to enter
enter the
Visas
Visas
If
you
need
a
to
the
United
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please
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please
register
If
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United
States,
please
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get aa visa,
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please
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early.
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a
visa,
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and
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support from
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your
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your
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additional
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receive
additional
instructions
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theand
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about
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receive
additional
instructions
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MWC
about
visa
receive
additional
instructions
process.
process.
from
MWC
about the
the
visa
process.
from MWC about the visa
process.
Travel
Travel
process.
Travel
The closest
closest and
and recommended
recommended
The
Travel
The
closest
and
recommended
airport
is
Harrisburg
International
airport
is
Harrisburg
International
The
closest
and
recommended
Travel
airport
Harrisburg
International
Airportis
(MDT)
but shuttle
shuttle
Airport
(MDT)
but
buses
airport
is
Harrisburg
International
The
closest
and
recommended
Airport
but
shuttle
buses
will run
run(MDT)
from Philadelphia
Philadelphia
(PHL)
Airport
(MDT)
but
shuttle
buses
will
from
airport
is
Harrisburg International
will
from
(PHL)
andrun
Baltimore
Washington
will
run
from Philadelphia
Philadelphia
(PHL)
and
Baltimore
Washington
Airport
but shuttle
buses
and
Baltimore
Washington
(BWI)
to(MDT)
Harrisburg
at major
major
and
Baltimore
Washington
(BWI)
to
Harrisburg
at
will
run
from
Philadelphia
(PHL)
(BWI)
to
Harrisburg
at
arrival
times.
An excellent
excellent
train
(BWI)
to
Harrisburg
at major
major
arrival
times.
An
train
and
Baltimore
arrival
times.
An
excellent
train
system
connects
Harrisburg
to
arrival
times.
AnWashington
excellent
train
system
connects
Harrisburg
to
system
Harrisburg
to
(BWI)
toconnects
Harrisburg
atYork
major
Philadelphia
and New
New
York
City.
system
connects
Harrisburg
to
Philadelphia
and
City.
Philadelphia
York
City.
arrival times.and
An New
excellent
Philadelphia
and
New
York train
City.
Tours connects Harrisburg to
system
Tours
Tours
On 20
20 July,
July, one-day
one-day
tours
will
Tours
On
tours
will
Philadelphia
and New
York
City.
On
20
July,
one-day
tours
will
be offered
offered
to
New York
York
City,
On
20
July,to
one-day
tours
will
be
New
City,
be
offered
York
Philadelphia,
Washington,
be
offered to
to New
New
York City,
City,
Philadelphia,
Washington,
Tours
Philadelphia,
Washington,
D.C, and
and several
several
Anabaptist
Philadelphia,
Washington,
D.C,
Anabaptist
On
20
July, one-day
tours will
D.C,
and
communities.
D.C,
and several
several Anabaptist
Anabaptist
communities.
be offered to New York City,
communities.
communities.
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MWC
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Global Mennonites are already making plans to attend PA 2015,
especially
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Global
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arecountries
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making
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2015,
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and
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critical
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andsays
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and
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says
sisters noting
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the world,”
world,”
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that
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country of
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Zimbabwe
have
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an
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his
Ndlovu,
noting
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home
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Zimbabwe
have
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registered.
isisan
opportunity
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see
Christ in
in other
otheralready
people’s
faces.” “It
home
country
Zimbabwe
have
registered.
have
already
registered.
“It is
is an
an
opportunity
to
see
Christ
people’s
faces.”
opportunity to see Christ in other
other people’s
people’s faces.”
faces.”
Mennonite
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Iglesias
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A
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25%
Africa:
Africa:
Africa: 25%
25%
Asia&&Pacific:
Pacific:10%
10%
Asia
Asia
Asia &
& Pacific:
Pacific: 10%
10%
Europe:7%
7%
Europe:
Europe:
Europe: 7%
7%
LatinAmerican/Caribbean:
American/Caribbean:10%
10%
Latin
Latin
Latin American/Caribbean:
American/Caribbean: 10%
10%
NorthAmerica:
America:47%
47%
North
North
North America:
America: 47%
47%
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Provided by Mennonite World Conference
Column • stewardship today
Year-round generosity
DESIGNPICS
T
he 2014 Christmas holiday season again
brought a bombardment of consumerism. But after this festive frenzy was
Giving Tuesday—a day that demonstrates how
charities, businesses, and individuals can transform the way we think about and participate in
this season of giving.
What began in 2012 as a grassroots effort
with 2,500 non-profit agencies has grown to
include 20,000 charities in 2014—and donors are
responding. Online donations on Giving Tuesday were up 90% in 2013 and 60% in 2014.
While Giving Tuesday raised awareness of
giving by designating a day for charitable activity, real success happens by an increase in yearround generosity. Founder of Giving Tuesday,
Henry Timms states its goal this way: “The most
passionate givers come to celebrate the cause
(their charity of choice) on a year-round basis.
People can get behind (their cause) for a long
time, and if they’re able to, make a recurring gift.
There’s nothing more valuable to a non-profit
than recurring giving” (Forbes.com).
Canadians are already making recurring gifts
as shown by the relatively consistent $9 billion
given annually since 2008. But there’s more to
consider. The number of donors is decreasing,
while the number of charities in Canada is growing. There are currently more than 85,000 charities recognized by Canada Revenue Agency.
Active fundraising is increasing, resulting in
more organizations vying for charitable dollars.
According to current research, people are
interested in being part of something that makes
a difference. This is great news. According to
research by BMO, one trillion dollars is expected
to pass from one generation to the next in
Canada over the next couple of decades. Most
will go to family; some will also go to charity. If
charities want more of those dollars, they’ll need
to do four things:
• Prove themselves worthy recipients. Charities
need to clearly articulate their purpose using
various media.
• Focus on impact and engagement. Charities
need to tell stories of the difference they’re
making in people’s lives and show donors how
their contributions make this happen. People
give to causes, not to overhead and administrative costs.
• Incorporate gift planning (legacy giving, future
gifts, and deferred gifts) into their promotional
and fundraising efforts. Charities should
encourage donors to consider bequests, gifts
of life insurance, securities, RRSPs, etc. Most
planned gifts in Canada come as bequests
from generous people who consider charitable
causes in their wills.
• Change the mindset from scarcity thinking to
abundance thinking. In the late 1980s, almost
30 percent of Canadians claimed a charitable
donation on their taxes. That number has
steadily declined, falling to 23 percent last year.
On average, Canadians now give less than one
percent of their annual income to charity. If
charities can get people to focus on their blessings, people will be more likely to give.
The $9 billion pie is capable of significant
growth in Canada, but it requires more than just
a generous heart on Giving Tuesday. We need
year-round generosity. Our God is generous—all
the time. We should be too!
by Darren
Pries-Klassen
Cornelsen,
MFC Executive
Director
Change the
mindset
from scarcity
thinking to
abundance
thinking.
Darren Pries-Klassen is the Executive Director of Mennonite Foundation of Canada. For
information on impulsive generosity, stewardship
education, and estate and charitable gift planning, contact your nearest MFC office or visit
MennoFoundation.ca.
Column • kids’ corner
What happens in March
by Loreena
Thiessen
Activity: Paint with food.
Need:
Cocoa powder, blueberry juice, beet juice, mustard powder, water, water dropper, water color paint brushes, muffin tin, paper
for painting.
Do:
1. Place 1 teaspoon each of dry cocoa powder and mustard
powder into separate muffin tin cups.
2. Add water one drop at a time with the dropper into the dry
powder.
3. Stir until it looks and feels smooth like paint.
4. Put ¼ cup blueberry juice and ¼ cup beet juice separately in
the next two muffin tin cups.
5. Paint a scene using the paint you have just created from food:
cocoa powder for sand, trees, rocks; blueberry juice for sky,
water, clouds; beet juice for the setting sun; mustard powder for
the sun and the sun’s reflection on clouds and on water.
6. You can also try colours made with fresh (not used) coffee
grounds, onion skins, and turmeric powder.
DESIGNPICS
D
uring the winter months the northern
half of the earth is tilted, or turned,
furthest away from the direct rays of
the sun. In fall, daylight gets shorter until the
shortest day of all on December 21.
Because of this tilt away from the sun, sunlight in winter often appears paler; it does not
feel warm on our skin. And the sun is lower in
the sky. Its rays take longer to reach us.
After December 21, the days begin to
lengthen. The time of daylight grows longer each
day.
The earth’s tilt straightens and on March 20
daylight equals nighttime all over the world.
This is known as the vernal equinox. The word
equinox is from the Latin language and means
equal night. The word vernal means spring.
For people living in North America the
vernal equinox is the beginning of a time of renewal. The sun’s rays are more direct and bring
warmth to the earth. The winter resting time for
plants and animals comes to an end and they
begin to stir.
It is a time for renewed life. Temperatures
rise and the earth warms up. The roots of grasses
and trees feel the change and begin new growth.
Insects awaken and begin their tasks of finding
food and organizing themselves as they prepare
for the busy seasons of spring and summer when
their life above ground resumes.
Birds return and in addition to looking for
food they instinctively search for grasses and
twigs to begin building a new nest for a new
batch of eggs.
All of life feels the change, the warmth of
the spring sun, which means new activities can
begin. You are included. You feel excited to run
outside over the grass just starting to green.
You rake the old dried grasses to make space
for new sprouts. You help clean up the garden or
the garage. Perhaps you and your mother plant
seeds or seedlings to form the new garden.
Leaves burst from their buds. The whole
world begins to shimmer in a green glow. And
all around cheerful chirping sounds fill the air. A
new season of life has arrived.
This is when we celebrate Easter. We celebrate the hope for new life because Jesus lives.
Read Luke 24:1-12.
The Messenger
Evangelical Mennonite Conference
440 Main St., Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z5
Publications Mail Agreement #40017362

Parade Or Protest March - Evangelical Mennonite Conference

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