Vol. 43 No. 21 December 14, 2005

Messenger
The
EVANGELICAL MENNONITE CONFERENCE
VOLUME 43 NUMBER 21 DECEMBER 14, 2005
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The
editorials
Messenger
Advent is a time for hope
H
ow hopeful are you this Advent
Season?
Recently at a staff devotional it
was shared that Advent is a time
for waiting, which is difficult for people
used to instant gratification in Canadian
society. I agreed, but suggested that many
people live for now because they lack hope
for the future. The speaker agreed, saying
the Church is to help people find a hopeful
future.
The Christian Church in Canada needs
to work hard at communicating hope!
Some people need hope for today, some for
tomorrow, and some for forever. Jesus is
coming back someday, but how does that
help people struggling today? There is hope
in His presence and His return, but how well
do we communicate and show it?
As an eloquent letter says elsewhere in
this issue, Christians are called to bring
W
Advent can be a
time of grief
ill you grieve this Advent
season?
The original coming of
Christ made angels, shepherds
and Magi rejoice. It also made people
weep; male children were slaughtered in
Bethlehem. Advent, then and now, can be
time of confusion and grief.
Irma Janzen has written, “To some people,
the approaching Christmas season spells
loneliness, darkness, even pain. They don’t
look forward to it. It can be the most difficult
Advent is certainly a time when all people
who fail (and all of us fall short) need to hear
a rich word of grace. How well do our churches
communicate that grace?
season of the year” (What if Christmas isn’t
Merry? Dec. 4, 2002).
“Some people in our congregations get
overtired because they are too busy. Others
overspend and feel guilty.” She writes that
“commercialism and media make much out of
Christmas,” while Christmas reminds some
people how relationships have broken down.
hope into individual lives, even in small
amounts.
Are Christians allowed to see current
blessings even as we look into the future?
Perhaps, for instance, we are disappointed
at recent activities of some Canadian
politicians of all parties. Yet Canada remains
a relatively prosperous, peaceful country
that many refugees only dream of entering.
Advent invites us to be comforted by
great truths: This is God’s world. Christ has
come as our Saviour. God’s Anointed One
lived, died, and rose for our reconciliation.
He calls us together to follow Him. He is the
Hope of the world.
But the hope of Christ is often
communicated through His people in many
small ways to people within and outside of
the Church. May many of us be a messenger
T
of Christ’s hope this season! M
Terry M. Smith
Her article is a sad, necessary reminder.
At Christmas, family times reveal tensions
as well as togetherness—weaknesses as
well as strengths. It can be a mixed time of
joy, stress, and grief.
Advent is certainly a time when all people
who fail (and all of us fall short) need to
hear a rich word of grace. How well do our
churches communicate that grace? How do
we decide who’s in, who’s out, and who’s
welcome?
Perhaps some Christians and congregations unwittingly follow the old
Yuletide song that says he’s making a list and
checking it twice. Gonna find out who’s been
naughty or nice.
There are two flaws in this song: It focuses
on Santa Claus and he operates on the basis
of works. Christ operates on the basis of
grace.
What sort of message does your congregation share, and live, at Christmastime? In
the tension that Christmastime creates in
T
us, O Lord, help us to find your grace. M
Terry M. Smith
EDITOR
Terry M. Smith
ASSISTANT
EDITOR
Rebecca Buhler
THE MESSENGER is the publication
of the Evangelical Mennonite
Conference. It is available to the
general public. Its purpose is to
inform, instruct and inspire: inform
concerning events and activities
in the denomination; instruct in
godliness and victorious living;
inspire to earnestly contend for
the faith.
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expressed by the writers are their
own and do not necessarily
represent the position of the
Conference or the editors.
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twice a month (once a month
in July and August) by the
Board of Church Ministries of
the
Evangelical
Mennonite
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Subscriptions: $12 per year
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MESSENGER SCHEDULE:
No. 01 – January 11
(copy due December 30)
THE MESSENGER
letter
Spoonfuls of hope
I wrote the attached tribute today
after reading some of the recent articles
on the subject of suicide [see Sept.
21, 2005]. The following is a tribute
to anyone out there who holds out
spoonfuls of Hope, and especially to
the few who found little ways of getting
some into me.
X Minus Hope
I see the one
Full
Of theology
Knowledge and the world’s wisdom.
And there’s people—
Yes! People surround
I do not see loneliness.
Yet it’s a fact.
The gnawing void inside the one
And I thought I saw…
There is one
Empty
Having theology
Knowledge and the world’s wisdom.
And people all around.
The empty one begs a spoonful of Hope
I bulldoze some from my pile.
The empty one is scared amidst the
storm
I say, “Wait, there’ll come a rainbow!”
X minus Hope equals nothing.
Nothing plus one drop of Hope equals
Life.
Living my life in thanks,
Daniel Keith Friesen
Ste. Anne, Man.
Names of members at Oasis
Members received at Oasis Church
(see Nov. 16 issue) were Diedrich
and Helen Thiessen, Isaak and
Maria Friesen, Dave and Peggy
Rempel, Ernie and Eva Froes, Abe
and Nettie (missing) Giesbrecht.
Martha and Peter Doerksen knelt
in front.
December 14, 2005
‘Christians most persecuted in world’
International Day of Prayer held November 20
Christians
remain
the
most
persecuted religious group in the
world today. According to the World
Evangelical Alliance, persecution and
discrimination are the daily reality
for more than 230 million Christians
in more than 60 countries around the
world. They are denied their basic
human rights and suffer discrimination
and violence simply because of their
religious beliefs.
While we remain largely free to
practice and profess our faith here in
Canada, the lives of a growing number
of Christians around the world are in
danger. One woman imprisoned for
her faith in Jesus was recently asked
about her sentence. She responded, “I
was sentenced to two years in prison…
The verdict was ‘Believes in God.’ I
remain guilty.” Their daily suffering
goes largely unnoticed. No national
newspaper headlines, no prime-time
television interviews inform us of the
injustices perpetrated upon those that
name Jesus as their Lord.
But they are not forgotten. Every
year in November, Canadian Christians
join with churches from more than
130 countries to stand with these
persecuted believers in prayer during
the International Day of Prayer for
the Persecuted Church (IDOP). Often
called the world’s largest prayer group,
IDOP is the biggest one-day prayer
event in the world, and its focus is on
remembering those Christians that
are suffering on account of their faith.
This year in Canada, IDOP was held on
Sunday, November 20.
This year’s theme was More than
Conquerors, taken from Romans 8.
These verses are a great promise to
those who are suffering with Jesus, who
are giving everything for Him. Theirs is
the promise that though persecutors
can imprison, torture, or even kill,
nothing they will face can remove them
from the grasp of their Father’s love.
This year, churches across Canada
praying specifically for Christians in
Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Myanmar
(Burma), and Somalia. The IDOP
Canada partners have developed
helpful resources to assist churches
and other groups in praying effectively
for these focus countries. To order your
copy of useful resources for the whole
church family, go to www.idop.ca.
The International Day of Prayer
for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) is
an annual event in churches around
the world sponsored by the World
Evangelical Alliance. IDOP Canada
is a partnership formed in 1997 to
encourage churches to observe the
day of prayer. IDOP Canada partners
include the Evangelical Fellowship
of Canada (EFC) Religious Liberty
Commission, Open Doors with Brother
Andrew (Canada), Voice of the Martyrs
(Canada), The Bible League, Christian
Aid Mission and International Christian
Response. Website: www.idop.ca.
IDOP
EMCers and MDS
The following EMCers are serving
or have served recently with MDS:
Dick and Tina Unrau (Steinbach, Man.) in
Arcadia, Florida (project directors, fall
term). Ron and Elaine Enns (Winnipeg,
Man.) in Wauchula, Florida (project
directors, fall term); Milton and Mary
Friesen (Arborg, Man.) in Bayou La
Batre, Alabama (cooks, fall term); Anita
and Neil Friesen (Arborg, Man.) in Pass
Christian, Mississippi (cooks, fall term).
MDS
coming events
January 27–29, 2006
Break Forth Canada
Equipping and Renewal Conference
New Creation Ministries
Shaw Conference Centre
Edmonton, Alberta
780-417-5082
January 27–29
Changed: 2 Corinthians 3:18
Youth Encounter 2006
Providence College
800-668-7769
[email protected]
March 13–15
Revive Your Soul!
Tyndale Pastors and Leaders
Conference
416-226-6620
www.tyndale.ca/revive
to the
M
y favourite Christmas song is Joy to the World
World, a
carol that dates back to 1719. But the inspiration
for it goes back to Psalm 98.
The Psalm speaks of a joy not dependent on
circumstances, but rooted in who God is and what He has
done. It is a joy that ultimately finds its fulfillment in the
Advent of our Lord Jesus Christ.
There are three stanzas to this Psalm of praise, each
building on the other.
We see how time is used: In the first stanza (verses 1 to
3) God is praised for what He has done in the past. In the
second stanza (verses 4 to 6) God is praised for who He is in
the present. The third stanza (verses 7 to 9) praises God for
what He will do in the future.
Further, we hear an increasing volume of praise. At first,
Israel is invited to join the song of joy. Then, all people are
invited: “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.” Finally, all
creation—the sea, rivers and mountains—join in.
Three characteristics of God are highlighted. Together,
these themes grow with mounting excitement and joy.
4
THEMESSENGER
World:
A look at the Psalm
that inspired the song
Remember God our Saviour!
Sing to the LORD a new song, for
he has done marvellous things;
His right hand and his holy arm have
worked salvation for him.
The Psalm begins with the
congregation invited to praise God
for the past salvation which He has
given to Israel. Look at what the
Lord has done, the Psalmist says.
God has rolled up his sleeves; His
holy arm has worked salvation.
The Psalmist doesn’t list a
particular event, most likely
because God’s saving work is
ongoing. Old Testament worshipers
might recall the Exodus from
Egypt, when God delivered Israel
from Pharoah’s power. There
were wars won under Joshua’s
leadership, deliverance from the
Philistines under David, and God’s
bringing back the remnant of Israel
safely from Babylonian exile. The
song likely touched generations
differently, but it was a call for
people to remember what God has
done and to rejoice!
As we read this Psalm, we
recognize God’s saving work
reached its climax when He sent His
Son to rescue a lost world.
The Apostle Paul wrote, “We were
slaves to the spiritual powers of
this world. But when the right time
came, God sent his Son, born of a
December14,005
Pastor Ed Peters
woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for
us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as
his very own children” (Galatians 4:3–6 NLT).
This is God’s ultimate act of deliverance and salvation, the
foundation for all celebration at Christmastime. God came
down in person to be our Saviour, the One who would rescue
us, giving us meaning, purpose and eternal life.
Remembering God’s saving work on our behalf leads to joy
today. We might not experience a postcard Christmas with
everything in its place, but the season’s joy doesn’t depend
on gifts under the tree, Christmas turkey, or a family to
celebrate with. These are nice, but if we depend on them our
joy will be fragile.
Sometimes pastors struggle with Christmas: “How am I going
to find an angle on Christmas that people haven’t already heard
before?” Perhaps we shouldn’t feel guilty to repeat what has
been heard before. After all, annual celebrations like Christmas
are to cause us to look back. We are to remember not only a
sentimental story of a baby born in a stable and placed in a
manger, but the saving work of our God.
5
Look back and rejoice in God
our Saviour. In no other time has
God so rolled up his sleeve and
revealed his deliverance more
dramatically than when He became
flesh, lived among us, took our sin’s
punishment by giving his life and
conquering death’s power through
the resurrection. Remember the
salvation God won on our behalf.
This is the heart of Christmas joy,
a foundation that circumstances
cannot shake.
Celebrate God
our King!
Shout for joy to
the LORD, all the
earth, burst into
jubilant song
with music.
Verses 4 to
6 invite us to
praise and make
music, even shout
for joy because our
God rules as King.
And, again, the Lord’s
coming to Earth at Christmas has
brought the realty of God’s rule to a
new dimension.
When Magi from the East brought
gifts to the Child, it wasn’t charity
for one born in poverty. Gifts of
gold, frankincense, and myrrh
were reserved for royalty. They
recognized Jesus as King and
worshiped Him.
When angels lit up the sky with
their praises, scaring unsuspecting
shepherds, they didn’t do it because
the Baby was cute. Praise was given
because these heavenly beings
recognized the King of Glory.
Even Herod, the puppet king
of Judea, acknowledged that this
child was king. In his paranoia, he
ordered male infants in Bethlehem,
two years and under, to be killed.
Imagine this rich, powerful king who
commanded armies, known in his
day as Herod the Great, threatened
by an infant born in a stable.
6
However, the big king died and today is remembered as the
little king; and the little King grew up and became Jesus,
King of Kings, who rules the hearts of believers who submit
their lives to Him.
Await the Coming Judge!
Finally, the Psalm looks to God, who will come to judge
the earth. Its praise gets louder. Not only do Israel and the
people of the Earth praise God, creation joins the song.
I love the imagery: Let the seas resound, and everything
in it, the world and all who live in it. Let the rivers clap their
hands, let the mountains sing for joy; Let them sing before the
Lord, for he comes to judge the earth
earth.
When you walk outside and hear the wind, see
the sparkle of fresh snow, and shimmering of the
stars, do you consider it a chorus of praise to
its Maker? It is.
When the Judge of the Earth comes, the curse’s
power is finally removed. Not only will creation
be freed, but you and I as well. This is our
glorious hope!
Praise by creation is also found in the New
Testament. In Romans 8, the apostle Paul says
For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day
when God will reveal who his children really are. Against
its will, everything on earth was subjected to God’s curse. All
creation anticipates the day when it will join God’s children in
glorious freedom from death and decay (see 8:18–25).
When the Judge of the Earth comes, the curse’s power is
finally removed. Not only will creation be freed, but you and
I as well. This is our glorious hope!
Life has its heartaches—broken relationships, sickness,
other hardships. On Christmas Day we recall this Child will
return as the Judge. In righteousness He will restore His
people. There will be no more curse. Let all creation sing for
joy!
This year as you sing Joy to
the World! the Lord is come; Let
earth receive her King, do it with
enthusiasm. Christians, of all
people, have received a joy that
no circumstance can shatter.
Christ is our Saviour, King, and
coming Judge. And everyone is
T
invited to join in! M
Ed Peters is senior pastor at
Evangelical Fellowship Church in
Steinbach, Man.
THEMESSENGER
with our missionaries
Arabia
Folk Islam and freedom in Christ
“Don’t take your trash out at dusk!”
a neighbour warned in a hushed voice.
“That’s the time when the Jinn is
loose!”
For many Arab people belief in
the Jinn—a powerful demon—is real,
causing them to look over their shoulder
to pinpoint an unknown noise.
Many believe that the bathroom or
toilet is where the Jinn lives, causing
them to cut short the call of nature. A
Christian was reprimanded for wanting
to leave gospel tracts in public toilets:
“You don’t want to stoop as low as
that! People will not read it, or use it
to wipe the smile off a Jinn’s face. You
just don’t want your gospel to be on
the same low level as the feared one.”
Some believe the Jinn lives in the ruins
of old buildings, giving them a ghostly
creaking atmosphere.
The occult and supernatural are alive
in most Arab towns. It is not uncommon
to hear of faith healers who mumble
Koranic recitations over the sick or wash
off the words of a favourite verse into a
glass of magical water for the patient to
drink. Some faith healers burn the sick
with hot irons to “chase the Jinn away!”
Many pilgrims visiting Mecca every
year bring back containers of Zamzam
water, supposedly from the well where
Hagar and Ishmael found life-giving
water. “It is quite an uncanny sight,
seeing the pilgrims stepping from the
plane, each one holding on to a five-litre
transparent plastic bottle as if it is the
answer to all of their life’s problems,”
said a visitor to the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia.
In the shade of the ancient fort of
Bahla in Oman, you discover the town
to be a centre of occultic power. Over
the years amulets, beads, and other
But freedom—it’s all in this amazing
grace through which you and I find
freedom. And all over the country there
are messengers of this freedom—the
true freedom.
Hearing this tune I couldn’t help but
think of the request of this country for
thousands of English teachers. “Come,”
they say, “and we’ll give you free housing,
a salary, airfare.”
A few days before I met a local house
church leader who shared how she came
to faith through the witness of three
foreign English teachers. It took three
consecutive foreign English teachers
over a three-year period till she gave her
life to Christ. Amazing grace reached
her through an English teacher.
There are still countless campuses
where these classes and a furnished
apartment wait for a teacher. Will you
go? It’s all about amazing grace!
A follower of Christ
objects were developed to protect a
home or person from the evil one, cause
an enemy to become sick, or change
the outcome of fate. Is it no wonder that
there are few believers in Christ here?
“You can feel the fear, the darkness, the
hopelessness,” one person wrote.
The belief in ghosts and spirits is
real for many local people, fearing
supernatural influence in daily life. A
popular amulet, similar to a Catholic
rosary, has 33 beads that keep the
fingers occupied, reminding them of
the 99 names of Allah. According to
one tradition only a camel knows the
hundredth name.
How can Islam and the occult exist
side by side? “Theology is for the men;
folk Islam is for the women,” explained
one wise Arab lady. If you visit a
bookshop in the Arabian Peninsula,
you’d be amazed at how many occultic
books are for sale next to the shelves
of Islamic theology and prescriptions.
Most of the New Age collection seems to
live side by side in peace and harmony
with the official faith.
“People are always in search of
answers to their lives’ problems—if
Islam does not have the answer, they will
keep on looking until they find someone
or something with more power,” it’s
said. It’s an interesting blend between
orthodox views and popular beliefs,
brewing up hope for yet another day.
The bumper sticker No Fear became
a trademark for some fashion designers,
so that you would see the words on many
a surfboard or skateboard, defying the
threat of death, yet warning the user
that it might be real too.
“Why are you not afraid?” many a
Christian worker was asked by Muslims
over the years when confronted with
popular beliefs. The Christian message
of hope in a world riddled with fear is
definitely attractive. It is one of the
most beautiful sights to see someone
transformed by Christ from a life of fear
to a life of hope and destiny.
A follower of Jesus
This EMCer serves in a country where it’s
best not to be identified.
A follower of Jesus works where it’s better
not to be identified.
China
Airport amazement
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound!
What was I hearing? I was sitting in
an airport waiting for my flight which
was delayed for three hours. It was a
beautiful quiet lounge, and I decided
to plug in my computer and do some
emails while I waited.
Amazing Grace in an airport in this
country? I looked around to see where
this melody was being sung, though to
different words than the original. I found
the TV monitor and got a glimpse of the
picture and saw the last line of the lyric
they were singing.
The setting was a beautiful, scenic
spot with an emerald looking lake in the
background. A well-dressed youth choir
was standing on the lake’s edge singing
in beautiful harmony. I read the last
line of the lyric as this choir finished: A
future bright and free.
This is the desire of the people here
and they are making progress in gaining
greater political freedom. The country
is taking giant strides in economic
advancement; the economy is booming.
December 14, 2005
window on missions
Ken Zacharias
Three influences toward missions
R
eflecting back on people and events, I see
three influences on my desire to be involved in
missions.
These memories are simple everyday
experiences that may be common to many who have
grown up in a Christian environment. They stem back
to my childhood and youth years, and indicate that God
often works through others to encourage us to pursue
what He loves.
My Mother: When I was a child my mother often told
me she was praying that I would become a missionary
doctor. The Lord knew better than to put a scalpel in my
hand, but he did honour her greater prayer.
She was a woman of faith and deeply cared for other
people. This extended itself to missionaries and the
people they worked with, even though she would never
meet them personally. I believe her prayer life prepared
me to be ready for people that the Lord would put into
my life to both influence me and to confirm His will for
me.
As parents, we have an important responsibility to
pray for our children. This is a privilege that we have,
and I encourage you not to be shy in telling them that
you are praying for them. As you pray, ask that the Lord
will prepare your children for their future vocation and
that they will have an openness to doing the Lord’s will.
And as we pray, let’s be careful that we do not limit
God. We will need to be accepting if He chooses to use
our children to serve Him cross-culturally.
Local Church: I am thankful for the local church.
Through its ministries and testimony, the church helps
our children learn to honour God by serving Him. An
area of church life that is important for our children
is the missions emphasis within its programs. These
programs also include arms of the church that it
financially supports, such as Bible camps.
Missionaries: As a child and young teen, I attended
Rosthern Youth Farm Bible Camp. An annual guest
speaker for a ten-year period was Don Clarke, a
missionary with The Leprosy Mission. He was
passionate about his ministry and burdened for those
who suffered with this terrible disease. As he shared,
the Spirit spoke.
Mr. Clarke did not make me feel guilty, but rather left
me with an appreciation of his sincerity and passion for
those he cared for so much. It’s interesting that, years
later in Paraguay, my ministry in part would also touch
the lives of some of those afflicted with leprosy.
8
When I was 16, Betty Ratzlaff, a missionary with
TEAM, came to my mission-minded home church to
speak about her ministry on the island of Aruba. She
was involved with a youth centre and camp ministry. I
did not know her previously, nor did I have contact with
her following the service.
What she shared that evening, however, left a lasting
impression on me to include cross-cultural missions as
a possibility for my life. It was not on my mind every
day, but the Lord was again preparing me for ministry
years later.
My personal experience is not unique. Often a
church’s missions program is instrumental in setting
the direction for people’s involvement in missions. I
encourage churches to continue having missionaries be
a vital part of your church life.
Let’s continue to give our children the opportunity to
be challenged and to consider involvement in missions
as a life vocation.
Think back on who
God has used to lead
you to where you are
now. Who will the
Lord use to touch
your children as you
pray for them in your
home? It is often the
Evangelical Mennonite Conference
unknown, seemingly
Board of Missions
insignificant
[email protected]
encouragements have
204-326-6401
a long-term impact.
In preparing this
article, I located and
talked with both Don
Clarke and Betty
Ratzlaff. It has been
more than 30 years
since I last saw them
and heard their
passion; it was good
to make contact with
them once again and
to say thank you.
I trust that some of
you will have a similar
reason to say thank
T
you in the future. M
Where is the
road
leading you?
THEMESSENGER
Papua New Guinea
See you, Son!
Word came that Son, a Pukapuki
believer, was close to death. He had
gone to a relative’s house on a small
stream off the April River. We decided to
see him by boat. Partway there, James,
a church leader, asked if we could bring
Son out to Pukapuki so his family could
be with him.
I asked James, before we got to the
Towe River, if we had any obstacles to
get through. River travel, especially on
smaller streams, comes with unknowns.
Has a big tree fallen over, blocking the
way? Is the water too high to get under
that hanging log or too low to get over
another log? We’d see.
If you like travelling in a straight line,
don’t travel the Sepik rivers. Constantly
turning corners often go opposite to
what they were a minute before. We made
good progress and then there is that big
log, still hanging over. If we remove the
motor and slide the boat under a high
spot we might make it. Everyone got to
the front to lower the boat, then to the
back. We squeezed through.
Two bends later two big trees, still
green and bushy, completely blocked
the way. Pukapuki men with bush knives
can clear out a mass of branches in a
hurry, but is this one too much? With
prayer and work we made it through.
It was too far to walk. Then we saw
a break in the bank. If we could get the
boat through that we’d save time. Oh, for
a canoe! Going the long way, we made it
as far as we could by boat and started
walking through the mud and sago
thorns until the house was in view.
That morning’s cruise reminds me
of another journey we are on: That of
living and working here in Pukapuki.
Bringing the Gospel’s light and watching
this church grow has its obstacles too.
The old way of thinking is so strong in
people’s lives. It seems many will never
escape from the lies Satan has held
them under.
New thinking for Pukapuki, but not at
all new in this world, is the pursuit of
money and the happiness they think that
will bring. Many professing Christians
have taken up this pursuit with all their
hearts. Sometimes our own thinking
gets in the way. We are delayed by this.
But then, something really encouraging
happens in a believer’s life and progress
is made.
The way is seldom clear. Often it
seems like we are heading in the wrong
direction or the next obstacle is too
big. But that’s our perspective. God is
far above that. He sees the bends, the
obstacles, and He even sees our final
destination. God is building his church.
Our job is to keep pressing on and
looking up.
Son made it back to Pukapuki. He
spent a few days with family. He’s now
at the final destination waiting for the
rest of us to make it. Son loved music
and composed a few songs that we sing
in church. A translation of one goes:
You all listen,
God is calling us to come.
Calling us to His place.
I’m looking forward to that. See you,
Son.
Tim and Laurel Schroder
Son, a Pukapuki believer, is now with Jesus.
Bible Study Guides • Available at SBC
Foundations Bible Studies are written by SBC faculty and/or students.
Ideal for adult Sunday school class or small group study.
Choose from the following:
Laurel and Tim Schroder (Pelly), with
Rylan, Jesse and Joanna, serve with New
Tribes Mission in Papua New Guinea.
December 14, 2005
God, Money, and Me by Edwin Friesen
Come Let Us Worship by Dr. Don Thiessen
The Last Trumpet by Dr. Harvey Plett
Living Truth by Dr. Terry Hiebert
Radical Discipleship by Jack Heppner
Hebrews (2nd printing) by SBC students with
Leader guide by Dr. Harvey Plett
Minor Prophets (2nd printing) by SBC students
with Leader guide by Gord Penner
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For more information or to place an order contact SBC
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with our churches
Young people travel to Chicago
Swift Current, Sask.: Our young people
had a marvelous learning experience in
Chicago, Illinois, for a week. They
ministered to many people of different
creeds, backgrounds and skin colours
in one of the larger centres in America.
Just the vastness of this city and the
poverty in the midst of wealth was a
real eye-opener for young people from
small-town Canada. They were under
the supervision of our youth pastor
Bryon Bezanson, Christine Friesen, Tyler
Friesen and Janell Olfert.
In late August our church held its
annual family camp at Elim Gospel Beach,
located at Lac Pelletier, a recreation lake
about 25 miles southeast of Swift Current.
It was delightful to get to know Larry
Parcheuer from Word of Life Ministries
(Saskatoon), his wife Janet and three
children. Larry’s presentations were
thought provoking and left everyone
with material to mull over and put into
practice.
The weather was super and there
were activities for everyone. The water
was where the kids spent their time.
Family camp was well attended and we
are waiting for next year to roll around.
Thanks go to our planning committee
for a job well done: Gord and Niomi
As part of the activities at Southside Park, a large
number of coloured balloons were released into the
sky and Swift Current members watched until they
could see them no more; this was to symbolize the
disappearance of cancer from Faith Krahn’s body.
10
Fehr, Dave and Lorraine Dyck, Kevin and
Trudy Banman, and Bryon and Janice
Bezanson.
As the summer drew to a close, so
did Faith Krahn’s cancer treatments. We
have prayed for her as she had chemo
and then radiation treatments. She has
been a real trooper, never missing at
playing music in church or other related
activities. It has been draining on her at
times. She is such a delightful, talented
lady and we as a church are so blessed
by her presence among us.
To celebrate the close of her
treatments we all gathered for an
afternoon weiner roast and picnic at
Southside Park on Sunday, September 18.
A potluck lunch was held. Thanks to Bill
and Brenda Martens for looking after the
arrangements for this event.
During October 15­–18 we had our
annual missions conference. This kicked
off on Saturday, October 15, with a men’s
breakfast with speaker Jim Ginther.
Two services and a harvest celebration
potluck lunch were held on Sunday.
Services were held on Monday and
Tuesday evenings. Ladies night was
Monday; missionaries Doris Friesen
(Paraguay) and Catherine Thiessen
(Mexico) were involved.
Our speaker was Len Nation, a
candidate secretary for TEAM. The
conference’s theme was Answer the Call.
We also had missionary reports from
Doris Friesen and Catherine Thiessen.
The four session topics were Salvation:
The Call that Rescues; Sanctification: The
Call that Reforms; Evangelism: The Call
that Employs; and Missions: The Call that
Deploys.
Nation gave an excellent presentation,
emphasizing that God does not issue
the next call until we have answered
the previous one. He used stories from
his life and the lives of other Christians
to illustrate the process whereby God
calls us to follow Him fully. We praise
God for the generous offerings of over
$20,000. (Thanks to Harv Engel, missions
committee chairman, for helping with
this report.)
A 50th wedding anniversary is always
a time to celebrate. Our church had
two such celebrations this summer and
fall. Congratulations go to Bill and Kay
Neustater, and Jake and Irene Braun.
May God grant you many more years
together!
Keith Clothier
Family camp was held at Elim Gospel Beach, located at Lac Pelletier.
THE MESSENGER
Pastor speaks on Ancient Wisdom
MacGregor, Man.: We have enjoyed
some great messages this summer from
our new pastor Bill McCaskell. The
first topic was of Ancient Wisdom from
the book of Proverbs. We learned what
true wisdom was: How we needed to be
careful of what we said, to watch out
for pride and the seduction of sin, how
we need to care for the defenseless—
starting in our own community, how
to deal with money, the value of good
friendships, integrity, honesty and
truthfulness.
Menno and Elvina Hamm and Evelyn
Thiessen spent a month in El Paso, Texas,
this summer, where they looked after
the EMC mission guest house.
During September our Ministerial
ladies had a grand idea of sharing
potluck lunches after our church
services. It was a great way to visit and get to know other church members on a
more personal basis. Thanks, ladies, for
the great idea.
Our church building will soon
be debt free, thanks in part to
the purchase of the church manse
by the new pastor. This will be an exciting day which we will let you all
know about in a future report.
Sunday school has begun, children’s
church is happening and Boys Brigade
just started. Small groups are meeting,
ladies are meeting to pray, others to
study the Bible. Youth will soon begin as
we just hired a part-time Youth Pastor—
Eric Buhr. The youth enjoyed a hayride
near Spruce Woods Park to start off the
year.
Our second teaching series was The
Heart of the Matter. The heart is who we
are, the real self, the truest self. It was
enlightening to search within ourselves
to discover who we are and who we are
meant to be.
The ministerial and board members
together with their spouses met for a
few days of renewal and sharing at The
Ridge in Ninette, Man. It was a beautiful
location and we were blessed and filled
with love for each other.
We continue to grow in our
relationship with our Lord, and it is our
desire to share His love with those
around us.
Elizabeth Sawatzky
December 14, 2005
Our new pastoral
family: Stephen,
Pastor Bill and wife
Bev, and Brendan
McCaskell.
MacGregor youth held a hay ride near Spruce Woods Park.
Much to give thanks for
Rosenort EMC (Man.): A Thanksgiving
supper, the first held in our church for
well over five years, was well attended on
Friday, October 7. A slide show, singing,
and much visiting were tremendous
with the funds raised going toward our
building project.
Many volunteers from our church
are enthused about the renovation and
addition underway at our local MCC
Thrift Shop in Morris. It is a practical
outreach, both locally and around the
world, and we look forward to more
space for efficiency’s sake.
Our Wednesday night AWANA club
continues to be well attended with over
100 children meeting on a weekly basis,
some who come from unchurched
families. Practical applications include
the older clubbers learning to take
notes during sermons, interviewing
older couples about their marriages,
doing devotions daily and learning to
tithe towards missions. Thanks to the
volunteers who are seeding the Word of
God faithfully.
Pastor George Toews has preached an
excellent series based on the Articles of
Faith of the EMC. It has been meaningful
to recite them aloud, as we’ve studied
(continued page 12)
11
Region 6 Mission Conference
Open your eyes! Become Involved!
Kent Dueck ended a great weekend
with the mandate: We must “open our
eyes wide to see the rejected, the wealthy,
the desperate, the competent, the
incompetent, the healed, the broken, the
desirable and undesirable. We must ask
the question who have we been ignoring,
who is least likely.”
“We are called to the harvest,” he said.
“The seeders should sow, the feeders
should pray/encourage and the fuelers
should give generously.”
Kent Dueck captivated listeners
at the Region 6 Mission Conference
with his intense passion for the lost,
through humorous storytelling and deep
challenge. Using the story of the Little
Red Hen as an example, he emphasized
that “a healthy harvest will evade us if we
don’t understand it begins in the spring.”
Jesus’ parable of the Sower and the
Seed was given a fresh look. Kent spoke
in powerful word pictures, sharing the
thoughts of the various seeds that fell on
various types of soil to much laughter. He
challenged us to seed like that farmer—
indiscriminately, recklessly, all the time.
No soil sampling—just a joy in sharing
the Word of God. Kent compared many
of us to Jonah or Moses who avoided the
call with excuses and unwillingness.
The worship team, comprised of
musicians from every church, led in
powerful singing throughout the weekend.
Saturday was spent by many Region
6ers in practical service volunteering at
Siloam Mission, Winnipeg Harvest, MCC
Winnipeg and Plum Coulee. Others were
challenged by training seminars led by
the Billy Graham Telephone Ministry,
a prayer walk seminar and learning to
witness in the marketplace.
Joyfully we heard and celebrated the
unfolding story of the Oak Bluff Bible
Church. Seeds planted with prayer and
VBS outreach by Rosenort Fellowship are
growing to fruition years later. We must
continue to pray for this tremendous
work of the Lord. Offerings were taken for
both Inner City Youth Alive and the new
church in our region. During these times
of giving some talented youth, including
Jordan Friesen, Taralee Hildebrand, and
Stefan Kornelsen, praised God by playing
beautiful songs on the keyboard.
The November 4–6 Mission Conference weekend in Morris was well attended, and special thanks go to those who
worked so hard at organizing it.
Lorilee Scharfenberg
Sandy and Kent Dueck. Kent is the director of
Inner City Youth Alive in Winnipeg, Man.
(continued from page 11)
Children were challenged to read the Bible daily and live for Jesus by Uncle Harold, a gentleman who has
been in children’s ministry for years. The seeds he has planted or watered will bear fruit in the years to
come.
12
them. It is a good refresher course for
those of us who were baptized many
years ago and a solid introduction
for those who are new to our church
and conference. Especially thought
provoking was reciting the section
on being people of peace just after
Remembrance Day.
A group led by Clint Brandt is
actively leading youth events and
Bible studies on a monthly basis in
Woodlands, Man., in order to disciple
the youth that have been reached
by our long-running Vacation Bible
School programs.
Frank and Marge Kroeker led a
workteam, primarily of couples from
Rosenort area churches, to Paraguay
for most of the month of November.
Kroekers will be staying for three
months, encouraging the churches, the
radio work, and fellow missionaries.
Lorilee Scharfenberg
THE MESSENGER
I wonder
Twinkle, twinkle, bright blue star
Up above the heav’n so far
Makes me ponder as I gaze…
Questions of those by-gone days.
Were you shining your bright light
When the Saviour came that night
In the barn in Bethlehem
With the oxen, sheep, and lamb?
Did you see as Mary dear
And her Joseph very near
Watched the Christ child as he lay
Warm and cozy on the hay?
Did you see the shepherds come
To the manger one by one?
Did you hear their praises ring
To their Saviour, Lord, and King?
Did you watch as time went by,
Jesus Christ was led to die
For the sins of all the world
As words of shame and insults
hurled?
Are you watching now from high,
As the days and years go by,
Pain and sorrow all around
Sin and evil still abound?
As I ponder wrong and right
What would I have done that night?
Would I have given up my bed
For the Christ to lay his head?
Could it be that I would let
Christ be crucified…and that
With no thought of sin and shame
Let Him take on all the blame?
You are still up in the sky,
Eternity is drawing nigh;
Everything will soon be clear
When in heaven we appear.
Twinkle on, then, bright blue star
Faithful, shining where you are,
Guiding us to look above
And receive God’s gift of love.
Child on the Hay
What can I bring Him,
this Child on the hay;
Born in a manger,
on Christmas Day?
As the wise men before Him,
rich gifts shall I bring;
An offering of love,
as in praises, I sing.
And I’ll follow that Star,
like the shepherds that night,
which guided them onward,
to that Holy Light.
For Christ is the Child
born on that hay;
Where He came down from Heaven,
in men’s hearts to stay.
I’ll love and adore Him,
each day my heart give,
to that Child in the manger,
my life in his, live.
For He is my Saviour,
my Lord and my King;
Who died on the cross,
my salvation to bring.
Then with him forever,
in Heaven I’ll reign;
Shout praises of glory
to His Holy Name.
So what can I bring Him,
this Child on the hay?
I’ll bring Him my heart,
on this Christmas Day!
Eleanor Lee Gustaw
Betty K. Siemens
December14,005
13
Prayer, retreat, and missions
Pleasant Valley, Man.: As we read the
different church reports, ours fits right in
with all the summer events—VBS, camps,
church picnics, bridal showers, EMC
convention. It’s all par for the season,
and something we have in common.
Our area churches scheduled a prayer
vigil this summer. Pleasant Valley alone
had different people praying in 15-minute
segments for a 24-hour period.
This meant prayer coverage for
churches, personal lives, and any other
community area—be it business, sports,
schools. It was later revealed how exciting
and challenging it was for many people.
Some would hang out a not available sign
on their outside door, while others got
up during the night in their time slot.
One couple took a 4 a.m. ride through
town, praying as they went.
Many testimonials were heard about
how they were blessed by setting a
special time for prayer. What has been
done for the area is up to the Lord to work
out. For our congregation, our vision and
goals are to be a praying people and to
exercise our hospitality gifts.
PV just had a wonderful retreat at
Wilderness Edge, Pinawa. Credit goes
to the fellowship committee for the
amazing planning. There was no cooking
or washing dishes as we were catered
to. Crokinole and Scrabble tournaments
were held, and an exhilarating Amazing
Race (oh, the excitement of this event!)
occurred. There was a photo corner for
families, a talent night, and hikes. The
Lord blessed us with great weather.
Our pastor Darren Plett presented a
message series on the theme of But you
are a chosen people from 2 Peter 2:9.
You are Chosen, You are Royalty, You are
Holy—and all through the sacrifice of
Jesus Christ.
He chooses us, but it’s still our choice
to accept this. When we’ve chosen Him,
He says we’re heirs—hence royalty,
children of the King. Through His shed
blood He declares us holy. The Holy
Spirit impressed on us how privileged we
are in Christ. Sharing communion was
the seal on our revived souls.
Mission conferences are upon us
again. We’ve had a year of personal
insights into the lives and work of many
of our missionaries. Four couples went
to the Philippines to work alongside Carl
and Lisa Loewen with Action. Then in July
after the EMC convention, some couples
visited Ed and Joy Loewen in Edmonton.
In October Reg Rempel, with Harvest
Deaf Ministries in Georgia (U.S.), gave a
report on his work. Donevon and Beth
Loewen plan to come for Christmas with
their family. We’ll be hearing reports
about their work with YWAM in Denver,
Colorado. All these visits tie in well with
the purposes of missions conferences.
Eleanor Rempel
Fall and a fun evening
Taber, Alta.: Fall is one of the most
beautiful seasons. Warm colours, fresh
fruit and vegetables come to mind when
I envision the season. God is so good to
us and we have so much to be thankful
for. We had our annual Thanksgiving
potluck which was delicious as always,
with plates loaded with turkey, stuffing,
and potatoes.
On October 31 we had a fun evening
at a local gym. There were a lot of games
for children as well as for adults. Some
participated in a pumpkin carving
contest. David Dyck won with the most
creative pumpkin.
This year everyone was also
challenged to use their creativity and
make a unique hat. Some came with
straw hats, while others came with a
good ole Mexican sombrero. The winner
for the hat competition was Agatha
Banman with her straw hat covered in
bright streamers.
The evening went on with praise and
worship singing, and finished with a
game of volleyball.
Tina Dyck
Agatha Reimer, Eva Koethler,
and Shirley Fehr stand in line
to be judged on the most
creative hat.
Jeremiah Wall is encouraged by Pastor Edwin Plett to try the apple
dunking contest. The water was just too cold for him but he gets an
A+ for trying.
14
Abe Dyck and Jacob Sawatzky enjoy
the games in their sombreros. Abe
Dyck completed his outfit with a
pair of old-fashioned overalls.
THE MESSENGER
Dynamic faith displayed at Riverton
Riverton, Man.: Kelsey Plett and Evan
Kornelsen traveled to Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania, by car in January to spend
two and a half months rebuilding homes
damaged by flooding. The flooding was
due to heavy rains, the hilly countryside,
and improper drainage.
The project, directed by long-term
MDS volunteers, included cleanup,
drywalling, taping and painting. During
free time, there was opportunity to tour
the city as well as an Amish community
in Ohio. The blessings received were
the daily changes noted in the families
involved. Quiet depression following
disaster changed into happy and
expressive appreciation.
Trudie Kehler reports, “I had the
privilege of serving under the MCC
SOOP (Service Opportunities for Older
Persons) program in Phoenix, Arizona,
in March. Our family of 11 to 13 shared
a four-bedroom house and two camping
trailers on the yard. Our mornings were
spent volunteering at a variety of local
posts, and the afternoons were enjoyed
at home—basking in the sun—going for
walks and doing our household chores.
“Supper was family time, with
everyone taking a turn in the kitchen.
Rousing table games took us well into
bedtime. On weekends we would attend
our local supporting church and get
in as many hiking and sightseeing
adventures as we could. This half work/
half play arrangement has really made
my vacations meaningful!”
Hillary Timmons, serving in Africa
under AIM, writes, “Having spent nine
months working with children in Uganda,
I often ask myself, ‘Am I really making
a difference here?’ Uganda is a nation
filled with Christianity, and I never really
feel like a missionary here. But as the
saying goes, Africans have much more to
teach me than I have to teach them! I am
daily seeing God’s faithfulness and, as I
don’t have anyone to confide in, I have
strengthened my relationship to God to
a friendship, and I am excited to see what
else he has to teach me in the next two
months!”
Evonne Plett is serving a four-month
term in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, with
Action International Ministries. She is
teaching English through Shalom Church
as part of their evangelical outreach and
development program.
Along with the church’s English
clubs and tutoring, she teaches at the
pastor’s wife’s beauty salon, where
December 14, 2005
she is encouraged to use the Bible as a
teaching tool. Cambodians are eager to
learn English from foreigners and are
finding themselves intrigued with this
man named Jesus and the people who
claim to follow him. What an opportunity
to share the hope that we profess!
Shannon Kornelsen teaches English
in Vientiane, Laos, to grade ones at
Donkoi Children’s Development Centre,
as well as a group of grades three to five.
Evenings are spent at Quest College,
with students ranging in age from teens
to middle age.
“The first eight weeks of my one year
MCC SALT (serving and learning together)
assignment as an English teacher has
been nothing short of stretching. At
times I wondered how I would manage
the constant bombardment of everything
foreign.
“In the midst of addictions and other
social issues prevalent throughout this
country, there is still an element of peace
that I find here. As I live each new day
among my Buddhist host family, local
villagers, and national staff and students,
I learn the significance of constantly
abiding in Jesus our Lord. He is the true
vine. Apart from Him, we can do nothing
(John 15:3).”
Carol Kornelsen
Nicolas Kornelsen and Chantal Kovacs participated
in baptism upon confession of faith on June 19,
2005, at Riverton Gospel Chapel. Pastor Don
Timmons stands with them.
Babies dedicated
Portage la Prairie, Man.: Portage Evangelical Church
held a baby dedication on October 23, 2005: Rob
and Sherry Campbell with son Ty, and Tim and Betty
Neufeld with Caleb and Carrisa. Pastor Glenn Loewen
led in the baby dedication.
Catherine Epp
15
a womanʼs journey of faith
Betty Koop
Home for Christmas!
E
xcitement crackled in the air! It was early
December 1972 and a big box had arrived at
our Virginia home packed by our family back in
Manitoba.
As we opened the box and took out a series of brightly
wrapped packages, our three young sons could scarcely
contain their excitement. Since we would not be able to go
home for Christmas, we decided to wait with opening the
gifts till Christmas morning. It might help us feel closer to
our far-away loved ones on that day when families want to
be together.
But at the bottom of the box was a thin, flat package and
my husband exclaimed, “I’m sure that’s a picture!”
This I could not resist. The wrappings fell quickly and I
found myself looking into the gently smiling faces of
my parents.
Suddenly everything
in the room seemed
blurred as if a mist
had descended
from the
mountains.
As I tried
to clear
my eyes, a
wave of selfpity swept
over me.
Why did
my husband have
to choose a seminary
half a continent removed from
our families? What would Christmas be
like without seeing them? Of course, I was conveniently
forgetting that I had been just as excited about the move,
and just as anxious for him to continue his theological
studies as he had been.
December flashed by, filled with pleasant Christmas
preparations. But it did not seem like a “back home”
Christmas without a blanket of snow outside.
Our church was also making preparations for this
sacred holiday. My husband had been assigned to this
pastorate through the seminary field work office and
we had only been attending there since November. It
was located about ten miles—and numberless hills and
curves—from our Harrisonburg home, and was one of
the oldest in the Shenandoah Valley. The solid red brick
structure stood guard over a sea of ancient tombstones.
To us, with a traditional Mennonite background, it was
a new experience to take leadership in a church with an
16
equally traditional Reformed background. It was just not
quite like home.
Soon Christmas Eve came and the church gathered for
a midnight candlelighting service. As I sat in the back pew
with my sleepy-eyed boys, the strains of O Come All Ye
Faithful sung by the candle-bearing choir as it moved down
the aisle, filled me with anticipation. Maybe I could forget
my “home for Christmas” longings at least for a while.
The singing of the beautiful Christmas carols, the
reading of the familiar “and she brought forth her first
born son,” and even the touching story of The Little
Drummer Boy who is so eager to play for the newborn
Babe, seemed to bring the angels very near.
“How are we receiving the news of Jesus’ birth today?”
asked my husband as he began his meditation.
“King Herod received it with hatred
and hostility; the religious
leaders of Jesus’
day received
it with cold
indifference;
the Wise
Men
received
it with
joy and
worship.”
I tried to
assimilate all
this as I tended to
my over-tired youngsters.
Maybe my attitude had been
more of selfishness than of joy, more of
indifference than of true worship.
Then the auditorium lights went out and slowly tiny
pinpricks of light began to appear as the acolytes moved
down the aisle to light the little candles held by the
congregation.
Joy to the world! the Lord is come; Let earth receive her
King echoed in the rafters of the church and then outside
under the stars as the whole group marched out of the
sanctuary, their candles flickering in the light breeze.
It was midnight—Christmas day had come! The warm
good wishes of our dear, new friends filled the air and we
seemed to be enveloped in love.
T
Suddenly I realized: We were home for Christmas! M
A previous version of this article was published in The Carillon,
Christmas issue, 1973.
THEMESSENGER
November 21
Southern Manitoba post-secondary
supper held in Winnipeg
On the evening of November 21, 2005,
a southern Manitoba post-secondary
student appreciation supper was held at
Fort Garry EMC in Winnipeg, Man.
Although attendance was light,
students came from Red River College,
Canadian
Mennonite
University,
University of Winnipeg, and University
of Manitoba; a number had previously
studied at Steinbach Bible College. They
represented a range of programs and
majors.
Gerald Reimer, conference youth
minister, welcomed students, a board
member, and staff to the gathering.
People spent time getting to know each
other.
Terry Smith, BCM executive secretary; and Mark von Kampen, U. of M.
Mennonite chaplain, spoke of their work.
Shawn Reimer and Julia Klassen led in
singing.
Ken Zacharias, EMC foreign secretary,
spoke on Truth and Fiction: The Battle
for Your Mind. In his reading and TV
watching, he prefers truth over fiction.
God has created an orderly world, and
yet miracles can happen, he said.
Drawing upon Lee Stroebel’s book The
Case for Christ, Ken reminded students
that the Oklahoma City bomber Timothy
McVeigh was convicted by circumstantial
evidence; similarly, the Christian faith
is based on evidence, both direct and
circumstantial.
Why does no other first-century Jewish
leader today have millions of followers?
he asked. It was Paul’s clear belief that
Jesus was God; this is a starting part in
my faith, said Ken.
Zacharias also referred to Greg
Laurie’s The Great Compromise, where
the author warns Christians against
compromising in various ways, lest we
become like a 400-year-old tree felled by
insects within it.
“Every generation tries to recreate
God, but make sure that we are not
redefining who God is,” Ken cautioned.
“Each time we say I don’t believe in a
God would send people to hell, or my
God would never do this or that, we’re
giving God a makeover—we’re turning
our backs on biblical truths in order to
recreate God” into our liking.
The meeting was sponsored by the
Board of Church Ministries. The site at
Fort Garry was chosen as a neutral site
for students of various institutions to
gather together.
Terry M. Smith
EMC students attended from four institutions in Winnipeg.
Ken Zacharias, EMC foreign secretary, cautioned
students against confusing Christian truth and
fiction.
December 14, 2005
Talk to your pastor
or call Steinbach
Bible College at
204-326-6451 to
register.
17
MARGARET R. REIMER
1923–2005
Margaret R. Reimer of Steinbach, Man.,
passed away peacefully in her sleep at
Bethesda Place in Steinbach on November
16, 2005. She was 82.
She was born on August 21, 1923, in
Steinbach area to Cornelius P. and Maria
Reimer, the 13th of 16 children. Her family
was involved in farming, horse training,
and carpentry. Her father was the architect
and builder of the old Bethesda hospital,
and he rebuilt the original EM Church on
Main Street, which her grandfather had
built. Her father passed away in 1946 and
her mother in 1958.
Margaret accepted the Lord as her
Saviour and was baptized in Blumenort
EMC on August 10, 1941, by her uncle,
the late Rev. Peter P. Reimer. In 1967 she
transferred her membership to Steinbach
EMC.
As a child she attended Clearsprings
School near Steinbach. Even after she
finished school, her love of learning
continued. She enjoyed poetry and
reading. She usually had a book with her
and often exchanged books with others.
After she finished school, during the
whole time of World War Two, she and her
family farmed in Steinbach area. Mornings
were spent milking and getting the quota
of milk ready to ship to Winnipeg via
Penner’s Transfer. Excess milk was taken
to the cheese factory in Blumenort.
In 1948 almost half of her siblings
moved to Mexico. In 1951, after she
and her family took an extended trip to
Mexico, where her mother did not want to
stay, they moved to the Landmark area,
where Margaret continued to help with
chores and maid service for about two
years.
On June 21, 1953, she went to work
at Rest Haven. For 33 years she did the
laundry. It’s impossible to calculate how
many people rested on clean sheets or
how much silverware was dried with
nicely ironed tea towels because of her
meticulous work. She took great joy in a
job well done.
Margaret enjoyed visiting her family.
On Sundays she often visited her sisters
who lived in the area. Her Wednesday
days off often saw her driving to Winnipeg
18
to visit her sister Susie. Margaret loved
traveling. She made trips to Mexico, Belize
and Nova Scotia to visit her family. She has
many nieces and nephews across Canada,
from Nova Scotia to Victoria, B.C.
She enjoyed relatively good health
most of her life, but struggled through
the last few years. She was hospitalized
because of a fractured hip a year ago and
just suffered another fractured hip two
days before she passed away. We want to
thank all her caregivers.
Margaret is survived by two sisters,
Anna Friesen and her family; and Sara
Brant (Albert P. Brandt) and their family;
and two brothers, Abram R. Reimer
(Margaret, nee Kornelsen) and their
family; and by David R. Reimer. She is also
survived by her sister-in law Olga Mantky
Friesen, who was married to Peter R.
Reimer; her brother-in-law Ruben Reimer
(Betty) and their families; as well as many
other nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her brother
Cornelius S. Reimer, his first wife Tina
Wiebe, and his second wife Elisabeth
Schroeder; brother-in-law Martin P.
Friesen; brother Peter R. Reimer; brother
Klaas R. Reimer and wife Katherina (nee
Barkman); sister Helen (Peter J. Penner);
sister Elisabeth; sister Tina, who was
married to Ruben Reimer; sister Susie
(Otto Kliewer); and three brothers at a
young age.
Margaret loved her family. She was
concerned that they would follow Jesus
Christ. Her sincerest wish would be to
meet us all again in heaven.
Her Family
births
HEPPNER – to Carl and Kathy Heppner of
Winnipeg, Man., a daughter, Kezia Ruth Kaylene,
on December 6, 2004.
DANS – to Tim and Christie Dans of Winnipeg,
Man., a daughter, Abigail Michele, on February
26, 2005.
DYCK – to Cory and Joanne Dyck of Steinbach,
Man., a son, Jonah Zane, on March 25, 2005.
MATEUS – to Julieth Mateus and Julio Ruiz of
Winnipeg, Man., a daughter, Sofia Isabel, on April
29, 2005.
PLETT – to Emery and Bev Plett of Kleefeld,
Man., a daughter, Rayna Bryn, on May 19, 2005.
KROEKER – to Cam and Corrina Kroeker of
Winnipeg, Man., a son, Andrew Elijah, on May
23, 2005.
HERNANDEZ – to Alveiro and Sylvia Hernandez
of Winnipeg, Man., a son, Julian Mauricio, on
June 4, 2005.
KOROMA – to David and Aminata Koroma of
Winnipeg, Man., a daughter, Davida Hannah, on
June 27, 2005.
BERGEN – to Frank and Tina Bergen of Calgary,
Alta., a daughter, Kayla Rene, on July 1, 2005.
BUECKERT – to Charles (Chuck) and Miryam
Bueckert of Blumenort, Man., a son, Anthony
Charles Gregory, on July 24, 2005.
BERG – to Abe and Margaret Berg of Aylmer, Ont.,
a daughter, Chloe Emogen, on August 2, 2005.
NEUFELD – to Sheldon and Sarah Neufeld of
Steinbach, Man., a daughter, Johanna Adeline,
on August 8, 2005.
GUENTHER – to John and Yolanda Guenther of
Tillsonburg, Ont., a daughter, Destiny Moriah, on
September 5, 2005.
OLFERT – to Carlos and Anna Olfert of Aylmer,
Ont., a daughter, Isabelle Lorraine, on September
12, 2005.
PLETT – to James and Mandy Plett of Arborg,
Man., a son, Ethan James, on October 3, 2005.
FROESE – to Albert and Teresa Froese of Aylmer,
Ont., a daughter, Jessica Joy, on October 7,
2005.
WALL – to Neil and Sue Wall of Aylmer, Ont., a
son, Jesse Marcus, on October 19, 2005.
FRIESEN – to Ben and Grace Friesen of Arborg,
Man., a son, Jovanny Sean, on October 20, 2005.
KROEKER – to Steve and Carri Kroeker of
Winnipeg, Man., a son, Thomas Jacob, on
October 28, 2005.
ARSENAULT – to Ben and Fawne Arsenault of
Calgary, Alta., a son, Wyatt Morgan, on October
30, 2005.
weddings
HARDER – FRIESEN: Nikolai, son of Heinrich and
Natalie Harder of Schlossholte-Stukenbrock,
Germany, and Leanne, daughter of Abe and Val
Friesen of Winnipeg, Man., were married on
August 6, 2005, at Braeside EMC in Winnipeg,
with Ron Penner officiating.
FRIESEN – WIEBE: Ken Friesen and Janice Wiebe
were married on August 20, 2005, at North
Kildonan MB Church in Winnipeg, Man., with
George Klassen officiating.
PRIES – BAUMAN: Darren, son of Arnie and Wilma
Pries of Winnipeg, Man., and Nicole, daughter of
Ron and Peggy Bauman of Harriston, Ont., were
married on August 20, 2004, at Braeside EMC in
Winnipeg, with Carl Heppner officiating.
GARVIN – KOLMAN: Craig Stephen, son of Glen
and Debbie Garvin, and Emily Martha, daughter
of Tom and Anna Kolman, all of Calgary, Alta.,
were married on August 30, 2005, in Ka-anapali,
Maui, Hawaii. The couple lives in Calgary.
KORNELSEN – REIMER: Derek Len, son of Gary
and Sharon Kornelsen, and Karla Leanne,
daughter of Wilmer and Pearl Reimer, all of
Calgary, Alta., were married on October 1, 2005,
at First Mennonite Church in Calgary, with
Pastor Conroy Koop officiating. The couple lives
in Calgary.
REMPLE – KORNELSON: Jeremy George, son of
George and Annemarie Remple of Fort Frances,
Ont., and Alicia Margaret-Anne, daughter of
John and Elaine Kornelson of Calgary, Alta.,
were married on October 22, 2005, at Abbeydale
Christian Fellowship in Calgary, with Pastor
Levi Smoker officiating. The couple lives in Fort
Frances.
THE MESSENGER
shoulder tapping
Executive Position
A church planting director
is required for the Evangelical
Mennonite Conference. The
position requires a passion for
church growth and development. The Director
will work closely with regional churches to
encourage and initiate new church plants. Strong
written and oral skills are essential. This is a .5
position. For a job description and information,
please contact the office at 204-326-6401 or
e-mail [email protected].
EMC Missions seeks missionaries for Mexico and
Paraguay. In Paraguay, ministries are located in
East Paraguay. Church ministries are administered
together with the Paraguayan church conference.
EMC works with local organizations such as AMAR,
a ministry in Asuncion to individuals suffering from
HIV/AIDS; Ministerio Buenas Nuevas--bookstore
ministry
(Caaguazu);
counseling
services
(Caaguazu); and radio ministry Radio Mensajero
(Tres Palmas and Camp 9).
In Mexico, EMC works with both Spanish- and
German-speaking people in Chihuahua state,
northern Mexico. Spanish church ministries are
administered with the Mexican church conference.
Spanish church ministry includes church planting;
leadership training for youth and other church
leaders; and camp ministry at Santo Tomas Camp.
Pastoring and church leadership are involved at
three German-speaking churches located at Oasis,
Hillside (Camp 306), and Camp 67.
In both countries, church planters are needed
to work alongside national church leaders and
missionaries. The first year for new applicants would
involve Spanish language study at Rio Grande Bible
Institute in Edinburgh, Texas. This ministry would
include evangelism in both new and existing church
locations, discipleship of new believers, Christian
education, and church leadership training.
In Mexico, both English- and German-speaking
teachers are need for elementary schools in
German communities. A pastor-caregiver is
needed for Hillside Church in May 2006. German is
required. In Paraguay, a nurse is required for Lucero
Clinic in East Paraguay.
Contact Ken Zacharias, EMC foreign secretary,
at 204-326-6401 or [email protected].
Endeavour Fellowship Chapel in east-central
Saskatchewan, with a congregation of about 50,
is currently looking for a pastor. Contact Tom
Treen (Elders’ Chairman) at 306-547-3383 or
[email protected].
Morris Fellowship Chapel (EMC) in Morris, Man.,
seeks a part-time youth leader to give direction to
our senior high youth ministry. Time commitment
and remuneration will be based on experience and
availability. Contact Pastor Ward Parkinson at 204746-2424 for information, or email jwpark@mts.
net.
Crestview Fellowship (EMC) seeks a parttime youth director with a strong personal
spiritual foundation who is able to build strong
December14,005
relationships with youth. Must have the ability
to work alongside a team of youth sponsors in
discipling youth, and be creative and energetic
in planning regular Bible studies and organizing
fundraisers. Contact Pastor Vern Knutson at
204-837-9490. Resumes can be forwarded by email to [email protected] or by mail to Crestview
Fellowship, c/o Christine Fink, 271 Hamilton
Ave., Winnipeg, MB R2Y 0H3.
guide them into becoming faithful followers of
Jesus Christ, and work within the EMC statement
of faith. Our Sunday morning attendance is 100.
Our youth group (without a youth pastor for some
time) is rebuilding, currently 12 to 20 people,
with an average age of 14. There is potential for
growth. Contact VCF, Box 377, Vanderhoof, BC
V0J 3A0; phone 250-567-9198; fax 250-5672064; [email protected].
Christian Fellowship Church in Steinbach, Man.,
seeks a full-time senior pastor for a spiritually
growing church of 450 people, with dual
services. Our church has one youth pastor, one
congregational care pastor, and runs Sunday school
and the Awana program for elementary students.
The pastor is to be of a mature nature, have a love
for God and the Scriptures that is evident in their
leadership, teaching and speaking. If your spiritual
gifts fit and you feel God calling you, apply by
e-mail, [email protected]; or by mail, Christian
Fellowship Church, Search Committee, Box 1784,
Steinbach, MB R5G 1N4. Check our website at www.
christianfellowshipchurch.ca.
Taber EMC in southern Alberta seeks a senior
pastoral couple to start September 2006, due to a
retirement. The church is bilingual in Low German
and English, and has an average attendance of 125
people. Applicants should contact Nick Enns, 403223-3386 (cell 634-0020); or Peter Wall, 403-3829184 (cell 382-9184).
La Crete Christian Fellowship in La Crete,
Alberta, seeks a youth pastor for a new position
as part of our pastoral team. LCCF is a forwardlooking church of about 400 regular attendees.
The youth pastor will work with the senior pastor
to implement our ministry vision of helping
people establish and strengthen their personal
connection to Jesus Christ. The youth pastor will
have a primary role in developing programs and
working closely with youth and youth leaders.
LCCF’s service to God is based on the core
values of a commitment to teaching God’s Word
and outreach to the community.
The pastor will be people oriented and have
demonstrated abilities in various ministries,
including outreach, teaching, and visitation; and
be able to train and develop a support network
of lay ministers. This is a vibrant church with
great potential for spreading the Word through
men’s and women’s ministries, AWANA, youth
ministry, and small groups. Send a resume with
references to [email protected] or LCCFC, Box
385, La Crete, AB T0H 2H0 Attention: Pastor
Frank Winsor.
Kleefeld EMC, a church of about 300 members in
Kleefeld, Man., is seeking an associate pastor. The
primary focus would be to work with the youth
program in a discipling and mentoring capacity,
involving youth and youth workers. This position
would also include one other major involvement—
depending on the applicant’s giftedness—such as
Christian Education resource, music ministry, etc.
We are looking for a leader to join us in catching
the vision and excitement of a growing church
community. Send resumes to Ron Harder, Box
4, Kleefeld, MB R0A 0V0; e-mail [email protected];
phone 204-377-4248.
Vanderhoof Christian Fellowship (EMC) in northcentral British Columbia seeks a half-time
associate pastor of youth with a love for God
and heart for youth. The leader will give mature
leadership, work with church in moulding youth,
First Mennonite Church, Burns Lake, BC, seeks a lead
pastor. This established congregation of about 100
has been described by visitors as being “healthy,
welcoming, and feisty” and is located in north
central BC, just two and a half hours west of Prince
George. We are an excited family, looking to discover
what God wants to be doing through us in the next
10 years and beyond. Candidates may fax inquiries
attention: pastor search at 250-698-7363 or e-mail
FMC Pastor Search at [email protected].
A full-time teacher is needed for three
elementary school children of two families
serving in Russia (school to start September
2006). Contact Dave and Kim Field at 204-4826801 or [email protected]; or Tim and Joy
Watson at 541-485-9888 or timnjoy@bltconline.
org. Housing is paid for and support raising is
required for $1,500 US per month.
Steinbach Evangelical Mennonite Church in
Steinbach, Man., is looking for a motivated, energetic
person with organizational skills to fill a half-time
position immediately as minister of music and
worship. The minister would primarily coordinate
and supervise all church music ministries. For a job
description or to forward a resume, contact search
committee chair Henry Klassen, 63 Donald Ave.,
Steinbach, MB R5G 2B5; phone 204-326-6068; or email [email protected].
Mennonite Foundation of Canada, a charitable
foundation serving seven Anabaptist conferences
across Canada, seeks a full-time stewardship
consultant for its Kitchener, Ont., office. This
person will provide charitable gift and estate
planning services and promote biblical financial
stewardship in Ontario and Eastern Canada.
Needed: To communicate with viduals and
for presenting in group settings, understand
charitable gift and estate planning; be creative,
organized, and self-motivated; incorporate MFC’s
stewardship mission in personal life; be part of an
interdependent staff team; and be a member of a
participating conference. Submit applications by
January 15, 2006, to Erwin Warkentin, general
manager, 12-1325 Markham Rd, Winnipeg, MB
R3T 4J6; 1-800-772-3257; fax: 204-488-1986;
e-mail: [email protected]; www.
mennofoundation.ca.
19
Merry
Christmas
from the Conference office staff
Ken Zacharias, Becky Buhler, Gerald Reimer, Terry Smith, Larry Eidse, David Thiessen,
Ruth Anne Peters, Wannetta Fast, Lester Olfert and Len Barkman
(Photo by Dave K. Schellenberg)
PAGE 20
THE MESSENGER
Evangelical Mennonite Conference
440 Main Street
Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z5
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