Messenger The
EVANGELICAL MENNONITE CONFERENCE VOLUME 44 NUMBER 4 FEBRUARY 22, 2006
Who is a
Mennonite?
The
Messenger
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. Letters, articles, photos and poems are welcomed. Unpublished material is not returned except by request. The views and opinions expressed by the writers are their own and do not necessarily represent the position of the Conference or the editors. THE MESSENGER is published twice a month (once a month in July and August) by the Board of Church Ministries of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference, 440 Main Street, Steinbach, Manitoba. Subscriptions: $12 per year (Manitoba residents add 7% PST, total: $12.84). Subscriptions are voluntary and optional to people within or outside of the EMC. In cooperation with the EMC Conference Council, members and adherents pay through their church. THE MESSENGER is a member of Meetinghouse and Canadian Church Press. Second-class postage paid at Steinbach, Manitoba. PAP Registration #9914 Publications Mail Agreement #40017362 We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP), toward our mailing costs. The magazine and its publisher, the Board of Church Ministries, are obligated to work within the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act. Mailing information: All correspondence, including undelivered copies, change of address and new subscriptions, should be addressed to: The Messenger 440 Main Street Steinbach, Manitoba R5G 1Z5 Phone: 204-326-6401 Fax: 204-326-1613 E-mail: emcmessenger@mts.net On-line edition available at www.emconf.ca/Messenger
MESSENGER SCHEDULE: No. 06 – March 22 (copy due March 10)
editorials
Must read and bandwagon books
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’ve got a book you really must read! Really? If Christians were to read all the “must read” books, we’d have little time or money for anything else. I order new titles through a local store and can pour through a used book store with the same interest that some people visit garage sales. But the titles on my shelves reflect my interests, background, gifts, calling and training. They are not the same as another person’s. There’s a place to be cautious about endorsing a book; it’s tricky to predict its influence on another person. I also admit to resisting some bandwagon books, highly-promoted bestsellers.
The Messenger isn’t a must-read periodical. Some subscribers read it from cover to cover, others quickly flip through its pages, and some who receive it toss it into the garbage. The magazine serves various purposes; that’s the nature of a periodical in a diverse conference. There is, however, one bestseller that needs to be translated into many more languages around the world—the Bible. More people need to read it. We have workers in Burkina Faso, Kenya, Congo, Mexico, Peru, and elsewhere who are involved in Scripture translation. Pray T for their efforts. M Terry M. Smith
Considering short-term mission service?
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oung people, are you looking to serve where it might radically change you? What if travel is relativity simple and no visa is
needed? Consider what a friend suggested: Travel to Grand Rapids, Man., or to another Native community in Canada. How often do we counsel EMC young people to serve on First Nations reserves? Sometimes we do. Steinbach Bible College (through its Mission-X program) and some local churches are involved. More often, though, we seem content to send young people far away. Why? Do our often middle-class young people want the Church to support them in an exotic, expensive adventure? Is it because everybody knows about Native people? Or is it that we don’t want to face a complicated history that we are part of? In Canada both the government and the Church have been involved in a history of injustice and abuse. There is value in short-term service far away. Experiences in other countries can be life changing. Compared to so many frivolous uses, funds for short-term service
is money well-used. There are many needs overseas. We want to see more young people serve somewhere. Don’t misunderstand me. Much of this is good. On the other hand, First Nations communities, and the churches that are part of many of them, have much to teach those of us EMCers who are not Native. Many of these communities have serious needs.
How often do we counsel EMC young people to serve on First Nations reserves? Sometimes we do. More often, though, we seem content to send young people far away. Why? It’s a challenge to relate to and serve people who live far away; it might be tougher still to relate well to people from within wider Canadian society. What might be toughest of all, though, is for young people to report back to their local congregation, having discovered how T their home church needs to change. M Terry M. Smith THE MESSENGER
Pizza Night
Recognizing the call at SBC
EMC Board of Missions hosted a missions pizza party at Steinbach Bible College on February 2, 2006. The purpose of the event is to inform students of our mission and its ministry programs and to inspire them towards involvement. We began the event with a time of refreshments together with the EMMC staff and students. The evening, open to all college students and staff, then moved to a more formal time of presentations and discussions in two classrooms; one was hosted by EMC and the other by EMMC.
Approximately 35 students attended the EMC presentation, which included input from Ken Zacharias, foreign secretary; David Thiessen, conference pastor; and Gerald Reimer, conference youth minister. A survey was handed out and completed by students; it sought information regarding their personal spiritual journey, general EMC missions knowledge, and short-term and long-term missions and ministry interest and potential. The results were encouraging. We identified a theme that our college students are interested in serving in full-time ministry and want EMC to be a part of that experience with them. Herb Wiebe (Kleefeld EMC), Alex Loewen and Scott Rickey were among SBC students who who works at Inner City Youth ate pizza and heard a missions presentation. Alive in Winnipeg’s north end, was our guest speaker. He spoke of his coming events own calling into ministry, along with its doubts and assurances. He challenged March 3 Down Home with the Derksens students to trust God to be faithful and Bluegrass concert and supper to step out in obedience. Providence College Pray for our post-secondary students, 204-433-7488 that they would prepare with diligence downhome@prov.ca and willingly go forth in complete dependence upon the Lord. March 13–15 Revive Your Soul! Gerald Reimer Tyndale Pastors and Leaders Conference Conference Youth Minister
Herb Wiebe, an Inner City Youth Alive worker, spoke of his calling into ministry.
416-226-6620 www.tyndale.ca/revive
March 24–25 Church Planting in Canada SBC Leadership Conference Steinbach Bible College Steinbach, Man. 204-326-6451, ext. 222 April 1 MDS Banquet Richmond Park Church Brandon, Man. Guest Speaker: Kevin King Executive Coordinator 866-261-1274 April 30 SBC Graduation Steinbach EMC Steinbach, Man. 204-326-6451
About 35 students attended the EMC presentation.
February 22, 2006
June 2–3 Wild at Heart: Live in Canada Centre Street Church Calgary, Alta. www.wildatheartcanada.com
Who is a
MENNONI
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THE MESSENGER
ITE?
Gerald Gerbrandt President, Canadian Mennonite University
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ne of the major tourist attractions of a Winnipeg summer is Folklorama, a two-week festival celebrating the many different national and cultural groups which have made Winnipeg their home. Each group has a pavilion where its distinctive foods, artwork, dances and culture are celebrated. For a few years Mennonites participated by contributing their own pavilion. Many Mennonites objected, however. They maintained that a Mennonite pavilion represented an inappropriate mixing of culture and faith. Mennonites were to be defined not by a distinct cultural tradition, they argued, but rather by a particular faith or theology. Whether because of this argument or insufficient interest—I do not know—after a few years the Mennonite pavilion disappeared from Folklorama. After decades of understanding ourselves as communities in which faith and culture were inseparably fused into one, with culture sometimes even given the upper hand, there has been growing awareness that this is not right. Recognition of the multicultural nature of the Mennonite people, especially as represented by rapidly growing Mennonite churches in other parts of the world, but also by the increasing presence among us of “new” Mennonites with different cultural backgrounds, made the former way of understanding ourselves objectionable. The recent publication of In God’s Image: A Global Anabaptist Family, prepared for the Mennonite World Conference assembly in Zimbabwe, gives a wonderful picture of this new Mennonite reality. But where does that leave us? February , 006
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In some circles the term Mennonite continues to be used to define a cultural tradition, whether referring to foods or art, or, more recently, literature. Others, however, have attempted to shift the focus to a set of theological themes or distinctives, often associated with the term Anabaptism. A number of years ago, Harold S. Bender suggested that Anabaptism was characterized by three themes: Discipleship, or following in the footsteps of Jesus; a new conception of the church as “brotherhood”; and an ethic of love and non-resistance. Albert Meyer says in a recent article in The Mennonite, “There is a body of distinctive Anabaptist-Mennonite
First, and most importantly, to be a Mennonite means to be a Christian.
beliefs for which some of our forebears have given their lives, for which some of our sisters and brothers are suffering today, and for which we are responsible to witness in our time.” Both of these approaches are understandable, but I would suggest both are inadequate and therefore misleading. A more multi-layered approach is needed. May I propose for testing a three-layered approach, given in order of significance, but with each a necessary part of the picture. A Mennonite is a Christian First, and most importantly, to be a Mennonite means to be a Christian. This is a reminder for both approaches. Those who identify Anabaptism by its theological themes sometimes focus so intently on distinctives that they lose, or at least play down, the larger picture. Peace and an emphasis on community may be two of those themes, but when removed from the larger Christian story and message they become something quite different. On the other side, to use the term Mennonite of people or culture not self-consciously Christian also is a misnomer. I remind us of Menno Simons’ favourite verse: “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11). Having said that, I do not deny the legitimacy of the various cultural traditions in Canada that have as their background the Mennonite experience—Russian Mennonite, Swiss Mennonite, Hutterite, just to give a few examples. I would not consider it inappropriate to have one of these celebrate its culture in a pavilion at Folklorama, or even to have a specific congregation recognize its cultural heritage. But this must be distinguished from what it means to be Mennonite. At its absolute core, to be Mennonite means to be Christian, to be part of the worldwide body of Christ. Any reflection on what it means to be Mennonite today thus must begin with, and consistently return to, the commitment to being Christian. A particular dynamic theological tradition Mennonites are not generic Christians. Rather, they are Christians with a particular dynamic theological tradition. This, of course, does not make them unique, odd or special. All Christians think and practise their faith within some tradition, or perhaps more realistically, within some combination of traditions and historical influences. The desire to identify or attain some generic core or traditionless Christianity is a 20th-century myth. Christian denominations or traditions are not deviations from this core, but rather the different languages within which Christianity speaks. The non-denominational tradition, although sometimes attempting to avoid this, has identifiable tendencies and emphases that equally characterize it as a particular tradition. A permanent task of any Christian tradition is to attempt to describe itself in a way that most helpfully highlights its essential characteristics; notice, I do not say distinctives. Such a list is valuable in that it identifies what we are, or are striving to be, and necessary for helpful conversation with others. Here are some possibilities for us as a Mennonite people:
THE MESSENGER
• We give a preference to the New Testament over the Old Testament, and a preference to the Gospels over the writings of Paul, giving a centrality to the person of Jesus Christ. • We tend to make the New Testament church a model for us. • We tend to speak about ourselves by telling our story. • We emphasize ethics as much as, if not more than, theology, with discipleship a key term for how we approach ethics. Central to ethics is the commandment to love our neighbour, with the implication that this is incompatible with violence to the neighbour. This is accompanied by an emphasis on justice and a striving for peace. • We emphasize mission, both through spreading the gospel (through mission agencies) and through serving those in need (Mennonite Central Committee and Mennonite Disaster Service, for example). • We emphasize the local congregation as a community of mutual support and accountability. The fellowship of believers is part of the salvation we receive. The search for truth and faithfulness is a communal process, with primary authority resting in the community of those who practise the faith. This church is distinct from the larger society. • We are a worldwide body in which the nation state, although recognized as an important political reality, can never be the ultimate boundary for us.
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lthough I emphasize that we are Christian within a particular dynamic theological tradition, that tradition can never provide the final argument in a conversation about what it means to be faithful. For example, we should not say we believe in non-resistance, or the significance of the church, because “we are Mennonite,” or because “our founders believed that.” When done this way, the tradition has been used inappropriately. February 22, 2006
Rather, it is our conviction that these positions are in fact biblical, and true to the revelation God has given us. The ground upon which we base our faith, and on the basis of which we argue, must always be the commitment to being Christian. A family network with a story To be a Mennonite means to be a Christian within a particular tradition, and then to incarnate that tradition within the life of a concrete, living people. It is inadequate to see it as a set of theological themes or an ethical system. On a practical level, this means that a Mennonite is someone who makes that particular tradition of Christianity come alive though active participation in the life of a Mennonite congregation. Through that congregation the person enters the larger world of Mennonites, with its conferences, schools and institutions, para-church programs (camps, service agencies), and worship styles. Personal faith and ethics are practised and given life through participation in a community with a distinct culture and ethos. Again, I have used the word culture. But here it is not referring to ethnic foods, a style of dress, or the Low German language, as highlighted in the Mennonite pavilion at Folklorama. Rather, it is a style and atmosphere, and even a language, which characterize and bind together the Mennonite family across other boundaries. Our Mennonite family network does not have any theological priority, but it is a home from within which we are Christian. I remember distinctly the first time I ever worshipped with the First Mennonite Church in Richmond, Virginia, or the Mennonite Church in Petitcodiac, New Brunswick. Each time I immediately felt at home—even though I did not know these people previously, and even though they had very different backgrounds—knowing that these brothers and sisters were part of the same family. To be Mennonite means to be Christian within a particular theological tradition that comes alive through a specific family within which one can be T at home. M The author is the president of Canadian Mennonite University, Winnipeg. Article reprinted from Canadian Mennonite, October 31, 2005. All photos (including cover photo) by Ray Dirks. All but those from the Democratic Republic of Congo come from the book In God’s Image: A Global Anabaptist Family by Ray Dirks. The full colour coffee table book features stories and photos from 17 countries around the world where there are Anabaptist conferences affiliated with Mennonite World Conference. The book is available through the Mennonite Heritage Centre Gallery in Winnipeg for $25. Contact Connie Wiebe at 204-888-6781 or cwiebe@mennonitechurch.ca for more information or to order.
Counsel from an Older Pastor
Rev. Terry M. Smith
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here is our focus? Is it on Christ and what He has done for us? Menno Simons, the Dutch leader from whom we members of the Mennonite Church get our church name, was greatly concerned about genuine faith. “There is nothing that can dismay it,” he wrote of genuine faith, “neither judgment, nor wrath, nor hell, nor devil, nor sin, nor eternal death. For it knows that it has Christ as its Intercessor, Mediator, and Atoner. It acknowledges with holy Paul, There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit” (Romans 8:1).
“The Spirit of the Lord assures it of being a child of God and a joint heir of Christ; therefore it also takes itself to be the property of its Lord and Saviour, Christ, who called it by His grace, drew it by His Spirit, enlightened it by His Word, and purchased it with His blood” (Complete Writings, p. 396). Such bold, confident words for 1556! But how did Menno Simons respond when he was approached about a person who lacked such confidence? Fortunately, we know. In 1557 a worried husband wrote Menno. The man’s wife was physically ill, and Menno touches on the matter of her physical health briefly. He did not know if she would live with pain, if she would recover with joy (a gracious restoration), or if she would die. The pastor’s major response is to another concern of the husband: How unhappy the woman was in her relationship with Christ. She had a “distressed conscience and soul.” It seems that she felt her sins keenly, and she was not living the life she wanted to. She did not have confidence In this instance, Menno points to her struggle as proof would enter heaven if she died. that she is a child of Christ. “Dearest child and sister,” he sheWhat does Menno Simons write to her? He says, seeing that she wants to do what is good and hates might have said, “My sister, you must try harder. must work harder. You must hope that you what is evil, “therefore you may rest assured that you are You are a Christian and do good, and hope that when you stand before God that he will receive you into a child of God, and that you will inherit the kingdom of his heavenly kingdom.” But it’s important to know
grace in eternal joy with all the saints.” 8
THE MESSENGER
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that Menno Simons did not expect this ow can Menno say this? He says it on the basis of God’s of a struggling believer. Word. Scripture was given that we might be drawn to Instead, Menno says to her: “Be Christ so that we might be comforted, not insecure. comforted in Christ Jesus…O sister, But what if we struggle? In this instance, Menno rejoice that you are a true daughter points to her struggle as proof that she is a child of Christ. of your beloved Father. Soon the “Dearest child and sister,” he says, seeing that she wants to do inheritance of his glorious promise will what is good and hates what is evil, “therefore you may rest be due.” He reminds her that she is a assured that you are a child of God, and that you will inherit the child of the Father, that she is safe in kingdom of grace in eternal joy with all the saints.” Jesus Christ. We know we dwell in Christ, and He in us, Menno says, Why can Menno say that? Well, he because “he has given us of his Spirit” (1 John 4:13). points to many Scriptures that says This woman cares about following the Lord. She isn’t careless we are all sinners; or rebellious or proud. She we all fall short of agonizes over her weakness. Bold or insecure we might be, Christ’s grace what Christ intends Remember what God has said: is the only focus on which our rest has its for us. And “since no He will not despise a broken and one under heaven proper foundation. This was Menno Simons’ contrite heart (Psalm 51:17). has perfectly fulfilled He will not turn away anyone counsel 449 years ago; and that is his the righteousness who comes to Him (John 6:37). counsel, based on God’s Word, for us today. required of God but Together our desire to do what Christ Jesus alone, is right and our sadness over therefore none can approach God, what we do wrong is a sign that we have faith in Jesus Christ. obtain grace, and be saved, except by At the end of this short letter, Menno prays a blessing upon the perfect righteousness, atonement this woman. Notice where the blessing is focused: “The saving and intercession of Jesus Christ…we power of the most holy blood of Christ be with my beloved child are sinners in thought, word, and deed. and sister, now and forever. Amen.” The focus is on Christ and his Yes, if we did not have before us the saving blood now and forever, not on our weakness. righteous Jesus Christ, no prophet or Where is our focus? Is it on our weakness, on our insecurity? apostle could be saved.” If so, then turn to look at our gracious Lord Jesus Christ. Without “Therefore,” Menno tells the woman, Him, no matter how good we are, we aren’t going anywhere. But “be of good cheer and comforted because of Christ and His Cross, we can have a confidence that is in the Lord…In and by yourself you based on His kind, willing, and free acceptance of us. are a poor sinner and by eternal Bold or insecure we might be, Christ’s grace is the only focus righteousness banished, accursed, on which our rest has its proper foundation. This was Menno and condemned to eternal death. But Simons’ counsel 449 years ago; and that is his counsel, based on T in and through Christ you are justified God’s Word, for us today. M and pleasing unto God, and adopted by him in eternal grace as a daughter and child.” Menno Simons (1496-1561), a Dutch Menno refers to Romans 5:6: “You former priest, became leader of see, at just the right time, when we Christians known as Mennonites (a were still powerless, Christ died term he disliked because it focused too for the ungodly.” Then he refers to much on him). The Letter of Consolation Romans 5:10, “For if, when we were to a Sick Saint (1557) is found in The God’s enemies, we were reconciled to Complete Writings of Menno Simons him through the death of his Son, how (Herald Press, 1984, pp. 1050-1052). His much more, having been reconciled, earlier counsel is from The Christian Faith shall we be saved through his life.” (Complete Writings, p. 390). Rev. Terry Simons points the woman to “Christ Smith is editor of this magazine. Jesus and his merits, believing and confessing that His precious blood alone Woodcut of Menno Simons is from The is your cleansing; His righteousness Complete Works of Menno Simons, your piety; His death your life; and His copyright (c) 1956, 1984 by Mennonite resurrection your justification; for He Publishing House, Scottdale, PA 15683. is the forgiveness of all your sins; his Used by permission. bloody wounds are your reconciliation; and His victorious strength is the… consolation of your weakness.” February 22, 2006
with our missionaries Picture Butte
Awed at the work God is doing
It has been seven months since we moved to Picture Butte, Alta., and spent our first weekend here at family camp. What a wonderful introduction—two full days to spend getting to know families. Rain poured down Saturday morning and we all huddled together, many with babies and toddlers, in our tiny shelter with one small stove to keep us warm. We felt welcomed and accepted. Many of these families had never camped before. Do they want to do it again? The answer was a resounding yes, and plans are going ahead for another awesome weekend in a few months. The summer was slow with only a few summer Bible schools and church services on Sunday morning. All the positions were filled and we wondered why God had led us here. The church was running very well without our help. Pastor Abe and Anne Bueckert are an awesome couple. So we started to have people to
Singing a special number on Sunday morning: Girls with leader Anna Wall and Anna Bueckert.
our home in order to get to know our congregation better and hoping to also foster in them the need to start fellowshipping in each other’s homes. Our prayers have been answered, and every Sunday we see more Dyck and Penner families singing at Picture Butte’s outreach Christmas couples inviting each banquet. other to their homes This coming Friday a group of 11 for lunch or faspa (light supper). Praise youth, with one leader couple, are God! The Lord has greatly blessed our traveling to Sexsmith, Alta., for Youth church. It is because of your prayers for Alert. This is about half our group. The this church plant that God can do such other Fridays we have Growing Kids an awesome work, and we continue to God’s Way here in Picture Butte, and a covet your prayers. We can now see why Bible study in Coaldale led by a brother Pastor Abe and Anna Bueckert said we in the church. On the last Tuesday of every month could use many more workers. Word is spreading and more people the ladies get together for a night out. are coming and making this their They sing, play a small game, have a church home. Last Sunday we ran out of devotional, and spend time prayer for chairs—130 people were in our service. each other. This has given women an Our average attendance is between 80 opportunity to lead the evening and and 100 people. Many are willing to serve they are doing a great job. We have in doing special numbers, offertories, approximately 15 to 20 ladies attending. In September we started studying scripture reading, and more. We are The Christian Life book in our Sunday blessed. We have Singstund (Song Hour) every morning worship service. This takes other Friday here in Picture Butte as an place while the children are having outreach. Here we sing and have Bible Sunday school, and it is working really studies for the youth and children. On well. People are learning and growing. We have a leadership team of five alternating Sundays the youth meet to couples, plus the pastor and his wife. have a fun event and devotional. The men of this team have been working on getting a constitution ready for when we will have our chartering service to officially become an EM church. God is adding daily to His church. Please continue to keep our congregation in your prayers. I encourage you to call Pastor Abe Bueckert and let him know you are praying for them. Together with them, we are excited and awed at the work God is doing here, and there are so many more people that need to be reached. Caroline Krahn
A November 27, 2005, parent-child dedication service: Issack and Susana Dyck with Joel; Dave and Lena Wolfe with Abigail and Chloe; Benjy and Edith Berg with Christopher and Alexander; Abe and Tina Wiebe with Delaney; Johan and Anna Bueckert with Marlon; Abe and Neta Peters with Pancho, Neco, and Jessica; Isaak and Mary Wiens with Ronnie, Estevan and Amanda; Benny and Esther Froese with Alexsandra Siviana; Tina Froese with Orland (husband Jake is missing).
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Henry and Caroline Krahn (High Level) are self-supporting workers in the EMC church plant in Picture Butte, Alta.
THE MESSENGER
Uganda
Ten Days in Gulu
They start trickling through the gate around 7 p.m. and by 8 it’s a steady stream. They are mostly children. Some left their homes 10 minutes ago; others walked 17 kilometers to get here. They are as young as four years old, silently padding through the gate on bare feet. Some are as old as 18, carrying bundles of schoolbooks, blankets, and an oppressive weight of the horror that has brought them to this place. Then there are others: Mothers carrying packs on their heads and babies on their backs, kids pushing bicycles that are much too large for them to ride. Most of them have some type of clothing, threadbare though it may be; but after a few nights of meeting them, you come to realize it’s probably the only clothing they have, since that’s how you begin to recognize them. By the time the doors close at 8:30 the camp is alive with over 1,000 children singing, bathing, talking, laughing, sleeping, doing homework. Why are they
February , 006
here? The region of Gulu in Northern Uganda has been under the oppression of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) for almost 20 years now.
original leader. Kony’s agenda is far less political and far more disturbing. His goal? To create a perfect Acholi tribe of fighters. His plan?
The camp is alive with over 1,000 children singing, bathing, talking, laughing, sleeping, doing homework. Why are they here? The region of Gulu in Northern Uganda has been under the oppression of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) for almost 20 years now. The LRA was started by Alice LaKwena, a woman with a spiritual and political agenda in the late 1970s or early ’80s. After being stopped near Kampala early on, the leader fled to Kenya, and the LRA slipped into the past until Joseph Kony, a Gulu local from the Acholi tribe (the tribe of most of the people in Gulu area), rose up to continue the legacy, claiming to have the same spirit that guided the
To take the children, indoctrinate them, and train them to fight in his army and to kill all Acholis who resist him. His method? Raiding villages, pillaging food and supplies, abducting children to train, and killing or otherwise mutilating adults and all who resist his attacks. The government has moved in in the form of the military, but Kony has little interest in fighting them. They come in, work their terror, and as soon as the soldiers show up, they take off into the bush with their loot. They have no fear and no shame. The Acholi have come to live in the spirit of fear, oppression, and hopelessness. In the past few years, most people have moved from their villages to set up home in refugee camps guarded by the army where living conditions are far less than ideal. Camps of 28,000 people have huts packed so close together that if one of the roofs catches on fire the whole camp could go up in flames. There’s a rationing of one toilet per five families. Since people return to the villages at their own risk, most live on what food they receive from the World Food Organization or other relief agencies, which is rarely enough. Of the people living in Gulu town alone, it is said that 70 percent are surviving on food from relief; meanwhile, rains continue to fall on forests and fields, with ample food tantalizingly close but impossible to safely reach.
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Even the camps are not safe from the rebels who continue to attack, abduct, pillage, and mutilate. That is how one night on the way back from distribution at a camp, I joined the exodus of men, women, and children on their way to town to find safety for the night. Some sleep at the hospital or bus park while others spread out their blankets in UN tents or under verandas. Children find their way to the gates of Noah’s Ark, which is where we were every evening during our time in Gulu. Noah’s Ark is a shelter for the children who commute to town every night for safety from abduction. It has existed since about 2002 to provide shelter for kids who used to spend the nights
Joanna Plett (Morweena) is a 21-year-old who spent December 2004 to May 2005 in Kenya and Uganda with a team from REACH (part of Rosedale Mennonite Missions, Columbus, Ohio). There were three months of training in Ohio before leaving for Africa. A year previously she served with REACH in a Middle Eastern country, returning in August 2004.
tent that has been given to mothers. Mothers range from age 17 to 63 and the horror of the situation weighs on them even more heavily than the children, perhaps because upon them lies the weight of caring for the children and the hopelessness of not being able to. One night I sat with the mothers and for us they sang of hope, peace, perseverance, and about the rebels,
This is a wounded generation—children who have personally seen more horror than most North Americans have seen in movies. Some of these children have been abducted and escaped, still living with the memories of seeing friends and family members brutally killed. huddled under verandas, in alleys or buildings, or in the bus park. Depending on security, the number of children can range anywhere from 500 to 7,000 children every night. This is a wounded generation—children who have personally seen more horror than most North Americans have seen in movies. Some of these children have been abducted and escaped; others live with the memories of seeing friends and family members brutally killed. Even on the way to Noah’s Ark, the girls live in fear of being raped along the way by villagers or even by the soldiers. Among the eight rooms and eight UNICEF tents set up in the fenced Noah’s Ark compound, there’s one
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appealing to the government to do something for the children. In silence, they reenacted the rebel attacks for us—shooting, cowering, and cutting off hands, feet, mouths, and ears and throwing them away. If it hadn’t been so real and awful, it would have been comical. Somehow, it was their way of coping with the trauma they had experienced. I sat with a 19-year-old girl sitting huddled up on the ground holding her 18-month-old baby who was burning up with fever. “Someday I’ll be happy,” she said. “Someday I’ll laugh again.” She had watched her father be killed by the rebels, her mother had died years ago, the baby’s father and all his brothers
were dead. She was alone, with only her aunt, who already had more than she could cope with, to take care of her. Her only dream was for peace, that she would be able to go back to her father’s land and live there and go to the fields to plant crops and dig and provide for her baby, and never have to borrow from anyone again. Her hope was for her baby: “I have to take care of my baby. The next generation is the hope for the future.” She’s only 19 and has already lost hope for her own generation. She lives under the weight of fear and responsibility that I could never fathom. She is haunted by memories of things she’s seen and experienced and can’t sleep at night because of the nightmares. And yet somehow she still copes. She lives in hope. She believes in peace and hopes for it and dreams of it. She trusts God and carries on. Her story is the story of many others, every one with a different twist. They are haunted, they are broken, they are oppressed, and yet they somehow go on. They laugh and sing. They lay awake at night and do their homework and eat mangoes, then drift off until 5:30 a.m. when they get up, clean up, and head back home or to school to start all over again. This is existence. This is survival. This is life. This is what we saw and heard in Gulu and for this we will never be the same again.
THE MESSENGER
stewardship today Darren Pries-Klassen
To pledge or not to pledge?
Consider this scenario. Several months before yearend you receive an invitation in your mailbox asking you to participate in the financial ministry of the church. You are asked to prayerfully consider what you and your family would give to the church during the following year. an announcement that says a major shortfall in giving is projected unless people open their wallets—widely—soon! To ensure the severity of the situation is not lost on anyone, a member of the finance committee makes a pulpit announcement that morning of the impending “tale of woe.” Sound familiar? Sundays like this make everyone squirm and for all the wrong reasons. It makes giving to the ministry of the church something that happens out of guilt, fear, and probably a lack of planning. Now, consider this scenario. Several months before yearend you receive an invitation in your mailbox asking you to participate in the financial ministry of the church. “Just as God has shared blessings with you, you have the opportunity to share with the ministry of the church.” You are asked to prayerfully consider what you and your family would give to the church during the following year. The invitation goes on to highlight the various programs of your church, and denominational body. It mentions missions programs your church is involved with and highlights ministry opportunities that could happen provided adequate funding is received. February , 006
Over the next few weeks the bulletin and pulpit announcements do not sound like doom and gloom for the church but rather talk about mission and possibilities. The link between the mission of the church and the budget is clearly articulated. You are told of an upcoming Sunday when people will have opportunity to offer their completed pledge forms in a special offering of celebration. Your pledge information will be held in confidence and will be used only by those individuals given the task of drafting the church budget. Ministry costs money. Good ministry costs more! If our churches are left to guess at annual revenue amounts for the coming year, planning for the future will always prove difficult and the ministry of our churches will never reach its full potential. For more information contact your nearest T Mennonite Foundation of Canada office. M For stewardship education and services, contact your nearest Mennonite Foundation of Canada office. Abbotsford – Dave Kroeker, 1-888212-8608; Calgary – Gary Sawatzky, 1-877-717-0708; Niagara – Darren Pries-Klassen, 1-888-212-8731; Kitchener – Mike Strathdee, 1888-212-7759; Winnipeg – Edwin Friesen, 1-800-772-3257. SBC Leadership Conference 2006
Church Planting in Canada
Pre-registration Preferred
I
f you have ever assisted your church in planning an annual budget you know how difficult it can be, especially when planning revenue amounts is reduced to guessing. Encouraging people to consider annual pledges not only helps with planning the budget, it fosters better ministry in the church. Consider this scenario. It is Sunday morning with only a few weeks left before budget yearend. In the bulletin you read
Speaker: Ewald Unruh, Director of Leadership Development and Evangelism Canada for the MB Conference Date:
March 24-25, 2006
Time:
Friday, 1 pm to Saturday 3 pm
Place:
SBC Chapel
Cost:
$40 by March 15 / $50 after March 15
For more information or to register— call Christal 204-326-6451 or 1-800-230-8478 visit our website www.sbcollege.ca
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with our churches
Prayer group makes a difference Blumenort, Man.: Our church has been changing from care groups to small groups. There are many different types of small groups. We are part of a group that meets regularly to pray for Paul and Lois Thiessen and people they are ministering to in Burkina Faso. Paul and Lois have said that they have really appreciated the prayers of the group over the years. Thanks to the Internet and short wave radio we can keep in touch with them and be updated on the latest prayer needs. In a small way we can feel that we have a part in the work that Paul and Lois are doing among the Siamou. We also pray for each other’s needs within the group. We have had a difficult couple of months. We lost two people from our group. Lois Thiessen’s mother, Mrs. Alvina Fast, passed away in September. Dr. Harold Fast, Paul Thiessen’s brotherin-law, passed away in November. Paul mentioned that he felt that he was supported by the prayers of God’s people. I can say that we have also felt like that when my wife’s father Emil Bohata passed away a week after Mrs. Fast did.
December 18, 2005, baptism
I want to say a big thank you to all of you who prayed. You may never know how much help that has been. Thiessens have said that it would be great if every missionary had a group like this at home praying for and supporting them. There is another group that meets to pray for Afghanistan. I would encourage you to become more involved in missions by joining a missionary prayer group. On December 18, 2005, we had a large baptism service. Laurissa Dueck, Derrick Fast, Carl Esau, Riley Plett and his sister Charlane Plett, Cody Penner, Anna Marie Thiessen, Kaylene Plett and Jaymie Friesen were baptized and added to our membership. What a great way to start the new year! We had a baptism service on January 8, in which Justin Plett, Kayla Penner, Meaghan Trudeau, and Katherine Driedger received baptism. We have had 23 baptisms in the past eight months. I am encouraged by that. Martin Penner
January 8, 2006, baptism
Fort Garry renovates and dedicates Fort Garry (Winnipeg, Man.): We thank the Lord for His faithfulness in 2005. What will He have for us in 2006? We know we can trust Him in this New Year. At the end of October we had a service to dedicate our renovated and enlarged building. We thank the Lord for Kevin Wiebe, the project manager who worked with the building committee members, and for the many volunteers who helped to make this project a reality. On November 6, 2005, we had a child dedication. What a blessing to see these
families and their desire to raise their children for the Lord. We as a church, too, have a responsibility to support them with our prayers and encouragement. Our young people and their leaders are planning a mission trip to New York City this summer. They are busy raising funds for this trip and on January 15 they had a fund-raising luncheon. There was good attendance and we all enjoyed our enlarged
The newly renovated church building that Fort Garry EMC meets within.
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space and the completely renovated kitchen. At the end of January we had our year-end meetings. We are thankful for the many people willing to serve on the various committees. Diana Reimer
A child dedication service was held on November 6, 2005: Kevin and Martha Brandt with Connor, Nathan and Cora Hoeppner with Mark, Josh and Kim Muehling with Aiden, and Derek and Marilyn Klassen with Julianna.
THE MESSENGER
Darcy Sproule is new pastor at High Level High Level, Alta.: Christmas has come and gone and with it the beauty of God’s artwork by frost on everything outside. No man could have accomplished in a lifetime the work God did in just a little while. It truly was beauty to behold. Our God is a God of detail and perfection in all He does. The New Year was brought in by many enthusiastic, winded and, may I add, noisy people in the church. It was witnessed by two little ones who dared not fall asleep, lest they miss out on something. Thanks go to two energetic, creative ladies in the church who organized a fun-filled evening to celebrate the coming in of a new year. Our church and community has been truly blessed with a new pastor together with his family. Darcy and Lina Sproule—with their four children, Katlyn, Christopher, Vanencia and Genevieve—arrived in High Level on November 6, 2005, leaving their farm home in Steinbach, Man., area. Darcy shared his first message with the congregation on November 22. It has been a pleasure having them join
our church family, and we pray they will enjoy their stay here and together we will grow in Christ. They have agreed to shepherd the flock for one year and, who knows, maybe after the year has lapsed they won’t want to leave. That happens to quite a few people. Pastor Peter Janzen of the Hillside Church in La Crete, a member of the Board of Leadership and Outreach, represented the conference and officially installed Pastor Sproule on January 22. A number of our youth have left to go to college, leaving quite a void in the
youth group. To fill the gap, God has brought new faces in, which is always so good to see. Our building is getting close to splitting at the seams due to overcrowding, which is another blessing. Our building committee has been busy planning and presenting options to the church, and we have now made a down payment on a two-acre lot in town. It’s exciting and overwhelming to think of all the work that’s ahead in the building project. God knows our needs and we can trust Him to provide in abundance. Margaret Brock
Kyanna Peters and Eva Christianson showed no signs of sleep at midnight, bringing in the New Year.
Dwylla welcomed at Kleefeld Our new pastoral family: Darcy and Lina Sproule, with their children Katlyn, Vanencia, Christopher and Genevieve.
Rev. Peter Janzen brought the message during the installation service for Darcy Sproule.
February 22, 2006
Kleefeld, Man.: We welcome Dwylla Zacharias as a new member of our church. Dwylla transferred her membership from High Level Christian Fellowship. We are already appreciating her gift of music. As a church family, we mourn the loss of our sister in Christ, Ellie Martens. Ellie passed away from February 4, 2006. We extend our deepest sympathies to her husband Abe and family. God has not promised us all the answers, but He has promised His grace. Louella Friesen Dwylla Zacharias (shown with her husband Jared) transferred her membership to Kleefeld EMC on November 13, 2005.
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RFC and Oak Bluff Bible Church
Rosenort Fellowship (Man.): This has been an exciting and challenging year here at Rosenort Fellowship Chapel. We have seen God’s hand at work in our ministry in Oak Bluff, Man. RFC has been running a successful VBS program for many years in Oak Bluff. Oak Bluff is located southwest of Winnipeg’s perimeter highway, making it a short drive into the city. Approximately 55 children would show up every night for one week during the summer to attend our outreach program there. God laid it on the hearts of members of our church to explore the possibility of planting a church in Oak Bluff. There was no church in the small town. Most of the community attended churches in Winnipeg or did not attend any. The idea was brought to membership and away it went. Planting a church brings with it many emotions, struggles and victories. RFC pastor John Driedger has been involved with church planting in the past. He, along with members from RFC and members of the Oak Bluff community, began meeting and planning to make it all happen. The first service for the new church took place on September 11, 2005. Approximately 115 people attended the first service and approximately 100 people attend on a regular basis. Praise God for such a great response to this ministry! It is exciting for the community to finally get a church, but what would this do to RFC? I started to seriously consider this question: We are sending four couples from our church to be leaders in Oak Bluff? There are positions that need to be filled here as well. It is awesome how God has provided willing servants to fill these positions. Troy and Coralee Selley are the pastoral couple at the Oak Bluff Bible Church. RFC had a couple of baby dedication services in the past while. Mark and Marcia Loewen with Seth, and Tim and Tammy Sanderson with Taylor were involved in May 2005. Reg and Rhonda Friesen dedicated their twin girls Anika and Shaelyn on Jan. 15, 2006. The Sunday school winter picnic took place at Rosenort Arena on February 5, 2006. Tyler Pelke from Winnipeg was our guest speaker. He shared with us his powerful testimony and how God has been working in his life. We had lunch followed by skating and hockey. I am going to take this opportunity to
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say a big thank you to those that have served on the many committees for the past year at RFC. It takes many dedicated people to make a church run. I also want to thank the people that work behind the scenes, not necessarily serving on a committee. I know there are many hours put in that no one notices, so thank you! God always notices and always smiles on those that do His work without any glory attached to it. I know that if I put
a big effort into something, I tend to look for a little pat on the back. I would like to rather trust that God is smiling down on me and give Him all of the glory that He so richly deserves. We are his servants, and sometimes I need to be reminded of that. It is great to see how God has also provided willing servants to serve on the committees for this coming year. I trust that 2006 will be an exciting year at RFC. Ryan Friesen
A baby dedication was held on January 15, 2006: Reg and Rhonda Friesen dedicated their twin girls Anika and Shaelyn. Pastor John Driedger led the service.
56th Annual EMC Convention
Front Porch Faith
Uncompromising Discipleship in a Broken World July 7–9, 2006
Canadian Mennonite University Winnipeg, Manitoba Speaker: Ron Sider
THE MESSENGER
Missions conference in Region 3 Pelly, Sask.: On January 20-22, 2006, we were privileged to have lovely weather for our missions conference. Our speakers came from the same area, so they were able to travel as a group and disperse from here to the various other churches also taking part—Swan River, Endeavour, and Birch River. It was different having two retired missionaries, but what a blessing they were! Cathy Thiessen A dedication service was held at Pelly on December 25, 2005: Don and Connie served many years in Hamm dedicated themselves to train their daughter Shannyn. Pastor John and Mexico and Doris Friesen Helen Froese stand with them. was a long-time worker in Paraguay. They had many pictures and much to tell us about people, culture, needs, and experiences in these countries. With his new position as foreign secretary to the EMC Board of Missions, Ready for the Christmas program: Colten, Sharmyn, Zane and Miles Abrahamson, (back) Joshua Cassidy, Ken Zacharias gave an overview of (front) Hanan and Micah Johnson. the work, mainly in Central and South American countries. He spoke of his time with mission work in Paraguay and showed some pictures. Ken brought the S T E I N B A C H B I B L E C O L L E G E Sunday morning message. Paraguay and Mexico are both of special interest to Pelly congregation because of our close relationship to Ernest and Elsie Funk, a former pastoral couple who have long served in Paraguay; and another of our members, Bruce Hamm, who is with Amor missions in Mexico. On December 19, 2005, we presented July 12 to August 4, 2006 right here our Christmas program. There was a good turnout and it was well received. right now For youth age 16 and older On December 25 the congregation rejoiced as Don and Connie Hamm (application deadline is May 1, dedicated themselves to train their 2006). daughter Shannyn in the ways of the Lord. On December 30, though, it was The team will focus primarily on not with such joy as we bade farewell to German Mennonites who have Don, Connie, and Shannyn. We desired settled in the area. to keep them here, but Don needed The ministry will include full-time employment, which he found children’s, youth and family at Thompson, Man. They’ve relocated ministry, work projects, as well there, and we continue to ask God’s Come to Discovery Days blessing on them. as programming in our TriOn December 31 a number of believers March 29-30 Conference churches in the area. gathered at the church for a time of call Michelle for details singing, praising, prayer, sharing, games Contact Gerald Reimer at the EMC and snacks. It was a wonderful way to national office for information at 1.800.230.8478 end the year. 204-326-6401 or emcger@mts.net. www.sbcollege.ca Vivian Anfinson
February , 006
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Peacefully, on February 3, 2006, at the Red River Valley Lodge in Morris, Man., Peter L. Friesen, aged 93 years, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, passed away. Peter Loewen Friesen was born on March 1, 1912, to David F. and Anna Friesen in the Rosenhoff/Morris area. His grade school education took place in Rosenhoff School. He completed grade 10 at MCI in 1935. An academic education was always important to him and he encouraged his children to pursue a good education before embarking on their careers. Baptism on his confession of faith took place on August 9, 1931, by Bishop Jacob B. Kroeker. He was received into membership in the Kleine Gemeinde Church, which later became the EMC. His first marriage, to Helen Dueck, took place on June 5, 1938. Helen died in 1947 leaving Dad with their three daughters. Dad married Gertrude Dueck on July 4, 1948, and established their home on the Rosenhoff farmstead. This marriage was blessed with three daughters and two sons. Dad was the oldest of a family of five brothers. He grew up on a grain farm, which also included cattle, and horses in which the family took great pride. Due to a childhood injury he walked with a limp all his life. A freak accident in 1992, at age 80, resulted in a break in his injured leg which prompted him to use elbow crutches for several years before resorting to a wheelchair in 2000. For a short time during his earlymarried life he managed the Altona Flour Mill in which his parents had a vested interest. He moved back to the Morris area and returned to grain farming with his brothers. Driven by his strong faith, community and church involvement were important to him. He served as trustee on the local
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Olfert, Liam Unrau and Kai Schellenberg; and one brother—Dave L. Friesen. He was predeceased by his parents, David and Anna Friesen; three brothers, Frank, Abe and John; a foster sister, Elsie Dyck; his first wife, Helen, and one daughter, Myrna Friesen. Dad enjoyed good health most of his life. In the latter years mobility became more difficult, eventually necessitating the move to the Red River Valley Lodge on December 23, 2004. As a family, we want to express sincere appreciation to the staff for their compassionate and loving care of our Dad. He found inspiration in his favorite Bible verse, “This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” In dying, our father, we know, has been delivered into the full presence of the One, whom, having not seen, he loved. The funeral service was held at Rosenort EMC on February 8, 2006, with the interment at the church cemetery. The funeral arrangements were under the care of Morris Funeral Home. His Family
birth THIESSEN – to Joe and Corinne Thiessen of Mitchell, Man., a son, Boston Isaiah Joseph, on December 14, 2005.
TESOL
PETER L. FRIESEN 1912–2006
school board for six and a half years, secretary treasurer of the Morris Trump Oil Company, and on the MCI Board. Deeply committed to his Christian faith, Dad was elected to the ministry of Rosenort EMC in 1951. He was secretary treasurer for the Mission Board of the EM Conference in its pioneer years (1953-1971), which included receipting and forwarding missionary allowances. In 1954 he was chosen as pastor of Rosenort EMC and served in that capacity until 1974, performing and conducting numerous funerals, marriages and baptisms. Dad was elected as moderator for the EM Conference for several terms. Following his retirement from pastoral duties, Dad and Mom were active participants in the coordination of the Golden Age program, with Dad taking meticulous care in recording and arranging visitation groups. During these years of ministry he maintained his grain farming career. In 1969 Mom and Dad established a fabric business. They operated Riverside Economy Shop for 27 years until the doors closed in 1996. This venture extended their connections beyond the community and provided an opportunity to express their faith in honest business dealings with both wholesalers and customers. Establishing this business fulfilled a business interest for both of them and allowed them to work together. Dad finally retired at 84 years of age. Somehow he managed to balance ministry, farming and family life. The Dad we as a family knew and loved was a thoughtful, considerate, kind, gentle and a soft-spoken man. He was very organized and a meticulous statistician. Although a man with unwavering principles, as children we sensed an openness and acceptance of new ideas. The trademark sparkle in his eyes demonstrated a quiet wit and sense of humour. Peter L. Friesen will be lovingly remembered by his beloved wife of 58 years, Gertie; five daughters—Dorothy and Menno Kroeker of Rosenort, Alvira Friesen of Mexico, Diana and Wayne Fields of Winnipeg, Donelda Friesen of Winnipeg, and Val and Alf Dyck of Winkler; two sons, Wes and Alvina Friesen of Rosenort and Stan Friesen of Morris; six grandchildren—Don Kroeker, David (Sheila) Kroeker, Leanne (Trevor) Olfert, Heidi (Bernard) Schellenberg, Amy (Eric) Unrau and Jillayne Friesen: four great grandsons—Ethan and Tait
Practicu
m
Option Englis h Lang u Ukra ine -- J age Institute uly 5–3 Cost: 1, 2006 $2950
TESOL is taught during module 7 each spring Dates May 1 – 26, 2006 Class times Monday to Friday, 8:30 am – 3:00 pm Professor Elfrieda Lepp-Kaethler, M.A. Cost $2250 plus textbooks food/lodging additional cost Enrolment Limited to 24 students For more information contact Christal Penner 204-326-6451 • 800-230-8478 admissions@sbcollege.ca 50 PTH 12 N Steinbach, MB R5G 1T4 www.sbcollege.ca
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 emconf@mts.net. EMC Missions seeks missionaries for Mexico and Paraguay. In both countries, church planters are needed to work alongside national church leaders and missionaries. 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 emcken@mts.net. 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 tdpromise@sasktel.net. 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 forward-looking church of about 400 regular attendees. 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. Send a resume with references to lccfc@telus.net or LCCFC, Box 385, La Crete, AB T0H 2H0 Attention: Pastor Frank Winsor. 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 204-482-6801 or dave-kim_ field@ntm.org; or Tim and Joy Watson at 541-4859888 or timnjoy@bltconline.org. Housing is paid for and support raising is required for $1,500 US per month. 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 kemc@mts.net; phone 204-377-4248. Fish Creek Christian Fellowship (EMC) seeks a full-time pastor, with position open May 2006. Experience and education expected are flexible.
February , 006
The church, started in south Calgary in 1998, is currently meeting in a rural setting outside of Calgary; it hopes to return to Calgary shortly. Fish Creek has about 50 people attending. Contact Garry Kornelsen, board chair, at 403-281-3737; or 55 Woodford Cres., SW, Calgary AB T2W 4C6. 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, 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 250-567-2064; vcfemc@telus.net. MCC Canada seeks a full-time salaried International Visitor Exchange Program (IVEP) Canada Coordinator (one-year maternity leave position beginning May 15, 2006). The Canada Coordinator administers IVEP in Canada. IVEP brings 65 international adults (ages 19–30) to North America for one year. Previous experience with young adults of different nationalities, and effective communication and administrative skills are required. All MCC workers are expected to exhibit a commitment to a personal Christian faith and discipleship, active church membership, and nonviolent peacemaking. Contact: Marsha Jones, phone: (204)261-6381, e-mail: mgj@mennonitecc.ca, View job description on the web at www.mcc.org. Applications will be accepted until March 20, 2006. 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, 403-382-9184 (cell 382-9184). Briercrest Family of Schools seeks a vicepresident of advancement, starting August 1, 2006. This VP will lead the advancement division, which exists to enable the educational ministry of Briercrest to thrive by building strategic relationships that result in friends, funds, and freshmen for the institution and providing valuable educational support services. Needed: Exemplary Christian character and reputation; a keen interest in Briercrest’s mission, significant experience in public relations, marketing, and/or public relations; fi ve years of management experience overseeing projects and multiple employees; master’s degree (doctorate preferred); and ability to see the big picture, set objectives, and encourage the development and accomplishment of strategic initiatives. Applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three referees to Bob Krueger, director of HR, Briercrest Family of Schools, Caronport, SK S0H 0S0; e-mail hr@ briercrest.ca. Applications will be accepted until position is filled. Briercrest Family of Schools is a private, confessional post-secondary institution in the
evangelical Protestant tradition. All employees sign a doctrinal statement and code of conduct. Visit the web site, www.briercrest.ca, for more information. Crestview Fellowship (EMC) seeks a part-time youth director with a strong personal spiritual foundation who is able to build strong 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 finkswpg@mts.net or by mail to Crestview Fellowship, c/o Christine Fink, 271 Hamilton Ave., Winnipeg, MB R2Y 0H3. Mennonite Disaster Service is expanding its binational staff because of increased need following the Gulf Coast hurricanes of 2005. All positions are located in Akron, Pennsylvania. These staff report directly to the executive director: Communications, to develop and administer a comprehensive communications plan to share the MDS message with the constituency and stakeholder communities as well as general public, interpreting MDS philosophy/vision and promoting strong support; Field operations, to manage field operations and to assure effective and efficient team effort in field relationships and activities in serving MDS “customers/clients” within its philosophy and resource parameters; Finance and accounting, to oversee the fi nancial management, reporting and controller functions, assuring integrity in all financial aspects of MDS; Human resources, to assure prompt provision of qualified staff for all leadership positions and long-term volunteer positions and program needs and to enhance effective teamwork throughout the organization. Inquire to MDS Human Resources, Attention: Arleta Martin, 1018 Main Street, Akron, PA 17501; e-mail: jobs@mds.mennonite.net; phone: 717859-2210, Fax: 717-859-4910; http://www.mds. mennonite.net. Inner City Youth Alive, a Christian ministry in the North End of Winnipeg, Man., seeks a workshop program director (full-time, permanent with support raising required). Fax resume to 204-582-4729; mail to ICYA, 418 Aberdeen Ave., Winnipeg, MB R2W 1V7; or e-mail icya@mts.net. Pastoral reference required. Kenosee Lake Bible Camp, a CSSM camp located in beautiful Moose Mountain Provincial Park in southeast Saskatchewan, seeks a facility manager (April to September). Manager oversees operation and maintenance of facilities, vehicles and equipment—including buildings, grounds, swimming pool, washrooms and sewer, water, mechanical and electrical functions. KLBC also seeks a camp secretary (May to September) to oversee clerical duties, the tuck shop, and guest hospitality. Accommodation is provided at camp during employment period, if required. Applications accepted until March 18, 2006. Forward your resumes to Marlon Klassen, 214 Doiron Road N, Regina, SK S4Y 1G4; e-mail: marlon.klassen@ sasktel.net; phone Marlon Klassen (board secetary) at 306-924-0129 or Terry Kerr (board chairman) at 306-848-0393.
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kids’ corner Loreena Thiessen
Be Your Best
W
hen you watch hockey, skating, or skiing, how do you know who is the best? At the Olympic Games the best competitors, the players who compete, have come to win a gold medal. For the past four years they have practiced and perfected their sport. Now they are ready and the best they can be. In the animal kingdom we recognize specific animals both by their appearance and by what they do. Animals are at their best when they do those things which show their character, when they do what they were meant to do. Let’s look at the lion. We recognize the lion by his shape, his colour, his hairy mane, and, of course, by his deep roar. Other animals know he is a fierce and strong hunter. He is their enemy; they know the lion will have them for lunch, so to save themselves they must run. Hunting is the lion’s character. The Monarch butterfly weighs only 1 gram. Its wings are delicate yet can withstand flights of thousands of miles, and on its migratory journey it flies 80 miles per day. We know the Monarch by its bright orange and black colouring. These bright colours tell birds they taste bad and so they are protected. The Koala bear has a soft brown coat. It eats only eucalyptus leaves. It looks cuddly and content. It moves slowly. This is what we expect the Koala to be and do. How can you be your best? To be the best person you can be you must be a person of good character. Your character is the way you usually behave, out of habit. A famous preacher, Dwight Moody, once said, “Character is what you do when no one is looking.” When it’s your turn to wash the dishes do you do them even if your Mom goes out for the evening? If you do, she can count on you. Do you admire someone in your class who is less popular, as much as someone who is very popular? If someone has been hurt or treated unfairly do you care? Do you do things which make your school, your neighborhood or city a better place for everyone? Every day there is something you can do that will develop good character. Can you find four different things that show good character which Jesus taught in Matthew 5, 6, and 7? Read Matthew 5:14-16; Matthew 6:14; Matthew 6:20; T Matthew 7:1. M
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character. ’s n o li e h t is Hunting
Snowman Factory You need: White paper (photocopier or printer paper) Scraps of coloured Christmas wrapping paper Plastic buttons Ribbon ends Pencil Coloured markers Ruler Scissors Glue stick What you do: • Accordian-fold, 7 centimetres per fold, one sheet of printer or photocopier paper. On the top surface draw a snowman with 3 circles, the biggest circle at the bottom. The sides should touch the edges. • Cut out the snowman shape. Cut only under the arms. Do not cut where the arms touch the edges. Cut around the bottom, and around the snowman’s head. Do not cut where the edges touch the folded sheet. • Open up the folded chain of attached snowmen. • Decorate the chain of snowmen with scraps of wrapping paper. Hang as a banner or frame a window. THE MESSENGER Evangelical Mennonite Conference 440 Main Street Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z5 Publications Mail Agreement #40017 6 PAP Registration # 14