THE
MESSENGER
volume 48, number 4 March 17, 2010
www.emconf.ca/Messenger
The Journey o the
Cross
Also ďŹ nd inside information on the EMC ďŹ nancial challenge a publication of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference
THE
editorials
MESSENGER
Where is my copy of The Messenger ?
W
ere you expecting a second issue in February and two in March? So were we. Sorry
about that. This issue is both an example, and a symbol, of change caused by the EM Conference 2009 budget shortfall and a proposed revised (national and international) budget for 2010. When a significant year-end shortfall appeared, the Board of Trustees called on executive staff and boards to arrive at a revised budget for 2010 in line with actual giving from 2009. The Messenger, as with many other conference ministries, was affected. Caught mid-stream, we could not inform readers there would be only one issue in February and one in March.
When a significant year-end shortfall appeared, the Board of Trustees called for a revised budget in line with actual giving from 2009.
There will be, as you realize now, two issues less in 2010; and to save money this issue is kept to 20 pages. In mid-March the Board of Church Ministries will meet. In weeks preceding, however, the board’s executive and staff members have been busy. The BCM will scrutinize the revised budget and decide how to respond. As part of this, it will address matters of The Messenger’s production schedule and paper stocks. The paper stock you are reading now is a test sample. The 2010 production schedule will likely either keep 20 issues or move to a monthly with 36 pages. Feedback is always welcome. Amid change, there are positive happenings afoot. There could also be some losses; we regret those. But to inform, instruct, and inspire— that desire has remained the same since The Messenger began in 1963 with eight pages. Terry M. Smith Rebecca Roman
How much information do you want?
A
s the EMC’s 2009 year-end occurred, the Board of Trustees received news of a significant shortfall. It was not entirely a surprise. In December BOT members explained to conference council delegates that it was “concerned” and “alarmed” about the current level of giving and that December giving needed to be $200,000 more than previously to meet expenses. In 2009 and early 2010 national boards and staff members took active steps in responding to this—more than can be mentioned here. In mid-March the General Board will consider the Board of Trustees’ proposal to reduce the budget to 2009 giving levels. The General Board has constitutional authority to “act on behalf of the Conference between Council meetings” (VII, 3.g).
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THE MESSENGER | March 17, 2010
This budget shortfall means that at least seven of eight dollars relied on arrived despite tougher times. Thank you! A shortfall, however, means that our joint ministries are affected across Canada and in other countries. What does the budget shortfall mean for the EMC’s positive vision of Jesus Christ, and for 2010 and 2011? How much information do you want? Our EM Conference is a network of churches from B.C. to southern Ontario with about 7,200 members and 7,800 gathering weekly at worship services. Members of the conference council, ministerial, national boards, and national staff serve and act as your representatives. We are in this together. Terry M. Smith
EDITOR Terry M. Smith tsmith@emconf.ca
ASSISTANT EDITOR Rebecca Roman
rroman@emconf.ca
Submissions to The Messenger should be sent to messenger@emconf.ca THE MESSENGER is the publication of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference. It is available to the general public. Its purpose is to inform concerning events and activities in the denomination, instruct in godliness and victorious living, inspire to earnestly contend for the faith. Letters, articles, photos and poems are welcomed. Unpublished material is not returned except by request. Views and opinions of writers are their own and do not necessarily represent the position of the Conference or the editors. THE MESSENGER is published by the EMC Board of Church Ministries, 440 Main St, Steinbach, Man. Subscriptions: Canadian subscriptions are $24 for one year, $44 for two years, $65 for three years (Manitoba residents add 7% PST); U.S. subscriptions are $30 for one year, $55 for two years, $82 for three years; all other countries are $45 for one year, $85 for two years, $125 for three years . Subscriptions are voluntary and optional to people within or outside of the EMC. Subscriptions are purchased by the Conference for members and adherents. THE MESSENGER is a member of Meetinghouse and Canadian Church Press. Second-class postage paid at Steinbach, Manitoba. ISSN #0701-3299 PAP Registration #9914 Publications Mail Agreement #40017362 We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP), toward our mailing costs. Undelivered copies, change of address and new subscriptions should be addressed to: 440 Main St, Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z5 Phone: 204-326-6401 Fax: 204-326-1613 E-mail: messenger@emconf.ca
MESSENGER SCHEDULE: No. 5 – April 21 (copy due March 26) On-line edition available at www.emconf.ca/Messenger
focus on... by Tim Dyck, General Secretary tdyck@emconf.ca
A financial challenge
T
he economic downturn has affected some EMC churches more than others, but the reality is that many congregations have experienced financial challenges this past year. Tough economic times may not be fun, but there can be benefits, particularly to faith-based organizations like churches. Times of difficulty can help us to refocus on God and not rely on our own resources. This in turn will deepen our faith as we learn to trust in God alone. Financial challenges can also help organizations to improve our long-term effectiveness, if we view these difficulties as learning opportunities.
decades will cover this deficit, but there is very little reserve remaining. Given this new set of circumstances, the Board of Trustees recommended and, together with the Conference executive staff, significantly reduced the budget that was approved at the November Conference Council meeting. The proposal is to reduce the budget by seven per cent, which means by $145,000. This proposal needs to be reviewed by all boards and approved by the General Board, which meets in March. Thankfully, no cuts to staff are included in this reduction. No missionaries will be recalled from the field, no national staff member
The reduced budget, once approved, will definitely affect the ability of our staff to do ministry. Because it is the churches working together in joint ministry, the EM Conference has not escaped the economic slowdown. Since we were anticipating a difficult year financially in 2009, based on the counsel of the Board of Trustees, Conference boards and staff worked diligently to reduce spending, and expenses were down almost $100,000 from the previous year. However, what was completely unanticipated was that donations to the ministries of the Conference were down by approximately $135,000. The result is that the Conference has had another record high deficit for 2009 of almost $200,000. The budget reserve fund that was built up over several
will be laid off, and there will be no adjustments to salaries. Even so, the reduced budget, once approved, will definitely affect the ability of our staff to do ministry. Following are a few of the items that will be adjusted to meet the new 2010 budget targets: • For the Board of Missions, it means that travel for both missionaries and executive staff will be significantly lessened; support to associate missionaries will be frozen; and all expansion items will be eliminated this year. • The Board of Church Ministries will decrease the number of issues of The Messenger; bursaries for SBC students will be reduced; and travel and the National Youth Committee will also see reductions.
• A number of expansion items will be removed from the Board of Leadership and Outreach budget. • The Board of Trustees will reduce the equipment budget; and subsidies for Convention travel will be decreased. • The General Board will also lessen the amount allocated to Convention expenses. The apostle Paul was certainly no stranger to difficulties—financial and otherwise. He was often singled out for suffering because of his commitment to the proclamation of the gospel. In fact, the Holy Spirit even told him ahead of time that he would need to suffer for his faith in God (Acts 9:16), so it did not come as a surprise when suffering came his way. His approach to suffering was to declare the goodness of God in each and every situation, and to be content whether he had plenty or little (Philippians 4). We can be grateful for the provision of the Lord and his Church, while seeking to be people of vision and good stewards of what we have been given. We look forward to your counsel as we walk through 2010 together. Whatever that brings, may Christ be praised, his church strengthened, and his ministries extended!
Also see p. 19 for Gerald Reimer’s column, which relates to the ongoing financial challenge the EM Conference is facing. A graph and chart appears on p. 14 outlining how budget numbers are affected. THE MESSENGER | March 17, 2010
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a reader’s viewpoint
Beyond Us and Them by John Schlamp
I
am so grateful for having been born in Canada. Surely we all agree that it is the very best country in the whole world. It’s not without problems, but with fewer difficulties than most. Even the climate here seems to favour us; think wind and water and earthquakes. My families came here from other parts of the world, as did a vast majority of us by now. They came here and displaced those who were here at the time. What a privilege it’s been to have been born here and feel at home and speak the language of most. I sympathize with people suffering from displacement or disaster or war—whether our own soldiers or army persons or civilians of another country. I think we as human beings were meant to heal, not harm.
Our young men are dying in other parts of the world, but the result is not the peaceful cohabitation that is our human desire. It is our human responsibility to help solve problems, not to engage in war. War has never brought the peace that we want, and it won’t when it is won in our god’s name either. Our young men are dying in other parts of the world, but the result is not the peaceful cohabitation that is our human desire.
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We are here not as the rightful owners of this land, but as extremely fortunate persons to be here at this particular time in the history of humankind. Gratitude would dictate that we share what we have. New persons coming here will inevitably come with problems, just as well as we have blemishes and scars. It is extremely dangerous to point to a particular group of people and point out their failings. We can never afford the privilege of painting all persons of one colour or race or religion as being the same. Individuals are good and not so good and that is true of us all. Our young men are dying not in some holy cause; at least not so any more than the young boys of Muslim faith are dying for their god’s sake. I suggest we grieve for all the atrocities that are happening in and around us all the time. To focus on only our children is to lose sight of our humanness. Being human is to live in communion with the other, let’s not give up our place in the created order. There is no room for us/them; it is and always will be we. We are creatures of this world, creations of the same G-d. You, me and them other fellas-we. We, we, we, always we. When our Lord was asked about the greatest commandments, He listed as the number two in the set of priorities in His Kingdom: to love the other as oneself (Mark 12:30). Not much room for two classes here either. “Us” and “them” are not words for those who follow “the way.” We is the constant word. John Schlamp is part of Aberdeen EMC (Winnipeg, Man.).
Will you be there for
The Triumph of the Lamb? Plan to attend EMC Convention July 2-4, 2010, in Leamington, Ontario
Inspirational sessions, children’s programming, youth event, and more Registration beginning April 1, 2010 at www.emconference.ca Speaker: David W. Shenk, Ph.D. 4
THE MESSENGER | March 17, 2010
writings shared
Practices: Mennonite Worship and Witness, John D. Roth (Waterloo, ON: Herald Press, 2009). 250 pp. $12.99 USD. ISBN 9780836194272. Reviewed by Bill Kehler, chaplain, Haven Group (Steinbach, Man.).
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orship practices in the church of the twentyfirst century have been in a state of change that rivals the computer industry or the automotive sector. We are always hearing about or looking for the next model that will fill us with a sense of wonder and provide a witness to the community in order to fill our church buildings. Cynical would be a good description of my attitude as well as seriously searching for my own renewal of worship. This searching created the interest in reading this book. John D. Roth introduces the book by describing his journey through
skepticism in terms (11-17) that I had not yet allowed myself to explore. He opens by laying a foundation of five faith principles or themes: 1. The character of God is revealed in abundance rather than scarcity. 2. The fullest expression of God’s revelation to humanity is Jesus Christ, in whom “the Word became flesh” (John 1:14). 3. Through the Holy Spirit, Christians participate “in Christ” in the life of the church, which we call the body of Christ. 4. The body of Christ is given for the world in acts of vulnerable and self-giving love.
Roth helps us examine our Anabaptist-Mennonite traditions, challenges our worship practices, and examines the practical witness of the church in our community and the world.
5. In Christian “practices,” worship and witness become inseparable (19-22). These simple reminders of who we are at this time in history make the book worth reading. From that point, the history professor (Goshen College) and theologian begins to unpack the history of our faith journey. He takes us from the early development of the Catholic Church and then works through changes and struggles that have brought us to this place in history. He helps us examine our Anabaptist-Mennonite traditions, challenges our worship practices, and examines the practical witness of the church in our community and the world. He examines the effects of our changes as we seek to fulfill our call to missions. This examination of historical change and conflict within our desire to serve God in worship is truly revealing as it pertains to the struggles of many of our Mennonite churches. The author has a unique ability to give a new perspective to the journey of faith, which I found refreshing. I did not find definitive answers to all of my questions, but after reading the book I was strengthened in my resolve to move forward in my journey with expectation, knowing that God has been faithful through the centuries in protecting his bride. THE MESSENGER | March 17, 2010
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John 18:1-40, 19:1-42
The Journey o the W
e all have heard why Jesus came to this earth—to bring us salvation, to bring us eternal life, and to restore us to a relationship with God. But for some of us, we have heard it so often, and we have gotten so used to it that the story has lost its sharpness. But it doesn’t matter how often we have heard it, we need to hear it again. We pick up the story where Jesus has finished the Last Supper with his disciples. He has served his disciples, washed their feet, prayed for them. It was time to do the last job for which he was sent from heaven. It was the hardest job of all, but without it all that he did before would not work. Once 6
THE MESSENGER | March 17, 2010
Cross by Pastor Jacob Enns
completed, it would pave the way for us to follow Him fully. The final work of Jesus on earth was to die, a decision he made for our benefit. What is this event worth? It is the greatest that ever happened. The resurrection is equally great, but it could not have happened if this story was not first. We need to keep Jesus’ story central in our lives. It is a story of the greatest victory and the greatest loss. God won the victory and evil lost. Losing and winning The story of the cross is a special one of losing and winning. The ones who thought they were
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winning, were losing; and the one who looked like he had lost won the greatest victory in history. The one who looked like he had victory at hand was never closer to defeat when Jesus was nailed to the cross. When Jesus died, Satan was defeated and everything he wanted was taken from him. Power and weakness The story of the cross is one of power and weakness. When Jesus was nailed the cross, leaders, people, government, and Roman soldiers looked like they were in power and Jesus was the weak one. But never was humanity weaker than when it nailed Jesus to the cross, and never was there a more powerful show of strength than when Jesus submitted to God’s call to take the punishment that we deserved. To go to the cross took more strength than we can ever imagine. It is the weak who run away from death; the strong face it with courage. Courage and fear The story of the cross is one of courage and fear. Outwardly, it may have looked courageous on Pilate’s part to condemn Jesus. Never was greater weakness displayed in a human being than to condemn an innocent man to please an angry mob and evil leadership. Pilate gave in to fear. Jesus was the one who demonstrated courage when Jewish leaders, afraid of losing their grip on people, decided to kill him. Love and hate The story of the cross is one of love and hate. The Pharisees said they wanted Jesus dead because of the things he said, claiming he was the Son of God. The real issue was that they hated Jesus and couldn’t stand him. Jesus showed love in its power when, hanging on the cross, he said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Healing and pain The story of the cross is one of healing and pain. Isaiah tells us that for us to be healed, he had to endure pain. “But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). Hope and despair The story of the cross is one of hope and despair. The disciples only a few days earlier had
hoped that Jesus would now put into power the Kingdom of Israel and take control, and they would help govern the land. Now, with Jesus on the cross, it looked hopeless. Forgiveness and punishment The story of the cross is one of forgiveness and punishment. When Jesus died, our sins were paid for and forgiven. But what was forgiveness for us, was punishment for Jesus. The sins of the world had to be put somewhere, and when Jesus died he was the sacrifice for the sins of the world.
Never was there a more powerful show of strength than when Jesus submitted to God’s call to take the punishment that we deserved. Death and life The story of the cross is one of death and life. When Jesus died, the curtain that separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the temple was torn in two. Now all of us have a direct route to God through Jesus Christ. He is now our priest before God. Salvation and expense The story of the cross is one of our salvation at God’s expense. To save us from hell, someone had to pay a price. Salvation for us is free, but it cost Jesus his life—out of his own free will. No payment is higher than one’s own life. Where do we stand today? When Jesus came to this earth, it was a journey from heaven to earth, from glory to suffering, from life to death. When we begin a journey, it is usually with hope and anticipation. Jesus made the journey knowing that we were not his friends. Paul wrote, “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). When Jesus came it was not a step up, it was a step down. It would end in the tomb before he would rise again. How do we want our journey in life to be? How many of us would take a trip knowing that it would be a journey of pain and suffering, rejection, and death? Would we want to take a trip, knowing in the process we would die? (continued next page) THE MESSENGER | March 17, 2010
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Jesus made the journey to the cross for us, all alone in the final end of the journey. To finish the task for which he came, no one could do it for him. The death that Jesus died was a physical death. Physical blood was spilled to pay for our sin and provide eternal life for us. Our sinful hearts brought about the need for someone to pay for our sins. And it was our physical, sinful deeds that brought physical pain for our Lord
Death had to be overcome, and only the life of Jesus Christ was good enough. and Saviour. This is a mystery which we will never fully grasp on this side of eternity, but a few truths stand out. God in his power and love created this physical world with all its wonder and beauty. But evil came in, marred the beauty, and brought death. Death had to be overcome, and only the life of Jesus Christ was good enough. Each one of us is guilty of the death of Jesus because we have sinful hearts. Our journey What kind of journey will we have? If we love Jesus, we will be proud to know him as our Saviour and be willing to follow him. If we love Jesus, what brings him pain will bring us pain. If we love Jesus, we will thank him for salvation and live in surrender to him as our Lord and King. Remember what he saved us from, what it cost, and what he saved us for. And live in gratitude for his wonderful gift. Jacob Enns is an EMC minister connected with New Life Christian Fellowship (Stevenson, Ont.).
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THE MESSENGER | March 17, 2010
The Capital Offence by Brigitte Toews A treacherous kiss under cover of night A trial amiss, He didn’t put up a fight The testimony of two would outweigh the accused They twisted the truth; a defence He refused Tempers flare and accusations fly Are you God’s Son? They incessantly pry A King of a Kingdom not of this earth A crown of thorns to mock His birth What crime is this that would warrant death? Defend your honour with every breath! A garment is torn, the charge was made And by His blood the foundation was laid O’ the wonders He does in The Father’s Name; To remove our sin, our guilt, our shame The bloodline is severed, Salvation has come— When God raised His precious Holy Son! Enduring The Cross for this “Capital Offence” Has revealed the Throne of Grace for my defence. Luke 22:47-71, 23:32-43; Matthew 26:47-48, 27:11-43; John 18:19-40, 19:1-16; 1 Corinthians 3:11; 1 John 2:1-2; Hebrews 12:2
New beginnings at CINAG NICARAGUA The Word of God speaks of a new path or new beginnings on numerous occasions. CINAG (Gethsemane Centre for Children at Risk) too is experiencing new beginnings. Since our return to Nicaragua January 19 we have learned of many new beginnings. Early in 2009 they began working closely with a community health clinic situated in El Crucero just a few kilometres away. A census in the community found that 65 to 70 percent of the target children were malnourished. Some were as much as nine kg under weight.
The garden project produce was used to enhance the nutrition program at CINAG.
Construction has started on the multi-sports court. Local youth look forward to it.
With the help of the clinic and the nutrition program these children are much healthier today and are going to school. Another new venture was planting a vegetable garden on the church property next to CINAG. The youth planted tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and melons. They set up three simplified drip irrigation systems and were very pleased at the crop the garden plot produced. CINAG’s new board: (back) Suyen Vado (treasurer), Giselle This produce was used to enhance the nutrition program. Gaytan (secretary), Feliciano Robles, Nicolas Sequiera (ex-officio member), Pablo Cruz (front) Patricio Mora (viceUnfortunately two of the president), Graciela Alvarado (president), Elizabeth Vado systems were stolen and some (CINAG director, not board member). plants carried off. World Vision and MCC donated bolts of cloth to CINAG. The We praise God for answered ladies of the community along with a prayers. The whole day was a maniseamstress and tailor created school festation of His goodness. Pray for uniforms and backpacks with some the board and staff of CINAG in their of the material. This is an ongoing new roles. project to teach ladies to sew, and at The other obvious development is the same time supply uniforms for the construction of the multi-sports the kindergarten children. court. Local youth are eagerly anticiThe next big leap of new beginpating the full use of this facility. nings is a vocational school. MCC These are some of the new things is working to provide an industrial happening at CINAG, but the staff sewing machine to CINAG with the also looks back at God’s faithfulness purpose of beginning an upholstery and the path they already walked course. After that, they wish to intro- and say God is good. duce an elementary level carpentry Testimonies of changed hearts, course. There are adequate facilities joyous contacts with former resito house these projects. dents, the good health many chilAs I’m writing this report the dren now enjoy, the self-esteem most pre-kindergarten and kindergarten children display, the gratefulness of teachers are registering the commany parents—all are witness to the munity children for another year magnificence of God Almighty. of classes. There are more than 30 They say thank you and God children eager to begin classes. bless you all for your many prayers, The reason for our return to interest, and gifts. Nicaragua in January was to attend Darlene Olfert and take part in the general assembly meeting. The main points on Darlene and Lester Olfert (Steinbach the agenda were the election of the EFC) serve under Action International new board and the approval of new Ministries. programs. THE MESSENGER | March 17, 2010
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PHOTOS: LESTER OLFERT
with our missionaries
with our missionaries PHOTOS: GORDON SKOPNIK
Work team learns patience and praises God SUDAN Gordon Skopnik was in Sudan on January 9 to 27, 2010, as part of a team. Dot Kohler helped with the women’s conference and was researching a bike repair project for women for income generation. Dave DeFrancheso served as a handyman and his wife Heather taught at a women’s conference. Gordon led the team, worked on planning and budget with national leader Enoka Dumo (for building of schools, income generating projects), preached the Sunday sermon, and more. Here is a shortened, edited version of what Dot Kohler wrote during their time in Sudan: We’ve just finished having a cup of tea together after returning from St. Bartholomew’s orphanage where Heather and I have spent the last few nights. Amazing! Currently there are 100 beautiful children there. Gord, Dave, and Chris (an 18-yearold Canadian who has been here since
Gordon Skopnik (right) with Sudanese children
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THE MESSENGER | March 17, 2010
November) come during the daytime. We have been able to sit and play with the children, hug the babies, help get them fed and washed and put to bed. The staff is most amazing, patient, and kind with the little ones. Lara, a year old, has been following Heather whenever she spots her and is most content just to sit on her lap or lay against her if there are already one or two little ones on her lap. We heard that Lara was found leaning against her mother who had been macheted to death; it was two days before she was found. This is only one story that breaks our heart. This little one is now in a safe place. The men have been able to fix some swings, dig a pit for the refuse that litters the landscape, help clean sand, and build bio sand filters using the most basic of tools. All the while, we are having conversations and laughing with our new Sudanese friends. Gordon continues to meet with leadership here to get a better picture of how things are going and how we best work together. On our arrival Heather and I discovered that the women had traveled from miles around to join together for a women’s conference. I cannot begin to describe the welcome or the joy with which these women have met us and invited us into their fellowship. For hours we sat together in the church building while the blistering hot sun beat down above. And yet women always wanted to stay longer.
During our time together, while Heather and I shared from God’s Word, women would spontaneously sing; and before long we were up and dancing and praising God. We also heard their stories of abuse, torture, starvation, and having to flee their homes. And yet they are not bitter. They are strong in their faith, trusting that God will see them through and recounting how God has saved them many times. This afternoon, in a few short hours Heather and I will meet with women elders to discuss their proposal for a micro-financing project. Each evening as we collapse into bed, having just had an open air shower under a canopy of stars, we are so glad to be here among our new friends, sharing our faith. Chris, who is so beloved by all, is currently in bed with dysentery. Dave, who loves to work alongside our Sudanese brothers, finds the heat is causing huge bubbling blisters on his hands. Relief with cortisone cream does not last long. We are all learning patience under this hot sun. We are well, in good spirits, and, although our hearts continue to teeter between joy and sadness, we praise God for His goodness, for His faithfulness here, and for His mercy new every morning. Dot Kohler Submitted by Sharon Skopnik Sharon and Gordon Skopnik (Wymark) serve with International Teams Canada (www.iteams.ca), “helping churches help the poor.”
window on missions by Ken Zacharias, Foreign Secretary kzacharias@emconf.ca
‘What about Guadalajara?’
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he EMC Missionary Prayer Calendar is a daily prayer guide published by the EMC Board of Missions (BOM) and inserted monthly into The Messenger. The entry on January 22 asked prayer for Gerald Reimer and Ken Zacharias as BOM staff as they planned to be in Guadalajara, Mexico, to conduct an exploratory trip assessing potential mission opportunities for EMC. This visit took place from January 22-29, 2010. Sandra Plett, an EMC associate missionary serving with Mennonite Brethren missions (MBMSI), was our main contact in Guadalajara; her co-workers Trevor and Joan Godard, MBMSI field leaders, graciously hosted us. We met with six mission agencies, two Bible schools, and a Spanish language institution. We were impressed with the servant attitudes of each missionary and agency. Each assisted us to understand Guadalajara and their ministries. Is there a need in Guadalajara for another mission agency? A resounding yes! Each agency welcomed EMC involvement. Guadalajara is five hours northwest of Mexico City, three hours east of Puerta Vallerta. The city, founded in 1525, with its Arabic name meaning “place of the rocks,” is fast growing and has a population of 6.5 million. Guadalajara is fascinating with its many museums and markets capturing its rich historical and cultural background. Although an old city, today it bustles with top universities and business initiatives. At times nicknamed “the Silicon
Valley of Mexico,” Zapopan, the city’s western section, is considered to be the wealthiest part of Latin America. The state of Jalisco is one of six in Mexico that, at times, is called the “Circle of Silence” or the “10/40 window of Latin America.” Those considered “evangelical” number possibly two per cent of the population. Several counties in Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady, Guadalajara Jalisco have no evangelical believers and many others countries throughout Central and have only a handful. South America where they previously Guadalajara is deeply religious. had served. The “Virgin of Zapopan” is the highly It is vital that missionaries underrevered patron saint of Guadalajara. stand spiritual warfare and be people The “Virgin” is a statue that repreof prayer. Prayer was stressed by each sents the Virgin Mary brought by agency. One leader has missionaries Franciscan missionaries in 1530. A meet together for prayer a half hour shrine was built in 1690. every weekday. It was emphasized that team members must be compatible and Is there a need in Guadalajara understand that our enemy desires for another mission agency? A disunity to render their service ineffective. resounding yes! Each agency These realities have taken their welcomed EMC involvement. toll on many evangelical missionaries. However, some prophesy Mexico An annual pilgrimage sees about will have a spiritual breakthrough. two million people walk with the It is encouraging that missionaries “Virgin” on the 12-kilometer route are convinced of this and ready for from the Cathedral to the Basilica. church growth. Many people believe she intercedes Gerald and I appreciated your for miracles from God. prayers during our trip. Between now Evangelical missionaries that we and April 23 the BOM will further met with agree that there is tremenresearch the pros and cons of involvedous spiritual warfare in Jalisco, ment in Guadalajara; in July a decision more than in other Spanish-speaking is possible. Please continue to pray. THE MESSENGER | March 17, 2010
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PHOTO: KEN ZACHARIAS
(with contributions from Gerald D. Reimer, Conference Youth Minister)
with our churches
Fall and winter busy MACGREGOR EMC, Manitoba
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e had a very special Thanksgiving program with a wonderful lady, Cynthia Devadason, as our guest speaker. Cynthia is the Executive Director of I.N. Network which is a national mission reaching out to impoverished children and families in Sri Lanka. She talked of God’s love and how she and her husband began showing that love to the children living near her home. She told of how God worked to grow their mission to be able to help more and more children
and that now some of those children that they helped are now helping others. Child sponsorship was made available to anyone interested in helping these young children in Sri Lanka. A Ministry Conference that was organized by six local churches was held at the beginning of November. The theme for the weekend was Earthen Vessels taken from the verse in 2 Corinthians 4:7: “We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all surpassing power is from God and not from us.” Psalm 119: Living Words for the
Quilts made for orphanage in Mexico WYMARK EMC, Saskatchewan
T
he wonderful Wymark women are busy sewing again! On January 11, 12, and 14, 2010, Wymark EMC ladies gathered at the church basement for their annual quilting bee. This year the weather was warm and the fellowship was even warmer inside the church. The ladies included the young Friesen girls—Paula, Andrea, and Mandy. They were joined
by three students from Millar College of the Bible in Pambrun, Sask. In two and a half days, 40 quilts were completed and packed for shipping to Mexico. The quilts are being donated to the Erma Fennel Foundation located at Vincente Guerrero, Baja California, Mexico. The quilts will be taken by a group of volunteers from the Swift Current East Side Church of God, who will be traveling to Mexico on February 12. They will be building a community centre for the Erma Fennel Orphanage. The MCC store in Swift Current also packed several suitcases full of used clothing and donated them to the orphanage. Our church is such a friendly place, It’s where I love to be. I smile at all the friends I meet, and they smile back at me.
Wymark ladies completed 40 quilts for Mexico in two and a half days of hard work.
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THE MESSENGER | March 17, 2010
Hugh Benner
Marvin Allan
Journey was the title for our fall series of messages. We looked at various topics such as needing direction, loving maps, taking direction, staying the course, the lure of the detour and the challenge of the road. I pray that we all can stay the course. Our pastoral couple Bill and Bev McCaskell announced that they would be moving on to another ministry. Bill will be working with CSSM Ministries in Manitoba as provincial director. We have enjoyed their ministry to our church and will be saddened to see them go on but know that others too will be blessed. Pray for our church as we seek to find a senior pastor. Illuminate continues to bless the youth, as well as those who consider themselves youthful, with their praise and worship nights. Pray for them in their ministry and pray for the young people who are coming to the Lord and for those who are recommitting their lives to Him. Care packages were lovingly put together and sent/delivered to our students attending colleges, universities, or Bible schools. We pray that these small tokens of our love will give a message of hope to these young people and encourage them in their faith. Our ladies completed a “fire quilt”—a gift we give to families who have lost their home due to fire, just another small way in which we can show our love. Our new year began with a six-week series entitled God is Closer Than You Think with Sunday messages and weekly small group discussions. God is always reaching out to us, we simply need to take his hand and let him become part of our lives. Being a part of a church is like being in a big family, and I have been blessed to be able to share a small part of our stories with all of you, our larger family. Elizabeth Sawatzky
news
Service laments rapes in Bolivia WINNIPEG, Man.—Aganetha, 27, a woman with learning disabilities, kept getting “water in my eyes” as her brother told a journalist about the rapes of his mother, sister, and wife. Susanna, 15, “felt presences” at night and prayed for God to help her because “the devil had been there.” Anna, 57, who has 10 children and “a good husband,” is having trouble feeling thankful to God because the things that happened to her colony sisters sit heavy on her heart. Nettie, 45, an impoverished woman whose daughter was raped, admits she is glad her son is in jail. These are four of the stories—from women for whom pseudonyms are used to protect their privacy—among at least 140 confirmed cases of rape at Manitoba Colony in Bolivia, where 2,000 Old Colony Mennonites live. Twelve men have been accused of the rapes, and some jailed. About 80 people from several Mennonite denominations heard these narratives drawn from missionary, agency and news accounts as they gathered to pray and lament Feb. 7, 2010, at Morrow Gospel Church, an EMMC congregation. Al Kehler, the EMM Conference Pastor, gave an overview on Mennonites in Bolivia at the evening service. He appreciated the time of candle lighting during the service. “For me, that’s a commitment,” he said. “God is working when God’s people unite in prayer.” Christine Longhurst, CMU sessional instructor of worship, led congregational singing.
Al Kehler, EMM Conference Pastor: “God is working when God’s people unite in prayer.”
The group took part in responsive prayers of lament, heard stories from affected women and lit candles symbolizing prayers. Dora Dueck, event organizer, prayed that the stories of these women would “take up residence in our hearts” and not seem far away. About 80 people from several Mennonite denominations heard narratives drawn from missionary, agency and news accounts of mass rape among Bolivian Old Colony Mennonites as they gathered to pray and lament Feb. 7 at Lillian Guenther plays the harp at a February 7 service of prayer and Morrow Gospel Church, an lament in Winnipeg, Man., for rape EMMC congregation. survivors in Bolivia. As a sign of prayers and solidarity, Dueck invited participants to write Bible verses of encouragement in German on postcard-sized cards. Helen Funk, who works with Low German programming for the Mennonite Brethren-sponsored Family Life Network, and who is making a ministry trip in May, will take the postcards to Bolivia. At the opening of the gathering, Leona Dueck Penner, another organizer and a one-time columnist for The Messenger, led a confessional prayer. “We have been slow to respond to suffering,” she said. “Forgive our lack of compassion…. Grant to us a portion of their pain.” Participants prayed for the affected women, the perpetrators, their families, colony leaders and Mennonite agencies working in Bolivia. Individuals lit candles at the front alongside the candles lit for the four women whose stories the group heard. Abe Warkentin, an organizer with a history of involvement in the EMC, said he has cared for colony concerns since working for MCC Canada’s Low German program. “This is a historic event,” he said. “We’ve never spoken openly about their situation before.” Karla Braun
The gathering, held at Morrow Gospel Church in Winnipeg, included about 80 people from several Mennonite denominations.
THE MESSENGER | March 17, 2010
13
PHOTOS: RAY DIRKS
Mennonites gather to unite in prayer for Bolivian victims
news
Beyond pizza, big challenges
EMC staff members meet with SBC students to discuss ministry opportunities STEINBACH, Man.—Whatever the motive for someone attending a Bible college, clearly one of the reasons for going is to engage in preparation for all that life has waiting for us. For many students this includes specific preparation for serving the Lord, whether it is vocation-based daily ministry or full-time career missions. Steinbach Bible College, our conference-affiliated college, has an excellent reputation for preparing students to live out their lives in daily surrender to Jesus. Because of this, staff at the conference office desire to not only connect with these students but engage in conversations with them with the hope that we can be part of God’s plan to facilitate their transition into ministry. On February 2 another edition of our SBC Pizza Event took place and we were able to spend several hours together talking about what effective ministry might look like in the coming decade. EMC staff members attending included Tim Dyck (general secretary), Ken Zacharias (foreign secretary), David Thiessen
(conference pastor), Ward Parkinson (church planting director), and myself. Words and phrases such as Acceptance, Being Jesus, Spiritled, People-focussed, and God-centred Theology were discussed. We listened as the students shared about what they had learned first-hand about ministry on their Mission X trips. We challenged them to be bold in taking risks for Jesus, not just in their personal lives but also as it relates to our conference programs. We affirmed them in their ownership of the future of conference ministry. God is truly preparing this generation for mighty things, and as a result of their obedience He will bless their efforts. Continue to pray for these students as they grapple with how and where God will use them in the coming years! Gerald D. Reimer, Conference Youth Minister
Intrigued by China? What are you doing July 15 to August 15?
PHOTO: GERALD D. REIMER
Come to China!
Steinbach Bible College students speak with EMC staff members Ward Parkinson and Tim Dyck.
EMC Receipts and Disbursements Budget for the Year Ending December 31, 2010 Disbursements
*2.5 2
1,892,457
2,112,000
1,968,000
1,823,000
1.5 1 0.5 0
2009 Actual 2009 Budget 2010 Budget 2010 Budget (unaudited) (accepted) (modified)
*numbers in millions
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THE MESSENGER | March 17, 2010
APPLICATION DEADLINE: April 1, 2010 Adults should prayerfully consider applying. • Do you enjoy teaching and seeing people learn English? • Do you want to shine Christ’s light in another setting? • Classroom and summer camp settings are available • Various ages of pupils (children to adults) • Relationships can lead to transformation Approximate cost for Destination China is $3,800 CAD (includes return flights from Winnipeg). Note: Price does not include rabies immunization (approx. $800). Contact Gerald Reimer: greimer@emconf.ca or 204-326-6401 2009 Actual (unaudited)
2009 Budget
2010 Budget (accepted)
RECEIPTS Budget Receipts Other Income and Transfers Bequest Fund Transfers
$
1,549,848 38,444 108,075
$
2,076,000 36,000 –
$
TOTAL
1,696,367
2,112,000
DISBURSEMENTS Board of Missions Board of Church Ministries Board of Trustees General Board Board of Leadership and Outreach Bequest Fund Disbursements
1,006,076 189,403 178,135 23,551 387,217 108,075
1,162,000 240,000 204,000 39,000 467,000 –
TOTAL
1,892,457
2,112,000
Shortfall
$
(196,090)
$
–
$
1,590,000 19,344 213,656
1,968,000
1,823,000
1,093,000 194,000 199,000 39,000 443,000 –
1,010,000 182,000 185,000 36,000 410,000 –
1,968,000
1,823,000
$
1,727,000 27,344 213,656
2010 Budget (modified)
–
$
–
pictures of God by Joanna Plett
New eyes to the poor
I
PHOTO: ZACH MILLER
tucked it into my chest and surveyed the crowd, searching for an opening. Seeing a break, I ran for it, pushing bodies out of the way as I went. I started running as soon as I broke free, knowing they were right behind me. My feet pounded on the hot sand. Knowing I didn’t have much time before the grasping, roiling mass overtook me, I searched for a target. Then I saw him. He was a little boy, maybe four or five years old, meandering towards me from a cluster of round thatch-roofed houses. As I approached him at a run, clutching my precious bundle, he balked and almost started running. Finally I got to him and pressed the package into his hands, while fending off the crowd that had arrived only a fraction of a second after me. Finally his mother arrived and ushered him and his precious package off to safety. The precious package was a harmless-looking shoebox wrapped in pink wrapping paper with a pink
tag marked “age 5-9.” The value of this box was greatly increased because it was the last Samaritan’s Purse box available to the 40 or so kids who hadn’t yet received the coveted parcel. The initial distribution went well. After a scenic ride by bodaboda (side saddle on the back of a bicycle) into a village some distance out of the town of Gulu, Uganda, we distributed Samaritan’s Purse shoeboxes from the Netherlands to individuals chosen for their special need. Until the list was finished, it was probably our smoothest distribution yet—if nothing else but for the fact that most of the girls got “girl” boxes and most of the boys got “boy” boxes. It was when we tried to decide who to give the few remaining boxes to that all chaos broke loose, and that’s how I found myself fleeing across the sand clinging to the last box with a mob of children chasing me. Somehow one’s idyllic picture of smiling kids holding beautiful boxes from all over the world gets a little skewed. It’s half true—until the boxes are gone and most people are left without. The first time we had a distribution riot we left the place rather disillusioned, disappointed, and confused. I wondered why people stand in line at home and not here. I realized that this apparent chaos is a valid part of the deeply ingrained
Here, in Uganda, if you don’t get anything, you actually don’t get anything. If you don’t fight for it, you actually don’t have anything.
culture. In North America, if there’s something to distribute and you don’t get any, you sue because you have rights. Here, nobody has rights. If you don’t fight for it, you don’t get it. Survival of the fittest. In North America, things never end, they’re never actually gone; but here, if you don’t get anything, you actually don’t get anything. If you don’t fight for it, you actually don’t have anything. Once I understood that, it was much easier to have grace for the culture, to try to embrace the reaching masses, rather than to run away. This is our calling as we approach the poor: to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly. Joanna Plett wrote this in 2005 while serving in short-term ministry in Uganda.
Approximate Dates: July 30 to August 20 APPLICATION DEADLINE: May 15, 2010 High school students (ages 15-18) should prayerfully consider applying for this team if you: • Are willing to be used by God according to your gifts and personality • Enjoy the diversity of cultures and ministries • Like the challenge of sharing your faith through word and deed • Understand that relationships are the path towards transformation Approximate cost for Destination Mexico is $1,800 CAD (does not include transportation to Steinbach, Man., for orientation). Contact Gerald Reimer greimer@emconf.ca or 204-326-6401 THE MESSENGER | March 17, 2010
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in memory
calendar British Columbia
Abram Giesbrecht Wiebe 1946–2010 It has pleased the Lord to take this husband, father, grandfather, and brother, Abram Giesbrecht Wiebe, out of this world and into eternity. Abram Wiebe was born to David and Elizabeth Giesbrecht Wiebe on October 9, 1946, in Schoenfeld (Campo 106), Mexico. He was raised and educated in Camp 67 and was also baptized there in 1969 by Bishop Isaac Dyck. On March 1, 1970, at Campo 60 he was married to Margaret Wiebe. In this marriage God blessed them with eight children (two predeceased him, one as a child and Jacob in 1991 due to a car accident). He struggled with sickness for many years, including in 1972 when his leg was shattered in a terrible car accident. He endured more than 20 operations on his leg. Fourteen years later, in 1986, the leg
births BLAICH – to Rob and Danielle Blaich of Winnipeg, Man., a daughter, Kaydance Isabelle on Jan. 18, 2010. DYCK – to Dave and Anna Dyck of Taber, Alta., a daughter, Shelby Rose, on July 31, 2009.
was amputated as it did not heal. One year ago he had double bypass heart surgery. The family moved to Ontario in March 1987. He was diagnosed with cancer eight days before he died, the last three days of which were critical. He passed away at St. Thomas (Ont.) Elgin General Hospital on Wed., Feb. 3, 2010, at 3:50 p.m. He has left behind to mourn his death his wife Margaret, his daughter Nettie and her husband Delroy, his daughter Aggie and her husband Dave, his son David, his son Frank and his wife Margarita, his son Ben and his wife Lucy, his son Johnny and his girlfriend Kerri; 12 grandchildren, three brothers and three sisters, all present at his side. He also leaves behind the church and many friends. He was predeceased by his parents, two children and one sister. God blessed Abram with 63 years, three months, and 24 days. In total there were 20 descendants born to him. We mourn not as such without hope, but have the hope of a reunion in the glories of Heaven. His Family
MARTENS – to Corny and Lena Martens of Taber, Alta., a son, Justin Levi, on Dec. 12, 2009. NEUDORF – to Ryan and Odessa Neudorf of Winnipeg, Man., a son, Owen David, on Feb. 6, 2010.
DYCK – to Isaac and Helen Dyck of Barnwell, Alta., a son, Anthony Jordan, on Nov. 23, 2009.
PETERS – to Dave and Nettie Peters of Grassy Lake, Alta., a daughter, Julie Amber, on Aug. 23, 2009.
FEHR – to Abe and Susie Fehr of Taber, Alta., a son, Carter Ashton, on Sept. 26, 2009.
PETERS – to Frank and Mary Peters of Taber, Alta., a son, Jakobi Lucas, on June 23, 2009.
HEIDE – to Jake and Nancy Heide of Taber, Alta., a son, Daniel David, on Aug. 11, 2009.
QUIRING – to Jake and Susie Quiring of Taber, Alta., a daughter, Alexus Michelle, on Sept. 28, 2009.
KLASSEN – to Abe and Eva Klassen of Lethbridge, Alta., a daughter, Carolyn Angelina on Jan. 2, 2010. KLASSEN – to David and Kathy Klassen of Taber, Alta., a daughter, Sara Rose, on Jan. 26, 2010. KLASSEN – to George and Mary Klassen of Taber, Alta., a daughter, Makayla Jenna Tegen, on July 17, 2009. MAIRONGO – to Katherine Mairongo of Winnipeg, Man., a son, Pablo Yosimar, on Jan. 19, 2010.
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THE MESSENGER | March 17, 2010
SAWATZKY – to George and Margaret Sawatzky of Taber, Alta., a son, Adriel Dalen, on July 12, 2009. STRYDHORST – to Tim and Karen Strydhorst of Sanford, Man., a son, Brayden Parker, on Jan. 26, 2010. THIESSEN – to John and Neta Thiessen of Picture Butte, Alta., a daughter Leila Aryssa, on Jan. 25, 2010.
April 7–9: Refocus Canada 2010, Suffering for the Gospel at Willingdon Church, Burnaby www.refocuscanada.com
Alberta no events currently
Saskatchewan March 26–27: Christian Leaders Connection, Being Evangelical in a Complex World: Stats, Facts, and Trends at Briercrest College and Seminary, Caronport; offered as part of Briercrest’s SERVE conference www.evangelicalfellowship.ca; registration is handled by Briercrest (www.briercrest.ca/serve).
Manitoba March 25: Christian Leaders Connection, Being Evangelical in a Complex World: Stats, Facts, and Trends at Providence College & Seminary, Otterburne, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. www.evangelicalfellowship.ca or 866-302-3362; pre-registration is essential. April 11: SBC Fundraising Faspa at Steinbach Bible College, Steinbach, 4 p.m. Call 204-326-6451 for complimentary tickets. April 23: SBC Spring Concert at Steinbach Bible College, Steinbach, 7:30 p.m. April 25: SBC Graduation at Steinbach EM Church, Steinbach, 3:00 p.m.
Ontario April 13: Christian Leaders Connection, Being Evangelical in a Complex World: Stats, Facts, and Trends at the Metropolitan Bible Church, Ottawa, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. www.evangelicalfellowship.ca or 866-302-3362; pre-registration is essential.
shoulder tapping Pastoral positions Wymark EMC, a country church located 20 miles southeast of Swift Current, Sask., is accepting applications for lead pastor. We aim to be a friendly, family-welcoming church body of 70 to 90 people, and seek a pastor who can encourage us by word and example to grow to maturity in Christ. Enquiries can be directed to the Pastoral Search Committee at 306-773-9089 (leave a message) or funkfarm@gmail.com (Paul Funk). Morris Fellowship Chapel (EMC), located in Morris, Man., is looking for a full-time pastor for a congregation of about 120. Previous pastoral experience and leadership abilities are assets. For job description and information, please call Brian Klassen at 204-746-8102. Graysville Mennonite Church, “a community striving to learn and live the teachings of Jesus Christ,” is a country church located 10 miles west of Carman, Man. We seek a lead pastor able to start spring 2010. Time commitment is negotiable between .5 and .75 FTE. We await the leading of the Holy Spirit as we seek a pastor committed to the Christian faith as exemplified in Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective. We are a mature church of nearly 50 members emerging into a congregation of all ages. We seek a pastor able to serve all ages, willing to tackle the challenges of a truly rural church and recognition of the value of cooperation with other Christian churches of all faiths. Inquiries and resumes may be sent to: Cam Stockford, council chair, Graysville Mennonite Church, Box 31, Graysville, MB R0G 0T0. E-mail stockfor@cici.mb.ca or visit our website at www.graysvillemc.org. Gruthal Bergthaler Mennonite Church is prayerfully seeking a senior pastor who has a heart for people and is community outreach minded. We are an evangelical church located in Grunthal, Man., 45 minutes southeast of Winnipeg, and 20 minutes southwest of Steinbach. The town consists of about 1,000 people and is supported by a strong farming community. The church is multigenerational, with a core of middle-aged families, a strong youth program run by a full-time youth pastor, and a strong Sunday School program. We seek a pastor who has the heart of a shepherd and a desire to see our church grow through reaching the lost and investing in the church’s people. He should have strong preaching and teaching skills. The candidate must have a Bible college degree. Some pastoral experience is preferred. He must be in agreement with our constitution and statement of faith. Anyone who possesses these qualifications and is interested in this position can forward their resume, along with references, to the following address: Grunthal Bergthaler Church, Box 70, Grunthal, MB R0A 0R0, Attn: Elder Board; or e-mail gbmcleadelder@mts.net. MacGregor EMC, a small community church of 120 people located in MacGregor, Man., is prayerfully seeking a full-time lead pastor. Previous pastoral experience and leadership abilities are assets. For job description and information go to www.macgregoremc.com and follow the link or contact Sheldon Giesbrecht at 204-685-2685.
Braeside Evangelical Mennonite Church in Winnipeg, Man., is looking for an associate pastor. Responsibilities will include youth ministry as well as worship ministry (including worship technology). Ideally this position would be filled by one person, but we are open to other arrangements. Please send resumes to: braeside@braesidechurch.ca, Attention: Search Committee, www.braesidechurch.ca.
handle administrative and financial duties will be required. Qualifications include a love for youth, drive and determination, creativity and an ability to work independently. E-mail resume to Keith Tarry at keith@yfcwinnipeg.ca or 325 Talbot Ave, Winnipeg, MB R2L 0P9 or 204-669 4205 ext 224.
Morrow Gospel Church in Winnipeg, Man., seeks a full-time associate pastor to work with the senior pastor as a pastoral team. MGC is a multi-generational EMMC congregation with an average Sunday morning attendance of about 150. We seek a self-motivated pastor gifted with good communication and motivational skills, a passion for outreach and evangelism, for building practical and meaningful relationships, and for investing time and energy training and mentoring young people and young families to grow in their faith and spiritual lives. The pastor should have preaching and teaching skills and be willing to work as a member of a team and with a board of elders. The pastor must be a born-again Christian and agree with the MGC statement of faith. Experience working in outreach/evangelism and experience as a pastor to young people and young families is desired. Relevant post-secondary education is required (a Bible college degree is preferred). For information or to submit a resume and cover letter, please contact Morrow Gospel Church, Pastoral Search Committee, 755 St. Anne’s Road, Winnipeg, MB R2N 4G6; e-mail: mgcemm@mts.net with subject: pastoral search committee.
Vision Valley School in Antananarivo, Madagascar, needs qualified Christian teachers for 2010/2011 academic year. It especially seeks for native English speakers for primary grades 3, 4, 5, 6; within grades 7-12, teachers are needed in art, music, and two in English (with native speakers a high priority). See blog: xanga.com/jocsh; 21 February.
Youth work Pelly Fellowship Chapel (EMC) seeks a youth worker or couple to develop a program for youth and junior youth. PFC is a small church in the village of Pelly, located in central Sask., close to the Manitoba border. Submit resume to Pastor John Froese, Box 70, Pelly, SK S0A 2Z0. Phone 306-595-2074. E-mail pastor@pellyfellowship.com. MacGregor Youth for Christ seeks a satellite director. Job description involves giving overall leadership to YFC ministries in Macgregor and Gladstone, Man., its staff and its ministry; vision crafting, ministry development, staff/volunteer care and development, community/church relations, fundraising, evaluation. Please contact yfcmacgregor@mts.net. MacGregor Youth for Christ seeks a campus life youth worker. Job description involves spending time in the local High School offering student support to the local youth, as well as connecting with the local youth through the Drop-in Centre and various programs. Please contact yfcmacgregor@mts.net. Arborg Youth for Christ seeks an executive director to help launch and run a youth centre in Arborg, Man. This exciting opportunity is revving up and will soon be ready to go with a committed team there to support and back you up. Reporting to and supported by a committed steering committee, this person will promote the ministry throughout the community, develop the drop-in program, and supervise team members. Applicants must be able to embrace and sign the YFC Statement of Faith and Conduct. The ability to
Other opportunities
MFC seeks a full-time consultant to work in its St. Catharines, Ont., office. The successful candidate will be responsible to promote biblical stewardship of financial resources and to provide charitable gift and estate planning services. The successful candidate will support and incorporate MFC’s core values of stewardship in personal life; communicate effectively with individuals and in public presentations; have knowledge of, or ability to learn, charitable gift and estate planning; be creative, organized, and self-motivated in balancing multiple projects; be willing and able to contribute as part of an inter-dependent staff team. A start date for the position is negotiable. Processing of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Submit resumes to: Darren Pries-Klassen, executive director, 22-595 Carlton Street, St. Catharines, ON L2M 4Y2; fax: 204-488-1986; dpklassen@mennofoundation.ca; Mennofoundation.ca. Brightwood Ranch, near Edmonton, Alta., is a yearround facility that runs summer and winter camps for underprivileged kids and year-round programs for men and women with addictions. We are seeking a full-time, year-round head cook starting April 15, 2010. Salary and accommodations. Assistant instructors (June 22 or Sept. 1) are needed for Horses of Hope, a program which reaches hurting kids through the focus of one child, one horse, one instructor, at no cost. Summer positions are paid. Four-month positions are: main site program director, tipi village program director, wrangler training program leader, maintenance, secretary, head wrangler, youth development program leaders, horse camp instructor. Two-month positions are: senior male and female counselors, wranglers, assistant cooks, youth development program counselors, unit leaders, nurse/first aid attendant. E-mail resume to bright.wood@hopemission. com; www.brightwoodranchcamps.com; or mail to Brent Ankrom, Ranch Director, Brightwood Ranch, Box 277, Evansburg, AB T0E 0T0. The Messenger does not sell advertising, but provides free space (classified and display) to enhance our Conference, its churches, boards and ministries; inter-Mennonite agencies and educational institutions; and the wider church. Ads are not to be for monetary benefit. To place an ad, e-mail messenger@emconf.ca or call 204-326-6401 and ask for Rebecca Roman.
THE MESSENGER | March 17, 2010
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stewardship today by Darren Pries-Klassen
Good Samaritan or just too busy?
I
n the parable of the Good Samaritan you will quickly gravitate towards the actions of the Samaritan who showed compassion for the man beaten, robbed, and left lying at the roadside while voicing disappointment in the Priest and the Levite who hurried by. How could anyone—especially someone with religious convictions—not stop to help a person in need? It turns out it’s much more common than we might think. Some years ago a study was done at Princeton Theological Seminary
where students were asked to give presentations to fellow students and faculty. Half of the students were given the topic of the Good Samaritan and the other half of the students were given a variety of biblical stories that did not deal with compassion and generosity. All the students were made to wait in one building before walking to a second building where they were to give their presentation. Some students were told they had plenty of time before presenting while others were told they needed to hurry or be late.
Students who were about to present on the merits of helping people were just as likely to pass by the person in need as students presenting on unrelated topics.
DREAMSTIME.COM
On the path between the two buildings an actor was lying on the ground, coughing repeatedly, and appearing in clear need of help. The theory was that those students given the topic of the Good Samaritan would be more likely to stop and help than students with random topics, regardless of how much time they had before their presentation. The results were startling. There was no correlation between the topic and of stopping to help. In other words, students who were about to present on the merits of helping people were just as likely to pass by the person in need
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THE MESSENGER | March 17, 2010
as students presenting on unrelated topics. What did determine whether people would stop to help was the amount of time they were given. Of those told they had plenty of time, 63% offered help while only 10% of rushed students offered assistance. No matter how much we agree with the actions of the Good Samaritan, all of us are capable of acting like the Priest or Levite if we feel we don’t have the time. It’s not enough that we believe in showing compassion and generosity to others in need. Of greater importance is a slower pace in life and a core conviction that stepping out of the busyness of life to make time to help people is always worthwhile. At Mennonite Foundation of Canada we refer to this type of generosity as Joyful, Faithful, Giving. Compassion and generosity at the level of the Good Samaritan isn’t worried about the cost nor does it worry about schedules. Good Samaritans help and show compassion because they know that spending time and giving resources for the well being of others is always a joy. So, what’ll it be, Priest, Levite, or Good Samaritan? Darren Pries-Klassen is the newly appointed executive director of Mennonite Foundation of Canada. For stewardship education and estate and charitable gift planning, contact your nearest MFC office or visit Mennofoundation.ca.
generations by Gerald D. Reimer, Conference Youth Minister greimer@emconf.ca
Is God testing us?
A
s I prepare for the conference summer short-term mission teams, Project Macedonia: Destination Canada, Mexico, and China, a question is emerging from my work: is God testing us, his Church, with regards to our faith in Him and our commitment to building His Kingdom? I say this because there is a growing passion, particularly within this generation of youth and young adults, to put their faith into action in faithful obedience to God. The test comes, when, facing the challenge of economic stress, our ministry expansion goals seem watered-down and lacklustre. I wonder if God is testing his Church to see if we will truly step out in faith and commit ourselves to go out and serve, both through evangelism and social justice, in a world that desperately needs Jesus before the parousia, Christ’s Second Coming. And if this is a test, I think that our self-preservation and personalentitlement mindset is causing us to fail badly. We are living much too short-sighted and selfishly. We are slipping into idolatry, not trusting that God will sustain
us. We doubt His all-sufficiency. At its very core, can we be honest with ourselves and see where this path will lead, to sinful choices that undermine the very nature of our all-powerful God? Perhaps I have taken this too far, but I am starting to think that our extravagant North American lifestyle has become our god at the expense of lost souls destined for eternity without the one true God. Incidentally, we pray for revival;
one huge reality of this shortage of funds is that, in almost every category, the cuts affect expansion, whether new mission fields, new missionaries, new church planters, or new churches. Each one of them is officially taking a back seat and we are shifting into maintenance mode. The numbers are hard to ignore and the shortages are real. The Conference is committed to sustaining our current staff, both locally and internationally. Cutting salaries
Perhaps I have taken this too far, but I am starting to think that our extravagant lifestyle has become our god at the expense of lost souls destined for eternity without the one true God. we have a generation of youth who are responding to God’s call upon their lives; we have economic resources that most people would envy, and yet.... Because of a severe shortage of funds over these past two years, the EM Conference seems to be heading toward making a pile of cuts to our budget. I am all for analyzing our spending and sharpening our pencils. But
or laying off some of our current missionaries would go against the very fabric of our Conference vision. However, our concern may be seen as twofold: re-affirming our evangelistic priorities as a conference, and finding sufficient funding to meet our vision for building the Kingdom of God. Unfortunately, it seems that our new outreach endeavours are the ones that will get set aside. My hope is that we will not miss this opportunity to re-focus on God’s sufficiency and enthusiastically move forward with our expansion efforts. Let us have full confidence that God is leading the way, both in our short-term ministry opportunities and our long-term outreach goals.
THE MESSENGER | March 17, 2010
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kids’ corner
AMS
TI M
E.C
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by Loreena Thiessen
Do you ever fly a kite in Spring?
H
ow do you know when the weather will change? Just like the weather forecaster you look for signs. A warm south wind brings warmer temperatures. Warmer days make the snow melt. Dark clouds bring rain. When the first robin appears you know that spring has come. Another sign of spring is kites flying high in the sky. Many countries celebrate spring by flying their handmade kites. They compete to see whose kite will fly the highest. Sometimes there are 1,000 kites in the sky at one time. Kite flying has a long history. It began over 2,000 years ago in China. A farmer working in the rice paddies tied a string to his hat to
keep it from blowing away. When the wind picked it up, it flew off his head, but he was able to pull it back on the string just like a kite. The Chinese word for kite is Fengzheng. It means “whistling wind” and describes the sound of the wind blowing through a bamboo whistle tied to the kite. Kites have many uses. One is for fishing. Kites carry the bait low over the water to lure fish to the surface. In Japan kites were used to lift construction materials to the tops of temples where workers waited on the roof tops. Weather scientists use kites to record wind speed and air pressure. Alexander Graham Bell and the Wright Brothers did experiments
An Activity to Sing Come Play with Me
3 4
Come play with
sing.
kite strings. 20
March 17, 2010
me.
Come play with
me.
We’ll laugh and
We’ll run through the mea-dow while the wind tugs at our
Our voi-ces
call
and our hearts
sing.
with kites to test their ideas about flying airplanes. Kites in China and Japan can be huge, so huge and heavy that many people are required to fly them. They are made in the shapes of birds, turtles, and crabs with moveable wings and feet. Kite making is an art. Professional kite maker Tiezo Hashimoto spent his entire life creating and hand painting his kites like works of art. Today they are valuable for collectors. An early Japanese word for kite is Kami Tobi. This means paper hawk. There is also a real bird called a Kite, which is like a hawk. Most are black and white and grey. One is red, the Red Kite. It is reddish in colour with white patches under the wings. The Red Kite was once close to being extinct, but today watchers are excited to see them return. The Red Kite can stay in the air many hours hardly beating its wings. It soars and glides easily and gracefully. But it does not dive. It drops downward feet first to catch its prey then swoops back up into the sky—this is called kiting. Your flying kite does this too. It may dive, or drop when the wind slows, then it soars back up. You can say your kite is “kiting.” God uses the eagle, another soaring bird, as an example of strength. Do you ever find something difficult? God says in Isaiah 40:31 if you ask him for help, and then wait for him to help you, he will. THE MESSENGER Evangelical Mennonite Conference 440 Main Street Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z5 Publications Mail Agreement #40017362 PAP Registration #9914