Council approves Spain as mission field, discusses make-up of EMC Ministerial
General Board
Board of Trustees
REBECCA ROMAN
STEINBACH, Man.—Delegates gathered on June 11, 2022, both in the Steinbach Bible College chapel and online, in EMC’s first hybrid Conference Council meeting. Moderator Abe Bergen opened by reminding delegates of EMC’s core values. Dylan Barkman led in prayer, followed by a time of worship through song led by Mo Friesen.
Kevin Wiebe and Jesse
Abe Bergen provided an update Penner are the hosts on the search for a new executive of a new podcast, The director. The search committee is Armchair Anabaptist, set processing candidates, with forto launch January 2023. mal interviews to begin shortly. As the search goes on, prayers are appreciated for the process. Tim Dyck, Executive Director, said many EMC churches have already responded to the appeal to assist in settling Christian Afghan refugees in Canada. The GB has “put forward a project to raise $50,000 [in] seed money” to churches that “may have trouble raising all of the funds necessary.” After 62 years of faithful witness in the Creighton, Sask., community, Northern Fellowship Chapel is formally closing. Delegates approved the motion to affirm the closing of NFC as an EMC church. Conference Pastor Layton Friesen prayed “on behalf of our brothers and sisters in the Creighton and Flin Flon area,” expressing thanks to God for the decades of NFC’s ministry.
David Kruse comments from the floor in appreciation of the training program in Spain for those seeking to reach out to Muslim people.
22 The Messenger • July/August 2022
Andrew Kampen gave an overview of the 2021 audited financial statements. After deficits in previous years, EMC reserves have been replenished over the last two years. The BOT has now established a policy to guide the amount to be retained as operating reserve (two months of expenses). Irma McKenzie reported for the Sustainable Funding Strategy Committee. “Acknowledging that the foundation of our work to support sustainable fundraising is ultimately the work of God in and through us,” she said. “He provides all of our needs before we ask, and we are completely dependent on him.” Giving patterns show that giving from EMC churches is in gradual decline. The SFSC’s final report, which highlights other potential revenue sources and ways to improve communication, was adopted by delegates.
Board of Church Ministries
Kimberly Muehling reported the BCM “has been busy as usual.” The BCM is excited about EMC hiring a Director Next Generation and will support this in any way they can. Travis Plett reported for the National Youth Committee (one of the BCM’s subcommittees). Rather than holding one national event, Abundant Springs in 2022 was planned with three regional events in Ontario, Alberta and Manitoba. The NYC is planning for Abundant Springs in 2023 to be “as usual.” Changes are coming for EMC’s theological journal Theodidaktos. Darryl Klassen, who served as editor since the journal’s inception, has stepped down. Jesse Penner is joining Kevin Wiebe (co-editor since 2016, now senior editor) to produce one print issue per year and a podcast, The Armchair Anabaptist. Penner and Wiebe introduced the podcast, which will launch in January 2023. The first season’s theme will be peace, which “felt like the perfect starting point for us,” said Penner.
Board of Missions
Phil Hamm introduced Antonio Pitta who, with his wife Esther, will soon travel to serve in Spain. People from
