The Messenger July 2021

The Messenger a publication of the

Evangelical Mennonite Conference

Volume 59 No. 4 July 2021

Mental Health What’s Working, What’s Not

INSIDE:

Mental Health in the Church page 6 From Languishing to Looking Toward the Eternal page 10 Caregivers Need Care Too! page 14 'EMC Needs to Look in its Back Yard' page 17

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'I Have Decided to Follow Jesus' page 20

Editorial

Dilemma on Women in Leadership Still Unresolved

I

t’s hard to imagine a more disappointing outcome for the Board of Leadership and Outreach (BLO) after the Recommendation on Resolving the Dilemma of Women in Pastoral Leadership failed to pass at the Ministerial meeting on June 18, 2021.

The recommendation was put forward after a lengthy process that attempted to “find a solution that, as much as possible, affirms our commitment to the scriptures, acknowledges we have congregations on both sides of this dilemma, and envisions a conference where different churches who accept our Statement of Faith can work together.”

The solution proposed, in summary, is “where the Conference itself is involved in giving broad pastoral oversight to churches, that oversight should be male since that will allow the Conference to support both egalitarian and complementarian churches equally. Where a congregation determines its own local pastoral oversight, the Conference gives the congregation freedom to answer this question as the congregation discerns.”

Since the BLO pre-determined not to release the numbers of “yes” and “no” votes, we cannot know the level of support the recommendation received. (It required a twothirds majority of credentialed ministerial members to be in favour in order to pass.)

On both sides of the dilemma, there are questions to be wrestled with. For egalitarians, there are Paul’s admonitions to women in 1 Corinthians 14:34–35 and 1 Timothy 2:11–15 to “remain silent” and not to “assume authority over a man.” Twelve men were chosen as Jesus’ apostles; how does or should this affect our view of women in church leadership?

On the flip side, complementarians need to explain apparent biblical exceptions to an exclusively male

Statement on Residential Schools in Canada

authority, both in the Old Testament and New Testament—even, apparently, by Paul himself. If exceptions existed then, why not now?

In days ahead, the BLO will be examining why this recommendation failed and how to move forward, since the dissonance between our Constitution and our practice remains.

Is part of the reason for the failure a disconnect between egalitarians and complementarians on whether this issue is primary or secondary? The recommendation describes this issue as “secondary.” And, it would seem, by placing descriptions of male leadership in the “Church Administration” section rather than in our Statement of Faith, drafters of the Constitution would agree with that assessment. But when complementarians tie the issue of women in leadership to scriptural authority, it becomes a primary issue.

The recommendation’s failure also may point to questions about the ministerial’s role in decision-making.

When only credentialed ministerial members can vote, and the bulk of those members are male (some women have been credentialed as deacons; but, as of 2019, deacons are no longer credentialed by the Conference), female ministers’ votes don’t count. That is, those with the most to lose don’t really get a say in the outcome.

The Constitution describes part of the Ministerial’s purpose as “to give direction to the Conference in theological issues, spiritual and ethical matters and social concerns” (EMC Constitution, p. 33).

It is hoped that the BLO, the General Board, and the Ministerial can, indeed, come together to provide direction on this issue in a way that resolves the continuing unresolved dilemma, brings unity, creates justice, and honours the Christ we all serve.

– Rebecca Roman

Even after all the information we already had about conditions in residential schools, we are shocked by the discovery of 215 bodies of children near the former Kamloops Indian Residential School (B.C.) and, more recently, 751 unmarked graves near the former Marieval Indian Residential School in Saskatchewan, at least some of which are likely remains of children. We are angry that those who should have reflected Christ, instead showed such darkness. But more than anything, right now we are in tears for the children who died, the parents and families who never saw their children again and didn’t know the story, and for communities who grieved and had no answers.

– EMC

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Table of Contents Features

Columns

6

5

Mental Health in the Church: What is currently happening and what can we do?

– Angela Dueck

10 From Languishing to Looking Toward the Eternal – Arlene Friesen

14 Caregivers Need Care Too! – Gary Giesbrecht

17 'EMC Needs to Look in its Back Yard'

– Elvira Cote and Jennifer Kornelson

20 'I Have Decided to Follow Jesus' – Leona (Plett) Friesen

Departments 2

Editorial

4

Letters and Notices

22,30

News

26

With Our Missionaries

29

With Our Churches

31

In Memory

33

Shoulder Tapping

A Reader’s Viewpoint So it Is With THose Filled With the Spirit – Stephanie Unger

page

25

21 A Path To Peace

Lessons From the Farmer – Kevin Wiebe

34 His Light to My Path

Beautiful, Perpetual Incense – Karla Hein

35 Further In and Higher Up Jesus Is the Elephant and King!

– Layton Friesen

36 Kids’ Corner

Are You a Naturalist?

– Loreena Thiessen

page

26

page

28

page

29

www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 3

The Messenger

Letters and Notices

Volume 59 No. 4 July 2021

Women, we need your voice

INTERIM EDITOR REBECCA ROMAN

ASSISTANT EDITOR ANDREW WALKER

PUBLICATION AND PURPOSE The Messenger is the publication of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference, 440 Main Street, Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z5. Its purpose is to inform concerning events and activities in the denomination, instruct in godliness and victorious living, inspire to earnestly content for the faith.

Phone: 204-326-6401 messenger@emconference.ca www.emcmessenger.ca www.issuu.com/emcmessenger ISSN: 0701-3299 Publications Mail Agreement Number: 40017362 Second-class postage paid at Steinbach, MB

COPYRIGHT The articles printed in The Messenger are owned

by The Messenger or by the author and may not be reprinted without permission. Unless noted, Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

My wife, Teresa Enns Zehr, has proven herself to be a great pastor.

She was called into pastoral ministry by the Holy Spirit from a very young age. This calling was confirmed by our congregation (Aberdeen EMC) and they continue to fully affirm her four years into her time as our pastor. However, she continues to be told by the Conference that she is not fully capable as a pastor because she is a woman. She is not allowed to be ordained or have her vote count at Ministerial meetings.

Let’s name this what it is: discrimination and sexism! The good news of the Jesus way includes setting the oppressed free (Luke 4). Jesus broke down barriers to include the marginalized, including women. The EMC is

doing the opposite; holding onto discriminatory policies against women.

We are to be good news people yet, in this area, we are not.

To the women pastors and leaders in our conference, I would like to say, “You are fully capable in your calling, and I will listen to you and follow your leadership.” To the girls in our conference, I would like to say, “You are enough, and God has created you with the ability to be pastors and leaders!”

To all the women in the EM Conference I would like to say, “We need your voice to lead and guide us and I am sorry that you have been, and continue to be, treated this way.”

Jeremy Zehr Winnipeg, Man.

Condolences

TM

SUBMISSIONS Views and opinions of writers are their own and do not necessarily represent the position of the Conference or the editors. Advertising and inserts should not be considerence to carry editorial endorsement.

Letters, articles, photos and poems are welcome.

Submissions should be sent to messenger@emconference.ca.

Benny Fehr, EMC missionary in Bolivia, tested positive for COVID-19 in mid-May, and quickly took a turn for the worse. On May 24 Benny was transferred to a hospital in Santa Cruz, where he remained on a ventilator and in a medically induced coma until his passing on June 3. The funeral was held on Saturday, June 5.

We cry and grieve for Ester and their four children: Danae, Tyson, Isabella and Marcus. Pray for Ester and the children as they grieve this unexpected loss, and consider plans for the future.

– EMC Missions

CHANGE OF ADDRESS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS Print subscriptions are free of charge to all members and adherents of EMC churches in Canada. For all others, print subscription rates are as follows: $20/year ($26 U.S.), Manitoba residents add 7% PST. To sign up for the email newsletter or submit an address change, email messenger@emconference.ca.

ADVERTISING The Messenger does not sell advertising, but provides free space (classified and display) to enhance our Conference, its churches, boards and ministries; inter-Mennonite agencies and educational institutions; and the wider church.

Ads and inquiries can be sent to messenger@emconference.ca.

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Note on discussion within The Messenger Every community will have a diversity of views and opinions, which provides opportunities for us to learn from each other, being quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry (James 1:19). Our discussions are inevitably impacted by our own experiences, and the

experiences of people in our lives.

These discussions should also reflect the reality that some groups and individuals have not always felt welcome in Christian communities. We welcome your responses to articles and topics discussed in The Messenger.

– Board of Church Ministries

Column • A Reader’s Viewpoint

So it Is With Those Filled With the Spirit

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By Stephanie Unger STEPHANIE UNGER

Fifteen years after buying an 11-bedroom rooming house in Winnipeg’s Spence neighbourhood, Stephanie, her husband Travis and their kids, Shadrach and Rachel, embarked on a sabbatical.

They left Winnipeg, towing their sailboat Schemma down south, and splashed her into the Gulf of Mexico to sail around Florida, across to the Bahamas and managed to return six months later. For details, check out www.ungersail.com. This is the second of a series of four articles.

Shad and Stephanie swim with a dolphin behind their boat.

OLPHINS!” It’s the third sighting today, but we still scramble to the bow of the boat, lean way out, and watch the spectacle with rapt attention. There is something exhilarating about seeing dolphins in the wild. Once, we ran aground because of this distraction! Wild dolphins are not forced to interact with us; yet, for some reason they are almost as curious about us as we are about them.

Dolphins seem to embody joy. The fact that a dolphin’s mouth is naturally curved into what we humans interpret as a smile probably contributes to this phenomenon; however, there is more to it. Dolphins move with grace and effortless energy, leaping out of the water for no apparent reason. They follow boats because they like to play in the bow wake; there is no utilitarian purpose for it. This is probably why we feel special when they give us attention—they must find us interesting or they wouldn’t be there!

When I see a dolphin, I am watching a creature that is truly free and fully alive. I want to get as close as I can. And one time I did, jumping overboard just to get a little more close and personal. A dolphin’s joy is contagious!

A dolphin’s spontaneous freedom makes me think of something Jesus said. “The wind blows

wherever it pleases…you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit” (John 3:8). When we are filled with the loving Spirit of Jesus, our joy is palpable. Like a dolphin, we move with ease and grace, enjoying who we were created to be. The Spirit makes us attractive. Others want to be with us, feel blessed by our presence and are drawn to jump in and join us.

Too often, I think Christians have the reputation of sharks—seriously going about our business, intimidating and powerful, but certainly not attractive or safe to approach. In my life, I become like this when I stop keeping in step with the Spirit and instead try to push through in my own strength. It is never fun to join someone who is clearly only doing “good works” because they have to or because they should.

There is a mystique about the wind of the Spirit—we can never be sure where it will lead us next. The wind is not static or still. You can’t pin it down and study it. A dolphin seems to be enjoying a party no human can see. So it is with us when we are filled with this Spirit; our lives are directed by an invisible joy. And to a huge party is exactly where this life is taking us!

Too often, I think Christians have the reputation of sharks— seriously going about our business, intimidating and powerful, but certainly not attractive or safe to approach.

www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 5

Mental Health in the Church: What is currently happening and what can we do?

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By Angela Dueck

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“I

can’t quite explain how distressing it was to have to go through the process of discovering I had mental illness while walking alongside well-meaning but ignorant people.”

“Every once in a while I run into people who don’t believe in mental illness and that it is a scam. Other people have told me to pray my depression away. Have even been told I was sinning for being clinically depressed as I should just think happy thoughts.”

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“Silence is the biggest problem. If you don’t hear about it from others around you then you think you are the only one. You also don’t learn the skills needed to help others suffering.”

“Often when you disclose a mental health disorder then EVERYTHING becomes about that disorder. Every interaction is tinged with it. It’s exhausting for the person with the mental disorder.”

Mental Health in the Church Survey

The above are just a few quotes from people who filled out a survey I created about mental health in the church. The survey received 68 responses, 42 who attend church regularly, two who normally attend church but haven’t during COVID-19, and 17 who used to attend church.

Thirty-eight respondents have struggled with mental health issues for over ten years, nine have struggled for five to ten years, four for one to five years, two for less than a year, and 15 haven’t struggled with mental health issues.

A survey was also sent out to pastors and youth pastors of EMC, EMMC, and MB churches which received 19 responses, 15 of whom have served in a church leadership position for ten years or more.

Mental health has become a more common topic of discussion in society. Yet, of the people

who responded to the survey, 55.9% have never heard mental health discussed in church.

This doesn’t mean churches are ignoring it; there seems to be a disconnect between what services and resources churches offer and what church attendees think their churches offer. The chart to the right shows what pastors said their churches offer and what regular church attendees say their churches offer. As indicated, 84.2% of pastors said their churches offer financial help for people to access counseling but only 7.4% of church attendees said their churches offer it. Nearly 40% of church attendees who responded to my survey didn’t know what their churches offer or chose none of the above.

One of the most encouraging things in the survey results was people’s openness to disclose mental health issues to their pastors. Only 19.1% of respondents said they would not be comfortable talking to their pastors about mental health issues. When results are filtered to only respondents who currently attend church, that number drops to 7.8%.

One of the most encouraging things in the survey results was people’s openness to disclose mental health issues to their pastors.

www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 7

Mental Health Issues Are Common

Churches can’t ignore mental health issues; they affect Christians as well as non-Christians. Just over 32% of those who filled out the regular church attenders survey said they have a diagnosed mental illness and 44.1% of respondents are either currently taking medications for mental health issues or have taken them in the past.

Nearly 56 per cent of respondents said they have struggled with mental health issues for more than 10 years. This demonstrates how common it is for people to struggle with mental health. In the survey for church leaders, 94% said a member of their church has approached them regarding mental health issues, and 63.2% of church leaders said they have had people who don’t attend their church come to them with mental health issues. Mental health issues church leaders reported dealing with include depression (89.5%), anxiety (89.5%), substance abuse (57.9%), ADHD (36.8%), post-traumatic stress disorder (36.8%), bipolar disorder (31.6%), eating disorder (26.3%), schizophrenia (15.8%), obsessive-compulsive disorder (21.1%), and selfharm (5.3%).

ability to know their limits. When the issues go beyond what church leaders can handle, they report referring people to more qualified help, while continuing to walk alongside.

However, there are areas of improvement.

Churches could advertise a list of mental health professionals or other online resources they recommend, such as in the weekly bulletin or on their website. If churches have a slideshow of announcements or other information before or after a service, they could include a slide or two with some mental health resources.

Start a support group. This doesn’t have to be led by the pastor or someone who has a master’s degree in counselling. I have a three-year bachelor’s degree from Steinbach Bible College

What can churches do to respond? An encouraging aspect of the church leaders’ survey is their

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What Churches Can Do

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and have taken some counselling courses, but I am not a pastor or a counsellor. I lead a mental health support group in my church with their support.

There are materials available that can be used to incorporate mental health, faith and practical ideas for how to live in recovery. One of the biggest purposes of a support group is for people to not feel alone in their struggle.

Another thing churches could do is to talk more about mental health. Have guest speakers in to speak during the church service or Sunday School, or have a special event on a different day, such as a workshop. Incorporate the topic of mental health into sermons—either a sermon on that topic or as an example within a sermon on another topic. Have someone who is living a victorious life with mental illness or has come through a dark time, share their testimony.

Encourage Bible study groups to do a study on mental health.

Churches that offer financial support so people can access professional counseling services may want to advertise it so more people

are aware of this option—this one can pose difficulties. Churches only have so much money available and it will often be based on a case-bycase basis so it may not be offered to everyone.

I would encourage anyone struggling with mental health to talk to your pastor. They can encourage you, refer you to someone who is better equipped to help you, possibly offer financial help for counselling, and more. You may not know what they can do for you until you talk to them.

To all church attendees, I would charge you with this: educate yourself about mental health issues and be aware of what perception you give regarding mental health issues. If someone is struggling with their mental health and they don’t hear you talk about mental health or they hear you talk negatively about it, they aren’t likely going to see you as a safe person.

Angela Dueck (Morrow Gospel Church) has a Bachelor of Christian Studies with a Peer Counselling focus from Steinbach Bible College. She facilitates a mental health support group in her church and has a passion for improving mental health services and awareness in churches.

www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 9

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From Languishing to Looking Toward the Eternal A Plan for Post-Pandemic Spiritual Recovery

By Arlene Friesen

L

ooking back at March 2020, the coming pandemic had just shut things down in Manitoba, as in many other places. All of us were grappling with our new reality—loss of work or working remotely, virtual schooling, online church, physical contact with very limited individuals, a relentless news cycle and the accompanying anxiety.

As the pandemic progressed, we moved through waves of hope and discouragement.

With countless plans made and dashed, we settled into a “don’t get your expectations up and you won’t be disappointed” mindset. As this dragged on, a sense of what some have called “languishing” took hold in many people’s lives. Psychology isn’t my forte, so I’ll look to Scripture for language to help us with pandemic recovery.

The Student Council at Steinbach Bible College has chosen 2 Corinthians 4:16–18, “Being Renewed,” as their hopeful theme for 2021–22.

Meditating on this text helps me answer the

question of how to come out of the pandemic with renewed spirits: “So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal” (NRSV).

Our outward lives have felt diminished, whether or not we’ve experienced the long-term health effects of COVID-19 or been separated from a loved one by death. In such circumstances, Paul encourages us to pay attention to inner renewal. What do we do in circumstances that are body and soulcrushing? We resituate our hope in Christ by looking intently to the eternal and trusting God’s cultivating, life-giving work.

Our outward lives have felt diminished, whether or not we’ve experienced the long-term health effects of COVID-19 or been separated from a loved one by death.

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Looking Intently to the Eternal

We have been given an opportunity to strengthen our spiritual muscles with the exercise of detachment. and increasing their worship intake, in order to keep things in the right perspective. COVID-19 finally helped me break the hold of social media, recognizing that my newsfeed was exacerbating an unhealthy mental state. But I fear that’s been replaced by an obsession with the news.

Addictive behaviour highlights our attachments and alerts us to the detachment that is necessary for soul health. Like my friends, I’ve noticed this at times, turned away from the news and listened to worship playlists or spiritual formation podcasts. Repenting of false attachments, we turn again to the ultimate goal: the freedom to praise, reverence and serve God in everything.

Consider playfulness, a more positive term for detachment, as a spiritual exercise. Playfulness helps us to let go of people, places or things that concern us greatly and entrust them to God. We don’t have to be on high alert all the time.

We can play even during stormy times, for our

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When life is easy and good, we can be consumed with enjoying it and forget “this world is but the wind-blown porch” to a world far beyond our imaginations (Robert Falconer, George MacDonald). When life is hard and full of suffering, we can also fixate on our current experience.

The pandemic has been a challenge. It may have taken our mind off some material things and the pursuits of pleasure. But it has then often focused our gaze intently on the news, the promised loosening of restrictions, or the hope of a vaccine (or concern about a vaccine, depending on your perspective).

A remedy is to fix our gaze on our eternal destiny. In what do we put our hope? What are we looking toward intently? Recently I heard a Cuban pastor say, “This pandemic may end or it may not. Another pandemic could come [insert horrified look on my face]. What does it matter?

All these things are only signs, pointing towards the coming of Jesus Christ. That is where we put our hope!” It was a corrective for me, pointing out my attachment to a certain outcome.

We have been given an opportunity to strengthen our spiritual muscles with the exercise of detachment. Early on, some friends shared how they were limiting their news intake

www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 11

Father is the captain of the ship.

What might play look like for you? For me it’s been evenings with a new board game, more freedom to read for fun, more time at the piano.

I’ve tried a few experiments in praying with art—putting color on paper and dipping in the paintbrush, daring to trust that God might offer me a gift through a creative side rarely explored.

As I play, I am freed momentarily from the everpresent drive to produce. I am also reminded that we humans must not presume to be strong enough or good enough to right what is wrong in this world. God is on the move, and he invites us to join him in what he is doing, as we anticipate the full coming of his reign in Jesus Christ’s return.

between readings. Ask God for the grace you need, pay attention to how the text illuminates your inner motivations and learn to be honest with yourself and God. In our reflection, we may also want to talk with God about our pandemic experience specifically. What has been stripped away during this time (consider the busyness of your pre-pandemic life)? What are you lamenting? What gifts have there been for you during this time? What new practices of thriving? What will you incorporate from this time in your post-pandemic life? What will return from your pre-pandemic life and what will not?

If this reflection makes you feel you’ve not been attentive enough to God, take heart. It’s not too late to begin again, thanking God for his grace! Above all, trust that he is good and patient and delights in your desire to draw near even when it feels like nothing is going on.

As I practice this kind of praying, I discover that regular reviews of my journal help me notice the inner work God is doing. Debriefing this with trusted soul friends further helps clarify and nurture this gracious work.

Resituating our hope in Jesus Christ by looking intently to the eternal, we are strengthened to carry a weight of glory beyond comparison to the affliction we currently bear.

Trusting God’s Cultivating, Life-giving Work

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Resituating our hope in Jesus Christ by looking intently to the eternal, we are strengthened to carry a weight of glory beyond comparison to the affliction we currently bear. God is preparing us for the time when the mortal will be swallowed up by glorious and eternal life (2 Corinthians 4:4).

We often cannot see this inward work of God. Being tethered to Christ in prayer keeps us connected and attentive when life overwhelms.

A helpful prayer practice is meditating on Scripture.

Read a short text a number of times with several minutes of silence

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Doing This Together As We Regather

Perhaps we’ve had less of a collective experience of processing this past year. We have individually chosen who or what will influence us. Our processing is also based on our individual experiences of the pandemic—whether we or someone we knew was very ill or even died, whether we lost work or didn’t, worked/studied at home or in person, whether we dutifully followed restrictions or not, whether we are introverts or extroverts, and so on.

When we regather with people of varying views, there will be more give and take than when we snooze the accounts of those we don’t want to hear from and listen only to the news sites that line up with our perspectives. Coming back together can be challenging. How can we do it so that every person returning to embodied fellowship says, “I didn’t realize how much I missed this”?

Here are some practices that may be helpful. First, avoid the assumption that everyone thinks like me (or should). Second, listen with receptive hearts to each other. Ask genuinely open non-judging questions about how people are doing, what they are feeling and why. What joy, sadness, fear, love, anger, or shame are they experiencing?

Then, practice wonder. “I wonder what God might want to do with this experience we/you

are going through?” “How is God inviting us/ you to respond?” As we offer this kind of compassionate listening, we can trust God’s work in others. We listen well, not to smooth over or make them better, but to offer a safe place to notice and name God’s work, waiting with them for this to become clear.

God promises that he is preparing us to carry an eternal weight of glory. I look forward to hearing how others have experienced affliction as the source of inner strengthening in this past year.

COVID-19 has given us some heavy weights to lift. May we find our spiritual muscles strengthened as together we resituate our hope in Christ, looking intently to the eternal and trusting God’s cultivating, lifegiving work.

Arlene Friesen, BRS, MTS, teaches Bible and Worship courses and serves as Registrar at Steinbach Bible College. She is involved with Morrow Gospel Church (EMMC).

www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 13

Caregivers Need Care Too! ISTOCK

By Gary Giesbrecht

T

he COVID-19 pandemic has been with us over a year. Since it began, we have been living under a constant diet of change with an overriding emotion of fear. Provincial and federal governments have mandated restrictions in hope of containing the virus, affecting every sector of society.

This constant fear and change negatively impact our mental and spiritual health. A hardhit and hard to quantify area is the care given during this time. While news and media outlets highlight daily the strain on front line and essential workers, away from the news and the media are the caregivers caring for those in need as best they can in this time of isolation and loneliness.

Their contribution to the wellbeing of these persons cannot be underestimated. From a Canadian perspective, caregivers in Canada are not alone.

• 8% reported providing care to their child with long term health conditions, or a physical or mental disability.

According to this report, “Unpaid caregiving provided by family and friends has become increasingly recognized as an important role in society. Caregiving reduces the social costs associated with health services and institutionalization. In addition, care recipients benefit when they are able to remain at home and maintain a positive quality of life.”

Caregiving reduces the Self-Care Is Appropriate It is normal to care for a person in social costs associated need, but it’s another matter for the caregiver to look after himwith health services self or herself. Self-care sometimes has negative connotations in the and institutionalization. church and in our society. Conno-

One Quarter of Canadians Are Caregivers

According to the Statistics Canada report “Caregivers in Canada, 2018” (www.statcan.gc.ca, search “Caregivers in Canada, 2018”), “approximately one in four Canadians aged 15 and older (or 7.8 million people) provided care to a family member or friend with a long-term health condition, a physical or mental disability, or problems related to aging.” This further breaks down to the following main categories: • 48% reported caring primarily for their parents and parents-in-laws (caregivers mostly aged 45–64 years); • 13% reported providing care to their spouse or partner (caregivers mostly aged 65 years and older);

14 The Messenger • July 2021

tations may include (but are not limited to) the following: it is prideful to care for oneself, “I am the only one that can do this,” “I must put the needs of the other person above my own needs,” “what will my family think?” and, as a value, “I am what I do.”

When reflecting on the story of creation, we see we are created in the image of God. Peter Scazzero says, “God has made us whole people, in his image (see Gen 1:27). That includes physical, spiritual, emotional, intellectual, and social dimensions” (The Emotionally Healthy Church, p. 54). Caregiving stresses a person in all the areas of one’s life in one way or another.

The focus here is briefly on the emotional, spiritual and relational dimensions, recognizing I do not have the space to address the physical and intellectual.

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The Importance of Being

In Luke 10:38–42, Luke tells the story of Jesus visiting in the home of Mary and Martha. This story highlights the action of Martha making all the preparations, and the inaction of Mary “doing nothing” but listening to Jesus. Martha wanted Jesus to tell Mary to help her, but instead Jesus said, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her” (vv.

41–42).

Mary chose to take care of herself by being in the presence of Jesus. In one sense Mary and Martha represent two sides of our identity, that of being and doing. Often, we err on the side of doing and get so busy we do not take the time to be.

The caregiver dilemma is this: the time and energy invested in (doing) caring for someone with special needs in most cases does not equal the person getting better. This requires the caregiver to change the definition of success to include caring for himself or herself and learn to be. In learning to be, the caregiver becomes aware of their own needs and how to find help in a healthy way. The following suggestions may be

helpful in different ways and different times in the caregiving journey.

Embrace the Journey of Grief and Loss

Knowing your responses when you are tired, knowing the triggers that raise your anxiety, and knowing the signs of depression are helpful in maintaining and restoring mental and spiritual health. (For information on depression, including signs of depression, see https:// www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/ conditionsandtreatments/ depression).

Grief is a normal response when we experience changes or loss. The bigger the change and the greater the loss, the more intense the grief will be. Emotions of grief are on the negative side of the emotional spectrum. For most of us, these are difficult to handle.

After denial, these emotions include anger, fear, hopelessness and depression. These emotions can appear to come out of nowhere. They do not come in any set order and may come in waves. (For more information on grief, see www. lifeway.com and search “How to Cope with Grief ” in Articles.)

Working through these feelings is part of

The caregiver dilemma is this: the time and energy invested in (doing) caring for someone with special needs in most cases does not equal the person getting better.

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Enlarge Your Network of Support

Tension and Reward

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the healing process. Eventually there will be less volatility and the gift of grief becomes evident as one embraces hope, new insights and meaning, and begins to look outward.

If these emotions persist, help is available in counselling and through your family doctor.

Pray prayers of lament. At least a third of the psalms are laments.

The psalmists cry out to God about their struggles. For instance, in Psalm 102:1–11, the psalmist pours out his heart before God and then in verse 12 the psalmist says, “But you, Lord, sit enthroned forever; your renown endures through all generations.” The prayer of lament allows us to voice feelings of anger, fear, hopelessness knowing that God will not reject us, and will meet us in that space and lead us to a renewed relationship with him.

Participate in the life of a church as much as possible. To identify with a church community is profound and encouraging. Knowing that you belong to a community where you can be encouraged in your faith and encourage others opens the door to other disciplines such as prayer, communion, fellowship and more.

Enlarging a network of support starts with a healthy inner circle and engages specific resources. If married, the spousal relationship needs to be maintained and healthy, with extended family and friends included in a healthy inner circle. For single persons, a close network with significant friends and family is important.

An expanded circle could include a support group for caregivers. A resource group could also include professionals and volunteers who could help in various areas. These resources could include pastors, doctors, social workers, in-home care support and friends to help with certain tasks.

Develop a Spiritual Centre in Christ

I use the word “develop” because, spiritually, none of us have it all together. Learning to have a deep vulnerability before God helps us grow and mature in our faith.

In 2 Corinthians 12:9, the Lord says to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Many disciplines can help to shape and form our relationship with Christ; here, I mention two:

16 The Messenger • July 2021

Caregiving is not for the faint of heart; caregivers are pushed and pulled in many directions.

There will be times the caregiver may want to give up, and times the caregiver will embrace the journey. My mother had Parkinson’s for 18 years (16 of those years my dad cared for her in the home). Near the end of her journey my wife asked her what advice she would have for her granddaughter standing beside her. Without blinking she said, “Seek first the kingdom of God.” When caregiving is given in the context of participating in the kingdom of God, the ultimate reward will be “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:21).

Gary Giesbrecht, BRE, BA, MDiv (Pastoral Counselling), is an adult Third Culture Kid who grew up in India and has been married to Carol for almost 41 years. They have a son and daughter who are both married, and enjoy two grandchildren. The Giesbrechts live in Lethbridge and Gary pastors the Coaldale Mennonite Church in Coaldale, Alta. Gary enjoys photography, camping and being in the mountains.

'EMC Needs to Look in its Back Yard' An Interview with Elvira Cote are life-long friends. Throughout my years raising my salary as a missionary, non-Native people have been very generous. The majority of my financial support has come from my white Mennonite friends and connections.

Whenever I visit other EMC churches to speak I receive an abundance of warm welcomes and hugs and I am assured that lots of people are praying for me. I really feel the Holy Spirit through the genuine care and love that I receive from EMCers.

Like other Native people, I have Elvira Cote Jennifer Kornelson had my share of negative experiences in the church, including in our denomination.

(Jennifer Kornelsen) visited with Elvira Cote Most often this has happened when non-Native one rainy day this spring. Elvira is from Cote people have asked me questions that are ignoFirst Nation in Saskatchewan and she lives rant. When I’m asked ignorant questions I feel in Winnipeg. Elvira serves God with Healing that I’m being looked down on and that nonHearts Ministries, and has been an Evangelical Native people have not made the effort to learn Mennonite Conference missionary for 25 years. about me and my people. This makes me feel Her home church is Braeside EMC. Elvira and that we are not valuable and that we are being I are sharing our conversation with you so that overlooked. you can hear my questions (I’m a white settler), In general, Mennonite people are such hard and Elvira’s wisdom (Elvira is Saulteaux). workers. They will work the land till they can work no more! Perhaps if they didn’t work quite A note about terminology: language is always as hard they might look up and look around and evolving, and the names used for ethnic catnotice their Native neighbours more. But I have egories can be delicate. The Messenger uses had good relationships with people who took the Indigenous Peoples to refer to the original time to get to know me and just be my friend. inhabitants of Canada; First Nations is also common in usage. Elvira has a personal preference JK: What would you like EMC people to know for the term Native, and she uses this term most about First Nations people in Canada? of the time.

EC: Non-Native people (like long-time EMC missionaries Frank and Mary Braun) were the first Jennifer Kornelsen (JK): The EMC has tradito share Jesus among Natives, but a lot of Native tionally been made up mostly of people with European ethnic backgrounds. You are First Nations. Describe what your experience has been.

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Elvira Cote (EC): Well first of all, I have belonged to a mostly white EMC church and many of my friends are white Mennonites. We

Like other Native people, I have had my share of negative experiences in the church, including in our denomination.

www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 17

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people have come to Christ and have taken up the task of spreading the gospel. My niece Venus Cote and myself became believers through the witness of Frank and Mary and we both now serve as Native missionaries. In this way I have seen how God has multiplied the good news. Native people are still coming to Christ!

Native people in Canada are your neighbour.

God calls us to love our neighbours. The EMC has invested a lot in overseas missions over the years, and this is great. But the EMC needs to keep looking in its own back yard and invest in Canadian Native people. One thing that would really help would be to support Native missionaries financially.

Native people themselves, through relationships.

It isn’t okay to just learn about Native people by reading about them in the news or learning from white experts and academics. Instead, take the time to be a friend to one Native person. This includes listening well, visiting, having tea and laughing together.

Don’t think of your Native friend as a project, and never be forceful with sharing the gospel.

Instead, come alongside your Native friend. Invest your life by being a true friend to that one person.

It doesn’t sound like much, but it would make a big difference. Friendship is the most important thing, not charity. In fact, charity is more often hurtful than it is helpful, if there is no genuine friendship.

The most important thing nonNative people can do is learn directly from Native people themselves, through relationships.

JK: How could non-Indigenous people become better at developing friendships with Indigenous People?

EC: Mennonites are naturally quite passive and they often stay in their little groups and comfortable settings. Its important to be willing to leave your setting to get to know your Native neighbours. The most important thing nonNative people can do is learn directly from

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JK: How do you suggest a white person could become friends with an Indigenous person?

Give us some advice!

EC: Always say “hi.” Smile and connect casually with a Native person that you see on the street.

Remember that person, and recognize them when you see them more than once.

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Ask a simple, friendly question like, “hey, you must live around here, I’ve seen you before.”

Start some small talk and offer your name.

If you’ve begun to have some small talk, take the time to ask the Native person where they are from. Ask which reserve they are connected to.

Native people appreciate being known in relation to their home communities.

Don’t be fearful. Native people are very perceptive and they won’t find it easy to relate to you if they feel you are afraid of them.

Be genuine.

Follow up, and mean what you say.

Superficial relationships are a good start. Superficial relationships can deepen, especially if you learn where the other person lives.

Find ways to share. Native people appreciate giving and receiving gifts. I’ve had really good experiences sharing cartons of eggs with a woman I happened to meet, and a box of chocolates with a frazzled young mother. These were opportunities to build further connection.

to be in the spotlight. Many Native people have great discernment. They love to laugh and they have a great sense of humour. This includes being silly and teasing, but isn’t usually hurtful teasing because Native people don’t take things very personally.

The way they look at things is unique. They have a great gift for story telling. Jesus’ life demonstrates that story-telling can be a very good way of gently teaching truth and Native people are good at this.

And of course, just like other cultural groups, Native people love their traditional foods, like bannock, and they love to share food.

JK: What is God doing among First Nations people and how can the EMC support this and pray?

EC: There have been many great Christian Native leaders, but these are getting older and we need to raise up a younger generation of leaders and missionaries who are Native. We need to invest in the youth and help them to grow by supporting them to attend Bible school and especially to be taught by older Native Christians. Northern Canada Evangelical Mission (NCEM) is training Native missionaries and we need to support this. There should be a Bible school especially for Native people.

Inviting Native people to be speakers in EMC churches would really open eyes and would help non-Natives to learn about what God is doing among Native people.

It would be great it the EMC could maintain a faithful presence in the Native communities where there was ministry in the past, places like Sioux Valley, Manitoba and Kamsack, Saskatchewan.

I find it a privilege to serve in missions under the EMC. EMC has encouraged me from the beginning and has walked with me consistently.

Please continue to support me and pray for me!

We need to invest in the youth and help them to grow by supporting them to attend Bible school and especially to be taught by older Native Christians.

JK: What are some of the gifts that Indigenous people have for the church, the natural strengths in First Nations cultures?

EC: There are so many natural strengths in Native people. These are of course generalizations, but Native people are very genuine. They are humble, putting others first and not needing

www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 19

'I Have Decided to Follow Jesus!'

Rosenort Revival Celebrates 70 Years

By Leona (Plett) Friesen

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LEONA PLETT

n July 8, 2001, a group of us celebrated the 50th anniversary of the 1951 revival in the Rosenort (Man.) EMC. Now, 20 years later, those of us who have not been promoted to glory celebrate 70 years since our dear Saviour sent a revival into our midst. Through the revival, we saw church members reconciled and many, many young people (as well as some parents) come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour!

What led up to that revival? Years of earnest praying by many deeply concerned parents; then a sad event hit our community when one of our own tragically died. Rev. Ben D. Reimer from Steinbach, Man., was invited to speak at the funeral. Rev. Reimer returned shortly after the funeral for two weeks of special meetings in our church.

He preached a week and a half with no visible results. It seemed no one was willing to confess “I’m at fault.” On the second Wednesday, Mom Plett said, “This very night I ask your forgiveness for the misunderstandings and fights.” After that Wednesday service, many came to our car to ask my mom for forgiveness. We got home way past midnight! (Mother’s German-Lutheran upbringing made it hard to fit into our community.)

The very next night, on July 5, blessings started to flow. Two of my sisters and a few others came to know the Saviour. Then on Friday night, 50-plus more youth surrendered to Jesus!

(My late husband Edward and I were included in

August 26, 1958: Newlyweds Edward and Leona sit on the hood of their “home on wheels” the day before leaving for ministry in Mexico. Mom Plett (background) puts on finishing touches.

20 The Messenger • July 2021

February 2011: Edward and Leona experience a joyful reunion with Manuel and Matilde Rascón, their dear friends since the July 1959 La Norteña revival!

this Friday group.) By Sunday night, more than 70 in all had come to know the Lord! Our youth, homes, church and community were completely changed that weekend.

On March 19 of this year, I listened to “Back to the Bible.” The speaker asked, “Are you… am I…plugging the ‘flow’ of revival?” Thank you, Mom Plett, for removing the “plug” in our church on July 4, 1951.

My prayer, “Dear Lord, am I a plug that is blocking the channel of blessing of revival to my family, my church, my country and the world?

“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting (Psalm 139:23–24).

As a result of that revival, a burning flame for missions was kindled. The revival rippled on to our neighbours, friends, other towns, provinces and countries in the following years. And it still ripples on! (Revelation 7:9, 12) Encouragement to those still around: So, let us keep travelling, tho’ at times we stumble and fall Till through death, or at the sound of the last trumpet call We will be swept through that beautiful heavenly gate Where we’ll forever and forever this Revival celebrate!

“No turning back, no turning back!”

Leona (Plett) Friesen with her late husband Edward is one of several missionaries (Frank and Marge Kroeker, Fred and Doris Friesen, among others) who ministered crossculturally after committing their lives to Christ during the Rosenort revival of 1951.

Column • A Path To Peace

Lessons From the Farmer

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By Kevin Wiebe

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ackwater hicks.

Rednecks.

Trash. Uneducated hillbillies. I have heard all these labels and more applied to people in rural areas.

People dismissed simply because of their postal code.

Having spent most of my life in small towns and rural areas, I have come to love living close to nature, to farms, open fields and big skies. When I think of the many farmers I have known, there is a deeply profound wisdom that comes from their lives.

Most of the farmers I have known are simple and beautiful people. They work hard, they love their families, and they enjoy their lives and work. Due to the nature of farming, many live in rural areas near their fields and animals.

For many, their day-to-day work isn’t lived in a metropolis surrounded by thousands of people and their varying opinions. As such, given that they don’t have to watch urban homelessness every day or deal with sub-par public transportation, it can seem like they are ignorant of those matters that mean a great deal to a lot of people.

So these lovely farmers get dismissed as being as unknowledgeable just because their field of knowledge is different than others. And it is true that some might remark, “I don’t know about all of that stuff ” and then go back to work planting their fields or harvesting their crops.

And this really is my point. They get back to work doing what they know they should. Our polarized world has a tendency to spend a lot of time talking, debating, arguing and fighting. We try to figure everything out, to understand it all, to defend our positions and convince everyone

else to be like us. We debate back and forth about the minutia of politics and ideologies and spend time endlessly quarrelling over debatable things. But what if we set aside so many of those squabbles and simply got back to the work that we know we should be doing? To loving God and loving others, to being a good neighbour, to living honestly and being kind?

Ecclesiastes 11:4–6 (NLT) says, “Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant.

If they watch every cloud, they never harvest.

Just as you cannot understand the path of the wind or the mystery of a tiny baby growing in its mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the activity of God, who does all things. Plant your seed in the morning and keep busy all afternoon, for you don’t know if profit will come from one activity or another—or maybe both.”

No matter if we are urban or rural, a farmer or a philanthropist, none of us will know everything, and if we wait to do what we know is right until all the conditions are perfect, we will never do anything. So let’s take a lesson from the farmer.

You don’t have to know everything, and you don’t need to understand or be right about everything in order to follow God. Let’s get back to work.

If we wait to do what we know is right until all the conditions are perfect, we will never do anything.

www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 21

News

Ministerial Hears From the Holy Spirit, Holds Women in Ministry Vote

By Erica Fehr

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ore than 100 people attended a Zoom meeting of the EMC Ministerial on June 18, 2021. Discussion took place and a vote was held on a recommendation from the Board of Leadership and Outreach (BLO) about women in ministry. Ultimately, the recommendation did not receive the level of acceptance it needed to pass.

Opening Devotional

Abe Berg, pastor of Straffordville (Ont.) EMC and BLO member, spoke on lament. Quoting a military chaplain who spoke on Remembrance Day in 2020, Berg said, “we need to lament well in order to give full expression to our joy.” This has been a difficult year and while crying in response to difficulty is human, lamenting is Christian—it is directed at God, he said. To lament is to interpret the world through God’s lens and many Psalms and Lamentations show us the way. Guiding attendees through Psalm 13, Berg said lament invites us to hope in God’s promises while we ask him for help. We need Abe Berg gives the opening devotional to the Ministerial about lament. authentic relationships, Berg said, but recognize “no one can heal us and remembering that our validation and comfortable praying alongside Muslims in a mosque in identity come from God.” Turkey yet counselled that Canadians should be wary.

Attendees took time to lament together with Berg Canadians are always running, he noted, and don’t have leading. time to pray and fast and read the Bible, but many Muslim communities isolate themselves from Canadians and What Is the Spirit Saying to the Church of Canada? they take time for this and for expanding their religion. He Dr. Yemiru Tilahun spoke about different cultural identiencouraged us to continue welcoming Muslim immigrants ties. He pointed out biblical prophets, kings, priests, Jesus and to learn how to engage people across cultural and reliand Paul knew and named the cultural identity of the gious lines. people to whom they were speaking. Yemiru described a Dr. Yemiru paused, saying he didn’t like to use the number of the many countries he has visited and shared word “you” (to speak as an outsider to Canadians) “are observations on what was unique about each. He was able not allowing yourselves to make mistakes.” Canadians are to identify cultural traits in part, he said, because the Holy afraid of mistakes and so spend a lot of time in discusSpirit gives understanding. sion and debate, taking years to work through one issue.

“Canada,” Dr. Yemiru said, “is a place of paradox.” It is a He shared how his church worked through a challenging good country yet there are many suicides. “The Canadian theological issue and arrived at a conclusion that allowed a churches,” he said, have to “work hard to revive the hope of young believing group to thrive and grow. the people.” Many Christians are not living obediently and “To be free from the entanglement” of fearing mistakes have lost their sense of mission, Dr. Yemiru said. we need to depend on the presence of the Holy Spirit who Dr. Yemiru said some things about Muslim people com- will “guide us to the truth.” “If you trust him, always he is ing to Canada that were hard to understand. He was clearly ready to help you,” he said.

22 The Messenger • July 2021

News “Brothers and sisters,” Dr. Yemiru said, “this is the time to ask the Lord to start the change from us, individually and as a community of Christ; [to be] aware of what is happening in our nation, to deal with the danger which is surrounding us. We have to be very wise by seeing the evil days are bringing to our community.

We have to be very active in prayer, in Bible study, and in fasting, and in mission work.”

Recommendation on Women in Ministry

The afternoon continued with information about the BLO’s Recommendation on Resolving the Dilemma of Women in Pastoral Leadership.

Conference Pastor Layton Friesen explained the lengthy and involved process the Conference had gone through to discern together how to move forward while respecting each other, giving each other freedom to minister best to our unique communities, and maintaining unity in the EMC. The material Friesen went through Conference Pastor Layton Friesen introduces the BLO's recommendais available from the Conference office. There tion regarding women in ministry. were a number of questions on who could vote and confusion about who was and wasn’t credentialed. FriThe struggle this year, he said, has been with our “loss esen also pointed out that if the vote didn’t pass this wasn’t of control.” This has “revealed that we in our churches over because “we still have this dilemma that we need to had…a kind of artificial, human-based rhythm and concome to some kind of agreement about in how we’re going trol.” We had secular control in the sense that we “made to move forward.” church happen,” Friesen said. “That ability that we have as human beings to make things happen” has been shaken in Getting in Step with the Rhythm of Jesus the last year which “leaves us now exposed in a new way The vote was held at this time and Friesen went on to give to the Holy Spirit.” We have an opportunity, he said, to get an overview of the past year. back in step with the rhythm of Jesus: his pace, his path, and in his control.

Friesen then shared the BLO vision of a season of spiritual renewal. The BLO invites EMC churches to walk through the life of Jesus beginning with Advent and going through to Pentecost. Through this initiative, EMCers will be invited to fall in love with the One who compelled us to become Christians in the first place.

Information will be shared throughout the next year.

Vote Results

Dr. Yemiru Tilahun invites Ministerial members to listen to the Holy Spirit as they discern together.

The day ended with a breakout discussion on how to thrive in the next year followed by the results of the vote.

The recommendation failed to pass. The BLO, in partnership with the General Board, will continue to work on finding a solution to help the EMC work together.

www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 23

News

Cross-Cultural Church Partnerships Happening in Calgary, Winnipeg

By Rebecca Roman

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n June 19, 2021, EMC Conference Council delegates met by Zoom to hear and discuss the work of the Conference. Among items shared is a church merger taking place in Calgary, Alta., between Abbeydale Christian Fellowship and Iglesia Emanuel. A church partnership is also forming between Kingdom Life Church (an outreach church plant for Syrian refugees) and St. Vital EMC in Winnipeg, Man. The details of what that partnership will include are still in process.

Opening Devotional

Sharing about his temptation to see the Ministerial meeting (on June 18, 2021) as “spiritual” and Conference Council meetings as merely “physical” pastor Alain Reimer from Evangelical Fellowship Church in Fort Frances, Ont., “set the stage for today” by reading from Acts 6:1–7.

“Are we as concerned about finding Spirit-filled people to fill those [board] positions as we see here in Acts?”

Reimer asked. He encouraged Council members “what we’re doing today is spiritual work…and we are just as in need of the Spirit’s guidance today as the Ministerial was yesterday,” then led in prayer.

Elections

Josh Muehling, chair of the Nominating Committee outlined the election process. For results, see sidebar.

General Board

Moderator Barry Plett provided a brief summary of the General Board’s structure and recent work, which included staff transitions and support for Executive Director Tim Dyck during compassionate leave for the recent illness and death of his wife, Brenda.

Board of Missions

Board chair Brad Brandt reported on new missionary placements: Antonio and Esther Pitta to Spain, Danny Plett with TeachBeyond, and two individuals to sensitive locations. Doors have opened, Brandt said, for ministry to Muslims in Spain and to Indigenous Peoples in Canada.

Several years ago, Antonio Pitta had written a research paper on ministry to Moroccan Muslims in Spain. With

24 The Messenger • July 2021

Alain Reimer encourages delegates the work "we're doing today is spiritual work." the BOM “somewhat overwhelmed…at what ministry to First Nations people might look like,” Jen Kornelsen approached the BOM inquiring about writing a paper precisely on this topic. “No coincidence, but God at work,” said Brandt.

Brandt mentioned recent bereavements to missionary families, then prayed for families affected.

Antonio Pitta described the process of God’s call to him and wife Esther in their ministry transition, which began when they encountered Moroccan people on a trip to Spain in 2016. “We know what it’s like to come into another country, learn a new language and new culture,” said Pitta.

Jen Kornelsen reported on EMC’s steps towards serving Indigenous Peoples in Canada. “This is a time for us to pull together and learn together so that we can do better together,” said Kornelsen.

Canadian Church Planting Task Force

Gerald Reimer, EMC Director of Canadian Church Planting, said that Iglesia Emanuel has been “adopted in to the family of the Abbeydale Christian Fellowship church in Calgary.” Antonio Pitta and Esther Pitta, former pastoral couple of Iglesia Emanuel and Larry Nutbrown, pastor of Abbeydale shared about the merger process. In prayer for

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the merger, Frankie Kim (Pelly Fellowship in Sask.) said, “They can overcome” difficulties such as language barriers “because you already gave them the unity in you.”

Reimer reported on another union taking place between St. Vital EMC and Kingdom Life Church, both in Winnipeg, Man. Saying “this is still very new for us,” Merle Kroeker, Leadership Team chairperson, shared about the process of forming a partnership from St. Vital’s perspective. In spite of needing to work out some details, Kroeker said the conEsther and Antonio Pitta share about their call to serve refugees in Spain. gregation ultimately decided “if this partnership is God’s will, he will help it to be successful.”

Kevin Wiebe and welcomed new members Gary GiesIbrahim Zabaneh, who joined EMC as a church planter brecht and Dwight Plett, with thanks to current member about a year ago, gave Kingdom Life’s perspective. As a Sarah Barkman who will serve another term. Muehling church plant among refugees mainly from Syria, there was introduced Rebecca Roman, interim editor of The Mesa desire to see people “integrated and not to be isolated senger. Roman described how a recent submission on the from the community,” he said.

Rosenort revival in 1951 came to fruition. Travis Plett of the National Youth Committee highlighted planning for Board of Trustees Abundant Springs in 2022. Erica Fehr, EMC CommuniAndrew Kampen, BOT chair, presented a summary of the cations Coordinator, shared her vision for the Growing audited financial statements from 2020, saying that the full Together newsletter in promoting civil discourse on timely statements are available upon request. A fund balance of topics. $267,955 will help to replenish budget reserves that were depleted over the past few years, he said.

Breakout Groups Moving to the 2021 financial update, Kampen noted Discussion took place in breakout groups about what that receipts to date are lower than the past five years. congregations need coming out of this pandemic. Both challenges and opportunities were mentioned.

Board of Leadership and Outreach

BLO chair Andy Woodworth reported on the previous day’s ministerial meeting. Attendees over Zoom heard an “outside-in perspective” from Dr. Yemiru Tilahun on what the Holy Spirit is saying to the church in Canada. Woodworth also outlined BLO plans to lead EMC churches in a season of spiritual renewal beginning November 28, 2021.

Woodworth said the BLO continues to deal with “sticky issues” such as women in ministry. “Every time we get close, we seem to fall short,” said Woodworth, describing how the BLO’s “Recommendation on Resolving the Dilemma of Women in Pastoral Leadership” failed to reach the needed level of acceptance.

Personnel Committee

Board of Church Ministries

Participants returned to breakout groups to close in prayer.

BCM chair Kim Muehling thanked outgoing member

Vice-Moderator and Personnel Committee chair Ward Parkinson said a severance package agreement has been reached with former Director of Communications and Education Terry Smith. He requested the constituency pray for Smith and wife Mary Ann in their transition.

Parkinson also reported that Don Peters, former Executive Director of MCC Canada, will serve as a part-time consultant to assist in staff transitions as Director of Global Outreach Ken Zacharias and Executive Director Tim Dyck both plan to retire in the next couple of years.

Closing

www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 25

With Our Missionaries Discerning God’s Call to Missions

God’s Call to Mission When Ministry Shifts Editor’s Note: This article is the fourth of a six-part series on God’s call and discernment. The first three articles were published in the January, March and May 2021 issues. The first article by Nancy Friesen (January 2021) was not labelled as part of the series.

PARAGUAY

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As a missionary kid (MK) growing up in the jungles of East Paraguay, life was filled with danger and excitement. In 1965, Dad and others started to dream of using radio to bring the gospel to the indigenous people of Paraguay. The Lord heard their prayers and, ten years later, Radio ZP-30 began.

When I was five and felt scared and unprepared to die, Mom helped me Chris and Revita Kroeker teach Caring for the Heart material to a couple in Minga Guazú. receive Jesus into my heart. From a young age, I felt God wanted me to be a missionary—even though to the EMC Board of Missions. We were open to wherever I was shy and did not like big groups or a lot of attention. the Lord would direct.

The only gift I could offer was my desire to serve him.

A short-term schoolteacher was needed for MKs in As a young teen, Dad allowed me to work as a disc Caaguazú, Paraguay; in 1991, we left for Paraguay with jockey at Radio ZP-30. Later, I moved to East Paraguay our infant son. Teaching seven kids in five different grades and learned responsibility at my first real job. I loved socwas difficult, but with Revita’s support and prayer, I made cer, youth and my new dirt bike. I soon noticed the Friesen it through. We joined Ken and Val Zacharias in a church twins; my heart pounded when I was around one of them. plant, discipling new believers as we were being discipled.

Their brothers shared my interests and we became good In time, the Lord led us back to Tres Palmas into fullfriends. I was delighted to help transport the girls to comtime radio ministry for 12 years. Revita started counselling munity events with my dirt bike. and mentoring Paraguayan women, and we noticed the Eventually I got up the courage to ask Revita out. We need for a Spanish church in Tres Palmas. As we helped studied the Bible and prayed together. She made me a card plant this church, the Lord gave us a passion to help marwith Proverbs 16:9 on it, which has become the motto of riages and families. our lives: “In their hearts human beings plan their lives.

After terminating our ministry at Radio Mensajero But the Lord decides where their steps will take them” and taking a leave of absence, we joined the church plant (NIRV). We dreamed of a future together, but I had to in Minga Guazú in 2012. The Lord has directed our steps know: if the Lord called me to be a missionary far or near, to prepare ourselves better to care for people’s hearts, could she see herself accompanying this call? She said, providing counselling and hope for marriages and rela“Yes, where you go, I’ll go.” tionships. “Caring for the Heart – Paraguay” is now our We married in 1987 and moved to Rosenort, Man., to main ministry. work and serve in Rosenort EMC. After completing studies – Chris Kroeker at Steinbach Bible College in 1990, we prayed and applied Chris and Revita Kroeker (Rosenort EMC) have served with EMC Missions in East Paraguay since 1991.

26 The Messenger • July 2021

With Our Missionaries

Coastal Move a Dream Come True

BOM

perspective was evidence of the Lord’s careful tying together of our lives.

Last July, after dropping off our youngest son in Michigan at his aunt and uncles’, Allen and I started praying for a team of Peruvians to join us—particularly a couple willing and trained to pastor a church plant. In December, a friend of ours remembered a young man who had just graduated from seminary and suggested him as a possibility. We talked to the young man’s pastor at Las Flores Baptist Church (Peruvian church protocol), and he was instantly enthusiastic about our proposition and methodology.

After much prayer, thought and an exploratory trip to the coast, seminary graduate Pastor Elvis and his wife Rosita have decided to join the team! His congregation has been very involved in their decis ion-making proPastor Martin Cutipa, Dr. Allen George and Pastor Elvis Jacobo overlook cess over the last few months and are eager to support the the Peruvian coastal town of Punta de Bombon, where the new church plant as a daughter church. plant is expected to be located.

They plan to s nd evangelistic teams to visit the chosen location once a month while we are on home assignment PERU from June 2021 to February/March 2022 and the couple The Lord leads and guides in mysterious ways. Sometimes will use this time to fundraise so they can dedicate their our dreams seem forever lost and then, in the twinkling full energy to the plant. When we return, Elvis and Rosof an eye, they come to fruition in ways we never thought ita will move to the coast with us to officially launch the possible. It was this way with our dream to move to the church.

Peruvian coast.

We see the Lord’s hand moving strongly in these When I came to Peru as a long-term missionary in prayerfully-laid plans and we know that he will take care of 2008, the plan was to do church planting on the coast with the unknowns. Your prayers are also greatly appreciated as Jim and Vegas Dargatz. They say flexibility is an important we take the gospel to a very unreached part of Peru. quality in a missionary! At that time, the Dargatzes were – Mary Beth George suddenly needed to give leadership to Camp La Joya instead, so I decided to live in the big city of Arequipa where I would Mary Beth and Allen George (Blumenort Community have a support team. There was plenty to do!

Church) are with Serving in Mission in Peru.

Allen and Amy’s coastal church planting dream began after they couldn’t find a church to attend while on a family vacation during the summer of 2010. They decided to wait until the kids were out of school before pursuing a solution to Minga Guazú, Paraguay Guadalajara, Mexico this problem. Allen was field director at the time and there weren’t any good schools for the kids The church planting team in Team members are sought to to attend in the small coastal towns. Then Amy Minga Guazú is looking for join the team church planting passed away, closing the door on a season and individuals to join their team to in the large urban city of Guabringing Allen’s future plans under evaluation. partner in leading the church dalajara. A potential direction When we started dating, one of the first quesplanting efforts, or focus of ministry would be to cultitions Allen asked me was how I’d feel about doing specifically on youth and chil- vate connections and small church planting on the coast! Neither of us knew dren’s ministry. groups to broaden the reach of about the other’s dream. For me, our mutual the local church.

Mission Opportunities

Learn more at www.emconference.ca/serve or contact the office at info@emconference.ca

www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 27

With Our Missionaries

Out of Germany—Into Africa

BOM

AFRICA

Though both of us grew up as third-culture-kids (TCKs), we never aspired to live or work in Africa. Yet, that’s where our journey appears to be taking us.

Both Tamera and I spent our childhoods as missionary kids, she as the daughter of American missionaries in France, and I as the son of Canadian missionaries in Germany and Switzerland. We met at Black Forest Academy. Upon completing university (and getting married) we moved first to Austria and then to Germany, where we have been involved in various forms of ministry and education ever since.

Since 2013 I’ve been working with Open Schools Worldwide (OSWW), whose aim is to provide literacy, numeracy and basic life skills to marginalized children with no access to schooling. OSWW works primarily in southern African countries, and we currently have approximately 4,000 children in our projects. We’ve created a curriculum which we can teach to volunteer tutors in a several-day training course, who can then go instruct the children in their area who live in informal settlements, slums, garbage dumps, squatter camps and remote villages. They typically meet with these underprivileged children in a spare room, a back yard, under a tree or in the shade of a shack.

Over the past years, Tamera has essentially acted as a midwife of schools, helping to birth schools in Germany, Switzerland and in Congo. Recently she was appointed as Africa Regional Director for TeachBeyond, the mission organization we serve. She is responsible to oversee all of the TeachBeyond projects, schools and staff located in the various African countries. This involves many regular international Zoom meetings, and she has also been overseeing the development of teacher-training modules

that promote transformational education through a biblical worldview.

As we’ve recently become empty-nesters, we are no longer tied to a school calendar, and can more freely move when and where it is most advantageous for ministry. After spending several months on the ground in southern Africa last year, we have pulled up our tent pegs in Germany, and expect to settle in South Africa by this fall (spring down there). This enables us to have more hands-on involvement with our colleagues and at our projects. Due to the limitations that COVID-19 has laid on those sites and schools, it will be all the more valuable to be able to help out practically onsite.

We are currently spending some time in North America with family, friends and supporters as we prepare for our upcoming move. We appreciate prayer as we wait for our residence permits to be issued, get vaccinations (South Africa recently began another lockdown), inform folks about the next leg of our journey and spend precious time with our family (including our first grandchild who was born in March).

If you’d like to find out more about what we’ll be doing in Africa, go to www. osww.org and www.teachbeyond.org.

– Phil and Tamera Peters Phil and Tamera Peters (Steinbach EMC) serve with TeachBeyond/Open Schools Worldwide in Africa.

28 The Messenger • July 2021

With Our Churches Abbeydale Christian Fellowship

CALGARY, Alta.—As pandemic restrictions loosen, Abbeydale Christian Fellowship attendees eagerly look forward to reconnecting in person with residents of our community. At the time of this writing, there have not been many opportunities since March 2020 to connect with those desperately needing a loving touch. Although services are broadcasted and accessible online, there is no way of knowing whether the message of Christ’s love and care has connected with those who pass by the church on a regular basis.

A pandemic, however, does not change or alter the most important message ever from God to humankind; it is a truth for all times and seasons. When warm fleshand-bone-real-live-people arms cannot physically hug a neighbour in the name of Jesus at a time they may need it most, his love and care for those he created must nonetheless be shared.

A creative, courageous and caring (anonymous) ACF member, sensitive to the nudging and prompting of the Holy Spirit, took the words of Christ literally when he said,

ACF

A Silent Proclamation

ACF’s rooftop message declares Christ’s love to their community.

"What is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs" (Matthew 10:27b).

“The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you [residents of Abbeydale] what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete” (1 John 1:2–4).

– Ivy Plett

•• Crestview Fellowship Church

Kargbo Family Marks Sanctuary Anniversary individuals, the community of faith, EMC churches, dedicated volunteers and faithful prayers, sanctuary for the Kargbo family would have never been possible—thank you.

Another prominent feature of this day is to recognize how God listens and cares for his people through prayer: “I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer” (Psalm 17:6).

Please join us in prayer as an Thaduba, Mathebeh and Fatmata Kargbo, application for permanent residency and Crestview Fellowship pastor Darrel on humanitarian and compassionGuenther stand in front of the congregation ate grounds is currently before the during sharing and prayer on April 11, 2021. authorities.

– Jenaya Groen

CFC

WINNIPEG, Man—April 11, 2021, marked the Kargbo family’s second year of living in sanctuary at Crestview Fellowship Church. This day has mixed emotions of worry, doubt, and thankfulness, but an overall prevailing feeling of awe, as the Kargbos and Crestview Fellowship Church have been able to witness God’s love and provision through the entire situation.

On April 11, 2021, the sharing and prayer section of the church service was dedicated to praise God and to encourage the Kargbo family—Fatmata, Thaduba and Mathebeh—on their continuing journey in sanctuary. Without the generosity of many

www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 29

News

SBC Celebrates Graduates of 2021

SBC

STEINBACH, Man.—Steinbach Bible College celebrated the graduating class of 2021 with a livestreamed celebration over April 23–24. In total, 38 graduates were recognized with seven Certificate of Biblical studies, nine Associate of Arts, and 22 Bachelor of Arts degrees.

With a third wave of COVID-19 looming in Manitoba ahead of the official graduation date, provincial restrictions in place with more likely to come, SBC was tasked with celebrating graduates while maintaining safety and adhering to public health guidelines.

After many altered plans and sacrifices of tradition—no spring concert, banquet, or friends and family-filled seats—celebration took place privately among students and staff with each awards chapel, celebration chapel, and conferring of degrees (with three allowed guests per graduate to witness the conferring) live-streamed for supporting family and friends from across the campus, province, country, and globe to “attend” safely. Each chapel was held twice over with half of the graduates being recognized each time to keep numbers within provincial guidelines.

“Graduation serves as a time to reflect on SBC graduates nine EMCers in 2021: (top) Andrew Reimer, BA Christian Studthe growth and maturing of our students. What ies (Evangelical Fellowship Church); Gabriela Thiessen, AA Bible-Theology greater satisfaction can I have than to see stu(Steinbach EMC); Isaiah Loewen, BA Christian Studies (Steinbach EMC); (middle) dents grow in their relationship with Jesus, be Josh Fehr, BA Christian Studies (Leamington EMC); Matthew Malazdrewich, BA eager to serve the church and have a passion to Christian Studies (Stony Brook Fellowship); Nicole Nickel, BA Christian Studengage the world,” reflects SBC President Rob ies (Morris Fellowship Chapel); (bottom) Robyn Kampen, BA Christian Studies Reimer.

(Blumenort Community Church); Tessa Reader, BA Christian Studies (Ridgewood “We are graduating from a college that has EMC); Travis Friesen, AA Bible-Theology (Leamington EMC). fostered and developed our love for the Word, and the Lord, and for his people,” said 2021 class valedictorian, Andrew Reimer, BA Christian Studies, who encouraged graduates to “occupy” the land the Lord has addressed his fellow grads and online viewers during Satgiven them. “I challenge you, be a faithful presence in your urday’s Celebration Chapel. neighbourhoods, wherever you are,” Dueck says. She conHe continues, “Wherever our separate paths lead, as we tinues, “Do business there, live incarnational lives. Look scatter from here, I want to encourage us to follow through for ways to do justice and love mercy. Occupy that neighon these things; to commit to using what we have learned bourhood and spread the love of the kingdom of God. As to follow Christ in tangible actions. Choose him and live you wait, occupy until he comes.” like it.”

President Reimer concludes, “I wait with anticipation, The commencement address was given by Trudy to hear of your journey beyond SBC and a life of continued Dueck, a 1980 BA graduate of SBC. Dueck, who served service, for the sake of the kingdom.” on the SBC Board for six years (four as chairperson), – SBC

30 The Messenger • July 2021

In Memory

Elisabeth Reimer Friesen

1921–2020 Elisabeth Reimer Friesen, our mother, grandmother, greatand great-great-grandmother of Steinbach, formerly Kleefeld, Man., passed away Monday, November 23, 2020, at Rest Haven Nursing Home after a brief illness. She was 99. She is survived by nine children: Wilbert (Hilda), Florence, Dennis (Louella), Elda (Darren Palmer), Leona (Mike Kroeker), Ray (Ula Nieuwejaar), Corinne (Rick Loewen), Louise (Peter Dueck), Jim (Rhonda); 23 grandchildren, their spouses and families. She was predeceased by her husband Albert, one daughter-inlaw, one son-in-law, one granddaughter, one greatgrandson, two sisters and seven brothers.

Mother grew up in Heuboden, close to Kleefeld, and accepted Jesus as a young child. After elementary school, she took a correspondence nursing course and was often called on by the community to help nurse someone to health. A pioneer in many ways, at age 25 she was hired to be the matron of Rest Haven—the very nursing home in which she died. She later took Licensed Practical Nurses’ training and became a geriatric nurse, working in Vineland, Ont., and at Winkler Salem Home.

She married our widowed dad at age 39 and took on his family of seven children. A year after marriage they welcomed Louise, and two years later Jim. She was always a career woman at heart, but adopted the role

of wife, mother and homemaker with resourcefulness and adventure. Her compassion and care were experienced by family and the less fortunate in gifts of home-baked bread, garden produce, organizational and leadership skills, and best of all, by her singing. She passed on her love of four-part harmony to her family!

Mom and Dad sang in many singing groups, always finding the sick and lonely to comfort. Mother’s faith in the Lord was her anchor in life!

Mom had many struggles but always modeled perseverance and integrity, finding answers in her faith.

She was a two-time cancer survivor and a huge encouragement to others

on the same journey. She and Dad served as deacons at Kleefeld EMC for many years. People were important to her, and she served tirelessly, be it for an immigrant or a home care client, or simply a family member. Mother loved to travel and, whether it was to a family camp in the Whiteshell or at a mission hospital in Ecuador, she served enthusiastically. No task was too small, whether shelling peas out on the grass with her little brood, or later doing Christmas cookie bakes for grandkids. She was an avid writer, composing poetry as well as a daily diary for over 75 years.

At Rest Haven she was lovingly cared for as she battled dementia, declining speech capacity and, finally, COVID-19. But her battle is done! We will miss her so much, but have the glorious hope that she arrived Home for Christmas with her Saviour! We lovingly say, “Rest well, Mom.” The family expresses deep gratitude to the dedicated staff at Rest Haven Nursing Home, and to Dr. Trinh, for caring for Mom over 11 years, and especially during the last two weeks of her battle with COVID-19. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Haven Group (Rest Haven Nursing Home) or a charity of one’s choice. A private family burial took place on Friday, November 27, 2020, at Kleefeld EMC cemetery. A closed memorial was held at Birchwood Funeral Chapel at 3 p.m. December 1, 2020.

– Her Family

www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 31

In Memory Margaret (Margie) Kroeker (nee Eidse) 1932–2021

“Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Psalm 23:6).

My dear Margie was born on March 24, 1932, in Morris, Man., to Abram K. and Anna Bartel Eidse and grew up in Rosenhoff as the youngest of five brothers and five sisters, four of whom died in infancy.

When Margie, the sturdy, deeply-tanned farm girl with alluring blue-green eyes, striking dimples and sweet smile started attending Rosenhoff school, she soon stole my heart. Our friendship all through school deepened during our youth.

Margie (and I) surrendered her heart to the Lord on July 6, 1951, during local revival meetings with Rev. Ben D. Reimer.

She, with 36 friends, was baptized upon her faith by Rev. David P. Reimer and became a Rosenort EMC member. Indeed, Jesus was her Friend and Shepherd all her life.

On July 20, 1952, my lifelong sweetheart made me the happiest man in the world when Rev. P. L. Friesen married us in Rosenort EMC. The Lord blessed us with seven children. When our church elected us as ministers on October 21, 1956, we felt the Lord leading and confirming our call to the ministry as church planters in Maryfield, Sask.

In July of 1963, following the Lord’s leading as missionaries under the EMC Board of Missions, we took our four children to the “Green Hell”

32 The Messenger • July 2021

of the Paraguayan Chaco. Praise God, we were able to serve him in Paraguay for almost 40 years.

Leaving the familiar, family and friends was hard but Margie was a good sport, a pillar of support, willing to work behind the scenes. She was a wonderful mom to our children, training them up to love the Lord; a woman of prayer and a soul-winner. She soon turned conversations to spiritual things. Countless opportunities to host visitors and missionaries were met with a smile and grace.

Together, we made 53 major moves during our marriage.

Our last move together was to our Rose Bay apartment in Rosenort in 2014.

In the last years, Parkinson’s disease and other ailments affected her body, but not her sharp mind. In February of 2021, Margie was moved to the Morris hospital and, on April 14, into the Red River Valley Lodge, where she passed away on June 3 at the age of 89.

Margie was predeceased by her parents, five brothers, five sisters, and our two precious daughters: Wendy Ellen in infancy and Judith Eileen in 2017.

Margie and I shared almost 69 years of married love, and she will be lovingly remembered by her beloved family: her son-inlaw David (Judith*) Schmidt, and children Garry (Debra) Kroeker, Marjorie (Garry) Friesen, Hannah Kroeker, Christopher (Revita) Kroeker, Gregory (Lynette) Kroeker, as well as 40 grandchildren and 40 great-grandchildren.

A family funeral took place on June 9 at the Rosenort EMC with Pastor Ward Parkinson officiating, with internment at the Rosenort EMC cemetery.

– Her loving husband, Frank

Shoulder Tapping Where are position ads to be sent?

Please send all position ads, including pastoral search ads, to messenger@emconference.ca. All ads are to be 150 words or less. All ads can be edited. Please advise us when it is no longer needed.

Additional EMC Openings Often there are more churches looking for senior, associate, youth, and interim pastors than are identified on this page. For information on additional openings, contact Conference Pastor Layton Friesen (lfriesen@emconference.ca) and Director of Canadian Church Planting Gerald D. Reimer (greimer@emconference.ca). The national office phone number is 204-326-6401. Speak with Erica Fehr, Church leadership assistant to the BLO, to request a cell number for a particular person.

EMC Positions* Prairie Grove Fellowship Chapel, serving Lorette, Man., and the surrounding area, is seeking a fulltime senior pastor for a congregation of approximately 80. We are a friendly, welcoming church where all ages are well represented and respected.

Our mission is “To Love God and To Love People.”

We are looking for a pastor who is a shepherd at heart and is gifted at preaching and teaching.

He must have a deep, personal relationship with God and be able to hear, discern, and follow God’s leading. We are looking for someone who is humble and compassionate, who listens well and tries to relate to others, and is approachable by all ages. He must be able to preach strong, biblical messages that promote personal growth and not be afraid of difficult subjects. The ability to work with others on our ministerial team is a must.

For more information, contact Chris at pgfcbusiness@gmail.com.

Other Positions Beauty Out of Ashes is a mission agency serving abused and abandoned girls in Haiti. We are looking for a couple, one or both with teacher training.

Instruction will be done in English.

Besides teaching, the couple would work in providing supervision and oversight of the home in areas such as shopping, administrative duties, and supervision as needed. Candidates must have a deep commitment to serving Christ, be members in good standing and with the recommendation of their local church. Strong relational skills are required. Basic accommodations are provided however additional financial support would be raised by the candidates.

Visit boahaiti.org for an overview of the ministry. Heartland Community Church is helping to sponsor this ministry. For more information contact lfbarkman@gmail.com or mkubanek@mymts.net.

Mitchell Gospel Church (Manitoba) is looking for a full-time lead pastor. We need someone to help reach our community, care for our members, and disciple us. Our potential for growth in Mitchell is very exciting considering the number of young families in the area. Specifically, we want to grow our Sunday School, senior and junior youth program. We are interested in someone with a clear personal calling to leading and feeding the body of Christ in his church at Mitchell. He will encourage and cast fresh vision to our deacons as well as our congregation members. This man will have a healthy family life and a growing relationship with God. If you would like to know more about the position, please contact mitchellgospelchurch@gmail.com.

At Inner City Youth Alive (ICYA) our mission is to bring hope through Christ, and we’re seeking to fill ministry positions serving kids, youth and families in Winnipeg’s inner city neighbourhood. Available positions include ministry and administrative

Evangelical Mennonite Conference

Year to Date Financial Report January-May 2021

Income* Expenses Excess/Shortfall

General Fund 2021 491,443 590,647 -99,204

General Fund 2020 559,176 662,328 -103,152

We give thanks to God for the continued strong support of EMC ministries, and we acknowledge the contributions of EMC churches and individuals who give so generously.

- The Board of Trustees *Income includes donations and transfers from other funds (e.g., estate funds).

roles. Our diverse team members are both local leaders and from outside our neighbourhood. As a faith-based ministry we hold all staff to our lifestyle and morality commitments, and core values. ICYA and our staff are supported by generous individuals and churches from across Canada. To view full job descriptions, visit: www.icya.ca/careers or message Karen Jolly, director of programs, at karen@icya.ca.

Community Fellowship Church (Newton, MB) invites applications for the fulltime position of Associate Pastor. We are an intergenerational Mennonite Brethren congregation. We are looking for someone capable of developing and implementing an integrated ministry plan which supports youth in the overall vision and mission of the church. Previous experience in youth work is essential. Send resume to cfcnewton.pastor.search@gmail.com.

Manitou Christian Fellowship, a multi-generational, rural church in south-central Manitoba, seeks to glorify God by helping people find and follow Jesus. We are looking for a full-time lead pastor who is a gifted teacher and has a heart for evangelism and discipleship. It is important for us to be biblically centred in all we do. We welcome people from all backgrounds to join us in learning and growing together in our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Recognizing that our work extends beyond the walls of our building, we aim to have a positive impact on people’s lives and advance the cause of Christ. Our people are generally involved in local community events and in developing relationships outside of the church family. In the last year, we have focused on loving our neighbours and doing community outreach, while also discipling those around us. This is currently an open position and we wish to hire ASAP. For more information and to apply, please contact Traci Johnston at 204-8764617 or by e-mail at 24johnston@gmail.com. See our website at www.manitouchristianfellowship.com.

Fort Garry Mennonite Brethren Church is hiring for the role of worship director. This is a two-year term position at 0.75 FTE. FGMB is a healthy, diverse intergenerational congregation of 400-plus located in the suburbs of southwest Winnipeg, Man. We believe that worship is an essential part of equipping the body for fellowship and belonging, faith formation and mission engagement.

The worship director needs to be a creative and engaging person who is passionate and growing in faith. The applicant should also be gifted in leading and inviting others into meaningful worship, work well in a collaborative team environment and connect well with people across generations, and should be familiar with the video editing and digital media skills needed for production of livestreamed services.

For a longer job description see fgmb.ca/jobopportunities. Email cover letter and resume to info@fgmb.ca by May 30, 2021.

www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 33

Column • His Light to My Path

Beautiful, Perpetual Incense

By Karla Hein

Suddenly, I realize prayer is a holier experience than what I've contrived while hurrying through a mealtime blessing.

34 The Messenger • July 2021

ISTOCK

R

ecently, I was surprised by the story of Cornelius in Acts 10. The angel appeared to him in a vision and said, “Your prayers and charitable gifts have ascended as a memorial offering before God” (Acts 10:4 NASB).

The imagery reminded me of when God gave instructions about the tabernacle to the Israelites in the wilderness. “And when Aaron sets up the lamps at twilight, he shall burn incense.

There shall be perpetual incense before the Lord throughout your generations” (Exodus 30:8 NASB). Then, in Revelation, “the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people” (5:8; also see 8:3–4).

Prayers have always felt more earthly to me. Instead of my requests ascending to God’s throne, I imagine them bouncing off the ceiling as my mind wanders. I’ve viewed prayer like a time-delayed investment deposited in a vault for God’s rainy-day perusal.

“May my prayer be set before you as incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice” (Psalm 141:2). Suddenly, I realize prayer is a holier experience than what I’ve contrived while hurrying through a mealtime blessing. I have created a routine that lacks reverent awareness. God instructed Moses to “take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground” (Exodus 3:5).

This is how I’ve been feeling lately about the privilege of prayer. My prayers rising directly from my heart to God’s presence is an astonishing thought! A beautiful gift I offer to the One who is all-knowing and all-sufficient. My prayers as a sweet-smelling incense. How very real and personal. How very holy. “Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. For God is in heaven and you are on the earth, so let your words be few” (Ecclesiastes 5:2).

I am also discovering prayer is an act of defiance. Defiance against my doubt in God’s sovereignty. Defiance against pride that tries to control and to solve on my own strength. Peter

describes a process of humbling ourselves and casting our concerns before a caring and mighty God (1 Peter 5:6–7). Prayer then becomes a declaration of my faith in the working of God’s will “on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10).

God grants us a glimpse into heavenly realities when we are told in Revelation that the four living creatures “day and night they never stop saying, “‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come” (4:8).

Surely, I am missing out on some reverence if I can only focus for a sentence or two on worship, a mumbled thanks before a busy day.

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful” (Colossians 4:2). I watch life move onward in a fragile, constant beat, and I wonder: when one prays “without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 NASB), does death feel more like an inhale? A breath before the next word spoken between two dear friends? One day, I hope to find out.

Column • Further In and Higher Up

Jesus Is the Elephant and King!

T

here is an old story about a king, watching his blind servants gathering around an elephant trying to figure out what this object is. Each blind servant gets hold of one part of the elephant. One grabs the tail and thinks the elephant is a ropey thing.

Another grabs the leg and claims he’s found a tree trunk. Another touches the side of the elephant and declares it’s a flat wall.

This story has become a modern-day legend often used to show how all of us only have a part of the truth. All religions are like these blind servants, we are told, holding their elephant-y body part, loudly proclaiming their view as the whole truth. The lesson we are taught is that what we think true is only a body part—a tail, but certainly not an elephant.

There are some interesting questions to ask of this story. First of all, from whose perspective is this story always told? From the perspective of the king. The king apparently has 20/20 vision. The moral of the story applies to everyone except the king; the king is able to see the whole elephant.

The same 20/20 perspective is then assumed by those who tell the story. Everyone else is a blind servant but I am the king, up on a pedestal, looking down at all these hapless blind Muslims, Hindus and Christians. Those pathetic devotees think they know the truth but I, from

my throne of secular sophistication, can see how silly they all are.

But! If I say all people are blind except me, that’s kind of arrogant, don’t you think?

Christians will die for the truth that there is only one King qualified to tell this story, who is Jesus Christ, judge of all. We are not qualified to tell this story, only Jesus is.

But a second question to ask of this tale is, who is the elephant? Some vague spirituality that hovers beyond all our words, eluding our grasp? Some mysterious force I access through meditation, hiking Banff or taking LSD? No, the elephant must also be Jesus of Nazareth. He is the Alpha and the Omega.

In John 4 Jesus tells the Samaritan woman at the well that an hour is coming when true worshippers will worship neither at Mount Gerizim or Jerusalem. “You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we [Jews] worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews.” The woman wisely says, “I know that a Messiah is coming.” Jesus replies, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”

Can you see the elephant story at the Samaritan well? Jesus is the King who sees and judges Samaritan and Jewish worship as either partial, true or false. And he is the elephant, the one both Jews and Samaritans in their own ways had been grasping for and praying to for centuries.

And, finally, to twist the tale until it almost unrecognizable, if Jesus is the king and elephant, can blind servants grasp him, even in part? In the gospel, the blind servants do not grasp the elephant, the elephant takes hold of the servants.

Jesus is taking hold of you, his beloved Bartemeaus, and by his love and power is removing the scales from your eyes. One day we shall see him as he is!

Hail the Elephant and King!

By Layton Friesen Conference Pastor

This story has become a modern-day legend often used to show how all of us only have a part of the truth.

www.emcmessenger.ca • The Messenger 35

Column • Kids’ Corner

Are You a Naturalist?

D

ISTOCK

By Loreena Thiessen

o you like to look inside a tulip or lily and touch the sticky pollen on its stamens? Do you dig for worms or watch a caterpillar walk along your arm? Do you like to catch frogs or follow an ant to see where it’s going?

If you’re curious and like to know more about nature as you walk and play outdoors, you are a naturalist.

A naturalist is someone who observes and studies plants, animals, insects, rocks and fossils; a naturalist wants to know more. You’ll find birds, insects, animals and plants in your back yard, or on a walk along a trail. Check out flowers and plants in a park or garden.

Watch a bee fly from flower to flower. Its legs are covered in thick pollen. At each flower some rubs off and more sticks on. Pollen is the fertilizer that ensures more flowers will grow.

The swallowtail butterfly eats the feathery leaves of parsley, dill and carrots. It lays its egg on a delicate stem. The egg hatches and out comes a caterpillar. A hungry caterpillar. Every day it grows bigger. Take a close look. What are its colours? Its markings?

Observe an ant scurrying along the sidewalk.

Ants scavenge for food and carry it home. It can be a crumb, or even a scrap of leaf. Sometimes

Activity: Nature Journaling

Need: Pencil, colored pencils, notebook, camera, magnifying glass, binoculars, butterfly or frog net, bug collecting jar, bucket.

Do: Using one page per day record in your notebook what you see, hear, smell.

Record one thing you discovered each day.

Draw it. Take a photo of it. Write about it. Share with your family.

36 The Messenger • July 2021

they carry another ant bigger than themselves.

How do they do this? Where are they going?

How should you begin? Step outside and see what you notice. Sit on the grass and be still for a moment. Choose a flower or a leaf. Ask what can I see, hear, smell, feel? Hold the leaf in your hands. Feel its texture. Is it smooth or rough?

Trace its veins. Are they thick or fine? Does it have a smell? Is it dry or does it feel moist?

You learn by observing. Exploring outdoors has other benefits too. A summer breeze, a cooling walk in the woods, listening to birds sing, the warm sun on your face, make you feel good. Relax on a hill or on soft grass and look up. Watch the clouds go by. What shapes do you see? Which way are they going? What do they tell you about the weather? As you play, walk, climb and explore you will feel calm and refreshed.

Read what God says about nature. In Jeremiah 17:8 God says a man who trusts in him is “like a tree planted by the water.” Matthew 6:25– 34 says do not be anxious; God cares even about the sparrow and gives flowers their life and beauty. Proverbs 6:6 says take a lesson from the ant; it works hard and prepares for the seasons.

Genesis 9:13–15 says God created the rainbow as a promise that flood waters would never again destroy the earth.

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