REMEMBERING
CARSEATS,
I REMEMBER HOW it felt, if little else. Wow, I must be really bad. Whenever I sin, God can’t be with me. This is the message I internalized as a result of the teaching on sin I received at an early age: “God cannot be in the presence of sin.” With an object lesson to illustrate the point if we were lucky.
Now, with adult eyes, I read the Bible and find a message to the contrary. God seeks out Adam and Eve in the garden, after they have sinned (Genesis 3:9). God makes garments of skin , with which he
5:17). Now, that is good news for a child (and for an adult!).
Because what we teach our children matters, The Messenger has begun publishing a new column called “Inviting faith” (back cover). The idea behind the title is to consider how we can invite the next generation into faith. Jesus is attractive. As we demonstrate his character and model our lives after his teachings, we invite faith. As Heidi Schartner says in our first installment, “The more
One of the charges against Jesus by the religious leaders of the time? “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them” (Luke 15:6).
clothes them (3:21), an intimate act. Their banishment from the garden is not punitive, but for their salvation—so they do not eat from the tree of life and live forever in their current state (3:22).
The Bible is full of instances where God draws near, even to “a man of unclean lips” (Isaiah 6:5). God speaks to Cain, even as he knew Cain was contemplating murder in his heart (Genesis 4:6). And one of the charges against Jesus by the religious leaders of the time? “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them” (Luke 15:6).
The teaching we receive as children matters; these are the messages we carry forward for life, for good and for ill. How would my childhood relationship, my budding faith, have been different if the idea had been reversed? “Sin cannot exist in the presence of God: when God approaches, he makes us clean!” Or, as Paul puts it, “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old is gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians
often our kids see our love for God, the deeper they will know his love.”
And will we demonstrate imperfectly? Of course. As Gretchen Ronnevik reminds us, “As I fail and sin as a parent” (or as a grandparent, family friend, or other teacher), “I get to model the beauty of confession and forgiveness, made possible by the cross” (“Carseats, gluten and opinionated bloggers,” pp. 14–15).
We hope you will enjoy this new column and look for ways you can “invite faith” in those you come across, whether children, teens or adults. If you have questions you would like to see addressed in this column in the future, or you have some expertise to offer and would like to write a future column, let us know at messenger@ emconference.ca.
– Rebecca Roman, Editor
18
Remembering Gil Reimer 1938–1974
Killed while serving as a missionary in Panama, his legacy goes on.
Spiritual direction: the new ancient practice
By Peter AscoughExploring questions about life with God.
Carseats, gluten and opinionated bloggers
By Gretchen RonnevikChoosing to parent in faith, when formulas abound.
‘In remembrance of Me’
By Joyelle SayerCommunion is an invitation to remember Christ’s sacrifice for us.
Easter poem: Crown of thorns
By Brigitte ToewsHis light to my path
The rules of the game
By Karla HeinFurther in and higher up The ancient global treasure of EMC faith
By Layton FriesenInviting faith
Hidden in their hearts
By Heidi SchartnerEditorial Letters and Notices
With Our Missionaries
With Our Churches News Books & More Shoulder Tapping
MANAGING EDITOR
ERICA FEHR
EDITOR
REBECCA ROMANPUBLICATION 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 contend for the faith.
Phone: 204-326-6401 messenger@emconference.ca
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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.TM Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Letters, articles, photos and poems are welcome. Submissions should be sent to messenger@emconference.ca
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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
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FOLLOW ALONG WITH season 2 of The Armchair Anabaptist on your own, or with your Sunday School class, small group or family.
The study guide breaks each podcast episode into approximately 5-minute segments and provides about four questions for each section. Many of the questions also include discussion prompts. Feel free to modify, skip or add questions to tailor the guide for your group.
It’s available now at www.theodidaktos.ca/ study-guide.
MEM has purchased land in Tres Cruces, just outside the Belice Colony, to start a new church and school plant to reach the Mennonites in the area with the gospel. These are two separate projects to purchase the land and to outfit the schoolhouse in this new location, called Amanecer.
Goal: $42,900
Antonio and Esther Pitta, EMC missionaries in Spain, are planning three Moroccan family and children’s camps for the summer of 2024 and have begun training local volunteers to serve as counsellors. These camps will reach out to entire families and help them to build relationships with them and the community.
Goal: $3,000
Philippians 1:21
GILBERT A. REIMER was born in Steinbach on March 31, 1938, to Benjamin L. and Elizabeth Reimer.
After visiting his brother Cliff and Diana Reimer, missionaries in Panama under Gospel Missionary Union (now Avant), he applied to GMU to serve in Panama. In the meantime, he met Jean Little who was already a missionary in Panama; they were married in June 1962.
They were commissioned and sent out as missionaries by the Steinbach
EMC in 1963. Gil served first as a pastor in a Santiago church and then as a seminary professor for Panamanian youth.
In 1973 Gil and Jean moved to Panama City to begin a witness to university students and conduct Bible studies with the motive of beginning an urban church.
Two children, Glen and Betts, were born to them in Panama.
As an adult, Glen with his wife Ruth and their three sons served in Mongolia and in a restricted country.
Currently he is a pastor working in the Indigenous community of Saskatoon.
As a family we treasured the years growing up on the family farm near Steinbach, Manitoba. Later when Gil was teaching and came home on weekends, Gil, Vange and I spent many hours singing around the piano. I value my special times with Gil while in Panama as a summer worker (1971). He left us much too soon.
– Noreen Klassen, sister
Betts along with her husband Bevan and two children served with the Greiner family musical ministry in Philadelphia for many years.
Gil’s ministry came to an abrupt end fifty years ago when he was abducted and murdered. He is remembered for his dedicated service to God through his love for all people and his faithful teaching ministry.
Born in Steinbach, Manitoba, March 31, 1938
Died in Panama on February 11, 1974
With thanks to the Reimer family (for text and photos) and Avant staff (for text).
Uncle Gil was charismatic. He was one of those individuals who lit up a room and made you feel as though the fun was about to begin. If we were able to convince him to play “Flight of the Bumblebee” (Rimsky-Korsakov) on our battered piano when he came down from up country to give us lessons, it was magical. Many of my memories of Uncle Gil involve music or Scrabble games with Dad. The mental image that defines him for me is of him standing in front of the Panama missionary cohort of the time—wearing his lime green pana-brisa shirt—leading us all in the singing of “And Can It Be.”
Although he has been gone for 50 years his legacy remains—in his children, of course, and in his refurbished cello that is still making music in southern Manitoba.
– Corinne Klassen, niece
Despite half a century having passed since the departure of Don Gilberto Reimer, a few lines cannot describe what Don Gilberto accomplished in his life and ministry for God. The indelible traces of memories are invaluable treasures that we carry in our hearts. He was a very pleasant person, very open, and knew how to listen and advise. He was full of energy, sincere, a family man, knew how to reach students, of a kind character, and preached and taught by example with his life.
In his ministry, it was evident that with great compassion and dedication, he loved the work of the Lord. He never said no. In the daily classes, we always started with prayer, and in his life with God, one could see and feel it through the classes he taught.
Every weekend, as a group of students we went out to evangelize in the fields, and on trips to the provinces of Panama with musical presentations from the quartet of which I was part, we evangelized. He directed with so much musical talent, and many accepted the Lord.
For me and the student body of his vital ministry, Don Gilberto and Doña Juanita and their family have been a great blessing from God that changed our lives, with their lives and examples.
Until we meet again, Don Gilberto.
– Abilio Fernández, former studentOne day we will see Gilberto receiving his reward, when the King of Kings and Lord of Lords places the Crown of Life on your head for having been faithful until death (Rev. 2:10). The Association of churches will always remember the example of Gilbert and his wife Jean.
– Evangelical Missionary Union of Panama (UMEP) website
The Evangelical Missionary Union of Panama (UMEP in Spanish) is the association of evangelical churches that was founded by the Gospel Missionary Union (now Avant Ministries) over 50 years ago in Panama. Gospel Missionary Union began sending missionaries to Panamá in the early 1950s that resulted in numerous churches being planted, medical clinics being opened, and the establishment of a beautiful campground that ended up serving also as the headquarters of the work in Panamá.
In 1970, GMU missionaries began working with Panamanian nationals to establish an association of evangelical churches that would have legal status in Panamá. In 1977 the UMEP finally became a registered legal entity in Panamá. GMU missionaries continued working alongside the growing national association throughout the 1980s, 1990s, and into the 2000s. Although the GMU/Avant missionary presence in Panamá has greatly decreased, a partnership remains in place between the UMEP and Avant with
the goals of working together to see Panamá reached with the Gospel.
The influence and reach of the UMEP has grown over the years, and presently the association consists of 30 churches established in three provinces of Panamá. The association carries out missionary work among various indigenous groups in Western Panamá and also has supported and sent missionaries to other countries.
“Your life, my life, is given graciously by God. Our lives are not problems to be solved but journeys to be taken with Jesus as our friend and finest guide.”
Henri J.M. Nouwen, Spiritual Direction: Wisdom for the Long Walk of Faith
HOW DO YOU know when it is time to move on? It’s a question that people in ministry often ask each other. And one I’ve asked at a number of key moments over 25 years of ministry. Recently, after pastoring in the Kleefeld EMC for 17 years, I noticed the invitation from God to leave my position as pastor. I still loved and cared for the church and community, and things were going well, but I was prompted to consider changing the way that I cared for people. And so, I began a practice of counselling and spiritual direction. When I look back, I can see how I was being prepared for this move for years.
In the early 2000s I began to read the works of Henri Nouwen, a theologian and author, and was very intrigued with the idea of the ancient practice of spiritual direction he wrote of. Since the church I pastored encouraged continuing education for its pastors, I was able to learn more about the practice of spiritual direction and its relationship to spiritual formation through courses at Providence Theological Seminary. I also began to meet with a spiritual director regularly and found in these meetings a place to explore my own journey with God while caring for others on their journeys. Wanting to learn more about how to better support people, I found myself on a road toward a Master of Counselling that took about 10 years of part-time studies while still fulltime pastoring.
When I talk about spiritual direction, I am often asked what it is and how is it different from counselling. What kinds of things would I talk to a counsellor about? What kinds of things happen in a spiritual direction session?
Spiritual direction is a safe place to explore questions and concerns about life with God, including the practice of discernment regarding life’s decisions. David Benner, in his book Sacred Companions, describes it this way: “Spiritual direction is a prayer process in which a person cultivates a deeper personal relationship with God by meeting with another for prayer and conversation that is focused on increasing awareness of God in the midst of life experiences and facilitating surrender to God’s will.”
The focus of spiritual direction is the relationship between the individual and God. The conversation often starts with experiences or events in the person’s life and revolves around what God may be doing and how God is inviting the person to engage with God in these experiences. The director’s role is to help by encouraging quiet space for the person to experience God’s presence and to offer reflective questions, scriptures to meditate upon and different types of prayer practices.
“The goal of spiritual direction is spiritual formation—the ever-increasing capacity to live a
spiritual life from the heart. A spiritual life cannot be formed without discipline, practice, and accountability” (Henri J.M. Nouwen, Spiritual Direction: Wisdom for the Long Walk of Faith).
How is spiritual direction different from counselling?
When you see a counsellor you could be looking for assistance in dealing with a mental, emotional or relational issue. The counsellor will use conversation and techniques to help
Spiritual direction is a safe place to explore questions and concerns about life with God, including the practice of discernment regarding life’s decisions.
process emotions, build resilience, and explore practical ways to bring healing and greater health to your life and relationships.
The intention in spiritual direction is not solving a problem, but rather to look for God’s activity within any problems and within the rest of your life experience. You might seek out spiritual direction if you are searching for a stronger connection with God, becoming more aware of the Holy Spirit’s presence and leading, and desiring to respond to this leading in your life.
I have been in counselling and spiritual direction and have benefitted from both. There have been times where I have talked about the same situation, and it was helpful to receive different perspectives. Counselling helped me to see and unpack emotions and thoughts that were affecting me and to find techniques and opportunities to handle stress. Spiritual direction helped me by asking the question, where is God showing up in this situation? It gave me the opportunity to explore my connection to Christ and to better see God’s heart for me and those around me.
While the counselling relationship may be time-limited depending on the issue, I have been connecting with the same spiritual director for the past six years. Spiritual direction has been helpful to me regardless of whether I have something specific to address or if I’m just taking the opportunity to notice God’s work in the midst of everyday life.
Why would you connect with a spiritual director if you already have a devotional routine of prayer and Scripture reading? Good question. Spiritual direction is not a replacement for the practices one already has; rather, spiritual direction provides an opportunity to explore these experiences with another person and perhaps be introduced to some new practices.
“Directors do not create relationships between God and their directees, they simply foster these relationships so that they may deepen and grow” (William A. Barry and William J. Connolly, The Practice of Spiritual Direction).
Hospitable, confidential, and grounded in biblical truth, spiritual direction is a ministry that helps one to grow in prayer and live into their calling as a follower of Christ.
In the practice of spiritual direction, the meetings are scheduled and intentional (usually once a month) and the director has received training in biblical studies, spiritual direction, contemplative prayer practices and the art of listening.
I can think of many times my director has asked me questions I would not have otherwise considered. When I was considering changes in ministry positions, it was during intentional discernment times with my spiritual director that I was able to gain new insights about the decisions and the implications of the decision on others who will be impacted. Our times of silence and conversation provided clarity in my next steps. There have been many times in our conversations when a Scripture or an image or an insight has connected the conversation so clearly that we have laughed and said, there is no way we could imagine this on our own, giving us confidence and assurance of God’s presence with us.
Sessions are usually about an hour in length and begin with the director praying and then allowing for a time of silence in order to give the person space to connect to the Holy Spirit. There is a pattern of silence and conversation that may happen once in a session, or multiple times.
Time is then used to reflect on the experience of connecting to God, to talk about questions for
When I was considering changes in ministry positions, it was during intentional discernment times with my spiritual director that I was able to gain new insights about the decisions and the implications of the decision on others.
discernment, or where the directee is seeing God at work in their lives. The director gives space for the directee to speak, interjecting questions, responses and invitations to explore different perspectives, all grounded in a shared understanding of Scripture and the person of God.
The use of silence is what people often find unusual. Our culture does not often provide that, especially in the company of someone else. Often in times of silence, I feel God bringing to mind passages of Scripture, song lyrics, and images of Jesus which are intertwined with my life experiences. Sometimes I have specific questions I want to explore in direction and sometimes I wait to see where God will lead me. The times have been refreshing, challenging, and encouraging as they connect me to the heart of God’s love, and I have found that God is always faithful to his word and character.
When do I need to go to counselling or spiritual direction?
There are two main reasons that people go to counselling. The first is for regular maintenance or a check-up. I like to use the example of going to the doctor for a physical. We do not go for a physical because there is something wrong, rather we go check in with our health. Is there anything that may need attention, is there anything to watch out for, are there any changes that need to be made that can help maintain my physical health? The same can be true for our mental well-being. You may want to check in with a counsellor in order to talk about stresses, experiences, and relationships. Is there anything that may need attention or are there any changes that need to be made to maintain good mental, emotional or relational health? This may only take a couple of sessions.
The other purpose for connecting with a counsellor is if there is an issue with my mental well-being. The stresses, decisions and experiences of life may be interfering with my ability to cope and function in normal day-to-day activities. In this situation, connecting with a trained counsellor may be beneficial to receive care and support to work through mental and emotional challenges. The number of sessions will vary depending on the severity of the challenges or the situations that one is experiencing. The goal is to relieve the distress and to find techniques and skills one can use to cope and find healing.
We are all spiritual beings and spiritual direction can also contribute to positive mental well-being. “And we all, who with unveiled
When we take the experiences of life into spiritual direction, we are bringing them into the light of the Holy Spirit.
faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18). When we take the experiences of life into spiritual direction, we are bringing them into the light of the Holy Spirit and allowing the transforming power to move us toward healing and greater wholeness. Meeting with a spiritual director is not reserved for a specific issue or for a set number of sessions but can involve a single conversation or the development of a relationship that can last years. As it turns out, this is also good for our mental well-being.
How do I connect to a spiritual director?
There may be those in your church or community who are trained spiritual directors, most are willing to meet in person or online. A Google search for spiritual directors in your area may provide contact information for directors close to you, especially if you are willing to meet with
someone from a different church background than you. My wife and I are a few of the trained spiritual directors within the EMC but there are others. If you are aware of directors or counsellors in your area, pass that information on to the conference office so that a more comprehensive list can be compiled. Most spiritual directors are willing to have a first-time meeting at no cost, to determine if this would be a helpful relationship to explore. We are also available to recommend books for further reading on the topic or to visit your church or small group to talk more about the practice. Additionally, we can work with you to plan individual and small group retreats.
If you are in a paid position in your church perhaps your board could consider a certain number of sessions for spiritual direction each year as a way to support your ongoing growth and movement toward transformation into Christ’s likeness.
Mental illness and caring for our mental health have become a more prevalent conversation in the past number of years. As followers of Jesus, we have access to God who heals, and Scripture is full of examples where people are healed in and through their connection to others. Licensed counsellors and spiritual directors both have training that God can use to support others on their journeys to health. I believe that pursuing spiritual health is as significant as our mental and physical health. While spiritual direction does not replace spiritual practices that you already use, it is another way that we can look after this important part of our health.
I hope this has answered some questions regarding spiritual direction, or has maybe introduced it for the first time. My prayer is we can find more opportunities to connect to God and to know God’s heart for each of us as we notice Jesus at work in our lives.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4.
After 25-plus years in pastoral ministry, Peter Ascough, (MA, APC) has recently opened a counselling and spiritual direction practice out of his office in Kleefeld, Man., Barefoot Counselling and Spiritual Care (www.barefootcounselling.ca). Peter is married to Irene (also a spiritual director), and together they have three children.
NEVER HAS THE law fallen so hard on me as in motherhood. Never was I more aware that my best wasn’t good enough. If parenting doesn’t drive you to your knees, you’re doing it wrong.
I remember a conversation with a mom-friend years ago. She was telling me about her new car seats that were $500 each, trying to convince me that I needed to get some too. I pointed to our $100 car seats, and said they’ve been working just fine, and we just didn’t have the money to replace all our car seats with ones that cost a lot more. “Is there really any price too high to pay for your child’s safety, though?” she asked.
Ouch. I don’t write this to shame to anyone who has bought $500 car seats. I’m proud of you for loving your kids more than I love mine.
There are helicopter parents and then there’s laid back parents. I wanted so badly to be the laidback kind.
Then one of my kids was diagnosed with celiac disease. If he eats gluten, his small intestine
shreds up into pieces, he stops absorbing food, and he slowly starves as his organs shut down until he dies. So no, he can’t have that cookie just this once, Grandpa. I became the hyper-vigilant mom with the rules. I am the law-enforcer, like someone’s life depends on it.
There are rules about doing the dishes, contamination prevention, and meal-planning. Travelling becomes insanely complicated.
I can’t do this. I am too much of a lazy, pastry-eating, undisciplined, mocker of gluten-free people.
And yet, here we are. God gave me a glutenfree child, probably so I could understand the relationship of the law and the gospel better—and he has a sense of humour. The family is the crucible of our understanding of practical theology.
If you want kids, beware of the headfirst dive into the legalistic systems set up for you to choose between. You can pick your legalism camp to join, whether it’s the attached parenting hippies or the
hyper-scheduled fascists. There is a blogger out there to shame every kind of parenting, equally, and many of them will claim their method of parenting is what Jesus would do.
It feels there is no grace for moms, no matter which legalism camp you choose. There is no sabbath for moms. There is no rest for moms. We are expected to have read the latest research, talked to the right doctor, fed our kids the right food, and of course, bought the right car seats. Unless of course you don’t love them quite that much, like me. The law of motherhood is crushing.
Where is the gospel in parenting? Where is the herald proclaiming that “it is finished!” We look around our house and see the dishes in the sink, and think, “No, it’s not.” If I don’t work, someone could die, most literally.
When the world tells you to worship your children with all that you have, you will constantly feel like you are failing your religion. It’s a system designed to fail.
Is there rest in powerlessness? Is there grace when you fail your kids? Yes. A thousand times, yes.
As I fail and sin as a parent, I get to model the beauty of confession and forgiveness, made possible by the cross. If I were a perfect mother, I couldn’t model that for them. God uses every one of my weaknesses to show my kids that his grace is sufficient. With that system, it’s impossible for me to fail, because I am living under grace, and the completion of the law through Christ.
As my kids get older, and I can’t seem to reach their hearts or make them see how their attitudes and actions are destroying our family, I find myself going on walks outside more, to pray for them. I have reached the end of my rope, and I hand the reins (that I thought I held) back to God. I’m holding my hands out to God more with each year as I pray, “God, I’ve reached my end. I have nothing left to say, and no ideas. So, you’re going to have to either give me a new idea, or better yet, reach them yourself.”
As I step back and watch God work, it always brings me to my knees in awe.
As my older kids turn into teenagers, and I see God work in them apart from me more clearly than ever before, I realize that I’ve been powerless all along. The only power in me was the resurrected Saviour, and he was never worried. Where did my frantic thoughts come from? There was even grace for those.
There is peace in personal powerlessness. There is power in the grace of God. That is where we find our rest. I get to minister to my own little flock at home, teaching them grace daily. That honour bestowed on a sinner like me is not lost. We live by faith, not formulas. We don’t even need to muster that faith, it’s a gift. Rest in your powerlessness. As a parent, you have a front row seat to God at work.
“Good parenting lives at the intersection of a humble admission of personal powerlessness and a confident rest in the power and grace of God” (Paul David Tripp).
Is there rest in powerlessness? Is there grace when you fail your kids? Yes. A thousand times, yes. As my kids grow in the knowledge of their sinfulness, shown to them through a consistent law, I grow in my ability to teach them what grace means.
Gretchen Ronnevik is a mom to six kids, a writer and a speaker. She’s the author of Ragged: Spiritual Disciplines for the Spiritually Exhausted and cohost of the Freely Given podcast. This article was originally published at www.1517.org/articles/carseats-gluten-and-opinionated-bloggers and is reprinted with permission.
THE BREAD AND CUP. THE LORD’S Supper. Communion. It’s an invitation to pause and remember.
As we hold the bread and cup in our hands, we remember your life, Jesus, coming to earth as a vulnerable baby who learned to feed himself, to walk, to talk, to cooperate with your parents out of obedience to your Heavenly Father.
We remember you as a teenager, going to school to learn the Torah and working alongside your dad.
We remember you, Jesus, as a 30-year-old man who invited other men and women to follow you, to learn from you, to be your students. To trust you.
WE REMEMBER YOUR TEACHINGS, YOUR questions, your challenges to the religious people who did all the right things and yet were far from knowing God’s heart.
We remember your absolute trust in FatherGod as you spoke out words of healing, lay hands on the sick, sent evil spirits away, multiplied food, welcomed the children—and as you spent time away in stillness to be with your heavenly Father.
We remember you, Jesus, gathering with your 12 disciples to celebrate Passover, knowing that one of your beloveds would hand you over to the leading priests. We remember you surrounded by men with clubs and swords to arrest you, yet your first concern was to heal the ear of “your enemy” which one of your own disciples had cut off. And then, we remember that you instructed Peter and the others to put down their swords.
WE REMEMBER YOU DESERTED BY YOUR students who ran away, filled with greater fear for their own well-being than their loyalty and commitment to you, their rabbi. Their teacher. Their friend.
We remember you, Jesus, enduring anguishing physical pain and unbearable grief as you took on sin and breathed your last breath: an act of perfect self-sacrificial love that caused gut-wrenching sorrow for some and a sense of a mighty victory for others.
We remember you, Jesus, our Saviour who conquered death. Broke the power of sin. The reason for our hope. We remember that you willingly, although costing everything, accomplished what we could not do for ourselves—making unity with God and one another possible. Reconciliation.
OUR BEAUTIFUL AND POWERFUL Saviour, as we take this bread and cup, we remember you and give thanks for the new covenant between God and his people. We accept your invitation to live like you as kingdom people.
“This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
“This cup is the new covenant between God and his people- an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.”
Amen.
Joyelle Sayer, with her husband Rich and their three children, lives and ministers as an EMC associate missionary through Action International in Spain.
Accusations — forged untruths — from the serpent’s forked tongue.
Ambushed with a treacherous kiss!
In the garden of the oil press – the ruse had begun.
Bruised inwardly for our iniquities,
Crushed for our sins.
On the Mount of Olives — his Intercession begins.
Bloody sweat drips from his anguished brow.
The Father’s will — the Son’s sacred vow.
Not in violent revolt – but in humble surrender
A trial by fire — to weed out the pretenders.
The shepherd is struck – the sheep have scattered.
An atonement for sin — his blood is spattered.
Abused in the courtyard — his flesh stricken and torn.
Robed in mockery — crowned with thorns.
Rancid spittle defiled his unshaven face.
Stripped of dignity — he bore our guilt and disgrace.
Scorned a rebel — cursed a liar and fraud.
But we did not recognize — he was the image of God.
As his blood- drenched hair mingled with her spikenard tears—
A fragrance released — her act of contrition revered.
Strung up on a cross between murderers and thieves.
His chest — with every labored breath — heaves
On a wine-sopped sponge mixed with sour gall—
Was offered the poison of asps — bitter to the soul!
Jesus refused to drink the soured wine—
To fulfill his vow — at the appointed time.
Pierced — like hastened unleavened bread—
The Lamb of God — whose blood was shed—
Like poured out water and libation wine—
From his life-giving Spirit – God’s Sacred Vine.
“COMO NACIDO ENTRE Nosotros” (CNEN; “as born among us” in English), a network of Christian communities that responds to the migrant situation held its Encuentro (meeting) in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, from January 30 to February 2, 2024.
In 2018, the network began bringing together churches that provide help to displaced Venezuelans in South American countries. The issue was addressed in Bogota ’19, after the growing migration to the north, and the Encuentro was held in Panama ’22, right outside the Darien jungle through which displaced people crossed. At that time the network included Central and South America. It now also includes Mexico and the southern U.S. border where Christian communities of the region help those in shelters on both sides of the border.
CJ’24 included more than 70 Christian leaders from Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Puerto Rico, Mexico and the United States. MCC had representatives from Mexico, Honduras, Nicaragua, and the U.S. EMC was represented by Angel Infantes who is involved in providing food and the gospel to displaced people travelling along the train tracks in Guadalajara. Authorities from the government of Mexico were present at the Encuentro, and members from the UN as well.
The workshops included: violence towards migrants and promoting peace, migrant rights, digital tools for migrant incidents, international standards for the protection of migrants, care for migrant children, self-care, and vicarious trauma. In addition, participants visited three shelters which are housed in the facilities of Christian
churches that have responded to the migratory emergency since 2018, when thousands of people were stranded outdoors on the streets of the city. Testimonies included a miraculous provision to feed thousands of people, unity among the many churches, the spiritual awakening of believers, and conversion and baptism of the believers displaced.
On Wednesday, a service and communion were held on the wall together with believers from both sides of the border. It was a profound moment of sharing the elements between the bars of the wall.
Among the stories of the leaders is one of a woman from central Mexico who found more than 200 migrants in the garbage dump, fed them, and accompanied them to take the train; another man from Celaya mentioned that he began to study laws for him to advocate for migrant rights; a pastor from Mexico City feels like the widow of Zarephath because the little food he has does not run out and he can feed dozens of migrants who live temporarily in his house.
The Latin American church is responding to vulnerable migrants. They read in the Scriptures and find that among the widows and orphans, there are the foreigners, and you must love them as if “they were born among us” (paraphrase of Leviticus 19:34).
Angel Infantes, with his wife Blanca and their four children, serves with EMC Missions in Guadalajara; as a family, they seek to reach people with the gospel by living for Jesus in their local community.
WHY DO WE continue to send money to Nicaragua when we haven’t had missionaries serving there since the early 1990s? Aren’t they self-sustaining yet? Couldn’t we use our funds for other ministries that are more valuable? Doesn’t this cause them to be dependent on us?
These and other questions are ones I have heard, or thought of myself, as I’ve begun my new role as Director of Global Outreach. And to be honest, I enjoy asking these types of questions
because the world is changing; our approach as churches, and as a conference, needs to respond to these changes with humility, Spirit-led discernment, and godly stewardship of all our resources.
These questions were in mind when I, together with Board of Missions member Gord Utz (Portage Evangelical Church), travelled to Nicaragua January 10–18, 2024. Would we see tangible evidence of our funds being well-spent? Would the need for ongoing support be clear to us? And what about their spiritual maturity … are they poor in this area as well?
The short answer is yes; we saw and heard much that told us they sincerely appreciate and deeply value our financial support. Many, if not most, of the pastors serving in the 50-plus churches and outreaches receive modest, if any, financial support from their churches or the conference. Those who are in desperate need also receive food hampers from the National Council four times a year, which EMC sends money for them to purchase.
Only a few of the pastors, never mind their parishioners, have personal vehicles. And if they do, more
times than not they are small 125cc motorcycles. They all ride public transportation, especially for the majority who live and serve in rural areas.
And none of this speaks to the reality that every few years this beautiful country is hit by another natural disaster, be it hurricane, flood, drought, insects, or whatever else can happen in a mountainous country that borders both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
Our financial support to Nicaragua could be seen as quite modest by our standards, but for them, it truly goes a long way. To put it into perspective, on average, $1,000 of what every EMC church sends to us each year is all that goes to Nicaragua to subsidize their ministries.
Is the Nicaraguan church dependent upon us? Would they survive without our funds? Yes, they could survive, but no, they would not be able to do nearly as much ministry. The pastors would need to cut their time for doing ministry to be able to buy more food, and likely few, if any, of them would be able to carry on with their theological training to be equipped to do ministry.
I believe our funds are being well spent. I believe we are being good stewards with what God has given us. And if we heard one comment more than any other on our trip, it was a deep appreciation for the missionaries we sent through the years and the funds that help them do their work. Praise the Lord!
As EMC Director of Global Outreach, Gerald Reimer supports EMC missionaries all over the world.
WAITING IS NOT one of my strengths. “Everyone” knows, time is money. Move quickly, be efficient, do more in less time: this is good stewardship.
My wife Marcia and I are here in Hainburg, Austria, a small city of 7,500 people, to seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which we have been brought, and to pray to the Lord for it, because it is a very spiritually dark city. We do this largely through business and the relationships that are created in these circles.
Two years ago, we felt led by God to buy this piece of property, perfectly located in the middle of the “old” part of the city. As a business model, one could almost say it was a ludicrous step of obedience. But we trusted God was leading us.
At the moment, we are finishing a major renovation of what will become our living quarters upstairs, and office and business premises on the main floor. However, we’re months behind schedule. That’s a problem for anyone who wants to be a good steward of the resources entrusted to him. Since I believe God is the owner of everything, including property and business, it needs to be managed in accordance with what he had in mind for us to accomplish when he gave us this trust. That is usually understood as getting as much done as possible, as quickly as possible, using as little money as possible.
That makes waiting hard, at least for me. My natural tendency is to push
harder, but sometimes despite my pushing, things don’t move very fast, and even stop for a while.
What is God thinking? He could make things move quicker! Why is he allowing this to be so slow, despite my best efforts? Does he perhaps have objectives beyond getting stuff done?
The second time I just prayed without asking. After a while, they started crossing themselves when I prayed. And then they started saying “amen” with me. And recently at lunch, one man just stood at the table. I didn’t know why, until he made a crossing motion, and I understood. He was wait-
Here is what we’re seeing. God has taken us to the end of ourselves in so many ways, that all we have left is hope in the grace of God alone. In these two years, he has brought so many people into our lives that we would never have imagined. For example, two of my employees were hired for three months. By now, I’ve been paying them for 12 months.
The first time I brought them lunch, I mentioned praying to thank God for the food. One of them said, ‘that won’t be necessary’! We ate without praying.
ing for me to say grace! I prayed, we all said “amen,” he sat, and we ate.
It’s taken 12 months to get to this point in our relationship. Three months wasn’t going to be enough. God doesn’t mind slowing my construction down to give people time to meet him.
So, I continue to hurry up and wait!
John and Marcia Rempel live in Austria, where they build connections through business.
Rosenort EMC Rosenort, Man.
“GIVE THANKS TO the L ord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the L ord tell their story— those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south” (Psalm 107:1–3).
The eleven testimonies we heard on February 11, 2024, at our baptism and membership service were heartstirring. The worship in song moved us in celebration and joy. The resounding amens as we accepted the men, women and youth publicly to our church family were deeply moving.
The Lord led brothers and sisters to our church family from war-torn
Afghanistan, an orphanage in China, a missionary home in Turkey, and west and east of us in Canada. The stories of the Lord’s saving work had an age spread of 64 years, with several becoming Anabaptists (twice baptised).
Cumulatively much suffering was reflected in their journeys: struggles with addictions, failed marriages, broken homes, suicide attempts, moving overseas, leaving and losing loved ones. Our youth shared the day-to-day worries of finding friendships, mentors and value in our local school and community. All reflected the fact that we are really created for another world. All gave thanks for finding Jesus, a friend who loves, leads and is faithful.
The stories were unique. Some had solid committed believing families
All gave thanks for finding Jesus, a friend who loves, leads and is faithful.
while others had shattered childhoods. A key theme in all was that they felt as if our church family was their family, a safe place. We are humbled and thankful that our Redeemer lives. God is good. His love endures forever.
– Anita PetersTHERE IS SO much happening that it’s hard to know where to begin. Our year in 2023 began with prayer goals concerning outreach, baptisms, “set free” and more. Although not all were reached exactly it was amazing to see God doing so much, some things way beyond expectation. They included:
• an overflowing stage at parent/ child dedication in May;
• the baptism services held in early summer—one at our now usual Joubert Creek site and the other at St. Malo where the water stays fresh longer—involving thirteen people of various ages committing their lives to Jesus;
• the youth ministries and Sunday school classes bursting at the seams;
• the need to start two services and seeing that begin in September;
• starting tentatively with a building program slowly coming into place;
• continuing to be passionate about supporting our friend churches in Israel, Ukraine, Cuba and Ensenada, Mexico.
One of the 13 baptisms: this one in June in Joubert Creek was the baptism of Mike Naherniak with pastor Dylan and elder Danny officiating.
It was amazing to see God doing so much, some things way beyond expectation.
Even as I write, things are happening. A large group is going to Ensenada this year; its leadership changing gradually as longtime advocate, Dennis Friesen, is decelerating while training new leader Tyler Braun. We are in the midst of bringing over another Ukrainian family—relatives of three of our numerous adopted orphans. Trish Braun continues to excel in and lead us, through her tireless work regarding this. (Update: at the time of publication, both of these projects have been beautifully completed.)
One of the goals we have for 2024 is to read through the Old Testament together as a church, and have the pastors share daily helpful comments. You can check that out on YouTube by searching for Pansy Chapel.
A big prayer/fasting/goal for the year is the word EQUIP, based on Ephesians 4:11–13. When you zero in on these verses, highlighting each thought, doesn’t it almost make you tremble in wonder? What will God lead us all through—whether hard or easier—to accomplish his perfect will?
– Betty Barkman
Many hands make work light. Step 1 of stage 1 building program was to enlarge the parking lot, which included clearing trees and more.
Calgary, Alberta
UPON ENTERING THE foyer of Abbeydale Christian Fellowship on February 18, 2024, it was obvious that something special was in the air. Each of the ten various displays set up there represented and encouraged a specific area of needed prayer. A globe invited prayer for our broken world. An image of a gnarled, storm-battered but well anchored tree was accompanied by a print-out of Psalm 121, reminding the viewer that “the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” A portrait photo board of both Abbeydale and EMC church leaders, assigning faces to names and names to faces, was accompanied by a written exhortation with specific leadership prayer requests.
One of the most poignant displays of prayer opportunities began with a picture of The Lord’s Prayer lovingly crocheted by a longtime church member years ago. During the children’s feature, Pastor Chris asked them to quickly run and look at the intricately crafted treasure in the foyer then come back and report the
name of the prayer and the first two words to him. After a short explanation of both by him, the children were encouraged to visually present their prayer requests to “Our Father.”
Pastor Chris gave pads of large colourful sticky notes and felt pens to the children who remained in the service to participate in the blessing and honour of bringing our requests before Almighty God. Their prayer requests were to come in the form of either a drawn picture or printed words and then fixed to whiteboards or the wall in the sanctuary at any time during the service. The children eagerly presented their many requests throughout the morning.
What if Christians everywhere were to picture their prayers answered as the children did? When visualised tangibly through paper and ink, or merely in
the mind’s eye as already having been answered, would one become closer to having the faith of a child?
The various prayer reminder areas remained set up throughout the following week, giving opportunity for anyone to take more time to reflect and pray for the specified needs or to browse and borrow a book on prayer from the library’s special display.
– Ivy PlettThe Church of Living Water Tillsonburg, Ontario
IT HAS BEEN an exciting time at The Church of Living Water with all the recent changes. The first change was that our previous pastor retired and moved away around Thanksgiving of 2023. I filled the preaching role as soon as he left, but a congregational vote about me taking the role of lead pastor didn’t happen until mid-December. Being so close to Christmas (which is a very busy season), I didn’t really feel like I was able to fully step into the role until the beginning of the new year.
Now that 2024 is off to the races, so is CLW. The church itself is getting a bit of a makeover as we work towards clearing
out clutter and setting up some spaces to be used for ministry purposes. It is too early for me to tell if the numbers swell a little bit at this time of year or if we are starting a growth process, but for the last month, the number of people seems to grow ever so slightly week to week.
We are having a big pancake dinner on February 13 to kick off Lent. I am hoping this is a chance for some of the seniors in our church to invite their adult children and grandchildren back to the church for some good food, fun and worship. God is starting to move here, and I hope the small congregation at CLW feels that as well.
– Murray Finck
OVER THE PAST few years, a group of Region 8 leaders have been planning and hosting a retreat for young adults. This year that continued with a retreat on the theme “Together.” Young adults from ten different churches, representing three different regions of the EMC, came together at Red Rock Bible Camp and spent time together in worship, learning and activity. Red Rock is a beautiful location and the weather cooperated giving the group the opportunity to skate, ski, snowshoe, and ice fish together. The goal of this event was to build connections between young adults from across the region and the wider conference, and that was accomplished.
Andrew Dyck, pastor of Stony Brook Fellowship in Steinbach, Man., was the speaker. He spoke on the themes of being together with God, together as the church and together with the world. He encouraged the group to look to the relational nature of God and realize that God is offering us an invitation to join in relationship with him.
Dyck also challenged the group to see the importance of connecting with the local body of believers. We were not meant to follow Jesus by ourselves, but within the community of faith. Our togetherness as a family of God requires us to care for each other, encourage each other, and worship
We were not meant to follow Jesus by ourselves, but within the community of faith.
together. Lastly, we were challenged that one of the greatest witnesses we have to the world is the demonstration of unity with God and each other.
To bring home the theme of togetherness, the group was given the opportunity to share in communion. What a tremendous blessing to be able to share the gift of Christ’s sacrifice with each other and celebrate God’s gift of love to us.
It was a great weekend of connecting with friends, making new friends, and stepping out of busy schedules to intentionally take time with God. Thank you to everyone that chose to participate. Each one of you made the weekend a very special experience.
– Mo Friesen, Director Next Generations
HARRISONBURG, VA—THE FIRST phase of the Anabaptist Dictionary of the Bible (ADB) is nearing completion. This free online project at the centre of biblical interpretation and Anabaptist thought is adding article 49 toward a goal to cover all 66 books in the Bible.
The first phase of this initiative includes posting newly commissioned articles on each book of the Bible. These articles, written by 37 Anabaptist biblical scholars, contain essays on the biblical books themselves and are accompanied by 100 supplementary essays on a variety of themes and issues, as is typical of Bible dictionaries. Essays include “Disciples and Discipleship” (in John), “Political Power” (in
Anabaptist traditions as well as to be a respectful conversation partner with those in other Christian traditions.
“Editors from the Believers Church Bible Commentary series have worked diligently to populate this Bible dictionary with content that complements the commentary series,” said Amy Gingerich, publisher at MennoMedia and Herald Press. “Writers from the series as well as additional scholars have contributed to the dictionary. Readers will find that the quality of articles is equal to published Bible dictionaries, which tend to be very expensive.”
Writers for both the commentary series and the online Anabaptist Dictionary of the Bible are encouraged to
Ecclesiastes), “War, Warfare” (in Isaiah), “The Elite” (in Lamentations), and “Women in Ministry” (in 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus). In addition, the site has posted 20 previously written essays on Anabaptist approaches to Scripture.
As described on the website, the purpose of this project is “to reflect (and to reflect critically on) an Anabaptist approach to the reading of the Bible.” The Anabaptist Dictionary of the Bible is intended to serve those within
Writers are encouraged to express Anabaptist distinctives unapologetically yet with an openness to dialogue within the theological diversity of the Christian church.
express Anabaptist distinctives unapologetically yet with an openness to dialogue within the theological diversity of the Christian church. Responses concerning the content of the articles are welcome on the site.
The ADB has its origins in the work of the Believers Church Bible Commentary series (published by Herald Press), another Anabaptist Bible effort. Initial grants funding the project have come from the United Service Foundation and the Schowalter Foundation. Financial support for the project has enabled the ADB to be available at no charge. Hosted by AnabaptistWiki. org, it can be accessed at www.anabaptistwiki.org/mediawiki/index. php?title=Anabaptist_Dictionary_of_ the_Bible or by doing a simple online search for “Anabaptist Dictionary of the Bible.”
Editor Douglas Miller notes that the vision for the project is to expand from its current offerings and eventually to involve contributors in languages other than English.
The second phase will add newly commissioned thematic articles on biblical issues of Anabaptist interest and relevance. In a third phase, the ADB will look to add French and Spanish editors who can develop comparable essays in those languages (or translate ones originally in English).
“We are grateful for the contributions of our writers for the first phase of the project, and look forward to the additional steps to come,” said Miller.
– Menno MediaFOR THREE DAYS and three nights, Mary Laat ran and hid from members of her own family. The goal of their pursuit? To bring her to the altar to marry a man she didn’t know who’d paid his dowry and expected a wife in return. Clinging to the upper branches of the tree she was hiding in at night, she says she could hear the hyenas below her, circling, hoping for an easy meal.
It wasn’t until she fell to her knees at the gates of Loreto Rumbek School that she shed the tears that were burning within her. She was home now. Finally safe again.
Named for a cow, sold for a price
Now 22, Mary uses “Laat” as her surname, but for most of her life, she was called “Ding.” Mary and her family are members of the Dinka people of South Sudan. Within the borders of South Sudan, the Dinka are strongly associated with their “cattle camps,” the nomadic family tribes of agro-pastoralists whose social and financial standing is tied to the size of their cattle herd.
Mary’s father, Mabor*, was the chief of her camp, well-liked by most. Like all Dinka men, when he was a young man, a marriage was arranged between him and Mary’s mother, Akuach*, with a dowry of cattle paid as part of the exchange. In Dinka culture, each daughter in a family is expected to command a respectable dowry of cattle. But the first-born daughters, like Mary, are also expected to recoup the dowry spent on their mother’s marriage.
So, as a reminder of the value she was expected to have for the men of her family, she was called “Ding”, after one of the cows spent on Akuach’s dowry— a constant reminder of her place in the social order of the Dinka.
The people of Mary’s tribe are, in her words, considered to be among the least educated people in South Sudan.
“The Dinka do not support girl’s childhood education, because they feel the only thing a girl is supposed to do is get married,” she explains.
In 2016, around when she finished her Primary 7 (an equivalent of seventh grade in the U.S. and Canada), she got her first period, signifying her as a marriable woman in the eyes of the Dinka. She was deeply frustrated, though not necessarily surprised, that her father wanted to keep her back from school and find a suitor for her to be married to.
“You feel dictated with your plans— at any time, anybody can come up and terminate your plans, your goals,” says Mary. “You feel like less of a human being, you feel like you’ll be sold at any time.”
But with some helpful advice from her mother, she convinced her father that getting her full education would be valuable. He reluctantly agreed, and Mary finished Primary 8 before successfully applying to start secondary school at Loreto Rumbek School, an MCC partner in the area. Loreto Rumbek is one of many Loreto schools worldwide founded by Catholics.
Mary Laat is a former student and now an intern at Loreto Rumbek School in Rumbek, South Sudan. With the support of the staff at Loreto, she was able to avoid an unwanted arranged marriage and get the education she had always hoped for.
Loreto Rumbek: An oasis, a school and a bastion
Loreto Rumbek School, near Rumbek, South Sudan, is made up of a primary school, a girl’s secondary school and a health care facility. A long-serving MCC partner in the country, Loreto is one of the most successful schools in the state.
When Mary arrived at Loreto, she was shocked. Many of the girls in the years above her seemed so free and happy.
Then, in August, she went home for a holiday and everything she was working towards was threatened.
With a weeklong break from school on the calendar, Mary made the 90 km journey home near the village of Malueth, only to find her family acting cagey around her. She got evasive non-answers about what was going on, until she pressed a family member enough to learn what was really going on. It was bad news. Her father had accepted a dowry of cattle from a local man for Mary’s hand in marriage, and she would not be allowed to return to school.
Mary confronted her father, making it very clear she did not want this for herself, but he remained unmoved. So, Mary crafted a plan to get herself back to Loreto.
She came back to her father, pretending to have a change of heart about the marriage, which bought her a few days of calm. She told her family she was feeling ill; then, when night fell, she stole out of their encampment, committed to making her way back to the support and safety of Loreto at any cost.
“I moved only at night and during the day I would climb a tree and hide in it,” says Mary. “I made sure I didn’t pass through anyone else’s property so that no one could tell anyone they’d seen me.”
For three days and three nights, Mary navigated her way back to Loreto, staying out of sight and avoiding danger, sometimes narrowly.
“At night I could hear the hyenas making noise, but I did not cry. But once I saw the gates of the school, I fell to my knees and started crying.”
The realities, risks and rewards of educating girls in Rumbek
That was in September 2018. With the support of the school, teachers and classmates, Mary didn’t leave the walled grounds of the school again until she graduated in 2022 for her own safety. But that didn’t mean her family had given up. Shortly after she returned, a group of her uncles arrived at the school, hoping to catch her where they believed she’d fled.
When cases like Mary’s come up at Loreto, and the safety of students and staff could be at risk, the school’s leadership looks to their relationships with members of the community to resolve disputes safely. The staff at Loreto might call upon the local chief or elders to step in, or if need be, the gender and education ministers of the state who have more political power, says Sister Orla Treacy, Loreto’s principal.
Mary made the best out of her situation, committing to her studies for the
next three years. Her friends rallied a community around her, with more than one of her friends’ families making it clear that she was part of their family now.
The thrill of graduation and the shock of heartbreak
Much to the surprise of Mary and Loreto staff, Akuach showed up to Loreto’s graduation ceremony. But Mary’s thrill of being reunited with her mother was tempered by the shocking news of her father Mabor’s death. One of Mary’s uncles had made a power play, seeking the chief’s seat by paying someone a small herd of cattle to assassinate him in his home.
Mary now had to choose what her next step would be. Loreto had been so pivotal to her freedom that she decided to sign on to Loreto’s post-secondary school internship.
The program is designed to give young women the chance to participate in every part of Loreto’s operations— the clinic, the kitchen, the classroom, and many parts of its administration.
Once graduated from the internship, Mary hopes she’ll be one of the handful of girls Loreto sponsors for a full university education in Kenya.
The result of MCC’s partnership with Loreto is far more than the sum of its parts for Mary. She received food, dignity kits and all kinds of other support as the result of MCC funding while she was at Loreto. But those things don’t lead to the kind of freedom and peace she now has on their own. Food addresses hunger, but it takes a peacebuilder to build peace.
– Jason Dueck, MCC*Loreto’s school policy prohibits sharing the full names of students’ parents.
AS A GENERATION of experienced pastors enter retirement age, many churches around the world are seeing a shortage of trained leaders. Pastoral candidates who have studied Anabaptist theology are even more rare. However, the three Anabaptist-Mennonite synods in Indonesia have proactive strategies to equip future leaders.
“Pastors, teachers and evangelists retire at some point, or move on to a different calling. We want to make sure that GKMI has a ready pool of theologians, pastors, evangelists and church planters to continue leading GKMI into the future,” says Daniel K. Trihandoyo, head of human resource development of the GKMI synod.
It is in this spirit that GKMI started theological study bursaries in 2009, which it made official in 2014 during its national convention in Bali.
On average, three bursary recipients graduate each year and are recruited for ministry within GKMI. This roughly matches the number of pastors who retire annually.
*Today, there are three AnabaptistMennonite groups in Indonesia:
• Gereja Injili di Tanah Jawa (GITJ –Evangelical Church in the Land of Java)
• Gereja Kristen Muria Indonesia (GKMI –Muria Christian Church of Indonesia) Jemaat Kristen Indonesia (JKI –Indonesian Christian Congregation)
“GITJ has seen an upward trend in young people wanting to study theology. We are optimistic that the future need for pastors, assistant pastors and ministry leaders can be filled from our pool of graduates,” says Pendeta (pastor) Herin Kahadi Jayanto of GITJ Kudus, who is a faculty member of Wiyata Wacana.
GITJ began STAK Wiyata Wacana (Wiyata Wacana) in Pati, Central Java, in 2014 to address the need for Anabaptist-rooted theologians to lead its churches. Almost all of the 190 full-time pastors serving GITJ’s 120 congregations are graduates.
To stay rooted in its Anabaptist teaching and expose its students to global trends in ministry, Wiyata Wacana collaborates with Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS) since 2022 to offer a theological program with global perspective, taught by AMBS professors but conducted at Wiyata Wacana’s Pati campus.
Meanwhile, JKI has a big vision for their theological school, STT Sangkakala, started in 1986. “Our vision is to have 1,000 local churches [in] Indonesia and 1,000 missionaries to send to various countries. This vision cannot be achieved without a training centre to prepare them,” said Yusup Rogo, head of STT Sangkakala’s undergraduate program.
Every JKI congregation has independence, so each is free to recruit pastors and church workers from any theological schools according to their needs.
His observation is consistent with that of GKMI and GITJ, which doesn’t see a decline in interest to study theology and entering full-time ministry: “It is not uncommon for people who have encountered God at personal level to want to serve God and accept the calling to full time ministry.”
– Mennonite World Conference
STUART MURRAY’S The New Anabaptists: Practices for Emerging Communities is a thought-provoking read for those of us claiming the Anabaptist faith.
The author explores early Anabaptist practices and discusses what these could look like in emerging Anabaptist communities. Murray includes truthtelling as one of the practices, which I very much enjoyed reading about. The importance of our words and their impact is a deeply convicting message as Murray explores the early Mennonites’ strong belief in always telling the truth. In this particular practice, he brings to light the evangelistic power that could come from the church committing to always speaking truth and standing boldly.
A second practice Murray explores is simplicity and sharing. In a cluttered and extravagant world, a call to share everything and do so simply is very appealing. I particularly enjoy Murray’s chapter on communion and his stance on fellowship and community within the body. A strong sense of a church of community, a doing life together aspect is portrayed throughout the book. This stirs up a deep longing for a return to a simpler style of church, such as seen in Acts. The entire book
calls to the forefront of one’s mind the way of life and community the early church must have had.
The doctrine of peacemaking, well known in early Anabaptist theology, is also explored and highly regarded. Different viewpoints in different circumstances are included and the author does not pretend to have all the answers or the only one way to approach how peacemaking looks. Murray believes strongly that these
Murray believes strongly that these different practices of Anabaptist theology are the way forward for the church in a post-Christian world, particularly from a UK perspective.
different practices of Anabaptist theology are the way forward for the church in a post-Christian world, particularly from a UK perspective.
The last three chapters change up the flow of the book a bit with some case studies from three different authors. While it is interesting to read their perspectives on putting into practice different aspects of their interpretation of Anabaptist doctrine, I think the book would have done well without them. This is particularly true of one of the authors who encourages a strong sense of an egalitarian church system that is affirming and inclusive of the LGBTQ+ community. These are current and important conversations to have, but I personally found it to stray from the main goal of the book as it brings to light a controversial topic without answering many questions the reader might have. It also seemed to make an overarching assumption that all emerging Anabaptist churches are or would be egalitarian or affirming and inclusive. I doubt this to be the case.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book despite some disagreements I had. I felt it was a call to examine how well we as proclaiming Anabaptists are living out the theology we claim; it could especially be a good discussion starter for those in ministry. His passion for community shines through in each one of the practices he outlines, and this is what I enjoyed the most. It is an easy-to-read book with thoughts well portrayed and written in an easy-tounderstand manner.
Please send all position ads (150 words or less), including pastoral search ads, to messenger@emconference.ca. Ads may be edited. Please advise us when it is no longer needed.
Often there are more churches looking for staff than are identified on this page. For information on additional openings, contact Conference Pastor Andy Woodworth (awoodworth@emconference.ca or phone 204-326-6401).
Pastor: Hillside Christian Fellowship (near La Crete, Alta.)
Hillside Christian Fellowship is seeking a pastor. HCF is an EMC affiliated congregation located in a beautiful farming/logging community near La Crete, Alberta. We are a small rural multi-generational church with average Sunday attendance of 50; about 15 of this number are young children.
The pastor would be working with a lay minister and a small ministerial. He would have appropriate Bible college education. Some pastoral experience would be an asset. He would agree with the EMC Statement of Faith and Church Practices.
Besides preaching, teaching, and administrative duties, he would be expected to do visitation.
For more information or an expression of interest please contact Henry Driedger (Board Chair) at 780-502-3272, Peter Janzen 780-841-9762 ( ptjanzen@ yahoo.com ) or Peter Doerksen (EMC Western Ambassador) at 250-570-2969 or pdoerksen@emconference.ca.
Pastor: Anola (Man.) Fellowship Chapel
Anola Fellowship Chapel is in the RM of Springfield at 58006 Monominto Road, 5
miles southeast of the community of Anola and 35 minutes east of Winnipeg. Our mission is to love God, love our neighbours, and make disciples. We have a full Sunday program and both children and youth programs. We are active in various community events. We are actively seeking a full-time pastor. We are looking for a spiritually mature man with a deep personal walk with Jesus, an engaging, enthusiastic individual who demonstrates sound biblical teaching and in-depth preaching as well as vision. Contact Landon Elhard at afcpastorsearch@ gmail.com for more information and/or full job description. Check out our website at anolachapel.com.
Senior Pastor: Taber (Alta.)
Evangelical Church
Taber Evangelical Church is actively searching for the senior pastor whom God has chosen to lead us into the future. Taber EMC is a unique, growing, family-oriented church. Our regular Sunday attendance is about 250. If you feel the Lord leading you in this direction please email taberemcpsc2@ gmail.com or contact Bram Klassen at 403-331-9563.
Senior Pastor: Prairie Grove Fellowship Chapel (Lorette, Man.)
Prairie Grove Fellowship Chapel, serving Lorette, Manitoba and the surrounding area, is seeking a full-time senior pastor for a congregation of approximately 60. We are a friendly, welcoming church with a heart for our community. Our mission is “To Love God and To Love People”. Our desires for a pastor:
• Loves God, his Word and has a close relationship with him.
• Loves people and is eager to serve and invest in them.
• Is able to teach.
• Is a team player and team builder. Is aware of his personal weaknesses, his freedom in Christ and addresses his weaknesses with intentional accountability.
• Has pastoral gifts that are recognized by those around him.
Cares for his family, being faithful to his wife and nurturing his family
We understand no one person can do all these perfectly but these are the traits we are specifically looking for.
For an information packet please contact: pgfcpastorsearch@gmail.com.
Pastor: Morris (Man.) Fellowship Chapel Morris Fellowship Chapel is a Christfollowing, Bible-believing, family-friendly church of around 130 people in the small rural town of Morris, Manitoba. People of all ages are a part of Morris Fellowship, including children, young adults, adults and seniors. We are looking for a pastor to help with preaching, teaching, and building community in our church. This would include preaching on Sundays, teaching midweek Bible studies, personal visits and church community events. Contact Cliff Reimer, Pastoral Search Committee Chairman: cliff0955@gmail.com.
Senior Pastor: New Life Christian Fellowship (Coatsworth, Ont.)
New Life Christian Fellowship is a small country church with approximately 65–85 that gather every Sunday. New Life is mostly young families with lots of little ones around to keep you on your toes. Many of our families have a Plautdietsch (Low German) background which is often heard during times of fellowship. We are looking for a full time senior pastor who has a passion to preach and teach from the Scriptures (background in ministry would
be an asset), and has a heart for ministry and people in and outside the church. Our vision for the church is Reach Up, Reach Over & Reach Out. We would require that you agree with the EMC Statement of Faith. For more information, please contact board@nlcfchurch.org
hope of freedom in Christ. We are searching for an individual who passionately loves God and loves people, one who is able to provide vision and direction for our church, and willing to compassionately lead our congregation with sound biblical teaching.
Brethren Confession of Faith. We are looking for someone to become a part of our community, who can preach the Word of God as well as teach and guide our congregation to live like Jesus. Please send resumes to lvccpastorsearch@gmail.com
Associate Pastor: Rosenort (Man.) Fellowship Chapel Rosenort Fellowship Chapel (RFC) is seeking an associate pastor whose primary task will be youth ministry. Our vision is to build a junior youth ministry (grades 7–9) while assisting in community senior youth programs. The applicant will love Jesus Christ and aspire to help others know Christ. This person wants to make an impact among youth with his/her own dedication to Christ and to lead, influence and prepare our youth for life. The applicant will have some Bible college and skills in communicating biblical truths. This person will work with the leadership team. RFC is a multigenerational congregation of 100 persons. We are Anabaptists who long to Radically follow Jesus, Further the gospel, and Care for the community.
Email applications to Cam Cornelsen at cam.rfcleadership@gmail.com
Lead Pastor: Gospel Fellowship Church, (Steinbach, Man.)
Gospel Fellowship Church is seeking a full-time lead pastor. We are a congregation with an average attendance of 75; our church is a part of the Evangelical Mennonite Mission Conference (EMMC). GFC is a faith community in a broken world, sharing the
For a full position description, please visit our website (www.gospelfellowshipchurch.ca) or contact us at applications@ gopselfellowshipchurch.ca
Pastor: Carman Mennonite Church (Carman, Man.)
Carman Mennonite Church invites applications for a 0.5FTE pastoral position with the possibility of increase to full-time. We are a congregation of 60–70 active members with regular adult and children’s Sunday school. We are looking for someone who models a sincere Christian faith, exhibits strong relational skills and community mindedness.
Duties include preaching, teaching, pastoral care, visitation with those in care homes, connecting with the community and area ministerial, working with the worship committee, fostering a love for and nurturing disciples of Jesus the Christ. This would be done with the support of lay leadership. For more information see carmanmennonite.ca.
Forward inquiries and/or resumes with two references to: cmcpastoralsearchcommittee@gmail.com or CMC Search Committee, Box 1077, Carman, MB R0G 0J0.
Lead Pastor: Lakeview Community Church (Killarney, Man.)
For a more comprehensive job description and church profile, please check this link https://boards.com/a/hR1RS.Hx4srs
Caretaker and Housekeeper Couple: Kerith Pines retreat centre (East Braintree, Man.)
Focus on the Family Canada Kerith Retreats department seeks a caretaker and housekeeper couple (two full-time positions) for its retreat centre in Manitoba.
This couple assumes responsibility for coordinating the care and maintenance of the facilities and grounds keeping and for cleaning and upkeep of the lodge and suites and in the basement of the house. Some of this work is accomplished through recruiting, supervising and encouraging teams of volunteers. The couple will reside in the residence on the property and fair market value for the rent and utilities will be added to their remuneration as a taxable benefit.
These important roles require individuals who maintain a consistent witness for Jesus Christ and a courteous, Christlike attitude by adhering to our Christian Foundations and Standards.
Lakeview Community Church is looking for a full-time lead pastor. We are a Mennonite Brethren Church located in Killarney, Manitoba. We are seeking an individual with some experience in this field, who subscribes to the Mennonite
To apply, each of you please submit your cover letter and resume at FocusOnTheFamily.ca/Employment or by email to hr@fotf.ca. Please note that only candidates chosen for an interview will be contacted.
WINTER’S FIRST SEMESTER was warm, erring on the side of balmy. Albertans tentatively accepted the lingering fall weather, painfully aware they’d been fooled before by the sudden arrival of a tsunamic dump of snow or a frigid pop quiz. I realize that according to our northerly neighbours, Grande Prairie would barely qualify as remote. In my humble estimation, a stark metric for my sanity is the Northern Residence Deduction. If the government relinquishes tax money because I’m living where others won’t, then I must have an unnatural resilience for grimly dark, snowy days.
The last few years, I’ve found simple comforts to help ease the lengthy winters. One year, it was the container of chocolate marshmallow squares only pulled out after the children were in bed. Another (healthier) alternative was the cooking competition finales shared over Zoom with my sister’s family. My husband and I spent a couple winter seasons rehearsing for our senior years by doing jigsaw puzzles. We’ve now graduated to quietly reading by our cozy woodstove. The warm stove has also become a central part of our morning routine. We shuffle downstairs to start the day with Scripture, prayer, and staring sleepily at the fire.
Through the Holy Spirit’s working,
the morning devotion time has been a wonderful opportunity to “taste and see that the L ord is good” (Psalm 34:8). As I’ve pondered the sweetness of God’s words, I watch out my window as the pitch-black night slips away to the lighter shades of day. The magnificent finale paints breathtakingly fluorescent reds and pinks disappearing into the fresh, crisp morning.
resounding victory to see the Lamb standing able, willing, and victorious to open the scroll! Promised in the Old Testament and revealed in the New, the Redeemer who conquered sin, the devil, and death!
The book of Revelation—the culmination of Christ’s victory— recently captured my attention. Rather than seeing only mystery and terrible judgment, I’ve been stirred by the resounding appeal to endure.
The book of Revelation—the culmination of Christ’s victory—recently captured my attention. Rather than seeing only mystery and terrible judgment, I’ve been stirred by the resounding appeal to endure. I’ve been moved to tears although I’m not the only one weeping. John wept loudly because the scroll could not be opened (Revelation 5:4). But oh, the
Karla Hein (Westpointe, Grande Prairie) is the wife of one and mother of two.How I long to be a bold and victorious saint, yet I know my sinful shortcomings all too well. How can I claim to conquer when I can hardly endure my self-condemnation and temptations? How sweet the words spring up from Romans, “we are more than conquerors through him who loved us ” (Romans 8:37; emphasis added). David Brainard, an early missionary struggled with much physical pain and mental anguish. “My whole soul was unspeakably bewildered and lost in myself and I knew of nothing that seemed likely to make me happy … And being that lost I became a suitable object for the compassion of Jesus Christ to be set upon, since he came “to seek and to save that which is lost” (Luke 19:10; Brainerd quoted in The Works of Jonathan Edwards Vol. 7).
Dependent on my Saviour, I rejoice that though I am weak he is strong and glorious as my Shepherd. As I rise from my comfy chair into the bleak midwinter morn, I acquire strength not my own through the sweet promises of my Lord.
Further in and higher up • By
Layton FriesenIMAGINE AN EMC time traveller from the 1920s visiting us today. Would they find any clue that, of all the churches in town, this was their descendant?
Any songs they might know? Any events in the calendar still happening? Any books read then and still read now? Any leadership structure that was a throwback to the 1920s EMC? Would the church building bear any resemblance? Any EMC lore or legends still being retold?
Could you imagine an Anglican, Pentecostal, Presbyterian, Salvation Army, Catholic, or Baptist church that had managed to rid itself of all the distinctive markers of their 1920s faith and life? I cannot. Most churches have changed drastically over time, but the EMC seems unique in finding little in its distinctive 100-year-old church life worthy to pass on to our next generation. Note that I am saying distinctive. We believed in the Trinity then and we
Our time traveller might find some familiar family names—a Penner or a Wiebe. In the church library (what is that strange practice?) they might still find a copy of the old German hymnal filed under curiosities.
Would this time traveller find any clue that the 1920s EMC had once existed and had successfully passed along some bit of tradition?
Our time traveller might find some familiar family names—a Penner or a Wiebe. In the church library (what is that strange practice?) they might still find a copy of the old German hymnal filed under curiosities.
This time traveller would certainly note that we had borrowed a lot from other traditions. Evangelicalism would loom large everywhere and the traveler would not have predicted that. There would be more 1920s Pentecostalism evident than 1920s EMC. In many churches there would be more Anglican and Catholic influence than the historic EMC.
But if no semblance could be detected, here’s my next question:
believe in it now, but that is not an EMC distinctive.
Now, despite this historical purge, some people from non-Low-German backgrounds have found it hard to feel part of our fellowship, even after decades of service among us. But is that because we so doggedly hold on to our heritage? Is it surprising that people who feel uneasy about their past might have difficulty being hospitable? If I find my home embarrassing, will I be excited to invite you for dinner? Do you
feel at home visiting houses where the owner has made every effort to remove anything personal, unique, and idiosyncratic, so the whole place feels like a clean hotel room?
This is not to say that 1920s EMC life was all superior to our present. Far from it. Few of us, including me, would attend that church if it suddenly appeared now and most of us would be excommunicated if we tried. It’s important, though, to remind ourselves and others: we are not nobodies, and we don’t come from nowhere. As the KJV says, “Yea, I have a goodly heritage” (Psalm 16:6)
Here is my challenge to all our congregations: have your local historians dig up one practice of the historic EMC to use regularly in your church’s life, just because that’s how the EMC always did it. Do it because it’s our unique and cool tradition—and it’s meaningful.
Suggestions: how about kneeling for prayer in worship like 1920s EMCers did, facing back? Or how about finding a way to do foot washing in the communion service again? Or how about not sorting into biological families for worship? Then excitedly explain this to newcomers, like some Anglican showing a newcomer how the Book of Common Prayer works.
Layton Friesen is academic dean at Steinbach Bible College. He lives in Winnipeg, Man.
ONE OF THE many gifts children give us adults is the freedom to be childlike again. There is nothing more freeing than running in a gym playing pool noodle tag. (The fact that I couldn’t keep up is neither here nor there.) There is something so beautiful when you are invited into conversations about the latest movie, toy, or silly song (although I would be fine if I never heard “it’s raining tacos” again). Children show us time and again that there is joy in life.
The winter months are long here in the prairies and the early sunsets invite the night sky much sooner than any of us would like. One advantage, though, is the ability to play glow stick hide-and-seek during our mid-week kids club. Before the kids arrive, mini glow sticks are cracked and hidden throughout the church. The goal is to find as many as you can. This results in
laughter, silly delight, and a new way to experience church. I’m sure the same fun could be had in their homes but there’s something about exploring the church this way that makes it special.
There were places they didn’t even know existed before this game! And when we repeated this event a few months later, I quickly discovered that I needed to up my game. The spots that were new the first time around were no longer hard to find. In fact, its where they went to look first. They remembered where the spots were months after we initially played. Don’t worry, I amped up the hiding the next time—and they loved the challenge.
Children love to seek. They love to discover. They love to explore. But translating that thirst for adventure into discovering God’s Word can be a challenge. Do you feel like you’re on repeat?
“I think it’s an important read for all Christians, especially those in children’s ministry. There are so many relatable situations, personalities, and choices to be found. It’s a classic that continues to stay relevant. There are some great kids’ versions as well!”
Or that the lessons shared aren’t sinking in the way you hoped? Children are incredible observers. They are also little humans who have yet to master the skill of sitting still and can easily be distracted. I’m guilty of the same—and I’m no longer a spring chicken!
In the face of all this, we can find great encouragement in Psalm 119:11–13: “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Praise be to you, Lord; teach me your decrees. With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth.”
Heidi Schartner is a former children’s ministry leader and assists with marketing and writing for the Awesome Kidmin Community.
The more often our kids hear God’s Word, the deeper it is hidden in their hearts. The more often our kids see our love for God, the deeper they will know his love. Be encouraged to keep teaching God’s Word. The world will do whatever it can to drown us out and keep us quiet. But, when God’s Word is deeply embedded into the hearts of these children, they will “recount all the laws.” They will remember. They will treasure. They will continue to seek God’s voice. Even if it feels like we’re on repeat.
Blessings as you continue to build on the foundation God has already established. You are doing vital, important work. May the Lord continue to give you patience, grace and love for those you are ministering to.