MB Herald January 2014

W W W. M B H E R A L D.CO M

J A N U A R Y 2 014

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Volume 53, No. 1 Publications mail registration number: 09648; Agreement number: 40009297

Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Circ. Dept., MB Herald, 1310 Taylor Avenue, Winnipeg, Man. R3M 3Z6

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Teach us to number our days That we may get a heart of wisdom.

New Math

EUGENE H. PETERSON

PSALM 90:12

Construct a calendar of grace, Genesis days and moon-marked months.

Make a Christian year: add Blessings, subtract sins, divide Sorrow, multiply love – An arithmetic to confound the devil.

“The New Math” is from Eugene H. Peterson, Holy Luck: Poems ©2013, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, MI. Used by permission of the publisher; all rights reserved.

Peterson is professor emeritus of spiritual theology at Regent College, Vancouver. Among his many other books are The Jesus Way, Tell it Slant and the popular contemporary Bible translation The Message.

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FEATURES 10 Mission call from Highway 16 Churches collaborate to reach the Chinese diaspora in Canada –Joseph Kwan

12 Embracing small-town ministry –Antony Law

14 50 ways to care –Angeline Schellenberg

COLUMNS 4 Editorial “Neither snow nor rain nor gloom of night”: Our prayers will not be delayed –Laura Kalmar

8 Text Message Isaiah 6:1–4, 6 God chooses wingless messengers –Marvin Dyck

9 Outfront Let us pray –Willy Reimer

13 Viewpoint They will know us by our theological arrogance –Tim Neufeld

18 Essay Obedience: A treasured inheritance Reflections on being a disciple of Christ –Danisa Ndlovu

35 Intersection of faith and life Holiday giving hangover –Sandra Reimer

DEPARTMENTS 5 Letters 6 Homepage 20 News in brief

CONNECT WITH US ONLINE DIGITAL EDITION issuu.com FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/MBHerald TWITTER twitter.com/MB_Herald WEBSITE mbherald.com JOBS jobs.mbherald.com PDF SUBSCRIPTION Email kbraun@mbconf.ca to subscribe via email

21 News in story 29 Transitions, births, weddings, church anniversaries 30 Finish lines [Obituaries] 33 Crosscurrents

COVER ART: “Rhythms of Grace” Cyndi Koshowski acrylic on canvas See story page 33 MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD January 2014

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Editorial “Neither snow nor rain nor gloom of night” Our prayers will not be delayed L AUR A K ALMAR

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aily Scripture reading and the Lord’s Prayer are as much part of my elementary school memories as multi-coloured crayons and freshly sharpened pencils. Our class would stand by our desks and recite the prayer together, regardless of faith or creed.

Ursula (Lutheran), twins Sandra and Sam (atheist), Zahida (Hindu) and I (Catholic at the time) all dutifully prayed at the beginning of each day.

As a child, I figured everyone believed the same things I did. My thinking was confirmed as I watched my classmates recite the Lord’s Prayer. Of course, time revealed that not everyone shared my worldview.

Twenty-five years ago, three Ontario parents argued that reciting the Lord’s Prayer violated the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (especially for children of non-Christian faiths). The court ruled in favour of the parents, effectively removing the prayer from the majority of Canadian public schools.

I don’t lament this loss. I’m inclined to see missional opportunities in the midst of a post-Christian, pluralist culture. I’m keen to learn what other people believe, and I’m honoured to tell them about my relationship with Jesus.

I just don’t think faith – or prayer – can be legislated by the government.

A culture of prayer in our churches And though I don’t bemoan the loss of prayer from public schools, I do celebrate when Christians are serious about the call to prayer (Philippians 4:6; 1 Timothy 2:1–4; 2 Thessalonians 3:1).

As Mennonite Brethren, we are people of prayer. We pray easily and freely at our gatherings – for example, our recent study conference began with a concert of prayer, and each presenter was prayed for on stage. We take time to pray for others – I’ve been on the 4

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receiving end of many prayers offered earnestly and genuinely over the phone.

In cross-cultural settings, our commitment to prayer is evident. MB Mission – through SOAR and other short-term programs – is raising up a generation of young people who practise listening prayer as effortlessly as breathing. MCC representative Tim Schmucker said he was deeply moved by the prayers of Mennonite Brethren participants on a

battle and the power of prayer has more impact than any words I can write,” said pastor Bruce Gordon.

And now, the Canadian conference is calling all Mennonite Brethren churches to set aside time to pray this January, using the enclosed prayer guide.

I’m inspired by the thought of spending time with Jesus at the beginning of the New Year – to hear his voice and recommit myself to his purposes.

I’m inspired by the thought of spending time with Jesus at the beginning of the New Year – to hear his voice and recommit myself to his purposes. learning tour to Colombia: the spontaneous prayer they offered at each stop “was really powerful not only for us, but also for the Colombians.”

Congregations across Canada faithfully carve out time for community prayer. Consider the following examples:

• In Winnipeg, Philadelphia Eritrean

Church’s regular prayer meetings often stretch into the early hours of the morning. Pastor Habtemicael Beraki says it’s hard to get people to leave, even when they have to work the next day.

• Every month, North Langley (B.C.)

Community Church hosts an all-family night of prayer, which includes prayer activities for children.

• Calgary’s SunWest Church called its

congregation to 24 hours of continuous prayer last November during a time of significant transition. “Our place is to pray, pray, pray, continually. We are in a

I’m heartened that these prayers and reflections will be shared in churches across the country.

And I’m even more enthused (okay, daunted) by the thought of bundling up against the winter weather, trudging through snow and cold to meet with brothers and sisters to pray – every day for a whole week!

An old idea breathes new life The concept of a week of prayer isn’t new. For many years, the Canadian conference published a prayer guide in the January Herald, joining with denominations across the globe by calling believers to prayer and unity as the calendar turns.

This year, the prayer guide is back.

With an invitation to dedicate this time to meet God, I trust we will gather to raise our voices in a concert of prayer and praise, no matter what the weather’s like.

LETTERS The great omission Re “The converted life” (Features, October). From my own experience and observation, Phil Wagler’s assessment rings true: the fully converted life is neither offered to nor expected of people in church. We’re guilty of committing what Dallas Willard calls “the great omission”: not making apprentices to Jesus, not immersing them in the reality of the Trinity, and especially, not teaching them to do everything he has commanded (Matthew 28:18–20).

However, like Wagler, I’m heartened by the signs of change. There’s a growing sense of discontent with non-discipleship Christianity, given its inability to produce the abundant life Jesus offered. This has resulted in Christians searching out resources that have been used by apprentices of Jesus, both ancient and modern, to live out this kind of life.

MARK H. FRIESEN WINNIPEG

Can we learn from the past?

Re “My spirit was laid down, but now it stands strong” (Editorial, November). It’s easy to recognize the folly of a past event, particularly when the injustice can be laid at the feet of previous generations. To evaluate actions in the present is much harder. Do the missteps of government and religions toward aboriginal people in the past not bear a resemblance in our self-righteous reluctance to engage in self-examination to confrontations between religions in the present?

Christian institutions fall short in advocating peace with other religions. They proselytize aggressively in the name of evangelism and hold a high priority on winning others over. They readily follow to the foot of the cross to claim access to eternal life, but aren’t so ready to follow Christ onto the cross to crucify self and be resurrected into God’s kingdom. Spiritual wellness doesn’t judge another’s lack of it, rather recognizes followers of other religions as having souls with a yearning to experience God. It realizes their journey can only begin where God in his wisdom placed them.

JAKE JANZEN ABBOTSFORD, B.C.

Peace a personal decision Re “#InDialogue on ‘Peace – The Exhibit’” (Viewpoint, November). Thank you for acknowledging that our denomination has a diversity of opinion on what it means to uphold our Confession of Faith in regard to war and peace. Conscientious objectors (COs) may face mistreatment and misunderstanding from the general public, but unfortunately, it seems those who enlist may face similar rejection from the denomination. I was interested to read that “about half of all militaryaged Mennonite Canadian men” made the choice to enlist in WWII. We don’t need to be ashamed or judgmental about that. We just regret the war wasn’t stopped before it began, and we work for peace in the future.

KATIE DENEIKO YOUNG, SASK.

Letters to the editor Mennonite Brethren Herald welcomes your letters of 150–200 words on issues relevant to the Mennonite Brethren church, especially in response to material published in the Herald. Please include name, address and phone number, and keep your letters courteous and about one subject only. We will edit letters for length and clarity. We will not publish letters sent anonymously, although we may withhold names from publication at the request of the letter writer and at our discretion. Publication is subject to space limitations. Letters also appear online. Because the Letters column is a free forum for discussion, it should be understood that letters represent the position of the letter writer, not necessarily the position of the Herald or the Mennonite Brethren church. Send letters to: Letters, MB Herald, 1310 Taylor Avenue, Winnipeg, Man. R3M 3Z6, or by email to mbherald@mbconf.ca.

Conference News Le Lien moves under provincial aegis On Jan. 1, 2014, ownership of Le Lien, the Mennonite Brethren French-language magazine, transfers from the Canadian Conference of MB Churches (CCMBC) to the Quebec conference (AEFMQ). Editor Jean Biéri will become an employee of the provincial conference.

Since taking leadership in 2004, Biéri has walked the magazine through several changes. In 2010, Le Lien underwent a redesign and increased to 24 full-colour pages, with a circulation of 3,000–5,000 among the wider evangelical population Editor Jean Bieri in Quebec.

The AEFMQ leadership team will meet in the New Year to determine next steps for Le Lien and the province’s overall communications strategy.

Le Lien began in December 1980 as a French-language insert in the MB Herald and soon branched off as an independent publication.—Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches release

JANUARY 2014 Mennonite Brethren Herald is published monthly by the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches, primarily for the use of its members, to build a Canadian MB community of faith. We seek to 1) share the life and story of the church by nurturing relationships among members and engaging in dialogue and reflection; 2) teach and equip for ministry by reflecting MB theology, values and heritage, and by sharing the good news; 3) enable communication by serving conference ministries and informing our members about the church and the world. However, the opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of the church as a whole.

Advertising and inserts should not be considered to carry editorial endorsement.

Winner of Canadian Church Press and Evangelical Press Association awards for Writing, Design, and Illustration: 1996–2012.

Editorial office 1310 Taylor Avenue Winnipeg, Manitoba R3M 3Z6 Phone: 204-669-6575 Fax: 204-654-1865 Toll-free in Canada: 888-669-6575 Email: mbherald@mbconf.ca http://www.mbherald.com PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NUMBER: 4000929 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO: CIRCULATION DEPT., MB HERALD 1310 TAYLOR AVENUE WINNIPEG MB R3M 3Z6 CMCA

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Copyright The articles printed in the Herald are owned by the Herald or by the author and may not be reprinted without permission. Unless noted, Scriptural quotations are from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Staff Laura Kalmar editor Karla Braun associate editor Audrey Plew designer Helga Kasdorf circulation + advertising Angeline Schellenberg copy editor Barrie McMaster B.C. regional correspondent CANADIAN CONFERAdvisory Council: Helen Rose Pauls, B.C. Brad Sumner, B.C. Gil Dueck, Sask.

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MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD January 2014

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homepage

five

Trending stories on www.mbherald.com in 2013 :

1 2 3 4 5 Can I give you a hug?

–October 2013

Camp Chapel continues year-round –September 2013

ways to deepen your prayer life in 2014

In conjunction with the conference’s “Week of Prayer” resource, some MB leaders share strategies for cultivating a richer prayer life:

“You don’t know them!”

Christians and gays with a different story

t 18, I started the practice of prayer walks. I seek out a location that is peaceful, allowing me to slow down physically and emotionally. In the places I’ve served, that location has become a prayer sanctuary for the duration of my ministry, and God has faithfully met with me as I walk and pray.—Rob Dyck, pastor, Arnold Community Church, Abbotsford, B.C.

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–September 2013

’ve started using The Voice of Jesus by Gordon Smith to guide my mornings and have found it inspiring.

Smith lists five prayer activities to walk through each day: thanksgiving, confession, meditation (reading and reflecting), guidance for this day and silence.

—Jerry Giesbrecht, pastor, Fraserview Church, Richmond, B.C.

I An orientation for single sexuality: The “do’s” of purity –September 2013

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he most prevalent call to prayer in my life has been The Divine Hours by Phyllis Tickle. This plan of prayer, Scripture and readings from tradition and hymnody invites me to a desire (not always acted upon, but always present) to steal away into the quietness and intimacy of God’s presence. It follows the church calendar with four daily calls to prayer and reflection, and the verses and refrains often impact the other hours of my day.—Mary Reimer, pastor, FaithWorks, Winnipeg

The Journey:

Living the gospel as commitment to place, people and perspective –April 2013

A meeting of missional minds

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MB Mission Eastern Canada moved into Kitchener’s new hub of Anabaptist activity.

Mennonite Central Committee Ontario’s new environmentally sustainable building at 50 Kent houses not only MCC and their thrift store, but also partner organizations MennoMedia, Mennonite Church Eastern Canada, Mennonite Savings and Credit Union, Mennonite World Conference, MennoHomes, the Mennonite Foundation – and MB Mission Eastern Canada. In November, the organizations occupied the facility designed by SRM Architects and Van-Del Contracting, and held a grand opening Nov. 29, 2013. MB Mission Eastern Canada mission mobilizer Philip Serez says he hopes the shared vision of tenants at 50 Kent will open doors to what God will do with strengthened relationships.

MB Mission Eastern Canada 208-50 Kent Avenue Kitchener, ON N2G 3R1 6

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PHOTO: CANADIAN MENNONITE

New address for MB Mission Eastern Canada builds synergies

ow do we follow the command in 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances? Just breathe. On one of the darkest nights of my life, God met me. He didn’t take away my pain, he just told me: “Every time you breathe, I want you to say to yourself, ‘God loves me.’”

Every time I felt the pain, I just stopped and focused on one single breath. And as I took that one breath, I told myself, “God loves me.” Praying is just like breathing. Sometimes we need to stop and focus on that one breath – the life we have in Jesus.—J.P. Hayashida, director of operations, CCMBC

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eartbeat prayer: responding almost on the spot when a request is made is effective and efficient. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 is about an attitude of prayer, not a formula or prescription. It brings joy to one’s heart to be asked to pray – it’s a privilege and perhaps the most challenging work God gives us.—Bert Bell, pastor, Portage Avenue Church, Winnipeg

coming events Conference events:

Grant applications open: Historical Commission funds research initiatives

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he Historical Commission of the U.S. and Canadian Mennonite Brethren Churches again offer two funded initiatives in 2014.

The Open Research Grant is $1,500 in support of research and publication relating to the history and contribution of Mennonite Brethren women. The grant is made possible by generous support from the Katie Funk Wiebe Fund. Applications are due Apr. 4.

The Summer Archival Internship is designed to give a college/seminary student practical experience working in an archive. The successful applicant for this one-of-a-kind internship will spend one week at the four Mennonite Brethren archival institutions in North America (Winnipeg; Hillsboro, Kan.; Fresno, Cal.; Abbotsford, B.C.), learning about archives and pursuing a self-directed project.

Applications are due Feb. 3.

Amanda Bartel, 2013 archival intern, focused her individual research time on women missionaries to India. One of her discoveries was the pictured handkerchief from the Sunday school Christmas program in Helen Warkentin’s artifact box. The German text in Gothic script includes the date (1911) and Luke 2:14.

Visit www.mbhistory.org for criteria and application details or contact MB Historical Commission executive secretary Jon Isaak (jisaak@mbconf.ca).

Each month in 2014, we’ll highlight an ICOMB partner. Support our brothers and sisters around the world by learning about and praying for them.

Igreja Evangélica dos Irmãos Menonitas em Angola (IEIMA) (Evangelical Mennonite Brethren Church of Angola )

Hands across across the the Globe

Congregations: 86 Members: 7,000

PRAY

for MB leaders in Angola who are working with partners on sustainable water-well resourcing and church planting in a drought-prone area where several MB churches are located.

Angola gained independence from Portugal in 1975 after nearly 15 years of warfare. Civil strife continued for another 27 years, littering the country with land mines. The coastal nation has valuable natural resources like petroleum and diamonds, yet most people’s livelihood comes through subsistence agriculture.

The MB church was founded by native Angolans returning from exile in DR Congo with a mission to plant churches. These regressados are not always accepted by the wider society and may speak French rather than Portuguese. Most of the churches are rural, located in the interior provinces, close to the DR Congo border. Some have an average attendance of 500–1,000.

Officially recognized in 1983, IEIMA persevered through internal leadership conflicts and now ministers with two other Mennonite denominations as the Conferencia Inter-Menonita em Angola (since 2003). Collaboration has also occurred with the Portuguese-speaking Brazil MB conference.

Instituto Biblico Universitario Menonita de Angola (IBUMA), a Bible college founded in 1996 in the capital city Luanda, grants certificates, diplomas and bachelor degrees in biblical and theological studies, missiology and social and human sciences.

Jan. 28–30: C2C assessment centre, Vancouver.

Feb 21–22: ONMB convention, New Hope Church Niagara, St. Catharines, Ont. Mar. 7–8: Assembly 2014, MBCM convention, Eastview Community Church, Winnipeg.

Mar. 14–15: SKMB convention, Forest Grove Community Church, Saskatoon.

Mar. 21–22: ABMB convention, River West Christian Church, Edmonton.

Apr. 1–2: C2C church multiplication conference, Calgary.

Apr. 12,: AEFMQ convention, Les Ambassadeurs Chrétiens, Montreal.

May 2–3: BCMB convention, Caribou Bethel Church, Williams Lake, B.C. May 4–6: BCMB pastor and spouse’s retreat, Harrison Hot Springs, B.C. May 13–15: C2C assessment centre, Montreal.

June 8: AEFMQ rally, Centre culturel et communautaire Thérèse de Blainville, Sainte-Thérèse, Que. June 9–11: PCO, ACTS Seminaries, Langley, B.C. June 11–14: Gathering 2014, Vancouver.

Sept. 23–25: C2C assessment centre, Calgary, Alta.

Oct. 6–8: ABMB pastor and spouse’s retreat, Canmore, Alta.

Oct. 6–8: SKMB pastor and spouse’s retreat, Dallas Valley Ranch Camp, Sask.

Nov. 4–6: C2C assessment centre, Toronto.

Nov. 17–20: C2C church planter retreat, Vancouver.

Partner events:

Jan. 31–Feb. 2: Youth Advance, Bethany College, Hepburn, Sask.

Apr. 18: Bethany College spring concert, Knox United Church, Saskatoon.

Apr. 19: Bethany College commencement service, Hepburn, Sask.

Apr. 19: Columbia Bible College, commencement ceremony, Abbotsford, B.C. Apr. 26: Canadian Mennonite University spring concert, Winnipeg.

Apr. 27: Canadian Mennonite University convocation, Immanuel Pentecostal Church, Winnipeg.

June 5: Columbia Open Golf Tournament, Redwoods Golf Course, Langley, B.C. July 17–19, 2015: Mennonite World Conference Global Youth Summit, Messiah College, Mechanicsburg, Pa. July 21–26, 2015: Assembly 16 Mennonite World Conference, Harrisburg, Pa. View more events from churches, schools and agencies at www.mbherald.com/calendar.

MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD January 2014

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Text message God chooses wingless messengers ISAIAH 6:1–4, 6 MARV IN DYCK

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eraphim are impressive beings! Can you imagine six-winged creatures so powerful the sound of their voices makes a building shake? I’ve been to rock concerts where the music made my shirt vibrate and my ears ache. But even at that volume, the foundation didn’t shake. Can you imagine how loud their voices must have been?

Now imagine these six-winged creatures appearing in the mall food court, proclaiming the gospel like Peter in Acts 2 and Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:1–8; namely, that humans are separated from God by sin, that God loved us enough to send his Son as a human to die in our place for our sin and rise again and that now each person needs to respond by turning from their sin, asking God’s forgiveness and surrendering control to Jesus. Wouldn’t that be impressive?

And yet, God didn’t send these angels with his message to the rebellious people of Judah. Instead, he asked for volunteers – and sent Isaiah.

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’

“And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’

“He said, ‘Go and tell this people...’”

(Isaiah 6:8–9).

Why did God choose Isaiah when he had much more impressive beings at his command, especially since God knew in advance that the people wouldn’t listen to his messenger?

Even though the angels are perfectly capable of communicating God’s message – as they did to the shepherds on Christmas night – God has chosen to partner with humans in the communication of the gospel. “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me,” Jesus says. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:18–20).

Isaiah 6:1–4, 6 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.’ At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.

Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”

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Why has God chosen humans instead of angels as messengers of the gospel? There’s something we, in our frailty, can do that angels can’t.

Jesus says, “I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one – I in them and you in me – so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me” (John 17:22–23). When humans allow God’s power to so fill us that we lay aside our selfishness, bitterness and pride to become united with one another, that collective act is so supernatural it proves to the rest of the world that Jesus came from God and God loves them.

How would angels be able to do that?

What does this say about whether you need to be a part of a faith community? Are there any relationships in your church that you need to work on in order to communicate to the hurting world around you the good news that Jesus came from God and that God loves them? (Incidentally, Isaiah also went as part of a faith community. See Isaiah 8:16–18.)

God chose you over the houseshaking angels to be his messengers of good news. And his preferred method is to send you as part of a united, Jesus-focused faith community.

Marvin Dyck is pastor at Crossroads MB Church, Winnipeg.

Outfront

let us pray

Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus (Acts 4:29–30).

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s Canadian Mennonite Brethren, our desire is to see Canada transformed by the good news of Jesus Christ one life at a time. At the beginning of the new year, I invite us all to recommit ourselves to Jesus, his mission in the world and his calling on us as a church.

We believe prayer is instrumental in the life of the church – for clarity, power and unity. Our staff prepared this seven-day guide as a resource for churches and individuals to embark on a journey across Canada through prayer.

God’s Spirit is at work in our country. The Lord invites us, his servants, to join his work – to speak and act with boldness, healing and power for the sake of Canadians from coast to coast to coast.

This year’s prayer guide highlights the seven regions where MBs are active, providing a snapshot of the needs

and opportunities in each province. As you read the brief history of each region, you’ll see how an impetus toward mission – a desire for all people to be reconciled with God through Jesus – was present at the very beginning of our church family.

My prayer is that our passion for mission would continue to grow through church multiplication initiatives such as community service and outreach, the initiation of new churches and creative ministry of established churches. Let’s pray for God to move in us and through us, anticipating the amazing things Jesus will do across Canada in 2014!

Willy Reimer Executive Director Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD January 2014

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Mission call

from Highway 16 Churches collaborate to reach the Chinese diaspora in Canada J OSEPH K WAN

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roject Highway 16 is a new venture of the Mennonite Brethren Chinese Churches Association (MBCCA) started in 2013 to serve ethnic Chinese residents of northern B.C. MBCCA was initially formed by a group of MB Chinese churches in Metro Vancouver for fellowship and partnership to care for the growing ministry needs among Chinesespeaking congregations.

Although most Chinese MB communities are located in Metro Vancouver, MBCCA is responsible for connecting all MB Chinese churches across Canada. This includes one church in Winnipeg, one in Calgary, a fellowship in Prince George, B.C., and even two churches planted years ago in Venezuela. Now their sights are moving north.

Highway 16 is part of the Yellowhead route of the TransCanada Highway that extends from Haida Gwaii (an archipelago off the western coast of B.C., formerly known as the Queen Charlotte Islands), to Portage la Prairie, Man. The Highway 16 Project of MBCCA, however, only includes cities, towns and villages from Haida Gwaii to Prince George.

The population within this region is majority Caucasian, but there is a high percentage of First Nations, especially at the Haida Gwaii end.

(The name change from Queen Charlotte to Haida Gwaii is one of the clauses in the reconciliation 10

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agreement between the Province of British Columbia and the First Nations peoples.)

As well, among the residents of the interior are thousands of ethnic Chinese who dwell in the settlements along the highway. Some are descendants of early immigrants who settled there decades ago. Some came recently to the region from Mainland China, Hong Kong and South East Asian countries.

Because of language and cultural differences, these Chinese groups seldom associate with local church communities and may never hear the gospel.

Actually, the gospel needs of these isolated, small Chinese communities are not limited to northern B.C. – they apply to every corner across Canada. “Wherever you find a settlement of people, you will find Chinese there.” Though this Chinese proverb is exaggerated, it is in some sense true: ethnic Chinese can be found all over the world. The number in each settlement may be small, but will become significant when added together.

Seeing that need, an organization called Chinese Christian Mission (CCM) started the “Small Community Mission” in 2002 hoping to reach out to these sparsely located people. After 11 years, the project has grown from a few CCM mission team annual visits within B.C. to an extensive program shared by a network of Chinese churches across Canada. While CCM

still has its mission team, it now serves mainly as a coordinator for the network, with centres in major cities across Canada. CCM is a key resource for MBCCA’s Project Highway 16.

There are 12 mission routes within B.C., for example: three routes in southern B.C., two on Vancouver Island, three in central B.C., two in northwestern B.C. and one in northeastern B.C. Seven of these routes have been adopted by a church community, but CCM still needs more partners to create missional links with the rest.

MB Chinese churches have been serving northern B.C. for several years. Early in 2000, we started our ministry in Prince George, periodically sending missionaries to pastor Chinese Christians there. For a time, we even hired a full-time pastor in Prince George.

Since then, MBCCA has been sending pastors. Church mission teams are also frequent visitors to Prince George and neighbouring areas. MBCCA now wants to make this formal by adopting the route along Highway 16.

Locations of ministry

There are many towns and villages with Chinese communities along Highway 16. Other than the hundreds of Chinese in the two major cities, Prince George and Prince Rupert, there may be just handfuls of Chinese in other settlement areas. It’s a full day’s drive from Vancouver to Prince George, a full day’s drive from Prince George to Prince Rupert and another day from Prince Rupert to Haida Gwaii. And the route is difficult to drive, especially during the winter months.

Despite the long journey and scarce target population, MBCCA still feels this is worthwhile ministry.

The small number of Chinese people certainly wouldn’t warrant planting individual local churches. But all those people are loved by Jesus, and we owe them the gospel. Besides, Christians there also need pastoral support, some of them longing for a mission team to come to fill their spiritual needs.

We praise God that this vision is shared by several MB churches and

pastors. In response to the invitation of MBCCA, four different mission trips were organized from June to August 2013. MBCCA hopes this will become an annual event so people along the route will be ministerd to regularly.

Joseph Kwan is editor of the Chinese MB Herald. This article first appeared in its July 2013 edition.

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Embracing small-town ministry

M B C h i ne s e He rald

AN TONY L AW

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he MB Chinese Churches Association started an evangelistic ministry in Prince George, B.C., more than 10 years ago.

When we tried to get resources from the national and B.C. MB conferences, we bumped into some differences in ministry philosophy. Our international mission agency also declined to adopt Prince George because, at the time, Canada didn’t fall within their mission mandate. The B.C. board of church extension eventually agreed to provide resources under the “target-oriented” condition; however, we were required to plant a church within 3 years. Given the limited population and the high mobility of the Chinese community there, we didn’t consider it viable to plant a church within that timeframe.

One size doesn’t fit all In view of our experiences, I think Christians should shed some longstanding concepts, so that God’s kingdom can be expanded more effectively. Whether pastors, mission agencies or organizations, we tend to focus on familiar ways of doing evangelism and mission – we often try to build new churches that bear our “brand” and look exactly like us.

Based on this approach, small-town evangelism will never become a priority in our churches’ mission ministry because it’s impossible to build churches identical to us in small towns.

I am thankful for the Chinese Christian Mission of Canada (CCM) because they are courageous in embracing boldly innovative approaches. It’s not hard to come up with new ideas, but CCM carries them through, persistently holding to their commitments. After 10 years, CCM is still committed to small-town evangelistic ministry. They have taught us, the traditional churches, the true meaning of church.

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Tangible and intangible church “Church” doesn’t only refer to a local congregation.

I often have the opportunity to talk with brothers and sisters in the midnight hours when I go on small-town mission trips. Many times, their sharing and stories give me great encouragement.

They are usually the only Chinese Christians or sometimes the only Chinese people in the town.

It’s impossible to build up a tangible local church just through our brief visits. However, through small-town evangelistic ministry, we are indeed building a church – an intangible church.

The Apostles’ Creed says, “I believe in the holy catholic church.” Church, here, means a gathering that is beyond a congregation or even denomination: it’s universal (“catholic”). Smalltown evangelism helps us establish a broader vision and aspiration in building God’s church, so we will not fall into the trap of clinging to “the way we always do things,” and evaluating our success by whether we can build our church’s franchise.

Is it worthwhile?

Some brothers and sisters may question whether it’s worthwhile to do small-town evangelism. I believe if we have the same heart as Jesus, then our answer will undoubtedly be: “Yes, it is worthwhile.” On the contrary, if we do not have the heart of Jesus and we are still only focusing on building “brand” churches – getting good reports on the numbers of converts, basking in the glory of the growth of tangible churches – then our answer will be: “No, it is not worthwhile.”

We need to understand Jesus’ heavenly kingdom view, so that we can have the same heart as our Lord, and

with such, we can wholeheartedly say: “Yes, it is worthwhile!”

Lord Jesus’s compassionate heart During his time on earth, Jesus went through towns and villages proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing all types of disease and sickness.

What did he see? Jesus saw the crowds.

What was his reaction? He had compassion on them because they were lost and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Brothers and sisters, “crowds” are there in small towns. Jesus saw them.

How can we stay in our comfortable church cocoons and not see the crowds?

If we cannot see the crowds, maybe we don’t really understand Jesus’ compassionate heart.

Choose to move There is a song written by Josh Wilson called “I Refuse”: Oh, I refuse to sit around and wait for someone else to do what God has called me to do myself. Oh, I could choose not to move, but I refuse.

Brother and sisters, you can choose not to move. Are you willing to move?

So, if you [God] say move, it’s time for me to follow through. And do what I was made to do and show them who you are.

We are all made to go tell others about who Jesus is. Let’s choose to move!

Antony Law is associate pastor at South Vancouver Pacific Grace MB Church.

He is the secretary of the MB Chinese Churches Association. This article is based on a presentation to a CCM gathering. It originally appeared in the Chinese MB Herald and was translated

by Tina Ngan.

Viewpoint They will know us by our theological arrogance TIM NEUFELD

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’ve been saying it for years. Those in the evangelical tradition who are perceived to be either liberal or conservative are not that different from one another.

An endless cycle of theological skirmishes and personal attacks between authors, pastors and denominational leaders is indicative of a larger problem: a declining church (whether conservative or liberal) is struggling for control, power and orthodoxy – none of which are values of the kingdom.

I’m through with the book wars and trendy conferences. But how can a Christian move past all the drama of theological posturing and preening? How can we as Christ’s disciples be known by our “love for one another” (John 13:35) rather than by the number of doctrinal arguments we win? Here are four ideas.

1. Read broadly.

The most popular book – often marketed through sensationalistic means – is not necessarily the best. To read only from one set of authors reinforces what one already believes. Find books and articles you don’t agree with, ideas and perspectives you haven’t been exposed to. Be open to learning something new.

My former professor Delbert Wiens recently discussed his own struggle with a difficult and controversial passage of Scripture. He admitted, “I had to be willing to learn what I didn’t want to learn.” This posture of humility and openness is an antidote to theological arrogance.

worshipping with a small group of Roman Catholic sisters has taught me the importance of quiet reflection in the presence of Christ. We pray, read Scripture and sing with a serene reverence that ministers to the core of my busy soul. I’ve had similar experiences of prayer and worship at a Greek Orthodox monastery located in the mountains an hour from where I live.

I don’t always understand the observances or agree completely with the theology of these communities, but I’m deeply challenged by the piety of their worship.

3. Talk to Christians from other cultures.

Cultural awareness is critical. Western theological arrogance has resulted in imperialism and colonization around the world.

In the new global village, the powerful must become learners.

I have been deeply moved by Latin American theologian René Padilla and his call to integral mission (a holistic embrace of both proclamation and demonstration of the gospel as practised in poor Latin American countries). Equally, Native American pastor Richard Twiss’s challenge toward reconciliation, especially among and on behalf of First Nations people, has shaped my understanding of forgiveness and oppression.

Believers in Africa, Asia and South America have much to teach North American Christians about faith. We should be listening.

4. Don’t discuss theology without doing ministry.

2. Learn about traditions outside Context matters. Without practice, your own. theory is devoid of meaning. Theology The history of the church includes will always inform actions, but theoldifferent periods, styles and practices of ogy will also evolve as a result of what is Christian faith. For example, Richard learned through doing.

Foster identifies six historical traditions I annually take trips to inner-city Los in Streams of Living Water: contemplative, Angeles with college students. I tell my holiness, charismatic, social justice, evanstudents that our goal is not to help people gelical and incarnational influences of spir- on skid row but to learn from them. My ituality. Exposure to other traditions leads understanding of Scripture, especially the to gracious embrace of those who are theo- prophets, has changed as I come alongside logically dissimilar. those who have suffered injustice. When Occasionally, I attend an evening vesI befriend people who are homeless, work pers service at a nearby convent where with those who are addicted, or listen to

the fears and concerns of undocumented immigrants, I am changed, and the biblical text comes alive.

“Doing” always transforms “being.”

Arguing theology without engaging in its practice leads to abstract compartmentalization of doctrine. In a sense, the absolute worst place to study the Bible might be the confines of four church walls on Sunday morning.

As I contemplate recent arguing and posturing between Christian leaders, I’m reminded of how much respect I have for those who do theology on the run, modelling Jesus’ practice of ministry and service as a lifestyle.

Within our own faith family, Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) demonstrates what it looks like to share God’s love by meeting basic human needs in the name of Christ. Choosing not to advocate a specific partisan ideology (allowing them to assist those who might be considered “enemies”), MCC ministers to people regardless of cultural, political or economic differences.

At a time when we are pressured to identify ourselves positionally (i.e., “I am for/against an issue”) the church has a wonderful opportunity to be an alternate community, not content to live on either end of a spectrum.

I pray that those outside the church will begin to know us not for our arrogance but rather for our intellectual and theological humility as it is lived out in gracious communities of love, dialogue and service. That is a posture – like that of Jesus in the first century – truly different from the status quo.

Tim Neufeld is associate professor of contemporary Christian ministries at Fresno (Cal.) Pacific University. He and his family routinely participate in neighbourhood ministry together. A version of this article first appeared on Tim’s blog Occasio (timneufeld.blogs.com), Oct. 23, 2013. He tweets at @TimothyNeufeld.

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50 to

C

“

Care

aregiving begins with God,” says Walter Wiens, pastor of care and administration at Clearbrook MB Church, Abbotsford, B.C. “I need to ask, ‘What is Jesus up to? How can I be involved in his ministry?’”

Whether their community members are adjusting to the challenges of birth or aging, recovering from lifesaving surgery or saying their final goodbyes, MB churches of all sizes and regions are practising the 14

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ways

“one-anothers” of Scripture with prayerful compassion.

Serving one another Of Clearbrook MB’s 350 members and adherents, some 98 are convalescing or in care. Wiens and his wife Edith visit six to ten people a week, but they can’t do it alone; when new people join the church, Wiens assigns them to the care of one of 17 visitation group leaders.

ANGELINE SCHELLENBERG

Retired pastor Irma Barkman from Saskatchewan says that “everyone in the church is a minister.

“How many ‘one another’ commands are there? ‘Care for one another, pray for one another, be kind to one another’ (Ephesians 4:32; 1 John 4:7) – and they aren’t optional.”

Someone who’s been through the same experience, such as a miscarriage or loss of a parent, can “comfort those in any trouble with the comfort [they themselves] receive from

God” (2 Corinthians 1:4).

Barkman’s home church, West Portal MB, Saskatoon, facilitates groups focused on needs such as Grief Share, divorce care, depression, self-image, and parenting issues. With the help of a leader, says Barkman, participants share stories and “gain strength from each other.”

Willingdon, a church of 4,000 in Burnaby, B.C., uses members’ gifts – whether giving manicures or leading

Bible studies – to build relationships in hospitals and care homes. “One lady loves music, so she got a group and went to seniors’ homes and did a worship service,” says Walter Patterson, pastor of visitation, pastoral counselling and practical care. “She led some to the Lord.”

“We want to move away from a pastor-centred church to a Christcentred community where we care for one another as part of our life in the Spirit,” says L’Intersection pastor

David Miller. He says relational struggles are the biggest challenge in the church and surrounding Terrebonne, Que., community: “Ongoing commitment in marriages is seen as difficult to sustain.” By praying and sharing openly, L’Intersection’s weekly home groups restore relationships and grow new believers.

Fairview MB Church in St. Catharines, Ont., cares for its 200 members – 65 percent of whom are seniors – through encouragement cards, telephone ministry, transportation and visitation. Ministry coordinator Kenn Kraeker says Fairview attenders not active in a care group are still matched with a care group as “caring partners” who may be called upon to make meals for a member, and in turn, are cared for by the group in times of need.

“Seniors, especially in the Western world, often have little sense of worth and security,” says Wiens. “We need to say to every senior: it’s good that you are in this world! Then we need to demonstrate this by our actions.” He tries to “replace a feeling of guilt that we need to do more for our seniors with an enthusiasm to minister with them.” Clearbrook MB’s annual Love Abbotsford outreach includes 50 people – most of them seniors – baking cookies to distribute.

Delores Derksen, director of care at Forest Grove, Saskatoon, encourages seniors to be faithful prayer warriors. “They say, ‘I don’t have a lot to give.’

I say, ‘Can you pray?’” All 120 Fairview seniors who attend monthly Prime Time programs become Age-to-Age prayer partners: each is paired with a youth member or young family for prayer.

Speaking encouragement “The most important thing in a crisis is our presence, best received through quietness and listening,” says Wiens. Willingdon’s Patterson agrees: “We look for good listeners with passionate kindness.”

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because “if they don’t know how much I care, they don’t care how much I know.” The least helpful thing to say is “anything that minimizes their deep concerns or places blame on them for their problem.” He reminds people of God’s love, Jesus’ victory over death and the celebration of eternity.

When visiting someone who’s ill, “one of biggest mistakes is ‘too positive’ thinking,” says Patterson; for example, saying things like “I know God’s going to heal you.” And don’t promise to come again unless you will.

Patterson says avoid discouraging comments from your own life like “My dad had the same thing, and he passed away.” He cautions against asking if the person committed any sins, making the mistake of Job’s friends (Job 4:7). If they ask, “Why is this happening to me?” it’s okay to say, “I don’t know.’”

“We depend on the Holy Spirit to give us nudges,” says Barkman. “We want answers quickly, but ‘God [is] making the necessary arrangements in response to what [we] asked’” (1 Samuel 1:19 The Message).

Prayer plays a large role, both before (to be a blessing) and during the visit (for specific needs). Through Molnar’s monthly prayer meetings with a man in his 50s who had a stroke, “God has worked his love into [the man’s] marriage, his attitudes, and his prayer life.”

“Prayer cannot be simply an ‘addon’ that signals the visit is finished,” says Wiens. “In prayer, I seek to bring together all I sense God is doing in a person’s life.”

Visiting with sensitivity While the fruits of the Spirit are the primary requirement, some training and practice can be helpful to get

PHOTO: ELLAINA BROWN

“Care, pray, be kind... these commands aren’t optional.”

caregivers comfortable with the role.

Barkman had caregivers role-play to build confidence. Wiens trains Clearbrook’s volunteers to keep confidentiality, deal with criticism, relate with medical staff, understand dementia and think Christianly about suicide.

Patterson trains Willingdon’s volunteers regarding appropriate touching: it’s okay lay a hand on a shoulder, but don’t touch a patient’s legs, and don’t grab their hand unless they reach for yours. He reminds them to wash their hands before and after each visit to avoid spreading germs.

The best time to visit a hospital or care home is late morning or early afternoon, says Patterson, because many residents go to bed early. When Fairview volunteers visit seniors in their apartments, some stay for tea for an hour or two, but if the senior is tired, the volunteer may stay only 10 minutes.

Before a surgery, Forest Grove’s Derksen prays with the patient over the phone, and she sits with the spouse during the surgery. She recommends waiting till the day after the surgery to call the family and ask when to visit again. A post-surgery visit should be quick: pray and leave.

“Dropping-in has fallen by the wayside with my generation working,” says Derksen. Now it requires intention and coordination. “If I hear of someone in need, I’ll ask some friends to make a meal.” It’s important to be aware of special diets. When you drop off the meal, Barkman says it’s okay to offer to do the dishes if you have a relationship, but “we encourage caregivers not to do too much” to prevent dependence.

Delores Derksen cares for others by delivering floral arrangements.

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Bearing gifts A Forest Grove volunteer visits a flower shop every two weeks for day-olds and turns them into arrangements for

Grieving together “Many people don’t walk with a family through a loved one’s last days; they run through the grief valley and dash into the sunshine!” says Wiens.

“With David, we need to feel God’s comfort in the valley of the shadow

of death. Only as we slow down can the person feel God’s care through us.

Too often I’ve observed how caregivers, myself included, give quick Bible promises without grieving with the family. Are we not convinced that God is enough for the painful times?”

After a husband’s funeral, Derksen takes a widow for coffee first weekly, then monthly, and keeps in touch years later. “I try to do something special,” she says. “One lady’s husband used to bring her roses every month, so I bring her roses now.”

Young mothers who have lost their husbands find it difficult to attend Grief Share, so Willingdon started Naomi Circle where the men’s group cares for the children while the women have their own class.

There are stages to grief, and everyone goes through them differently, says Barkman. Don’t say, “You’ll get over it; time will heal; aren’t you thankful he or she was a Christian; they’re in heaven, so everything is fine.” Talk about the person who is gone: the hardest things, the happy things, she says. “‘Tell me about…’ are the most powerful words to give someone who’s grieving.”

At Christmastime, Barkman led a remembrance service for those who had lost someone. They put the name of each loved one on the Christmas tree. It’s a way of saying, “I want you to celebrate with me that this person was important to me,” says Barkman. “One woman had lost three babies; for her, it was a closure ceremony.”

Releasing burdens For caregivers, burnout is a real concern. “These burdens are so heavy,” Barkman told fellow pastor Kelly Wiebe. “I’m hearing so many sad stories.” Wiebe taught her to raise her hands and say, “God, take this; I can’t carry it.” Now, when a person Barkman cares for asks, “Remember when I said…?” she says, “I gave that to God; you’ll have to refresh my memory.”

“If we are not prepared to look in the mirror and realize we will all need care,” says Wiens, “then we cannot

provide genuine care when [another] grows weak.” But if we take it on as a personal burden, “then I will never do all that’s necessary,” says Wiens.

Caregivers must seek God’s strength: “Jesus will never require me to do more than he will enable me to do.”

“It’s an honour to sit with someone in their last hours on earth before they meet their Lord they love so much,” says Derksen. “So many look toward the corner, and I’ll say, ‘Do you see Jesus?’ and they say ‘Yes.’” “Joy is when you meet believers in Christ who have a tremendous hope,” says Patterson. “Many times, I’ve left a hospital rooms or care homes thinking, ‘These people blessed me to keep going in my faith.’”

“It’s so rich when we involve ourselves in each other’s stories,” says Barkman. “If each of us cared deeply about a couple people, what difference could God make in our church and our neighbourhood?”

Resources to help you care: Caringbridge.org: an online journal and guestbook for health crises takethemameal.com: for scheduling food sharing StephenMinistries.org: training for lay caregivers www.telecarebc.com: Christian crisis line Griefshare.org: recovery group material

PHOTO:COURTESY FAIRVIEW

seniors who are shut-in. Derksen takes some to the grocery store parking lot; “I find a mom who’s struggling and say, ‘Here’s some flowers.’”

Derksen always brings a card with a Scripture verse and hymn on visits, particularly for those with dementia. “If I leave the card, they know I’ve been there…and the spouse knows – and it means more to them than anything.”

Dollar-store toys or colouring books can brighten a sick child’s day.

Those who enjoy reading may appreciate receiving a devotional.

Prayer shawls are tangible and comforting for people in crisis “who like to hang onto something,” says Erna Dick. A palliative care volunteer for 20 years, Dick was inspired by a bereavement conference speaker’s endorsement of the comfort value of teddy bears or memory boxes. She organized Fairview’s knitters and crocheters to make the shawls, which are given out with a card that reads: “As it was created, we prayed for you! We asked the Lord to give you blessings of courage, strength and peace.”

Between June and November 2013, Fairview delivered 45 shawls across Ontario and into Manitoba. A woman whose fiancé was taken off life support after an accident “wore her prayer shawl all day and told everyone ‘someone is praying for me,’” says Dick. Dick’s daughter in Owen Sound requested a shawl for a girl undergoing facial reconstructive surgery. At Fairview’s Time Out knitting lesson, a woman asked, “My mom has cancer; can I have a shawl for her?”

Twice a year, the prayer shawl committee at Forest Grove visits a care home, performs a short program, and distributes 30 or 40 homemade shawls.

“We pray a blessing over each person as we give it to them,” says Derksen.

Fairview’s prayer shawls and caring hands.

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Essay Obedience: A treasured inheritance Reflections on being a disciple of Christ DANISA NDLOVU

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s I reflect on my Christian journey, one inheritance I treasure is the simple teaching to be obedient as a disciple of Christ. This teaching is life changing; it calls for sacrificial dedication to Christ and his cause.

Obedience simply means “submission to authority” – willingness to carry out instructions. This is how the early Anabaptists understood Christian discipleship. Furnish yourself with stories of the sacrifices early Anabaptists made, and you will not fail to appreciate that their underlying motivation was obedience and faithfulness to Christ, the church and Scripture as they understood it.

Confessing and embracing Christ as Lord is a call to view him as the highest authority in our lives. Whatever he says must be painstakingly followed by his disciples. In that spirit, the early Anabaptists took the words of Christ – especially the Sermon on the Mount – seriously, as failure to do so could result in “a great crash,” as indicated in the last verses of Jesus’ sermon (Matthew 7:24–27).

So what does it mean to practise Christian discipleship? What is obedience to Christ?

Trust that leads to suffering The need for obedience is fundamentally the need to trust God and God’s Son, Jesus Christ. Failure to put one’s trust in God potentially leads to idolatry.

It displeases God. Both the Old and New Testaments are dotted with stories that emphasize the importance of obedience to God and to his Word.

Amazingly, obedience to God – although commended and blessed – does not necessarily lead to a life of bliss.

Indeed, for many Christians, it leads to suffering. The early Anabaptists found in this truth their source of strength, and persevered. These disciples, due to their obedience to God, suffered at the hands of those who were opposed to God’s will.

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people like Moses, Elijah, Daniel, Jeremiah and Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego – and especially in the life and teachings of Christ.

Our forebears would have shouted “amen!” to U.S. pastor and writer Chuck Swindoll’s words: “When you suffer and lose, that does not mean you are being disobedient to God. In fact, it might mean you’re right in the centre of his will.

The path of obedience is often marked by times of suffering and loss.”

To lead a life of obedience is a choice.

God does not coerce us. We willingly obey God in all circumstances, knowing that God always knows what is best for us and what best can be accomplished through us as we journey together through life’s trials and triumphs.

“Because [God] is God, he is worthy of my trust and obedience,” wrote missionary Elisabeth Elliot. “I will find rest nowhere but in his holy will that is unspeakably beyond my largest notions of what he is up to.”

In this lifestyle of trust in God, one can confidently sing with the faithful: “Where he leads me I will follow / I go with him all the way.” As disciples of Christ, we must understand that suffering is unavoidable. And though we should not blindly embrace it, suffering is nevertheless a mark of true discipleship.

Reliance on God in poverty and plenty The call for obedience in the church has always been understood as a call for faithfulness to Scripture. Anabaptists view the Sermon on the Mount as a normative guide to conducting their lives in relation to God, one another, their enemies and earthly institutions such as the state.

The majority of the early Anabaptists were poor, and some were forced into poverty by persecution that came upon them because of their understanding of Scripture. It is not surprising that these believers were drawn to passages such as Matthew 6:25–34, which calls for reliance

on God for provisions of life. Day-to-day survival was indeed in God’s hands.

Such passages have the same draw for communities today that experience oppression, conflict or injustice. For our brothers and sisters around the world whose daily bread is the uncertainty of life, obedience to such words as Christ spoke in this passage is not an option – it is a mark of faithfulness, a necessity for perseverance.

On the other hand, those privileged to assist the needy in obedience to Scripture are challenged to give in ways that will not make their “left hand know what their right hand is doing.” They are thus rewarded by the Father who sees in secret (Matthew 6:1–4).

Obedience in this respect means faithfulness to the words of Christ in addressing questions that are ethical in nature. It means constantly checking our motivation for the decisions we make and the resultant actions we take, so that we can say with Paul: “Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17).

Living in truth Disciples of Christ live in truth and by the Truth. There is never an excuse for living a wishy-washy life. Truth must be the signature of their being.

One way early Anabaptists modelled truthful living was by refraining from swearing oaths. In that time, swearing oaths was perceived as an admission that there were times when one’s “yes” was not a “yes” and one’s “no” not a “no” (Matthew 5:33–37). Shouldn’t true Christians live truthfulness all the time – not just when speaking to government officials or doing business?

Obedience to Christ in a world which glorified taking oaths meant refusing to engage and living up to the consequences that followed. The path of obedience to Christ is infested with practices that are diverse – some which may appear innocent yet are cancerous to one’s faith. As

Christians, we should never be naive and fail to carefully study our contexts together, in the light of Scripture, letting go of practices that inhibit us from living the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Our obedience to Christ must be seen in how we address ourselves to both ethical and moral questions of our time.

Obedience as exemplified by Christ is where love and humility kiss! – willingness to submit to the Lordship of Christ, and out of love for him and in humility; willingness to do whatsoever the Lord has commanded.

They do not want to share with their enemy the glorious inheritance of God’s kingdom.

Harbouring attitudes that cultivate the spirit of revenge derives from a rebellious spirit that says, “God, leave me alone! I will deal with my problems my Love and pray for enemies way.” Instead, when we pray for our eneJesus was not apologetic when he said, mies, God deals with our negative atti“If you love me, keep my commands” (John tudes toward our enemies.

A spirit of love and humility One cannot talk of Christian obedience 14:15). Therefore, we need to take seriIt should not surprise us that Christ, ously one of the important – yet sometimes at the conclusion of his teaching on without looking at Christ as our model, who said, “My food is to do the will of him difficult – commands given to every folprayer (Matthew 6:5–13), makes a strong lower of Christ: “You have heard that it was statement about forgiveness: “For if who sent me and finish his work” (John you forgive other people when they sin 4:34). Jesus subjected himself to the author- said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your against you, your heavenly Father will ity of God the Father because he loved him. enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies also forgive you. But if you do not forgive In the priestly prayer in John 17:20–26, and pray for those who persecute you... If others their sins, your Father will not forwe get many glimpses of the intimate rela- you love those who love you what reward will you get?... And if you greet only your give your sins” (Matthew 6:14–15). tionship between Jesus and God. Phrases like “Father, just as you are in me and I in you” and “as we are one,” give us great insight into the relationship between the two. “I know you, and they know you sent me, I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them” show how that intimacy manifests own people, what are you doing more than Those who love and follow God itself in Jesus’ earthly ministry. others?” (Matthew 5:43–44, 46–47) through Christ will love their enemies to We note that Jesus obeyed God out of These verses are intimidating but very the bitter end – even at the cost of their love rather than out of fear and coercion. profound. Today’s church cannot afford to very lives. They will pray with anticipaWe, in turn, obey Christ out of love – tion of seeing their enemies accept Christ the same intense love he has for us, as artic- read such Scripture without engaging in some soul-searching; the church of yester- as Lord and Saviour. In so doing, they ulated in this powerful prayer. Jesus was years did the same. will qualify to be “invited to the wedding willing to go all the way and pay the ultiOne cannot obey Jesus’ command to supper of the Lamb” (Revelation 19:9). mate prize – death on the cross – because love one’s enemy, then go out and take the he knew God and unconditionally loved A fully resourced church so-called enemy’s life. Paul writes, “But him. The church of Jesus Christ today can I call this teaching my inheritance, God demonstrates his own love for us in only stand out by reflecting the glory of my treasure. I seek to pass it on to the this: While we were still sinners, Christ Christ as it gives unqualified submission next generation, so they might do the died for us” (Romans 5:8). and love for him.

In other words, God loved his enemies same.

The life of obedience demonstrated by The world is better served with an – us – such that instead of annihilating us, Christ not only flows out of a loving heart obedient church – disciples of Christ he gave us life through Christ! Obedience but also calls us to embrace a very imporcommitted to surrender all to him in tant virtue – humility. The New Testament to Christ means we must love those who order to gain all from him. Such is our persecute us and, like God, wish them life hymn in Philippians 2:5–11 enables us to church when it realizes it has all the see how humility relates to true obedience. instead of death. resources it needs to be an effective We are commanded to pray for those There was on the part of Christ a willwho persecute us. Many Christians believe transformative force in today’s world. ingness to shed off his God-nature for the in the power of prayer. Yet many times, less glamorous human/servant nature. He Danisa Ndlovu is president of Mennonite Christians are not willing to pray for willingly submitted his authority to God. World Conference and bishop of Ibandia their enemies.

Christ listened to that higher authority to Labazalwane kuKristu eZimbabwe They know prayer changes things effectively carry out the mission for which (Brethren in Christ Church of Zimbabwe). and are afraid God will show mercy to he had come. He was willing to lose that their enemy. They would rather see their This article was originally published in which in the present would be viewed as enemy suffer or die! Second, they do not Courier/Correo/Courrier October 2013, valuable and important, in order to gain want God to open their enemy’s eyes to the quarterly magazine of Mennonite what was not yet seen – but of greater the truth and accept God’s salvation.

World Conference. cosmic importance.

To lead a life of obedience is a choice.

God does not coerce us.

MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD January 2014

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N E W S in brief Colombian farmers win peace prize Local partners further Typhoon Haiyan response Members of the Las Pavas community received the National Peace Prize at the National Museum in Bogotá, Colombia, for their peaceful response to displacement.

Las Pavas’s 3,000 hectares has been in legal contention for 7 years, resulting in evictions, threats and attacks from armed private “security” guards of a palm oil company. Last year, many of Las Pavas’s crops were axed down or poisoned, livestock were stolen and some 13 homes burned. In late 2011, Colombia’s attorney general’s office accused the community of lying about their displacement, but Nov. 12, 2013, the government body Unidad de Victimas affirmed Las Pavas farmers as victims of forced displacement, guaranteeing them protection and humanitarian aid under the Victim’s Law. Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) has accompanied Las Pavas since 2009.—CPT release

MoveIn gets moved up Missio Nexus presented the 2013 eXcelerate award to Every Tribe Every Nation (a digital library of completed and in-process Bible translations) and MoveIn (an initiative to mobilize teams of prayer and presence to dwell in challenging neighbourhoods, founded by Ontario MB church planter Nigel Paul). The eXcelerate award celebrates service, innovation and partnership. Honorees were announced during the annual Mission Leaders Conference hosted by Missio Nexus Sept. 19–21, in Dallas, Texas, and supported by Christianity Today and the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. MoveIn currently has 45 teams in 4 countries.—Missio Nexus release

Yahoo for peacemakers If you’ve ever asked, “What was it like to be a WWII conscientious objector?” or “Did Mennonite women contribute to WWI relief efforts?” the Mennonite Archives of Ontario’s new peace research guide is for you. The electronic guide helps researchers locate the archive’s material on Mennonite responses to military conflict from 1786 to the present. The archives, housed at Conrad Grebel University College, Waterloo, Ont., are undergoing renovations until June 2014, but researchers may use the guide (subjectguides.uwaterloo. ca/peacearchives) to locate material, then make an appointment to view them.—Conrad Grebel release

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Mennonite Central Committee partner since 2009, Peacebuilders Community, Inc., (PBCI) sent a 10-member team trained in disaster preparedness to Leyte Island where thousands died in Typhoon Haiyan. PBCI trains peace and reconciliation teams in disaster preparedness, since existing conflicts are often exacerbated amid severe needs following disasters. The Philippines Council of Evangelical Churches connected PBCI with area pastors and community leaders to determine the needs and to help them manage their own disaster recovery. Working with local leaders results in more efficient, fair and peaceful distribution of supplies, says Jeanne Jantzi, MCC area director for Southeast Asia. MCC also provided an initial $200,000 to Church World Service, working with the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction Network to respond with urgent food and other supplies.—MCC release

Aufweidersehen After 19 years, Family Life Network’s German ministers Jacob and Helen Funk retired Dec. 31, 2013. The Funks produced High and Low German radio programs that air in Bolivia, Paraguay, Mexico, Canada, United States and Germany; helped translate the Bible into Low German; published a devotional, cookbook and children’s Bible story series; oversaw recording of the New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs in Low German; and presented hundreds of in-person outreach events.

—FLN release

Foodgrains’ new program officer Canadian Foodgrains Bank appointed Matthew Van Geest senior program officer in the international program department. Van Geest has 13 years of program experience with organizations including World Renew, World Vision Canada, Mennonite Central Committee and International Organization for Migration.—CFGB release

Pensions fall as poverty rises The average poverty rate for those over 65 in Canada was 7.2 percent, better than the 12.8 percent average in the 24-nation Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). However, while poverty rates in many OECD countries fell

between 2007 and 2010, Canada’s rose 2 percent. Poverty was most acute among elderly women, especially those who are divorced or separated, a reflection of “lower wages, more part-time work and career gaps during women’s working lives,” according to the OECD study. Government transfers to seniors account for less than 39 percent of Canadian seniors’ gross income, compared with the OECD average of 59 percent. Last year, the government raised Old Age Security eligibility from age 65 to 67 effective 2023. Since workplace pensions are concentrated among workers with higher salaries, the report warns, “the growing importance of private provision in the next decades may lead to higher income inequality among the elderly.”—cbc.ca

Porn viewers should have to opt in MP Joy Smith says Canadians should follow the UK in requiring viewers to “opt in” to access adult content online. She applauds British prime minister David Cameron’s commitment to working with internet service providers to “develop solutions to protect children” from the readily available violent sexual content online.— ChristianWeek

Long live the (temporary) home

The average stay in a refugee camp is 12 years, but many of the shelters used in camps have a life span of 6 months in the sun, wind and rain. The IKEA Foundation is working with Refugee Housing and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Innovation to fund the development and manufacturing of new modular shelters that will be sustainable and durable and reduce the cost of providing temporary housing for displaced people.—ikeafoundation.org

Sad in the city

Postpartum depression is more common in urban areas, says a study in Canadian Medical Association Journal. Looking at 6,000 women from the 2006 Canadian Maternity Experiences Survey, the study found 10 percent of women in urban areas reported postpartum depression, compared with 6 percent in rural areas and 5 percent in semiurban areas. Urban areas (defined as more than 500,000 inhabitants) had a greater number of immigrants with lower levels of social support – two of the main risk factors for postpartum depression.—cbc.ca

News in S TO RY MONTREAL

Worship for the French universe

PHOTO: COURTESYMATTHIEU NANTEL

Music ministry launched in leap of faith

Mélodie Després and Matt Nantel of Divum launch their CD at L’Intersection.

M

atthieu Nantel had composed three verses to a worship song, but a chorus wasn’t coming together. Fellow church music team member Mélodie Després had written a chorus, but didn’t have any verses. Over the next year, the two musicians married their lyrics, ther talents (into a band called Divum) – and each other. Some 10 years later, their shared dream of music ministry has born a child with the release of their first album, “Dieu de L’univers” (God of the universe). The album’s 10 original tracks include that co-written song “Qu’avez vous fait?” (What have you done?).

With support from their church, L’Intersection, Terrebonne, Que., Nantel and Després took a leap of faith this year to move full-time into the ministry of advancing French-language worship music.

L’Intersec t ion prov ides administrative support by hosting information about the French language worship music development ministry on their website and channelling donations. The church has also assembled a team of advisors to give accountability and counsel.

The journey to release their album has taken much longer than expected, but the timing has been

perfect. “God is doing something in the French worship community,” says Nantel. “There’s a will to do something; people want to express themselves in French.… People want to be partners, to do stuff together.”

Nantel and Després have a vision to be an instrumental part of that movement by recording, producing and distributing original French-language worship music.

Desire to serve French worshippers Both took professional training in another field (Nantel in IT, Després in social work), but each harboured a desire to serve God – and the French community – through music.

Born into the Nantel Music store family, Nantel was raised on music. He started piano lessons at five, studied violin in elementary school, learned guitar as an adolescent, and acquired training and experience in composition and recording. Després took voice lessons and began to lead singing in church at 17.

After a time of questioning and wandering away from church, Nantel recommitted his life to Christ and threw himself into serving on a worship team in 2001.

“I quickly discovered that praise and worship songs in French are

unexceptional and practically nonexistent,” he says.

A French congregation’s main avenue to expand contemporary worship repertoire is translation from English. But these versions “often lose the meaning and poetry of the lyrics,” says Nantel, and from church to church, people sing different translations of the same tunes. Furthermore, there were no resources to search by theme for worship music.

“It was in the midst of these challenges that God planted in my heart this desire to help provide worship resources for French speakers,” says Nantel.

In 2004, he created a website, conducteurdelouange.com (“worship leader”), containing a searchable database of French songs (with music and lyrics purchasable individually), articles on worship leading and music score downloads for individual songs.

Initially intended to resource his local church, the site now receives more than 25,000 unique hits per month from around the world.

Risk-taking faith Working at his father’s store, Nantel was getting more involved in music, and the ministry dream began to draw closer to reality.

After leading congregational worship at the annual MB rally in 2011, Nantel and Després began to publicly ask for prayer for Divum’s album project and their desire to create a ministry.

To their surprise, a business person offered to donate $2.50 for every dollar Divum raised toward their goal in two months’ time.

This financing allowed them to invest in studio equipment and purchase recording software. “For us, this was confirmation that it was God’s will for us to continue to work on this project,” says Nantel.

It was becoming increasingly difficult for Nantel to juggle work at the store (providing financially for his family that includes three, soon-to-be-four, children) and his work on the album (building the ministry to which he felt called).

“After a long time in prayer,…

God showed me that my place was in ministry, and to do the work

well, I had to work at it full time,” says Nantel. In 2013, he quit his work at the store (except for one day a week) – a difficult ending for his father who’d planned for his son to succeed him. “It was a big leap of faith for us, but God provided extraordinarily during that time,” says Nantel.

With Divum’s CD finished and launched in a special morning service at L’Intersection, Nov. 17, “we are in transition,” says Nantel.

“We are waiting for God to show next steps, for how this ministry will take effect.”

Prayful church is instrumental Throughout the process, “the church and our home group have played a big role,” says Nantel.

“The whole CD would not have been possible without them.”

“Mat t hieu a nd Mélod ie already had their vision and the ability musically to make it happen [when they came to L’Intersection in 2010],” says pastor David Miller, “but we gave them a platform to talk about it, to share it in church, so it became not just their thing but ours.”

And while the congregation supported and prayed for Divum (Latin for divine or revelation) as they stepped out in faith, taking personal and financial risks to develop this ministry, members were challenged.

“We had people watching what they were experiencing, and saying, ‘Wow, I want to grow in my own relationship with God because of what I’m seeing in your life,’” says Miller. Before the launch party, “two guys in the small group spent a lot of time praying during the night…. It was a pretty special thing.”—Karla Braun

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News in S TO RY HEPBURN, Sask.

Joining with God at work Bethany community discovers missional practices at discipleship conference hat does it mean for the church to be missional within a post-Christian context?

How can the church become a concrete and visible manifestation of the kingdom of God in the world?

And what kinds of practices can empower us to do this?

These, and other questions, formed the basis for two days of invigorating conversation as Bethany College hosted its second annual Discipleship & Context conference, “Practicing the Kingdom Together,” Nov. 21–22 in Hepburn, Sask. This event also offered an opportunity for encouragement and collaboration between Bethany College students and some 50 faculty/staff and local church leaders who attended.

This year’s keynote speaker was theologian, church planter and (of particular note during Grey Cup week) Hamilton Tiger-Cats fan David Fitch. Author of several books, the most recent of which is Prodigal Christianity, he teaches at Northern Seminary, Chicago.

Fitch has spent much of his career forging connections between his theological work and his

on-the-ground experience as a church planter and pastor.

Reacting to cultural shifts Fitch’s four plenary sessions expanded on two central points.

First, we are living in the midst of significant cultural shifts that are forcing the church to re-examine its practices from a position of shrinking influence and power.

Second, the church’s reaction to these shifts tends to be either defensive or accommodative. We’re tempted to either re-establish ourselves or concede to cultural pressures and forfeit the uniqueness and power of the gospel.

Fitch argued that neither of these options will do. Instead, he says, we need to think of the church as the visible community that seeks to join with God who is already at work. We are not the exclusive owners of the mission of God, but neither do we serve merely to bless and affirm all the good things that are already happening within a culture.

These observations took on added meaning as participants discussed how to engage missionally with issues such as social

PHOTO: PEI CHU

W

David Fitch

injustice, alternative sexualities and religious pluralism.

In his final session, Fitch unpacked seven “missional practices” that can help congregations to discern the presence of Jesus in the world and proclaim his lordship with boldness and clarity.

Using personal stories and other examples, he painted a compelling picture of how practices like the Lord’s Supper, a presence among the “least of these,” and interpersonal reconciliation can enable the church to make the kingdom of God visible and tangible. This is accomplished as Christians act with the awareness that the Spirit is among us, and is actively engaged in leading us into the mission of God.

Second-year student Joshua Kehler said, “It’s about showing the world the transformative power of Christ while still being real. It’s about walking through some of the toughest times with people while holding on to the truth that Jesus is risen.”

Pointing people to Jesus – in context Throughout the conference, Fitch argued that evangelical and Anabaptist traditions have much to offer churches seeking to point people to Jesus in a context where they are not offered a place on the podium. “Evangelical Anabaptism holds the key to solving the theological problems that the church is

From idea to completed project in seven years: Matthew’s House, a respite facility for children requiring complex health care, officially opened Nov. 14 with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Left to right are Communitas Supportive Care society board chair Marlyce Friesen; parents of the eponymous Matthew, Doug and Andrea Froese; B.C. MLAs Simon Gibson and Darryl Plecas; and Abbotsford mayor Bruce Banman.

PHOTO: REVIVAL ARTS STUDIO Funded by community donors, provincial you for making the community and city governments and “campus of care” partners, the a better place for families with facility is next to the new Abbotsford hospital. special needs children.” —Barrie Matthew Froese, after whom the centre is named, died McMaster in 2010. “This is the house that Matt built,” said his mother Andrea. “Thank you for honouring his memory, and thank See Andrea’s story in the MB Herald, May 2012. See also www.mattshouse.ca.

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PHOTO: BARRIE MCMASTER

Mother’s dream house opens

facing in post-Christendom North America,” he boldly argued.

Workshops – including “The Lord’s Supper: An Inside-out Practice of Symbol and Substance”

by Bethany College internship director Darlene Klassen, “The practice of testimony” by Hepburn MB pastor Rod Schellenberg and

“Worship as a way of life” by Saskatoon Emmanuel Baptist pastor Rob Priestley – f leshed out some of Fitch ’s broader observations.

“The Discipleship & Context conference provided a great opportunity to hear one of the leading thinkers on the future

PHOTO: PEI CHU

PHOTO: ELLAINA BROWN

Bethany students and local participants discuss teaching at Discipleship & Context.

Rod Schellenberg leads a workshop on the practice of testimony.

of the church,” said Christopher Lortie, associate pastor at The Connection, Saskatoon. “Fitch invited us into conversation with him as we considered where God is leading us in our ministry contexts.”

Bethany’s vision for this event is rooted in its commitment to

being a theological and missional leadership resource for the wider church. Visit www.bethany.sk.ca (under “Discipleship & Context”) for video and audio recordings of the plenary and workshop sessions.

—Gil Dueck, Bethany College, academic dean and instructor in theology

MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD January 2014

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News in S TO RY The Amadora church serves mainly African immigrants (Mente senior is originally from Portuguese-speaking Angola), many of whom use the country as a stepping stone to finding employment in less economically Global friends help pastor study theology depressed parts of Europe. Mente therefore ministers to a changing s son of the founding pas- nondenominational Bible school congregation of high needs people in transition. tor, Moisés Mente has been near Lisbon.

The MB conference in Porinvolved in Igreja Evangélica Irmãos Menonitas da Amadora tugal (Associação dos Irmãos Training trainers For most countries in the (A mador a Eva ngel ic a l M B Menonitas de Portugal) – which International Community of sponsored Mente’s application – Church) since it began, but he’s still Mennonite Brethren (ICOMB), has five churches and a memberlearning. “Bible school has offered the grants and scholarships that ship around 200.

It was an easy me the basic tools to perform effechelp North Americans study at a decision to support Mente for the tive ministry, always grounded in higher level are not available, says scholarship, says AIMP leader Scripture,” says the young pasJosé Arrais.

MB Mission capacity builder Vic tor. Mente is one of recipients of “Talking about Moisés always Wiens. “The Global Scholarship ICOMB’s Global Scholarship Fund brings a smile to my face,” says Fund is a way of giving assistance (GSF) which disbursed $40,000 to Arrais, noting how Mente shares (to those in the developing world) 11 individuals and four schools for his gifts in youth work, preaching that isn’t available in those counthe 2013/2014 school year. and music (playing several instru- tries.” The bursary is granted on “It’s extremely important that ments and occasionally composing an annual basis with the possibilthe minister of God is thoroughly worship songs). ity of renewal (subject to review) equipped to perform effectively “He brings great authority for length of program. in his ministry,” says Mente. The when it’s time to develop new “The scholarship is focused BA student, who has taken the ministries in our conference,” says on key people who will exercise mantle of pastor in the Amadora Arrais. “Our communities love [his inf luence and leadership in church, is currently studying theol- preaching] because he explains in the church,” says Wiens. Past ogy at Instituto Bíblico Português a very easy way what God is saying recipients include César García, do Tojal (Tojal Bible Institute), a through his Word.” currently general secretary of LISBO N, Portugal

PHOTO: COURTESY MOISÉS MENTE

Scholarship recipient gifted to serve

A

Promontory expands ministry – again A young Chilliwack, B.C., church that launched a second campus just two years ago is expanding again, this time to take over more of the building it already owns.

Promontory Community Church, named for the residential neighbourhood on the south edge of the Fraser Valley city, was launched in 2001 to reach residents of the scores of new subdivisions that sprang up on the hillsides. The church met in Promontory Community School, but attracted many of its attendees from the valley floor.

In 2011, the church purchased a downtown building (housing Liquidation World). Promontory occupied part of the space while the store remained as a tenant. The lease is up for renewal in January, and the church will take over 10,000 square feet of former retail space in its new lease with its tenant.

“We just had to have more children’s ministry space,” says lead pastor Shawn Vandop. The facility has been feeling the pressure to expand for some time. A second Sunday service has also been added at the site. A fundraising campaign produced $650,000 over three years, allowing the church to pay cash for the renovations to the new space.

In the meantime, the valley floor ministry has taken on the new name, Main Street Church, and the Promontory work has been renamed Hillside Community Church. Both function under “Promontory Ministries.”—Barrie McMaster, B.C. correspondent

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Mennonite World Conference.

Recipients are nominated by a national church or churchsponsored institution and commit to serving the sending group for three years after graduation. The student is encouraged to provide progress reports to the sending group.

The ICOMB scholarship program gives preference to Anabaptist schools and values programs of study that can be completed in the applicant’s home geographic and cultural context. “Especially at the undergraduate level,” younger students are encouraged to “grow stronger bonds to their own conference and [culture] by staying in-country,” says Wiens.

T he schola rsh ip bu i ld s visionary leaders not only for the churches but also in fields like education, medicine and business.

Moisés Mente

Current recipients from India and DR Congo are professors at MB Centenary Bible College, Shamshabad, and Christian University of Kinshasa (respectively), and the latter was also granted scholarship funds for the school of nursing.

Applications are due Jan. 31, 2014; a five-person committee awards scholarships – no more than two individuals from a single country until all conferences have been considered – at the ICOMB annual gathering in May. In 2013, ICOMB set a goal of raising $1 million for the GSF in the next two years. “We had to turn down a number of very fine applicants last year” due to lack of funds, says Wiens. “We’re looking for people who understand the high impact these global leaders can have in the church – and beyond. It’s an investment.”

Mente is already paying back.

When Mente senior suddenly moved to France, AIMP asked Mente to take responsibility. “He was ready to do that, but at the same time, he asked for our support,” says Arrais. “His humble character came up again. We thank God for the blessing of having Moisés and the gifts he has.”

“I want to contribute maximum effort to applying the concepts I learned in Bible school to bless the church so God may be glorified and his kingdom expanded,” says Mente. “I want to be available to serve wherever needed for God’s purposes.”— Karla Braun

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Child Sponsorship in Ukraine An estimated 70,000 children

JAN 31 - FEB 2, 2014 SPEAKER: SID KOOP

BAND: THE COLOR

live in underfunded and conditionally poor state institutions in Ukraine. Orphaned, abandoned or placed there as a result of government intervention, these children need our love and support over a long period of time.

Please, would you prayerfully consider sponsoring one of these children today? The monthly amount is just $32.00 and is tax deductible. Your gift will allow us to bring God’s love and speak His truth into their hearts. A gift of sponsorship will also help us address the physical and emotional needs of these deserving children.

For more information or to begin a child sponsorship, please call us toll free at:

1-800-494-4454 January 29 deadline

Save $25 by January 8 Tickets & details: 1.866.772.2175 bethany.sk.ca

Or visit our website:

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Ministering to Children in Ukraine

Mission Without Borders 1-800-494-4454 | www.mwbca.org

COMING EVENTS Pastors Credentialing Orientation June 9–11, 2014 ACTS (located on the campus of Trinity Western University), Langley, B.C.

Gathering 2014 June 11–13, 2014 Vancouver, B.C.

www.mennonitebrethren.ca 26

January 2014

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Invest in God’s Kingdom!

planned GIVING

13-10-25 12:59 PM

AT WORK GOD IN OUR INTERNATIONAL FAMILY

When you make a planned gift to MB Mission, your inheritance is being invested in reaching the lost and in passing on an eternal inheritance to those who are without the hope of Christ.

Consider today how you might want to give.

Your gifts through wills and estates can be arranged through MB Mission directly, or through the MB Foundation in the United States or the Mennonite Foundation in Canada.

Portugal meets Angola in Christ Read the story at www.icomb.org/godatwork

Call us today at 1.888.964.7627 or visit us at mbmission.org

MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD January 2014

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C H U R C H S TA FF Lead Pastor Vauxhall (Alta.) MB Church is prayerfully seeking a lead pastor who loves the Lord, his Word, and his people. Vauxhall MB is a congregation of about 150 people in a town of 1,000. We are a rural community church that serves a radius of approximately 50 km. We desire a pastor with strong expository preaching skills. We are also looking for someone who is able to work with a team; we have a full-time associate pastor and a parttime office administrator. Visit www.vauxhallmbchurch.com to learn more about us. Send resumes via email to chrissiemensfarm@gmail.com.

Youth Pastor “Plus”

Cariboo Bethel Church is now taking applications for youth pastor “plus.” We are located in Williams Lake, B.C. Our city of 11,000 acts as a hub, serving an additional 30,000 in the central interior region of this beautiful province.

Bethel is a Christ-centred, Spirit-led faith family of more than 250 people, with a multichurch youth group of 40–60 attendees (age 13–18) and a volunteer core of 15–20 youth and adults.

This will be a full-time, custom-designed position serving alongside the lead pastor as a key partner on our church leadership team. The person God is calling to join us will primarily develop discipleship and ministry among young people. In addition, this person will contribute to the greater mission of our church by serving in another area of ministry according to gifts,

experience, and passion (i.e. worship, children and families, local mission, or camp ministry) Interested? Please strike up a conversation with us in an email to alison_brown22@yahoo.ca. We can send you a full job description and a summary of who we are as a church family.

Lead Pastor

Highland MB Church, Calgary, has come through a time of transitional ministry and is now looking for a lead pastor-teacher who will be a discipler-equipper in order that the congregation will be built up. We desire to grow in every way more and more like Christ Jesus our Lord. We desire that every congregant be equipped to do the work for which God has gifted them as we all accomplish God’s mission for us, so that the whole body will increasingly become healthy, growing, and full of love. See our website for more details: www.hmbc.ca/ employment.

Pastor

Selkirk Community Church is seeking a pastor for our congregation, which is diverse in age and culture, and has an attendance of about 70. We are looking for a pastor to help shape and challenge us in authentic community with God, and with the greater Selkirk area. We are seeking someone who will connect well with our church family and in our neighbourhoods.

Selkirk is a growing and welcoming community with all the necessary amenities. Situated on the banks of the Red River (20 minutes north of Winnipeg, Man.), this city of more than 11,000 is also located 30 minutes from Lake Winnipeg with its

Help Feed Families in Ukraine

Years of Communist oppression have left many families destitute in Ukraine.

Millions live on less than $2.00 per day.

Help us keep these families together through a gift of sponsorship.

Family sponsorship begins at $29.00 per month.

Help us bring hope, God’s love and a future to these needy people.

For more information please call our toll free number or visit our website at www. mwbca.org, TODAY.

u o y k n Thamaking for his a t ity. prior

Mission Without Ministering to Families in Ukraine Borders Toll Free: 1-800 494-4454 www.mwbca.org 28

January 2014

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abundance of beaches and recreational activities. For more information in confidence, please contact Gary at 204-757-2358 or gary@exceedanalysis.com. We look forward to your reply.

Pastors

Kelowna Gospel Fellowship is receiving applicants for 3 pastoral positions: children’s, youth & young adults, and associate. KGF is a growing congregation of 1,000-plus people, with 700 people attending any given Sunday. Our mission is to know Jesus and make him known, and we are looking for individuals who have a passion to be part of that. Full job descriptions and details available at www.kgfchurch.com.

CLASSIFIEDS DIRECTOR The director of the Mennonite Savings and Credit Union (MSCU) Centre for Peace Advancement (CPA) will provide leadership for this new Centre within Conrad Grebel University College at the University of Waterloo.

The Centre will be comprised of faculty, staff, graduate students, affiliate and partner organizations, researchers and community mobilizers.

The Centre’s core activities will be research, training and community engagement.

The director will have a significant role in establishing and shaping the CPA, convening an advisory committee,

representing the Centre publicly, directing its activities and supervising CPA staff and researchers. The director will foster a culture of collaboration and creativity among the Centre’s partners and affiliates to position the Centre for significant impact and recognition. This is a .5 FTE position for an initial twoyear term beginning July 1, 2014. Applications are invited until Mar. 1, 2014. See www. grebel.ca/positions. Applications and inquiries should be directed to Dr. Jim Pankratz, Dean; Conrad Grebel University College, University of Waterloo; Waterloo, ON, Canada; cgsearch@uwaterloo.ca.

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TR ANSITIONS Associate pastor at The Gathering, Ottawa, for the past 2 years, Richard Martens moved to Kitchener, Ont., to take on the role of lead pastor at Glencairn MB Church Dec. 15, 2013. Richard previously served as ONMB conference minister and pastor at Evergreen Heights, Simcoe, Ont., and Meadowbrook Fellowship, Leamington, Ont. Richard and Laura have 3 sons.

Carol Penner began as pastor at Lendrum MB Church, Edmonton, Jan. 1, 2014. She holds a BTh from Canadian Mennonite University, a BA from the University of Manitoba, and an MA and PhD from University of St. Michael’s College, Toronto. Carol served 9 years as pastor at First Mennonite Church, Vineland, Ont.; 1.5 years at Welcome Inn Church, Hamilton, Ont.; and is a freelance writer and sessional lecturer. Carol and Eugene have 2 adult children.

Manitou Mennonite Brethren Church took on their first parttime youth pastor, Steve Johnson, in September. A graduate of Bethany College, Hepburn, Sask., Steve hails from Regina.

CHURCH ANNIVERSARIES Fort Garry MB Church, Winnipeg, celebrated 50 years Nov. 8–10, 2013, with a casual reception, banquet, and celebration service featuring former pastor Dan Unrau as guest speaker. A group of MBBC students began an inner-city Sunday school ministry in the Logan Avenue community which grew to become Gospel Light Church in 1956, then Fort Rouge MB in 1959, finally setting down roots in 1963 with a new building on Pembina Highway in a growing part of the city with John Wall as founding pastor.

Fort Garry intentionally held all its ministries in English. Fort Garry has participated in the establishment of 3 Winnipeg MB churches: Westwood Community Church in 1979; “daughter” St. Vital (now Crossroads) MB in 1987; FaithWorks, established by 2 pastors and a group of members in 2002. Fort Garry is currently supporting “Venture

Fort Garry MB Church, Winnipeg, welcomed Carl Heppner as lead pastor Nov. 1, 2013. A graduate of Steinbach (Man.) Bible College and MBBS Fresno, Carl pastored at Braeside EMC, Winnipeg, 1999–2007, and served Mennonite Central Committee as an international service worker in Bolivia 2008–2011, and in human resources and worker care 2012–2013. Carl and Katherine have 4 children: Joel, Kezia, Asha, Elena.

Tim Unruh completed his pastoral responsibilities in the Whistler (B.C.) Community Church, at the end of October, after serving as the lead pastor for almost 18 years. He graduated with an MA from MBBS, Fresno, Cal., and served as pastoral staff at Willingdon Church, Burnaby, B.C., before coming to Whistler. His wife Jeanette joined him in Whistler after their marriage in 1997, and they have 4 school age children. Tim and Jeanette are open to further ministry.

Winnipeg,” with the goal of forming missional communities that fellowship, worship, serve, and are discipled together. Current membership is 399 with Carl Heppner as lead pastor.

New Life Christian Church in Scarborough, Ont., celebrated 50 years, Nov. 23. This multicultural congregation is the only dual-membership (MB and Brethren in Christ) church in Ontario.

Apr. 8, 2001, New Life officially held its first service as a congregation consisting of members from 5-year-old MB New Covenant Christian Fellowship, founded by Vidya Narimalla, and 38-year-old Bridlewood Brethren in Christ, founded Nov. 23, 1963, by pastor Paul Hostetler.

Currently, the congregation of 100 consists largely of people in cultural transition, including international students, mostly from South East Asia and Central America. Benjamin Devadason serves as pastor.

Helping you find your way home... in Winnipeg

FOR YOUR NEXT MOVE

DAVID UNRUH 204-453-7653

Re/Max

Saskatoon

Tedd Epp

www.teddepp.com 306 221 1614

david@unruhrealestate.ca www.unruhrealestate.ca

Connect Community Church, Winnipeg, held its last service in July 2013. In 2005, under the leadership of pastor Sean Sagert, 5 families from Westwood Community Church surveyed the St. James community and intentionally built partnerships to serve and “engage people in our neighbourhood who weren’t comfortable in a church setting,” says Sagert. Incorporated in 2010, the church met Sunday evenings at St. James Assiniboia 55+ Centre. “There is a sense of appreciation and pride of what we were able to do, but there’s also a sense of sadness that it has come to an end,” says Sagert.

East Ridge Community Fellowship, Maple Ridge, B.C., held its last service March 10, 2013, concluding a months-long process discerning God’s direction for the future. An outreach

by BCMB’s board of church extension, the church held its first public service May 26, 1996, formally organized Oct. 20, 1996, with 32 charter members, and joined that conference in 1997. Founding pastor Harry Loewen resigned in April 2012. Steven Forbes served as part-time interim pastor for the final months.

Over the spring and summer 2013, members continued to meet to help each other land in new worshipping communities of fellowship and service.

BROTHERIDGE – to Mitch & Karlene (Hamm) of Saskatoon, a son, Louis Mitchel, Oct. 1, 2013.

DOERKSEN – to Daniel & Kimberly of Gem, Alta., a son, Bowden Connor John, Sept. 19, 2013.

DYCK – to Mitch & Jodie-Rae of Killarney, Man., a son, Ethan Jacob, Oct. 29, 2013.

FROESE – to Nathan & Brieanne of Warman, Sask., a daughter, Avery Rayne, Oct. 15, 2013.

HEIDE – to Clarke & Alison of Killarney, Man., a son, Jasper Jacob, Oct. 19, 2013.

KOOP – to Kevin & Emily of Blaine Lake, Sask., a son, Colton Robert Marcus, born Mar. 21, 2012, adopted summer 2013.

KROEKER – to Scott & Stephanie of Killarney, Man., a son, Evan Daniel, Oct. 1, 2013.

PENNER – to Jeremy & Donnasha of Winnipeg, a son, Isaiah John, Oct. 29, 2013.

RICHARDS – to Mike & Michelle (Wollf) of Warman, Sask., a son, Easton John, Oct. 31, 2013.

TOEWS – to Erik & Jamie of Abbotsford, B.C., a daughter, Miriam Jane, Aug. 11, 2013.

E douard GAUTHIER & Anna HARDER, both of Winnipeg, Nov. 21, 2013.

J ason HILDEBRAND of Boissevain, Man., & Dana PETTINGER of Elgin, Man., Nov. 2, 2013.

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Finish lines

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.—2 Timothy 4:7

Henry Loewen July 13, 1931–Apr. 30, 2013

BIRTHPLACE: Steinfeld, Ukraine PARENTS: Heinrich & Helena (Niebuhr) Loewen MARRIAGE: Susie Harder, Oct. 3, 1959 BAPTISM: Evangelical Free Baptist, Braunschweig, Germany, Nov. 10, 1946 CHURCH: St. Boniface Evangelical Christian, Elmwood MB, Winnipeg FAMILY: Susie; daughters Barb (Rick [d.]) Hamm, Ingrid (Wilson) Anderson, Wilma (Dan) Wiens; 7 grandchildren; 1 great-grandson; 1 sister

Henry, his mother, and his sister fled with the retreating German army. After a 5-year upheaval, they arrived in Canada in 1948, forever grateful for safety. Henry apprenticed as a bricklayer in Germany and chose a career in carpentry in Canada – his talent and skill were a blessing to many. Henry’s faith in Jesus was the foundation of his life, characterized by ministry in the church, for Union Gospel Mission, with Trans World Radio in Europe, and through countless hours of visitation. He assisted others with home projects and repairs, played harmonica with Harmony Sounds, and extended friendship to all he met.

He completed his journey at St. Boniface Hospital palliative care unit, Winnipeg. A servant with a desire to make a difference, Henry left a legacy of gratitude to God.

Helena (Lena) Bergen Friesen Hartwick Oct. 21, 1927–June 19, 2013

BIRTHPLACE: Riverhurst, Sask.

PARENTS: Isaac & Anna Bergen MARRIAGE: David Friesen, Oct. 14, 1956 [d. 2008]; Harold Hartwick, Oct. 9, 2011 [d. 2013] BAPTISM: Glenbush (Sask.) MB CHURCH: The Dwelling Place, Kitchener, Ont.; First Baptist, Waterloo, Ont. FAMILY: children Arthur [d. in infancy], Lynette Eulette (Richard Hellinga), Gerald (Carol), Verna, Dwayne (Melanie); 14 grandchildren; 7 siblings

Lena received Jesus as Saviour at 10. She graduated from teacher’s college in 1954, fulfilling her dream of becoming a teacher. Her students loved her. Lena was a wonderful mother and homemaker. Lena and Dave volunteered at Torch Trail Bible Camp, Choiceland, Sask. In all the many places they moved, they served the local church faithfully. Lena loved to write, producing articles

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in the MB Herald and other publications, and in 2007, a book about her father’s life and faith. Lena and Harold enjoyed a blissful marriage – walking, holding hands, and gardening together – until their death from a car accident. Lena was a prayer warrior known for memorizing Scripture on her daily walks. She entertained friends and family, sent notes of encouragement, sewed for MCC, and performed countless acts of kindness.

Annie Wiebe

worked to support the family, clearing land to grow berries. She lost her father in 1949. Margaret and Henry Neufeld raised 5 children on the farm, which she sold 2 years after his death. Following 10 years of widowhood, Margaret married Henry Wedel. After his death, she moved to a condo in Abbotsford, B.C., and again joined Clearbrook MB Church. In retirement, Margaret volunteered for MCC, crafted quilts, and read books. She moved so she could walk to services. When health declined, she entered assisted living in Vernon, B.C., near her children.

Oct. 26, 1920–Aug. 6, 2013

Kornelius (Neil) Peters May 17, 1921–Aug. 17, 2013 BIRTHPLACE: Alexandradar, Ukraine PARENTS: Abram & Anna Wiebe BAPTISM: July 29, 1945 CHURCH: Yarrow (B.C.) MB FAMILY: sister Erma; nieces & nephews

Annie’s family immigrated to Canada in 1925, settling in Hochfeld, Man. Annie taught by permit in northern Manitoba. At a Thanksgiving service, she accepted Jesus as Saviour. John 3:16 was special to her. Difficult times caused the family to relocate to Yarrow, B.C., in 1944, where they picked raspberries and hops to supplement their income. Following senior matriculation in Chilliwack, B.C., Annie worked at the Yarrow co-op and a Vancouver office. She returned to Yarrow to assist her sister with the berry farm and help care for her parents. In Yarrow, she served the Sunday school, church library, and MCC store. In 1998, Annie and her sisters moved to Abbotsford, where she enjoyed new and old friends. Annie loved her nieces and nephews, prayed for them regularly, and always remembered their birthdays. Annie was predeceased by 8 siblings – 4 in infancy.

Margaret Neufeld Wedel Aug. 30, 1922–Aug. 11, 2013

BIRTHPLACE: Russia PARENTS: Peter & Aganeta (Epp) Klassen MARRIAGE: Henry Neufeld, October 1949 [d. 1973]; Henry Wedel, 1983 [d. 1993] BAPTISM: Clearbrook MB, Abbotsford, B.C., 1944 FAMILY: children Albert (Anne), Edward (Debra), Daniel (Laurel), Laura, Raymond (Jenny)

Margaret’s family immigrated to Canada in 1926, settling in Winkler, Man. She attended school in Manitou, a difficult experience since she knew no English. The family moved to B.C. in 1943. She

BIRTHPLACE: Ukraine PARENTS: Johann & Margareta Peters MARRIAGE: Tina Klassen, October 1945 [d. 1988]; Martha Braun, Aug. 19, 1989 CHURCH: Willingdon, Burnaby, B.C.; Bakerview, Abbotsford, B.C. FAMILY: Martha; children Wes (Karen), Ken (Judy); grandchildren; great-grandchildren; 8 siblings

Neil’s family immigrated to Canada in 1926, settling in Saskatchewan. At 15, Neil got into a government winter program, working on Henry Klassen’s farm (for $5 a month), where he got to know the Klassens’ 12-year-old Tina. Neil and Tina started their life in Abbotsford, B.C., working at seasonal jobs until he found work in the plywood mill in Vancouver. They moved to Burnaby, B.C., and served Willingdon Church. They cared for many foster children. Neil worked as custodian for the hospital in Penticton, B.C., until his retirement in 1986. Neil and Tina had faithfully supported missionary to Mexico, Martha Braun.

A year after Tina died, Neil and Martha married, in answer to Tina’s mother’s prayers. In 2002, Neil’s health declined, and Neil and Martha moved to Menno Terrace, where they enjoyed singing, bowling, and new friends. His favourite hymn was “On Christ the solid rock I stand,” and his favourite verses were Psalm 62:1–2.

Jacob Wichert July 1, 1938–Aug. 17, 2013

BIRTHPLACE: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. PARENTS: Henry & Elisabeth (Funk) Wichert MARRIAGE: Hildegard Helen Klassen, June 24, 1961 [d. July 11, 2001] CHURCH: Cornerstone, Virgil, Ont.

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FAMILY: children Kathleen (Peter), Paul (Leanne), Christine (Andrew); 5 grandchildren; 4 siblings

Jake met Hildegard at Eden Christian College.

He earned a BSc from McMaster University and studied 2 years at MB Bible College. Jake taught science and chemistry at Eden High School, St. Catharines, Ont., for 33 years, profoundly influencing many young people. After he retired in 1996, he enjoyed travelling and a second career in financial planning. Grieving the sudden loss of Hildegard to cancer in 2001, Jake found great solace in Hosea 14:9. He loved camping, gardening, and cooking. He didn’t mind getting silly with his grandchildren. Jake gave his retirement years to investing in young men and serving as an elder at Cornerstone Community Church. Impacted by a short-term mission trip to Burundi, Jake returned 3 times to offer leadership development and encouragement.

King Road MB, Abbotsford, B.C. FAMILY: Reinhardt; children Lydia (Erwin), Darlene (Ron), Evelyn (Andre), Ed (Angel); 18 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; 1 brother

Tina, her stepmother, and brother immigrated to Yarrow, B.C., in 1948. Tina sponsored Reinhardt in 1951, and they married. She helped in the church kitchen during weddings, funerals, and banquets; sang in the senior choir, led the German ladies’ group, and babysat for countless families during the service. Tina also helped at the MCC sales in Abbotsford, B.C. In 2001, she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Tina and Reinhardt moved to Abbotsford in 2004. After a fall, Tina was admitted to Menno Hospital. On her 62nd wedding anniversary, Tina was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

John Bartel Jacob Isaac Bergen

Aug. 11, 1934–Aug. 31, 2013

Apr. 13, 1911–Aug. 20, 2013

BIRTHPLACE: Naumovka, Ukraine PARENTS: Isaac & Helena (Klassen) Bergen MARRIAGE: Agnes Friesen, July 19, 1942 [d. 2004] CHURCH: Greendale (B.C.) MB; Clearbrook MB, Abbotsford, B.C. FAMILY: children Ted, Ernie (Irene), Helen (Richard Schulz), Peter (Francis), Walter (Patty)

Jacob and his family immigrated in 1929, settling in Manitoba. After their wedding, Jacob and Agnes moved to B.C., where Jacob did odd jobs until he was conscripted and became a CO. After the war, the family settled on an acreage in Greendale, B.C., for 50 years. Jacob and Agnes spent their last years together in Abbotsford.

Jacob loved studying biblical history and hearing how the gospel was proclaimed around the world. No matter how poor the family was, Jacob always gave a 2-dollar bill for missions, reminding his family how God helped him come to Canada and no gift was too small to return to help others. He enjoyed making wood projects for MCC auction, and hearing news of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Tina Wesner Sept. 19, 1929–Aug. 22, 2013

BIRTHPLACE: Franzthal, Ukraine PARENTS: Peter & Katrina (Warkentin) Ediger/ stepmother Maria Plaenert MARRIAGE: Reinhardt Wesner, July 29, 1951 BAPTISM: Germany, August 1947 CHURCH: Vancouver MB; Culloden MB, Vancouver;

BIRTHPLACE: Leamington, Ont. PARENTS: Franz & Elizabeth Bartel MARRIAGE: Tina Driediger, Sept. 29, 1956 BAPTISM: Leamington MB, 1951 CHURCH: Fairview MB Church, St. Catharines, Ont. FAMILY: Tina; children Harold (Beth), Erica (John Seibel); 2 grandchildren; sister Betty Pauls

Through a teacher’s encouragement, John started singing publicly at 10 and never stopped.

He and his brothers formed The Bartel Brothers Quartet, accompanied by their sister Betty. He sang on the radio, directed Sunday school and church choirs, and for 19 years, led the Niagara Community Male Chorus. He was committed to singing for the sake of the gospel. To provide for his beloved family, John did milk delivery, lumberyard work, farming, carpentry, and flooring installation. His last position was muchloved maintenance worker at Tabor Manor, St. Catharines. Whether he was working or singing, John’s joy was infectious. Tina faithfully cared for John as Alzheimer’s took its toll, their loving bond greater than the disease.

extended family was important to him. He was profoundly shaken when his brother Peter was killed in a farm accident, but despite his grief, he helped his nephews take over their farm. He was keenly interested in the lives of all his nieces and nephews, always available to listen and advise.

Jake read widely and knew his theology. He had a deep faith, evidenced by his fruit of the Spirit and generosity to missions. He was predeceased by 5 siblings and 2 nieces.

(Sarah) Susan Hildebrand Aug. 6, 1935–Sept. 6, 2013 BIRTHPLACE: Roland, Man. PARENTS: George T. & Elizabeth (Wiebe) Schroeder MARRIAGE: John E. Hildebrand, July 13, 1958 [d.

Nov. 18, 2008] BAPTISM: Winkler (Man.) Bergthaler, 1957 CHURCH: Bethel Mennonite, Winnipeg; Central Heights MB, Clearbrook MB, Abbotsford, B.C. FAMILY: children Patti Joan Neufeld (Howard), Jannette Ruth, Byron John (Erin Stroup); 3 grandsons

Susan travelled 2.5 miles by horse and buggy to school. At 12, at VBS in Gimli, Man., she accepted Jesus. Susan taught in Wingham, Friedensruh, and finally, Winkler, Man., where she lived on the top floor of the schoolhouse, lit the woodstove, and did the cleaning. While teaching in Friedensruh, Susan met John, a Winkler baker, and after their marriage, added her talents for cake decorating and flower design to the bakery.

Susan and John moved to Abbotsford, B.C., in 1975, and purchased a flower shop with Susan as head florist. After selling the business, she worked at Safeway until retirement in 2000. Not content to sit at home, Susan became manager for MCC Clothing, Etc., Abbotsford for 5 years.

She led Clearbrook MB Church’s catering and decorating committees. Susan did everything without complaint, volunteering and sewing even after her stroke. She cheered on her children, made their favourite meals, and cared for their pets. She took pride in her grandsons.

Anna Heinrichs

Jacob Cornelius Petker

Feb. 10, 1928–Sept. 7, 2013

Oct. 10, 1938–Sept. 6, 2013 BIRTHPLACE: Coaldale, Alta.

PARENTS: Cornelius & Margareta (Dyck) Petker BAPTISM: Coaldale MB FAMILY: brother Corny; siblings-in-law; 17 nieces & nephews

Jake accepted Christ in his youth. He bought the family farm and spent his career farming. Jake’s

BIRTHPLACE: Lichtfelde, Ukraine PARENTS: Peter & Liese Friesen MARRIAGE: Oliver Emert Heinrichs, Apr. 16, 1970 CHURCH: Abbotsford (B.C.) Alliance; Clearbrook MB, Abbotsford FAMILY: Oliver; daughter Judy [d. in infancy]; 2 siblings; nieces & nephews; great-nieces & greatnephews

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Anna, her stepmother, and 2 siblings left Ukraine with the retreating German army September 1943 and trekked to Poland, where Anna served in an orphanage. She became separated from her family and was miraculously reunited with them in Germany. They immigrated to Chilliwack, B.C., in 1947. Anna trained as a practical nurse and worked as a dental assistant at Vancouver Children’s Hospital. She met Oliver at an aftershower party. Their daughter Judy died in infancy.

Anna was known for her intense love for children.

She enjoyed her nieces and nephews. At Union Gospel Mission, she was active in presenting the gospel to children in East Vancouver. Anna served Helping Hands, AWANA Club, and was treasurer for the Menno Hospital women’s auxiliary. She enjoyed cooking and gardening.

Albert T. Wiebe Mar. 31, 1927–Sept. 9, 2013

Bertha Thiessen, Elvin (Jan), Lillian (Dennis) Jeschke, Johnny [d. in infancy]; 26 grandchildren; 61 great-grandchildren; 3 siblings

Katie’s family immigrated in 1926, arriving in Burwalde, Man. Pioneering was hard, made more so when their house burned, forcing the family to winter in a granary. Katie accepted Jesus as Saviour as a young girl and recommitted her life at 12. The family moved to a farm near Coaldale, Alta., in 1935. Katie and George married and settled on their own farm. They mourned a son in a drowning accident. Bible reading, singing, and attending church were integral parts of family life. Katie loved her garden, and always baked enough for a crowd. Katie and George retired to Coaldale. Katie enjoyed her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was a great prayer warrior.

Dennis Robert Peters

CHURCH: Vancouver MB; Culloden, Vancouver; King Road MB, Abbotsford, B.C. FAMILY: Herman; children Herman (Kaethe), John (Anne), Netty (Gord), Annie (Hans), Ernie (Rosie), Marianne (Daniel); 18 grandchildren; 9 greatgrandchildren

Maria’s family fled Ukraine. Maria made the journey to Germany by foot. Maria and Herman immigrated to Paraguay in 1948. After homesteading several years, they ran a dairy farm in Brazil. They immigrated to Vancouver in 1958 and moved to Abbotsford to farm broilers in 1977. Maria began to struggle with severe arthritis in the 1990s. In 2001, when she was diagnosed with cancer, she prayed for 5 more years to live. God gave Maria 12 years in which she trusted him to sustain her. Her grief over the August 2012 death of her youngest, Ernie, led to an acceleration of her declining health.

Gardening, cheese making, sewing, and crocheting were Maria’s favourite activities.

Aug. 28, 1934–Sept. 10, 2013

Martha Mech BIRTHPLACE: St. Anne, Man. PARENTS: Peter & Agnes Wiebe MARRIAGE: Alma Reimer, Oct. 1, 1955 CHURCH: Coaldale (Alta.) MB FAMILY: Alma; children Laureen (Kevin) Hayes, Marcia (Ken) Janzen, Alan (Melinda), Randy (Laura Gilchrist), Rick; 11 grandchildren; 7 siblings

Albert grew up in Greenland, Man. He and Alma began married life in Winnipeg, where he became a journeyman carpenter and foreman of a bridge construction crew. He was known for his intelligence and business skills. The family moved to a farm near McCauley, Man., in 1964, to Roblin, Man., in 1966, and to Coaldale, Alta., in 1978. They joined Coaldale MB Church and Albert started a construction company. By retirement, he had built 150 homes in Coaldale and Lethbridge, Alta.

It was a positive selling feature to say a house had been built by Albert. After Albert and Alma’s 50th wedding anniversary, he retired. When Alma’s health declined, they moved to a retirement home in Lethbridge, where they enjoyed 2 more years of Albert’s cooking.

Katie Kopp Aug. 17, 1915–Sept. 10, 2013

BIRTHPLACE: Hepburn, Sask.

PARENTS: David & Annie Peters MARRIAGE: Verna Neufeld, Oct. 11, 1957 CHURCH: Hepburn MB FAMILY: Verna; children Audrey (Dan), Jeff, Doug (friend Betty Barabash), Matthew; daughter-in-law Jennifer; 10 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; 3 siblings

Dennis and Verna farmed with Dennis’s parents, and after his parents’ 1971 retirement, Dennis’ family continued the mixed farming operation.

Dennis also drove fuel truck for the Hepburn co-op until an accident in 1990 crushed his leg.

Dennis collected axes, cistern pumps, well pumps, and end plates from old drills. He loved working with threshing machines and windmills. Dennis taught his family to play baseball, horseshoes, and hockey. He spent many an autumn with his sons and grandsons “hunting for the big one.” In 2007, Dennis and Verna sold what remained of the farm and moved to Jubilee Centre, Waldheim, Sask., where he enjoyed meeting friends for pool, music, or coffee. Dennis’s last 9 years, he faced cancer. Mid-August, he was hospitalized for blood clots and stomach trouble, and on Aug. 29, he was moved to palliative care. Dennis had a huge heart.

Maria Flaming BIRTHPLACE: Samara, Russia PARENTS: Peter & Liese (Dyck) Thiessen MARRIAGE: George Kopp, 1938 [d. 2005] BAPTISM: MB Church, 1933, CHURCH: Coaldale (Alta.) MB FAMILY: children Peter (Sue), Marianne (Bob) Thiessen, Elsie (John) Reimer, Nettie (Jim) Karr, Helen Baerg, Martha (Ron) Ratzlaff,

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June 19, 1927–Sept. 11, 2013

BIRTHPLACE: Neu-Halbstadt, Ukraine PARENTS: Johann & Aganeta Zacharias MARRIAGE: Herman Flaming, Jan. 25, 1948 BAPTISM: Ottenstein, Germany, July 28, 1946

Aug. 19, 1939–Sept. 12, 2013

BIRTHPLACE: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. PARENTS: Daniel & Mary Willms MARRIAGE: Reinhard Mech, July 11, 1959 BAPTISM: Virgil (Ont.) MB, 1954 CHURCH: Salem MB, Winnipeg; Vineland (Ont.) MB FAMILY: Reinhard; children Rosalyn (Murray) Thiessen, Ken (Grace), Roland (Cynthia), Karleen (Derek) Schulze; 10 grandchildren; 2 greatgranddaughters; 3 siblings

Martha was a teacher with a passionate faith and a love for children. She completed training in 1957 and taught Kindergarten and music 2 years in Welland, Ont. Martha provided Reinhard the encouragement he needed for the career change into teaching high school.

While the children were young, Martha devoted herself to caring for them, making the most of every teachable moment. She was always proud to talk about her grandchildren and great-granddaughters and pass on to them her treasures of faith. Martha taught Sunday school and girls’ club, served with Willing Helpers and ladies’ groups and sang in choir. Giving encouragement and food energized her. After a November 2012 stoke, Martha recovered, lost some inhibitions, and gained an ability to laugh at length. After a second stroke July 21, 2013, she never recovered. Martha knew her preciousness to God.

Artist moves to rhythms of grace Painting created during worship service blesses family

“I

love how something that I’m doing on stage through worship is able to connect with someone watching,” says Cyndi Koshowski.

“It is truly a humbling and amazing experience.”

Koshowski expressed her worship to God by creating a painting on stage at her church, The Meeting Place (TMP), Winnipeg, during the corporate singing set, Oct. 6, 2013. “So many of the lyrics were resonating with me from the song ‘Rhythms of Grace’ [Hillsong],” says Koshowski, who knew the set list in advance and prepared some preliminary sketches.

With a repeated chorus of “There’s none beside you, God,” the song includes the lines, “You’re there in the dark of the night/While holding the sun and its light.” Koshowski says, “As I listened and asked God to show me his painting, an idea took shape.”

After the service, Lisa Easton said, “I got tingles from my head to my toes,” as she watched Koshowski paint, and Easton asked to buy the canvas for her daughter Grace who loves to dance.

Delighted by how “it was meant to speak into their lives,” Koshowski gave her the painting for a donation to the church for the cost of supplies.

Several times a year, TMP holds a “Sing a New Song” Sunday when “we introduce a bulk of new songs that resonate with who we are as a congregation,” says worship pastor Jamie Niven. “This Sunday offers itself to do things differently because the focus on worship allows us to include other mediums” – such as artwork.

“With someone like Cyndi, you can tell [painting] is an act of worship; she’s responding to God in a way that connects with her,” says Niven.

“Knowing the lyrics, seeing the painting – it’s beautiful how the two go hand-in-hand.”

Koshowski communicates her love of Jesus by teaching art to students aged 4–16 at Masterworks Studio (a ministry of Youth for Christ, Winnipeg). “I’ve been able to combine my love for youth ministry with my love for art in ways I never would have dreamed possible,” she says.

—Karla Braun

On stage and screen Vancouver performance company Pacific Theatre celebrates its 30th anniversary with its 2013–2014 season. Pacific Theatre “exists to serve Christ in our community by creating excellent theatre with artistic, spiritual, relational and financial integrity.”

William Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure (Jan. 17–Feb. 8) is a surprisingly contemporary tale of scandal, abuse of power and the balance of justice with grace.

Read a review of this guest production by The Honest Fishmongers at www.mbherald.com.

Cyndi Koshowski created this piece of artwork during a Sunday morning worship service.

CURRENTLY on screen

T

he Gift is a short film about end-of-life experience. Produced by the Christian Medical and Dental Society of Canada, The Gift is designed for use in church congregations and can be found online along with print resources to oppose legalization of euthanasia. The six-minute video centres on psychologist and educator John Samarah’s experience of the loss of his wife in a five-month battle with cancer, with commentary from palliative care physician Catherine McNally. cmdsmedia.wix. com/thegift

M

ennonite World Conference’s website is a hub for videos by Anabaptist organizations. The online library links to videos from MWC assemblies, MWC stories of service and sharing from members around the world, denominational YouTube or Vimeo channels, and teaching videos on the history and theology of Anabaptism. www.mwc-cmm.org/article/videos

H

ope, a documentary on the shooting at an Amish school in Nickel Mines, Pa., explores the impact on the perpetrator’s mother. Director Zachary Roberts, brother to the shooter, says, “The question of ‘why’ will be forever unanswered,” but “the display of forgiveness and support from the surrounding Amish community…created a context in which the families were able to heal together.” The producers turned to crowdfunding for the full-length feature film, due in 2014. page.mexico86.se/ documentary-on-amish-school-shooting MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD January 2014

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CURRENT books Sweet Surrender: How Cultural Mandates Shape Christian Marriage DENNIS HIEBERT Cascade Books f the rate of divorce in the Western world and in our Christian community concerns us, then this is the book to read.

It provides a greater understanding of culture’s influence on the decline of lasting marriages. Hiebert’s differentiation between biblical requirements for marriage and optional cultural directives can free couples to live and grow in exemplary Christian unions. This comprehensive and revealing book is a solemn warning to all Christians of the dangers of surrendering to the standards of the culture in which we live.—Arnie Peters, Willow Park Church, Kelowna, B.C.

I

The Wittenbergs

Problems of Christian Leadership

SARAH KLASSEN Turnstone Press hrough the styles, events, and everpresent racial and economic tensions of the early 1990s, Sarah Klassen invites the reader into the Wittenberg family. They seem lost to each other and to their ethnic Mennonite identity, but this begins to change when GranMarie tells teenaged protagonist Mia her stories – which not only affect Mia’s perspective, but also take root in the lives of her family. As a book written for the general market, The Wittenbergs is well done; however, the absence of a truly spiritual perspective leaves a hole in the story for me.—Janice L. Dick, Philadelphia MB Church, Watrous, Sask.

JOHN STOTT Intervarsity Press ow available in English, the late John Stott’s Problems of Christian Leadership is taken from a series of talks given to campus ministry leaders in Quito, Ecuador, in 1985. It has the feel of a seasoned ministry veteran passing on life lessons, stories and advice to a younger leader over a cup of coffee. Stott offers practical, biblical wisdom in three key areas: dealing with discouragement, cultivating self-discipline and navigating difficult relationships. The tone throughout is tender and warm; Stott comes across as an older uncle whose simple, practical wisdom conceals a depth and durability that could be overlooked by the casual reader.—Gil Dueck, Bethany College, Hepburn, Sask.

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It’s Hard Not to Stare TIM HUFF Castle Quay hen you see someone with a disability, what do you see? Toronto activist, author and illustrator Tim Huff helps readers transform their understanding of people who are different in this illustrated children’s book with discussion guide and sharing pages for teachers and parents. Huff does a wonderful job of opening the door to speaking more honestly about special needs and how we react to what is “different.” He appeals to readers to look inside their hearts and open themselves up to be loving, kind and caring people who see individuals with special needs as people with different abilities rather than disabilities.—Mona Scott, North Kildonan MB Chuch, Winnipeg

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January 2014

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Intersection

of faith & life

Holiday giving hangover SANDRA REIMER

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n the cold light of January, after the glut of Christmas magnanimity toward family, friends and strangers, it’s good to reflect on the scope and impact of our generosity.

I have a vision of a child in a developing country opening a holiday shoe box, sent with love from North America. The child pulls out a toy he or she produced in a nearby factory under harsh working conditions. I imagine the toy’s journey – shipped to a global chain, slickly marketed by the store, handled by decently paid employees, then purchased by a well-fed, kind-hearted Canadian. Packed in a box, the toy is sent back to the child who was too poor to purchase it in the first place.

“Way to be a buzz kill, Mom,” my 16-year-old son would say.

Justice for the poor We don’t want to think about these things because it makes us feel powerless – and it might require deeper change. But “wealthy persons who make Christmas baskets and give them to relief agencies have not satisfied God’s demand,” writes Ronald J. Sider in Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger.

Throughout Scripture, God’s people are instructed to share food with the hungry, to provide shelter, to help family members in need and to visit those who are sick or in prison. However, we are also called to confront unjust systems that keep people in poverty and to set the oppressed free (Isaiah 58:6). “God wills justice for the poor, not occasional charity,” writes Sider.

Consume less, give more We can all take action individually and collectively.

To begin with, we can live more simply.

In 2005, the World Bank reported that the richest 20 percent of the world’s population – to which we belong – consume 76 percent of the total goods and services used by households, while the poorest 20 percent account for only 1.5 percent of private consumption.

Let’s consume less. What we don’t eat, we won’t have to diet or exercise off.

What we don’t buy, we won’t have to store, organize, throw out or give away.

We can also live more frugally by sharing resources within congregations. What if your church created a lending program where people could borrow expensive or seldom-used items like power tools, camping equipment and rototillers? Do we all need to own one of everything?

We could also exchange services. It could be as informal as trading a haircut for help with yard work or an organized bartering system where points are earned and spent. Living together in community is also an option.

Locally, we can support low-cost housing solutions, job skills training and

Lives are improved when just laws and cultural practices are put in place.

As God’s children, we need to be active voices in our communities and nation. An easy first step is to cast your vote in municipal, provincial and national elections. Democracy is a privilege – just ask a refugee who has escaped from an oppressive regime.

You can also effect justice on a broader scale by getting to know your political representatives. Fire off a short email or leave a brief phone message to congratulate them on positive initiatives, or register your opinion when you have a

We are called to confront unjust systems and set the oppressed free. education initiatives, affordable child-care programs, etc. Around the world, microlending organizations use donated funds to empower individuals to feed and clothe their families by starting businesses.

Our contributions to development projects build capacity in communities by supplying clean water or other infrastructure. Giving people the personal tools and societal structures to provide for themselves enables them to enjoy better lives every day not just for a moment at Christmas.

Systemic change Perhaps the most difficult action to take is at a societal level. Yet, “God cares so much about the poor that he works to destroy social systems that tolerate and foster poverty,” writes Sider.

We need to be aware of and speak out against unjust structures like the 2012 federal government cuts to interim health care for refugees. Under the new system, refugees from countries deemed “safe” are denied access to all health care in Canada while they wait for a decision on their refugee claim. With no financial or social resources, these refugees are vulnerable.

concern. And don’t forget to pray for your leaders to make good decisions on our behalf.

Holy Spirit guidance Prayer is our birthright as Christians.

We can ask God to help us establish healthy, righteous ways of relating to each other economically and socially. He can give us insight into what strategic action to take, and he can change things that we can’t.

Let’s not be afraid to ask hard questions about root causes of poverty.

Empowered with knowledge, guided by the Holy Spirit, we can take actions that will bring transformation, not merely a fleeting gift, to the lives of children and adults around the world and in our own backyards.

Sandra Reimer cares deeply about people who are poor. She attempts to live out her principles in community at Glencairn MB Church in the socially innovative Region of Waterloo in Ontario.

See a list of resources and examples of just living – and add your own suggestions and stories.

MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD January 2014

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april 1 & 2, 2014, Calgary AB �

Venue: The Coast Plaza Hotel & Conference Centre

link

Registration & More info: www.c2cnetwork.ca

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Email: info@c2cnetwork.ca

What is the CMC all about?

You know of C2C as a Church Planting Network, but there is more to multiplication than just starting new churches.

Increasingly, pastors & ministry leaders are asking: • How can our church multiply?

• Should we start a 2nd service?

• Is multi-site an option for us?

• Is it time for us to plant?

• Can one church reach multiple target groups?

This conference is designed to expose leaders to various models of multiplication and to hear of the challenges, opportunities & successes of Gospel-Centred ministry in the Canadian context.

Acts 12:24 “…the word of God increased and multiplied.”

Planting & Multiplying Churches from sea to sea

Gospel Centered spirit led Mission FoCused 36

January 2014

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