Mennonite Brethren Herald July 2014

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

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JOBS

ONE CALLING

HOW2 use an empty space to share Jesus

art on a

mission

Volume 53, No. 7 Publications mail registration number: 09648; Agreement number: 40009297

r S 2 k 8 s T J O H N VAN DYCK J R .

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hat do you do with an empty 30’x50’x16’ concrete storage locker?

You share Jesus.

There’s a whole culture out there of baggy tuques and skateboards with a language of its own. These youth can be found at all times of the day or night, rain or shine, skating around parks and down stairs – many times, falling flat on their faces, too macho to let anyone see their pain – while their friends cheer them on. Then they get up and do it again.

Their running shoes are worn thin from being used as brakes, the knees in their pants torn and bloody, their faces – cracked teeth or not – always smiling.

This year, a change in marital situation forced my adult son to become more creative in his time with his two boys, so he encouraged their interest in skateboarding. You know, the torn knees, cracked teeth and smiles.

However, he couldn’t find a venue where he felt they’d be safe. So he took the unused storage locker in the basement of the apartment building we own in Coquitlam, B.C., and turned it into an indoor skateboard park.

Together with friends, my son built a series of half-pipes, quarter-pipes and rails – all the perfect places for an aspiring skater to fall flat on his face and come up smiling.

Skatelife (a division of Young Life, a Christian youth mission) heard about our basement skate park. Every Monday night, Skatelife mentors gather 10–30 skaters off the street, safe from storms, cars, dealers and thieves.

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Here they skate, join in Bible teaching and enjoy their regular face-smacking.

My challenge: take your unused gift or empty room, and open it up. Use what you own to reach out to a young person in need of a safe place, a loving mentor. Maybe one Sunday, he’ll be sitting next to you, leading his own class of youth.

John van Dyck Jr. is a member of Eagle Ridge Bible Fellowship, Coquitlam, B.C. Find more on the “underground” skate park at johnvandyckjr.com/my skate board park/my_skate_board_park.htm

FEATURES 10 Visual arts contest What is gospel?

16 Two jobs, one calling The world of bi-vocational ministry –Angeline Schellenberg

COLUMNS 4 Editorial Spun around –Karla Braun

8 Executive director Lessons from Ethiopia –Willy Reimer

9 Viewpoint Reading Psalm 46 in reverse –Bob Sukkau

31 Intersection of faith and life Discipleship in a world of busy –Phil Wagler

DEPARTMENTS 6 Homepage 20 News in story 20 News in brief 27 Transitions, births, weddings 28 Finish lines [Obituaries] 30 Crosscurrents

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 karla.braun@mbchurches.ca to subscribe via email

COVER PHOTO: “Godfrey” by Jaimee Schmidt (see profile on page 5)

MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD July 2014

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Editorial Spun around K ARL A BR AUN

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met Jesus on Winnipeg’s Osborne bridge one day. Volunteering for a local

bike advocacy group, I was shivering at my post that morning when I encountered the Lord in an unexpected guise.

During my annual two-hour volunteer shift counting cyclists, I bestowed a friendly but reserved smile and nod on the pedestrians who straggled past. Yet most walkers looked away from my silent greeting.

I felt nervous, however, when an someone’s appearance suggested a life on the street. “I wonder what it’s like to get mugged,” I thought.

Not owning a car is a choice I’ve made, not one finances have made for me. It’s a decision to honour God’s creation: the environment, my body, and the people around me.

nuanced and multifaceted. Simply to

But as this prescient pedestrian showed me, I can fail to actually know the people I want to stand alongside. I can take a martyr complex about my perceived sacrifices, making it about me instead of God and his tremendous love for all he created.

I was sick and you looked after me, I

“What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?” (1 Corinthians 4:7).

mowing our lawns, walking our dogs

see another person is a discipline I am reminded to practise again and again.

“I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, was in prison and you came to visit me” (Matthew 25:35–36).

Rolling with the Spirit As summer begins, Canadians hit the streets. We’re out riding our bicycles, or going for ice cream. We’re crossing paths with our neighbours. Are we ready to see them?

The uncharitableness of this response unsettled me – all the more so, since the people I feared turned out to be the friendliest passersby of the morning.

Still fighting rising discomfort, I was the one who studiously avoided eye contact when a group of rough-looking men approached.

forget to show hospitality to strangers, “forDoby not so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it” (Hebrews 13:2).

In turn, they smiled at me.

“What are you doing?” one asked me in friendly curiosity.

“Counting bicycles,” I replied.

“I wish I had a bicycle – then you could count me!” he said with a good-natured laugh.

And there he was: Jesus. An earthy character whose words struck me to the core. With a one-two punch, he spoke truth to my skewed perceptions.

Truing humility I’ve always thought my choices earned me solidarity with people on the margins.

Yet there are fellow Canadians for whom my intentionally simple lifestyle looks like luxury.

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Truing humanity I know better, yet as I watched people pass on that bridge, I allowed myself to think appearances can tell “good people” from “bad people.” But people are more complicated than our simple stereotypes. We all carry God’s image – and we all bear the imprint of sin.

This stranger on the bridge offered me shared humanity – which I’d been prepared to deny him. He showed me what being Christ’s representative in the world looks like.

The words “relationship,” “community” and “missional” roll off our tongues so easily; their practise is so much more

Are we willing to have a conversation with a stranger we’d prefer to avoid?

Are we prepared to learn about ourselves from unexpected teachers?

“To love another person is to see the face of God,” Victor Hugo writes in Les Misérables, an epic story of reconciliation and restoration.

If we all took that perspective, I think we’d start seeing Jesus everywhere. I saw him on the Osborne Bridge.

featured contributor JULY 2014

Jaimee Schmidt (centre) of Richmond Park MB Church, Brandon, Man., has plenty of scope for her camera. The hobby photographer regularly travels to developing countries to use her skills in sanitation design on Engineering Ministries International projects.

Among her favourite subjects are the children she meets, like Godfrey (cover) from Eagles Wings Children’s Village in Uganda.

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: 1996–2013.

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@mbchurches.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

Find her winning photo entry on page 10.

CMCA

AUDITED ISSN: 0025-9349 We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Canada ­ Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage.

Letters Landmark witness I’ve been thinking about the church’s practice of purchasing cultural landmark buildings, such as theatres or other historically relevant structures, to house Sunday services. While theatres do make good gathering spaces, there are at least two reasons I believe the church may not want to purchase them in the future.

The first has to do with witness. Based on everything I’ve heard and read, it seems the general public doesn’t like it when the church buys cultural landmarks. We don’t need to hand more ammunition to a post-Christian culture that already has enough complaints about the church. We need to find ways to build bridges into the city, not widen the gap. While it’s true these buildings need buyers, perhaps the church shouldn’t play that role.

The second reason has to do with ecclesiology. When it comes to church, the weekly gathering of the saints isn’t the main thing. It’s about the people of God walking with our Lord, our brothers and sisters, and those we bump up against during our everyday lives. It’s about disciples meeting and making more disciples. When we do

gather weekly, it’s about the people of God doing the leitourgia as we worship God with one voice.

The gathering is highly participatory in nature, and everyone has the opportunity to contribute to the worship event.

By their very layout and design, theatres don’t really support or reinforce this kind of understanding of the church. As we invite others to a theatre for our worship gathering, are those people learning that church is a weekly performance of sorts? In that case, we will have to spend time and energy undoing this conception of church.

I would suggest that every city has properties of absolutely no cultural worth, where the owners may have difficulty finding buyers. If we would acquire buildings like these, we’d have an opportunity to add value to the city and transform an otherwise almost useless structure into something beautiful.

I think that would be part of a pretty cool ecclesiology and a great witness to a watching world.

GREGG BAKER, SURREY, B.C.

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@mbchurches.ca.

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 CANADIAN CONFERBarrie McMaster B.C. regional correspondent Advisory Council: Helen Rose Pauls, B.C. Brad Sumner, B.C. Gil Dueck, Sask.

Sabrina Wiens, Ont. Volume 53, Number 7 • Copy run: 14,500 THE MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD IS A PUBLICATION OF

MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD July 2014

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homepage

Road trip!

The MB Herald was honoured for its work by two Christian publication societies.

AWARDS

At the annual Evangelical Press Association convention in Anaheim, Cal., May 4–6, 2014, the MB Herald received two third-place awards.

k Evangelism article: “Sowing seeds or tossing nutshells?”

(October 2013) by MB Biblical Seminary professor Andrew Dyck

Pennsylvania 2015 The worldwide family of Anabaptist churches will meet for six days next summer at the 16th Mennonite World Conference (MWC) Assembly in Harrisburg, Pa., July 21–26, 2015. The theme is Walking with God/Caminemos con Dios/ En Marche avec Dieu.

k Student writer of the year: “You Don’t Know Them!

Christians and Gays with a Different Story” (September 2013) by MB Herald summer intern Paul Esau

Why should I attend Pennsylvania 2015?

Assemblies rotate among five continents so this is a rare opportunities for Canadians to experience global worship with our Anabaptist family on our own continent. “It’s like experiencing a bit of heaven here on earth, worshipping the Lamb of God in multitudes of languages and cultures,” says MWC vice president Janet Plenert. “It’s about all members of the Body of Christ learning from each other how to be Christ followers today.”

The Canadian Church Press convention in Winnipeg May 1–2, 2014, awarded four MB Herald submissions.

What can I expect to happen at Assembly?

The program includes worship music and speakers from all continents, small group discussions, workshops, local tours, service opportunities and exhibits at the Global Church Village.

Evening worship will be led by a different continent each day. On the final day, participants will worship in local churches. The Assembly also includes children and youth programs.

k Biblical interpretation

– 1st place: “Watch the Weeds Grow” (August 2013) by Mary Anne Isaak, River East MB Church pastor

The week before Assembly begins, the Global Youth Summit (ages 18–26) takes place as well as a variety of consultations and networking gatherings. ICOMB is helping plan the Global Education Conference, July 16–18, 2015.

k Feature photo, Magazine

Who will be there?

Delegates, leaders, individuals, families and youth from 57 countries representing 101 national member churches (of which the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches is one) will be there. Organizers are planning for 6,000–10,000 people.

Attendees at Assembly 15 in Paraguay take communion together.

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k Feature layout & design

(magazine with circulation above 10,000) – 3rd place: “Peeling back the truth about youth and the church” (July 2013) by MB Herald designer Audrey Plew PHOTO: LOWELL BROWN

Registration begins in August 2014. The next Assembly takes place in 2021 in Indonesia. www.mwc-cmm.org

– 3rd place: “House Blend Ministries” from “When one song doesn’t fit all” (January 2013) by Tony Schellenberg

k Publication website (with

parent publication circulation above 10,000) – 2nd place: www.mbherald.com.

coming events Conference events:

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

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.

Nov. 21–23: 50th anniversary celebration, South Langley (B.C.) Church.

Dec. 2–4: C2C assessment centre, Toronto, Ont. *date changed

Throughout 2014, we’re highlighting an ICOMB partner so you can support our brothers and sisters around the world by learning about and praying for them. Lithuania is ICOMB’s newest member.

Laisvujų krikščionių bažnyčia (LKB)

Partner events:

(Free Christian Church [of Lithuania]) Congregations: 7 Members: 207

June 29–July 5: AmiCamp, Camp Peniel, Laurel, Que. July 11–20: MB Mission’s SOAR Vancouver.

Aug. 4–8: “Above the Rim” Bethany Eagles basketball camp, Hepburn, Sask.

Aug. 11–15: “Attack/Elite” Bethany Eagles volleyball camp, Hepburn, Sask.

Aug. 11–15: “On the pitch” Bethany Eagles soccer camp, Hepburn, Sask.

Aug. 11–15: “Dig it!” CMU youth volleyball camp, Winnipeg.

Aug. 11–15: “Ballin’” CMU youth basketball camp, Winnipeg.

Aug. 18–22: “Dig it!” CMU junior high volleyball camp, Winnipeg.

Aug. 18–22: “Golden Boot” CMU junior soccer camp, Winnipeg.

Aug. 18–22: “Ballin’” CMU junior high basketball camp, Winnipeg.

Sept. 12–13: Festival for World Relief, Abbotsford, B.C. Sept. 26–28: Awake KW, Waterloo (Ont.) MB Church.

Sept. 27: Mennonite Fall Fair, Prince George, B.C.

Lithuania’s history includes alternating periods of proud independence and foreign occupation. It was the first Soviet republic to declare independence in 1990, and it joined the United Nations in 1991. The state officially adopted Christianity in 1387; currently, 77 percent of Lithuanians identify as Roman Catholic, 1 percent adhere to other religions, and 6 percent claim no religion.

Begun through church planting efforts of missionaries from North America and Germany, Lithuanian Free Christian Church registered as an association in 2003. It continues to partner with organizations like LCC International University, Klaipeda (established by Canadian MB Art DeFehr in 1991); MB Mission; Eastern Mennonite Missions and Kontakt Mission of Germany.

In May 2014, the Free Christian Church officially joined the International Community of LITHUANIA Mennonite Brethren Churches.

PRAISE God for the many young families in the churches who are eager to live what they believe and share the gospel with others.

PRAY for the resources to continue to offer summer camps for children, teenagers, and families to learn about reconciliation through Jesus Christ.

PRAY for the pastors and elder teams who lead the small churches.

CELEBRATING a CENTENARIAN “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

See a longer story at mbherald.com/anna-koop-100

Nov. 15: MCC Manitoba 50th anniversary gala.

PHOTO: HELEN COWIE

From her birth in Ukraine, to her baptism in the Dnieper River, refugee flight ending in Canada in 1949, and her 100th birthday on June 4, 2014, Anna Koop has trusted God to carry her. King Road MB Church, where she is a charter member, celebrated her birthday June 8 with cake and a card between their morning services. The great-great-grandmother – who never imagined she’d live this long – puts her confidence in God, thanking him for the years he’s granted.

July 17–19, 2015: Mennonite World Conference Global Youth Summit, Messiah College, Mechanicsburg, Pa. July 21–26, 2015: Mennonite World Conference Assembly 16, Harrisburg, Pa. View more events from churches, schools and agencies at mbherald. com/calendar.

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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Lessons from Ethiopia

/ Willy Reimer

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his past May, I travelled to Luanda, Angola. There, I had the privilege of representing the Canadian conference to our global family, the International Community of Mennonite Brethren (ICOMB). Representatives from 15 of our 21 national conferences met for Summit 2014 to hear and learn from each other, to pray together and to discern how we can best serve each other. (See report, page 22).

Willy Reimer

It was a joy to encourage the Angolan church with our presence and to worship together with them. But some of the most poignant lessons came from our guest resource people from Ethiopia’s Meserete Kristos Church (MKC). I was inspired by their passionate spirituality, which is motivating men and women to seek God – and God alone!

Travel troubles When I arrived in Angola, I passed through customs in a few minutes. But when Desalegn Abebe and Kelbessa Muleta from MKC arrived, airport authorities took their passports and cellphones, and demanded they pay a “fee” to enter Angola.

At one point, authorities told them they were being taken to a restaurant when, in fact, they were led to a holding cell.

Through the efforts of our Angolan church leaders, the men were freed after 30 hours of captivity. Even though our brothers were threatened with deportation and repeatedly asked for money, they continued to reflect a wonderful godly spirit.

A Spirit-filled church After Eastern Mennonite Mission began relief work in Ethiopia in 1945, the resulting church was called Meserete Kristos. The name – meaning “Christ is the foundation” – arose out of Menno Simon’s favourite verse: “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11).

In its first 30 years, MKC grew to 5,000 members. Then a remarkable thing happened as the Holy Spirit poured out of a group of university students desperately 8

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seeking the presence of God. They were filled with the Spirit and began to cast out demons and preach the gospel in powerful ways. This renewal prepared them for coming persecution.

In 1981, Marxist oppression drove the Ethiopian church underground, yet MKC outreach centres and congregations flourished. In 1991, when the Marxist government was overthrown, MKC emerged with 50,000 members in 52 congregations.

Today, MKC is 780 churches, 500 thousand members and 750 church planting centres.

These four statements summarize MKC ministry priorities: 1) Christ is the focus of our life; 2) Simplicity is our model for using resources; 3) Teamwork is our model of leadership; and 4) Evangelism is the reason for our existence.

MKC is outreach focused, with local churches and regional leadership working together to reach their communities. Even though Ethiopia is ranked among the world’s poorest countries – 78 percent of Ethiopians live on less than US$2 a day – MKC teaches that poverty isn’t a reason to withhold giving. Each member is expected to tithe; if the gospel touches a person’s life, it should also touch their pocketbook.

God is enough At the summit, Desalegn told us that as MKC members become more educated, they’re tempted to rely on knowledge rather than on the filling and power of the Holy Spirit. They’re tempted to forget what God did during the persecution era.

Desalegn reminded us that if we rely on what we have, even if it’s a spiritual gift,

we’re relying on the wrong thing. We need to completely depend on God and give what we have for his glory.

Kelbessa reminded us to hunger not only for the gifts of the Spirit but for the giver.

God is available. When we yearn for God and don’t settle for anything less, we can participate in God’s mission anywhere in the world.

I was challenged by Desalegn and Kelbessa’s priority and passion to host the presence of God, which precedes mission. They want God, not for what God will do through them or for them, but simply to be in his presence. Our brothers’ prayers aren’t focused on freedom from persecution, health issues or poverty.

Their priority is walking in intimacy with the Father.

As a Canadian, my default is to look for methods, to discern transferable principles and insights that can be neatly packaged.

Learning is admirable and necessary, but it’s secondary to knowing God and following the leading of the Holy Spirit.

I often hear people express frustration regarding the “state of the church.” But nothing prevents us from pursuing the presence of God! We don’t need methods, programs, facilities, talent, training, education – or whatever we think we’re lacking.

We simply need to make God a priority.

I encourage you to slow down; give the Spirit space to work in your life. Read God’s Word as the revelation of Jesus Christ, not as a manual for ministry or a textbook for teaching and preaching. Let the Spirit speak into your mind and heart.

Let God’s presence transform you (Romans 12:2) and renew your heart for him this summer.

Viewpoint Reading Psalm 46 in reverse BOB SUKK AU

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bout 20 years ago, my wife Erika and I lived in a house with a beautiful stream running behind it.

During that period, I was worried, couldn’t sleep well and felt far from God. One afternoon, I decided to go down to the stream with my Bible. My plan was to pray until I had peace in my heart.

But the sky felt like brass, as if God weren’t listening. Soon after, I wound up in the psych ward. God in his wisdom has left me only two memories of my psychotic dreams: fierce wolves snapping at me in utter darkness, and the heavenly choir surrounding me with all its glorious harmonies and dazzling light, praising God. It was a long road back from the hospital to a point where I felt well enough to work full-time again. Erika and our daughters went through the nightmare as well, a nightmare that lasted four years.

suggested I jog, rather than merely walk.

I began to concentrate on how fast I jogged instead of worrying about everything.

“Come and see what the LORD has done” (v. 8). For the psalmist, one place to “come and see” was the temple. But I didn’t want to attend a church service; I had a panic attack just thinking about meeting people. My stomach would churn, and I couldn’t breathe. Often, I didn’t feel worthy to take communion.

But as I kept going, I realized people accepted me. Some approached me and

and healing tears. When things look dark, Jesus invites me to have communion with him, and I can cry with healing tears because he’s so gentle.

1 John 4:18 has become my key life verse. There was a time I had panic attacks driving 33 kilometres to Chilliwack on my own. Now I enjoy the solitude, laughing aloud at the jokes on the radio. There was a time I found it difficult to reach out to other people.

Now it’s natural for me. There was a time I was afraid to talk to others about Jesus. Now it’s a pleasure.

Looking back, I recognize that Scripture helped return me to health.

Hope found in Scripture Looking back, I recognize that Scripture – and particularly three imperatives found in Psalm 46 – helped return me to health.

Most people rightly read the imperatives in logical order, so the last one serves as the climax. But in my case, the Holy Spirit led me to read them in reverse.

“Be still, and know that I am God” (v. 10).

I’ve always thought this verse meant we must turn off all our media and sit quietly before the Lord so he can speak to us.

But “be still” in Hebrew means “let go, relax, cease striving” (NASB).

Countless times, Erika reminded me to stop begging for God’s help when I prayed, to stop whining. I also received a word of wisdom from my doctor when he

asked how things were going. I didn’t have much to say, but at least they cared. Others greeted me with wonderful smiles that were healing in themselves.

People in leadership came to pray for us during a heavy snowstorm. Busy friends drove more than 1,800 kilometres to get us home safely because I had a relapse at their place.

At the stream, I cried out to the Lord “from the depths of my despair” (Psalm 130:1, GNT). Now I find myself speaking out Psalm 18:19: “He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.”

Finally, there came a day when I looked forward to attending a church service again to praise the Lord.

Bob Sukkau is a member of South Abbotsford Church. He goes hiking and bicycling with Erika on their recumbent trikes.

“Therefore we will not fear” (v. 2). It took me about 10 years after my visit to the hospital to fully experience 1 John 4:18: “perfect love drives out fear.” I had to learn the difference between angry tears

Life is good again – still with many challenges – but enveloped in the joy of the Lord as my strength.

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Visual arts WHAT IS GOSPEL? We asked readers to send us their best visual interpretation of “gospel.” Here are the top three entries and three honourable mentions.—Eds.

1 “Hands”

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And this gospe l of the kingdo m will be preach ed in the whole world as a testim ony to all nation s (Matth ew 24:14). n, Jaime e Schmi dt of Richm ond Park MB Church, Brando Man., met Elisha while volunt eering on an Engine ering Minist ries Interna tional projec t. “When Elisha came to Eagles Wings Childre n’s Village (orpha nage) in Ugand a,” writes Jaime e, “he was knocking on death’s door. I was

contin uously amaze d and inspire d by his resilie nce and day ability to find joy in life. He loved to hold my hand. The before I left, lookin g down at his little hand clutching mine, I I was remind ed of the gospe l by the love and divers ity experi enced throug h his presen ce in my life.”

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contest

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2 “Eyes Lifted”

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g throug hout the whole In the same way, the gospe l is bearin g fruit and growin day you heard it and world – just as it has been doing among you since the truly unders tood God’s grace (Colos sians 1:6). n, Man., writes , Kathle en Froese from Wests ide Comm unity Church, Morde Corint hians 4:18. It “My vision for ‘Eyes Lifted’ was to create a visual of 2 our focus, and only speaks to me of the gospe l of Jesus Christ: he is to be n and what he requir es when we are focuse d on him can we see what is unsee the challen ge of of us.” Kathle en has always enjoye d drawin g, especi ally captur ing an expres sion on a subjec t’s face.

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3 “Lego Evangelism”

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Go into all the world and preach the gospe l to all creatio n (Mark 16:15).

This piece was create d by six-yea r-old Janaya Kasdo rf of North Kildon an MB Church, Winnip eg.

“The last time Janaya was at our house,” writes her grandm other Pat van Nes, “we talked about the Herald contes t. With her Lego people and some access ories, Janaya built her interpr etation of the gospe l: telling people about Jesus. It was impor tant to her that people were sitting around the speake r and listening to the story. We put the Lego people on my Bible open to John 3:16.”

Janaya displa ys a keen interes t in Bible stories and songs about Jesus, writes Grand ma Pat.

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{HONOURABLE MENTIONS}

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# “Legacy” The god of this age has blinde d the minds of unbeli evers, so that they canno t see the light of the gospe l that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God (2 Corint hians 4:4).

Faye Hall, a Winnip eg artist and memb er of North Kildon an MB Church, writes , “There is a spiritu al battle going on we know nothin g about. The Word of God may seem like it’s being cast aside, awash and diluted in the noise of our tumult uous lives. The missio n of the believer is to quietly keep playin g the sweet music of God’s love so it can be heard above the din.” She captur ed this messa ge in acrylic on canvas .

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more honourable mentions on page 15

Visual arts contest honourable mentions continued from page 14

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“Frail and Worn”

And pray in the Spirit on all occasi ons with all kinds of prayers and reques ts. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying ... that I will fearles sly make known the myster y of the gospel (Ephes ians 6:18,19).

3“Redemption”

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[Grace] has now been revealed through the appearing of our Saviour, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has

Photog rapher Deb Goerze n of Elm Creek (Man.) MB Church writes that “the story of this photo was bitters weet. I was so blesse d by the couple who stoppe d to pray for this young, hurting girl on the streets of Paris.” As Christi ans, part of our calling is to pray withou t ceasin g – even in the middle of a busy street for a strang er.

brought life and immortality to light through the gospel (2 Timothy 1:9–10).

Bev Ellis, who planted Emmaus Church in Surrey, B.C., with her husband Dave, is an accomplished painter. She created this piece in response to watching The Passion and “soaking in the verses about Christ’s sacrifice.” The work was “heavily influenced

by Isaiah’s account of Christ,” and Bev says she was “transfixed by every detail; that he was not especially handsome, that he was so brutally wounded, he wasn’t even recognizable as a man.”

MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD July 2014

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2 The world of bi-vocational ministry Angeline Schellenberg Most pastors write sermons and perform weddings. Some also stuff bears, set insurance premiums and demolish bathtubs. Welcome to the world of bi-vocational ministry.

S

ixty years ago, my grandpa wore a

Buhler has served three-quarter-time at

says Buhler. His own openness about

suit under coveralls so he could go

Glenbush (Sask.) MB Church, a church of

past struggles with pornography,

straight from his farm combine to the

about 50, since Feb. 22, 2013. In

depression and bankruptcy have

church. In those days, it was necessary

November 2012, he began preaching one

“opened doors for people in the church

for most pastors to support themselves

Sunday a month, but the congregation

to share their secret life, to see you can

with other income. Today, full-time paid

fell in love with this “crazy guy.” He now

be broken and it’s okay, to see what God

ministry is the norm, yet some pastors

spends 30–40 hours a week on church

can do with a decrepit sinner like me.”

work dual jobs – many in wildly different

work and the rest of his time doing

professions. How and why are these

renovations and helping a farmer

people dividing their time when ministry

at harvest.

is already so demanding?

New doors Monty Buhler is a renovator and farmhand. He’s also a pastor. “I let people know when I start a renovation project, if there’s a need at church, that’s where I go,” says Buhler. “But if I turn off their water, I’ll be back to turn it on!”

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July 2014 www.mbherald.com

Bi-vocational ministry can opened doors to talk to people who don’t go to church.

Some of Buhler’s clients are seniors; some have lost a spouse. Of the eight hours he’s in their home, he may only spend three hours painting or plumbing; the rest of the time is conversation.

“People need someone to confide in,”

“My biggest concern is for people in their growth in Christ,” says Buhler. “If they have questions, I want to be there to answer and dig in the Word.”

The demands of two jobs can empty the emotional barrel, but Buhler says church members build him up through encouraging emails and texts and offers of meals. And, he adds, “I have lots of people praying for me. Prayer is the ultimate source of our strength.”

JOBS

1CALLING

Blue-collar blend

almost more effective than preaching

world isn’t the only kind of life

Rick Hawreschuk divides his time

from a pulpit,” Hawreschuk says. He

experience a pastor can bring.

between the living Word and dead

spends about 20 hours a week pastoring

Hawreschuk’s physical weakness due

deer. “We’re in a redneck part of the

Woodrow Gospel Chapel, a gathering of

to Guillain-Barré syndrome helps him

world,” says the Saskatchewan pastor

about 17, and 20 hours a week on his

relate to others’ pain and loss.

and taxidermist. “When people see that

business and working at the local

the local minister has coveralls and

parts store.

boots, you don’t have to go far before

“Young people going from high school

condition. Since people aren’t in a hurry

to college to seminary to ministry

for their mounts, he can schedule it into

Taxidermy gives him licence to talk about

struggle with being able to relate to

short blocks of time. But there are calls

hunting stories, where people grew up,

anyone beyond that part of life,” says

like “My mom passed away,” when he

places they’ve seen. “That in itself is

Hawreschuk. His previous work in

may need to leave an unfinished deer

ranching helps him connect within an

mount, knowing he’ll have to throw

agricultural community, but the working

it away.

Hawreschuk’s ministry and his medical

PHOTO: NANCY HAWRESCHUK

people engage.”

Taxidermy is a good fit, both with

Rick Hawreschuk

MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD July 2014

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hour on Sunday morning! People saw me as someone, like them, who had to work at a job to make a living.”

Epp was a woodworking manager and project supervisor at Menno Industries, a vocational program for individuals with developmental difference, Monday to Thursday 8:00– 4:00, which left evenings for family time and preparation for Thursday night Bible study. Message and bulletin prep happened on the weekend.

“I remember being very tired Mondays,” says Epp. “But the jobs were different enough to regularly offset the strain of the other.”

“Every pastor leaves work thinking there’s more they could’ve done,” says Koop. “I have had to come to terms with my limitations faster.”

Koop says the secret to balancing two PHOTO: NANCY BUHLER

jobs is lots of communication. His boss

Monty Buhler

Koop’s work days when church emergencies, such as funerals, come up. Both jobs spring from his desire to make a difference.

“Sometimes there is no win-win:

half on counselling, meetings and

“Advocates of bi-vocational ministry

one part is going to suffer,” says

administration. “Insurance is gloriously

say it ‘keeps you grounded,’” says

Hawreschuk. With his pastor heart,

consistent and pastoring is not!” says

Koop, “but being in tune with the day-

he’ll always lean toward building up

Koop. “That’s a blessing.”

to-day lives of the people who’ve

the ministry. In the end, it’s all about bringing the dead back to life.

Being a bi-vocational pastor in a church with an average attendance of

asked you to be their pastor is a choice you make, whether you work 10 or 20 or 40 hours a week.”

Insuring variety

40, and the only resident clergy in

If you’re worried about losing the

town, has opened opportunities for the

Organic teamwork

farm, Kevin Koop can offer you a

young Bethany College grad: “It’s

You might expect a new church

prayer…and sign off on a good

phenomenal for me to be here for my

planter to choose a full-time job that

insurance policy.

age and experience: I preach 25 times

isn’t emotionally taxing, such as

a year, I’ve officiated weddings,

pumping gas or bagging groceries –

funerals, baptisms – not things every

not directing a nonprofit AIDS

26-year-old pastor gets to do!”

program.

Mennonite Mutual Fire Insurance. Half

Koop’s predecessor at Blaine Lake

In 2013, Brian Wiens felt God nudging

his church hours are spent on sermon

(1984–2010), Gerry Epp says, “Some

him to step away from his full-time

and service preparation and the other

people think pastors only work for one

paid position as pastor of community

Koop is paid 22 hours a week to pastor Blaine Lake (Sask.) MB Church and 15.5 hours as an underwriter for

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is a Christian who willingly shifts

July 2014 www.mbherald.com

“I see it more as an opportunity than a sacrifice.” and mission at Parliament Community Church, Regina, to shepherd Parliament’s new experimental missional community with five other couples. He also leads AIDS Programs South Saskatchewan.

At New Initiative, “we’re seeking to model a movement that doesn’t rely on paid staff, that could have the capacity to grow organically,” says Wiens.

In April, New Initiative baptized a couple, recent immigrants from China, who through relationship desired to “enter into the life we’re living.” Another couple, who aren’t Jesus followers, consider New Initiative “their group” for processing life.

Wiens spends about eight hours a week discipling New Initiative’s leadership team and providing leadership to the larger group, while working full-time as director of a nonprofit that serves people living with HIV, including many injection drug users and those who don’t have a place to live. He says, “It raises questions for a middle class group like ours.”

Christians, such as “The church is irrelevant.” But “maybe that isn’t a misconception,” he says. “Church isn’t as visible from the standpoint I’m in now as it was from my desk at church.”

Rather than hold a Sunday worship service or weekly children’s programs, New Initiative eats and prays together on Tuesdays, serves as families at a care home and intentionally opens their living rooms to each other and anyone God brings. With no paid pastor, everybody pitches in. “This needs to be team-based,” says Wiens.

God in the challenge In addition to paying the bills, being bi-vocational can open doors to faith conversations by boosting the pastor’s credibility and exposure in the community. It can also stimulate teambased leadership within the church and offer the pastor a regular change of pace. But the challenge of balancing dual commitments is real.

Though the pastors all recognize the necessity of bi-vocational ministry in their own context (often due to limited church budgets), their answers to “Would you recommend it?” differ.

After 15 years of pastoring, Wiens says, “I realized people weren’t waking up Sunday morning asking what church to go to,” but everyone needs a place to share insecurities, successes and failures.

Since there are many avenues for ministry that may get overlooked when the pastor’s time is restricted, Hawreschuk doesn’t suggest bi-vocational ministry unless it’s necessary for survival.

At his day job, Wiens is conscious of the opportunity to undo misconceptions people have about

Buhler says he’d recommend being bi-vocational to any pastor: “It puts you in community, and it puts less

pressure on the church, especially smaller churches.” Since many people in the community won’t cross the threshold of the church, building other skills within the community can augment ministry.

Epp says, “Do it! It puts you where the people are,” adding, “if you want a challenge, that is.”

Wiens stresses the need for a sense of calling to bi-vocational ministry. “We wrestle with our boundaries as a family, with staying healthy, finding Sabbath,” he says, but he sees this more as an opportunity than a sacrifice.

When asked what he would change, Epp says, “I certainly would have trusted God more! Looking back with 20/20 vision, we can see how God provided each step of the way and worked things out when we thought it was impossible.”

“My wife and I have gone through difficult times,” says Hawreschuk, “but never have we gone without what we needed.” He recalls the day they gave three frozen chickens to a needy family only to have someone show up at their door with a gift of six more frozen chickens.

“I’ll always be a pastor at heart,” says Koop. “The fact that I’m only 22 hours a week is inconsequential. There are challenges and privileges presented by any situation in life.

“You pray and cry your way through it, and God does amazing things.”

MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD July 2014

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N E W S in stor y

Volunteers repair homes and hopes

A

shley Mayberry has no regrets about giving up her spring break to sand, prime and paint newly installed drywall in High River, Alta.

The University of Manitoba student and 10 others from Fort Ga rr y Mennonite Bret hren (FGMB) Church’s college and career group spent one week assisting long-term Mennonite Disaster Services (MDS) volunteers with restoring homes damaged by the June 2013 floods.

“The best part was meeting the families,” says Mayberry. “We glorify God by reflecting God’s love to others and letting them know they are not alone. We are all neighbours on this earth and responsible for each other.”

Janet Plenert, director of MDS’s Canadian operations, says one of the strengths of MDS is having a constituency of Anabaptist churches who support the work of MDS as it helps people in Canada and the U.S. recover from disasters.

This past year, 559 MDS volunteers have cleaned and restored homes in High River, a community

NEWS

Mayberry loved sharing the excitement of two teenage boys as they selected the colour of paint for their newly renovated bedrooms in the basement of their home.

The boys had lost their rooms and most of their possessions when six feet of floodwater rushed into their basement. This past year, they slept on couches in the living room on the main floor.

“It’s nice to know the boys will soon have their bedrooms back and their own space again,” Mayberry says. “We hear on the news that there was a flood but we don’t hear the stories. Hearing the stories made our work more meaningful.”—Gladys Terichow, CCMBC writer

whose 13,000 residents were ordered to evacuate last June. Many have not yet been able to return to their flood-damaged homes.

Over summer 2013, MDS volunteers cleaned and sanitized 47 homes in preparation for work.

Since January 2014, volunteers have been repairing and renovating houses – primarily basement living spaces and bedrooms. To date, 28 residences have been completed.

MDS anticipates staying in High River through 2015. “We will keep on working until there is a reason to end,” says Plenert.

Janessa Giesbrecht, FGMB pastor of youth and college and career, sees a lot of value in “Canadians helping Canad ia ns” – ju st Fort Garry MB Church volunteers with MDS long-term volunteers: (back l-r: Ruth Kolman like Jesus was (MDS), Ashley Mayberry, Tyson Gross, Carly Penner, Tyler Friesen and Kevin Thiessen. involved in Middle row: Ashley Janzen, Janessa Giesbrecht, Sarah Turner, Michelle Hoeppner, Kayla Friesen, Kelby Friesen and Doug Janzen (MDS), (front) Ron Bushman (MDS), Doug Boyes meeting needs in (MDS) and Jacob Dettweiler (MDS). his community.

IN SHORT

Muslims & Christians together

Peace coordinator for MCC Nigeria, Mugu Zakka Bako, reports that in Jos, Nigeria, Muslims and Christians worked shoulder to shoulder rescuing victims from debris and consoling one another after the May 20 blasts that killed 122. As volunteers from MCC partner Emergency Preparedness Response Teams saved lives and directed traffic, they watched for signs of follow-up violence. Mennonite Central Committee’s peacebuilding work has been a priority in Nigeria since 2001.—MCC release

Bible readers engage church The Canadian Bible Engagement Study found only 14 percent of Canadians read the Bible at least once a month in

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“Only a few people in our group had construction experience, but we had a willingness to learn and a willingness to do what was asked of us,” says Giesbrecht. “We went with the attitude that we are here to serve. What is needed, we will do.”

Mayberry has been part of FGMB’s college and career since November. On her first mission trip, she wanted to put her faith into action. “Just like people are sharing God’s love with me, I want to share it with others,” she says.

She returned to Winnipeg with a greater awareness of the trauma and chaos that families face when their homes are damaged by natural disasters, such as floods.

July 2014 www.mbherald.com

2014 – down from 28 percent in 1996.

Some 64 percent believe the Scriptures of all world religions teach essentially the same things. Only 18 percent strongly agree that the Bible is the Word of God; these Canadians are 6 times more likely to attend services weekly than those who moderately agree. Canadians who talk with others about the meaning of the Bible are 4 times more likely to attend weekly services and 6 times more likely to read the Bible several times a week.—Centre for Research on Canadian Evangelicalism

Global religious diversity

The Pew Research Centre analyzed the religious diversity of more than 200 countries and territories by observing the population of adherents in eight groups: Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Judaism, unaffiliated, folk religion and other religions. The closer a country came to having equal shares of these

groups, the higher its score on a 10-point Religious Diversity Index. Singapore had the highest diversity score at 9; Canada was tied with Germany and North Korea at 5.3. Countries with a high degree of diversity (7–9) were all found in Asia-Pacific, sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America.—pewforum.org

MDS crews whirl into action

Mennonite Disaster Service continues to clean up the tornado damage in Mississippi and Nebraska. Apr. 27–28, in Winston County, Miss., 10 people were killed, 329 houses were destroyed, 116 suffered major damage and 126 experienced minor damage. More than 100 houses were damaged in Beaver Crossing, Neb., May 11. Within days, MDS’s early response teams began removing fallen trees and razed houses.

—mds.mennonite.net

PHOTO: COURTESY JANESSA GIESBRECHT

HIGH RIVER, Alta.

John Redekop – active, passionate, accountable

Politics professor is Christian camp’s biggest advocate

Y

ou can’t get very far into conversation with John Redekop before politics comes up. That, and his even greater passion – Christian camping, especially B.C.’s Stillwood Camp and Conference Centre.

He has other interests, of course. Redekop is a columnist and author; he loves writing, especially about politics. He may be most familiar to Canadian Mennonite Brethren through his “Personal Opinion” column in the MB Herald 1964–2003.

He is a teacher, once in the public school system, then for decades a university professor of political science. Today, Redekop watches many of his students’ careers with great satisfaction.

And he has served on many boards, including as moderator of the Canadian MB conference, and, of course, on Stillwood’s board.

Stillwood roots Some 200 supporters honoured Redekop at a dinner at the camp Apr. 27, 2014. His roots go back to its beginning; some of his handwritten minutes from the first meeting Oct. 2, 1958, are included in the 50th anniversary celebration book.

While teaching high school in Langley, B.C., Redekop served on a committee to “form a camp society,” a group that ultimately purchased Stillwood’s property near Cultus Lake, south of Chilliwack, B.C. Redekop was secretary of that founding group.

Begun as Columbia Bible Camp, Stillwood’s first rudimentary buildings were constructed by volunteers. Redekop harkens back to early board meetings, when after business was done, everyone would go for their

tools. The tradition carries on in today’s comfortable, modern facilities; volunteer labour did much of the work.

Over the years, the camp board purchased adjoining lands and broadened the scope of its programs to year-round operation. It now has an annual budget of more than $3 million and serves thousands of visitors of all ages.

Political diversion Shor t ly a f ter Colu mbia Bible Camp started, Redekop’s academic career took him away from B.C.; he earned his PhD at the University of Washington and taught for a time in California.

He and wife Doris settled in Ontario where he became professor of political science at Waterloo Lutheran University (now Wilfrid Laurier).

Redekop was always fascinated by politics. He became an avid reader of the political column, “Under the Peace Tower” in Country Guide around age eight.

“I don’t know why, but I remember political data far better than other kinds of data,” he says.

Redekop looks on government and politics as “God’s other arena.” In fact, that’s the title of his ninth book, on which he is now working. Book number eight, The Tory Book, a compilation, is forthcoming. But his best-known book is still Politics Under God, a work translated into French and Spanish.

The magnetism of this “other arena” brought Redekop into early involvement with the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. He was vice president of EFC 1985–91, then served as president until 1993. He was

the first chair of the EFC’s Social Action committee: “I established it, and it’s still going.”

In 1994, he retired early from Wilfrid Laurier to return to B.C. and teach part-time at Trinity Western University, Langley, where he retains status as adjunct professor. He expresses gratitude that God has provided so many opportunities to share his political thoughts, both in print and as a professor.

PHOTO: CRAIG CARMICHAEL

WINNIPEG

Stillwood CEO Harry Edwards honours board member and camp champion John Redekop.

Phase II Proximity brought Redekop back to his other major passion.

He was quickly recruited back to Stillwood. “[Executive director] Henry Esau twisted my arm…. I never planned to stay this long. I am still as busy as I ever was. And I am not about to retire.” (He is 81, “but most days 71. On especially good days, I am 61.”)

Summer camping is changing, and Redekop wants to be part of Stillwood’s Phase II project, designed to embrace those changes. He says families are smaller now, and parents want to vacation with their kids during summer. New adult-oriented facilities will allow parents to share summertime Christian camping experiences with their children. He is actively fundraising now to make that happen.

Redekop’s fundraising activities are legendary. His diligent work over the years to find donors to pay for Stillwood’s development has taught him the importance of trust and building relationships with donors.

Redekop has developed a three-hour seminar on fundraising that he teaches on request.

He encourages donors to give while they are alive, not as a bequest, so they can take joy in seeing their money at work in the kingdom.

As Stillwood has grown, widened its ministry and modernized its facilities, there were new cabins, lodges, a dining hall, swimming pool, gym with meeting rooms, “hospital” and administrative centre to build – so many projects!

In the last two decades, Redekop can count 52 projects – “often four or five at a time,” he told the Apr. 27 dinner audience. His fundraising efforts brought in some $11 million to those 52 projects.

Redekop is quick to say that his greatest life satisfaction comes from Stillwood. “When I see hundreds of kids make decisions for Christ at camp,” he says, “there is nothing like it.” One evening at the campfire amphitheatre, 95 campers made a decision for Christ. One accepted Christ with tears. “He cried. I cried,” said Redekop.

“I am deeply grateful to God to allow me to play this role.”—Barrie McMaster, B.C. correspondent

MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD July 2014

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N E W S in stor y ABBOTSFO R D, B.C .

Replanting the word for 25 years

G

lasnost (openness), perestroika (restructuring): these words of the 1980s stirred the hearts of many Mennonites in Canada and brought hope to countless citizens of the Soviet Union. People with family roots in Russia, Ukraine, Lithuania and other Soviet republics witnessed the last days of the USSR with a yearning to bring the gospel back to their parents’ homeland.

It was a new day as 70 years of Communism came to an end.

The new words sparked formation of a new ministry to answer that gospel hunger. Logos International formed in Germany in 1985; visionary Johannes Reimer, a Mennonite emigrant from the USSR to Germany, brought the dream to Canada where it has flourished for 25 years.

May 1, 1989, Reimer met in a private Abbotsford home with Roy Just (president of Tabor College, 1963–1980, and Columbia Bible College, 1980–1985), Wally Unger

(then president of CBC), lawyer Ed Fast (currently Canadian trade minister), businessman John Hamm and former Mennonite Educational Institute principal Bill Wiebe.

The time was right, they decided, to make plans and start Canadian Christians on a pathway to provide Bible training by correspondence. Within a month, they had incorporated Logos Canada with a vision to raise up and educate new leaders who would in turn call out and train others – indigenous replanters of the Word in the former USSR. These Logos Canada pioneers agreed they should partner with people sharing a similar passion, like Dave and Elfrieda Loewen of Winnipeg, who had begun a camping ministry in the former Soviet Union. And Logos would work with Russian Baptist churches.

From the beginning, the vision has been for local and collaborative ministry. “We are not sending, we

LUANDA, Angola

ICOMB 2014

A

30-hour detention didn’t keep international partners from attending the annual summit of the International Community of Mennonite Brethren in Luanda, Angola, May 22–24, 2014. Representatives from Meserete Kristos Church (Mennonite) in Ethiopia held out against pressure to pay a bribe at customs and eventually arrived at the meeting.

Participants from Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas gave reports from their conferences, shared experiences of fostering engagement with the Confession of Faith, selected recipients for the Global Scholarship Fund and continued to discern the role and authority of ICOMB. 22

Ecclesial authority is “an important issue that led us to prayer,” says ICOMB chair Rudi Plett of Paraguay. “We need to enter the spiritual battle with a clean heart.”

David Wiebe, ICOMB executive secretary, says, “We sought God’s presence for a solution” regarding the India conference’s struggles. Wiebe and MB Mission general director Randy Friesen washed the feet of India representative E.D. Solomon.

Delegates green-lighted plans to hold a consultation on mission and prayer in the next two or three years. “We want to learn from one another and especially from God,” says Plett. “We are convinced these two aspects have to be linked if we

July 2014 www.mbherald.com

are facilitating,” says board member James Nikkel.

Prior to perestroika, Logos Germany had been educating home-study students in the underground church since 1985, utilizing instructors in North America and Germany. The first bricks-and-mortar school, on the site of a former Soviet camp and collective farm near Belorechensk, northeast of the Black Sea, opened in 1990 with 45 students.

But Reimer’s dream was for a Christian university in the heart of the region: a dream realized in 1992 when classes opened at St. Petersburg Christian University, thanks to Logos Canada and other supporters.

Canadian board members were pleased by the school’s impact on the local church. Stobbe found a thriving 250-member church of mostly recent converts pastored by a SPCU graduate on a 2007 visit to a Volvograd church.

“Some of [the members] were involved in starting new home groups, leading Bible studies and teaching seminars,” he says.

In 2014, the work has shifted.

SPCU is still a major piece of

Logos Canada’s work. But, faced by inflationary costs and regionalized training, its role has changed.

Stobbe says the site is also used as a convention centre and hotel, and the revenue is used to train leaders.

Logos Canada also funds indigenous missionaries and evangelists, medical and humanitarian initiatives and summer camps.

Because of economics, political changes and militant Islamic groups in some regions, there is a new sense of urgency.

Board member Henry Friesen, who translates the missionaries’ letters, says, “They could do more if we supported them more.”

Most Logos Canada supporters are Mennonite Brethren in Western Canada. Directors want to spread the word to include more people in the outreach, moving forward into the second quarter century. A Sept. 20, 2014, Logos Canada dessert night in Abbotsford, B.C., will celebrate 25 years of financial and prayer support for “replanting” the gospel in Communism’s barren swath.—Barrie McMaster, B.C. correspondent

want to have a movement driven by the Holy Spirit.”

The Latin American conferences shared the benefits derived from their regional communication and sharing network. The European conferences plan to create a similar cohort.

The Free Christian Church in Lithuanian was officially accepted as an ICOMB member, “welcomed with prayer, encouraging words and hugs as a loved family member,” says Plett.

Each conference report was followed by prayer. CCMBC executive director Willy Reimer identifies this as a highlight, especially hearing from the Ethiopian brothers. “We were inspired by their attitude following detention,” he says. “They blessed us with their Holy Spirit-filled ministry.”

A new component to this year’s gathering was a multi-day training session (May 16–17,

19–21) for local church leaders facilitated by global MBs. Teaching pastors to care for their families, Brazilian missionary Silvio de Campos had participants laughing and engaging with the material, says Wiebe, who presented a workshop on using the Confession of Faith.

The meetings wrapped up with a celebration service at Igreja Rocha Pinto in Luanda, attended by some 500 people including ICOMB representatives, local congregants, and representatives of the Angola Council of Churches and the department of religious affairs. “It was truly gala,” says Wiebe.

“The many choirs singing in a language I did not understand nevertheless led me to worship God and repent from prejudice I recognized in my heart,” says Plett. “I was blessed in this service.”—Karla Braun

HEPBURN, Sask.

Bethany College at a crossroads

Experienced Guides Help You Interpret The Sights Celebrating 45 Years of Value-Added Travel

situation is quite critical; we’re not “The sure if we can open the doors in fall,”

says Bethany College director of advancement Rick Guenther. The prairie Bible school has laid off staff and faculty and is working hard to make the 2014/2015 school year feasible.

In March 2014, the board approved a reduced budget in response to lower than expected student enrollment; however, by mid-April, projections were even lower, forcing leadership to evaluate whether they would sustain a viable school year.

“Because this situation developed quickly, we’re asking donors and partners to help us buy time for another year,” to allow Bethany and its partners to discern, listen and “rejig,” says Guenther.

“It could be Bible college as an institution needs to change,” says academic dean and instructor Gil Dueck. “However, we need to take structured steps to make sure our faith is passed on to the next generation.”

The impoverished immigrants who founded Bethany and schools like it in the 1930s had “a sense of responsibility for the educational component of their mission,” says Dueck. So today, “we have a duty before God to bring up our kids in the faith.”

At press time, employees had received a working notice of layoff based on length of service.

New and returning students have been personally notified. “It’s a bit risky being transparent, but we feel it’s the right thing to do,” Guenther says. “We’re doing a delicate dance of assuming we will go forward” while accepting that the coming school year may look significantly different.

“If this has run its course, we need to hear that,” says Dueck. “But I hope our situation can be a catalyst for serious conversation on the link between higher education and our collective mission as a church.”

Guenther observes faculty and staff must now practise the risk-taking faith they encourage in their students.

“We want to see God’s hand – to accept reality as it may be but also be open to the possibility that God can make things happen,” says Guenther. “There is hope here, a good sense of morale; I like to think that is the Spirit of God with us.”—Karla Braun

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planned GIVING

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14-05-29 6:20 AM

Invest in God’s Kingdom!

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.

Call us today at 1.888.964.7627 or visit us at mbmission.org MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD July 2014

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ABOVE THE RIM Basketball

Aug 4 - 8

ATTACK

Volleyball

Aug 11-15

ON THE PITCH

Soccer

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July 2014 www.mbherald.com

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Outtatown is an adventure to prepare you for the future.

Knowing God / Knowing Yourself / Knowing the World

www.outtatown.com A DISCIPLESHIP SCHOOL

Savin g a child

The Inspiring Story of Guinness World Record Holder Arvid Loewen

Throughout Moldova, Ukraine and Romania, more than 70,000 children live in state homes often in poor repair because the governments can’t afford to keep the houses in good and safe condition. Throughout the region, many thousands more children are abandoned or orphaned; alone, unprotected, homeless and walking the streets. Many of these kids are kidnapped and forced into the sex trade.

According to one CNN report, 75% of the sex workers in the Netherlands at the moment originate from Eastern European countries such as Romania.

These are children we want to save and need your help to do it. These children need our love and support, often for lengthy periods. We ask that you prayerfully consider sponsoring one of these children today. For just $32.00 a month, the equivalent of a coffee a day, you can bring hope, the love of God and light into the life of an abandoned, at-risk child.

A gift of sponsorship will help us provide emotional, physical and spiritual help to these deserving children.

6040 km across Canada in 13 days 6 hours 13 minutes $3 million raised for Mully Children’s Family

purchase at www.grandpascan.com Arvid has accomplished feats on a bike that most of us would not even dream of, let alone dare to tackle. His message is an inspiration.

- Cindy Klassen, Six-time Canadian Olympic medalist

To book Arvid for an event: 204-996-8758, loewen.arvid@gmail.com

Ministering to

MISSION WITHOUT BORDERS

For more information or to begin a child sponsorship please call us toll free at 1-800-494-4454 Or visit our website at www.mwbca.org

Friday, May 9, 14

British Columbia

MCC is a church-based agency that serves in the name of Christ by providing relief, development and peace initiatives in over 60 countries. MCC British Columbia supports the international work of MCC and operates several local programs that serve needs here at home. MCC BC has an operating budget of $10 million with 75 staff and 3,000 volunteers who work in 10 thrift shops and a range of other activities.

We also own several subsidiary enterprises that operate local programs and hold legacy investments.

Employment Opportunities Finance and Administration Director The Finance & Administration Director is a new position that reports to the Executive Director and is responsible for all financial services related to the operations of MCC BC, and also provides expertise and oversight related to subsidiary enterprises. Administrative responsibilities include property, office equipment, information systems, and insurance.

Qualifications include: certification in a professional accounting association, proven track record in a related leadership role, knowledge and experience related to the charitable sector, proficiency with computer systems and accounting software, experience with policy development, and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.

Advancement Director The Advancement Director reports to the Executive Director and is responsible for all fundraising, marketing and communications activities including direct mail, monthly giving, major donors, fundraising events, media, church relations, planned giving, marketing a wide range of MCC activities, and creating new initiatives to engage our constituency and expand the donor base.

Qualifications include: proven track record as a leader in fundraising and communications, experience with related best practices, passion for networking and constituency relations, effective communicator in various mediums, proficiency with fundraising software, aptitude for creating innovative strategies for growth, and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.

MCC workers are required to have a personal Christian faith, active church participation, a commitment to non-violent peacemaking, and support for the mission of MCC. Please send a cover letter and resume to - Attention: Human Resources (confidential) MCC BC, Box 2038, 31414 Marshall Rd., Abbotsford, B.C. V2T 3T8 Or by fax to: 1-604-850-8734, or by email to: hrdirector@mccbc.com

Check www.mccbc.ca for more information on MCC and this job posting.

MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD July 2014

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Youth Pastor “Plus”

C H U R C H S TA FF Lead Pastor

Gem (Alta.) MB Church, a rural congregation of 85 members, is prayerfully seeking a pastor with a love for people and community. We are seeking someone with shepherd qualities, and passion for preaching, teaching and outreach.

One who will equip us, challenge us to grow and to use our gifts within our ministry. We have recently completed a ReFocusing process and are working to establish a clear vision for our ministry. Please send resumes via email to gklassen@eidnet.org, or contact Greg Klassen at 403-633-4740.

Part-time Pastor

Cornerstone MB Church, Prince Rupert, B.C., is seeking an experienced, part-time pastor to minister to a congregation of approximately 40 people. The successful candidate will provide leadership, vision and pastoral care to the congregation and offer the varied and flexible skills required in a smaller setting. The candidate should carry the call of pastor/teacher with a strong evangelistic leaning and have a love for both the church and un-churched in the community. Although not essential, musical abilities would be a great asset. Applications with a cover letter and resume should be made to mbchurch@citytel.net, attention Mr. B. Buhr or call 250-627-1033.

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, Spiritled 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.

Grow Lead Pastor

St. Ann’s (Ont.) Community Church welcomes applicants for the position of lead pastor. Our church is located 3–5 miles east of Smithville, Ont., in the Niagara Peninsula. We are a congregation of 113 active members with an average weekly attendance of 150–160. Our website is:

lifelong faith

www.stannscommunitychurch.ca. Please send resumes to the elders board c/o David Lackey, board chair, email: davidlackey67@gmail.com.

Pastor of Youth Ministries

Port Rowan MB Church is prayerfully looking for a full-time pastor of youth ministries. The applicant must be passionate about discipling youth and seeing them mature in Christ. Primary responsibilities: provide direction and leadership to the junior and senior youth ministries; effectively communicate God’s Word; nurture and develop smooth transitions through our youth ministries. Please check out our website for more information: www.portrowanmbchurch.com. Interested candidates need to send their resumes attention Jeff Reimer, Port Rowan MB Church, 465 – 1st Concession Rd., Port Rowan, ON, Canada, N0E 1M0, or email reimerj@kwic.com.

Director of Children & Youth Ministry, Worship Coordinator

Cedar Park Church in Ladner, B.C., is seeking two new people to join our staff: 1) director of children and youth ministry – 30 hrs/wk, 2) worship coordinator – 12 hrs/wk. For more information and directions on how to apply, please contact Mike Soltis, mike@cedarparkchurch.org.

Deadline: July 31, 2014.

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What does it mean to be a Mennonite conservative? An evangelical Anabaptist?

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July 2014 www.mbherald.com

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FA M I LY news

TR ANSITIONS Harry Loewen started as English ministry lead pastor at Port Moody (B.C.) Pacific Grace Church Oct. 1, 2013. He graduated from Briercrest, has an MDiv from MBBS, Fresno, Cal., and a DMin from Western Seminary, Portland, Ore. He has previously pastored at First Armenian Presbyterian Church, Fresno; Arnold Community, Abbotsford, B.C.; Eagle Ridge Bible Fellowship, Coquitlam, B.C.; and planted East Ridge Community Fellowship, Maple Ridge, B.C. Harry and Lorraine have 3 married daughters and 9 grandchildren.

Scott Koop began as lead pastor at Highland MB Church, Calgary, May 26, 2014. Originally from Calgary, Scott has a BA in pastoral leadership from Rocky Mountain College, Calgary, and has nearly completed an MA in leadership and ministry from Ambrose Seminary, Calgary. He previously served 5 years as lead pastor in an Evangelical Mennonite church.

Scott and Angela have 3 sons.

Jonathan Giesbrecht began as pastor of worship arts and community life at Greendale MB Church, Chilliwack, B.C., July 2, 2014. He has a BA in biblical studies with a minor in worship from Columbia Bible College, Abbotsford, B.C., and has previously served with MB Mission’s TREK program and at Northview Community Church, Abbotsford, B.C., as an intern and part-time staff. He is married to Breanna.

Previous director of worship arts Gina Balzer completed her service June 2013.

Doug and Deanna Hiebert departed June 2014 for a 5-year term with MB Mission to equip church leaders and build capacity in Burundi. Doug and Deanna studied at Concord College, Winnipeg; University of Waterloo (Ont.) and Brock University, St. Catharines, Ont. They have both worked as teachers and

Mennonite Central Committee area representatives for Africa Great Lakes Region (2003– 2008), and Doug served as pastor at Cornerstone Church, Virgil, Ont., 1997–1999 and 2009–2013. They have 3 daughters: Madeline, Keza, Avery.

BIRTHS BOUWERS – to Daniel & Jordan (Osborn) of Courtenay, B.C., a son, Elijah Cedar, Oct. 4, 2013.

BURRELL – to Kevin & Kayla of Waldheim, Sask., a son, Tucker Christopher Andrew, Jan. 11, 2014.

Youth pastor at Parliament Community Church, Regina, since August 2012, Jimmy Schimmel resigned effective June 2014 to take on the role of director at Katepwa Lake Camp, Fort Qu’Appelle, Sask.

FALK – to Calen & Emma (Gillett) of Blantyre, Malawi, a son, Khyler John Rohan, Jan. 29, 2014.

Emmaus Church, Surrey, B.C., held its final gathering Mar. 2, 2014. Members commemorated the ways God used Emmaus church to minister in the Grandview Heights neighbourhood and to help them grow spiritually. The congregation affirmed pastoral teams Dave and Bev Ellis, and David and Alisha McKay for their leadership and blessed them to move forward into new circles of influence. Dave challenged members to be active in new communities of faith, enriched by their experiences at Emmaus. Planted in 2009, Emmaus church met at Pacific Heights Elementary School, Surrey, B.C., with support from the B.C. MB conference and Greendale MB Church, Chilliwack, B.C. The church was not able to achieve financial sustainability.

FEHR – to Jim & Chrissy (Knoll) of Abbotsford, B.C., a daughter, Hana Joy, Feb. 20, 2014.

On a mission to connect with neighbours, City on a Hill, Victoria, met in Jim and Yvonne Mann’s home from 2005–2013, and joined the B.C. conference in 2005. The neighbourhood children were the first to come out, bringing mothers or grandmothers. “We saw people pray for the first time, and together we walked through some of life’s biggest challenges of illness and death,” says Yvonne. “We enjoyed watching people experience a loving God, even expressing their faith in baptisms.” Attendance averaged 12–15 over the years, with a high of 27. By 2012, leaders identified a need for change and decided in 2013 to disband. Members have found homes in a variety of local churches. The Manns are currently part of another neighbourhood church plant meeting in a local community centre.

FREEBAIRN – to Chris & Joanne of Mission, B.C., a son, Micah James, Mar. 23, 2014.

HERMANSON – to Devin & Danielle of Beechy, Sask., a son, Marshall Hawkin, Mar. 29, 2014.

RYAN – to Tim & Asher of Waldheim, Sask., a son, Obadiah Josiah, Sept. 29, 2013.

STEELE – to Ben & Kinshasa (Falk) of Black Creek, B.C., a son, Reuben Kyro, Jan. 7, 2014.

TAYLOR – to Jeff & Tara of Beechy, Sask., a son, Karsten Adam, Dec. 19, 2013.

WOLLF – to Josh & Rachel (Laird) of Hague, Sask., a daughter, Alayna Joy, May 6, 2014.

WEDDINGS Colin BOESE of Saskatoon & Trisha FOTH of Waldheim, Sask., Apr. 12, 2014.

Calvin DIXON of Melville, Sask., & Leanne THIESSEN of Waldheim, Sask.,

HOOGE – to Micah & Ashley of Yarrow, B.C., a son, Elijah David, Apr. 20, 2014.

Aug. 17, 2013.

KLASSEN – to Benj & Lindsay (Kuehl) of Black Creek, B.C., a son, Maverick Albert LeRoy, Mar. 7, 2014.

MELBOURNE of

LANG – to Cameron & Ashton of Beechy, Sask., a son, Bryer Graham, Aug. 20, 2013.

POLSFUT – to Kodie & Kayla Duke of Saskatoon, a son, Karson-Rain Stewart, Apr. 1, 2014.

Joshua GIESBRECHT of Mitchell, Man., & Kathryn Winnipeg, May 3, 2014.

Steven QUIRING of Saskatoon and Stephanie KESSLER of Waldheim, Sask., Nov. 23, 2013.

Lukas TOEWS of Yarrow, B.C., & Jessica FEHR of Chilliwack, B.C., Apr. 19, 2014.

MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD July 2014

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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

Jake Enns Feb. 11, 1928–July 31, 2013

BIRTHPLACE: Cereal, Alta.

PARENTS: Peter & Sara Enns MARRIAGE: Ann Martens, Oct. 29, 1950 BAPTISM: early 20s CHURCH: Killarney Park, Vancouver FAMILY: Ann; children Linda [d.], Terry (Carol), Gwen (Rich); 7 grandchildren; 2 greatgrandchildren

Jake was born to recent immigrants from Russia.

He accepted Jesus at an early age. Jake attended Mennonite Educational Institute, Abbotsford, B.C. He left home in his late teens to work for Emil Anderson Construction. Jake didn’t waver in his faith. He met Ann while visiting friends in Vancouver; after a year courtship, they married, honeymooning in Seattle, Wash. Jake worked on the Hope–Princeton Highway, the PGE railway in Prince George, B.C., and the highway from Lytton to Ashcroft, B.C. In Lillooet, B.C., he operated heavy equipment, working on the Seton dam.

He worked 30 years for Vancouver Equipment.

Not wanting to sit around in retirement, from ages 65–77, Jake volunteered at Stillwood Camp – the job he enjoyed most. He loved spending time with his grandchildren. Jake fought through kidney failure until succumbing to an infection.

Susan Bartsch Apr. 2, 1928–Jan. 5, 2014

BIRTHPLACE: Demaine, Sask.

PARENTS: Peter & Nettie (Loewen) Isaak MARRIAGE: George Bartsch, Dec. 29, 1955 [d. Feb. 10, 2005] CHURCH: Clearbrook MB, Prairie Chapel, Central Heights MB, Abbotsford, B.C. FAMILY: children Ken (April), Lynette, Joan (Trever) Godard, Randal (Alaine), Cris (Lori); 8 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; 5 siblings

When her mother became ill, Susan left school at 13 to help with her younger siblings. In her 20s, she lived with other Mennonite girls cleaning homes in Vancouver. Later, she was a housekeeper at Essendale (Riverview Hospital). At 24, Susan decided to finish high school. On her way to Mennonite Educational Institute, Abbotsford, B.C., she passed George’s watch repair shop every day, and he fell in love with her. Some doubted her decision to marry a man in a wheelchair; that didn’t deter Susan. Susan and George’s children

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grew up to serve God in U.S.A., Australia, Mexico, Canada and South Africa. Church was a big part of their life; Susan and George helped plant Prairie Chapel and loved Central Heights. Susan wore many hats: loving wife, stay-at-home mom, bookkeeper/payroll clerk for Bartsch Jewellers, church librarian, pie-maker, lawn mower, Menno Voth missionary home caretaker, babysitter for grandchildren, caregiver to aging parents. After George’s death in 2005, Susan was diagnosed with Lewy Body dementia and spent her last 6 years at Sherwood Crescent Manor, Abbotsford. Her motto was “only what’s done for Christ will last.”

John Wichert July 26, 1923–Mar. 20, 2014

BIRTHPLACE: Mariawohl, Ukraine PARENTS: Henry & Elizabeth (Funk) Wichert MARRIAGE: Grace Friesen, Dec. 16, 1944 CHURCH: Virgil (Ont.) MB (now Cornerstone); Fairview MB, St. Catharines, Ont. FAMILY: Grace; daughters Carolyn (Henry Dyck), Ruth (DeWayne Fliss), Dorothy (Jim Carrie), Sharon (Norm Maxwell); 9 grandchildren; 6 greatgrandchildren

John’s family immigrated to Canada in 1926, arriving in Kitchener, Ont., and settling in the Niagara region, Ont. When John was 16, his father led him to Christ, and John was baptized. His uncle John was instrumental in his spiritual growth. John did well in his studies at Virgil (Ont.) Bible School.

A conscientious objector, John was assigned to Chalk River Bush Camp in 1944, but was granted leave to return to Bright’s farm. John met Grace at Virgil MB Church. John was a machinist for General Motors for 31 years. Early retirement at 57 allowed him time to picnic and bike with his grandchildren.

A rich bass, John loved singing in men’s choir and playing mandolin. He taught Sunday school to children, youth and adults. He saw the role of deacon as a high calling; he cared for widows sideby-side with Grace: hanging pictures, fixing taps and offering rides. John served humbly and faithfully – always ready to pray. When his memory deteriorated, John moved to Tabor Manor, where he continued to enjoy music, spontaneous prayer and nightly devotions with Grace.

Ann Goerz Apr. 26, 1920–Mar. 26, 2014

BIRTHPLACE: Rueckenau, Ukraine PARENTS: Henry & Anna (Wiebe) Braun

MARRIAGE: John Goerz, Nov. 6, 1948 [d. 1990] BAPTISM: Winnipeg, 1946 CHURCH: Kitchener (Ont.) MB; Fairview MB, St. Catharines, Ont. FAMILY: children Carl [d. 2011] (Susan), Judith (Helmut) Penner, Margaret Kuhl, Thomas; 4 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren

Ann’s mother died when Ann was 2, and she was raised by her Wiebe grandparents in Winnipeg.

Ann and John moved to Kitchener, Ont., in 1950 and stayed 40 years. After raising 4 children, she found satisfying work as a bookkeeper and accountant at Gascho Motors for 15 years. Ann’s most fulfilling role and true calling was leading Bible studies for all ages. She had a lifelong love of music, books and art, and even studied English at University of Waterloo after she retired. Many people remember her years as a volunteer baker at Camp Crossroads. Ann moved to Tabor Home, St. Catharines, in 1992. She made numerous trips to her favorite spots: Niagara-on-the-Lake and the pier at Port Dalhousie. She found peace by the lake, both in solitude or with a friend. A highlight was making weekly prison visits until she no longer had the strength. November 2013, she moved to Rockwood Terrace, Durham, Ont., near family, and quickly made friends again. She wanted nothing more than to be home with Jesus.

Justina (Jessie) Falk Oct. 3, 1931–Apr. 1, 2014

BIRTHPLACE: Winnipeg PARENTS: Peter P. & Helena (Froese) Hildebrand MARRIAGE: Jacob Falk, June 2, 1957 [d. October 1984] BAPTISM: Rosenort, Man., age 19 CHURCH: Portage Avenue, Winnipeg; Manitou (Man.) MB; Steinbach (Man.) MB FAMILY: children Ron (Helen), Ted (Irene), Howard (Wanda), Violet (Andrew) Wiens, Valerie (Brian) Funk; 16 grandchildren; 3 step-grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren including Kieran, Micah, Tobias Reimer [d.]; 2 step-great-grandchildren; 6 siblings

Jessie grew up in a Christian home near Lowe Farm, Man. At VBS, at 12, Jessie realized her need for a Saviour when she heard John 3:16. After Grade 8, she left school to help at home. Years later, she attended Winkler Bible Institute for 3 years, returned home and completed Grades 10 and 11. She moved to Winnipeg and worked at Pauline Chambers cookie factory. Jessie had an exceptional work ethic. She met Jake, whom she called her Prince Charming, at South End MB (now Portage Avenue) Church’s youth group. In 1965, MB Mission called them to India, but their visas were not approved. In 1967, they became

the first part-time paid pastor couple at Manitou (Man.) MB. In 1973, Jake attended seminary in Fresno, Cal., where Jessie babysat and grew in her faith. Steinbach (Man.) MB Church called Jake as pastor in 1975. Jessie worked alongside Jake, offering visitation and hospitality and volunteering as church secretary. After Jake’s death, she married his brother Ben, but this marriage didn’t survive, and 6 years later, she was alone. She found comfort in Jeremiah 29:11. Jessie taught Sunday school, led Friendship Bible Coffee, served as usher, did visitation and went on 2 overseas mission trips. Nov. 20, 2013, Jessie was diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer. Jessie was passionate about her relationship with Jesus and communicating, in word and action, his love. “The Lord has been faithful to me, in all my weaknesses and imperfections,” she said. “He was there.”

Henry Dick July 28, 1928–Apr. 8, 2014

BIRTHPLACE: Coaldale, Alta.

PARENTS: Bernhard & Gredel Dick MARRIAGE: Martha Thiesen, Aug. 31, 1956 BAPTISM: Coaldale MB, in his teens CHURCH: Linden (Alta.) MB FAMILY: Martha; children Wesley (Brenda), Evelyn (Glen) Bowe, Clarence (Dianne), Carla (Kris) Peters, Eldon [d. 1985]; 10 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; 3 siblings

Henry was born to recent immigrants from Ukraine. His family was very involved in Coaldale (Alta.) MB Church. Henry gave his heart to Jesus in his youth. After graduating from Mennonite Educational Institute, Abbotsford, B.C., he worked in a Coaldale lumberyard, and in 1966, moved to Linden, Alta., where he took on business ventures. Henry was active in the church. In Linden, he helped start a volunteer ambulance service that grew into the Kneehill Ambulance Society, servicing a large area northeast of Calgary.

she worked for the Doolittle family. She attended Sunday school, church and choir. At youth group, Grace met Bob. They took over his parents’ beef operation, and through many long hours, build up a fine dairy farm. Grace and Bob were active in church and community. Grace loved to bake and garden; she kept the freezer stocked with goodies and flowerbeds overflowing with colour. Her strong faith in God and her inner courage never wavered, and her quick wit was ever-present.

Adolph John Redekopp Jan. 14, 1927–Apr. 10, 2014 BIRTHPLACE: Kelstern, Sask.

PARENTS: John & Maria Redekopp MARRIAGE: Hilda Shellenberg, 1950 BAPTISM: age 14 CHURCH: Killarney Park MB, Vancouver; Central Heights, Abbotsford, B.C. FAMILY: Hilda; children Gordon [d.], Linda (Otto) Driedger, Paul (Carol), Ken (Patti); 5 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren

Adolph accepted Jesus as Saviour at 11. After leaving the family farm, he became a farmhand in Grassy Lake, Alta., a nurse’s aid at Moose Jaw (Sask.) Training School and a store clerk in Coaldale, Alta. Sensing God’s call to full-time church ministry, he obtained a BRE from MB Bible College, Winnipeg, and pastored in Pierceland, Sask.; Waldheim, Sask.; Boissevain, Man.; and Lashburn, Sask. In Vancouver, he worked with seniors in managerial chaplain roles, while being active in Killarney Park Church. In 1992, Adolph and Hilda retired to Abbotsford, B.C. With his gifts of service and evangelism, he counselled at camp in his youth, sang in quartets and choirs, served on committees, led a Sunday school mission and did care home visitation. Adolph was hardworking and practical. In his final years, when words failed, his strong humming of hymns was an expression of the hope within.

John Klassen

Grace Marie Gowanlock

PARENTS: Morley & Ellen Soules MARRIAGE: Bob Gowanlock, June 15, 1940 [d. September 2010] CHURCH: Christian Fellowship, Orillia, Ont. FAMILY: children Wray (Carol), Janet, Brian (Jeannie), David (Anne); 9 grandchildren; 8 greatgrandchildren; 1 sister

Grace took pride in her studies at West Ward and Uhthoff schools in Orillia, Ont. As a teen,

Rubina (Ruby) Pauls Mar. 13, 1918–May 8, 2014

Feb. 15, 1931–Apr. 23, 2014

Mar. 25, 1919–Apr. 9, 2014

through stories. In his later years, John visited those who were ill or shut-in. His Lord and his family were the centre of his life. John was diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy in 2013. Despite illness, he continued to bless others with his sense of humour, even in the palliative care ward.

BIRTHPLACE: Winnipeg PARENTS: Isaac & Gertrude Klassen, stepmother Mary Rempel MARRIAGE: Katie Schellenberg, June 11, 1955 [d. June 12, 1994]; Norma Baker Nov. 7, 1998 CHURCH: Portage Avenue, Winnipeg FAMILY: Norma; children Garth (Peggy), Karen (Curtis), Lori (Don), Larry (Jane); 11 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; 1 brother

John enjoyed curling, football and golf throughout his life. He spent much of his career in sales and enjoyed interacting with others

BIRTHPLACE: Mennon, Sask.

PARENTS: John E. & Helena (Lepp) Quiring MARRIAGE: Abe Pauls, June 17, 1943 [d.]

CHURCH: Dalmeny (Sask.)

FAMILY: children Gloria (Chuck) Storey, Leo (Elaine), Ron (Jean), Stan (Connie), Dave (Karen), Joanne (Grant) Neufeldt; 24 grandchildren including Ryan [d.]; 9 great-grandchildren, 5 siblings

Ruby left school at Grade 8 to help with farm and housework. At Bethany Bible Institute, Hepburn, Sask., she met Abe. After 9 years in Mildred, Sask., where Abe was teaching, they spent 46 years in Glenbush, Sask. Besides homemaking, Ruby was a dedicated gardener, janitor, 4-H instructor, Sunday school teacher, artist, seamstress and caregiver. Her hospitality was a trademark; many people will now miss the card or phone call wishing them a happy birthday.

George Toews July 26, 1952–May 14, 2014

BIRTHPLACE: Winnipeg PARENTS: Walter & Louise Toews MARRIAGE: Carla Rischer, June 15, 1974 CHURCH: Portage Avenue, Winnipeg FAMILY: Carla; children Joel (Colleen), Kristen (Gareth) Thiessen, Jonathan (Kimberly); 5 grandchildren; mother & stepfather; 1 brother

George lived fully committed to following Jesus.

At Portage Avenue Church, Winnipeg, he earned the Boys’ Brigade’s highest award, the Herald of Christ. At his 1977 graduation from Winnipeg Bible College (Providence University College), George received his MDiv, a preaching award and the honour of valedictorian. Pastoring in The Pas, Mather, Manitou, Rosenort and Winnipeg, Man., fulfilled his two greatest passions: preaching the Word and loving people. George enjoyed cross-country skiing, camping and water sports; he even converting his cedar-strip canoe to a sailboard. He loved attending jazz concerts with his family. George died of amyloidosis while serving as lead pastor of Portage Avenue Church.

A pastor to the end, he shared Jesus with everyone who visited him in palliative care.

MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD July 2014

29

Everyone’s an artist at Steinbach MB

E

lectronics repairman Henry Kasdorf never considered creating artwork as a sermon response. But after Steinbach (Man.) MB Church’s Respond & Reflect coordinator Pat van Nes encouraged him to “think about it,” he awoke at night, his brain swirling with ideas.

The cross he fashioned from old television and audio parts for the Easter series sparked further reflection as he related each component to faith (see sidebar).

“It has been amazing to see people you wouldn’t think as artistic contribute beautiful pieces,” says van Nes, coordinator for SMBC’s Respond and Reflect initiative launched in 2014. Another church’s lobby display inspired van Nes to turn “an odd corner in the church foyer” into an exhibition area for congregationgenerated art.

Anyone in the congregation can submit work for the “R&R” corner. Van Nes announces upcoming themes in the bulletin to allow people to think ahead, but she also taps shoulders.

“I often pray that God will show me the right people to ask,” she says. She looks for people “on the sidelines,” who aren’t up front teaching or leading music.

“The purpose is to bring people together; to think about how to respond and express their spirituality…to see God in different ways than the printed word.”

Van Nes pioneered the initiative with the Grades 6–8 girls’ Sunday school class whom she provided with canvases to paint their interpretation of the Christmas story during Advent 2013.

Then, pastor Walter Fast told van Nes his 2014 “Who is Jesus?” sermon series would be “a beautiful fit” to invite submissions from the congregation. “Jesus is…” answers came through doodle art, scrapbooking, photographs, objects (a rock and a candle) and a word puzzle.

For the duration of the sermon series, van Nes displays submissions with the creator’s name in the newly-painted the corner where she installed shelves. After the series is over, the pieces are returned

to the contributor or find another home in the church, like the prayer wall or board room.

“Part of our philosophy of worship includes offering people an opportunity to respond in some way,” says Fast. “This touches people who are more creative.”

“It’s been really cool to see little kids and seniors standing there [looking at the artwork], thinking,” van Nes says.

“That people young and older have responded willingly – it’s a neat sign that people are listening and want to engage,” says Fast.

“As long as ideas keep coming, I would like to see it continue,” says van Nes. Easter’s theme saw cabinetmaker Nick fashion a cross out of wood from his shop, retired teacher Sieg explore amber colours through his new hobby of stained glass, and elderly George, who van Nes says “still hunts, fishes and traps,” turn diamond willow branches from the local bush into a cross.

“I’m very encouraged by this added piece to our church life,” says Fast; “it brings people out of the woodwork.”— Karla Braun

God, the superconductor “Wire is the conductor of energy and power; we are connected to God’s power through the cross,” Kasdorf wrote. “Diodes allow power to flow in one direction and stop all power flowing in the opposite direction; the cross stops Satan’s power and gives God full flow. Capacitors store and release electric power; because of the cross God gives us power when we need it. Magnets are loaded with energy ready to be used just as God wants us to be full of his power and ready for his service. Are your switches turned ‘on’ for GOD?” 30

July 2014 www.mbherald.com

Intersection

of faith & life

A world of busy PHIL WAG LER

I

help coach my daughter’s ball hockey team. It’s fun and sometimes head-thumpingly frustrating to watch 7–8 year-olds figure out the nuances of playing a game together. Everyone wants to be the star.

Positional play? – Oy veh! Teaching a newbie to understand that staying in position is better for her and the team requires patience and produces the distinct sense you are an elevator song on repeat. I have gone hoarse beckoning young defensemen back to the blue line while they chase the ball behind the opposing team’s net.

Buffeted by busyness We have many good players on our team, but we play way too busy. There is a reason we are winless.

It strikes me that the frantic play of these little ones is a symptom. Who leads them to live this way? Multiple munchkins on our team are in multiple sports on the same day! They are busy, busy, busy.

Their lives become about running from one thing to the next, always experiencing but not necessarily engaging anything deeply. Is it any wonder they keep running blindly when they hit the floor?

So, my eyes rise from these wonderful kids on the arena floor to the stands where parents are checking their watches to see if they’ll get to the next thing and scrolling through their phones, paying attention to people who aren’t present.

We’re all prone to this lack of lifeattention as we are buffeted about in our busyness.

Is this just a middle-class issue, the burden of those who still haven’t found what they’re looking for?

I’m not so sure.

I believe this is something much broader and deeper, perhaps even

something stemming from the principalities and powers that hold sway.

Culturally – and I grant this is from my limited vantage point – we are a thoroughly distracted and undisciplined culture. Our busyness, our itch for constant distraction and amusement, is sign of our inability to live within limits and from deep-seated convictions.

Positional play We are disciplined only in our busyness, and that leads us to be undisciplined everywhere else – even to shun those things that are most life-giving.

my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28–30).

Jesus invites stressed and busy people to a yoke. Not exactly the image of the “free,” self-determined life we chase like an orange ball on an arena surface.

To be yoked to Jesus is to allow him to take the lead and teach us, coach us, in the better way. The first step of discipleship in a world of busy is counterintuitive: the discipline of staying hitched to Jesus’ lead. This will take some very practical forms and rhythms, themselves counterintuitive but ultimately freeing and full of life.

We are disciplined only in our busyness and that leads us to be undisciplined everywhere else.

We are addicted to busy, and there is as of yet no Busy-holics Anonymous.

So, how are we to make disciples in a world of busy? I am increasingly convinced that swapping one form of activity for another – even Christian, churchy bustlings – is not the answer.

People do not need more stuff loaded on their overflowing plates or even a better balance on them – they’re stuffed to the gills as it is.

We need to assess whether we hold any convictions we’re ready to discipline life around. To recover my ball hockey coach observation: we need to learn the value of getting into position, for only from there will we learn the life that wins.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For

So, some questions to consider: k What does the pace of my life

reveal about my deepest convictions? k What disciplined position must I

learn (or relearn) to bring my life in line with my deepest convictions? k What is my pace of life communi-

cating to others about where meaning and identity are ultimately found? k Who do I need to help me stay true

to my decision to be yoked to Jesus, and what role does Christ-centred community play in this?

Phil Wagler is lead pastor of Gracepoint Community Church, Surrey, B.C., and author of Kingdom Culture. He’s still learning the value of staying in position and listening to the coach.

MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD July 2014

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