MB Herald May/June 2016

True success The Jesus way

love the stranger

2 French schools unite

Volume 55, No. 3 Publications mail registration number: 09648; Agreement number: 40009297 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Circ. Dept., MB Herald, 1310 Taylor Avenue, Winnipeg, Man. R3M 3Z6

MB agencies church plant together

MAY/JUNE 2016 W W W. M B H E R A L D . C O M

Stories in Art

This artwork by an Assyrian Christian woman comes from the “Stories in Art from Iraqi Kurdistan” exhibit at the Mennonite Heritage Centre Gallery, Winnipeg.

The Assyrian Christian community in Iraq have lived in the Nineveh Valley since ancient times. However, as the group calling itself Islamic State (referred to here as Daesh) invaded

the region, they gave Christians four options: pay a large tax in order to stay, convert to Islam, flee or die.

Thousands of the residents headed toward the Christian communities in Iraqi Kurdistan.

This small region is now home to 2.5 million refugees and displaced persons, including refugees from Syria and Syrian Kurdistan and

internally displaced Iraqis, Yazidis and Christians.

Kathy Moorhead Thiessen, a Winnipeg Mennonite and member of Christian Peacemaker Teams, invited ordinary people to share their story through art for this exhibit, in Winnipeg Apr. 2–May 14, 2016; at Conrad Grebel University College, Waterloo, Ont., later in May.

For my son Nur Amar.

God is my light [nur] and my salvation – whom shall I fear?

(Psalm 27).

His name [nur] means “light.”

—Lamia’ Bahnam Yshua

For my daughter Sanaria Amar.

The words on this drawing are translated as Jesus is our hope, We help, We live, in solidarity with each other, We educate, We share, We forgive, We live truthfully, We offer peace, We teach, We refuse injustice, We respect each other, We promote dialogue, We love, We thank, We are joyful, We are merciful, We pray, We are “the people,”... Who are you?

The red symbol “N” in Arabic is the first letter of Nasara (“Christians” in Qur’anic language). This letter was inscribed by Da’ash on our houses to show where the Christians lived.

—Lamia’ Bahnam Yshua

“ Jesus is my hope.”

[ CONTENTS

IN THIS ISSUE

8 12 14

FEATURES They’re part of our family now

How Mennonite Brethren churches are responding to the refugee crisis –Karla Braun

Testimony

Do something –Randy Wollf

Viewpoint How to work and share across differences: Interfaith dialogue

–Kevin Guenther Trautwein

DEPARTMENTS 5 Letters 6 Homepage 19 News 22 Births

4 16 34

15 18

COLUMNS Editorial What can we do?

–Karla Braun

ICOMB – Wiebe’s witness Faithfulness and hospitality after upheaval –David Wiebe Intersection of faith and life Who’s in charge?

–Sandra Reimer

CONFERENCE NEWS

24 Classified ads 26 Church staff ads 27 Transitions 28 Finish lines [Obituaries] 32 Crosscurrents

CONNECT WITH US ONLINE DIGITAL EDITION issuu.com FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/MBHerald

Executive director: True success

TWITTER twitter.com/MB_Herald

The “big idea’’: MB agencies planting churches together

WEBSITE mbherald.com JOBS jobs.mbherald.com PDF SUBSCRIPTION Email karla.braun@mbchurches.ca to subscribe via email COVER: MB Mission

Mennonite Brethren Herald | May/June 2016

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[ EDITORIAL

What can we do?

Most of us hadn’t given much thought to Syria.

In fact, before 2011, if we heard the name through our relief and development agency Mennonite Central Committee, it was a location of safety for Iraqis fleeing violence in their country. But the protests of the “Arab Spring” didn’t go over so well in Syria, and by 2012, MCC’s partners in the region were pleading, “Please do not forget the Syrian people.”

With each passing year, MCC broadcast urgent but hopeful stories from the region: a Syrian Orthodox youth leader from Damascus worries about the toll of bombing on children’s psyches; a Syrian girl sheltering in Lebanon attends “Hope and Light school,” praying that her missing father might return; emergency food distribution enables families to survive another season in desperate straits.

Still, it wasn’t until a heartbreaking photo from the Mediterranean headlined news worldwide – a twoyear-old child washed up like a doll on a beach – that we began to ask, “What can we do?”

For many, the answer has been to sponsor a family (see pages 8–11).

As churches rushed to MCC for help with the sponsorship process, not only did we discover that the wheels of bureaucracy turn slowly, but that thousands of people are caught in the cogs – not only the millions from Syria we heard so much about, but many from countries we haven’t. Countries like Eritrea, Burma, Bhutan, DR Congo and Colombia took root in our consciousness for the first time as we began to imagine a family displaced from there who would soon come here.

Wallets opened; furniture, dishes and clothing poured in.

We were ready to provide.

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Everyone counts

“What it means to be a refugee, in some ways, is to lack a place in the world where one’s actions and words have meaning. It’s to be treated as someone who doesn’t count.”

That’s how PhD student and researcher on migration Craig Damian Smith puts it on CBC’s Ideas from the Trenches.

This is why we need to act. We don’t believe anyone is worthless. As Christians, we believe God’s image rests on each one of us; we all have value. This is why evangelicals oppose abortion, why Anabaptists oppose war, why people of faith are concerned about the government removing restrictions around euthanasia. Everyone counts.

“A refugee is a person who doesn’t have a home; doesn’t have a community,… [isn’t] able to make claims on other people,” says Smith.

Our MB Confession of Faith says that we are created to live in “mutually helpful relationship with each other.” We talk about accountability and community; it’s in our nature to need each other both for positive identity and critical feedback.

Everyone needs connection.

People like us

“If every church or synagogue or neighbourhood took one family and just welcomed them into that existing community, that would be huge,” Mary Jo Leddy suggests during the same radio program. For 20 years, she has shared her life with refugees and asylum seekers at Romero House in Toronto. In so doing, she has learned the simple power of taking time to see another person.

Our social system provides a lot of supports, but it doesn’t provide friends.

“Community” is part of many of our

church names. Will we share that hope of relationship through our lives?

My friend Carol does. While she was growing up in a large Mennonite Brethren family in Saskatchewan, her family supplied a trailer across the yard for a Hmong family the churches and rural community had sponsored from Laos.

Her parents demonstrated generosity and hospitality, making a home for this family just as Carol’s father had been welcomed after his family’s flight from Russia.

Now Carol is the example as she gives sacrificially of her time to the refugee family who lives next to our church… and to their friends….and so on.

“How many churches do we have in this city?” she asks. “If each one would come around a refugee family in friendship, they’d all be supported.”

And, we would develop transformative relationships that would teach us new things about Jesus too.

“People can’t see them (refugees) as people like themselves,” says Smith.

The power of the photograph of the drowned child was that it helped us to see a refugee as a person like ourselves.

Parents and grandparents saw their own children on that beach. Others finally saw the humanity that numbers couldn’t convey.

What can we do? We can allow the lifelight of Christ to burn away the darkness of fear and to illuminate the faces of God’s children who have lost hope. We can be friends.

—Karla Braun

[ Reader response Arresting title

Re “Bethany, dead at 88” (The year that was, January/February 2016). The title was different enough to attract my attention and I read the whole article. Far from being insensitive, it treated the institution as a beloved daughter whose end is mourned by all.

Shirley Bergen Winnipeg Still reading

want non-Mennonites there. This is confirmed in cold stares, the lack of friendly hellos, the favouritism. You were once oppressed, but now, you have become oppressors. The moment you landed on Canadian soil, you became part of oppression – that’s the truth in Truth and Reconciliation.

God is endlessly creative. I am as proud of my background as you Mennonite folks are of yours. Could we agree on “no culture but Christ” proclaimed from the pulpit?

We still like receiving the Herald by snail mail, even though we follow things electronically!

Thanks for keeping it going.

Until then, just tell us: there’s no place for us in your community churches where Christianity has become so entangled in your culture.

Elfrieda and Hardy Schroeder Winnipeg

Name Withheld by Request

The blood of Christ saves, not bloodline In a Bible belt filled with thousands of churches, I’m having a hard time finding a church home. In every other area of our lives, my family is happy, popular, well employed and well educated. But we lack something not even tied to the gospel of grace: the right bloodline.

I love Christ passionately. My little family is diverse, part Indigenous – but who cares, right?

Yet there are no church homes for us in the Fraser Valley.

I am tired of hearing about Mennonite culture at church. I go to church to worship Christ, not to enter into someone else’s family reunion or culture clubs.

Why bother with mission? Once they find Christ, where will all these “others” go to church and not be made to feel like second-class citizens?

You run vacation Bible schools, soccer camps and Christmas concerts; you extend the invitation of the gospel, but it feels like you don’t

ONLINE COMMENTS Re “It’s time to return stories” (Crosscurrents, May; posted Mar. 23, 2016).

Thank you, Randy, for this insightful overview, and the manner in which you grapple with the larger issues at hand. Our time in Chiapas, Mexico, very much highlighted the two ways in which syncretism is expressed. I pray our MB churches have courage to take this path much-less-travelled to reconcile and embrace the experience and perspectives of Indigenous Christians.

Rick Block Thanks for the review, Randy. I think some of the issues you are talking about are just the tip of the iceberg in terms of Indigenous Christianity. Sounds like a good book to read, and it also inspires me to find more Aboriginal theological scholars.

Robert Kroeker

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.

May/June 2016 Mennonite Brethren Herald is published bimonthly 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: 1996–2015.

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Staff

Provincial conventions, where art thou?

This year, visit the provincial conferences’ websites to find their coverage of the annual convention, or go to CCMBC’s website for directions to all the reports and links to watch the recorded proceedings on GMMiTV.

Karla Braun associate editor Colton Floris designer + illustrator Helga Kasdorf circulation + advertising Angeline Schellenberg copy editor Darcy Scholes design lead

Volume 55, Number 3 • Copy run: 14,500 THE MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD IS A PUBLICATION OF

www.mennonitebrethren.ca/provincial-conventions-2016/

Mennonite Brethren Herald | May/June 2016

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MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD

HOMEPAGE

It’s a new beginning for 30-year-old MRCC: becoming a mother church. The congregation has experienced the joy and challenge of a “full house” at their weekend gatherings for a couple of years; however, this launch is not a space management solution. Both mother and daughter are seeking to have greater redemptive influence in their community.

After a season of prayer and discernment, “we realized that Maple Ridge had become our mission field – of friends and neighbours,” says Jonathan. “There is incredible need: 90,000 people with only a few gospel-centred, Spirit-led, mission-focused churches.”

“We’ve seen some neat fruit from stepping out,” says Jonathan. As the Jubilee team handed out invitations to the church launch, “we were able to share the love of Jesus in a number of long (20–30 minute) conversations” – even healing prayer for a tattooed biker.

Stories from the harvest fields New beginnings in Maple Ridge

Easter is a season when believers celebrate the reality of the resurrection of Jesus, and the fact that God is a living disruptive presence. We celebrate new beginnings made possible by Jesus, the Lord of life.

This Easter signalled new beginnings for Jonathan and Lauren Headley. After nine years as youth and associate pastor at Maple Ridge (B.C.) Community Church, Jonathan has gathered a team to launch a new faith community, Jubilee. They want to be a church that proclaims good news, freedom and healing in the name of Jesus, to extend God’s grace and favour through Jesus to their community on the northeastern edge of Metro Vancouver.

[ On the web Foodgrains Bank launches African drought appeal

With millions of people in southern Africa and Ethiopia facing extreme drought this year, Canadian Foodgrains Bank is inviting Canadians to help by making a donation to its African Drought Appeal.

6

May/June 2016 | www.mbherald.com

Over the following weeks, people came to the Sunday gathering. For Jubilee’s launch, Mar. 20, 2016, 169 people showed up, including the Jubilee members and some MRCC friends.

One man said this was exactly the season his family needed to get involved with church. Because of his relationship with Jonathan through a soccer team, this dad had started reading a Bible to his kids. What a great book! he told Jonathan.

“We’re praying every day to see the harvest and for more workers to bring it in!” says Jonathan.

Check out www.jubileemr.com to find out more.

— Bill Hogg national missiologist

Syria, Iraq crisis response largest in MCC history

MCC has responded to the vast, ongoing need in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan with a larger financial response than it has ever conducted in the 96 years of the organization’s existence.

Graduations: CMU, MBBS, CBC, SBC

read more at www.mbherald.com

y a D ’s r e th o M y p p a H and Father ’s Day!

I asked seniors for a glimpse into a childhood moment when they felt a parent’s love. Their stories show that, while some things change, love – and its memory – endure.

—Angeline Schellenberg When roads weren’t as modern, we would really be stuck in our homes in the winter months. Those blizzardy days were happy times. Our dad had a workshop in the basement where he made doll beds and wagons for us.

My four sisters and I would play hide and seek nearby in the potatoes and carrots buried in bins of sand (to preserve them in those days before refrigeration), but he never scolded us. While he worked, he whistled because he had a monotone voice but loved music. I often tell myself my dad is now singing along in heaven. —Molly Friesen, Central, Chilliwack, B.C., 89

At 18 months, my mother lost her mother in a house fire, and she was put into an orphanage. From age 12–18, she lived with a couple who wanted a maid; she was never treated as family. I always marvelled that a woman who received so little affection had so much of it to give. She had 15 children and never favoured one of them. She got electricity for the first time at 46. She canned 130 quarts of peaches and 70 quarts of plums every year, but I don’t remember her ever saying, “I’m too busy.” She always had time for us. — Bill Kuepfer, Grace MB, Kitchener, Ont., 82

[coming events Conference Events 2016

May 1–3: BCMB pastor and spouse retreat, Whistler, B.C.

May 11: Proclaim, C2C Network training cadre, Moncton, N.B.

May 12: Proclaim, C2C Network training cadre, Halifax, N.S.

May 29–31: MBCM pastor and spouse retreat, Hecla Island, Man.

May 31–June 2: C2C Network Assessment Centre, Église St-Eustache, Que.

June 14–16: Pastors Credentialing

Orientation, Columbia Bible College, B.C.

July 6–9: Gathering 2016, Toronto.

Oct 4–6: C2C Network Assessment Centre, Calgary.

Dec. 6-8: C2C Network Assessment Centre, Toronto.

Partner events 2016

May 1–June 10: MB Mission ACTION Ontario.

May 22: 50th anniversary, Crestwood MB Church, Medicine Hat, Alta.

Growing up in Montreal, every Sunday, my dad took my hand and we walked to church. The memory stuck in my head: the fact that he cared to take me. My dad came from Czechoslovakia and he’d read to me from the Czech newspaper and explain the stories to me. —Patricia Vahila, St. Therese, Que., 63

May 27–28: Caring Cross-Culturally:

Essentials for Third Culture Support, Fort Garry MB Church, Winnipeg, & Providence College, Otterburne, Man.

May 27–29: AWAKE Kitchener-Waterloo, Waterloo (Ont.) MB Church.

June 2–5: ICOMB summit, Panama.

Memories from MAID The Lam family reunites

The Lam family, refugees from Vietnam, were reunited in 1984 after five years of separation (l-r): Ken, Van Tao Lam, May and Wayne. A group from Delta Mennonite Brethren Church sponsored May and her sons to come to Canada from Thailand in 1980; later, May was able to sponsor Van who had been left behind in Vietnam.

Photo (NP149-01-4442) from the Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies is available to the public in collaboration with MAID: the Mennonite Archival Image Database. Research more images from Mennonite churches and organizations at archives.mhsc.ca.

[ HOMEPAGE

June 6–8: ICOMB post-summit, river village trip, Panama.

July 1–Aug 12: MB Mission ACTION Winnipeg.

July 8–18: MB Mission SOAR/Rendezvous Montréal.

July 8–17: MB Mission SOAR Vancouver.

Sept. 17–18: MCC event: Toronto Mennonite Festival, Black Creek Pioneer Village.

Oct. 21–22: Mennonites, Land and the Environment: A Global History conference, University of Winnipeg.

View more events from churches and agencies at mbherald.com/calendar.

Mennonite Brethren Herald | May/June 2016

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[ FEATURE

They’re part of our family now How Mennonite Brethren churches are responding to the refugee crisis It became personal.

In September 2015, a photo of a young child from Syria washed up on a beach “was everywhere – in the newspaper, on Facebook, on TV,” says Travis Barbour, associate pastor at Neighbourhood Church, Nanaimo, B.C. “[My wife] Whitney and I felt righteous anger; we have a child about the same age, so it really struck us at the core of who we are.

“We decided that we wanted to do our part.”

As Christians, what is our part?

“And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt” (Deuteronomy 10:19).

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in” (Matthew 25:35).

Scripture instructs us to care for those in need. Sometimes the heart just needs some convincing.

Refugee

a person living outside his or her home country due to fear of persecution because of race, religion, nationality or membership in a particular social or political group. This person is unable to return to his or her home country or be protected by his or her home government.

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Enter Mennonite Brethren churches Syria dominates the headlines, and it is currently the number one source of refugees in the world (3.87 million), yet there are many other areas of the world that have been generating refugees for years, even decades.

As the crisis of displaced people trickled into our consciousness, Canadians in churches asked, what can we do? and turned to MCC. Though best known for its disaster relief around the world and its thrift stores in North America, the organization was founded to help displaced Mennonites from Russia, and refugee settlement continues to be a core ministry.

Over the years, often driven by their own stories of displacement, Mennonite Brethren have called on MCC’s expertise to make a home for refugees in Canada.

As crises demand response, Sardis Community Church, Chilliwack, B.C., has offered it: to a family from Indochina in the 1980s, the Balkans in the 1990s. A year and a half ago, a young woman in the congregation spearheaded sponsorship of a single mother from Colombia, after hearing about the need for refugee sponsorship from Jennifer Mpungu at MCC B.C. Barbour polled Neighbourhood Church’s receptivity to sponsorship and “received overwhelming support.”

Mpungu introduced Barbour to other displaced populations and guided the congregation to a family from Eritrea. The multigenerational family who arrived in January –

a grandmother, a young mother and her two daughters – mirrors the demographics of Neighbourhood’s support team.

Similarly, when Cedar Park Church, Ladner, B.C., approached Mpungu, she suggested they consider someone whose application was already in process. The group of 10 readily agreed to welcome a young couple from Burma. “We just wanted to help,” says Colleen Sawatsky.

When they took the proposal to the church, “everybody was for it.” This wasn’t Cedar Park’s first sponsorship either: they also welcomed a family from Vietnam in the 1980s, and walked with the mother and her children as they worked for years to reunite with their husband and father (see p.7.)

“There’s a time and a place for committees, but if somebody needs food and shelter…sometimes you just need to sign on and then figure it out,” says Jennifer Spencer, a member from Eastview Community Church, Winnipeg. For the mother of a twoand-a-half-year-old, the famous photo struck close to home. She formed a Group of Five sponsorship with her extended family. The decision-making wheels at the church also began to turn, and the congregation came alongside with relational and logistical support and embarked on two sponsorships of their own.

In 2014, a few members at Westwood Church, Prince George, B.C., asked pastor Mark Wessner, what can we do about the dire situation in Syria? and started to explore sponsorship options.

They ended up working with MCC to bring two families from Syria through private sponsorship, and they hope to bring another family soon.

The call

“God is moving people all over the world – often from difficult places where they are suffering much injustice and fear,” says Tori Braun, missions administrative assistant at Forest Grove Community Church, Saskatoon. As they appear in Saskatoon, “this is an opportunity for us to serve others in need, practically and through relationship showing them the love of Christ.”

“We have a shared responsibility to love people who are displaced,” says Marlene Gallant of The Westside Gathering, Montreal. Equipped with games and crafts for children aged two months–14 years, small groups from the congregation have visited the hotels temporarily hosting refugees in transit. They also bring hygiene kits and hand-knitted winter caps and mitts – and encouragement. “It just seemed a simple gesture to take a step toward connecting with these new Canadians,” Gallant says.

“We felt we needed to do something,” says Doris Cober of Grace MB Church in Kitchener, Ont., after hearing an Orthodox bishop from Syria speak at an MCC-sponsored event in March 2015. By fall, they’d agreed to sponsor a refugee, though at press time, they were still waiting in welcome.

Finances

It’s no small amount to fund a family for one year. MCC lists the estimated annual settlement cost at $12,600 for one person, $21,200 for two, $32,500 for family of six and $2,500 for every additional member after that. But Mennonite Brethren churches haven’t run into a fundraising slump.

“We were blown away by how much support we received,” says Barbour. After Neighbourhood posted their initiative outside the building, “random people walk[ed] in to give significant amounts of money. People who want nothing to do with church were writing cheques or donating online,” says Barbour.

It took barely a month for Cedar Park to raise the money they needed. “People were very generous – even donating a couch right out of their family room” – and they continue to ask what is needed, says Sawatsky.

With only one major fundraising push – Cober and her grandsons did a Ride for Refuge cyclathon – and ongoing gifts, Grace MB exceeded the recommended amount for one year of support.

“The church has given a lot; the community has given an awful lot,” says Wessner. Westwood has received sizeable amounts from people who say, We’re not religious, but we believe in what you’re doing. Material gifts have also poured in,

to the extent that Westwood has diverted some to other ministries in greater need.

The funds Sardis raised provided for the one-year commitment – and beyond, until their Colombian friend secured another stream of income. Now they continue to support her financially as particular needs arise.

Engagement

The church is always looking for opportunities to serve, says Wessner, “but sometimes something new that happens causes us to ask the question with a little more earnestness.”

At Westwood, the joy of welcoming two families has “demystified what it means to have a relationship with someone from another culture,” says Wessner.

From there, “it’s not hard to say maybe I can relate in other contexts.” Others have said, it’s opening my eyes to other needs in Prince George.

At Cedar Park, the sponsorship has opened up new relationships within the Ladner community. One Cedar Park member’s neighbour who is originally from Burma was so moved that the church would support persecuted peoples in her country that she and her husband decided to get involved. Sawatsky says she’s been “an angel,” helping translate as the couple settles in, and providing Mennonite Brethren Herald | May/June 2016

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[ FEATURE CONT.

Unexpected blessing

When they arrived in Prince George, Westwood’s first Syrian family walked into a fully stocked kitchen. The support team had conscientiously researched staple foods for a Middle Eastern family and discovered new areas of the grocery store.

One of their provisions turned out to be highly symbolic.

When the family had packed their small bags to leave the Middle East, a box of figs remained in the cupboard. It was a regional brand they rather liked, but they recognized that leaving that part of the world meant they’d likely never have it again.

Opening the cupboard in Prince George, they found the exact same brand of figs.

“What an amazing God!” they said. “Even the figs that we left are the figs we are coming to here in Canada.” friendship and support as they learn to live in an industrialized Western context after spending their whole life in a refugee camp of 60,000 people.

A few months earlier, another church in town sponsored a couple from the same camp who live in the same apartment building. “It’s amazing how God works these things out – more than a coincidence,” says Sawatsky.

“This is a very unique opportunity for the church to be the church and to communicate what Jesus is all about in a very practical way,” says Barbour. He invited men from an addictions recovery group to get involved in the process of preparing the house, painting, plumbing.

“It was cool to see them – brand new to faith – helping out, moving forward,” he says.

Braun has been “very encouraged to see the willingness, excitement and adventurous attitudes of our current resettlement groups.” People of all ages and backgrounds have joined the teams, some with little or no experience with newcomers, yet “they have been willing to jump right in no matter what the needs are,” says Braun. Forest Grove is awaiting two more families.

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May/June 2016 | www.mbherald.com

“People are behind us wholeheartedly,” says Sawatsky. The young couple Cedar Park sponsored are Karen people from Burma via Thailand – an area the church is already familiar with: they support Dave and Louise Sinclair Peters whose church planting work in Thailand brings them in contact with Thai, Burmese and Karen people.

For many congregation members, time is limited, particularly for the challenges of muddling through language-learning conversation, but they help out as they can. A church member flagged Sawatsky down in the street to ask about the couple: “Her small group had just been praying for them.”

“We couldn’t have done this without the church,” says Spencer. Eastview’s offers of financial and material help have been so welcome, but “time is even better,” she says.

“I encourage people to not wait for [the refugee family] to call you; call them. Take the time to reach out.”

Education

As Grace MB started on the process of sponsorship, Cober felt it was important to know what they were getting into. The congregation invited a neighbouring Lutheran church, who had done several sponsorships, to teach in the adult

education classes, presenting both the joys and the hardships of refugee sponsorships.

A friend of the church – a person of Kurdish background originally from Iraq, who has become a Christian – shared honestly from their experience.

These sessions helped the congregation understand their commitment, assuaged some fears and built excitement, despite the frank presentation about challenges.

Sawatsky dedicated herself to learning about refugees and sponsorship.

Organizations like Vancouver’s Immigrant Support Services provided helpful training and resourcing, and she found information about the couple’s home country and the refugee camp they were coming from.

Steinbach MB dedicated a chunk of Sunday school hours to learning about Islam before they welcomed their family from Eritrea.

They brought in John Derksen for several intense sessions of teaching and question & answer, so the church would better understand the family they were about to welcome. (The Menno Simons College professor of conflict resolution studies and practitioner of interfaith dialogue has lived for more than a decade in the Middle East) The MCC Ottawa Office chose refugees as the subject of their annual seminar for

post-secondary students to learn about advocacy and to hear directly from people working in government. Given the polarizing rhetoric around settling refugees in Canada, Treena Newton was hesitant to go. She is finishing her BA through Columbia Bible College, Abbotsford, B.C., while interning with MCC Saskatchewan. “I realized that educating is one of the most loving and neighbourly things we can do for those in our country who are afraid to become neighbours.”

Connections

The multi-faceted process of sponsorship not only has the result of awakening the church to its gifts and opportunities but connects the church to the community in new ways.

“I saw opportunity to demonstrate to the city what the Kingdom of God looks like,” says Barbour, who did interviews for newspapers, radio and a local TV station. As a result of the media attention, a Nanaimo resident who translates into the family’s second language has become part of Neighbourhood’s community through serving as a translator. “It’s been cool to watch how meaningful friendships can be formed across different faith convictions,” says Barbour.

In Ladner, Sawatzky is pleased to see connections with other local churches grow.

“We trade tips and resource information on how to help our refugee families” with members of the United and Reformed churches who are also sponsors, she says.

“I underestimated how positive the community response would be,” says Wessner. “It’s encouraging when people who have nothing to do with church say that’s what a church should be doing.”

As a result of connections they made through the process, Westwood has entered into a new project with the local immigration society to that welcomes newcomers to town – whether from an hour away or around the world. Now the church is one of the local organizations new residents meet to help them connect with Prince George. As the church and the community become more multicultural, Wessner finds himself asking, “God, you’re expanding our church family; what are you stirring at Westwood?”

Future

“It’s amazing to watch friendship that can transcend language,” says Barbour.

“Our lives are enriched for having known [this family]. We have formed lifelong friendship, and I love them like my sister, aunt and nieces. I thank God every day that we were able to help.”

“This experience of faith in action has been good for our church,” says Sawatsky.

“We felt Christ calling us to make a tangible difference, more than giving of our financial resources. We want to be a family to them,” – and that doesn’t end after a year.

“We try to control things so much,” says Spencer, but this requires faith. As her family stepped out to sponsor, she leaned on Matthew 6:26. Her family has expanded

to include a new Syrian sister (already living in Winnipeg), brother and their parents. “They are in our hearts,” Spencer says. “There is no way this ends at one year.

More than a year after arriving, the woman Sardis sponsored “is simply part of the church family now,” says Vic Janzen.

“Learning and experiencing life from another’s perspective and culture is such an honour,” says Braun. In seeking God’s justice on behalf of others, the people of Forest Grove have learned that “people are more than news stories and headlines: they are people with real families, real dreams, real goals and much courage to overcome.”

The families Westwood sponsored, who are Christians, have already gotten involved in the ministries of the church: on a music team and in prayer ministry. No longer “the refugees,” the Syrian families are “part of Westwood like anybody else,” says Wessner.

“Westwood has become their home and it feels like they’ve been here for a long time.”

“Helping our new friends was one of the most meaningful things I’ve done,” says Robert Stobbe of Lendrum MB Church, Edmonton. (See p.14 for more on Lendrum.)

“In a sense it is an ‘easy’ way to be a follower of Jesus. How fun is it to introduce someone to the beauty of winter in Edmonton: skating, sledding, ice castles, festivals!

“The time of ‘service’ now feels as if it has past,” says Stobbe, “with the result simply being a great addition to our family.”

— Karla Braun

Toolbox

Discuss

“Hospitality and Hope: resources for worship, learning and action” An MCC package for World Refugee Day, June 20, 2016

How could God use the gifts and talents in my community to reach out to populations in need?

Finding our Way: Immigrants, Refugees and Canadian Churches An interdenominational guide to action by The Role of Churches in Immigrant Settlement and Integration, a national and interdenominational research partnership funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).

What learning opportunities could I pursue to serve better in the areas where God may be calling me?

What might God want to teach me about himself as father and reconciler as I develop relationships with people who have suffered?

Meet us at mbherald.com to engage the ideas in this article.

Mennonite Brethren Herald | May/June 2016

11

[ TESTIMONY

DO

SOMETHING When my 16-year-old daughter Alketa saw the photo of the little boy washed up on the beach, her heart broke for people from Syria. She was compelled to raise money to help.

God has a special heart for refugees, too.

“Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world” (James 1:27, The Message).

The wars in Syria and others places produce new victims every day. According to the UN Refugee Agency, there are almost 12 million people displaced from Syria alone.

In Matthew West’s song Do Something, he looks at “a world full of trouble,” and asks, “How’s it ever gonna turn around….

God, why don’t You do something?” The answer he hears is “I created you.”

If not us, then who If not me and you Right now, it’s time for us to do something If not now, then when Will we see an end To all this pain It’s not enough to do nothing It’s time for us to do something In January, our family heard about a unique way that we could do something.

New Hope Community Services Society (www.newhopecs.org), an organization 12

May/June 2016 | www.mbherald.com

with a passion to help refugees settle into life in Canada, had recently purchased a 13-suite apartment building in the Whalley district of Surrey, B.C. Most of the suites were for refugees, but they wanted three local families to move in to provide stability, build relationships, help where necessary and be the light of Christ to these newcomers to Canada.

We volunteered for seven months.

The first refugee family to join the New Hope Community came from Africa.

Temara and her five-year-old daughter Nehi lived as refugees for many years before arriving in Canada in February.

Temara is originally from Ethiopia, but had to leave because of ethnic persecution.

I remember the day we took them to a large playground in our neighbourhood.

Nehi wasn’t sure how the swings worked, but that didn’t curb her enthusiasm to try everything in sight. We later learned that they would have had to pay an entrance fee at this kind of playground where they lived in Africa.

My wife Lore and Temara have become good friends. Lore has helped her with tasks like using laundry facilities and unlocking a cart at the local grocery store.

She also assists Temara with some of her English language learning. (“Saskatchewan” is pretty hard to pronounce!)

During spring break, Lore and my 13-year-old daughter Talia watched Nehi in the mornings, while Temara went to her English classes. On one of the days, Talia had the opportunity to read Bible stories to Nehi.

One of the biggest pleasures of getting to know refugee children is seeing their big smiles as they experience “firsts” like balancing on a bike, drawing with sidewalk chalk or wearing a crown of dandelion flowers.

We feel like we’re doing something.

The second family at New Hope fled Bangladesh to escape opposition to their Hindu beliefs.

We had two days to prepare an empty suite for their arrival. People at our church (South Langley MB Church) and other churches rose to the challenge. People brought food, appliances and furniture.

I will never forget seeing a family from our care group pull up in their truck with a queen-sized bed in the back. They had bought it two days earlier for themselves, but felt compelled to give it to this refugee family.

We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of God’s people. They’re doing something and it’s making a difference.

We have enjoyed listening to the stories of our Bangladeshi family. They have gratefully accepted our prayers. We were able to give them a copy of the Jesus film in Bangla before they moved to Toronto to be close to Bangladeshi friends. We miss them.

It has been fun to see our four-yearold Micah provide natural bridges to these two families with young children.

Somehow, it seems easier to talk when the children are playing together and working out their differences.

Over the next weeks, more opportunities will arise to do something in Jesus’ name, as New Hope will likely receive five government-sponsored families and one church-sponsored family from Syria: a total of 12 adults and 28 children!

Living in community is rewarding, but it also has its challenges. We have less privacy. We try to be ready to visit and help, even after a full day of work or school. Our commute time has increased, and five people in a two-bedroom apartment can get rather squishy at times!

Yet, these sacrifices are small compared to what many refugees have endured.

Our family has a unique opportunity to live with refugees here in Canada. Yet, there are many other ways we can serve newcomers to Canada. Churches can sponsor refugees through organizations like MCC. Individuals can volunteer with immigrant services to help provide community support and friendship.

All of us can reach out to immigrants who desperately need someone to care.

It’s time for all of us to do something.

—Randy Wollf and his family Lore, Alketa, Talia and Micah are part of South Langley MB Church. Lore teaches with Heritage Christian Online School. Randy is an assistant professor at MB Biblical Seminary and director of MinistryLift, the seminary's ministry dedicated to equipping people to love God and others more deeply and to serve them more effectively. He blogs regularly at MinistryLift.ca.

Bachman & Associates

Helping You Find Your Way Home...

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204-453-7653

WINNIPEG

Meet some of the speakers who will be at Gathering 2016…

Phil Collins is the senior pastor at Willow Park Church, Kelowna, B.C. He is a well-known national evangelist and church leader from United Kingdom. Phil loves preaching, prayer and meeting people. A long distance runner, he says his greatest achievement was a 42 mile mountain marathon. Phil is married to Michelle and they have four great kids.

Laurence East is a Jesus-follower and community leader with a passionate heart. Laurence is the planter and lead pastor of Metro Community Church, Kelwona, B.C., which describes themselves as a group of people from all walks of life learning to live together. At the heart of Metro Community are those most vulnerable in society, the homeless, excluded and addicted. Metro is a place where the stranger is the treasured guest. Laurence and his wife Sarah, have three amazing children.

G ATHERING AD

Victor Neufeld serves as the lead pastor at North Kildonan MB Church in Winnipeg. NKMB’s mission is to Meet God, Love God, Serve God. This church is a people on a journey toward God through the starting point Jesus Christ. Being on a journey implies movement and movement necessitates change. The body of believers at NKMB are dreaming of great things to come as they are faithful and obedient to the call of God in their lives. Victor and his wife, Elaine live in Winnipeg.

Chris Stevens is a passionate follower of the person and ways of Jesus. He is currently lead pastor and teacher at Waterloo (Ontario) MB Church. Here his teaching ministry takes the form of sharing from his life experience in the business world, federal government, counselling experience, theological training, and deep love for Christ.

Chris has a BA in commerce and psychology, a Bachelor of Religious Education in theology and some masters-level courses in finance.

Chris and his wife Adrienne, are the proud parents of two daughters.

Janet Thiessen is currently an associate pastor of leadership, teaching and team-building at North Langley Community Church in Langley, B.C. A grad of ACTS Seminary in 2004, Janet is passionate about the mission of Jesus through the local church. She and her husband Rob are parents to four adult children and four grandchildren.

Janet can often be found in her garden, reading a book or skiing with her family.

Mennonite Brethren Herald | May/June 2016

13

[ VIEWPOINT

How to work and share across differences

The good, the bad, and the ugly of interfaith dialogue What is the point of building relationships with people who believe differently than us?

As a pastor and a chaplain, I have many opportunities to talk with people who believe differently than me. At the University of Alberta, I meet with chaplains from other Christian traditions and other religions. In working for Syrian refugee resettlement in Canada, I’ve partnered with other churches in Edmonton and with Islamic Family and Social Services Association. This past Remembrance Day, I was honoured to speak alongside Jewish, Muslim and Bahá’í presenters at Edmonton’s Interfaith Prayer Walk as we came together to pray for peace.

In so doing, I’ve learned a few things.

Disingenuous dialogue

As evangelicals, we are often uncomfortable with dialogue. We want to remove differences in order to make people believe the same things as we do. There is something good about this impulse; we want other people to believe the truth!

But there is also a negative side. When we assume we already know the truth, we insist the other person must listen, change and become like us. Dialogue becomes monologue.

Power imbalance

Even when we remember to listen, money, resources and position can wield oppressive influence. When we come to the table to talk, do we come as equals? When material aid is involved, can the other party express themselves openly or do they merely nod along, showing us what we want to see?

When I was working at a hostel for homeless men, the guys would tell me

14

May/June 2016 | www.mbherald.com

that they had “been saved” again. It was common for a well-meaning Christian to offer the men aid after preaching a “salvation message.” One patron proudly told me he had been saved eight times – and he was sincere! In this pursuit of conversion, conversation produces superficial agreement, but the truth is lost. It can be easy to forget about power dynamics.

Dignity of difference

As we dialogue, we can acknowledge our differences. After all, we are not all the same – and none of us has a monopoly on God. We don’t merely tolerate those who believe differently than us, we need them to reveal aspects of God to us.

The Aboriginal community in Australia famously put it this way: “If you have come here to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.”

Collaboration for action

This suggests an alternative reason for conversation. In my experience, we talk not to reach agreement but to do something together. Truth is not an abstract principle; it is a lived reality. We communicate truth by sharing and working together. Dialogue makes working and sharing possible.

Openly peculiar

In a class on world religions, my professor was Lutheran, my fellow teaching assistant was Orthodox Christian and I was Mennonite. Despite our different traditions, we were able to work happily together. One day, my Orthodox Christian colleague observed that the Mennonites on campus were easy to talk to about faith. She explained their open acknowledgment of their peculiarity invited others to share about their own distinctiveness.

However, in situations of deep inequality or power imbalance, openly expressing differences can be risky for those who are vulnerable. In these situations, those who have power need to go an extra mile to create a hospitable climate. One way to do that is to move beyond merely identifying differences, to appreciating them.

In Edmonton, the Muslim community is vulnerable. Its members face the risk of discrimination and violence every day.

Churches have come alongside Muslims to sponsor Syrians who are fleeing even greater uncertainty in their home region.

This is the work of hospitality to which God has called us.

But before we can work together, we have to talk together. We have to learn from each other, and celebrate our differences.

The first time I met with IFSSA, we gathered at a local restaurant owned by a Muslim family who insisted that we should all eat as much as we wanted – for free. That celebration meal happened because of conversations in living rooms months before I arrived – allowing us to work together. At that meeting, I learned from Muslims about the generosity of God’s hospitality.

Later, when our church’s first family arrived at the airport, they had been on a long journey, shuffled from one bureaucrat to another. On arrival, they were expecting to talk to another agent with a clipboard.

Instead, they saw a large friendly group with their names on a sign. As their surprise turned to smiles, I learned about finding God’s love in an unexpected place.

As Christians who value truth, we work and share with those who are different than us – with humility and honesty – because there is no better way to communicate the truth of God’s love to the world. And dialogue is what makes this working and sharing possible.

— Kevin Guenther Trautwein is assistant pastor at Lendrum MB Church, Edmonton. He and his wife (and co-pastor) Sherri have one young son who teaches them daily how to celebrate difference.

[

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP

TRUE success “As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, ‘Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.’ He replied, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it’” (Luke 11:27–28).

Over more than two decades of preaching, I can’t remember being interrupted by someone calling out from the audience.

What would I do? Try to quickly assess the situation, call for the ushers to “deal with the situation,” answer the person?

I’m not sure.

How does Jesus respond when an admirer interrupts him during a long teaching session? He isn’t being challenged; the woman is affirming him, or, more precisely, his mother. Rather than saying, ‘thank you,’ Jesus capitalizes on a teachable moment by turning attention away from his mother and from the woman (who may have expected blessing or commendation for her words). He turns attention away from his physical family to the family of God, those who inhabit God’s Kingdom.

Jesus says that true blessing comes to those who hear and obey God’s Word.

Success

In Luke 11:28, Jesus defines success for Christ followers. You may be raising an eyebrow as you read this. You’re thinking, Jesus never spoke about success. He talked about following, believing, serving, loving and so on. Well, actually, he does define success and he does so very clearly.

“Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it,” Jesus says.

Rather than what? Rather than, “Blessed is the mother who gave birth to you and nursed you.”

Jesus reorients the blessing toward the Kingdom of God and our obedient relationship to the Father.

Jesus says that true blessing comes to those who hear and obey God’s Word.

Simply put, success is obedience to the will of the Father.

Hearing – discerning and testing followed by obedience regardless of the cost. That is what Jesus modeled for us. That is success.

If you love me you will obey me, Jesus says (John 14:15). Scripture teaches us as Christ followers what it means to obey: how to live in relationship with each other. The Great Commission and Great Commandment. Guidelines for marriage and sexuality. Business relationships between Christ followers. And many more. Jesus invites us into ongoing dependence on the Holy Spirit to fulfill our Kingdom mandate. A church of any size can be wildly successful when its people are obedient to God’s leading.

Obedience

God has given every Christ follower, every church, every ministry everything we need to fulfill his will for us. It is inconsistent for God to require something of us that he has not equipped us for.

Success for a local church is not related to what other churches around it are doing.

Success is obedience to God’s revelation through Scripture and the Holy Spirit.

The question Jesus asks of us is “Have you discerned my leading and are you being obedient to that leading?”

This concept is simple to understand but difficult to do. We often struggle with discernment. We are unsure of God’s leading in our lives and in our churches.

This creates uncertainty of direction and ambiguity of purpose. We judge

the methods or motives of others by our personal ‘success grid’ rather than celebrating their obedience to the leading of the Spirit.

At times, we do things as Christ followers that God has not asked us to do – even though they are good things. Christ does not model a life of “good works”; he models obedience to the Father. The onus on Christ followers is to spend time with the Father as Jesus did. Spend time in his Word, learn to be led by the Spirit, discern his leading and follow in obedience. It’s not rocket science; it’s just not easy.

These principles apply to us as individuals, to our churches regardless of polity and to our governing boards. Our governance models give direction to the process, but discernment is still required.

As we prepare to meet in Toronto for Gathering 2016, the staff and board of CCMBC continue to seek God’s leading so that what we bring forward for discernment and decision will reflect the heart of God for us. We also expect God to speak through the gathered community as you prepare your hearts and minds with prayer and discernment to process the ways before us.

— Willy Reimer is executive director of the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches. He lives in Calgary.

Mennonite Brethren Herald | May/June 2016

15

ICOMB:

International Community of Mennonite Brethren

Faithfulness and hospitality after upheaval A story from Peru

“Well, Dave, how brave are you? Are you going to try it?”

My friend and colleague, José Arrais, leader of Associação dos Irmãos Menonitas de Portugal (the Portuguese MB church), posed this question as a plate of ceviche was placed before us. Of course, ceviche is well-known to foodies and is a popular dish in some North American circles.

But this was my first time – and the plate of raw fish accompanied by red onion and other greens in lime juice looked both delicious and “challenging.”

“Absolutely,” I said. “This is their offering to us; let’s see what it tastes like.” And so we dived in.

We enjoyed the hospitality of a young family in northern Peru in the leftovers of a once-large community some 20 km south of Piura.

After the flood Years ago, the El Niño phenomenon triggered heavy rains and massive flooding in this part of Peru. Thousands fled to higher ground in the desert on the other side of the Pan-American Highway. These flood refugees, with some government aid, created the villages of Almirante Grau, now hugging the highway just southeast of Piura.

Our group, guided by missionaries Otto Funk and Lowell Ens, visited three MB churches in these villages, pastored by a very young couple, Saúl and Isobel Yovera – graduates of Instituto Bíblico Asunción (the MB Bible college in Paraguay). I stood on a street of sand near their home, looking east.

Just a few blocks away, the desert took over.

I could count the visible trees on my hands.

Many farmers in Almirante Grau still operate farms in the fertile district some 5 km away. They travel to their fields but don’t want to move back.

We drove into the flood plain to see what it looked like. It seemed so green in comparison – yet as we passed through empty villages, the full impact of the floods was visible.

But as we rounded a corner, here was a nice-looking, blue MB church! The fertile earth deposited by the flood stretched out

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May/June 2016 | www.mbherald.com

from the retaining wall surrounding it.

The church is now a metre below ground, with steps down to its main floor. Pastor Jesús emerged from his farmhouse in the adjacent lot to greet us, walking past several tethered animals.

He let us into the little church and showed us the Christian education building in the back, still full of soil deposits. Jesús was staying on in a difficult situation, faithfully leading worship for the few who had courageously returned to their wrecked homes to rebuild and restart. We prayed for him, his family, his congregation and for the future.

And then he introduced us to our hosts who provided the lovely ceviche. This young couple were leaders in the church.

He played the keyboard to lead worship.

She taught the children. They told us of a miracle of healing for one of their own children. We thanked them for their hospitality and prayed with them.

When life throws a curve It got me thinking. Are we faithful when life throws its curves at us? Do we draw on our ingenuity to create new opportunities? Will we look to God with trust that he will see us through?

I had the sense from my new acquaintances that they were doing all of this. I don’t think they were always happy.

Both settings – old and new – offered tremendous challenges. They had to work very, very hard to make it.

Wiebe’s Witness

[ WIEBE’S WITNESS

Drawing from his travels to visit MB churches around the world, ICOMB executive director David Wiebe offers insights on faith.

Saúl and his wife had had various advantages while in studies in Asuncion, Paraguay, and they weren’t excited at first about their assignment to Almirante Grau.

But they surrendered to the calling of God and were faithful. I think the churches in Almirante Grau were growing.

I don’t think the original floodplain MB congregation was growing much. But Jesús and the young couple were leading faithfully, because people seek a living ongoing encounter with God. Here’s where faithfulness and hospitality meet. We know that people want to meet

God, and we use our gifts faithfully to connect them.

David Wiebe is a fan of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and podcasts on church history (57 hours and counting). After two decades of working for the Canadian Conference of MB Churches, he has served the International Community of Mennonite Brethren as executive director since 2011.

did you know?

The Peru Mennonite Brethren churches were begun after the 1983 El Niño when 2,500 mm (98 inches) of rain fell in 5–6 months. El Niño flooding happens so often that they don’t always remember which damage happened in which event. The context for this story seems to be 1998.

In July 1983, Peru appealed to the Canadian government for aid. The first long-term MB missionary couple – John and Agnes Penner – arrived with diplomatic visas as a result of this.

King Road MB Church member Peter Loewen in Abbotsford has provided a vital connection between that congregation and those of the Piura.

Because the Peru work began in the north, some 1,000 km from Lima, it has taken time to engage with the capital city. A church plant has emerged in Lima but it struggles with limited success.

A strong church in Trujillo, midway between Piura and Lima, is called Familia de Dios (family of God).

Find the “underground” MB church on Google-Maps at -5.366139, -80.668551.

PHOTO: DAVID WIEBE

Mennonite Brethren Herald | May/June 2016

17

[ NEWS

THE “BIG IDEA” MB agencies church planting together

“We’re inviting MB Mission back home,” says Gord Fleming, national director of the C2C Network, the church planting arm of the Canadian Mennonite Brethren church. “To expand their mission to include North America.”

The “big idea” started with a request from the US Mennonite Brethren conference: “Can C2C be our church planting resource?” forcing C2C to ask, “Should we stay focused on Canada, or should we grow?”

Fleming regularly fields requests from other countries for church planting support. The leader of a church planting network in the Netherlands he met at a conference “heard me talk about the power of Holy Spirit and prayer, and said, ‘This is our heart too. Could you come to the Netherlands, and work together with us?’ We are building a relationship electronically, sharing resources.”

C2C leaders began a conversation with their international counterpart, MB Mission, about working together more closely, and both agencies realized the

Where does C2C funding come from?

18

benefits went beyond USMB’s request: “seeing church planting done to the best of our ability overseas, and missions done to the best of our abilities here,” says Fleming.

“MB Mission is currently structured with a century-old model: mission ‘from the West to the rest,’” says MB Mission general director Randy Friesen. “Jesus is inviting us to think differently.”

“Mission is now ‘from everywhere to everywhere’ with Turkish pastors reaching out to Armenians in Fresno and Canadians reaching out to people from Burma in Thailand,” says Friesen.

“Church planters in North America are learning from apostolic national leaders in Southeast Asia and North Africa.”

C2C is already connected to MB Mission’s international work through a DNA exchange, in which Canadian church planters learn from the global church in Turkey, India and Thailand. The two agencies co-sponsor AWAKE renewal weekends at churches across Canada.

And MB Mission is already involved in church planting in Canada. Through the Arabic ministry team, Oasis, MB Mission is developing a refugee welcome centre in Surrey, B.C., with a church planting component. Local C2C church plants are

23%

offering support with staffing and finances – an approach both ministries are eager to apply in other communities.

Fleming, Friesen and Harold Froese, Canadian Conference of MB Churches moderator, have been presenting the C2CMB Mission partnership idea at study conference and the provincial conventions.

They report a warm response.

CCMBC’s board appointed assistant moderator Len Penner and Michael Dick as their liaisons to a task force that includes Friesen, Fleming and CCMBC executive director Willy Reimer. They met Mar. 9, 2016, to pray and discuss “the upsides, downsides, things to be careful about and ways to steward well what God has given us,” says Fleming. Dick will present the document they drafted to the CCMBC board May 10, 2016, in Winnipeg. The board hopes to have a recommendation for the membership – and USMB – by Gathering 2016.

“As an executive board, we are committed to the process of final decisions on recommendations being made at Gathering, 2016” says Penner. “We want our members to be involved in significant decisions, and we are open to input and feedback along the journey.”

—Angeline Schellenberg

17%

National MB Conference

10%

50%

Other* *Other revenue includes support from other denominations (they are asked to contribute 15% for administrative costs related to those church plants). Other denominations fund their own church plants.

May/June 2016 | www.mbherald.com

French schools unite The Quebec Mennonite Brethren theological school ETEM (École de théologie évangélique de Montréal) has officially merged with the Christian and Missionary Alliance’s IBVIE (Institut Biblique VIE), unveiling its new identity as ETEQ (École de théologie évangélique du Québec) and cementing a long-term collaboration.

CELEBRATING FAITHFULNESS INSPIRING GENEROSITY

“The merger of ETEM and IBVIE sets an example of how Christian groups can work together in a secular, post-Catholic context,” says ETEQ president Kristen Corrigan.

The benefits of the merger include more efficient use of financial and human resources and the potential for fostering other partnerships, including the relationship with Université Laval, through which students receive course credit and degrees.

Over the past five years of joint operations, ETEM-IBVIE has developed three certificate programs, a bachelor’s degree – and this past fall – a master’s program. In 2015–16, the college celebrated a record enrollment of 70 students (850 credit hours).

The relationship between the two schools has been growing for many years. In 2009, IBVIE moved from Quebec City onto shared premises with ETEM, and the two schools began blending courses in the 2010– 2011 school year.

ETEM’s predecessor, Institute Biblique Laval (IBL), began in 1976 by “accident”: while in recovery from a car crash in Quebec, Henry Brucks, secretary of the MB Board of Evangelism, had a vision for training leaders for the Quebec church.

Learn how to live boldly, invest wisely, plan strategically and give generously.

Call us today for an appointment with a representative. 1.888.866.6267 This service is provided in partnership with the Mennonite Foundation of Canada.

Global Mission Media Because

church

Reaching your church—Reaching the world

isn’t just a

building

In 2011, ETEM transitioned from their partnership with Université de Montréal to a new agreement with Université Laval.

That, and a closer relationship with IBVIE, injected new life.

ETEQ’s students are leaders in churches across Quebec and the francophone world, says Corrigan. BA graduate and MA student Danielle Lajeunesse is editor of the French MB publication Le Lien, and current student Matthew Riverin leads Shred le Messe, a growing skateboard ministry.

—Angeline Schellenberg with files from ETEQ, GAMEO and the MB Herald

Reaching your church. Reaching the world.

GMMiTV.com Mennonite Brethren Herald | May/June 2016

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[ NEWS MBCM becomes affiliate with SBC At its annual Assembly, Mar. 5, 2016, Mennonite Brethren Church of Manitoba (MBCM) voted unanimously to become a supporting conference of Steinbach Bible College.

“MBCM is pleased to join Evangelical Mennonite Conference, Evangelical Mennonite Mission Conference and Christian Mennonite Conference as an official affiliated conference of SBC,” says MBCM executive director Elton DaSilva.

The affiliation gives SBC an opportunity to actively recruit students in our churches, explains DaSilva. The commitment does not come with financial obligations, but there are opportunities for MB churches to support the school.

The relationship between SBC and the Mennonite Brethren extends back to SBC’s beginning. In 1931, three teachers and 13 students of the Mennonite Brethren and Evangelical Mennonite Brethren churches met for classes at Steinbach MB Church.

In 1935, the MB church board, feeling it had a special obligation toward its youth, decided to “do everything within its power to offer the youth the opportunity of delving into the Word of God.” The first president of Steinbach Bible College (1936–1944) was John Baerg of Arnaud MB Church. Current president Rob Reimer, a lifelong member of Mennonite Brethren churches, pastored MB churches in the U.S. and Canada prior to his appointment as president of SBC in 2007.

SBC expressed gratitude to Elton DaSilva and the MBCM board for their hard work in bringing about this new partnership, and to Tim Dyck (EMC general secretary), Lyn Dyck (EMMC executive director) and Dave Reimer (CMC bishop) for their encouragement and support. “We look forward to many years of collaboration and partnership,” says DaSilva, “as together we develop future leaders of the church.”

—adapted from SBC release 20

May/June 2016 | www.mbherald.com

Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary Canada SEEKS PRESIDENT Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary educates and equips men and women who help lead the church in reaching Canada and the world with the good news of Jesus Christ.

As the seminary of the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches, we are partners in the mission of

‘Multiplying Christ-centred churches to see Canada transformed by the good news of Jesus Christ.’

Our goal for every student is that they become a passionate and committed follower of Jesus, biblically astute and theologically aware, culturally discerning and active in mission through lifelong learning.

The seminary currently hosts students on two campuses, one in Langley, British Columbia and another in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Vision2020 additionally calls for the creation of “teaching church” relationships with key churches across Canada, a new partnership with a seminary in Ontario, and resourcing 3,500 individuals annually through MinistryLift.

The MBBS Canada board of directors announces a search for a president to take office July 1, 2016.

The President Search Team invites applicants prayerfully considering becoming the next president of MBBS Canada to submit a letter of interest and a resume, by the closing date of May 13, 2016.

Additional information, including details about MBBS Canada, the desired traits of the next president and application instructions are available at http://www.mbseminary.ca/employment.

If you wish to be considered for the presidency of MBBS Canada, or are aware of individuals who could be considered, please let us know at Vision2020PresSearch@mbchurches.ca.

On behalf of the MBBS President Search Team, Ron Toews, DMin

Ideas Live in Community... Discover CMU

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COMING EVENTS Pastors Credentialing Orientation June 14–16, 2016 Columbia Bible College Abbotsford, B.C.

Gathering 2016 July 6–9, 2016 Hilton Toronto Airport Hotel & Suites Mississauga, Ontario

www.mennonitebrethren.ca

Mennonite Brethren Herald | May/June 2016

21

[ NEWS

KSOC proclaims God’s glory in Ukraine and Canada KYIV, Ukraine For Wes and Kim Janzen, working with the Kyiv Symphony Orchestra and Chorus (KSOC) is core to living out the Great Commission. “We are called to ‘proclaim his glory to the nations, his mighty deeds to all people’ (Psalm 96:3, GNT),” says Wes. “For musicians, one of our vehicles is glorious sacred classical masterpieces.”

Bakerview MB Church members Wes and Kim Janzen direct the Kyiv Symphony Orchestra and Chorus (KSOC) serving with Music Mission Ukraine Canada (MMUC).

However, music is only part of the ministry.

“Evangelism and discipleship are core to what we do. There is a deep spiritual hunger in the midst of the trauma [of the war in Ukraine], and many are turning to Christ,” says Wes. “We are called ‘to look after orphans and widows in their distress’ (James 1:27),” says Wes, “and our current outreach to widows and orphans has grown to include those in the war zone.”

Alongside Ukrainian national leaders in Kyiv, “we have the privilege and responsibility to serve a traumatized people,” says Wes. In response to the war in southeast Ukraine, MMUC has cared for thousands of internally displaced people, including many widows and orphans.

For two years, MMUC has provided wool blankets, Bibles, food and other living supplies on a regular basis to thousands of Ukrainians.

In Kyiv, Kim leads Bible lessons with hundreds of widows each week.

Currently, MMUC’s largest ministry in Ukraine is to internally displaced people.

Many have lost homes, possessions and even family members, reports Wes. Some have been tortured. “We are very grateful for the prayerful support of Canadians who are part of this outreach,” says Wes. In fall 2014, the Janzens brought 42 members of KSOC across Canada.

Many Canadian listeners were moved by the music and stories of God’s grace, which also aired on 100 Huntley Street/ Crossroads television broadcasts, and they responded generously.

The Janzens are planning another tour of 42 members of the KSOC across Canada

Curriculum “christening” in Congo

PHOTO: DAVID WIEBE PICTURED (L-R): TSHIMIKA, HERITIER FUNGA AND WIEBE FEAST AT MMHH IN KINSHASA AFTER THE CURRICULUM LAUNCH CELEBRATION.

22

May/June 2016 | www.mbherald.com

In March 2016, the MB church in DR Congo released a K–12 curriculum on Christian ethics from an Anabaptist perspective, launched with dedication events in Kinshasa and Kikwit. Pakisa Tshimika of Mama Makeka House of Hope oversaw the project on behalf of ICOMB. Mwaku Florent (Kinshasa) and Delphin Kaputu (Kikwit) chaired the committee in charge of writing the material. ICOMB executive director David Wiebe was present at the celebrations, where a copy was “baptized” and prayed over in dedication.

— International Community Of Mennonite Brethren

in fall 2016. “North America is a vast and growing mission field,” says Wes. “A majority of our Canadian population do not know the Lord. The great commission is part of walking with Christ – not an optional activity for believers. We hope to positively inspire many in Canada to consider how they might reach out into their own communities with the glorious, saving gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

The 2016 Canadian tour will present outstanding sacred music through which the musicians convey their deep passion for the suffering of fellow Ukrainians. Canadian audiences can see first-hand the diligence of these musicians and their desire to be part of a Christian solution to Ukraine’s deep problems. Audiences have opportunity to support the ministry with prayers and finances.

Wes and Kim Janzen taught at Trinity Western University for many years and were music coordinators for Missions Fest Vancouver. Wes stands in a family tradition: his forefathers moved to Canada from Ukraine, and his father and grandfather served as pastors.

—Music Mission Ukraine Canada release

Births

Amendt – to Janessa of Fort St. John, B.C., a daughter, Brin-Leigh Daria, Dec. 20, 2015.

Dueck – to Alan & Araceli (Jimenez) of Chilliwack, B.C., a daughter, Carla Jimenez, Jan. 13, 2016.

Foth – to Peter & Andrea (Janzen) of Winnipeg, a son, Makis Tor, Oct. 8, 2015.

Kehler – to Daniel & Randi of Portage la Prairie, Man., a son, Jethro John William, Feb. 25, 2016.

Redpath – to Lee & Charlene (Hildebrand) of Morden, Man., a daughter, Mackenzie Arlene, Oct. 16, 2015.

Wiebe – to Mike & Kristen of Gem, Alta., a daughter, Makenna Rose, Oct. 20, 2015.

The fall 2016 Canadian tour of 42 members of the Kyiv Symphony Orchestra and Chorus (KSOC) will be of great interest to Canadian audiences for several reasons. Dr. John Redekop, who is an advisor to Music Mission Ukraine Canada (MMUC), states these as follows: "First, it will present outstanding sacred music, among the finest

one can hear anywhere. Second, it will convey the deep passion of these musicians for their fellow Ukrainians, Christians and others, who suffer enormously as a result of the continuing war. Third, it will offer Canadians the opportunity to identify with this amazing group as they strive diligently and successfully to be part of the Christian solution to Ukraine’s deep problems. And fourth, it will invite Canadians, who live in a truly privileged land, to support this vital and multi-faceted ministry with their moral support, their prayers and their finances.�

September, 2016

11 Leamington Mennonite, Leamington, Ont.

12-15 need venues 16 Waterloo MB, Waterloo, Ont. 17 need venue 18 Yorkminster Baptist, Toronto 19 Met Church, Ottawa 21 Hope Church, Thunder Bay, Ont. 23 Steinbach MB, Steinbach, Man. 24 Knox United and Trinity Baptist, Winnipeg

25 Calvary Temple, Winnipeg

26 Winkler Mennonite, Winkler, Man. 27-28 need venues 29 Forest Grove Church, Saskatoon 30 Knox-Metropolitan, Regina

October, 2016

1 First Baptist, Calgary 2 Lendrum MB, Edmonton 3 Lendrum MB, Edmonton 5 Westwood MB, Prince George, B.C. 6-7 TBA 8 Evangel Church, Kelowna, B.C. 9 Clearbrook MB, Abbotsford, B.C.

10 Fujian Chinese Church, Richmond, B.C.

11 Garden Park Towers and

Bakerview MB, Abbotsford, B.C.

12 Richmond Alliance, Richmond, B.C. 13 TBA 14 Chilliwack Alliance, Chilliwack, B.C. 15 Cloverdale Baptist, Surrey, B.C. 16 Willingdon Church, Burnaby, B.C. 17 North Langley Community Church, Langley, B.C.

18 Evangelical Chinese Bible Church, Richmond, B.C.

All sacred concerts are free of charge. For more information, please email ksoctour@gmail.com Music Mission Ukraine Canada (MMUC) is an agent of Multi-Nation Missions Foundation (MMF).

Donations can be mailed to P. O. Box 2401 Abbotsford, B.C. V2T 4X3

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Responsibilities include full cycle accounting for multiple departments, including 10 Thrift Shop locations, payroll, accounting for and management of properties, equipment and other assets owned

by MCC BC, various reports and oversight of the donation receipting process. Individuals with an accounting designation, 5 years’ experience in a non-profit environment, familiarity with Great Plains Dynamics and Donor Perfect Online, or similar, preferred. Please apply at http://mcc.org/getinvolved/serve/openings/senior-accountant.

2016-02-24 10:38 AM Mennonite Brethren Herald |

May/June 2016

25

[ FAMILY NEWS Senior pastor

Northwest Community Church is prayerfully seeking a senior pastor whom God has chosen to lead us into the future. We are a multigenerational congregation of 100 people, excited about our “newly minted” vision. We are looking for a strong leader with a passion for Jesus, for the lost, for teamwork, for discipleship and for moving our church forward. We are asking the Holy Spirit to bring us this person to equip and motivate us in the exciting direction we are seeking to go. We are a Mennonite Brethren congregation located in Meadow Lake, a farming community in Saskatchewan’s northwest. Please forward resumes and inquiries to nwcc@sasktel.net.

For more information about our church, see our website at northwestcommunitychurch.ca.

Youth pastor, Worship coordinator, Community outreach

Peace Mennonite Church (PMC) in Richmond, B.C, is seeking applicants for the following pastoral staff roles. Some of these roles could be combined in one qualified staff person. Youth (half-time): to build relationships with church and community youth and young adults; to provide relevant activities for their growth. Worship coordinator (10–12 hrs/wk): to shape and facilitate the public worship life of the community; to provide administrative support to this aspect of church life. Community outreach (halftime): to give leadership to our community engagement plans and initiatives, including families, our Community Meal and the building of relationships and partnerships with the community (e.g. food bank). PMC intends to continue to grow and be an evangelizing influence for Christ in the multi-cultural community of East Richmond. We are a church with about 200 attenders. More detailed information is available from: pastoralsearch@peacemennonite.ca. www.peacemennonite.ca.

Lead pastor

A Mennonite Brethren church in Dinuba, Cal., is searching for a lead pastor to join our congregation and newly created elder team who are prayerfully seeking to implement our vision for a renewal of our committed, mature and friendly congregation. We are located in a growing rural community of mostly Hispanics. Our two Sunday services average 180 in total attendance.

The successful candidate will demonstrate a missional orientation and excitement about embracing this opportunity to help us reach our community as we seek to implement our vision to Love God, Love Others, and Make Disciples.

For more details email pastoralsearchtaskforce@ gmail.com.

Lead pastor

Thompson (Man.) Christian Centre Fellowship (MB church) welcomes applicants for the position of lead pastor. We are seeking an individual with a heart for God and his church. Our average attendance is 40 to 50 people. Please send inquiries to: Caroline Winship at carolinewinship@gmail.com.

26

May/June 2016 | www.mbherald.com

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[ FAMILY NEWS

Transitions Community Grace Church, Calgary, held a launch service Mar. 20, 2016, with 73 people. The congregation has been meeting since fall in the Marda Loop neighbourhood, with midweek home gatherings and Sunday mornings in Calgary Community Reformed Church with some 40 regular attenders.

Community Grace’s mission is “to see Jesus’ name lifted up as we make disciples that make disciples. We believe that this will occur best as we live life on life with people – both our neighbours and our church family.” Pastor Elroy Senneker, who has an MDiv from Liberty University, apprenticed with Urban Grace, Calgary, and pastored Vauxhall (Alta.) MB Church for 8 years.

Elroy and Lynn have 4 children.

Mennonite Brethren Church of Manitoba welcomed Christ Impacting Nations as a member church at Assembly 2016, Mar. 4. Roger Salumu founded CIN in 2011. The congregation meets Sunday mornings for services in English at Eastview’s One88 campus (Princess St.), Winnipeg, with members from 7 nationalities. Roger trained as a pastor in Jesus Christ en Toute Langue church in DR Congo, where he served around the country and as a missionary in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Angola, Tanzania and Kenya.

He attended REMA Bible College and is now working toward a certificate in ministry from Carey Theological College. Roger also has a healing and deliverance ministry.

Roger’s wife Claudine works as a nurse in addition to serving alongside him in the church.

Jubilee Mennonite Church welcomes Bryce Miller as lead pastor May 30, 2016. A graduate of Goshen (Ind.) College with a BA in communication/English and education, and of Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Elkhart, Ind., with an MDiv, Bryce has pastored Shalom Mennonite church in Tucson, Ariz., and worked in IT fields. He has also trained in spiritual direction at Eastern Mennonite Seminary, Harrisonburg, Va. His wife Emily Toews has pastored North Star Mennonite Church, Drake, Sask. They have 1 son.

has previously served as elder at the Lighthouse Church, youth pastor at Bethel Community Church, associate at Dakota Community Church and is currently pastor at Living Word Temple and Turtle Island Community Church in Winnipeg.

Paul and Jodi have 3 adult children and 1 grandson.

The C2C Network welcomes Paul Kroeker as national intercultural mobilizer, beginning July 1, 2016. Paul trained as a teacher of math and sciences.

Since receiving a ThM from Regent College in 1994, he has served as Christian education as president at Winkler (Man.) Bible Institute, principal at Mennonite College Institute, Gretna, Man., director of Outtatown at Canadian Mennonite University and most recently as director and facilitator for Global Disciples Canada. Paul and Arlene have 2 adult children.

Paul Winter began as director of First Nations ministry and First Nations catalyst with Mennonite Brethren Church of Manitoba and the C2C Network in January.

He has a background in business and administration with Red River College, Winnipeg, and is currently working on a youth leadership degree with a major in pastoral leadership at Newburgh (Ind.) Seminary. Paul

Deanna Hackett began as children and youth pastor at Heritage Mountain Community Church, Port Moody, B.C., Feb. 15, 2016. With a BA in education from UBC and graduate courses in Bible and spiritual formation at Carey Theological College, Deanna previously worked as a teacher and tutor. For 15 years, she coordinated children’s and youth ministries at Westwood Community Baptist Church, Coquitlam, B.C. Deanna and Rob have 3 children. (Pictured l–r: son Kevin, Deanna, son Matt, friend Brittney, Rob.) Kevin O’Coin begins as graduate enrollment advisor at ACTS Seminaries, Langley, B.C., May 30, 2016. Kevin holds an MDiv from MBBS-ACTS (2009).

For the past 6 years, Kevin has served as pastor of community life at The Meeting Place, Winnipeg. Kevin and Breanne have 1 son.

Cory Schulz resigned as associate pastor of youth and young adult ministries at Elmwood MB Church, Winnipeg, Mar. 31, 2016, where he served since July 2013.

Eric Friesen resigned as pastor of discipleship at North Kildonan MB Church, Winnipeg, Feb. 5, 2016. He has ministered in the areas of youth and discipleship since 2004. He and Mindi look forward to discovering what God has in store for the next chapter of ministry together.

Mennonite Brethren Herald | May/June 2016

27

FINISH LINES

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

Laura Marie Klassen July 8, 1944–July 12, 2015

BIRTHPLACE: Herbert, Sask.

PARENTS: Abram & Mary Klassen BAPTISM: Greendale (B.C.) MB,

Sept. 3, 1960 FAMILY: sisters Joyce (Clarence), Linda (Darwin); sister-in-law Kristy; nieces

Laura worked many years at Woolworths, for Home Share Providers and as a community support worker. She loved visiting with her nieces and their families and lunching with her many friends. She was an avid puzzler. Laura was a member of Greendale MB Church for 55 years.

Dorothy Martha Hintz

Lydia Peters

Jan. 24, 1920–Sept. 20, 2015

Oct. 22, 1925–Sept. 20, 2015

BIRTHPLACE: Calgary PARENTS: William Albert Kirstein & Martha

Klatt

MARRIAGE: Ted Hintz BAPTISM: Canmore, Alta., 1970 CHURCH: Clearbrook MB, Abbotsford, B.C. FAMILY: Ted; children Cindy Mitchell-Duffy

(Tom), Jay Mitchell (Dorothy); 3 grandchildren

Dorothy was a faithful follower of God, and dedicated wife, mother and teacher.

Gracious, kind and gentle, she loved her children unconditionally.

Harold Berg June 21, 1927–Sept. 20, 2015

BIRTHPLACE: Waldheim, Sask.

PARENTS: David & Agnes (Dahl) Berg;

stepmother Helen Regier MARRIAGE: Edna Schultz, July 9, 1950 CHURCH: Philadelphia MB, Watrous, Sask.; Lanigan (Sask.) Christian; Forest Grove, Saskatoon FAMILY: Edna; children Douglas (Lillian), Barb (Niall), Gary (Audrey); 7 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; 6 siblings

28

After recovering from rheumatic fever, Harold attended normal school. During that time, he accepted Jesus as Saviour and sought baptism.

Shortly after their marriage, while Harold was working in a St. Catharines, Ont., textile factory, Edna developed tuberculosis. Harold taught schools in Waldheim, Plenty and Lanigan, Sask. He completed his BEd and BA at University of Saskatchewan. Harold and Edna enjoyed a long affiliation with The Gideons. In 1984, Harold retired from 35 years of teaching and administration.

In 1986, Harold and Edna volunteered 2 years with MCC in Winnipeg. Saskatoon became home in 1992. They worked 10 years with Roving Volunteers in Christ’s Service.

In 1999, doctors replaced the mitral valve that rheumatic fever had damaged. Harold enjoyed coaching, playing and watching sports, especially at his grandchildren’s events. His faith was strong to the end.

May/June 2016 | www.mbherald.com

BIRTHPLACE: Rosenort, Ukraine PARENTS: Cornelius & Catherina Dyck MARRIAGE: John John Peters, July 8, 1951 CHURCH: 43rd Avenue MB, Vancouver;

Willow Park, Emmanuel (PAOC), Kelowna, B.C. FAMILY: John John; children Len (Mary Ann), Ralph (Carrie), Ron (Shelley), Janet (John); 16 grandchildren; 14 greatgrandchildren; 2 siblings

Lydia was a devout Jesus follower, loving wife, caring mother, fun grandmother and joyful friend. She enjoyed being with her family and serving her church as long as she was able.

John John Peters

John was humble, godly, selfless, gentle and patient. A loyal and loving husband, father, grandfather and friend, John loved spending time with family. He served wherever he could, especially with children, as long as he was able. His nonjudgmental spirit and unconditional love left a legacy.

Edward Wiebe Sept. 27, 1922–Sept. 21, 2015

BIRTHPLACE: Frunze, Kyrgyzstan PARENTS: Jacob & Agatha (Reimer) Wiebe;

stepmother Maria Janzen MARRIAGE: Elfriede, Sept. 26, 1948 [d.]

CHURCH: Bakerview MB, Abbotsford, B.C. FAMILY: 5 children; 7 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren

When Ed was 5, his mother died, and by 7, he was a refugee. The trek to China in 1930 was terrifying. When Germany and Japan allied, China saw German-speakers as threats; a prisoner of war from age 17–23, Ed never lost hope. After a 2-year immigration, Ed’s family arrived in San Francisco, Cal., in 1948 and took a train to their sponsors Dave Giesbrecht and Jake Derksen in Vancouver. There Ed met Elfriede. He worked as a labourer and learned English, then trained as both electrician and plumber. The family moved in 1958 to Prince George, B.C., where demand for trades was high. Ed retired at 60 to Abbotsford, B.C., and took up painting, woodworking and writing.

He loved to tell jokes. His childhood was too painful to discuss, so at his children’s encouragement, he wrote about it. He described himself as a prompt, courageous, level-headed, warm humanitarian. Ed showed gratitude to his sponsors and government by sponsoring others new to Canada. A snowbird, he loved the desert. Despite the suffering, Ed saw his whole life as a miracle.

Adolf Arm Jan. 5, 1934–Sept. 29, 2015

Oct. 13, 1923–Sept. 30, 2015

BIRTHPLACE: Orloff, Ukraine PARENTS: Johann & Elizabeth Peters MARRIAGE: Lydia Dyck, July 8, 1951 CHURCH: 43rd Avenue MB, Vancouver;

Willow Park, Emmanuel (PAOC), Kelowna, B.C. FAMILY: children Len (Mary Ann), Ralph (Carrie), Ron (Shelley), Janet (John); 16 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; 8 siblings

BIRTHPLACE: Munich, Germany MARRIAGE: Helen Koop CHURCH: Neighbourhood, Nanaimo, B.C. FAMILY: Helen; children Theodore (Tamala),

Karen (Dave), Laurie (Shane); 6 grandchildren

Adolf’s mom died when he was 2. After living in the Hansel and Gretel house (preschool and Kindergarten), he lived in an orphanage.

At 19, he came to Canada on a bet. The M.S. Fairsea landed in Quebec, where he lived in a boarding house and learned English.

[ FINISH LINES Adolf made his way to Vancouver, where he met and married Helen. They lived in the Lower Mainland and Nanaimo, B.C.

served God with the church Willing Helpers Club. When she was hospitalized in 2014, as they wheeled her past the many rooms, she said, “Just like in heaven.” Irma lived her faith through the good and tough times.

Gilbert Edward Epp Aug. 6, 1926–Oct. 16, 2015

Henry Lepp Nov. 10, 1927–Oct. 1, 2015

Cornelius Warkentin Nov. 26, 1926–Oct. 3, 2015

BIRTHPLACE: Mennon, Sask.

PARENTS: Jacob & Helene (Mantler) Lepp MARRIAGE: Elizabeth Epp, Aug. 21, 1949 CHURCH: Bakerview MB, Abbotsford, B.C. FAMILY: Elizabeth; children Ken (Shirley),

Karen, Dan (Jacqui), Rob (Charlotte), Lori (Jim Pankratz [d.]); 18 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; 3 siblings

Henry met Elizabeth at Mennonite Education Institute, Abbotsford, B.C. His father’s gift of a three-ton truck was the start of Lepp Trucking, which he and his brother operated until 1973. They turned to farming; Henry happily operated equipment until retirement.

At Bakerview, Henry and Elizabeth served as deacons, Bible study leaders, Sunday school teachers and Fellowship Choir singers. They always opened their home to friends and missionaries. Henry and Elizabeth loved to go for drives to “check up on things” at the farm, to the Dairy Queen with their grandchildren, and to their children’s homes and offices. Though physically weakened, Henry practised Proverbs 3:5. His love for family, unshakeable faith in God and generous servant heart are his legacy.

Irma Margaret Kroker Jan. 14, 1922–Oct. 1, 2015

BIRTHPLACE: Lichtenau, Russia PARENTS: Peter & Margaret Quapp MARRIAGE: John Kroeker, July 23, 1950 [d.]

BAPTISM: Coaldale (Alta.) MB, 1987 FAMILY: daughters Agnes, Carol LePage,

Elaine, Connie (David) Yamabi; 2 granddaughters; 6 siblings

Irma’s family immigrated to Canada in 1926, settling near Coaldale, Alta. She completed Grade 9 and attended Coaldale Bible School.

When her father died in 1942, as the oldest child, Irma cared for her siblings and worked the farm. Within 19 days in 1946, her 18-year-old brother and 9-year-old sister died of heart conditions – the family was devastated. Irma always had a garden, from which she canned and froze enough food to last the winter. An excellent seamstress, Irma recycled and reused long before the words became popular. After a day’s work, she enjoyed Scrabble or Tile Rummy. Irma

BIRTHPLACE: Sunnyslope, Alta.

PARENTS: Peter & Margarita (Hamm)

BIRTHPLACE: Laird, Sask.

PARENTS: Gerhard & Bertha (Friesen) Epp MARRIAGE: Anne Nickel, Jan. 29, 1949 [d. Nov. 6, 1977]; Joy (Patterson) Harder, 1984 BAPTISM: Laird Mennonite, age 20 CHURCH: Bakerview MB, Abbotsford, B.C. FAMILY: Joy; children Judy (David Blatz),

Cheryl (Mike Lerner), Brenda (George Amaral), James (Monique Gaisson); Joy’s children Laurie (Susan), Linda, Don (Laurie Townsend), Diane (Gord Torris); 6 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; 10 step-grandchildren; 11 step-greatgrandchildren

Warkentin

MARRIAGE: Susie Buhler, Apr. 5, 1952 BAPTISM: Lindbrook (Alta.) MB CHURCH: Tofield (Alta.) MB; Coaldale

(Alta.) MB FAMILY: Susie; children Harold (Natalie), Lawrence (Joyce), Viola (Fatima), Marvin (Gwen), Roland (Gayle); 6 siblings

Cornie graduated from Coaldale Bible School. He served God in Sunday school and VBS. Cornie’s occupation was farming, but his loves were music and reading. He lent his tenor voice to mixed and male choirs. After a long illness, he was ready to meet his Saviour.

Henry Duerksen Dec. 5, 1922–Oct. 9, 2015

BIRTHPLACE: Russia PARENTS: Henry & Mary Duerksen MARRIAGE: Margaret Giesbrecht, Dec. 15, 1944 [d. August 2010] BAPTISM: Holmfield MB, as a teen CHURCH: Lakeview, Killarney, Man. FAMILY: children Ken (Dorothy), Rita May,

Ron (Gail), Sharon (Gord) Reimer, Vi (Wally) Hall; 12 grandchildren including Brad Reimer [d.]; 10 great-grandchildren; 5 siblings

When Henry was 5, his family immigrated to Canada, settling in Fannystelle and finally in Holmfield, Man., where he completed Grade 8. At 14, he left home to work and accepted Jesus as Saviour. He and Margaret became friends, then sweethearts while he was working on a farm. They began married life in a fixed-up granary near Smith Hill, Man. Henry never shied away from a challenge.

He loved farming with his son Ron and grandsons Ryan and Trevor. Even after Henry and Margaret moved into Killarney, Man., he continued to farm full-time. He was grateful to God for family, health and the freedom to worship God. Henry earned his pilot’s licence and bought his first plane at 50. His children often saw him reading his Bible. Henry strived to learn and understand God’s Word.

Although Gilbert had no intention of making a career of his first job – for the Imperial Bank of Commerce – he worked in banking for 37 years. He travelled to Yukon; San Francisco, Cal.; Alberta; North West Territories; Winnipeg; and Frankfurt, Germany. He took pride in helping new farmers and businesspeople get a good start.

His church activities included singing in the choir, teaching Sunday school, chairing the church, working on finance committees at the local and national church levels and serving the Mennonite Foundation. Gilbert and Anne fostered children in addition to their 4.

After losing Anne, Gilbert married Joy. They enjoyed 31 years, living in Calgary, Langley and Abbotsford, B.C., and travelling together.

David Nickel Nov. 2, 1920–Oct. 18, 2015

BIRTHPLACE: Borden, Sask.

PARENTS: Jacob & Helena (Froese) Nickel MARRIAGE: Rosie Anna Rempel, 1949 [d. 1996]; Irene Myrtle (Willems) Tilitzky,

July 1997

CHURCH: Compass (Sask.) MB, South

Abbotsford (B.C.) MB; Bakerview MB, Abbotsford, B.C. FAMILY: Irene; children Wesley (Charlotte), Lois (Doug), Constance (Randy), Marjorie [d. 2001] (Mike); 8 grandchildren; 3 greatgrandchildren; 3 siblings

After Bethany Bible Institute and WWII alternative service, David married local girl Rosie and entered ministry. He pastored Compass MB, 1950–1957. With 3 small children and a move to Winnipeg, David completed high school. A fourth child arrived as David received his BTh at 40; he earned his BA 2 years later. After pastoring

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other churches, finishing with South Abbotsford MB, in 1972, David became a real estate agent. David and Rosie were chaplains at Tabor Home, Abbotsford, 1982–86. Rosie died in 1996. Having known each other since their youth, David married Irene in 1997. They shared travel, church, prayer meetings, choirs and volunteering.

Owen John Peverall July 30, 1922–Oct. 18, 2015

Arnold accepted Jesus as Saviour at 21.

When Arnold and Anne married, he was a cheesemaker. Later he formed a farming and gardening company with his father and brother-in-law. When the church called Arnold as pastor, he trained 3 years at Steinbach (Man.) Bible College. He pastored and led choirs 1955–1989, in Wymark, Sask.; Steinbach; Winnipeg; Abbotsford and Yarrow, B.C., officiating 254 weddings and baptizing 250 people. Arnold enjoyed golfing, fishing, vacations and visiting family. He taught his family “a smile costs so little yet gives so much.” A generous and faithful man, Arnold lived with integrity. His family says his greatest gift was “showing us the way to have eternal life through Jesus.”

BIRTHPLACE: Highgate, North London,

England

MARRIAGE: Pamela Marjorie Jones, Sept.

10, 1949 [d. 1976]; Perrie Beckon, 1977 CHURCH: Baptist, Anglican, London;

Anglican, Windsor, Ont.; CrossWay, Bakerview MB, Abbotsford, B.C. FAMILY: Perrie; son David (Connie), adopted daughter Christine (Brian) Mackay; 2 grandchildren

Owen received a medal for long service in the All Saints Anglican choir in 1937. At 14, he lost his father in a bicycle accident. Owen enlisted in the fire brigade in London, where he earned the British Defense medal. His day job was as tool designer draftsman for London Airplane. Before Owen immigrated to Canada in 1948, he became engaged to Pamela. Down to his last $10, he found work at Canadian Engineering & Took Company, Windsor, Ont. In 1970, Pam was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a spiritual awakening, which led Owen and son David to receive the Lord. After Pam’s death, Owen married Perrie. They worked for Pacific Coast Children’s Mission, Quadra Island, B.C., where Owen was manager. Owen worked for planned giving at Trinity Western University, Langley, B.C. – the best years of his life. He loved leading services and Bible studies at Maplewood House. Owen took many cruises.

Books and theological conversations kept him sharp. Owen kept short accounts with God. He read the Bible and prayed several times a day, discovering new truths and asking God to help him apply the Word.

Gertrude Rempel Oct. 11, 1927–Oct. 25, 2015

BIRTHPLACE: Winnipeg PARENTS: Peter & Anna Kroeker MARRIAGE: Peter Rempel, September 1947 [d. January 2002] CHURCH: Elm Creek (Man.) MB FAMILY: children John (Jan), Irene (John)

Enns, Barb (Rodney) Pederson, Ruth (Kurt) Voth; 11 grandchildren; 12 greatgrandchildren; 2 sisters

Gertrude farmed with her husband Peter in Elm Creek, Man. They retired to Carman in 1977. Gertrude will be remembered for her love of nature (especially her flower garden), travelling, singing and art. She enjoyed visits from family and friends. Gertrude loved her grandchildren and was so proud of becoming a great-grandmother.

Leslie Arnold Schmidt Nov. 5, 1920–Oct. 28, 2015

BIRTHPLACE: Dalmeny, Sask.

PARENTS: August & Sarah (Thiessen)

Schmidt

Arnold Fast Mar. 8, 1920–Oct. 21, 2015

BIRTHPLACE: Kleefeld, Man. PARENTS: Henry & Helen (Schellenberg)

Fast

MARRIAGE: Anne Kroeker, May 2, 1943 CHURCH: Clearbrook MB, Abbotsford, B.C. FAMILY: Anne; children Carol Unger, Emily

(John) Voth, Wesley, Gary (Valerie); 6 granddaughters; 10 great-grandchildren

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MARRIAGE: Mary Krahn, Oct. 21, 1944 [d.]

CHURCH: Bakerview MB, Abbotsford, B.C. FAMILY: children Garry, Sharon Brown [d.],

Rick, Don, Debbie; 12 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren

Leslie grew up in a large family on a farm with cows, pigs, chickens and 100 pigeons.

He began singing solos at 10 and that love of music carried over into gospel quartets and choirs. His family moved to B.C. in 1934.

Leslie had to leave school after Grade 10 to work on the new farm. He rededicated his faith in Christ at 18, was baptized and spent

2 years at Winger Bible School in Abbotsford and Yarrow, B.C. During Leslie and Mary’s courtship, he was a conscientious objector, 1941–43, supervising and building forestry camps in Campbell River, B.C. He will be remembered as a steadfast man of faith, prayer and hospitality.

Henry Wiebe June 29, 1927–Oct. 29, 2015

BIRTHPLACE: Killarney, Man. PARENTS: Abram & Margaret Wiebe MARRIAGE: Helen Duerksen, July 9, 1955 CHURCH: Lakeview, Killarney FAMILY: Helen; children Robert (Teresa),

Donna (John), Richard (Margaret), Douglas (Nancy); 12 grandchildren; 6 greatgrandchildren including Nathaniel [d.]; 1 stepsister

When Henry lost his father to heart disease, he had to leave school at age 11 to work the farm. He later earned his GED and attended Winkler (Man.) Bible Institute. He worked in the mines and the bush in Atikokan, Ont., returning to the farm for the growing season. Henry and Helen lived in a one-room house in Atikokan through a cold winter.

They farmed in the Enterprise area 1959–83, and enjoyed many years of retirement in Killarney, Man.: gardening, reading, meeting neighbours and having coffee on the deck.

Helen Petker May 24, 1931–Nov. 10, 2015

BIRTHPLACE: Raymond, Alta.

PARENTS: Peter & Anna Regier MARRIAGE: Peter Petker, Sept. 14, 1952 [d.

Sept. 13, 1976] BAPTISM: Coaldale (Alta.) MB FAMILY: children Don (Lou), Karen,

Gerald (Janet), Myrna, Roland (Gayle), Rose Balzer; 11 grandchildren; 6 greatgrandchildren; 5 siblings

Helen attended Coaldale Bible School for 3 years. Helen met Peter at Coaldale MB, where she was a faithful member all her life. They farmed near Coaldale. Peter died in a farming accident when 5 of their 6 children were still at home. In those dark days, Helen displayed strength. She welcomed support from family and friends, and gave God credit for seeing her through. An avid baker and cook, Helen had enough perishky in her freezer to feed everyone at her funeral. She died 7 weeks after receiving an advanced cancer diagnosis, which she accepted with quiet dignity.

[ FINISH LINES Anne Redekop Nov. 13, 1922–Nov. 11, 2015

BIRTHPLACE: Rueckenau, Russia PARENTS: Henry & Katharine Hiebert MARRIAGE: Cornelius Pauls, Oct. 10, 1942 [d. 1971]; David Redekop, Jan. 29, 1972 [d. 1996] BAPTISM: Port Rowan (Ont.) MB, Aug. 8, 1948 CHURCH: Fairview MB, St. Catharines, Ont. FAMILY: children Betty Ann (Peter) Reimer, Sharon (Gerry [d.]) Channer, Waldo (Pam) Pauls, Bonnie (Bob) Rempel [d.]; stepchildren David (Marilyn), Cathy (Peter [d.]), Allison,

Charlotte (Jim) Holland, Marlene (Bob) Wiens, Edward (Marlies); 8 grandchildren; 8 step-grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; 10 great-step-grandchildren; 1 sister

Anne did everything with excellence, whether baking pies, milking the cows, sewing clothes for her children or quilting. Later in life, she enjoyed painting, playing Scrabble and having tea. Anne knit hundreds of scarves for family members and children in need. She was a remarkable storyteller with vivid recall.

Selma Schmidt Dec. 29, 1919–Nov. 15, 2015

BIRTHPLACE: Borden, Sask.

PARENTS: Gerhard & Maria (Unger) Derksen MARRIAGE: Adolf Schmidt, 1949 [d. 1990] BAPTISM: Long Lake, Borden, Aug. 4, 1940 CHURCH: Arnold (B.C.) MB; Bakerview MB,

Abbotsford, B.C. FAMILY: children David (Diane), Linda, Albert (Susan), John (Ruth), Esther (Jack) Hoekstra, Anita (Johnny) Szabo, Walter [d.] (Kathy); 11 grandchildren; 11 greatgrandchildren; 1 brother

Selma and Adolf raised 7 children on several farms in Arnold, B.C. They retired to Clearbrook in 1974. Service to God was key to her life. Selma and Adolf were custodians of Arnold and Bakerview churches. Selma volunteered for MCC and Helping Hands, making countless blankets for shipment overseas. She enjoyed music, travel and family dinners.

Susie Block May 23, 1918–Nov. 16, 2015

BIRTHPLACE: Borden, Sask.

PARENTS: Peter & Anna (Derksen) Rempel MARRIAGE: Jacob H. Block, July 26, 1942 [d.

Dec. 2, 1975] BAPTISM: Borden MB, 1937 CHURCH: West Portal, Saskatoon FAMILY: children Irene (John [d. 2013]) Penner,

Rosalie (Peter Willms [d. 1971], Ed) Willems, James (Sharon), John D. (Diann), Violet (Murray) Gossen [d. 2009], Karen Nickerson; grandchildren; great-grandchildren including Ethan Willems [d.]

Susie always had a strong desire to learn. She took Grades 1–8 at Hoffnungsfeld School in Great Deer District. She accepted Jesus at 8.

For years, she had doubts and questions, but her faith was reaffirmed at Bethany Bible Institute, Hepburn, Sask. Susie and Jacob were church janitors for 50 years. She served the church as librarian, Sunday school teacher, ladies aid volunteer and deacon. Jacob died shortly after their move to Saskatoon in 1975. Susie was secretary of the Saskatoon City Hospital women’s auxiliary. She gardened, hosted Friendship Bible Coffees and Child Evangelism Clubs, audited classes at University of Saskatchewan and sewed hundreds of blankets for MCC. She had many friends; some of them were books.

Linda Anne Klassen Nov. 8, 1949–Nov. 26, 2015

BIRTHPLACE: Chilliwack, B.C. PARENTS: Jacob & Sara Jantzen MARRIAGE: Ralph Klassen, Sept. 13, 1969 BAPTISM: Fraserview MB, Vancouver, 1963 CHURCH: Dalhousie, Calgary FAMILY: Ralph; children Jennifer (Kevin

Thiessen), Lisa (Andrew Baerg), Matthew; 6 grandsons; 4 siblings; mother-in-law

Linda attended Bethany Bible Institute, Hepburn, Sask., where she met Ralph. She supported him as a pastor’s wife in churches in Winnipeg; Vancouver; 108, BC; Fresno, Cal.; Lethbridge and Linden, Alta. Linda’s life was filled with music: she played organ, piano and guitar, sang in choirs and ladies’ groups and led singing for girls’ clubs. She could fit song lyrics into any conversation! While she was able, Linda enjoyed holidays in Osoyoos, B.C., playing Scrabble and going for walks. In recent years, Linda liked listening to music, receiving friends, watching Blue Jays games with Ralph and spending time with her grandsons. After a nearly lifelong journey with MS, Linda watched her last earthly sunrise with Ralph.

Edwin Harold Hintz Mar. 16, 1929–Nov. 28, 2015

BIRTHPLACE: Waldheim, Sask.

PARENTS: Cornelius & Tina Hintz MARRIAGE: Hedie, 1956 [d. 2013] CHURCH: Point Grey Inter-Mennonite,

Vancouver FAMILY: children Carl (Doreen), Susan (Fred) Wieler, Peter (Dagmar); 8 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild

At 18, Edwin left the farm in Abbotsford for normal school and University of B.C., Vancouver. He became a much-loved teacher and principal with the Vancouver School Board. Edwin faithfully contributed to the life of the church, including helping found Point Grey Inter-Mennonite Fellowship. Edwin and Hedie spent their retirement travelling and volunteering. He struggled good-naturedly with golf and sang with the Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir. Edwin had an inquiring mind and was constantly reading, especially on science and politics. His last years involved caring for Hedie through Alzheimer’s disease, and soon after her death, facing his own struggle with cancer – challenges Edwin met with courage and grace.

David D. Bartel Feb. 16, 1936–Dec. 6, 2015

BIRTHPLACE: Drake, Sask.

PARENTS: David H. & Justina (Bolz) Bartel MARRIAGE: Hertha Loewen, January 1975 BAPTISM: Philadelphia MB, Watrous, Sask.

CHURCH: Forest Grove, Saskatoon FAMILY: Hertha; daughter Rosella

(Jonathan) Warnock, 3 grandchildren

David attended school until age 14, when his father died and he was left to take over the farm with his mother. David and Hertha ran the family grain farm until retirement, then moved to Saskatoon in 2004. He survived polio as a child and now suffers no more in heaven, where he longed to go.

Peter Peters Aug. 25, 1921–Dec. 27, 2015

BIRTHPLACE: Langham, Sask.

PARENTS: Peter W. & Eva (Andres) Peters MARRIAGE: Martha Goertzen, June 14, 1952 [d. 2009] CHURCH: Grantham MB, St. Catharines, Ont. FAMILY: children Bruce (Nancy), Joyce

(Jan), Murray (Kathy), Glenn (Ruth); 13 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren

On the first farm in the area to own a combine (in 1947), Peter drove that Massey Harris with his brother balancing atop the back. With Peter’s love for speed, he’d finish in time to help surrounding farmers.

He worked in a mine and raced around on his Indian twin-cylinder motorcycle.

In Ontario, he met Martha and learned the carpet installation trade. He worked at his own carpet service business (installing his church’s carpet) into his late 80s. Peter spent his remaining years in Fonthill, Ont., enjoying the open air.

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[ CROSSCURRENTS

It’s time to return stories Rescuing the Gospel from the Cowboys: A Native American Expression of the Jesus Way Richard Twiss InterVarsity Press Rescuing the Gospel from the Cowboys is the most recent – and sadly, final – book we have from an important Indigenous evangelical leader. Richard Twiss, who died unexpectedly in 2013 at the age of 58, was a tireless advocate and creative activist for a more authentically Indigenous expression of the good news. Rescuing the Gospel is essential reading for Canadian evangelicals. This is especially the case as we are now called to ponder and respond to our nation’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, both as individual citizens and as faith communities.

Rescuing the Gospel is inspiring, informative, provocative – and often frustrating – but the importance of Twiss’s overall message outweighs the frustrations. He unpacks two key concepts that both the evangelical church and Indigenous Christians need to grapple with: contextualization and decolonization. That is, the dual processes of rooting the gospel deeply within “every tribe and language and people and nation” (Revelation 5:9), and rooting out the devastating and ongoing impact of colonialism within mainstream North American life and thought.

The need for a book like this comes close to home: last Wednesday evening, I sat in a room full of high school youth groups and leaders, part of MB Mission’s SOAR Saskatchewan event. We listened to a young man, a new father, an aspiring school teacher, an MB mentored by MBs, who is Cree. We listened to his powerful story as he told how he wrestled with the heart-wrenching question: “Should I be Christian, or should I be an Indian?”

This man and thousands of people like him need churches who are not afraid of those who are Christian and Indigenous.

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does much to unpack this dilemma, by analyzing how we got here and recounting many efforts to express the gospel in Indigenous ways.

The book begins with a biblical discussion of how we might understand God at work in First Nations traditions.

Twiss even dares to use the “S”-word: syncretism. He recognizes that the word can’t really be rehabilitated or redeemed.

Yet, he urges Christians toward a more nuanced understanding, so that we might distinguish between what he calls “normative” syncretism, which he sees as part of “true conversion… [the] gradual and erratic process of sociocultural change,” the bumpy ride of the gospel transforming a culture, and “counteractive” syncretism, the “mixing of core beliefs that ultimately diminish, fully resist, or finally stop – counteract – one’s personal faith journey as a follower of Jesus.”

If we might be troubled by Twiss’s partial endorsement of syncretism, we can take note that even his Indigenous friends in ministry challenged him on this. Nevertheless, Twiss speaks truth when he talks about the often untidy process of conversion at a cultural or systemic level.

The “heart and soul” of the book is found in the many narrative sections throughout, but especially Chapter 3’s conversation between Christian Native men, envisioned as taking place in a sweat ceremony. Each character is introduced with a brief biography.

Three of them are composite figures, created out of many real-life interviews; the other five are apparently real individuals. There’s good precedent for this approach: Acts 15 shows that when Christians need to deal with thorny issues of mission and cultural

engagement, personal experience (or “testimony,” as we usually name it) is an essential ingredient.

I suspect that for many readers, a chapter like this may be the first time they have heard first-person stories from an Indigenous voice, Christian or otherwise.

I would suggest that it’s time we intentionally seek out such living voices in our own communities across Canada – they are there and ready to speak with us.

For example, in most larger centres, we will find Indian and Métis friendship centres or equivalent meeting places.

Schools, libraries and community centres are good places to find connections and contacts. If you haven’t already done so, participate in a KAIROS “blanket exercise” for a church or community group (making sure that you have some Indigenous members in the group).

Find out where there are reserves near your community – you’ll probably be surprised to find out how close (and how invisible) they are. I’ve always been amazed at the warm and generous welcome extended to me when honestly trying to build relationships with Indigenous neighbours.

The book did hold some frustrations: I sometimes found the train of thought disjointed, stories not always chronologically ordered. Sometimes the style reminded me of the Letter of James: a somewhat harsh tone, argument with rhetorical opponents, shifting from topic to topic, speaking to an insider group. Sometimes, it felt like an incomplete editing job.

But I was conflicted – is this perhaps a deliberately non-linear approach? Perhaps an attempt at Indigenous academic writing, throwing off the hegemony (a term Twiss likes to use) of privileged Western forms of discourse? Is the source of the frustration the author, the editors…or me?

Exactly one week prior to my night at SOAR, I was in an evening seminar (call it a “talking circle”) in an innercity legal aid office, gathered with community members, law students and an Indigenous elder, in a conversation about decolonization. One aspiring lawyer concluded: “Our people have done everything we can to understand the settlers’ ways, how you think and live. The way forward to reconciliation now needs you to start moving toward how we think and live, needs you to move toward our worldview. Reconciliation won’t happen until whites start to think in circles.”

I’m not sure if the communication style of Rescuing the Gospel is “thinking in circles.” The jury is still out, but I’m willing to submit my frustrations to that possibility and continue to listen to the heart of its message.

Another important part of “thinking in circles” is reciprocity. As Twiss says early on, stories “have only been loaned…, and will need to be returned.” The many narratives, the life experiences that made up Twiss’s research and reflection must be acted on, so that the communities that shaped them have some response, some benefit, from Twiss’s writing and our reading. In the memorable words of Thomas King (The Truth about Stories): “Don’t say in the years to come that you would have lived your life differently if only you had heard this story. You’ve heard it now.”

New neighbours: Immigrant’s guide to Indigenous people

Indigenous People of Manitoba: A guide for newcomers Compiled by Anika Reynar and Zoe Matties

“Newcomers to Canada have, unfortunately, picked up a lot of misconceptions and historical inaccuracies [about Canada’s Indigenous people],” says Vincent Solomon. As Indigenous neighbours coordinator for Mennonite Central Committee Manitoba, Solomon often speaks at events – many of them for newcomer groups – where he has observed these misunderstandings.

Inspired by this need for education, and following the example of the City of Vancouver’s “First Peoples: A Guide to Newcomers,” MCC Manitoba assigned two interns, Anika Reynar and Zoe Matties, to assemble an English-learner appropriate guide to the Indigenous peoples of Manitoba.

Reynar and Matties researched historical documents and solicited feedback from Indigenous leaders. A teacher with English as an Additional Language training edited the guide.

It’s only an introduction, but Solomon “[hopes] this resource will enable newcomers to this land to learn more about its original peoples, and that it promotes dialogue and reconciliation.”

— Karla Braun

dir•ec•tion 1. (noun) an academic Mennonite Brethren publication that addresses subjects of urgency to church and culture, including matters of theology, sociology, church theory and discipleship.

— Randy Klassen lives in Treaty 6 territory, near the South Saskatchewan River, a two-hour walk south of the 5,000 year old Wanuskewin national historic site. He attends Lakeview Church.

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Kindred P roductions

The 42-page resource includes a map of Indigenous communities in Manitoba (using native names), an introduction to the major groups in Manitoba (Cree, Ojibway, Oji-Cree, Dakota, Métis, Denesuline and Inuit) and references to further learning opportunities. The guide introduces the impact of the Royal Proclamation of 1763, the five numbered Treaties that affect Manitoba, the Indian Act of 1876 – and the way these documents were understood differently by the government representatives and the Indigenous signatories.

1-800-545-7322 www.directionjournal.org Mennonite Brethren Herald | May/June 2016

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[ INTERSECTION

Who’s in charge?

J

esus and his friends are in a boat on the Sea of Galilee when suddenly a “furious squall” comes up. Waves break over the boat so that it’s almost swamped. Meanwhile, after a hectic day of ministry, Jesus is sound asleep on a cushion in the back of the boat. His apprentices shake him awake and say, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”

Jesus asks them, “Why are you so afraid?”

(Mark 4:35–41).

It seems obvious: the disciples are afraid because they’re in a terrible storm. But just because our circumstances are serious, do we have to let Panic captain the ship?

Consequences of panic

I think of another group of God’s people scared out of their wits. During the exodus from Egypt, Moses sends scouts on an exploratory mission to the Promised Land. After 40 days, the spies return with a cluster of grapes so large it has to be carried on a pole. They report a land “flowing with milk and honey” to the community. But they also say that the land is “fortified” and the huge inhabitants make them feel as miniscule as grasshoppers (Numbers 13:26–33).

Most of the Israelites only hear the part about “giants in the land.” Fear takes control and sweeps the Israelite camp.

“Then all the people began weeping aloud, and they carried on all night.

Their voices rose in a great chorus of complaint against Moses and Aaron.

‘We wish we had died in Egypt,’ they wailed, ‘or even here in the wilderness, rather than be taken into this country ahead of us’” (Numbers 14:1–3 LB).

The Israelites plan to elect a new leader to take them back to the land of slavery and oppression. At the moment, Egypt seems like a better option than trusting God in an unknown future. God turns this into a teachable moment.

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Putting Panic in charge costs a generation the Promised Land and forces their children to waste 40 years in the desert, while they wait for the doubters to die off.

hill covered in a slick sheet of water, and safely – on my skinny road bike tires – up the other side.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. A particular circumstance never has a guaranteed outcome when God is in charge.

When the disciples ask Jesus for help in the horrific storm, he gets up from his nap, commands the wind and the waves to be quiet, “and it was completely calm” (Mark 4:39). His friends are so amazed that they ask, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” (Mark 4:41).

Faith defies circumstances

Look at Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (Daniel 3). Heedless of the threat of being thrown into a furnace, they refuse to bow to the Babylonian king's golden idol. Nebuchadnezzar works himself up into such a froth over their defiance that he orders the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual and commands the strongest men in his army to tie up the three God-trusting Jews. Sounds like certain death to me.

Or not. In Daniel 3:27, we read, “The fire hadn’t touched them – not a hair of their heads was singed; their coats were unscorched, and they didn’t even smell of smoke!” (LB).

Have you ever been in an overwhelming situation that looked hopeless? Maybe it was a cancer diagnosis or the loss of a job.

Maybe your spouse left you. Who did you put in charge: God or Panic?

I can remember trusting God in my own potentially dangerous situation.

I was cycling in a long distance event during a heavy rainfall when the group approached a downhill stretch.

Panic said, “Put on the brakes, you fool – you’re going to die!” But I knew attempting to stop would most likely result in spinning out and getting hurt.

So I started quietly singing “Be Thou My Vision,” which is how I usually put a bone in the hungry, roaring mouth of Panic. Keeping my head down and my spirit (mostly) calm, I cycled down the

Reasons to trust

I think of another story of high waves and wind in the Bible. In the middle of the night, Jesus is walking on the water (Matthew 14). He passes the disciples’ boat. The men are afraid, but Peter tests God’s faithfulness: “If it is really you, tell me to come over to you, walking on the water.”

Jesus replies, Come. And Peter does, until he looks down at the waves and gets scared. Even so, Jesus has his back.

He grabs Peter before he drowns. When Peter and the Lord get into the boat, the wind stops.

Matthew tells us, “The others sat there, awestruck. ‘You really are the Son of God!’ they exclaimed” (Matthew 14:36 LB).

Jesus is the Son of God, and we belong to him. So let’s put God in charge and remind ourselves, moment by moment, that he is I AM – the source of all strength, peace, hope and practical assistance in a crisis or challenge. I don’t want to miss out on the Promised Land that God has for me, so I’ll tell Panic to be quiet. And do my best to trust the Lord in all circumstances.

— Sandra Reimer is a writer, editor, cyclist and coach who finds community at Glencairn MB Church in Kitchener, Ont.

GATHERING

2016

JULY 6-9, 2016 / HILTON TORONTO AIRPORT HOTEL Gathering2016.MennoniteBrethren.ca

YOU ARE INVITED! Because of the radical, life-transforming gospel of Jesus Christ, we are COMPELLED to preach the good news to all people near and far.

That was the Apostle Paul’s mission and that is the mission Jesus gave us. This mission is urgent, important and motivated from deep within: we are compelled because we are so personally moved by our source Jesus.

Join together with Mennonite Brethren from across Canada at Gathering 2016 as we worship our King and explore how we can proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ across our multicultural landscape. We will come together to experience community with our national faith family. We will engage in equipping opportunities and grow in our awareness of the ministry needs and opportunities across Canada. We will seek the Spirit’s leading and pursue discernment on strategic issues and we will see what God is doing.

See you in Toronto!

—Willy Reimer, Executive Director, Canadian Conference of MB Churches Gathering is a great opportunity for us to make new friends and reconnect with old ones. We invite you to attend as we pray and discern together what it means to be “Compelled to Preach the Good News”. There will also be opportunity for conversation around conference ministry updates as we hear what God is doing among us.

We look forward to seeing you in Toronto!

—Harold Froese, Executive Board, Canadian Conference of MB Churches

ACCOMMODATIONS:

REGISTRATION FEES:

FINANCIAL REPORTS:

Delegates and guests are responsible to make their own hotel reservations directly with the Hilton Toronto Airport Hotel & Suites.

$ 199 per person prior to June 1, 2016 $ 299 per person after June 1, 2016

All delegates will receive a summary of the financial reports. For those interested complete sets of financial reports will be available on-site.

The deadline for hotel reservations is June 14, 2016.

Room Rates: $119 per night plus taxes (double or single occupancy). Please note that hotel bookings after June 15, 2016 would be based on availability.

Hotel Information: Hilton Toronto Airport Hotel & Suites 5875 Airport Road, Mississauga, ON. RESERVATIONS: Phone: 905-677-9900 Group Rate Code: “Canadian Conference”

This includes breakfast, breaks and lunch on Thursday and Friday, plus one supper and all conference materials.

PARKING:

REGISTRATION:

Hilton Toronto Airport Hotel & Suites has offered a special parking rate of $5 per day for participants travelling to Gathering 2016 by car.

Online: Gathering2016.MennoniteBrethren.ca Mail: Gathering 2016 1310 Taylor Avenue Winnipeg MB R3M 3Z6 Fax: 1-204-654-1865 Phone: 1-888-669-6575

TRANSPORTATION: Complimentary airport shuttle is offered between the Hilton Toronto Airport Hotel & Suites and Toronto Pearson Airport.

• From 9:00 am to 5:00 pm – every 30 min.

• From 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm – every 15 min.

• From 9:00 pm to 4:00 am – every 20 min.

Deadline for registration is June 21, 2016!

Pick-up points are as follows: • Terminal 1 – ground level at posts P3 or S5 • Terminal 3 – arrival level at post C22

Cancellation Policy: Refunds less administrative fee of $100 will be granted to requests received by email at michelle.penner@mbchurches.ca or in writing to Canadian Conference offices prior to June 21, 2016. No refunds will be granted after June 21, 2016 due to binding commitments between the Canadian Conference and vendors. If you are unable to attend, substitutions are allowed.

For more information visit Gathering2016.MennoniteBrethren.ca

“YET PREACHING THE GOOD NEWS IS NOT SOMETHING I CAN BOAST ABOUT. I AM COMPELLED BY GOD TO DO IT. HOW TERRIBLE FOR ME IF I DIDN’T PREACH THE GOOD NEWS!” 1 CORINTHIANS 9:16 (NLT)

GATHERING 2016 JULY 6-9, 2016 / HILTON TORONTO AIRPORT HOTEL Gathering2016.MennoniteBrethren.ca

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