MB Herald January/February 2017

From front porches to the ends of the earth

Tribute: Katie Funk Wiebe

Holy Spirit

An olive orchard’s fruit of peace

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Volume 56, No. 1 Publications mail registration number: 09648; Agreement number: 40009297 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Circ. Dept., MB Herald, 1310 Taylor Avenue, Winnipeg, Man. R3M 3Z6

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On the Holy Spirit The Spirit is the believer’s seal…. There is great comfort here, for the Spirit’s presence in our lives is the guarantee that God in the last day will acknowledge us as his own, and that he will preserve us through the trials and vicissitudes of this life until the day of final redemption dawns.

[ David Ewert, The Holy Spirit in the New Testament The Spirit makes everything of Jesus. The Spirit-filled believer does the same…. The most reliable evidence of the Spirit’s working in a congregation is obedience to Christ resulting in holy lives and sacrificial service.

[ Walter Unger, “Thinking clearly about the Holy Spirit,” MB Herald, March 2008

When the Spirit of God begins a work in any place, let’s not be among those who scoff or cast doubt. The Lord of the Church is sovereign and he does not ask us where he can do a work of renewal.

[ Harold Jantz, “The visit of Pope John Paul II,” MB Herald, Sept. 7, 1984 The Spirit [is our] greatest ally in overcoming the natural forces within [us], which, if given free reign can only destroy [us]. The Spirit is that agent who makes of prayer more than a formal ritual, making it in fact the expression of our deepest being, even of those feelings which we cannot ourselves express.

[ The Witness of the Spirit, study guide to the 8th Mennonite World Conference (1967)

The Holy Spirit, the Counsellor, is the creative power, presence and wisdom of God. The Spirit convicts people of sin, gives them new life and guides them into all truth. By the Spirit, believers are baptized into one body. The indwelling Spirit testifies that they are God’s children, distributes gifts for ministry, empowers for witness and produces the fruit of righteousness. As Comforter, the Holy Spirit helps God’s children in their weakness, intercedes for them according to God’s will and assures them of eternal life.

[Article 1, MB Confession of Faith

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[CONTENTS

January/February 2017 In this issue

5 8 11 12 20 4 14 15 16 17

FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

The year in review

6 Homepage 21 News

The Holy Spirit living in us

[ Bryan Born

Testimony

25 Births, weddings, anniversary 27 Book Reviews 30 Finish lines [Obituaries]

Come, Holy Spirit

[ Louise Sinclair-Peters From front porches to the ends of the earth

[

CONNECT WITH US ONLINE

Angeline Schellenberg

DIGITAL EDITION issuu.com

Tribute: Katie Funk Wiebe A powerful pen laid to rest

FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/MBHerald

COLUMNS

TWITTER twitter.com/MB_Herald

Editorial Through up or down, God is in it all

[ Karla Braun

Viewpoint Olive orchard bears fruit of peace

[ David Chow Text Message Isaiah 6 What does God's glory look like?

[ Nathan McCorkindale MB Seminary Telling the story of Jesus

[ Mark Wessner ICOMB — Wiebe’s witness Winds of the Spirit in Brazil

[ David Wiebe

CONFERENCE NEWS

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24 Transitions, church anniversary

Q & A with moderator Bruce Enns CCMBC Executive Board Finance update BFL update

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

Correction:

In “Rich in Good Deeds” (November/December 2016), the number of volunteers from Westside Church was six leaders and 15 youth, and the Montreal elementary school is called Springdale.

Cover Artwork: Max Funk

Max Funk grew up in Abbotsford, B.C., and attended Ross Road Community Church. He graduated from MEI Secondary and then studied Communication Design at Emily Carr University in Vancouver. Max’s work comes out of a place of intimacy with the God, and its purpose is to carry God’s presence within it. This work comes from a series of paintings called “Studies in (Im)mortality.” Max’s full portfolio can be viewed at maxwellfunk.com.

Mennonite Brethren Herald | January/February 2017

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[EDITORIAL

Through up or down, God is in it all It was a difficult year. On the cultural front, 2016 saw the loss of several artists who spoke to North American cultural consciences. Amid rapid change, we feel growing anxiety about the sustainability of our jobs, the state of the economy and the health of our pensions. On the political front, the world watched in amusement and horror as two candidates fought bitterly for the American presidency, giving civil discourse a bruising.

There are echoes of these events in our own church conference. Professor Elmer Martens, who revolutionized the Old Testament for many an MB seminary student – in Fresno and around the world – died; his wife Phyllis (an author and church leader in her own right) following close behind. Writer Katie Funk Wiebe, an advocate for women and seniors, went to her rest with some 2,000 articles and 20 books to her name. The CCMBC budget felt financial strain even as the ministries and services burgeoned.

Finally, two national leaders – moderator and executive director – surprised constituents with news of their departure from the board rooms.

And this doesn’t even touch the personal pain and tragedy the year held for many.

With such a year behind us, what might 2017 bring?

For one thing, it is a year of commemorations.

Renewal after Reformation: 500 years On the world stage, 2017 marks the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.

The “Luther decade” comes to a close in 2017 with celebrations in Germany of

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Martin Luther’s rebellious act of posting 95 challenges to the church. In an age when we so easily find reasons to go our separate ways, Lutherans marked this anniversary of division from the Roman Catholic church by coming together: Oct. 31, 2016, they celebrated a joint worship service in Sweden presided over by the Lutheran president, general secretary and Pope Francis.

May this herald a new era of appreciating difference and repairing broken relationships.

Within our wider faith family, 2017 will begin a 500th anniversary reflection on our participation in the Radical Reformation with a 10-year initiative called Renewal 2027. Mennonite World Conference, the worldwide body of Anabaptists of whom we as Mennonite Brethren are a part, will explore the particular gifts entrusted to our movement and the specific contexts in which they have taken root, from the burgeoning MB churches in DR Congo, to the peace-convicted churches in conflict-plagued Colombia (home of general secretary César García), to the increasingly indigenized and charismatic churches of Indonesia.

Renewal 2027’s first yearly event will take place in Germany, home of one of the earliest streams of Anabaptists, but will culminate in 2027 with the every-sixyears Assembly in Africa, home of some of the fastest growing national churches.

As Mennonites, we don’t celebrate the schism, but follow the biblical injunction that God often gave the Israelites to remember (Numbers 15:39, Deuteronomy 4:10, Deuteronomy 15:15), and ask what role God may have for us next.

Faith at 150 On the Canadian stage we also have an anniversary: 150 years since Confederation.

For the occasion, Canadian Christian think tank Cardus has formed Faith in Canada 150, a multi-armed initiative to recognize the role of people of faith in building our country. It calls on people of all religions to demonstrate that “faith is a good in our society”: in the past, present and future.

As Mennonites, we believe our faith is lived out. Why not take the opportunity provided by these celebrations to build bridges and speak about the One who leads us?

The Week of Prayer guide included with this issue calls Canadian Mennonite Brethren to reflect on Acts 1:8 – “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” – and to rely on that Holy Spirit power to embolden us to share the good news with our neighbours.

Over the next three issues of the MB Herald, we’ll explore Acts 1:8’s expanding spheres of God’s calling for us: local, national global. As his witnesses, we do not do the work by ourselves, but through partnership with the promised Holy Spirit.

May we stop, wait and listen (see page 10), and then act on the Spirit’s inspiration.

There is hope for 2017. Our celebrations won’t prevent us from experiencing more leadership challenges, financial crises or personal losses. But there is still good news to deliver and power to do it.

[ Karla Braun

Year in Review What was going on in the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches in 2016?

January/February 2017 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.

Church planting gets "big idea" The formal partnership between the C2C Network and MB Mission continues to take shape after its initial pitch to constituents at study conference.

Winner of Canadian Church Press and Evangelical Press Association awards for Writing, Design, and Illustration: 1996–2016.

Editorial office 1310 Taylor Avenue Winnipeg, Manitoba R3M 3Z6 Phone: 204-669-6575 Fax: 204-654-1865 Toll-free in Canada: 888-669-6575 Email: mbherald@mbchurches.ca www.mbherald.com

mbherald.com/big-idea

An ongoing conversation The boards (Executive, Faith & Life) release a statement in February after processing study conference feedback. mbherald.com/ statement-study-conference-boards

And the July/August issue examines the subject further. mbherald.com/god-sex-me-and-you

A growing family MB churches open hearts, wallets and homes to welcome refugees – from Syria, and around the world. mbherald.com/part-of-our-family-now

Blessing the ministers In response to congregational engagement, the BFL publishes a booklet exploring ordination past, present and future. mbherald.com/reengaging-ordination

A marriage in Quebec After many years of working side by side, ETEM and IBVIE finalize their merger into one new French-language theological school serving evangelicals in Quebec: ETEQ. mbherald.com/two-francophone-theologicalschools-become-one/

Convention fever

PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NUMBER: 4000929

The few but vigorously engaged delegates at Gathering 2016 in Toronto hold boards and staff to account. mbherald.com/ gathering-2016-business-report

Farewell to giants Beloved seminary professor Elmer Martens, trailblazing writer Katie Funk Wiebe and avid hobby historian Helmut T. Huebert die. mbherald.com/tribute-elmer-martens mbherald.com/tribute-katie-funk-wiebe mbherald.com/tribute-helmut-t-huebert

Leadership change MB Seminary sees president Bruce Guenther return full-time to the classroom and welcomes pastor and professor Mark Wessner as their new president. mbherald.com/passing-baton-mbbs-boardnames-new-president/

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

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Staff

CCMBC moderator Harold Froese steps down early, turning the role over to assistant moderator Bruce Enns, and the year closes with the end of Willy Reimer’s tenure as executive director.

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

Volume 56, Number 1 • Copy run: 14,500 THE MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD IS A PUBLICATION OF

mbherald.com/executive-director-steps

Mennonite Brethren Herald | January/February 2017

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MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD

HOMEPAGE The next 500 years of Anabaptism

Change rocked the Western church 500 years ago as successive groups discovered new things about God through Scripture, and separated from the Roman Catholic church. Renewal 2027 is a framework for a 10-year series of events within the Mennonite World Conference (MWC) global family, commemorating Anabaptism’s role in that period of culture and religious change called the Reformation.

“Renewal 2027 will be a celebration of a historical tradition that has now found expression in many different cultural settings around the world,” says John Roth, MWC Faith and Life Commission secretary and Renewal 2027 organizer. “We hope that the events will strengthen our identity by engaging conversations – especially with young people, lay church members and ecumenical friends – that reflect on what it means to be Anabaptist today in the global church, while also being in fellowship with the broader Christian church.”

Each year, an event will take place in a different region. A theme for worship, singing and discussion will be chosen in conversation with global partners. Local planning committees will infuse each event with the nuances of their own culture, tradition and history. Speakers from all five regions and ecumenical guests will represent the global nature of Anabaptist belief and Christian witness in the world today.

The first event, “Transformed by the Word: Reading the Bible in Anabaptist perspectives,” is Feb. 12, 2017, in Augsburg, Germany. The 2018 event, focused on the Holy Spirit, will take

Worship at a congregation of Kenya Mennonite Church. place in Kenya alongside the General Council meeting. Renewal 2027 occurs in the context of world-wide recognition of the Reformation.

Renewal 2027 commemorates the 500th anniversary of the Schleitheim Confession and the first Anabaptist mission conference (the Martyrs’ Synod in Augsburg), and celebrates the globalization of the Anabaptist-Mennonite by culminating with the 2027 MWC Assembly.

[ Mennonite World Conference release

Memory from MAID The Frucht of the Spirit Students at Steinbach Bible College present a declamatorium (chancel drama) on the fruit of the Spirit in 1941. The boxes list in German the qualities from Galatians 5:22–23 on “no other foundation.”

Photo (NP198-3-12) 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.

Do you recognize these women? To help CMBS identify them, please email archives@mbchurches.ca.

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January/February | www.mbherald.com

THE NEXT 500 YEARS OF ANABAPTISM PHOTO BY LIESA UNGER

[coming events Conference Events Partner Events 2017

Jan. 12: Sacred Trust, BCMB Jan. 21: SKMB leadership forum, Parliament Community Church, Regina.

Jan. 22–29: CCMBC Week of Prayer.

Jan. 22: Mennonite World Conference World Fellowship Sunday.

Feb. 8–9: Multiply conference, Westside Church, Vancouver.

Feb. 10–11: Mennonite Disaster Service All Unit Meeting, Asheville, N.C.

Feb. 21–23: Pastors Credentialing Orientation, Ontario.

Feb. 24: ONMB Pastors/Leaders Day, Mountain Park Church, Niagara Falls, Ont.

Feb. 24–25: ONMB convention, New Hope Church Niagara, St. Catharines, Ont.

Mar. 3–4: MBCM Assembly, Winnipeg.

Mar. 7–11: The Church on Mission: an ICOMB consultation, Chonburi, Thailand.

Mar. 10–11: SKMB convention, Parkland Community Church, Yorkton, Sask.

Apr. 21–22: ABMB convention, Calgary.

Apr. 22: Commencement ceremony and

banquet, Columbia Bible College, Abbotsford, B.C.

Apr. 22: Graduation, Steinbach (Man.) Bible College.

Apr. 22: Graduation ceremonies, MB Seminary (with ACTS Seminaries), Langley, B.C.

Apr. 23: Commencement ceremonies

(with MB Seminary), Canadian Mennonite University, Winnipeg.

Apr. 28–29: BCMB convention.

Apr. 28–29: AEFMQ convention: worship night

November 1-3, 2017 Northview Community Church, Abbotsford equipstudyconference.mennonitebrethren.ca

at Saint-Laurent, all-day AGM at ETEQ, Montreal.

Apr. 30–May 2: BCMB Pastor and Spouse retreat, Whistler, B.C.

Oct. 1–3: ABMB Pastor and Spouse retreat, Canmore, Alta.

Nov. 1–3: Equip, Abbotsford, B.C. View more events from churches and agencies at mbherald.com/calendar.

Mennonite Brethren Herald | January/February 2017

MORE ONLINE mbherald.com

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ARTWORK BY MAX FUNK

[FEATURE

The

living in us

W

hen you hear the words, Holy Spirit, what’s your first thought or emotion? Are you filled with excitement and hope? Do you have a sense of fear and trepidation? Or perhaps confusion and ambivalence?

However you answered my question, it is likely that something was stirred up within you.

Conversations regarding the person and work of the Holy Spirit are rarely simple intellectual exercises, and this is just as it should be. An encounter with the third Person of the Triune God is intended to transform and impact every aspect of our life, and then ripple out into the world around us.

A transforming Spirit Jesus promised his disciples that they would receive power to be his witnesses to the world when the Holy Spirit came upon them (Acts 1:8). This was an earth-shattering declaration.

Things would never again be the same. Following the amazing reception of the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, the apostle Peter connected the dots for his audience. Quoting from Joel 2, he declared: “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people…. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Acts 2:17–21).

But let’s back up for a moment. Who was the preacher that day?

Peter?! A man who just a few weeks earlier couldn’t even own up to the fact that he knew Jesus when questioned by a slave girl. Confused, scared and powerless, he denied Jesus and then cowered in hiding. Yet a few weeks later, Peter and the rest of the disciples were bold, inspired and courageous witnesses for Jesus.

What caused this incredible transformation? First, Jesus rose from the dead; and second, the disciples received the Holy Spirit.

So then we might ask, why does this matter to us? Because it’s no different today – an encounter with the living and powerful Spirit of Jesus has the potential to change everything.

A transforming relationship Over the past three decades, I have served in a variety of ministry roles, but before all that I was a teenage farm boy who loved basketball and fast cars. Even though I grew up in an awesome Christian family, I thought Christianity was nothing more than dos and don’ts, and the don’ts seemed a lot more appealing.

But then something amazing happened. I met Jesus when I was 19, and the Holy Spirit took up residence in my life, and nothing has been the same since. As the Apostle Paul puts it: “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you” (Romans 8:11).

That reality – the Spirit of God living in us – turns following Jesus into a life-giving journey.

Not a religion, but a relationship with Jesus.

This happens because the Spirit of Jesus, the Holy Spirit, is at work in us and is working in the world through us. Jesus communicates with us, frees us from the law of sin and gives us power to love and obey God’s direction in our lives. The Spirit helps take our eyes off ourselves, and empowers us to reach out to others around us and fills us with spiritual fruit: love, joy,

Mennonite Brethren Herald | January/February 2017

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[FEATURE peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23). Our lives are given purpose and meaning as the Spirit invites us to participate in God’s redeeming and reconciling mission to the world.

Get practical So what does this look like? When I mentioned to a colleague that I was working on an article focusing on a practical theology of the Holy Spirit, she told me that I better make it applicable to real life.

She had just spent a weekend trapped inside the house with her ornery sons, and she was disappointed with her lack of Christ-like character. She felt like she’d lost touch with the Holy Spirit and the power she needed to be the That reality, the person God intended.

After I reflected on her comments, I concluded she was mistaken. She hadn’t become disconnected from the Holy Spirit but distracted.

Our Western culture bombards us with incessant noise and myriad forms of busy-ness – with the result that most people’s lives are filled with stress and anxiety, and devoid of hope.

People cram their lives full of activity in a frantic attempt to give their lives meaning.

Spirit of God living in us, turns following Jesus into a life-giving journey.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus called the Holy Spirit our Advocate, Counsellor and the Spirit of truth (14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7). These descriptors tell us that the Father and the Son send the Spirit to guide, advise, encourage and help us. For this to happen, we need to listen and pay attention.

Stop, wait, listen Increasingly, I believe the most important thing we can do as Christians is stop, wait and listen to what God’s Spirit is saying to us.

Stop our frantic activity, wait and then pay close attention.

One of my friends reminds himself daily that he needs to “allow the Holy Spirit to have the loudest voice in the room.” My friend disciplines himself to regularly stop during his day and say to God, “Speak Lord, your servant is listening.” This simple act has often allowed him to sense the Spirit’s direction to rethink a decision, apologize for something he has said, or move in a completely new direction.

We, as Christians, can also get sucked into this trap. Instead of taking on more activity, when we sense something is out of kilter, we need to stop, drop and pray right then.

Don’t wait – it doesn’t have to take a long time. Again Paul reminds us that the Holy Spirit “helps us in our weakness,” and “intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God” (Romans 8:26–27).

Instead of becoming busy for God, we need to “keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25). Steve and Evy Klassen, authors of Your Ears Will Hear, make a great point: “When we tune in to God as the Active One, our actions are grounded in our connection to him. We want to work hard at the things God is guiding us to do, not because everything depends on us, but because we are acting in partnership with the God of the universe.”

Partnership. That’s what Jesus intended when he said his followers would receive power to be his witnesses when the Holy Spirit came on them.

[ Bryan Born is president of Columbia Bible College, Abbotsford, B.C.

Discuss

Toolbox

What does the Holy Spirit want you to do right now?

Forgotten God by Francis Chan

What do you think God might be calling you to do through the power of the Spirit?

Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders

Where does the Spirit want you to go, and who does Jesus want you to speak with or serve?

“Alive with the Holy Spirit,” MB Herald, March 2008

When you have sensed the Spirit’s leading, then walk into life full of joy and confident that the Spirit will provide you with the necessary power to obey.

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The Holy Spirit was with my colleague all through her frustrating weekend, but she needed to actually stop and pay attention before she could experience the power and peace of the Spirit. When she finally slowed down enough to hear, she immediately sensed what she had been missing, found a renewed sense of God’s presence and was able to love her boys in the way both she and God desire.

January/February | www.mbherald.com

The Holy Spirit in the New Testament by David Ewert

(Questions inspired by Francis Chan’s Remembering the Forgotten God)

Louise participates with a baptism in Thailand.

[TESTIMONY

Come, Holy Spirit

I declared in my heart: “Jesus, you are Almighty God and I am not.”

For two hours, I lay under the loving-fiery Presence. Like a person under anesthetic in surgery, I can’t tell you what God was operating on. What I do remember is that I knew heaven was real because I experienced it.

Then, out of another world, I heard Dave’s voice, “Louise, the baby needs to be fed. Get up!” My son’s crying slowly brought me back to reality.

When as I stood up, my words were slurred and I walked like I was drunk. Yet I felt the most intense love and joy I have ever known in my life. It made me start laughing.

“Honey, let me hold your baby.”

“That’s it!” I said to my friends helping me; “That’s what my alcoholic parents and the whole world are searching for! All we need is the presence of God!”

My husband Dave and I were happily sitting in a pew at Cariboo Bethel Church, Williams Lake, B.C., when this woman offered to take my child. “You can go forward for prayer.”

That night as I fell into bed, I could not stop laughing and trembling. It was like an electrical current of intense love was constantly flowing through my body.

“Go forward?!” said my inside voice. “You don’t understand; I don’t go forward.” But I smiled and said, “No, thank you.” As a new seminary graduate and the church’s family counsellor, I needed to protect my professional reputation.

In the middle of the night, the Lord said, “Louise, get up. You must write a letter to your dad.”

Before I knew what was happening, my baby was in her arms and she was urging me down the aisle.

“Ok, I’ll go,” I thought, seeing many others at the front. “But don’t try to push on my forehead, making me fall over, and pretend that’s the power of the Holy Spirit!”

The pastor had finished speaking when I reached the front. As I stood six feet away from her, she lifted her hand, looked at me and said, “Come, Holy Spirit.”

Normally, the thought of writing a letter to my abusive alcoholic father would have terrified me. But under the influence of the Holy Spirit, this sounded like a fantastic idea.

“Write down everything he did to hurt you and then tell him that, because Christ has forgiven you a great debt, you completely release him from his debt of sin to you,” I heard the Holy Spirit say. “Tell him I love him and died for his sins so that he can have eternal life.”

Before I could figure out what was happening, I was flying backwards like I had been hit with a jolt of lightening!

Strangely – without any fear or anxiety – I wrote my atheist father and mailed the letter. A few days later my father phoned me, and with deep emotion, said, “Thank you.”

The first thing I noticed was the gum stuck to the bottom of the pew above me.

When the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will be my witnesses, Jesus said in Acts 1:8.

Alarmed that I had fallen down, I tried to get up. But I couldn’t move. I tried to lift my arms and legs. I couldn’t move them either.

We are witnesses that the Holy Spirit is still being poured out today. First, a powerful revival visited our church in B.C., where we saw thousands touched by the power of the Holy Spirit.

I tried to talk, but I couldn’t even move my tongue!

Then, our neighbours came to know the Lord.

Now panicked, I became aware of a weight pressing down on my whole body like a heavy blanket. “What on earth is going on?” I thought.

Not long after that, we received an invitation to become missionaries in Thailand.

At that moment, I heard an internal-audible voice say, “Louise, cease your striving!”

The voice was full of authority – and love. Tears streamed down my cheeks as God rested on me. The intensity of God’s power was so great that I feared if it increased a single degree, I would be dust.

PHOTO COURTESY MB MISSION

Sixteen years later, having witnessed 100s of Buddhists throw away their idols and put their faith in the Living God, we still love drinking the wine of the Holy Spirit and being sent out with supernatural boldness to be his witnesses.

[ Louise Sinclair-Peters serves with MB Mission in central Thailand.

Mennonite Brethren Herald | January/February 2017

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Anna Marie Geddert

From

Front Porches to the Ends of the Earth

“Between 85 and 90 percent of Christians don’t know their neighbours’ names,” says Anna Marie Geddert, community ministries pastor at Jubilee Mennonite Church, a joint MB/ Mennonite Church congregation in Winnipeg.

“When I heard that, I thought, Jesus is telling us to do this and we’re falling short. So how can we make this a reality in our city?”

Jubilee is one of nine churches (including McIvor Avenue MB, North Kildonan MB and River East MB) in Winnipeg’s North Kildonan neighbourhood that made headlines for uniting to perfect the art of neighbouring.

Geddert cites numerous reasons that neighbours have lost touch: the loss of corner shops has made it less convenient to walk places. The prevalence of air conditioning and social media has made it more comfortable to stay indoors.

“Also, we have more fear in our world today,” says Geddert. “I got a call to do canvassing; the charity said they were having a hard time because people are too scared to go door to door.”

“I remember sitting on my front porch 30 years ago and watching tons of children playing and people walking and interacting with their neighbours,” says Geddert. “Now, we have remote controls for our garages: we open the door, go in and we don’t have to see anybody else.”

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January/February | www.mbherald.com

From Denver to Winnipeg The Art of Neighboring movement started six years ago, when 20 Denver pastors asked the mayor, How can we, as churches, best work together to serve our city? The mayor said, If we could just figure out a way to be great neighbours.

The pastors thought: The mayor just invited a room full of pastors to get their people to actually obey Jesus’ command to love your neighbour as yourself.

A year ago, Geddert returned from an Art of Neighboring conference (led by Denver pastor Dave Runyan), inspired to talk to her local hub of pastors about upping the neighbourliness in their community. All nine churches committed to doing a threeweek sermon series on neighbouring.

They also posted the same messages on their church signs and used the hashtag #nkchurches on their Facebook posts. “We went in with a playful, experimental attitude,” says Douglas Mennonite pastor Adam Robinson. “We were curious whether people would pick up on the fact that something larger was connecting churches on the block.”

Geddert recalls passersby saying, “I thought it was weird: I was driving around and saw the same sign at a United, then a Mennonite, then a Catholic church!”

PHOTOS BY CARSON SAMSON

[FEATURE But before preaching neighbourliness to their congregations, the pastors started in their own backyards. Using the block map from Dave Runyon and Jay Pathak’s Art of Neighboring book and website, North Kildonan pastors committed to learning their neighbours’ names.

When an REMB member said, “This year, my wife and I are having a meet and greet for our neighbours in July,” Isaak asked, “Oh, when do you usually do your meet and greet?” He laughed and said, “We’ve lived in our neighbourhood for 30 years, and we’ve never done this; it’s because of the sermon series.”

From target audience to real people

“I’ve noticed more people in our congregation asking for prayer for their relationships with their neighbours,” says Geddert.

“Love plays out with people who have names, faces and stories,” says Denver Wilson, McIvor Avenue MB pastor of discipleship, whose family sent an open invitation to their neighbours to join them for dinner in the park every Sunday evening last summer.

“Sometimes in church ministry, we can develop target audiences or think about people who are more hypotheticals and just beyond our grasp,” says Wilson. “But God places us around real people. That’s where we learn how to love.”

Geddert says, “We’ve moved our fire pit into our front yard, and I’ve put toys in our front yard to invite people into our space.

When we have marshmallow roasts and children walk by, we invite them to join us.”

One Jubilee member delivered cookies. Another worked on his car in the driveway instead of in the garage, so that his neighbours would stop to ask him what was wrong with his car.

It could be as simple as lifting your head and saying hi when you walk by, says Geddert.

Bryce Miller become Jubilee’s senior pastor during the Art of Neighboring initiative. Coming to the city from a Saskatchewan town of 240, his family worried that they’d lose the sense of neighbourhood, but the Art of Neighboring project reminded them that “we make the community we want to have.”

From one street to whole cities “We want to keep encouraging people to tell their stories,” says River East MB pastor Mary Anne Isaak. REMB has recommended small groups commit to the Art of Neighboring’s six-week Bible study guide.

Her hope is that churches will go beyond homes to engaging local schools, businesses and agencies with the question, “What does it mean to be a good neighbour?” In speaking to government staff, Geddert has met many fellow Jesus followers eager to come alongside Jubilee’s community-building efforts because “If we’re good neighbours, good things will happen to our city.”

From a neighbour to one of the family Jubilee’s experience of the Art of Neighboring sermon series was “exciting because we baptized three people from the neighbourhood who had no experience with what it is to know Jesus,” says Geddert.

“It was so moving to hear their stories about feeling like they finally have a family,” says Geddert. “In that process, transformation happened.”

One of the baptismal candidates, Faith, began coming to Jubilee’s community kitchen two years ago. “There’s a peaceful feeling when you walk in,” she says. “You know you’re with God and people who care.”

At Jubilee, Faith volunteers for the children’s drop-in, contributes to Bible studies, women’s services and the community garden and chairs the Manitoba Housing Tenant Advisory Committee that meets in the church.

“I walk over every day to talk to Anna Marie; this is our second home,” says the single mother of three. “If you’re going through struggles, you can come for support; if good things are happening, they celebrate with you.”

Among their neighbours at the four Manitoba Housing Complexes across the street, Jubilee has lost friends to suicide, walked alongside people returning to addictive behaviours and sat with parents whose children were just removed by family services.

“Neighbouring is sometimes so joyful and sometimes so discouraging,” says Geddert. “It’s listening to where the Spirit wants to take you.”

“It’s messy, but love is not about our preferences or drawing people around us who insulate us,” says Wilson. “It’s discovering love beyond our differences.”

Perfecting the art of neighbouring unveils “God’s masterpieces” (Ephesians 2:10). As Faith told Jubilee at her baptism, “I have new life because you loved me.”

l–r: Pastors Erwin Kroeker, Don Rempel Boschman, Mary Anne Isaak, Ewald Goetz

[ Angeline Schellenberg, with files from Carson Samson Mennonite Brethren Herald | January/February 2017

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[VIEWPOINT

Olive orchard bears fruit of peace The Tent of Nations is a place of hope in Palestine How would you feel if your government blocked your driveway with dirt and concrete, and told you it was illegal to remove the debris? What would you do if some of your neighbours built ever-advancing fences across your family’s property?

If you were me, you’d probably have words with your neighbours and take your government to court. If you were Daoud (David) Nassar, you’d look beyond justice: you’d refuse to hate, refuse to react in kind and refuse to reply with violence.

Daoud responds out of his identity as a Jesus follower.

The 100-acre Nassar farm, located just outside of Hebron – in the Holy Land – has been in the family for generations. They’ve got the paperwork to prove it, yet, like many Palestinians, Daoud is fighting to retain ownership. He has encountered labyrinthine and costly legal systems – both military and civil – that display little resemblance to justice.

The trees of Nassar’s farm – olive trees – are a symbol of identity for all Palestinians. Palestinians trace their roots to the land’s very first inhabitant. Their ancestors greeted Abraham upon his arrival from Ur of the Chaldeans. Their forebears were the shepherds who heard the news of Jesus’ birth in the fields surrounding Bethlehem (Beit Sahour). And Palestinian families like Daoud’s – Christian Arabs – are a branch of the body of Christ who first heard the gospel at Pentecost.

As a part of the living, minority-within-a-minority church in Palestine, surrounded by Muslim villages, hemmed in by Jewish settlements and beleaguered by a convoluted legal system, Daoud and his family have committed to live out their calling as Christ’s ambassadors through active love and peace.

In the shadow of a military occupation, Palestinians feel like they are being pushed out of a land they’ve called home for countless generations. In Hebron, they know the giant Separation Wall is on its way, cleaving through Israel and Palestine.

The government offers no water or electrical services, so the Nassars have implemented solar power to collect electricity and built cisterns to collect rain water. But these efforts to survive are met with Israeli government-issued demolition orders. Israeli settlers (whose territory continues to expand in contravention of international law) repeatedly damage the Nassar’s water tanks which are crucial to keeping alive the trees newly planted to replace the olive grove the government cut down.

Yet, as Christians, the Nassar family declare the love of Christ despite personal attacks and suffering. They cling to Paul’s words in Ephesians 2:14, “For [Jesus Christ] himself is our peace, who 14

January/February | www.mbherald.com

Daoud Nassar has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility...” (ESV).

They refuse to hate. They refuse to be enemies or to respond with anger. They place their hope in their risen Lord and Saviour, Jesus.

There have been so many compelling invitations to leave their farm. An Israeli business person even offered a “blank cheque” for the property. Yet the Nassar family have been called by God to steward their farm to stand up for justice.

Daoud and his family invite the international community to join them in creative, nonviolent resistance; to help them respond with grace and good news. They call their farm the “Tent of Nations.”

Daoud and his family offer planting and harvest camps. They host children’s and women’s camps for the local Muslim community.

The Nassar family’s prayers have been heard. The presence of international visitors and volunteers has stopped the attacks from the neighbouring settlers. And not only does the church show solidarity, but also Jewish groups who do not agree with Israel’s policies of provocation. European Jews have sent more than 1,000 new trees to plant. The Jewish Centre for Nonviolence has supported the call for justice.

What is our role? Are we also called to stand with men of peace like Daoud Nassar? With our Arab brothers and sisters in Christ? I hope fellow MBs in Canada will join in prayer with me and Daoud and his family as they proclaim the transforming love and grace of Jesus in the midst of great strife.

“Prayers do not fall on deaf ears,” says Daoud.

Thanks be to God. For information on Daoud Nassar and his farm, The Tent of Nations, see: tentofnations.org and friendsoftentofnations.org

[ David Chow is pastor of Killarney Park

Mennonite Brethren Church, Vancouver, and a board member for Mennonite Central Committee Canada. David participated on an MCC Learning Tour to Israel/Palestine in fall 2016.

PHOTOS COURTESY DAVID CHOW

[TEXT MESSAGE

What does God’s glory look like?

Isaiah 6

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”

Isaiah 6:3

God is holy. God is glorious. God is robed in splendour.

All true.

All hard for me to wrap my finite human mind around.

And maybe that’s the point. Maybe we simply aren’t supposed to understand this aspect of God. Yet, how I understand God affects how I orient my life and ministry in this world. And a statement like God is glorious can often be ambiguous to me.

What does it mean? Have I experienced it?

Most often, people say that they experience God’s glory in creation. This comes as no surprise. Isaiah 6:3 reminds us that “All the earth is filled with God’s glory” (CEV). So for those with eyes to see, God’s glory is clearly evident all around us.

Others will speak of God’s glory revealed in times of music and worship singing, in prayer or in other interactions with other Christians. Perhaps this is enough.

I still wonder though, what about an experience like Isaiah has before the living God? What would it be like to have a powerful and marvellous experience like that?

In Isaiah 6, I see at least three things happening.

First, Isaiah has a personal encounter with the LORD sitting high and exalted on his throne. The temple is shaking and filled with smoke.

It reminds me of God’s appearance to the people of Israel in Exodus 19: smoke, thunder, shaking. There was a tangible display of power and majesty. Yet, there is also this personal encounter with God in Isaiah 6. For both the Israelites and Isaiah, their encounter with God is not only majestic, and terrifying, but also a deeply personal.

Secondly, as Isaiah stands before God he comes into a greater awareness of himself and the myriad ways he falls short of the character and nature of God. “Woe is me! for I am undone” (Isaiah 6:5, KJV), Isaiah responds to the gracious revelation of God. The Hebrew word translated “undone” is used in other places to say “brought to silence.” His character and his deeds exposed before the Holy God, Isaiah has nothing to say.

Finally, God moves in mercy and cleanses Isaiah. God makes Isaiah clean and commissions him to speak a message to the people.

As Isaiah encounters the glory of God, he sees the LORD as King, exalted on his throne, but intimate enough to be seen. In this vision, Isaiah recognizes his sin, then finds healing and cleansing.

When I followed the footnotes in my Bible to John chapter 12, this powerful story became infinitely richer and more meaningful. The Apostle John writes of the message Isaiah was appointed to speak, then adds his own commentary: “Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about him” (John 12:41).

Did you catch that? Jesus is the one whom Isaiah saw and worshipped as the glory of God! Once I saw this, I began to see that it was everywhere in the Gospel of John. Over and over, John drops hints that the glory of the Almighty God is standing right in front of us: Jesus. Look through the Gospel to see how many times Jesus and glory show up together.

Everything I need for an Isaiah-like moment is right in front of me.

As I study the life of Jesus in the Gospels, I discover the King of kings and Lord of lords, exalted, seated on his throne – but also near, calling me into intimacy and fellowship with him.

As I stare at the life of Jesus in the Gospels, I am reminded of my sin, of all the ways my actions and my inactions fall short of the character of Christ who reveals the way of living in God’s Kingdom. Jesus perfectly models the life of surrender and worship to God here on earth. I am reminded that I need a new heart. I need the Spirit of God to fill me and to clothe me in Christ, so that I can live in the same way.

And finally, as I contemplate the cross of Christ, I experience the gracious, loving mercy of the Saviour, who by his death and resurrection makes me clean, restores broken relationships and ransoms my life.

Not because of something I have done, but the pure goodness and graciousness of God. Isaiah saw God’s glory for a moment, but in Jesus we have an even fuller, richer revelation of the Glorious One. Next time you pick up your Bible, look for the evidence of how glorious and marvellous is our God.

[ Nathan McCorkindale is the pastor

of discipleship at Philadelphia MB Church, Watrous, Sask. He enjoys spending time with his wife Niki and three (soon to be four) children, and when time allows, being outside in God's creation hunting and fishing.

Mennonite Brethren Herald | January/February 2017

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[MB SEMINARY

MB Seminary Lifelong Learning for Lifelong Mission

Telling the story of Jesus Have you ever witnessed an amazing athletic feat? Were you there when a celebrity came to town? There is something exciting about “being there when it happened,” isn’t there?

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

I remember when our youngest daughter was playing basketball in the B.C. summer games a few years ago. She was part of the underdog team from Prince George, and we were the only fans who drove down to Vancouver Island. Good thing my wife brought a cowbell with her.

Luke, the author of both Luke and Acts, uses the term witness 15 times. It seems that Luke has at least three ideas in mind.

Our stories flow from our personal experiences. I can tell the story of the basketball game because I was there.

Against long odds, Ashley’s team found themselves in the bronze medal game, playing against the powerful (and heavily favoured, if you listened to their intense fans) team from the Fraser Valley.

It was an epic game that went back and forth, and of course, it went into overtime.

My wife Jennifer and I were standing, yelling and ringing the cowbell. (Yes, even me, the introvert, got caught up in the moment!)

Finally, as time had almost run out, our team hit the last shot and won the game!

While the other team and their fans stood in shocked silence, we rushed on the court and celebrated with the team! Lots of emotion, lots of yelling, lots of memories! It was a great time.

And here I am today, telling the story again.

Why? Because I was there. I was a witness.

Imagine if you and I lived during the time of Jesus and his first followers. Imagine the stories we could tell about “being there when it happened.” Imagine being a witness for Jesus.

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else. Jesus’ words in Acts 1:8 get right to the point, “You will be my witnesses.” The stories we tell are the stories of Jesus.

Our stories are used by the Holy Spirit.

When we live and act as witnesses for Jesus, not only are our words used by the Holy Spirit, they are also infused by the Holy Spirit. Something powerful happens when we become witnesses. Our spoken words break past our human limitations and in some mysterious way, God uses them for his purposes and his mission. Simply because we chose to be witnesses.

Wow, let that sink in.

What about you and me?

What about our churches?

Do our words and actions flow out of our personal relationship with Jesus? Do our words and actions tell the story of Jesus? Are our words and actions dependent on the Holy Spirit?

In the same way, you and I can be witnesses for Jesus because we have our own personal experiences with Jesus.

And even if I am not a good storyteller, the authenticity of my personal experience will result in me being a credible witness. I know Jesus; therefore I can be a witness for him!

Our stories tell the story of Jesus.

Whereas a testimony is a story about myself, a witness tells the story of someone

As we start another new year, imagine what could happen if you and I embraced Jesus’ call to be his witnesses right where we are. Nothing fancy. Nothing fearful. Just a simple, ongoing decision to be an active witness for Jesus.

As you and I respond to Jesus, I believe that just like the first century, the world around us will be transformed by the power of God!

[ Mark Wessner

is president of MB Seminary. He lives in Abbotsford, B.C., with his wife and two daughters.

ILLUSTRATION BY COLTON FLORIS

[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.

Winds of the Spirit in Brazil “The pulpit is no longer central to church life and outreach. We now serve and help the community as the foundation for church growth.”

These comments from pastors I visited in Brazil signalled a change in direction for the country’s Mennonite Brethren church.

In the MB conference, called COBIM, this approach is taking root. Pastors are willing to admit the relative weakness of sermonizing, and compensate with relevant ministry. What humility!

I first met Emerson Cardoso in 2014. His church runs an orphanage, a drop-in centre for at-risk teens and unwed mothers, and provides food and shelter for the neediest.

His church had just purchased a sports arena so they had room to worship but also to use sports to reach youth.

I met Reginaldo Valim, intercessor and healer. He introduced me to Sister Ivone, one of the first persons to accept Christ in her town. As a teacher she had great influence, showing people the way to Christ. Today, the church has 60 members.

We walked to the home of a woman suffering from cancer. Reginaldo was the special visitor and Sister Ivone provided ongoing support and care. I was privileged to observe their ministry and join them in prayer that day.

Later, speaking with a COBIM leader, I shared a major concern related to one of our churches in ICOMB. He said, “We’ll pray with you for that. Reginaldo has a special gift of intercession, but we as leaders will intercede on your behalf.”

Today, Emerson Cardoso is the president of COBIM, with a dedicated team of leaders who understand the holistic direction they are using.

Their blended approach reminds me of Winds of the Spirit (Herald Press, 2012).

It records responses to questions about faith and discipleship posed to 18,000 Mennonites in 10 countries. It turns out Anabaptist churches of the Global South today have more in common with the church of the first three centuries, and the Anabaptist movement of 500 years ago, than they do with

contemporary churches in Europe and North America.

I saw those elements at work in Brazil in our own family, COBIM. They witness with power to a fear-based society. They give Christ’s honour to people suffering from shame. Prayer and service in the name of Christ happens everywhere.

This is the gospel witness in Brazil by our Mennonite Brethren family. Glory to God.

[ David Wiebe is the Executive Director

for ICOMB – the International Community of Mennonite Brethren – aka the global MB denomination. He enjoys expanding his palate while meeting ICOMB friends. He’s tasted ceviche (Peru), potato-zeppelins (Lithuania), goat (Congo) and dog (Thailand).

did you know?

Reginaldo and fellow COBIM leader Paul Duck will speak to our Thailand 2017 mission and prayer consultation in March.

Mennonite Brethren in Brazil existed in two national conferences (German and Portuguese) until 1995 when they joined to form COBIM. COBIM numbers about 48 churches with 7,300 members in five regions and 17 new congregations.

l–r: Reginaldo Valim, Sister Ivone and David Wiebe.

PHOTO COURTESY DAVID WIEBE

Mennonite Brethren Herald | January/February 2017

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Without the confidence of the board, no executive director can successfully lead, especially in challenging times. It was evident that this level of confidence was not there. At the same time, Willy didn’t have confidence in the board’s mode of operating. After taking everything into account, the board decided that Willy should not continue in his role.

That was an extremely difficult decision.

Willy is a godly man whom we love and respect deeply.

What are the issues the board has to own?

Q&A with moderator Bruce Enns During its meetings, Nov. 24–26, 2016, the executive board released a statement that “after much discussion and prayer, the board came to consensus that a leadership change was required for the opportunities and challenges facing the conference at this time.” As a result, “Willy Reimer will be leaving his position as Executive Director effective November 25, 2016.”

Moderator Bruce Enns responds to questions surrounding the executive director’s departure.

What was the main reason for the board’s decision?

Many things accumulated over time to develop mistrust between board and staff – and it went in both directions.

There was no one weakness or incident that led us to the final decision. There were complicated, layered issues. Some are Willy’s to own and some need to be owned by the board. But by either going unrecognized or undealt with, the issues grew larger with more implications, creating more mistrust – in both directions.

Willy is a point leader who had taken our conference a long way with passion and faith, which made the decision so challenging. Many responded well to Willy’s leadership, while some had challenges with his style and approach.

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My personal observation is that the boards of the past few years have to take their share of responsibility for where we’ve landed today. We have not implemented or lived out our governance model the way it was intended. Our current structures and relationships are complex and very challenging to lead. Our current representative board, with a high turnover rate, lacks the continuity to properly support a vision.

This left Willy in a vulnerable position from which it would have been difficult for anyone to lead. The broken parts of the system further exposed points of conflict. All these things together led to a breakdown in relationship between Willy and the board.

How did Willy respond?

He walked with much grace through a painful process. The senior leadership team has done the same, and we appreciate how they conducted themselves during those difficult days.

I remain in contact with Willy and will continue to support him in any way I can.

We have known each other for a long time and our relationship is important to me.

What is happening with the executive director position?

I am so thankful that Ron Toews agreed to serve as interim executive director for the short term. He is doing exceptional work in this time of transition.

The board has indicated their desire for each of the senior leadership team to continue their work. We have a gifted, passionate staff throughout the conference who are committed to the mission, and we will stand behind them.

We have started the process of discernment for the executive director position and are actively working on plans for what follows next. The board has added meetings in January to keep moving forward on that process. We will keep you posted on developments.

I should also mention that Michael Dick was appointed as assistant moderator at our last meeting, and the board affirmed my appointment as moderator. I’m looking forward to working closely with him and the rest of the board as we plan for the future.

What challenges do you see ahead for the conference?

Our big challenge is that we are not structured well for mission together. We need to set up better support structures that allow for the best way forward as we work together. One of the structural changes is in process – our Legacy Fund is getting established. See more information in the finance update (facing page).

Another challenge is to develop more effective two-way communication to hear voices from across the country. I commit to work diligently with the board, staff and our MB family to address the issues in front of us; to listen well and communicate as transparently and effectively as possible.

Although there’s much to do, we need to leave time to pause, listen to the Spirit and discern what is God doing in our midst right now.

What are your hopes for our family of churches?

As I connect with people across the country, I am encouraged by the strong commitment to our mission of multiplying Christ-centred churches to see Canada transformed by the good news of Jesus Christ. The Great Commission and Great Commandment that Jesus gave the church continue to guide us.

PHOTO: LISA HAMM

[ Incredible transformation is happening through our MB family in churches and the ministries of CCMBC such as L2L and C2C. God is at work among us!

I also see this as a unique moment in time. Our MB family has been recently discussing what it means to be united under one mission that is local, national and global. That continues to inspire me.

I dare to dream that God will amaze us as we pursue his mission together.

Do you have any final words?

Throughout this process, I have known what it is to be upheld by prayer warriors. I am grateful and humbled.

Please continue to pray for Willy and Gwen – they are dear people who are loved deeply.

May God give us wisdom, humility and courage as we walk together in faith.

The Board of Faith and Life met Nov. 23–24, 2016, inaugurating new members Robyn Serez (MAL), Christine Longhurst (Manitoba representative), Elton DaSilva (MBCM executive director), Phil Gunther (SKMB director of ministry) and Brent Hudson (Atlantic Canada).

“We want to be a BFL that’s listening,” says chair David Miller. The board did an environmental scan with reports from each provincial conference minister, national staff and the seminary representative reporting on the current trends in their contexts.

The BFL is involved in planning 2017’s study conference, branded Equip 2017.

The board reviewed responses to the ordination statement published in 2016,

CCMBC Executive Board

Finance update

Bruce Enns (Sask.) – moderator

During its meeting Nov. 24–26, 2016, the Executive Board of the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches appointed Howie Wall, Tony Martens and Matt Dyck as the EB members to the CCMBC Legacy Inc. interim board of directors.

Harold Froese and Len Penner were also appointed as external members to the interim board. Members will serve as Legacy directors until the CCMBC annual general meeting in 2017.

Michael Dick (B.C.) – assistant moderator Marilyn Hiebert (B.C.) – secretary David McLean (B.C.) – member-atlarge Howie Wall (Sask.), member-atlarge Karen Grace Pankratz (Man.) – member-at-large Don Petker – BCMB moderator Matt Dyck – ABMB moderator Tony Martens – SKMB moderator Ruth Schellenberg — MBCM moderator Karen West – ONMB representative Zacharie Leclair – AEFMQ representative Paul Lam (B.C.) – BFL representative David Miller (Que.) – BFL representative

BFL update

Following the Executive Board meeting, the interim board of directors of CCMBC Legacy Fund Inc. met to conduct the required business during their annual meeting. Jim Davidson, interim CFO of CCMBC, was appointed as interim president and CEO of CCMBC Legacy Fund Inc. The board planned a moderated conference call Dec. 13, 2016.

Constituents and stakeholders were invited to listen in and ask questions regarding governance, policies and the transition of the Stewardship Fund to Legacy.

CONFERENCE NEWS

approved a new entry to the pamphlet series and interacted with author Pierre Gilbert on the sanctity of life, and began to think about finding new mediums of communication on important issues. Also in progress is a revised Canadian edition of Family Matters, required reading for all pastors in the credentialing process.

The board also celebrated the completion of the Chinese translation of the MB Confession of Faith commentary and pastoral application.

A pamphlet on creation and faith is set to be published imminently.

“It’s a great group of people,” says Miller. “we have a sense of moving ahead together, asking ,‘How can we serve more effectively?’”

[ Karla Braun CCMBC senior leadership team and Executive Board have made operational changes to CCMBC and Legacy finances through an integrated process. Davidson, as CCMBC CFO and Legacy CEO, along with Ron Toews, interim Executive Director, will oversee the transition of responsibilities from CCMBC operations to Legacy. As part of the transition, CCMBC administrative and support staff will move under Legacy’s structure, effective Jan. 1, 2017. Also beginning Jan. 1, 2017, churches accessing conference financial services (accounting services, payroll) will be charged a small user fee.

“Since Gathering 2016, the Executive Board, CCMBC leadership and staff have been working diligently to address the concerns of the constituency,” says Davidson. “The policies, procedures and controls to ensure stewardship of the resources that have been entrusted to us have been reviewed and in a few situations have been amended. The conference is financially sound, and efforts are being made to rebuild the operating surpluses of both CCMBC ministry and Legacy operations to a level that will sustain these operations in the future.”

[ Karla Braun

Mennonite Brethren Herald | January/February 2017

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[TRIBUTE In 1962, she began writing “Women in the Church” for USMB’s Christian Leader.

The column became “Viewpoint” when Katie persuaded her editors that she had something to say to both women and men.

Weeks after moving the family to Hillsboro, Kan., having been ill for five years with a progressive disease, Walter died on Nov. 17, 1962.

A powerful pen laid to rest

Katie Funk Wiebe Sept. 15, 1924 – Oct. 23, 2016

“It takes courage to grow old, to be brave enough to accept a flawed world…, yet cling to ideals and hang onto an inner core of beliefs and values. It is important to hang onto faith, to trust and not be afraid.”

Katie Funk Wiebe died Oct. 23, 2016, in Wichita, Kan., at the age of 92, leaving a legacy of faith, storytelling and an invitation to live by choice, not by default.

In addition to being an author, biographer, editor, columnist and essayist, Katie was a speaker, preacher, pioneer, prophet, provocateur, feminist, teacher, mentor and historian. In 2000, The Mennonite named her among the top 20 Mennonites with “the most powerful influence on life and belief of the…

Mennonite Church in the 20th century.”

Katie was born Sept. 15, 1924, in Laird, Sask., to Mennonite immigrants from Ukraine and grew up in Blaine Lake, Sask.

A reading of a devotional book “called forth faith on my part to believe that God wanted something of me,” Katie wrote. In 1945, she was baptized and entered MB Bible College, Winnipeg, where she met Walter Wiebe; they married Aug. 21, 1947, and were called to Christian journalism.

Although religious journalism was dominated by men, Katie began to publish articles in The Canadian Mennonite and Christian Living.

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Early widowhood pushed Katie into the workforce. While a copy editor and proofreader at the Mennonite Brethren publishing house, she continued to write freelance articles. In 1966, she became an English instructor at Tabor College, where she earned a BA in 1968. She earned an MA in 1972 from Wichita State University, and Tabor promoted her to associate professor in 1981.

Katie wrote stories of “women who were often overlooked because they were not part of the official historical accounts.”

By 1970, she was actively calling for a Mennonite Brethren study conference on “the position of women in the church.”

Her first widely-read book, Alone: A Search for Joy, was published in 1976.

Katie became involved in many levels of denominational leadership: on the boards of the Center for Mennonite Brethren Studies, Direction journal, the General Conference of Mennonite Brethren, on Mennonite Central Committee task forces and the publicity committee for the Mennonite World Conference Assembly in Wichita, and as editor of Christian Leader and Rejoice!

In 1990, she retired from Tabor as professor emerita and moved to Wichita in 1991, eager to serve the wider constituency of the church she loved; to bring meaning to her life through writing and speaking of her own experience of aging, the role of older adults and women in the church.

In 2011, she began a blog. Katie wrote more than 2,000 articles, columns and book reviews, and wrote or edited more than two dozen books.

In receiving the 2014 Leslie K. Tarr Career Achievement award from the Word Guild, she was described as “an

agent of transformation; a life force that has pushed its way through the firmly packed soil of tradition.”

Katie was questing, curious, perseverant, loyal, invitational, loving, brave, true, a great storyteller and teacher, and always learning and growing.

Katie’s memory is cherished by children Joanna (Tim Baer), Susan, James (Kathy Wiebe); 7 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; 1 sister. She was predeceased by Walter; daughter Christine Wiebe (2000).

[ adapted from the life story prepared by Katie Funk Wiebe and Joanna Wiebe

Tributes from readers Katie’s presence in the MB Herald reassured me, as a young woman, that maybe the voice of a woman could be heard, even among the brethren. Her generosity through the Katie Funk Wiebe Research Grant covered two years of expenses as my MB-pastor-cousin Christine Kampen and I (now professor in biblical studies) researched and wrote Daughters in the House of Jacob. What a joy it was to "converse" with the books of Katie in our own writing.

[ Dorothy Peters, TWU professor Katie Funk Wiebe courageously gave voice to the silent within the church by openly sharing her own life and inviting others, not only to listen, but to recognize themselves in her story.

She sought “to wrap the experiences of life in words.” When Katie began to articulate her thoughts and feelings more than 50 years ago, she spoke on behalf of women who had virtually no public voice in the church. Over 2,000 columns/articles and more than 20 books, Katie’s writings continue to challenge us to be faithful disciples of Jesus, just as she did in her life.

[ Doug Heidebrecht, editor, The Voice of a Writer

Read a longer tribute, discover some of Funk Wiebe’s writing and leave your own comments online: mbherald.com/ tribute-katie-funk-wiebe.

[NEWS

Where are you going with God? Consider ten months of intensive discipleship-in-mission training with TREK.

Pastor Benitez (green vest) headed down river as part of an MB church delegation to assess damage in Bebedo.

Colombian MB churches assist 100s of flood survivors Oct. 17–21, 2016, intense rainfall caused severe flooding along Colombia’s Pacific coast, seriously damaging the homes of more than 20,000 people.

In Chocó province (adjacent to Panama), Mennonite Brethren churches are present in the regions most heavily affected by flooding.

Carlos Andres Palacios Lozano, a member of Sión MB Church, lives and works in the community of Suruco, Chocó, with his wife and two children.

Lozano was able to save his chickens from drowning, but other people in the area, some of whom depend upon the sale of chickens and eggs for their livelihood, lost them all.

As the floodwaters receded, the church, a Mennonite Central Committee partner, began responding with its own resources to the needs of those affected through serving soup to the community.

MCC is providing humanitarian assistance through the Mennonite Brethren church to 500 families in 11 rural communities who have lost everything.

mbmission.org/TREK

1.888.866.6267

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“After the floods,” says pastor Jesus “Jabez” Benitez of the Bebedo MB Church,“[many] people were without hope, without anything.”

Despite the losses they have sustained, many are playing an active role in responding to the victims and looking for ways to prevent future damage by flooding.

The MCC assistance will help, Benitez says, “the disaster, the danger, isn’t over.”

International Volunteer Exchange Program

Open your home or workplace to an international volunteer mcc.org/ivep

Since October, the San Juan has flooded twice more, and people continue to struggle.

[ Compiled by Rachel Bergen, with files

from Brendah Ndagire, Carrie Vereide and Daniel Christie PHOTO: MCC / BRENDAH NDAGIRE

Relief, development and peace in the name of Christ

Mennonite Brethren Herald | January/February 2017

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[NEWS

To meet the Lord on the air “Our mission is to bring the gospel of Jesus to every place of society,” says Scott Street MB Church lead pastor Jurgen Rausch.

“A segment of society listens to radio, and we can reach them through radio; in fact, radio may be only way to reach them.”

In 2015, Scott Street MB Church, St. Catharines, Ont., took to the airwaves on WDCZ, a Christian station out of Buffalo and Rochester, N.Y., across the lake. By the end of 2016, Scott Street On Air had transmitted more than 100 gospel broadcasts.

from the congregation; he became the program’s producer. Rausch’s former co-worker at Square One World Media, Grant Hoeppner packages the half-hour recordings on a contract basis from his production company in Winnipeg.

Scott Street On Air increased their potential audience by 13.5 million listeners in March 2016, when Wilkins Radio Network invited Rausch to broadcast on their stations in Indianapolis, Ind.; Buffalo, N.Y.; Omaha, Neb.; and Richmond, Va.

l–r: Gerry Krumrei, Jurgen Rausch

One teary-eyed church visitor told Rausch, “You need to know what your program is doing: it’s my church.” Other pastors thank him for teachings that have enhanced their own sermons.

Streeter interviews with church members and Rausch’s banter with Paul Moore (Scott Street director of seniors ministry and outreach) lead into the Bible message. Rausch’s sermons are recorded live on Sunday mornings. The broadcasts also include “Scott Street In Focus” features, inviting listeners to upcoming church events.

The idea for Scott Street On Air came from Gerry Krumrei, a retired radio broadcaster

“Our goals are to fuel a ministry to people who can’t come to church and to let

people in the Niagara Region know who we are,” says Rausch.

Scott Street members are supportive: the program is funded both through the church’s outreach budget and from private donations.

Hear recorded radio series on topics from “Faith in the everyday world” to “What makes a great church” at

scottstchurch.ca/programs-2016.html.

[ Angeline Schellenberg

Medical Assistance in Dying walking pastorally with those impacted by it

march 3, 2017 www.ministrylift.ca/maid Eligible Canadians are legally entitled to die with the help of a medical professional. How then can pastors, chaplains, counselors, and other caring people walk with those who are impacted by this reality?

Register for this one-day equipping event to prepare yourself to minister to those in need.

Act quickly! Our special early bird rate is active until Jan 27: www.MinistryLift.ca/MAiD. 22

January/February | www.mbherald.com

PHOTO: LUKAS MANDAU

Bryan Born at Columbia Bible College’s annual fundraising dinner, Oct. 21, 2016.

Columbia’s travelling ministry team led worshipful singing and faculty and staff shared their excitement to pursue Columbia’s mission. More than 325 guests enjoyed Columbia Gourmet Catering’s banquet as they invested in equipping young adults for lives of discipleship, ministry Columbia Bible College president Bryan Born and leadership in service to the church and community.

At 80, Columbia is still pursuing the mission ABBOTSFORD, B.C.

“When we realized that this year marked 80 years since our beginnings, we decided to use this ‘birthday’ as an opportunity to ensure that we are still, by God’s grace, ‘pursuing the mission,’” said president

The school has been guided by mission statements “with a clear focus on spiritual growth and transformation, serious Bible study and preparation for service in the church and world,” said Born.

“Since the merger of our two predecessor Bible schools to form Columbia Bible Institute in 1970, that original mission has evolved and been further refined. But, the

essentials remain the same: Our mission is to equip people for a life of discipleship, ministry and leadership in service to the church and community.”

A school must also be ready to adapt its methods to the changing world around it. “For us at Columbia Bible College, that means we’re offering new programs and courses,” said Born.

Next fall, Columbia launches an Emergency Rescue Technician certificate program. At the same time as it trains students in emergency first-response skills (including search and rescue operations and avalanche safety), the program provides foundational Bible and theology courses intended to foster Christian faith and character.

“We are ready to innovate as God directs,” said Born. “We want to equip students with what they need so that they can fully live into the calling, the vocations, that God has placed on their lives.”

[ from reports

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More information: cmu.ca/employment Call: 204.487.3300 Email: hrdirector@cmu.ca Mennonite Brethren Herald | January/February 2017

23

[FAMILY NEWS

Transitions Half-time student ministries pastor since 2011, Kevin Snyder was installed as lead pastor of Coast Hills Community Church, Surrey B.C., May 29, 2016. An alumnus of Winkler (Man.) Bible Institute; Bethany College, Hepburn, Sask.; and Columbia Bible College, Abbotsford, B.C., Kevin is working on an MACS degree at MB Seminary/ACTS. He previously served as student ministries pastor at Gracepoint Community Church (2001–11) and Fraser Heights Community Church (1998–2000) in Surrey, B.C., and as associate dean of students at Bethany College (1995–98).

Kevin and Sharon Peters have 2 children.

Ajay Klassen began as halftime worship arts pastor at Coast Hills Community Church, Surrey, B.C., Aug. 1, 2016. His other half-time role is restorative action facilitator and trainer at the Abbotsford Justice Advocacy Association. Ajay holds a BA in Criminology from the University of the Fraser Valley, and has previously served as volunteer leader in worship arts at South Abbotsford Church. Ajay is married to Carlee.

Ron Mills became senior pastor at Riverbend Fellowship MB Church, Borden, Sask., Nov. 6, 2016. Ron and Sue have worked with inner-city youth in Saskatoon and been part of the transitional pastoral team at Living Hope Church, Saskatoon. Ron has served as senior pastor at Abundant Grace Fellowship, Saskatoon; Abundant Living Ministries, Pangman, Sask.; and Watson (Sask.) Christian Centre. Ron and Sue have 1 daughter.

After faithfully serving Blaine Lake (Sask.) Gospel Chapel as interim pastor 24

January/February | www.mbherald.com

since Jan. 1, 2016, Rick Schellenberg was called as lead pastor Nov. 1, 2016.

In addition to halftime pastor, Rick is also half-time volunteer coordinator at Prairie Hospice Society, Saskatoon. He holds an MDiv from Providence Theological Seminary, Otterburne, Man., and a Master of Sacred Theology from Lutheran Theological Seminary, Saskatoon. He has pastored Borden MB Church (1983– 88) and worked as dean of students, president and instructor at Bethany College, Hepburn, Sask. (1988–2015).

Rick and Gwen have 4 children and 9 grandchildren.

After 9 years as pastoral elder at Highland Community Church, Abbotsford, B.C., J Janzen left this role at the end of 2016. J was part of pastoral teams that led the congregation through a season of growth. J and Andrea have 4 children. They are exploring new opportunities.

Ron van Akker speaks at King Road’s 50th anniversary service

Church celebrates 50 years King Road MB Church, Abbotsford, B.C., celebrated its 50th anniversary, Sept. 23–25, 2016, exactly 50 years after the first worship service, Sept. 25, 1966.

With Jacob Dueck as founding pastor, South Abbotsford Church planted King Road to provide German-speaking community to immigrants from South America, Germany and Russia.

Creation:

God’s Revelation in Nature A new addition to the Board of Faith and Life’s pamphlet series.

1-800-545-7322 www.kindredproductions.com KING ROAD PHOTO: IWAN BERGEN

Under the theme of Psalm 86:12, the celebration included a youth homecoming, a banquet and a combined German and English Sunday service. Saturday’s banquet and service gave the 600 guests a look back. The service featured music by former music pastor couple Rufus and Adina Loewen.

Nine former and current pastors shared memories around nine church values, forming them into an altar.

Sunday’s joint service was forwardlooking, with a multi-age worship team and a message from BCMB associate conference minister Ron van Akker.

King Road continues to offer both English and German services to their multigenerational community of 570 members, and ministers to Spanishspeaking migrant workers by hosting a regular Friendship Centre. They remain committed to “following Jesus, loving each other, and reaching our world.”

F O R

A

S I M P L E R

L I F E

Does life leave you feeling distracted, disconnected?

These 90 daily devotions by a plain Mennonite wife and mother provide gentle warmth and wise nudging to guide women toward a deeper commitment to the way of Jesus.

Order at www.HeraldPress.com, by calling 1-800-245-7894, or at bookstores.

BIRTHS

Doerksen – to James & Carrie of Killarney, Man., a son, Nathan Jacob Ephraim, Sept, 14, 2016.

Martens – to Wes & Glessie Martens of Killarney, Man., a son, Zachary Anthony, June 24, 2016.

Neufeldt – to Donovan & Natalie of Coaldale, Alta., a son, Josiah Exavier, Aug. 5, 2016.

Rempel – to Steve & Veronika (Wiens) of Richmond, B.C., a son, Matteo Johann, June 22, 2016.

Wiebe – to Aaron & Shelly of Port Rowan, Ont., a son, Emerson Wray, Aug. 18, 2016.

WEDDINGS Leo Siemens of Coaldale, Alta., & Erika Koop of Abbotsford, B.C., July 23, 2016.

Matt Thiessen & Jessica Lamoureux, both of Lethbridge, Alta., Aug. 27, 2016.

ANNIVERSARY

Gunther: Frank & Margaret Gunther of Fort St. John, B.C., celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary July 2, 2016. They were married July 27, 1941.

Mennonite Brethren Herald | January/February 2017

25

[From the web Mennonite photograph database shortlisted for national award MAID honoured by Governor General’s Award for Excellence in Community Programming.

MCC’s Syrian partners deliver assistance despite intensified fighting Mennonite Central Committee supports learning for students whose schools were destroyed, resilience training for teachers.

ANYTIME. ANYWHERE. Post your own videos and let the learning continue - even after the service ends.

MCC Canada AGM delegates gather under the “big tent” Diverse Anabaptists work together to address global needs.

In right relationship to all things Mary Reimer serves as CMU pastorin-residence.

Unity in the global family Mennonite World Conference’s Mission Commission seeks to imagine and build a new global mission partnership.

Tribute: Helmut T. Huebert Beloved surgeon and historical researcher dies at 81.

There’s always more online at mbherald.com.

GMMiTV

GMMiTV.com

Global Mission Media

smart com • pas • sion /ˈsmärt kəm-ˈpa-shən/  how to stop “doing outreach” and start making change

What leadership advice was Katie Funk Wiebe giving in the 1970s?

Want to make a difference but don’t know how?

Where was Granny Fehr baptized?

When did she immigrate?

Looking for answers to these and other questions? Look no further!

Discover strategic, prayerful, and biblically based approaches to sharing Christian compassion and bringing Jesus’ love to your neighbors. For anyone who wants to do something that matters.

Thanks to the Centre for MB Studies, an updated digitized MB Herald (including all 1,338 issues from 1962–2016) is now available on compact USB drive for $30 including tax and shipping. Previously purchased MB Herald drives may be sent back for a free update with the new content.

For more information, contact Jon Isaak at jon.isaak@mbhchurches.ca.

26

January/February | www.mbherald.com

Order at www.HeraldPress.com, by calling 1-800-245-7894, or at bookstores.

Book reviews: At Home in Exile: Finding Jesus among My Ancestors & Refugee Neighbors

by Russell Jeung, reviewed by Arisnel Mesidor

University

Before I came to Canada, I was under the impression that poverty did not exist here.... It has been rather shocking to learn how much poverty and injustice there is in these rich countries. At Home in Exile is another great eye-opener on such issues. Many citizens are “in exile” in their home countries, living, as Martin Luther King Jr. put it, “on an island of poverty in the midst of a vast MORE ONLINE ocean of material prosperity.” mbherald.com

Daughters in the House of Jacob: A Memoir of Migration Dorothy M. Peters with Christine S. Kampen, reviewed by Kathy McCamis CANADIAN MENNONITE UNIVERSITY

ESSENTIALS

Ten Signs of a Unique Christian Faith

What is the essence of Anabaptism?

Explore the core values of Jesus, community and reconciliation in this concise guide on Anabaptist faith and life, and what Anabaptism offers today.

Designed to equip readers to live out a more radical commitment to Jesus.

As a first-generation Mennonite, I appreciated the insights this work offers. The Mennonite history I was taught in seminary took on flesh in the stories of this family’s migration from South Russia to Canada.

History comes alive and is given richness and dimension as the authors share the way that events like the Russian Revolution and subsequent wave MORE of migration to Canada shaped ONLINE this family’s stories. mbherald.com

The Nonviolent God

by J. Denny Weaver, reviewed by Stephanie Chase

For Weaver, whenever God appears violent, the biblical authors made a mistake in their portrayal of God. Weaver reminds us to look to the nonviolent Jesus as the fullest revelation of God, and put aside MORE any violent images we may find ONLINE in Scripture. mbherald.com

Order at www.HeraldPress.com, by calling 1-800-245-7894, or at bookstores.

[More book reviews online Mennonite Brethren Herald | January/February 2017

27

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Book reviews:

Wrongs to Rights: How the Church can Engage the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People

Experienced tour leader and engaging storyteller Len Friesen is fluent in Russian and is a university history professor.

edited by Steve Heinrichs, reviewed by Don Klaassen

Given that many of us ethnic Mennonites are descendants of people who suffered severely at the hands of religious leaders who considered themselves superior to those who disagreed with them, we should be able to agree with the Declaration’s MORE ONLINE statement on discrimination. mbherald.com

[More book reviews online 28

January/February | www.mbherald.com

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

Abraham E. Peters

Hedwig (Hedy) Winter

Oct. 6, 1936–Apr. 20, 2016

Apr. 20, 1937–June 4, 2016

BIRTHPLACE Oakville, Man. PARENTS Jake & Martha (Dick) Peters MARRIAGE Barbara BAPTISM Community Fellowship, Newton, Man., as a teen FAMILY Barbara; children Michael (Rebecca Widdicombe),

Jeffrey (Ann Park), Shauna (Ryan Brinkman), 7 grandchildren; 3 siblings

Abe was born on the family farm and lived there all his life, except the years he attended MBCI and U of M in Winnipeg. He graduated from Oakville High School and earned a degree in Agriculture and a BEd. Abe taught high school for 8 years, then farmed for almost 50. He attended the MB church in Newton. Manitoba Pioneer Camp on Shoal Lake was a place he worked at and loved. Abe’s grandfather, well-known MB preacher A.B. Peters, was a positive, loving influence on his life.

Kelly Darlene Pauls Aug. 5, 1965–May 12, 2016

BIRTHPLACE Morden, Man. PARENTS John & Martha Pauls BAPTISM Portage Avenue, Winnipeg CHURCH Domain (Man.) MB; Portage Avenue FAMILY mother; siblings Cheryl, Rich (Jules); nieces & nephews

Kelly was adopted at 1 month. She accepted Jesus as Saviour at 8. Kelly grew up on the farm at Osborne, Man. She attended Caronport (Sask.) High School and Winkler (Man.) Bible Institute. She worked in Winnipeg, staying with her grandmother until she got a place of her own. She enjoyed taking computer courses. Kelly taught Sunday school. After a major blood clot in 2008, she was in and out of hospital, no longer able to work. She struggled with weight and heart congestion. While she was restricted to her chair, her hands kept busy making hundreds of afghans for charity. In her Bible, Kelly wrote, “To be with Jesus forever is the sum of all happiness.”

30

January/February | www.mbherald.com

BIRTHPLACE Hamberg, Ukraine PARENTS David & Maria Neufeld MARRIAGE Henry Winter, Aug. 15, 1959 BAPTISM Virgil (Ont.) MB, 1956 CHURCH Orchard Park, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. FAMILY Henry; daughters Rose (Ken) Bartel, Lily (Larry) Falk,

Judy (Forrest) Miller, Lisa (Dave) Schellenberg, Heidi (Jason) Willms; 16 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; 1 brother

At 4, when Hedy’s father was sent to a Siberian prison camp, God became her father. To escape the Russian army, her family fled to Germany in 1943. Hedy endured a traumatic 3-month hospitalization in 1945. When life got tough, her family would sing to God. The family joined their cousins in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., in 1949. Hedy enjoyed reading. To help pay off immigration expenses, Hedy worked on farms and at the canning factory. She accepted Jesus as Saviour at 12, and her love for him grew. She met Henry at a youth event in 1957.

They lost 3 babies in the womb. Hedy showed her versatility by becoming a farmer. Generous and hospitable, she loved baking and cooking.

God gave Hedy compassion for those hurting or in need. She and Henry were official and unofficial deacons. Hedy saw the positive in people and circumstances. When she nearly died of a deteriorating disc in her neck, God drew her closer to himself. Shortly after losing her mother 8, Hedy developed Lewy Body dementia. Her family saw her love for God grow. She lived Luke 6:45, often saying how thankful and blessed she was.

Martha (Mardy) Thiessen July 21, 1939–June 10, 2016

BIRTHPLACE Drake, Sask.

PARENTS John & Mary Neufeld MARRIAGE Jake Thiessen, July 10, 1965 CHURCH Dalhousie, Calgary FAMILY Jake; children Sharon, Kevin (Jen), Brad (Teresa); 4

grandchildren; 1 brother

Mardy grew up in Yarrow, B.C. She accepted Jesus as Saviour and was baptized at 16. Her

relationship to Jesus was her cornerstone.

Mardy attended East Chilliwack, (B.C.) Bible School, then nurse’s training at Vancouver General Hospital. After graduating in 1962, she worked in B.C., Manitoba and California before settling in Calgary. Mardy enjoyed making family memories in campgrounds, at hotels, and on cruises across Canada, the U.S., Europe and Bali. She loved volunteering at MCC and Dalhousie Church. She sang in the choir, crocheted afghans, scrapbooked, did puzzles, baked and spent time with grandchildren. Even when she learned her cancer had returned, Mardy continued to live her faith and share her hope of heaven with everyone she met.

Alfred John Huebert Jan. 24, 1942–June 18, 2016

BIRTHPLACE Waldheim, Sask.

PARENTS John & Mary Huebert MARRIAGE Marlene Buller, Sept. 7, 1968 BAPTISM Brotherfield MB, Waldheim, age 16 CHURCH Nutana, Forest Grove MB, Saskatoon; The Meeting

Place, Winnipeg FAMILY Marlene; children Michelle (Cameron) McCartney, Chris (Lorinda), Philip [d. Dec. 20, 1978]; 5 grandchildren; 2 brothers

As a child, Alf became a follower of Jesus, and the Bible was his guide for life. He met Marlene at University of Saskatchewan. Alf practised law in Saskatoon for 22 years, while serving in various positions at Nutana and Forest Grove MB churches. In 1992, Alf became director of Stewardship for the Canadian Conference of MB Churches in Winnipeg. He retired in 2006 to enjoy his family, travel, lapidary, golf, books, singing, hiking and boating. He communed best with God at a lake or seashore. Alf treasured time with his children and grandchildren. He will be remembered for his positive attitude and adventurous spirit. He died after a courageous battle with leukemia.

Henry Kornelsen Mar. 23, 1929–June 30, 2016

BIRTHPLACE Coaldale, Alta.

PARENTS Heinrich & Sara Kornelsen MARRIAGE Elizabeth Wiens, 1962 BAPTISM Coaldale, Alta.

CHURCH Ross Road, Abbotsford, B.C. FAMILY Elizabeth; children Lori (Jake) Esau, Shari (Gerald)

Heinrichs; 8 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild

Henry’s family immigrated to Canada in 1924, settling near Coaldale. Henry’s parents were instrumental in leading him to Christ and developing his faith. Henry took teaching training in Calgary and taught 19 years. After serving 2 years in Cali, Colombia, with MB

[FINISH LINES Mission, Henry and Elizabeth bought a chicken and berry farm in B.C. Henry enjoyed serving as deacon at Ross Road Community Church and as short-term missionary with Disciple Making International. Henry was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1993. He found comfort in 2 Corinthians 12:9.

pastored churches in Abbotsford, Prince Rupert and Yarrow, B.C. Louise died of cancer in 2005.

He married Marjorie and was a loving caregiver as she battled cancer. Helmut’s heart was for the church and everyone he met. His greatest joy was to pass on his faith to others. He prayed daily for each one in his family by name.

John Thiessen

Susan Lepp

Sept. 3, 1935–July 22, 2016

May 15, 1916–July 27, 2016

BIRTHPLACE Killarney, Man. PARENTS Aaron & Annie Thiessen MARRIAGE Rita Baerg, Aug. 28, 1959 BAPTISM South Abbotsford (B.C.) MB CHURCH Central, Chilliwack, B.C. FAMILY Rita; sons Howie (Tanya), Rob (Lori), Brian (Loralee); 10

grandchildren; 6 siblings

John grew up on a Manitoba farm beside a golf course, stirring a lifelong love for the sport.

Times were difficult, so the family moved to Abbotsford. John accepted Jesus as Saviour at an early age. He worked in the poultry industry as a feed truck driver, bookkeeper, purchaser and salesperson. His singing career began in the South Abbotsford MB Church choir. In Menno Neufeld’s Bethel Choir, John learned the great oratorios and met Rita. He became a tenor soloist. John was so proud of the men his sons became: hardworking, creative and committed to Jesus. John and Rita enjoyed camping with family or friends. For the past decade, they were part of Trinity Masterworks Choir. A group visit to Music Mission Kiev stirred a passion: John and Rita joined the board and assisted wherever they could.

BIRTHPLACE Lidyevka, Arkadak, Russia PARENTS Gerhard & Anna Penner MARRIAGE Aron Lepp, Sept. 23, 1939 [d. 2002] BAPTISM MB church, age 43 CHURCH Grantham MB, St. Catharines, Ont. FAMILY children David (Helen), Rita (Ken) Petkau, Kenneth

(Victoria), Arnold, Barbara (Frank) Pearson; 14 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters

When Susan was 8, the family immigrated to Canada. The trip took 39 days, 6 trains and 2 steamships. Relatives in Gretna, Man., took them in. A year later Susan, her mother and sister contracted typhoid fever from river water; her mother died. Susan and Aron settled in Ontario. Life with 5 children, a farm, a factory job and medical setbacks wasn’t easy, but they always found time for vacations, school activities, relatives and good food. Sundays were for Sunday school, worship, dinner, visits, faspa and evening service. When they retired, Susan and Aron moved to Tabor Manor. She enjoyed good health and died in her sleep.

(Arlin) Glen Lovell

Helmut T. Janzen

BIRTHPLACE Winnipeg PARENTS David Kornelius & Katharina (Tina) (Dueck) Janzen MARRIAGE Louise Regehr, Aug. 29, 1954 [d. 2005]; Marjorie

Funk, February 2008 [May 2009]; Alice Warkentin, December 2012 BAPTISM Chilliwack, B.C., Aug. 24, 1947 CHURCH Bakerview MB, Abbotsford, B.C. FAMILY Alice; children Rhoda (Karl) Neufeld, Wes (Kim), Kathy (Scot) McLellan, Rod (Lynda); 10 grandchildren; 11 greatgrandchildren; 4 siblings

Helmut’s first commitment was to Jesus, whom he loved to serve. He did everything with passion and joy. While studying at MB Bible Institute (now CBC), in Abbotsford, Helmut met Louise at an evangelistic rally where they were both singing with ensembles. He enjoyed teaching at public elementary schools in Winnipeg and Victoria. Helmut was the head of the music department at MBBI. He conducted many school, church and community choirs and

Mar. 24, 1921–July 31, 2016

BIRTHPLACE Nikolaifeld, Ukraine PARENTS David & Justina Quiring MARRIAGE Benjamin E. Dyck, Nov. 26, 1944 [d. 2004] CHURCH Highland, Abbotsford, B.C. FAMILY sons Dennis (Susan), Brian (Ruth), Reg (Erin); 6

grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; 4 siblings

Though Anne had health problems most of her life, she had a spark, a strong will and love for God and family. She lived out a strong faith in God, often listening to Christian music and sermons. Anne loved holding family picnics, cooking for family and friends and knitting sweaters, singing as she worked. Five years after her husband’s death, Anne moved to Menno Hospital. She died peacefully.

Henry Wiebe Oct. 25, 1919–Aug. 2, 2016

BIRTHPLACE Alexandradar, Kuban colony, South Russia PARENTS Jacob & Aganeta (Goerz) Wiebe MARRIAGE Mary Goertz, June 2, 1951 BAPTISM Manitou (Man.) MB, Aug. 23, 1942 CHURCH Westwood MB FAMILY Mary; children Edith (Bert Friesen), Gerald (Vera), Ken

(Marg); 4 grandchildren

June 28, 1949–July 31, 2016 Apr. 24, 1929–July 24, 2016

Anne Dyck

BIRTHPLACE Lestock, Sask.

PARENTS Ray & Ruby (Nelson) Lovell MARRIAGE Christine Peters, March 1968 CHURCH West Portal MB, Saskatoon FAMILY Christine; 2 children; 4 grandchildren

Glen attended school in Touchwood and Wishart, Sask. He enjoyed army cadets, which gave him an interest in flying. He moved to Saskatoon, where he met Christine. Glen loved helping others in need. He was a volunteer firefighter and EMT. Glen accepted Jesus as Saviour in 1972 and continued to grow in faith until the end of his life. Becoming a millwright mechanic in 1980 took him to Uranium City, Meadow Lake, Cluff Lake and Fort McMurray. He studied to become a maintenance planner/scheduler at Millar Western and Suncor. When he received his cancer diagnosis, he said, “I guess God can heal me if he wants to, and if not, I am ready to go.” A practical joker and whistler, Glen was known for his sense of humour and love of life. Animals and people of all ages were drawn to him.

Henry’s family immigrated to Canada in 1925, settling in Gnadental, Man., then the La Riviere area, where Henry travelled to school by horse and wagon. He enjoyed popular music, evidenced by his Bluebird jazz record collection. Henry had a spiritual awakening through the ministry of Herman Lenzmann. Henry’s studies at Winkler (Man.) Bible Institute were interrupted by a call to service during WWII. He served his country by delivering coal in Winnipeg and working as lumberjack in Kapuskasing, Ont. He started his own farm near La Riviere.

Winters, he helped his sister, a widow with 5 children. He earned his electrician’s licence by correspondence. He brought electricity to many homes and enjoyed visiting with the people he met, including his future wife.

Henry was among the first to become a registered seed grower and producer of the new crop canola. He helped construct Manitou MB Church. Henry valued education for his children and grandchildren. In retirement, he pursued golfing, reading and photography.

He will be remembered for his generosity, helpfulness, dependability and interest in Mennonite history.

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Ed Wiens Oct. 3, 1925–Aug. 3, 2016

BIRTHPLACE Borden, Sask.

PARENTS Aaron & Annie (Sawatzky) Wiens MARRIAGE Agnes Martens, 1954 [d. 1981];

Anne MacAskill, 1982 [d. 2015] BAPTISM Borden MB, 1940 CHURCH Strawberry Hill MB, Langley, B.C.; Fraserview MB, Richmond, B.C. FAMILY children Sandra (Douglas) Epp, Valerie (Mark) Carson, Ralph (Sandra); 4 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren

At 14, when he heard Henry Epp preach at Borden MB Church, Ed professed faith. Ed’s family moved to a strawberry farm in Langley, B.C., in 1946. Ed attended Vancouver Bible College. He was a salesman all his life, selling everything from Fuller Brushes to insurance and investments. Ed met Agnes at Vancouver MB Church. They joined the Ambassadors choir, which Ed later led. They regularly sang at Union Gospel Mission. Ed also sang in the Fraserview and Welshmen’s choirs.

In the 1970s, Ed received his real estate licence and worked for Block Bros. Realty. When Agnes became ill in the late 1970s, Ed cared for her until her death. He married Anne, and they travelled in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, U.S.A and Canada. When Anne grew ill, they moved to Elim Christian Village, Surrey, B.C., in 2014, and Ed took care of her. Ten months after her death, he died of congestive heart failure.

Martha (Marty) Rempel May 16, 1928–Aug. 10, 2016

BIRTHPLACE Eyebrow, Sask.

PARENTS Cornelius J. Baerg & Elizabeth Wiebe MARRIAGE David Rempel, Nov. 13, 1949 BAPTISM Vauxhall, Alta., July 11, 1943 CHURCH Crestwood MB, Medicine Hat, Alta.

FAMILY children Kathy (Alex) Neuhauser, Jayne (Greg) Roth,

James (Sharon Allan), Phil (Brooke); 7 grandchildren; 3 sisters

Martha grew up in Vauxhall, where she married David, seeing in him a man of vision and principle. As an artist, writer, florist, gardener and homemaker, Martha created and celebrated beauty. She and David were hospitable, opening their home to countless family and friends.

She was an active member of Crestwood MB Church for almost 50 years.

PARENTS Jacob & Annie (Peters) Ens MARRIAGE Erna Block, June 24, 1955 [d. June 2008] CHURCH Fraserview MB, Richmond, B.C. FAMILY children Audrey (Bob) Carroll, Philip (Connie), Eric

(Mary); 11 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren

Al’s talent for business led him into property management in Vancouver. He worked for Macaulay Nicholls Maitland, Block Bros. Realty, Montreal Trust and his own company, Ens Real Estate. An auxiliary member of the Vancouver Police Force, Al retired in 1991 as inspector of the Vancouver Police Reserve. Al was a caring provider for his family and a generous, faithful friend. He was active in his church and the MB conference, overseeing financial and business affairs for the denomination in B.C. In retirement, Al and Erna moved back to Vancouver and enjoyed their grandchildren, travelling with friends and frequent stays in Phoenix, Ariz. After Erna died, Al moved to a retirement home, then to Sunrise Senior Living in 2010, where he was well cared for as his Alzheimer’s disease progressed.

Katherine Klassen

FAMILY sister Maria (Ernst) Quiring, brother Johann (Lena)

Nellie worked in the office of the collective until WWII. In 1941, her family was at the train station, about to be sent to Siberia, when the German front reached their village and they were free to return home. After the Germans took control, church services began again. In May 1942, Nellie gave her life to the Lord. Matthew 11:28–30 was especially meaningful. In 1943, her family fled, arriving in Warthegau, Poland, in 1944. Here, Nellie took a nursing course and worked in an office until the German Red Cross conscripted her as a nurse.

In the confusion, Nellie ended up in Lueneburg, Germany, separated from her family. With MCC’s help, she immigrated to Canada in 1948.

Her mother’s cousin’s family in Chilliwack, B.C., became her family. Nellie’s parents and siblings were exiled to Asia. After 27 years of separation, Nellie found her mother and sister and helped them come to Canada in 1972. Nellie retired from the St. Paul’s Hospital physiotherapy department in 1984. Her later years included mission trips to Ukraine with Disciple Making International. She prayed faithfully for God’s Kingdom to grow in Ukraine. She contracted pneumonia in July 2016.

May 14, 1924–Aug. 18, 2016

Margaret Thiessen BIRTHPLACE Omsk, Russia PARENTS Gerhard & Katherina Unruh Loewen MARRIAGE Jack Klassen, June 9, 1945 [d. 1988] CHURCH Portage Avenue, Winnipeg FAMILY children Gerry [d. 2004], Jacqueline (Peter), Randal

(Christopher); 2 grandchildren; 4 great-granddaughters

Katherine’s family immigrated to Canada the year after her birth, settling in Yarrow, B.C. Her only brother died at 18 months. Her father was accidentally killed when she was 10. Katherine and her mother, who had no means of support, were shuffled from relative to relative. They settled in Winnipeg, where her mother worked as a seamstress and Katherine worked as a maid.

She married Jack. A wonderful mom, Katherine loved having her own home. Jack was diagnosed with Huntington’s disease in 1969. The 19 years he spent in Eden Mental Health Centre were excruciating for Katherine and the children. Their son Gerry already had HD when Jack died in 1988. A car accident damaged Katherine’s lungs.

Despite it all, she loved people and nature, reading and learning. Katherine clung to her faith in God and walked in his grace. She loved all her family deeply and prayed for them faithfully.

Nellie Rogalsky

Jan. 9, 1927–Aug. 22, 2016

BIRTHPLACE Milden, Sask.

PARENTS Peter & Helena (Dyck) Neufeld MARRIAGE Peter Thiessen, Oct. 25, 1953 [d. 1994] CHURCH Parliament, Regina; West Portal, Saskatoon FAMILY children Beverly Wilkie, Dennis (Cherie), Gwen (Larry)

Cruse; 9 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren

Margaret’s father died a month before her birth.

Her mother raised 4 daughters in a small building on their aunt and uncle’s farmyard. They survived through housekeeping, sewing and help from family and church. Margaret was delighted to attend Rosthern (Sask.) Junior College for Grade 12 and work for Friesen’s General Store for a year. She worked as a psychiatric nurse in North Battleford, Sask. Margaret and Peter lived 6 years in Saskatoon and 41 years in Regina. After Peter died suddenly, Margaret returned to Saskatoon, where Bethany Towers became her home. Faith in God and time with family and friends were important. Margaret’s hobbies were crossstitching, puzzling, playing games, and watching football and curling. She volunteered 19 years at Village Green Thrift Store, 10 at Ten Thousand Villages and 16 in Bethany Manor’s dining room.

Sept. 11, 1921–Aug. 21, 2016

Sylvia Goosen

Alvin Henry Ens Feb. 15, 1931–Aug. 11, 2016

BIRTHPLACE Cudworth, Sask.

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BIRTHPLACE Fuerstenwerder, Molotschna, Ukraine PARENTS Jacob & Nelly (Koehn) Rogalsky BAPTISM Gnadenheim, Ukraine, July 27, 1942 CHURCH Vancouver MB; Culloden MB, Vancouver; Clearbrook

MB, Abbotsford, B.C.

Sept. 22, 1958–Aug. 22, 2016

BIRTHPLACE Filadelfia, Paraguay

[FINISH LINES PARENTS Jacob & Maria Loewen MARRIAGE Rudolph Goosen, 1977 BAPTISM King Road MB, Abbotsford, B.C. FAMILY children Andy (Shazi), Steve (Donna);

1 granddaughter; her mother; 3 siblings

Sylvia grew up in a loving home, where she made fond memories. She attended church and learned about God’s love from her mother’s example. She gave her life to Christ at 12. The family immigrated to Canada in 1973, settling in Vancouver, and later, Abbotsford. In 1989, Still’s disease attacked Sylvia’s joints, causing chronic arthritis. Although her body was limited, her ability to shine God’s light remained. Sylvia loved her family and friends deeply. She enjoyed reading, crafting and chatting, but her greatest joy was her children and granddaughter. Sylvia was known for her tenacious spirit, uplifting attitude, relentless selflessness and unwavering faith. Her health took a negative turn in September 2015.

through these changes was the Friendship service at the Christian Reformed Church every Tuesday.

After her father died, she stayed in group homes before moving back to the family home to live with her brother until her final hospitalization.

She faithfully attended Bakerview MB Church as her health permitted. Her brothers will remember her as a proud, independent lady with a wry sense of humour.

Darla Koop

Mary Magdalene Heidebrecht

June 8, 1964–Aug. 30, 2016

Sept. 10, 1928–Aug. 29, 2016 BIRTHPLACE Newton, Man. PARENTS John & Justina Fast MARRIAGE Rudy Heidebrecht, Aug. 23, 1958 BAPTISM Lake Ontario, as a teen CHURCH Coaldale (Alta.) MB FAMILY children Phil (Mia), Ken (Kathy), Wes (Mona), Marilyn; 6

grandchildren; 4 siblings

Henry Peters Sept. 4, 1936–Aug. 24, 2016

BIRTHPLACE Boissevain, Man. PARENTS Aron & Elizabeth Peters MARRIAGE Helen Unrau, Oct. 8, 1961 CHURCH Boissevain MB; Sardis, Chilliwack, B.C. FAMILY Helen; children Debi (Steve) Olsen, Wendy (Vic)

Frose, Patrick (Lesley); 8 grandchildren including Riley Peters [d.]; 1 sister

Henry and Helen farmed in Manitoba until 1978.

The family moved to Columbia Bible Camp, B.C., where Henry was maintenance man for 2 years. Next, he sold cars and worked the parts counter at Canadian Tire. For 15 years, Henry drove school bus for district 33. He served many volunteer organizations across North America.

Alice Siemens Jan. 19, 1949–Aug. 26, 2016

When Mary was 14, her family moved to St. Catharines, Ont. On her parents’ fruit farm, she learned to work hard. Mary accepted Jesus as Saviour at an early age. Following Grade 10 at Ontario Bible School and her brother’s death in the war, Mary chose baptism. She graduated as a nurse in 1954. Mary met Rudy while attended MB Bible College, Winnipeg. They lived 16 years in Hepburn, Sask., where Mary was involved as a teacher, school nurse and dean of women at Bethany Bible Institute. When Rudy became pastor at Coaldale MB Church, Mary was very supportive, especially with visitation. She sang in the Chapel Singers and church choir. Mary threw herself into relationship with Jesus, family and friends. After several strokes, when dementia robbed her ability to put thoughts into words, it did not take her twinkling smile or loving hand squeezes. In her last days, Mary loved nothing more than to sing her favourite hymns and pray.

Alice was a sickly child, unable to attend school or make friends. Her attempt to attend Good Shepherd School ended with disappointment.

Alice lived happily on the farm until 1978 when her mother’s terminal cancer led the family to sell the farm and move to Clearbrook. There, at the Achievement Centre, Alice learned to knit toques and scarves, which empowered her to express her artistic side and to help those in need. She did needlework at Cottage Quilts, followed by a stint at a recycling depot. Finally, she attended a day program at the Old Courthouse. A constant

PARENTS Dwayne & Marilyn Isaac MARRIAGE Peter Koop, Oct. 24, 1987 CHURCH Orchard Park Bible, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. FAMILY Peter; children Sam, Josh, Emily, Cassie

Darla graduated in Vauxhall, Alta., and attended Tabor College. Her family moved to Ontario in 1986, where she met Peter at a church young adults group. In 1990, Darla began working for the federal government and completed her career in human resources for the Canada Border Services Agency. Darla loved jumping out of closets to surprise her children. She and Sam often lay on the trampoline looking at the stars. Emily played with her hair and makeup. Darla praised Cassie for jobs well done. The time she forgot Josh at home, her concern made him feel loved. Darla made camping memories for her family. She enjoyed dressing up, drinking Slurpees, recreating old furniture, landscaping and decorating her home. Her soprano voice was part of the Orchard Park Bible Church choir for 30 years. She was Peter’s rock, her family’s scheduler and organizer.

Darla loved her heavenly Father and quietly pursued him with thought-provoking questions.

The family prayed for a miracle. Darla believed that complete healing happens only in heaven and that the Lord doesn’t require perfection. She stood before Christ, forgiven and whole.

Peter Eric Kehler

Jacob P. Thiessen Feb. 9, 1922–Aug. 30, 2016

BIRTHPLACE Abbotsford, B.C. PARENTS Peter & Cornelia (Janzen) Siemens BAPTISM Clearbrook MB, Abbotsford, in her early 30s CHURCH Bakerview MB, Abbotsford FAMILY brothers Frederick, Robert, Henry

Providing for his family, reading his Bible, praying and serving others were Jake’s priorities. His life of service to God included teaching Sunday school, helping wherever there was a need and, in later years, selflessly caring for Mary when she needed more help. Those near Jake experienced grace; his generosity of spirit is his legacy.

BIRTHPLACE Orenburg, Russia PARENTS Peter & Elizabeth (Dueck) Thiessen MARRIAGE Mary Geddert, Aug. 19, 1945 [d. 2014] BAPTISM Coaldale (Alta.) MB, as a youth FAMILY children David (Lue), Betty (Walter) Loewen, Mary

(Mark Thiessen Nation), Walter (Neva), Ed (Pat), Alvina (Bevin Buhler), Doreen, Weldon (Heather), Ernie, Richard (Vera); 44 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; 1 brother

Jake’s family immigrated to Canada in 1926, settling first in Manitoba, then in Coaldale in 1935.

Jake grew up on the farm and attended Coaldale Bible School. During WWII, he was a conscientious objector in forestry camps on Vancouver Island and in the Peace River Country. When he came home, he married Mary and they raised a family on a farm near Coaldale, enjoying 69 years together.

Feb. 18, 1955–Sept. 8, 2016

BIRTHPLACE Abbotsford, B.C. PARENTS Peter & Tina Kehler MARRIAGE Joyce, May 29, 1976 CHURCH Highland Community, Abbotsford, B.C. FAMILY Joyce; children Lisa (Erik) Warkentin, Jaime (Dave)

Kennedy, David (Rachel); foster daughter Angela Mitchell Giesbrecht; 7 grandchildren; 8 adopted grandchildren; his mother; 6 siblings; his mother-in-law

Peter graduated from Mennonite Educational Institute, Abbotsford, and became a licensed auto mechanic, specializing in Volkswagens. He began his own welding business, Mount Lehman Ornamental Iron. Fostering relationships with his children, grandchildren and friends was his true strength. Children were drawn to him, and he spent hours with them, riding quads, fishing, boating and hunting.

Mennonite Brethren Herald | January/February 2017

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years of using media to proclaim Jesus Christ to a hurting world

In 1947, after a war that devastated the world, two young men felt the urgency to “go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all people”. The ministry they founded, known today as Square One World Media, continues to go into all the world to preach a life-changing relationship with the Prince of Peace.

Visit squareoneworldmedia.com to help us in this mission.

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January/February | www.mbherald.com

Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches

COMING EVENTS

Multiply 2017 EQUIP Study Conference

BCMB Pastor & Spouse Retreat

PCO

ABMB

Convention

BCMB

Convention

Winnipeg

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Convention

2017

MBCM

Assembly

PCO Ontario

OCMBC

Convention

National Conference Events Multiply 2017

February 8–9, 2017 Westside Church, Vancouver, B.C. multiplyconference.ca

Pastor Credentialing Orientation ONTARIO • February 21–23, 2017 St. Catharines, Ont. MANITOBA • June 13–15, 2017 Winnipeg, Man. pco.mennonitebrethren.ca

EQUIP Study Conference 2017 November 1–3, 2017 Northview Church, Abbotsford, B.C.

equipstudyconference.mennonitebrethren.ca

AEFMQ

Convention

OCMBC Leaders Day

Provincial Events OCMBC Leaders Day • February 24, 2017 St. Catharines, Ont.

OCMBC Convention • February 24–25, 2017 New Life Church Niagara, St. Catharines, Ont.

MBCM Assembly • March 3–4, 2017 Winnipeg

SKMB Convention • March 10–11, 2017 Parkland Community Church, Yorkton, Sask.

ABMB Convention • April 21–22, 2017 Calgary, Atla.

AEFMQ Convention • April 28–29, 2017 St. Laurent & ETEQ, Montreal, Que.

BCMB Convention • April 28–29, 2017 Columbia Bible College, Abbotsford, B.C.

BCMB Pastor & Spouse Retreat • April 30–May 2, 2017 Whistler, BC

RESONANCE – “FINISHING WELL” Living authentically in the Autumn of Life

RESONANCE RETREAT

A spiritual discovery process that explores what it means to live authentically during the autumn of life

• Ages 50-75 • What does it mean to finish well?

• What’s my role and contribution at this stage of my life?

• What’s the end of life supposed to look like?

• What do I really have to offer someone?

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