MB Herald March/April 2017

Reformation anniversary

And you will be my witnesses in [Canada]

Interim executive director appointed

Volume 56, No. 2 Publications mail registration number: 09648; Agreement number: 40009297 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Circ. Dept., MB Herald, 1310 Taylor Avenue, Winnipeg, Man. R3M 3Z6

New program at Bethany

March/April 2017 WWW.MBHERALD.COM

A Community Psalm worship the Lord, honour him in word, deed and community; honour too your siblings, and welcome all into your home. you are my alpha and healer, you lead us to where we need to be; you carry us through the storms of life, you cradle us with your love; your love covers us and makes us one. grace you extend to us even when we feel like we don’t deserve it. come on, bring your worst – his heart can’t be broken; know that you never have to walk alone, and when we stumble, he picks us up. ahh man, that love, it seeps into everything. praise the Lord, for his love endures forever, rejoice that he is in your life. he moves you, and prepares you for things you never thought possible; in our brokenness, he pursues us relentlessly. we are all so different, yet in him we find community; happiness is circumstantial, JOY comes from the Lord. the Lord of heaven’s armies is behind you, but do not deceive yourself – it is his will to which we are called, and nothing more. remember that obedience is not obedience without faith, and faith is not faith without obedience. although we are weak, the Lord remains strong; know the peace of his presence, the comfort of his steadfast love. through him we can run without tiring and speak without stuttering, because of his presence we need not fear, or fear for fear itself – because of his love we need not despair, for our hope is in him. trust in the Lord and lay your worries at his feet. the Lord gives us HOPE – so let us share it with everyone.

This poem was generated by the college and career group at Fort Garry MB Church, Winnipeg, and first appeared on pastor Janessa Giesbrecht’s blog.

Alongside several other activity stations, instructions for this one read: “Community Psalm: Help us write a psalm of encouragement as a community. Read Psalms 100 and 93 to get a sense of the writing style. Then, add a line to the board as we create a psalm of encouragement made up of all of our individual input.”

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PHOTO COURTESY COLTON FLORIS

[CONTENTS

March/April 2017 In this issue

8 10 12 4 11 14 15 16

16 17

FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

Spreading hope with the Southridge Jam Company

5 Letters 18 News

[ Angeline Schellenberg

20 Transitions, church anniversary

An invitation to kindness and generosity Pov.ology: a resource for churches

21 Births, weddings, anniversary

[ Karla Braun

26 Finish lines [Obituaries] 30 Book reviews

Why should we pay attention to the Reformation anniversary?

[ John J. Friesen

CONNECT WITH US ONLINE DIGITAL EDITION issuu.com

COLUMNS Editorial

FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/MBHerald

A heart for Canada

[ Karla Braun

TWITTER twitter.com/MB_Herald

While we witness Confession of Faith Article 1: God

[

Brian Cooper, BFL

MB Seminary The world is watching

[ Mark Wessner

ICOMB – Wiebe’s Witness Who is my neighbour?

[ David Wiebe

CONFERENCE NEWS Executive Director We continue his work

[ Steve Berg

With gratitude

[ Willy Reimer

Mission-minded board increases collaboration

[ MB Herald Staff

MORE ONLINE mbherald.com

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

Correction: In the January/February 2017 Finish Lines, Helmut T. Janzen’s obituary should have stated that he studied at MB Bible College, Winnipeg, and he married Alice Warkentin in 2012. John Thiessen’s obituary should have listed his home church as Bakerview MB, Abbotsford, B.C. Cover Photo: Drew Unrau, Made By Frame Drew’s work as a photographer, videographer, web designer and new media professional has taken him across the globe. From producing television in Italy to capturing unique images in Sydney, Australia, Drew sees and reveals the intrinsic beauty in each story that he helps to tell. Through his recent focus on social enterprise, Drew has helped to spread the word about NGOs and nonprofits around the world and where he lives in Niagara, Ont. Drew’s passion is to use media to reveal similarities among people around the world. www.madebyframe.com Mennonite Brethren Herald | March/April 2017

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[EDITORIAL

A heart for Canada At Canada’s sesquicentennial anniversary, Statistics Canada projects that the nation which has come to pride itself on ethnic, linguistic and cultural diversity will be increasingly characterized by those qualities. If current levels of immigration continue, Immigration and Diversity: Population Projections for Canada and its Regions estimates that immigrants and second-generation immigrants will account for almost half of Canada’s population in 2036.

The leadership of the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches has been calling us to develop “a heart for Canada.”

Following Jesus’s call to his disciples (“you will be my witnesses,” Acts 1:8) before he ascended, we translate the mission into our present context as impacting our neighbours (“Jerusalem”), our nation (“Judea and Samaria”) and the rest of the world (“the ends of the earth”).

Understanding what it means to live as witnesses to our neighbours – and to those in other countries – seems straightforward; however, living the principles of our faith in a manner consistent with our words in those contexts is more difficult.

What does it look like to be a witness in Canada, to be Christians Canadian-ly? What does it mean to follow Jesus not only as a neighbour, but as a citizen? And do we have a calling to do that together, not merely as individuals? What does it mean for our churches to be on this mission together across Canada?

As we develop a heart for “the lost,” we must remember to practise a full gospel: to truly love – and learn from – whole people with needs and gifts.

In this issue, our stories touch on three themes, three national issues where the church may be called to consider how justice differs from charity. The gospel, says pastor Lee Kosa of Cedar Park Church in Delta, B.C., “is big enough to liberate us from structures and patterns that exclude people from our communities.” Could the church together witness to our hope by engaging not only individuals “in need,” but also the systems or issues that create those needs?

Poverty Decades ago in St. Catharines, Ont., a Mennonite Brethren church plant ventured into new territory and grew into a multisite congregation called to specific ministries, including Southridge Shelter.

Recently, Southridge church members with skills, resources and creativity sparked a social initiative to bring together housed and homeless to learn to make jam in the fruit-growing mecca. (See “Spreading hope,” pages 8–9.)

Developing job skills with friends is more than charity; it is justice.

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Immigration Over the course of running a Vacation Bible School, Grace MB, a small church in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ont., expanded their collaboration with newcomers. The participation of their children in VBS drew several Tigrinya-speaking families into Grace’s worshipping community. The fathers’ gifts as prayer warriors quickly emerged, and God led the pair to an evangelist to lead their fellowship.

It became clear that it was not merely Grace serving the newcomers, but their new friends were leading the church to new opportunities. (See “Two baptisms and a new year,” page 18).

Working alongside newcomers as learners and co-labourers is more than service; it is partnership.

Indigenous relations Our sister denomination Mennonite Church Canada is drawing on the experiences within its ranks with the publication of a second book confronting individual and church complicity in systemic injustice facing Indigenous peoples in Canada. (See Yours, Mine, Ours review, page 31.)

Listening to stories of pain – stories where we might play the role of oppressor, not oppressed – is a necessary part of our witness.

As we sit with others in humility and repentance, the gospel not only speaks through us, but also teaches us through others.

Justice for all Our witness to Canada involves pursuing justice for all, not merely the health and happiness of our families and churches.

This isn’t about sacrificing evangelical witness for social action.

The good news that God has reconciled himself to humanity out of love for each one of us is what compels us to act for the well being of all members of society.

In Smart Compassion, Evana network pastor Wesley Furlong writes that his passion to work for justice to see his community flourish is rooted “in a spirit of worship and prayer.”

“Smart compassion holds together justice and evangelism, wisdom and revelation,” says Furlong. “It rejects the toxic ‘giver’ and ‘receiver’ postures of disempowering aid and starts from a strengths-based perspective.”

And it never loses sight of Jesus.

Whatever socioeconomic circumstances, cultural backgrounds or religious traditions we encounter in the Canadians of today and the future, will we recognize the face of God in them?

[ Karla Braun

[Reader response March/April 2017

Reaching the lost

Need to restore confidence

We always liked to read what Willy Reimer had to say including the recent column (“Giving and the father heart of God,” Executive Director, November/ December 2016). Evangelism and missions are a high priority. We notice in this last issue there is a lot of information about Canada, but we missed the emphasis on evangelism and mission. We trust that our denomination will be soul winning and reaching out to the lost in many ways.

Like many others, I am saddened by the major challenges now facing the Canadian MB conference.

Henry and Lydia Dyck Steinbach, Man.

What got us here?

Since Gathering 2016, much has taken place in CCMBC. The Executive Board has convened several times to respond. My response has been to go back and reread the documents, minutes and notes of the last two decades of CCMBC AGMs to understand how we have come to this place. It was instructive.

There have been a number of pivotal moments.

One was 2004, when major structural changes were made. Another was 2012, when the Executive Board presented Terry Mochar’s National Office Review.

The NOR identified a series of “burning platforms” in CCMBC (“Hearing from the Lord at Gathering 2012,” Features, September 2012).

I reacted then to Mochar’s directives and prophetic language, but rereading the “General Observations” was disturbing. It was disturbing because the very things Mochar had noted as serious problems – misunderstanding the Deposit Fund, declining support from churches and ROI [return on investment for donors] – have grown worse.

We, the Mennonite Brethren stakeholders in our conference, need to ask some basic questions.

Why has general interest in the Canadian conference declined? Why is conference financial support so weak? Why is attendance at national conventions so low? How can we get more churches to take ownership of decisions made at the national conventions?

As someone who was for three decades active in Canadian conference boards and leadership and a columnist in the MB Herald for almost 40 years, I have drafted some ideas about the current malaise.

The financial problem is not one of inadequate financial resources. Never before have Canadian Mennonite Brethren, on balance, had greater financial assets and higher income than they do now.

Even as contributions to the Canadian conference are lagging, local church budgets have never been higher than they are now.

The conference restructuring which took place in 2004 has, in my view, not been successful.

Following a common business model, all authority was assigned to an Executive Board and, most importantly, all responsibility for implementing decisions and managing the conference was assigned to an executive director who was to be both national business manager and national conference minister.

Even the apostle Paul could not have done that!

Restructuring the conference as a corporate business was theologically inappropriate and functionally unwise.

The NOR set CCMBC on the course of the past five years. We did not arrive where we are by accident, and we will not put ourselves on a healthy course without sober reflection and analysis. At the very least, we need to carefully review what launched us on this course.

It will not be easy to restore confidence, to regenerate strong financial support and to rebuild a sense of ownership in the Canadian MB community. But it can be done. Some suggestions can be found in my longer observations (see mbherald.com/lettersmarch-april-2017). It is not a matter of trying to recreate the past, but of learning from the past.

James Toews Nanaimo, B.C.

John Redekop Abbotsford, B.C.

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.

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

Volume 56, Number 2 • Copy run: 14,500 THE MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD IS A PUBLICATION OF

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

Send letters to: Letters, MB Herald, 1310 Taylor Avenue, Winnipeg, Man. R3M 3Z6, or by email to mbherald@mbchurches.ca.

Mennonite Brethren Herald | March/April 2017

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MENNONITE BRETHREN HERALD

HOMEPAGE Writing the vision and making it plain: Wally Kroeker

Wally Kroeker retires June 30, 2017, after a lifetime of serving the MB family in communications, most recently as editor for MEDA’s publication Marketplace. MB Herald copy editor Angeline Schellenberg asked him a few questions about his wealth of experience.

What inspired you to make writing and editing your vocation?

As a former English major, I had a hunch that I’d like journalism.

In 1967, the Regina Leader-Post took a chance on me; I was smitten and never looked back.

What other jobs have you held in the Mennonite community?

I was with the Christian Leader 1975–1985, including one year as interim manager of the Mennonite Brethren Publishing House. I also served seven years as editor of Rejoice!, the inter-Mennonite devotional, then printed in Hillsboro. As an MBPH employee, I helped start Kindred as a U.S. conference publisher (1980) and

worked on its first book, The Ties That Bind: Moorings of a Life with God by Marvin Hein.

What’s your favourite memory from those early years?

Playing a small part in showing readers that “the news” really is good, that it penetrates every area of our lives and that it is being demonstrated by Mennonite Brethren in daily life.

What has brought you the most joy in your work at MEDA? 1. Helping readers see their daily work (whether at a factory, office or executive desk) as a ministry, a place to be God’s junior partners in the task of sustaining creation. 2. Mobilizing the resources and skill sets of supporters to create business solutions to global poverty.

What led to your decision to retire now?

I’ve reached “three score and ten” (Psalms 90:10 KJV). Although my branches still have plenty of sap (Psalm 92:14), it’s time to pass the baton to younger folk.

What are you looking forward to doing in retirement?

“Getting a life” beyond my old job, then cleaning my home office and tackling a mound of unfinished personal writing projects.

What do you hope your legacy will be?

That as a journalist I helped “write the vision and make it plain” (Habakkuk 2:2) and that as an editor I delighted to “correct what is corrupt” and “explain what is obscure” (Samuel Johnson).

Memory from MAID Baseball today, church tomorrow Conscientious objectors in an alternative service camp in Blubber Bay, B.C., circa 1943, formed a baseball team during their off hours. In May 1942, it was decreed that COs would serve till the end of the war. In the front row, second from left is Bill Funston; far right is Jake Balzer. In the back row, third from left is Dave Neuman; far right is Frank C. Peters.

Photo (NP145-1-32) 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 men? To help CMBS identify them, please email archives@mbchurches.ca. Thank you to those who wrote in to identify people in last issue’s photo.

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[HOMEPAGE

[coming events

Project grant recipients 2016 The Mennonite Brethren Historical Commission awarded grants of $2,500 to four historical and theological research projects of interest to Mennonite Brethren around the world.

Stephanie Chase, MA student, Briercrest Seminary (Caronport, Sask.)

The Jesus of Whom I Speak: The Reconciliation of Nonviolent Discipleship and God’s Violence, According to J. Denny Weaver and Miroslav Volf Abe J. Dueck, retired college professor from Canadian Mennonite University (Winnipeg) The Mennonite Brethren Bible College (1944–1992): Competing Visions for Mennonite Brethren Education in Canada Zacharie Leclaire, lecturer in U.S. history, Université de Montréal (Québec) “Unconscientious” Objectors? Woodrow Wilson, Conscription, and Mennonite Conscientious Objectors, 1917–1918 Conrad Stoesz, MA student, joint program at University of Winnipeg and University of Manitoba; archivist, Mennonite Heritage Centre & Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies The Creation of Identity: Mennonite Conscientious Objectors in Western Canada through the Lens of Archives, A National Historical Society, and Memoirs In November 2016, the Commission also awarded the Mennonite Historical Society of Saskatchewan a $2,000 archival development grant in support of its application to help pay for needed archival supplies.

Also, 25 books of historical interest to Mennonite Brethren – books published by the Historical Commission and Kindred Productions – have been moved to a Creative Commons license and converted to online readable e-books.

The MB studies project grants, archival development grants, and digital historical library are made possible with support from U.S. and Canadian Mennonite Brethren churches.

[ Jon Isaak executive secretary, Historical Commission

Conference Events Partner Events 2017

Mar. 3–4: MBCM Assembly, MBCI, Winnipeg.

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

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

Apr. 21–22: ABMB convention, Urban Grace, 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, Columbia Bible College, Abbotsford, B.C.

Apr. 28–29: AEFMQ convention: worship night at Saint-Laurent, all-day AGM at ETEQ, Montreal.

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

Apr. 30–June 9: ACTION Ontario, MB Mission.

May 28–30: MBCM Pastor and Spouse retreat, Hecla, Man.

June 1: Columbia Open Golf tournament.

June 13–15: Pastors Credentialing Orientation, Winnipeg.

Did you know? the B.C. Office moved!

How to get in touch now: #302 - 32025 George Ferguson Way ABBOTSFORD, BC V2T 2K7

T: (604) 746-4436 F: (604) 852-1298 Toll Free: 1-888-653-9933

July 7-18: SOAR Montreal, MB Mission.

June 30–Aug. 11: ACTION Winnipeg, MB Mission.

July 8–Aug. 6: ACTION France, MB Mission.

July 14–23: SOAR Vancouver, MB Mission.

Notice of Motion The Executive Board of the Canadian Conference of MB Churches is giving notice of a Special General Meeting to be held prior to Equip Study Conference Nov. 1–3, 2017, in Abbotsford, B.C. Agenda items and accompanying documents will be distributed and posted at mennonitebrethren.ca at a later date.

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

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

MORE ONLINE mbherald.com

Mennonite Brethren Herald | March/April 2017

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ing hope with the d a e r sp

Southridge Jam Company

F

or its 12-year history, Southridge Shelter at Southridge Community Church (St. Catharines, Ont.) has helped people get themselves out of a jam; now the ministry is also getting people into jam.

In its first year, Southridge Jam Company stirred up 3,000 jars of jam and a sense of purpose for individuals transitioning from the shelter to greater independence.

“We’ve seen so many people who move out of the shelter do really well,” says Southridge Shelter program director Brendon Nicholson. “Our desire was to capitalize on that momentum and add that extra bit of support to help them transition back into the work force.”

A great pick Southridge Jam Company began when Southridge church member Cam Block, a Red Seal chef, became the shelter food services director – with a vision for a social enterprise. His background was bread making, but the urgency of getting bread from oven to customer before it perishes led him to a cannier idea.

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Through their Vineland congregation’s work with migrant workers, Southridge already had relationships with local farmers and access to some great fruit. “A lot of fruit is not beautiful enough to sit on grocery shelf, so it gets thrown away,” says Nicholson. But it’s perfect for jam – a product that stays fresh for years.

The first batches Every one of the 800 residents who come through the shelter each year receives a coach who helps them access employment, housing or recovery supports to move forward.

These coaches connected Nicholson’s team with potential jam makers: former shelter residents who were “doing well and could use an extra boost.”

Relationships with coaches often last long after individuals transition back into the community. Most former residents continue to visit Southridge Shelter regularly for daily $2 meals and weekly programs including games and movie nights, men’s and women’s coffee mornings, art groups and euchre tournaments.

PHOTOS BY DREW UNRUH, MADE BY FRAME

[FEATURE Three months after leaving the shelter, they are welcome to return as volunteers. “So many are anxious to come and give back,” says Nicholson, “and joining the Jam Company is a way to scratch that itch.”

leaders,” says Nicholson. “What a confidence boost that was – knowing this group was paying to learn from them.”

This year, they ran three jam-making cohorts with five participants in each. Each cohort worked with a different fruit to create Southridge Jam Company’s trio of products: strawberry jam, peach jam and grape jelly.

On several Sundays, jam makers set up tables at all three Southridge church locations. “It was a joy to see the church so excited to buy jam,” says Nicholson, “and to see our participants – who’d been involved since that jam was fruit – selling it.”

Stirring up confidence In addition to practical knowledge regarding food preparation and safety, jam makers gain valuable teamwork skills. “For those who’ve been out of the workforce for a while, it’s an adjustment working with the same people week after week,” says Nicholson, who leads “learning breaks” on skills like identifying strengths and weaknesses in oneself and one’s coworkers.

The best part is the team atmosphere. “Our tagline is ‘friendships make the difference,’” says Nicholson. “Once you get into the kitchen, it’s just a bunch of jam makers; you couldn’t identify the volunteers from the former shelter residents.”

The “cherry on the top” of the program was when a group of managers visited the Southridge Jam Company kitchen as a corporate teambuilding exercise. “Our participants guided these managers through the jam-making process; they were the

Spreading the love

Southridge Jam Company sells their jam through a local winery, one of Southridge’s fruit suppliers and online at southridgejam.com. They’re seeking more opportunities for alumni to sell jam in the community at craft shows and farmers’ markets to gain sales experience and be ambassadors for the program.

At graduation, each participant or volunteer receives a certificate, a list of skills for their resume and a monogrammed apron. Cohorts choose how the proceeds from their jam will be spent on Southridge Shelter programs.

“For some folks, the outcome after graduation will never be fulltime employment,” says Nicholson. “The outcome for them is a sense of purpose: having something a couple days a week to get up for and contribute toward.”

[ Angeline Schellenberg

Watch a video about Southridge Jam Company. bit.ly/SRjamco

Mennonite Brethren Herald | January/February 2017

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[FEATURE

An invitation to kindness and generosity Pov.ology: a resource for churches “To be called to be evangelists is not just to be proclaimers or talkers – it’s to be people who carry the reality forward,” says Bruxy Cavey. The pastor from The Meeting House, a Brethren in Christ church in Ontario, is interviewed in Pov.ology, a videobased resource for churches to learn about poverty.

Pov.ology is a free small group curriculum comprised of six halfhour videos and a discussion guide. Kevin Wiebe, pastor New Life Christian Fellowship (NLCF), an Evangelical Mennonite Conference (EMC) church in Tilbury, Ont., interviews Anabaptist theologians and practitioners like Shane Claiborne and Ronald Sider, Canadian Mennonite University development studies professor Ray Vander Zaag and Canadian pastors and social service workers on the topic of poverty, theology and the church.

“At times in the church there is a gap between what we profess to believe and the way we live,” says Wiebe. This is evident when the church’s approach to poverty fails to enact justice and communicate hope for those who are intended recipients of its charity. “I hope this series can help spark conversations that aid in narrowing the gap between our message and our actions as Christians and as the church.”

The six 30-minute sessions are entitled Our Homeless Leader, Putting Your Money Where Your Mouth Is, Responding to Poverty, Do No Harm, What About the Gospel? and The Power of Small Things. Each lesson in the downloadable discussion guide includes a quote from a famous poverty advocate, a Scripture passage, suggestions for further reader, and questions

that probe the interviewees’ insights and spur personal or corporate action.

As Wiebe’s country church has worked through the series, “Helping others in various types of poverty has become much more than a line in our budget,” he says.

Members of the small church with few financial resources have found ways to show great love to people in need, from raising money to buy a vehicle for a single mother, to organizing food drives for families in short-term crisis, to accompanying people to court dates for moral support.

“Each of these stories represents a relationship, not some distant act of charity, but rather the love of Christ being expressed through personal connection,” says Wiebe.

NLCF is living Shane Claiborne’s Pov.ology teaching: “Just like disease, God’s love spreads through touch.”

One social worker told Wiebe they never saw a church help someone so much (with emotional/relational/spiritual support); “meanwhile, we felt like we still weren’t doing enough,” says Wiebe. “All of these are small things, but in each situation, I have witnessed members of our congregation expressing Christ’s love to others in tangible ways.”

“A few of the programs have been going on at church for years, but many of these stories are the result of our church asking the questions that inspired Pov.ology,” says Wiebe.

Kevin Wiebe

Ron Sider

The series, created in association with NLCF and the EMC, is available to stream or download free of charge at www.povology.com.

In lieu of payment for the series, Wiebe recommends several organization to whom users can donation. “I made this series as a gift to the church; for my church locally, the church conference I am a part of, and the broader church,” Wiebe says.

The gospel, says Cavey in Pov.ology, “is good news for people’s souls, hearts, relationships but also for their well being in a holistic sense on this planet.”

Shane Claiborne 10

Katie Taylor

March/April | www.mbherald.com

[ Karla Braun

G

[CONFESSION OF FAITH

While we witness

Board of Faith and Life

God

What does Mennonite Brethren theology have in common with that of other Christian denominations? And what are the distinctive emphases of Mennonite Brethren theology? Our Confession of Faith is a short document, informed by Scripture, that names the perspectives through which we read God’s Word in order to live as Christ’s followers. This is the first article in a series by the Board of Faith and Life exploring the 18 articles of this formative document.

Article 1:

God

Thirty years ago, Robert Fulghum’s book All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten became a worldwide bestseller. Its premise is that the elemental truths of life are far more basic and understandable than sophisticated adults are inclined to admit.

There is an elegant truth in Rev. Fulghum’s advice that parallels the start of the Mennonite Brethren Confession of Faith. Despite life’s complexities, there are elemental truths that ground and orient us, enabling us to live with hope and power in a world full of despair. The Confession begins with an article summarizing our convictions about the God we serve. It is short and uncomplicated. But it forms the basis of everything else that we believe.

Unlike many statements of faith, the Mennonite Brethren Confession begins not with the Bible, but with God. The foundation of our faith is the living God of heaven and earth. Scripture reveals God, but is secondary to God. The Bible is a means to an end rather than an end in itself. That is why we talk about God first.

In the article about God, we see profound truths that inform and direct our lives.

We read that God is the source of all that is, all life and all of reality. We are reminded that God does not simply fit into reality; God defines reality. No matter how chaotic life seems in light of political and other events, God is still the sovereign who rules over all things. We have unshakeable hope because of who God is. Do our lives demonstrate this hope?

We read that God’s disposition toward the humans God has created is loving, nurturing and disciplining. God’s desire for close relationship with us is evident in his actions in human history because God loves us. What, ultimately, does God’s love look like? What, tangibly, is God like? The answer is simple: God looks like Jesus.

Jesus is God in the flesh. Because of Jesus, we can know what Good News looks like, and show others. Do others see Jesus in us?

Jesus is the pattern for us to follow as we live our lives. We are called to be like Jesus. Our Confession describes, in elemental terms, what that means. Jesus shows us what true worship is, what Christian mission looks like and how to

live lives of true love by living for others.

Jesus reminds us through the cross that worship involves self-sacrifice. But Jesus also demonstrates that suffering yields the promise of glory. A bit is revealed now, but we will see far more in eternity in God’s immediate presence.

All of this is relatively easy to understand, but hard to put into practice. Our Confession reminds us that it is the Holy Spirit, God in us, that enables us to do the things we know we should do – the things we want to do, but cannot on our own. We are not left to our own power or wisdom to live our Christian faith. God provides all that we need – the transformation, the enabling and the direction.

We can be who we are called to be because of who God is, and what God has done and revealed in Jesus Christ. The basis for all we believe – and the reason we are motivated to say and do more – rests on these elemental truths.

[ Brian Cooper is the BFL representative

from the B.C. provincial conference. He has recently resumed the spiritual practice of bodily discipline on his cross-country ski machine, and he longs for the resurrection.

Our commitment to knowing God in light of God’s self-revelation is seen in the biblical language used to describe Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe the best starting point for talking about God is to refer to the terms and metaphors that God has inspired. We talk about God first the way God talks about himself.

PHOTO: EDD RUSSELL, KHUN KON WATERFALL PARK, THAILAND

Mennonite Brethren Herald | March/April 2017

11

Why should we pay attention to the Reformation anniversary?

Martin Luther and the Anabaptists 2017 is the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther posting 95 theses on the doors of the churches in the city of Wittenberg, Germany, including the All Saints Church. What Luther intended as a debate over how to reform abuses in the Roman Catholic Church resulted in the break up of the Roman Catholic church and the start of the Protestant Reformation.

Why should Anabaptist Mennonites care about Martin Luther, a young university professor, and his reforms? Why should this anniversary be noted in Mennonite denominational papers?

Created space for Anabaptism The principal reason why Mennonites should care about Luther’s reform is that Luther is the reason why there was an Anabaptist Mennonite reform movement at all. Luther’s reforms, and the conflicts they spawned between Catholics and Protestants, created space for the Anabaptist movement to take root. These new believers sprang up in German states, northern Switzerland, Moravia and the Netherlands. Without Luther, and the other reformers who followed his lead, there would have been no Anabaptist movement.

When challenged about how he could make such a claim since it deviated from the beliefs of most of the great teachers of the medieval church, Luther said his authority was the Bible, not tradition. Specifically, he based his view of grace on the Apostle Paul’s letters to the Romans and Galatians. It was the Bible alone, Luther said, on which he based his view that salvation is by faith through grace.

Made the Bible available to the masses Following this claim, Luther decided to make the Bible available to the masses by translating it into the German language. The newly invented moveable type printing presses made widespread distribution possible. Access to the Bible allowed people to read Scripture for themselves, and to implement reforms that they believed were consistent with Scripture.

No priestly mediation Luther also rejected the control that the Catholic priesthood claimed to have over access to forgiveness. Luther believed that all believers had direct access to God – no priestly mediation was necessary. Luther called this the priesthood of all believers.

All these emphases Anabaptists applauded.

Inspired Anabaptist leaders

Divergence

Mennonites should also care about Luther’s reform because the early Anabaptist leaders were inspired by Luther’s key ideas.

Luther’s reform began as a critique of the Catholic church’s practice of selling indulgences. In response, Luther formulated his central view that salvation is by grace, that is, a gift from God, and not by works.

Even though at first Luther seemed to empower common people, he also spoke highly of the role German princes should play in any reform. When the peasants revolted (1524–25), Luther condemned them harshly. He cast his lot with the princes and adopted the state-church model for his reform. Luther looked to the German princes both for protection and direction. This decision set Luther and the Anabaptists against other.

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[FEATURE Anabaptists believed that Luther’s reform ideas should have resulted in a believers church. Such a church would have consisted of those who truly had faith in God and had committed themselves to a life of Christian discipleship. This option would have led to a church that was a minority in the population. Accepting a believers church would have resulted in a pluralist society, in which minority church groups were tolerated. When Luther opted for the state-church model, placing the Lutheran church under the authority of the state and leading to persecution of minority churches, Anabaptists believed that Luther had betrayed the teachings of the Bible.

Believers church This commitment to a believers church allowed Anabaptists to reshape basic Christian beliefs and practices. Anabaptists emphasized baptism on the basis of adult confessions of faith, instead of infant baptism. Church leaders were chosen from within the community of believers instead of being appointed by church hierarchies or by state officials. Reforms were based on the church community’s reading of Scripture, rather than on the basis of what was politically expedient and approved by princes. Church discipline and social shunning replaced trials and executions of those with whom they disagreed.

This sharp break between Luther and the Anabaptists, however, is not the end of the story of Luther’s influence on Anabaptist Mennonites. In the late 17th and 18th centuries, the Lutheran church spawned a Pietist movement, which has in many ways positively influenced Mennonites. Pietism emphasized Bible reading by laity, a warm devotional life, an experience of conversion and personal commitment to God, a life of discipleship, and an extensive hymnody. Pietists drew upon the early emphases of Luther, and thus in many respects, were close to the emphases of the 16th-century Anabaptist movement.

(Editor’s note: the Pietist movement was particularly important in the genesis of the Mennonite Brethren church, inspired by Lutheran preacher Edward Wuest.)

Martin Luther and his followers have had a powerful shaping influence on Anabaptist Mennonites, then and now.

It is appropriate to remember Luther and the significant contributions he made to all denominations of the Christian church, including the Anabaptist Mennonites. Luther was a giant in his age and will always be honoured for the major impact he made.

[ John J. Friesen is professor emeritus, Canadian Mennonite University, Winnipeg.

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For worship, Anabaptists gathered in houses, barns and caves to read Scripture together. They discussed biblical texts and discerned together, under the leading of the Holy Spirit, how to apply them to daily living. They sang songs composed by their own members based on experiences of persecution and martyrdom. No more majestic cathedrals, chants, organs, monastic choirs and elaborate liturgies where members were largely spectators. They rejected feudal oaths since their primary loyalty was to God and not to princes and emperors. They advocated a life of peace, rejected violence, refused to carry swords, forgave those who wronged them, and reconciled conflicts between members of the church.

One cannot imagine the Anabaptist movement without Luther’s reforms. And yet, the direction that Luther’s reforms took resulted in Luther becoming one the Anabaptists’ bitterest enemies. Even the Augsburg Confession of 1530, the basic Lutheran confession, included the following among a number of condemnations: “We condemn Anabaptists who forbid Christians to hold office,” and “We condemn Anabaptists who reject the baptizing of children, and say that children are saved without baptism.” Most Lutheran states crushed Anabaptist groups within their borders.

[MB SEMINARY

MB Seminary Lifelong Learning for Lifelong Mission

The world is watching Do you have a love-hate relationship with anticipation? It is often exciting to wait for a birthday package to arrive in the mail or a distant family member to arrive on your doorstep; however, as time drags on, the anticipation can start to drive you crazy, can’t it?

Westwood Church, Prince George, B.C., experienced similar tension during the first 15 months of our family sponsorship ministry.

In fall 2014, the initial dreams and conversations were sparked. As discussions continued and interest increased, our sense of anticipation grew as well. A ministry team was recruited, plans were made, partnerships were formed and paperwork (lots of it!) was completed.

Eventually, after waiting for what seemed to be forever, the first two of the families Westwood was sponsoring from Syria arrived in Prince George in January 2016!

I have since transitioned from Westwood to MB Seminary, but as I reflect on the journey, I have come to see Jesus’ words to “be my witnesses” in Acts 1:8 in a new way.

God stirs the hearts of his people.

Westwood’s sponsorship did not start with Westwood staff. That is significant.

Part of Westwood’s DNA is the belief that God calls his people to mission, and often our role as leaders is to simply discern, affirm and equip people for ministry.

Because of this belief, it was natural to build a very effective non-staff ministry team that partnered beautifully with our pastoral leadership.

When we carefully respond to the Spirit’s leading, amazing things start to happen.

Collaboration increases mission.

Sponsorship would have been impossible without MCC. Even though the paperwork was frustrating at times, an effective relationship between the federal government, MCC and our church was critical to achieving the outcome. We also worked closely with three groups: IMSS (our local immigration society), an organic community group that sprang up to help with the Syrian crisis and the media.

Our sponsorship experience has been a wonderful example of how the sum is often greater than the parts and that opportunities to be witnesses exist outside our doors.

The world is watching us.

In the context of Prince George, the timing of Westwood’s sponsorship attracted a fair amount of community and media attention. One of the most frequent

sentiments we heard was, “it is nice to see a church doing something positive.”

We now have many stories of people who are not connected to church – even some who are opposed to the idea of church – offering unsolicited encouragement and financial/practical support.

It is great to see church and community work together toward a common purpose. Our sponsorship was one of the “top stories of 2016” for both the local newspaper and TV.

Our mission is not about us.

Our public statements that resonated with the city were that “We need to avoid the Western saviour mentality” and that our new families will have much to offer us as well. We didn’t realize how prophetic that last statement would be. As we quickly discovered, the Syrian families that God has brought to Westwood love God deeply, and the intentional missional seeds of a new kind of ministry are already taking root.

Being a witness is contagious. God’s idea of mission is local, national and global – and it often goes in all directions at once.

The world is watching you.

As you and your church live, lead and witness for Jesus in your particular context, what Spirit-empowered mission do you see that God is stirring? Once you discern the opportunity, jump in with both feet and be a part of what God is doing as he calls you to be a witness in your community.

[ Mark Wessner Members of Westwood Church, Prince George, B.C., welcome a family from Syria sponsored through MCC. 14

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

PHOTO COURTESY WESTWOOD CHURCH

[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.

Who is my neighbour?

I met my twin in Germany in 2012. His name is David Wiebe. I was struck by the similarity of our physiques. But unlike me, he was content to fold himself into a tiny car on a regular basis. We shared a chuckle when I said, “You’re like Mr. Bean.”

David told me about his church – part of the BTG* conference. They were growing and needed a new place of worship. A local Roman Catholic church building was for sale. They negotiated a deal and David’s church made plans to move in.

The many statues inside the church didn’t reflect the BTG congregation’s preferred idea of what the inside of a church should be like. However, they didn’t want to create offense by demanding the statues be removed.

The congregation prayed about it, and God answered. A new Catholic church was being built in Poland, and they needed statuary. This church could provide all that they needed.

After the Anabaptist judgments of Catholics 500 years ago, and the retaliation that’s part of our history, I find the attitude of my twin and his congregation encouraging. The Roman Catholic church and Mennonite World Conference first held dialogues on “their respective understandings of key theological themes and of significant aspects of the history of the church” from 1998–2003, resulting in a new understanding between our churches.

Theologians from both traditions wrote a booklet of about 200 statements entitled “Called Together to be Peacemakers.”

The booklet reflects the topics they worked on: our history, the church, baptism and peacemaking. Statements of regret and requests for forgiveness come from both sides. A closing statement reads: “...the substantial amount of the Apostolic faith which we realize today that we share, allows us as members of the Catholic and Mennonite delegations to see one another as brothers and sisters in Christ. We hope that others may have similar experiences, and that these may contribute to a healing of memories.”

Some solutions in the church take 500 years.

(This might help contextualize the difficulties we have in our local churches and conferences.)

Seeing double: two David Wiebes.

PHOTO COURTESY DAVID WIEBE

I have a thought, inspired

by David’s story. Do you know people who are Catholic? Rather than assume they are “not Christian” why not seek to

discover where faith is real – in you and them – and renew one another through prayer and dialogue, and extend the Kingdom in your area.

Jesus prayed that the church would be one in him as he is one with the Father (John 17). We might start with expressing unity even across some long-standing broken relationships.

[ 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? *BTG is “Bund Taufgesinnter Gemeinden”– literally, the Union of Baptism-minded Congregations.

They number some 30 churches with 7,500 members.

The BTG churches have been proactive in welcoming and assisting refugees in Germany.

BTG’s own members came from the Soviet Union to Germany some decades ago.

Aquila is a BTG ministry serving the poor in Russia by regularly shipping clothes, books and other goods.

Mennonite Brethren Herald | March/April 2017

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[

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

We continue his work You hear it occasionally – “I am honoured to share the stage with…”. Sometimes actors and athletes, songwriters and singers, billionaires and bureaucrats are genuinely privileged to work with one another.

Certainly, I am honoured to share this column with my friend and colleague, Willy Reimer. Decades ago in Calgary, before their church planting dream was realized at SunWest Christian Fellowship, Willy and Gwen would slip in with the worshipping community I was pastoring.

Later, in a period of transition for Karen and me, we found our spiritual and ministry home with the people that Willy led. We still look back on it as a meaningful time of give and take.

I want to thank Willy and Gwen, as do thousands across Canada and more in the global Mennonite Brethren church, for your passionate, thoughtful, visionary leadership to the diverse people of God in the Canadian Conference of MB Churches. Because of your quick departure last fall, you have missed hearing our true thanksgiving to God for your faithful service.

And now, with humility and joy, I have accepted the call from the leaders of both the CCMBC Executive Board and the “South Abby” Church tribe, whom I love deeply, to serve the Canadian MB family.

The mission is the same: “multiplying Christ-centred churches to see Canada transformed by the good news of Jesus Christ.” The strategy is to engage every member on one mission – collaborating with all our hearts in this local, national and global enterprise. Our shared spirit is to witness the transformation of people, communities and nations by the gospel of Jesus Christ and the work of the Spirit.

I am committed to lead for 18 months by being with you across the country, listening together to the Spirit’s direction, bringing our best resources into collaboration with churches, prudently expending God’s wealth for his mission and leading CCMBC with joyful, trusting faith.

I will pray wholeheartedly for you, the 16

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people who serve Christ faithfully. I am asking that you will pray for me – to be full of the Spirit, the grace and truth of Jesus, the wisdom of the Father, and the courage of conviction that God who began the good work within you will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns (Philippians 1:6).

Jesus, let your name be honoured in Canada and the world through us!

[ Steve Berg is

interim executive director of the Canadian Conference of MB Churches (see “Board appoints interim executive director” page 17). He and Karen live in Abbotsford, B.C.

With gratitude The apostle Paul’s words to the Ephesian church describe my heart for the Mennonite Brethren churches of Canada.

“Ever since I heard about your faith...and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you.... I keep asking that God...may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better” (Ephesians 1:15–17).

For almost six years, I had the privilege of serving the Canadian Conference of MB Churches as executive director. It has been an honour to minister with and to volunteer leaders, pastors and conference staff who exhibit a deep love for Jesus and his bride.

Paul’s letter to the Ephesian church expresses the joy and encouragement he received from the faith shown by God’s people. His joy led him to pray that more of God’s Spirit would be poured out on the church, leading to wisdom, revelation and greater intimacy.

Paul’s words mirror much of my own experience. I have been encouraged by the many stories of faithful risk-taking ministry from our churches. I have asked and will keep asking that our glorious Father will give us the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, leading us to greater intimacy in

our relationship with Christ and increased impact in his service.

Even though we are facing challenges in moving forward together in mission as Canadian MBs, I have great faith and hope in our future as a family of churches. God has provided our churches with godly leadership from coast to coast. The comradery I have observed between these leaders across the provinces is very encouraging. Our churches continue to demonstrate a deep desire to express the truth, grace and heart of the good news of Jesus Christ to people locally, nationally and globally. While there is still much left to do, we are making progress in being an intentional, Spirit-led, missionary church in Canada.

We also need to celebrate the work God has done in raising up a unique expression of missionary partnership through the C2C Network, which I believe is unprecedented in the life of the Canadian church. And L2L is one of our “hidden” gems. Many churches and pastors have accessed the resources of L2L to move into greater ministry health and effectiveness.

Thank you for your prayers, words and emails of encouragement and warm reception over the past six years. May you extend the same warmth and prayer support to Steve Berg as he steps into the interim executice director role to cast vision and lead national staff.

Please also continue to pray for the Executive Board led by Bruce Enns and the Board of Faith and Life led by David Miller.

Pray for provincial staff and boards. Pray for Randy Friesen, MB Mission general director, and for Mark Wessner, MB Seminary president. Pray as Paul prayed that God would give our leaders the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that they may “know him better.”

Canada is in need of a vibrant church, filled with and obedient to the Holy Spirit as we participate in the mission of God locally, nationally and globally. I have great anticipation of what God will do among us and through us. Thank you for the privilege of serving you.

[ Willy Reimer

[ Board appoints interim executive director

Mission-minded board increases collaboration

The Executive Board of the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches (CCMBC) announced Jan. 15, 2017, that Steve Berg has been appointed interim executive director effective Feb. 1, 2017.

The Executive Board of the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches met Jan. 26–28, 2017, in Abbotsford, B.C.

Steve is currently senior associate pastor at South Abbotsford (B.C.) Church where he will continue to spend 25 percent of his work time. The church has released him to use the other 75 percent to serve the conference. Steve has committed to the new role for up to 18 months, during which time a search process will proceed for the permanent position.

“During this time of transition, the Executive Board is excited to have a strong, effective leader who is passionate about God and our conference,” says moderator Bruce Enns. “We are grateful to Steve and South Abbotsford Church for making this arrangement possible.”

Steve brings a wealth of life experience which includes implementing ministry strategy as a church planter, pastor, executive minister of the B.C. Mennonite Brethren Conference and national director of government affairs with Power to Change.

Steve will be focusing on building trust within the MB family and positioning CCMBC to implement the mission of multiplying Christ-centred churches to see Canada transformed by the good news of Jesus Christ.

Ron Toews, the current interim executive director, will return to his role as director of L2L. Ron indicated at the time of his appointment in November that he would only take on the interim executive director role in the short term.

“We are thankful for Ron’s willingness to step into a challenging situation and apply his steady hand of leadership when we needed him,” said Enns. “He has served well.”

[ CCMBC Executive Board

approved by the MB Mission board, discussed further at provincial conventions and brought to a vote at a Special General Meeting at the time of November’s Equip Study Conference 2017. (See notice of motion, page 7).

“We continue to need and pursue a discipleship revolution of healthy, multiplying, Christ-centred churches to see Canada transformed by the good news of Jesus Christ,” says moderator Bruce Enns. “This is our prayer and our work.”

During a time of transition for the conference, the board is pursuing one mission through: •

helping to multiply leaders and disciplemaking churches in local communities,

•

strengthening and supporting vibrant provincial bodies to help MB churches,

•

building a lean national structure that provides connection and meaning and

•

learning and engaging with our global family.

CONFERENCE NEWS

“We are excited for how these two unique ministries together will bring God’s mission to the forefront of the local church – locally, nationally and globally – building on the strengths of each,” says Enns. “While we want to continue the conversation in the months ahead, as a board representing every region of our country, connected to many leadership groups and churches, we feel very confident to say that there is strong support for this motion,” says Enns.

Gathering 2016 delegates expressed concern over finances and gave the conference a mandate to build up reserves. “Our financial situation remains challenging, but we are encouraged by the preliminary year-end results for 2016,” says Enns. “These results, along with adjustments to the 2017 budget (which increased the CCMBC operating reserve by $500,000), reflect alignment of the leadership team with the intent and spirit of the 2016 amended budget.” Legacy Fund Inc. board members updated the Executive Board on the development of the fund and its applications to regulatory boards, along with a plan for further work that will be reported at the May meetings.

These effort are being led by Steve Berg, the new interim executive director, who was appointed for an 18-month term, starting Feb. 1, 2017. The board expressed appreciation for L2L director Ron Toews who served as shortterm interim executive director in December and January.

Following the board’s November 2016 meetings, Enns cited a need for structural changes. “We continue to strive to prayerfully understand and address some of the past, current and future conference issues,” says Enns. The board has slated part of their May and November meetings to work with the Board of Faith and Life (BFL) “to clarify their role and relationship with the Executive Board,” says Enns. “We see a critically important (likely expanded) role for the BFL in the future.”

After a report from the task force, the board approved a motion regarding the merger of the C2C Network and MB Mission. The task force presented on their consultation to date, including feedback from presentations at provincial conference gatherings and USMB district conventions; meetings with boards and leaders of CCMBC and MB Mission; consultation with international partners like ICOMB and Mennonite World Conference; articles in the MB Herald and Christian Leader; and the presentation to Gathering 2016 in Toronto. With prayerful discernment, the board unanimously approved a motion “that MB Mission assume responsibility for the mission and ministry of C2C Network” to be

“We are striving to be more intentional and evaluative in how we go about our work as a board,” says Enns. On the subject of collaboration with the provinces, the board continues the work of clarifying roles and responsibilities of provincial moderators (who sit on the Executive Board) and executive directors/conference ministers (who sit on the BFL). Additionally, “we recognized that we need a closer working relationship and accountability structure with both the MB Mission board and the MBBS board as we are exploring ways to work more closely and better align ministries with each of them in the future,” says Enns.

Board members signed a CCMBC covenant of collaboration that will be reviewed at the beginning of every meeting. A similar covenant for provincial-national working relationships is also in the works.

“Jesus’ discipleship revolution…is the mission that motivates me and all who lead the Canadian Conference of MB Churches,” says Enns. “What a joy to work with churches in our calling that has eternal significance.”

[ MB Herald Staff

Mennonite Brethren Herald | March/April 2017

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[NEWS Two baptisms and a new year “I want to start 2017 as a baptized Christian.”

Biniam Solomon, a recent immigrant from Eritrea to Kitchener, Ont., made this announcement in December. On New Year’s Eve, Solomon was baptized, along with another young father, Habtu Tesfaszi. Both had just completed a year of discipleship training in the Eritrean and Ethiopian fellowship, Christ for All Nations, which meets at Grace MB Church.

For Solomon, the decision was not difficult. Tesfaszi, who had been baptized as a young child, at first saw no need to be baptized again, but eventually decided to be rebaptized as a believing adult – a literal Anabaptist.

An invitation The relationship between Grace MB and newcomers to Canada from Eritrea began in the summer of 2014 when volunteers from Grace went door-to-door with invitations to the church’s summer Bible camp. Two Eritrean families began coming to some Sunday services at Grace MB after their children attended camp.

The family heads, John Teklu and Robel Tesfatsion, had been praying fervently for a pastor to lead their growing group of Eritrean believers.

More and more people L–r: Habtu Tesfaszi, pastor Yemane Gebremariam, Biniam Solomon. escaping conflict in from climbing into the baptismal tank), Eritrea and Sudan were finding refuge in Cober led the informal, cooperative the Kitchener-Waterloo area. Through service with Teklu translating. word-of-mouth and social media, Teklu, Gebremariam poured the pitcher of warm a natural evangelist, was connecting with water over the woman’s head as she wept them. tears of joy. Hallelujahs rang out, perhaps When Tesfatsion heard his boyhood startling some of the neighbours! friend Yemane Gebremariam, who was After that outdoor baptism, Teklu and pastoring fellow Eritreans in Sudan, had Tesfatsion’s fellowship asked Grace MB received clearance to come to Canada, for space to hold services in their own Teklu and Tesfatsion felt their prayers language of Tigrinya. Since Oct. 18, 2015, had been answered. some 25 adults and 32 children worship at Grace MB in the Eritrean and Ethiopian Backyard hallelujahs service every Sunday afternoon.

Shortly after Gebremariam’s arrival, With encouragement and advice from Teklu asked Grace MB’s (then) pastor Grace MB’s leaders, Christ Jesus for All Jim Cober to baptize his cousin. She had Nations is in the process of registering as a come to know Christ during her visit to charitable organization in Ontario. Current Canada and wanted to be baptized before Grace MB pastor Kyle Buller has connected returning to Kenya the next day. well with adults and youth in the group.

So, Sept. 25, 2015, on the Cobers’ deck continued on page 22 (because a recent surgery prevented him

Join us on a transforming discipleship journey Download your Discipleship Map today equipstudyconference.mennonitebrethren.ca

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PHOTO COURTESY GRACE MB CHURCH

Bethany 2.0 launches as Thrive

STUDY CONFERENCE 2017

Young adults can struggle with their faith, especially during the first years away from home. Bethany College, Hepburn, Sask., is building on local connections, residential campus and church-rootedness to launch a new eight-month biblical learning gap-year program for post-secondary students in September 2017.

Transforming Discipleship

The Board of Faith and Life invites you to the biannual study conference where the MB community comes together to interpret scripture, to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit, to be encouraged and equipped for the work of faith in twenty-first century Canada. We invite you to read the following titles in preparation for Transforming Discipleship – Equip Study Conference 2017, November 1-3, 2017 in Abbotsford, B.C.

Thrive is designed for “young adults who want a season of foundational biblical grounding and discipleship formation for life,” says board chair Trevor Rempel.

Based on feedback from surveys and forums with church leaders and Bethany College alumni, the board developed a modular program to train “head, heart and hands.”

“We want to do discipleship like Jesus did, teaching through life circumstances,” says Rempel. Learning, introspection and implementation are woven into each module through classroom time with adjunct professors; relationships with campus personnel and home church mentors; and service with local organizations and on campus.

The school exemplifies the unity of faith and life on campus. The board is intentional about developing its rental program for community usage, including collaboration with regional education and health authorities to bring more services to the town of Hepburn. This pragmatic arrangement not only covers maintenance costs and maximizes usage, but also creates opportunities for students to implement learning and interact in mentoring relationships.

Thrive is governed by the Mennonite Brethren Confession of Faith. The operational board is not formally tied to the Saskatchewan MB Conference, though it works closely with the Developmental Leadership Team on discipleship goals. Students of all denominations are welcome. Staff will include a program lead, two residential mentors, a facilities manager and administration support.

Theology and Philosophy 4 Chair Discipling

Transforming Discipleship

DANN SPADER

GREG OGDEN

Biblical Exegesis

Methodology

Discipleship on the Edge

Discipleshift

DARRELL JOHNSON

JIM PUTMAN & BOBBY HARRINGTON

Mission and Discipleship Leading Missional Communities MIKE BREEN

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[ Karla Braun

Mennonite Brethren Herald | March/April 2017

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[FAMILY NEWS

Transitions Rudi Plett was appointed associate director of ICOMB (International Community of Mennonite Brethren) in 2017. Rudi will assist director David Wiebe on global assignments and minister in Latin America while also serving MB Mission as regional team leader (Latin America). He has served 17 years as a pastor, most recently at Mennoniten Brueder Gemeinde Concordia, Asunción, Paraguay.

He earned a BA at Instituto Bíblico Asunción in Paraguay and studied graduate theology in Germany. Rudi and Ruth Ratzlaff de Plett have 5 children.

In 2016, Richmond Bethel underwent a transformation into Church On Five.

Bethel grew out of a Sunday school project of Vancouver MB Church begun in the 1940s, formally organized as Richmond Bethel in 1970 and began services in a new building in 1972. The facilities were extended to serve the congregations of Richmond Chinese MB and Richmond Christian School. After much prayer and discussion, Richmond Bethel joined with neighbouring Christian and Missionary Alliance congregation The Way to form a new entity, Church on Five in 2016. Rob Inrig serves as lead pastor with Deb Judas as associate pastor.

Janelle Hume was appointed director of Mennonite Brethren Church of Manitoba’s School of Leadership, starting Apr. 18, 2017.

Janelle has served with MB Mission and Canadian Mennonite University. She has a BEd and is studying at MB Seminary in Winnipeg. Previous director José Luis Moraga is now serving as discipleship pastor at Springfield Heights Mennonite Church, Winnipeg.

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Brian Wiens began as pastor of The Gathering, Forest Grove Community Church’s Broadway congregation in Saskatoon, September 2016. Brian previously served as pastor of community and mission at Parliament Community Church, Regina, and led an experimental missional community while working as executive director of AIDS Programs South Saskatchewan. Brian and Aimee have 4 daughters.

Manitou MB Church welcomed Hugh Froese as pastor Jan. 1, 2017. Hugh received a masters degree from MB Biblical Seminary, Fresno, Cal., and has been pastoring in southern Manitoba for 16 years. Hugh and Yvette have 3 young adult children.

Michael Anderson began as pastor at Faith River Christian Fellowship, Saskatoon, October 2016. He has an MDiv from Canadian Baptist Seminary at ACTS. He and Leanne Janzen have 1 daughter.

Alan Harstone began as lead pastor at Northwest Community Church, Meadow Lake, Sask., Nov. 16, 2016. He studied at Taylor University College and Seminary, has pastored in Baptist and Evangelical Free churches, and has served on mission boards and taught at Horizon Bible College. He and Grace have a total of 7 adult children.

Greg Allen joined St. Ann’s (Ont.) Community Church as lead pastor July 2016. Greg has 25 years of church leadership experience. He graduated from University of Waterloo with a Bachelor of Environmental Studies and from Canadian Theological Seminary with an MDiv. Greg and Kelly have 2 married children.

Cheryl Scott began as administrative assistant/bookkeeper at MB Seminary Feb. 1, 2017. Cheryl is completing 8 years with CCMBC as account representative

Mar. 31, 2017, and will transition to fulltime with MB Seminary Apr. 1, 2017.

Abundance Canada appointed Brad Friesen as gift planning consultant for Abundance Canada (formerly Mennonite Foundation), Abbotsford, B.C., office.

Brad and Sandy attend Northview Community Church.

With a mixture of gratitude and sadness, the board of MCC Canada announces the retirement of executive director Donald Peters effective Sept. 30, 2017. Don is the longest serving executive director of MCC Canada, having begun his service Sept. 2, 2001. From 2008–2012, he guided MCC Canada through the New Wineskins process, a time of revisioning and restructuring. Prior to his term as executive director, Don served as principal of Mennonite Brethren Collegiate Institute, Winnipeg, and as MCC representative for Brazil with his wife Elaine 1988–1993. “Don modelled true servant leadership and commitment, and was always just as comfortable travelling in rural Saskatchewan as he was speaking to government or trekking through Zimbabwe to visit a partner,” says board chair Peggy Snyder.

Matt Unruh resigned as associate pastor at Mountain Park Church, Niagara Falls, Ont., at the end of 2016 to take on the role of community life pastor at neighbouring Cornerstone Community Church.

After 9 years as chief executive officer, James Friesen retired from Eden Health Care Services Jan. 15, 2017. A transitional leadership team led by CFO Ryan Hildebrand will serve until a new CEO is appointed.

Henry P. Klassen retired from Gospel Chapel, Grand Forks, B.C., where he served 1997–2016. Read “How Beautiful Are the Feet: A Tale of Two Slippers” on mbherald.com for his reflections on ministry.

Canadian Mennonite University announces three faculty appointments, starting July 1, 2017. Jonathan Dueck: vice

president academic and academic dean.

Jonathan holds a PhD in music from the University of Alberta. He has taught at George Washington University, Duke University, University of Maryland, University of Alberta. He is coeditor of The Oxford Handbook of Music and World Christianities and author of Congregational Music, Conflict, and Community as well as Performing Basketball. A graduate of Canadian Mennonite Bible College, he also took courses at Concord College and Menno Simons College. Rosemary Vogt: assistant professor of business.

Rosemary holds a PhD in education, with a concentration in leadership and administration, from the University of North Dakota. She has worked as an instructor at CMU and Red River College, and done consulting work. James Magnus-Johnston, instructor of social innovation/director, Centre for Ecological and Economic Resilience (CEER): MagnusJohnston holds an MPhil in Economics from Cambridge University and has taught political studies and economics at CMU.

BIRTHS Bizoza – to Jacques & Chantal Nasingizwa of Calgary, a son, Moïse, Oct. 3, 2016.

Dirpaul – to Dan & Joan (Schnaider) Dirpaul of Saskatoon, a daughter, Angelique Jillian, Dec. 28, 2016.

Duerksen – to Trevor & Anni of Killarney, Man., a son, Leonardo Nicolas, Nov. 24, 2016.

Church celebrates 90th anniversary

Bible school with 9 students hungry for the Word of God; that vision lives on as Steinbach Bible College. Evangelism and service have remained central to the church, which has sent many shortand long-term missionaries and sewed thousands of blankets for MCC. To be Jesus’ hands, the congregation sponsored a Laotian family in 1979, and this past year, began assisting a refugee family from Ethiopia.

Steinbach (Man.) MB Church celebrated their 90th anniversary Jan. 8, 2017.

Under the theme “Legacy: Past, Present and Future,” former pastors Bill Lehman and Keith Poysti gave a dramatic reading of God’s work in Scripture, current pastor Walter Fast outlined Anabaptist history and Mennonite Brethren Church of Manitoba executive director Elton DaSilva gave a prophetic challenge for the future.

Long-term missionary Ruth Ewert and former pastor Abe Klassen closed the service with a prayer of blessing.

Over its history, 1163 members have called Steinbach MB their church home.

Intergenerational unity continues to characterize the current congregation of 430 members.

The celebration featured a choir, a display of memorabilia such as choir robes and Boys Brigade uniforms and a lunch of 2,700 homemade perogies. Two of those present at the celebration have been part of the church since the first service when they were five years old.

Steinbach MB Church formed Jan. 3, 1927, with 38 men and 7 women. In 1931, members of the congregation started a

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

Fisher – to Adrian & Dawna (Penner) of Warman, Sask., a son, Jarett Stuart, Sept. 24, 2016.

Funk – to Steven & Julianne (Masuskapoe) of Glaslyn, Sask., a daughter, Natalie Adrianna, Sept.

17, 2016.

Henderson – to Jeff & Kellen of Calgary, a son, Forest Avery, Oct. 30, 2016.

Mugisha – to Jackson & Alice Manema of Calgary, a daughter, Rebeka Irenge, Dec. 10, 2016.

Penner – to Colin & Lori (Franzmann) of Elm Creek, Man., a son, Everett William, Oct. 23, 2016.

WEDDINGS Ryan Thomas Peters of Saskatoon & Nicole Marie Wollf of Hague, Aug. 20, 2016.

Tyler Fullowka & Brooklynn Katerina Friesen, both of Saskatoon, Nov. 11, 2016.

GMMiTV Global Mission Media

GMMiTV.com Mennonite Brethren Herald | March/April 2017

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continued from page 18 A great way to ring in the year At the New Year’s Eve 2016 baptismal service, retired pastor Cober prayed a prayer of blessing on Solomon and Tesfaszi, their families and the whole Eritrean and Ethiopian fellowship.

The group shared in a meal of injera (Ethiopian bread) with traditional sauces and lasagna (added to Ethiopian cuisine during Italy’s 60-year occupation). Then they returned to the sanctuary for another time of worship, with everyone lighting candles at midnight to welcome the new year.

For many at Christ Jesus for All Nations, having experienced persecution for their faith before entering Canada, the freedom to worship Jesus openly is a huge gift.

Grace MB feels blessed to walk alongside this part of God’s family.

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March/April | 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

Peter Derksen Jan. 20, 1922–June 19, 2016

BIRTHPLACE Fischau, Ukraine PARENTS David D. & Susanna (Adrian) Derksen MARRIAGE Mary Thiessen, Oct 2, 1954 BAPTISM July 19, 1942 CHURCH Boissevain (Man.) MB FAMILY Mary; daughters Marilyn (Merle Neufeld), Phyllis

(Bruce Kroeker), Lorna (David Berg); 4 grandchildren, 1 great-grandson

Peter was the youngest of 11 children (4 of whom died in infancy). His family immigrated to Canada in 1927, settling on a farm in Boissevain, Man. He attended Bluevale School; Mennonite Collegiate Institute, Gretna, Man.; and Winkler (Man.) Institute. He met Mary in 1952 when she came to teach in Bluevale. In Grade 10, Peter was convicted while reading Romans 8:10, and he accepted Jesus as Saviour. He was ordained to ministry in 1967 and served in Boissevain MB Church, St. Andrews Community Church, and finally, Westview Seniors Lodge, where he remained until age 91. Peter loved, supported and took pride in his children, grandchildren and great-grandson, faithfully praying for each one. He was always ready with an affirming word of encouragement, a firm handshake and a twinkle in his eye.

Mary Penner Apr. 18, 1922–Aug. 24, 2016

BIRTHPLACE Dolinsk, Russia PARENTS John & Annie Kliewer MARRIAGE Cornelius Penner, May 1, 1943 [d. 2004] CHURCH Virgil (Ont.) MB; Niagara Christian, Niagara-on-the-

Lake, Ont.; Scott Street, Grantham MB, St. Catharines, Ont. FAMILY children Dorothy [d. 2010] (Allen) Schritt, John (June), Bert (Hedy), Marilyn (Greg) Bender; 9 grandchildren; 7 greatgrandchildren; 1 sister

When Mary was 4, her family immigrated to Canada, settling in Beechy, Sask. She had to wait to start school until age 8, when her younger brother no longer needed her care at home.

Due to crop failures in 1934, her family moved to Beamsville, Ont. At special services in 1936, the Holy Spirit spoke to her heart. In 1937, her family moved to Virgil, Ont., where she met

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Cornelius at the MB church. In 1960, Mary and Cornelius bought a 66-acre fruit farm. In 1973, they moved St. Catharines, Ont., where Mary had beautiful gardens. She was known for her baking; her grandchildren loved her zwieback and cookies. Mary and Cornelius helped start Niagara Christian Fellowship Chapel and served at custodians at Grantham MB Church. She loved collecting shells in Florida and making crafts with them for her children. After Cornelius entered long-term care at Tabor, Mary moved into Tabor apartments in 2001. As her Lewy Body Dementia took over, she moved into long-term care.

Evelyn (Evie) Alma Redekop Feb. 18, 1922–Sept. 2, 2016 BIRTHPLACE Maunders, Alta.

PARENTS William Rorison & (Winifred) Alma Cropley MARRIAGE Art Redekop, Apr. 22, 2005 CHURCH Clearbrook MB, Abbotsford, B.C. FAMILY Art; Art’s sons Murray, Mark; their families; 2 siblings

The first member to accept Jesus as Saviour, Evie led others in her family to Christ. In 1951, she became a bookkeeper for SIM in Nigeria.

Because of the shortage of nurses, she went home to Canada to earn her nursing degree at Royal Columbian Hospital, New Westminster, B.C. She immediately returned to nurse for SIM in Africa. She loved her work caring for leprosy patients and assisting in surgery. She trained at Moorfield Hospital, London, England, to treat eye diseases, and taught 22 nurses at the eye hospital in Kano, Nigeria. Evie loved her work.

Even after retiring, she served as camp nurse at Timberline Ranch, Maple Ridge, B.C. Evie was always working to bring people to the Lord. At 83, she married Art, a former SIM missionary to Nigeria. Evie and Art enjoyed the company of friends at Tabor Court. Many times, she said she was ready to be with her Lord. She died instantly after a heart attack.

Helen Welsh Dec. 10, 1921–Sept. 14, 2016

BIRTHPLACE Redbridge, Ont. PARENTS Percy & Matilda Tyers MARRIAGE Ernest Welsh, May 18, 1973 [d. May 2003] BAPTISM Redbridge, age 16

CHURCH Clearbrook MB, Abbotsford, B.C. FAMILY daughter Mary-Lynne (Dave) Ross; stepdaughters

Gwen (Grant) Forrest, Shirley Robinson; 8 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; 6 great-great-grandchildren

At 10, Helen committed her life to serving the Lord. John 6:37 confirmed her decision. The family had “a family altar” after meals, when they would read the Bible, sing songs around the pump organ and pray. Helen learned to memorize Scripture; even in her 94th year, she could quote whole Psalms. She graduated from Prairie Bible Institute, Three Hills, Alta., in 1944, followed by a year at Missionary Medical School, Quebec. An organizer and delegator, Helen worked in nursing, teaching and office administration. During her year as a one-room-school teacher in Torrence, Ont., in 1955, she gave birth to a girl. She worked two jobs, moving often to find affordable housing.

Her faith grew as she leaned on God. After 17 years as a single mother, she was pursued by a widower, Ernest. She instantly gained a large family and loved his children as her own. Helen and Ernest retired to Peterborough, Ont. In 2002, due to health concerns, they moved near their daughters in Abbotsford. Helen enjoyed playing Scrabble, reading poetry, listening to music, writing letters, spending time with family. Her advice was “Choose gratitude. If you have no other mission in life, encourage others to have one.”

Olga Rose Hodel Mar. 7, 1912–Sept. 21, 2016

BIRTHPLACE Woodrow, Sask.

PARENTS Martin & Katherina (Beierlie) Bressler; adopted

parents Samuel & Anna Hodel BAPTISM Gnadenau MB, Flowing Well, Sask., age 18 CHURCH Clearbrook MB, Abbotsford, B.C. FAMILY 1 niece

When she was 2, Olga lost her mother, and at 10, was adopted. She accepted Jesus as Saviour at 18. Isaiah 53:5–6 was important to her.

Her family moved to B.C. in 1945, settling first in Rosedale, then Chilliwack and finally in Abbotsford. Olga was grateful she could attend church. She taught Sunday school and sang in the choir and ladies singing group. At her condo, Olga supported Annie Hamm, a friend with disabilities. When she moved to Tabor Manor, she read to and helped feed other residents. Olga remembered the needs of many people before the Lord. When she needed more help, she moved to Tabor Court. Because of vision problems, she used the reading machine.

She also lost her hearing. Olga was always considerate of others. Nahum 1:7 encouraged her. She longed to meet Jesus.

[FINISH LINES David Peter Giesbrecht

and Keremeos, B.C. When they returned to Abbotsford, Eva loved being near her mother and found a family at Clearbrook MB Church.

Apr. 28, 1934–Sept. 22, 2016

Edna Marie Berg Jan. 22, 1931–Oct. 8, 2016

Anne Siebert BIRTHPLACE Yarrow, B.C. PARENTS Peter & Aganetha Giesbrecht MARRIAGE Annie (Anne) June Klassen, May 15, 1959 BAPTISM Yarrow MB, June 10, 1951 CHURCH Killarney Park, Vancouver; Richmond (B.C.) Bethel;

Greendale, Chilliwack, B.C. FAMILY Anne; children Jim, Howard, Elaine Warkentin, Joyce Harrison; 11 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; 6 siblings

With his parents’ guidance, Dave became a Christian as a teen. He and Anne were charter members of Killarney Park and Richmond Bethel churches, where he served God as usher, deacon and Sunday school teacher. Dave was involved with Transport for Christ for 35 years.

He had a strong work ethic, serving 34 years as longshoreman and truck driver at Johnston Terminals. At his grandmother’s suggestion, Dave began dating Anne. City life didn’t suit him, so Dave and Anne raised their family on a 10-acre farm in Richmond, B.C. Dave’s philosophy was “It’s better to build children than to repair men.”

He loved to play and watch baseball. In retirement, he was chaplain at Lickman Road Truck Stop.

Dave and Anne moved to Greendale, B.C., and took trips together.

BIRTHPLACE Waldheim, Sask.

PARENTS Philip & Martha (Friesen) Schultz MARRIAGE Harold Berg, July 9, 1950 [d. Sept. 20, 2015] BAPTISM Waldheim MB, age 16 CHURCH Philadelphia MB, Watrous, Sask.; Lanigan (Sask.)

Jan. 18, 1932–Sept. 24, 2016

BIRTHPLACE Lethbridge, Alta.

PARENTS Jake & Anna Jantzen MARRIAGE Dave Siebert, May 29, 1955 [d. 1988] CHURCH South Abbotsford, B.C. FAMILY children Ken [d. 2006], Glenda (Stacey) Marriott,

Christian; Forest Grove, Saskatoon FAMILY children Douglas (Lillian), Barb (Niall), Gary (Audrey); 8 grandchildren including Joel [d.]; 10 great-grandchildren; 2 brothers

Loretta, Joyce Gilroy, Cheryl (Andre Bidaud), Dwight (Jody); 16 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; 7 siblings

Edna accepted Jesus as Saviour at 13 at Sand Beach Bible Camp. During high school, she experienced a revival in Waldheim. After graduating, Edna worked in the Saskatoon sanatorium. Edna and Harold moved to St. Catharines, Ont., then returned to Waldheim in 1953. Edna was treated for TB at the sanatorium. The family moved to Plenty, Sask., in 1960. They joined the Kindersley Gideon Camp in 1963. After settling in Lanigan, Sask., in 1967, Edna played piano for the Philadelphia MB Church choir. She worked at the post office 1972–86. Edna and Harold volunteered with MCC for 2 years in Winnipeg. They spent 3–4 months a year in the 1990s, serving Roving Volunteers in Christ’s Service. After moving to Saskatoon in 1992, at Forest Grove Community Church, Edna babysat for Mom’s Club, served the prayer shawl ministry and attended seniors’ events. She was always sewing clothes, knitting sweaters and blankets, crocheting doilies and baking buns. Edna was devoted to her husband and cared for the physical and spiritual wellbeing of each family member. Faith carried her through challenges. Her joy for life and trust in Jesus were an example to follow.

Anne grew up helping her dad on the farm in Glenwood, Alta. At 16, she was a housekeeper and nanny for a doctor in Pincher Creek, Alta. At Coaldale (Alta.) Bible School, she met Dave. Anne and Dave built a new home on the family farm in Coaldale, where they raised their family. After Dave died, Anne sold the farm and retired to Abbotsford, B.C. She travelled between Coaldale and Abbotsford on her own, occasionally taking grandchildren with her. Anne loved all sports and filled her schedule with attending grandchildren’s games. Her oldest son Ken died in 2006. No matter what life brought, Anne was anchored by her faith and hope in the Lord. She was able to stay at her apartment for most of her retirement.

Anne died peacefully surrounded by family.

Eva Esau Feb. 10, 1927–Sept. 23, 2016

Susie Ann Gutwin Jan. 19, 1941–Sept. 30, 2016

BIRTHPLACE Osterwick, Man. PARENTS John & Maria Retzlaff MARRIAGE John Esau, Nov. 25, 1948 [July 2009] BAPTISM July 6, 1945 CHURCH Clearbrook MB, Abbotsford, B.C. FAMILY children Lorraine, Gracie, Eleanor, Leonard

When she was growing up, Eva’s family didn’t have much food, but God provided. She enjoyed fishing with her siblings. The family moved to Winnipegosis, Man., in 1938, and to Hatzic, B.C., in 1941. Her teens were spent in Mount Lehman, B.C. At 17, Eva attended Bible school in Clearbrook, B.C. She accepted Jesus as Saviour Nov. 8, 1944. Eva completed high school at Mennonite Educational Institute, Abbotsford, in 1947. She decided to go to nurses training, but when she got engaged, her plans changed. Eva and John pastored County Line Gospel Chapel, the West Coast Children’s Mission outreach in Aldergrove, B.C., 1956–60. They were ordained

by East Aldergrove MB Church (now Ross Road) in 1957. Eva and John pioneered Peden Hill MB Church (later Westwood MB), Prince George, B.C., 1960–63. They helped Queensboro MB Church, New Westminster, B.C., in 1963. Eva helped support the family through cleaning services. They also did church work in Squamish

BIRTHPLACE Swift Current, Sask.

PARENTS Peter & Agatha (Dyck) Langemann MARRIAGE Glenn Gutwin, July 14, 1962 [d. 1988] CHURCH Bridgeway, Swift Current FAMILY children Gail (Kevin) Wilson, Russ (Lana), Tom (Mary

John Goossen June 11, 1926–Oct. 11, 2016

Tourlas); 6 grandchildren; 2 sisters

Susie attended University of Saskatchewan and earned a 2-year teaching certificate. She taught at Oman School, Swift Current, for 2 years until her children came. She tended to her young family: cooking, gardening, planning camping holidays.

She earned her BEd from University of Regina in 1979 and returned to teaching full-time. She was proud of teaching many children to read.

After Glenn’s death, Susie continued teaching, caring for her aging mother and mother-in-law, managing the family and her mother’s farm.

In retirement, she stayed in her home, filling the yard with tomatoes and hollyhocks. Susie loved receiving visits and hearing stories of her grandchildren’s lives and milestones. In July, she fractured her hip, and although she was determined to recover, complications caused her health to deteriorate rapidly.

BIRTHPLACE Alexanderkrone, Molotschna, Russia PARENTS Nikolai F. & Agatha (Letkemann) Goossen MARRIAGE Irene Wiebe, Apr. 22, 1951 BAPTISM Gem, Alta., June 12, 1949 CHURCH Bakerview MB, Abbotsford, B.C. FAMILY Irene; children Heidie (Murray), Walter (Joyce),

Erwin (Pamela), Ruth (Erwin); 6 grandchildren; 12 greatgrandchildren

John (born Yvan) devoted himself to his Christian faith, which permeated every facet of his life. When John was 12, Chinese and Russian officials arrested his father; the family didn’t know his status until he returned 2 years later. As a teen, John had to dig graves for both his sisters.

He was forever grateful to MCC for bringing his and Irene’s families from China to Canada in 1948. He cherished the freedom and security

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Canada offered him after his youth under the oppression of Communism. After retiring from millwork at 63, his second occupation was with MCC, where he worked until his final months – his way of saying thank you. John drew great pleasure from woodworking, playing the mandolin, camping, mountain climbing, hang gliding and working on cars. He enjoyed an active, healthy life until the last month, during which he drew his family close and received much comfort from his many friends.

Charlotte Helen (Lepp) Klassen Oct. 5, 1944–Oct. 18, 2016 BIRTHPLACE St. Boniface, Winnipeg, Man. PARENTS Peter & Helen (Enns) Lepp MARRIAGE John Klassen, July 20, 1968 BAPTISM Scott Street, St. Catharines, Ont., June 24, 1962 CHURCH Fairview MB, St. Catharines, Ont.; Glenbush (Sask.) MB FAMILY John; children April (Dean) Steppan, Allan (Joan);

1 grandson

Charlotte accepted Jesus as Saviour at Bible camp. She attended Bethany Bible Institute, Hepburn, Sask., where she met John, with whom she would share 48 years. After growing up in St. Catharines, Charlotte found marrying a farmer a big adjustment. Charlotte and John farmed in Beechy, Sask., until 1988. Her career included working at the St. Catharines land titles office, MCC Canada, Manitoba Department of Education, Manitoba Department of Transportation, and Beechy (Sask.) Union Hospital as medical records clerk. When John became pastor of Glenbush (Sask.) MB Church, Charlotte supported him and kept busy making greeting cards. She had cancer in 1994, 2015 and 2016, suffering pain and seizures. Her final 9 months were in palliative care at Spiritwood (Sask.) and District Health Complex.

Helmut Bernhard Janz

Tina Derksen

June 15, 1930–Oct. 22, 2016

Aug. 21, 1922–Oct. 31, 2016

BIRTHPLACE Lakendorf, East Prussia PARENTS Bernhard & Erna (Lange) Janz MARRIAGE Martha Prochnau, Nov. 21, 1953 [d. September 1999]; Hertha Foth Martens, Dec. 15, 2001 BAPTISM Coaldale, Alta., Aug. 9, 1954 CHURCH Highland MB, Calgary FAMILY Hertha; children Sharon, Rick [d. July 2016] (Geri); Hertha’s children Paul (Tanja), Yannick (Chantal), Ron (Astrid), Skyler, Carter (Eric), Vic (Christy), Sydney (Soren), Karl; 7 grandchildren; 4 brothers

Helmut was raised in a loving Christian family. His school years were interrupted by WWII. The family fled to West Germany, leaving their precious homeland and all their possessions behind. After 7 seven years, they immigrated to Canada. Following a stormy 16 days on the Beaverbrae, they arrived in St. John, N.B., settling in Coaldale, Alta., in 1951.

Helmut worked for CPR. He began his career in housebuilding and construction as a framer in Calgary. Helmut was very involved in his church and other projects. His love for Jesus Christ was evident in his daily walk. Helmut was a faithful husband, wonderful father and a true friend.

Ruth Schulz Feb. 21, 1951–Oct. 24, 2016

BIRTHPLACE Chilliwack, B.C. PARENTS Henry & Helen Warkentin MARRIAGE Dave J. Schulz, Aug. 18, 1973 CHURCH Sardis, Chilliwack, B.C.

May 23, 1933–Oct. 20, 2016

BIRTHPLACE Manitoba PARENTS Peter T. & Louise L. (Reimer) Kroeker MARRIAGE Peter W. Gunther, June 5, 1954 BAPTISM Prairie Rose Evangelical Mennonite, Landmark, Man. CHURCH Abbotsford (B.C.) Community FAMILY Peter; children Peter (Marita), John (Ingried), David

(Teresa), Philip (Janine), Ruth (Craig), Edward [d.]; son-in-law Adrian [d.]; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; 2 siblings

Melane grew up with a large extended family on the farm in Landmark, Man. She met Peter at Prairie Rose EMC. A founding member of Abbotsford Community Church, she was a strong woman who prevailed through many adversities.

She will be missed by all who knew her.

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Tina’s family immigrated to Canada in 1926, settling on a farm in Newton Siding, Man., where Tina’s father pastored the MB church. He led Tina to the Lord when she was 13. Although learning English was difficult, Tina enjoyed learning at Kelvin Country School, and Winkler (Man.) Bible College was an answer to her prayers. She completed school at St. Catharine’s (Ont.) College. Longing to be a missionary nurse, she attended Mack School of Nursing in St. Catharines, then worked at the General Hospital.

She earned a BRE from MB Bible College, Winnipeg, 1951–54. Due to health issues, Tina’s missionary service was fulfilled in Canada. She spent a year in St. Anthony, Nfld., with MCC and then returned to the Niagara Region to serve 11 years in public health. Her final years of nursing were with geriatric patients. In retirement, Tina enjoyed travelling, painting, visiting friends and family, volunteering and attending Nurses Christian Fellowship. She supported her nieces and nephews and she took delight in their company. Tina describes her life as a walk of faith, always thanking God that his grace was sufficient for her and his strength made perfect in her weakness.

Annie (Anne) June Giesbrecht Sept. 28, 1933–Nov. 12, 2016

FAMILY Dave; children Jeff, Jody Street (Scott), Laurie; 3

grandchildren

Melane Gunther

BIRTHPLACE Blumstein, Ukaine PARENTS John & Katherine (Friesen) Derksen BAPTISM Assiniboine River, Man., as a teen CHURCH Grantham MB, St. Catharines, Ont. FAMILY 3 siblings

Ruth grew up in Yarrow, B.C., and Kitchener and Leamington, Ont. She attended Columbia Bible College, Abbotsford, B.C., where she met Dave. With degrees in education and music, she taught 30 years in the Chilliwack school district and taught piano at home. The school and church choirs, musicals and productions Ruth led were a highlight for her and for participants. In retirement, Ruth enjoyed painting, gardening, travelling and spending time outdoors. She passionately served the Sardis Doorway Program, supporting mothers and their families. Ruth was a devoted mother and grandmother, deeply loved by her grandchildren. She will be remembered for her adventurous spirit, faith, joy and love of others.

Eighteen months after receiving a cancer diagnosis, Ruth died peacefully at home with her family by her side.

BIRTHPLACE Gem, Alta.

PARENTS Herman & Maria Klassen MARRIAGE David Peter Giesbrecht, May 15, 1959 [d. Sept. 22, 2016] BAPTISM Yarrow (B.C.) MB, Sept. 12, 1948 CHURCH Killarney Park, Vancouver; Richmond (B.C.) Bethel,

Greendale, Chilliwack, B.C. FAMILY children Jim, Howard, Elaine Warkentin, Joyce Harrison; 11 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; 2 siblings

Anne counted it a privilege to grow up in a Christian home. She realized her many blessings resulted from her parents’ hard choices. At 14, Anne received Christ as Saviour at an evangelistic meeting. In church, Anne served God as Sunday school teacher, women’s group leader and youth events host. Anne always found learning difficult, but, determined to become the nurse that her dad wanted her to be, she graduated from St Paul’s Hospital School of Nursing in 1955. Anne did relief work for Victorian Order of Nurses for 10 years, then nursed at Shaughnessy, Delta and Holy Family

[FINISH LINES hospitals. Anne and Dave bought 10 acres and one of the oldest houses in Richmond, B.C. Anne loved a good joke. She enjoyed flower gardening and poetry writing. She was a wonderful cook and baker. She believed in talking things through with her children. In retirement, Anne’s highlight was visiting the area where her parents had lived in Russia. In 2003, Anne was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, which progressively limited her activities.

established Peters Well Drilling, beginning in 1956, while running a dairy farm for 15 years. A generous man of honour, integrity and humility, Henry was a devoted husband and father. Faith and family were paramount. In retirement, Henry and Mandy enjoyed travelling. He joined the Abbotsford Male Choir in his late 80s.

Sandra (Sandy) Lynn Dick Oct. 3, 1957–Dec. 5, 2016

Martha Derksen Nov. 11, 1926–Nov. 18, 2016

BIRTHPLACE Riga, Latvia PARENTS John & Katherina (Friesen) Derksen BAPTISM Virgil MB, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., age 18 CHURCH Grantham MB, St. Catharines, Ont. FAMILY 2 siblings

Martha cherished memories of her schoolhouse.

She was part of the first graduating class of Eden High School, St. Catharines, Ont., in 1948. She grew up working on the family fruit farm. Isaiah 53:6 opened her eyes to salvation, beginning her commitment to Mennonite congregations. Martha’s desire to become a teacher was realized when she completed Hamilton (Ont.) normal school.

She later completed a BA from Wilfred Laurier University. She spent 16 years of her teaching career as a special education teacher. She took delight in teaching hymns and Bible stories.

Martha cared for the wellbeing of her many nieces and nephews and their children, and was caregiver for her aging parents and her older sister Tina. Her retirement was spent in service to Calvary Christian School, the MCC Benefit Shop, Camp Crossroads and community organizations, earning Martha and Tina a Volunteer Recognition Award from the City of St. Catharines in 2007.

Henry Jacob Peters Jan. 23, 1920–Nov. 24, 2016

BIRTHPLACE Pordenau, Ukraine PARENTS Jacob & Anna (Bartsch) Peters MARRIAGE Amanda (Mandy) Harder, 1946 BAPTISM Yarrow, B.C., 1944 CHURCH Greendale MB, Chilliwack, B.C. FAMILY Amanda; children Richard (Dolly), Elizabeth (David)

Todd, Marion (Alex) Peters-Marks, Robert (Leanna), Susan (Gilbert) Dueck, Linda (Ian) Campbell; 19 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren

Henry’s family immigrated to Canada in 1925, settling in Saskatchewan. In 1929, they moved to Pitt Meadows, B.C., where Henry lived until WWII. Henry was a conscientious objector. Excelling in math and machinery, he

BIRTHPLACE Niagara Falls, Ont. PARENTS Walter & Alvina (Dyck) Andres MARRIAGE David Dick, Aug. 14, 1976 CHURCH Fairview MB, Grantham MB, St. Catharines, Ont. FAMILY David; children Jeff (Julia Wiens), Greg (Katiana

Wiens), Kim (Joel Leonard); 4 grandchildren; her parents; 3 siblings

Jacob Abram Dick

Growing up in Port Weller, Ont., Sandy loved the water. She met David at Fairview MB’s youth group. In 1975, she followed him to Tabor College, Hillsboro, Kan., and graduated in 1977 with a secretarial arts diploma. They began their 40-year marriage in St. Catharines, Ont., also living for a time in Port Dalhousie and Jordan, Ont. In 1997, Sandy began as administrative secretary at Grantham MB Church, where she touched many lives. She loved visits to the Caribbean and long Harley rides with David. Sandy deeply loved her children and four grandchildren (with a fifth on the way); caring for family filled her with joy.

She died following complications from surgery.

John A. Wiebe Aug. 1, 1927–Dec. 8, 2016

BIRTHPLACE Beaverlodge, Alta.

PARENTS Aron & Tina Wiebe MARRIAGE Martha Dueck, July 1952 BAPTISM 1945 CHURCH Broadway MB, Chilliwack, B.C.; Ross Road,

Abbotsford, B.C. FAMILY Martha; children Elaine (Earl) Stade, Brenda Evans, Bev (Russ) Hardy, Gwen (Bill) Converse, John (Cathy), Val (Stan) Thiessen; 30 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; 2 siblings

John grew up with Sunday school and family devotions. He accepted Jesus as Saviour at an evangelistic meeting Dec. 3, 1939. His father’s health deteriorated after the family’s move to Tofield, Alta., in 1944. On his final trip to the hospital, his father asked John to take care of his mother and 5 siblings. John took charge of the farm, and God provided neighbours to help at harvest. In 1947, the family sold the farm, paid their medical debts and moved to B.C., where they picked berries and hops. In the 1948 flood, their Greendale home stood in 12 feet of water. Through the government

and Red Cross, the house was restored and the family received food for a year. Working with the youth at Greendale MB Church, John met Martha. When John prayed for work in 1955, he was offered a position as parts man at Fortin’s, where he stayed 37 years. At Broadway MB Church, John and Martha served as deacons, elders, ushers, choir members and Sunday school leaders. John loved his family deeply and told them often. He believed in the power of prayer, praying for them daily by name. John and Martha moved to Abbotsford in 2003 to be close to family. As his health deteriorated, John moved to Tabor Manor with Martha and then to Tabor Home for his last 3 years. Hebrews 13:8 was dear to him.

May 16, 1926–Dec. 11, 2016

BIRTHPLACE Waldheim, Sask.

PARENTS Abram & Tina (Stobbe) Dick MARRIAGE Irene Neufeld, May 22, 1954 BAPTISM Glenbush (Sask.) MB FAMILY Irene; children Gary (Denise) van Dijk, Sharon Fast, Randy (Rosa), Heather (Ian) Megchelsen; 8 grandchildren

Jake grew up during the Depression on a farm near Glenbush, Sask. After chores, he’d explore the sloughs and bushes near their home. He learned young to identify birds and plants – a passion that continued. After Jake supported his brother Abe through medical school, Abe covered expenses while Jake, already 21, completed high school. Jake excelled, graduating from University of Manitoba Medical College.

Apart from a 1-year break for post-graduate studies in Baltimore, Jake pursued a 40-year career as a family doctor in Saskatoon, delivering 3,000 babies. During medical school, he met Irene. Family was Jake’s priority. He served Christian Service Brigade and directed summer camps. Jake and Irene retired to Greendale, B.C. They became active in The Gideons, and led Bible studies and care groups. They spent many happy years hiking, birdwatching and enjoying nature walks together. Their shared delight in God’s creation never ceased; their steadfast belief in his love and faithfulness never faltered.

2017 PCC Homecoming

Celebrating 75 Years

Shaping the Future from the Strength of the Past

Parliament Community Church Regina, Sask.

June 3 and 4, 2017 parliamentchurch.com email: info@parliamentchurch.com

Mennonite Brethren Herald | March/April 2017

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[BOOK REVIEWS Return to Justice Soong-Chan Rah & Gary VanderPol Brazos Press During my pastoral internship, I found myself asking, “Should I spend more time preaching or giving a cup of cold water in Jesus’ name?” In Return to Justice, SoongChan Rah and Gary Vanderpol draw attention to this very question with a historical analysis of evangelicalism’s engagement with justice issues and an exploration of movements that have united evangelicalism with social action. This fascinating account of the interplay of evangelicalism, politics and justice activism in the American context can help the Mennonite Brethren community reflect on our relationship with evangelicalism. We self-identify as evangelical-Anabaptist; what do each of those theological stream teach us? How do we enact justice well?

[ Stephanie Chase

Still Daring to Hope John Regehr CMU Press Still Daring to Hope is a collection of 20 sermons on a variety of biblical texts, culled from a lifetime of teaching and preaching.

The overall theme is hope (as the title suggests) which in the hands of this preacher involves an active commitment to change and growth and an openness to God’s surprises. The sermons consider questions of trust and doubt, dark places and guidance, and topics like meekness and forgiveness.

And don’t let the word sermons put you off: these read like intimate conversations, full of stories and wisdom. The collection is enhanced by poetry, hymn texts and photographs.

responses from those who have been affected by his analysis of the situation and suggestions of healthy paths forward. The MB denomination is mired in the same struggles we were faced with half a century ago. “New Wineskins” could as easily have been written this afternoon as 50 years ago. Delbert Wiens is extremely thoughtful as he brings his understanding of classical literature and MB distinctives into conversation. We would do well to read and interact deeply with his work.

[ Ben Kramer

Anabaptist Essentials: Ten Signs of a Unique Christian Faith Palmer Becker Herald Press As I read Anabaptist Essentials, I kept thinking, “what a great primer on Anabaptism!” The 180-page book is written in a very clear and simple style which makes it completely accessible by anyone. A former pastor, church planter, missionary, conference executive and educator, Becker introduces his teaching on the Christian faith from an Anabaptist perspective (as he puts it) with three basic concepts: Jesus, community and reconciliation. To explain these three words, the author gives us “three short sentences that have become widely used and memorable: Jesus is the centre of our faith. Community is the centre of our life. Reconciliation is the centre of our work.” Becker argues that these statements constitute the core values that have given birth to the Anabaptist movement.

“They are essential to the Christian faith and central to what it means to be an Anabaptist Christian.”

[ Arisnel Mesidor

The Justice Calling: Where Passion Meet Perseverance

[ Dora Dueck

A Dangerous Mind: The Ideas and Influence of Delbert L. Wiens W. Marshall Johnston and Daniel J. Crosby, editors Wipf and Stock A Dangerous Mind is not a book sequel to the George Clooney spy movie from 2002, but a festschrift celebrating the life’s work of Fresno Pacific Seminary professor Delbert Wiens, on the 50th anniversary of the publication of his influential and controversial piece “New Wineskins for Old Wine.”

Much of Wiens’s thoughts arose in response to the crisis the MB church felt 50 years ago as the transition from rural and community-based church practices to urban settings and cultures left people feeling adrift. This book is essentially 30

March/April | www.mbherald.com

Bethany Hanke Hoang & Kristen Deede Johnson Brazos Press When we see an overwhelming amount of injustice in the world, we are tempted to insulate ourselves with other distractions. In The Justice Calling, Bethany Hanke Hoang and Kristen Deede Johnson call us instead to participate in God’s vision. They trace the theme of God’s justice and righteousness throughout the entire biblical narrative, but emphasize that justice is God’s work; as his people, we participate, but it is never our job alone. Importantly, the book highlights the role of prayer.

God will certainly use what we offer to him, but our dependence on his power through prayer is imperative. I recommend The Justice Calling to our Mennonite Brethren community, in order for us to catch a vision of what God is doing in our world and how we can join him.

[ Stephanie Chase

Yours, Mine, Ours: Unravelling the Doctrine of Discovery Cheryl Woelk, Steve Heinrichs, eds.

Mennonite Church Canada I do not especially enjoy thinking about the systemic causes of my behaviour.

It is not pleasant to dwell on how I live in systems that directly influence how I act. This influence is not usually obvious and often not very good.

Of course, the hidden forces that direct our lives are not all bad, and our ecclesial traditions offer many examples of systemic influences that produce good fruit. I am grateful to identify as a Mennonite; I try to draw from the rich history of peacemaking found in the lives of so many Anabaptist disciples of Jesus.

I chose, and continue to choose, this identity in the hope of being formed by the body of a local Mennonite Brethren church.

But the question I (and Christians of all stripes) am now faced with is what do I do about the parts of this tradition that are not especially Christ-like?

Perhaps the most significant – certainly the most painful – lesson of my adult life as a Christ follower in Canada has been learning about the shameful and ongoing history of relations between churches and Christians and the Indigenous peoples of this land. What makes this lesson especially painful is that, like chattel slavery to the south, our abuse of Indigenous peoples and our abuse of the land is not a freak aberration for which we have no explanation.

Our sinful relations with Indigenous people is the product of implicit and explicit beliefs that are woven into many of our central theological concepts and dogmas. Some of the explicit beliefs have a name like the Doctrine of Discovery or terra nullis (the land belongs to no one, and therefore is free to be taken).

Because it is not always possible to see the link between things like theology and everyday behaviour, I feel especially compelled to ask, what should we do about this? How do I do more than just the easy disavowal of beliefs like the doctrine of discovery?

Yours, Mine, Ours: Unravelling the Doctrine of Discovery, edited

by Cheryl Woelk and Steve Heinrichs is a creative response to Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission and their calls to action, specifically #49, which calls “all religious denominations

and faith groups…to repudiate concepts used to justify European sovereignty over Indigenous lands and peoples….”

Do you want to hear from a wide range of perspectives about the relationship between theological beliefs and our settler history? Are you concerned about how to move forward in healthy reconciliation with the First Peoples of this land? Do you want to be inspired by stories about people who are trying unwind the long and poisonous thread of settler theology? This is a book for you.

This is even a book for those who are unsure that settler theology is a legitimate concern or that Christians have any obligation to respond to the sins of the distant past. This book is not one thing. It is deep and wide, and might just drag you along, a literary riptide that flows against the current of our culture and our past.

I found this book, and its sister volume Wrongs to Rights, to be compelling sources of information, but it is hard to read things that are compelling because to be compelled is to be confronted with the need for change.

In the chapter entitled “Healing from ‘Lies that make us Crazy’: Practices of Restorative Solidarity,” authors Elaine Enns and Ched Myers explain how the destructive influence of the Doctrine of Discovery is not merely a “sin of the past” but continues to shape our relationships with Indigenous peoples. The restorative practices they identify as a response are disciplines that should be familiar and welcome among Anabaptists: learning and listening. But though these practices are familiar, like the imitation of Christ in general, they are much harder to embody than to espouse.

What would it mean for Mennonite Brethren to learn the stories of Indigenous victimization? It would probably mean giving up the comfortable story of Canada as a welcoming country that has bypassed the sins of history. It is hard to give authority to alternative accounts of our nation’s history (especially during celebrations of 150 years of confederation, i.e. colonization), but for the sake of a healthy future for Indigenous peoples, and therefore the whole country, we must be able to hear and learn hard truths.

The MB Confession of Faith (another somewhat hidden influence on our praxis) calls us to resist “the unjust exploitation of the earth and its peoples.” Perhaps this can be a principle that we allow to influence us as we work to be more Christ-like in the formation of our church tradition in the years to come.

[ Matt Balcarras currently lives on the traditional lands of the

Musqueam and Tsawwassen. He is a neuroscientist, author of Peacemaking: A Community Workbook, and is becoming connected with the people of Cedar Park Church in Ladner, B.C., along with his partner Deanna and their three kids.

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Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches

COMING EVENTS

Multiply 2017 EQUIP Study Conference

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Convention

National Conference Events Pastors Credentialing Orientation June 13–15, 2017 Winnipeg, Manitoba

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

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Provincial Events MBCM Assembly • March 3–4, 2017 MBCI, Winnipeg, Manitoba

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Parkland Community Church, Yorkton, Saskatchewan

ABMB Pastoral & Church Leaders Equipping Day • April 21, 2017 Urban Grace, Calgary, Alberta

ABMB Convention • April 21–22, 2017 Urban Grace, Calgary, Alberta

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

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

BCMB Pastor & Spouse Retreat • April 30–May 2, 2017 Whistler, B.C.

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MBCM Pastor & Spouse Retreat • May 28–30, 2017 Hecla, Manitoba