Fall 2023 Witness Magazine

together that the world may know Jesus

Strengthening Global Partnerships

Witness Fall 2023

Being Together, Learning Together

From the General Director

Staff

Managing Editor Mark J.H. Klassen

Layout & Design Darcy Scholes

Illustration & Design Colton Floris

Prayer Mobilization Nikki White

Story Research

Eric Geddes

Circulation Wendy Gerbrandt

Media Director Daniel Lichty

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witness@multiply.net

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In August, I attended our Latin America Summit, meeting face to face with all of our global workers in that region. I was reminded that there’s nothing like being together in person. Although we have all learned to appreciate various online platforms that have allowed us to meet differently and efficiently with people around the world, it’s still not the same as being physically present with others. More than anything, that’s what strengthens relationships and partnerships.

At the gathering in Latin America, we ate meals together, laughed, cried, and prayed together. Even though our work together is inevitably mixed with pain and disappointment, we thanked God for his goodness to us and we celebrated the hope of the Gospel in each of our lives and in our partnerships.

I identified with Paul’s desire to be with the believers in Rome, when he wrote, “For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you—that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine” (Romans 1:11-12).

The mutual encouragement that Paul talked about happens when we bring our gifts to share with others. We need a posture of humility to receive the gifts that others have for us. This is the heart of one of Multiply’s core values—partnering in mutuality. We continually need this kind of posture as we work with our key global partners, recognizing that we have as much to learn as we have to offer.

We all need encouragement and strengthening in our faith. As Mennonite Brethren, we do our mission work in the context of a global MB family. We work closely with the International Community of MBs (ICOMB), which exists to connect, strengthen, and expand MB conferences around the world through collaboration.

“For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.”

Romans 1:11-12

One example of the richness of partnerships within our global MB family is a recent trip to the Amazon jungles by some key members of our Indigenous ministries in North America. In August, John Johnstone, Billie Jo Isaac, and Derek Parenteau responded to an invitation from our Regional Team Leader in Latin America, Emerson Cardoso, to visit an emerging network of churches among Indigenous peoples along the Amazon River in Brazil. This is a very new connection, and there is no formal partnership yet, but a friendship has begun. The two groups bonded with one another as First Peoples. They were encouraged by each other’s stories, and they began to dream about their role in bringing the Gospel to more First Peoples throughout the world. I believe this is another beautiful story of partnership yet to be told.

In our worldwide ministry, we need to keep asking two questions: 1) What strengthens global partnerships? And 2) What can unintentionally undermine these partnerships?

As North Americans, we need to be careful not to insist on our vision as we enter a global context, especially in situations when we are bringing in financial resources. Sometimes, our efforts actually undermine the role and authority of the local leaders, and it can have long-term consequences that we don’t intend. This is one of the ongoing challenges of global mission—the role and impact of money and power. It takes a posture of humility and service within deep relationships developed over time to learn best practices from one another and to truly share openly in a healthy partnership.

I admire the effort that our workers have poured into partnerships in different parts of the world. I think about Johann Matthies, our Regional Team Leader in Europe and Central Asia, who has come alongside church leaders in Ukraine in a time of crisis. He has set an example of the vital importance of presence. Despite the war, he has made numerous trips into Ukraine to be with the people there, to bring them gifts and supplies, to pray with them, and to encourage their hearts.

In the New Testament, we see Paul emphasizing this again and again, that the strengthening of our faith happens in relationship with real people. That’s why his letters so often included greetings and comments about people that he lived and worked with. When writing to the church in Corinth, he spoke about how God strengthened him through people when going through hard times:

“For when we came into Macedonia, we had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever” (2 Corinthians 7:5-7).

In North America, we are offering Church Partnership Workshops as a way to resource churches for greater mission collaboration. Recently in southern Texas, two of our Mission Mobilizers, Joanna Chapa and Stephen Humber, were joined by long-term workers in Portugal, Jonathan and Joanna Gutierrez, to host one of these workshops with five MB churches in the region. According to Humber, “Something good is stirring in southern Texas.” The workshop was well received and the interaction among the churches was very positive, laying a good foundation for partnership.

We are excited about where God is leading us as a global MB family, and our team at Multiply is grateful for the partnership that we enjoy with churches. As we work together, may we continue to learn together how to become better partners in global mission. Whether it is through mission training programs, church partnership workshops, or through various other engagements with you, we look forward to more and more opportunities to work together that the world may know Jesus

Bruce Enns General Director

Building friendship among First Peoples in the Amazon

A Dream Come True

THAILAND | Louise Sinclair-Peters

August 4 was a very special day for us in Thailand. We witnessed something for which we have been praying for the last fourteen years!

On that day in August, we celebrated the licensing of eleven Myanmar pastors and the registration of seven Myanmar churches under the Thailand Mennonite Brethren Church Association. Maybe that doesn’t sound very exciting, but that day was far more than simply the signing of a legal document—we believe it was a historic and prophetic day for the Church in Thailand!

During the past fourteen years, as we have worked with Myanmar churches in Thailand, we have seen how difficult it is for them. Because these people are from a neighboring country, they live as a marginalized people group within Thai society. Furthermore, Myanmar Christians sometimes face double discrimination because they are neither Thai nor are they Buddhist, which is the dominant religion.

by a Thai neighbor while we were at church. Thankfully, Joshua lifted concrete for a living, so he simply took hold of the machete and slowly twisted the long knife away from his neck until the agitated Thai man dropped it.

Unfortunately, this kind of violence is not uncommon in Thailand. Fortunately, Joshua chose to forgive. Later, he said, “It was the first time in my life that I did not retaliate. Jesus loved his enemies, and knowing that gave me strength to pause, and to decide that I would spare this man’s life.”

Indeed, forgiveness and love are the only foundation for hope and change, in both Thai society and in Thai churches.

That’s why August 4 was so special for us. On that day, we witnessed a new beginning. The old narrative of prejudice was challenged when Pastor Bank, one of the Thai MB Conference elders, asked the Myanmar believers for forgiveness on behalf of the Church. He said, “We have not loved and protected you, our Myanmar brothers and sisters, from abuse, oppression, and the many injustices you have suffered as migrant workers here in Thailand. Please forgive us.”

Over the years, as Myanmar believers have gathered for worship, we have seen how they often endure police intimidation and questioning because their churches are not legally registered. That reality has resulted in even more fear and uncertainty for these people, as many of them are refugees and undocumented workers who have fled their homeland in Myanmar because of civil war or economic hardship.

I remember an incident twelve years ago when Joshua, one of our first Myanmar believers, was attacked with a machete

Pastor Bank’s humility was unprecedented. As a Thai MB Conference board member, his declaration that we are all one body in Christ Jesus was revolutionary for the pastors and interns who were gathered there. “We must love and care for the foreigners and the oppressed in our country,” he told them. “It is not the teaching of Thai culture that we must follow, but the teaching of our Lord Jesus.”

In response, the Thai pastors all committed themselves then and there, before God and before their Myanmar brothers and sisters, promising to protect and serve one another as partners in God’s kingdom. By God’s amazing grace, we watched the Thai pastors humbly wash the

Myanmar Christians sometimes face double discrimination because they are neither Thai nor are they Buddhist.

feet of the Myanmar pastors and, in turn, the Myanmar brothers and sisters did the same for them. It was a dream come true. As foreign missionaries watching this moving exchange of confession and prayers of blessing, we were left completely undone.

appreciation for how much the other had sacrificed for the Gospel. It brought tears to the eyes of everyone in the room.

It was an answered prayer and a dream come true. At that moment, Dave and I felt so thankful for the years of faithful partnership that we have experienced with our fellow missionaries, our supporting churches, and our national leaders in Southeast Asia. Those years of investment are now yielding the glorious fruit of a partnership of mutuality between the Thai and Myanmar churches. These two people groups are ready to serve together, in fields that are white and ready for the harvest!

PRAY

We witnessed Pastor Naat, a radical Thai evangelist and church planter, wash the feet of Pastor Janu, a Myanmar woman with the same gift set and calling. We watched them intercede for one another with deep emotion, not understanding each other’s language but understanding everything in the Spirit. As single mothers, both had a deep

Please pray for the Church in Thailand, that intercultural partnerships would bring glory to God and lead to effective ministry.

Pray also for Multiply’s partnerships around the world, that they would be characterized by humility, unity, and love.

A new beginning for the Church in Thailand as Myanmar pastors and Thai pastors wash each other’s feet in an unprecedented expression of humility, unity, and love

We watched them intercede for one another with deep emotion, not understanding each other’s language but understanding everything in the Spirit.

River of Life in Arabia

MIDDLE EAST | Mark J.H. Klassen

“When the Middle East opened a door to tourism in a new way recently, we started sending teams there on short-term camping trips,” said Nasser al’Qahtani, Multiply’s Regional Team Leader for North Africa and the Middle East, and leader of a growing network in the region called River of Life. “Now, these trips have developed into a new mission training program.”This past summer, River of Life hosted ACTION Arabia and sent a small team of people from the Midwest US to the Arabian Peninsula to climb rocks and camp in the mountains. For Nasser, who was born and grew up in the region, there were various reasons for organizing the mission training experience, all of which are being realized in meaningful ways.

“A program like this serves multiple purposes,” said Nasser. “First, it provides genuine opportunities for local Muslims to hear the Gospel, many for the very first time. For me, that’s a high priority. On trips like this, dozens of people are exposed to the message of Jesus, mainly through the testimonies of these visitors. It happens in a casual setting, often around a campfire, so people are usually more open to getting to know each other and hearing one another’s stories.”

In a region that has been closed to the Gospel for many years, Nasser also rejoices at the newfound openness of his people to hearing about Jesus. “They are hungry for God,” he said. “The doors are finally open.”

Back in the US, Nasser helped train the ACTION team before the trip. He helped them understand Middle Eastern culture and, as a former Muslim, he equipped them with appropriate ways to communicate the Gospel to Muslims. Then he connected them to a small house church in the country that they visited. For both the visitors and the hosts, this church partnership was fruitful.

A new believer named Mohammed met the team at the airport. He helped host them during their stay, providing further orientation at the beginning, as well as transportation and translation services throughout the visit. Although Mohammed was a part of the local house church, he enjoyed a level of Christian community while hosting the

team that he had never experienced before. At the end of their days together, Mohammed testified, “This week was the spiritual highlight of my life!”

As one of the team’s translators, Mohammed eagerly served them as they shared their faith with locals, even though he was somewhat reluctant to participate in the conversations himself. He was very aware of the threat of persecution if he made his own convictions known, so he was often careful and cautious on his own.

However, one of the unexpected ways that the team had an impact on Mohammed’s life was through one of the participant’s testimonies. One night, around the campfire, Melissa shared her painful story with the group about how she had left the Mormon church. Her decision to follow Jesus brought division in her family and she ended up facing much persecution and making huge sacrifices to stay true to her faith.

For Mohammed, Melissa’s story spoke so clearly to his own predicament of faith and the strain that put on his relationships with family and friends. In a strict Muslim environment, following Jesus often meant public scorn and family shame. But Melissa’s story gave him courage and showed him a way to walk in faith, not fear.

“She has suffered so much,” Mohammed told one of the team members afterward, “yet God has been with her. She understands what we face here when we choose to follow Jesus. Her story has challenged me to be bolder.”

In addition to strengthening the faith of the hosts, Nasser also noted that the trip was a way for team members to test their capacity to live and serve in that part of the world. “It can be an important part of the discernment process for those who are considering long-term service in countries like

At the end of their days together, Mohammed testified, “This week was the spiritual highlight of my life!”

this,” he said simply. “I know of two new workers with Multiply who heard a calling to this region after one of these trips.”

More than that, Nasser loves how God uses the experience to transform the perspective of participants. “Many North Americans see this part of the world as intimidating or even dangerous,” Nasser explained. “But it’s actually a very welcoming place. There are so many negative impressions about Muslim culture, but they don’t really match with reality, especially in terms of the openness and friendliness of the common people.”

In that way, ACTION Arabia was able to facilitate an experience that brought participants into a very casual environment where it was relatively easy to make friends with Muslims and share the Gospel openly with them. “For some, it’s an opportunity to remove the mental block that exists toward Muslims, or even to overcome fear,” Nasser said frankly. “Then it’s so exciting to watch as these team members become advocates for reaching out to Muslims wherever they go, whether back in North America or elsewhere.”

One of Nasser’s favorite images of these experiences is the evening campfire. He insisted that every visiting team bring at least someone who plays guitar and leads worship. They make it a priority to spend time in the evenings around the campfire to sing songs of worship to Jesus and to share stories of his goodness and love. It is in that setting, as fellow climbers and campers have gathered around, that the teams have seen deep intrigue and interest in the eyes of onlookers.

“Local Muslims watch these foreigners worship God and they’re amazed,” said Nasser. “They observe something so intimate and spiritual, but it’s unfamiliar to them, in terms of their own religion. They will often take out their mobile phones to not only record the mesmerizing experience but to share it with their family and friends all over the country.”

Many of these local Muslims had never met North Americans before, and so they watched everything very carefully. They were intrigued by the team’s conversations and behavior. “After a time, they began asking us more and more questions, and listening intently to our answers,” the team leader recalled.

By the end of the week, the team invited several of the locals who had shown interest in learning more about following Jesus to come to their host’s home for fellowship. “They joined us for worship, prayer, and a devotional study, and then watched us celebrate the Lord’s Supper together.”

As the team finally prepared to leave, all were emotional as they said goodbye to their hosts. Mohammed broke down in tears. “Thank you for coming to us,” he said. “Thank you for your love.”

PRAY/GO

Please pray for the Gospel seeds that were planted and watered during ACTION-Arabia and ask God to raise up more harvest workers to partner with the River of Life team.

Two members of the ACTION Arabia team, including the team leader, are currently in longterm missionary training with Multiply.

To speak with someone about current service opportunities in the Middle East and North Africa, call your local Mission Mobilizer at 1.888.866.6267.

Rock climbers from the US are visiting the Middle East and sharing the Gospel with local Muslims.

Friendship is Enough

UKRAINE | Nikki White

“Others were afraid to be with us,” said Alexei, pastor in Ukraine, “but our friends were not afraid.”

Alexei was openly emotional when speaking about his partnership with churches in Lithuania. According to him, it is much more than a functional relationship, it is genuine friendship, one that has been both deepened and challenged by war.

“When you think about friends,” Alexei said, “you do not ask what they can do for you, what you will get from them, because friendship is enough. We never imagined how much our friends in Lithuania would risk for us.”

Pastor Alexei was reflecting on the value of friendship in the midst of war. “It began nine years ago,” he related. “Nine years ago, our friends in Lithuania saw what happened in Crimea. They told us to have faith, that they were with us, that they were coming to help us.”

Under the direction of Lithuanian MB conference leader, Arturas Rulinskas, the churches in Vilnius began to mobilize excursions into Ukraine to bring supplies to displaced families fleeing Crimea. Together with their Lithuanian friends, Alexei and his team from the Heart of Christ MB Church in Berdyansk distributed aid along the frontlines and evacuated people to safety. “So, in 2022, when the next Russian invasion happened,” Alexei said, “Arturas told us that they were prepared to come again, and they did.”

As the fighting intensified, more churches in both countries leaned into the collaborative relief efforts. Before long, international teams from North America, Germany, Netherlands, and elsewhere began to partner with the Lithuanian conference in coordinating relief efforts in Ukraine and resettlement of the displaced. Today, those initiatives remain efficient, targeted, and organized. While this church partnership runs like a well-oiled machine, Alexei insists that it is, above all, very much a friendship.

“I went to Lithuania,” said Alexei. “I saw for myself, with my own eyes, how they care for my people. Church people pray together with us, sing together, like brothers. Many speak Russian, so we understand each other. We share about everything,” he said, “everything, as friends do.”

Now, approximately every three months a team from Lithuania, often in conjunction with North American supporters and coordinated by Regional Team Leader, Johann Matthies, goes into Ukraine to bring aid. More than practical help, these teams bring hope for the future.

“Ukraine is broken. No homes, no jobs, no community.” Alexei paused. “Our people need hope and vision. We cannot do it alone. The future is built through friendship.”

Building a future through friendship: Lithuanian church leaders, Sigitas and Valdas, with Alexei from Ukraine

Vamos con todo!

(Let’s give it our all)

USA | Mark J.H. Klassen

“My heart is to see our English-speaking churches partnering closely with our Spanish-speaking churches here in California,” said Silvia Lopez, Mission Training Coordinator for Multiply in Fresno, California, who recently helped re-start two Mission Training Programs, SOAR Mexico and SOAR Fresno. “But I know it’s not always easy.”

As a Latina in California, Silvia is very familiar with the gaps between people groups due to different languages and cultures. She knows the barriers that exist between many Spanish speakers and English speakers in the US. “I’m a child of an immigrant family,” she shared. “I know the discrimination that Latinos face. So many have been put

down, their self-esteem torn apart, being told again and again that they can’t do it, that they’re not worthy. It’s not easy to build community when people feel like that.”

According to Silvia, even in a place like Fresno, immigrants often feel uncomfortable and insecure in certain parts of the city, depending on their background, their language, and the color of their skin. However, she was also quick to recognize that she has been given opportunities that many Latinos have not. “I have English. I have education. I have legal status,” she clarified. “I’ve been empowered to help bring about change, and I believe that God is able to break down the barriers between us so we can experience unity.”

As a follower of Jesus, Silvia was inspired by the vision of togetherness in the Book of Revelation. She references the description in Revelation 7:9 of a great multitude that no one can number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and worshipping God together. “One day, this will be our reality,” she said. “So why not now?”

In 2020, Silvia was almost finished her master’s degree in Ministry, Leadership, and Culture at Fresno Pacific University, and she prayed, “Okay, God, I’m almost done here. What’s next?”

At the time, she needed one more cross-cultural experience before her degree was completed. So, she contacted Galen Wiest at Multiply. That meeting quickly led to an open door in Mexico when Silvia stayed with Multiply workers, Israel and Sandra Chavez, in Guadalajara, which led to an opportunity to serve with La Cantera Church among migrants making their way north to the US border. One day, as she walked along the railway tracks among hundreds of needy people, Silvia came face to face with a two-year old boy named Alexander who was homeless and living near the tracks with his mother.

“It was his birthday,” she recalled. “Our team gathered around this little boy, and we sang happy birthday and prayed for him. When I looked into Alexander’s eyes, in that moment, I

California youth come together and serve at SOAR Fresno

saw the brokenness of humanity, and I was confronted with God’s voice in Isaiah 6:8, saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’ And I told God, ‘I’ll serve you with Multiply, and I’ll do whatever I can to help churches become unified, so you can be glorified. Vamos con todo. Let’s give it our all!”

When Silvia joined Multiply in 2022, she left her position as youth pastor at Iglesia Adonai, her Spanish-speaking home church in Fresno, where she had served for the past six years. With Multiply, she was eager to get involved in programs that brought different cultures together in collaborative mission efforts, like the SOAR program.

“It was a beautiful beginning,” she said of this year’s version of SOAR Fresno, which brought together over forty participants from Spanish-speaking churches and eight from Englishspeaking churches. “Again, we saw a diverse group of people working together in amazing ways. We saw fusion unity among the participants. But, in some ways, it was a small beginning.”

As the program director, Silvia also struggled with the growing pains of re-starting a program. “Honestly, I was disappointed at first that there wasn’t more balance in the numbers of participants from English and Spanish churches. But God spoke to me so clearly, inviting me to keep trusting him. I can be his hands and feet, but he’s the one who will do the work.”

As Silvia took God’s word to heart, she started hearing from churches, saying, “Let’s do SOAR again next year! We’re here to help you. How can we make this bigger and better than last year?” Her heart was encouraged, and she prayed again, “Vamos con todo.”

This past summer, when Silvia hosted SOAR Mexico, there were ten participants from California who spoke both Spanish and English, and eight participants from Washington who only spoke English. “At first, they didn’t know what to expect from each other,” she said. “It was awkward and difficult. They didn’t know how to interact.”

According to Silvia, it wasn’t just the language barrier. It was all the basic cultural differences around personal space, humor, and food. “In the morning, we’re all eating beans,” she recalled, “and someone says, ‘Where’s my cereal?’ It’s funny, but it’s real.”

Eventually, things changed. “As we did devotionals together, and ate together, and we did team building activities,” Silvia explained, “the ice began to break, and people began to feel more comfortable with each other.”

It still wasn’t easy, according to Silvia, but it was worth the effort. “They were speaking very basic Spanish, using sign language, and reading facial expressions, but they were able to work together. It was beautiful. By the end, they were embracing one another and experiencing a unity and harmony that goes beyond language.”

Later, when Silvia hosted SOAR Fresno, the theme was taken from Jesus’ prayer for his disciples in John 17:23, “that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know…” Her vision for SOAR Fresno was an equal partnership between Spanish-speaking churches and English-speaking churches in the Central Valley. For her, the word “fusion” came to mind, defined as “two elements coming into a state of completion.”

Silvia’s passion for God is evident, as is her hunger for unity. She sees so many positive signs of God’s faithfulness around her, among the churches, among co-workers, and on the campus at Fresno Pacific. “God is working,” she declared with faith and confidence. “Maybe sometimes we feel like it’s not at the pace that we desire, but good things are happening.”

Silvia is not only excited about the future of SOAR programs in Mexico and Fresno, but she is also pouring herself into other initiatives like a multi-church youth meeting called “Living Your Life on Mission” which is scheduled for November 15 at Reedley MB Church. She envisions two hundred people youth and young adults gathered to be inspired and trained to live for God wherever they are. “We’re bringing in missionaries, coaches, and different speakers who will testify about their own journey of faith and how they have embraced their calling into mission.”

Silvia herself has embraced that call. “God gives each of us a calling on planet earth that only we can fulfill,” she explained about her own journey, and her vision for unity. “And with that calling comes this passion, this drive, and you just have to be working at that, and striving to see it come to pass. That’s my ultimate vision—to see churches unified, celebrating diversity, and partnering in mission.”

As Silvia gives everything, she is inviting others to join her, “Vamos con todo. Let’s give it our all!”

SERVE

To learn more about SOAR Fresno and SOAR Mexico, go to multiply.net/soar

“That’s my ultimate vision—to see churches unified, celebrating diversity, and partnering in mission.”

Touching the Dust of Uganda

An Interview with Robert Mponye and Doug Hiebert

Eric Geddes

Eric: How is Multiply’s work in Uganda an example of holistic ministry?

Doug: Robert and his wife have five children of their own and take in many more children. With such a big family, they have learned to be intentional about engaging with all areas of people’s lives in the community, not just one.

Robert: My wife and I, together with our Lifehouse Community Church, run King’s Kid School. We have over three hundred children at this school, some of whom are orphans and others whose parents can’t afford to give them an education elsewhere. The ministry is holistic in

that it is not only focused on educating children but on teaching them how to live dignified lives from a Christian perspective. We also focus on training and equipping church leaders through Lifehouse Community Church.

Doug: The school is seeking to be a good role model for the community in practical ways. For example, the electric pump that was used to provide water for the school recently broke down. We decided that the whole community would benefit from seeing a solar system implemented, with a pump that is powered by the sun rather than costly electricity.

Robert: The water on the grid here always fluctuates, so this project could inspire the community to better provide for themselves. The plan is to also install gutters on the school roof, to show how rainwater water can be collected. We are trying to address practical needs like these.

Eric: What has been the local impact of this ministry?

Robert: About forty single mothers in the community have come to us for help with supporting their children. With the aid of Multiply, King’s Kid School is now supporting these mothers in self-sustaining initiatives such as farming. Some schools may be more concerned with making sure kids pass tests, keeping parents happy so they will keep paying school fees. At King’s Kid School, we are concerned with education, but also the physical and spiritual welfare of the children and their families.

Doug: The school has a significant spiritual impact on the community. Students are learning about their identity in Christ and their purpose in this world. The hope is that, when they leave school, they will make a difference in their communities and become world changers in every way—economically, morally, and spiritually.

Eric: How did the two of you become ministry partners?

Robert: Our partnership was kickstarted years ago by Doug Penner, who came with a team on short-term ministry to our community. Our hearts connected. Later, he introduced me to Doug Hiebert, who was living in Burundi at the time. Since then, we have been working together.

Doug: When Robert and I connected through Doug Penner, the idea of partnership emerged. It started with me going to visit Robert in Uganda, and then Robert coming to Canada.

Robert: Kingdom of God partnership is what we are pursuing. It’s not about who is receiving and who is giving, it’s about each of us both receiving and giving. For me, that’s healthy partnership, but it requires each partner to be flexible. It’s been that way with interchurch partnerships in Africa as well. When we do outreach events, it all comes down to unity and trust, and unity can ignite a whole village as they watch us coming together in a demonstration of the love of God.

Doug: Robert’s visits to North America have also helped our churches there become more directly involved in supporting the King’s Kid School. There has been one church in particular that has developed a partnership with the school. These relationships grow over time as we spend time together face to face with pastors and

mission teams and as we take opportunities to speak to the congregation on a Sunday morning and take part in evening events.

Eric: How can people get involved in this partnership?

Doug: We’ve seen the value of vision trips, when church leaders from North America visit the ministry in Uganda and see firsthand what God is doing there. These trips are often a big step in deepening relationships between churches, Multiply, and our partners in Uganda. Multiply facilitates vision trips to various countries around the world.

Robert: As well, Multiply has put stories and videos about King’s Kid School on their website, which is a great way for North Americans to see what is going on here. Then they have opportunities to become involved through praying, giving, or coming to serve.

Eric: What have you learned from each other?

Robert: I have learned how to receive respect and honor from North Americans. Sometimes, Africans can be very need-oriented when it comes to ministry, looking only to receive financially. I am learning to be more visionminded, to receive the offer of partnership with North Americans who are asking us, as peers, “How we can do this, together?”

Doug: For me, it’s been great getting to know Robert and learning from his perspective on things. Uganda is unique, so I need to listen carefully to Robert as he communicates about his context. We both have things to learn from each other and rubbing shoulders together has been invaluable. I always look forward to my time with Robert in Uganda. Partnership is about building relationships and creating bonds, being together and seeing how each other lives. For me, it’s about seeing Robert’s world with my own eyes, touching the dust of Uganda with my own hands and feet, shaking hands and making Africa real to me, not just a place far away. This level of togetherness is found in no other way.

GIVE

To learn more about Multiply’s ministry in Uganda and to find ways to contribute financially to this dynamic partnership, go to multiply.net/uganda

To learn more about vision trips with Multiply, contact your local Mission Mobilizer at 1.888.866.6267.

The White Guys with the Bouncy Castle

CANADA | Nikki White

“When I first heard about what Zach was doing among First Nations youth, I remember thinking, ‘We could totally help with that!’” said Mike Olynyk, Student Ministries Pastor at South Abbotsford MB Church. “Honestly, I had no idea how much I had to learn.”

Mike first met Zach Hillman, Pastor of Gateway Community Church in Port Alberni, B.C., at a youth pastor’s retreat. Zach was a young church planter with a vision for sharing the Gospel with the youth in his community, particularly youth from the Hupacasath and Tseshaht First Nations, which are part of the Nuu-chah-nulth people group of the western coast of Vancouver Island. Ever since Mike and his wife, Cheryl, first launched the church in 2015, they had been intentional about reaching out to these youth.

“I could see Zach’s missionary heart,” Mike related. “He was already doing a lot with First Nations youth, like an afterschool arts program, and some other educational activities with moms in the community.”

Mike and Zach hit it off immediately and began brainstorming about partnering in mission to the First Nations of this region.

“I was pretty confident,” Mike confessed. “I mean, we had been doing day camps and summer camps for a long time, sending teams to Kamloops and California. Gateway Church resources were limited, but South Abbotsford had a strong volunteer base. Thinking about Port Alberni, I was already excited about loving on these kids and sharing Jesus. We also had things like a GaGa Ball Pit and a Bouncy Castle. I was sure they would be a big hit. After all, they’re just kids, like any other kids. Plus, their parents would be relieved to send them off to play with us for the day, right?”

Mike shook his head. “I was so naïve.”

Zach took time to tell Mike some of the painful history of the First Nations people in his region, stories of displacement and abuse. He explained the degree of hurt

and mistrust that existed between the Indigenous peoples of Canada and European settlers. Recent discoveries of the unmarked graves of Indigenous children at Residential Schools had only widened that divide and highlighted the generational trauma inflicted on First Nations families over hundreds of years.

“That’s when I started to realize that I knew nothing,” Mike said. “ Nothing. ”

The two pastors agreed that any team coming from South Abbotsford MB would need cross-cultural training before launching any kind of summer camp program in Port Alberni. John Johnstone, Multiply’s Indigenous worker among First Nations in Western Canada, was invited to do an interactive historical reenactment called the Blanket Exercise. In the exercise, participants are given various roles to play and, as the history is retold, huddled groups of surviving Indigenous people are left standing on ever-shrinking blankets laid on the floor, having dolls torn from their arms in a vivid portrayal of the appropriation of First Nations children. By then, Mike’s youth team and leaders were in tears, as was he.

“Suddenly I’m thinking about all our plans in a different light,” Mike shared. “What were we doing? Who did we think we were, telling First Nations parents and grandparents to send us their kids?”

In the end, it was Zach’s credibility in the community that made the difference and bridged the gap of suspicion. Zach and Mike had been hoping that a few First Nations

Zach took time to tell Mike some of the painful history of the First Nations people in his region, stories of displacement and abuse.

children would show up for the activities, but they were flabbergasted when 102 children and youth showed up. According to Zach, the children told their parents that they just wanted to check out the white guys with the Bouncy Castle.

“There were some things that just broke our hearts right away,” Mike remembered. “Like, these families are in real poverty, and their kids came hungry. It was midday when they heard our parade down the street, and they came without eating any breakfast or lunch. We were not prepared for that. ”

Zach also connected Mike and his team with a trauma rehabilitation center for First Nations families affected by racism and historic oppression. “They invited us to go and share a meal with the families and hang out and play with the youth there,” Mike said. “These kids were dealing with a lot of hard stuff. It meant a lot for them to break loose and just have fun.”

As the week progressed, and the local youth and children began to engage in the activities, Mike and Zach and their teams poured out as much love as they possibly could. By the end of the week, the First Nations youth and their families were invited to attend a Sunday church service and a BBQ. Many did, out of curiosity. Some did so with cynicism, expecting the usual bait-and-switch that churches had done with their people in the past. Instead, they were surprised to find themselves listening not to a sermon from the pulpit, but to an apology.

Mike spoke. “I didn’t know a lot of your history. I was ignorant. I’m so sorry for what the Church did, for what we did to your people. That was not Jesus.”

Afterward, one First Nations woman told Mike that this was the first time she had ever heard a white man apologize in person.

“I came back changed,” said Mike, “and wondering how we could do more to build bridges with the First Nations people groups in our own community, around Abbotsford.”

Mike and Zach remain friends, and South Abbotsford has now sent youth teams to partner in Port Alberni for the last four summers. “It’s different every time,” said Mike. “The community is transient, and we don’t always see the same families. But Zach, he’s there, on the ground, meeting with the Indigenous elders, learning their language.”

Gateway Community Church has a statement on their website: Nobody is perfect. Everybody is welcome. Anything is possible. “For me and my team,” said Mike, “that sums up everything we learned about this ministry, and about partnership.”

LEARN

To learn more about Multiply’s Indigenous Ministries in North America, contact your local Mission Mobilizer at 1.888.866.6267.

Teams from South Abbotsford Church are partnering with Gateway Community Church in Port Alberni, B.C. “Nobody is perfect. Everybody is welcome. Anything is possible.”

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