The Messenger November 16, 1973

'Kft ;

S

*' '~

R/'-"

;•■I

4 A:, <7

L

“

'' i-

'J I

p<

f-'

■

II

Notice of Meeting Missions Advisory Council December 1, 9:00 a.m.

r -i

November 16, 1973

Vol 11 No. 23

,7'-J Conference Council December 1,1:30 p.m. ATBLUMENORTCHURCH

® •

»s^

WIf

'. -

'--51^; .

a

; '• ’y

.<1

■

vq

»

jajiiiiiSij

/

'•■■

■£

■*

=•'. 'JI'

"The pastor should feel that he is a decent and adequate person even when he preaches the world's worst sermon..."

Am I preaching or unloading personal problems?

1

by Qarence Labun

I. The Hazards of High Callings

John P. Kildahl of New York iThe .Minister's Own Mental Health I. a psychotherapist with ministerial training and some parish experience, puts it this way' "When personal needs become so enmeshed with the program he espouses that one cannot deter­ mine where one stops and the other starts", one is in for trouble .More bluntly put. when the therapist benefits more than the client from therapy sessions, he should stop charging for the time. Almost every minister believes he is in the most important voca­ tion in the world, and this is an awesome responsibility. His work Ls never done. He may not have the statu.s — or elicit the fear of a doctor or lawyer — but expectations are certainly of a high calibre in that his motivations are expected to be more noble, his thoughts more pure, his life more dedicated and his sacrifices more gen­ erous. When hLs vocation becomes his whole reason for living, and the pastor becomes so identified with his work that he cannot separate himself from it. it becomes the sole source of his emotion­ al security, i.e.. the fulfillment of his wishes for prestige, self-re­ spect and respect of society. For anyone so entirely wrapped up in hLs vocation, any failure in hLs work becomes an intensely person­ al failure — with attendant emotional distress. The danger when he says "I must build the church " may be an emphasis on "I must" rather than "the church ". One might say at this point that the pastor is no longer serving the church. Here Kildahl suggests the need for non-professional satisfactions. He belabours the point that many pastors think their work so im­ portant that it is worthy to occupy their every waking moment. The promotion of the faith becomes their whole existence, so that they eat. sleep, and breathe religion and religious programs, and all the things that make them feel worthwhile are then relat­ ed to the church program. The suggestion is that the non-profes­ sional life be so satisfying that the need to use the church's activitie.s or people as a means for gaining a sense of well being are not required. The pastor should feel that he is a decent and adequate person, even when he is preaching the world's worst sermon, has his of­ ficial board ready to lynch him. and sorely offends the president of the Ladie.s Aid. If he can be this free from the pressures that sur­ round him. it is axiomatic that he will do a great work in the parish. Kildahl mentions five needs that need to be met in part outside the church program. 1. A feeling of self esteem and moral worth. Dr. Labun, until his death in 1972, was a psychiatrist at the Eden Mental Health Centre. Winkler, Manitoba. This is the text of an ad­ dress he gave at the Ministers' Course, MBBC, in 1972. It is reprinted by permission of DIRECTION, publication of the Mennonite Brethren higher education institutions in Canada and the USA.

Page 2

2. A feeling of being able to cope with one's environment 3. Meaningful interpersonal relationships. 4. Oral, excretory, genital and motor satisfactions. 5. A unifying view of life that gives coherence and direction to one's existence. One should not put all one's egg in one basket. If the minister be­ gins to press too hard and he becomes too involved to be objective he suffers personalty with every minor delay and the parishoners begin to resent the fact that they are being used by him.

II. The Healthy Minister How then may the minister dedicate his life and health to God with obedience and clarity of purpose? By courageously facing and dealing with the impediments of past and present commitments that obscure his vision of God and un­ derstanding of his purpose. Such entanglements may relate to un­ resolved conflicts with parent figures, siblings, and other personal problems. He may feel limited, bound, isolated, and diverted by confusing the folk ways and traditions of his flock with the pur­ pose for which he is to minister. He may even reject completely the proven ways of functioning of the professionally educated class of people and become overworked, confused, and frustrated to the point of sickness from sheer neglect of the disciplines of the minis­ try on behalf of a sense of calling from God and a need to have a "chummy" friendship with everybody to whom he has to minis­ ter. He may be able to maintain his quilibrium in a small church, but could not become the pastor of a larger group without cutting down some part of his responsibility or by becoming sick or dis­ abled in some way. When he studies the lives of great pastors and develops an im­ age of "the man of God " which seemed to suit that day. his stu­ dies in seminary and the modern setting of the large, usually city church, just do not lend themselves to the same role. Pastoral care and public relations, then, seem to be only some of the duties he may be called upon to fill. He may find himself "turning professional " in a secular defini­ tion of the term and neglect the distinctly pastoral purpose in hLs life. To maintain his ideal he may have to recognize his work as both pastoral and professional, participating as a man who has his commission from God and as one who has grasped the treasures of empirical science to fulfil this commission. The healthy minister, in other words, is one who can bring things both old and new from his treasure, see the relation be­ tween them, and through prayer and discipline cause them to glorify God in the love of his neighbour. There are two sources of weakness here. A) HLs flock may expect the minister to know more about his role than they do. while the minister may expect them to work for him.

THE MESSENGER

B) The "chummy” kind of minister tends to reject the distinctly spiritual content of his role and is left to face the demands of the role with no more resources than if he had ever been ordained. How can these weaknesses be overcome? Well, by teaching his flock what to expect. The pastor is not overworked by the many things he does, but because he does not know how to plan his time for the things that he uniquely can do. What may the flock expect?

1. That the pastor will pass opportunities for the "limelight" around to others — younger ministers, other workers in the church, and so on. 2. He will learn more than one pastoral resource for meeting peo­ ple's needs, e.g.. he may decide between a visit, a telephone call, a letter, or a group meeting. He may choose five half hour con­ ferences with one person rather than a whole afternoon at the ex­ pense of his sermon preparation for that night. He may draw on the resources of professional or business people in his community, and so help to bring the "love of God and neighbour" to those who need it. 3. In order to maintain directness it is necessary to stay in con­ trol of one's feelings. There is the danger of becoming hostile, re­ sentful. uncertain and guilt ridden. The first lesson here is to get the church to support the minister by a salary and not through pri­ vate gifts. The second lesson is to be aware of his hostile and guilty feelings and channel them toward justified and worthy targets even in the presence of authority figures. He must cease to waste his ammunition on small and unworthy targets, and maintain his sense of humor in the presence of darker feelings. 4. He may work through his hostilities with a group of other ministers or professional people. 5. He will learn best to practice directness and to express his true feelings in his own face to face encounter with God in prayer. Dr. Wayne E. Oates, from whom much of this material is taken, says that the Psalms have been of lasting help here because they help articulate the inmost strivings. If some hyper-pious scribe had been allowed to edit these out of Scripture some of the chafings of spirit, the blazings of anger, and the direct challenges of the spirit would never have found words before God. 6. The minster must keep himself from becoming stuffy by at­ tending elsewhere than in a religious atmosphere sometimes. Jesus was the friend of publicans and sinners. He learned their language from them, and not in the temple. .A Christian must seek those out­ side the church not just for their good, but for his own. Thus he stays in touch with life and human need. He may benefit from "upgrading " in a setting other than the theological. Vacation time may also be useful for this. 7. The minister must know what he is getting paid for. He cannot escape a burden of guilt if he does not know what he has been hired for and if he does not do his duty. Certain groups and individuals must not take away all his time so that he can not tend his flock. III. Basic Personal Problems

Immature behaviour on the part of a pastor is often indicative of deep-seated emotional problems. Lack of trust, doubt, guilt and lovelessness are very basic faults that may reflect developmental deficiencies in early childhood. These may be considered to be spiritual deficiencies, but have been well described by Erik Erik­ son in the psychiatric sense as defects in development of trust, autonomy, and initiative in interpersonal relationships. Tournier, in his book The Person Reborn gives some background to this de­ scription in the chapter "Technology or Faith". He states that there are some whom technology seems unable to reach, and on the contrary, there are some who have been greatly helped by tech­ nology and have then been able to receive faith and hope. Further­ more, technology has been of great help in understanding the Christian ministry of soul-healing. Bovet says that. "Anxiety finds its sustenance in the past, its oc­ casion in some physical weakness in the present and its speci-

November 16,1973

ficity in fear of the unknown future. It is the job of the psycholo­ gical technique to explore and liquidate the past, that of physical technique to rectify the present, and that of faith to illuminate the future with the same assurance of God's love." For example, a person may be dominated by an unconscious complex and be blinded in his consciousness of it. He is unable to see his wrong behaviour in those areas ruled by his complex. He may display unbridled aggressiveness and have no conviction of sin on account of it. He will be unable to see that it contradicts the brotherly love that he believes in. He may be cured al by a spiritual experience that suddenlv opens his eves, brings a conviction of sin concerning his aggressiveness, and leads him to recognize the comple.x which is its cause. On the other hand b) he may be cured by a psychological treatment which makes him aware of his com­ plex and from there he may come to a realization of the aggressive­ ness that flows from it. and to see that this aggressiveness is a sin which he can bring to God and give up. Technique has here brought out a result that is spiitual. The Complex of Exploiting the Clerical Profession Some clergymen consciously or unconsciously exploit their pro­ fession to satisfy childhood needs for attention. Children who are insecure or lack affection endeavor to obtain these things by at­ tracting attention to themselves. We are familiar with the child who makes a nuisance of himself by "showing off”. But as the child grows, he is usually able to satisfy his needs for affection and se­ curity in a way consistent with his stage of development. Of course, other men may also suffer from immaturity and depend on "sta­ tus prestige" to bolster their ego. Such men often have a need to be authoritarian and depend on their admirers for inner security. Other signs of immaturity are the constant threats and hostility that some pastors manifest in their preaching. A pastor may think that he is trying to warn the evil doer, and be unaware that his mo­ tive is not love but anger. Closely related is the "suffering" minis­ ter. The unconscious seeking after suffering has been termed ma­ sochism. Its roots are said to be in early childhood, when the child cannot obtain attention or gratification except by rough handling or punishment. This may become a self inflicted handicap that has no relationship to the genuine love for God. Those who make un­ usual sacrifices may be experiencing infantile needs for punish­ ment which are not due to obedience to righteousness but have emotional implications. This may also be the root of asceticism. A minister who is excessively rigid and unable to acknowledge the possibility that an opposing viewpoint has validity may be re­ vealing fear and insecurity. Maturity implies flexibility and the capacity to modify one's point of view. Men — take note. It is not only a woman's prerogative to chang her mind, but sometimes a sign of mature thinking. A particularly vicious fault is that of projection to impute one's own character disturbances or deviations upon another person. Jesus talks about that in the sermon on the mount when he refers to the splinter in the other person's eye. The beam in one's own eye had escaped detection. A rule of thumb is to note that what we hate in others is often most threatening to ourselves. Jesus also said. "Judge not. that ye be not judged. " Inability to forgive is a sign of immaturity. A terrific pace may reveal a desire to atone for conscious or unconscious misdeeds. Guilt and repressed anxiety may be found in such persons. Occasionally there may be frustrations or dis­ harmony in the family. There may be a compulsion to be a leader and to prove that at least in the parish and community one is an ac­ ceptable and needed person. Jesus was aware of these things when he mentioned the proverb in Luke 4;23 "Physician heal thyself", to the people of Nazareth. He was unable to do acceptable work in that town, and had to go elsewhere to receive a hearing. May God help u.s to work where he has placed us.

Page 3

EDIT

lALS Fear of man brings a snare

• There were they in great fear: for God Ls in the generation of the righteous." Psalm 14:5.

If all the reasons for Christians not sharing their faith with the world were listed I suppose the fear of man would come near the top. In a survey I once conducted 21 out of 47 gave this reason. "Tm afraid of what the person may think." D. Stuart Briscoe pastor of the Elmbrook Church, Brook­ field. Wisconsin in a Moody Founders week address last year remarked, 'One of the strange things in the Church of Jesu.s Christ today is the fear for the world." He was using Psalm 14 for his text and remarking on verse five of that Psalm he said, "Its supposed to be the other way around." He goes on: ■'God is alive in the generation of the righteous, and the people who aren't alive in Him are afraid. They are afraid of the ones in whom God is alive. What's happening today'.' Those in whom God is alive are afraid. . We have other clear instances in Scripture where we see this fear in these in whom God is not alive. Take for instance the inhabitants of Jericho when they heard of the Israelites. Rahab testifies that, "all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you." iJos. 2:91.

Fear of the righteous motivated the hearts of the rulers, elders and scribes in the early stages of the church, to threat­ en the apostles not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. I Acts 4:181. We may be taking a verse out of its context but the writer of the Old Testament book of Proverbs puts it well when he states, "The fear of man bringeth a snare." (Pr. 29 :25i.This is also. I suspect, the basic hang-up when it comes to witnessing for Christ, the fear of man. .Maybe a bit of homely advice would serve to bolster our faith. The maxim has served me well at times. It is this. "Do the thing you fear to do and the death of fear is cer­ tain." This i.s all it sometime.s takes. Try it next time you are afraid of a duty or assignment. It is said that General Paton was once asked if he was ever afraid. He had admitted that he was often afraid but added. ‘I never take counsel of my fears." In other word.s he did not permit his fears to control him. We can kill our fear by action. This does not minimize faith because faith without works is dead, according to James. Faith is an antidote for fear, but true faith is accompanied by action. We go forth with all the prom­ ises of God to back us up. We are more than conquerors. - D.S.

Cover Photo The sky-line of downtown Winnipeg has changed to such an extent in the last ten years or so that people coming on the scene suddenly would have a hard time placing every­ thing. Of help is one old landmark seen on the extreme right, the Fort Garry Hotel. Seen just off center is the new Richardson building. Greater Winnipeg with its estimated 500.000 population has some 342 churches and synagogues, according to the Telephone Directory. The EMC has three churches in Winnipeg as well as the Euclid Mission, a branch of the Braeside work. Braeside has the largest congregation with about 190 members. Next comes Crestview with 58 and Aberdeen with 50 members. Although 342 churches and synagogues seem like an awful lot it still means that there are some 1461 population for

each onel None of our EMC churches in Winnipeg would even hold half of these. The inference of course is that there are a lot of unchurched people in our capital city. In the light of this would it be unrealistic if we started three more churches in Winnipeg? The spacing of our EMC churches in the city is excellent — East and West. South and North is a different matter. It might therefore be in order, if our next church were on the south side, somewhere in the university area. This would accomodate our university students who live in the area and who may find it difficult to find means of get­ ting to our other three churches. I believe a church in this vicinity could have the potential of a very fruitful ministry. —D. S.

THE MESSENGER. Published every other week by Evangelical Mennonite Conference, tsoard of Education and Publication. Box 1268, Steinbach, Manitoba. Second Class Mail, Regi.s-tration Number 0591. Undeliverable copies, change of address and new subscriptions should be mailed to the above address.

Page 4

THE MESSENGER

AVIKSIOKS .

I

to return to our Bible School the coming term. Fourteen full time and two part time students completed the three and one-half month term. The students came from as far away as 60 miles, and the tribes represented were the North and South Lengua. Sanapana, and Toba. Subjects instructed were New and Old Testament, music. Spanish, homiletics, reading, writing, arithmetic, and instead of homiletics, the women had cooking and sewing. These Indians showed a great desire to study and learn more about God's Word, and especially when it came to specific topics like baptism or prayer. Our aim is to train more national workers so that they can more efficient­ ly serve our Master. —John J. Doerksen Perseculion... church growth

The Bible school class of 1973 at La Esperanza, Paraguay S.A. School building may be seen in back.

La Esperanza Bible School 1973 •’Teaching them to observe all that I school. Only You know the amount of have commanded you: and lo. .1 am spiritual gain of these students: and we with you always, to the close of the ask You to continue to work in and through them as they go back to their age." Thank you. heavenly Father, not only own people. Amen. •Hasta proxima ano." said Jose, an for this promise in Matthew 28:20, but that you have also shown us that you 18-year-old lad. after I had taken him keep your promise, and that this has to his own village and given him been a reality for us during the past his last baggage. Not only Jose but also three and one-half months of Bible the other fellows expressed their desire

A Bible School Class receiving instruction in baking. The bakeoven may be seen on left.

The following news release comes from Quito, Ecuador. It concerns the growth of the Quichua church in the mountainous regions of Ecuador. The Quichua church grows on. On Sunday. October 14, some 400 Quichuas gathered at Llinllin in the province of Chimborazo for baptism of 90 new Quichua believers and for the dedica­ tion of the church there. Two Quichua pastors baptized these brethren in a nearby frigid mountain stream. At the close of the service nine more Indians made a profession of faith in Christ, Fifty-one Indians were baptized on October 21 in a village called Chimborazo in the province of the same. This means that virtually the entire village of about 20 families has turned to the Lord as quite a number from there were baptized some time ago.

Seen are the male students who completed their term at the La Esperanza Bible School this year. Both the buildings seen in the background were used for classrooms.

God's spirit is truly moving in an ex­ ceptional way among the Quichua In­ dians. This young church is gaining momentum as the following figures illustrate. In 1954 there were no baptized belie­ vers even though the gospel had been preached there for many years. The first church came into being in 1956 with eight baptized believers. By 1968 there were 11 churches with 315 iaaptized members and approximately 335 unbaptized believers. In 1972 956 were baptized bringing the total baptized membership to 2356 and the total num­ ber of believers to 4300. This expansion has and is taking place in face of severe persecution borne both by the national believers and the missionaries. Persecution i.s known to be the seed of the church here because where persecution strikes, the establish­ ment and growth of the church usually follows. The story of the Quichua church shows to us that in spite of adversity the church grows, reminding us that the words of Christ are applicable in our day. "The powers of death shall not prevail against the church." Let us thank God and continue to intercede on behalf of missions. - Henry Klassen

Mission^Grams Raleigh, North Carolina

At North Carolina State University approximately forty students are invol­ ved in five dormitory Bible Study groups. Also one group in the married stu­ dent housing. The students are presently busy with follow-up work of the Billy Graham Crusade. I am presently involved with them in Bible study, evange lism. programing and leadership training. At East Carolina University twenty students are meeting weekly for fellow­ ship. I visit the campus each month. Urbana '73 is coming this Christmas. Much of my time now is taken up with discussing missions with students and the possibility of theii attending Urbana. Also I have been showing preview film and speaking in churches to raise scholarship money tor students. - Grant Loewen Paraguay "El Pastor”, a Spanish paper directed to native ministers, school teach­ ers and other leaders, is being sent out - 400 copies weekly. This is sent to five tribes. "Sacoc aepayvam’ ’ (The Voice of the Daughter), a Lengau paper with a circulation of 300 copies is directed to women and girls. It is to help them read. Mr Lepp is editor of both papers. Our Lengua are preparing a baptismal service. Eight candidates have ap­ plied. -John Doerksen

El Paso, Texas

There is a young man. Victor, who we think is dying of cancer. He has read much Christian literature in the past year and he prayed to receive Christ just before going to the hospital where he is now lingering be­ tween life and death. .Although his body i.s very sick, his mind is clear and he seems to understand everything we say. His mother's attitude toward the Gospel seems good now. so we hope that before long she too will be­ long to the Lord. As we study or counsel with the believers, every once in a while they'll make some re­ mark that really encourages us and should stir us and the Christians standing behind us to greater faithfulness in praying and tak­ ing out the Gospel. The other day a mother said. "I am not like I was. 1 am a different person. But my children I The Bible says we arc to teach them when they are small and I have not done it. and now they are on the I wrong way!". . .She burst into sobs. Doris Thiessen

Page 6

Former workers reunion Friday, November 2 saw the reunion of a number of former workers of the Bad Gandersheim Children’s Home, Bad Gandersheim, Germany. The occasion was the visit of director Levi Reimer to the Southern Manitoba area. Gathering at the home of Mr and Mrs Peter Goertzen (standing on right) Stein­ bach were front row left to right, Esther Reimer, Fisher Branch; Jan Toews, Steinbach; Ruth Schellenberg, Steinbach; Mary Loewen, Morris. Sec. row Alvina Reimer, Steinbach, Priscilla Reimer, Blumenort, Levi Reimer, Germany. Standing: Timmy Reimer, Germany (attending SBI in Steinbach) and Mr and Mrs Herb Hamm with son Joel of Altona.

THE MESSENGER

FROM

HOUSE

TO TO

HOUSE

"FROM A HOUSE TO A MANSION" Have you ever noticed, as you have travelled here and there, the many houses that are empty; houses that look old, paintless and decrepit? As we jour­ neyed through some territory new to u^ recently we noticed a big farm home on a hill - empty, some of its windows brok­ en, the paint worn off from age and weather. Another house down in a valley near a river looked forlorn and lonely, its occupants having long gone. Some pieces of old machinery stood near a barn whose skeleton was badly misshap­ en. No doubt, at one time in by-gone days homes such as these were places of much life, activity and happiness. But the occupants leave to go to a better place, another home, to them perhaps a mansion. I like to think of our physical body.

L

r

this framework we have, as a house. Someday we will leave this body (the home of the real you and I) which be­ comes worn out and decrepit as the years go by, and we will go to a better place a mansion. The old house which re­ mains behind will fade and decay, but we will have moved to a better house; and to go there we need not worry about packing or taking any excess baggage. Our new home will have everything we need in it, and it will be ready upon our arrival. In the gospel of John chapter 14: 1 - 4 Jesus gives us this promise. We will only need to meet one condi­ tion (as found in John 3:16) and then when our time comes to go, a mansion will be ready and waiting for us.

sins?" I asked him. He only shrugged his shoulders. "Didn't you accept Jesus two years ago, and didn't he forgive you then?" "Partly." he answered be­ tween sobs. We read the verse together —as well as a few others. I tried to ex­ plain to him that it didn't matter when he made his decision as long as he knew he was God's child. Furthermore, He wants us to cast all our sins and cares upon Him and then we have to BELIEVE that they're gone. He dried his eyes, became relaxed and after we prayed together, he had a look of sweet peace on his face. I left the room and cried tears of joy. When Mark read over the above account, I asked him what he would like to add to it. He smiled and said, "Tell them, Jesus has been so good to me and I thank Him for all He has done for me.” —Anne Klassen

DRUG COMPANIES DONATE VITAMINS FOR CHAD

Akron, Pa. - - A delivery of three and threefourths million vitamin pills arrived unex­ Mrs Violet Wright pectedly at Mennonite Central Committee headquarters in Akron. Pa.. October 1. The pills, worth $.58,800 were donated by Up­ Mrs Wright, who has been a frequent contributor to the “Our House” section of the MES­ john Co.. Kalamazoo, Mich., for famine re­ SENGER, has moved to the Carrot River, Sask., area where her husband has taken a pas­ lief in Chad. A second smaller shipment torate. We trust though that she will continue to contribute from time to time. We wish them from Mead Johnson Laboratories arrived well in their new work. Ed. the same day. Interchurch Medical Assistance, Inc., at MCC's request donated one million vita­ THE min pills and antibiotics from its stock and contacted major drug companies in­ “Mark, how would you like to share that night. Moreover, his prayer life cluding Upjohn and Mead Johnson for addi­ what Jesus has done for you?" I asked changed. tional donations. IMA is a nonprofit organ­ our eight-year-old today. He looked at However, it wasn't until a few weeks ization which collects donated drugs and me surprised, wondering what I meant. ago that he had a deeper experience in hospital supplies to be distributed overseas After I explained to him what I had in his spiritual life. He spent four weeks by medical mission and relief agencies of mind (via the printed page), he readily in Children s Hospital and went through North American Protestant churches. Vern Preheim. Zaire director, inform­ gave his consent: homesickness, loneliness and a series of ed Akron of nutrition needs in Chad follow­ We were attending the Rex Humbard unanswerables...resulting in rebellion. ing his visit to that country in July. Pre­ campaign in Winnipeg two years ago. One night when I came home after heim requested one and a half million During the altar call, suddenly Mark several hours out, I found Mark de­ vitamin pills, liquid vitamins for babies whispered in my ear, "Mom, should I pressed. When I asked him for the rea­ and some antibiotics to be distributed get up?" "Up for what?" I asked ignor­ son, he started crying, saying, "I can't through the 20 dispensaries and hospitals antly. "Well, I want to accept Jesus!" tell anyone," When it was his bedtime, operated by missions in Chad. "We aren't planning to ship all the vita­ Taken somewhat by surprise, I ex­ I followed him to his room and coaxed plained to him, "That's your decision, him to tell me what was on his mind. mins now, " said Fred Swartzendruber. Mark. If you feel you want to go for­ Finally he blurted out, “Mom, all my assistant in the Material Aid department. ward, that is entirely up to you." Tears sins are bothering me," and he started “We want to check with our contact person welled in my eyes when I saw our "big” enumerating his wrongs of rebellion, in Chad to see how much can be used immediately. There is a possibility that son rise to make a public profession. back-talking, etc. some vitamins may be shipped to Upper We knew he had meant business that My heart was touched. Taking his Volta. We didn't expect to end up with five night—whenever he was asked if he Bible out, I turned to I John 1:9. "Don't million pills. But the people of Chad won't had Jesus in his life, he referred to you think God wants to forgive your mind!" November 16,1973 Page?

CHRISTIS

ANSWER

News From the Churches KOLA

Summer has ended and it seems winter is here with a bang! First of all we d like to welcome .Mr and Mrs Pete Wiebe and family to Kola. Also Mr and Mr.s Pete Klassen and family from Denver. Colorado and Mr and Mrs Jake Martens and family from Rivers. .Mani­ toba who are all making their homes here. D.V.B.S. wa.s again held in Fleming. Saskatchewan this summer. .A car full of teachers and students had the unfortun­ ate experience of a car accident while driving to school one morning. The car wa.s demolished, but nobody wa.s serious­ ly hurt. The funeral for Mr Henry D. Reimer was held on July 13th. I'm sure those who knew Uncle Henry will certainly miss him at the Post Office and also at church. Our annual Sunday School Picnic was held at our local camp ground on Aug­ ust 19. We were happy to have Rev. and .Mrs John Dyck from Germany at our morn­ ing worship service on August 5th. Mr Dyck had the message. .Mr and Mr.s Bernie Brandt formerly from Kamsack. Saskatchewan gave their testimonies and joined our church. Mis.s Sarah Reimer came out to bring an interesting report with pictures. Good.s she had brought with her that were hand­ made by native people while working with the M.C.C. were sold. A lunch wa.s then served to about forty ladies coming from Heron. Virden and Kola. Miss Joanne Martens is again studying at the Steinbach Bible Institute. Our annual Thanksgiving Fellowship Sup­ per was again held in the lower auditorium of the church on October 12th at which about 224 people were served. After the meal we were blessed with a very nice program. Saturday. October 13th. a Sunday School Teacher's Training Course was conducted by Mr Arden Thiessen. On the sick list were Mr John Rempel who had surgery September 15th at the Virden Hospital. Mrs Dave Plett had surg­ ery on October 9th in the Brandon Gen­ eral. We re happy to see them both around again. .Mr and Mr.s Dave Plett had just moved back to .Manitoba after living in B.C. for a few years. They are making their home in Virden. Mr and Mr.s Garnet Holtens brought a report on their work with the Wycliffe Bible Translators on October 16th. Oct­ ober 21st in the evening we had the mus­ ical Funk family with us.

Page 8

The Young People had a social evening and hay ride October 26th. A short service was conducted by Rev. Art Neufeld after which they enjoyed a hearty meal of Pizza etc. We had a most interesting program on Sunday. October 28th brought by the "Faith Gospelaires" from Winnipeg led by Mr Abe Schultz. They gave their testimonies by song and word. They were accompan­ ied by a few men who had received Christ while in jail who gave their testimonies. A note of interest - our record attend­ ance in Sunday School wa.s broken on Oct­ ober 28. The record was 164 and it jump­ ed to 181. THE RIVERTON GOSPEL CHAPEL

A special service was held on Monday. October 8. during which we as a congre­ gation expressed our feelings of thanks­ giving to our Heavenly Father for every­ thing that is ours, both spiritually and mat­ erially. The program consisted of volun­ tary item.s in song and readings. The Pastor brought the programme to a close with a message pertinent to the tone of the even­ ing. October 16 was the date of the meeting of the Ladies Friendship Circle held in the chapel. .A film-strip, shown by Mrs John G. Klassen and narrated by Mrs D. Kornel­ sen. showed U.S the work of the MCC in Vietnam among war victims, lepers and other needy people of that country. As a result of the Pastor's Fixchange pro­ gram. Mr Kroeker met his obligations by accepting invitations to preach at Mennville. Blumenort and Morweena during the past weeks. We know that congregations are enriched spiritually by this program through­ out our churches. Because of the Wrights leaving, the mem­ bership on October 24. elected the following to office: Sunday school superintendent Mr. John G. Klassen; Messenger reporter Mr.s Menno Kroeker: Board member - Ab­ ram Friesen; Youth leader - Peter Elias; and Bever Creek Camp committee member Klass Reimer. Mr Delmer Kornelsen wa.s re-elected to this Camp committee. The Young Peoples Group of the Chapel is worthy of a space in this report. They have much to be proud of and rejoice over: a number of their group are attend­ ing Bible school, while others are working out and being a witness for their Lord where they are. Going to Bible School are Karen Gustaw. Albert and Leonard Doerksen at Winkler: Rita Loewen at Winnipeg Bible College: and Terry Kroeker at Steinbach Bible Institute. Eileen and Ken

Kornelsen. Richard and Elizabeth Gustaw. and Henry Reimer are all working away from home. The young people had a social at Klass Reimers on October 27. at which there was a good attendance. Mr Peter Elias was in attendance in his new office as leader. On October 6 Miss Marlene Johnson and .Mr Edwin Reimer were united in mar­ riage. Marlene is the daughter of Mr and Mrs .Marvin Johnson, and Edwin i.s the son of Mr and .Mrs Klas.s Reimer. The couple are making their home at Vermilion Bay. Ontario. We wish them God's blessing in their new life together. .A farewell potluck supper and volun­ tary program was held on Friday. Nov­ ember 2. in the Chapel in honour of the Wrights. The chapel was well filled with members and friends of the Wrights. Past­ or Kroeker conducted the voluntary pro­ gram and opened by expressing his thanks, and those of the congregation to the Wrights. Special readings, poems and songs as well as personal thanks, were presented throughout the program, and .Mr Wright concluded the program by expressing hi.s and Mrs Wrights thanks to all who had had a part in their lives in the work of the River­ ton chapel. A love offering was taken for the Wrights as part of the Chapels apprec­ iation for the work done by them over the past years.

HERON Summer has come and gone and with it have gone also the warm green leaves, the luscious green grass and the beds of color­ ful flowers. Now harvest too has been gar­ nered in with a bountiful yield. We ask our­ selves "What have we done to garner in souls'.’ or did we sow any seed that could sprout and grow and bear fruit for eter­ nity'’" Our young people have been engaged in camp work during the summer, some at Hilbre. Manitoba and others at Kenosee Lake. Sask. They came home with reports that sounded enthusiastic and successful. This is always encouraging and inspires us to greater faithfulness. On Sept. 16. Sister Helen Driedger of .Maegregor. Man., was accepted as a mem­ ber in the church here. On the next Sun­ day. Sept. 23 Mrs Alvira Penner, formerly of Rosenort. wa.s received into member­ ship here. Welcome! And may God bless you a.s you serve Him in this community. Sept. 30 marked a very important oc­ casion for Stanley, son of Diedrich Thies­ sens and Helen, daughter of Frank Driedgers of Maegregor. when they were united

THE MESSENGER

I

in holy matrimony. The wedding took place in Portage la Prairie where Rev. Gladwin Plett officiated. Stanley and Hel­ en are residing at Cromer. Man. and are fellowshipping with us here. Through the summer we have been grate­ ful for the many and various speakers that travelled long or shorter distances to min­ ister to us on Sundays. We would herewith like to expres.s our deep gratitude to you all who served us.

PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE Our beautiful autumn days have come to an end - the frost has changed the gay colored landscape into a barren, drab blotch on the calendar. Wlien the cold wind starts howling outside our door, we can find our warm homes most welcome and secure. Likewise, when Satan, the enemy of our soul, attacks us. we can flee to the Rock of Safety where we are safe and se­ cure. How wonderfull The Ladies Mission Group re-organized on September 4. Main business consisted of elections: President - Mary Friesen, vice pres. Susan Rempel: secretary - Anne Chen: treasurer - Florence Hildebrand; program - Frieda Peters and Jean Plett; gift com. - Kay Hamm. Lillian Sawatzky; lunch com. - Mary Dueck. Martha Driedger. Slides were viewed depicting various summer activities. Work for the ensuing year is being prepared and accomplished full steam. The first Mothers' Club of the season was held on October 18 with .Mrs Bev. Al­ brecht of the Alliance Church as guest speaker. Theme: "How to be a good wife" - most interesting and challenging! "Up " was the key word. "Wake up. Look up and pray. Lift up. Stand up. Cheer up. Shut up. Give up (old nature) Build up. Caught up to Christ's standard. Live it up-Prov. 31:30 " Wednesday night brings out many par­ ents with children - a change from the small Bible Study groups of the past. There is now much life - as there is bustling, ex­ citement and beautiful strains of music and singing penetrating through the walls. In one room you could find Wes Chen dir­ ecting a youth choir. In another room Wilma Groening is in charge of a Children's Choir.

The parents (with some babiesi are seated around the table in the kitchen, studying the Book of Nehemiah under the direction of Rev G. Plett. With all the sweet music and singing floating around, it is con­ ducive to our studies of the Word of God. Later, we separate for prayer, bringing our petitions (many times it Ls the various missionaries in the fields) to the throne of Grace, as well as blending in our praises for all our manifold blessings. It Ls in­ deed a night well spent.

On October 28 the Christian Endeavor Sandra Siemens has started a Girl Craft presented the Singing Men of the Prairie Club in her home. We wish her much Rose EMC under the direction of John success with her project. Reimer. It was indeed a joy and inspira­ The Pleasant Valley Missions Confer­ tion to listen to the hearty singing, music ence has been scheduled for November pieces. Children's story, message by Ron 25 to December 2. Penner, and with the grand finale, ’The King is Coming " our spirits were lifted up KLEEFELD to realms above, ready to meet Him with the masses of choirs in the air! A fellow­ God's love is too wonderful to keep to ship lunch, together with the choir and their families, was enjoyed in the lower ourselves. That's why every so often on Sunday mornings, our church has a time auditorium. Thank you for coming! Rev. Arden Thiessen was our guest speak­ of testimonies, and sharing. Putting self, er on Sunday. Nov. 4. He made it despite pride and excuses aside, we express to each an onslaught of weather - some six inches other what the Lord has done for us. It's of snow, coming down thick, single line a good opportunity for witnessing besides of traffic but as he quoted, "I had to make strengthening each other in the faith. Because it is important that people be it because I was going to speak on per­ severance. . ' He based his message given an opportunity to express them­ on James 5:7 - 11. Patience is found in selves. probably explains why our Variety the passage 5 times. 'Hold on in faith - Programs are so well attended. Of spec­ the Lord is coming back soon!" "A win­ ial interest to all parents on our Oct. 14 ner never quits and a quitter never wins. . ." program was the topic. 'Home Respon­ On Monday afternoon of Nov. 5. two car sibilities. " discussed by Norman Bartel. Judging from the number of our Cradle loads of ladies mine plus 4 youngsters) gave Helen Klassen a pleasant surprise - Roll graduates on Sept. 16. we realize that the occasion being a farewell, as well as this responsibility is not likely to end soon her birthday. The hostess was presented either. Our guest speaker for the gradua­ with a few gifts, after which a fellowship tion evening was Mr Chapman, from Child lunch was served. The John Klassens are Evangelism. On our Mission Night Oct. 18. we brought already on the move to Steinbach where John is employed with Inter City Gas. together our casseroles, and pies, and en­ They will be badly missed but we wish joyed a most delicious variety supper. Food, be it spiritual or otherwise, always tastes them the Lord's blessings over there. twice as good when it is shared. A program followed at 8:00 p.m. We Sincerely apprehaving Rev. and Mrs Ben Eidse and Char­ PLEASANT VALLEY ity with us as our guest speakers. Too bad we are not all - Young People" A Young Peoples Social was held at the elementary school on November 3rd. After anymore or we too could have enjoyed a volleyball and other games we had a sing­ tour of Jamaica. Peru, and Equador. shown song, a time of sharing and a lunch. We by Pat Friesen, at the home of our Young were pleased to have Eldon Friesen, son of People's leader. Brian Schellenberg. We rejoice with Ron and Wendy Dueck Jake P. Friesens, with us, together with his fiance. They are both from Clearbrook, (children of P. H. Duecksi way out in Af­ British Columbia. (An April wedding is rica at the arrival of a baby girl on Sept­ planned.) ember 22. Her name is, Naomi Christine On October 27 was the wedding of Lydia Sophieve, which means, "we have been Kornelsen (daughter of C. U. Kornelsens) blessed." and Carl Wiens of Steinbach. The wedding took place in the United Church in Morris and the reception followed in the local elementary school. Wedding bells are also November 24 MCC (Man.) Annual ringing for Edwin Loewen, son of Dave L. Meeting 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. December 1 EMC Board of Missions Loewens. He is travelling to Chicago for Advisory meeting 9:00 a.m. Con­ the occasion, the home place of his fiance. The wedding date is November 24. ference Council meets at 1:30. Both meetings in Blumenort. We were pleased to have .Mrs Ben Eidse February 8, 9, 10 EMC Winter Youth as guest speaker at our last Ladies Fellow­ camp at Red Rock. ship. She reported on the difficult life of "Eleanor " and her husband, and Mrs Eidse's experiences with them. It was a real challenge to hear of lives of the Afri­ cans and how God does work through peop­ le if we allow Him to . Also fellowshipping with us were the Morris Ladies Fellow­ ship. Thank you all for coming.

.November 16. 1973

Page 9

l..a

,,

It.

EMC MUSIC FESTIVAL (November 4) "Lead on 0 King Eternal . . ."! The mu­ sic festival had begun. The surprized com­ mittee was busy putting up chairs in the latter half of the auditorium as the people continued to come. "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him. and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him." (Ps. 28;7i "I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the understanding also." (I Cor. 14; 15bi. The afternoon was put on wings with the variety of numbers - - small choirs, bigger choirs, quartetts. solos, duets, an instru­ mental ensemble, german singing, english singing, etc. The titles of the song dis­ played the heartfelt theme ... 0 Lord I Thank You. My God is Real. Hoseana. Er liebt Dich. Hallelujah. Wonderful Grace of Jesus. He that hath the Son hath Life, and many more. "Praise ye the Lord; for it is good to sing praises unto our God;" (Ps. 147;li Rev. John Kornelsen had a very inter­ esting talk in which he expressed some facts about song. . . In the beginning God created plants, then it was animals who could make a noise. The birds with their warbling were next. Finally man was creat­ ed by God with a mind to control and a heart and soul to enrich song. Old Testament history is full of this ele­ ment of song as an aid in worship. (H Chron. 5; 11-141. Singing is the spontaneous res­ ponse to a spirit filled life. Jesus and His disciples at the Last Supper went out af­ ter they had sung a hymn. (Matt. 26:30). Christians sing even in dire circumstanc­ es. Paul sang in prison. (Acts 16:25). Sing­ ing is dominate where the church is alive. (Clo. 3:16). It is a part of spiritual breath­ ing and will continue into eternity. (Rev. 15;2.3i. There are millions who don't feel like singing. The tide of no singing needs to be stemed. The challenge is to keep singing in our homes, in our church, to instill it in the hearts of our children. At the close of the festival we stood and sang together "Crown Him with Many Crowns ' Then amid the hum of many voices we enjoyed the donuts, cheese, coffee and Tang. Festival chairman was Irwin Fast. Kleefeld. Ernest Dueck conducted the song service while Pat Friesen was the pianist. -Norma Penner Program 1. Songs by the Congregation 2. Opening - Chairman 3. Maryfield Choir

Page 10

a I The Song in My Soul b) ’Tis Marvellous and Wonderful 4. Steinbach Instrumental Ensemble - The Great Physician 5. Living Letters Quartette (Ridgewood) a I Guide Me. Oh Thou Great Jehovah b) I Know 6. Prairie Rose choir al Rise. Shine bl Ohne Weg. Ohne Licht 7. Solo by Lome Kornelsen (Rosenorti 8. Sunshine Travellers iBlumenort young boy s group I al Since Jesus Came Into My Heart bl Count your Blessings 9. Riverton Duet - Susie and Katherine Friesen a I There is a good God bl 0 Lord. I Thank You 10. Solo by Bruce Reimer (Landmark! 11. Rosenort Youth Choir - Wonderful Grace of Jesus 12. Song by the Congregation 13. Offering - Rev. H. W. Kornelsen 14. Pleasant Valley Choir- My God is Real 15. Hiebert Male Quartette (Steinbachi He that hath the Son 16. Landmark Instrumental Group al Jericho Road bl Er kommt wieder 17. Solo by Wes Chen (Portage i - Somebody Bigger than You 18. Blumenort Choir - Hallelujah What a Saviour 19. Short Talk - Rev. John Kornelsen 20. Song by the Congregation 21. Closing - Chairman ZAIRE ORIENTATION PREPARES VOLUNTEERS

Kinshasa. Zaire - - Service workers arriv­ ing for assignments in Zaire are getting a new kind of on-the-spot orientation exper­

ience to better prepare them for under­ standing and involvement in the life of the Zairian people whom they come to serve. Upon arrival in the capital city if Kinsha­ sa in August, twelve Mennonite Central Committee volunteers were put through a six-day session of social, spiritual, and cul­ tural education organized by .Mutombo Mpanya. MCC associate director in Zaire. Mpanya. who grew up in Zaire when the country was still a colony of Belgium and then studied a number of years in Europe, recently spent six months in North America in orientation for his assignment in Zaire. He is well qualified to prepare a bridge from the North American to the Zairian way of life.

BIG RISE REPORTED IN AUTO ACCIDENTS

A total of 32.905 motor vehicle accidents occurred in Manitoba in 1972. compared with 21.404 in 1971. Highways Minister Peter Burtniak has announced. The minister said there had been an in­ crease in all over - all reporting areas - the number of fatal accidents, the number of persons killed, non-fatal injury accidents, and the number of persons injured. In 1972 There were 158 accidents in which death occurred and a total of 185 persons killed. In 1971. there were 150 fatal acci­ dents in which 181 people died. There were 8.382 non-fatal accidents in 1972 in which injury occurred to 12.025 persons, compared to 6.471 such mishaps in 1971 in which 9.287 persons sustained injury. The number of accidents in which there was property damage only rose to 24.368 in 1972. compared to 14.802 in 1971. The minister noted that in 1972. in urban areas, there were 40 fatal accidents in which 40 persons died. This was a decline from 1971 when there were 65 fatal accidents and 83 persons killed in the provinces urban areas.

MCC (Manitoba) Annual Meeting November 24, 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. North Kildonan Mennonite Brethren Church Kingsford and Henderson Highway

EVERYONE WELCOME THE MESSENGER

J

holiday §easoijs ar(d §pecial Occasioqs Cash Project Suggestions 1973-74 Mennonite Central Committee offers this list of gift suggestions for use by congregations or families especially during the holiday seasons. Sunday schools, vacation Bible schools or youth groups may find the list useful in expressing Christian compassion for the poor. (Matt. 25:34-40) These sugges­ tions are parts of ongoing vital programs.

1

India Drought Assistance $75 is needed for one day's activity of the Mennonite Service Agency in Bihar, India. Local people are hired to build dams, fish ponds, and irriga­ tion canals so that the recurrent problem of drought may be overcome.

9

Jordan Kindergartens $50 will provide a kindergarten experience for a five-year-old refugee child in Jordan. MCC pays for local teachers, rental of space, and teaching materials.

3

$250 Medical Care—Nhatrang, Vietnam provides the MCC share of the medical pro­ gram at Nhatrang for one week. Operated by the Evangelical Church of Vietnam and MCC, Nhatrang serves 40,000 patients each year and trains nursing assistants.

4

Sheets $2 will provide one 72 x 90 inch white sheet for an overseas hospital. MCC and Mennonite mission workers see need for 20,000 sheets. Requests come from 10 countries. A new sheet feels just as refresh­ ing to a Third World refugee as it does to a North American.

5

Towel-s 80f will purchase, pack, and ship one bath towel. Requests for towels total 50,000. Quality towels feel comfortable to persons of all skin colors.

6

Yard Goods 50c a yard is the average price MCC pays for the cloth purchased for over­ seas distribution. Requests from overseas total 600,000 yards or 340 miles of material.

7

Sewing Machines for Africa $100 provides an income-producing machine for one indi­ vidual in an African sewing project. Ma­ chines are needed in Sudan, Zambia, Ethi­ opia, Botswana, Zaire, Nigeria.

9

Brazil Health Centers $40 a month under­ writes the MCC support of one of seven health centers in poverty-stricken north­ eastern Brazil where mothers are taught the basics of family nutrition, child care, and home management.

10

Paraguay Leprosy Program $100 is needed each week to assist the leprosy work at Kilometer 81 in eastern Paraguay. Control of leprosy is a priority with inpatient and outpatient care.

11

Haiti Clinics $2.50 provides the subsidy needed above patient charges for the opera­ tion of 10 clinic visits at Grande Riviere du Nord. MCC and Haitian staff annually con­ duct thirty-five thousand consultations.

72 13

Bolivia Teacher $200 provides one month of support for a 25-pupil school and a teacher in Bolivia.

14

Appalachia Family Services $200 a month provides the support for one family services worker in Whitesburg, Kentucky. MCC ad­ ministers this program which seeks to im­ prove the quality of life for low-income persons.

15

Atlanta Senior Citizens $200 supports a volunteer in a senior citizens project in At­ lanta, Georgia. As their financial and emo­ tional resources drain away, many elderly persons withdraw. A volunteer is encourag­ ing these people to develop skills and be­ come active again in their community.

Small Livestock in Zaire $3 will provide one rabbit or 12 chicks for a Zairian family. Paxmen are leaching the people better methods of raising and caring for small live­ stock so that their diets will improve.

Paraguay Indian Medical Care $300 pro­ vides the MCC support needed to supply one week of medical care for 7,500 Indians in the Paraguayan Chaco.

Training Moroccan Orphans $350 a month provides a vocational teacher in Morocco. Some of the 276 teen-age boys in the or­ phanage in Oujda will get three years of vocational training, learning skills to make them self-sufficient.

Give through your regular MCC provincial channels.

MCC (Manitoba) 101-1483 Pembina Highway Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2C7

MCC (Saskatchewan) 1009 Broadway Avenue Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N ICl

MCC (Alberta) 221-41 Avenue N.E. Calgary, Alberta T2E 2N4

MCC (British Columbia) Box 370 Yarrow, British Columbia

November 16. 1973

»

MCC (Ontario) 50 Kent Avenue Kitchener, Ontario N2G 3R1

Page 11

World

r Urbana ’73 Madison. Wis. - Pre-registration for Urbana '73 is significantly exceeding pre-registration of previous conventions, reports David How­ ard. convention director. Urbana '73 the tenth triennial missions conference for collegians sponsored by In­ ter-Varsity Christian Fellowship, convenes December 27 to 31 at Urbana. Illinois, with the theme "Jesus Christ: Lord of the Uni­ verse. Hope of the World." - .Moody Monthly Missions Giving Monrovia. Calif. - .Missions agencies that emphasize the proclamation of the gospel while caring for the needs of suffering people will get the greatest share of vol­ untary support funds in the future, ac­ cording to the tenth edition of the .Mis­ sion Handbook published here recently by the Mission Advanced Research and Communication Center. -Moody Monthly

Passes On James DeForest Murch. D.D.. Litt. D.. 80. died on June 16 while dictating to his secretary material concerning distrib­ ution of his recently published autobiog­ raphy. Adventuring for Christ in Chang­ ing Times. Dr. Murch pioneered in the founding of National Religiou.s Broadcasters, was on their first E.xecutive Committee and served on the Board of Directors from 1944 - 1947. He also served on the first Board of Direct­ ors of the National Sunday School Associa­ tion and was secretary of the first Lesson Committee. He later was NSSA's third pres­ ident. 1949-51. From 1945 to 1958 he was editor of United Evangelical Action, the official publication of the National .Association of Evangelicals. In 1956 was published his firsthand history of the NAE. Cooperation Without Com­ promise. Murch was also co-founder and first pres­ ident of the Evangelical Press Association, and for several years was managing editor of Christianity Today, an independent ev­ angelical journal. Surviving him are his son. his sister and one granddaughter.

though it is too soon to say yet. that Europe is turning to Christ, becoming truly Christian. Fifty Bibles sold in door-to-door evan­ gelism in Austria - sincere interest in se­ curing a Bible in Alsace. France - uni­ versity students in Saarbrucken. Germany desire to know what the Bible says. GE.M Bible Institutes clearly show this in­ crease of interest. The Belgian Bible Insti­ tute anticipate.s 30-40 more enrolled this fall. The German Bible Institute will be up 10; the European Bible Institute adds 14. These tentative figures, however, indicate an increase of more than 20 percent. "Dangerous” evangelicals included in Uganda ban Calling them "dangerous to peace and order." President Amin has banned 12 re­ ligious groups, including several evangel­ ical organizations, from Uganda. The 12 are: Campus Crusade for Christ. The Navigators. Child Evangelism Fellow­ ship. Emmaus Bible School. Pentecostal .Assemblies of God. United Pentecostal Churches. Elim-Pentecostal Evangelistic Fellowship. East Africa Yearly Meeting (Friends). Jehovah's Witnesses. Ugandan Church of Christ. International Bible Stu­ dents Association and Legio Maria of Africa. The order was implemented by removing signs from buildings and forbidding worship­ pers to gather. - Africa Now

Work Expanding With an expanding ministry. Janz Team offices in Loerrach. Germany were becom­ ing crowded to the extent that they had to look for more room. In answer to prayer God enabled them to obtain a complex of buildings a former iron works factory, in Kandern. Germany (dose to Loerrach) Kandern is also the site of "Hau.s Palmgarten" Janz Team conference center. Scriptures for Calgary Movie-Goers When two movie theatres in Calgary. Alberta began showing the popular films on the life of Christ. Godspell and Jesus Christ Superstar. Rev. Randy Mohr. Dist­ rict Secretary of the Canadian Bible Soc­ iety in the South Alberta District, talked to the managers of the theatres about the

Canadian Bible Society providing the Gos­ pels of Matthew. Mark. Luke. John and the Acts of the Apostles to the theatre goers. As a result the two theatres, one showing Jesus Christ Superstar and the other God­ spell granted permission for the distribution of the Gospels and Acts. Art-Way Signs of Calgary prepared post­ ers advertising the free Scripture.s and the Scriptures were placed in the lobbies of the theatres for the patrons to take. The theatre showing Jesus Christ Superstar dis­ tributed all four Gospels and .Acts and the Gospel of Matthew only was distributed at the theatre showing the musical. God­ spell as it is based on that Gospel. The theatre showing Jesu.s Christ Super­ star distributed over 300 Scriptures and the one showing Godspell nearly 200. One day when .Mr Mohr called at the theatres to replenish the supply of Scriptures he not­ iced two young people sitting on the steps intently reading the Gospel of .Matthew, unaware of the people passing by. (Can. Bible Society) From Quebec A report from Christian Direction Inc. Montreal states that over 70.000 persons saw Sermons from Science films in a ten week period just past. They are now busy with follow-up. Bible study promotion, in­ stitutional work, training seminars, cor­ respondence course translation and print­ ing. and Dial Direction. This latter program, currently in English as a pilot project, has proved an effective means of evan­ gelism by telephone and enrolment in Bible courses. Billy Graham telecasts in French are now scheduled throughout Que­ bec and New Brunswick, for November 4. 11 and 18. Christian Direction is respon­ sible for many of the arrangements and for follow-up of the anticipated 5.000 res­ ponses. Operation Esperance - - French lang­ uage Crusades led by Alain Choiquier of France are being conducted in Montreal. Quebec City and Sherbrooke. Christian Direction is responsible for counsellor train­ ing and supervision. The Sermons from Science Pavilion is on­ ly one of the varied ministries of Christian Direction Inc. Montreal.

European signs of our times Field reports given at the 20th annual conference of Greater Europe Mission, held this year in Holland, indicate a sig­ nificant upturn of interest across Europe in the Bible and in the Bible training. These timely signs are much evident, even Page 12

THE MESSENGER

y:vs iNsaano IS aaxiva ooti Noniit xsvj

I 1