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This is the final article in the MEETINGHOUSE series on models for the twentieth century. Today’s article by Mr. Chamberlain outlines some goals, problems and, characteristics of future education.
Education: In and For the Future Daniel R. Chamberlain
Looking to the future is exciting and a little frightening. It may be bright with promise or dark with despair depending upon the prophet. Trying to predict or shape the future in any area of life is very risky and education is no exception. Just eight years ago Samuel Gould, who was then Chancellor of the State University of New York, predicted: "kYe shall never again see the day when there are enough buildings or other educational facilities and faculties to take care of these awesome (educational) needs. Even the most massive kinds of building or recruiting programs will not bring us to a point of proper balance. The State University of New York, for example, is now engaged in a S3.2 billion building program and it must recruit 15,000 new faculty members by 1975." What a difference a decade makes! Today thousands of classrooms are idle and a single teaching vacancy often attracts hundreds of applicants. But in spite of the risks, we must attempt to look to the future and predict and plan as well as we can. After all, we will spend the rest of our lives in that future and prudence demands planning, preparation, and yes. . .even some dreaming.
GOALS FOR EDUCATION Our look at future education begins most appropriately by deter mining goals and purposes. Where do we want to go and what do we want to accomplish. The following goals seem basic and essen tial. First, education should engender and develop respect for others. While this is an old-fashioned concept, it has recently suf fered from serious neglect. A profound respect for others must begin in the home and be nurtured in the schools. Not only should it be taught, it must be exhibited. Mutual respect among and between students, teachers, administrators, and parents will go far toward restoring good will and rationality to our society which is too often characterized by sarcasm, synicism, and distrust. The skill and knowledge of self discipline is the second goal that education should seek to achieve. This requires patience and the ability to place long range good above short term pleasure. Again, worthy examples and frequent positive reinforcement are essential to achieve this important goal. Participants in education should also learn to understand and ap preciate the natural world. This includes the concept of creativehood—being one with nature instead of apart from or against nature. An educated person should also understand the nature of society past and present including the beauty and problems people have created.
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Further, learners should develop a voeation or salable skill. This maxim is old but the truth remains that “It is hard to know what you are good for unless you know what you are good at.” Certainly life is more than doing, but doing adds meaning and reality to being. But the goals of education dare not continue to omit the crucial spiritual dimension. Respecting others, disciplining one's self, ap preciating the natural world, understanding society and developing a vocation still add up to a flat one-dimensional view of life. Only by accepting the revealed truth that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" can life gain the perspective that adds eternal meaning and value to life. Thus the most important goal of educa tion must be relating to God and growing spiritually by relating to the people of God. Clearly, public education is not well equipped to help students attain such a goal but that simply changes the locus of this goal, not its significance. PROBLEMS TO OVERCOME Education must face and overcome many problems in the remaining twenty-five years of the twentieth century including declining enrollments, changing clienteles, diminished financial sup port, public frustration, and growing student apathy. Each of these problems, and many more, merit serious discussion and creative solutions but three basic problems pose a special challenge for the Christian trying to shape education for the next two and one-half decades. The first problem is secularism which assumes that nothing about the origin or continuation of humanity or the universe is sacred. God is reduced to an expletive and every action and relationship becomes common and profane. Humanism vainly attempts to help people lift themselves by their own bootstraps but the gains are only illusory. Humanity repeats Lucifer's sin of pride and self-sufficiency with equally tragic results. Education, begin ning with the infant, must recognize God as Creator and man as creature, and that God's mighty acts will continue to work within history as well as interrupt the life of individuals and nations. In short, to overcome the problem of secularism, education must in clude the sacred dimension. Pluralism poses the second problem. Education has become a smorgasbord of ideas in which one philosophy is presented as equal in value and validity to all others. The results are tragically obvious: it does not really matter whether one belives in anything or nothing. Commitment is lacking and bewildered tentativeness is labelled as sophisticated open-mindedness. Such pluralism denies the uniqueness of Christianity and thus poses a special threat and challenge to Christian education. Finally, materialism continues to plague modern man and presents a problem to all of education and a special temptation to those concerned with Christian education. While God created things for the blessing and benefit of man, things have unfortunately become the measure of man. Individual Christians and Christian in stitutions often fall prey to this worldly system of values and assign worth on the basis of salaries and possesions or budgets and buildings. These problems of secularism, pluralism, and materialism dare not be ignored as we plan and dream of significant Christian educa tion between now and the year 2000.
CHARACTERISTICS OF FUTURE EDUCATION By the year 2000, education will be different in many ways from the process now familiar to us. While change is inevitable, it will only lead to progress if it is carefully planned and thoughtfully managed and monitored, I believe the following characteristics of future education hold great promise for all learners; properly
DECEMBER 26, 1975
applied they can be of special benefit to the future of Christian education. 1. Future education will be more wholistic. This characteristic has both individual and institutional significance. For the individual it is already clear that cognitive rationality is not enough. As Dr. F.L. Halleck of the University of Wisconsin warns: “I doubt that man can live without compassion, without ideology, without faith, without autonomy, without privacy, and without beauty and still be man." The Christian family, church, and school with its understan ding of, and concern for the whole person is in a unique position to give direction and content to education that goes beyond temporal facts, to learning that deals with values, relationships, and eternal truth. This leads naturally to the institutional implications of wholistic education. More and more we will realize that learning is like a seamless garment. It is unrealistic to expect schools to carry the en tire burden; instead the home, the church, the community are all important educational agencies. Further, the schools themselves will increasingly recognize the continuing nature of their task. The hard lines between elementary, secondary and higher education will soften if not disappear. The result will be education focused upon the individual with increasing concern for individual development and declining emphasis upon institutional convenience. 2. Future education will be life-long. Informal education has always been life long, but formal education has been reserved almost exclusively for those between five and twenty-five years of age. This youth ghetto is fast breaking up and the years spent to achieve formal education are expanding rapidly. The concentric ripples produced by this increased emphasis upon life-long learning are profound indeed. Adults from middle-to-old-age are studying an ever greater variety of subject. Some relate to new careers, others center on hobbies, still others concentrate on subjects that give add ed meaning and aesthetic enjoyment to life. This interest in life-long learning offers many educational challenges to Christian schools and churches. Mature adults can come to our campuses for formal learning or we can provide such opportunities in churches or other community centers. In the process, the learning they have acquired in less formal ways must be recognized and accepted if they choose to work toward a college degree. With imagination and cooperative planning, domestic or foreign service could be combined with continuing education. 3. Future education will be marked by institutional cooperation. This characteristic has several facets. First, society may well accept the concept and term coined a few years ago by Dr. Ernest Boyer: “Educare." Thus, schools will cooperate with other social and in dustrial agencies to provide a broad spectrum of educational ex periences. Further, schools and colleges will cooperate more with each other. Efforts such as Conrad Grebel College at the University of Waterloo, or the Philadelphia Campus of Messiah College in cooperation with Temple Univeristy will increase. Because these models provide a community of commitment within a community of convenience., they avoid expensive duplication of facilities or staff, but provide a Christian alternative within a secular institution. Extending such a cooperative model into elementary and secondary education would provide a genuine challenge for churches and Christian schools. 4. Future education will make increasing use of technology. The power and pervasiveness of television are well know. However, the educational potential of this media has scarcely been tapped. The same is true for computers and a wide range of other audio-visual equipment. The opportunities for Christian colleges to serve churches, schools, and homes will be enormous. High quality curriculum materials for individuals or groups will be as easily (Next page please)
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available as a current eight-track cassette. 5. Future education will stress learning skills. Information is growing at a phenomenal rate and no wonder: Today more than one thousand times as many people are engaged in research as were involved one hundred years ago. No longer is knowledge a stable body of information to be memorized; even a narrow speciality quickly produces more facts than one person can master. The effect is obvious: people must now learn how to gather, assimilate and analyze information on their own. Again this presents Christian educators with a special challenge. We must help people acquire learning skills that will lead to spiritual growth and maturity. We dare not allow our generation or the next assume that the capacity to utilitze the scientific method will lead to all truth. 6. Future education will frequently utilize new approaches to learning. Teachers and books have been central to formal learning for many generations and they will remain extremely important. However, other activities, most of them already in practice, will become increasingly important. The reaction to ever-narrowing specialities will lead to more inter-disciplinary studies. Off-campus internships for one or more terms will become common. Indepen dent study and contract learning will become prevalent at all levels and stages of education. Courses and entire curricula will be problem oriented and theme contered in contrast to the great emphasis upon single discipline courses and majors. In short, time and space requirements for learning will be replaced by emphasis upon competence however, whenever, or wherever attained. Again the opportunities for Christian students and educators are many. Churches and service agencies can provide placements for internships and other independent study activities. Further, our students must be assured that what we believe is not only worthy of study, but that it can bear their closest scrutiny.
ARE
WE
UNDERMINING SCRIPTURES?
THE
“The Word of the Lord endureth forever.” 1 Peter 1:25 Just a little reminder. I noticed that the Messenger is the publication of the E.M. Conference. Clews e.xpressed in Letters to the Editor are not necessarily those of the editor nor of the paper. Are the articles published in this paper then the views of the editor or the Conference or should there be an explanatory note concerning the articles as well? Really what prompted me to write was the article The Future of the Family in the November 28th issue. Does the Conference prescribe or recommend articles such as this? 1 have a real concern for some of the
CONCLUSION Education is central to the continuity of society and the mission of the church. By coupling clear vision with faithful effort, the com ing quarter century can exhibit a qualitative improvement that will match the quantitative growth of the previous twenty-five years.
Daniel R. Chamberlain is Dean of the College and Professor of Educ alion, Messiah College. He is a member of the Publication Board and the Committee on Ministerial Training, Brethren in Christ Church. I
NEW YEAR'S MESSAGE FROM THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
Each New Year acts as a milestone in our lives which gives us the chance to take stock. It is a unique occasion that gives us the opportunity to look at the year that has passed in retrospect, to assess our position, and to consider our future courses of action. As each year opens we are presented afresh with opportunities, which require only an active commit ment on our part to be realized. I hope that these op portunities can be translated into reality by each of you. This will be my last year in Government House and I would like to take this opportunity to express my thanks for the support and friendship I have enjoyed during these past five years. My wife and family join me in wishing you all a Happy New Year. W. J. McKeag, Lieutenant Governor
statements made in the article concerning the authority of the Word of God. I still take my stand with the Scriptures. The Conference does too. 1 know your work of “proving all things" is not easy. I want to continue to pray for your important ministry. May the Lord help us to work together to exalt the Lord by solidly endorsing the Word of God.
C.B. Loewen, Morris Man. P.S. Would it be better at least to add a note after the article that it wasn’t necessari ly supported by the E.M.C.? CONTRIBUTERS:
We have again made up the final issue of MESSENGER for another year. We call them One year volumes. With one 1976 volume we will be commencing Vol. 14. This means that the MESSENGER is in its fourteenth year of publica tion. This may not look very impressive when one secs one Mennonite church periodical in its 68th
year and another with 90 years but we nevertheless have a good start. Many, many events of significance to the Conference have been recorded and are now available for easy reference. I might add here that we also endeavour to keep a limited number of copies of each issue. If you are one who files your MESSENGERS AND MISS A COPY OR SO WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO SUPPLY YOU Write or phone us. Our lead article. Education; If and For the Future, by Dan Chamberlain is the final one in our Meetinghouse series on models for the Twen tieth Century. Abe and Dec Koop (Mission section) are pioneer missionaries under New Tribes Mission in Brazil. Ron Penners are from Landmark Man., serving as houseparents to a group of boys atten ding Black Forest Academy (Janz Team) in Ger many. Phyllis Penner is from Ridgewood church and plans to serve the Lord under World Wide Evangelization Crusade in South America. The Latin American Tour continues on to Panama to day. Cover: By the editor.
THE MESSENGER is the publication of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference. Its pui pose is to inform, instruct and inspire. Inform as to what is going on in the Conference; instruct in Godliness and victorious living; inspire to earnestly contend for the faith. All correspondence should be addressed to the Editor D. K. Schellenberg, Box 1268, Steinbach, Man., ROA 2A0. Letters, articles, art ano poetry are welcomed. Views expressed Tn Letters to the Editor are not iiecessarily those of the editor nor of the paper. Unpublished articles are not returned except by request. Subscription: Members pay through their church. Non-members pay $1.00 per year. Send subscription money to The Messenger, Box 1268, Steinbach, Man. ROA 2A0. THE MESSENGER, is published every other week by the Evangelical Mennonite Conference, Board of Education and Publication, Box 1268, ISteinbach, Manitoba. Second Class Mail, Registration Number 0591. Undeliverable copies, change of address and new subscriptions should be mailed to the above ad dress.
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missions Germany — First Impressions day frowned on. If children, or anybody else, happens to speak too loudly over the noon rest period from twelve to three, a reminder could well be forthcoming. The driving on these narrow streets and roads is another thing that one must get used to. It seems as if these cars, even though they are smaller, generally travel much faster, whipping around curves and corners at high rates of speed. On the autobahn speeds of seventy-five to one hundred miles per hour are not unusual. Finally, the language is rather strange. Hard to believe from one who has a grade twelve standing in the subject and a Plattdeutsch background. But to understand and respond to the rapid, unadulterated German used here is a real challenge. In this setting we find ourselves at the Boys’ Dorm of the Black Forest Academy, with seventeen boys from five different coun tries. Our prayerful concern is that we might be instruments that God can use in the molding of these boys and the building of His kingdom.
Phyllis Penner
— Class lectures cover various topics, e.g. missionary national relationships, culture shock. Where the Ron Penners from Landmark - Much of my candidature consists of serve as Dorm parents. helping with ordinary household duties. — All Canadians living here were guests of Leaving the airport and riding through the honour at a turkey dinner on Canadian scenic country side of Germany, one is Thanksgiving Day. thoroughly impressed by the lush deep-green - Knowing the mission board’s policies foliage evident everywhere. Even though we Ron Penners and beliefs is not important to the can are in the fall of the year, the hills are a didates. beautiful green with shrubs and trees abun C. Multiple Choice dant. Tucked in between these hills, are neat, 1. Personal witnessing in the shopping many hundred-year old villages, reminding malls is always (easy, rewarding, outwardly successful). us of scenes we have previously only seen on pictures. Immediately beside the winding 2. When I came to headquarters (all A question that I am confronted with so often is "What is WEC candidate training temptation stayed behind, Satan simply smooth roads are fruit trees heavily laden like? What do you do?" Instead of my started new strategics). with various kinds of apples, pears and 3. A mail strike at home means (an op answering the question for you. I’ll let you plums while the hillsides are often decked out portunity to prove the promises of God’s quiz yourself about candidate life at with rows and rows of grapes. Crusade head Word, great misery, all fun and games). Here in the cities and villages of this coun Worldwide Evangelization ................ 4. Every Christian should see to it that quarters in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania. try of great natural beauty, we find a bustl A. Check the ones that are part of my life.............pastor, he himself, the congregation) ing, productive economy, with hard-working, [,gpg. prays for *those members of the Body away progressive people. Unemployment seems to - living in a brick mansion-like building from home). be no problem. Farming is carried on in a situated on a prominett wooded hill. D. State in 25 words or more "My Part in - listening to WEC's history as told by Fulfilling Jesus’ Great Commission." rather different fashion than in Canada. The larger fields are perhaps twenty five or thirty "Rusico" who has been in the mission fiftyacres, while most in this area are substantyears and founded the North American ANSWERS: If you checked every statement in Section ially smaller. Hand labour by all members of branches of WEC. A you’re so right. the family is commonplace in bringing the “ “Shooing" cockroaches from kitchen I think Section B is self-explanatory. crop in. It seems as if these simple hard- cupboards. I put in Section C to remind you of some — Attending four chapel sessions a week working people are considered to be almost where we pray for WEC missionaries and of my spiritual needs. the lowest class of society here. Ask the Lord to check Section D with ministries. Though the people are friendly, their you. He has the answer. - cooking "Kumpst borscht” for our customs are oftentimes strange to us. family of 75. -Phyllis Penner Especially is noise at certain periods of the B. True or False
Quiz Yourself
DECEMBER 26, 1975
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I Saw, I Heard, I Felt Mrs. John K. Reimer, wife of Board of Missions exec.-sec. was present at the recent workers retreat in East Paraguay and submits the following report.
I saw the E.M.C. staff of Paraguay meet together November 14-16 for the sixth an nual retreat at the beautifully treed Baptist Camp at Itacurubi. Those from East Paraguay came with their own vehicles. Those from the Chaco flew out to Asuncion and from there travelled by bus to the camp site. Jasch Giesbrechts and Dietrich Lepps bravely set out via pick-ups along the Trans Chaco Highway. The Giesbrechts, after an all day trip of intense heat, braving the bumps and mastering the mud puddles made it safely to the campsite.
In addition, I heard the noise of bugs, of frogs, of ox carts rumbling past the campsite, and the music of a nearby dance band. Later I heard the cheering of young people on the volley ball court; the glee of the children swimming in the river. Finally, at the conclusion of the con ference I heard the heart warming testimonies of many of the workers. I felt the unity of the Spirit and a bond of love among the group as the men and boys shared a dormitory and the women and girls shared another, I felt the oppressive heat and humidity typical of that part of the country. I felt also the deep concerns they have for an effective witness among the Mennonites, Paraguayans and Indians. As 1 saw, heard and felt during those days of retreat, I can only “Praise the Lord, Great things He is doing." Continue to pray!
Latin American Tour A visit to Panama.
The Lepps, however, had the misfortune of hitting a tree stump. Although they did not upset, yet they had to return to Filedciphia for medical attention. Mr Lepp received a broken ankle and Tina Barkman who was travelling with them, sustained head and back injuries and was hospitalized for a few days. In spite of this mishap, 1 saw much joy and eager anticipation as the group of sixty met for the first session Friday night, November 14 in the open air chapel. I heard the hearty singing of the camp theme song: Gib mir liebe ins Herz, lass mich leuchten, Gib mir liebe ins Herz, bet ich, (Give me love in my heart, let me shine,) (Give me love in my heart, I pray.) I heard the various messages on the theme “Wandelt nur wiirdig dem evangelium Christi,” (Walking worthy of the Gospel of Christ) Phillipians 1:27 and Ephesians 4:1-3. These were brought by guest speakers Ben Friesen, Henry Kornelsen and John K. Reimer.
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Panama Canal The two-hour flight to Panama from Managua included a brief stop in San Jose, Costa Rica. Clearing immigration and customs in Panama City Airport went smoothly. One problem was that my luggage had not arrived with the flight we were on. After a lengthy "discussion” with the airline agent I finally got a Lost Baggage Claim with the promise that the luggage would
arrive the next day. The group was transferred to hotel accommodation by taxi which was a good half hour drive. It was a blessing to be met at the airport by Mr and Mrs David Fast who are mis sionaries in Panama with Gospel Missionary Union. They were our hosts in Panama. Next morning, October 30, two G.M.R. missionaries. Miss Helen Goertzen and Miss Linda Penner, met us at the hotel and also spent the day with the group. The Fasts had chartered a bus for the day and by nine o'clock we were ready to leave for the day’s tour. We first visited the Panama Canal which is an amazing engineering accomplishment. One of the interesting features is that the water in the locks used to raise and lower the ocean liners is controlled by gravity flow of water that is channeled to the canal from a fresh water lake. Before we ate the noon meal we spent some time at the beautiful Botanical Gardens. Here you can see the various kinds of tropical trees, shrubs, animals and birds. The Gardens are well kept and it is refreshing to observe God’s marvellous crea tion. That afternoon while the rain came down in buckets we visited the G.M.U.’s Sunrise Farm. Actually this is a school campers and campground. Here the missionary children’s school, which we saw in session, is located. These facilities which include dormitories, kitchen, dining room, classrooms and staff csidences are also used for week day camps during school holidays as well as for weekend retreats. While we enjoyed refreshments the missionaries gave us a history and an overall view of the G.M.U. in volvement in Panama. It was encouraging to note the development and growth of the church. Presently there seems to be an emphasis on leadership training. We drove a few miles further along the Pan American Highway and came to the city of La Chorrea. The Fasts reside here during the absence of the Clifford Reimers who are presently on an extended furlough. Due to the heavy rains we were not able to meet with some of the believers. Due to our early departure next morning we returned to the hotel for supper. After supper one of the couples in the group went to visit some friends in Panama City. When they returned to the hotel. I met them at the entrance and he mentioned that the war nings concerning pick-pocketers had been overemphasized. In a few minutes they were in their room and he found out that his wallet with money was missing. He then remembered that while he was flagging down a taxi somebody had bumped into him and
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most likely relieved him of the money.. For tunately he only had around thirty dollars in the wallet. Had the warnings overemphasiz ed the danger'.’ At three o'clock next morning, October 31, the hotel wake up service activated. By four we were all ready to depart for the air port. Shortly after leaving the hotel we notic ed that the oil pressure of the bus motor was extremely low. the driver seemed to think there was no problem. Finally when the pressure went down to zero he stopped the bus and went to check. There was very little traffic at that hour and we were between Panama City and the airport. Would we make it to the airport'.’ How would we find emergency transportation for twenty-eight people? After working around for about fif teen minutes the driver closed the hood, started the engine and off we went. The oil pressure was above zero. We made it for the appointed time. Once again we had to clear with the air line, customs and emigration. Since my luggage had actually arrived the previous evening we were ready for our next flight to Ecuador aboard a very colorfully painted Ecuatoriana plane. Reminising on our brief visit to Panama one was encouraged that the church of Jesus Christ in Panama is a growing church in the midst of darkness and opposition. One recognized the sincere dedication of the workers with whom we had fellowship. On the other hand, why has there been no replacement for Gil Reimer who was so brutally murdered while carrying on an effective ministry in Panama City? Why are there so many untouched opportunities and vacancies in the missions outreach in Panama'? Pray that the Lord of harvest will thrust forth labourers into His harvest field. (to be corn'd.) —Henry Klassen
Pictured is the choir from the Morozan church (EMC Nicaragua) with trophy and certificates they won. Have you ever stopped to think what a great part musie plays in our daily lives? In God's Word we note that music was a way of expressing emotions, triumphs, and sorrow. In our Latin circles music forms a great part of the worship experience, and it has been a thrill to see a continual developement of this quality in the later years. The story is repeated over and over, a soul is won to the Lord, a keen interest is shown in ser vices, and especially the singing. Many times this person is not able to sing well, but sings heartily none the less, but in due time they sing comparatively well, and sometimes come to be good singers. Praise God, Our Morazan church choir has been sing ing together for a year now. They are a very enthusiastic group of young people who preform because they want God's name to
be glorified. In Sept, we entered the choir in the Music festival sponsored by the Luis Palau Crusade. This festival was intended to scrceen talent to use in the pre-crusades in different cities of the country. It included solos, duets, instrumentals and choirs. After much dilibcration on which numbers to pre sent, we prepared ourselves and sang to God's glory. We had the privilege of being chosen as winners of the fourth prize and were presented a tophy and certificates of performance. We took home a very excited group of young people and since then the in vitations to sing have been more than we have been able to accept. We praise God for the opportunity of serving by way of music.
Darlene Olfert
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR NURSES The E.M.C. Board of Missions will be in need of two qualified nurses to commence work in June, 1976 La Esperanza clinic, Paraguay Nicaragua clinic, Nicaragua
If interested apply to: E.M.C. Board of Missions Box 1268, Steinbach, Man. ROA 2A0 Tel: 326-6401
Office located on the campus of the Steinbach Bible Institute
DECEMBER 26, 1975
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CHURCH BUILDING PLANNED FOR SPRING La Crete: Work on the new church, which began late this fall, was halted because of winter conditions. The building project will resume next spring. Deeper Life and Revival Conference was held here from Oct. 12 to Oct. 19. Mr. Ar nold Fast, Winnipeg, served as guest speaker. A communion service on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 19, concluded the series of meetings.
DEEPER LIFE MEETINGS Pictured are baptismal candidates of Blumenort on November 23. Back row, left to right — Rev. Melvin Penner, Eleanor Doerksen, Clifford Loewen, Terry Wiebe, Mrs. Erna Wiebe, Wanda Reimer and Rev. John Loewen. Front row — Donelda Friesen, Mary Lou Brandt, Connie Doerksen and Debbie Brandt. PASTOR VISITS COMMUNIST COUNTRY Blumcnort - Pastor John Loewen, and his wife returned from a three week trip to Europe on November 12. “Going to Europe had been my dream for a long time,” Pastor Loewen said, “I didn’t think it would ever work out that I could go, es pecially not with my wife, but God led in such a way that it was possible.” The Loewens visited the Lee Reimers in Ger many where the E.M.C. mission has started a church planting outreach. The highlight of their stay in Europe was their trip with the Lee Reimers into communist Hungary. On Sunday, November 30, John and Helen Loewen took the oppor tunity to share with the church their ex periences. Mrs Loewen gave her testimony, and the pastor had the message, entitled “Our Impressions of the Church in Hungary.” Pastor Loewen ex pressed the thought that we need the prayers of the Christians behind the iron curtain more than they need ours. The third week of November was a busy, but rewarding week for many Blumenorters. It was the week of their missionary conference. Fred Friesen, the guest speaker, presented challenging and very practical mesages about “What is the church”, “A Godly Man”, “God is Love”, and “Being a Sweet Saviour”. He usually started his messages with a story for the children (adults included) about a boy or girl in Nicaragua. All of them had strange names, but they illustrated clearly what Fred said in his messages. During the week there were reports of Paraguay, Germany, Canada Etc., and special numbers by various singing groups. On Thursday the report and special number were by Jack Steinkes from the Janz
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Team. The young people especially en joyed his singing. It was a week of sitting at the feet of Jesus and learning of Him from His word. Immediately following the mission con ference came another blessed event: Bap tism. Baptized on November 30 were: Donelda Friesen (Jac P.), Debbie Brandt (Leonard), Mary Lou Brandt (Alvin), Eleanor Doerksen (Peter P.), Connie Derksen (John J,), Clifford Loewen (John P.), Wanda Reimer (Emil) and Mr and Mrs Terry Wiebe. Pastor Loewen and Reverend Melvin Penner shared the responsibility of administering the Bap tism. There was an atmosphere of praise in the church as people realized God’s goodness in answering the prayers of His people and bringing loved ones to Himself.
COUNTING BLESSINGS
Kleefeld: December 12 was a special day for Mr and Mrs Jacob Koop. Special because it was their 60th Wedding Anniver sary. A rare occassion, a meaningful occa sion, and a blessing from God. Many friends and relatives dropped in during their Open House to rejoice with them. It has been great sharing the Kleefeld News with all of you through the year. Great because God has done so many wonderful things for us. He has loved us, admonished us, encouraged us, and blessed us. Songs have been sung, sermons have been preached, tears have been shed, victories have been won, but most precious of all, souls have been saved. What more can we say but, praise the Lord! Happy New Year everyone!
Ridgewood: November twenty-third our Deeper Life Services began. Rev. Leonard Barkman from Pansy was the speaker. His messages on the theme “All Things To All Men" were very challenging. Various topics under this theme were, “All for the Stage”, “It isn't Fair", “The Deceitfulness of Sin”, and “PepsiCola Christians”. Each evening there was a testimony or special number from his home church which proved to be a great blessing. Then Friday our Missionary Conference started. Various interesting reports were brought, including a report from La Esperanza by the John Doerksens. Their girls provided beautiful music played on the Spanish Harp. Pastor Henry Kornelsen showed interesting slides from their trip south. The last picture featured Mr. Kornelsen lying in bed in the Steinbach Hospital. Somehow he had managed to pick up Malaria while on his trip. Ridgewood Ladies Fellowship had their Christmas social early in December. A very delicious turkey supper was served to about thirty-seven people. This included the husbands. Four young people very generous ly served and washed the dishes. After the supper a few games were played. Then they gathered for some carols and also to think about some heart-searching questions. These questions included: How can you make Christmas more meaningful to your family or someone else? What part of Christmas celebrations should you leave which aren’t really pleasing to Christ? Which should stay? What kind of present would Jesus want you to give Him this year? Mrs John Penner had surgery on both of her eyes in St. Boniface Hospital. Cory Penner, son of Eldon Penners was hospitaliz ed due to pneumonia. We thank the Lord that Mr Isaac Penner is recovering quite well after suffering from a stroke. Congratulations are extended to Diana THE MESSENGER
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Plett and Bill Froese on their recent engage ment. Also congratulations to Jerry Plett and Phyllis Kornelsen who were also engaged recently. Sincere best wishes to both of you.
THREE JOIN THE ‘TEAM’ Portage la Prairie — December 7 dawned as a sparkling and crisp morning, but inside of the sanctuary of the E.M.C. prevailed a spiritual warmth — as three new souls were added to the “Team”. Based on Hebrews chapter 12, Rev. Plett challenged us all . . . “We're not all ‘goalies' or ‘quarter backs' in the ‘game'. We're not carbon copies. We're in dividuals, created and equipped for some specific work that only we can do. I’m giving an invitation ‘Come, Run with us — with the ‘Team’. Weights that slow runners down (not always exactly sins, but little subtle things) should be confess ed and run with patience, endurance, perserverence. We ought to have our eyes fixed on our head coach — Jesus. Make daily contact with Him. Learn to know His handbook well to better understand and know the game. Seek out fellowship of other Team mates.” The three “Runners” baptized and added to the church were; Roger (oldest son of Henry Giesbrechts), Daniel and Donald (oldest sons of the Abe K. Friesens). Mr Plett gave them each an in dividual charge — scripture passage and they in turn accepted the charge by responding with a word of testimony. (The previous Sunday they gave a lengthy testimony how they had found the Lord and the daily walk with Him). Many of the congregation gave each candidate a welcome and a word of encouragement. It was fitting to commemorate Com munion Service in the afternoon of the same day. Rev. Plett spoke on the “Red River of Life”, beginning with Adam, Abel, Noah - their sacrifices, the blood that flowed ... a red thread going through the Bible, leading to the Lamb of God and to Calvary, where He was slain for all times (Heb. 9:22) And His Blood is still sufficient for ALL, for you and me for every sin we confess to the Lamb that was slain. “How to share Jesus Christ with your neighbor” was the topic of a talk given by Dave and Myrna Thiessen of Aberdeen Church, Nov. 30. They shared how the Lord had awakened a yearning in their hearts to witness more efficiently in their neighborhood. As they opened their hearts to the Lord, searching, and were available and obedient. He worked miracles . ., Myrna shared how she asked neighbor ladies over for coffee, or got acquainted with someone through their children, etc. Dave related how the Lord opened doors for him through associating with men in the neighborhood. He said, “Witnessing adds a lot of spice to the DECEMBER 26, 1975
Christian life. Just be obedient and available — trusting the Lord to bless and leave the results with Him. Techniques alone isn't enough, you've got to let the Lord do it." Two warnings he pointed out were: “Identification without proclama tion and proclamation without iden tification.” Both are essential. They related the decision they had faced when they discovered that there was a family gathering planned for the Sunday, when they had promised to have lunch with a couple with whom they had contact and who seemed interested in the Lord. After prayer, they decided that it was more im portant to keep the latter appointment. The sharing was a real challenge and inspiration to us all.
We still want to remember the sick, Mr and Mrs Jake Dyck and also the Heide fami ly in the passing of the husband and father Herman D, Heide on Dec, 13. May the holiday season be a blessing to all.
births To Mr and Mrs Theo Efthymiadias (nee Bev, daughter of Mr and Mrs Clarence Olson of Rosenort) of Athens, Greece, a daughter Elainey Louisa, on October 7, 1975.
CHURCH BUILDING Roseisle: With children and young people back in school, the harvest in and winter begun, we have so many things to be thankful for that it is hard to know how to begin. For sunshine and rain, for gardens and grain, for joy and even for some pain, we thank the Lord. The church has settled down quite well after ins and outs of people moving. We had the blessing of three girls being added to the church by baptism; Elaine Harms, Mary Dyck, Valerie Friesen. The men have been busy constructing and reconstructing the church building. The ladies have given a hand in painting. By the grace of God we were able to enjoy our first fellowship thanksgiving supper, after which the young people entertained us with a program centred around the same topic. Each couple was allowed to invite one other couple to supper with an evangelical out reach in mind. Enriched evenings were enjoyed with Milton Fast from Swift Current in November. He shared many of God’s promises and wonders with us; also remin ding us of duties and priviledges that we have in Him. At our missionary conference we were taken to Mexico by the Jake Kroeker fami ly, and to Paraguay with the Henry Klassen's.
weddings KOOP — CARTER: Arthur, son of Mrs. Katherine Koop of Blumenort, Man., was married to Thelma, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Abler! Carter of Big River, Sask,, on December 6, 1975. The wedding took place in the Big River Evangelical Free Church, with Rev. Penner of Big River of ficiating. The couple now reside in Swift Current, Sask.
VIETNAM SHIPPING RESTRICTIONS EASED KEON Pa. — Under present circumstances there are no objections to issuing licenses for ship ping items such as rototillers, fishnets and wood screw-making machines to Vietnam, indicates a statement issued November 17 by the U.S. State Department. The recommendation to issue licenses for the rototillers, wood screw-making machines and fishnets takes into account the North Vietnamese release of nine American missionaries who had been captured during the spring 1975 offensive in the Central Highlands,” the statement explains. Applications will continue to be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. As a result MCC has reapplied for permission to ship $75,000 worth of rototillers to South Viet nam and plans to process this shipment, which will leave Hong Kong for Vietnam in mid December, through the overseas department of the headquarters office in Akron, Pa,
MCC MATERIAL AID PROJECT - HEALTH KITS (JANUARY 1976) During the course of a year Mennonite Central Committee ships 20,000 to 25,000 health kits to other countries. Requests are coming in for 1976, and Brazil alone has requested 15,000 kits for this year. Haiti wants 2,500 kits. To make a health kit, sew an 8x10 inch cotton or denim drawstring bag. Into it put a toothbrush, a family-size tube of toothpaste, a large bar of soap, a nail file, a nail clipper, a comb, a washcloth and bandaids. Health kits are used to teach both adults and children basic hygiene prac tices.
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Messenger Index For 1975 ARTICLES: The Lord of All Nations. Moises Chan .... Jan. 10 How to Pray for Single Lady Missionaries, Leia Pierce ......................................... Jan. 10 Report on Planned Famine '74.................... Jan. 10 The Meaning of Anabaptism, Walter KlassenJan. 24 It's Our World — What Shall We Do About It? John W. Eby..................................... Feb. 7 Enlargement Through Pressure, Alan Redpath.Feb. 21 Worldwide Brotherhood, Million Belete ... Feb. 21 Away Masks. Gary R. Collins ........................Mar. 7 The Fellowship of His Suffering.................. Mar. 21 Finds Studies Challenging. Glen Koop .... Mar. 21 He Made It Again. Edith Schaeffer............. Apr. 4 The Planning of Providence. Charles G.E. Chilton.......................... Apr. 18 From What Source? L. James Penner....... Apr. 18 Why the Results are Delayed, S.D. Gordon May 2 S.B.I. Announces New Appointments......... May 2 Widow Take Heart, Maxine Dowd Jensen . .May 16 The Mind Under The Blood, D. W. Griffin. .May 30 Medical People Discuss Death and Dying . May 30 And Ye Fathers. D.K. Schellenberg........... June 13 From Her Majesty The Queen June 13 Message for 1975 .... Forty-Eight Graduate at S.B.I. Norma Penner ...................................June 27 He Giveth More Grace, Corrie ten Boom . .July 25 There's Activity on the S.B.I. Campus ....... July 25 Christian Students, the University and the Bible, Grant Loewen.................. Aug. 8 Seventeen Thoughts on Conducting a Church Business Meeting. Rev. George WoldAug. 8
The Anabaptist Vision and World Mission Aug. 8 Anabaptists: Then and Now, Jim Juhnke . Aug. 22 The Church and the Single Person, A. SingleSept. 5 The Mennonite Credibility Gap. Levi Keidel Sept. 5 Parable for the Affluent. Edgar Stoesz ... .Sept. 5 Is It Right For A Person to Get Involved in Big Business. Bernie Brandt ... .Sept. 19 S.B.I. Opens Doors For Fall Semester....... Oct. 3 How to Seek the Presence of God Daily. John Regehr.......................... Oct. 17 The Handwrighting. Billy Graham .. Oct. 31 The Church and the Next 25 Years, Ann and Paul Gingerich .... Nov. 14 God's Plan for Family Success, Clyde M. Narramore.......................... Nov. 14 Menno's Reins................................................ Nov. 14 The Future of the Family, David Schroeder Nov. 28 May Thy Kingdon Come. Henry Rempel .. Dec. 12 A Babe In A Manger. Dinsdale T. Young . Dec. 12 The Incarnation, Will H. Houghton............... Dec. 12 Education: In and For the Future. Dan Chamberlain Dec. 26
CHURCH NEWS (Selected) Rosenort Fellowship: Missionary ConferenceJan. 10 Arabella: Good Christmas Program ........... Jan. 10 Wymark: Christian Education Seminar......... Jan. 10 Kola: Missionary Conference......................... Jan. 24 Roseisle: Four Baptized ................................ Jan. 24 Portage: Giving Christmas Hampers.............Jan. 24 Hudson Bay: Watch Night Service................ Jan. 24 Fisher Branch: Bible Classes in the Poplarfield School............................ Feb. 7 MacGregor: District Centennial Celebration Feb. 7 Stratton: Congregation Grows.................... Feb. 7
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Morris: Revival Seminar ............................. Feb. 21 CONVENTIONS AND CONFERENCES Arden: Prayer Sister Social........................ Feb. 21 Consultation on Inter-Mennonite Cooperation. Gouldtown: Ministerial Meet ...................... Feb. 21 Maragret Loewen Reimer.................Jan. 24 Kola: Seven Baptized ................................... Mar. 7 Post Secondary Student Seminar Kamsack: Youth Rally................................... Mar. 7 at the University of Manitoba......... Feb. 7 Tres Palmas: Sunday School Promotion ... Mar. 7 Church Growth Seminar.............................. Feb. 7 Arabella: New Pastor..................................... Mar. 7 S.B.IO. Annual Missions Conference, Morweena: Church Addition ........................ Mar. 7 Faith Eidse ....................................... Feb. 21 Kleefeld: Deeper Life Meetings ...................Mar. 21 Music Convention Well Received............... Mar. 7 Wawanesa: Sunday School Seminar......... Mar. 21 The Minister's Seminar at S.B.I.................. Mar. 21 La Crete: First Church Board Elected .... Mar. 21 Snow Camp 1975 ......................................... Mar. 21 Steinbach: Farewell for Pastor....... Apr. 4 Christian Education Convention................. .Apr. 18 Riverton: Six Baptized...................... Apr. 4 E.M.C. Regional Conference, Pleasant Valley: Witnessing Seminar Apr. 4 Swift Current, Sask........................... •Apr. 18 Pelley Evangelistic Meetings Held .. Apr. 18 Faith In Action, E.M.C. Annual Conference Burns Lake: New Church Manse ... Apr. 18 Missionary Presentation Blumenort: Evangelistic Services ... Apr. 18 1975 Conference Council ............... July 11 Ridgewood: Six Baptized................. Apr. 18 Building Personal Relationships — Rosenort: Couple Returns From Paraguay .May 2 E.M.C. Ministerial Retreat...............I Sept. 5 Pansy: Five Baptized...................................... May 2 Communication in the Home Steinbach: Installs Pastor.............................. May 2 N.F.C. Annual Conference ...............Oct. 31 Braeside: Installs Pastor................................ May 2 Greater Manitoba Sunday School Convention Oct. 31 Steinbach: Twelve Baptized ... May 16 Christian Public School Teachers Creighton: Child Dedication ... May 16 to Meet Jan. 9 - 10............ Dec. 12 Arden: Missionary Conference May 16 E.M.C. Students Meet Kleefeld: Five Baptized........... May 16 Dec. 12 at U. of M. Student Centre Calgary: Revival ............................................. May 30 Riverton: First Wedding ................................ May 30 EDITORIALS Pleasant Valley: Eight Baptized ................... May 30 The Year Before Us.......................... .Jan. 10 Portage la Prairie: 1.500 See Time to Run June 13 Four Hundred and Fifty Years Later .Jan. 24 Rosenort: Mothers Honoured ..................... June 13 He Oft Refreshed Me ...................... Feb. 7 Ridgewood: Pastor's Silver Wedding ....... June 13 Feb. 21 Renew Your Mind............................. Prairie Rose: Twenty-two Baptized ........... June 27 Mar. 7 Seat-Mates......................................... Braeside: Baptisimal Service....................... June 27 Study to Show Thyself Approved Unto God Mar 7 Arden: Crusade Highlights............................. July 11 Apr. 4 For Better Communication Birch River: One Baptized .............................July 11 Incident At O'Hare........... Apr. 18 Portage la Prairie: Baptisimal Service ....... July 11 On Buying A New Car.... Apr. 18 La Crete: Baptisimal Service......................... July 11 May 2 Apocalyptic Syndrome ... Arborg: Indian Preaches................................ July 25 ■ May 16 By The Way ...................... Rosenort: Baptisimal Service ....................... July 25 Tribute To A Father............................................June13 Crestview: Baptism......................................... July 25 Fathers Write Your Story .............................June 13 Steinbach: Farewell for Should I Go To Annual Conference.......... June 27 Three Missionary Families ...............Aug. 8 Who Draws The Crowds? Why?......................... July25 Prairie Rose: Farewell for Three Families . Aug. 22 Anxiety.................................................................. Aug.22 Riverton: Farewell for M.C.C. Trainee....... Aug. 22 Insufficent Funds ......................................... Sept. 5 Wawanesa: Baptism.......................................Aug. 22 Premier Alarmed at Alcohol Promotion .. .Sept. 19 Rosenort Fellowship: Blood Donor Clinics.............................. Sept. 19 Sod Turning Ceremony................... Sept. 5 First Generation Christians ................. Sept. 19 Roseisle: People Moving ............................ Sept. 5 What Happened To Those $5.00 Bills? .. Oct. 3 Creighton: Many Come for Counselling .. .Sept. 5 Youth Sponosrs' Seminar.................... .. Oct. 3 Crestview: Campout......................................Sept. 19 Prayer Request..................................... .. Oct. 3 Arborg: Farmers Keep 'Looking Up'......... Sept. 19 Thanksgiving .......................................... .Oct. 17 Prairie Rose: Twenty-six Receive DiplomasSept. 19 An Early Morning Adventure................ .Oct. 31 Morris Fellowship: Ten Young People Baptized.Oct. 3 i Growing Congregations Nov. 14 Peardonville: Pastor Installation..................Oct. 3 Capitalizing on the Sunday Morning Hour Nov. 14 Pansy: Children's Rally.................................Oct. 3 Those Beautiful Fall Days..............................Nov. 14 Swift Current: Baptism and Ordination ....Oct. 17 A Balanced Diet ............................................ Nov. 28 Tres Palmas: Seven Ask for Baptism......... Oct. 17 It's Again That Time of Year...................... Dec. 12 Aberdeen: Ordination ....................................Oct. 31 Portage la Prairie: Report on Germany ... Nov. 14 FROM OUR HOUSE TO YOUR HOUSE Prairie Rose: Twenty-eight Step Forward . Nov. 14 Right Now, Laura Siemens .................... Jan. 10 Rosenort Fellowship: Pastor Installation .. Nov. 28 What Are We Thankful For, Anne Klassen .Jan. 10 Ridgewood: Music Month..............................Nov. 28 Why Would A Loving God Do This To Me? Steinbach: Report on Mrs. Betty Barkman....... Apr. 4 "Social Christ-like Involvement” ... Nov. 28 Interruptions, Anne Klassen .... Apr. 4 Camp Jubilee 1975, Brian Plett................... Nov. 28 Except Ye Be As Little Children, Wymark: Youth Pastor Installed...................Dec. 12 Laura Siemens................. June 13 Endeavour: New Families..............................Dec. 12 I Want To Help You, God, Tres Palmas: Visitors Appreciated ........... Dec. 12 Laura Siemens................. June 13
THE MESSENGER
LETTERS Wise Giving Encouraged. Joy and Jim Penner.Jan. 10 Serving The Lord at Griswold. Dave Pletts, Jan. 10 More Clarity Please. D. Klassen................... Jan. 24 Penner 0. K., John Knelsen ...................... Feb. 21 Role of Women. Mrs. Diane Klassen ......... Apr. 4 A Letter of Concern (T.V.) ............................ Apr. 18 Far Away School Brings Problems. Jasch and Maria Giesbrecht ........... May 2 Begin Tribal Work, Bob and Adeline StoreyJune 13 Set of Values Underwent Change. Elmer and Tina Barkman . July 25 Messenger A Blessing in Greece, Mr. and Mrs. Theo Efthymiadis....... July 25 Enjoys Church News. Ed and Crystal Klassen Aug. 22 Prayer in a Hospital Room, John L. PennerSept. 5 Concerned About Revival Meetings, Arnold Brandt Oct. 3 M.C.C. M.C.C. (Canada) Annual Meeting, Dave Kroeker ............................ Jan. 24 Annual Meeting Wraps Up Self Study Adopts $6.2 Million Budget ... Feb. 21 PRG Drive Creates One Million Vietnamese Refugees.......................... Apr. 4 Mennonites Plan Saigon Departures.............Apr. 18 Self-Help Shops Stock Chad Baskets ....... May 16 Exchange Visitors Need Homes................ May 30 Indian Centre to Be Built in Chaco.............. May 30 M.C.C Projects for June. 1975 ..................June 13 Program Gives Offenders Prison AlternativeAug. 8
Historical Society Plans Second Volume .. Aug. 22 Bookrack Evangelism: Bringing the Good News Into the Marketplace ..................................... Aug. 22 Haiti Drought Victims Receiving Ample FoodSept. 19 Group Homes Face House Parents ShortageSept. 19 Holiday Seasons and Special Occasions, Project Suggestions........... Nov. 14 M.C.C. (Manitoba) Annual Meeting Nov. 28 Prison Not the Answer ................... Nov. 28 Third Try for Henry Funk............... Dec. 12
MESSAGES The Holy Spirit In Evangelism, Tom Houston .................................... June 27 Who Weeps Anymore, Leonard Ravenhill ..July 11 Faith In Action in Personal Committment Oct. 3 and Obedience. Henry P. Dyck
MISSIONARY DEPARTURES Stan Houghtons ........................................... Feb. 21 Evelyn Barkman .............................................May 30 Linda Penner................................................. May 30 Mary Loewen, July 30...................................Aug. 8 Ben Eidses, Levi Reimers, John Peters .... Aug. 8 Ron Penners ................................................ Aug. 22 Leonard Barkmans....................................... Aug. 22 Elmer Barkmans............................................Sept. 5 Bill Hildebrand................................................Oct. 17
MISSIONS Gathering In The First Fruits, Sara LeoppkyJan. 10 Good Response to "Kinderstunde', Kathy Friesen................................. Jan. 10 Mennonites Work Together in Honduras, Henry Doerksen..................................Jan. 10 Suffer the Little Children, Mary Brandt___ Ian. 24 Second Term Impressions, Darlene Olfert .Jan. 24 Ambassadors of Christ Association ........... Jan. 24 Summer Christian Service............................ Jan. 24 La Fuente de Vida — Fountain of Life, Edmar Fast ... Feb. 7 What the Amazon River .Means To Us, Leanora Koop............................ Fob. 7
Feb. 7 Pray With Us, Mary Koop ................... The Good Samaritans of Tres Palmas. Feb. 21 Sarah Martens.......................... 'Peachy' Christians, Mrs. Carol Kroeker .. Feb. 21 Nicaragua, Henry Klassen .................. Feb. 21 Zaire — What Does The Future Hold . Feb. 21 Church Organized at LaCrete, Alberta, Elmer and Lena Hamm............. Mar. 7 The Lengua Church At La Esperanza Experiences Growth .......................... Mar. 7 Vacationers Build Hospital, Mary Kroeker Mar. 7 Under the Southern Cross, John and Joyce Dyck ................. Mar. 21 Mar. 21 Kamsack Indian Work, The Brauns....... A Trip To Mexico, Glen Sawatzky......... Mar. 21 Japan Needs More Missionaries, Dan and Norma Koop................. Apr. 4 Enjoying People. Doris Friesen ............. Apr. 4 Changed Outlook, John J. Doerksen ... Apr. 4 Expansion al Windermere, Apr. 4 Len and Faye Barkman............... Yolanda. Evelyn Plett............................... Apr. 4 17th Annual E.M.C. Conference Mexico, Apr. 18 Jake P. Kroeker............................ Apr. 18 Wiles of Satan, Abe Plett........................ Sunday Afternoon Chat. Harry Koop ... Apr. 18 Apr. 18 Radio Equipment Arrives in Paraguay .. A New Frontier, Walter Reimer............... Apr. 18 Seek and Ye Shall Find, Peter Friesen ... .Apr. 18 School Bus Dedicated. Ellen Brell................May 2 Blessings in Nicaragua. Lester and Darlene Olfert................. May 2 Young Life Snatched Away ...........................May 2 Searching For Peace, Catherine Thiessen .May 2 Summer Vacation Activities in Panama, Elvira Friesen .................... May 16 Pray Ye The Lord of The Harvest, Edward Friesen .................................May 16 Unscheduled Interruptions, Darlene Olfert .May 16 First Baptism. Evelyn Funk ......................... May 16 I Can, Lenora Koop........................................May 16 God and Youth. Martha Kroeker................. May 30 Mother's Day Service at Badgerville, May 30 Frank Brauns ............................ Progress Report — Radio .................. May 30 The Woman Who Was Afraid to Die Maria Koop............................... May 30 AIMM Discusses Outreach.................. May 30 Paraguayan Travelogue, Abe B. Eidse May 30 Paraguayan Travelogue, Abe B. Eidse .... June 13 Crusade Nicaragua 1975, Lester Olfert ...June 13 Chatting with Nena, Doris Thiessen ......... June 13 A Changed Life, Doris Friesen....................June 13 Behind The Scenes, Mrs Ben Thiessen ... June 13 Frienship Bible College, Mrs Edmar Fast . June 13 Flying Service Will Facilitate Outreach, Wayne Herrod ............. June 27 Seeking The Lost, John Dycks.................... June 27 Two Baptized, Dave and Judith Schmidt.. June 27 Paraguayan Travelogue, Abe B. Eidse . June 27 Going To Bush Stations, Elmer and Elvira Warkentin..............July 11 Missions Day Annual Conference ................July 11 Paraguayan Travelogue, Abe B. Eidse .... June 27 How Shall He Read, The Houghtons ......... July 25 Visitors Prove Blessing, Marvin Thiessens .July 25 Hold Campaign, Wilbert Friesen ................. July 25 Mexico Missions Workers Hold Joint Retreat, Lois Barrett......................................... July 25 All Becaue They Decided To Take A Holiday! Marvin Thiessen and Wes Harms .. Aug. 8 Summer Service in Germany, Viola Fast.. Aug. 8 The Chaco, The Mennonites and The Indian Jasch Giesbrecht............................... Aug. 22 From a Junior Missionary, Wendy Kroeker Aug. 22 Profile of A Deacon, Wilbert Friesen ....... Aug. 22
Tears and Triumphs, Betty Friesen........... Aug. 22 Many Campers Hear Gospel, Ralph Unger Aug. 22 Pros and Cons in Nicaragua, Irma Hoeppner Sept. 5 Prayer Pointers From Pakistan, Ellen Brell Sept. 5 The Role of a La Esperanza Nurse....... Sept. 5 Chihauhua — A City of Spiritual Needs, Maria Koop................................... Sept. 19 From A Mexican Christian, Submitted by Catherine Thiessen .Sept. 19 Where It's Really At! Grace Thiessen....... Sept. 19 Inter Field Consultation, Henry Klassen ...Sept. 19 On the Air........................................................ Oct. 3 Role of Medical Clinics in Missions, Doris Friesen ................. Oct. 3 Testimony From East Paraguay, Graciela Laopez..................................Oct. 3 Low German Broadcasting, Elmer Hamm ...Ot. 17 Indian Ministry: Kamsack, Frank and Mary Braun ..................... Oct. 17 Kenya Highlights. Wayne and Essie Herrod Oct. 17 Why Teach in a Foreign Country, Kathy Penner................................. Oct. 17 Indian Literacy Program in Chaco Oct. 31 Baptism in Paraguay.................... Oct. 31 A Visit to La Esperanza (Pictorial Report)................................ Oct. 31 God At Work, Walter Reimers .....................Nov. 14 Radio Chaco Dedicated. Henry Klassen .. Nov. 28 Radio Penetrated Quichua Territories, Stan and Marion Houghton . Nov. 28 Latin American Tour, Henry Klassen Dec. 12 Entertaining Angels? John Dycks .. Dec. 12 Wide Open Door, Elmer and Elvira WarkentinDec. 12
OBITUARIES Isaac Harms, December 20, 1974 Jan. 10 Mrs. P. T. (Louise) Kroeker, December 29, 1974 .......................... Jan, 24 Mr, Allred Salmond, December 31, 1974 , ,Jan. 24 Marciso Rascon, January 4, 1975 ...............Mar. 7 Mrs. Maria (Dueck) Isaac, March 10, 1975 Mar, 21 Mr. Diedrich Bueckert, April 6, 1975 ......... May 16 Mrs. Sarah Neufeld, April 4, 1975 ................May 16 Mrs. Helena K. Loewen, June 27, 1975 ... .July 25 Mrs. Jacob R. Reimer. June 28, 1975 .... Aug. 8 Richard Kornelsen, July 30, 1975 ............. Aug. 22 Mr. John K. Wiebe. August 3, 1975 Aug. 22 Mrs. David F. Friesen, August 21, 1975...Sept. 19 Frank R. Barkman, September 12, 1975 ...Oct. 17 Gregory David Vogt, August 19, 1975 ....... Oct. 17 Mrs. Margaretha Reimer. November 9, 1975Nov. 14 Mrs. Elizabeth Friesen, December 15. 1975Dec. 26
POEMS On Giving Thanks, Anon .............................. Jan. 10 In Memorium, Author Unknown.................. Mar. 7 The Uncertain Future......................................May 2 Are All The Children In?, Elizabeth Rosser.May 2 A Mother Prays. Emily Sargent CouncilmanMay 2 God's Wonders. H.M.K.....................................May 16 Thank You Lord. Anon .................................June 13 The Secret ...................................................... July 25 God of My Life, Philip Doddridge...............Sept. 5 Great Granite Face, Agatha Fast.................Sept. 19 Prayer ............................................................ Sept. 19 Resting, A.B. Simpson ................................ Sept. 19 I Give God Thanks, Kathryn Blackburn PeckOct. 17 Shall I Pray Now, Ezra S. Gerig................... Oct. 17 Thanksgiving Day.......................................... Oct. 17 A Bible Arcostic, Abe Unger........................ Nov. 28 My Prayer. Clint Toews..................................Nov. 28 Are You Discouraged, Goldie Belle Dicks . Nov. 28 The Master Scribe, William Atherton ....... Dec. 12
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DECEMBER 26, 1975
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from the editor
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FINALLY Time has a way of sneaking up on you. As if it were yesterday we had a whole brand new year before us —1975. Today I find myself hardpressed to make my exit—editorially — before the year is forever past and gone. Yearend always seems like some kind of closing off period. One thing ends and another begins. In a sense this is so and in another sense it is not. It is so if we look at the calendar. Otherwise there is no difference between the last day of the old and the first of the new. Nevertheless it is good sometimes to climax something. Since the calendar already aids us we might as well do it on December 31. What does one have to say at the end of the year after writing some two dozen editorials or so? Will anything I say now make a difference? I am always encouraged when people remark at my articles, as some call them. 1 presume they are referring to my editorial writing. Writing, and especially subjective writing, makes one very vulnerable. Anyone can take a pot shot at you. I think this is the main reason why so many people don’t write. They are afraid of putting their thoughts on paper. To put something down on paper is different than speaking. Where speech is sometimes hard to recall, writing is there in black and white, irrevocable evidence of what was said. I always like to leave a loophole, here there is none. Yes there is a risk in volved. But, after having said that let me add that there is also the possibility of a golden harvest being involved! This is always the hope of the Christian writer — to be able to bless and revive and refresh hearts. And one does not go unrewarded. One finds that the risk was worth it. But to get back to the subject of an appropriate challenge, a charge, at this season of the year. What does one say as the final charge? To help me out of a bind here I thought I would see what the apostle Paul said when he came to the word finally. I found that the King James version of the New Testament quotes him five times as using that word. (2 Cor. 13:1!; Eph. 6:10; Phil. 3:1, 4:8; 2 Thess. 3:1.) Lets see what he said. To the Corinthians he said; Finally brethren, farewell; Be perfect; Be of good comfort; Be of one mind; Live in peace. . . Thats a good charge, isn’t it. This is advice we could all do with. He also adds a tremendous promise with it; And the God of love and peace shall be with you. To the Ephesians he says; Finally, my brethren. Be strong in the Lord, And in the power of His might. Pul on the whole ar inour of God. . . The devil is very strong and Paul knows this. In this final charge he alerts the Ephesian church to avail themselves of a protective armour which will mean the difference between vic tory and defeat. I believe one would do well to read this passage (Eph. 6:1020) daily for daily victory. KV’1
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THE MESSENGER
The Philippians are the recipients of two fnally’s. The first one is simply; Finally my brethren Rejoice in the Lord! Paul is in prison in Rome. What would he write about? Get me out of here? Appeal to Caeser? Demonstrate! No, his con cern is for others, his fellow-laborers (1:27; 2:2, 15, 28) But that isn’t all. Then comes the doxology! Rejoice in the Lord! Paul, who did such exploits for God and would still do, in a Roman prison. Did he chafe, resent it or bemoan his fate? If he did we do not find it. On the other hand there is a triumphant ring to these words to the Philippians. What a lesson for us to learn. But he must inject another finally before he closes: (Forgive the preacher who uses more than one finally in his message). Finally, brethren. . .think on these things. Whatsoever things are true Whatsoever things are honest Whatsoever things are just Whatsoever things are pure Whatsoever things are pure Whatsoever things are lovely Whatsoever things are of good report. And again we have the promise, the God ofpeace will be with you. Whal a catalogue of wholesome things to think about in a time when the devil does his utmost to inhabit and control men’s minds. The Bible gives much advice on how to beat Satan at his game. One of these if from James where he admonishes. Submit yourselves therefore to God, draw near to God and He will draw near to you; resist the devil and he will flee from you. (James 4:7) I believe also the implication in Phil. 4:8 is that following Paul’s charge here is a submitting to God. Paul’s last finally of the New Testament we find in his writing to the Thessalonians. And what a tremendous and unselfish re quest. Finally brethren Pray for us that the word of the Lord may have free course And be glorified. I say unselfish request because Paul isn’t asking for his own comfort but that the word of the Lord may speed forth un hindered and be glorified! In this sense though, he is concerned that they may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men. But no doubt to but put wings to the Gospel. I don't think I will try and add anything to Paul’s fmally’s. What was good and proper for his hearers is also good for us. May we give heed to his charges and seek to live a fruitful life for God.
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—D.K.S.
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