The Messenger November 26, 1976

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e Messenger,

U MENNONITE MFNNONITE CONFERENCE CONFERgNCE EVANGELICAL

NOV. 26/y^«* VOL. 14 14 NO. NO. 24 24V^NOV. 26// VOL.

Heap Lives By Francis A. Schaeffer

“We all tend to live ‘ash heap lives’; we spend most of our time and money for things that wi| end up in the city dump.’’ ""

he world is afire. Not only do we face streni^^k days now, but, if my projections are right, we can expect our tii^^ to become even more difficult. 1 think that God’s people are about to enter a struggle unlike anything they have experienced for many generations. The next two to five decades will make the last few years look like child’s play. We Christians should be asking ourselves, “What must we do to speak effectively to such a world?” I believe with all my heart that in order to speak to this generation we must act like a Bible­ believing people. We can emphasize a message faithful to the Bible and the purity of the visible church, but if we do not practice this truth we cannot expect anyone to listen to us. Yet we must go on even deeper than this; we must go on to a Bible-centered spirituality. In the last chapter of Death in the City, I point out that each person sits in one of two chairs - either the naturalist chair or the super-naturalist chair — and he perceives everything in the universe from the perspective of that chair. When an individual is born again, he moves from the former chair to the latter. The tragedy is that even after a Christian has affirmed the supernatural it is perfectly possible for him, in practice, to move back to the naturalist chair and spend most of his life there, seeing things from the same perspective as the world and living on the same basis. If a man does not believe the promises of God for salva­ tion, we say he is in unbelief. The position of a Christian who sits in the naturalist chair is what I call unfaith. Many Christians live much of their lives there. I wish to speak to this problem, not by stressing the positive aspects of spiritual things (I have done this in True Spirituality, The Mark of the Christian and at the end . of Death in the City) but by dealing with the negative — the danger, materialism in a Christian’s life. * PRACTICAL MATERIALISM Materialism can be understood in several ways. Those who are philosophically oriented will think of philosophic materialism. This perspective, which dominates our educational system today, is an­ tithetical to Christianity. It says that man is only the energy particle more complex and that religion is no more than a psychological or sociological tool. So Christians reject this; they cannot be this sort of materialist. Some people will think of the materialism represented by the communist philosophy and communist nations — dialectical materialism. And because it is horrible that these states limit the perspective of millions of people (especially the children) to an en tirely materialistic explanation of life, as well as subordinate the in­ dividual to the state, Christians cry out, “Down with dialectical materialism!” But even Christians can reject both of these materialisms and yet not escape from a third kind — what 1 call practical materialism. Tragically, all too many of us live out this antithesis of true spirituality. We all tend to live “ash heap lives”; we spend most of our time and money for things that will end up in the city dump. Practical materialism is difficult to escape in any age, but it is es­ pecially hard today because we all tend to be influenced by the spirit around us, and in the United States and the western world most people have only two values — personal peace and affluence. Many young people have rejected their parents’ style of materialism only to come round in a big circle to their own kind. As long as they have enough money to pay for their pad and feed their lifeMtf|k they care about nothing else. Are Christians ever like this? I remember our first years on the “mission field” (1947-48). We came to a Europe filled with povertystricken people. In this setting were material possessions

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In seeing beyond the present life, a Christian’s perspective is supposed to be different. We must never live in the perspec^be of this life alone but should affirm that our Resent existence has a horizontal extension into a life to come. automatically an asset in missionary work? There were not many automobiles in Rome (perhaps happily, when we think of Rome today), but a missionary invited me into a big American car and drove me through the streets. How wrong he was to think that the impressive automobile, shipped over on a boat at great expense, landed on a dock at Genoa and driven to Rome, would automatically increase his effectiveness. It did not; it diminished it. His abuse of possessions was both unspiritual and insensitive. I left Rome thinking, “Here is real materialism.” Spain, too, was bitterly poor. With the exception of a very few wealthy people, most people’s lives were dreadful. Yet I was invited to a missionary’s apartment which was overwhelmingly luxurious — not, perhaps, in comparison to what this same man would have had as a pastor in America but exceedingly affluent by Spanish stan­ dards then. He said to me, “I don’t understand it, but we seem separated from the people. There seems to be a wall between us and them.” What do you think happened when he invited the poor peo­ ple into his luxurious home to a Bible study? The effort was useless. In Europe today, of course, this is not true. Now everyone owns an automobile except the Schaeffers!) But there are still countries in the world where the Christians’ use of money creates a “we-they” dichotomy. Such a situation cannot possibly lead people to believe that Christians are serious about trusting their Father in heaven and ■ lut sharing with their fellow men. )o we understand that material possessions are not necessarily good in themselves even in this life? Let me give two illustrations from our early days in Switzerland. When we first came to the villages of Switzerland, most of the women washed their clothes at the village pumps. This was not just something staged for a tourist postcard. When I saw them walking down to the village fountain, putting their hands in the cold water and standing outside even in bad weather, my typical American reaction was: “Isn’t this a shame? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if these people had washing machines?” Gradually a different idea dawned on me — working at the fountain took up a lot of the woman’s day, but she spent the time talking with other village women, doing a necessary job; she existed in a very human setting. Was that worse than a woman in the United States or a woman in Europe today who has a great number of labor-saving devices — who pops her dirty clothes into a washer and leaves them — but spends all her time being morose and lonely? The question is. What does she do with the time she saves? If she spends all her time just doing nothing or destroying herself and her family, wouldn’t she be better off washing at the village pump in the cold water? Is it really true, then, that having increased material possessions is automatically good even in this life? No. Of all people, Christians should know this because God’s Word teaches it. We must not get caught up in practical materialism.

LAYING UP TREASURE In seeing beyond the present life, a Christian’s perspective is sup­ posed to be different. We must never live in the perspective of this i^Jone but should affirm that our present existence has a horizon^^xtension into a life to come. The Bible tells us that a cause-andefl'tct relationship exists between what happens now and what

NOV. 26, 1976

happens in eternity. We are often told, “You can’t take it with you.” But this is not true. You can take it with you — if you are a Chris­ tian. The question is. Will we? Jesus himself taught this: “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasurers in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal” (Mt. 6:19-20). This statement is to be taken literally. Jesus never uttered mere “God words.” Liberal theologians with the concept of realized es­ chatology consider this only a way of stirring up motivation for the present life, but this is not the Bible’s perspective. Jesus was not merely making a psychological adjustment inside a man’s head. He was telling us that in actual fact we can lay up our treasure in one of two places. In one place, it will assuredly rot away; in the other, it will never decay. We can lay up money in land or investments, but we can lay it up just as realistically and objectively in heaven. It is as though Jesus had mentioned the First National Bank in New York as opposed to the Banque Suisse and said that you can choose to make your investments in either America or Switzerland. The perspective of our lives should be that we can lay up treasure in one of two places — earth or heaven. Jesus emphasized this in a parable: And he said unto them. Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abun­ dance of the things which he possesseth. And he spake a parable unto them, saying. The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, say­ ing, What shall I do, because 1 have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said. This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee; then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich towards God. (Luke 12:15-21) These are strong words. A man is a fool to put money in a bank that is not going to last when he can deposit it in a bank that will. Often this is used as an evangelistic text to point out that anyone is foolish who builds for this life while forgetting that one day he will have to stand before God in judgment. Undoubtedly this truth is involved here, but there is more. Jesus is not only speaking to the man who spends all of his time, as so many do, accumulating wealth with no thought of God. He is also addressing Christians. If we are acting like this, then either we do not really believe in the future life or we are fools for laying up money in a bank that can be plundered. Death will strip us of all the material possessions we leave upon this earth. Death is a thief. Five minutes after we die our most treasured possessions which are invested in this life are ab­ solutely robbed from us. It is a terrible thing that many Christians read this passage year in, year out, and they never see that it applies to them. Jesus summed all this up in yet another statement: “Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth” (Lk. 12:33). Imagine a man who has to carry five thousand dollars over the Alps and who has a choice of two bags. One is made of cheesecloth, and he knows that if he uses it the money will soon begin dribbling out. So he chooses the other — a heavy leather bag. When he arrives at his destination the money is safe. Jesus is just as explicit: When we lay up our treasures in this life, we have chosen a worthless bag. We are going

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someplace, you know, and when we arrive we do not want to find we have left everything upon the way. Notice that Jesus introduces the statement about bags with a practical implication: “Sell that ye have, and give alms.” The Scrip­ ture makes no distinction between giving to the needy and giving to missionary work. Often to the evangelical mind, money given to missions is the only money given to the Lord. Now, I am not minimizing contributing to missionary work. Christians do not do this enough. In fact, Christians in countries like the United States and Britain will have to answer to God for investing such a small amount in missions. But there is also a practical humanitarianism in the Scripture. Christians have the important job of meeting men’s material needs as well as their personal and spiritual needs. The book of James is strong on just that point. If the church had prac­ ticed and preached this truth during and after the Industrial Revolu­ tion, we probably would not be in our current mess. Today we in the evangelical church in the affluent countries must understand and believe that we can lay up treasures in heaven both through our missionary giving and through other uses of our money to care for people and especially our fellow Christians.

As far as material possessions, time, energy and talents are concerned, all too many Bible-believing Christians live as though their entire existence is limited to this side of the grave. There is a peculiar kind of capitalism in the Bible — a capitalism, an acquired property, that cares for people. And this we have forgotten. Our choice is not between a capitalism, an acquired property, which is hard, cold and unloving (characterized by people who care for nobody but themselves as they amass great fortunes) and a socialism in which the state owns everything. The Christian has a third option — property acquired and used with compassion.

MAKING FRIENDS Jesus had other things to say about the right use of possessions: And he said also unto his disciples. There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods. And he called him, and said unto him. How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship, for thou mayest be no longer steward. Then the steward said within himself. What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship I can­ not dig; to beg I am ashamed. I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses. So he called every one of his lord’s debtors unto him, and said unto the first. How much owest thou unto my lord? And he said. An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him. Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty. Then said he to another. And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him. Take thy bill, and write fourscore. And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light. And I say unto you. Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations. (Lk. 16:1-9) The steward’s lord commended him not because he was unjust, but “because he had done wisely.” Jesus applies this to you and me: “And I say to you. Make to yourself friends.” How? By the wise PAGE 4

use of your present riches. In other words, if you want to be wise, make friends by the way you use your money, so that when you die these friends who are then already in heaven will receive you in^ ir‘ everlasting habitations. This is a realistic picture, not just an up; story situation, a drug trip or something Jesus said only to ena^ people to bear their present problems. If you are a Christian, you are really going to be in heaven, and some of the people you now know will be there, and they will speak with you about what you did in this life. Somebody will say to you, “Thank you so much for the money you gave me when my children were starving. I didn’t have a chance to thank you then, but I do now.” “I remember the night you opened your home to me, when you moved over and shared your table with me.” This is what Jesus was saying, and he implied that you are a fool if you do not keep this in mind. This is taking our material possessions with us in a most practical manner. There is a horizontal continuity from this life to the life to come. Jesus continued his commentary on the parable with these words. He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much; and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mam­ mon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. (Lk. 16:10-13) The “true riches” obviously have nothing to do with money. To have spiritual power to overcome the awfulness of the post­ Christian world - that is true riches. The church is constantly say­ ing, “Where’s our power?” Jesus’ statement here gives us at lej* part of the answer. We must use money with a view to what coui _ in eternity. If a child cannot take his father’s money, go to the store, purchase what is requested and return home with the change, it does not make sense for the father to increase his allowance. So since, like the steward in the parable, the money we handle is not our own, if we do not bring it under the lordship of Christ, we will not be given the greater wealth of spiritual power. Some of his hearers did not readily accept Jesus’ words: “The Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him” (v. 14). These were men of the orthodox party — did they fight for their orthodoxy! Yet they laughed at Jesus because they did not want any part of this teaching. Let me say with tears that, as far as material possessions, time, energy and talents are concerned, all too many Bible-believing Christians live as though their entire existence is limited to this side of the grave. We cannot ignore Jesus’ statement about these two irreconcilable reference points: “You cannot serve God and riches” (Mt. 6:24). Either riches in this life, or the reality of God and the future — one of them must give the overshadowing cast to our lives. To the extent that wealth (or power) is our reference point, we are spiritually poor. If we were to plot this on a graph, as the line indicating the importance we place on possessions rises, a second line indicating spiritual reality plummets. We cannot expect the power of God if our reference point is the things of this world, for practical materialism and true spirituality have no affinity for one another, Jesus summed all this up by saying, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Mt, 6:21). Our decision about which bank we store our wealth in is a spiritual phenomenon! It is a pi^ of spiritual litmus paper or, to use another image, a spiritual F mometer. It tests the reality of our faith and indicates our spirit— health. If we are living only in the perspective of this life, our spiritual temperature is low indeed.

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We have a right to spend money — do not misunderstand me and start feeling guilty for the wrong reasons. We are not automatically "liritual if we despise money. Many of the younger generation think Jy are superior if they simply despise wealth and things. We need clothes and food. There is a time to buy flowers and to take a vaca­ tion. What is important is not despising acquired wealth; it is using all our money wisely before the face of God. ON THE ASH HEAP I lived in St. Louis before the city passed the smoke ordinances, so everybody had a concrete or brick dump in the back of his yard. As you walked in the front of the houses, they looked terrific; but as you walked through the alleys, you had to hold your nose. Inside these small, burning dumps one could see all the things people had spent their lives for. Have you ever walked through a city dump? You should. When I was growing up in Philadelphia, 1 would hike every Saturday. To get to the clean air of the country I used to save a couple miles by tramping through the city dump. I have never forgotten this. It was a place of junk, fire, stench. It has helped me tremendously to think back on that place, because even as a boy I realized that I saw there almost everything people spend their money for. That was where their investment ended. Some things may be handed down in a family for five hundred years (though certainly most things you buy today will not), but someday they will be gone. Here is a topic for Christian artists or poets: “Meditation on an Ash Heap” or “Ode on a City Dump.” Have you ever had to “break up” a rich man’s house after he had died? It is a sad thing to go through the home of someone who has spent his entire life laying up riches in the world. I recall one in­ stance where a non-Christian man had owned a large, gorgeous Jin taing room table. He had had it built inside his house and had been fy proud of it. When it came time to dispense his household ^ods, there was no way to take the table apart without spoiling it, so they simply took an axe, chopped it up and threw the pieces on a fire. The admonition of Jesus had come to pass: The man had proven himself a fool; his possessions were either destroyed or carted away. How pathetic! In our culture nothing has exhibited such folly more than our automobiles. Go to a showroom and see the pride ith which a man drives out his new car. Then think of an automobile graveyard or a rusting, stripped, junked car, abandoned on a city street. They are shells screa^ning out tremendous sermons against all practical materialism: “You’re fools! You’re fools! You’re fools!” And Christians — as well as any others — can be such fools with their wealth. One experience vividly taught me this lesson. Edith and I had had a Model A Ford. In it we had courted and honeymooned. In it we had rushed to the hospital where Priscilla was born. It was our car during our first pastorate. It was precious to me, but after 1 had broken a spring hauling youngsters to summer Bible school and was driving up the street on a slant, the church decided it was get­ ting too ramshackled for their testimony, so they asked me to get a new one. I was sad about my old automobile, I felt like a traitor, but the new car was tremendous! It was a brand new, secondhand Chevrolet. It was polished as only secondhand auto salesrooms polish cars. I have never b^n more filled with pride than when I left the showroom. But 1 did not get home before someone passed me too closely in a narrow alley and put a long scratch on the fender, and the joy was gone. But I am so glad it got scratched. That was of the best things that ever happned to me, for suddenly I learn-

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ed how much possessions stink if you look at them in the wrong perspective. TRIED BY FIRE Christians should also keep in mind that their works will be judg­ ed. The apostle Paul described that judgment: According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation, gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. (I Cor. 3:10-15) A Christian has only one foundation: Jesus Christ his Saviour. And on that foundation he builds — with either combustible or non­ combustible material. One day there will be a believers’ judgment because we live in a moral universe and every book must be balanc­ ed in the presence of the holy Judge, and in that judgment the fire will come. I like to picture it as a great prairie fire which sweeps along burning everything in its path. Suddenly it comes to a great rock, leaps up over it and passes on. Everything on that rock which can be burned (the wood, hay and stubble) is consumed; everything that cannot be burned (the gold, silver and precious stones) stands for eternity. The Spirit inspired Paul to make it plain (and Paul knew the question would arise) that this does not concern salvation. The building may be destroyed but the builder still will live. The tragedy is that after we are born again, we can build upon the Rock things that are going to be consumed, so that after we have stood before the Lord Jesus Christ as Judge, we have little left. This is a danger not only to businessmen but to missionaries and ministers, not only to individuals but to congregations and organizations. By God’s grace, let us not be infiltrated by the values of affluence and personal peace. Let us use the treasures God has given us in such a way that when we come to that day we will have treasures laid up in heaven and people eagerly waiting for us.

CONTRIBUTERS: Our lead article today. Ash Heap Lives is taken from the book “No Little People” by Francis A. Schaeffer. Copyright 1974 by L’Abri Fellowship. Used by permission of InterVarsity Press. It is slightly abridged. L’Abri Fellowship in Switzerland, where the author has lived and worked for twenty years, is a Christian com­ munity. Mr. Schaeffer is the author of some 16 books among them, “Death in the City” and “The God Who is There”. Missions reports today some from Alvira Friesen, Panama. She is from our Rosenort E.M.C. church. Ellen Brell, Pakistan comes from the Wymark Sask, church. Mary Koop, Japan, is at home in the Kleefeld church. fVayne Herrods are from Braeside. Poem on page 11 is by Phyllis Robins. P. 6 Jasch Gicsbrecht, Ellen Brell, p. 7 Mary Koop, pp. 8, 10 (bottom), 12, 13 by the editor, p. 9 MacGregor and La Crete reporters, p. 10 Kleefeld reporter, p. 14 John Sawatzky and MDS. PHOTOS; Cover pictures a Manitoba fall scene. By the editor.

THE MESSENGER is published every other week by the Evangelical Mennonite Conference, Board of Education and Publication, Box 1268, Stein­ bach, Manitoba, ROA 2A0. Second Class Mail, Registration Number 0591. Undeliverable copies, change of address and new subscriptions should be mail­ ed to the above address.

NOV. 26, 1976

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missions

Jasch Giesbrecht, EMC missionary in Paraguay, has been on loan to teach at the Menno Colony Bible School at Loma Plata in the Chaco. Seen here in a photo sent by Brother Giesbrecht is the Bible School Student Body at the clos­ ing exercises with him on the extreme left.

God At Work In Konya Greetings in Jesus’ name from Kenyal Again our sincere thanks to EMC for their faithful support of God’s work here. Oppor­ tunities to spread the Word of God are more than we can buy up but many are hearing God’s Word each day. Yesterday a convert of this year was assigned to help the evangelist, Peter Elutila. He had been helping with the building but the work of visiting and preaching to the many people was far too much for one man. Now there are two men at it full time. We praise the Lord for this reinforcement. Correcting a Christian brother is never easy and therefore the temptation is to mind your own business. Recently the Lord mov­ ed us to go to an older Turkana man who was allowing members of his household to carry on illegal business. We showed him from the Word of God that such was both dishonoring to the Lord and a bad example to his family. He accepted the correction and since then has set his house in order. Praise God for His grace for us t6 go and His grace for the man to respond. Pray for this man and his family. Again we have to remove an unruly teacher from the school here. He is rebellious and unrepentant and seeking to turn the other teachers against the headmaster who is a fine Christian man. Pray that God will send us teachers who are really dedicated to Him and keep away those who are only looking for a salary. PAGE 6

lounge, which included repairing an old sofa and reframing some pictures. Later in the day we saw painting crews at work in two different classrooms, using their class colors to brighten up walls, bookcases, doors, wooden lockers and bulletin boards. Outside, younger highschoolers were pain­ ting railings, gates, monkey bars, and other play equipment a bright green. When the inside work was well under way, someone suggested, “Why don’t we whitewash the outer office, too?” While one student went to find the whitewash, others began to move the desk, table, duplicator, and all the odds and ends out of the office. Soon two were painting the walls, and two more were giving the desk, table and cup­ boards a coat of enamel.

The Lord’s hand upon us as a family is very real and evident. We praise Him for His daily care of our children although many dangers are around us. Andrew is respon­ ding well to discipline. Pray that early he will come to know the Lord.

—Wayne and Essie Herrod

Clean -Up Day At Murree Christian School

Painting the gate. Murree Christian School clean-up day.

“This school needs a good clean-up!” “I agree! It looks a mess. Why doesn’t somebody do something?” “Let’s ask the Student Council about it at their meeting this week.” Just a few weeks after that conversation between two students, the Student Council had done something — a high school work day was organized for the next Saturday! Plans were made for many jobs to be cared for at once. The maintenance department was asked for brushes and paint, for nails and hammers, and light bulbs and rope, and much more. A schedule for each work crew, with their names and jobs, was posted on the bulletin board on Thursday. When Saturday morning came, the first gang started work about at 8:00. Some were washing walls, and others desks, in the classrooms. Some were scrubbing the chapel platform, and others the choir risers. Some were starting to clean and tidy the student

Soon after lunch, the older boys began their biggest job of the day — whitewashing the lower 15 feet of the chapel walls. It was quite a sight — boys on ladders, with huge brushes and buckets of whitewash, and paint splashing on the floor! After the painting came the cleaning of the floor, and they did a good job of that, too. By five that afternoon, there wasn’t much paint left, and a weary bunch of young peo­ ple decided to quit work. They deserved their rest; they had worked hard and well all day, and the school did look much nicer. It still does! Just two weeks ago a visitor from another school, a much fancier one, asked, “However do you keep the school so clean and tidy? It really looks cared for.” For high-schoolers, this was a rich reward. Ellen Brell Pakistan THE MESSENGER

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mission grams Spain — Miss Evelyn ^^Spain Evely Plett, serving with Bible Club Movement, writes that she has moved to La ^^BCranja. Here she is involved in a Bible School. Her address presently is: Los Guardas 13. La Granja (Segovia) Spain.

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Brazil — Miss Susan Reimer, presently involved in Portuguese language study, requests prayer concerning her health. She is experiencing problems with her back and intestinal bacteria infec­ tion. • * « 1

Mexico - Dave and Susie Eidse have moved to Camp 77. They report that a young man of 18 was saved and another young fellow rededicated his life to the Lord. Pray for these two young men.

* « * Germany — Lillie Penner is helping in the boys’ dormitory at the Black Forest Academy. She reports that things are going fairly well with the twenty teen-age boys. Pray for the workers and the fellows.

« « * Nicaragua - Rev. Cornie B. Loewen of Morris, a member of the Board of Missions, left November 22 for a three-week involvement in evangelism in Nicaragua. Pray for this special emphasis in outreach.

offered to teach the little ones. She has five of her own children in this class. Her oldest girl is in my class. It is a real joy to teach the 3rd-5th graders. They all have Bibles. We gather for the Bible lesson in one of my upstairs rooms. They love God's Word and are so zealous to learn more about God’s Word. My prayer is that each one will come to know Jesus as their own personal Savious through these Sunday Bible studies. The adult meeting is small but we are so thankful for Mr. Miyamoto who comes and teaches them on Sundays. On December 26 in the evening we are planning a candlelight service for the adults. In the morning we will be celebrating Jesus’ birth with the children. We would appreciate your prayers for us here at the Gospel Center. Now that the Lord is raising up the much needed workers here, I am planning on a furlough in a year or so. I would appreciate your prayers for this. Thank you for your prayers and gifts. —Mary Koop

Sowing the Seed God Rewords Felth

Elizabeth Koop, Brazil (on left) had the pleasure of visiting sister Mary In Japan, this fall. They are pictured here at a Japanese restaurant not far from the Gospel Centre.

We really enjoyed my sister Elizabeth’s visit, here at the Minamikawa Gospel Center. The children thought that those Pacos Novas boys and girls looked Japanese! It was the first time that these boys and girls heard and saw pictures of the )le living in the jungles in Brazil. Maybe .... 'Lord will some day send forth some of these boys and girls to reach those people in

NOV. 26. 1976

the jungles, who have had no chance to hear! This past month we have seen God answer prayers! I would like to share one es­ pecially with you all, since I know you have had a real part in it. While you were praying God answered, and sent in the much needed workers. The children’s classes on Sunday mornigs have been the ‘highlight’ in the work here. This spring the boys and girls started to buy their own Bibles, (from the money they receive from their parents every week) and brought them along to Sunday School. They (the oldest ones especially) wanted to learn more about the Bible. At the most we had 39 boys and girls on Sunday mornings, ranging from little three-year-olds to grade 5. It was a tremendous privilege teaching them, although it was very difficult. However, the Lord gave much wisdom in trying to teach them, until about three weeks ago, when I realized that some of the older whildren were not coming anymore. I felt badly but what could be done. I com­ mitted the whole thing to the Lord. Then, I told the children one Sunday mor­ ning, that we were planning to divide into two groups in the near future. Were they ever happy! There were no workers in sight, but by faith I decided to launch out. A week later the Lord spoke and Mrs. Miyamoto

As I looked over my semicircle of Sunday School kindergartners, I began to wonder: Will any of this Christian teaching have a direct effect upon their lives now and/or later? We teach them to obey their parents according to Ephesians 6:1, and yet only one child out of the fifteen is living in a home with both mother and father. The rest live with mother, grandmother, or grandparents. Some of them have no concept of the father figure, never having had one who loved and cared for them. Can they then understand the concept of God as a loving Father, to whom they owe obedience, according to the verse we teach them from Jeremiah 42:6? We exhort them to love each other (I John 4:7), knowing that in some homes little love is given and received, especially from mothers who are gone all day, leaving youngsters to shift for themselves. Will they be able to comprehend that God loves them? And yet, judging by the ability of some of these three- and five-year-olds to relate the week’s soap opera events intelligently, they must be mature enough to grasp truths about God and Jesus Christ. Hopefully, theirs will be the generation which breaks traditions and establishes strong Christian homes and resulting strong churches. This is the goal we must strive for, knowing that the power of God can keep these little ones and guide them into a personal knowledge of Him. Alvira Friesen, Panama PAGE 7

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baseboards, doors, and window casings, the lovely new drapes, all help to make chapel more attractive. The ladies are plan­ ning to continue their work in the foyer as soon as the next supply of paint arrives.

MINISTRY IN SONG

Head table at the Aarom Bueckert 40th wedding anniversary left to right; Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Gerbrandt, Winkler, Man.; Mr. and Mrs. Jake Knelsen, MacMahon, Sask.; Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Bueckert, Steinbach, Man.; Mrs. John Bueckert, Swift Current, Sask.; Mr. and Mrs. Abe Knelsen, MacMahon, Sask.

CELEBRATE 40TH ANNIVERSARY

Steinbach, Man.: Sunday, Nov. 14, was the day when the Aaron Bueckerts of Steinbach wanted to show their praise and thanks to God by having a public service to com­ memorate their 40th wedding anniversary. The service was held in the spacious assembly room at Loewen Millwork where Mr Bueckert is employed.

Chairing the meeting was their son, Gor­ don. Different groups contributed in song. After the program a lunch was served to those present. The Bueckerts would like to thank every one who was there for coming to celebrate with them.

SHARING THE MESSAGE Endeavour: Another busy fall season is rapidly drawing to a close at Endeavour, and again we praise God for the good crops and the plentiful garden produce with which He so richly has blessed us. Our annual fall supper, held on Friday, October 15, brought our chapel family together to publicly thank God for His many physical and spiritual blessings. Besides having many local friends joining us for the evening, we also ap­ preciated very much having the Breitkreutz family from Springside with us to share their faith by song and testimony. A Christian literature display, set up by two ladies from Norquay, proved to be another blessing for those of us who seldom get to go to the big centres to get Christian literature. This spirit of joy and thanksgiving continued as we gathered on Saturday night to hear the program brought by “The Galileans,” a musical group from Winnipeg. The Lord has opened different avenues of service for our local choir and youth singing groups. We had worked on a program centered around Christ’s birth and ministry. His death and resurrection, and His promis­ ed return. We counted it a privilege to share this message with the Norquay Covenant Church on October 31 and with the Springside Baptist Church on November 14,

PAGE 8

and are looking forward to sharing it again on November 28 at the Kamsack EMC Church. Somehow these little trips to other evangelical churches has made us more aware of the fact that we are really all one family in Christ, and that we are not an isolated group of believers. Sometimes we feel that we are the only Christian witnesses for miles around, but we really aren’t. Rather, we must work as a team with other churches, encouraging and praying for one another in order to accomplish the work God would have us do in our region. Another highlight of our autumn season was our Missionary Conference. We enjoyed hearing reports of the work the John Dycks are doing in Germany, the Wilbert Friesens in Nicaragua, Elizabeth Koop in Brazil, and Catherine Thiessen in Mexico, However, we were also impressed with the very real needs and problems which missionaries and their families are facing. We trust that as a result of their visits we might be able to uphold them through prayer in a more specific and meaningful way. The ladies of our chapel family have been very busy this fall with cleaning and painting in the chapel and finishing jobs which had never quite been completed since the chapel was renovated. The work done on the walls,

Flin Flon: “Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing” (Psalm 100:2). In the Bible we have numerous admonitions to praise the Lord in song. If we have victory in Jesus, and He has made every provision for us to be victorious, then we have a song in our hearts and it spills out in various ways; one being the ministry in song. We have been very privileg­ ed at the Fellowship Chapel to have a few groups come and share with us their testimony in song. The “Gospel Troubadours” from Kola, Man., came to us in late October. The group of six presented an evening of inspirational message in music and song, with a challenge from the Word of God and a time of prayer concluding the evening. Praise the Lord for dedicated Christian folk who give joyfully of their time and talent to serve their Master! Early in November we were pleased to have with us a group of enthusiastic young folk, “The Endurance of Love,” coming > the way from Ridgewood. Our hearts w( richly blessed as we listened to the man^ songs of praise to our Maker. One of the fellows shared with the group his personal testimony, showing how the Lord drew him from the world to Himself. This was es­ pecially touching to many in our group because of their recent similar experiences. We’ll give the glory to Jesus! After they con­ cluded their part of the program, we had an informal time of warm fellowship and sing­ ing. What a blessing it is to be able to get together with Christian brothers and sisters, for in the Lord we have a common bond that ties us together into one big, beautiful family! Praise the Lord!

“LOVE LOAVES” MacGregor: Sunday, October 17 was a very different Sunday. Had you stood outside our church that morning, you would have heard these noises and wondered: Bang, bang! bang, bang, bang, clink, tinkle, tinkle, clink! Sounds like someone dropped the offering bag on the floor! But what’s all that hammering? Well, for seven weeks forty-two families in our church had been faithfully putting coins into “Love LoaF’ banks. On Sunday one member of each family had ‘ privilege of breaking the bank witil ibTei hammer, and spilling the coins on the taCl?^ The amount of money collected was THE MESSENGER

agreed it had been worth sacrificing a few hours of sleep in order to fellowship with the Arden: “It is when missions is a way of life enthusiastic group of believers “up North.” with the believer and with the local church Dr. Eichorst from Winnipeg, led us into the that it will reflect the emphasis that God “whys” and “hows” of Bible study. desires.” This was the fundamental truth Recent visitors to our chapel were Rev. upon which Rev. Alfred Friesen based his and Mrs. Diedrich Friesen and Rosanna, and messages at our Missionary Conference, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Plett, Kathy and James. Oct. 28-31. Thank you so much and come again. MonThe introductory service on Thursday day night, Nov. 15, we had the privilege of consisted of handing out two assignments, having Rev. and Mrs. Frank D. Reimer join The one for the audience was, to listen. The us at our weekly prayer meeting, second one was for the speaker. He was to The men at our chapel are busy almost talk, but could stop whenever the audience every Saturday, trying to get our new manse stopped listening. A pertinent question asked ready for occupancy. The ladies got together was, “What kind of a God do people see in a few days at the end of October and gave you and in your Church?” Another state- part of the church a going-over with brush ment made was that your Christianity is as and paint. The result — a more cheerfuldeep as your knowledge of God. looking house of worship. Friday, the matter of sin was discussed. LA CRETE Sin is the main barrier to witnessing and the main cause of lack of joy. Your Christianity is as deep as your confession of sin. Be specific in confessing sin. The second last evening we were reminded that our main aim is to be involved in mis­ sions. This is a Christian’s purpose in life. In our strength we cannot do it, but in Christ we have all we need. Sunday morning we studied prayer. In order to have our prayers answered, we have to be washed in the blood and be fruit­ bearing, obedient Christians. Prayer is God calling us, and we responding to him. To Pictured are baptismal candidates of pray “in Jesus name,” is like saying, “God, last summer at La Crete, Alta., left to Jesus told me to ask you this.” It is praying right, Raymond Knelsen, Mrs. Ann according to the will of God, in keeping with Knelsen, Joe Janzen and Pastor Hamm, his promises. Before the message Sunday evening, we had a time of sharing. After reading part of Heb. 11, Mr. Friesen spoke about having a vision. The church’s vision should be to preach the Word to the whole world, accor­ ding to God’s plan and purpose. Every evening there were vocal or in­ strumental numbers by the members, as well as a children’s story. We are thankful that Mr Friesen came to minister to us. We have grown in our Chris­ tian lives as a result of it. May it be evident in Church construction in progress at the our missions outreach! La Crete Church. MISSIONS—A WAY OF LIFE

Seen is the pile of change and bills realized from breaking Love Loaves at MacGregor.

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Pictured on left are the John Dycks, Germany with the Peter Pletts as they <ipeared recently In MacGregor.

$733.52, an average of $17.05 per “loaf.” By the way, whoever said that nowadays pen­ nies are worthless? We had $52.00 in pen­ nies! This project helped us realize that we can do something about our world’s hungry people. 40 per cent of the money was designated to go to MCC. 60 per cent goes to World Vision, the originators of the “Love Loaf Program,” to be used for food, medicine, and vitamins for starving people. After our “loaf-breaking” ceremony John Dyck from Germany spoke to us on the sub­ ject of Thanksgiving from Isaiah 12. Then we all gathered in the basement for a Thanksgiving dinner. And was it ever delicious! We indeed do have a lot to be thankful for; I’m sure no one left the table hungry. After dinner we again gathered up­ stairs for a Missions program. Peter and Cecile Plett from Arden gave us an in­ teresting slide report of the work they will be doing in Indonesia. John Dyck spoke on “Investing our Gifts for the Lord.” The choir sang three songs which were very well done. For those who attended the services it was indeed a blessed and worthwhile day. On October 21 we were presented with a musical and testimonial service by a quartet from Haiti. Listening to them made us -“lUze again how fortunate we are, especial‘ 1 the care available to our children. These ^itlemen were involved with Grace ^Pnt! Children’s Hospital in Haiti.

NOV. 26, 1976

CONFERENCE TIME MUSIC FESTIVAL Hudson Bay: Are we bringing the Lord an empty vessel that He can fill? This question was directed to us by John Dyck, and left a deep impression on all who attended the session of the Missionary Conference on Nov. 4. Other speakers who challenged us were Catherine Thiessen, Elizabeth Koop and Wilbert Friesen. Truly the harvest fields are there, both at home as well as abroad. Are you, am I, willing to work wherever our Lord has need of us? Nov. 7 was conference time at Creighton, The morning started quite early for some of us from Endeavour, Birch River, Swan River, and Hudson Bay, but I think we all

Ridgewood: The Ridgewood Music Festival took place in November. Anybody who wanted to could participate in this event. It was encouraging to see and hear various groups perform. Especially noteworthy were the families that took part. The “Endurance of Love” has returned from a singing tour in northern Manitoba, Rev. Bill Penner, Lynn Lake, had arranged this tour for them. They covered seventeen places in ten days. So you can see there can’t have been too many idle moments. I’m sure the folks up North will have been blessed and challenged by their ministry.

PAGE 9

Our prayers and sympathies go with the Jacob J. Penner family. Their daughter, Mary, passed away on Nov. 20 after a lengthy illness. After having been hospitaliz­ ed for quite some time Mr. C. J. Loewen is home again. We thank the Lord for this. Pastor Henry Kornelson, his wife and their daughters, went to visit the Gary Kornelsons at Briercrest. The Erwin Friesens and the Ben Pletts travelled to a warmer climate; they went to Mexico. Wilma Reimer went along with the Paul Ungers to The Pas to live there for awhile. Mrs. George S. Kornelson is staying with her children, the Elvin Reimers in Poplarfield.

Pictured here is the Wilbert Friesen family, Nicaragua, now residing in Kleefeld. IT’S WORTH IT ALL!

Kleefeld: If the success of our next church service would depend on how secretive we could be or how well we could conceal our Bibles, I wonder how many would consider the effort worthwhile?

Such secrecy is not uncommon in Russia, as we heard the Walter Sawatskys verify on October 24, They have been serving under the auspices of the M.C.C. for the past three years to observe the state of religion of Eastern Europe. There are many magnificent church buildings still standing in their original splen­ dour, but sad to say—empty. The faith of the remaining Christians must reach beyond a mere building. There is no room for lukewarmness, no room for fence straddlers; either they have faith, or they don’t. Are we thankful to live in a land where there is freedom of worship? Our Kleefeld Sewing Circle held their an­ nual Missions Night on October 21. We started out with a fellowship supper followed by a program. Our guest family for the evening were returned missionaries from Nicaragua, Wilbert and Hilda Friesen and their three boys. Dale, Patrick, and Maurice. They will be at home in Kleefeld until Christmas, and then plan on spending the other half of their furlough in Saskatchewan with Hilda’s parents. Their presentation for the evening includ­ ed reports, slides, and family singing. Even though we could not understand the Spanish words for some of the songs, just by looking at their radiant faces you could tell they were singing about none other than our wonderful Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. No wonder this contagious love rubbed off on the Nicaraguans! Said Hilda in conclusion, “You might ask, ‘Has it been worth the hardship of moving, the leaving of friends, the sweat and the tears?' We take one look at the transformed drunk, one look at the happy family where before there was hate, one look at the grow­ ing church where before there was none, and

we ask ourselves again, has it been worth it? Yes.. .oh yes, it has been worth every last bit of it!” How good it is to know that the Spirit " God is not limited to any one place, but*^ still active everywhere, as we readily detected, by the thrilling testimony given by Abe Koop on Sunday morning, telling how he was able to get right with God in spite of his rebellion. What an encouragement, especially to parents who have wayward sons and daughters, to keep on praying because we see over and over again that even today sould are still being transformed from darkness into His marvelous light!

To Mr. and Mrs. John Hopcraft of Por­ tage la Prairie, Man. a son, Michael John, on June 14, 1976. To Mr. and Mrs. Delmar Hamm of Por­ tage la Prairie, Man. a daughter, Robin Kirk, on September 27, 1976. To Mr. and Mrs. Ron Barkman of Ridgewood. Man., a son, Kelly Timothy Chad, on October 14, 1976. To Mr. and Mrs. Rick of Ridgewood, Man. a daughter, Jacqueline May, on October 9, 1976. To Mr. and Mrs. Rick Reimer of Ridgewood, Man., a daughter, Jac­ queline May, on October 9, 1976. To Mr. and Mrs. Art Koop of Sw Current, Sask., a son, Stanley Cliffor on September 3, 1976. To Mr. and Mrs. Harry Dickhaut of Swift Current, Sask., a son, Lyle Wayne, on May 26, 1976. To Mr. and Mrs. Lester Olfert of Nicaragua, C.A., a daughter, Elizabeth Marie, on April 8. 1976.

LOVE LOAVES BROKEN Sunday November 14 was a big night at Braeside EMC church in Winnipeg. It was the evening designated for bringing Love Loaves (World Vision) to church for breaking. Pictured on left are seen the loaves before breaking them open. On right are seen deacons, Lee Toews (with hammer) and Dave Goertzen as loaves are broken open (Missing from photo is deacon Harry Fast.) Realized from the 36 loaves was some $633.00, over half of which was in coins! Pastor of the church is Arnold Fast.

PAGE 10

THE MESSENGER

weddings HOOFDAKKER — JANZEN: Peter, son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Hoofdakker of High River, Alberta was married to Anne, daughter of Mrs. Anne Janzen of Swift Current, Sask, on May 29, 1976. The wedding took place at the Swift Current EMC, Swift Current, Sask, with Rev. Milton Fast of Swift Current officiating. The couple now resides in Kinistino, Sask. ■i

PETKAU — NEUFELD: David Petkau was married to Betty, daughter of Mrs. Helen Neufeld of Swift Current, Sask, on Oc­ tober 9, 1976. The wedding took place at the Swift Current EMC, Swift Current, Sask, with Rev. Milton Fast of Swift Current officiating. The couple now resides in Swift Current, Sask. NEUFELD — WALL: Ben, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Wall of Swift Current, Sask, was married to Brenda, daughter of Mrs. Helen Neufeld of Swift Current on June 26, 1976. The wedding took place at the Swift Current EMC, Swift Current, Sask, with Rev. Milton Fast of Swift Current of­ ficiating.

HR — WIELER: Roy, son of Mr. John hr of Wymark, Sask, was married to Marilyn, daughter of Mr and Mrs Pete Wieler of Blumenhof, Sask, on March 27, 1976. The wedding took place at the Swift Current EMC, Swift Current, Sask, with Rev. Milton Fast of Swift Current of­ ficiating. The couple now resides in Swift Current, Sask. REIMER — HIEBERT: Gilbert Reimer, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Dyck of Wymark, Sask, was married to Sarah, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Abe Hiebert of Wymark, Sask, on Sept. 8, 1976. The wedding took place at the Wymark EMC, Wymark, Sask, with Rev. Peter Schlamp of Wymark officiating. The couple now resides in Swift Current, Sask.

REDEKOPP — FLICKWEERT: Walter, son of Mr. and Mrs. Abe Redekopp of Wymark, Sask, was married to Lena Flickweert of Brandon, Man. The wed­ ding took place In Brandon, Man. The couple now resides in Swift Current, Sask. GINTER—FROESE: David Ginter of Wymark, Sask, was married to Marion, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dave Froese of lenhof, Sask, on August 20,1976. The A^enhoi took place theRev.' Wymark, 'Wymark, ' Sask, atwith Dave

Froese of Rosenhof officiating. The coupie now resides In Swift Current, Sask. NOV. 26, 1976

20, 1976, at the age of 42 years. Mary was born on January 4, 1934 in Giroux to Jacob J. Penners. She received her early formal education at Ridgewood School. Later she attended Bible School, un­ iversity, and nurses training. She pursued her career both as an R.N. and as an L.P.N. in­ structor at Bethesda Hospital in Steinbach. Mary accepted Jesus Christ as her per­ KLASSEN—PLETT: Allan Klassen, son sonal Saviour at an early age and was bap­ of Mr. and Mrs. Abram U. Klassen, tized in the Blumenort Church at the age of Blumenort, Man., and Laverna Plett, 17. She enjoyed life and was never happier daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bernhard Plett than when she was helping others. It was of Ridgewood, Man., were married Oc­ never too much effort to cheer up a patient tober 23 at the Ridgewood EMC. Rev. after working hours. Because of her love for Fred Klassen of Ridgewood officiated. children, nieces and nephews would freely The couple now resides at Ridgewood. refer to her as their favorite auntie. Mary PENNER—WARKENTINE: John Penner, always enjoyed travelling with friends and son of Mr. and Mrs. Ben Penner of did so, especially during the last years. In the spring of 1975 Mary felt the Lord Ridgewood, Man., and Shirley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Pete Warkentine of was leading her to another field of service: Ridgewood were married October 9 at Should she go out as a missionary nurse? the Ridgewood EMC Church. Rev. Henry Should she take further training? She receiv­ Kornelson, Ridgewood, officiated. The ed peaceful assurance that God would reveal couple now resides at Ridgewood. His plan in His own way and time. Throughout most of her life, Mary en­ HUBICH—FAIRBURN: Larry, son of Mr. Bill Hubich of Regina, Sask, was married joyed good health. However, a few years to Fran, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alan ago she encountered some problems. In Fairburn, Endeavour, Sask, on October November, 1975 she was taken to the St. 23. The wedding took place at the Grace Boniface Hospital where she underwent sur­ Lutheran Church in Regina with Rev. Rut gery and was diagnosed as having cancer. of Regina officiating. The couple now After her recovery _ __________ she continued_____ working as resides at 44-96 Hanbidge Crescent, a part time nurse until September 13, 1976 Regina. " when she was re-admitted as a patient. She received treatments at the St. Boniface Hospital, then on October 7 she was \ transferred to Steinbach. During this time in the hospital she often quoted Psalm 23, re­ vealing her acceptance of God’s will for her. Mary’s last days on earth were spent in a semi-coma until she peacefully slipped away. Mary leaves to mourn her parents: Jac and Annie Penner, her brothers and sisters: Ellis and Nettie Penner, Steinbach; Ed and Iris Penner, Calgary; John and Phyllis Penner, Steinbach; Ken and Mildred Toews, Steinbach; Abe and Lorna Penner, Bahamas; Bert and Dora Penner, Blumenort; Karen, at home, 11 nieces, three nephews, her grandmother, Mrs C.R. Penner, and numerous friends and relatives. The family would like to express sincere thanks for the many supportive prayers, the kindness expressed in visits, cards, flowers, other acts of sympathy, and especially to the doctors, nurses, and staff at Bethesda Mary Penner Hospital for the tireless and understanding care given to Mary. MARY PENNER We mourn, not without hope, but rather realizing that... 1934 - 1976 God's ways are higher than our ways. "Blessed are I he dead which die in the He sees beyond today. Lord from henceforth. Yea, saith the Spirit, So trust Him for tomorrow. that they may rest from their labors; and And follow in His way. their works do follow them" (Rev. 14:13). In Him place alt your confidence; It has pleased our Lord to take our He knows and understands; daughter and sister from our side to her eter­ And troubles seem to shrink in size nal rest in Heaven. After a lenthy illness, IVhen cradled in His hands. Mary passed away at 7:00 a.m., November The Family

REMPEL—MARTENS: Norman Rempel, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Rempel of Austin, Man., and Janet Martens, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Martens, Lavenham, Man., were married October 23 at the Evangelical Mennonite Church, MacGregor, Man. Rev. John Koop of MacGregor officiated. The couple now resides in Portage la Prairie, Man.

PAGE 11

man lay . . . ” This is also to appear on all teachers’ quarterlies. It sums up what the material is all about. Although Mr. Lederach felt t curriculum might be pretty far down on over-all church agendas, it nevertheless filled an important place in the life of a congrega­ l(|{i tion. “They are tools. Curriculum helps adults as they minister to the children of the church,” he said. “It also gives balance to the BO over-all teaching of the church.” IISlillBI y He furthermore felt that the preaching and the teaching of a given church should have the same theological voice. Those gathered were also told that this t new material was constructed in such a way that it could be easily followed and easily taught. Much effort has gone into this new ill material. Engaged have been four full-time staff plus some 38 writers. Each writer in turn has some four or five consultants. In the question period which followed the Pictured left to right at the special EMC superintendants meeting at Crestview] church on^Nov. 8 is”guest speaker Paul Lederach, Scottdale Pennsylvania; Harry following questions came to the fore: Neufeld, S. S. superintendant, Steinbach; Menno Kroeker, assistant pastor, 1. Evangelism. How is it treated? Rosenort. 2. Are you writing mainly for churched children? 3. Can it be used for a missions setting? 4. What about illustrations? In 1973 Herald Press, Scottdale, Penn­ of Education had invited Paul Lederach to 5. Are there plans to go beyond grade 8? sylvania, began working on a new series of come and speak on it. 6. How will the material be introduced to curriculums for children up to grade 8. This This meeting, held in the Crestview churches? material is now in the final stages of develop­ Church on November 8, saw over 50 7. Can any church order this material? ment and is to be ready for distribution for people turn out to hear D. Lederach give his If after-meeting comments are any indica­ the fall of 1977. To give an overview of what talk. tion, there is a fair interest in seeing this new is coming in this new material, going by the The name. Foundation Series, comes material when it comes out. We will try and name of Foundation Series, the EMC Board from I Cor. 3:11, “Other foundation can no keep our readers posted.

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New Mennonlte Curriculum Coming Out

E.M.C. Student Gathering At University of Manitoba

Special guest speaker at the EMC Stu­ gathering at the University of dent t Manitoba 3ba on November 9, was .Paul Lederach of Scottdale, Pennsylavania, seen here chatting with Ed Reimer of Winnipeg.

PAGE 12

November 9 saw a meeting of EMC postsecondary students at the University of Manitoba Student Centre to hear Dr. Paul Lederach of Scottdale, Pennsylvania. He spoke on Ajfirmations of Faith, taking his text out of Hebrews ch. 10 with emphasis on verse 23 - for He is faithful that promised. “This is the side of faith which is important,” said the speaker. “My faith is strengthened when I catch a glimpse of His faith.” The afternoon was interspersed with questions and discussion. iVhat about the matter of evil? IVhen Christians make the wrong decision, does this also work out for good? One answer given was that in Hebrews some by faith escaped, others by faith were tortured. The afternoon was quickly over. After

supper in the cafeteria another session con­ vened. This time the main emphasis was on the Anabaptist interpretation of the faith. It was pointed out that Jesus always called people to follow. Hence the faith is something vastly more than a few theological prepositions. In Anabaptism the Bible is interpreted by the community. It is a birth into a new family, a new kingdom. Present for the afternoon session were some 30 people. The evening saw slightly fewer. A social in a home close to the university rounded off the evening. These EMC Student seminars have been conducted for a number of years now. One is grateful when one senses that the Conference is meeting a need here, Other guest speakers at these semiil have been: Frank C. Peters, Benny EiJsT and Harvey Plett to mention some.

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THE MESSENGER

*1

Pictured Is EMC Youth Committee and guest speaker at recent Youth Leaders Seminar at Camp Assiniboia. Left to right rear: Peter Friesen, Wawanesa; John Sawatzky, Steinbach; speaker Lloyd Ratzlaff, Johnny Loewen, R.R.1 Morris. Front: Bernie Brandt, Blumenort; Gor­ don Schellenberg, Kleefeld.

E.M.C. Youth Leaders’ Seminar at Camp Assiniboia Nov. 5.6

3. Position — Where do you consider yours to be? Between the brotherhood and youth? Where is your loyalty? 4. Attitudes — possitive towards the Conference? Do you support the conference? Represent it with pride. Saturday, A.M. - Rev. Lloyd Ratzlaff spoke on Relational Bible Study — It has the potential to balance church life by making Bible study more personal than academic. Everyone is a performer in the group in a Round Table type of meeting. I’ll briefly state the main points of this method: 1. I make the passage mine. It applies to me. I do not enter into academic debates over its meaning in such a way as to avoid a personal encounter with it. 2. I identify with a character in the story. 3. I find the good news in the story for myself. 4. I may, if 1 wish, identify an area of my life in which I want to grow. It was very interesting and a blessing as we worked through the procedure in groups. Saturday; P.M. — Rev. Lloyd Ratzlaff spoke on: Client-centered Counselling in a Christian Context.

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4. The concern is to embody the grace God rather than a system of legalism. 1 A film, directly teaching this method oi oT counselling, was shown, We are grateful to Richard Penner, representing Hull’s with a fine display of books and visual aids. It’s too bad so many of the Youth Leaders had to miss out on so much. Submitted by: John Sawatzky Sec. Treas. of E.M.C. Youth Committee

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Again, as last year, we enjoyed good weather during the seminar which was held Nov. 5, 6. It was a blessing to learn as children of God, to be more effective in the service of the Lord for our youth. Since much work had gone into the plan­ ning of the seminar, we looked and waited for more Youth Leaders to come. After supper we had some fun getting ac­ quainted. The ice-breakers provided good in­ teraction which was helpful and interesting. We, the EMC Youth Committee, are grateful to Brian Schellenbergs and Lome Kornelsons for helping so much. We trust that the main points of the speakers’ sessions will be of interest and some help to you: The keynote speaker on Friday evening was John Koop, moderator of the EM Conference. 1. We were confronted with: “What if the brotherhood had decided not to allow the young people to go to the bowling alley because the music is too worldly?” If you were the Youth Leader, how would you tell the youth of this decision? Quite tough, isn’t it? 2. Be encouraged if your group is young. In three years they’ll be your mature young people’s group. PAGE 14

Pictured (on left) Is Melvin Plett, Wawanesa, E.M.C. participant In the recent MDS orlenta-

Hull’s display at the EMC Youth Leaders Seminar. Left to right: Dick Toews, Larry Eldse with Richard Penner.

1. The concern is for the person, not just with his current symptom; to enable the client to become the sort of person who can handle his future problems constructively. 2. The concern is to create an atmosphere which frees the client for growth, which en­ courages self-exploration at deeper and deeper levels. The counsellor’s motive is to model such things as respect, warmth, em­ pathy, genuineness and acceptance. 3. The concern is to recognize the phenomenal potential within a human being created in God’s image.

MDS ORIENTATION PREPARED YOUTH SQUAD Aberdeen, Idaho — The Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) Travelling Youth Squad attended an orientation in Aberdeen, Idaho, September 17-20, 1976, for two MDS projects. The Teton flood project, based in Rexburg, Idaho, will include repair work such as building fences for victims of the June, 1976 flood near the Teton Dam. The Lummi Indian project, Lummi, Wash., will involve resettling housing from lowlands to higher ground for victims of the December, 1975 western Washington floods resettlement is an attempt to prevent 1 damage from the annual flooding comid^ron. ------THE MESSENGER

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from the editor CARING

J

It

My neighbor and I were talking about a tragedy which had oc­ curred in the not-so-distant neighborhood. He was concerned that maybe no minister would go and seek to give comfort to this family. Suddenly he asked, “Will you go along with me and we’ll see if we can give some comfort to these people?” Well, hold it, this is something else. To talk about a thing and to do something about it are two different things. Consequently I found in me certain reser­ vations. In a way I was trapped. Yet, I had no reasonable way out and with some reluctance 1 consented. What I wanted to emphasize with the above is not so much what transpired when we visited this home but the deep sense of caring which I noticed in this brother — a caring which transcended con­ ventional boundaries and reached out to people he didn’t even know. When it comes to this kind of caring. I’m afraid I stand con­ demned. Neither do 1 believe it can be dismissed with, “I don’t have the gift,” because caring is not listed among the gifts as such. It is a quality which every Christian should possess. But caring takes time; it might even cost. This is why we dismiss it so easily. Another recent episode might illustrate this part of caring. The minister had been made aware of a certain family where the head of the house was involved with the law. Could he help? If so, would they let him know. Yes, the trial would be on such and such a day. Again, I was invited to come along. ^^My heart went out to the wife and mother as we met her on the Warning of the day when the trial was to be held. In fact, I marvell­ ed at her composure. I think I would have panicked in a similar situation. But when we got to the courtroom we found that, not only the minister, but two men from their group, had also come (driven into town from some distance) to stand by in this hour of trial. What a beautiful picture of “bearing one another’s burdens!” This was not all. The whole would make a long story. For one thing, due in part to the intervention of the church, the sentence was comparatively light. The family car, which would now be needed more than ever, was in need of repairs. Without questions asked, someone offered to make a loan to do the neccessary repairs. In another case, the conversation centered around a family member going through various trials and testings. But one was made aware that this person had friends who were helping to bear the load. A new church was being started in a new area. As we read about it, one thing caught our eyes. Among the concerns of this group was that of “closer fellowship with one another”. Maybe we need the spirit of the young fellow coming home from church and emptying his piggy-bank after hearing an appeal for relief aid. “They need it more than 1,” he commented. Caring is manifested in the housewife who does baby-sitting so that another mother can take part in Bible Coffee. Nevertheless, Instances of genuine caring and sharing and con­ cern seem to me to be the exception rather than the rule among us. For instance, why is it that without fail every so often one will be n^de aware of the cliquishness and discrimination and isolation goes on in our own EMC churches? (Maybe not in those exwords, but in that sense). “We attended there for x number of years but never felt accepted.”

ft

NOV. 26, 1976

“When we first came here our young people were not accepted.” “After six months I was still addressed as a stranger.” Yes, we have our nice cozy fellowships, cliques or whatever into which it is almost impossible to break. I grant you, for personable, outgoing people it is easier. But we are not all like that. I, for one, am not predisposed to make the first move when among strangers. And how many more are there like that? These are the people that need help and should receive help from the caring Christian com­ munity. But do they? I have pondered much on this very issue. What can be done so that we do not continue to hear reports like those quoted? Or does only one person in 100 have the gift to make friends with those who are a little on the sidelines, the one by the wayside? On the other hand, maybe it’s the duty of the pastor whom we have hired to do all this. Yes, aren’t we paying him for just that? No, we cannot dismiss it that easily. For there was a time in church history when a Roman official, looking at the common life of the Christians, had to exlaim, “Look at the Christians, how they love each other!” What then is our problem? I believe one of our main problems is that we have acted as if every member has a non-competitive builtin capacity to love and receive the stranger within our gates. Ideally maybe this would be so but practically our teaching in other areas does not bear this out. Otherwise why do we have baptismal in­ struction classes? We feel we need to emphasize the great cardinal doctrines of the church, and rightly so. What we may have failed to do is to bear down hard on the living out of these doctrines. What then is our problem, secondly? In our addition to acting as if each member has a built-in, automatic hospitality quotient, we are plac­ ing public relations very low on our priority list. Maybe How to Make Friends and Influence People, should not be the last book we read! Surely if secular business seeks to have trained sales staff, and exerts an effort towards good public relations, Christians and churches should do so much more. The problem, thirdly, is that most of us tend to rationalize when it comes to making a contact with strangers or guests in the church. “Surely they have relatives here who will invite them.” “If we weren’t going away today we’d ask them over.” “The pastor will invite them over.” “Surely someone will invite them over.” And so it goes on and on. But some have met “angels unawares” too! The solution to all this is not so easily come by. Otherwise we wouldn’t have the problem. But this doesn’t say there is no solution. There are churches who have taken this matter seriously. For instance, in one church the visitor heard an announcement something like this: If by the time you leave here, five people haven’t shaken hands with you let me know. One church has elected receptionists who stand in the foyer and greet and take notice of people when they come in. Some may ob­ ject and say this is too mechanical. Granted it may not be the ideal but it could still be second-best. Maybe this last idea could be enlarged on to include a line on the visitor’s card which would ask these visitors if they had a place for dinner or for night. Whatever it is, it seems to me the problem is of sufficient magnitude that it merits some priority in our over-all church programs. Some churches may be actively pursuing some course. If so, why not let us hear about it? — D. S.

PAGE 15

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around the world COLLEGE ANNOUNCES RECORD ENROLMENT Mennonite Brethren Bible College, Win­ nipeg announces its highest enrolment in the history of the college. The full-time equivalent for the 1976-77 term stands at 190, an increase of 12 per cent over last year, and an indication that MBBC is operating very close to full capacity. Faculty changes have been minimal, with Dr. John Regehr on sabbatical leave and the full-time appointment of Dr. J. A. Toews and Dr. John Martens. A number of special events have helped to enrich the lives of faculty and students. The fall orientation retreat at Pioneer Camp in the Lake of the Woods region of Ontario provided an excellent opportunity for new and returning students to become acquainted with each other and with the various aspects of college life. The opening celebration followed two weeks later at the Elmwood M.B. Church. The student body was featured on the program in several magnificent choral ren­ ditions, including Schubert’s “Great is Jehovah the Lord” with| John Martens as tenor solist. LAST MCC’ER LEAVES VIETNAM Akron, Pa. — Yoshihiro Ichikawa, the last Mennonite Central Committee volunteer remaining in Vietnam, has left the country and arrived in his native Japan on October 30. An MCC volunteer in Vietnam since July 1969, Ichikawa remained in Vietnam with three other MCC volunteers when the former Saigon government fell in April, 1975. Of the other three, Earl Martin left Vietnam in August, 1975, Jim Klassen left in April, 1976 and Max Ediger in May, 1976. During his years in Vietnam previous to the end of the war Ichikawa worked helping war refugees to resettle in several areas of the country including Quang Ngai, Tam Ky and Saigon. A native of Sapporo on the Japanese island of Hokkaido, Ichikawa is a member of the Yuai Mennonite Church where he was a lay leader for three years before leaving for Vietnam. His congregation stood behind him in his decision to seve in Vietnam and, along with other congregations of the Hokkaido Mennonite Conference, has contributed financially to his support. Ichikawa is the son of Yoshio and Yoshi Takasaka Ichikawa of Sapporo, Japan, and a graduate of Otaru University of Commerce with a degree in economics.

Committee as secretary in the MCC (Canada) office in Winnipeg. She attended Steinbach, Man., Bible Institute and graduated from Columbia Bible Institute in Clearbrook, B.C. She has done summer voluntary service in Germany and the Bahamas. She is the daughter of Alvin and Katie Plett and is a member of the Land­ mark, Man., Evangelical Mennonite Church.

MENNONITE BRETHREN BIBLE INSTITUTE OPENED IN STE. ROSE, QUEBEC The September 12 dedication of the Ste. Rose Bible Institute was a landmark event in the 15-year history of the Mennonite Brethren churches in Quebec. With the goal of providing young Frenchspeaking Christians with Bible training, the establishment of a Bible Institute is a confi­ dent acknowledgement that the churches in Quebec are already mature enough to generate and train their own leaders. The building in which the Bible Institute will be housed was purchased in the spring of 1976 from the United Church of Canada. Ste. Rose is a growing suburb about 10 miles from the heart of Montreal and within a few miles of almost all the Mennonite Brethren groups in Quebec. This will allow several young men to attend full-time while pastoring or assisting at congregations in St. Laurent, Ste. Therese and Ste. Eustache. SOMALIA: MENNONITES WITHDRAW Mogadishu, Somali Republic — Ten mis­ sionary teachers of the Eastern Mennonite Board of Missions and Charities who have been employed by the Ministry of Education in the Somali Democratic Republic have had their contracts terminated, with no reason given. “It appears as though our 23-year ministry in Somalia has come to an end, un­ less other ways can be found to maintain a presence in that country,” reports Ken Nisley in the Mennonite publication. Missionary Messenger. There is no Protestant mission now in Somalia, although a Catholic mission con­ tinues to function in a limited way. SIM entered Somalia in 1954, and withdrew in 1973, when government pressures became intolerable. Ministry to the Somali people cominues in and from neighboring countries.

BEGINS MCC SERVICE Arlene Plelt has begun a one- or two-year term of service with Mennonite Central

PAGE 16

THE MESSENGER

Wycliffe Leaves Nigeria

JOS, Nigeria (SIM) - Wycliffe Bible Translators withdrew from Nigeria at the end of June on a directive from government. The official explanation was that Wycliffe was no longer needed because Nigerian un­ iversities have now developed their own linguistics departments, and Nigerian church organizations can care for Scripture transla­ tion work. Wycliffe began work in Nigeria in 1961, affiliated with the universities under the name Institute of Linguistics. Nigerian trustees of the Institute have negotiated an agreement with government whereby they may register as an indigenous organization and retain all property. They received an im­ migration quota of 10 expatriate staff members, but only four of the current mis­ sionaries were permitted to remain. The other 36 left the country. NEW MDS FILMSTRIP AVAILABLE Akron, Pa. — To Build Up the Kingdom, a filmstrip about Mennonite Disaster Servi^^ was shown for the first time at a MennonW^ Disaster Service rally held September 12 at the Sunnyside Mennonite Church in Phoenix. Ariz. The filmstrip documents some of the MDS activities occurring in the space of one year beginning in spring 1975. It includes projects at Brandenburg and Hindman, Ky.; Omaha, Neb.; Lawrenceville, Pa.; Denver, Colo.; Atlanta, Ga., and Geneva, Ala., which were begun in response to extensive property damage from floods, tornadoes or hurricanes. Written and produced by Ron Sawatsky, the 24-minute color filmstrip is available for use from the Mennonite Central Committee audiovisuals library at 21 South 12th Street, Akron, PA 17501 or 201-1483 Pembina Highway, Winnipeg, Man. R3T 2C8 and from MCC provincial offices. In the United States MDS Section members will make copies available until mid-November when those copies will be moved to the MCC regional offices in Reedley, Calif., and North Newton, Kan., as well as Mennonite and Brethren in Christ conference offices.

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