The Messenger June 4, 1982

The Messenger VOL 20 NO. 12 VOL.

cuAWftPl IPAI MPNIKinNITF EVANGELICAL MENNONITE CnNFFRFNCE CONFERENCE

JUNE 4. 4, 19 1981 . V-

• The Role of the Father

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• Church dedication at Hudson Bay

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A man makes goals for his business, his farm, his bank account, his home and its improvements, but does he set goals for the intellectual, emotional, spiritual development of his children?

The Role of the Father by Clara Doerksen

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rying to gather together the crowded thoughts about this theme I came across the reading of Helmut Thielicke’s sermon on “The Parable of the Prodigal Son.” What he has to say brought to focus my ideas of a father’s role in the home. In talking about the parable, Thielicke says concerning the father: “Is it not the words of the Father’s heart that overtake us and tell us that incredibly joyful news, ‘You can come home. Come home!’ ” The theme of this story is not the prodigal son, but the Father who finds us. In sum­ mary, Thielicke says, “The ultimate secret of this story is this: There is a homecoming for us all because there is a home.” Let’s have a look at this home to which

the prodigal son returned and in which the elder brother wished to remain. What kind of a home had the father provided for them? There are three areas I would like to touch on: 1) love in the home, 2) time spent in the home, 3) acceptance of responsibility.

LOVE Someone has said, “Home is the field where love must bear its best fruit.” Evidence of the fruit might be such things as expressing verbally that you as a father love your children. When they are little tykes it is naturally much easier to say, “I love you, Johnny,” or “I love you, Susie,” but older children in the family need to hear those words as well, “I love you, son/daughter.” A study of maladjusted teenagers in a large Oklahoma high school underscores how important it is to tell the child that he is loved. First the counselors worked a long time to gain the rapport and confidence of ten students who the faculty felt were the most neglected and maladjusted in the school. Then the team asked each of them, “How long has it been since your parents told you they loved you?” Only one of the students remembered hearing it at all, and he couldn’t remember when. In contrast, the counselors used the same procedure with ten persons the faculty felt were the best adjusted students in the school and accepted as outstanding leaders. Without exception, all of them answered that they had been assured verbally of their parents’ love within the past 24 hours. They responded with answers such as, “This morning,” “last evening,” and “yesterday.” Further, a father needs to show his children by his actions that he loves them. The father in the “Parable of the Prodigal Son” must have shown to both his sons by the many things he provided for them and did for them that he loved them. The prodigal son says, “How many

hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare and I perish with hunger.” The father provided enough for his boys to enjoy life in the home. Also this son knew that his father was a fair man, giving the servants enough to eat; now he was a hired man but he didn’t even get enough to eat. The father also showed his love by waiting daily for his son’s return. The parable tells us “that when he was still a great way off,” the father “saw him com­ ing. He ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.” There was physical demonstration of his love. One of the things we have tried to do is give our children good-bye kisses in the morning. In fact, our oldest daughter, when she was in grade 12, usually got a ride to SBC with Gerry and there, before she got off, she would kiss her dad good-bye. It is easier to remain physically demonstrative of your affection if you as a dad make a habit of it when the children are small. But if your children are school age or grown up, you can still begin. Begin in a small way like putting your hand on your son’s shoulder and wishing him a good day, giving him a friendly smile. When our mom remarried, we received a dad who will usually give us a kiss and a hug every time we come. He tells us how much he appreciates us. I think we as a family have really thrived on this type of action. Here I want to insert a question: Why do we see so few parents who smile at their children just for the sake of smiling? The father’s love is also shown in the way he treated the elder brother who would not go into the feasting because he was angry. We read that “therefore the father came out and entreated him.” This means to plead, to ask earnestly. He didn’t scold, but wished for the brother to join in the festivities. Both sons felt his love by words and by actions. Therefore, this was a home the prodigal son wanted to return to and the elder brother didn’t want to leave.

THE MESSENGER

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TIME SPENT IN THE HOME A father should make time to spend with the children. M.v question sometimes has been: “Do the children belong only to the mother?” When the dad is gone so much of the time, I think we as mothers sometimes feel that wa.v. When we were planning to move to Ed­ monton, we had a lot of work to do around the house to prepare it for renters and to pack up what we wanted to take with us. When school finally was over for Gerrv and he had, so to speak, closed off his career as the principal of the Blumenort School, he was read.v to work at home and prepare for the big move. Several weeks of work went by and one da.v Gerry said to me, “The kids are always coming to you for questions, like what the.v are to do now or what to do with this or that. The.v are not coming to me.” And Gerry was reall.y hurt. I said to him, “For the past several years you’ve been home so little that you haven’t been around so the.v could ask questions of you. The.v are used to having me and it is onl.v natural that the.v would come to me.” Therefore, if you want your kids to communicate with you, you have to be with them. I know man.y of you dads will say, “I’m involved in so man.y things and I can’t just let them all drop.” Well, no, that is not what I mean. Here are two suggestions: First of all, make the time you are home with the children, like before school, suppertime, Saturdays, Sundays, going to church, etc., qualit.v time; and, secondly, re-examine your priorities. Maybe you should consider dropping some (commitments. Scorates used to say that he wondered how men, who were so careful in the training of a colt, were in­ different to the education of their own children. Some men give infinitely more thought and pains to the raising of cattle. the growing of crops, the building of a business, than to the training of their children. A local farmer we know said that he consciousl.v didn’t want his farm too big so that he’d have time for the family. The father in this parable made his home one where the sons wanted to be. I think that he must have been a bus.v man. Probabl.v he was a big-time rancher and a businessman of his da.v. And .vet he had time to look for his son every day, plus throw a party part.v for him upon his return. There are three aspects that your qualit.y time with the children should include: First, there should be times when .vou discipline them. I know some fathers think that since they spend little time with their children it should be all fun time and the disciplining is left for Mother. No, that is not right. Nor should the mother threaten them with, “When Dadd.v comes home, he’ll spank you.” Don’t threaten your children like that.

JUNE 4, 1982

a father act responsibly toward his fami­ ly if he is hardly ever home? A question I often pose to Gerry, and I now pose to the Do things with the child­ fathers in this audience, is; “In 20 years from now what will be your greatest joy?” ren, like mowing the I think it must be that your children will walk in the ways of the Lord. What are lawn or helping a some things you can do to make it as daughter with the dish­ likely as possible that that goal will come true? es. Take time to sit and Accept that future goal as your respon­ sibility. I feel strongly about this point. A chat at the table. This man makes goals for his business, his farm, his bank account, his home and its is a prime time to devel­ improvements, but does he set goals for op good relationships. the intellectual, emotional, and spiritual development of his children? Therefore, what are some things you as a father can do to accept the responsibility of develop­ ing your children’s character? First and foremost, learn to know God Once in a while maybe you must, but let it be rare. At our house we used the for yourself. Make time to pray for each following system: If one of the children child, no matter what age, newborn or married. Pra.v for their specific needs and had been consistentl.v disobedient and the pray for wisdom to deal wisely with their child needed more discipline than I felt I could give. I’d discuss it with Gerry, give growing pains. As you pray, ideas will come to you, and then follow through on him the details of the misdemeanor and them. This is important; God often uses then we decided that if the child demonstrated that behavior even once our common sense to guide us. As with most families nowadays, the while he was home then he would attend inflation is getting to us. One of our boys to the appropriate discipline, Also include in your qualit.v time doing has been taking viola lessons. A lesson costs $20 and then driving to and from the things together with the children. I am always so pleased when Gerry teaches the city is added to that, making each lesson boys how to use tools or when he does very expensive. Gerry was becoming real­ ly concerned about this situation. But specific jobs with them together. Do things with the children, like mowing the just a few days ago he said, and I think it lawn or helping a daughter with the dish­ will have been after he prayed about it, es. Take time to sit and chat at the table. that if it was fulfilling for Garth and This is a prime time to develop good developing his talent, then the money put into his lessons was worth it. relationships. Ask the children how their Secondly, in accepting responsibility, day has been; relate some of your own experiences of the business or with people be willing to guide your children into the you’ve met. Join in some good fun. At our Truth. That is, be willing to share with them what you believe. When they come house the boys love to tell the latest jokes, to you, and even if they complain, listen For example, cheerios are described as to them as the father did to the elder son. doughnut seeds. The.v enjo.v puns as well, Sometime ago our oldest daughter phon­ Then give them a sensible honest answer, one that has some foundation to it. The ed from Edmonton and Garth reminded father in the parable said to the elder son, his dad to tell her that he was exempted “Son, you are always with me and all that from all his exams, “Tell her about m.v I have is yours. But for now, it is the right great feats.” I responded by saying, “Yes, thing for us to celebrate.” I think this son tell^her .you wear size 13 shoes.” That lead.s me to my third aspect of knew that what his father said was true. quality time: fun and humor. Let All the interactions of the past with his laughter be part of your home. And father bore out that truth. And so a Father, you should instigate some of this, father must be willing to listen and to Find fun things to do. Laugh with your kindly stand for what is right. Of children together. Even when the.v get Abraham, God said. “For I know him, older, find things to do that^bring happ.y that he will command his children and his feelings into the home. The father in our household after him, and they shall keep story told his eldest son he could have had the wa.v of the Lord.” a party anytime he wanted to and the In conclusion, let me say that a father would have been delighted to go home where the father demonstrates love along with it. Children want to return to a both verbally and with actions, and where home that is happy. the father takes time for his children, and the.v are aware that he takes his respon­ ACCEPTANCE OF RESPONSIBILITY sibility seriously, such a home must be a This one ties in with the matter of home where there is a happy homecoming spending time with the children. How can for the children. ■

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Taking part in the ribbon cutting ceremony al Pineridge Fellowship Chapel were (left to right): Rusty Schultz, Aaron Reimer, Mayor Albert Bennett, Pastor John Kornelsen, and Elmer Plett.

Church Dedication: Hudson Bay May 23 was an important milestone in the history of the Pineridge EMC Fellowship Chapel at Hudson Bay, Sask. This was the day of the dedication of their new church building. Actually it was not a whole new building. It was a spacious new sanctuary attached to the former church, which also, with the new part, received a facelif­ ting. Festivities began with an outdoor rib­ bon cutting ceremony where Mayor Albert Bennett cut the ribbon. Also tak­ ing part in this event was MLA Neal Har­ dy. The Saskatoon architect who designed Pineridge Fellowship Chapel was unable to be present. Pastor Kornelsen, in opening the meeting, explained that they had not come to dedicate an ordinary building but “the house of the Lord.” Mayor Albert Bennett, in bringing greetings, remarked, “It’s a privilege for me to be here this afternoon, and also an honour.” For a scripture verse to challenge the congregation he read, “Ex­ cept the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain” (Psalm 127:1). “House,” in this instance, he also inter­ preted to mean “the body.” The house could also be likened to the home. Then he also referred to it as the family, children:

“Except the Lord build that household you do not have anything.” Mr. Hardy also extended sincere con­

gratulations. He was appreciative of the facilities to accommodate youth. Mr. Harry Neufeld, chairman of the EMC Board of Missions, delivered the dedication address. He confined himself to two main thoughts - the dedication of the temple in I Kings 8 and the great com­ mission, Matthew 18:8-20. Speaking of the temple, he said, it says “Come.” But the New Testament sends us into the world. He cautioned the congregation that this building not become their whole effort. “We must also reach out.” Mr. Andrew Dueck, pastor of the Mennville E.M. Church, gave the prayer of dedication. Andrew was the first resi­ dent pastor at Hudson Bay. They served some two years. He also brought greetings from the Evangelical Mennonite Conference. The past history of the chapel was given by Elmer Plett. The Pletts were (next page please)

Mixed group singing al the dedication service. Pineridge Fellowship Chapel.

Come on ini Pastor and Mrs. John Kornelsen. 1 11

The Pineridge Fellowship Chapel, Hudson Bay, seats some 168 persons. THE MESSENGER

AIRMAIL MESSENGERS As many of you know, the MESSENGER is mailed free of charge via airmail to our missionaries. Many have been the favorable comments on this. However, to do this we are dependent on donors - Sunday school classes, individuals, etc. It costs about $45.00 to mail one issue. Make your check payable to Evangelical Mennonite Conference, send to the address below arid you will receive a receipt which is good for income tax purposes. Thank you kindly.

Youth choir at the dedication service. among the first members of the chapel back in 1968. Mr. Plett, in his report, pointed to some of the highlights in the construction process. These included the sod turning, the excavation, and the laminated beams going up. He also mentioned the roofing bee when some twelve men were present to apply the shingles. Musical items were rendered by the youth choir, under the direction of San­ dra McCoy; a ladies’ trio and a mixed group. Others involved in the dedication ser­ vice were Harvey Kroeker, pastor of this church from 1973-1977, with opening remarks; and Virgil Scharfenberg, local songleader. The afternoon dedication service was followed by a lunch in the lower auditorium. The evening service was of a more in-

formal nature featuring an address by Andrew Dueck, a local musical group and a home movie showing the church under construction. Construction on the new sanctuary, which will seat 168 people, began some two years ago. Much volunteer labour went into the building. Total money spent was around $100,000. Pineridge Fellowship Chapel dates back to around 1965 when some in­ terested residents, together with the EMC Board of Missions, began the first services, in a home. ***** Ed. The editor also gathered informa­ tion for a Church Profile on the Pineridge • Fellowship Chapel. This is to follow in the next issue of The Messenger. Here we plan to go into more detail on the begin­ nings of this church and its ongoing program.

The Skylight musicians performed at the evening service at Pineridge Fellowship Chapel at Hudson Bay.

Airmail MESSENGERS Box 1268 Steinbach, Man. ROA 2A0

CONTRIBUTORS: Clara Doerksen is the author of “The Role of the Father.” She gave a talk on this topic at the Evangelical Fellowship Church in 1981. Mrs. Doerksen is the wife of Gerry Doerksen who is the Director of School Sup­ port Services, Hanover School Division in Manitoba. She and her husband also do team teaching in the area of Family Life. The Doerksens live in Blumenort, Manitoba. Flo Friesen (Kleefeld) is in Ecuador with World Radio Missionary Fellowship where she is teaching missionary children and is also involved in Christian education in a local Spanish church and in an adult literacy program. Peter and Louise Hiebert (Stein­ bach EFC) began service recently in Mexico under the EMC Board of Missions. They are stationed in Chihuahua City.

COVER: 1 captured this scene on the way to the Hudson Bay Church dedication. 1 believe it was in Saskatchewan. My 135MM lens came in handy since the operation was not close to the road. One marvels at how far­ ming methods have changed in the last 40 years or so. —D.S.

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.

JUNE 4, 1982

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Eslella, Mayetta, and Flo Friesen “play" with their puppets after giving a puppet show for the children in Shell, Ecuador. ECUADOR

Thank the Lord for Little Brown Faces

Change of Assignment They sang in full volume 350 enthusiastic faces lifted upwards, 350 brown­ skinned children packed into a small evangelical church in Puyo. 1 stook in front of them, waving my arms, trying to en­ courage unity in words, rhythm and melody. It was the Saturday before Palm Sunday, and the kids had been anticipating this event for weeks: the Children’s Rally. They had come from neighboring towns and villages, some by bus and taxi, and those from the home town, on foot. From our Shell church alone we had transported 125 children, pack­ ed into one bus. The evangelical churches of Pastaza province had spent several months planning and praying for this week of Easter activities, activities that would celebrate a risen Christ, and would emphasize evangelism of the un­ believers in our towns. In all our planning we had not forgotten the children. “Tia Celia." as the Spanish kids lovingly call her, is a pro at children's rallies, and un­ der her guidance we had planned a full twohour program. Each church group had prepared a “special,” either a song, poem, or little drama. Each church had also chosen several young contestants to participate in a Bible quiz. Nervously they stood on tiptoes, biting their nails, as Tia Celia popped the balloon to drop each question. The winning team received a beautifully sewn banner to take as a trophy to their home church. The puppet show held every child spellbound. Estella, an Ecuadorian teacher, Mayetta, my new house-mate, and I maneuvered the two donkey puppets, the rooster and the narrator to tell the story of Palm Sunday. The film that followed told the Crucifixion story.

Missions PAGE 6

Bible club kids al the Shell church in Ecuador.

It was a big day - lots of excitement, lots of fun! Most of all, the children, many of them regular church goers, but also many “off-the-street" children, heard the story of salvation. We invited them to open their hearts to the Lord. Some fifty children over the age of ten enrolled in the Bible course offered at the rally. Those from the town of Shell daily beat a path to the door of Tia Celia asking for the next lesson of the Bible course, having completed the previous one in just a day or two. Working with the children of Shell has been one of my out-of-school activities these past three years. As the Lord continues to lead, many of these out-of-school activities will become my full-time job this coming year. This will be my last year of teaching missionary children at the Nate Saint Memorial School here in Shell. The three years have been a rich experience. The future will involve more of a full-time spiritual

ministry to the Ecuadorian community; working with Tia Celia and the children in clubs, VBS, camp work and Sunday school, working with young girls, and with women through the Shell church, and working on various social projects, also through the Shell church. I anticipate with excitement this change and new challenge. I appreciate and need your prayers. Although I will have a change in assign­ ment, I will not have a change in location. I will be assigned to the Community Develop­ ment team of HCJB, working through the Shell church. I will have to move out of the school apartment and will be moving down­ town Shell, to a third floor apartment, in the same building as Tia Celia (Sheila Williams). Sheila is an independent missionary working in C.E. ministries. My address will continue to be: Casilla 691, Quito, Ecuador. Flo Friesen

Floods in Nicaragua Recent rains and floods in Nicaragua have taken their toll of both people and livestock, as well as crops, according to MCC Country Representative in Nicaragua, Henry Doerksen. According to Doerksen, who visited the EMC Office in Steinbach recently, the floods have resulted in some 67 deaths and 43,000-45,000 refugees. In one area some 60% of the banana crop was destroyed. Lester Olfert and other Mennonite missionaries have gotten together to assess the situation. It was reported that the immediate need was for funds to purchase food and clothing, which are available In nearby countries. Another need is for seed corn to replant areas already seeded. The EMC Board of Missions would with this encourage churches and in­ dividuals to donate for flood relief for Nicaragua. Send contributions to: Flood Relief EMC Board of Missions Box 1268 Steinbach, Man. ROA 2AO THE MESSENGER

MEXICO

Beginnings with Blessings

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Culture Shock? “In all these things we are more than con­ querors through Him that loved us” (Romans 8:37). A month ago we left cold Canada for sun­ ny Chihuahua. Indeed we are happy to be here where we feel the Lord has placed us. We have just begun and already the Lord has allowed us to experience such a blessing. We arrived here on the 19th of March. We had some difficulty crossing the border into Mexico, but as we prayed about it, God again assured us of His guidance and we crossed over without any more problems. We are now fairly settled in our large rented home. Our weekly schedule is still not full, but we are working on it. We have been doing some visitations to acquaint ourselves with the Christians here. The people are accepting us very well, it seems. We give thanks to God for that; it makes it so much easier to get into the work. Since there are two groups of Christians in different parts of the city, we spend one Sunday with one group and the other with the other group. There is a fine group of active young people who get together every other week. Then there are two small Bible study groups. We are excited about becoming part of this nucleus of Christians and it is our prayer that God may use us to spread His Good News to many others. Easter weekend we went out to one of the ranches, Santo Tomas, for the annual con­ ference of all the EMC churches. We had the opportunity of staying with Felipe and Cindy Cruz who live there. The services were very well attended. In the evening when they had films the church was literally packed. Two people came forward to accept Christ. We were thankful for the seventeen people who joined us from Chihuahua. Last week a new couple attended our Bi­ ble study. Catherine Thiessen had been hav­ ing studies with the lady for some time already. A few months ago this lady accepted Christ as her Saviour. Now her husband seemed to be open to God’s Word as well. Peter and I went there the following evening and had a good discussion, throughout which the man mentioned a number of times that he desired to be a Christian too. A short while later he too received the Lord Jesus as his Saviour. Praise the Lord! The man seems to have many questions and to us it is a real challenge to answer them in a simple and yet very sincere way. What is culture shock? I’ve read so much about it you would think I should know, but really at times I wonder if I’ve been through it or if it will come yet. It is great to have a husband who is fairly familiar with the culture. You might ask. But don’t you find that the Mexican way of life is quite

JUNE 4, 1982

Mission Grams Japan Pat Kroeker writes, “In the last number of months I’ve had many occasions to test my flexibility and resilience and usefulness. These months have been very busy ... flex­ ibility and durability were essential as I juggled classroom preparation and yearbook work sessions, Sunday school preparation and mission involvement, to fit into my schedule. “Now my three years here at CAJ in Tokyo are almost over. Pray with me as I end this school year with the rather large job of packing my belongings for another move. I expect to be home by the end of June. It is with a certain amount of sadness that I leave CAJ and Japan, but also with a sense of anticipation of what next year will hold.”

Peru Verna Doerksen reports, “Since January I’ve become more and more involved in the Bilingual Education program. For 30 years now the Ministry of Education of Peru has offered a short course to bilingual Indian teachers and prospective teachers from all over the jungle. This year 280 young men and women from 21 language groups joined together to study teaching methods as well as a number of other courses. My part was to teach methodology. It was a pleasure for me to get to know many students and see their eagerness to learn. “Many of the students are Christians and desired to fellowship in a local Spanish­ speaking church on Sundays. So every Sunday evening transportation would be provided. When the bus got overcrowded, I would take the Landrover and fill it up too. What a joy to join these brothers and sisters in Christ in some hearty chorus singing to and from church!” Germany Erma Kroeker shares, “After school if things continue to work out in that direction. I’ll be joining a singing group (with Janz Team) just before it goes into Eastern Europe - Hungary, Yugoslavia and Romania. I have always enjoyed that kind of a ministry and am certainly looking forward to it.”

different? Yes, it is different. Instead of hav­ ing a barbecue stand in their backyard they may have a few chickens or pigeons. The food? Well, instead of keeping the serviette on the lap, it is used frequently to wipe one’s nose while eating hot peppers. The beans? We have grown so fond of them that we have

them up to three times a day. Seriously, the Mexicans are very much like other people. Most important, they all have a soul, and many of them are headed for a lost eternity. We have the Good News of hope they need; let’s share it. Peter and Louise Hiebert

Important Notice to Messenger Subscribers The Messenger has three categories 3. We also have a limited number of of subscribers; complimentary copies. 1. EMC church members or adherents Our appeal is to those in the No. 2 who get the Messenger by virtue of the category. Until now you have received a fact that they contribute to an EMC notice of expiry from this office. We in­ church. The label on these will read tend to discontinue sending notices due RENEW 12/99. I understand this has no to the rising cost of postage. significance except that since we have So in the future could you check your computer mailing something has to be address label and if expiry is near, send printed in this space. in your subscription fee. This would save us both money and time and would be 2. Non-EMC members may subscribe greatly appreciated. to the Messenger by sending a subscripThe cost is $6.00 per year. Mail check tion fee of $6.00 per year. The expiry or money order (or come into our office date should appear on the label. at 440 Main Street in Steinbach) to: Evangelical Mennonite Conference Box 1268 Steinbach, Man. ROA 2AO

PAGE 7

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On the platform at the Moscow Interreligious Peace Conference are, from left. Dr. Romesh Chandra, president of the IVorld Peace Council; Vladimir Kuroyedov, chairman of the Council of Religious Affairs, USSR Council of Ministers; Patriarch Pimen, patriarch of Moscow and all of Russia; Patriarch Alexander Nikokai VI, Billy Graham. Above them can be seen part of the meeting’s motto, translated into six languages, “Religious Workers to save the Sacred Gift of Life from Nuclear Catastrophe."

Avoiding Nuclear Catastrophe “No Time to Stand on the Sidelines” Akron, Pa. — "This was no time to stand as mere observers on the sidelines,” observe Peter J. Dyck and Frank H. Epp, concerning their participation at the Interreligious Peace Conference on the nuclear arms race. May 10 to 14 in Moscow. Dyck and Epp, representing Mennonite Central Committee at the conference, were among 590 "religious workers" representing the world's major religions and 90 countries. All had accepted the invitation of the Rus­ sian Orthodox Church to discuss "Saving the sacred gift of life from nuclear catastrophe." Dyck is from Akron and a long-time MCC worker in East-West affairs. Epp, chairman of MCC Peace Section, is from Waterloo, Ont. The two talked with many delegate!) and selectively distributed a special MCC message prepared in advance, which outlined biblical and historical Anabaptist reasons for witness against nuclear ar­ maments, and against all war. Although aware that the Soviet govern­ ment would seek its own advantages in the staging of the conference, the two say that their own Christian message transcended the politics of any state. Their active involve­ ment was required not only because of their

PAGE 8

faith, but due to their concern for humanity in light of the serious threat posed by nuclear weapons escalation. On the fifth day, after many speeches in 12 plenary sessions and discussions in work­ ing groups, as well as separate meetings of the various religions, the conference adopted by consensus a communique which included separate appeals to religious people, to all governments of the world, and to the Second U.N. Special Session on Disarmament. The communique recognized the many differences among and within the religions and included confession of past sins of omis­ sion, before outlining an impressive, manysided program for saving "the sacred gift of life" including "above all to pray" so that "the prayers of millions rise as a canopy over the earth to protect it from an impending doom of nuclear catastrophe." The two leading personalities of the con­ ference. who also gave the most acclaimed speeches, were Russian Orthodox Patriarch Pimen, the official host, and evangelist Billy Graham, the most celebrated guest. Dyck and Epp talked with Graham privately several times during the sessions, and expressed to him their affirmation of his decision to attend the conference. Graham's

visit was significant, Dyck says, as one occa­ sion for a noted North American religious leader to make concrete steps to understand and communicate across East/West lines. Without such communication, there can be no peacemaking, Dyck stresses. The MCC delegates observe that they ap­ preciated chances to discuss peacemaking with Graham and that “we hope this leads to ongoing contacts with him in the future.” Graham expressed appreciation for a book by MCC Europe Secretary Walter Sawatsky, Soviet Evangelicals Since World War IJ. which was sent to him by Dyck. Graham said he had read the book cover-tocover in preparation for the Moscow meeting. Dyck notes that repression of religious rights continues in the Soviet Union, but that "we also know there is increasingly more freedom." MCC has spoken to Soviet of­ ficials several times over the years, express­ ing concern for Soviet believers, including a formal resolution passed at the 1980 annual meeting urging the Soviet government to “release the prisoners and stop all harass­ ment of believers of whatever religious per­ suasion." VOTE COMING UP The 1982 EMC Conference Council will be voting on the question whether to join Mennonite Foundation of Canada. The EMC Estates Committee has been working on this for some two years. Mennonite Foundation of Canada is a special stewardship agency sometimes referred to as the trust department of the Mennonite Church. It is dedicated to helping concerned Christian stewards to faithfully manage and employ their accumulated possessions. It promotes and administers charitable bequests and special gifts. It provides estate planning guidance. It also serves as a convenient channel for distribu­ tion of gift funds to any part of the Lord’s work, including any church institution, con­ gregation or other charitable organization. Mennonite Foundation of Canada is a federally chartered non-profit charitable cor­ poration. Registration was granted on December 28, 1973, Twenty-four Mennonite churchmen and businessmen are elected to the Mennonite Foundation of Canada by the four participating Conferences; Conference of Mennonites in Canada, Mennonite Conference of Ontario, Northwest Men­ nonite Conference, and the Western Ontario Mennonite Conference. These elect a directorate of twelve who are responsible to manage the property and business of the Corporation. A Finance Committee directs the investment program. Investments are made as outlined in our ethnic policy guidelines developed to express our Christian concern.

THE MESSENGER

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A new Mother and Baby Sunday school class in the Fisher Branch church. Left to right: Linda Packulak and Gloria, Helen Dueck and Shaunda, Adina Plett and Tammy, Martha Reimer and Geraldine.

THANK YOU, LORD Fisher Branch, Man.: Thank you Lord, that we were able to open a new Sunday school class for mothers with little children. How can we express our gratitude for the many young people attending Bible school? May 2 was a very special day for Jeffrey Plett when he graduated from SBC with a diploma in Bible. A very meaningful message was presented to us by Rev. Larry Heppner on May 2. Nearly all of our young people attended the Interlake Youth Rally at Morweena on May 23. Kindhearted people still are around. An older man from Broad Valley invited our Bi­ ble study group to his home recently. We were happy to have a newcomer join our study that night as well. Young people like action. May 8 they gathered for an evening of baseball at David

Plett's home. Oin Mother’s Day we were reminded of our many blessings. “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving and into his courts with praise, be thankful unto Him and bless His name" (Psalm 100:4). Untidy church yard? Not now, for many enthusiastic workers showed up for the an­ nual clean-up and wiener roast. “Let me live that I may praise you, and may your laws sustain me” (Psalm 119:175). On May 17 we gathered for a Sunday school teachers’ meeting. Rev. Frank Friesen of Pleasant Valley spoke at our morning worship on May 23 and again at the communion service that evening. Driving to Steinbach to attend a ministerial meeting on May I were the Peter Friesens and Nick Pletts.

the communion and footwashing service on Good Friday morning. Sharing in this special occasion always draws us together as we are reminded of Christ’s love for us, and as we express our love for each other. We were happy to have D. K. Friesen of Steinbach here for a Stewardship Seminar in April. We were encouraged to gain a Chris­ tian perspective on money management. The congregation has appreciated the ser­ vice of the mixed choir as they sang under the direction of Martha Klassen. They faithfully sang each Sunday morning, and then presented a final concert on April 18. It was truly a “Spring Celebration of Praise.” A number of songs dealt with the Easter theme; the final numbers were songs of praise to God from whom all blessings flow! Our special speaker, Ralph Loewen, a graduate of the Winnipeg Bible College, spoke on Christian optimism, as found in Philippians 1. Speaking of optimism, the young people have been optimistically cleaning windows and doing some other spring clean-up work to earn money for the group’s various pro­ jects. Everyone noticed the sparkling clean church windows. A series of Family Life films have been shown in the town hall Sunday afternoons. In these films Dr. James Dobson deals with timely family issues. “Walking Where Jesus Walked” was the theme for an evening service in May. Frank Gustaw gave us a brief review of the steps that Jesus walked in Palestine during the three years of His ministry. We were also privileged to have our former pastor. Rev, Menno Kroeker, with us. He gave us a slide presentation on the Holy Land. How thrill­ ing it is to just allow our thoughts to dwell on Jesus, our Saviour, as he walked among peo­ ple, ever loving and kind, giving hope and salvation to all who received Him. CLOSING NIGHT FOR FAMILY NIGHT PARTICIPANTS

SPRING ACTIVITIES

Jeffrey Plett graduated with a diploma in Bible from the Steinbach Bible College on May 2.

JUNE 4, 1982

Riverton, Man.: II Cor. 10:17 says, “But He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” It is our prayer that all our church activities may be to His honour and glory. Our Participation evening in March was well attended. Marion and Lucille Friesen’s beautiful poster and fruit arrangement clear­ ly illustrated the theme, “Fruits of the Spirit,” as found in Ephesians 5:22, 23. Some of the items presented were a song by the Sunday school department and a skit by John and Betty Zebriski, Dale Kornelsen, and Christine Reimer. The “patient” un­ derwent open heart surgery to replace the old sinful nature (Eph. 5:19-21) with the fruits of the Spirit. Devotions were led by different speakers, each presenting one of the nine fruits. We were reminded of the verse, “If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” A highlight of the Easter season was again

Arden, Man.: May 14 was a special day for the children who attended Family Night last winter. They came along with the school bus to the Niel Rempel home for a wiener and marshmallow roast. After supper they amused themselves by making a collection of ladybugs. Having completed that, they were ready for their last Bible lesson, which explained the way of salvation. To end the evening, prizes were given to those who had memorized all the Bible verses. Everyone got a fancy pencil for mak­ ing an effort. On May 23 we took part in communion and footwashing. The Frank Reimers and Ed Reimers (Stratton, Ont.) served us in the morning and afternoon. In the evening Evelyn Barkman gave us a report and show­ ed slides of her work in Mali, Africa. We thank all those who came and made it possi­ ble for us to have such a blessed day.

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Baptized at the Steinbach E.M. Church on May 16 were (front): Jackie Reimer, Rebekka Dyck, Connie Koop. Back row: Pastor Henry P. Dyck with John Loewen, Dennis Thiessen, Sean Fehr, James Koop. SIGNS OF LIFE

Steinbach, Man.: As when new parents watch their babe for indications of growth, as when the gardener tends his seedlings looking for those new leaves as proof of growth, as when the businessman checks his books to see if the company is growing, even so signs of life in the Body of Christ indicate a growing, viable church. Sunday, May 16, was just such a day for us when seven precious souls joined by baptism our local

body of believers. By their step of obedience Sean Fehr, Rebekka Dyck, Jacqueline Reimer, Connie Koop, James Koop, John B. Loewen, and Dennis Thiessen told us of their love for Christ. On May 23 we added by transfer Mrs. Lorraine Plett, Reynold Kroeker, and Robert Klassen to our church fellowship. May we continue to pray, give, and work together in the building of the Kingdom.

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A baptismal and membership reception service was held in the Kleefeld church on May 16. Left to right: Beverly Harder (baptized), Jean and Jon Bonk (accepted by transfer), and their two children, Jimmy and Susie, and Brad Friesen (baptized). 'fits. ARE ONE

Kleefeld, Man.: Miracles still happen every day. The greatest of these remains the rebirth, and we praise the Lord that his fami­ ly keeps on growing. Beverly Harder and Brad Friesen publicly demonstrated their obedience to Christ by receiving baptism on May 16. To remain steadfast in the faith in our contemporary society. Pastor Ed Friesen encouraged them and us to acknowledge the Scriptures as our total field of authority. Read it, meditate on it, act upon it, and the

PAGE 10

Lord will bless you. That same morning we received Jon and Jean Bonk into our membership; we welcome them most heartily and most sincerely. The ministry of song is an important one. Through it our Lord is praised, lives are transformed, hearts are encouraged, and the unity of love is strengthened. Under the gifted and competent leadership of LeeRoy Bartel, a cantata called, “We Are One,” was presented on May 16, between Mother’s Day

and Father's Day. The message was clear. In order for a family unit to survive, we must build on Christ, the Rock, demonstrate His love to each other by caring, sharing, loving and praying. Doing a wonderful job of por­ traying this message was our 17-member church band (by the way, a “first” for Kleefeld) and our Junior and Senior Choirs made up of about 50 voices. These songs of worship and praise keep on lingering in our hearts and motivate us to serve the Lord more faithfully. Visitors are always special. This time it was a group from the Okanagan Bible Institute, B.C., who presented the “Good News" in word and song on a Sunday mor­ ning, May 2. Guest speaker for the group, John Koning, urged us to bring in our empty vessels to be filled to overflowing, just as the woman in 2 Kings 1:7 did with her oil pots. Believe God for big things and He will bring it to pass because He still is that same God of miracles! SAFE IN THE ARMS OF JESUS Prairie Rose, Man.: The community was stirred to hear that Ron Penners’ youngest son, Trevor, had a very serious illness. This was more than a year ago, and it seemed very unlikely that Trevor would leave us. Surely the doctors would be able to help this young vigorous fellow. Time and again the question was asked, “How is Trevor doing? Have you heard the latest developments?” and so on. So many times prayer was requested, and the Sunday morning church service would become quiet as intercession was made for the parents and their son. Individuals, families, prayer groups, all the way to the Black Forest Academy in Germany (where the Penners served for a year), would beseech God to give strength from above, wisdom for difficult decisions, healing and recovery, should He so will. Truly the com­ munity was drawn together in love and com­ passion. Trevor’s schoolmates and Sunday school friends sorely missed him, prayed for him, and kept in touch with him, even though he was far away. It was especially touching to see the grade 4 class at Trevor’s funeral May 21, with their school teacher, Mrs. Stanford Penner, telling of the concern, dedication and commitment of the whole class, on the day of the funeral. The church was filled to capacity as peo­ ple gathered to pay their last respects to a brave young lad and to extend condolences to his parents. Pastor Edwin Plett was in charge of the funeral service. Rev. Harvey Plett spoke on “Safe in the Arms of Jesus” with special words to the classmates and many other children that were present. Speaking on Luke 8:40, Brother Dan Warkentin referred to thoughts under the topic, “Jesus Had Been Invited.” Our sympathies and prayers for comfort continue with the Penners. Truly God has a plan in all of this. May it become more and more evident in our lives.

THE MESSENGER

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deacons, children’s activities and a Mission Program on Sunday. Thursday to Saturday sessions, with the exception of the Saturday business and youth sessions will be held at Morrow Gospel Church, St. Anne’s Road. Saturday’s business session will be held in the nearby Sterling Avenue Mennonite Church while the youth are meeting at

Nazarene College. The Winnipeg Conven­ tion Centre has been reserved for Sunday’s Mission Program. Gospel Mennonite Church and Morrow Gospel Church are co-hosting the conven­ tion. Delegates are expected from churches in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Belize. Visitors are welcome to all sessions.

* ALFRED P. FRIESEN 1910 - 1982

Alfred P. Friesen, the son of Klaas and Katharina Friesen, was born in Steinbach, Manitoba, on April 10, 1910. He attended school first in lie des Chenes, and then in Steinbach, where he graduated from high school. He greatly enjoyed gardening and cultivated many kinds of fruit trees and rose bushes. For many years he worked with his brother and brother-in-law at the C.T. Loewen firm in Steinbach. He also raised several acres of raspberries, strawberries and tulips. After a lengthy spiritual struggle in his early adult years he made a Christian com­ mitment and was baptized into the Evangelical Mennonite Brethren congrega­ tion. Later be became a member of the Braeside Evangelical Mennonite congrega­ tion in Winnipeg. Alfred was married to Annie Voth on February 12, 1967, and they found much satisfaction in his new home. Early on May 7 he suffered a heart attack and passed away at 11:00 a.m. on May 7, 1982. He leaves to mourn his wife, Annie; a brother Frank Friesen of Steinbach; three sisters, Anna, Mrs. John Barkman of Henderson, Nebraska: Maria, Mrs. P.D. Reimer of Steinbach; and Pauline, Mrs. Abe Penner of Landmark, Manitoba; as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents; one brother, Paul; and three sisters, Catharine, Mrs. C.K. Friesen; Margaret, Mrs. J.T. Loewen; and Helen, Mrs. C.T. Loewen. ‘‘Blessed are those who die in the Lord. They shall rest from all their labors and their works shall follow them."

EMMC TO GATHER IN WINNIPEG FOR 1982 CONVENTION Winnipeg will be the site of the annual convention of the Evangelical Mennonite Mission Conference. July 1-4 will be filled with business sessions, time to worship, youth activities, a banquet for ministers and

JUNE 4, 1982

JULY 2, 3, 4, 1982

Blumenort EMC

Main Speaker: Dr. Arden Thiessen

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FRI. - 7:30 SAT. - 7:00 SUN. AFTERNOON - 3:00 SUN. EVENING - 7:00

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SPECIAL FEATURES: SONGFEST, CHILDREN’S SESSION, LADIES’ SESSION COME TO BE: INSPIRED, INSTRUCTED, EQUIPPED FOR SERVICE

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From the Editor POST-PENTECOST MEDITATION I wonder for how many of our readers Pentecost went un­ noticed this year - or any year for that matter. For your infor­ mation, the day was May 30 this year. Anyway, Pentecost, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, should be of great significance to the Christian church. One of the lesser known things about this day may well be the first message the disciples gave. At least it was to me until I noticed it one day. Maybe you have known it all along. You might say it was Peter’s sermon. But if you’ll notice carefully, there was a message before that. Maybe you’d only call it a praise session, which indeed it was. I’m referring to the message which was given by the disci­ ples when they spoke in tongues. People of sixteen national­ ities apparently heard a message on “The Wonderful Works of God.” “Repent and be baptized” came later from Peter. Here it is recorded by the people who heard them in different languages they spoke the wonder works of God! Could this maybe teach us something about witnessing? I think so. How often do we speak “the wonderful works of God?” I think we could do it more often. We are not told what they included in their praise. But ob­ viously it must have come from their own expression as well as from their oral and written tradition. Why would they not have talked about some of the events of the Old Testament specifically named such as wonderful things, wonders, or won­ derful works!’ I believe they included this. I think the Lord is pleased when we magnify His name. In fact, the Psalmist says that “He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered” (Psalm 111:4). So the disciples were only doing what God wanted them to do. These wonderful works are sometimes things we count as being very ordinary, things we too often take for granted. He names some of these in this Psalm. “The Lord is gracious and full of compassion” (v. 46). This is one of his wondrous works we are to remember! The next one I take to mean that he provides, “He hath given food unto them that fear him” (v. 5). We may say, “Food comes through a natural process!” Did not we sow the seed and reap the crop? True, but it is the Lord who gives us the strength and ability to earn a living. Surely, if the disciples spoke anything they praised God for redemption. “He sent redemption unto His people” is the theme of Psalm 111:9. How often is this a part of our praise and adoration? If we turn to Psalm 107 we see more occasion to speak the wonderful works of God. In this Psalm the Psalmist seems to deplore the state of Israel and four times he breaks out with “Oh, that men would praise the Lord for his goodness and for his wonderful works to the children of men.” Why should they praise? He satisfies the longing soul. Jesus said very much the same

thing in Matthew 5: “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled.” In other words, those who thirst for God shall be satisfied. What a promise! Read on and you will find other works which we need to recognize as wonders and praise God. “He saved them” (v. 13) “He brought them out of darkness” (v. 14). “ ... He hath broken the gates of bronze” (v. 16). “He . . . healed them ...” (v. 20). “He turneth rivers into a wilderness” (v. 33). “He turneth the wilderness into a pool of water” (v. 35.) All these things, to my mind, constitute the wonderful ii'orks of God. I would like to believe that these things might well have been the subject of the disciples’ praise and adora­ tion on the day of Pentecost. Should not we too then give more attention to them? God’s wondrous works are given for a purpose. They are not merely a show-off. They are not given to satisfy a whim! They are given to strengthen our faith, for one thing. This seems to have been the case very much in his dealings with Israel. It seems that God was very displeased when the Children of Israel forgot his wonders. Wonders were given to be remem­ bered. They were to profit by His wonders. Surely many Jews knew this part of their history because it had come down to them from father to son. But it took a Stephen (Acts 7) to bring it into its right perspective and mag­ nify God’s name properly. A thing which his hearers obviously had not done and were not doing (Acts 7:51). I believe it could well be that what Stephen rehearsed in Acts 7 may well have been among the wonderful works of God spoken at Pentecost when the disciples spoke in tongues. All of us Christians have experienced the wonderful works of God in some form or other, of which redemption is surely the greatest! One wonders if maybe Christ’s victory and redemption was the main theme of the disciples’ praise to God when they spoke in tongues on the day of Pentecost. At least this was again and again their theme in the opening chapters of Acts (2:14-36, 3:1226, 4:8-12, 5:29-32). This is also one thing which we are to remember, Christ’s broken body and shed blood. We are explicitly told to do this (I Cor. 11:23-26). This is one way in which we can glorify God. Furthermore God’s wonders are to be proclaimed “among all peoples” (Psalm 96:3). Partially we are doing this in missions. Maybe each one of us should do this more in our daily interaction with people! I can easily slide into a rut where only I am important; my feelings are hurt; my program is tottering; my honor must be upheld. We need to proclaim God’s wonders in order that we gain the right perspective and that others too will glorify God. Then we too will see things in the broader context which is God’s will for us. I think it is important and significant that the first message after the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost was the speaking of the wonderful works of God. May we learn something from D.S.

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