When Dou3 reached school age he found that schools did not accept children like him. He had to stay home and try to keep busy and useful, while others were learning academic skills . . . ♦
Doug’s Invisible Friend Gary Hiller
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or 36 years, Doug lived with his parents on Woods Avenue in Lancaster (PA). Theirs was a happy home, and within its walls Doug found love and ac ceptance. Outside, however, it was a dif ferent story. Loveable and pleasant though he was, Doug was not as quick to learn as other children. He had a pudgy physique and slanted eyes — features which people came to call “mongoloid.” When Doug reached school age, he found that schools did not accept children like him. He had to stay home and try to keep busy and useful, while others were learning academic skills and running and playing with new friends on the playground. During those years, Doug did not have any friend except his sister. Eventually she went into the nor mal pattern of dating, marriage and family of her own. Doug remained behind at home in a shrinking world with no friends, no job, no social life. During those years of lonely isolation, Doug began talking to an imaginary friend. He would often ask his friend what to do when decisions came up, but mostly they conversed about the more mundane affairs of life — and laughed at Doug’s jokes. Soon after Doug’s father passed away, his mother became in need of nursing care. Doug was referred to Friendship Community, a group home for mentally limited adults, for a temporary place to stay until he and his mother could resume living together. As the weeks passed, the staff at Friendship Community began to ap preciate Doug as a thoughtful, sensitive gentleman with many interests and a keen sense of humor. “Ladies first” was his motto as he opened doors and held coats for his new friends. Always an avid sports fan, he would read the newspaper daily for the latest Phillies scores, rejoice
PAGE 2
in their victories and bemoan their defeats. Often he would have a joke for the group — one he had heard or in vented himself. With all the people he now had to talk to, it was assumed that Doug would soon forget his imaginary friend. But Doug was loyal. After all, his imaginary friend stuck by him when no one cared, through all the lonely hours, the ridicule and re jection. His imaginary friend bothered to decipher his often slurred speech and grasp the wit and intelligence that lay behind what others dismissed as gibberish. So the conversations with the imaginery friend continued and Doug returned home. The staff and residents
missed Doug and hoped that he would be able to enter the full program as a regular resident. Although he had a delightful personality, could read and write, was eager to learn, he seemed to have a great reservoir of untapped poten tial. Apparently assuming that persons with Down’s Syndrome were destined to be portly, his family never encouraged dietary control or physical fitness. The clothes on his disproportioned physique were ill-fitting and his close-cropped hair emphasized his “mongoloid” features. The staff yearned for the opportunity to help Doug become part of the real world. Within months of Doug’s short-term “respite” stay, the condition of Doug’s mother deteriorated, and Friendship Com munity had the opportunity to accept Doug as a regular resident. He was im mediately enrolled in the Occupational Development Center for vocational train ing during the day, while the staff taught him living skills in the evening. Doug willingly cooperated with a reducing diet and his clothes were tailored to his shrinking waistline. Topped off with longer, styled hair and new glasses, Doug was looking and feeling like a new man. Yet, Doug’s invisible friend was still by his side to admire the fit of his new clothes and applaud his latest achievements. As part of the Friendship Community program, Doug began to attend church on a regular basis. At a special Sunday School class at Lancaster Brethren in Christ Church, Doug had the good new of Jesus Christ explained to him on his level. At devotions around the dinner table at Friendship Community, Doug would join in prayer, and at special outings to Sight and Sound Auditorium, he would sit enthralled by films about God and the Christian life. Doug had many questions about
THE MESSENGER
After devotions one night the Spirit seem ed to be saying that the time was right to speak to Doug about a personal commitment to Jesus Christ.
♦
spiritual matters. He was particularly concerned about his father and mother being in heaven. He would often pray, “Dear God, 1 hope my mother and father are okay.” After devotions one night, the Spirit seemed to be saying that the time was right to speak to Doug about a personal commitment to Jesus Christ. Taking Doug aside, 1 mentioned that he had been hearing many new things about God in the past few months. What did he think about all this? Doug’s response seemed to be off on a tangent when he started to talk about a recent trip to “Sight and Sound.” Somewhat disappointed, 1 listened to him describe the evangelistic film he saw. However, it all came together when he concluded, “Gary, I agree with everything in that film.” He “agreed” that every man needs Jesus Christ, that he was indeed the Son of God, that he rose from the dead, that he was now in Heaven on Doug’s behalf, and that he needed to make a confession of faith and “ask Jesus into his heart.” After a brief review of the plan of salvation, which Doug could clearly relate to, Doug said, “1 want to accept Jesus Christ.” As Doug repeated a simple “sin ner’s prayer,” my heart swelled and my spirit soared, for this was no mindless repetition of words. It was a seeking heart coming into contact with the nameless friend who was there all the time. The next days and months would prove that the seed of the Gospel had fallen in fertile ground as Doug persevered in his commitment to God. Soaking up devo tional and Sunday School material, Doug soon expressed a desire for baptism and church membership. Doug’s fledgling faith was tested as the ministers at Lancaster Brethren in Christ told him that he must first go through in struction classes like everyone else. As the
weeks went on, Doug’s interest did not flag, and on June 6, 1982 he was baptiz ed and received into membership. Soon afterward, it was agreed that Doug’s abilities had advanced to the point where he could move to a smaller group home setting for more capable mentally limited adults. Located in the small town of East Petersburg, Doug would have the opportunity to use public transportation to and from his sheltered workshop, go on errands to the neighborhood store, and be a part of the small town community. In Doug’s new setting, most of the livingroom furniture and some bedroom pieces had come from his parents’ home. I wondered what was going through his mind as 1 watched him sitting on the couch, quietly stroking the new upholstery, lost in thought. His thoughts were probably what mine would be, sitting on my mother’s couch after she passed away. After Doug moved to his new location in the Friendship Community program, I did not have as much contact with him except every Monday night wKen he came to our main facility for activities. Accor ding to the Resident Advisors at the East Petersburg house, Doug is continuing to do very well and is now interested in get ting his own apartment. “By the way,” I asked, “Is Doug still talking to his invisi ble friend?” Janet High, part of the Resident Ad visor team, replied that Doug still was seen to talk to an empty space at least once a day. Disappointed, I remarked that 1 thought he would have given that up by now. Yet, I wondered about the content of these conversations. “What does he say?” 1 inquired. A smile came across my face. “Janet,” I said, “Doug’s talking may not be so in appropriate after all. 1 think that he has a new ‘invisible friend’. But this friend is really there. I think Doug’s new invisible . friend is Jesus Christ.”
Doug was always an avid sports fan.
CONTRIBUTORS: Garry Hiller, lead arti cle, is the Social Work Supervisor for Friend ship Community at Rt. 3, Lititz, PA 17543. The article is reprinted from Mennonite Medical Messenger by permission of the author. The Youth in Touch article by Jay Kesler is reprinted by permission from Campus Life Life Publications, Inc., Carol Stream, IL 60187. Carl McMindes is vice-president of public ministries, Gospel Missionary Union. Reprinted by permission from Gospel Message. Ed and Joy Loewen (Pleasant Valley) are involved in hospital maintenance and evangelism at the Bach Christian Hospital in Pakistan. Gladwin and Jean Plett (Portage la Prairie) are serving in Germany under the EMC Board of Missions. They are involved in church planting.
COVER PHOTO: Falling leaves signal the advent of colder weather in Manitoba. Lisa (5) and Jamie (3) Riediger, Steinbach, cooperated with Grand pa for this fall scene.
THE MESSENGER is the publication of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference. Its purpose is to inform, instruct, and inspire. Inform as to what is going on in the Conference; instruct in Godliness and victorious living; inspire to earnestly contend for the faith. All correspondence should be addressed to the Editor D. K. Schellenberg, Box 1268, Steinbach, Manitoba, ROA 2A0. Letters, articles, art and poetry are welcomed. Views expressed in Letters to the Editor are not necessarily those of the editor nor of the paper. Unpublished articles are not returned except by request. Subscription. Members pay through their church. Non-members pay $6.00 per year. Send subscription money to The Messenger, Box 1268, Steinbach, Manitoba ROA 2A0.
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 mailed to the above address.
OCTOBER 21, 1983
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STEWARDSHIP AND PERSONAL FINANCES (3) riTHt
FINANCIAL FREEDOM — IMPLEMENTATION By Henry Friesen Christians must recognize that they are accountable to God for the manner in which they manage their financial affairs. Discipline is a necessary ingredient in the stewardship of wealth, for both the wealthy and the poor. This discipline may consist of various attitudes and actions but almost certainly will include a family budget. (Too many Christians are not able to accept limits and end up dealing with their finances as the world does.) If you think that you are already doing your best and that financial freedom is out of reach, think again. You can start from where you are right now! 1. Money management should be a cooperative endeavor. Children should become involved as soon as they are able to understand and to the degree that they are able to participate. There should be no secrets. 2. Decide where you are going. As a family, make a list of all your goals. Evaluate them to determine whether they are accomplishable, measureable, challenging and pleasing to God. Drop the goals not meeting each of these criteria. Be sure to set goals for the work of the kingdom. 3. Set priorities for your goals. Order the goals from most important to not necessary at all. It is important that debt-related goals receive your first attention. Set a schedule to pay off everything you owe. As your debts are paid off you will be able to “save the payments” for future purchases. 4. Determine where you are now. Make a list of all your assets and liabilities to determine your present financial “pro file.” The difference between the above is your net worth. This exercise should be repeated periodically. 5. Design a workable budget. Your family's budget is simp ly a visible plan to help you execute the things that you have decided to do. It will not solve your immediate problems or take the place of action! Its only purpose is to tell you when you are exceeding predetermined allocations. Most families should probably work towards achieving the following allocation of their money: (see diagram) Some of you will say that this is impossible, but I challenge you to think of even a 20-year house mortgage as something that can be paid in less than one half of your working life. Im agine no mortgage payments for most of your adult life! Savings should be part of your plan even though you have
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outstanding debts. (This habit is extremely important - adher ing to it is both practical and symbolic - and your children should be encouraged to save for major purchases and a buffer fund .from an early age. If you are self-employed you should commit yourself to a personal budget and regularly transfer a fixed amount from your business account. Even the virtue of frugality or unlimited wealth are no excuses for Christians to avoid budgeting, especially if there are children in the family.) 6. Implement your plan and stick to it. If your budget takes more than four hours initially plus thirty minutes a week it is probably too complicated. Disenchantment with budgeting usually results from unrealistic budgets or workable budgets that have never been implemented. At the very least the above steps will provide a method of planning for the future, give a picture of total spending, safeguard against unnecessary debt and help curtail impulse buying. Cod’s Managers by Ray and Lillian Bair (Herald Press) is “a budget guide and daily financial record book” that I give a high rating because of its excellent introduction to budgeting and sharing. It should be available in Christian bookstores (or $4 postpaid from the writer). (This is the third of a series of four articles about steward ship and personal finances sponsored by the Estates Commit tee. Henry Friesen is a chartered accountant in Virden, Manitoba.)
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION RESOURCES Prepared by Walter Reimer
A listing of resources for congregational planners: EVENTS •Church Music Workshops is a variety of seminars available to EMC churches. A choice of six resource persons with a variety of topics related to the music program of the church is available for October-November and February-March. Please contact Tim Kretchmer, Box 187, Blumenort, Man. ROA OCO, Ph. (204) 326-9720. •A workshop and fellowship for post secondary students is scheduled for November 10, 3:00 p.m., at the University of Manitoba. Commuters and resident students in the Winnipeg area are especially invited. Stan Plett will be the speaker.
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BOOKS How to Really Love Your Child by Dr. Ross Campbell focuses on expression and demonstration of parental care of children. Written at a popular level, it uses wholesome psychology within a Biblical orientation to teach parents key ingredients of love for their children. Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders underlines the blending of natural and spiritual qualities in spiritual leadership. This book encourages the reader to dedicate his powers and talents to God for His service. It is a small book but its 242 pages contain a wealth of material and illustrations.
AUDIOVISUALS •Story of Jesus, Christ is Come, Christmas for All Ages, It Began in Bethlehem and The Surprise Gift are filmstrips with records or cassettes, available from the Conference Of fice, for the Christmas season. They are an appropriate supplement to a Sunday school or weekday club meeting which concentrates on the Christmas event.
•Also available from the Conference Of fice are two New Media Bible Films on Luke 1 and 2. The rental on these movie films is $15.00 per showing. Each is 15 minutes. Book now for Christmas.
Write: EMC Board of Education and Publication Box 1268, Steinbach, Man. ROA 2A0, Ph. (204) 326-6401
THE MESSENGER
Missions I
The organist’s wife joined the youth team in singing.
GERMANY
Crusading in Seesen We Long for an A wakening There was this appeal for “earnest” prayer more than six months ago. Remember? Page 8! Yes, it was in The Messenger, Vol. 21, No. 3, February II, 1983. You surely deserve to hear the sequel to that request - because of your presence in prayer. (If you are a member of the Mission’s Prayer Corps, you are well informed, but read on in spite of it.) The Free Church’s “Tent Mission” was chosen because it was the type and size of ministry suited for the small band of believers in Seesen. A 1982 crusade in a neighbouring village aroused the desire to present such a ministry to our city. And so it was that on the Friday prior to the opening service (Wednesday) the long distance transport rolled onto the allocated spot. By nightfall the lengths of pipes and rolls of canvas completed a canopy for seats,
platform, pulpit, bookshop and all. Talking of teamwork, it was certainly obvious, par ticularly when the neighboring church’s male team moved in among our own mixed work force. Perhaps Seesen’s spirit of goodwill last year was now experiencing the rewarding response. Really, the heavy duty service of this Friday afternoon had already been preceded by two Sunday afternoons, when the same “brethren” (and sisters) came to Seesen’s aid in the massive distribution of 9(XX) invitation leaflets and the 1000 church brochures. It was this type of teamwork that excited Seesen. One member said, “To me this was a high point of the crusade!” Advertising in Germany is rather unique. Posters are pasted (like wallpaper) onto both sides of hardboard, designed to be hung from a bracket, which is wired (or taped) to the lamp standards. When Oskar Achen-
Jean and Gladwin Plett with Birgit Jacobi and Oscar Achenbach. <1
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bach, the evangelist, noted the advertising in our city and the nine villages within the city plan, he exclaimed, “1 have never been to a crusade where the city was so thoroughly ‘signed up.»’ 1”> Besides its own signs, the church rented another 50 larger ones from the politicians. Pasting posters on the dou ble - those experts were ready to paper a house! And mounting (and dismounting) those brackets? Two hundred times up and down the ladder, and 400 times the ladder moved on and off that car top! Which political party wouldn’t welcome such a team! Is it effective advertising? you rightly ask. Well, for one person it apparently was. A school teacher (from out of town) came to the meetings only as a result of reading the signs - their message and their invitation. Achenbach reports, “In all my ministry I have seldom heard a confession like his.” He came for counsel and made a commitment to Christ. The evangelist, sent to us, was a man of experience, with a spirit-filled message. Hav ing planted and pastored both small and larger churches in northern Germany he was equipped for the task in Seesen. In his report he notes how he came with misgivings and how the Lord dealt with him after experien cing the warmth and vigor of the local Chris tians. For twelve nights and two Sunday morning services the Good News was declared as the message of hope for days of deepening despair. People representing a wide cross-section of Seesen came. Two evenings intoxicated members of a local gang came, but gospel skits and preaching was not their type of entertainment. One man had come to the Harz city “to sin.” He too came, and stayed for counsel . . . and received the gift of salvation. One young husband, whose wife came to know Christ at last year’s crusade, came to this one, to join his wife in the fami ly of God. Still others sought and received counselling. The renewal and accompanying increase for the Seesen congregation, however, was not to be. Honestly, the small group has vir tually remained unchanged, numerically. While we rejoice in the results, we continue to long for an awakening, a turning to God that has been long in coming. A favorable asset to the crusade was the youth team. The youth pastor, Bernt Meyer, and his five Freizeitler (youth who devote two weeks of their holidays to assist in evangelism at their expense) were a God given treasure to the 12 days of crusading. Their engagements in street ministries, at the Senior Citizen’s Home, the hospital for the depressed, in distributions, singing and skits, etc., were well received and much appreciated.
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PAKISTAN
Changes - Pleasant and Not So Pleasant
Inviting guests. M. Krautter and Gladwin Plett.
The nightly attendance of 88 was average for tent evangelism, the director of opera tions noted with satisfaction. Free will offer ings seemed above average, but the atten dance at the children’s classes was so poor that it defied a satisfactory explanation. Surely the teacher’s charisma and her quali ty teaching ought not to be defaulted for the poor showing. True, the weather was ideal for swimming and sports of all kinds. In conclusion, you may well ask, “What does this make of the intense prayer back ing the crusade received?” And, “Where is Elijah’s God?” Further, “Is He not in terested in proving to all that He and He alone is the true God?” The answers might well be: Our interces sions, like Abraham’s so long ago, are remembered before God. And like Abraham’s, they were answered in the un questionable wisdom of God. Elijah’s God is at work. In Abraham’s case. He delivered Lot. Facing Jerusalem that fateful day. He wept! And just how and when (and where) He chooses to “reveal His strong arm” must forever rest in the counsel of His wisdom. In humble acceptance of that eternal princi ple, we joyfully report for further duty under His Lordship. Achenbach in conversation with Wilhelm Sommer.
Instead of being brow-beaten or cast down, the faithful are, as it were, “regroup ing” for the next assault on the bastions of fake Christianity and false security. We would invite your assistance in further “earnest” prayer as we seek to determine our Father’s directives for continued church planting evangelism. Contingent on a nunber of developments, another crusade in ’84 is on he prayer agenda, and a date for the mid dle of September has been requested. Beloved, God is building His church and we would aspire to be recruits in His con tingent of assault troops. “We would be true!” must continue to be our watchword, in spite of our obvious inadequacies. The song writer expresses it so positively, “I would be true, for there are those who trust me; I would be pure, for there are those who care; I would be strong, for there is much to suffer; 1 would be brave, for there is much to dare; I would be brave, for there is much to dare.” (Howard Arnold Walter). Gladwin and Jean Plett P.S. The Mission’s Prayer Corps is open to all who have a heart for prayer. An in vitation to join the “Corps”! Bernt Meyer, a pastor of a Free Church in Hamburg, the youth pastor for the five Freizeitler.
Change Means Adjustment Returning to Pakistan brought some changes. We have changed to another house at Bach Christian Hospital. But that is a pleasant change; we are enjoying our lovely new home and new neighbours. Joy has a new lady helper in the home. Amin is an answer to our prayers and relieves Joy to get involved a little bit in other ministries. Ed’s biggest change is in having a fairly capable man taking over more responsibility in maintenance and repair work. Parwaiz is also an answer to our prayers for this great need. We suppose the biggest change in our lives is that of sending Christina, our daughter, to missionary children’s boarding school for the first time. How we thank the Lord for Murree Christian School and their capable and dedicated staff. Murree Christian School is located 40 miles (three-hour drive) from the hospital here in a lovely mountainous resort town. Murree receives a lot of snow and most peo ple move away during the winter. Likewise, MCS is closed for three months in the winter due to heavy snowfalls. The school is staff ed by missionaries from many evangelical boards, and many nationalities are represented. Christina is in the second grade and of the ten students or so in her class nearly all are of a different nationality. Her dorm mother, “Auntie Beth,” is a lovely Christian single lady. We couldn’t desire a better dorm mother. It is a change to have Christina ab sent so much of the time from home and we are still adjusting - not without tears either. But at the same time we are at peace with Christina at MCS. If you could peek in on the children at school you would observe that the majority are happy and well-adjusted. So when you think of MKs in boarding schools do not think negatively or pity them; this is not what they want. But do pray for them, write them letters and remember their parents in uplift ing prayer. Ed and Joy Loewen Alcohol abuse costs $4 billion The Alcoholism and Drug Dependency Commission of New Brunswick says that the provincial costs of alcohol abuse for 1981-82 was $156.2 million. It estimates the national annual cost to be $4 billion. These figures refer to the costs of health care, social welfare, fire losses, crime, lost production, car accidents, etc. Thirteen percent of the money spent by adults for hospitals, doctors’ services, drugs and nursing homes are related to alcohol abuse. (Ottawa Notebook)
THE MESSENGER
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Mission Grams The Board of Missions is participating with other Mennonite Conferences in the support of James Dvongs in their ministry to the approximately 4000 Southeast Asian refugees that have come to Manitoba in the past three years.
California Esther Penner is doing office work at the MAE headquarters in Redlands, Califor nia. She also becomes involved in the orientation of new candidates. She writes, “The present orientation class is scheduled to go to our MAE airpark facility out in the desert (seventy miles from here) tomorrow for an overnight. The purpose is to con duct emergency practice procedures. The wives get to work the radio, which isn’t hard, but it takes some listening to train the ear for ‘aviation lingo.’ I’m going along ‘for the ride’ in the airplane . . . and to supervise the gals on the radio. It will also be an opportunity to encourage them in their venture for God in the furtherance of His Kingdom here on earth.”
Mexico Maria Koop has moved to Oscar Soto Maynez. The bookstore she is to manage has been furnished. Books, Bibles, cassettes and records and other items are on the shelves and the store is open for business. Bahamas Harvey Plett shares a response from one of those doing the Bible correspondence courses, “I am a Police Officer working in Georgetown, Thank God for what he has done for me. I would like it if you could also send me some gospel tracts and religious books to strengthen me because it’s hard for me to live a Christian life on the force and 1 am determined to hold out to the end.”
Nicaragua Don Plett reports from Nicaragua: The Ministry of Justice has given the EMC church in Nicaragua their legal registration papers. The Ciudad Sandino church had their first missions conference, ending the week with a baptism and 11th anniversary celebrations. CEPAD had a three-hour presentation on radio about the issue of military con scription. The participants on the panel came through strongly for a non-violent position. Gerald Schlabach (MCC) has written up a five-lesson course on justice and non violence. This is at present being studied by a few key people of the Fraternity to later be presented at a leaders’ retreat at Camp Maranatha from October 21-23. Belize Helen Kornelson writes from Belize, “We have had two weeks of classes and are off to a good start. Enrollment stands at sixty-eight and for the first time the girls equal the boys in number. The Lord has entrusted these young people to us. We want to be faithful. “We have two new teachers on staff. One is a former King’s grad (we take pride in that). “Belize Bible Institute will graduate the first class of four men in December.”
Edmonton Jake and Dorothy Unrau report how they are relating to a couple who has just recently come to know Christ. This couple has introduced them to four other couples who have spiritual interests and needs. They are praying that the Lord will lead them into further involvement with these people.
Nairobi Consultation Explores Food Production Challenges for Africa
Nairobi, Kenya — Mennonite Central Committee agriculturists from Botswana, Ethiopia, Zambia, Tanzania and Mozembique met with African church leaders,
OCTOBER 21, 1983
agricultural consultants and administrators to discuss possibilities for increasing African food production. The meetings were held at the St. Julian Anglican Retreat Center near Nairobi, Kenya, on September 18 to 21. The meetings grew out of a December 1982 MCC Executive Committee action “that MCC commit itself to undertake a serious
Participants at the MCC Nairobi meetings meet in small groups to discuss challenges facing food production in Africa. Left to right: Harold Miller, MCC East Africa country representative: Eric Rempel, MCC Canada staff member; Peter Penner, MCC co-country representative for Swaziland; Dave Wynne, MCC agriculturist from Zambia; and Lenore Bergey, MCC horticulturist from Botswana.
food production effort in Africa beginning in 1983.” Edgar Stoesz, associate executive secretary for MCC, opened the meetings with the reminder that “within our lifetimes, the population of Africa will double. Our task is to grow two ears of maize where one grows now.” Father Carlos Matsinhe, an Anglican priest from Mozambique, gave an opening devotional based on the challenge from I Cor. 15:58: “Therefore be ye steadfast, un moveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” He said that talking about food production is good news in Africa. Agriculturists from each of the five coun tries presented profiles on their countries — examining current agricultural realities and present MCC program involvements. They also presented recommendations for new or expanded agricultural programs. Other areas addressed in the five country profiles were a review of government agricultural policies, traditional agricultural practices, the role of extension and research work in agriculture and the involvement of other non-governmental agencies in agricul ture. One issue brought up repeatedly in the discussions was the influence of urbanization on the food problem. Although the popula tions of most African countries are still large ly rural, rates of urbanization are as high as 8.7 percent annually. Rural food production, mainly carried out on the subsistence level, does not produce a surplus which can feed the burgeoning popoulation in the cities.
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Messenger News
The Ridgewood E.M. Church is located three miles north and three miles east of Steinbach, Man.
Ridgewood E.M. Church Celebrates 25th Anniversary By Janice Kornelsen “To God be the Glory” and a German favourite, “O Mein Jesu Du Bist’s Wert.” Following some selections by the church’s first quartet, three former ministers each shared a short devotional. Bro. Peter P. Friesen, the first pastor, shared from John 4 on “Abundant Living,” stressing how “we tend to make wells of our own making when we should be drinking from the living water.” Bro. Gerry Doerksen challenged us all from Psalm 90:1,2 to continue in the faith. “We are here because of the Lord’s faithfulness.” On a personal note, he expres-
Ridgewood, Man.: The past 25 years have seen many changes in the Ridgewood E.M. Church. On October 9 the church’s 25th an niversary was celebrated, with many “oldtimers” present at the occasion. Starting out with 119 members in 1958, the present church building could hardly contain the 400 present on this special day. All past and present deacons and ministers of the church were seated on the platform during the morning service, as was done “in the olden days.” Led in singing by Ridgewood’s first song leader, Isaac J. Loewen, the congregation appropriately sang
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Henry Kornelson (standing) has been pastor at the Ridgewood E.M. Church for some 20 years. Sitting to the right of the pulpit (front) is Peter P. Friesen, the first pastor. Next to him is Gerry Doerksen, a former minister.
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The Ridgewood quartet of former years. Left to right: Don Thiessen, Isaac Loewen, Bill Penner, Abe Penner. (Bill Penner is also one of Ridgewood’s former ministers.)
ed his gratitude to the Ridgewood Church, “All of our four children are baptized believers and part of that training was given right here at Ridgewood.” Bill Penner pointed out from 1 Thess. 1:9, 10 how we have turned to God (past), are serving the living true God (present), and are waiting for the Son from heaven (future). A delicious Thanksgiving dinner was en joyed by all. At 7:30 the sanctuary was again packed for an interesting and inspiring service. Following a half-hour music package, much of the evening was devoted to reminiscing. Pastor Henry Kornelson gave a brief history
THE MESSENGER
Endurance of Love group at the Ridgewood 25th anniversary celebrations.
of the church which began as an extension of the Blumenort E.M. Church. Following an address by EMC moderator, Bro. Edwin Plett, and a generous Thanksgiv ing offering, reminiscing by numerous in dividuals included topics such as the church’s strong music emphasis, the long term of the pastor (Pastor Kornelson’s 20 years of ser-
vice), love experienced in the church, and strong Sunday school and camp programs. One concern that was expressed was the lack of missionaries going out from our church. The concluding song by the mass choir expresses Ridgewood’s apparent optimism for growth, “O For a Thousand Tongues”!
THIRTEEN BAPTIZED Anola, Man.: July 24 was a memorable occasion when thirteen people were baptiz ed upon the confession of their faith. It was a time when religious backgrounds were forgotten and all joined to realize a common goal - a believer’s baptism in obedience to Christ. The service was held in the beautiful out doors. The shade trees, green grass, and warm sunshine created a magnificent setting in which to praise and worship the Lord The service consisted of much singing, testimonies, and a message by Rev. Leonard
Barkman. The message was entitled “Believers Gladly Separate Unto God.” The comment was made that baptism is a “funeral to the willful life of sin.” The thirteen baptismal candidates were baptized by immersion. Five people were received into membership. A potluck dinner and a time of informal fellowship was enjoyed by all. Two of the baptismal candidates, John and Gail Dowler, shared their testimony in detail at an evening service in September: John had his first drink at the age of nine-
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The Anola church had their baptismal service at the Ste Anne Park on July 24. Left to right; Pastor David Friesen, Rob and Edith Perry, Ron and Emily Gullden, Tom and Barbara Anderson and son Chad, John and Gail Dowler, Rob Wichers, Bill and Charlene Matthews, and George St. Onge. Received into membership were Rob Perry, Rob Wichers, George St. Onge, and Herman and Joyce Broadbent (not pictured).
OCTOBER 21, 1983
teen. From there he went steadily downhill. Marriage and responsibility to his young family did not keep John from drinking more and more. The bankruptcy of his feedlot business pressured him, driving him to drink even more. Eventually, the drink ing lead to infidelity. Finally, when his wife Gail threatened to leave him, John tried Alcoholics Anonymous. There he found he could stop drinking, but always he would start again, months later. On January 17, 1967, after a destructive car accident, John was taken home by the police. There he humbled himself. John fell on his knees and prayed to be released from his desire for drink. From that day on, John has not had a drink. “Praise the Lord!” However, John continued in sin, even sin against his wife. A dream in which John and Gail’s deceased infant daughter pleaded with him not to leave “Mommy or me” changed his life. John and Gail began to go to church more regularly. They were challenged by their son who had a deeper spiritual life than they. Over the years their commitment to Christ ha^grown. Gail, who always thought she was a Chris tian, found that she had believed in Christ as Saviour, but not as Lord of her life. She felt it was the grace of God that enabled her to forgive and forget. “Praise the Lord!” “To God be the glory, great things He hath done!”
SUNDAY SCHOOL PROMOTION
Fisher Branch, Man.: September 4 was Sunday school promotion at our church. Three children, Clinton Troy Hartog, Dawn Kathy Stefanec and Shawnda Denise Dueck, came forward to receive certificates pro moting them from Cradle Roll to Nursery.
Kornelson of Ridgewood. Re-elected for another five-year term was Nick Plett. Peter and Kathy Friesen went to Swift Current to attend an EMC ministerial meeting on October 1. Speaking at our morning service on Oc tober 2 was Rev. Harry Friesen of Mennville. Abe Plett of Steinbach served with the open ing scripture reading at our worship service October 9. The young people tell us that it was a real pleasure for them to decorate the church for Thanksgiving Day. We were richly blessed at our Thanksgiv ing program and supper on October 10. Each family contributed an item for the program and also brought some food for supper. The
Lord is so good to us. Praise His name!
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PASTOR ARRIVES Arden, Man.: “Hello!” “Hello! This is Jerry.” (Silence . . . Hmm, sure doesn’t sound like Jerry Neufeld.) “Oh, you’re Jerry Plett.” “Right!” Yes, we have the wonderful task of get ting used to hearing the voice of a resident pastor again. Jerry and Phyllis Plett and daughters, Alicia and Amy, arrived at the beginning of September. Wouldn’t you be excited if the Lord had answered your prayers with a “yes” after five years of waiting? We certainly praise and thank the Lord for His goodness to us. We were delighted to have both Phyllis Plett and Tina Toews, present and former pastors’ wives, at our Ladies’ Aid meeting September 14. After devotions and prayer we planned a shower for Kathy Powell and Frank Rempel. This event took place September 18. The highlight of the afternoon was a program consisting of singing, music, poems, a talk, and a skit. The couple now has the future privilege of using a clothes hamper to create oneness. We regret that quite a number of parents demanded an alternative program to the Religious Education classes in the Arden School. As a result, only half as many children are attending the religion classes this year. Child Evangelism material is being us ed. Mr. Tonn will be present at the Parent Council meeting October 3 to explain the program and answer questions. We rejoice to see our young people earnestly seeking to please the Lord. Dwight Plett is presently attending Peace River Bi ble Institute. God bless you!.
Births Kopp - to Randy and Katie Kopp of La Crete, Alta., a son, Nathan Randall, on August 28, 1983. Friesen - to Wesley and Evelyn Friesen of La Crete, Alta., a son, Ryan Marcel, on October 4, 1983.______ _________ ______
IckT - lO t.'ii ami Joyce Wider of Winnipeg, Man., a daughter, Jaki Marlene, on September 16, 1983.
You are invited to attend a Seminar on
Reconciliation Date: November 11, 12, 1983
Place: Steinbach E.M. Church
Main Speaker: Laury Eck, Executive Director, Christian Conciliation Ser vice, Albuquerque, New Mexico Chairman: Stanford Penner
PROGRAM
Friday, November 11, 7:00 p.m. Opening singing Harry Neufeld Opening devotional Dr. Archie Penner Introduction of main speaker and workshop leaders Announcements Keynote address: “The Ministry of Reconciliation’’ (Guests needing overnight accommodation please register in the foyer.) Saturday, November 12 8:30 a.m. Registration and coffee 9:00 a.m. Opening singing Harry Neufeld Opening devotional Dr. yVchie Penner Announcements Address: “Reconciliation within the Church” 10:30 Coffee break (lower auditorium) 11:00 Workshops A. Alternatives for Juvenile Offenders Harry Neufeld B. Victim-Offender Ministries Ray Friesen C. Business Crises Niel Janzen, Len DeFehr D. Domestic Problems Harvey Plett 12:00 Lunch (lower auditorium) 1:00 Opening singing Harry Neufeld Address: “Reconciliation within the Community” 2:00 Workshops (repeat of morning workshops) 3:00 Coffee break (lower auditorium) 3:20 Panel (main auditorium) Panelists: Laury Eck, Archie Penner, Herb Suderman Moderator: Al Hiebert
Weddings Brandt-Antonissen: Bernie, son of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Brandt of Blumenort, Man., was married on October 8, 1983 to Audrey, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stan Antonissen of R.R. 1, Steinbach, on Oc tober 8, 1983. The wedding took place at the Blumenort E.M. Church with Dr. Gerry Doerksen of Blumenort and Rev. Willi Kurtz of Winnipeg, Man. officiating. The couple is making their home in Deloraine, Man. Wiebe-Kornelson: Herman, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Wiebe of La Crete, Alta., and Bernice, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Kornelson of Ridgewood, Man., were married at the Ridgewood E.M. Church on October 8, 1983, with Rev. Henry Kornelson of Ridgewood officiating. The couple is making their home in Steinbach.
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Keynote speaker Laury Eek
PRE—REGISTRATION FORM NAME
POSTAL CODE__ ADDRESS I plan to attend the Reconciliation Seminar. Enclosed is my $10.00 fee. You may also register at the seminar. I will require night accomodation. Mail to: EMC Office Box 1268 Steinbach, Man. ROA 2A0
THE MESSENGER
L
t Life as a Christian should be lived with help from others.
When Nothing Goes Right by Jay Kesler Q: I’ve been a Christian since I was 12 (I’m now 19). It seems that the Christian life doesn’t work. I try; I try hard. But nothing ever goes right. I have problems with depres sion and poor self-esteem. It’s so easy for me to lose my self-confidence and get really low. No matter what I do, there is an inner sadness. I don’t enjoy things like a born-again Christian should. I have no inner joy or hap piness or peace. My goals in life seem im possible with these problems and I feel that I’m not reaching my full potential as a per son. I’ve been searching for answers but always come up empty. A: Probably the most helpful thing I can say is that your question is fuzzy; it confuses two very different things. You talk about your Christianity and your psychological makeup as if they were synonymous. They are not. Your faith and your emotional or psychological problems are different. There is no question whether Christianity will work. It always works. But what is Christianity? It is putting complete trust in Jesus Christ, believing that he died for you and came alive again. He freely forgives those who trust him and gives them eternal life in heaven. That never fails. The other side of your question has to do with your emotional or psychological make up. Is it possible for a Christian whose eter nal life is settled (it always works) to have problems with sadness, depression, emo tional problems? Certainly. Unfortunately, many people give the im pression that becoming a Christian guarantees life that is filled with delirious joy, blissful inner peace and a baffling emo tional evenness. I’d like to recommend three books. The first torpedoes the misconception that good Christians are struggle-free. Elizabeth Skoglund wrote Coping to show how famous
OCTOBER 21, 1983
Christians lived with depression, imperfec tion, suffering and need (Regal Books, $3.95). Excellent and encouraging. The second book, sort of a Psychology 101 -level discussion of depression, is by Tim LaHaye. How to Win over Depression (Zondervan, $2.95) relates Christian con cepts with a basic understanding of depres sion and different temperaments. Lots of practical help. Probably the best book on the subject, particularly for the person with recurring problems, is Happiness Is a Choice: A Manual on the Symptoms, Causes and Cures of Depression (Baker, $4.95). Written by two medical doctors, Minirth and Meier, the book is comprehensive and, considering its depth, easy to read. It brings together medical, psychological and Christian concepts. In addition to getting a grasp on some helpful information, it is important to recognize your need for support. The deci sion to become a Christian is an individual one that each person must make for himself. But life as a Christian should be lived with help from others. This is doubly important for those prone to the frustrations you describe. It would also be helpful to work through your questions with a pastor or Campus Life or Young Life club leader. Any of them should be willing to help you track down competent professional help if it is needed. For a short period of time anyone can bop along and fake it - act happy when they’re unhappy or troubled. But when you hit bot tom, you tend to hit harder. The problem is even greater if you feel that good Christians don’t admit their needs. Instead, the Bible says we are able to com fort others with the comfort we receive from God. As he helps us, we find we can help others. Perhaps that will be your experience.
From an MCC Volunteer GOD’S FAITHFULNESS was one thing that I clung to,” reports MCC voluntary ser vice worker Margaret Penner about her past year as teacher at the Ginew Demonstration School at the Roseau River (Manitoba) In dian Reserve. “There were days when I left school feeling like a Humpty Dumpty, wondering if anyone would ever put me together again.” But, she adds, “It has been an unforgettable year. I thank God for allowing me to have the experiences 1 did this year. How exciting it will be to hear that some of the students 1 have taught and prayed for have found Christ! 1 hope, one day, to meet some of them in glory.” Margaret is a member of the Blumenort (Manitoba) Evangelical Mennonite Church.
The Artist At the dawn of time the painting was begun. Fresh bold strokes show new life. Pulsing, awakened life. Emerald colours marking this beginning.
The splendor fades. First gray, then black creeps in. The artist’s brush wavers. Life shrivels. Evil savours His defeat. Now the painting seems completed. Wait! The artist is not beaten! Crimson streaks Filter through the blackness, Conquering the blackness. In the painting hope is again revived.
A tiny glimer following the red Grows. A shimmering white Is radiating. Light Illuminates the painting. It is finished. Barb Plett Landmark, Man,
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From the Editor Today’s Missionary Recruits by Carl McMindes
DEPENDING UPON whom you listen to, today’s mis sionary candidates are either vastly superior to their predecessors or woefully inadequate. The truth probably lies somewhere in the middle. This article is an attempt to examine the subject of missionary recruitment with the hope of bring ing about an improved understanding on the part of the pro spective missionary as well as the Christian public in general. First of all, let’s look at the world from which our mis sionaries come. As a part of that world, they are influenced by the value system of their society. We must begin with where they are, not where we would like them to be. The me generation. Our society has developed its own vocabulary of self orientation: ^^elf-image, self-worth, self fulfillment, self-esteem. Absent from the list are self-discipline, self-denial, and self-sacrifice. Dr. Robertson McQuilkin, Presi dent of Columbia Bible College, says, “ . . . Perhaps at no time in history or in no civilization has it (selfism) been so widely advocated and carefully undergirded with scholarly endeavor.” (“Understanding Our Generation,” IFMA /EFMA Study Conference, September, 1981.) This worship of self influences our educational system, our media, our churches, even our homes. Individual autonomy and personal freedom are very impor tant. There is a reluctance to accept authority and an attempt to circumvent any organization or institutional structure which would constrain freedom of personal choice. Long-term com mitments of any kind are extremely difficult to make. “Op tions” and “alternatives” are big words. This self-orientation value system places a high priority on personal security, com fort and fun. The now generation. Our society tends to live for the mo ment. The only important time is my time. Today is all that matters. Dr. Seymour L. Halleck, Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin, writes, “Students have little reverence for the past and little hope for the future. They are trying to live in the present ... The lessons of the past become less relevant; planning for the future appears futile. One is driven to gear his value system towards enjoyment of the present . . . Conditions do not favor future oriented values, and youth are being forced into the role of the ‘now generation.’ ” (“Why They’d Rather Do Their Own Thing,” Think, Sept.-Oct., 1968, p.3.) This is the world from which we call missionary recruits. Now for a look at the world into which we send them. It is a hostile world, a world void of peace and security, a world which demands sacrifice and tough pioneering. The economic, social and political situations which are developing in the world, dampen the enthusiasm of many who are interested in world missions. Our daily newspapers headline the most recent trouble spots and television brings the action right into our homes.
The new recruit finds it difficult to cope with the many unknowns that these conditions present. Is he ready to commit himself, his wife and his children to the demands and the realities of today’s world? Yet, the commands of Jesus Christ are unequivocal. We have no choice but to obey them. We’ve been called out of the world, then sent back into the world to be the light of the world. Our task is not complete until that light has penetrated every corner of the earth. Will today’s generation respond to the challenge facing the church of Jesus Christ to obey God’s mandate for world mis sions? “Yes, they will,” says George Verwer, founder and director of Operation Mobilization, “the potential (for world evangelization) of this generation is as great as any generation that has ever lived!” (IFMA Annual Meeting, 1982, Keswick, N.J.) Mr. Verwer goes on to say that the cause of world missions will require men and women with “stickability,” who are ready to die if need be to penetrate the pioneer and resistant areas of the world. It will call for Christians who will refuse to be discouraged and who are ready for the rough, difficult tasks of world missions. Verwer suggests that it may take special spiritual guerrilla forces, trained in spiritual boot camps, who will be ready to invest their “talents” for two or three years in very dangerous, difficult areas of the world and who will display an openness to stay for life if need be so that the Gospel of Jesus Christ will be proclaimed. The cause of world missions still needs the Count Nicolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorfs whose life model will be, “I have but one passion; it is He, and only He.” It will need the John Knoxes who will be motivated by the heart cry, “Give me Scotland or I die.” It needs those whose commitment to Christ is like that of Jim Elliot’s, “ He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” Yes, God is looking for more Samuel Zwemers as “apostles” to the Muslims, more William Careys for India, more Hudson Taylors and Isabel Kuhns for China. Perhaps it is time for all of us to examine our hearts. Do we really believe in world evangelization? Are men and women really lost without Jesus Christ? How do we respond to God’s mandate for world missions? Yes, it will call for greater urgency, greater sacrifice, a further examination of our own lifestyle, a more careful use of our money and time if the task of world evangelization is to be accomplished. Our concern should be that as these students become fired with a new vi sion of the lostness of man and their responsibility to God, that we as a part of the body of Christ, the local church, will stand with them, even go with them at times that the light of the Gospel may penetrate every area of the world. You see, the challenge is not just to those who will respond as dedicated missionaries for cross-cultural ministry, but also for those of us who form a part of the “sending church.”
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THE MESSENGER
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