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The Messenger EVANGELICAL MENNONITE CONFERENCE

VOL. 24 NO. 12

“What about divine healing?”

JUNE 13/86

Why is there so much sickness in a worl(j that God has created? If God is in favour of health ... why are there so many ways in which the human body, or mind, can fail?

What About Divine Healing? Second in a series

by Arden Thiessen

ealth and wholeness is of vital concern to all people. We con sider it right and proper for a person to desire health. And we think it is natural and normal to wish for life rather than death. Most of us would concur with the declaration I once heard, “My aim is to die as young as possible as late as possible.” However, most people experience various forms of ill health - sometimes quite frequently, sometimes constantly throughout life. And all people eventual ly die. How should a Christian think about sickness and death? You may have been sick, either physically or emotionally, and you may have been tormented by guilt. Maybe you wondered what you did to deserve the affliction and why God did not want you to be healed? You may also have been tormented by some would-be counsellors who assured you that you would be healed if only you would have enough faith. They may have told you that sickness is of the devil (whatever that means), that Christ died for your sickness, and that God wants to heal you. And they may have concluded that if you are still sick it’s your own fault and a sin. If you’ve been sick with a few visitors like this, you soon begin to understand how poor old Job must have felt on his garbage dump. Why is there so much sickness in a world that God has created? If God is in favour of health - and it’s preposterous to suppose that he isn’t - why are there so many ways in which the human body, or mind, can fail? The Bible is not explicit on this, but most theologians agree that Adam and Eve were not created to age and die. It PAGE 2

may not be very useful to speculate on what would have happened if they had not sinned. What we do know is that, as our representatives in Eden, there was one restriction placed upon them there was one tree from which they should not eat. “In the day that ye eat thereof ye shall surely die” (Gen. 2:17). They ate, and they died. The penalty was unavoidable, “Dust thou art, and unto dust thou shalt return” (Gen. 3:19). They were immediately suscepti ble to illnesses, pain, aging and death. The fatal process had started.

Is sickness in the will of God? I believe it is useful to understand that there is no clear distinction be tween illness and aging. There is a dif ference medically, but not theologically. Both are part of the same problem. Death is always caused by the failure of the human body, whether gradually through aging, rapidly through disease, or instantly through a heart attack. And as fallen, sinful people we have to live in a world where such things happen. Often the question is asked, “Is sickness in the will of God?” In a sense the answer is no. God did not create people to get sick, and suffer, and die. On the other hand, however, the answer is yes. God Himself placed the penalty of mortality upon Adam and Eve. A fallen people had to live in fallen bodies in a fallen world. And to insist, as some have, that sicknesses are

directly of the devil, is to give him far more power than the Bible does. We know that many sicknesses are caused by germs, tiny living organisms. If Satan is then said to be directly respon sible, this changes him into another creator. We have then the old spectre of two creators, one good and one evil. While this is a common ancient pagan concept, it is totally foreign to the teachings of the Scriptures. The Bible teaches that there need be no direct connection between sickness and sin. We realize, of course, that a person may get sick as a result of sinful living. However, there need be no rela tionship between the two. And it is cruel, insensitive, and unbiblical if we simply assume that all sick people have brought their problems upon themselves. Job, of the Old Testament, suffered through no fault of his own. The man born blind, of John 9, was sightless through no fault of his own. And both cases stand in the Scriptures as illustrations of that pervasive human tendency - to think that in a universe ruled over by a moral God our problems must always be our own fault. Sickness is not a sin. However, we are human. And human bodies break down, wear out, and get sick. All of us are the kind of people who are always subject to sickness and death. When they come it need have nothing to do with personal sins, with God’s wrath, or with the weakness of our faith. They come simply because we are members of the human race. Perhaps we are troubled by the fact that some get sick more easily, more frequently, or more seriously than others. Perhaps we are really bothered THE MESSENGER

by the unfairness of life. Perhaps if all were equally healthy and lived to an identical age, we could more readily ac cept our human condition. I cannot here discuss the larger question of God’s sovereign decisions. However, at some

The Bible teaches that there neeid be no direct connection between sickness and sin. point in our lives we all accept the fact - at least, I hope we do - that we are not created equal. We are not equally intelligent, we are not equally beautiful, and we are not equally talented. And in order to live well we have to affirm the fact that in spite of our differences we all have the opportunity to serve our Lord and thus fulfill the purpose of our existence here in this world. And if we can accept the fact that some are not as beautiful as others and that some are not as intelligent as others, then we should also be able to accept the fact that some are not as robust and healthy as others. Did Christ die for our sicknesses? In favour of this view, Isaiah 53:5 is usual ly quoted, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” Whether or not the last statement refers to physical healing is not perfectly clear. On the other hand, however, it seems to me that the extent of the atonement cannot be questioned. Christ died to redeem the world from the curse. He came to rectify what Adam had spoiled. He came to save us from the penalty of sin, and that penalty includes sickness and death. However, while the work of redemp tion was completed in the past, the full benefits still lie in the future. We still live in a world of temptations, demonic afflictions, grief, disappointments, and mental and physical breakdowns (Rom. 8:22, 23). In heaven God will wipe away all tears; here they still flow. There we will be changed and fully glorified. But now we are still imperfect people, and that includes imperfect health. Those who think that all believers should be healed now, want one of the blessings of heaven prematurely. We have not yet received all the benefits that Christ has achieved for us. That is why the Scriptures challenge us to live in hope (2 Cor. 4:16-5:11).

JUNE 13, 1986

What I have just said does not mean that there are no physical advantages for the Christian now. If the Christian has genuine faith and hope he will do less worrying. If he can forgive his enemies he will accumulate less resent ment and bitterness in his heart. If he learns to love as Christ teaches, there will be less anger and malice. If he allows the indwelling Spirit to teach him the virtues of temperance and self discipline he will use less unhealthy food and drink. And such a person will normally be healthier than he would be if he wasn’t a Christian. Further, the Scriptures teach us to think of God as the healer. A few sim ple texts have become familiar through frequent usage: “. . . for I, the Lord, am your healer” (Ex. 15:26), “. . . who heals all your diseases” (Ps. 103:3). These verses, however, are often used as the sole basis for our thinking about

Did Christ die for our sicknesses? healing, without reference to the total teaching of the Word. It has been noted that the Scriptures speak just as freely about divine feeding as about divine healing (e.g., Ps. 111:5). Why then do we handle the promises about healing differently than the promises about feeding? And, by the way, the Bible also speaks of God as the One who smites and injures us (Deut. 32:39). I suggest that when the Bible speaks of God healing us, feeding us, and giving us many years, it means that we must give Him credit for these gifts when we get them. God has the authority and the power to heal. That’s why James teaches us to pray for the sick (James 5:14, 16). However, the qualification, “in the name of the Lord,’’ reminds us that we must let God make the final decision. We minister to the sick on God’s behalf. We must try to be sensitive to God’s will. I often ask the sick, “What do you want me to pray for?” Sometimes they have already given up; they just want to die. I may then admonish them to trust in God and hope for healing. Sometimes they have a fervent desire to be healed. Then I may ask them if they are willing to let God’s will be done. Only with this attitude of accep tance can we truly pray. Prayer need not exclude medical treat ment. And medical treatment should not exclude faith. When healing occurs it is always right that credit be given to

God. He may heal after major surgery, He may heal in response to faith alone, and He may heal even where there is no faith. In every case God deserves the credit; he is the Healer. Our concern for health should be balanced by other concerns. I think it is instructive to notice the prayers of Paul in his epistles. He prays for spiritual growth, for increase of love, and for

Never does Paul scold the sick for lack of faith. spiritual understanding and wisdom. It is clear that, for him, these matters had priority over material prosperity or physical health. I notice the apostle had a matter-of-fact attitude to sicknesses and physical disabilities. He had his own thorn in the flesh which persisted in spite of his prayers, and he accepted that (2 Cor. 12:1-12). He had sick friends as well; Trophimus was left behind, sick (2 Tim. 4:20); Epaphroditus was deathly ill (Phil. 2:27); and Timothy had many infirmities (1 Tim. 5:23). Never does Paul scold the sick for lack of faith. And never does he suggest that the only right solution would be divine healing. When we seek to develop a balanced attitude to healing and sickness we must also recognize that many good things may happen to people while they are ill. When Christian believers accept the evil of illness with trust and humili ty, they experience inner blessings they may never have known of before. Sometimes the period of distress results in a complete change of values. Some sufferers have spoken of a personal ex perience with God’s peace that they would not exchange for another thirty years of good health. Some have gone through beautiful transformations of character as they have suffered. Church history is replete with examples of Christians who served God gloriously in spite of illnesses and physical han dicaps. There are probably some ex amples of this in your own congregation. If you are troubled by some form of physical affliction then I suggest that you read and meditate deeply on Romans 8:35-39. Here we have the great truth that we need to make sense out of our world. It is a message of triumph. And the triumph lies not in the fact that a loving God protects us from problems of life, but in the fact that these troubles can never separate us from the love of God. ■

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No doubt, there were times when you thought that Wes Dueck was a “goner.”

Redeemed \Nes Dueck May all who read this true story be encouraged not to give up praying for unsaved friends and relatives.

dedicate this little letter to all my Christian friends and relatives who so diligently prayed for Melody and me without giving up hope. God answers the prayers of people who honestly believe that their prayers will be answered. No doubt there were times when you must have thought that Wes Dueck was a “goner.” I was always getting drunk and taking drugs and getting in trouble with the law. Melody and I lived common-law, fail ing to have anything to do with the Bible or church or anything. Then God started hearing a lot of prayers for us. Every day God would turn on His “prayer telephone” and He would hear desperate pleas to do something about Wes and Melody. Finally one day, as God was listening to some more prayers about us, a smile started curling the corners of His mouth. He decided to start a chain of events that would lead to both Melody and me taking Jesus into our hearts. First of all, I got hired in Winnipeg by a Mr. John Krueger. I watched him a lot, knowing that he was a Christian. I wanted to see how a Christian behaves on the job. 1 was surprised to see that John was happy and enjoying his life, even though he was a Christian. This almost made me jealous because here 1 was, living in the pleasures of the world, and I wasn’t even half as happy as John.

Louanna Krueger, meanwhile, was making friends with Melody and tak ing her shopping, etc. She brought us hot meals when Jeffrey was born, and generally acted like a saint to Melody. Then Louanna started taking Melody to Christian Women’s Club meetings. It was there that Melody started really getting interested in God. She then persuaded me to take her to church. We went to the Fort Garry EMC. It was interesting and everyone was so friendly to us. We went again the following Sunday and the one after that. Then on the fourth Sunday, March 17, 1985, Satan started to get very worried indeed. He felt two of his most dedicated followers slipping out of his reach. He tried that morn ing to keep us from church. I felt a strong urge to stay home. I dragged my heels while Melody desperately tried to get me to take her to church on time. Finally I got ready and we got to church very late. I told Melody that we would disturb the whole ser vice and everyone would stare at us and it would be most unpleasant. So I turned around and took Melody and Jeffrey back home. (Satan smiled as he watched this, but little did he know that God was smiling even more. God had a smile from one ear to the other.) We came home and Melody was crying her eyes out. She had been looking forward all week to going to church and now I wouldn’t let her go. Melody told me, through tear-filled eyes, “Satan must have such a good hold on you, Wes.” She cried and cried.

I realized at that moment that she wanted to become a Christian. I then took Melody and little Jeffrey to Al Friesens’ house where we made the most wonderful and important deci sion of our lives. That evening the peaceful sound of wild geese could be heard overhead. An occasional robin chirped. The gurgling of freshly melted snow also prevailed. But somewhere far beyond the stars another sound was taking place - the sound of celebration. My dad, who died in 1968, was sitting next to God because this party was, in a way, for him too. His son had been found, along with his daughterin-law. Then came one of the finest sounds of all, angels singing. They sang a song called “Redeemed”: Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it, Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, Redeemed through His infinite mercy. His child and forever 1 am. The singing and celebrating lasted all night. I’m sure. Finally God an nounced to everyone that they should carry on with the day, and I can see my dad skipping along a path up to his nice mountain chalet with a song in his heart and a new twinkle in his eye. That big family gathering he had been planning would now have no one missing. Right now, on God’s “prayer telephone,” there are more pleading prayers reaching His ears. Do 1 detect a smile once again curling the corners of His mouth? I think so! I can’t wait to see whom He will save next! ■ CONTRIBUTORS:

“What About Divine Healing?” is the se cond in a series by Arden Thiessen, pastor of the Steinbach E.M. Church. Wes Dueck's ad dress is R.R. 1, Morris, Man. Elmer and Tina Barkman (Blumenort) are serving as dorm parents and school bzisc co-ordinates at a New Tribes Mission school in Venezuela. Ernie Koop (Steinbach EFC) is involved in leader ship training in Nicaragua.

COVER: From the editor's files (Europe 1984)

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. The Messenger is a member of Meetinghouse.

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THE MESSENGER

Missions The group consisted of 21 children ages 4 to 6, 12 ages 7 to 9, and another 20 from 10 to 14 years of age. Mornings were used in preparation and visitation and the evenings for services. The DVBS classes were from 2:00 to 5:00 in the afternoons. The children participated enthusiastically in the different activities, singing heartily during the choruses, responding to questions during story time, and enthralled with the workbook activities. The games were a combination of ones they knew and ones that we were familiar with. Most of the afternoons the children were in the schoolhouse early, waiting for things to get underway. Starting something like a regular Sunday school is probably a way off yet. but we cer tainly won’t lose sight of the children as we seek to establish the church in Llano Grande. At present visits consist of two days every two weeks (Monday-Wednesday). Two services are held, we do visitation in the mornings, and have planned adult Bible study and children's activity.

Jesus is the one and only Way!

NICARAGUA

Project — Llano Grande Sowing the Word Llano Grande is a small community nestl ed in the mountains northeast of Managua (approx. 63 kms.). After making the trip to this point by jeep, it is time to leave the vehi cle and begin the three-hour hike uphill, all of it uphill, to the community of Llano Grande. Upon being accepted into the home of Dona Concha (the one believer in the valley) we have begun to do house-to-house visitations. In the evenings we hold services

either in the school or in Dona Concha's house. These services centre around two in gredients. choruses and the preaching of the

Word. After making several visits and being ac cepted into the community, we decided that it was important to reach out to the children as well. We decided to hold a week of DVBS. All indications are that it was a real success, not only in terms of the children, but also in opening new opportunities among the adults.

Game time with relay in two groups. Per son runs to stick and circles it rapidly ten times, then runs back to team to tag off. First team to finish wins. It was a new game lor them but they caught on and enjoyed it. (The building in the background is the school.) Please pray that the Holy Spirit will do His redeeming work in the lives of the people of this pueblo.' The Word is being sown and we trust that the increase also will come. Ernie Koop

»'.

Schoolhouse in background. Communities are usually built around clearings like this one (baseball field).

JUNE 13, 1986

Normal type of rural or mountain dwelling. Hay roof, mud walls and dirt floors are the order of the day.

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VENEZUELA

Life as a Tribal Woman Changed bg the Gospel What is life like for a tribal Indian woman? It varies from one tribe to another, although there are a lot of similarities. It is the woman's responsibility to take care of her children, to cook her husband's meals on an open fire, to clean and to harvest their garden. Small babies in rough bark slings bounce at the women’s hips while they work. They carry baskets heavily laden with their garden pro duce on their backs. The baskets are so heavy it takes two men to lift them. They are bent over underneath their load, walking on the slippery mountain trails, with no shoes to pro tect their feet. They do not find enough wild cotton to weave sufficient clothes to protect themselves from the stinging insects. Their lives are filled with frustrations, anger, steal ing. fighting, and gossip. They don't know how to be happy. There is much sadness and fear. Fear that someone will be killed by enemy raiders is very prevalent. In their minds when a loved one dies someone is to blame and their death has to be avenged. During such a time the women can't walk safely to their garden, or go on a tadpole hunting expedi tion or hunt crabs in the river. There might be enemies hiding in ambush, waiting for them. Therefore, gardening and hunting go unattended at such a time. Hunger pains are added to their misery. Scar Shoulder was killed in such an am bush. His wife had given birth to a little baby boy. just what they had wished for a few weeks earlier. Now she was crying brokenheartedly. There was no hope of ever seeing her husband again. Scar Shoulder's mother went to the family garden with a group of women and destroyed the crops her son had planted. She wanted no reminder of her grief and she didn't intend to let anyone reap the benefits of her son’s work, now that he himself had been denied that pleasure. What sadness! What despair! After the missionary has been there for awhile, things do change. The women want clothing. Medical needs are met. A lot more children live and less sickness is prevalent. When the gospel is explained to them, the women ask. “Long ago. did you carry baskets on your back like we do. eat tadpoles and hunt for crab? Do we have to become like you are now to accept the gospel?" When they realize that God wants to change their hearts, their innermost beings, and give them peace as well as happiness, they accept the truth of the gospel. There is a definite change. There is a peace and happiness in their hearts they

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didn't know existed. There is less fighting as more men are deter mined to walk the narrow way and want to be through with fighting and revenge. Their sadness at death is turned to joy as the truth sinks in that they will see their loved ones again. When sickness comes and the doctors or missionaries have no hope, they know where to go. Such a case was Manuela's baby. She was told there was no hope for her little baby. Both lungs were completely congested. It seemed that the baby’s heart was enlarged and nor mal breathing was impossible. The women who were with Manuela, the sorrowful mother, promised to pray for her little one all night long. They spent the night praying in shifts. When sleep threatened to overtake them, they would call for a new volunteer, asking the Lord to squeeze the baby’s heart to a smaller size. The day came when the baby was breathing normally again. Yes. God answered their prayers. He has made a change in these women. Now there is peace, joy. and meaning in their lives that they didn't know before. But with this new life come new struggles. There are battles, spiritual battles. These women need to learn to walk with Jesus. Will you pray'? Tina Barkman

ZAIRE PRESS TO BE REVIVED

“We have a wide open door now for literature evangelism in Zaire,” Henry Dirks emphasized. “At one time CEDI was produc ing a lot of literature but today CEDI is stan ding still." He explained that CEDI is a French acronym for the Protestant "Center for Publication." It was started, as LECO, forty years ago to serve the many Protestant mis sions and churches of Zaire. In recent years CEDI has ceased to function. Now Zaire leadership is inviting Dirks to return to Zaire to restore and reactivate the CEDI press. Henry Dirks, a printer by profession and an AIMM missionary for a dozen years, was reporting to the Africa Inter-Mennonite Mis sion Board at its recent meetings in Archbold, Ohio. Dirks told of the invitation from Dr. Bokeleale. head of the Church of Christ of Zaire (ECZ). At a meeting in Kinshasa in March the CEDI Board of Directors elected Dirks to be General Director of the publica tion center. Bishop Bokeleale has given the project his full support. Henry, with his wife Tina, first went to Zaire in 1963. Henry became production manager of CEDI, serving until 1972. With nationaliza

tion of institutions mandated throughout Zaire in the intervening years the lack of technical and management expertise resulted in a disintegration of operations at CEDI. Spare parts were unavailable and equipment fell into disrepair. The warehouse was unused and distribution came to a virtual halt. At a time when Zaire churches were growing rapidly, literature for evangelism and nurture drastical ly diminished. Zaire leaders are once again asking for management personnel to bring assistance. Henry and Tina Dirks returned to Canada in the summer of 1985. having completed an assignment in a printing project at Kananga sponsored jointly by the Presbyterian and Mennonite Churches of Zaire. Meeting with the AIMM Board they were in the unusual position of reporting after a termination and being approved as candidates for the new role with CEDI. Fundraising for repairs and refurbishing is underway among the dozen or more mission agencies which have been partners in CEDI. Costs are estimated to be $50,000 to $75,000. The AIMM Board approved the CEDI proposal with the understanding that their provision and support of the Dirkses represents AlMM’s commitment to the project. Henry and Tina Dirks are sponsored under AIMM by the General Conference Commis sion on Overseas Mission. They are members of the Bethany Mennonite Church at Virgil, Ontario. A departure date for Zaire hinges on financial commitments from other mission agencies toward the CEDI project. Henry said, “Getting the press going is on ly a fraction of what needs to be done. We would like to see the editorial department built up again, and manuscripts produced in the local languages. The pastors have no helps. They have the Bible and that’s about it. “We take literature for granted. We just have too much of it. Over there every little piece is grabbed and used." Dirks observed. “We have a golden opportunity to get the Gospel into different languages and to get it to the grass roots level."

Position Open The Swan River Bible Fellowship Christian School requires a teacher for the fall term to teach grades 1-3 inclusive. Direct replies to Community Bible. Fellowship Box 1630 Swan River, Man. ROL 1Z0 Phone: (204)734-3712 or 734-4829

THE MESSENGER

Orodara, Burkina Faso

Christian Youth Face Pressure

Children and teenagers faced a serious test of their Christian faith recently in the West African village of Kotoura. Asked to choose between following Jesus or remaining part of their family they declared their love for both. However, they refused to abandon their faith in Christ. This resulted in several of the teenage youth being forced from their home and family. In the nation of Burkina Faso, the people of Kotoura were untouched by the Gospel of Jesus Christ until three years ago. Africa InterMennonite Mission linguistic workers. Anne Garber and Gail Wiebe, arrived. Through their sharing, a significant number of persons of the village chose to follow Christ as Saviour in place of traditional religious practice and Islamic influence. A witnessing Christian fellowship developed in the past two years. The first convert, Cheba, adult son of a village headman, provides key leadership. The new believers tried to be sensitive to feelings in the village. But reaction against the youthful Christians came to a head on the Easter weekend. Gail Wiebe writes, “In early March an un cle came back to the village from the Ivory Coast. He talked the family elders into doing whatever necessary to force the children to leave Christianity. Thursday they refused to let the children eat. They said they wouldn’t be allowed to sleep in the family ‘yard’ or work in the family fields. “The kids remained in good spirits, refus ing to be swayed. The Christian group prepared food for them. We were sure this JUNE 13, 1986

would all blow over. “Good Friday night we went to a neighbor ing village to give an evangelistic presentation. On Saturday morning the kids came over with their overnight satchels. They said they had been kicked out.” In African cultures where clan ties are ex tremely important, one's security, identity and personal significance are closely related to the extended family. Cheba and Gail consulted Cheba’s father who suggested a delegation go to request that the family accept back their children. Satur day afternoon Cheba, Gail and two village leaders met with the family elders. The elders said they would take the children back only if they left Christianity. The meeting inten sified, reaching a climax when the elders demanded that Cheba tell the children to leave the Christian way. When Cheba replied, “I can’t say that,” the delegation was quickly ushered out. One of the village leaders suggested Cheba take the children themselves before the fami ly. After a time of prayer, Cheba took the children to the elders. Gail describes the en counter, “The old men asked the oldest, Mamadou, whether he wanted to be a Chris tian or stay in the family. He said he wanted to stay with the family but couldn’t leave the Christian way. They became angry and one went to look for a stick. “Then they asked Tiyuru, ‘Are you follow ing Mamadou?’ “Tiyuru answered, ‘No, I’m not following Mamadou. I’m following God.’

“ ‘What about your father?” they asked. “ ‘I’m following my father and God!’ Tiyuru replied. That made them furious. “They asked Seydou what he was going to do and he remained silent. So they understood that he was not giving in either. They told these three that ‘they had permis sion to take the road’ and they didn’t want to see them again.” These three teenagers left the day after Easter for the Ivory Coast where they hoped to find work to support themselves. More im portantly, they hoped to find a group of Chris tians to which they could relate. The younger children were forced to stay in the family. Gail comments, “On the sur face at least they will be forced to separate themselves from Christianity. Cheba has Si taken the brunt of the people’s anger (because K the believers do not participate in sacrificial 2 customs). Cheba is sure that sorcery will be 2 tried against the Christians. Pray for us and I praise God with us for the strong stand these Kotoura Christians have taken!” Gail Wiebe serves with the Africa InterMennonite Mission in Burkina Faso. She is a member of the Emmaus Mennonite Church, Whitewater, KS, and is sponsored by the General Conference Commission on Overseas Mission. Missionaries Paul and Lois Thiessen serve in Burkina Faso.

Zaire Missionary to Lead AIMM Earl W. Roth of Kinshasa has been ap pointed Executive Secretary of the Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission. He will follow James E. Bertsche who is retiring after 12 years in the AIMM office. Rev. Roth is expected to return to North America in mid-July and assume leadership responsibilities in Elkhart, September 1. Earl, with his wife Ruth (Jantzen). has served in Africa since 1955. Presently in his sixth term of service with AIMM Earl brings to his new assignment administrative ex perience. having worked in education on Secondary and Bible Institute levels. He has also been missionary counsellor and business agent. His deep concern for evangelism and church planting was applied as the Roths assisted new urban congregations in Kinshasa since 1978. They have been supported by the Commission on Overseas Mission of the General Conference Mennonite Church. Earl Roth’s appointment was approved unanimously by the AIMM Board April 4 dur ing its sessions in Archbold, OH. Roth will be the ninth Executive Secretary in the Mission’s seventy-five year history. AIMM is a partnership of six Mennonite denominations for the purpose of mission work in Africa. Eighty missionaries serve cur rently in five areas. The Evangelical Men nonite Conference is one of the member groups in AIMM.

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Messenger News eventually (but tried to put out of their minds), had come - clean-up. However, we all sur vived it and enjoyed a competitive game of baseball (some chose volleyball) afterwards. 1 think every goal we set and prayed about was reached. We enjoyed God's creation, the planned activities, the marvelous weather, a perfect safety record the whole weekend, made new friends and cultivated former friendships. Most important of all. those who desired it were spiritually enriched. All in all. it was truly a special, memorable weekend.

CELEBRATION OF STRENGTH AND CHRISTIAN UNITY

Six people were baptized and received into the membership of the Swift Current E.M. Church on March 28. In addition, Lyndon Olfert, who is not in the photo, transferred his membership from the First Evangelical Mennonite Church in Nicaragua, Back row (left to right): Norman Olfert, Danny Olfert, Frank Ginter, John Toews (pastor). Front: Judy Olfert,Lor raine Clothier, Teresa Funk.

CHURCH RETREAT ENJOYED

Calgary, Alta.: Church retreat - the weekend we can count on rain - or can we? For the first time in literally years, not one drop of precipitation dampened our planned ac tivities or our spirits. Participation in the weekend's events ran high due to the bright sunshine we enjoyed the entire time. Harold Dueck, our capable camp director, kept things running smoothly with a spirit of enthusiasm. There was simply no time to be bored - to relax, yes. for those who preferred that. Can you imagine not hearing the familiar refrain. "There's nothing to do." for two whole days? Friday evening. May 23, after a hectic day of last-minute preparation we arrived and got busy at movin' in an' settin' up. The film "Tough Men" gave us all a chance to wind down in preparation for an active tomorrow. After popcorn and drinks, we headed to our respective homes away from home in an at tempt to catch a few winks (never mind 40). Saturday morning, 7:00 - Polar Bear Swim or Voyageur Paddle - depending on how wet you wanted to get. Mind you, canoeing in polar bear country is no way to stay dry! Next, breakfast - but not in bed! After chapel and morning get-together, we jumped into plann ed recreation - for all shapes and sizes. Those participating separated into two groups. One went mini-golfing and the others tried their hands (and feet) at an obstacle course, each one's score or time being individually record ed. Lunch time was especially rewarding to medal winners of the morning's activities. We didn't keep scores for nothing! John Enns, recreation director, and his helpers put a lot

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of work and time into those pine cone medals on white or gold ribbons. After all that exer cise. lunch was truly a welcome treat. Hats off to Irene Plett and her recruits. Thanks to them we were never lacking calories for energy to keep going. Back to the round-up! Siesta's over! Horseback riding for those cowboys with or without boats and baseball for those with or without gloves. Dan Fehr and Marion Dueck had special activities planned for those ten and under. Free time gave everyone a chance to sharpen up on whatever - mini-golf, archery, canoeing, visiting, etc. After evening showdown, it was back to the stable for hayrides. The evening chorus sing-along ses sion almost raised the lodge roof. George Braun challenged us with an inspirational chapel-time talk. What a day! Following the snack, we were snorin' in the sack! Sunday, bright and early - no better way to wake up and stretch those stiff muscles than an early morning jog. walk. or. for some, maybe crawl! That really brings on the hunger, and breakfast was ready and waiting upon our return to the lodge. What better way to let that breakfast digest and. more importantly, to set one's mood and frame of mind for Sundaygo-to-meetin' service than by finding a quiet spot, perhaps in the woods, to meet the Creator of all the natural beauty we were en joying around us. During the worship service, led by George Braun, ages 12 and under viewed the film "Cross-currents." Time to eat again - can't play baseball on an empty stomach. I can still taste that savoury ham and mashed potato dinner. The time everyone knew would come

Kola, Man.: Our strength in God and in Christian unity was celebrated the first Sun day in May. The usual morning worship ser vice format was laid aside, and a time of reading scripture and singing hymns and choruses aided us in our worship of God, our Strength. Together, as a Christian family, we pledg ed our support to those parents who dedicated tfiemselves to the task of raising

their babies to know God and His way. Those who took part in the dedication service were Dave and Pat Schellenberg with their son Terry Lee. Travis and Rose Penner with their son Zackary, Leonard and Lori Koop with their daughter Jamie, Abe and Marion Wiebe with their daughter Jolene, Don and Jan Neufeld with their daughter Nicole, and Wilbert and Carol Friesen with their son Kelsey. Our service ended with a time of sharing how we had realized God’s strength in our own personal lives. Following the service, the Cradle Roll Department had lunch together at the church. This was a large gathering; many of the families with babies enrolled were there, as well as the families of those who did the cradle roll visits. It was a special time of fellowship for all. Because of rain on Friday, May 9, the young people were forced to change their baseball game and hot dog roast to gym night, with refreshments at the church. During the summer months. Dave and Sharon Siemens have consented to give leadership to the youth. The church is looking for a part-time youth leader for the future. On Mother's Day Richard Klassen from the Heron E.M. Church ministered to us from God's Word, and Kathy, his wife, sang two musical selections. With warmer weather here, we already notice the travelling increasing in our con gregation. We trust each family to God's care and pray that in our weekends away we will not neglect God's people and His Word.

THE MESSENGER

Births

FUNK - to Jack and Joy Funk of Pambrun. Sask., a daughter. Erica Rae. on May 23. 1986. SCHLAMP - to Edwin and Audrey Schlamp of Swift Current. Sask., a daughter. Danielle Brook, on May 28. 1986. NEUFELD - to Ben and Brenda Neufeld of Swift Current. Sask., a son. Denver James, on May 1. 1986. SIEMENS - to Robert and Linda Siemens of Calgary. Alta., a son. Christopher Robert, on May 6. 1986. PERLEY - to Ed and Glenda Perley of Calgary, Alta., a son. Craig Edward, on May 3. 1986. FEHR - to Raymond and Tina Fehr of Calgary. Alta., a son. Jeffrey Dean, on May 13, 1986.

Weddings KROEKER-FUNK: Ken. son of Albert and Tina Kroeker of Steinbach, was married on May 17. 1986. to Amanda, daughter of John and Esther Funk of Mitchell. Man. The wedding took place at the Steinbach E.M. Church with Arden Thiessen of Steinbach officiating. The couple is making their home in Steinbach. LOEWEN-KRAHN: Rick, son of John and Elizabeth Loewen of Springfield. Ont., and Tina, daughter of John and Mary Krahn of Vienna. Ont., were manied at the Mount Salem E.M. Church in Aylmer. Ont. The wedding took place May 3, 1986 with Menno Kroeker of Aylmer officiating. The cou ple is making their home in Aylmer. STEPPAN-EDWARDS: Bradley Dean, son of Peter and Rose Steppan of Endeavour. Sask., and Carol Twyla, daughter of Dennis and Esther Edwards of Tisdale. Sask., were married on March 28. 1986 at the Tisdale Associated Gospel Church with John Ginter of Saskatoon. Sask, officiating. The couple is residing in Endeavour. Sask. PLETT-WIEBE: Mark, son of Joseph and Annie Plett of Winnipeg. Man., and Sandy, daughter of Peter and Mary Wiebe of Blumenort. Man., were married on May 3. 1986. The wedding took place at the Blumenort E.M. Church with Allan Friesen of Winnipeg. Man. officiating. The couple is mak ing their home in Winnipeg.

SCHLAMP-SCHAPANSKY: Bill, son of Philip and Margaret Schlamp of Swift Cunent. Sask., and Connie, daughter of Wes and Margaret Schapansky. of Waldeck. Sask., were married on May 10. 1986. The wedding took place at the Swift Cur rent E.M. Church with John Toews of Swift Cur rent. Sask, officiating. The couple is making their home in Swift Current.

RYA—BRAUN: Warren, son of Mrs Eva Rya of Swift Current. Sask., was married on May 18. 1986 to Marilyn, daughter of Jacob and Irene Braun of Swift Current. The wedding took place at the Bridgeway Community Church in Swift Current, with Ed Martens of Saskatoon officiating. The cou ple is residing in Swift Current. REIMER-SIEMENS: Lowell Peter, son of Mr. and Mrs. Leo Reimer of Kola, Man., and Rita Lynne, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer P. Siemens of Kola, were married at the Kola E. M. Church on May 24. 1986. with Art Neufeld of Kola officiating. The cou ple is making their home in Virden.

JUNE 13, 1986

MARY KEHLER

1943-1986 Mary Kehler was born on April 16. 1943. to her parents. Peter and Gertrude Barkman. at Blumenort. Manitoba. She passed away peacefully May 26. 1986. at her residence, after a lengthy struggle with cancer. She reached the age of 43 years, one month and ten days. Mary was baptized upon her confession of faith in Christ Jesus as her Savior in July 1957. On April 19. 1968 she married John Kehler. They shared 18 years of maniage dur ing which time they were blessed with four children. In the spring of 1984 it was first discovered that Mary had cancer. It was a fact that was hard to accept. She seemed to be doing well through the summer. However, in fall of the same year her health was fast declining. The following spring the doctors informed her it was terminal. Yet. as difficult as this was for her. Mary did not complain. Her optimistic spirit was an encouragement to all who visited her. She has been confined to her bed for a whole year during which time she carried out her responsibilities in the home. Her hands were always busy. One of her projects was knitting a sweater for each member of her family. Mary will be greatly missed by her family and friends who knew her to always show ge nuine concern for others. Seldom would her visitors go home emptyhanded. She was always ready and willing to share something with them. She leaves to mourn her death, her belov ed husband John, three daughters. Brenda (17). Josie (16). Clara (13). and one son Jef frey (11); her parents Mr. and Mrs. Peter Barkman; six sisters. Margaret. Minna. An nie. Helen. Kathy and Trudie; four brothers. Frank. Abe. Albert and Peter. She will also be sadly missed by all of her husband’s family. She was predeceased by her mother in 1945 and a sister-in-law just a few hours before her own death. The family wishes to express their thanks for all the help and the love that has been shown during Mary’s illness and during this time of bereavement. The Family God saw you getting tired. When a cure luas not to be. So He put His arms around you And whispered. "Come to Me." You suffered much in silence. Your spirit did not bend. You faced your pain with courage Until the uery end. You tried so hard to stay with us. Your fight was all in uain. Cod took you to His louing home And freed you from all pain.

Coming this fall...

Church Finances Workshop A Church Finances Workshop, sponsored by the EMC Board of Finance, is being planned for this fall. Church treasurers, pastors, deacons, and others involved in stewardship and financial ministries in the church will want to attend. Tentative date: November 1, 1986 Watch tor further announcements ...

Coming MCC Events Saturday, August 2 Brandon MCC Sale Saturday, September 13 Morris MCC Sale

Sunday, September 14 Official Open ing of new MCC building

Saturday, October 18 Annual MCC Women's Auxiliary Meeting. Grunthal Friday/Saturday, November 21-22 MCC Manitoba Annual Meeting in Blumenort E.M.C. Church

HERITAGE SERVICES The Mennonite Village Museum in Stein bach, Manitoba will host a series of three heritage faith services in the century-old church on the Museum grounds. The services commence at 10:30 a.m. and will be held on the following Sundays: -June 29 (Canada Days) - Speaker - Dr. Harry Loewen, Winnipeg, Manitoba. Special numbers by "The Sons of Cornelius” quartet from Landmark. Manitoba. -August 3 (Pioneer Days) - Speaker - Dr. Adolf Ens, Winnipeg. Manitoba. -August 31 (Labour Day Weekend) Speaker - Rev. Hugo Janz, Winnipeg. Manitoba. The sermons will feature traditional Men nonite themes such as discipleship, nonresistance and sharing. The public is in vited to attend.

PAGE 9

Around the World

Apr. 9-11 at Camp Hebron, Halifax, Pa. Twenty-one people attended the retreat geared specifically for the unique needs deaf leaders face in their local Mennonite con gregations. This year individuals working in deaf ministries in other Anabaptist denomina tions were welcomed. They included Men nonite Brethren. Church of the Brethren and Evangelical Mennonite Conference (Canada). The group strongly affirmed MBM Deaf Ministries direction in helping to provide a net work between the local deaf ministries in Anabaptist congregations. The closing thought was, "We really do need each other.”

with the government of General Jaruzelski in a united effort to press that government to release political prisoners and restore some powers to the labour movement. However, in recent months there have been visits by Greek. West German, and French leaders. Jake Epp said that he was sensitive to the feel ings of Canadians of Polish origin and that he had raised human rights concerns with Poland's foreign minister. He predicted that there will be more visits, partly to discuss debt repayment and trade development concerns. Canada is Poland's third largest creditor and Poland is eager for new credits. -Ottawa Notebook

20 head out to the garden patch

Ted Regehr.

Marlene Epp.

New writers appointed for Mennonites in Canada Series The Mennonite Historical Society of Canada is pleased to announce the appoint ment of Dr. Ted Regehr as writer and Marlene Epp as writer/researcher for Volume III of the series. Mennonites in Canada. This series was abruptly halted in January of this year by the untimely death of the writer. Dr. Frank H. Epp. Epp had served the Society as historian for this project and had completed the first two volumes of the series. Mennonites in Canada: The History of a Separate Peo ple 1786-1920. published in 1974. and Men nonites in Canada: A People's Struggle for Suruiual. 1920-1940. published in 1982. Epp was working on the third volume of the series, covering the years 1940 - 1965. at the time of his death. Ted Regehr comes as no stranger to this project. He chaired the editorial committees of the first two volumes of the series and has served the society as its president for six years. Working together with him will be Marlene Epp. Marlene has been heavily involved with volume three of Mennonites in Canada. Over the past three years she assisted her father. Mr. Frank Epp. as researcher/writer of this project. She has also completed a variety of writing projects. Deaf Ministries Leadership Retreat a learning experience

"I have learned so much. I'm happy I could come to hear about different deaf ministries,” commented one participant following the an nual Deaf Ministries Leadership Retreat held PAGE 10

Question: What are four Americans, two French-Canadians. a West German, a Ken yan, an Ojibway. a Cree, and a host of ordinarily-urban English-speaking Canadians doing tramping around in rubber boots in Kenora, Ontario? Believe it or not, they're learning how to plant potatoes. And beets, and carrots, and Swiss chard, and any other vegetables that may strike the fancy of the native people with whom they will be sharing this summer. The annual Native Gardening orientation brought together this diverse group in early May to learn about the basics of vegetable gardening and the dynamics of living, learn ing and teaching in a cross-cultural environment. All 20 are now in native communities of northern and western Canada, at the invitation of various Indian bands.

Twenty-five churches plan to join (GC) Conference in July Twenty-five congregations have applied for new membership in the General Conference Mennonite Church, which will bring the total of constituent churches to 367. Acceptance of the new member congregations takes place at triennial sessions, being held this July in Saskatoon. The 25 churches will bring with them a total of 933 members. Seven are "dual Conference churches." affiliating with both the General Conference and the Mennonite Church. Four represent ethnic minority groups. Thirteen are in Canada and 12 in the U.S. They range in membership size from 73 to 12 and in age of the congregation from 39 to less than a year.

MWC launches Spanish magazine Mennonite World Conference has announced the launching of Correo. a new Spanish-language quarterly magazine for the international Mennonite community. The magazine will be sent to General Council members, Mennonite and Brethren in Christ church leaders and other interested persons in Spanish-speaking countries. It will present news of the worldwide Mennonite church, as well as activities of Mennonite World Conference. The purpose, according to Mennonite World Conference Executive Secretary Paul Kraybill, is to enhance the access of Spanishspeaking Mennonites to developments in churches around the globe, and to provide a forum for their own sharing of news and ideas. Only a few Spanish-speaking Men nonite conferences currently have their own regular periodicals.

Pavilion of Promise a Hit!

VANCOUVER - EXPO 86 is now entering its second month of operation, with almost 3.5 million visits recorded to date. During opening month, the Pavilion of Promise emerged as one of the most popular attrac tions at the highly acclaimed World's Fair. The Pavilion of Promise is a project of Crossroads Christian Communications Inc., producers of the daily Canadian television program "100 Huntley Street.” based in Toronto. The program is hosted by David Mainse. who is also the Commissioner General at the Pavilion of Promise at EXPO. The Pavilion's message of God’s eternal Epp builds bridge to Poland love for mankind is displayed in three of the Jake Epp's early April visit to Poland was ' world's most innovative theatres. The story the first time that a Canadian cabinet minister of Creation, the Life of Christ, and God's Prohad visited that country since Martial Law was mise of unending love are set to the original imposed in 1981. The specific purpose of the musical, “The Scroll.” by Bruce Stacey. The visit was to sign a five-year cooperation agreeNational Philharmonic Orchestra of London ment on medical education and technology performs the sound-track, narrated by exchanges. In a more general sense, it Malcolm Muggeridge. represented “the first step in the normalizaAlmost 200.000 visitors have already extion process between Canada and the governperienced the 40-minute show. The Pavilion ment of Poland,” said Epp. NATO member of Promise will celebrate its Special Day at EXstates had shunned or limited official contacts PO on Saturday, June 7, 1986.

THE MESSENGER

36th EMC Annual Convention July 4, 5, 6, 1986

Chairman: Arden Thiessen Song Leader: Reg Reimer Organist: Marcia Rempel Pianist: Rhonda Toews

Sunday, July 6, 7:00 p.m.

Friday, July 4, 7:30 p.m. Congregational Singing Scripture Reading and Prayer . . . ......................... Bill Penner Moderator’s Address ................ Arden Thiessen Announcements Anangements Committee Special Music............................... . . Pleasant Valley Quartet Testimony

Special Music Missions Spot Offering: Missions projects

Pleasant Valley Quartet

Henry Klassen Offertory: Mark Loewen Message: “The Christian and Entertainment” . . . .John Koop

Saturday, July 5 9:00 a.m. Conference Council Meeting at the Blumenort EMC (ministerial and delegates) 1:00 p.m. EMC Youth Explosion at Steinbach A.D. Penner Park 2:00 p.m. Ladies’ Session at the Ridgewood EMC Chairperson Helen Plett Song Leader Anne Reimer Pianist Connie Plett Scripture and Prayer Gladys Fast Special Music Cindy Warkentin Testimony Mary Kroeker Special Music Bev Peters Offering: AIMM Ladies’ Auxiliary; supplies for public health program, East Paraguay Speaker - “Women of Faith in the 1980s” . . . Leona Penner Closing Agatha Friesen

Saturday, July 6, 7:00 p.m.

Congregational Singing Scripture Reading and Prayer Roger Plett Special Music Rosenort Evangelical Men’s Group Creative Presentation Rosenort Evangelical Men's Group Special Music ........................................ Milton Fast Offering .... Offertory: Roberta Wiebe Message: “The Christian and Addictive Habits” . . .Stan Plett 9:15 Youth Dessert and “The Open Stage” - church basement

Sunday, July 6, 3:00 p.m. Congregational Singing Scripture Reading and Prayer Fred Buhler Special Music Janice Doerksen and Charlotte Penner Missionary Presentation Henry Klassen Offering: Missions projects Henry Klassen Offertory: Organ and Piano Special Music Message: “The Christian and Vocational Choices”Harvey Plett A lunch will be served between sessions. You are welcome to stay. JUNE 13, 1986

Congregational Singing .............. Ralph Unger Scripture Reading and Prayer.... Stan and Bev Hamm Special Music .... Johnny Loewen Conference Council Report........... Presentation of New Church Special Music Stan and Bev Hamm Offering: SBC Ed Reimer Message: “The Christian and Sexual Morality” Dave Thiessen Closing

• INSPIRATIONAL SESSIONS featuring testimonies, mission spots, music, and messages will be held on Friday, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, 7:00 p.m., and Sunday, 3:00 and 7:00 p.m. • SPEAKERS — Our speakers for this convention are all EMC ministers who are well acquainted with the ethical issues fac ing our Conference people. Their presentations are to help us follow Christ more fully in a world that invites our participa tion at every level. • CONFERENCE COUNCIL will meet on July 4, 1:30-4:30, to hear reports and give direction to our Conference missions program. On Saturday the Council will meet from 9:00 to 4:00 p.m., conducting the annual board elections, hearing reports, giving direction on a newly drafted statement on “The Dignity of Man” and “Sanctity of Human Life,” and a revised proposal of our Conference building loan fund. • LADIES’ SESSION — Saturday, July 5, 2:00 p.m., at the Ridgewood EMC, two miles south and three miles east of Blumenort. Leona Penner will speak on the topic “Women of Faith in the 1980s.” Leona and her husband Peter have serv ed with MCC in Africa. Special music will be provided by Cin dy Warkentin, Bev Peters, and Hilde Labelle. • YOUTH SESSION - Saturday, July 5, 1:00 - meet at A.D. Penner Park (Steinbach) for recreation. 5:00 — barbecue sup per at the park. 7:00 — convention session at the Blumenort church, followed by a “tidal wave” and dessert. • CHILDREN’S SESSION - Ages 4-7, Sunday, 3:00 p.m. • FILM SESSION - Ages 8-14, Sunday, 3:00 p.m. • NIGHT LODGING — Overnight billeting will be available in nearby homes. If you are in need of billeting please inform the office ahead of time (see address below). • NURSERY FACILITIES — Available during all public sessions. • INTERPRETER FOR THE DEAF • CONVENTION SITE — Blumenort is located five miles north of Steinbach just off the *12 Highway. If you are coming from Winnipeg, exit at the Ste. Anne exit on the Trans-Canada Highway east. • IF YOU NEED to phone the church while the convention is in session, the numbers are 326-1644 and 326-3619.

For further information contact: Evangelical Mennonite Conference Box 1268 Steinbach, Manitoba Telephone: 326-6401

PAGE 11

From the Editor Annual Conventions Some Notes on History WE (EMC) ARE now standing at the threshold of the 36th annual convention. Every year since 1951 we have had this annual get-together. Of course, for better or for worse, we are newcomers to annual conventions. This is unfortunate in the sense that it is difficult to find many formal historical events from the 19th century and the early 20th century. The KMBs, who came out of the EMC in 1869, have records dating back to 1905. Had they stayed with us, maybe they would have been the progressive element that would have given us the value of historical records (see book review Messengo', May 30, 1986). However, I believe it was our conservatism which may have largely been at fault. To keep records, willy-nilly, I believe could have been looked on as pride. Yet some impor tant, significant events were recorded, as is the case with a ministerial meeting around 1899 and one in 1937. Another might be in 1946, just prior to the migration of part of the EMC to Mexico. We have now concluded 35 annual conventions. This year, 1986, will be the occasion of the thirty-sixth such event. Some interesting things emerge as one scans the printed programs of former conventions. There is a program item which some of the old-timers will still remember. After a main message there would be an item marked Bespreckung (discussion), of about 20 minutes duration. Today, of course, our programs are far too tight to allow for something like this. However, I believe they had a lot of merit. It was an opportunity for congregational interaction. This, it would seem to me, would create a livelier, more informative convention event today. One finds, though, that this practice was abandoned after about the eighth annual convention and to my knowledge never reinstated. Another observation one makes is the transition from German to English. Up to around 1962 program items were pretty well all printed in German. The youth session in 1961 was in English. In 1962 some items were designated as Deutsch (German) or English. The 1963 program was printed in a mixture of German and English. The 1964 program was all English. All this may seem of little consequence. But all of a sud den there had to be a decision, even if only for one person German or English? Could we, in the light of this, maybe say that around 1965 the transition from German to English in the EMC was completed? I think that date would hold as good as any. After all, annual conventions were the PAGE 12

product of the entire EMC. For me also, although I don’t consider myself very old yet, the many names I run across from those early years create in me a certain nostalgia. Some of them my co workers, some gone to be with the Lord. All serving God in their generation and maybe by the sweat of their brow. A far cry from where I sit in my temperature-controlled office today. Let us never forget that these people laid the foundation for the program we have today, lest we become arrogant. We can forget history only to our own hurt. This year also we are reverting back to a practice we car ried on up to the 16th annual convention, that of multiple speakers. The first time we had one speaker throughout was in 1967 (Archie Penner). The next one-speaker conven tion was in 1974 (J.B. Toews). The trend to one-speaker conventions began in 1977 (F.C. Peters) and ended with the same man in 1985. This year we have broken the cycle with four EMC men dividing the theme between them. This, of course, does not say it won’t revert back again. I don’t know. I believe both have merit. Three of the speakers in the one-speaker conventions in this period were also our own men (Archie Penner, Arden Thiessen, Jon Bonk). Then, also, bit by bit, as I observe the formal printed pro grams, I see new names emerging. And this is exciting. God does not leave Himself without a witness. Just as the people of 30-35 years ago served their generation, we now see new people taking on leadership roles. We see names appearing which did not appear so frequently on programs heretofore; e.g., Hamm, Harms, Koop, Warkentin, Wright, Dyck, Plett, to mention some. God doesn’t bind Himself to a name. Peter discovered this early in his ministry when he exclaimed, in the house of Cornelius, “Truly I perceive that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him’’ (Acts 10:34, 35). We thank God for people who are continuing to make themselves available for annual convention assignments. They are God’s gifts to the churches. Through the years since 1951 Pm sure much thought, preparation and maybe sweat have gone into the make-up of keynote addresses, which, hopefully have created responses in changed lives. May this year’s convention also produce eter nal fruit. Will you be there? D.S. THE MESSENGER