The Messenger October 3, 1986 by The Messenger

The Messenger EVANGELICAL MENNONITE CONEERENCE

VOL. 24

NO. 20

OCT. 3/86

Thanksgiving for a Many-sided Salvation Terry M. Smith

A PRIEST WAS ONCE called to the side of a man who had collapsed on the floor in a department store. Kneeling near the fallen man, the priest asked, “Do you believe in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit?’’ The man opened one eye, looked at the people gathered around him, and said, “Here I am dying, and he’s ask ing me riddles!’’ Asking him riddles? Hardly. The priest, later Cardinal Cushing, had sincerely asked the question to probe the man’s spiritual condition, to see if he was ready to meet God. But to the man, a question about his spiritual condition sounded like a riddle to his ears. “What does it mean to be saved?” the woman in her fifties asked me from her hospital bed. She hid her hair loss because of cancer treatments under a kerchief, had a friendly smile, an in quisitive mind and a main-line church background. “What does it mean to be saved?” She had asked the question, and I— student chaplain, Bible college graduate, student of theology—did not quite know

what to say.

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I could have said a great deal about sin, judgment, Christ’s death for us and eternal life. I certainly should have said more than I did. At that moment, however, I sensed that she had heard the words of the gospel before and now, in stead, was asking for the meaning behind them. I can answer her better now than then, but there’s no taking back a lost opportunity. 1 can only ask for forgiveness and give new dedication as opportunities now arise. Many people dismiss the idea of Christian salvation because they cannot connect it with needs in their own lives. For some, questions about their salva tion sound like riddles. Sometimes truths escape people because of the words they are cloaked in. Often our statement, “Christ is the answer!” pro vokes the response, “What is the question?” The irony is that—as has been said by

others—our Lord did not say, “I have come that you might have religion!” He came to give us life with a capital “L,” for he is “the Life” (John 14:6). Salvation is each person’s basic need, for it is life indeed—life rescued from sin and life restored ultimately from sin’s effects. Salvation is both rescue and restora tion. It is both help and wholeness. It is the miraculous gift of God’s grace in God’s quest for health and wholeness in our life, relationships and world. At this Thanksgiving time, I thank God for his many-sided salvation, for we are many-sided people and we live in a world with many needs. Who can describe all that is involved in salvation? I can only highlight a bit of what is in volved. And through this, I want to give thanks once again to our Heavenly Father. Salvation is rescue. As the ground quaked under the impact of Egyptian chariots thundering after runaway Hebrew slaves, the slaves looked on the approach of their returning captors with horror and shook in their sandals. But what did Moses say? “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord which he will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever” (Exodus 14:13). Then God parted the waters to permit the passage of Israel and closed them again to drown the Egyptians. Salvation is rescue. When Moses and Elijah talked with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration, Luke tells us they were discussing the “exodus” or deliverance our Lord would soon ac complish through his death at Jerusalem (Luke 9:31). Even if we misspell Calvary as Cavalry, the intention of Christ’s death and resurrection is accurately captured. God came to our rescue from sin, just as settlers in frontier times were rescued by soldiers mounted on horseback. But the rescue through the death of Christ is the greatest and most dramatic rescue of all time. THE MESSENGER

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The Son of God crossed the distance between heaven and earth, becoming poor that we “through his poverty might become rich.’’ The Son of God crossed the distance between heaven and earth, becoming poor that we “through his poverty might become rich” (2 Cor. 8:9). God showed his unquenchable love toward us, “in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). Walter Trobisch in his book I Mar ried You tells of conducting a marriage seminar in an African town, where he got to know a black woman, Fatma, who was living with a white European man. At one point, Fatma stands alone on a bridge at night, contemplating suicide. Walter approaches her and talks gent ly with her about God’s grace and forgiveness. At one point, he asks, “Have you ever heard of Barabbas?” She had—he was the man freed instead of Jesus. As Fatma pictures Barabbas later looking at Jesus hanging on the cross, Walter has her finish a sentence that must have gone through the rebel’s mind: “If Jesus were not hanging there ...” “Then I would be in his place,” she says. And Walter goes on to make a personal application. “Yes, Fat ma, you would. And I would. Both of us would.” The miracle of God’s reconciling covering of our sin and putting away of his proper anger—the atonement through Christ—eventually would come alive for Fatma. She became a disciple of Christ. We can take no delight in a living but terfly being pinned, fluttering piteous ly, to a bulletin board. Nor could we re joice if God should just pluck a man at whim off the street to die in our place. But that the Almighty God, the Abused-against, might become the Reconciler in the poverty and pain of the cross fills us with wonder, shame, and thanksgiving. As Charles Wesley well wrote so long ago, “Love so amazing, so divine, demands my life, my soul, my all.” That Jesus was cursed for us as our divinely-appointed substitute (Gal. 3:13) and exchanged our sins for his righteousness (2 Cor. 5:21) is the heart OCTOBER 3, 1986

of salvation for which we praise God. Our responsibility is to help others res pond to Christ’s death in their place with lifelong discipleship. But salvation also goes beyond rescue. It also involves restoration from sin’s ef fects. Think of an ambulance that comes screaming up to the emergency entrance of a hospital. The treatment team begins work on a severely-injured car accident victim. Their first concern is to save the person’s life; their second is to help that person be restored to as normal a life as possible. When we become Christians, we are saved from spiritual death and the pro cess of restoration begins. A new rela tionship with God through Christ restores a person’s sense of worth, gives meaning, relieves guilt, and diminishes or removes a person’s fear of death. As individuals, we begin to bloom as God created us to. And one day our wholeness will be complete (1 John 3:2). A Marxist may invest his life in his cause, content that it will help people in the future alone. Many Jewish people see immortality as simply the preserva tion of the Jewish race, with the in dividual person ceasing to exist. But to Christ, the individual is not forgotten. An older woman once asked her pastor, “Do you think God will remember where I am buried?’’ She feared being insignificant. Her pastor assured her that Jesus the Good Shepherd “calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out’’ (John 10:3). As Augustine said, “He loves each of us, as if there were only one of us.” If salvation restores our individual dignity, it also saves us from an in dividualism gone mad. Jean-Paul Sar tre once wrote, “Hell is—other people.” Surely the absence of meaningful rela tionships is a taste of hell, but Jesus came to save us from hell. At a time when many terrorist groups and armies are fighting for an indepen dent homeland and some people talk about western Canadian separatism, Jesus came into the world to break down the divisions that separate people from each other (Eph. 2). Jesus did not

believe that the best way to live together was to live apart! The Christian Church exists because God desires a united humanity. In our commitment to other Christians, we are to mirror how God would desire all peo ple to treat each other. The local and larger church is essential for each Chris tian. “No man ever got to heaven alone,” John Wesley said. We need others. “I cannot be a Christian all by myself. I cannot retire into my own shell or in to my own corner and live the Christian life. A single individual cannot be a Christian in his singleness,” John Baillie, a Church of Scotland minister, once wrote. We need others and others need us. I thank God for the local and world wide Christian Church. I thank God for the Evangelical Mennonite Conference. I thank God that He is not just restor ing people, but restoring them also together. Salvation also looks at the rescue and restoration of creation, from its slavery into a glorious freedom (Rom. 8:20-21), a “new heaven and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13). In Herman Wouk’s novel turned teleplay Winds of War, Victor “Pug” Henry, a naval captain, looks at the bat tleship he will command in the Second World War. He silently wonders when the madness will end, perhaps at the Se cond Coming, perhaps never. But the Word given to us is that God will stop what man cannot. Christ will return and set matters aright. People may ask us, “What is the world com ing to?” Our answer is simple and pro found, “A new one, but are you ready for it?” I thank God he has given us a vision for the world—one we cannot create, but one he has promised. We have both the motivation and perspective to care about people and our world. We can do much to mirror Christ’s love and concern, his call to wholeness in discipleship. The story is told that a man dropped dead at the doorstep of Colin Morris, president of the United Church of Zam bia. The medical examiner found only a few blades of grass in his stomach. Morris said, “Little men with shrunken bellies call the church’s bluff.” (Cont’d on page 6) PAGE 3

How can I come to the faith, maintain my faith, or share my faith, on the contemporary university campus?

Faith on the Campus by Stan Plett

ow can 1 come to the faith, or share my faith on the contem porary university campus?” series of inter-related questions This underlies the topic we are dealing with, Rather than to attempt the overlyambitious task of satisfactorily seeking to answer these BIG questions, an attempt doomed to failure within the context of a brief article (not to mention the author’s severe limitations), we will set ourselves a more modest goal. We will briefly examine three different “approaches” or “routes” to pursue in seeking an answer. Then the author will suggest which he feels is most ap_ propriate. (The military imagery use is for analogical purposes only and in no way suggests a shift from the Anabap tist “peace” position.) I. “SEARCH AND DESTROY” This approach is basically a negative one. Though effective in defending the faith, or in defending one’s a priori conclusions, it rarely has a positive influence in drawing others to the faith, As the heading suggests, this ap-

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proach is one of critically evaluating (i.e., “man”) itself examine and various options clamoring for attention evaluate the “machine”? and allegiance. Thus, for example, one 4. Accepting the materialistic premise would critically examine Naturalism and of Naturalism, how can I trust my own its sociological and “religious” counter- thoughts? 5. How can man, thrown up by part. Humanism, still the dominant world view of the secular mind. chance, have any particular purpose or (By the way, let’s face it! It is fre sense of worth? quently the university “atmosphere” This can go on indefinitely. However, rather than particular “arguments” that as indicated, it has limited effect. Few tend to seduce rather than persuade the are won to the faith by polemics. Unless unwary. This atmosphere of Naturalist one has the wit, breadth and stature of “religion” is fostered by a practicallyfa Muggeridge, Chesteron or Lewis, it monolithic professorial “, priesthood”’ rarely wins skeptics to the faith. and maintained by a thinly disguised disIn fact, it might even have the effect dain for any suggestions involving the of pouring water on an oil fire. For insupernatural. For a student to be free to stance, the demise of Naturalism and critically evaluate not from a naturalist Humanism is already discernable on the perspective but Naturalism itself, he horizon. It has failed to answer many must be free from the awe and reverence basic questions or to meet crying human induced by this pervasive atmosphere.) needs. Yet even as chopping off one To be sure, pursuing the “search and head of the many-headed mythical destroy” method is as enjoyable as it is monster. Hydra, resulted in two grow easy. Naturalism itself is riddled with in- ing in its place, so the “search-andconsistencies and unprovable presup- destroy” method might likewise fail, positions. It requires no particularly even as it succeeds. superior mentality. to ask a series of The failure of Naturalism and unanswerable questions: Humanism in providing for a sense of 1. How in the world does the ethical purpose and meaning has resulted in the “ought” evolve or emerge from the fac- complete skepticism of Nihilism on the tual “is” in the closed system governed one hand. On the other hand, it has also by “natural” cause and effect? given rise to Existentialism which 2. Where does the “closed system” manages to hang on to meaning and itself come from? How can a Naturalist purpose by completelyseparating two explain the “once-and-for-allness” and worlds, the world ofscience and the uniqueness of our world when in prin- world of faith. ciple he is limited to dealing with the More recently a new and bewildering repeatable and provable”? variety of hybrid forms have emerged 3. How can part of the “machine” from a strange combination of Western THE MESSENGER

The single shot approach focuses more specifically on one particular event, one particular person and one particular claim ... Christ. Naturalism and Eastern Mysticism. The former, characterized by rigidity, “laws,” cause and effect limitations, and the latter being much more openminded and eclectic, make strange bed fellows indeed! This new breed, with vague labels such as New Age Religion, or The New Consciousness, is in the pro cess of replacing Humanism as it is mak ing massive inroads into society via the media and the schools.

II. THE “SHOTGUN” APPROACH This conventional method provides a kind of apologetic “smorgasbord” in its “pick-and-choose” approach. The variety of arguments, ranging from empirical and objective to mystical and subjective, generally includes the following: 1. Fulfilment of Prophecy: Among other things, this points to the inspira tion of Scriptures. However, the reason ing easily becomes circular, in that it tends to assume what it seeks to prove. 2. Archeological finds attesting to Biblical accuracy. 3. Creation itself - which gives evidence of a creator. 4. The person of Christ, and “proofs” backing up those claims. 5. The Church, and its historic “Witness.” 6. Human experiences reflecting Biblical truths. 7. Inner subjective experience - as il lustrated by lines of a song such as “My God is real for I can feel Him in my heart.” Such positive arguments in favour of Christianity have individual as well as collective impact. The effect, however, is primarily that of “confirming the con vinced” and much less in adding new adherents.

III. “SINGLE SHOT” APPROACH This method focuses more specifical ly on one particular event, one particular person and one particular claim. Here all the apologetic eggs can be said to be placed in one particular theological basket. This one event is the CHRIST event, the person is CHRIST and the claim is that of CHRIST Himself. This is the apologetic route I would recommend. If one accepts even the substantial accuracy of the New Testa ment record, the dilemma posed to the N.T. reader is quite clear. Either Jesus Christ was (and IS) who He (is record-

ed to have) claimed to be or He was not. As C.S. Lewis points out in “Mere Christianity,” there is for the reader no third option. In fact, the recorded claims are so “far out” that if untrue Jesus was anything but a good teacher and an ex ample to follow. In fact, we would look on him more like a raving lunatic, who.

in his deluded mind, claims to be one with the Father. Out of this most basic of questions, and the conclusions one draws, flow subsequent questions. Again, the charge of circular reason ing must be dealt with. Critics say apologetic reasoning goes in circles in that belief in Christ requires a particular view of Scriptures which the secular mind does not have. This approach, however, does not require a commit ment to any doctrine of inerrancy, in spiration or the like. Scriptures can be approached with the same open-minded critical mind-set with which any other historical documents are approached. It requires no initial “leap of faith.” Of course, if one approaches Scriptures with radical presuppositions that rule out the very possibilities of even con sidering the recorded claims of Christ, then one obviously is not approaching with an open mind. Once this question is settled, then other questions become relevant. If Jesus is who He claims to be, if the resurrection is accepted as an historical vindication of these claims, if I personal ly accept His claims of Lordship over me, thereby becoming His disciple, there are obvious implications. Then, for in stance, in considering the Bible as a special kind of literature, my first ques tion would be, “What were the views of Christ?” As His disciple. His views (where expressed) become my views. Thus belief in the Bible comes from faith in Christ and not vice versa. (See John W. Wenham’s book, “Christ and the Bible” -1 VP - for a development of this approach.) Three different “routes” to apologetics have been suggested. All are valid, and have been used effectively. The third, however, I suggest, sets forth a more Biblical process which begins with and focuses on that all important question Jesus posed to Peter, “Who do you say that I am?” ■

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 tor 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 of Education and Publication, Box 1268, Steinbach, Manitoba, ROA 2A0. Second Class Mail; Registration Number 0591. Undelivered copies, change of address and new subscriptions should be mailed to the above address. The Messenger is a member of Meetinghouse.

OCTOBER 3, 1986

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THANKSGIVING

THANKSGIVING cont’d from page 3

Why did Jesus feed the five thou sand? To display his miraculous powers to prove his divinity? To give a foretaste of the Messianic Banquet to come? Yes . . . but scripture also says quite clearly that he wanted to feed hungry people to keep them from passing out from hunger on their way home (Mark 8:3). And the Lord’s command to his disciples today is still the same: “You give them something to eat!” (Luke 9:13). When Mennonite Central Committee was formed in the 1920s, Mennonites in Russia experienced rescue from hunger. It is this awareness that spurs on many of MCC’s efforts and supporters today. I am thankful that Jesus cares about the entire person, about both spiritual and physical hunger. Disease, war, poverty, apartheid, and so much more are other social effects of sin. While not neglecting or minimizing evangelism, we are called to work for social change. We cannot ultimately bring all the needed change about, but until Christ comes we are to do what we can. And 1 thank God for the hope that can sustain even as the wholeness Christ promises is only partly experienced. Ten years ago I met a woman who had been a telephone operator, pregnant with her first child. A car accident changed her life. Her husband was kill ed, she lost the child, and now she gets around in a wheelchair. Partly through her tragedies, she had become a Chris tian. And because she had met Christ, she looked on all she had gone through as worthwhile. I went away shaking my head. A per sonal relationship with Christ sustained her in the midst of circumstances I would want no one to experience. I thank God for such comfort. God has given us much in his gift of salvation. Still, as we give thanks, many people need rescuing and restoration. They need to be saved. 1 thank God for his salvation—and out of gratitude to him, I want to do what I can to help others follow Christ and live out the same concern for the whole person that our Lord does. How about you? ■

e thank You, dear Father, for sunshine and rain, For bountiful gardens and harvest of grain. For the beauty around us, for warm homes and clothes. And the comforts of life You have added to those. We thank you for health, for family and friends. For freedom and peace our country still lends. We thank You for work, for worship and pleasure. For all the great blessings You send without measure.

But mostly we thank You for Your wonderful love In sending us Your only Son from above To die in our place and bring us salvation. To bring to re-birth Your ruined creation. We thank You for being our Friend and Redeemer, Our Saviour and Lord, our Guide and Sustainer. We thank you for life more abundant You’ve given Us now, and a new life eternal in Heaven! L. Marie Enns La Crete, Alta.

this is for you!)

Editorial ]\otes By the editor

I suppose as one grows older one goes to more funerals. I trust that it is more than mere curiosity with me. One would hope that it would also show sympathy and respect to the family and the departed. 1, at least, felt this was the case when my wife and I attended Prayers at a city funeral home recently. George William Beauchamp was a friend of many years ago. We first got to know him and his wife Mary when we lived at Penners Sawmill at Steeprock Bay in the early 50s. George worked at the mill; 1 was camp pastor and storeman. Just recently we discovered that George had passed away and the funeral would be held at a Winnipeg funeral chapel. This is how my wife and I found ourselves at this prayer service, trying to bring con dolences to the family remaining behind, and we felt it was appreciated.

WE SAT ACROSS from each other at a local cafe and he said that they were having a garage sale and moving into an apartment. So I asked him how it affected him emotional ly. (You never know how far down the line PAGE 6

He said it was very difficult, but in his case it was a matter of health. There wasn’t much choice. But what to keep and what to relinquish, excess baggage, was the difficult decision. One criterion - “When have you last used this?” All of us, not only the elderly (although they may do so more), accumulate excess baggage. It is often difficult to decide what to keep and what to discard. Maybe the when-haveyou-used-it-last test would be a good one to apply to any article that stands in doubt. I see it coming too, so I need all the help I can get, and there is always the MCC SelfHelp Store for useable, clean articles. In this way articles which are of no further use to you can be sold and the money go for a good cause. CONTRIBUTORS: Terry Smith is the pastor of the Northern Fellowship Chapel, Creighton, Sask. Stan Plett is the pastor of the Rosenort Fellowship Chapel, Rosenort, Man. Sara Loeppky (Steinbach EMC) is in volved in children’s and women’s ministries in Paraguay.

COVER: I captured this scene while my wife and I visited family in the East Kootenay of southeastern British Columbia in September. A Visitors Guide bills Windermere District (where we were) as being “set amidst some of the most magnificent mountain scenery in the world.” THE MESSENGER

Missions

Claudia Elizabet Torres

PARAGUAY

displaying the joy of the Lord. What a shin ing light in that dark sinful community! However, the adversary is not at peace. Please pray much for these people, especially for Elizabet at this young, tender age, that she’ll be protected from all the evil influences around her. This family joined the EMC group about two years ago and are very active members. He is the lay leader of the church in Caaguazu. Financially they are having a real struggle at this time. He worked at a brick fac' ' tory which tied him down long days, so he changed to being a salesman for wooden ornaments. It looked promising at first, sales were good, there was more time for church work, and good opportunities to witness in his travels. However, lately the sales have come to a standstill and they are in a real strait. Pray for them that he may find the right job. Sara Loeppky

Precious Jewel Light in the Darkness I would like to share with you how 1 ac cepted Christ as the Lord of my life. One day there was an evangelistic campaign directed by Pastor Pedro (Peter Friesen). (1 was eight years old at that time.) My parents always went to the meetings with films, and had committed themselves to the Lord, so 1 learned about the things of God. 1 accepted Christ as the Lord of my life together with my mom and dad. We then began attending the Baptist church where 1 grew in the Lord. 1 had a problem; 1 was sick often. One day the pastor asked if 1 didn’t wish to be baptized and 1 said “yes.” I took a course in preparation for baptism and when the day arrived, August 30,1 was very sick. When we arrived at the river 1 had a very high fever. They advised me not to go in but 1 told them 1 would be well after 1 had been baptized, and that’s what happened, and up to this day I have not felt like 1 did then. When 1 suffer pain 1 pray to the Lord who strengthens me. 1 am now fourteen years old. 1 help in the Sunday school and 1 pray to the Lord to always help me and strengthen me. 1 ask you to pray that God will help me to always walk in His way. Claudia Elizabet Torres (translated by Sara Loeppky)

Claudia Elizabet is the only girl in a Paraguayan family where one truly can see the miraculous saving power of God. They live in the far corner of a slum area in a sim-i pie 3x5 meter hut. Walking through the) washed-out street down to their house one can literally feel the darkness and degrada tion of the community, but what a difference on approaching this home — one may hear Christian music from a guitar and radiant faces OCTOBER 3, 1986

BIG PRESSES IN ZAIRE WILL SWING INTO ACTION

Henry and Tina Weier Dirks of Virgil, Ont. are returning to Kinshasa, Zaire in September to resurrect the presses of the Center of Protestant Literature in Kinshasa, known by the acronym CEDI. The giant presses have stood idle since 1981. A $25,000 commitment from supporting agencies was needed before the Dirkses could have the go-ahead. With funding in place as of June 30, the Dirkses will begin a four- or five-year term of service for the General Conference Mennonite Church under the auspices of Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission. They were missionaries in Zaire also from 1963-1972 and have served there since 1982. A bookstore was first opened in Kalonda in 1920 and later a literature center. When the Dirkses arrived, a new press and other equipment had been installed. They began publishing portions of the Bible, tracts, hymnals, catechisms, Sunday school materials, aids for pastors, schoolbooks and materials for all the Protestant missions in Zaire in 25 languages. In 1972 the nationals took over, and the Dirkses returned to Canada. The nationals tried but were not successful in operating the equipment. In March 1986 they requested that CEDI be staffed by foreign technicians in order to bring it back to its former level of production. Dr. Bokeleale, head of the Protestant Church of Christ in Zaire, says that it is the Dirkses’ mission to come and help them. Speaking for the General Conference Mennonite Church, Erwin Rempel calls the

Dirkses’ return to Zaire “one of the most strategic and significant events of recent years.” He says, “1 am pleased about the joint participation of several different church groups (Presbyterian, Baptist, United Methodist, Mennonite and others) in making this renewed venture a reality. The silent presses will once again speak through Christian literature in“ cities and rural areas of Zaire.” Veteran Africa missionary and administrator James Bertsche adds gratefulness that Henry and Tina Dirks are returning to “once again lay a shoulder to the wheel-or perhaps we should say, a wrench to the press.” (GCMC)

Braeside Missionary Conference Date: November 1-5, 1986 Main Speaker: Rev. Henry Unrau (Briercrest) Place: Braeside E. M. Church 1011 Munroe Ave. Winnipeg, Man. Theme: “Do We Care?” Saturday, 8:30 a.m. - Men’s breakfast Saturday, 7:00 p.m. - Youth night Sunday, 10:55 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Weekdays, 7:30 p.m. Missionary speakers and main challenge each session. All are Welcome!

Region 3 Annual Convention Date: October 26, 1986 Place: Birch River Legion Hall Birch River, Man. Theme: “Our Church Can Grow” Speaker: Rev. Edwin Friesen Music: Singing Hills SCHEDULE 10:30 a m. (CST) - morning service 12:00 - Lunch (Bring your own lunch; refreshments will be provided.) 2:30 p.m. - afternoon service 5:00 p.m. - supper (provided) 6:30 p.m. - evening service Everyone is welcome. For billeting ar rangements contact Ben Kroeker, Box 411, Birch River, Man. ROL OEO, Ph. (204)236-4637.

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Messenger News I r A

i r

Jon Bonk, speaker at the Choice Books banquet.

MANITOBA HOSTS BOOK RALLY AND BANQUET

Winnipeg, Man.; The Canadian Mennonite Bible College was the scene of activity as a group of forty dedicated business peo ple, executives, and “home missionaries” gathered from all over North America for a three-day rally. August 21-23. Three events were scheduled for this reunion - the annual Canadian Choice Books Council, the Choice Books business seminars, and the banquet hosted by Choice Books of Manitoba. Hosting the entire rally was John Whitehead, the supervisor of Manitoba. Eleven programs or districts were represented. (A program is a given territory with a central office and warehouse, a supervisor, staff and rack representatives reaching out into the marketplace.) Paul Yoder, director of Choice Books, Har risonburg, Virginia, capably, yet sensitively, kept the minds alert and devoted during the seminars and workshops. The struggles, achievements, aspirations and direction of the four Canadian programs (Alta., Sask., Man., Ont.) were dealt with first. Rev. Bernie Loeppky, Winkler, Man., charter member of the Manitoba program, set a positive tone for the rally with an inspiring message. The days were busy, dealing with concerns in skills, marketing, staff management, idea ex changes, and goals in sales for North America. The goal - to sell one million books annually. A real treat in concluding the rally was a tour of points of interest in the city of Winnipeg, and also a ride to Steinbach to see, among other things, the supermarket and manager

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with the highest Choice Books sales in North America, tour the Mennonite Village Museum and enjoy a traditional Mennonite meal. Two hundred and fifty guests enjoyed an evening of good food, fellowship, and inspira tion, together with their American counter parts, at the Mennonite Brethren Bible Col lege banquet hall on August 21. “Growth in the Manitoba program has been favourable,” said John Whitehead. “Two hundred fifty racks are now in operation with sixty volunteers.” Simon Shrock of the Beachy Amish roused the audience with the affirma tion that “God is alive. He calls authors and publishers.” Their program has 1200 “wire pulpits” from Maine to California. Rick Schmidt reported on the Ontario program reaching out in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Newfoundland. Abe Clymer, chairman of Choice Books International, shared what God did through the dedication and commitment of one man who became a Christian. An owner of an entire chain of drugstores across America had all the por nographic books removed from the shelves, realizing a net profit loss of more than $3,000,000. Keynote speaker Jon Bonk, Winnipeg Bible College, further confirmed the atmosphere of the evening with the timely subject, “The Word” (John 1:1). An offering was gratefully accepted towards the fur therance of the Christian book ministry in Central Canada.

Nettie and Bill Unrau celebrated their25th wedding anniversary on August 10 at the Crestview Fellowship in Winnipeg.

'W «

— Harold Plett

Baby dedication al the Crestview church. Left to right: Sandra and Vernon Esau with baby Amanda, Ralph Unger.

Ralph and Mary Lynn Linger at their in stallation at the Crestview Fellowship.

PASTORAL COUPLE INSTALLED

Crestview (Winnipeg): August was a very busy, exciting month for Cresview as we celebrated five major events which included baby dedication, pastor installation, two silver wedding anniversaries and DVBS. The first Sunday in August, Amanda Ashley Esau, daughter of Vern and Sandy, was dedicated to the Lord. Amanda was on-

ly a week old and this was her very first time in church. Grandparents, as well as greatgrandparents, were in attendance. August 10 was a full Sunday with two celebrations scheduled. During the morning service Pastor Ralph and Mary Lynn Unger officially became our pastoral couple. Rev. Arden Thiessen officiated at this happy event. We wish the Unger family God’s blessings as they serve in Crestview. In the evening of the same Sunday, Bill and Nettie Unrau celebrated their 25th anniver sary. Friends and relatives were present to help celebrate this joyous occasion. Follow ing a program upstairs, the guests were invited to refreshments and fellowship downstairs. Rudy and Helen Funk celebrated their silver wedding anniversary on August 17. The guests were invited to supper which was followed by a program. Their children Ken and Kim were in charge of an interesting pro gram which was well organized and well chaired. May God grant both the anniversary couples many more years of happiness in their maniages. DVBS was held August 18-22. This was a busy week with an average of 64 kids THE MESSENGER

gathering from 1:00-4:00 p.m. each day. The total number of children enrolled was 84. The opening session each day was filled with sing ing, the theme verse and a visit from Peter the Puppet. Alex Wiebe did a fine job at puppeteering. The seven enthusiastic teachers were assisted by our junior teens. Glenda Unger served as pianist all week and helped in other areas as well. Other assistants were Joanne and Derek Loepp, Travis Unger, Bar rie Kornelsen, Brian Moore, Lyle Thiessen, Cheri Toews and Wanda Wiebe. These teens did a great job with games, crafts, refreshments, helping with the teaching and with the openings. Each class represented a special item at the closing program. Special thanks to all who made this year’s DVBS a blessed success. Helen Funk coordinated the entire DVBS program. Our thanks to Helen for a big job well done. This week of DVBS made our theme “Great Are Thy Works” come alive with real meaning. Thanks to everyone involved.

to US from Hudson Bay, Sask. Rev. David Froese led in accepting Pastor and Mrs. Kornelsen as members. Rev. Ben Friesen spoke on “Call to Wor ship” (I Tim. 3:1). He noted that there should be a blending of leadership and servanthood. A leader must be a man of wisdom, courage, patience and humour. He must be impartial, act with foresight and insight at the right time, recognize perils, and be willing to sacrifice. He must be a person full of the Holy Spirit. Rev. Kornelsen replied with “A Teacher’s Challenge,” the responsibility of the highest calling. God alone can work that miracle of grace in our lives. Kathy Bergen and Betty Funk sang “Jesus Revealed in Me.” A fellowship lunch was enjoyed following the service.

YOUTH PASTOR INSTALLED

Rosenort Fellowship (Man.): The day we had been looking forward to for so long finally arrived. Gerald Hamm was installed as our youth pastor on September 7. During the in stallation service Pastor Stan challenged him with 1 Timothy 4:12, “Let no one look down on your youthfulness but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity show yourself an example of those who believe.” Harry Koop, chairman of the board, read from Ephesians. He stated that God had chosen Gerald. We had seen a definite need in our church for a youth pastor for a long time. Much prayer had been offered to God for guidance. After looking within our membership we felt God directing us to look elsewhere. We thank God for answering our prayers. Alvin Kornelsen, on behalf of the deacons, welcomed and showed his support

EMC

Youth Leaders Seminar How Can A Volunteer Get The Job Done?

November 21, 22 Rudy and Helen Funk (center) celebrated their silver wedding anniversary at the Crestview Fellowship on August 17.

PLACE: Camp Assiniboia, 17 kms west on #1 Hwy. to P.R. 241, then south 4 kms to Camp GUEST SPEAKER: Chuck Nichols, Winnipeg Theological Seminary REGISTRATION: Begins 6 p.m. Friday. Light supper 8 p.m. Ends Saturday after supper. TO REGISTER: Mail registration form below to: EMC YOUTH COMMITTEE, Box 1268, Steinbach, Man. ROA 2A0 Early registration ends with November 1 postmark. Late fee; $5.00 per person.

REGISTRATION FORM NAME

PHONE

ADDRESS

POSTAL CODE

CHURCH

John and Leona Kornelsen. NEW PASTOR WELCOMED Wymark, Sask.: It was an exciting day as John and Leona Kornelsen were welcomed to lead the Wymark E.M. Church. They come OCTOBER 3, 1986

REGISTRATION FEE DUE WITH APPLICATION; $10.00 person

Balance due Nov. 21 $25.00

$20.00 couple

Balance due Nov. 21 $50.00 PAGE 9

Gerald Hamm, the new youth pastoral the Posenort Fellowship Chapel.

for Gerald, as did several from the congregation. Gerald quoted Proverbs 3:5, 6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.” He is glad to be working with a Mennonite church. He is committed to the church of Christ. Together we will build God’s kingdom. It is good to see Jeannine Koop in our midst again. She spent the summer working in Papua New Guinea under Mission Outreach. The ten-day intensive training camp was held at Miracle Hills near Bethany, Missouri. We were impressed with Jeannine’s love for the country, the black nationals and the burden she felt for them. July 27 the church basement was filled as we gathered for a shower and farewell for Anne Dueck and Jody. Many words of ap preciation were expressed for her years of ser vice to God in our church. Her husband Melvin Dueck was our first pastor. Among other positions, Anne has served as pastor’s wife, Sunday school teacher, and speaker. She has encouraged and counselled many people, both in her home and elsewhere. Her faith during the many difficulties she endured through Melvin’s ill health was an inspiration to us. We will miss her but we also rejoice with her as she moves on to a new life in Boissevain as Mrs. Peter Hildebrand. In August we had a farewell for two couples. Irvin and Sylvia Kroeker and children Andrea and Shaun and Denver and Jorlean Bartel and children Adrian and Kerensa have all moved to British Columbia to establish new homes. We wish them God’s blessing and guidance as they continue to serve Him. Dan and Michelle Reimer left August 27 for Gabarone, Botswana, Africa. They will be ser ving under MCC for a three-year term. August 24 we had a farewell get-together for them. May God be near to them and guide them as they serve him. The Rosenort EMC treated us to a musical evening on May 25. Six different musical groups blessed us with songs of adoration and praise as we worshipped God together. PAGE 10

Present and past ministers (and their wives) of the Heron church. Left to right: Kathy and Richard Klassen, Henry and Anne Klassen, Alma and Andrew Friesen, Sarah and Johnny Loewen, Marge and Frank Kroeker.

25TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATED Heron, Sask.: On August 2 and 3 our church sponsored a very special celebration - the 25th anniversary of the beginning of the EMC church at Heron. The planning of the last year resulted in a weekend that we trust brought glory to God. All told, about 250 peo ple attended. The weekend activities started off with a ballgame at nearby Cromer, Man. at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday. A lot of visiting was done by the players and the many fans on lawn chairs and picnic blankets. At 5:00 p.m. we all moved to the church for a barbecue supper. After supper each one was registered and given a name tag to help us remember names. The first service began at 7:00. Dick Thiessen read a history of the church, and former pastor, Andrew Friesen, had a devotional. He challenged us to venture out towards new and bigger goals. The Lord will guide us as we do. The next morning we met again at 10:30. We had cancelled the Sunday school for this Sunday, so the morning service included a

quiz and some songs for the children. Another former pastor, Rev. Frank Kroeker, delivered the morning’s message. He challenged us to be prepared people, partners, a praying peo ple, pious people, and a praising people, if we want to be useful to the Lord. Again we had dinner at the church. In bet ween sessions, many people took the oppor tunity to go to the church basement to look at a collection of photographs gathered by the planning committee. Most of the families that have attended here were represented. And all weekend people “caught up on news.” The afternoon session was more informal. It included a lot of reminiscing, as had Satur day night’s session. Specific people had been asked to recall their days at Heron. A number of them spoke of the advantages of going to a small church: a) Everyone had to get involv ed; b) the personal caring that they experienc ed from the whole church. One of our members also shared his prayer of thanks to God. After faspa, we gathered again for the last session. This time Rev. Johnny Loewen brought the message. He compared us to

A baptismal service took place at the Heron church on May 18, 1986. Left to right: Pastor Richard Klassen, Brian Thiessen, Dawn Thiessen, Howard Thiessen.

Abraham’s servant: we are commissioned to bring in the bride of Christ in this communi ty. After some concluding remarks by our pre sent pastor, Richard Klassen, we closed the meeting as we do all our worship services by singing the first verse of “Blest Be the Tie.” We are a church who loves to sing. All of the sessions reflected this. The former members who participated in this way were LaVerne Penner, sisters Marion Gray and Barbara Stobbe, and Denver and Gladys Pen ner. Many of our present members took part as well. A theme was chosen for the weekend

Calgary church picnic.

NEW SUNDAY SCHOOL YEAR BEGUN Calgary, Alta.: Where has the summer gone? Once again the annual Sunday school picnic has become history. August 24 was the big day for the Sunday school students. The promotion was formally taken care of during the early part of the worship service and the picnic began immediately thereafter at Edworthy Park. The teachers were first of all called to the

OCTOBER 3, 1986

- “To God Be the Glory.” To commemorate our 25 years our church body initiated a few other special projects. We installed new pews and a new pulpit. They are a big improvement over the previous ones and we have been enjoying them for a few weeks already. We also had church directories printed this spring. They arrived just in time for our celebration. We are thankful for the last 25 years at Heron. Pray with that the Lord will use us even much more in the next 25 years to reach our community. front of the church and introduced to the con gregation. Then the teachers in turn called their new students forward, beginning with the toddlers’ class. This made for an unbelievably large group. It was exciting to think that all those young people would be instructed in the way they should go. What a thrilling task for a Sunday school teacher to undertake! Pastor David Thiessen followed with the message, “A Matter of Seeking God and Working Hard,” taken from 11 Chronicles 31:20,21. Note that Hezekiah sought God first, then worked hard. Both are equally essential for a pleasing result, but they must be in the cor rect order. Both parents and Sunday school teachers can apply this practically. The picnic lunch was provided by the church. A collection to help defray costs was taken at the park. A wiener roast with watermelon and rollkuchen for dessert was eagerly devoured, rollkuchen recipes being compared and swapped in the meantime. Several relays suitable for the whole fami ly’s participation were enjoyed thoroughly, although a freak mishap during the wheelbar row relay left John Dueck with a broken col larbone. We wish him a speedy recovery. Races according to age were then organiz ed with prizes waiting for the first, second and third place winners. After these were com pleted the men organized a football game while the women enjoyed a good visit. So ended the Sunday school picnic 1986 and so began another year of Sunday school. We want to support our new teachers and staff and thank them in advance for all the work and preparation they will be doing this coming Sunday school year. We thank them also for the witness and example they will be to our young people who will be watching. Missionary conferences seem to be fall events in most churches; ours is no exception. Planned activities were scheduled for September 13-15, but we were fortunate to enjoy the company of the visiting missionaries from Thursday to Tuesday. Saturday morning the men devoured a breakfast feast at Phil’s Restaurant and listened to sharing on a personal level by Paul Thiessen and Fred Buhler. Saturday after noon the ladies of the church could be found enjoying warm hospitality at the home of San dra Friesen while hearing about some of Erna Plett’s personal experiences in Paraguay.

Cathy Thiessen also shared about praying specifically for missionaries - what and how to pray for them. The young people met Saturday evening for a games night. There they had a chance to meet and get to know Marvin Thiessen. He also spoke to the young people. Sunday morning’s Sunday school classes each had the priviledge of hosting one of the visiting missionaries and being informed by them of the work in his or her particular field. The worship service drew our attention to what the Lord is doing through Fred and Irene Buhler in Paraguay, via a slide presentation. Marvin Thiessen served as our guest speaker for the conference. His morning message elaborated on three questions which God asks of mankind: 1) Where are you? (Gen. 3:9). 2) Where is your brother? (Gen. 4:9). 3) What is in your hand? (Ex. 4:2). We are to be faithful to God in using whatever he has given us. Sunday afternoon Paul Thiessen shared with us some aspects of the work he and his wife Lois are involved in in Burkina Faso. Again we were given a firsthand view of things through slides. Marvin Thiessen openly shared with us some difficulties and problems missionaries face on the field and when they

Cant'd on page 15

Director of Care The Menno Home of Saskatch ewan, a 43-bed Special Care Home for Mentally Handicapped Adults located in Waldheim, Saskatachewan, is currently accepting applica tions for the positon of Director of Care/RN. For further information and/or ap plication form contact

Mr. Ross Shantz Chairman of The Board Box 58 Guernsey, Saskatchewan SOK two Applications will be accepted un til October 11/86

PAGE 11

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-'i-'

Baptism at the Pansy church. Front (left to right): Irene Hiebert, Alvina Wiebe, Steven Funk, Dale Penner, Doris Penner, Allan Penner, Randy Neufeld. Back: Pastor Leonard Barkman, Assistant Pastor Dennis Friesen.

RALLY HELD FOR CHILDREN

Pansy, Man.: April 6 was the alwaysmemorable baptism day for seven teens and adults. The special morning service was at tended by loved ones from far and near, who gathered to celebrate this step of obedience and pray for the Lord’s continued guidance in the life of each candidate. July 22-24 the church held its rally for children, during the evening hours. Many young people and adults participated, and some 65 children attended. The lively pro gram of singing, Bible lessons and related ac tivities, crafts, and sports kept everyone busy and happy. The wind-up hour at the end.

with its open invitation to parents, was uni que, as after a mini-program everyone par ticipated in a night snack on the church lawn. The annual Sunday school and church pic nic this year was held on August 17, at the Friedensfeld Park. The all-day event includ ed specials such as an outdoor service, a barbecue dinner, family games, baseball, etc. Good attendance, good participation and good weather added up to a near perfect day. One special tribute belongs to Rick Reimer of Steinbach for doing a very vital part of the ser vice. Thank you.

AUGUST IN PRAIRIE ROSE Prairie Rose, Man.: When a career mis and Mrs. Waldo Neufeld. sionary is home on furlough a farewell is All in all, the evening wasn’t in a too ter destined to take place. However, our church ribly sorrowful mood. Yes, Evelyn wouldn’t found itself “losing” two ministers and a be back in our midst for about four years, but seasoned missionary, all in the span of one the whitening harvest fields in Mali, Africa month. Wow! Well, a respectable, loving were calling their schoolmistress back. Ron farewell at least was in order, and that is ex Penners, at best, could be back in the harness actly what happened at the church the even in two years, after their return from studies ing of August 7. Numerous people had in Harrisonburg, Virginia at the Eastern Mengathered at the church to bid adieu to Evelyn nonite Seminary. (They didn’t even sell their Barkman, Mr. and Mrs. Ron Penner and Mr. farm.) Waldo Neufelds, sadly, were leaving

Eleanor and Waldo Neufeld and Jonathon. PAGE 12

Evelyn Barkman.

for good; a responsible MCC assignment was beckoning them to the beautiful province of British Columbia. They have sold their pro perty and whatever wasn’t taken along in an eighteen-wheeler was disposed of by way of an auction sale. Well wishes were extended from three distinct church groups - the sewing circle, the ministerial, and the missions committee. Of course, many more farewells and embraces were given downstairs while enjoying coffee with refreshments. Evelyn Barkman with gratitude received a generous offering of the evening, with the assurance that her addi tional monthly support was in. Waldo Neufeld graciously accepted a beautiful glass-domed clock from the ministerial for their dedicated commitment to the church for almost seven years. Oh, dear, before the month of August was over, another two workers (short-term mis sionaries) had left their loved ones, and the fair province of Manitoba for the far country, and one labourer joyously returned home. Kaylene Plett and Cheryl Termeer both left for a two-year term with Janz Team Ministries in Germany, and dedicated Tim Hiebert returned after a one-year span of learning and serving with Operation Mobilization in Austria.

Frank Tillapaugh Seminar and Retreat Pastors and Church Staff Seminar Dates: November 13 & 14 Place: Grant Memorial Baptist Church Winnipeg, MB Speaker: Frank Tillapaugh Theme: “Unleashing the Church” Adult Bible Retreat Dates: November 14-16 Place: Camp Arnes Speaker: Frank Tillapaugh Theme: “Unleashing Your Personal Potential”

(204)338-4647 for reservations

Ron and Ruth Penner. THE MESSENGER

Births

♦

FRIESEN — to Harold and Cheryl Friesen of Maryfield, Sask., a daughter, Darlene Roxanne, on August 9, 1986. BARKMAN — to Walter and Dianna Barkman of Pansy Chapel, Pansy, Man., a daughter, Ashley Francine, on January 23, 1986. FAST — to Don and Emily Fast of Blumenort, Man., a son, Michael Adam, on July 16, 1986. FAST — to Harold and Alfrieda Fast of Pakistan, a daughter, Mary Jane, on July 14, 1986. REIMER — to Ken and Geralyn Reimer of Blumenort, Man., a daughter, Jayne Marie Anne, on August 16, 1986. HILDEBRAND - to Roy and Lynn Hildebrand of Landmark, Man., a chosen daughter, Katharina Julaine, on May 4, 1986. PLETT — to Brian and Terry Plett of Landmark, Man., a daughter, April Dawn, on September 10, 1986. KOOP — to Tom and Pat Koop of Berens River, Man., a daughter, Karalee, on June 25, 1986. REIMER — to Howard and Claudette Reimer of Landmark, Man., a son, Derek Scott, on July 6, 1986. ___ and __________ __________ PLETT — to_ Murray Lorrcne_Plett of Landmark. Man?? a daughter,"Va’nessa Lynn.’on July 30, 1986. FEHR — to Jake and Joyce Fehr of La Crete, Alta., a son, Joshua Brent, on June 26, 1986. KOOP — to Charles and Lorraine Koop of La Crete, Alta., a son, Leon Patrick, on August 22, 1986. WIELER — to John and Joyce Wieler of La Crete, Alta., a daughter, Michelle Lynn, on August 12, 1986. BRAUN — to Earl and Dorothy Braun of Rosenort, Man., a daughter, Heidi Rae, on July 28, 1986. DUECK — to Elmer and Christal Dueck of Rosenort, Man., a chosen son, Jonathan Mark, on August 1, 1986. HEINRICHS — to Jim and Marj Heinrichs of Rosenort, Man., a son, William Sydney, on August 10, 1986. KONOWALCHUK - to John and Pat Konowalchuk of Lorette, Man., a son, Larry An drew James, on September 23, 1986. HILDEBRAND — to Louis and Brigitte Hildebrand of Landmark, Man., a daughter. Laura Aimee, on September 24, 1986.

Weddings 7

REIMER-HIEBERT: Kent, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ben A. Reimer of Blumenort, Man., and Charlene, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Erwin Hiebert of New Bothwell, Man., were married on August 30, 1986 at the Blumenort E. M. Church, with C. G. Peters of New Bothwell officiating. The couple is making their home in Steinbach. BRANDT-PLETT: Steve, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Brandt of Blumenort, Man., was married on September 6, 1986 to Betsy, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Plett of Riverton, Man. The wedding took place at the Blumenort E. M. Church, with Gerry Doerksen of Blumenort officiating. The cou ple is making their home in Blumenort. OCTOBER 3, 1986

EMC Nurses’ Fellowship Date: November 7, 1986 Place: Prairie Rose E.M. Church, Landmark, Man. Time: 8:00 p.m. Panel discussion: “Relating to Demanding Patients” All nurses, aides and home care workers are welcome. DYCK-FROESE: David, son of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Dyck of La Crete, Alta., and Mary, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Simon Froese of Buffalo Head Prairie, Alta., were married on July 26, 1986. The weddijS took place at the La Crete ChristianJ^lowship with Charles Koop of La Crete officiating. The cou ple is making their home in High Level, Alta. BOEHLIG-LOEWEN: George, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Boehlig of La Crete, Alta., was married to Frieda, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Loewen of La Crete. The wedding took place on August 9, 1986 at the La Crete Christian Fellowship with Charles Koop of La Crete officiating. The couple is residing in La Crete. FROESE-HARDER: Henry, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jake Froese of Buffalo Head Prairie, Alta., and Mar‘ha, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Harder of La Crete, Alta., were married at the La Crete Chris tian Fellowship on August 17, 1986. Charles Koop of La Crete officiated. The couple is making their home in La Crete. REIMER-BEAUDRY: Sydney Daniel, son of Syd and Helen Reimer of Rosenort, Man., and Michelle, daughter of Leo and Lily Beaudry of Ste. Agathe and Winnipeg, Man., were married on February 17, 1986 at Camp Assiniboia. The couple is making their home in Botswana, Africa. HILDEBRAND-DUECK: Mr. Peter Hildebrand of Boissevain, Man., and Mrs. Anne Dueck of Rosenort, Man., were married on August 16, 1986. The wedding took place at the Rosenort Fellowship Chapel with Del Fast of Riverton and Stan Plett of Rosenort officiating. The couple is making their home in Boissevain. REIMER-PLETT: Reg, son of Menno and Marion Reimer, and Valerie, daughter of Stan and Alma Plett, all of Rosenort, Man., were married in Rosenort on August 9, 1986, with Stan Plett of ficiating. The couple is residing in Winnipeg. FRIESEN-FRIESEN: Bob, son of Mrs. Elma Friesen of Rosenort, Man., and Janet, daughter of Benny and Annie Friesen of Rosenort, were married on June 21, 1986. The wedding took place in Rosenort, with Benny Friesen officiating. The cou ple is making their home in Winnipeg.

FERRIER-THIESSEN: William, son of Robert and Helen Ferrier, was married on June 28, 1986 to Gayle Dianne, daughter of John and Gladys Thiessen of Rosenort, Man. The wedding took place in Vancouver, B.C., with Norman Archer of ficiating. The couple is making their home in Bur-

naby, B.C. Correction: TOEWS-FUNK: Brian, son of Gus and Aganetha Toews of Steinbach, Man., and Debbie, daughter of Henry and Alvera Funk of Steinbach, were married on August 23, 1986. The wedding took place at the EMB Church in Steinbach, with Glen Krentz of Calgary, Alta, officiating. The cou ple is making their home in Steinbach. DUECK-LOEWEN: John, son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Loewen of Belize, C.A., and Roselyn, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Loewen of Fisher Branch, Man., were married on August 9, 1986. The wedding took place at the Morweena E.M. Church, with Glenn Plett of Arborg, Man. of ficiating. The couple is making their home in Ar borg, Man. PLETT—SHAW: Michael, son of Henry and Helen Plett of Calgary, Alta., was married to Carrie, daughter of Wilfred and Rita Shaw of Calgary, Alta., on July 26, 1986. The wedding took place at the Falconridge Full Gospel Church in Calgary, with Robert Smith of the West Calgary Full Gospel Church officiating. The couple is making their home in Calgary. CAMERON—GALLANT: Donald, son of Helen Cameron of Calgary, Alta., and Sandi, daughter of Kaz Gallant of Calgary and Rose Marshall of Win nipeg, Man., were married at the Nazarene Church in Calgary on June 28, 1986. David Thiessen of Calgary officiated. The couple is making their home in Calgary. LAMBRECHT—FRIESEN: Kenneth James, son of Mel and Betty Lambrecht of Calgary, Alta., and Sharon Elizabeth, daughter of Herman and Betty Friesen of Winnipeg, Man., were married on August 30, 1986. The wedding took place at the Braeside EMC, with John Stoesz of Winnipeg, Man. of ficiating. The couple is residing in Morden, Man.

Administrative Position Applications are now being accepted for the position of administrator of a 60-bed personal care home, plus a complex of 4 senior citizen self-contained housing units (78 suites). Duties to start January 1, 1987.

Qualifications: Must have accounting exp., i.e., budgets, payroll, accounts payable, purchasing and monthly financial statements. Health care exp. an asset. Send or bring in resume to Rest Haven Nursing Home Box 1029 - 185 Friesen Ave. W. Steinbach, Man. ROA 2A0

PAGE 13

IN MEMORY OF PETER UNGER, MY GRANDFATHER Grandpa was born on August 13, 1906 and lived to be almost 80 years of age. On Friday night. August 1, 1986, he passed away in his room at the Concordia Hospital, just minutes before 7:00 p.m. Grandma was with him, at his bedside, along with their children, my mom and dad. My Uncle Ray would also have been there but his plane landed shortly after Grandpa went home. As he walked into the terminal my sister greeted him, saying he had missed Grandpa by one hour, that he was gone, and that she thought he might have passed Grandpa on the way down. Nobody could have put this better; it described Uncle Ray's feelings completely. Together they stood and cried a little, then went to the hospital to see Grandpa’s body. As a boy. Grandpa grew up on a farm at Blumenhof, Man. with his mother and father, eight sisters and two brothers. They were a God-fearing family, full of both kindness and love. In 1929, when Grandpa was a young man, 23 years of age, he took Maria Reimer, my grandmother, a very special lady, to be his wife and lifelong companion. Together they moved to their new home in Blumenhof, where they enjoyed generous fellowship among family, relatives and friends. These were years full of goodness and life, times that will never be forgotten, experiences and pleasures which are often reminisced by my dad, my uncles, and my Auntie Orla. Those were wonderful years that were never expected, really, to come to an end. In 1952 Grandma and Grandpa moved to Winnipeg where they have lived until now, sharing many years full of joy, peace and that abundant life. I remember my Grandpa as a kind and loving person with an eternally warm smile. He was a man of few words, carefully chosen words, and full of grace, love and truth, important words meet for any man’s hearing. Grandpa also liked to work with wood, taking a special pleasure in making toys for his children and grandchildren, fun toys PAGE 14

whose craftmanship exemplified his love and concern for us all. He also enjoyed reading, not just as a pastime, but more importantly as a search for knowledge, especially from the Bible, God's holy Word. He considered God’s Word to be more valuable than gold. It was his earnest wish and prayer that his entire family would understand and accept the promises of God the way he had done, having eternal life only by faith in Jesus Christ, and not as a result of works lest any man should boast, so that one day we would all be together in our new, heavenly home. We respect and admire this man - my grandfather. Many people run after fame or riches, power or pleasure, even religion, hoping to find some form of security in this life, and perhaps in the life beyond. But really there is only one foundation upon which a man can build his life with surety and trust - to hear God’s Word and obey it. For this reason I liken Grandpa to the wise man who built his house on a rock, and although the rains descended and the floodwaters rose, his house wouldn’t budge; it stood firm through it all. With his gentle nature he has set a consistently good example for all of us to follow. He was unmoved and rose above the disappointments and the storms of life. Now, on one hand, we are relieved that Grandpa passed away peacefully, without an extended period of suffering. Yet, on the other hand, we are deeply moved because our dear and special friend is not with us any longer. Hopefully we will all see him again one day, but until then we will miss him very much. We remember Grandma as well at this time; her life’s partner has been removed from her side. “Grandma, we pray that the Lord will strengthen your innermost being, and Himself comfort you during these times. The Lord knows our frame. He understands what we are going through, and what we feel in our hearts, and He will also give us the peace and the courage to cany on and live our lives to the full, to the glory of God, the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, even as Grandpa in his own quiet way has done.” Yes, we will miss my grandpa. But I know he would be pleased as I share these words of life with you now: “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord” (II Cor. 5:6). “Jesus said, I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me shall live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die’” (John 11:25, 26). “Jesus said, ‘1 am the way, the truth, and the life, no man comes to the Father but through Me’ ” (John 14:6). “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21). Com fort one another with these words. “See you soon. Grandpa.” Loue,

B^iron

The funeral service for Mr. Unger was held at the Braeside E.M. Church on August 6, 1986. with Pastor John Stoesz officiating. John spoke on Psalm 31:19, “God’s abundant goodness." A group sang two numbers. “I Shall Know My Redeemer" and “Thanks to God." Mr. Unger leaves to mourn his passing, his wife Maria of Winnipeg, son Howard and wife Betty and family of Winnipeg, son Raymond and wife Isabel and family of Toronto, Ontario, son Richard and wife Margaret and family of Kitchener, Ont., and daughter Orla and husband Bob Clandening of Orangeville, Ontario.

rr rjc/

In Memoriam In loving memory of our dear father and grandfather, Peter L. Penner, who passed away November 20, 1985. In tears we saw you sinking. We watched you fade away. You suffered much in silence. You longed to go to your heavenly Home, Your gentle face and patient smile With sadness we recall. You had a kindly word for everyone. And died beloved by all. God saw you getting tired When a cure was not to be. So He put His arms around you. And whispered, “Come to me and rest.” “Blessed are the dead, who die in the Lord, that they may rest from their labours, and their works do follow them” (Rev. 14:13). Lovingly remembered and sadly miss ed by the children, Melinda, Alice and Walter, Wilbert and Helen, Jim and Helen, grandchildren and great grandchildren. THE MESSENGER

NORMAN F. PENNER 1915-1986

Norman Penner was born January 3, 1915 at Landmark, to Peter and Mary Penner. He enjoyed a happy childhood, growing up on the family farm. His adventuresome spirit and great energy found natural outlets on the farm but especially in the woods that dominated the landscape of the Landmark (Prairie Rose, as it was then called) area. Trapping, hunting, exploring and playing, either alone or with his brothers, filled the spare hours of his youth. After the early and sudden death of his father in 1936, Norman and his brother Archie had to assume more responsibilities on the farm. In 1936 he joined his brothers, Abe and Walter, in setting up their first sawmill in eastern Manitoba, beginning a new chapter in his life. To his natural love for the outdoors and woods was added a passion for logging and lumbering. For the next approximately 35 years most winters would find him somewhere in Manitoba sawing lumber. In 1947 the brothers again combined their efforts, this time in a major lumbering operation near Mafeking. During those years significant events also occurred in his personal life. In 1937, at the age of 22, after listening to a message by Ben D. Reimer, he repented of his sin, was converted and made Jesus Christ the Lord of his life. His life changed dramatically and he soon found ways to express his commitment. He supported the efforts of his sister Caroline and brother-in-law Henry S. Reimer in starting a mission north of Landmark on Dawson Road. He also joined his brother Archie and brother-in-law Ben D. Reimer in attending the Winnipeg Bible Institute for one winter in the late thirties. He was baptized and joined the Kleine Gemeinde Church in Prairie Rose, now the Evangelical Mennonite Church of Landmark. On September 15, 1944 he married Gladys Swanson. They built a house and began farming together two miles north of Landmark on land which he himself had cleared. Their early years together were often not easy. Operating a farm in summer and a sawmill in winter meant much hard work, but they persevered, and God’s grace was sufficient to

OCTOBER 3, 1986

meet the challenge. Joy was added to their lives by the birth of two sons, Lloyd in 1946 and Wayne in 1950. In later years a foster daughter, Rollande, came to live with the family. We grew up in a loving and nurturing atmosphere where the Bible, Jesus Christ, and the spreading of God’s Kingdom were normal and natural topics of everyday conversation and activity. Dad and Mom found many practical ways to express their commitment to the Gospel. Perhaps most notable and visible were their efforts, along with Uncle Henry S. Reimer and Aunt Caroline, in starting Sunday schools at Rosewood and Prairie Grove (the latter has since developed into a church). They gave themselves unreservedly to this work for almost twenty years. Dad never saw himself as the ‘up-front,’ visible leader but was happy to work behind the scenes, picking up children, taking attendance, setting up chairs, visiting with the adults and supporting Mom in every way he could. The 1950s also saw Dad and Uncle Walter set up a new lumbering operation at Loon Straits on Lake Winnipeg. Over the years Dad made many friends through his involvements with the ‘bush.’ Anybody who knew him during these years saw a man with an enormous capacity for physical work; very few could keep up with him. About 15 years ago God laid his hands on Dad’s life in several new, unmistakeable ways. The effects were visible immediately and grew in importance as time went by. He began to relax his pace and enjoy everyday life more. He continued to love the outdoors but narrowed his working life to the farm. He gave land and generous financial help to his children and expanded his giving to the needy and missions. Mom and Dad grew ever closer and were inseparable companions. He loved nothing better than going out with Mom for coffee or taking his children and grandchildren out on an excursion or for a meal. We spent many enjoyable days working with Dad on the farm and conversing on topics of mutual concern. Dad was particularly interested in world affairs and how they related to Christians and the church. In recent years he often expressed his concern about the growing militarism and materialism of our age and their effect on the church. He was especially alarmed at the increasing tendency in some circles to minimize the doctrine of non-resistance and separate it from the core of the Gospel. Dad enjoyed being a traditional, selfsufficient farmer, living a simple lifestyle, close to the soil, and eating his food in the most natural form possible. He loved developing practical mechanical inventions and finding creative solutions to everyday farming problems in his own distinctive way. He had special interest in and patience with his grand children and they in turn loved and appreciated him very much. Dad’s greatest concern was for the spiritual welfare of his

family. He lived a vigorous, healthy life till the day of his passing. He spent his last hours with some family members and Mom before passing away suddenly with a heart attack on Monday evening, September 1, 1986. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him. He was predeceased by his sisters, Caroline and Tina, and brother Dave. He leaves to mourn his wife Gladys; two sons, Lloyd of Winnipeg and Wayne of Courtenay, B.C.; foster daughter Rollande of Landmark; ten grandchildren; brothers Abe and Walter of Landmark and Archie of Kola, Man.; two sisters, Ruby of Landmark and Hazel of Edmonton; as well as many nephews, nieces, in-laws and friends. We look forward to a joyous reunion in heaven. Calgary, Alta. Cant’d from page 11

come home. It would be of real value to chur ches to be able to have pertinent information such as this in booklet form to be referred to periodically. The afternoon was a great eyeopener for most of us. After an informal fellowship time over a potluck supper in the cafeteria, the evening session began. Cathy Thiessen showed us, via a slide presentation, how her work in Mexico is growing. Erna Plett’s children’s feature was also slides. Each slide presentation was very well prepared and presented. The evening session zeroed in on Jonah and how we can learn from his mistakes. Deliberate indif ference to the call of God is dangerous. Only total obedience to God’s will can result in total peace of God in our lives. Monday evening (in order to keep the slide screen warm) we viewed the film “The Wait of the World.” Hot off the press, this dramatic new mission film promises to do much more than merely entertain. Highly recommended for any missionary conference, it proved touching and challenging in a delightfully amusing way. Thank you to all the missionaries for com ing, sharing and introducing us to the work and fields assigned to them. May we with renewed vigor be able to sing our theme song. Lord, send me, Here I am, send me, I want to be great/g used of thee. Across the street or across the sea. Here am I, O Lord, send me.

Needed A church-planting pastor to assist a core group in Fort Frances, Ont. to establish an EMC church. Inquiries should be directed to Ben Friesen EMC Office Box 1268 Steinbac, Man. ROA 2A0 Ph. 326-6401

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From the Editor What are our Priorities? WE SOMETIMES talk about the good old days. And so the other morning as we were grappling with restruc turing church guidelines the question came up about the proliferation of meetings. This is a comparatively new innovation. Another person recalled that there was a time when we had had church only every third Sunday and no meetings during the week. Since people from the other two districts were already there on Sunday, brotherhood meetings were on Sunday afternoons. (I’m sure some harried executives would wish those days back.) But the question is, are we really that much more ef ficient with all our meetings than our forefathers were? One meeting, which to my mind should definitely be added to every church setting, is a one-a-week FamilyNight-at-Home meeting. We should do this for many reasons, some of which are the following: 1. Because time flies! As an older person I can talk from experience. Your intentions are good but a multitude of other things claim your time. And where do you place your priorities? By scheduling this time everyone can prepare for it and profit by it. 2. Because a family needs instruction and guidance. There are things which the church can do but there are also things the church cannot do. For instance, the parent can model principles and precepts in a way no pastor or Sunday school teacher or club worker can, simply because the church worker’s input is primarily academic. 3. Because the family needs to also play together. This night (or whatever time is scheduled) is one where you maybe learn to know each other afresh, to ap preciate each other. 4. Because the parents are the primary teachers of their children. One meeting a week should be minimal. (Informally, of course, parents teach all the time by ex ample.) The Bible puts the onus primarily on parents. The Bible does not know of Sunday School or clubs or CYF, etc., etc. Having said that, your next question might be, “But what about program material?” Here there is good news too. Another church Conference, maybe an ticipating exactly that, has come up with ideas in a book called, of all things. Family Night at Home. The book has four main sections: 1) The Family, 2) Myself, 3) Beyond Family. The fourth is devoted to denominational History, Missions and Services. The book. The Enrichment of Family Life Through the Church (Charles M. Sell, Zondervan), has one chapter entitled “Programs of Family Nurture.” The PAGE 16

chapter explores “programs devised for Christian educa tion in the home ...” It talks about “Preparing Parents for Informal Teaching,” as well as “Family Nights.” If you need further help this book alone has more than six pages of selected bibliography with as many as 24 selections on one page! Parents and Teenagers (Victor Books, Wheaton, Ill.) is a massive volume of 693 pages. This book, although not programmed as a how-to manual, would, never theless, give guidance on how to handle subjects that could come up at family night functions. The handy thing about this book is that it has an alphabetical sub ject index for easy reference. However, having said all this, no family-night-athome effort will work unless it is scheduled into the church’s life just as any other function. Sell puts it well when he says, “The family-night approach seems doom ed to failure unless it is given priority and is integrated into the total life of the church.” A church might maintain that they cannot afford to set aside a whole evening to the family. I say the church cannot afford not to do it. Having said this, the next step for the church is to help families set this up. This could be done in various ways. 1) It could be helpful in curriculum selection. 2) It could send people to help the family to set up a “Family-Night-at-Home evening. 3) It could offer a course on Family-Night-at-Home to parents. I feel unless a thing like this is programmed and scheduled, Family-Night-at-Home will never happen, simply because there are too many programs making claims on you and your children. Among them are good programs and those which may be neutral plus those that are absolutely harmful. Gordon Dalby in an article in the Evangelical Beacon on the characteristics of a strong family makes the following observation which enforces what I say above: “In this era of fast food and so many activities, are we willing to schedule time with the family together, and to make that time a deliberate and intentional part of our own life? Each person running off on his or her own way does not make a family. In our too-busy lives, we sometimes forget that the simple act of spending time together is essential to the bond of love; even the most powerful glue needs some time to set.” Time is precious. We need to redeem it, also in rela tion to our children. If Paul, of his time, said, “The days are evil,” how much more now! D.S.

THE MESSENGER