The Messenger March 21, 1986

The Messenger VDl ?4 VOL. 24

CVAMf5PI I PA I MPMWDMITF EVANGELICAL MENNONITE P.DNFFRFKIPF CONFERENCE

MAR. 21/86

ND NO. fi6

IT MUST HAVE SEEMED SO STRANGE It must have seemed so strange to Him (■

To lay His glory down; For long before the worlds were made His head had worn a crown.

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The morning stars had sung for Him, Till all the heavenly space Was filled with ringing praises of His majesty and grace.

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His throne, the throne of the Most High, With gold and gems was bright; There thronging angels worshipped Him And served Him day and night.

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And now upon this earth, whose first Foundations He had laid. His weary feet were cut and bruised By stones which He had made.

The sun which He had hung on high Beat down upon His head. He must have watched the stars at night. The sunsets glowing red.

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Where He had walked once on a time In glory never dreamed, And then, remembering, how strange. How strange earth must have seemed!

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And it will seem as strange to us. Yet sweet beyond compare. To quit earth’s dusty roads, and walk With Him in glory there! Martha Snell Nicholson

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The resurrection of Christ introduces a new humani­ ty, a life beyond the power of death, beyond the limita­ tions of the natural order, and free in the realm of the Spirit.

Walking in the Resurrection by Myron Augsburger

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he risen Christ expresses in His per­ son the character of humanity that will make up His eternal order. John Calvin spoke of the ascension of Christ as His tak­ ing humanity to heaven as the guarantee that we can be there someday. The resur­ rection of Christ introduces a new humani­ ty, a life beyond the power of death, beyond the limitations of the natural order, and free in the realm of the Spirit. The risen Lord expresses the meaning of love beyond the pain of suffering, of peace beyond the pleasures of life, and of fellowship in the Spirit beyond the securities of material things. Jesus calls us to share the quality of this new life now, as we see it in Him, for He already introduces us to the new order. On February 24, 1527, the Swiss Brethren, or Anabaptists, as they were called, held a synod at Schleitheim near the Swiss-German border. This gathering of Christian disciples prayed and fellowshiped together until a great sense of the unity of the Spirit was impressed upon them. In the articles of faith which they adopted ap­ pears a unique phrase, rarely found in con­ fessional statements. They spoke of those who desire “to walk in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” This phrase is almost presumptuous, except that it appears in the context of an experience with Christ, of repentance, of forgiveness, of assurance of salvation, of identifying with Christ in His death and resurrection. The concept is PAGE 2

To walk in the resurrection is to walk in relationship to the finished or complete expression of the will of God made known by Jesus. grounded in Paul’s words, “For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his” (Romans 6:5; see also Colossians 3:1). To share “in a resurrection like his” — what a fantastic calling, what a momentous relationship! This expression refers to the reality of a changed life, an expression of transforming grace. Paul expressed his great life-passion in the words, “That I may know him and the power of his resur­ rection” (Philippians 3:10). To live in the resurrection is to know in my life the power of the risen Christ, freedom from the death-dealing tendency to sin, fellowship that knows the openness of interchange with the Father, and fullness of life which has the quality of the eternal. Are these mere words, or is this not the very dynamic of identifying with Jesus as Lord, of being a member of His kingdom now, of being “partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4)?

Walking in the resurrection is what Sorek Kierkegaard called “contemporanei­ ty” with Christ. Not only does the resur­ rection mean that Jesus Christ is my con­ temporary, it means that I can associate with Him now, be involved personally with Him, and share contemporaneity with Him. Just prior to His death on the cross, Jesus gave the disciples some of His most profound teaching regarding their future relationship with Him. (See John 14 to 17.) Jesus pointed the disciples beyond His death to another relationship which they at that time did not understand, a relation.ship with a risen Jesus uniting them with the Father and the Holy Spirit. John 15 is a unique expression of what it means to abide in Christ, to live and walk in the resurrection. Christ’s resurrection took Him from the material world to the realm of the Spirit. Of this Jesus had said, “It is to your ad­ vantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you” (John 16:7). In going away Jesus helped free His followers from the tendency to localize God. He also introduced them to the spirit realm in a manner which was still personal and person-centered. The Father and the Spirit are both spoken of by Jesus as per­ sons. Our relation to the spirit-realm is not impersonal but to a Father and the Spirit we have come to know in Jesus Christ. THE MESSENGER

In John 14:18-20 Jesus said, “I will not leave you desolate; I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world will see me no more, but you will see me; because I live. you will live also. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.” Jesus was speaking of His relation as risen Lord to His followers. To share with Him is to share a direct relationship with the Father, a fellowship of belonging and of purpose. Jesus said, “If a man loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him” (John 14:23). It is strange that people ask God for guidance when they will not obey His commands. The reconciled life is an obedient life, a life of love. This unity with the Father has its classic

Jesus affirms in John 14:12 that the works of His followers will extend far beyond His own because He goes to the Father and opens the way for God’s purpose to be extended to all. He introduces a new level of prayer, that we may ask anything consistent with His name and He will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (See John 14:13). In John 15:16 He repeats this promise in relation to the fruits our lives will bear as we abide in Him. Again in John 16:23, 24, the promise is stated as a new level of prayer, opened by His death on the cross and His resurrection, with the key to effective prayer always tied to asking in harmony with His name. --------------------------------------------------------

expression in the prayer of our Lord in

Walking in the reSUrrection is

John 17. (See especially verses 16-23.) Here Jesus prays that His disciples may be one in the same way that He and the Father are one. This unity of Christians comes about by Christ being in us as freely as He is in the Father and the Father in Him. This is not a unity that can be structured or imposed by human organization; it is a unity that is given to us in grace. Only as we share the life of Christ, as we walk in the resurrection, do we know the unity given by Christ. And this gift of grace is always happening. Where people get together who are sharing the resurrection life, they experience the freedom and joy of His fellowship. The Emmaus Road experience happens again. The key to this experience is found in Jesus’ emphasis in John 15 on our abiding in Him. In the picture of the vine and the branches Jesus is teaching the resurrection life. “I am the vine.” These words place the source of life in Christ. “You are the branches.” These words express our dependence upon the vine for life. How is this abiding more than a mystical frame of mind? How is it an actual relationship? Jesus answers that it is by love and obe­ dience. (See John 15:7-15.) By the power of love we experience the lordship of Christ. By obedience to His Word we ex­ perience the lordship of Christ. To walk in the resurrection is to walk in relationship to the finished or completed expression of the will of God made known by Jesus. John tells us that one who says he is a Christian should live in the same way Jesus lived. (See I John 2:6). Such a relationship results in commu­ nion, for fellowship grows out of participa­ tion together. This is what prayer is all about — fellowship with God. 'The risen Christ, at God’s right hand, is our representative with the Father before the hosts of heaven. He is our High Priest. In Him every believer exercises the priesthood of ministering before the Lord in praise and thanks, prayer and reverence.

walkinn in thp Snirit waiKing in me opiril, expressing the fruit of the

MARCH 21, 1986

Spirit, serving in the power and with the gifts and enrichment of the Spirit. There is no real prayer for the disciple other than post-resurrection prayer (prayer which is in relation to the risen Christ), And how do we pray in His name? Just as He demonstrated in His prayer in John 17. He prayed in the name of the Father, in harmony with that which would glorify the Father, no matter what it cost Himself, This is the deepest level of prayer. Significantly, Jesus’ greatest teaching on the Holy Spirit is in this same section of John’s gospel. The experience of the Holy Spirit is directly related to our association with the risen Christ. Possibly one reason the knowledge of the Holy Spirit is so limited among many Christians is that they

do not think in terms of relating to the risen Christ today. When we know the meaning of sharing with the risen Christ we are operating in the realm of the Spirit. Jesus said in John 14:16,17 that in His go­ ing away the Holy Spirit would come to us. He promised to send the Holy Spirit from the Father, and that the Spirit would bear witness of Christ. (See John 15:26,27.) In chapter 16 He relates what the Holy Spirit will do in the life of the disciple. First, He will convict the world of sin by magnifying Christ in us, of righteousness by expressing right relation with God in our lives, and of judgment by demonstrating in our lives that Satan is already judged and defeated (verses 7-11). Second, the Spirit will enrich our lives as disciples by giving us insight into truth, by bringing to us confirmation of the Word of Christ, and by glorifying Christ in our lives (verses 12-15). This passage is a classic ex­ pression of the work of the Spirit in the life of the disciple. To walk in the resurrection is to walk in the Spirit. Jesus, the only One who baptizes with the Spirit, gives His Spirit to us when we confess Him as Lord. The presence of the Spirit is the confirmation of Christ’s lordship. As we are led of the Spirit, we are abiding in Christ. The disciple knows the reality of the indwelling Spirit and daily we open our lives to be filled with the Ho­ ly Spirit. We should acknowledge His presence each day, practicing the presence of the Spirit. I am often away from home in meetings and I may be on the other side of the world from my wife, but I am never outside the awareness that I belong to Esther and Esther belongs to me! So it is with life in the Spirit. As disciples we are never out­ side the awareness that we belong to Him and that He belongs to us and with us. The Spirit-filled life is the life that is possess­ ed, led, and controlled by the Spirit. On our part this means yieldedness and obedience. Walking in the resurrection is walking in the Spirit, expressing the fruit of the Spirit, serving in the power and with the gifts and enrichment of the Spirit. A Christ-centered faith is incomplete apart from this dimension of relationship with the risen Christ. As contemporaries of Christ we can literally accept His words, “Lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age” (Matthew 28:20). When David Livingstone’s wife died in Africa, he helped make the coffin, prepare her body for burial, read the words of faith at her funeral, and helped lower her body into the grave and cover it with earth. 'Then tak­ ing his New Testament he read: “Lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age,” and turning to his faithful helpers he said, “Jesus Christ is too much of a gentleman not to keep His word. Let’s go on with the task.” ■

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My

Substitute

“For myself!” I tossed back with a smug feeling of satisfaction, pleased once again to have a teaching position of my own after having merely substituted periodically. When you stop to think about it, the very idea of substitution carries with it stigma that does nothing for the ego. It implies that a person of superior capabilities and/or qualifications ac­ tually should be on the job, but since some circumstance prevents this, a lesser individual takes his place as best he can.

There is One Who became my substitute, but not as an inferior for a superior. No, rather the sinless One I became the substitute for the sinful one.

by L. Marie Enns

“HI! AND WHOM are you in for to­ day?” rang out the cheery voice of one of my colleagues as I hurried down the hall. PAGE 4

Many times and in various ways I find myself playing the unglamorous role of a substitute. When the Women’s Retreat “chairman” was unable to attend, I was asked to take her place. When those planning a graduation banquet couldn’t get the soloist they really wanted, they called on me. When there is absolutely no pianist available, I even take on the piano. This is always a breath-taking experience, since I cannot predict which wrong keys which fingers will hit when! Years ago, when we lived near a mission, 1 substituted as dormitory supervisor, cook, washer-woman, and teacher by turns. As a wife, 1 am the actual substitute for the ideal one my husband dreamed 1 would be. As a mother, I am a substitute for the perfect model whose virtues we hear extolled annually on Mother’s Day! Even as a regular teacher, 1 am still substituting for a superior one who is not available. Wouldn’t it be great to really be someone in your own right, to be able to feel important because of who you are, of what position you hold, or because of excellent performance in your field? Or what is the measure of human worth?

Let me stop and ponder . . . There is One Who became my substitute, but not as an inferior for a superior. No, rather, the sinless One became the substitute for the sinful one. What extraordinary substitution is this? “The just for the unjust” (1 Peter 3:18) “bare our sins in His own body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:24). He “Who knew no sin” was made “to be sin for us . . . that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him” (II Cor. 5:21). Not only did He take away my shame and guilt; He also of­ fers to produce in me the attributes of His own goodness! Why should the great Creator stoop low enough to be my Saviour? Why should He bear the sin, the blame, and the punishment that was mine? And why should He patiently, despite my stubbornness and waywardness, seek to implant in me the virtues which are really His? Never can I fathom the depth of His suffering, nor the depth of His love which made Him willing to bear it, nor the depth of His loving kindness as He leads me gently through life! What of position, achievement, fame, or ex­ cellence? My self-worth is found in none of these. It is found only in the humbling knowledge that Christ lov­ ed me enough to die for me and to live in me. But what is this? “As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you” (John 20:21). “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel” (Mark 16:15). “We are ambassadors for Christ as though God did beseech you by us; we pray you in Christ’s stead, ‘be ye reconciled to God’” (II Cor. 5:20). Can it be? Now my Lord asks me to be His substitute! What greater privilege could there be than to work as a substitute for my Savior, the “King of kings and Lord of Lords” (Rev. 19:15)! But isn’t that a rather big order? Yes, but “it is God that worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Phil. 2:13). His “strength is made perfect in weakness” (II Cor. 12:9) and His promise is, “Lo, I am with you always” (Matt. 28:20)1

He took my place on Calvary’s tree. From sin and guilt He set me free; He gave me joy and liberty. Now 1 His substitute shall be That He may love the world through me. ■ THE MESSENGER

Letters Truth Everybody would probably apologize and say he did not know all the truth. This is in order, but some do put it very vaguely, as if there are four or five different ways to inter­ pret the Scripture and they, nevertheless, are all right. Does Scripture teach us to have this attitude? (I Cor. 1:12, Matthew 18:19). Some quote 1 Cor. 12:8-10. Others say, 'Look here, I drive a Ford and you drive a Chev, the next one either a VW, Toyota or a Dodge.’ The next one comes up and says, 'Hey, look, there are at least five different col­ ours of suits men wear, so naturally all this is proof that there are many ways to interpret the Scripture.’ Are we still on a milk diet and not able to digest strong food? Let’s for a few minutes imagine that Eaton’s wants a store built. Tenders are called for and North Pine Construction gets the contract to build a five-story 1000x1000 store. They then hire five different sub-contractors. The first one digs and pours the 1000x1000 basement. Next the carpenter comes along, scratches his head, since he does not know immediately how he’ll solve the problem. 1000x1000 is really far too big for Eaton’s; they’ll never be able to utilize all the space. Finally he decides he will build the five-story store only 900x900 and use the extra space around the building for show windows, which Eaton’s will, no doubt, think a very brilliant idea. The next job is for the electrician. He wonders if he might be able to get away with wiring only four levels. This would save him quite a bit of money and also it would be finished a lot sooner, which would be to Eaton’s advantage. Now it’s the plumber’s turn. He misread the blueprint and therefore only ordered enough plumbing material for three floors. He felt bad about it for a while, but after seeing the electrician’s work a voice said to him, 'Don’t worry, nobody will ever notice. Just do the job very conscientiously.’ Last of all the finish carpenter gets his chance to show his skill. He uses the most modern techniques available and does everything differently from what the blueprints call for. He uses plaster board instead of plywood, red paint instead of blue, etc. Is this the way the Lord wants his church built? An evangelist will be more concerned

about evangelizing than a teacher, but does this give him any excuse to think differently on issues, like divorce, than the teacher does? Are there five ways to handle divorce or is it either right or wrong? What about abortion, tobacco, etc.? MCC has a man in Ottawa. How much time and money must be spent to let the world know that sin is sin? Will the world around us get a clear understanding about sin if our churches have disunity and divisions instead of being perfectly united in our common understanding and opinions and judgements? (I Cor. 1:10). Satan would like it if he could neutralize the church so it had no power left. If our forefathers had been neutral, they would have lost their power and could have avoided persecution. Let us always be will­ ing to have that unified voice. Only then can we be salt. H. R. Reimer Box 398 Riverton. Man.

Church and State Re Personal Concern column, February 21. 1986. While in agreement with the writer that there is far too much clamour over rights these days, I feel we need to recognize the difference between the rights which are Godgiven and those that we have merely created for ourselves and that have no foundation in Scripture. That is the reason for the conflict and the bondage that he talks about. But when our constitutionalized rights and laws are based upon God’s absolute laws then it is possible to have freedom without chaos, Separation of church and state does not mean separation of the state from God nor does it mean that there should be no interaction between the church and the state. God has established both institutions to rule society, the church to rule over believers, and the state over both believers and unbelievers, Compare Matthew 16:18 with Romans 13:1-7. God has given authority to each. Linder the concept that the state is secular there can be no appeal except to the state and its officials. There can be no appeal to the Creator as the Americans have in their Declaration of Independence. The Creator becomes either subject to the whims of the state or is irrelevant to the basic needs of man. When God gave the negative command. “Thou shalt not kill,” He conferred upon the innocent person the right to life. When He

said, “Thou shalt not steal,” He conferred the right to private property. To show disregard for the rights and safety of others is deliberate maliciousness. What is the Scriptural view of spirituality? Is it something that is separate from the rest of real life? Is it above ordinary things or is it part of the everyday working out of our lives? Is spirituality only religious or does it have to do with truth, daily life and applying Christian principles throughout that life? Where is the dividing line between things that are spiritual and things that are secular? The roots of American Constitutionalism, the concept of government limited by a system of checks and balances, grew out of Reformation Europe, and the philosophical foundation for it was laid by Martin Luther and John Calvin. Like all the Reformers, they stressed that the final authority in all matters was the Bible, God’s Word and Law. While man was to render unto Caesar what was Caesar’s, those things which pertained to God, including the concepts of justice and freedom found in the Bible, constituted the standards by which laws of men might be Cont’d on page 11 CONTRIBUTORS

“Walking in the Resurrection” is reprinted by per­ mission of Herald Press on the book Walking in the Resurrection by Myron Augsburger. Leona Dueck Penner, together with her husband Peter are with MCC Peace and Social Concerns in Winnipeg, Man. They have served with MCC in Swaziland. Africa. L. Marie Enns has contributed before. She lives at La Crete, Alberta. The Ennses attend La Crete Christian Fellowship. Joanne Martens (Kola) is dorm assistant at the Black Forest Academy in Germany. Elmer and Elvira Warkentin (Morris) are serving under SIM In­ ternational in Nigeria, Elmer as personnel ad­ ministrator and Elvira as secretary to the Person­ nel Officer. Sarah Martens (Kola) is involved in teaching in Paraguay. Diedrich and Dora Friesen (Prairie Rose) are involved in chaplaincy work in Manitoba. Dave Dueck (Saskatoon) serves as a chaplain at the Saskatoon Correctional Centre. Viola Giesbrecht (Blumenort) recently began ser­ vice in Paraguay under the EMC Board of Missions. Luella Loewen (Rosenort) is involved in community health and development in Paraguay. Mary Doerksen and her husband Alvin (Blumenort) are in Brazil under the New Tribes Mission. COVER: Luoma Photos. The poem is from “In Heaven’s Gardens” by Martha Snell Nicholson. Copyright 1950 Moody Press. Moody Bible Insitute, Chicago. Used by permission.

THE MESSENGER is the publication of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference. Its purpose is to inform, instruct, and inspire. Inform as to what is going on in the Conference; instruct in Godliness and victorious living; inspire to earnestly contend for the faith. All correspondence should be addressed to the Editor D. K. Schellenberg, Box 1268, Steinbach, Manitoba, ROA 2A0. Letters, articles, art and poetry are welcomed. Views expressed in Letters to the Editor are not necessarily those of the editor nor of the paper. Unpublished articles are not returned except by request. Subscription Members pay through their church. Non-members pay $6.00 per year. Send subscription money to The Messenger, Box 1268, Steinbach, Manitoba, ROA 2A0. THE MESSENGER is published every other week by The Evangelical Mennonite Conference 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.

MARCH 21, 1986

PAGE 5

I was in prison ...

I Transferred to God by Gordon K. Summers The following testimony has been submit­ ted by Daue Dueck, chaplain at the Saska­ toon Correctional Centre. Saskatoon, Sask. Daue writes that since Cordon turned his life ouer to Jesus, he has completed eight sets of correspondence lessons which earned him four certificates and a Bible with his name on it. Brother Dueck and his wife Lydia are under the EMC Board of Missions, living in Saska­ toon. Ed. WHY NOT, I thought to myself, if I kill myself, who would miss me? I have lost everything that ever meant anything to me anyway. Sitting in a cell, a person has a lot of time to think. Why me? What did I do? Suicide, escape - these thoughts have all crossed my mind. You see, I am a criminal, kept in jail to protect society, from me. I started out so well - I worked, I was in love, and even had marriage plans. In 1979 1 spent my 25th birthday in jail, my first time in jail, a three-month sentence. The same thing happened in 1981 and 1984, but with smaller sentences. I, Gordon Karl Summers, am now serving my first sentence of sufficient time to serious­ ly be afraid, a sentence in a federal peniten­ tiary. 1 used to deraud people of their money, wrote bad checks, etc. I quit that business in 1984, though. I settl­ ed down, got engaged to a beautiful woman and have accepted my daughter into my life. In November 1985 my horror started; I was arrested for fraud again. Having a criminal record behind you is a real hindrance to life, so don’t ever get one. I am still in custody. Although these crimes are not mine, because of my past I have to remain here. I lost everything this time; I am a disgrace to society. I may as well be here, I thought. In December 1985 I was going to take my life; I had nothing, no one. I was ashamed and didn’t want to face anyone. In my cell there was a Bible. It was fairly beaten up, though. The first chapter and cover had been burned off, but it was the on­ ly book in my cell. When I was incarcerated in 1984 I read the entire Bible, but it held no meaning for me then. I thought of religion as

Missions PAGE 6

a scheme of some kind. I had a rope in my cell, and was going to hang myself, give the world a break, so to say. Who would miss me anyway? I had a noose made and was going to fasten it to the ceiling and stretch my neck. The girl I loved wouldn’t have anything to do with me, my daughter was upset, so what could I do? I had the rope around my neck, I was crying. That book with the burned cover called me. It said, Read. Think. I got off the chair and opened the book. I didn’t know what to read or where to start. The book opened to Luke

23;29, “One of the criminals ...” I remember it well. That is where I started reading the Bible with meaning. I read and read that book; I couldn’t put it down. It said, “Ask and it shall be given you ...” I asked, my first prayer, and it saved my life. The book gave me the courage to call home to my daughter. She answered the phone, crying. “Daddy, I love you,” she said. My baby! “Don’t hurt yourself and I want you to come home real soon,” she said. We both cried that night on the phone. Someone still loved me. I read the entire Bible again. I have accepted Jesus as my Saviour and received His forgiveness. Now I am loved. And if no one else loves me, “Jesus loves me, this I know.” He told me so. My life is now back on course. Although I am still inside, I have the faith that I can han­ dle it. Thank you. Chaplain Dave Dueck, for helping me understand and accept Jesus in­ to my heart and life. Praise the Lord!

,.. And ye visited me

A Day of Visiting 10:00 a.m. - Country Kitchen - The waitress has just poured my cup of coffee when Pam enters and slides into the booth across the table from me and greets me with a smile and cheery “Good Morning.” Our conversation soon turns to three familiar topics. She talks; 1 listen. In April, Pam will be sentenced for shoplif­ ting. After numerous previous convictions for this same offense, she is facing time in prison, unless . . . Unless she can keep from help­ ing herself to other people’s things between now and then. With her hands and fingers moving as if driven by a force, she says, almost cries, “I hope 1 can keep these hands

We pray together; I give her something to read; and we leave - she to the boredom of life on welfare, alone (her roommate didn’t like her children’s visits so she had to move) and I ... to a life in a community so far removed from Pam’s world. Can God’s love and message of hope cross this gulf? Lunch - Gordon Downtowner. Anne lives with her 15-year-old daughter and her hus­ band’s sons, eight and ten. She married Jack while he was in prison. They continue to live with that separation. Over lunch, Anne talks about her husband, again! Despite my repeated attempts to chat about other things, she keeps coming back to

Within the close confines of the lock-up on the third floor of the Public Safety Building in Winnipeg Jane and I talk . . . from taking things.” Pam has a high regard for her mother and speaks with fondness of her childhood. Her mother had a positive influence on her life. Because of her teachings, Pam knows that prayer is important in life. Finally, her three children - they over­ shadow all other concerns. She sees them on­ ly on weekends, by turns. She is worried. Will they receive any spiritual guidance? Every Sunday she takes one to church. At home they pray together and read together. On Monday they are back with a father who doesn’t seem to care for matters of faith and God.

Jack - how terrible he is, how he lies, how he cannot be trusted, how she was sucked in­ to marrying him. Is there any way to help her feel differently about him? Can I encourage her to have devotions for herself and with her family? Where could she attend church? She seems to appreciate our time of prayer before we leave. After Lunch - Winnipeg Remand Centre. Within the close confines of the lock-up on the 3rd floor of the Public Safety Building in Winnipeg, Jane and talk about her concerns for her daughters. They were taken away from her and her husband by Children’s Aid THE MESSENGER

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Society because Jane says, “We spanked them when they mishaved.” In desperation, when all hope of regaining custody of the girls they loved dearly was gone, Jane and her husband took two social workers hostage. Now they have been sentenced to nine years in prison. That is hard to take for someone who has never been in jail before. “Who will take care of my girls and make sure they get proper treatment? 1 can’t trust Children’s Aid Society. Will you call the agen­ cy occasionally and keep them honest?” Who indeed will care for the girls? Who will care for Jane and her husband? How can they deal with the fact that they may never again sec their daughters, girls they love with all their hearts? Later - Health Sciences Centre, psychiatric ward - My final visit is with Lena. Last fall she was hearing voices that became more and more insistent. Finally she gave in to them and stabbed her baby. Now they arc telling her to kill herself. Although the courts will not proceed with her charges for reasons of insanity, she is overcome with guilt. 1 try to explain God’s forgiveness to her and that she can now leave matters behind her, but Lena is not convinced. “You wouldn’t stab your baby and you would not forget it if you did . . . Dora, will I go to hell if 1 commit suicide? My brother says 1 would go to heaven.” 1 pause, and then respond, “I don’t know if you would go to hell but I do know that God does not want you to kill yourself.” Suddenly her friendly demeanor becomes very agitated. “The devil! He’s in here! Can’t you see him? He’s here! The devil’s here!” 1 sec nothing, but prayerfully rebuke Satan and gradually Lena calms down and we con­ tinue our conversation. As usual, we pray together before 1 leave. What hope is there for Lena? Can God’s forgiveness become real for her? Will people forgive her? Who will love her? Evening - At home -1 make supper for my husband and myself and pray while 1 work for Pam, Ann, Jane and Lena and for others important to me - my aging mother, our children and grandchildren. Then, there arc dishes, laundry and ironing to do. Then maybe some time for quiet reading - “Good Housekeeping,” my Bible, or the Carillon News - and conversation with my husband, Dick. We talk about the work we share in prison, our family, our friends, our holiday plans and other little things that still matter. And still I wonder about the friends 1 have made in prison. May God be near to them.

Mrs. Dora Friesen, as told to Rag Friesen Mrs. Dora Friesen is the wife of Dick Friesen, EMC volunteer chaplain at the Win­ nipeg Remand Center and Stony Mountain Penitentiarg. The Friesens are members of the Landmark EMC and under support of the EMC Board of Missions. MARCH 21, 1986

The young people in chapel at the Tres Palmas youth camp, with Marvin Thiessen speak­ ing to them.

Tres Palmas youth camp. Preparing food.

PARAGUAY

Summer’s Highlight First Youth Camp “A change is as good as a rest!” - from the classroom to the kitchen. In February Tres Palmas ventured out for their first youth camp on the new campground which used to be the school grounds before the water situation hit. The two remaining classrooms were con­ verted into dormitories. The radio house, which was previously used to prepare tapes for ZP-19 in East Paraguay, found its way to the camping grounds as well and had the privilege of shading and sheltering the camp director, Marvin Thiessen. (The camp was sponsored by the Janz Team.) The church building became the chapel where many of

the young people got their perspectives straight as children of the Lord. And one must say that camp without the kitchen and dining area is incomplete. This is where 1, with some others, found myself oc­ cupied from early till late. Here you don’t have to wait long for your reward. It comes three times a day! The campers received a very balanced spiritual diet as well. Some were not used to it and found it hard to digest at the beginning. We trust that this campsite will be mightily used of the Lord in the lives of children, young people and adults as they take time off to spend at the camp. Sarah Martens

PAGE 7

PARAGUAY

I Corinthians 13 - LOVE 1. If I speak with the tongues of the Sanapana and of the Lengua, of the Paraguayan and even of angels (surely this would be English), but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal . . , spreading discord and hurts among those who hear me. 2. And if I have the gift of pro­ phecy . . . and faithfully have my devo­ tions and teach others God’s Word, and know all mysteries and all knowledge . . . and know all about liv­ ing a life of contentment and health, and if I have all faith ... so as to treat the mountains of health problems with con­ fidence, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3. And if 1 give all the medications 1 have to the poor, . . . and visit them on Tuesdays and Thursdays when the clinics are closed, and if I fill in all the monthly reports correctly and hand them in on time, to the extent where I think there is no one who complies with the re­ quirements as well as I do, but do not have love, it profits me nothing. 4. Love is patient . . . with the frustrated mother, who in the past six months has been consistently reminded that her child has not been gaining weight and needs more food. Love is kind . . . with the chief who can tell time, but always manages to arrive after clinic hours. Love is not jealous ... of the nurse who manages to effectively operate a clinic with a very limited variety of medications. Love does not brag . . . doing favours for those who carry responsibilities, are educated, and know how to express ap­ preciation, and never for those who do not understand me or have strange customs or are of a different race. Love is not arrogant . . . acting as if my way of doing things is the best and with this in mind try to manipulate my co­ workers. 5. Love does not act unbecoming­ ly .. . behaving or talking childishly. Love does not seek its own . . . de­ manding my rights, never accepting the blame, and never taking an interest in understanding the situation my neighbour is in. Love is not provoked . . . though the situation I find myself in may not be what I deserve ... it does not take into ac­ count a wrong suffered. 6. Love does not rejoice in unrighteous­ ness, but rejoices with the truth; 7. Love bears all things . . . and is not discouraged, believes all things . . . trust­ ing others as he would wish to be trusted, hopes all things . . . always patiently, PAGE 8

endures all things . . . placing complete trust in God. 8. Love never fails . . . some day nurses and health promoters will stop teaching God's Word and how to live a healthy life. If there are tongues, they will cease . . . this struggle to know a varie­ ty of languages. If there is knowledge, it will be done away ... all the knowledge about health, nutrition, and hygiene will not be needed anymore. 9. For now we know in part, and we pro­ phecy in part; 10. The ‘partial’ will be done away with when the perfect comes . . . who is Jesus Christ. He will give us a new body . . . healthy and perfect, and a heart clean and pure. 11. When I was a child. I used to speak as a child, think as a child, reason as a child: when I became a man, 1 did away with childish things. 12. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I shall know fully just as I also have been fully known by Him who created me. 13. Three things remain: Faith ... in an omnipotent God who will show us the Truth and the Way if we ask Him. Hope . . . that some day He will come for us and take us to be with Him forever. Love . . . that breaks down walls be­ tween human beings and opens the way to God. salvation, and perfect health. But the greatest of these is love. Paraphrased by

Luella Loewen

NIGERIA

Africans with a Vision Africa for Christ The aim of every Mission with a New Testa­ ment mentality is to plant a church with a mis­ sionary vision. It has been a thrill for us to be a part of a church here in Nigeria that has caught a vision of reaching out to the unreach­ ed. Let me share briefly how this vision is materializing: 1) EMS - The Evangelical Missionary Socie­ ty is the missionary arm of ECWA (Evangelical Churches of West Africa - found­ ed by SIM). This organization presently sup­ ports about 560 Nigerian missionaries work­ ing in Nigeria, Ghana, Niger and Chad. It is exciting to hear reports of how these Africans are reaching whole tribes of unreached Africans - Africans crossing cultural barriers and doing cross-cultural church planting. Is it surprising, then, that ECWA churches in Nigeria number about 2000? 2) NEMA - The Nigerian Evangelical Mis­ sionary Association is the result of the

evangelical missionary groups in Nigeria realiz­ ing that they need to unite their forces and together reach out to the many unreached people groups in Nigeria and in neighbour­ ing African countries. This August represen­ tatives from these missionary groups met in Jos for a four-day missionary consulta­ tion at which they planned strategy on how they can best combine forces to get the job done. It was a thrill to be a part of this con­ sultation and observe the faith of our African brethren. They are determined to bring the Gospel to every Nigerian and ultimately to every unreached person. It was touching to hear several speakers allude to the need to reach out to the unevangelized in Europe, North America, and Asia. Will God use Africans to evangelize the unreached in Canada? 3) ASBM - NEMA has begun the establish­ ment of an African School of Bible and Mi­ sions, the first of its kind in Africa. The aim of this school is to train Africans in evangelism and missions, that is, to train potential African missionaries. This is an African project; it will require a tremendous amount of funds. NEMA is proceeding by faith. This school could be one of the most strategic missionary ventures that has ever been launched in Africa. Would you like to be a part of it? Write to me and 1 will be glad to share with you how you can be a part of this. 4) ECWA Pastors Conference 1985 - In Ju­ ly 1985 ECWA invited all of its pastors from throughout Nigeria to attend a Pastors’ Con­ ference in Jos. About 1800 pastors attended this four-day conference at which they were briefed on the latest developments within EC WA and were challenged to be Biblical shepherds of their flocks. ECWA is making efforts to provide training for the pastors of its 2000 -I- churches in Nigeria. That is a mam­ moth task. They need our prayers. How we thank God for allowing us to be a small part of this dynamic group of African believers who are stepping ahead by faith to reach Africa for Christ. Elmer Warkentin “Neighbours” Complete Aid to South Saskatchewan

Organizations in Manitoba and Saskat­ chewan, begun with the help of MCC Canada, have helped as many as 500 southern Saskatchewan farmers - and their livestock - make it through the winter. The help has come in the form of hay, straw, feed grains and cash, given by donors in northern Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Alberta and distributed to farmers in parts of Saskatchewan badly affected by last year’s drought and insect plagues. In all, some 27,000 bushels of feed barley, 1,850 bushels of wheat, 51 tonnes of lentil screenings and thousands of bales of hay and straw were donated through the Saskat­ chewan Farm Neighbours (SFN) group.

THE MESSENGER

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Francisco and Ofelia Cano (deacon couple) were ordained in the Granada church in Nicaragua on June 9,1985. Left to right (standing): Henry Klassen, Mario Zepeda (National Council member), Filadelfo Cuadra (National Council secretary), Jairo Arce (National Council member), Ditra Arce, Ramiro Moreno (National Council treasurer), Harvey Plett. Seated: Fran­ cisco and Ofelia Cano.

Sharon Reimer has been employed as bookkeeper in the Conference Office on a part-time basis. She is responsible for the bookkeeping of the Conference treasury. Sharon and her husband Jones are members of the Ridgewood EMC Church.

Pastor Required

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Ordination in the Morazan church for Jairo and Ditra Arce (deacon couple) on June 9, 1985. Left to right (standing): Henry Klassen, Ramiro Moreno, Fransisco Cano (National Coun­ cil president). Mario Zepeda, Filadelfo Cuadra, Harvey Plett. Seated: Jairo and Ditra Arce.

The EMC church at Hudson Bay, Sask, is looking for a pastor to begin duties in summer. For in­ formation contact Aron Reimer, Board Chairman (306)865-3970, or Edwin Friesen at the Conference Office (204)326-6401.

PARAGUAY

Home Again?

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The Lord Goes Before Me “So, how does it feel to be home again?” This question is fre­ quently asked of me by friends and relatives in Paraguay and also in letters from friends “back home” in Canada. Of course, I know what people mean but no one will ever understand me unless he or she is also a “bi-cultural” person who really feels best or happiest when flying from one country to another and doesn’t really know where “home” is. Coming back to Paraguay after a five-year absence was exciting. Many sights and sounds were so familiar, and yet so strange . . . but I still believe that the land where I was born is beautiful! The people are wonderful as well! It is amazing, though, how much things have changed since 1981. Paraguay is indeed a developing country with many changes for the better. I really value the time I was able to spend with my family in the Chaco over Christmas and in the month of January. Brief visits with other EMC missionaries in East Paraguay and sitting in on one of MARCH 21, 1986

their staff meetings assured me that God is at work in the lives of many people here in Paraguay and that the Good News is being preached by God’s children. Living in a Paraguayan home has awakened in me a deep ap­ preciation for these people. The two Paraguayan ladies I live with right now here in Asuncion, while taking a four-week Spanish refresher course, have helped me greatly in adjusting to city life but more so in learning Spanish. Soon I will have to leave them and head for La Esperanza to begin my work there. Going to La Esperanza will also be something like going home because I spent a number of my childhood years there. It is my desire that I will rapidly adjust to the culture and learn the language of the Indian tribes there. Many of the things I will have to do and cope with are going to be new for me but I can go in confidence, know­ ing that “It is the Lord who goes before me; He will be with me; He will not fail me or forsake me; I need not fear or be dismayed” (Deut. 31:8). Viola Giesbrecht PAGE 9

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Joanne Martens with two Korean boys whose parents are misiionaries in Libya.

Cleaning the dorm van - a regular Saturday job.

Gratis • an unpopular necessary part of dorm life at the Black Forest Academy.

The Maien dorm with the hills of the Black Forest in the background.

GERMANY

What is Our Purpose? Working with Teenagers - a Challenge 1 have been in Germany for two and a half years now, working with young people as dorm assistant at Black Forest Academy. 1 in­ itially came to serve as school nurse but gradually got shifted into the dorm. The Lord patiently and steadily moved me where He wanted me, and as He did so, taught me some valuable lessons. Just recently at our dorm staff meeting we were challenged to think about our purpose in being here. Are we as dorm assistants here only to cook, do laundry, drive the students to school functions and act as supervisors to make sure they do their gratises properly? If this is all, then we may as well be back in North America. As we discussed our roles in the dorms we came to the conclusion that we are first of all disciplers. We are here at BFA to be examples and encouragers to the students so they they will leave from here as strong and mature Christians, ready to face the challenges they will meet as many of them go on to colleges in North America. It took me two years of struggling with myself and what 1 viewed as my goal in my service for Jesus Christ before I was able to let go of my own selfish desires and allow God to have complete control. It was only then that 1 came to the place where I was ready and PAGE 10

willing to get vitally involved in the lives of those people entrusted to my care, in this case, the 16 boys living in the Maien dorm. 1 learned to appreciate the boys for who they are and to see what great potential each one of them has to become an influential man of God. I have learned to be more open with others and to put myself wholeheartedly into the work, to be able to perform my tasks with joy. Working with teenagers is a challenge: a challenge to meet them on their level, a challenge to have the proper balance between being a friend and an authority figure to them, and a challenge to live out in your daily life what you say you are and believe, and what you encourage them to be. Colossians 3:17 says, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” 1 thank God that He has put me in the position of dorm assistant here at BFA, that He has given me joy in ser­ ving Him, and that He led me gently but sure­ ly to a place where 1 have the opportunity of becoming what 1 most long to be, “an exam­ ple for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity” (1 Tim. 4:12). Joanne Martens

Position Open The Steinbach Bible College Board of Directors invites applications for the posi­ tion of Director of Development. Responsibilities include public relations, recruiting and fund-raising for operating and long-term campus development. Ap­ plicants are expected to have skills in organizing, initiating, communications, and public relations. Duties commence on July 1, 1986. Deadline for applications and resume is May 31, 1986. Contact: Ben Eidse, President Box 1420 Steinbach, Man. ROA 2A0 Tel.: (204)326-6451

Missing Would the person who borrow­ ed the James Dobson cassette series, “Preparing for Adolescence,” from the EMC Resource Library, please return it. Thank you. THE MESSENGER

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BRAZIL

Through the Mountains “Is the road good?” We stopped to enquire. “Oh yes, keep going There should be no problem.”

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We climbed and we climbed. Bumping rocks and washouts. In low gear the whole way. Will we make it? “Oh God, see us through. Keep us safe from all harm.” Darkness set in. And not only that. Heavy fog settled down Bringing vision to zero. Oh no! Construction ahead! With recent rainfall. What should we do? We can’t turn back, We must move ahead.

We committed to God Each inch of the way. With vision at nil. Steep embankment on side, Holes full of water. We slipped and we slid. After fifty kms and three hours later. Past midnight and worn, We reached a good road.

As we stopped for refueling, We couldn’t believe it. Nine litres, that’s all? How can it be?

We should have Run out of gas, The tank should be punctured, Got stuck in the mud. Or rolled off the cliff.

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But we didn’t. Why not? Because of our Father, Who held tight to us all. He pulled the car through With care and with power. Is this your life? Has darkness set in? With vision at nil And dangers around you?

Remember our Father, He can see the whole road, Embankments and washouts. Rocks, cliffs and each curve. He will hold you tight. He will NOT LET YOU GO! Mari; Doerksen

MARCH 21, 1986

Mission Grams Mexico Dave and Susie Eidse report on exciting things taking place at Camp 77. Two young men and a young mother came to see them and made commitments to Christ. A brother claimed victory over a habit he had struggled with for a number of years.

Paraguay Ramon and Marciana Diaz, with their two children, have moved to Caaguazu to minister in the national churches. He has been engaged for Conference-wide ministries in evangelism and church organization. The EMC Board of Missions is susidizing this project. Nigeria Elmer and Elvira Warketin spend much of their time visiting and counselling mis­ sionaries at their various locations. Pray with them that this would continue to be an effective and encouraging ministry.

Paraguay Luella Loewen continues her ministry with baby clinics, pre-natal classes, etc. She focuses in on helping girls and women to more effectively fulfill their roles in the home and community. Pray for Luella in this important ministry at La Esperanza and other Indian communities. Mexico Jake and Marie Plett report that in February Menno Kroeker of Aylmer, Ont. con­ ducted special services at Camp 67. They had an average attendance of 80 to 90 peo­ ple each night. Pray that the seed planted will come to fruition.

Paraguay Due to medical problems Harry and Tina Neufeld plan to return to Canada around March 23. They started their assignment at Radio ZP-30 in October 1985. Your prayers on their behalf are much appreciated.

Letters (cont’d) judged. If those laws mandated wrongdoing then the Christian ought to disobey those laws in order to obey God rather than men. These concepts grew weaker in succeeding generations because the church lost the in­ fluence it once had by enveloping itself in a shroud of pietism. It had somehow elevated itself to the point of thinking that politics was unspiritual - it had substituted responsibility with “spiritual feelings.” Pietism makes Chris­ tianity comfortable because responsibility is not accepted. Truth gives unity to all of knowledge and life. Where people have this base they in­ fluence the consensus and it leads to law and order, justice, responsibility and freedom, not the opposite - lawlessness, injustice, irrespon­ sibility and communism. If truth is what frees then lies are what bind. If individual responsibility is denied, hierar­ chies fill the vacuum that remains. The failure to maintain the predominance of these con­ cepts in their society was the tragedy of the pre-Nazi German church. It is a Christian base that provides a foundation for freedom, but freedom also implies responsibility. If we are able to discern that we have brought our approaching troubles upon ourselves, then repentance and faith can

repair the damage. Otherwise the future holds nothing but grim judgements (Ezekiel 33). George E. Braun Box 907 La Crete, Alta. Long Evangelism Campaign in Zaire Begins and Ends in Christian Commitment

Donovan G. and Naomi Reimer Unruh, General Conference Mennonite Church mis­ sionaries in Zaire, under the auspices of AIMM, recently participated in a 24-day evangelism campaign in Kahemba, Zaire, on the south eastern part of Bandundu, near the Angolan border. Over 1,051 people made a public commitment to Christ. The campaign was conducted by a 12-member team. Don Unruh, as coordinator for Theological Education by Extension (TEE) for the Mennonite Church of Zaire, arranged for the venture. The campaign concluded with the baptism of 76 adults. Some of these believers had been earlier baptized in the Catholic church, but now asked to be rebaptized upon knowledge of Christ and public confession of faith. Don Unruh notes that many more peo­ ple asked to be baptized, but he and the other pastors refused to baptize those people who lived together outside of marriage or who came from polygamous marriages. (GCNS) PAGE 11

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Messenser News

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RETREAT ENJOYED BY YOUTH

Three couples were received into membership at the Burns Lake Gospel Fellowship. Left to right: Ike and Nellie Zacharias, Norm and Marian Martens, Art and Una Segal, Rev. Abe Leiding.

DEACONS INSTALLED

Steinbach, Man.: Sunday morning. March 16, saw deacon installation take place at the Steinbach EMC. The ceremony, conducted by Pastor Arden Thiessen, involved the following couples: Henry and Helen Fast, Adolf and Sara Koop, Peter and Susie Goert­ zen and Peter and Mabel Hiebert. In a word to the congregation, Mr. Fast referred to Hebrews 1:3: “Let brotherly love continue." Mr. Koop feels the priestly role of the Chris­ tian (Rev. 1:5b. 6) is significant.

"We believe that God is going to lead us on," said Peter Goertzen. Peter Hiebert feels the world needs a listen­ ing ear. He thanks the Lord that they can serve Him. After the couples had answered some ques­ tions. the membership too was asked to respond. A prayer closed off this part of the service. The Steinbach EMC now has nine deacons. Membership stands at 586 members, as of 1985.

Deacon installation at the Steinbach EMC. Left to right: Peter and Mabel Hiebert, Peter and Susie Goertzen, Adolf and Sara Koop, Henry and Helen Fast.

Fisher Branch, Man.: We enjoyed our even­ ing services with Leonard Barkman as our speaker. Although we had only a few even­ ings with him, we learned much in being ser­ vants for the Lord in our homes, in the church and in the world. Mr. Barkman spoke to the men at their prayer breakfast while Mrs. Barkman spoke to the ladies at an afternoon meeting, teaching us about “Self-image.” We were blessed with the closeness we felt with Leonard and Betty in our midst. Our Christian Endeavour on January 19 turned out to be a real Talent Night. It was exciting to see the enthusiasm and participa­ tion in presenting our God-given talents to worship together. A month later the Neil Von Guntens of Riverton reported of their work with Native Missions. They even taught us a song in Saulteaux (wonder if we still know it?). “For we are God’s fellow workers” (1 Cor. 3:9a). Our church had a “roof-raising experience,” as our church chairman put it. Some major repairs were done on the roof of our church lobby. The ladies again enjoyed the annual quilting bee on March 4. It is wonderful to fellowship together in different settings. The following report was written by Cyndy Plett: On March 7-9, 1986 we enjoyed our first winter Interlake Youth Retreat at Camp Arnes. Reg Litz was an excellent speaker. His talks focussed on building foundations. His sincerity, humour and creativity were greatly appreciated. The outdoor environment also helped us to sense God's nearness. The Children of Light shared with some music and drama Saturday night. It was great to sit back and enjoy their performance as well as chat­ ting with them later at coffee time. In spite of all the wet socks and pants, most of the kids 1 talked to really enjoyed the weekend. I feel the planning committee and sports committee deserve a big bouquet for an overall great weekend. We are also thankful to God for making this weekend possible.

Births ROMPEN - to Rob and Louise Rompen of Burns Lake. B.C.. a son. David Allen, on December 31. 1985. KROEKER - to Bruce and Clarice Kroeker of Morris. Man., a daughter. Amanda Nicole, on March 15. 1986. THIESSEN - to Jim and Abby Thiessen of Winnipeg. Man., a daughter. Jaymi Dwan. on January 5. 1986 THE MESSENGER

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DAY OF PRAYER HELD

Arden, Man.: January 16 was the date set for our annual meeting and in a small church everyone has a job to do. Our new church chairman is Art Plett, the Sunday school superintendent is Andy Penner, and Jerry Neufeld was elected as young people’s leader. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Froese joined our church membership in January. We are very happy to have them. For a Valentine’s Day party on February 14 Jerry Plett arranged a skating party at the Arden rink. We had a great time skating and playing ice soccer. Some of the younger children went tobogganing when they got tired of skating. Coffee and sweets were waiting for everyone when they were tired of skating and sliding. The young people, accompanied by Rey and Marlene Toews, spent Saturday and Sun­ day, February 23 and 24, at the Colonial Inn in Brandon for a short winter retreat. They enjoyed spending time in the pool and hot tub, but as always when having fun, time seemed to pass too quickly. March 2 was set aside for a special day of prayer. Immediately following the morning worship service we gathered in the basement for sandwiches and sweets. After the children were fed, the school children went to Helen Neufeld’s where Cindy Plett supervised them, and the preschool children were taken to Rick and Susan Malfait’s where they were enter­ tained until their parents were able to pick them up. At 1:00 p.m. the adults reassembl­ ed in the upper auditorium for Bible study, sharing and prayer, followed by communion and footwashing. Harvey Plett of SBC spent the day with us and had the morning worship service message and the devotional before we partook of the elements in the afternoon. A note of thanks to Richard Klassen, John Koop and Harvey Plett for coming to speak to us in the past two months. NTM WORKER REPORTS

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Felly, Sask.: Laurel Abrahamson returned in mid-February from an assignment in Venezuela with New Tribes Mission. During the morning service on February 23 she show­ ed slides and gave a report of the work her group had been doing there. The Sunday school pupils had been learning a song in Spanish as a surprise for Laurel when she would return. Falteringly, we sang it for her that day. March 9 was a fun day at the open air Ar­ ran skating rink. We chose teams for a broom­ ball game. Some of the older ones did not have the speed for the tricky moves of the younger generation but there was no lack of effort, although there were a few complain­ ing muscles the next day, a reminder of a hard-fought game. Following the outdoor ac­ tivities, we came to the church where the children watched a filmstrip while a supper ol soup and hot dogs was being prepared.

MARCH 21, 1986

FUND-RAISING DINNER HOSTED Calgary, Alta.: The importance of other believers giving enthusiastic support to a church’s young people’s group cannot be undermined. Just how much we in our fellowship want to encourage our young peo­ ple’s group to be involved in nurturing their relationship with the Lord and with each other was clearly shown by the results of the fundraising dinner the young people hosted. Ap­ proximately 100 people were in attendance at the spaghetti supper they served. It was good to see how they all pitched in in the preparation and serving. Besides selling tickets for the meal, a freewill collection was taken, the combined monies totalling $684.00. Their goal was to collect $450.00. They joined Saskatoon. Swift Current, Wymark and Ed­ monton for a sno-camp at Crowsnest Lake Bible Camp, Coleman, Alta. Our young peo­ ple’s leaders, Lyle and Bev Plett and Les Martens, as well as Rey and Eleanor Plett and Mike Plett, who made sure everyone was well nourished physically, accompanied the group for the action-packed weekend. New reading material is always a welcome thing for any bookworm. Our library will hopefully be expanded significantly by means of Choice Books. We need only to proofread the books to see our library grow. Almost all the books were snatched up quickly to be

proofread, so our library should soon hold a new collection of helpful, clean and uplifting reading material. A brand new venture for us of late is the decision to purchase a lot and build our own church building. Although renting a school has a lot of advantages, there are also a host of disadvantages, we have found. We are fac­ ing a very large and almost “scary” project and we will need to keep our eyes on Christ as never before. We covet your prayers for our group as this will not be an easy task to ac­ complish. Pray that we might be united in decision-making, grow closer together and in our love for Christ Jesus, have a lot of volunteer labour, and that God will enable us to give as unto Him of our finances as the verse in II Cor. 9:7 says, “God loves a cheer­ ful giver.” Pray also that each member will carefully examine himself to see what God would have him give, whether financially or otherwise. May I also add that we will gladly accept donations and support of any kind from other supporters of such a project. Plans are continuing for our annual Fami­ ly Retreat and a fund-raising bake sale is be­ ing planned by the ladies for March 22 in one of the local malls. We hope to lower the cost per person for the weekend.

NEW MEMBERS ACCEPTED

Crestview (Winnipeg, Man.): Four new members were accepted into our church on February 9. Lorraine Heppner, Sharon Mills and Shauna Hildebrandt were baptized and received into membership. Cathy Hildebrandt transferred her membership. Many friends and relatives were present to witness this event. After the service, the families of the new members enjoyed a fellowship lunch downstairs. In the evening the new members were present to share in the Lord’s Supper. A special group from Thief River Falls presented a musical program on the evening of February 16. The Gospel Light Singers and the Erickson string band joined together to sing and play. The instruments used includ­ ed guitars, mandolins, an omni chord and a

carpenters’ saw. Many different songs and musical numbers, along with personal testimonies from the group, provided a spiritually uplifting evening. On February 23 Glen and Sharon Wiebe and children of Gladstone, who are planning to work in northern Manitoba with Continental Mission, shared their calling and future. Glen will be working as a pilot for the mission, fly­ ing supplies and workers between northern Indian reservations and other points. Rev. Jake Froese and his wife Lena are back at Crestview for the month of March. Their ministry and support is encouraging. God bless you for the time and energy you devote to the Lord’s work.

Baptism and membership reception at the Crestview Fellowship. Front (left to right): Rev. Jake Froese, Lorraine Heppner, Sharon Mills, Shauna Hildebrandt, Cathy Hildebrandt. Back: Deacons Wilmer Kornelson and John Esau.

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Abram A. Dueck

1905-1986 Chuck Nichols was the speaker at the Landmark College and Career retreat.

A WEEKEND AWAY Landmark, Man.: At the end of February the College and Career group from the Prairie Rose EMC enjoyed a retreat in the snow at Cedarwood, a Youth for Christ camp located near Lac du Bonnet. Twenty-one retreaters participated in various games and relays throughout the weekend. Once again the girls displayed superiority in concentration and mental agility as they retained the lead in “Four-on-the-Couch” that was established New Year’s Eve. Broomball in the afternoon was murderous as usual, although no serious injuries were sustained. The lodge is equipped with a games room and several lounges to accommodate various forms of relaxation and recreation. Speaker Chuck Nichols had four sessions with the young people in which he focussed on the theme “Studying the Bible.” He spoke on the consistency of the scriptures and various tools and methods helpful in personal Bible study. Sunday morning everyone got a chance to apply what he/she had learned on a designated passage. The retreat was definitely a highlight on the college and career calendar. Chuck Nichols was also a guest speaker at the Prairie Rose Church Workers Appreciation Night held on March 6. An annual event, the supper is designed to give recognition to volunteer church workers: Sunday school staff, club workers, members of the ministerial, and Lorette and lie des Chenes Bible teachers. Following a delicious chicken din­ ner, Mr. Nichols delivered an address on how to be effective in Christian ministry. It is important, he pointd out, to have a thankful at­ titude, appropriate God’s power, and, above all, to be faithful. The event was well attend­ ed and enjoyed by the church workers. Chuck Nichols is a professor at the Winnipeg Theological Seminary.

Barb Plett

PAGE 14

“How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men, on those who take refuge in you” (Psalm 31:19). Dad was born to Abram and Aganetha Dueck on August 17, 1905 in Rosenhof, Manitoba. He reached the age of 80 years, 5 months, and 27 days. He grew up in Rosenhof and accepted the Lord Jesus as his Saviour at an early age and was baptized in October 1923. As a young bachelor he started a farming business in addition to his own custom grain-cutting operation. In 1938 he began painting, which he continued until his retirement at the age of 73. On April 11, 1954 he married Katherine Barkman of Blumenort. They shared almost 32 years of blissful marriage during which time they had six children, Their marriage was a good example to us children of what a happy Christian marriage should be like. Dad will be remembered for his gentle. merciful and fun-loving nature. He had a genuine concern for the salvation of others, which was evidenced by the witnessing he did to unsaved people he met. Both Mom and Dad laid the foundation for our Christian walk. Dad was an active member of the Blumenort EMC Church where he served as the church janitor for 15 years, sang with the “Singing Grandpas,” and was involved in other church functions. Dad loved the outdoors and had a great interest in nature, which was instilled in all the children. We have enjoyed many swimming excursions with Dad over the years. He loved to show us his ability to swim underwater for great distances. Dad always had a special place for children in his heart. Because of this love for children, he enjoyed his granddaughters tremendously and will be especially missed by Kristie and Elia. Music was a vital source of inspiration to Dad. He was competent at playing various musical instruments and was especially skilled at playing the harp and harmonica. We will always remember the many times we shared as a family in singing along with Dad as he

played on the harp. The talent Dad had for composing poetry was known by many. As children we will cherish the poems he presented at our wed­ dings. These poems always had a balance of humour as well as relevant spiritual exhortation. Dad generally enjoyed good health right up to his passing away. Although Dad faced numerous inward struggles, he appeared par­ ticularly happy and peaceful during the last several months before his homegoing. Dad will be greatly missed by his wife Katherine, their four sons and two daughters: Norman (Winnipeg); Randy (Winnipeg); Robert and his wife Judy and daughter Jen­ nifer (Steinbach); Mel and his wife Bev (Win­ nipeg); Carrol and husband Gerald and children Elia and Jenene (Niverville); and Lor­ na and husband Henry and children Kristie and Lindsay (Blumenort). He will also be missed by his two sisters Agnes Samis and husband Lawrence, Susan Davis and husband Lloyd (both of Winnipeg), brothers-in-law, Jacob F. Dueck (Steinbach), and Jake Kroeker and his wife Margaret (Win­ nipeg), two sisters-in-law, Margaret Dueck (Morris) and Margaret Dueck (Three Hills, Alta.) and Mom’s brothers and sisters. Dad was predeceased by his parents, four brothers and five sisters. We as a family extend our special apprecia­ tion and gratitude to all the people who have visited and helped in countless ways during our time of bereavement. The Family. Safely Home 1 am home in heaven, dear ones; All’s so happy, all’s so bright! There’s perject joy and beauty In this everlasting light.

Did you wonder I so calmly Trod the valley of the shade? Oh, but Jesus’ love illumined Every dark and fearful glade.

And He came Himself to meet me In that way so hard to tread; And with Jesus’ arm to lean on. Could I have one doubt or dread? Then you must not grieve so sorely. For I love you dearly still; Try to look beyond earth’s shadows. Pray to trust our Father’s will.

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There is work still waiting for you, So you must not idle stand. Do your work while life remaineth You shall rest in Jesus’ land. When that work is all completed. He will gently call you home; Oh, the rapture of the meeting! Oh, the joy to see you come! Selected

THE MESSENGER

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How do you know if you’re watching too much TV? You Know You’re Watching Too Much TV When ... by Al Menconi

PARENTS SEEM to get upset with the rock music their children listen to and give little or no regard to their own television viewing habits. They often yell at their kids to turn down their stereo so they can hear their own TV show. Children can see the hypocrisy in that attitude, but the parents seldom do. Parents justify their “TV habit” by saying that it doesen’t affect them. After all, they don’t spend that much time watching. Or do they? How do you know if you’re watching too much TV? Maybe the following items will help answer that question. You know you’re watching too much TV when;

1. You hear someone say Dallas and you think of the program instead of the city. 2. You believe the people in Dallas (the city) act like the people on Dallas (the show). 3. You hear someone talk about the General Lee and you think of the car on Dukes of Hazard instead of the man. 4. You are able to understand the weather­ man’s definitions of high pressure, low pressure, fronts, etc.

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5. You actually care what happens on a soap opera. 6. You stay up to watch Johnny Carson’s monologue and you end up watching the whole program.

7. You get emotionally involved with dog food commercials. 8. You start using phrases from commercials; e.g., “where’s the beef”

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9. You recognize the product advertised when merely hearing the first few notes of its com-

MARCH 21, 1986

mercial jingle. 10. You have a favorite commercial. 11. You watch the 5 o’clock, 6 o’clock and 11 o’clock newscasts to see if they all agree.

12. You stay up for the late news just to watch the replay of “the big play” from the game you just watched - even though you just got through watching it from fourteen different angles in three different speeds while the game was live. 13. You know about the newscasters personal life; i.e., age, marital status, type of car he drives, etc. 14. You have watched a rerun so often that you tell someone to “watch this” before an important or funny scene. 15. You will alter social engagements to ac commodate your television viewing. 16. You can’t remember what you watched the day before, even though you spent the whole evening in front of the television. 17. You fall asleep in front of the television. 18. You justify the time you spend watching television as being “background” while you work on your ironing (even though you only ironed two shirts in three hours of television). 19. You arrange your furniture around your television - giving it a place of honor.

20. You start conversations by asking peo­ ple if they saw a particular television program last night. 21. You spend $15 a month on cable and feel you need to watch more TV to get your money’s worth.

22. You have more than one television.

23. You watch cartoons on Saturday morning. 24. You think you’re spending quality time with your family because you all watch the same television program together. 25. You talk to your children not quite 40 seconds a day and watch television more than 40 hours a week and then wonder why your children rebel against your values. (These are the actual national averages.) 26. You don’t mind people talking during the church service, but won’t tolerate anybody talking during your favorite program. 27. You can entertain yourself with and even laugh at programs that mock Christian values.

28. You have a remote control at the dinner table so you can lower the volume to say grace. 29. You criticize your kids for listening to im­ moral rock music and you watch immoral television programs.

30. You are too busy to teach a Sunday School class or a Bible study, but always have time for your favorite program. 31. You exchanged the habit of attending Sunday evening service for the habit of watch­ ing “60 Minutes.” 32. You turn on the television without know­ ing what’s on -- settling on something you would never purposely watch.

33. You subscribe to TV Guide. 34. You only make and receive phone calls at the commercials and in between shows. 35. You would rather watch TV than play with your kids. 36. You hurry the kids to bed during the com­ mercials so you won’t have to do it when your program is on. Reprinted from Media Update, a publica­ tion of Menconi Ministries.

PAGE 15

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From the Editor Resurrection Joy Kingdom values and worldly values HARBINGERS Of joy sometimes may also leave us disap­ pointed. It all depends on what kind of packages they come in. For instance, I received two pieces of mail this morn­ ing. One appeared to say that I had already won something. The other had to do with my “future wishes,” also indicating something good. By the way, this was already evident on the outside of the envelope. The bait was there to expedite a quick look on the inside. However, and here I come to what I said above, both envelopes came via “Bulk Third Class” mail! I questioned whether such good news would come in this manner. With the Easter story it is different. Although sounding incredible, events came first class from God. The women were convinced and they “departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy,” according to Matthew 28:8. God already knew at the birth of Christ that suffering lay ahead, but we have the words of the angel, saying that this birth brought “good tidings of great joy” (Luke

2). Or take Paul in prison. Being in prison to us would spell the very antithesis of joy. Yet the Epistle to the Philippians is permeated with joy. The word joy appears six times, rejoice ten times, rejoicing and rejoiced each once. The Beatitudes promise a blessed to those who will be persecuted, “rejoice and be glad” (Matt. 5:11). It is recorded that when the seventy came back from their preaching tour (Luke 10) and proclaimed that even the demons were subject to them in Christ’s name, Jesus said to them, “Rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” The resurrection event tells us that there can be joy even amidst suffering. It goes way beyond the paltry pro­ mises of prizes and good wishes which are but temporal. “Have a good day” has become a popular phrase. But it got a slightly different twist for me when I spoke this to a friend one time. He reminded me that I was too late because he was already having a good day! A Christian can say this. Paul, in prison, was not tied to this earth. In the words of Myron Augsburger, he was already walking in the resurrection. And, as such, he could call on the Philip­ pians to “rejoice in the Lord always,” and, for added emphasis, . again I say rejoice.” One would have thought that the writer, a prisoner, would have occasion to be anxious and his readers, the Philippians, to rejoice, but it was the other way around. PAGE 16

He who was incarcerated speaks and counsels those who arc free to not have anxiety about anything (Phil. 4:6). Certainly we have here a classic example of one who was not ruled by temporal inconveniences but by the risen Christ. Paul had learned something of the true joy and contentment which escapes many of us. It may be that too much of our reason for joy and contentment is tied up to material things. And you can be sure the world of advertising is quick to cash in on this. An ad may lure you when it proclaims biggest and best. Or you may be tempted to stock up now. Another promises comfort and joy. One claims to be slimmer and milder. All this is to make you buy, buy, buy! One thinks of the words of Jude when he speaks about clouds without water or Jeremiah when he mentions broken cisterns that can hold no water. Kingdom values stand in stark contrast to worldly values. Jesus said to the Pharisees, . . you are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts; for what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God” (Luke 16:14,15). The assumption of the world that joy and happiness comes with the accumulation of things needs to be challenged. Joy or rejoice, I believe, got a new meaning after the resurrection. We see Peter and the apostles (Acts 5) boldly standing up for the name of Jesus when they say, “We must obey God rather than men.” Later, after they had received a beating, they “left the presence of the council rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonour for the name.” I believe one could say that this joy lies in the fact that we have something which no one can take away from us, a hope which is rooted in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, as Peter puts it (I Peter 1:3). “. . . born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” “Do not be afraid” (Matthew 28:10) is still the watchdog of the resurrection. “If Christ has not been raised,” says Paul, “then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain (I Cor. 15:14). Of course, he does not leave his hearers with this question. He adds, “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead ...” In this all Christians can rejoice. D. S.

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THE MESSENGER

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President Ben Eidse and missions student Darrel Dyck in conversation during Mis­ sions Conference '86.

Tshibulenu Shakayimbo A Product of Missions My acquaintance with Tshibulenu Shakayimbo goes back to 1963. He and I were teaching Bible School at Kamayala in Zaire. Clearly he was a very knowledgeable and gifted young man, although a bit short-fused. On several oc­ casions I had to be mediator between him and the students. This reminds me of my dad's philosophy. He figured a quick temper and great determination went hand in hand. In his case it was certainly true, and so it was in Tshibulenu's. Tshibulenu had acknowledged Christ as Lord and Savior and had been baptiz­ ed a few years earlier. After teaching at the Bible School, he attended high school at Nyanga, one of our mission stations in an adjoining pro­ vince. He did well, being first in class each year. Then one day he came to discuss a crucial decision he faced - should he go

Hadn't God called him . . .? Why this? to Theology School and become a pastor, or pursue another profession? What a responsibility to give advice in such a situation! Determining Cod's will 2/Mar.-Apr. 1986

for yourself is difficult enough, but how do you advise someone else? I reflected prayerfully on Tshibulenu's abilities and gifts which I had seen demonstrated in the classroom. God's Spirit seemed to bear witness with my spirit that his hand was on this young man, and that he would some day serve his Lord as a pastor. Tshibulenu and his young wife went to Theology School. Again he did well. Again he was at the top of the class. We eagerly anticipated his graduation and their return. The church needed a young, dedicated, well-trained pastor. There was an exuberant reception for them, both at the church centre and also in their home town. Tshibulenu would have to prove himself first, so he was appointed to teach in the junior High School. But things didn't go that well. At the Theology School in Kinshasa, the capital of the country, he had rubbed shoulders with students who had "more liberated" views on such matters as drinking and polygamy. Although there had been no drinking at his wedding years earlier, he was now going to demonstrate that social drinking was okay. He began by taking the occa­ sional drink. Gradually he increased his intake until he drank quite heavily.

What a disappointment! Hadn't God called him to be a pastor? Why this? We questioned him, but he assured us that it would all work out, and that we should just give him a little more time. Rumours spread that he was seeing another woman. Then they were confirmed. Again we reminded him that we had thought he would be a pastor some day. "How about it?" "I'll be all right," he replied. But his behavior was becoming more inconsistent. He was transferred to a school at another church centre. Possibly the change of environment would be helpful. However, things went from bad to worse. This brilliant man was becom­ ing more and more irrational. One day, in a rage, he threatened to kill a fellow­ villager. There was no way he could continue teaching in a church-related school. He was laid off. Our hopes were shattered! What about that call to service that we had sensed? Tshibulenu then applied to teach in a government school, and was accepted. But again his behaviour became in­ tolerable. He would come to class intox­ icated. Once again he was dismissed. His clothes turned into rags. His wife and children had to return to her parents' home for food and shelter. Tshibulenu Shakayimbo was totally destitute. He left his home area. A former colleague from Theology School, Kabongo Nawej, who was already serving as assistant pastor, had

Then one day . . . God's grace reached down to him. been counseling him, urging him to straighten out. He befriended Tshibulenu. Then one day, when he seemed to have come to the end of the road, like the prodigal son, "he came to his senses." God's grace reached down to him.

"His erring child he reconciled, And pardoned from his sin. Oh love of God, how rich and pure. How measureless and strong: It shall forever more endure. The saints and angels song."

It took a while for people who knew him to trust Tshibulenu again. He went to work with a Christian pastor in the capital city for nine months. During that

time he walked humbly with Cod and was restored emotionally and mentally. Then he returned home. His ex­ uberance and consistent Christian life gradually convinced his people that he was a changed Tshibulenu. Ordination day eventually came. What celebration! It beautifully symobilized his response to Cod's call to service. Tshibulenu has now been in charge of a large district for a number of years and has proved himself in many ways. Just one example. In the Kamayala area, as in many places in Africa, there is much tribal sensitivity. Through his im­ partial dealings, Tshibulenu soon won the confidence of the various tribes. In 1978 he started daily Bible studies and prayer meetings in the homes at Kamayala. The Holy Spirit started a work of renewal. Many Christians rededicated their lives in the months that followed. Many non-Christians would knock at his door early in the morning, after restless nights, and surrender to Jesus Christ. Tribal tensions diminished in the wake of the Spirit of Cod working within the church. Some individuals were remarkably changed from tribalists to peacemakers: others who didn't want to change, left to join cults. So definite was the change at the church centre, that the head of the political party came to the centre and congratulated the church council for what had happened. He urged them not to let their pastor go (even though he was from a different tribe than the pastor). In a public political speech, he urged the people to imitate Kamayala, saying, "They have overcome tribalism." The daily Bible studies and prayer meetings continued for well over a year. Now they are held three times a week. Pastor Tshibulenu travels far and wide in the area by bicycle or motorcycle strengthening believers and evangelizing. He boldly takes a stand against sorcery and related practices. Shortly before we left Zaire, he invited us over for a special celebration. He told us that he had called us to express his ap­ preciation for the advice he had receiv­ ed about going into the ministry. He then mentioned that his alternate plan had been to become a medical doctor. I had never realized that. Reflecting on the financial struggles he has been going through in his work as a pastor and how different it would have been had he become a doctor, the celebration took on a special significance for us. Indeed he had been called by God.

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S21 1985-86 College Chorale.

SBC Tour Ministries Chorale/Children of Light/Drama Group Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

March 31 April 1 April 2 April 3 April 4 April 5 April 6

Portage EMC 7:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m. Treesbank EMC 7:30 p.m. Kola EMC Endeavour EMC 8:00 p.m. Pelly EMC 7:30 p.m. Alumni Banquet, Wymark & Swift Current TBA Swift Current EMC 10:45 a.m.

Children of Light Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Sunday

May 5 May 6 May 7 May 8 May 9 May 11

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Sunday Wednesday Friday Saturday Sunday

May 12 May 13 May 14 May 15 May 16 May 18 May 21 May 23 May 24 May 25

Swan River EMC Birch River EMC TBA Salem Mennonite, Tofield, AB Hope & Life Community Ch., Edmonton La Crete EMC High Level EMC Peace Mission Chapel, Progress, B.C. Prespatou CMC Vanderhoof EMC Burns Lake EMC 100 Mile House, Evangelical Free Church TBA Forest Grove EMC, Calgary, AB Wymark, SK - EMC Heron EMC, Maryfield, SK Kirkcaldy Heights EMC, Brandon, MB Moosehorn Baptist

7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. TBA a.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 8:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. a.m./p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 11:00 a.m. 7:30 p.m.

Mar.-Apr. 1986/3

MISSIONS CONFERENCE . . . first year student Missions Conference was definitely a time of learning for me. However, many questions surfaced as a result of the various missionary presentations. Some of these questions were "Am I meant to

ing the contrasting views on the place of missions between pastors and mis­ sionaries. All in all, Missions Conference showed me that Christians don't necessarily need to live boring lives if they meet Cod's challenge!" —Lori Loewen, 1st year

. . . student who plans to be a farmer Missions Conference '86 was an ex­ cellent time of renewal for me. I found the general sessions especially helpful because the speaker didn't present mis­ sions as a glamorous career, but rather as something one really has to work at.

Through his messages entitled "Straight thinking on Missions", Missions Con­ ference '86 speaker Bob Gerhardt en­ couraged conference participants to rethink many of their concepts about mis­ sions. Speaking on the topic "It's my choice! When I'm ready I'll decide", Gerhardt challenged his listeners saying "Don't think you can volunteer for the Lord. He's already chosen you! Chosen you to be different (Ephesians 1:4), to be fruitful (John 15:16), to be a witness (I Peter 2:9), and to worship Him (Ephe­ sians 1:11, 12, Psalm 34:3)." Gerhardt's talks were well received. Se­ cond year missions major, Ken Quiring commented that "the speaker had an ex­ cellent balance between theoretical and practical knowledge. There was also a well planned use of visual aids. He kept the attention of everyone without ever compromising the depth of his message." Several SBC students and professors were asked to share their reaction to Mis­ sions Conference '86, held March 4-6 by answering the question: What relevance did the Missions Con­ ference have for me as a

. . . prospective Diploma graduate?

Having experienced a cross-cultural mission last summer, the Missions Con­ ference reminded me of the truths I had learned from experience and observa­ tion. The conference underlined the fact that there is a great demand for people willing to use their time, abilities and talent for God, so that all people may have the opportunity of knowing Him. It left me with the challenge - "Will I do my part in reaching the world with the message of God's love?" —Adele Plett, 2nd year 4/Mar.-Apr. 1986

I be a missionary?", "Where am I to go?" and "In what way can I be of service to the Lord?" Through the main speaker, Bob Gerhardt, I realized that I am meant for mission work. A statement which clarified this idea was "If you're not a missionary, then you're a mission field." As Christians we have all been called to be active in mission work. —Myra Thiessen, 1st year One thing that challenged me to do more memorization work from the Bible was when Bob (Gerhardt, in a workshop entitled "Those Overlooked People") told us some African people are totally dependent on oral transmission, and they can remember exactly what they heard. —Marion Giesbrecht, 1 st year There are many things I appreciated about the Missions Conference: an expert speaker who used his visual aids - in­ cluding his hair or lack thereof, his dum­ my, and his transparencies of the "typical missionary" - to full advantage, a heated panel discussion on Bruce's life, "Children of Light" adding a beat to their music, coffee breaks which provided time for interesting discussions between missionaries and us as students, and see-

Ki I didn't see the conference as applying only to the people who have their goals set on overseas work. As Christians we all have the responsibility of telling the person next to us about Jesus Christ. We are always in a mission field wherever we are. -Wes Reimer, 3rd year . . . Christian Education major?

The Missions Conference enlarged my vision as to the needs in the world around us. As I compared myself with the under­ privileged in the developing countries and realized how I have been blessed with so many things, I felt an urge to give of myself, my time and my education in order to serve Cod. The conference created a desire for me to continue my education so that I can apply it in order to serve God effectively wherever He calls me. Doreen Dueck, 2nd year

4

I consider all of the education that I'm receiving to be applicable to various aspects of missions such as learning to communicate with people. The Missions Conference was an eye-opener in this respect, and showed me areas of service. Church planting was impressed on my mind as one area in which Cod might want me to use my abilities. —Rhonda Letkemann, 2nd year . . . student who is already committed to serving Cod cross-culturally?

. . . student who has been accepted by his conference mission board Less than a year? That's all? How should I prepare? Missionary conference took on special meaning as I probed for the difficulties and joys other missionaries have encountered. Truly, a good relation­ ship with a home church and conference is vital for effective ministry. Praise the Lord for prayer warriors. —Bruce Derksen, 3rd year

One of many uses for the Global Gym. . . . collegiate student

The conference helped to confirm the decision I have already made to go into full-time service. It was an encourage­ ment to continue in my studies and a challenge to strengthen my relationship with Christ. —Liz Plett, 2nd year

"Straight thinking on missions" is right on because many of us have a misconception of what missions is. I know now! I appreciated Bob Gerhardt's messages sand C.J. Marten's session on "Church-planting in Canada", and also that we as Grade Xlls could attend. —Rob Martens, Grade XII

. . . collegiate science teacher who has served cross-culturally I very much appreciated our speaker's obvious insight into the various topics. He seemed to be both honest regarding the life of a missionary and enthusiastic in his dedication to the task. —Abe Penner, Collegiate teacher

. . . Old Testament professor I praise Cod for the emphasis on the body, the church of Jesus Christ. The concept of the body, corporateness.

For me it was more a time of confirma­ tion than of initial motivation. While stu­ dying here on the 'home front', a person occasionally loses some of the intensity of his desire to go and serve. To hear various speakers and chat with them in person never fails to once again fan the flames that should be burning within. —Ken Quiring, 2nd year

Through the seminars, I learned about several places I could potentially go and about different methods of reaching peo­ ple. The displays also helped me see what different mission agencies are like. The conference was relevant in that it gave me new ideas and options for my future in missions. —Jackie Plett, 2nd year

Global Gym Arrives It was with much enthusiasm and an­ ticipation that many students waited for the arrival of "their" Clobal Cym. The machine, which is designed for a com­ plete exercise program, finally arrived in late February. The Clobal Cym was the Work-day Project chosen by the students last fall. Hopefully they will enjoy the fruits of their hard work by doing more hard work. — Rod Thiessen

Chamber Choir Wins Trophy SBC's Chamber Choir, under the direc­ tion of SBC's choral director Rudy Schellenberg, distinguished itself on Monday, March 10 by winning the C. S. Derksen Memorial Trophy in the Southeastern Manitoba Music - Speech Arts Festival. Adjudicator Esther Klassen commented that the choir's performance demonstrated "very cohesive, well blended and balanced singing. You work well together! A superb performance in every respect."

solidarity and togetherness . . . The teaching of interdependence between the church and the missions candidate is most necessary for us as Christians liv­ ing in an individualistic, independent, ir­ responsible society. —Clen Koop, College professor Mar.-Apr. 1986/5

A LUMNI It recently was my privilege to have breakfast with George and Evelyn (Loewen) Enns of Winnipeg. George loves to reminisce and has an amazingly good memory. He was one of seven students at SBC in 1936-37. The other students were Mary Bergman, Sarah Dueckman, Mrs. C.K. Friesen, Tina Peters, Peter W. Martens and Henry G. Wiebe. Mr. John Baerg was the only teacher that year, but Mr. John S. Guen­ ther joined him the following year. Today I took a look at SBC's 1986-87 Catalogue. I noticed particularly the historic photographs and remembered that "a picture is worth a thousand words". Let's reminisce together about the picture on page 3 (reproduced above) which is dated 1939. Lydia Wiebe, the first person on the left in the front row, took up nursing and worked for many years in Winnipeg, until she succumbed to cancer a few years ago. Next we see Tina Regehr, who recently retired from her job as clerk at the Steinbach Post Office. Seated beside her is Margaret Giesbrecht, who went on to become a school teacher, and taught in northern Manitoba and in the NorthWest Territories, where she would visit the families of her students in their igloos. Later, Margaret went to teach in Japan under the auspices of Japan Evangelical Mission. After returning to Canada, she settled in Vancouver, where she has been teaching English to the "boat people". The three teachers at the school in 1939 appear next; Mr. Fast, Mr. Baerg, and Mr. Wittenberg. The story is told how Mr. Fast walked into the classroom one day and saw the names of the teachers written on the blackboard and quipped, "As long as the Hills stand Fast!" Seated beside Mr. Wittenberg is Mary Froese. The young lady seated beside her has not been identified.

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-! Faculty and students - 1939.

In the second row, the first person on the left is Evelyn Loewen. Beside her is Margaret Friesen, whose mother, Mrs. C.K. Friesen was among the first graduates. Margaret (Mrs. Isaac Penner) was widowed about a year ago and is herself in a weakened condition because of a brain tumor. Then we see Anne Loewen, the petite clerk at Auto-City In­ surance, formerly Reimer Agencies, of Steinbach. Next is Linda Reimer who recently retired from years of medical mission work with Gospel Missionary Union in Panama. Just behind Anne and Linda is Margaret Wiebe (Mrs. Louis Sorenson) of Austin, whose husband passed away before Christmas. I believe Margaret was the author of the catchy German school song that was so popular in those days, when the (German language was still used. Next to Margaret are the Friesen sisters who hailed from Landmark. Mary is now Mrs. Langemunds and resides in Clearbrook, B.C. Olga took up nursing after Bible School and worked in Paraguay. While

S.E.R.V.E. Financial Update Total S.E.R.V.E. Budget Pledges/Donations (38% of budget) Pledges 235,096.00 Donations 59,038.00 Total S.E.R.V.E. Receipts (12% of budget) Payments on Pledges 32,623.00 Other Donations 59,038.00

$771,500.00

294,134.00

91,661.00

Construction of the new College Library-Classroom Building will begin when 50% of the cost of Operation S.E.R.V.E. has been received in receipted dona­ tions, and the remainder in 3 year pledges.

6/Mar.-Apr. 1986

there, she met and married Heins Wiens of Uruguay. They are also residing in B.C. now. Then we have Elma Derksen from the Niverville area. I recall how shock­ ed the community was when Elma was severely burned while trying to light a fire in a wood-burning stove, and died shortly after. There are three more ladies in that row who have not yet been identified. Starting with the "brothers", as male students were called at that time, we see a rather independent young man who is obviously the youngest in the group and looks like Walter Gerbrandt of Gerbrandt Electric, Steinbach. Next is Martin Dueck, formerly of Kleefeld, now deceased. Beside him stands Henry Klassen of Bristol and then Dave Voth, whom most of us remember as the English and Drama teacher at the Steinbach Regional Secon­ dary School. Then we have John Neufeld, a broiler farmer from Tourond, and Alex Fast, a businessman and Hanover school trustee from Niverville. Peeking out behind Elma Derksen and an unidentified young man, is George Loewen of C.T. Loewen & Sons, Steinbach. Then we see John K. Reimer, who is pastoring the Tres Palmas church in Paraguay. We hear that John and his wife Leona, and Harry and Tina Neufeld of Radio ZP30 recently visited Ben and Mary Hoeppner at Loma Plata, where Mr. Hoeppner, a former SBC teacher, teaches at the Bible School. John was ask­ ed to preach, Harry was asked to sing, and Mary was playing the organ at the Elim Church that Sunday morning. And it sounds as though several other former SBC alumni were in the audience. I asked Jake Bartel, who is standing at the end of the row, how come he is in this 1939 picture, as well as in the one on page 17 of the catalogue, dated 1946.

s

He told me that the war had interrupted his studies. Most of the men in this pic­ ture were called to serve in the army dur­ ing the second World War, but chose in­ stead to give witness in court that their conscience would not allow them to go to war. Instead, they accepted be­ ing interned in government labor camps, planting trees and performing other alter­ native services. As we celebrate our Jubilee Year, I am sure many of you will be pulling out old yearbooks and photograph albums to help you reminisce. 1 hope you will bring your pictures and news about your SBC classmates to the Alumni Homecoming on May 2. We hope to have a time of remembering God's faithfulness. For

Alumni Day November 11,1986 those who will not be there, we wish you the joy of the Lord, which is our strength. And in the words of Lehrer Wittenberg, "Und segne alle die auf einsamen Posten stehen", or “Bless those whom you have called to serve in lonely places.”

Staff/Faculty News

lake & Sharon Fehr and sons.

Jake Fehr, SBC's janitor since 1980, has resigned from that position in order to become the first full-time maintenance supervisor of Camp Sagitawa effective April 1, 1986. Camp Sagitawa is a yearround Christian camp under the Cana­ dian division of Christian Camping Inter­ national located on Moberly Lake, near Hudson Hope, B.C. Jake and his wife Sharon are looking forward to oppor­ tunities for outreach to the many non­ churched children attending summer camps. Staff and students at SBC have ap­ preciated the conscientious manner in which Jake has performed his respon­ sibilities, and the vitality of his Christian commitment.

All former students, teachers and graduates are invited to the

Jubilee Homecoming '86 Friday, May 2 Punch and f ellowship - 5:30 p.m. Banquet - SBC Gym - 6:30 p.m. Jubilee Homecoming '86 Program -Slide presentation portraying the history of the college -program featuring graduates from the years ending in 6. Alumni are encouraged to bring photographs of their school days for display. Display tables will be provided. Registrations witl he accepted by phone (1-204-326-6451) or mail (Jubilee Homecoming '86, Box 1420, Steinbach, MB, ROA 2AO) until April 28. Further in­ formation available from Rod Thiessen, Homecoming '86 Committee Coordinator.

Attending the ninth annual conference of the Manitoba Federation of Indepen­ dent Schools were SBC's Chairman of the Board, Ed Reimer, President Ben Eidse and Collegiate Dean, Henry Fast. The purpose of this conference, held February 19 at St. Mary's Academy, was to make known the work of the Federation, as well as to provide information through lecture and workshops. Dr. Bernard Shapiro, director of On­ tario Institute for Studies in Education, ad­ dressed the conference on the topic "Diversity in Education: The Conundrum for a Democratic Society”. All three SBC representatives found the workshops they attended - fund-raising (Ed Reimer), budget planning (Ben Eidse) and moral values education (Henry Fast)

- helpful. Henry Fast reports that "a panel discus­ sion consisting of a Jew, a Catholic and a Mennonite, speaking on “Developing a Sense of Morality in our Youth in To­ day's Society" indicated that the majori­ ty of private schools in Manitoba are aware of society's pressures that are focusing in on our young people. Con­ sequently, the schools are seeking to in­ corporate into their curriculums material that will help give moral direction to their students. This is of course the intent of our school as well.” Myrna Friesen was part of a threemember committee planning the annual meeting of the Manitoba Christian Col­ leges Library Association. SBC hosted the group of ten librarians on March 7, 1986. The two workshops presented were: "Long range planning”, including prin­ ciples of building and renovation by Clem Guthro and Myrna Friesen, and "Conflict Management" presented by Gerald Loewen, professor of Christian Education at SBC.

WANTED The SBC Library would like to acquire the following back issues of

MENNONITE QUARTERLY REVIEW: Vol. 1 - 26, 1927-1952 Vol. 27, no. 1, January 1953 29, no. 3, July 1955 30, no. 1, January 1956 31, no. 1, January 1957 38, no. 2, April 1964 Donations would be appreciated; however the library is open to negotations to purchase. Mar.-Apr. 1986/7

Coming College Events

SBC Leadership Conference April 10 and 11

Guest Speaker: John M. Drescher

Theme: The Church Ministers to the Special Needs of the Family Thursday, April 10 7:30 p.m. “Crises of the Family in the Mid ’80s” Friday, April 11 9:00 a.m. “The What and Who Levels of Communication” 10:40 a.m, “Ministering to the Divorced and Remarried.” 1:00 p.m. “For Better or For Bitter”

2:40 p.m. “A Vision of Preventive Family Care in the Congregation 4:00 p.m. Conference ends

Accommodation available upon request

the

SGRoant Editor Alumni Editor

Doreen Klassen . . . Helen Eidse

The Servant (ISSN-0705-6338) is publish­ ed five times per year in October, December, February, April and June by Steinbach Bible College, Box 1420, Stein­ bach, Manitoba ROA 2A0. Issued as a supplement of The Chronicle, March 1986, The Messenger, March 21, 1986, The Recorder, April 1986.

8/Mar.-Apr. 1986

Mar. 31Apr. 6

Chorale/Children of Light Drama Group Tour Apr. 5 Alumni Banquet Swift Current Apr. 10-11 Leadership Conference May 2 Alumni Homecoming May 4 College Graduation May 5-25 Children of Light Tour Nov. 11 Alumni Day

Director of Development The Steinbach Bible College Board of Directors invites applications for the position of Director of Development. Responsibilities include public rela­ tions, recruiting and fund-raising for operating and long-term campus development. Applicants are ex­ pected to have skills in organizing, in­ itiating, communciations, and public relations. Duties commence on July 1, 1986. Deadline for applications and resumes is May 31, 1986. Contact Ben Eidse, President, SBC, Box 1420, Steinbach, MB ROA 2A0 (204-36-6451).

Coming Collegiate Events April 26

April 27

May 26

160 Voice Combined SBC/SRSS Choir Concert, SBC Gym, 8:00 p.m. SBS/SRSS Choir Concert, First Mennonite Church, Winnipeg, 7:00 p.m. Collegiate Choirs and Band Spring Concert, SBC Chapel, 8:00 p.m.

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