The Messengers EVANGELICAL MENNONITE CONFERENCE
VOL. 25
NO. 1
Jan. 9/87
Seven EMC'ers speak out about 1987 From a pastor
Sort your priorities Tracing a new year always brings with r it the challenge of stepping into the unknown. If we stop long enough to g; think about it, each time we face a new K day, week, or month, we experience * some of the same expectancy. When we K take that big yearly bite and change the “ calendar, it seems actually awesome. For some this is merely a ritual or at best a routine activity. For others it speaks of dread because dark clouds are already coming up on their horizon and it is scary. Still others look forward to the greatest year of their life. A wedding, gradua tion, or promotion is in sight, and it’s just sure to be the grandest time ever. Moses prays, “Teach us to number our days” (Psalm 90:12). If we apply that prayer to our new year, it can even things out quickly, awakening us to the fresh challenges of each new day and giving us hope in the process. Let’s say one would expect to live for 80 years. That’s about 30 thousand days. Now if the first quarter is spent in childhood and preparation for life, and the last quarter in retirement, all of which is, of course, equally important, it still leaves us with only 15,000 days to accomplish our goals or fulfill our regular duties. Isn’t it almost overwhelming to realize that our days are not “cheap,” and that they are a precious commodity? We can’t, however, afford to sit back and gasp at the wonder of it. We need some kind of handle with which to grasp that first, third, or one hundred and third day of the year. That, I believe, is where the second part of that prayer fits in - “that we may present to Thee a heart of wisdom.” Let’s get serious and think about that. Is there anything more important than to get our priorities straight and live ac cordingly? Is this not the essence of wisdom? When we begin to apply this practically, however, it becomes a bit of a “nut cracker.” Living in a society that is highly geared toward pleasure, sexual lust, and a thousand and one time consuming frivolities doesn’t make the sorting of priorities an easy matter. Jesus set us a superb example. As a young fellow He clearly announced His top priority, “I must be about my Father’s business!” That makes us ask: What is our Father’s business? In Luke 2 the angel’s priority was praising God. Then the night-shift-working shepherds tuned in with the same theme on their lips. Later Paul joined in with, “For me to live is Christ,” and “do all things to the glory of God.” We find a
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similar emphasis right through the scriptures, both in the Old and New Testament. So we discover that we were designed, created and put here for the explicit purpose of praising God in life (and later enjoy Him for all eternity). I commit my days to bring praise to the Father and He in return showers me with a bumper crop of blessings. These rewards may not always be instantly obvious, but they are as guaranteed and sure of coming as God Himself. So, I’ve sorted out my top priority: give praise to the Father. Can you think of a better goal to strive for in 1987? Leonard Barkman Pansy, Man.
From a college president
Jesus as example think of the challenges and W opportunities of 1987 I am reminded of the simple, yet profound, statement of purpose that Jesus had for his students. He called them, “that they might be with him, and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons” (Mark 3:14-15). First of all, he wanted them to be with him so that they might observe him carefully in order to become like him. As a Bible College our primary purpose is to gather staff and students around the Word of God so that together we may become more like Christ. This is in keeping with God’s pur pose for us as outlined in Romans 8:29, “he set us apart to become like his Son.” In order for this to be accomplished, as administrators, faculty and staff we want to continue to have confidence in the absolute trustworthiness of Scripture and in the illumina tion and transforming power of the Holy Spirit among us. Christ must be seen in us. We must have a sense of his presence and authority in our daily walk with him. We must have his compassion and be constantly learning and grow ing ourselves. Secondly, Jesus sent them out to preach or to com municate the Good News. We want to help identify the abilities and gifts students can develop and give guidance as to how these may be used beyond the classroom. We want to work on communication skills, both in receiving and send ing messages - written and verbal, on a one-to-one basis, in small groups, and in larger gatherings. As staff, we want to listen to concerned voices in the various publics we deal with, and be able to communicate our concerns and give the guidance expected of us as a Christian institution. Finally, Jesus gave his students authority over Satan and THE MESSENGER
demons. Let us remind ourselves again that he has given us the same authority for this coming year and always. “All authority has been given to me,” Jesus said, “Go therefore, and disciple all nations.” We want to demonstrate that con fidence as staff and seek to inspire it in our students so that they leave the classroom to serve as effective witnesses, at home or abroad, whatever their vocation. Ben Eidse Steinbach, Man.
From a student
Be established in the truth '^he challenges of 1987 lie before me. M As a Christian student, I am chal lenged to allow the Scriptures to stand as the authoritative Word of God. Regardless of the subject matter in any area of study, all information gained is subservient to the revelation of God in Scripture. I must choose to trust in the superiority of God’s revelation in the written Word. That will be my base of operation, my bottom line. Although I trust in the authority of God’s Word, I must recognize that I am limited and even prejudiced in my understanding of it. Therefore, I am challenged constantly to search for and to face truth. I must discern what my pre judices are and realize how they may obstruct my understand ing of the truth. I must be prepared to bend my opinion, my values, my mental structures, to what the Bible really says, to what Jesus teaches. I must not be fearful of truth, even though it may lead to paths hitherto unknown, untrod. Truth may appear to be found in opposing poles, but truth cannot ultimately contradict itself. I want to be “established in the truth” (2 Peter 1:12). The challenge to apply the truth comes to the student. I may move in a somewhat “non-real” context, but the challenge to apply God’s truth is, nonetheless, real. I am challenged to personal growth as I interact with new truth; I am challenged to obedience in light of the demands inherent in that truth. I am challenged to interaction with others who move in my particular student context, and with those who are outside my specific environment so that a balance may be fostered. Ministry within the church, within the student fellowships, or among the non-Christian segment is essential so that “ivory tower complexes” can be eliminated. Truth is ever relevant to life and to relationships with people. I can not bury myself in my books, oblivious to the world around me, and hope to grow as a person and as a Christian. As a student, I am challenged to look beyond the present. The occupation of studying is, at best, a temporary situation. Choices about careers and/or further study will have to be made. Will I make the right choice? Will I have the resources to meet the demands of the new situations? How comforting to realize that the same Holy Spirit who promises to guide us into all truth (John 16:13a), indwells us and will direct us to situations in which our Father may be glorified. Undreamed-of opportunities await us. As a student, I expect my preparation to alert me to those opportunities and to equip me for them. Aluira Friesen Morris, Man. JANUARY 9, 1987
From a church planter
Will be a great year Oaskatoon is a city characterized by ^Joptimism, progress and stability, but. sad to say, also poverty, sin, helplessness, pain and suffering. Challenges and opportunities are all about us. In spite of 103 churches in Saskatoon, there are many opportunities to respond to needs in its various forms - helping the elderly, visiting neighbours, praying with the sick, having coffee with business people, encouraging young peo ple to live a Christian lifestyle, etc. There are many social and moral issues at stake - Sunday shopping, deterioration of Biblical standards in our schools, meeting with peace activists, and discussions with other religious groups. I recently had an invitation to a luncheon sponsored by the Center of Ecumenism to dialog on the topic “How does one become a Christian?” for an open forum pro posed for 1988. Choices must be made. How does one plan to build the church? Are we in need of a building, or are we caught up with the “bigger-and-better” syndrome, and fail to com municate the most important issues? The vantage point of the church planter is to gather infor mation on the community, and under the Holy Spirit’s guidance postulate a New Testament church with 1987 customs and culture. How should we respond to the challenges, opportunities, spiritual and moral battles of 1987? Apart from culture and ethnic trappings, our mandate to res pond must be centered and rooted in the Word of God. The choices to be made in 1987 must be under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Hope, peace and love are in gredients that are essential in facing our world today. Without hope we lose our vision, compassion, and direction. Hope in Christ is what we can give our fellowman. No matter how dark the night, our message must be filled with excitement. Yes, tomorrow may be a better day. With Jesus it will be. We are called to be peacemakers. The peace with God and peace of God will enable us to be instruments of God’s peace for others. The Apostle Paul wrote, “ ... If I have not love, I gain nothing.” Jesus said, “Love your neighbours, enemies, all those for whom I died.” Apart from God’s grace, we cannot accomplish God’s plan for man. Praise God that His grace is sufficient to meet our every need when we, in humility, exercise faith and obedience to Him. We may all know what we should do, and how we should face the new year. The question is, “How will we respond?” No matter how many books we read and how many seminars we attend, or resolutions we make, we must respond with an emphatic yes, the Word of God, the Bible, God’s revela tion to man, will be my road map. (I have recently commit ted myself to repeated readings of the New Testament.) Can we all chime in and say. Yes, we will continue to build God’s church on His terms and for His glory? Yes, we will plant more churches. Yes, 1987 will be a great year. PTL! Peter Friesen Saskatoon, Sask. PAGE 3
From a pastor’s wife
From an MCC worker
Tend the inner fire
Combining word and deed
T'he letter arrived in late September 1. asking for an article on how, as a pastor’s wife, I would respond to the challenges, opportunities and spiritual battles of 1987. Inwardly 1 groaned and wondered why someone had decided to ask this particular pastor’s wife. Our > newborn son was four weeks old. Heidi had just started Kindergarten and somewhere in between three-year-old Scott needed some attention too. Life seemed a little rough and 1 was struggling to keep some sort of balance. I definitely wasn’t thinking ahead of 1987 and all the challenges it would bring. About the same time another pastor’s wife encouraged me to read Gail McDonald’s book High Call, High Priuilege. The book forced me to think about my role as a pastor’s wife and helped me decide to write this article. As a pastor’s wife in a fast-growing church 1 know there will be many challenges in 1987. There will be opportunities to open my home and extend hospitality. There will be those in our church who will'call on Charlie and me for help in many different types of situations. There’s a new mothers’ class start ing up and that will involve some commitment on my part as well. 1 know that 1987 will also see some spiritual battles take place in my own life as 1 continue in my Christian walk. So how will 1 respond to all of this? Again I would like to mention Gail McDonald’s book because in it I found some good advice. She mentions that the only way we can pro perly respond to all that is involved in the ministry is to “tend the inner fire.” She used the term “inner fire” to describe spending time with Christ. I agree with Mrs. McDonald that the only way 1 will be able to meet all the challenges of 1987 is to first make a conscious choice to spend time with Christ on a regular basis. As I “tend that inner fire” Christ will be able to change me and prepare me for what He knows is ahead. As I come to Him and ask for His will and direction for each day 1 will likely be more open to accept what would otherwise appear as interruptions in my day. As 1 let Him heal my hurts and fill my needs I will be better prepared to point the way for others in need. As 1 purposely withdraw from those I serve long enough to spend time alone with Christ I will be better prepared to serve. Even though 1 am a pastor’s wife, spending time alone with Christ does not happen naturally and so my aim for 1987 is to work at making this a top priority. Psalm 16:11 says, “You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand” (NIV). I can only speculate at what 1987 will bring but if 1 continue to get to know Christ better I can face the new year with anticipation and confidence. Lorraine Koop LaCrete, Alta.
^Thousands dying of starvation in K Ethiopia.” “Refugees dying by the hundreds in desperate bid for freedom.” Headlines like these in the media, ac companied by vivid pictures of human tragedy, will evoke sympathy and a generous outpouring of aid from a large segment of Americans. Entertainment artists will devote their talents to raise millions of dollars. Radio and TV stations will involve themselves in massive fund-raising ventures. Corpora tions will open their coffers and celebrities will get into the game of giving. Everyone, seemingly, is ready and willing to give when the need is presented vividly enough and often enough. Yes, even MCC’s program benefits when the media focus attention on some of the more spectacular tragedies. This has been the case at several points in the past several years as crises like the Asian refugees and later the Ethiopian famine were featured. 1986 did not see such events headlined for us and budgets reflected a corresponding shortfall. The challenge for MCC, along with its constituent churches, in 1987 may be to recognize that the famine is not over and the refugees have not all found a home when the headlines cease and the singers terminate the benefit concerts. There are still countless tragedies occurring which call for a compassionate Christian response. There are still millions of refugees waiting for a home, and many more people living in fear and anguish as a result of war and oppression. Many other needs can not be portrayed vividly on a TV screen or in a newspaper. Spiritual and emotional needs are also real and call for urgent responses. To minister to people “In the Name of Christ” calls for a response to all of these. In 1987, in my particular area of service, which is Kanadier
Concerns, we will seek, in some meaningful way, to relate to 100,000 Kanadier Mennonites. Their needs do not make the headlines and probably never will and yet they are real. They call for a special measure of understanding and humble self-examination for our Canadian churches. A challenge for 1987 might well be to accept these as “our” people, not as though we have all the answers but as the ones who need to ask the questions. Here is a large group of people with whom we share a com mon history, language and, to a large extent, a common culture. We need to make the most of these common factors and identify with them as “our” people. Many live in spiritual darkness and need to be guided into a personal faith in Christ. But there are many others who have a living faith and need to be encouraged to exercise that in the context of their own churches. One of the spiritual and moral conflicts we are frequently engaged in as churches and therefore also as MCC concerns the relationship between the proclamation of the Word and the full application of its message. At a recent meeting one
THE MESSENGER is published every other week by The Evangelical Mennonite Conference, Board of Education and Publication, Box 1268, Stein bach, Manitoba, ROA 2A0. Second Class Mail; Registration Number 0591. Undeliverable copies, change of address and new subscriptions should be mailed to the above address. The Messenger is a member of Meetinghouse.
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THE MESSENGER
of the participants predicted, “This will be the last generation to separate Word and deed.” Hopefully 1987 will see our constituency working creatively at making this a reality. The Moderators’ and Secretaries’ Consultation in January may serve to set the tone for this process. The spirit of Paul reflected in Philippians 1:27 will serve us well to achieve our goals in this new year, “that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.” Menno Kroeker Rosenort, Man.
From an outgoing missionary
One day at a time fter studying Spanish for one year 2>now, I am tempted to say our big gest challenge for the next three years will be Spanish. There will be many challenges but presently we are unaware of what they will be. They are future. We are reading about and studying the Paraguayan culture and we know what work we will be involved with. However, presently we need to be content knowing there will be challenges and oppor tunities and to prepare ourselves daily for each one as it arrives. We need, therefore, to concentrate on the present, know ing that each day is a spiritual battle. These battles will always be prevalent. They are not only present in a foreign country, but when the missionary is not home with his local church, family and friends, the battle often appears to be more in-
: * Ji: ihJ
By Don Thiessan
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“Participaction” Some years ago the government initiated a physical fitness pro gram labelled “participaction,” combining the idea of participa tion and action. Many apparently rallied to the idea of being ac tively involved rather than being spectators. The church, and music in particular, can easily, and has in some ways, become very spectator-oriented. There are several factors that have contributed to this situa tion. Undoubtedly some of these would also be true of other areas of church work. Ironically, some of these factors should have contributed to an improvement in involvement in music, but the opposite seems to have happened. Although some of the follow ing points could be argued, I suggest them for your consideration. First, there has been a shift in the focus of the social life of church people. Twenty to thirty years ago, the church activities provided many of the social life opportunities for all ages. The choir was definitely a social as well as a musical event. With in creased mobility these needs can now easily be met elsewhere. A music concert is available several nights of the week in nearby cities. Second, the increase of music in the schools seems to cones-
JANUARY 9, 1987
tense. It is Satan’s desire to discourage the missionary for he knows discouragement will make the missionary ineffective in his ministry. To fight this spiritual battle of discouragement the believer must___________ ? Yes, it is PRAY! D. Hesselgrave says in his book. Planting Churches Cross-culturally, “We are sons who should be communicating with the Father and about the ‘Family Business.’ We are soldiers - in an army that goes for ward only on its knees.” Who should pray for the effectiveness of the missionary in his ministry? As a Conference, we believe the Lord calls out individuals from the local church, as well as those being sent. We praise the Lord for our local church who encouraged us by their prayers and personally mentioned to us that they were praying during our year in language school. These prayers were evident in our lives as we now have a greater peace about the Lord’s call to Paraguay than we did one year ago. This is not emotionalism; it is the power of prayer in a spiritual battle. The nationals to whom we will be ministering will need to see that we care about them and love them as individuals. With choices to make and moral issues to consider, this caring attitude of the missionary may at times be misinterpreted. The Apostle Paul felt this challenge to be understood by the Thessalonians. In I Thessalonians 1:5 he says to the converts, “You know how we lived among you for your sake.” His desire was to be with them as a mother is gentle with her children but also as a father encourages, comforts and urges them to live lives worthy of God, who calls them into his kingdom and glory (I Thess. 2:7, 11-12). Let’s respond in 1987 with prayer for prevalent battles and for success in opportunities to share the salvation message of our Lord. Ren Zacharias Missionary to Paraguai^ pond with a drop in musical participation in our churches. Students sing in choirs and play in bands at school. By the evening they’re “played out” and often school performances conflict with church events. The musical expertise among our young people is phenomenal compared to a generation ago, but we do not seem to be able to incorporate this into our church life. Third, with greater professionalism in the Christian music scene, there appears to be less involvement by amateurs. Recordings display a perfection that is impossible in live performance; travell ing groups set standards unattainable by local church ensembles; some trained musicians intimidate the less-trained. All this adds up to fewer people involved in the music ministry. Very talented members of the congregation are simply spectators when they could make very positive contributions. Ironically, the trend to fewer people participating in music has coincided with a growth in our churches. As more people became available, fewer, not more, became involved. Almost without ex ception our largest churches have neither a choir nor a band. Both would be possible if the commitment were there from the music leadership and the congregation. Churches are beginning to engage more staff. If this trend con tinues, maybe it is time to consider the possibility of music ministers to coordinate all the human musical resources that we have. We should never think that they should do it all but they could help more of us experience the blessings of service. Another possibility would be to reduce the paid staff and have more lay people to share the responsibility. Whatever we do, to be simply a spectator, in music as in other activities, is to reap only a por tion of the possible benefits.
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Paul left us an example
Opening
Doors
in 1987
by E. J. Wright
T
he new year is much like a door. It is a door out of J the known into the unknown; a door out of the familiar into the unfamiliar. Many of us pass through the door of the new year with apprehensions, and perhaps even fear. The Bible speaks of doors in various ways, but most im portantly of the doors that God opens and closes, and those that people open and close. In Genesis 7:16 we have God closing the door of the Ark. In this act God saved Noah and his family from the terrible judgement He imposed on that wicked human race. In Matthew 25:10 we have God shut ting the door to the wedding feast, so that the five foolish PAGES
virgins were left outside. These verses talk to us about man’s relationship to his Creator, and are worthy of a great deal of study and mediation, as we pass through the door into 1987. The Bible also reminds us that we can shut the door of our lives so that nothing of God - His mercy, grace, forgiveness. His person - can enter into us. Rev. 3:20 reveals this fact so clearly and indelibly. I am fully aware that most of the readers of The Messenger have already opened that door to allow the Lord Jesus into our lives. How many of us, though, have in the passing of the year, gradually, and perhaps in a sense of unawareness, contained the person of Christ within us in only the areas which we determine, and perhaps because of our limited knowledge of who He really is, and what He really wants from us. Paul the Apostle is a great example of a child of God open ing doors and going through them in pursuit of his great call ing to be an ambassador for Christ. At the conclusion of his first letter to the Corinthians in chapter 16 verse 9, he writes with persuasion, “For a great and effectual door is opened up to me, and there are many adversaries.” “When 1 came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, a door was opened unto me of the Lord” (2 Cor. 2:12). Paul’s whole Christian life was spent in opening doors in his life, to let the Holy Spirit fulfill in his life all the heavenly Father had ordained, and all that Christ had completed in His servant role, while here on earth. All of Paul’s life was open to God so that he could say, “Nevertheless 1 live, yet not, but Christ liveth in me” (Galations 2:20). In Acts 14:27, at the conclusion of his first missionary journey, Paul declared to the church at Antioch how God had opened a door of faith unto the Gentiles. What excite ment their story created in the hearts and minds of those who had sent them out to the Gentiles! What about us in 1987, as we stand in the midst of a very sick world? Are there areas around us where the need is so great, but the desire and strength to do something about it is so small? Doors are open everywhere for the good news to be proclaimed in word and deed. What is the problem? Perhaps we should start looking into our own lives and see if Christ permeates every part of our being. Perhaps He has never been permitted to enter the rooms of our lives whose doors are named. Fear, Selfcenteredness, etc. Our wonderful Lord tells us in His word that He would desire, above all, to change these names. In place of Fear he would write Power, Loue, Wisdom. In place of Self-centeredness. He would write, “For me to live is Christ.” These are just two closed doors in many of our lives; there are many more. You yourself know which ones they are. Is God still knocking at the doors of the rooms of your life? To have an ‘open and effectual door of faith to the world around us’ Christ must first of all have full access to all that we are. In conclusion, I quote two statements. One is the statement that stined D. L. Moody to open all the doors of his life. He heard a man say, “The world has yet to see what God can do, with one who gives himself completely to God.” Moody said, “By the grace of God, I will be that man.” Everyone knows the results of that decision. The second statement is quite different, yet conveys the same meaning, “If God is not Lord of all. He is not Lord at all.” Why not open those doors, so that God can use all of you for Himself in His plan for sav ing the world! ■ THE MESSENGER
093
ANNIVERSARY
From Mennonite Gemeinde to Evangeiicai Conference: A Portrait his year marks 175 years since a tiny group of Mennonites began meeting for Bible studies in the Molotschna Colony in South Russia. Their common concern was that the Mennonite church was compromising in its discipleship of Jesus Christ. Two years later this group, led by 44-year-old Rev. Klaas Reimer, would officially separate from the main church after coming to the painful conclusion that the old Anabaptist teachings of the church be ing the unblemished bride of Christ were going unheeded. It was a small group and thus came to be known as the Kleine Gemeinde (K.G.). Seven generations later the descendant church, the Evangelical Mennonite Conference (EMC), is still a relatively small and conservative body and still teaches a practical Christocentric life. But many other things have changed. Is the EMC today stronger, wiser, more biblical than its 19th-century forebears? Or has it lost the vision for a life of nonconforming, costly discipleship? What are the themes, the broad strokes, which outline the 175 years of this small church? For the sake of providing an overview let us divide our history into four chapters. RECOVERING A LOST VISION was the overarching concern of the church in the first era. In the first 50 or so years the KG was led by three elders: Klaas Reimer, Abraham Friesen and Johann Friesen - successful farmers, avid readers, strict disciplinarians, pro phetic leaders. They led an unor thodox group, whose members were scattered throughout the villages of the Molotschna colony, met for worship in homes, boldly countered nonbiblical trends among Mennonites, suf fered the consequences of belonging to an unauthorized church, vigorous ly published devotional material, and readily defended the cause of the poor JANUARY 9, 1987
and imprisoned. In the second era the Gemeinde was faced with increasingly disruptive pressures, both from within and without. These were the YEARS OF TRIAL. In 1866 the KG left the Molotschna to form its own, exclusive colony at Borosenko, 80 miles to the west. Ironically, this was also the year that the group suffered a major split arising from its ideal of an “unblemish ed” church. Then came notice of Russia’s new military laws and the group was forced to leave for Manitoba and Nebraska. In the New World the Holdeman crisis of 1882, the Bruderthaler splinter of 1897, the Great War of 1914-18, and the Manitoba School decision of 1919 put the KG more and more on its guard. The leaders, Peter Toews, A.L. Friesen, Jacob M. Kroeker and Peter R. Dueck, worked hard and diligent ly at shepherding their flock during these troubled years. In 1919 the KG made, or lacked to make, a decision which would open her up in major influences in the years to come. While other conservative churches decided to leave Canada, the KG opted to remain in a rapidly modernizing country. From 1919, when the Gemeinde was forced to ac cept public school education, to 1962, the church’s sesquicentennial, forces of change would radically alter the old church. These were the YEARS OF TRANSITION. It was often the story of a reluctant leadership moving to ac commodate itself to new realities and a progressive laity. Innovations came: Sunday school in the 20s, mission reports in the 30s, local church autonomy and Bible school atten dance in the 40s, a name change, a mission board and official conference structure in the 1950s, an English paper in the early 60s. These were both the substance and the cause of
the changes. Men, speaking English and preaching evangelicalism, were replacing the seemingly negative teaching of nonconformity and cor porate life with the happy truths of assurance of salvation and individual responsibility. The years since 1962 have seen fewer changes. The church leaders mentioned in the first edition of the MESSENGER in January 1963, Ben D. Reimer, Archie Penner, Benny Eidse, John P. Loewen, Harvey Plett, Ben Friesen, and D. K. Schellenberg, are still active today. Only from a future perspective, perhaps our bicentennial in 2012, will we be able to see the significance of the years we are living through today. Will the EMC become just another North American evangelical church? Or will it be able to integrate the vision of the Anabap tists with their insistence on Christiani ty as discipleship, as nonresistance as a way of life, and the church as a brotherhood. How will we handle the influences of humanism, of pentecostalism, of fundamentalism, of materialism? This fourth, and largely unwritten chapter, must remain entitl ed OUR COMING OF AGE. These are the broad strokes on the canvas of our history. In the coming months we will discuss the finer strokes, the lines and the varying hues of our story. This is a story of our forefathers deligently seeking God’s guidance and the truths of the Gospel of Jesus in an ever changing world. By focusing on their commitment perhaps our zeal for God’s truth can be increased and our understanding of His church deepened. — Royden Loewen
CONTRIBUTORS:
We thought it proper to highlight the year before us by seeking the opinions of a number of EMCers in different callings. We thank each one for their contribution. We hope they will prove to be a blessing to you. Dick Friesen (Prairie Rose) is involved in prison chaplaincy in Manitoba. Edna Penner (Ridgewood) is a nurse at the Rio Grande Bi ble Institute in Edinburg, Texas. Wayne and Essie Herrod (Braeside) are serving in Nairobi, Kenya under the Africa Inland Mission. Edwin and Violet Wright live in Sturgis, Sask. Rose Steppan is from our Endeavour congregation. Royden Loewen is a member of the EMC Board of Education and Publication. PAGE 7
Missions KENYA
A Practical Concern “Unto the least of these . . . ”
In our early years at Lokichogio we became aware that two middle-aged men in the community were cripples and the problems they encountered in dragging themselves around slowly dawned on us. The soil temperatures during the day are high, and little seeds with four or five sharp prongs pointing in different direc tions cover the ground at certain times of the year. Initially, through the generosity of western Christians, we were able to pur chase two wheel chairs which made them comfortably mobile. They were very grateful but they were still dependent on the generosity of others to get their daily food and needed clothing. The Lord placed on our hearts the need to assist these men to become more independent. Although their legs are useless, their hands and arms are strong and normal. Shoes made of tires are very popular and inexpensive, so the church leaders decid ed to provide the tires, free of charge, and the simple tools required to make shoes. That was five years ago. They are still unable to get their own tires, but when tires are available they can make and sell enough shoes to feed and clothe their own families. A businessman in Nairobi has agreed to supply used tires
free of charge (they normally sell them) because we are using them to help these two needy men. Of course, our goal is for these to make their own contacts and pay for the tires, and they are moving in that direction. Both of these men have heard the gospel but to our knowledge neither has experienced God’s salvation. One now lives in Lodwar, one hundred and fifty miles from Lokichogio, but is not at tending church. The other man lives in Lokichogio and is frequently in church on Sunday. Prayer for these men is need ed. Both are very grateful to the church for its help, but they have yet to seek and find the Lord. Please pray! Wayne Herrod
EDINBURG, TEXAS
A Zeal to Serve Concerned about family; members
One evening when 1 was up in the dor mitory at RGBl, Mari, one of the Bible school students, came and asked if she could talk to me. I could see she was real ly upset so I found a quiet place where we could talk. Then she told me that she had just found out that her grandmother had died suddenly. Her grandmother had been very involved in paganistic beliefs and practises. Mari said she had told her about the Lord a number of
times. However, she felt very guilty now because she had not specifically asked her if she wanted to accept the Lord as her personal Saviour. 1 listened to her as she cried and talked. Then we prayed together. We prayed especially for her other family members. (Mari is the only Christian in her family.) We also prayed that God would use her to communicate His love and the plan of salvation to her parents and other relatives. Mari is one of many keen young Chris tians who come to the RGBI to study to prepare themselves to better serve the Lord. Many of them are the only Chris tians in their families and get no en couragement from home so it is not easy. Yet so often 1 am encouraged as I see their love for the Lord and for others. Pray for them that they might grow stronger in the Lord as they study here. Pray also that their zeal to serve the Lord and reach their family members, as well as many others, might grow and that the Lord will use them greatly in His harvest. Edna Penner
Cover Photo: A more spectacular display of nature at its best would be hard to imagine than what we had one day in December last year. If we read Psalm 147:16 we see that it is not an acci dent either: “He scatters hoarfrost like ashes.” Only God could put on a display like this. Taken by the editor at the Mennonite Village Museum, Steinbach, MB.
Now He Can See! 1 met a man whom 1 knew quite well. Practically all his life he lived in a shell. He never said “hi,” he’d just nod his head. He knew no comforts such as a nice warm bed. He seemed so callous as people would think. But 1 thought him different as we’d sit there and drink. For years and years I’d bought this man booze. He believed when 1 said, “We have nothing to lose!” We got into trouble and he’d like to fight. We also made money when the time was right. He broke many hearts and had no respect. People who knew him, this man they’d reject. Down on the skids he lived for years. When 1 think of this man I break into tears. Life to him was aimless, but the thing was to exist. How much longer would he live when evil would persist? PAGE 8
He fought the law and wound up in jail, Like many times before, he got denied bail. Off to prison he’d go for a spell. There he would search for a way out of his hell. Today I see him as a changing man. Laughing and smiling whenever he can. I heard him say he was God’s lost child. He seemed to be happy as he turned and smiled. He said he was tired of being a fraud. But the greatest thing is, he now lives for God. The man 1 speak of was none other but me. I’ve lived a “blind life” but now I can see! Ron Bird Stony Mountain Submitted by Dick Friesen THE MESSENGER
Messenger News 9
On left: New sanctuary at Mt. Salem EMC Church.
Mt. Salem EMC Church: Ontario
Dedicate New Sanctuary Sunday, November 30, saw the dedication of the new Mt. Salem EMC sanctuary at Aylmer, Ontario. Present from here were two EMC Board of Mis sions members as well as the former pastor and his wife, Menno and Dorothy Kroeker, and Mr. and Mrs. Peter Dyck. Chairing the dedication service was newly-appointed pastor, Mr. John P. Loewen, formerly of Blumenort, Man. He and his wife Helen moved here in the
fall of 1986. Ben Klassen, member of the building committee, gave the building report. The new sanctuary was built on to the old church with a corridor between. The new facility will add 5400 sq. ft. to the entire complex. The new sanctuary will seat 250, with an overflow of 150. The cost stayed within about the $110,000 figure proposed. Much volun tary labour went into the structure. As
well, local business people assisted. On salary, as building superintendent, was Ben Klassen, a local deacon. The pro ject was financed locally, as well as by the EMC Board of Missions and some other EMC churches. Former pastor, Mr. Kroeker, did a lot of leg work to get the project going. Also making remarks at the dedication service were Pete Wiebe and Bill Siemens of the Building Committee. Greetings were brought from three other Mennonite churches: Rev. Jacob Reimer (Old Colony), Rev. John Kaunhoffen (Sommerfelder) and Dave Friesen (EMMC). Mr. Harvey Plett (Steinbach) had the dedicatory message. Ben Friesen (Stein bach) brought a Canada mission report. The dedication prayer was offered by both Mr. Plett and Pastor John Loewen. Attendance at the dedication service was around 200. Regular attendance is around 125. Both Low German and English are used in the services. Due to the continu ing flow of Mennonites from Latin America the German will likely continue. The former building, now connected to the new church, will be used to house Sunday school rooms, kitchen and the pastor’s office. It might also be mentioned that their church furniture was donated by a Baptist church which closed down. Leading the singing was Ben Klassen. Special singing was by a choir. The closing hymn was “We Dedicate this
■I Back row; Ben Klassen (deacon). Bill Siemens (deacon). Front: Harvey Plett (Academic Dean, Steinbach Bible Col lege), Menno Kroeker (former pastor at Mt. Salem), John P. Loewen (pastor, Mt. Salem church).
JANUARY 9, 1987
Gari Brandt is the youth worker at Mt. Salem (his wife Cindi on left). John P. Loewen (right), seen here with his wife Helen, is pastor of the Mt. Salem EMC Church.
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Male choir singing at the dedication service at Mt. Salem EMC Church.
Temple.” Lunch and fellowship followed the service. The Mt. Salem church had its begin ning in 1976 when Mr. and Mrs. C.F. Dueck came here under the EMC Board of Missions. Services were held at first in
the Summer’s Corner Public School and later in a Baptist church. After this they purchased a vacant school property in which they then had services till 1986 when the new church was built.
HOME FOR CHRISTMAS
members in the next part. Finally, we view ed a slide presentation, “The Home Church at Christmas,” where each family or single member saw themselves on the screen for a few seconds. The congregation then sang “For He Alone is Worthy,” and Pastor Frank Kroeker spoke the benediction. It was a meaningful morning for the large audience. On Christmas Eve we heard a cantata, “Love Beyond Measure,” performed by the choir. It was only a three-quarter-hour pro gram, but each song was brought in a clear and impressionable way. The theme song was truly beautiful and was sung again on Christmas Day, along with a few others. Ben ny Friesen brought the message. We also saw Dora Friesen, who is home from the mission field this Christmas. Welcome! Bible school, college and university students met at the Benny Friesen home on December 23 for a Christmas social. The youth group met December 30 for a “ycar-end sing-andshare.”
Rosenort, Man.; The Ladies’ Fellowship invited their husbands and friends to a Christmas banquet on December 2, with the theme being “Love is Born.” They had ask ed Andy Funk of Winnipeg to sing new and old Christmas songs. There was also a film entitled “Bethlehem’s Stable Boy,” a touching story dealing with the Messiah’s birth and its far-reaching consequences. In it, even the hardened “scrooge” of an innkeeper was moved to adoration of the Christ Child. A group of carollers went to Woodlands on December 17 to spread Christmas cheer. The senior citizens’ lodge was the main stop. Our Sunday school Christmas program was held December 21. Titled “Home for Christmas,” it consisted of four or five parts. Cornie Bartsch and Rodney Dueck shared nanation duties. The younger primaries and the Kindergartners performed first, singing “Welcome Home” and “Christmas is a Time to Love.” Then the primary choir, the youth choir and the ladies’ double trio served in the second part. There were also recitations, choral speaking, a story, and a delightful duet by Karlene and Crystal Siemens. In part three, an instrumental Christmas medley on piano and violin was sandwiched between a choral speaking and a play, “Away from Home for Christmas,” which showed why we should remember our missionaries at Christmas time. A pantomime, “Home for Christmas,” was performed by adult Bible study group PAGE 10
VISITING MISSIONARIES APPRECIATED
Fisher Branch, Man.: Our Interlake Mis sionary Conference took place from October 31 to November 2. We appreciated the visiting missionaries, Ernie and Mary Anne Loewen (Paraguay), Fred and Irene Buhler (Paraguay), Marvin and Lorraine Thiessen (El Paso), and Paul and Lois Thiessen (West
Africa). Ben Friesen was our speaker for the four sessions and he also spoke at the men’s prayer breakfast on Saturday morning. Mary Anne Loewen gave the ladies a very in teresting outlook on family life on the foreign field. Thank you to all of you! Arley and Tina Barkman missed most of the missionary conference due to “family af fairs.” Stephanie anived on November 3 and already is loved by all of us. Congratulations! Stephanie was born with infant cataracts and is to undergo surgery on both of her eyes. On November 30, after our communion service, we had a special time of prayer for her (James 5:14, 15). Andrew and Esther Dueck of Mennville were present at this occasion. Our prayers are with you, Arley and Tina. “Jesus, Our Friend” was the topic for the evening program brought to us by a group from Lundar on November 16. We were blessed by the enthusiasm and closeness we felt in their presence. Many thanks! Nick and Rose Plett, together with their girls, Fenella, Adele, and Cindy, took a short holiday to St. Paul-Minneapolis, driving in blizzard conditions part of the way. We thank God for keeping them safe. However, their son Jeff suffered minor injuries in a wedding mishap. He was hospitalized for a week. Gerhard, Victoria and Erwin Vogel have again left for a few months; they have gone “home” to Venezuela for Christmas. We wish all our readers and friends a bless ed new year!
Needed Mennonite Central Committee Canada (MCCC) invites applicants for the position of Director of the Mental Health Program. Qualifications: - a faith commitment to Jesus Christ and membership in an MCC constituency congregation, - good understanding of the MCCC constituency, - strong organizational, communications and leadership skills, - ability to relate to mental health professionals, - graduate training and experience in a relevant field.
VS preferred but salary considered. Deadline for applications - February 28,1987. Address inquiries to: Harold Koslowsky MCCC 134 Plaza Drive Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 5K9 Phone: (204) 261-6381
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NEW MEMBERS WELCOMED
V.'
Calgary, Alta.: We are so privileged to rekindle friendships with our missionaries when they return home for a time. The latest arrivals were Ron and Rosanne Poffenroth and their children, Benji and Andrea. Their short furlough meant we would not be able to spend too much time with them since their family is quite scattered. We were fortunate to have them worship with us a few Sundays, though. On one of those Sundays, November 30, Rosanne told the touching story of Ursula and Ron gave a short message on what a name can mean. Our lives are to be worthy of having the name of Jesus attached to them. They also gave a short but informative slide presentation. We became more acquainted with their work in Austria through an infor mal slide showing in the evening at the home of Dennis and Irene Plett. We just wish their furlough allowed them more time with us. MCC Alberta had its annual 'meeting here in Calgary on November 21 and 22. It was co-hosted by our church and the Calgary Mennonite Fellowship. This gave everyone the opportunity for involvement, as both church groups are relatively small. The main speaker for the weekend was Dan Zehr, Ex ecutive Secretary of MCC Canada, and the theme was “Choose Life Abundant.” Our annual Christmas banquet was held on Friday, December 12. Although the turnout was small, the food, as well as fellowship, was heartily partaken of. Since this was probably the last time many of us would be seeing Ron and Rosanne, we had a time of prayer for them and gave them a small token of our love for them - a gift of money. A quiz with most ly Christmas-related questions was asked of the guests. A correct answer deserved one of the many prizes, most of which came from the MCC craft store. The Christmas program on December 14 brought out many parents and friends who do not attend regularly. Refreshments follow ed the program during which time we could meet and get better acquainted with friends and newcomers. Names given to menu selections are sometimes misleading. The young people found this to be more than true when names like “Hay in the Manger,” “Star of the East,” and others similar to this appeared on their Christmas banquet menu. Some ordered pudding and lasagna with no cutlery. Others were luckier, but most were caught shorthanded at one time or another during their “mystery supper.” A fun evening full of surprises! Peter and Susan Thiessen and Jonathan Toews were accepted as members by transfer on December 7. Abe and Sarah Harder and their daughters Carrie, Laura, and Helen were also accepted as members by transfer one Sunday earlier since Abe was to be in the hospital on December 7 due to impending
JANUARY 9, 1987
EMC History Symposium March 13-14 Steinbach Bible College
The Mennonite Kleine Gemeinde, 1812-1920 And Its Leaders I The Russian Period 1812-1874 Speakers:
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Harvey Plett
Delbert Plett
b
Al Reimer
II “Peter Toews and the Holdeman secession of 1881-82”
a
Speaker. Clarence Hiebert, Hillsboro, Kansas
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III Pioneering in a New World 1874-1920 Speakers:
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Henry Fast
Menno Kroeker
back surgery. His surgery went very well and after the first few trying days he was well on his way to mobility once again.
Roy Loewen
We praise the Lord for His goodness and care throughout 1986 and look forward to serving Him more faithfully in 1987.
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Lisa and Dave Reimer
WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
For Dave and Lisa Reimer December 20, 1986 was a very special day. Their children had prepared and coordinated a lovely 50th wedding anniversary celebration for them. It was held in the Ridgewood Church where the Reimers are members. About 250 guests came out to reminisce and praise God together with them. In 50 years Dave and Lisa have en countered both high and low points but they had “His word as a lamp to their feet and a light to their path” (Psalm 119:105) and there is no stronger keeping power than that. The Reimers have a large family who cer tainly are a blessing to them. The Ed Reimers and Ed and Susie Barkman and families came from B.C. and Len and Sue Reimer and their two married children, Teresa and Scott
Neabel and Terry and Lois Reimer, from Woodstock, Ontario. Teresa and Scott have given the Reimers their first two greatgrandchilren. The rest of the Reimer family are all living in Manitoba. Dave, the anniversary bridegroom, is well known as the Village Museum blacksmith and maybe equally well known as a carpenter of beautifully crafted homemade furniture. His wife Lisa has a way with hospitality that her children especially paid tribute to. Rev. Henry Kornelsen made the closing at this celebration. He did some reminiscing of his own connection with the family and with some of the things that already had been said and praised God for the day and the exam ple of Christian homes and marriages. Helena Dueck
Focus on Pastoral Care "The Congregation as Caring Community” Sponsored by Eden Mental Health Centre Tuesday, January 13 - Steinbach, EMB Church Wednesday, January 14 - Winnipeg, Portage Ave. M.B. Church Thursday, January 15 - Winkler, Eden Mental Health Centre with Dr. Al Dueck
9:30-noon: Networks and Natural Helpers; Getting a Congregation to Share 1:30-4:00: On Being Christian and Depressed
Dr. Dueck’s presentations will be similar in content at each of the three locations. Participants will make their own arrangements for the noon meal. The registration for the day is $25 per participant. For registration call Ernie Isaak at 325-4325 or 822-5034 (res.).
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. Jjfj Marvin Thiessen preaching at the MacGregor church.
DOING GOD’S WORK MacGregor, Man.: Marvin Thiessen, mis sionary on furlough from Brazil (Janz Team), was our missions conference speaker in November. Friday evening he spoke concer ning family relationships. Are we too busy to take time for our family, our spouse or the Lord? We can make a million mistakes in rais ing our children, but they will know whether we are sincere and are out to do the very best for them! In speaking to youth on Saturday he stress ed the importance of accepting ourselves as God has made us; this is really the beginning of knowing what God has for us. When we do God’s work here and now, God can direct us step by step. If we are not involved in His work here at home, we cannot expect to be effective on the mission field either. We need to remember our missionaries in prayer daily - concerning daily frustrations, how to work with other missionaries, their family life while on the mission field in another country. Also pray for the missionaries’ time of furlough. We need to consider what the home churches expect of those on furlough as well as what the missionaries on furlough can expect when returning home. Thank you, Marvin, for spending this time with us.
Coming January 21-22 Consultation of Canadian Conference moderators and secre taries, Winnipeg, Man. January 22-23 MCC Canada Annual Meeting, Winnipeg, Man. February 7 EMC ministerial meeting J Crestview church February 13-16 Canadian Revival Fellow ship annual conference at Grant Memorial Baptist Church, Winnipeg, Man. THE MESSENGER
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Colin Peters, David Reimer, Professor Urry, Darnell Plett, Pastor Edwin Plett. go all the way with God, identify with the church, and be baptized. Darnell Plett, Colin Peters, and David Reimer took this step of obedience at the Prairie Rose Church on December 7 and Rodney Kehler at the Silberfeld Chortitzer Church on October 19. Interestingly, they have all grown up on a farm. So many other parents would have lik ed to see their sons take this step too. Two couples were received into the membership of our church by way of transfer on December 14. A hearty welcome goes out to Elmer and Mary Penner and Art and Ed na Wiebe. They have been actively involved in the church and community for quite some time already and will, no doubt, be a conti nuing support and blessing to many.
Fred Klassen of Blumenort officiating. The couple is making their home in Winnipeg, Man. BRANDT-GIESBRECHT: Reynold, son of Mr. and Mrs. Dave Brandt of Blumenort, Man., and Beryl, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jake Giesbrecht of MacGregor, Man., were manied on December 20, 1986 in MacGregor. John Koop of St. Adolphe, Man. officiated. The couple is making their home in Steinbach. SUTLER-FAST: Rick, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Sittier of Elmira, Ont., was married on December 20, 1986 to Julene, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wilbert Fast of Blumenort, Man. The wedding took place at the Blumenort E. M. Church with Walter Reimer of Blumenort, Man. officiating. The cou ple is making their home in Elmira, Ont. SAWATZKY-DYCK: Timothy, son of Glen and Tina Sawatzky of MacGregor, Man., and Elizabeth, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Dyck of Winnipeg, Man., were married at the Morrow Gospel Church in Winnipeg on December 6, 1986. Jake Froese of Winnipeg officiated. The couple is residing in MacGregor, Man. DYCK-DUECK: Rodney, son of John and Mary Dyck of Winnipeg, Man., was married to Carla, daughter of Walter and Nettie Dueck of Winnipeg, Man. The wedding took place at the Braeside E. M. Church in Winnipeg on November 29, 1986, with John Stoesz of Winnipeg officiating. The cou ple is making their home in Winnipeg. DUECK-GIESBRECHT: Mervin, son of Mr. and Mrs. Cornie B. Dueck of Morris, Man., and Susan, daughter of Mr. Joseph Giesbrecht of Gnadenthal, Man., were married on November 29, 1986. The wedding took place at the Rosenort E. M. Church, with Frank P. Kroeker of Rosenort, Man. officiating. The couple is making their home in Morris.
Births Elmer and Mary Penner and Art and Edna Wiebe were accepted into the membership of the Landmark church on December 14. Pastor Edwin Plett is on the right. YOUNG MEN SET AN EXAMPLE Landmark, Man.: Little did the class of three young men realize that a treat was in store for them when they decided to attend instruction classes with Pastor Plett, in preparation for baptism. Dr. James Urry of New Zealand was speaking on the role of the Kleine Gemeinde Mennonites in Russia at the Steinbach Bible College on December 3, a good class on church history from an an thropologist’s point of view, and that’s where the teacher took his students. The instruction classes consisted of eleven lessons on “Christian Living,” taken from the book The Christian Life. Hearing their testimonies at the membership meeting was a blessing and encouragement. God is doing a work of grace in the lives of some of our young men. Four of the grade twelve students at the Landmark Collegiate had decided to
JANUARY 9, 1987
DUECK - to Erwin and Greta Dueck of Niverville, Man., a daughter, Clarissa Requel, on December 16, 1986. REIMER - to Bryan and Cheryl Reimer of Blumenort, Man., a daughter, Amara Desirae, on November 24, 1986. REMPEL - to John and Marcia Rempel of Blumenort. Man., a daughter, Amanda Nicole, on September 28, 1986. SAWATZKY - to Richard and Karen Sawatzky of MacGregor, Man., a son, Justin Paul, on December 13, 1986. MATTHEW - to Thomas and Leelama Matthew of Winnipeg, Man., a son, Jeffrey Varghese Thomas, on December 3, 1986. BARKMAN - to Arley and Tina Barkman of Fisher Branch, Man., a daughter, Stephanie Lydia An nette, on November 3, 1986. DUECK - to Wes and Melody Dueck of Rosenort, Man., a son, Christopher Ryan, on January 2, 1987.
Weddings CHANTZIANTONIOU-DOERKSEN: Konstantinos, son of Mr. and Mrs. Demetrious Chantziantoniou of Winnipeg, Man., was married to Connie, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John J. Doerksen of' Blumenort, Man., on October 24, 1986. The wed ding took place at the Blumenort E. M. Church with
“TEACH ME, LORD” Teach me to pray, Lord. I do not know the words to say. My heart cries out, and yet I do not know how I should pray. I want to pray - for others. Teach me to love. Lord, To share what you have given me, with a world destitute and hopeless, needing love and caring. Help me to love. Teach me to give of myself to others, of my bountiful riches in you, Lord. Help me to understand the needs of others, so that I may give. Mrs. Violet M. Wright, Sturgis, Sask.
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EULOGY OF ALEXANDER MOISHE WEINGERGER
Alexander Moises (Moishe) Weinberger was born December 31, 1915 in Gorky, Russia to Nathan and Serafina Weinberger. He hardly knew his soldier father. Following the death of his father, he, along with his mother and family, moved to Hamburg, Ger many in 1925. There he entered Rabbinical teaching - pur suing a lifelong dream, but this was inter rupted during his vacation in January 1935. One cold wintry night the Gestapo arrived and ordered the Weinbergers to “march,” to get out of the country in 24 hours or be sent to a camp. With the assistance of kind German neighbors, they escaped, hidden in hay wagons, to the Czechoslovakian border 400 miles away. That same year he married Emelia Moscovitch. He established a successful sawmill and lumber wholesale business, but Emelia knew about the dream. With her en couragement and sacrifice, he once again entered Rabbinical training in Prague. Just three months before graduation, Ger man troops arrived in Prague. March 15, 1939 the announcement came over the radio, “All Jews attending school beyond fourth grade elementary must withdraw.” Because of the difficult times, the Synod called him to be rabbi in charge of Shalom Synagogue in Bratislava - without a diploma. At last his dreams were fulfilled - a nice house, two little daughters, a lovely wife, a good position as head of a large synagogue. Moishe was taken prisoner December 4, 1940. Fifty-one months later he was released, in March of 1945. All efforts to find his family proved futile. Six months in hospital rebuilt his body somewhat but his faith was shattered. Where was God? Had He forsaken him completely? In September 1945 he emigrated to Palestine. Having lost faith in the God of Israel, he turned to a new god - heroin - easi ly obtainable and cheap. He lived on a kib butz, working for Moscovitch and Sons fruit growers and exporters. In 1947 they sent him to India where he was field supervisor on a coffee/tea/rice plantation. He was recalled to Israel in 1948 to serve six months military duty and so was only 200 feet from David Ben Gurion the day Israel became a free state. He returned to his job in India, emigrating to Canada in 1959. His involvement with il licit drugs soon led to jail and he finally was sentenced to ten years in the St. Thomas psychiatric hospital - a place which he claims was worse than the camps he endured in the Holocaust. A model prisoner, he held a job outside the hospital. Pretending to be a devout Jew, he obtained a pass to celebrate Yom Kippur. He escaped from jail, but soon got into trouble. A fugitive, he ran, ending up PAGE 14
in a hollow tree in Northern Ontario bush country. He survived three weeks of 55° below Fahrenheit, eating berries and some stolen lumber cutters’ lunches. He was discovered by a Christian lumber man who took him home, gave him food and lodging in return for chores and yard work. This gentle family exhibited the love of Jesus and the following Easter he accepted Jesus - his Jeshua ha Mashiach. He was gloriously delivered from 17 years of drug addiction and alcohol abuse. The work of redemption began in his hardened heart. About a year later, he returned to St. Thomas to face his unfinished sentence - six years plus three or four years penalty for escape! As the judge paged through his enor mous dossier, he read charge after charge, saying each time, “Did you do this?” “Yes, your honour, but 1 don’t do it anymore, since the Lord Jesus saved me.” “And this?” “Yes, your honour, but since the Lord Jesus saved me, I don’t do it anymore.” And so on! After deliberation, the judge allowed him to go free with a two-year suspended sentence. He obtained a job in the mines near Cen tral Patricia, Northern Ontario. His ministry began as he conducted evangelistic meetings in the evenings. In 1964, en route to the Yukon, he stopped in Winnipeg. He visited the Indian and Metis Pentecostal Mission. There he met Elizabeth Cox and forgot about the Yukon. They were married February 17, 1965. (Last February he ordered a beautiful cake and had a few friends in for a special an niversary celebration, because, he said, “we won’t be celebrating another anniversary.”) For the first 12 years of their maniage, they ministered together in El Shaddai Crusaders, publishing and distributing Christian literature. In time, Elizabeth’s health failed, ending travelling days, but a steady stream of peo ple found their way to the Weinberger home. Even on her hospital bed, Elizabeth prayed and sang with her visitors. One short month ago she told Moishe, “I’m going Home, but not to your home.” By dawn she was in glory. The past month has been difficult for Moishe as he tried to rebuild his life without her. He was full of plans for the future, as always, but he missed her more than he thought possible. He longed to go Home. On the evening of November 25, on the way to a home Bible study, he fell and suffered severe chest pains. He was taken to Portage la Prairie Hospital. He tried to overcome as he had so often in the past, but it was not to be. He graduated to the fairer land in the early hours of Wednesday, November 26, 1986. The funeral service for Bro. Weinberger was held on December 1 at the Braeside E. M. Church. Andy Funk and Mrs. Dorothy Lowe served with two numbers in song, a favourite of Bro. and Sister Weinberger, “My Sheep Hear My Voice,” and then one which they sang for Sister Weinberger’s funeral on November 1, “Beautiful Robes.” Pastor John Stoesz served with the message, taken from
2 Tim. 4:6-8, emphasizing verse 7, “I have fought a good fight, 1 have finished the course, I have kept the faith.” The eulogy was read by Alex Lexier, a Jewish friend of Bro. Weinberger. After the graveside service, a lunch was served by the Braeside ladies. Dur ing a time of testimonies, many shared of the blessing that Bro. Weinberger had been in their lives.
HAROLD HILDEBRAND 1928-1986 Harold Hildebrand was born on April 23, 1928, to John and Marie Hildebrand, at home, in the rural municipality of Richot, Manitoba. In his late teens, he committed his life to the Lord, and in 1949 he was baptized and became a member of the Prairie Rose Evangelical Mennonite Church. In 1974 he joined the Lakeview Mennonite Brethren Church in Lethbridge, Alberta. For Harold, commitment meant involvement, and through the years he was active in Sunday school, church and community affairs. Most recently, he was involved in a program for young offenders. His hobbies and interests were wide and varied: getting his pilot’s license, radio-controlled model airplanes, fishing, camping, and hiking. His thirst for knowledge was evidenced by always taking night courses and, in recent years, an avid in terest in his computer. On June 4, 1950 he married Maisie Kathlyn Dueck and they were blessed with four children and three grandchildren. In the fall of 1949 he began full-time permanent employment with the Manitoba Sugar Com pany. His career progressed steadily and in 1974 he was transferred as Plant Manager to the Alberta Sugar Company in Taber. On Oc tober 4, 1986, while gearing up for seasonal production, he was accidentally burned. He was immediately transferred to the burn unit of the Foothills Hospital in Calgary. During these last two months of his life Harold had to endure much pain. It took five surgeries to complete the skin grafting that was necessary. Throughout all this, he and his family were very appreciative of the care and assistance provided by the staff of the burn unit. He was progressing well with the healing of the burns when, on November 12, 1986, he had a stroke. Although he regained consciousness
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for a few days following the stroke, he soon lapsed into a comatose state. On December 2, 1986, at approximately 7:30 p.m., God graciously relieved him of his suffering and took him home. Besides his loving wife Maisie, Harold is survived by his children: Kathleen; Barbara Friesen and her husband John, and their children, Richard and Alexandra; Joanne Roberts and her husband Anthony, and their daughter, Karen, all of Calgary; Jack and his wife Robin of Coaldale; his brothers and sisters: Hank and his wife Sunny, Pete and his wife Joanna, Jake and his wife Glenda, Anne and her husband Ed Unger, Bettie and her husband Fred Kelln, Nettie and her hus band Jake Martens, Lydie and her husband Clarence Dyck, Katie and her husband Jack Murphy, Marty and her husband Mel MacCauley; sisters-in-law, Tina Hildebrand and Elsie Hildebrand; and his Uncle Henry and Aunt Susie. He will be missed by all of his family and many friends. He was predeceas ed by his parents, three brothers and one sister.
Church Finances Workshops FOR: Pastors, Deacons, Treasurers and others involved in the stewardship and financial ministries of the church. DATE: January 24, 1987 PLACE: Braeside E.M.C. Church 1011 Munroe Winnipeg, Manitoba TIME: 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (Lunch will be served.)
WORKSHOPS: 1. Government Regulations for Charities (a) To do or not to do (b) The New Annual Returns for Charities 2. Receipting and Disbursements Systems (a) One-Write Accounting Systems for Churches (b) Computer software for Churches 3. Financial Counselling (a) Money Management for Those Star ting Out (b) The Church and Farmers in Finan cial Difficulty 4. Financial Planning (a) Retirement Planning for Pastors and Church Workers (b) The Conference Budget - Another Look
Application forms will be available in the churches early in the New Year.
HOSTEL SERVICE DAY
A Prayer Dear God: TODAY WAS HOSTEL Service Day again. Hurrying in to get books and coats off (we were almost late) my eyes looked around at the ones already gathered in the dining room. Archie is there, visiting (he lives in a unit next door). There’s Paul and the little lady on the couch. Somehow I can never remember her name. Then there’s that beautiful silver-haired trio in the center: Mrs. Simpson - never remembers my name, but knows I belong to the fellow who leads. Today we had her confused by having our granddaughters with us. She knows we have only one girl and she’s grown up. Mrs. Rietlo - has the sweetest personality and always has a smile for me. She was out for a ride with her daughter-in-law and was full of wonder at how beautiful it is outside. Nellie Obleman - is very special. She is one who really knows You personally. Today she said, “It won’t be long and we’ll really know how beautiful heaven will be.” What a dear saint! She’d love to be at home with You already. Mr. Haven was there, frail, blind, little Mr. Haven. One never knows how he will respond. Today he was all excited, telling me about a visit to his brother, who is also blind. Mary was in her usual place again, with a new client under her wing. She got depressed or angry after Loretta went to stay in the hospital and she had no one to help. Just proves we all need to be needed. Gertie wasn’t there; she’s not feeling well today. She’s not one to let people get close to her, but last time she squeezed my hand. 1 think she’s beginning to accept me as someone who cares. Hattie wasn’t there either; she was upset last time with an older lady who dyes her hair. “Well, you can’t fool anyone,” she says. Mr. Jenson is always talking about his fiddle. Today he had a great dream to tell about. Then there’s Mrs. Smith, who knows she’s wasting her day away when the cows need to be milked and the chores should be done. She’s from the farm, there’s no doubt. There’s Mrs. Federau with her Cabbage Patch doll. She calls it Victor or Elizabeth, depending on her day, it seems. I don’t know why I’m telling You this. You know those people better than we ever will, but each one has become special to us. Sometimes when the program didn’t seem to be working out we have felt discour aged. Then something special would happen, like the mother of one little Sunday school boy sending bouquets of flowers for the children to hand out to the residents. They were received and enjoyed for many days after. Even if Mr. Haven said, “They stink,” he accepted them. Altogether it has been a good place to serve and we are glad Pastor Gary asked us to do it. The low spots have served to make the high ones more bright. When we remember Jesus’ words “that even a cup of cold water given in my name will not go unnoticed,” we have our reward already. Thank You for putting a real love in our hearts to do this work. Our prayer is that each person would come to truly know You and that the people who care for them day by day would be gentle and kind. To God be the glory! -Rose Steppan
Sponsored by: E.M.C. Board of Finance. JANUARY 9, 1987
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From the Editor The New Year: An Untrodden Path . . . shew me now th\j way . . .(Ex. 33:13).
My presence shall go with thee . . . (Ex. 33:14).
FROM THIS PASSAGE in Exodus 33:13-14 we have a re quest from Moses and an answer from God. Only maybe God does not answer the way Moses would have liked to see. To Moses’ question God answers. My presence shall go with thee. What better assurance at the beginning of a new year! We would like to see the way, but God only assures us of His presence. This, of course, is much better than us knowing or seeing the way. It requires faith, yes, but faith will see us through in all occasions where, if we knew the way, we might despair. If the Lord had shown us the way step by step before my wife and I went on our first mission assignment, 1 think we would have shrunk back - because it involved a coffin ! But as it was, he gave daily grace. His presence was with us. All the way my Saviour leads me/ What have to ask beside/ Can 1 doubt his tender mercies/ Who through life has been my guide? Do you make New Year’s resolutions? I believe it is said that resolutions are made to be broken. Nevertheless, why not make a few wishes, if you want to call it that, or maybe one should say prayers. I am also wary of resolutions. Let me be a little kinder. Both at home and with friends or colleagues 1 believe this would be a profitable prayer. We will not lose. And we can afford to be kind because of God’s kind ness to us. We should try and be kind even if we disagree. How do I know that I have all the truth? Even the Apostle Paul had to say, . . . now we see through a glass, darkly (1 Cor. 13:12). Maybe the ship is not sinking! Let me count others better than myself (Phil. 2:3), not in a cowering, depreciative way, maybe even sometimes to gain our own ends. 1 don’t think we need to apologize for the way God has made us. We are all unique. We all have our calling. We are all made in God’s image. In this sense we are on the same level. I believe to get at the meaning we must read the context of this statement. Paul gently reminds the Philippians that they are to be concerned also about others. If this was needful then, it certainly is needful today when it seems there is a danger that we think of people as commodities or merely to gain our own ends. Let me hold the faith (I Tim. 1:19). John tells us that it is faith which overcomes the world (I John 5:4). Too often when there is a step to be taken, we, like Peter, look at the waves (circumstances) and sink. We are frightened because we go in our own strength. The hymnwriter says. The arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own. A recent article, also on the topic of faith for the future, had this to suggest: “Dare to attempt something today so big that unless God helps you it is bound to fail” (as quoted from Walk Through the Bible 1980 in Evangelical Visitor). Too often 1 face PAGE 16
a situation with fear and trepidation because I have completely forgotten that God’s almighty strength and presence are available to me to carry out this task. Let me wait for His Son from heaven (I Thess. 1:10). This goes without saying for the Christian. Yet again and again New Testament writers remind and write of this event. It is an event which in our prosperous and good times so easily can be relegated to the background. Let’s beware of the error of those about whom Peter (2 Peter 3:4) writes, who say, Where is the promise of his coming? One could say much more but I believe these are some of the basics as we contemplate the untrodden path of 1987. D.S.
Volume 25 WITH THIS ISSUE of The Messenger we are beginning the 25th year of our publication. Behind us lie over 500 issues. Lit tle did this rookie editor think when he assembled the first Messenger in 1963 that 24 years later he would still be at it! To remind us of this we have affixed a small logo behind our name on the cover. As I see this, 1 want in par ticular to be reminded of God’s faithfulness to me. I hope it will also affect you that way. There have been times in these years that I wanted to opt out, at least for a while. In fact, 1 even got to the place where I initiated definite moves to this end. At one time I felt the urge to get further education and requested time off. Another time I wanted to do a stint of foreign missions. Neither one of these materialized. I believe that in all this a loving heavenly Father has been in control and ordered my way through the years and I thank Him for it. To all those who have encouraged me and stood with me, and this would include my wife Helen, I express my profound gratitude. I need your intercession. D.S.
175 Years AS STATED IN the final issue of The Messenger for 1986, we are in this issue beginning to highlight some significant events in the life and history of our Conference. We are drawing these vignettes to your attention so that you will learn and hopefully appreciate more fully your rich heritage. The first one, which gives a bit of background to what we’re talking about, you will find on page 6 in this issue. Look for additional brief articles as the year progresses. A request - We realize that there must be a number of you who possess knowledge of EMC historical events that we may not know about. Would you be willing to share these? Just get in touch with us and we’ll try to get together. Or you may know of material - diaries, papers, etc. (they may even be in your attic). In this case, please let us know too. We want to make this anniversary year as meaningful as possi ble. Phone 326-6401 or after hours 326-6050. Thank you. D.S. THE MESSENGER