The Messenger June 22, 1990

TheMessenger EVANGELICAL MENNONITE CONFERENCE

VOL. 28

NO. 12

JUNE 22/90

Moving On "You hem me in — behind and before; You have laid your hand upon me" (Psalm 139:5).

God walks behind me Picking up the pieces Of my broken life Mending broken hearts Forgiving careless sins Giving me the strength to forget And move on. God walks ahead of me Arranging all the details Of my future life Knowine what's ahead Knowing i Helping me make the right decisions At the right times Giving me the courage not to be afraid Of the future And move on.

God walks beside me Holding my hand Helping me through tough times Celebrating with me In glad times Just being there every day Guiding me along the path He has for me Being my Friend As I move on. Chert Dueck SRSS - Class of '90 Steinbach, Man.

VISION

CANADA

CANADIAN CONSULTATION DEVELOPS

VISION FOR EVANGELISM by Ron Geddert

Mid-May saw the attention of Canadian media focus on Ot­ tawa and events associated with the Meech Lake Accord and the possible fragmentation of the country. But another signifi­ cant event was taking place in the nation’s capital. It didn’t capture media attention but, for the task of the church, it was probably more significant. And, ironically, it focussed on developing a unified vision for Canada from a diverse group of individuals with diverse agenda. The event, held at the Ottawa Congress Centre May 16-20, was Vision 2000. It brought together many of Canada’s evangelical leaders and a sprinkling of lay people to consider the task of “re-evangelizing” Canada by the year 2000. Fifty­ eight denominations and parachurch groups had officially en­ dorsed the gathering and 720 participants were registered. Ap­ proximately 10 percent were Mennonites, mostly Mennonite Brethren, who, along with the Evangelical Mennonite Con­ ference, were the only two Mennonite Conferences to endorse the event officially. The theme was “He shall have dominion from sea to sea,” the verse from Psalm 72 used by Canada’s founding fathers to demonstrate that Canada was to be a nation under God. Times have changed. Canada is no longer a Christian na­ tion. The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, a branch of World Evangelical Fellowship, was well aware of that fact. EFC, sensing a decline in the rate of evangelism in Canada, increasing secularization and preoccupation of many churches with programs to serve their own people, established a task force on evangelism in 1987. Its chairman was Alan Andrews of the Navigators. The task force, semi-independent of EFC, develops its own agenda and strategy and can attract members who are not members of EFC. Its stated purpose is “to serve the body of Christ so that every person in Canada will have the opportuni­ ty to see, hear and respond to the gospel by the year 2000.” It became known as Vision 2000 and Don Moore became the ex­ ecutive director. The Consultation marked the first major event in the ten-year program. The Consultation combined challenge, worship, prayer and strategizing. It avoided easy solutions and pat answers; it refrained from setting itself up as a new parachurch organiza­ tion; it refrained from dictating follow-up procedures. By con­ trast, the Consultation was vision building and motivational. It was left up to denominations, parachurch groups and regional caucuses to follow through on the visions in their own ways.

Challenge — The evenings were filled with challenging speakers. Michael Green, on the opening night, spoke on the topic “Reclaiming a nation.” Green, professor of evangelism and New Testament at Regent College in Vancouver, noted characteristics of the Canadian church which stand in the way of reaching the nation for Christ. He then noted “points of light” or agenda items which we can address in order to be successful. He emphasized that we are in a changing world PAGE 2

and that renewal of the church must precede effective evangelism. Ross Ingram, pastor of an Alliance church in Agincourt, Ont., led the session on churches and their leaders. He noted that churches with vision are not necessarily characterized by the size of their buildings, budgets or bulletins. Instead, they are characterized by a clear understanding of why they exist, by a constant expectation of change, by a consistent commit­ ment to the basics, by an individually created (not cloned) vi­ sion and by specifically developed plans to implement their vision. Paul Stevens, Regent College professor and author of the book. Liberating the Laity, led the Friday night session, which focussed on lay people. “You can’t go to church,” he said. “You are the church wherever you go . . . It is a constant rhythm of gathering and dispersing.” He maintained that lay spirituality must be played out in all arenas of life, and em­ phasized specifically marriage, family and work. Saturday night’s challenge was given by evangelist Leighton Ford. Ford’s challenge recounted eight trends globally, some of which will have a large impact on the West. Among other things, he noted that the majority of Christians are non-white; that the first reformation put the Word into the hands of the people, while the second one requires putting ministry into the hands of lay people; that church growth has always been associatied with suffering — to fulfill the goals of Vision 2000, some suffering should be expected; that cooperation be­ tween Pentecostals and evangelicals would be a sign and wonder to Canada; and that Christians need to find “open nerves” as entry points to evangelism. The Word and worship — Each morning began with a time of Bible exposition and worship. William Wan of Ontario Bi­ ble College, Maxine Hancock, a well-known author from Ed­ monton, Andre Bourque, MB pastor from St. Jerome, Que., and Andrew MacRae from Acadia Divinity College in Nova Scotia had each chosen a Psalm to exegete. They provided an appropriate “start-of-the-day” focus on the Word. Worship played an important role in all the plenary ses­ sions. Co-leaders John Stevenett and Robyn Michell combined with a band to produce a spirit of joy, of celebration, of con­ templation, of repentance and of reflection in a sensitive and stirring way. They demonstrated well that evangelism grows out of worship, so well, in fact, that one participant testified at the final session that the thing she had learned from the Consultation was the close link between worship and evangelism. They had chosen mostly contemporary music, with some traditional hymns. In addition, a theme anthem, “He shall have dominion,” had been prepared for the Consultation. The anthem was moving and nationalistic, appropriate for the oc­ casion. But the unofficial theme song clearly was “Shine, Jesus, Shine,” a popular chorus which implores Christ to “fill this land with the Father’s glory.”

THE MESSENGER

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The chorus was introduced the first evening by the King’s Kids, a division of Youth With A Mission comprised of 30 children aged 5-19. The well-coached group stirred the par­ ticipants with their enthusiasm and commitment, serving as ex­ amples to the older participants. Prayer linked to evangelism — If worship and evangelism were seen to be linked, so were prayer and evangelism. A 24-hour prayer room had been set up, manned by volunteers who gave up attending the sessions in order to pray. There was also heavy emphasis on prayer, including confession, at each of the plenary sessions, and a special strategy group on prayer. The priority of prayer also came through in a number of the presentations. Key areas — The major morning sessions focussed on three considerations crucial to evangelizing Canada. Thursday morn­ ing the urban challenge was presented by Ray Bakke, who directs International Urban Associates and has written the book The Urban Christian. The largest mission frontier is not geographically distant, but culturally distant,” he said. “The Holy Spirit has decided it’s easier to bring the ends of the earth to Canada than to bring Canada to the ends of the earth.” He challenged the participants to have a theology as big as the city, to allow flexibility in form and to build ministry around people’s needs, rather than “franchising” churches. On Friday Inter Varsity’s acting general director Don Poster­ ski, who has recently published to book Reinventing Evangelism, presented the challenge of youth. “We keep hear­ ing about young people being the church of tomorrow,” he said, “but there won’t be any tomorrow if we don’t give them involvement today.” He declared that there are many ways to do God’s work faithfully; we need to accept people as they are, on the road to influencing them. On Saturday Reg Hollis, an evangelical Anglican arch­ bishop from Montreal, presented the challenge of equipping people for evangelism. It was not a strategy session. Instead, he drew lessons from the parable of the vine (John 15) and asserted that “Equipping is not primarily learning techniques, but it is abiding in Christ.”

Strategizing — The Consultation did not focus on specific strategies — it was not a time for quick fixes — but it did not ignore general strategizing. Each afternoon groups met to discuss different strategy tracks: prayer, research, urban, semiurban/rural, equipping, media and the arts, youth, and higher education. Some of the tracks featured a variety of workshops, some included hands-on experiences and some in­ volved discussions of strategies to implement the goals. And what were the goals? None, officially — at least not numerical goals. But the organizers of the Research strategy group had done extensive research on the state of the evangelical church in Canada. From the research they sug­ gested a reasonable aim of seeing the proportion of evangelicals in Canada rise from about 8% (the corresponding U.S. figure is about 35%) to about 15% and to plant enough new churches so that for every 2000 people there would be an evangelical church within geographic and cultural reach. This would require adding about 6700 churches to the present 8000. “Evangelical” was defined by denomination; after defining some basic beliefs based on the World Evangelical Fellowship and Lausanne Covenant documents, they allowed denomina­ tions to declare for themselves whether or not they fit. Celebrating the vision — Sunday morning’s session was dif­ ferent. Throughout the Consultation, the participant.s had practised for a “celebration march” from Parliament Hill to the Congress Centre. It was a unique experience for many, inJUNE 22, 1990

eluding Mennonites, and one which was greeted with some hesitation. The walk to the Hill was a time of prayer for the SOO-odd participants. While there, the worship leaders and the King’s Kids led in a short time of worship, celebration and prayer, a sort of declaration of the participants’ intention to recapture the nation for Christ. It couldn’t have been a more ap­ propriate setting for such a declaration; just as EFC director Brian Stiller prayed a moving prayer for the country, the bells began to toll. And even the Mennonites seemed to enjoy the occasion, the enthusiasm for the challenge outweighing the apprehensions. The procession then made its way through the streets, wav­ ing banners, singing, chanting and quoting appropriate scrip­ tures, in a praise march prepared by Graham Kendrick. Back at the Congress Centre, participants were given the op­ portunity to testify concerning the effects of the Consultation. One person related how he had been met the previous evening by a researcher studying large religious gatherings in North America and had led the individual to Christ. An 84-year-old was a portrait of enthusiasm as he testified that “there is nothing like the life of Christ.” A recent immigrant testified that this was his first experience of unity among Christians across races and cultures. A Cree Indian stated that he had never been so fired up for Christ. And a liturgical Anglican, who had been sent by his diocese as an observer, testified of a remarkable experience and asked for prayers that walls would come down between evangelicals and mainline churches. By the time of the final session later that morning, evangelist Terry Winter maintained that there was only one sentence left to be said — “Let’s go for it.” Nevertheless, he delivered a stirring address based on the Great Commission. “We don’t have a hostile world,” he said. “Most people aren’t rejecting Christ; they just haven’t heard what to say ‘yes’ to. >» (( Furthermore,” he said, “we’re working to certain victory.” His challenge was followed by a communion service, led by Keith Price, minister-at-large for EFC. It was a fitting way to conclude the Consultation.

Evaluation — There were a number of opportunities to re­ spond to the thrust of the Consultation. One was through the regional and denominational gatherings encouraged over lunch and refreshment breaks. Another was through evaluation forms provided in each participant’s convention packet. As a member of the Mennonite community I was particular­ ly interested in whether there would be a wholistic gospel presented. Fortunately there was. The importance of compas­ sion ministries was noted repeatedly, and seemed to be at the heart of the urban strategy sessions. Given that the Consulta­ tion was intended to focus on evangelism, the broader em­ phasis was noteworthy. Beyond the Consultation — Whether or not Canada will be re-evangelized by the year 2000 was not at stake in this Consultation. But creating an ongoing momentum from this initiative clearly was the intent. “We wanted to create a sense of momentum,” stated Andrews. It seems they have achieved this. But denominational and regional networking will be required to carry on the task. And the vision will have to filter through to all sectors of church life. Only then can the real effect of the Consultation be evaluated. It may turn out to have been the most important gathering of Canadian evangelicals ever. If so, it may eclipse the Meech Lake discus­ sions in capturing the passions of Canadians in the 90s.

A Meetinghouse article prepared by Ron Geddert, editor of the MB Herald, fVinnipeg, Man.

PAGE 3

INTER-MENNONITE SPIRIT ATTRACTIVE TO FORMER MCC MANITOBA RELIEF SALE CHAIRPERSON by Lyle Penner

Its pert of Gods fantv

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Anton Kehler MCC Photo by G. Bruce Hildebrand

WINNIPEG, Man. - Anton Kehler wasn’t sure how he’d fare when he became the organizing chairperson of the mammoth Men­ nonite Central Committee (MCC) Manitoba annual relief sale in 1985. He wanted to con­ tinue the success of previous chairpersons of the Morris, Man. sale, which raises generous sums for MCC’s relief and development pro­ jects overseas. “When you follow a strong person, you’re a little hesitant as to how you will do,” says Kehler, 68. He needn’t have been afraid. The initial auction sale under his leadership col­ lected over $100,000 for the first time in the sale’s history. And it has continued to grow — the 1988 sale attracted over 7,000 people to the Morris Stampede Grounds, where $117,000 worth of baked goods, farm machinery, crafts and a potpourri of second­ hand goods were sold. Extensive organization is required for such a large event. Kehler’s years of experience as a businessman and service on church and

community committees helped him manage the massive undertaking. His first experience in organized Christian service came with Mennonite Disaster Service during the aftermath of a Fargo, North Dakota tornado in the 1950s. For two weeks he helped dismantle a damaged house that was to be rebuilt. “People would ask, ‘Why do you do this?’ I always told them ‘We are trying to put into practice what’s preached behind our pulpits. ’ They all could understand that,” he says. Kehler grew up in Altona, Man., where he became a well-travelled stationery salesman with the D.W. Friesen Company. Later, he managed the Co-op Store in Rosenort, Man. for six years before moving to Steinbach in 1970 to manage a local store. Throughout the years, Kehler, a modest man of simple faith and loyalty, has spent countless nights work­ ing diligently on committees ranging from school boards to church boards, from serv­ ing on a credit union board to a local chamber of commerce. When he moved to Steinbach, Man., however, he told his wife, Lena, that he wanted to cut down on his demanding com­ mittee work, unless he was called by the church. When facing retirement in 1985, he began to see the opportunity for more exten­ sive Christian service. “I always felt when I worked in business, I wanted to do some good but, in general terms, 1 was always too busy. When you’re in management you don’t work eight-hour days. So when (MCC) asked me after 1 retired, 1 accepted,” says Kehler. From that time until last year he contributed his skills in the year-round planning of the an­ nual relief sale, a task he shares with an 18-member board. His goal was to stay out of the spotlight, allowing the work of MCC overseas and the community involvement sur­ rounding the sale to take centre stage. The inter-Mennonite community spirit of the sale is attractive for him. “Each Mennonite church has its strong convictions,” he says, “but to have a day when they all can get together is good.” Last year’s sale was his last as chair­ person — an arthritic condition has slowed him down. But it won’t keep him from doing as much as he can at his home congregation, the Steinbach Evangelical Mennonite Church. He also hopes to travel more with Lena, his wife of 41 years.

Learn all you can about writing . . .

Mennonite writers’ conference Sept. 21-23, 1990 Cross Wind Conference Center Hesston, KS

Send inquiries to: Mennonite Writers’ Conference Box 347 Newton, KS 67114 9^

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□ I'm interested. Send me a brochure. 0 I know I want to come. Send me a registration form. Name

Address

City. Staie/Province/Cede

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CONTRIBUTORS: Stan Plett is the pastor of the Rosenort Fellowship Chapel (EMC). fvy Plett is the Messenger reporter for the Abbeydale Christian Fellowship (EMC) in Calgary, Alberta. Marvin and Wendy Thiessen (MacGregor) have been serving in Brazil for many years and are returning in July to take on a ministry with the Janz Team in Canada. Elmer and Elvira Warkentin (Steinbach EMC) are serving with SIM in Canada. Cindy Penner is the Messenger reporter for the EMC Church in Swift Cunent, Sask. COVER: We are pleased to feature Cheri Dueck’s poem, as our tribute to all 1990 graduates. Cheri, a member of the Steinbach EMC Church, is graduating from the Steinbach Regional Secondary School.

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 Menno Hamm, Box 1268, Steinbach, Manitoba, ROA 2A0. Letters, articles, art and poetry are welcomed. Views expressed in Letters to the Editor are not necessarily those of the editor nor of the paper. Unpublished articles are not returned except by request. Subscription Members pay through their church. Non-members pay $6.00 per year. Send subscription money to The Messenger, Box 1268, Steinbach, Manitoba, ROA 2A0. THE MESSENGER is published every other week by The Evangelical Mennonite Conference Board of Education and Publication, Box 1268, Stein­ bach, Manitoba, ROA 2A0. Second Class Mail; Registration Number 0591. Undelivered 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

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Mennonite World Conference

ASSEMBLY 12

JULY 24-29, 1990 WINNIPEG, MANITOBA

ASSEMBLY TO FEATURE FULL SLATE OF CULTURAL ACTIVITIES Music, drama and the arts will play a prominent role at Assembly 12 of Mennonite World Conference, with dozens of activities sched­ uled throughout the July 24-29 gathering at Winnipeg, Manitoba.

EVENINGS. Every major Assembly session will feature music ensembles. Performing at the evening large-group meetings will be: Tuesday — a choir from Indonesia and the Assembly 12 Adult Mass Choir; Wednesday — a choir from Zaire and the Mennonite Oratorio Choir of Canada; Thursday — the Assembly 12 Children’s Choir of Canada and the Menno Singers of Ontario (Canada). Performing on Friday will be the Kansas Mennonite Men’s Chorus from the United States, the Assembly 12 Male Choir of Canada and a children’s choir from Guatemala. Saturday's music will be provid­ ed by the LOGOS Choir of Germany, the Lee Heights Gospel Choir of the United States and Danny Plett of Manitoba. Also on the evening program will be actor Stephen Shank of Belgium and Sauf Qui Veut, a mime group from Quebec (Canada). MORNINGS. Music at the morning adult sessions will be pro­ vided by the following groups: Wednesday — the Rosedale Chorale of Ohio (United States) and Hands for Jesus of Ohio; Thursday — a choir from Mexico; Fri­ day — the Christopher Dock Handbell Choir of Pennsylvania (United States) and an Indonesian choir; Saturday — the Celebra­ tion Choir of Ontario; Sunday — the Zaire/North America Youth Discovery Team, the Assembly 12 Youth Choir and the Swiss Brass Ensemble.

AFTERNOONS. Programming will offer an extensive array of arts and cultural activities. Hour-long concerts are planned each afternoon at 1:30 and 3:30. Some of the same ensembles from the mass sessions will provide full-length concerts. Additional groups slated for afternoon concerts include the Niagara Bethany Ringers and Singers from Ontario, Tapestry, Imagen (a Hispanic band from Alberta) and the Pacific Mennonite Children’s Choir from British Columbia. The same time format (1:30 and 3:30) will be followed for a series of music recitals by local and visiting musicians, professional and amateur. Eight recitals are planned each afternoon, Wednesday

through Saturday. Another afternoon option will be dramas and musicals. These in­ clude Trapeze (featuring actor Stephen Shank); “lemand AIs Job” by the Amsterdam Choir of The Netherlands, “Sanctuary” by the Winnipeg Mennonite Theatre, “Martyrs Mirror” by the Franconia Lancaster Singers, “Crossroads” by Mennonite Collegiate Institute, and drama presentations by the Fresno (California, United States) Pacific College Drama Team, the Canadian Mennonite Bible Col­ lege Players and Sauf Qui Veut. Readings will be presented by Sarah Klassen, Jeff Gundy, Al Reimer, Rudy Wiebe, John Ruth, Jean Janzen, Levi Mill, Di Brandt and David Waltner-Toews.

ART. Several art exhibits will be on display through! the Assembly. These include “Anabaptist Costume Prints” from the 17th century, “Visions of Shalom” by contemporary Mennonite artists, and “The Sharing of Art,” prints from Germany given to Mennonite Central Committee in gratitude for post-war aid. FILMS. There will be daily showings from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. These include “The Radicals, “The Reconciliation,” “Wir Gedenken der Opfer des Zwanzigsten Jahrhunderts,” “Amish: A People of Preservation” and others. Also shown will be a variety of videos on Mennonite themes.

YOUTH. Programs will be scheduled in the mornings and late at night. In addition, “Drop In,” a youth area, will be offering music and other activities in the afternoons. The performers will include some of the groups already listed. Others scheduled to perform in youth gatherings include singer Chuck Neufeld of Kansas; the band “Kadesh Oasis” of Niverville, Manitoba; singer Steve Bell of Winnipeg; the “Backroads Band” of Winnipeg; the “Life Forever” band of Kansas; the Indonesia/North America Youth Discovery Team; the Canadian Mennonite Bible Col­ lege Drama Group; and “Road Less Travelled,” a duo from Kansas.

All Assembly 12 drama and music actiuities will be presented with no additional fee to persons who haue registered for the Assembly full time or who haue paid a dailj; registration for that day. Dauid Shelly

DELEGATION OF ABOUT 20 FROM USSR EXPECTED AT ASSEMBLY 12

CAROL STREAM, ILLINOIS - About 20 participants from the Soviet Union are ex­ pected to attend Assembly 12 of Mennonite World Conference July 24-29 at Winnipeg, Manitoba (Canada). This development comes following a recent visit to the Soviet Union by a joint Mennonite World Conference/Mennonite Central Com­ mittee delegation. At one time it had been planned to invite an inter-Mennonite choir from the Karagan­ da region of the USSR, but that idea had since

been dropped because of the uncertainties in the Soviet Union and in the life of the church­ es. Now with the April-May visit by MWC vice president Jake Pauls of Winnipeg and three other Mennonites, it became apparent that participation by Soviet Mennonites will be feasible after all. Viktor Fast of Karaganda has organized a singing and evangelism group of 12, who will come to Winnipeg and give their witness, reports Pauls. In addition, four Soviet Men­ nonite delegates will be invited to the General

Council sessions in Winnipeg, coming from both the Kirchliche and Mennonite Brethren congregations of the USSR. Also, three Baptist delegates will be invited to the Assembly, of whom it is hoped one will be a representative of the Mennonites within the Baptist Union. The projected group of Soviet visitors is by far the largest delegation ever to attend a Men­ nonite event outside the country.

miiiiwimwmw REGISTRATION INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE IN ALL CHURCHES.mswsishmis JUNE 22, 1990

PAGE 5

Calgary, Alta.: April 21, 1990, 2:07 p.m. - A shout, a commotion, and in the space of a few seconds, a heavily armed guard pushes past us, gripping the arm of the offender, now handcuffed. The “offender”? No! How could it be? He was a fellow missionary, headed (so he thought), for a country that would be hungry for the Good News. In a moment, the harsh, authoritative voice of the customs of­ ficer makes a loud announcement to those of us still in line. In heavily accented English, he bluntly informs us that in this country the punishment for drug smuggling is death. When I first made a decision to leave my comfort zone for the challenge of crosscultural missions, I was more than a little ap­ prehensive. How would I cope with whatever the future held? A phrase from a familiar chorus, “no turning back,” seemed to haunt me as I handed in my application form at the

tasted a mango, and I even had an elephant ride once. Al! I need now is to pay another $3000.00 for field training. Alas, I have no choice. Tabulating my resources carefully, I pay the tuition and once more enter the halls of learning with my now ever-present notebook. The first word I utter, “Hi,” brings stares and rebuke. Already my foot is in my mouth. The accepted greeting is much more personal here. Perhaps an embrace, a bow to show honor, or a forehead rub with hands on each other’s shoulders will be the accepted mode of greeting when I cross the wide sea. I learn to keep my mouth shut and my eyes and ears open. VISA APPLICATION

Knowing my passport should be ready by now, 1 head for the government offices which.

THE JOURNEY

denly, the verse, “1 will be with you, even unto the end,” seems sweetly meaningful. Then, in an instant, the guard made his move, as I described in the beginning. Thank God, the suspicious substance was later found to be a residue of flour and our co-worker was released. INTERROGATION

As 1 near the front of the line, anxiety in­ creases. Then it is my turn to answer the seemingly “trick” questions. In my ner­ vousness, I stumble over the name of the mis­ sion I am employed by and the interrogation begins. “You are not sure by whom you are employed?” he storms. “Yes, yes,” I stammer, as I struggle to regain my composure. After hopefully putting his mind to rest on the issue, I remind myself to concentrate as a dark-skinned, surly officer

It happened on the way to the mission field. . . local mission agency. What would my church family think? They knew me all too well. What if they felt I was not of missionary stock? Thanks, Lord, they will support me both financially and in prayer, as they are able. The rest of my support 1 will have to try to raise elsewhere. PASSPORT APPLICATION

Passport application is next and I am slightly poorer when I leave the passport office. Realizing suddenly I will actually be abandon­ ing my comfort zone, I begin to panic. I seize an opportunity to acquire a good grounding in the Word of God at a sound Theological Training Centre. There 1 learn how to study the Bible and grow without the comforts of a local church and its pastor, Bible study groups, and more. I leave the training centre wiser and still poorer. LINGUISTICS TRAINING

Since 1 will be working in a tribal setting, it is imperative to have linguistics training also. How on earth can I reach the lost with the gospel if there is no one to teach me their language? Apparently, I need GLUE. But what kind? G - get what I need (tape recorder, notebook, etc.), L - learn a little at a time, U - use what I’ve learned, E- evaluate my pro­ gress by people’s responses and keep adding to it. I am told at linguistics training that learn­ ing a language is a social activity. The people are the resource. I guess I’ll have to try that GLUE - see if it sticks. Weil, after four long semesters just to get the basics, again I am much poorer and begin to wonder whether 1 will need to go back to my church for more money. Would they understand? By now I feel adequately prepared to be a true missionary, but I am required to attend field training. EIELO TRAINING

Apparently, I will learn to adapt to a dif­ ferent culture. What’s the big deal? I already have learned to eat pizza in case I go to Italy, perogies in the event 1 go to the Ukraine, I’ve

PAGE 6

by Ivy Plett typically, are closed (for lunch supposedly). Several bystanders hear me voicing my opi­ nion (again) and I thank God for the freedom of speech in our country. I’d better remember this thing about keeping my mouth shut in the future.) Finally, passport in hand (they said to keep it with you at all times), I locate the embassy of my destination and apply for a visa. There they promptly take my passport away from me, leaving me to encounter more government red tape. 1 fill out yet another ap­ plication form and finally, several long line­ ups and interrogations later, armed with visa and passport, I feel encouraged and nearer my goal.

searches my bag and asks about my shoes. “No, I cannot sell them to you,” I explain. “They have special arches meant only for my feet. They are made from a doctor’s prescription.” “So you have a medical problem, is that it? You do have a letter from your physician, do you not?” I think of the love letter from the Great Physician I do indeed have with me. It’s tuck­ ed away underneath my clothes in the suit­ case and 1 pray they will not search that. Hop­ ing and praying that I appear calm, I explain it is not a severe problem needing constant medical care and breathe a prayer of thanks when 1 am gruffly ordered to move on.

DEPARTURE

ADJUSTMENTS

My supporting church is now anxious and waiting to recognize me as their official mis­ sionary. I somewhat humbly, a bit proudly, stand and correctly answer all the questions at the special commissioning service planned for my colleagues and me. The next step is exciting and expensive: buying airline tickets. There is only one agen­ cy from which to purchase tickets to the land of Muchnede, the FLY BY NIGHT TICKET AGENCY, and, alas, my wallet is too empty for them. This time I am deeply humbled as 1 again return to the local church for financial help (outfitting costs, they call it). Christian chari­ ty and generosity reigns again and, with renewed zeal, I purchase my ticket and board A WING AND A PRAYER airline plane. Blind faith comes into focus again as we definitely fly by night. We are all blindfolded for the trip.

In my relief, I forget the rule of keeping my passport with me at all times. One of the of­ ficers catches up with me and states that for $100.00 he will return my passport to me. I defend my rights, wondering whether it is safe to do so or not. The machine gun he is holding is aimed at me while 1 “bravely”!?) set a limit of $5.00, which is promptly turned down. The chief customs officer - the tough guy - appears out of nowhere. “Is there a problem here?” he asks as he glares at me. As I weakly answer in the negative, 1 calmly hand the $5.00 to the one holding my passport as 1 get a firm grip on it. We make the exchange and I politely thank them and exit as quickly as possible. I wonder now why I felt so relieved when our plane first touched down. Reminding myself that I am now a true-to-life missionary, I make my way to what looks like an outdoor market. Maybe I’ll pick up a newspaper or something - maybe chat a bit. Chat a bit! Huh! My foot! Which reminds me - eyes and ears open - mouth shut!

ARRIVAL

Upon reaching the land of Muchnede, our blindfolds are removed only to see an unwelcome sight - heavily armed oriental guards suspiciously eyeing us, ready to act on any impulse, should the need arise. We are comforted in knowing we are not alone. Sud-

LANGUAGE BARRIERS

“How much is a newspaper?” 1 inquire of a middle-aged Chinese lady sitting at her stand.

THE MESSENGER

Straight Talk -"HERE WE STAND!" A Parental Platform on Media Sex and Violence - Part 1 of 2 About a year ago I wrote a few articles based on the video viewing habits of Rosenort area youth. I was recently asked to write a follow-up article providing practical suggestions. My first suggestion is quite basic: Let your teens know WHAT YOU BELIEVE. Don’t assume they know. They are continually bombarded with values and beliefs from a variety of sources. Most of us spend relatively little time with our children. There is no process of osmosis by which our beliefs are automatically com­ municated to them. Unless we teach, repeat, explain, illustrate, etc., our assumptions are probably wrong. Their understanding of our beliefs, on the other hand, will help establish a kind of grid through which movies will be viewed and evaluated. Don’t allow your teens’ well-honed powers of intimidation to frighten you. In spite of the perfectly coordinated “rolling of the eyes, deep inhaling and loud exhaling” ritual, they really want to know and they appreciate you telling them what you believe. Their apparent shock at your old-fashioned views are nothing but a smokescreen to mask inner insecurities. For a year or two we had the “blessing” of having four teens in our house. The cumulative effect of their team-teaching ef­ forts was impressive. We as parents received frequent reminders that we lived in the 20th century! Apparently we tended to forget. Over the years, however, they have gradually come to “their own conclusions.” You know something? Some of these “conclusions” sound vaguely familiar; e.g., “That’s what I believe. Dad, and it’s NOT because you said so!” Here then I submit a Basic Parental Platform. 1. SEX OUTSIDE OF MARRIAGE IS SIN Sin refers to any action or attitude that is displeasing to God AND hurtful to those involved. It should be noted that those two aspects are inseparably connected. You might well say, that's obvious! Apparently not for today’s Christian young people, whose sexual activity seems, according to research, not significantly different than that of youth in society at large. Our young people need to know WHAT we believe, WHY we believe it and HOW DEEPLY we believe it. Sexual intimacy is specially designed by God to enrich the relationship of hus­ band and wife. Sex outside of marriage violates that norm. Thus it is inevitably She replies something like “Botze ma sahm tzena.” Looking at the paper, I realize 1 would be paying for the pictures because the characters printed on it are to me unintellegible. Trying to jot down her answer in my own way in my now almost full notebook, I give her the smallest money I’ve got - $100.00. 1 haven’t been able to exchange into smaller cunency yet. I’ll count my change and know for next time how much a newspaper costs. “Go tay,” she smiles as she hands me the paper without the change. “Expensive newspaper,” 1 muse, as I slowly wander away. Come to think of it, Jesus paid a high price too. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not

JUNE 22, 1990

hurtful to self, exploitative of another and an insult to God, no matter how right and pleasurable it initially feels. 2. VIOLENCE, AS A MEANS OF CONFLICT RESOLU­ TION, IS SINFUL In all our relationships we are called upon to employ methods based on love. All human beings are to be treated with respect and dignity. 3. MEDIA PORTRAYAL OF SEX AND VIOLENCE DO AF­ FECT ATTITUDES AND ACTIONS OF VIEWERS We believe this is supported by research, though anything beyond “short-term effects” is hard to substantiate. Certainly the millions being poured into media commercials aimed at changing attitudes and actions with reference to par­ ticular products indicate corporations trust the media’s power to influence. Primarily, however, we believe it because it’s just plain com­ mon sense. We say with Malcolm Muggeridge: “As far as I’m concerned, there are no studies that could be mounted capable of convincing me that eight years of a normal life-span that an average Western man spends looking at the television screen have no appreciable influence on his mores or way of evaluating his existence” (Malcolm Muggeridge: Christ and the Media, p. 28) 4. MEDIA PORTRAYALS OF SEX AND VIOLENCE ARE USUALLY (but not always) FALSE We as parents do not believe that all media depictions of sex and violence are inappropriate. It is the degree of explicitness and the inherent deception we object to. We are convinced that viewing sex and violence as a spec­ tator sport is harmful to the viewer. Secondly, and maybe most importantly, we are opposed to the frequent inherent deception underlying the depiction of sex and violence. The writers of Scripture were no “Puritanical prudes.” Biblical portrayal of sex occasionally borders on the erotic. However, sex and violence are always portrayed in the context of truth. Sex within marriage is shown to have tremendous potential for mutual pleasure and fulfilment. (See Song of Solomon.) Sex outside of marriage is shown to be dehumanizing and leads to bondage. (See the story of Samson and Delilah, David and Bathsheba, and a number of Proverbs.) So it is with the Biblical depiction of violence. The principle that “they who live by the sword shall die by the sword” is fre­ quently and graphically illustrated in Scriptures. This Parental Platform will be used as a basis for our next arti­ cle, “Evaluating and Discussing Media Sex and Violence.” A service of the Social Concerns Committee. Stan Plett Is the pastor of the Rosenort Fellowship Chapel.

perish, but have everlasting life ” (John 3:16). A WBT SIMULATION

This is the ficticious, although realistic, ex­ perience of a traveller on the “Journey to the Centre of Christ’s Heart,” a simulated activi­ ty organized by Wycliffe Bible Translators. Its purpose is to help the participants understand some of the struggles missionaries must face and choices they must make as they prepare for and reach their foreign field of service. The “Journey” takes place in one building and the participants “travel” from one area of the building to the other for the different steps in the journey. The “Journey” takes about five hours to complete and culminates in an ethnic meal. Abbeydale Christian Fellowship was the setting for the “Journey” on April 21, 1990.

TEACHER NEEDED A private Christian High School requires a qualified Physical Education teacher for the 1990-91 school year.

Interested persons should apply in writing to: Henry Fast, Dean of Collegiate Steinbach Bible College Box 1420, Steinbach, Man. ROA 2A0

PAGE 7

Missions Another term in Austria

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The Poffenroths (Abbeydale Christian Fellowship, Calgary, Alta.) returned to Austria on June 12. They will resume their ministry with Gospel Missionary Union.

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Please pray for Rosanne and Ron Poffenroth and children, Benji, John and Andrea.

Leamington, Ontario

SOUTHERN ONTARIO EMC WORKERS MEET On May 28 a meeting of southern Ontario workers took place in Leamington. Thirteen people were present for this all-workers’ meeting. Representing Mount Salem were Wilbert and Hilda Friesen, Cliff Loewen and Bill and Helena Siemens. Dave and Susie Eidse represented the Niagara EMC Church at Virgil, Leamington was represented by three couples: Peter and Elma Reimer, who will be moving to Leamington as a church-founding pastor; Ben and Edna Klassen, who have been carrying on services while living at Mount Salem; and Marvin and Helen Klassen, who have recently moved to Leamington from Burns Lake, B.C. The meeting gave the workers an oppor­ tunity for fellowship. The business session in­ cluded reports from the three local churches, a discussion on forming another EMC region, and a discussion on EMC expansion in southern Ontario. It was decided to have evangelistic meetings in all three locations this fall. Cornie B. Loewen of Rosenort, Man., will be invited as speaker. A two-member executive was chosen at the meeting: Cliff Loewen as chairman and Dave Eidse as secretary. They will be responsible to call the next EMC workers’ meeting. The agenda will include further discussion on forming a southern Ontario EMC region and planning and organization for the work in that area. The Peter Reimers have purchased a home on Oak Street in Leamington. They will be moving to their new home from Stratton, in western Ontario, in June. At present the conPAGE 8

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gregation is conducting its services at the United Mennonite Educational Institute, about six miles north of Leamington. Recently the average attendance at Sun­ day morning and evening services has risen

to 80.

Back to

Mali, Africa

After graduating from Briercrest Bible Col­ lege with an Associate of Arts in General Studies degree this spring, Audrey Penner (Ridgewood EMC) applied to SIM to serve in children’s ministries in Liberia this summer. She was accepted, but due to increasing political unrest in Liberia her plans suddenly had to be changed. Audrey writes: “I now hope to be leaving for Toronto on June 11 where I will have orientation with SIM. 1 will be on loan to the Canadian Centre for World Mission and will be involved in their Timothy Program. This program is designed so that groups of six or seven young people can ex­ perience working along with a local church in cross-cultural ministry. My team will be working in Constance Lake Indian Reserve near Thunder Bay. We will be doing DVBS with the children, as well as discipleship and outreach to the teens.” Audrey goes on to share her response to this change: “ ‘Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails’ (Prov. 19:21). I have been reminded of the fact that God’s plan for our lives is often dif­ ferent than the way we think it should be. I praise the Lord because He is sovereign and He knows what is best for me. I realize that Canada is a great mission field and it is a privilege for me to proclaim the gospel in my own country.” Audrey will appreciate your prayer as she ministers in this somewhat isolated part of Canada. And why not consider this type of ministry for yourself or your young people for next summer? Elmer Warkentin SIM Canada Rep.

AIMM BOARD MEETING

Evelyn Barkman with student.

Evelyn Barkman (Prairie Rose EMC, Landmark, Man.) left on June 20 for another term of service with Gospel Missionary Union in Mali, Africa at the Warsala School. Please pray for Evelyn.

Members of the Board of the Africa InterMennonite Mission met April 20 and 21 at Silverwood Mennonite Church, Goshen, In­ diana, for their semi-annual meeting. Highlights included the reports of seven mis­ sionaries returning from Africa for North Amercian Assignment and the dedication of the Mission’s newly built office building at 59466 CR 113, Elkhart. The program includ­ ed a number by the Youth Discovery Team comprised of Zairian, Canadian, and American singers. A reception and open house followed with about 125 in attendance. THE MESSENGER

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The Nova Estrada team with Associate Evangelist Horst Brunner (left) and Marvin Thiessen, Evangelist/South American Director (right).

Wendy and Marvin Thiessen, Andrea, Laurie, Curtis and Michael.

return visits and for longer evangelistic crusades. There’s such an openness that we could easily occupy more teams. God has already supplied a team for 1991. The members will be attending some of the seminary classes from August to December and will be involved in a special training pro­ gram for next year. The Lord has also sup­ plied a Brazilian evangelist, to replace Mar­ vin Thiessen, in the person of Elton Rein, a 27-year-old, married alumnus of GTS with ministry experience. Pray for him and his wife Monica who will be leading the Evangelistic Crusade ministry and music team. Almost seventeen and half years have gone since we arrived in Brazil as missionaries with the Janz Team. How things have changed since then! It hardly seems possible to imagine leaving all this behind us. In these days we as a family are preparing for our move back to Canada in July of this year. After al! these years here, we will return to our homeland. On the one hand, we are leaving the work here with heavy hearts. This country has been very good to us. We will miss it, as well as the many friends we have here. We are so thankful for the way God has used the Janz Team in these years. Thousands of people have found peace in Jesus, many young people have felt the call to the ministry through the camps and many others have been prepared in our seminary for service as missionaries here and in other countries. Certainly it was God who started all this. From a beginning with two missionaries the mission today has more than forty workers.

We have a Theological Seminary with about fifty students and an evangelistic team, “Nova Estrada,” that travels full-time preaching salvation and presenting the seminary. We have a camping program and a guest ministry with many people enjoying our facilities to spend their vacations in Gramado. Yes, God has powerfully used the mission, Janz Team-Associagao Brasileira de Evangelizagao, to do a big work in this coun­ try. For all this we only can say, “God has done great things!” We are happy for the team that God has given to us here. I am convinced that the work will continue to grow under the capable leadership of Harold Gustafson. We are privileged to have been a part of this development. We have passed through difficult times and blessed ones, times of priva­ tion, times of abundance. But now we are convinced that God is calling us to work as evangelist in Canada. I will also possibly evangelize in East Europe, Portugal, and in Central and South America. In Canada we will live in the small town of Mitchell, near Steinbach. 1 ask for your prayers for us and our children, especially in the next few months of moving and adapta­ tion to a new environment. I am grateful for Janz Team workers, many pastors who have received us in their churches, and other friends that we came to know here in Brazil. In the same way we are looking forward to working with Canadian churches and pastors. Our prayer is that we will be used of God in the needy land of Canada. Plase pray for us.

BRAZIL

Conjunto Nova Estrada Thiessens in transition

During the months of January to April 1990 the Janz Team musical team, “Nova Estrada,” accompanied by Evangelist/South American Director Marvin Thiessen and Associate Evangelist Horst Brunner, held meetings in North and Northeast Brazil. They travelled 16,000 km, visiting 35 cities and 96 churches and speaking to 26,000 people. Ap­ proximately 3,000 persons rededicated their lives to the Lord and 400 others were con­ verted. Praise the Lord! God protected the group on treacherous roads, with only one minor accident occurr­ ing. Some health problems were encountered but these were minimal considering the diver­ sities encountered in climate, food and lodging. Anxious moments occurred in Belem, situated along the Amazon River, when the bus was broken into and eight suitcases were stolen, leaving most of the team members with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Praise God that His people were generous in providing what was needed so that there was very little lack. Although the messages were primarily evangelistic in context and purpose, the ob­ jective of the trip was also to make Janz Team and the Gramado Theological Seminary known in that part of Brazil. We are regularly receiving requests for information and we ex­ pect the school to grow as a result of this in­ vestment. Many churches have asked for

Maruin Thiessen

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The Gramado Theological Seminary in southern Brazil.

JUNE 22, 1990

Opening conference at GTS, March 1, 1990.

PAGE 9

Messenger News LIP SERVICE OR HEART ALLEGIANCE? On April 8 we celebrated Palm Sunday, as well as a baptismal service for five young adults from our church family. The sanc­ tuary was full to the brim with friends, relatives and fellow believers who came to witness this special occasion. I come from a background where infant baptism is practiced religiously. Since my conversion and baptism more than six years ago, I realize the utter futility of that ritual. Now baptism upon confession of personal faith in Jesus as Lord and Saviour never fails to remind me of my own decision and brings a special blessing when celebrated during the Easter season, which to me is the most meaningful season in the Christian life. One special highlight of this particular sevice was the debut of Darcy Fehr as song leader. Darcy rededicated his life to the Lord during the John Wesley White Crusade in November, and it was thrilling to hear his brief testimony. It was also encouraging to see him serve the Lord well in the ministry of song leading. Pastor Olfert delivered a powerful message, “Lip Service or Heart Allegiance,” which spoke not only to the hearts of the bap­ tismal candidates, but to the entire congregation as well. Each candidate gave a personal testimony and acknowledg­ ed appreciation for growing up in a Christian home. Each one indicated they had experienced struggles to one degree or another but had come to the realization they needed to accept Jesus as their personal Saviour, and Lord of their life. Each one admit­ ted the stark reality that life from this day forward would not necessarily be easy but, with Jesus to guide them, the difficulties would be easier to bear. It is difficult to explain the feelings of hope, joy and even jealousy which filled my heart that day. Knowing that our SUNDAY SCHOOL PICNIC HELD Fisher Branch, Man.: June 5 was the day of our Sunday school picnic at the Broad Valley Park. The day started off with a pan­ cake breakfast at the Broad Valley Hall. Then we moved to the park for an open air service. Each Sunday school class had prepared an item for the program. It was special to have the Nickle family of Lundar in attendance (their children contributed to the program as well). We all enjoyed the hearty singing, as well as Pastor Leroy sharing from God’s Word! After lunch most of us joined the relay races, volleyball, baseball, etc. Thank you. Lord, for giving us a sunny day and helping us to play safely. One Sunday in May, Clem and Doris Penon invited our church group over for a barbecue. Also in attendance for the barbecue, as well as the morning worship ser­ vice, was their Winnipeg church group. Guest of honour at our May family night was Vince Melillo. She shared her testimony and also told us about her involvement with Campus Crusade at the University of Manitoba. Her future plan is to go into fulltime work with Campus Crusade. Another highlight that evening was to watch the film, “A Man Called Norman.” Rather a challeng­ ing story! May God help us all to be faithful to minister to the Normans in our life! PAGE 10

Baptismal service in Swift Current, Sask. Back: Trent Grose, Isaac Friesen, Gord Fehr. Front: Tom Peachey (youth pastor), Lynn Neudorf, Helena Fehr, Pastor Lester Olfert.

daughter has had the same opportunity as these young people, and wishing that she was among them, was the most difficult to bear. On the other hand, these were “kids” whom we’d worked with in the youth ministry, prayed for, and become friends with. It was thrilling to see first-hand the work of the Holy Spirit in their hearts and lives. I was encouraged by their decision, because it proves there is every reason to believe that since the Lord per­ formed a mighty work in their lives, as He did in mine. He might one day do the same in Shari’s heart. I know we are not alone in waiting for our child to turn to the Lord. There is a degree of comfort in knowing that. And, the Lord willing, someday we, too, will have the privilege of experien­ cing the joy of seeing our family “complete” in the Lord. Until that day we hope, wait and pray, and rejoice for the work ac­ complished in the lives of these new believers. Cindy Penner

We rejoice with the Gerhardt Vogel family Gerhardt’s brother from Venezuela has come to visit them. Rose Plett

PARENT/CHILD DEDICATION HELD Crestview (Winnipeg, Man.): “Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not turn from it” (Proverbs 22:6). Mother’s Day held special meaning in our church with child dedication on the same day. Jim and Abby Thiessen with Kyle, Jack and Alice Toews with Curtis, and Vern and Sandra Esau with Tanya and Dayna com­ mitted themselves before the congregation and God to raise their children for the Lord. Pastor Unger encouraged us as a congrega­ tion to uphold each of these children and their

parents in our prayers as they grow up among us. We praise the Lord for these four beautiful children; each of them is truly a blessing from Him. Another special part of the Mother’s Day service was a tribute by one of our young people, Robert Wiebe, to his mother, Irma Wiebe. It was quite something to listen to Rob publicly proclaim the Christian influence his mother had on his life. Speaking as a mother, I think a mother’s greatest wish would be that she could lay the groundwork of teaching her children about the Lord. The greatest culmination of that would be them choosing to accept the Lord as their personal Saviour. We thank the Lord for mothers and what they mean to us. Jackie Warkentin

A parent/child dedication service took place at the Crestview church on Mother’s Day. Left to right: Jim and Abby Thiessen with Kyle, Jack and Alice Toews with Curtis, Vern and Sandra Esau with Tanya and Dayna, Pastor Ralph Unger.

THE MESSENGER

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Reception of new members at the Lowe Farm EMC on May 20. Back row: Albert and Esther Friesen, Lisa Reimer (accepted earlier), Benny and Mary Petkau, Abe and Lisa Siemens. Front: Pastor Johnny Loewen, Elizabeth and Jacob Siemens, Assistant Pastor Cornie Dueck.

CHURCH GROWTH EXPERIENCED Lowe Farm, Man.: The newly-organized Lowe Farm church saw rapid growth on May 20 when eight new members were added through transfer from other churches. This brings the total membership at present to 27. Their Sunday school, which has three

FAREWELL HELD FOR Pelly, Sask.: On May 20, during the morn­ ing worship service, a parent/child dedication took place, with Tim and Laurel Schroder and their son Rylan taking part. The afternoon of May 27 was the time chosen to have a celebration of farewell for our pastor and his wife, Ernest and Elsie Funk. Bonds of love grew deep over the ten years they pastored here and goodbyes do not come easily. Each of their three daughters completed her secondary education in Pelly and has moved on to her chosen field. With the children grown and gone from home, Ernest and Elsie felt the time had come for them to return to Paraguay. It was a beautiful afternoon, with special numbers in song, greetings and words of ap­ preciation from neighbouring churches, as well as our own group. A relaxed atmosphere

children’s classes and one large class for adults, appeared to be well attended and received when we visited this church that day. Cornie Bartsch (who alternates with Jake Wall) led the discussion in the adult group. This morning’s lesson dealt with “Faith and Works,” according to James 2:18-26. PASTORAL COUPLE

prevailed in the lower hall during lunch and socializing. The afternoon drew to a close with the honoured couple cutting the cake and ser­ ving it to all present. Vivian Anfinson

Pastor Funk, Tim and Laurel Schroder with baby Rylan.

Mothers singing at the Mother’s Day service in Pelly.

JUNE 22, 1990

Leo Reimer led the congregational singing at the worship service and C.F. Dueck read the scripture and prayed. Pastor Johnny Loewen then read the wedding banns for Albert Friesen and Esther Reimer, the young couple contemplating marriage on May 26. A mid-week Bible study group sang two hear­ ty songs in German, with guitar accompani­ ment. (Almost every part of the service is in the German language or in “Plautdietsch”.) Johnny Loewen spoke briefly on the im­ portance of church membership and the duties of members, before calling on those who wished to join this church to come for­ ward and give their testimonies. They responded with trembling and some with tears, but with joy, nonetheless. Pastor Loewen welcomed them into the church fellowship. Pastor Ernie Loewen of Pleasant Valley was the guest speaker and his text was from Mat­ thew 18:1-8: “Will Our Children Have Faith?” He pointed out that believing parents do not always have believing children, but that it is important to teach them by word and by example. Leui Dueck (Guest Reporter)

Ernest and Elsie Funk about to cut and serve the cake.

Displaying a friendship quilt given to Ernest and Elsie Funk as a farewell gift.

PAGE 11

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Baptism at the Rosenort EMC on June 3. Back row: Sheldon Siemens, Dwight Loewen, Jason Dueck, Kent Kroeker, Grant Friesen. Middle: Amos Fehr (youth pastor), Tracy Brandt, Lavonne Kroeker, Cindy Kroeker, Leanne Kroeker, Patricia Loewen, Pastor Frank Kroeker, Pastor-elect Menno Kroeker. Front: Wendy Fehr, Martha Stoesz (received by transfer on May 27), Cora Friesen, Crystal Siemens, Marge Kroeker.

TEACHERS’ APPRECIATION SUPPER HELD Rosenort, Man.: Our Bible school grads this year include Darrell and Chris Friesen (WBC) and Lori Loewen, Chris Kroeker and Don Kroeker (SBC). May you all experience the Lord’s guidance for your future line of service. Mr. John Peters of Janz Team was our guest speaker on April 29, with a children’s object lesson and a message from God’s Word. He spoke on the fundamentals of evangelism of children (in DVBS, Bible camps and crusades, as well as in a family setting). Mrs. Annie K. Dueck was hospitalized for quite a while, but is on the mend once more. Brave soul that she is, we saw her at the “In­ ner City Youth Alive” promotional evening on May 25. Her grandson, Kent Dueck, directs this work with native teens, and it looks like a full-time job from now on. Mr. John B. Loewen, who suffered a very bad fall as a result of his Parkinson’s Disease, passed away at the Health Sciences Centre on June 7. Their daughter, Luella, came from Paraguay for an early furlough, to be with her

BAPTISM Blumenort, Man.: We again have a bap­ tism to record. On Easter Sunday, April 15, we celebrated by witnessing the baptism of five new brothers and sisters: Victor Reimer, Kenton Reimer, Lionel Plett, Harold Peters and Helen Dyck. We welcome you heartily into the church family. Weddings are joyful events. We took ad­ vantage of that on May 7 by reviewing the weddings of our church over the last fifty years, at a mothers and daughters tea. Eva Penner talked about our role as Christ’s bride. Rebecca Loewen and her mother Mary Ann played for us on the violin and piano; Jewel and Ruby Reimer sang with their mother Betty, while Pearl accompanied them; and Eleanor Penner played piano and her daughters Alicia, Michelle and Charlene sang for us. We saw seventeen different wedding dresses, the oldest from 1939, and two from 1989, with many different styles represented PAGE 12

mom and dad. Welcome home to Juanita Kornelsen, who toured Britain with a Winnipeg Bible College choral group. She reported having an enriching experience and, hopefully, the group enriched others as well. Our youth groups took on the ambitious project of cleaning up twenty miles of road­ side in the Riverside/Rosenort area. In do­ ing so, they earned money for camp, missions and other programs. (They help support a child in Haiti.) On May 13, Mr. Pat Robertson, the ex­ ecutive director of City Team Mission (based in San Jose, California), gave us an update on their work, where Karen Dueck is also in­ volved with inner city youth. Menno Kroeker brought the message of the morning, “The Ministry of Mothering.” Several young people gave tribute to their mothers as well. May 27 was a “missions emphasis day.” Pastor Frank Kroeker, who had been sched­ uled to preach in the morning service, was briefly hospitalized and it resulted in Gerry

Dueck being asked to lengthen his report on Paraguay. Teaching and living in that hot country seems to have its share of joys, trials and surprises! The latter include cockroaches and bedbugs! That evening Evelyn Barkman used slides to report on Mali and Ed Loewen of St. Norbert spoke on his ministry to foreign students at the University of Manitoba. He had brought some of these friends with him, a couple from Kenya and a brother from China. These answered his questions regarding their studies, faith and plans for the future. Our Sunday school executive hosted a teachers’ appreciation supper on June 1, and it surely was appreciated! They followed it up with a Christian Education seminar, “Dynamic Bible Teaching,” a series of four videos pro­ duced by the Evangelical Teacher Training Association. Benny Friesen led the discussions inspired by these videos, and it was a time of helpful insights shared. Martha Stoesz joined our church by transfer on May 27, with Larry Eidse extending the right hand of fellowship to her. Last, but not least, we were privileged to have twelve young people receive baptism on June 3. Our pastor, Frank Kroeker, and pastor-elect, Menno Kroeker, shared the joyful task of bap­ tizing and receiving into membership these twelve precious disciples. This was followed by the presentation of certificates and study Bibles by Larry Eidse, assistant pastor, and Amos Fehr, youth pastor. Leui Dueck

in between. 1 had the chance to narrate the different stories of all these weddings as the brides modelled their dresses, and was par­ ticularly impressed with two things: 1. All the brides had taken great pleasure in their wed­ dings, and put much thought and work into them (though inevitably some things went wrong). 2. Almost all the brides remembered especially the love and support they had received from their families and friends at the time of the wedding. It seemed that the com­ mitments the young couples made were sur­ rounded by very strong support from others. A very nice tea followed. A particularly joyful event this spring was the 60th wedding anniversary of Bernard and Marie Doerksen on April 14, celebrated at the Blumenort church. Their children, grand­ children and many friends helped them celebrate. Congratulations! The Doerksens were married in Kansas, all those years ago. (Or does it feel like yesterday?) They still live in their farmhouse in Blumenort.

Peace River, Alta.: Regular Sunday morning services are held in the home of Dave and Gertie Dueck, with an attendance of 12 to 21. June 10 was a full day. Dave Siemens and Henry and Annie Boehlig came to Peace River from La Crete with fourteen young peo­ ple for a bike-a-thon to make money for their Bible camp. Saturday night they gathered at our place, together with some of our group, for a social. We sang, played games and had lunch. Sunday morning we gathered in the school again to show the film, “Twice Pardoned.”

Frances Fast

Daue Dueck

Parent/child dedication at Peace River, Alta. Left to right: Dave Dueck, Dave and Con­ nie Wieier and their daughter , Stacey.

FELLOWSHIP ENJOYED WITH LA CRETE GROUP

THE MESSENGER

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rl Sharing and singing around the campfire was enjoyed at the Wymark famiiy camp.

Singing choruses and listening to the welcome rain at the Wymark church family camp.

Wymark, Sask.: Our Family Camp was held June 1-3 at Westbank Bible Camp, 20 miles northeast of Swift Current, with Stephen Bramer of Caronport as special speaker. Stephen and Sharon Bramer have three children, Joshua, Charity and Sara. Steven Bramer is on the faculty at Briercrest Bible College and his specialty is Old Testament. He is secretary to the Board of Mission Outreach Canada. They attend Stadacona Gospel Chapel in Moose Jaw. Westbank Bible Camp is a really nice spot, alongside a coulee, bushes and trees. We were a little too early for the chokechenies, but there should be lots. We enjoyed the clean, warm swimming pool, ball diamond, swings, horseshoe pits and more. The camp is near Harold Martens’ ranch and farm. where the irrigation pumps were going day and night, even while it was raining. There is little fear of it getting too wet in Saskatchewan, even though it rained all day Saturday. We started on Friday evening by singing, “We Have Come Into His House,” and many more choruses out of our new Master Chorus Books. Stephen Bramer read Judges 1 and spoke on the topic “Failure of Second Generation Believers.” For the Saturday morning worship we sang “Showers of Blessing,” a very fitting song for both inside and outside. The topic of our

message was “Kids Caught in a Whirlpool.” Saturday evening the message dealt with Part 1 of “Doing Right in Your Own Eyes.” After chapel we all enjoyed a variety program consisting of little children singing, led by Mrs. Lena Hamm; music and skits, followed by a film, “Long Way Home.” We woke up to a beautiful, calm, sunny Sunday morning and listened to Part 2 of “Doing Right in Your Own Eyes.” We say a special thank you to Stephen Bramer for sharing with us. Our Family Camp did us all good, with people of all ages doing things together and learning from each other, 1 must admit sleeping in a cool cabin reminded me of some of the stories I had read about when our grandparents first came to Saskatchewan. A farewell to Gerald and Esther Hamm was held April 20. Gerald has been our youth pastor and choir director for the past two years. He decided it was time for a change in vocation and is training as a male nurse at the St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg. Ron Olfert remarked on Gerald’s input in young people’s, music, etc. A good number of teenagers, as well as older folks, made comments about Gerald and Esther’s friendliness, Gerald’s patience, and just be­ ing a friend. We are sorry to see them go. Peter Schlamp spoke on I Corinthians 10;31. Gerald sang “He Chose Me.” Pastor John Kornelsen had closing remarks, reading Phil. 3:12-14. Jacob Fehr

"Watermelon King" title was easily cap­ tured by cool Ben.

The young people singing for Gerald and Esther Hamm.

FAMILY CAMP ENJOYED

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Frying hamburgers at family camp are Agnes Fehr and Nellie Dyck.

JUNE 22, 1990

John Kornelsen presents gift to Gerald and Esther Hamm.

IN MEMORY

FRIESEN - In memory of David D. Friesen, who passed away May 30, 1989.

It’s been a year since we last saw you. We think of you. Dad, our loved one, as someone whose work is done, your troubles all behind, your pain forever gone. With joy you have entered gladly through that friendly door. Joy - “Home with Jesus at last.” Today we hear you give this message to us who are still here;

This isn’t death, it’s glory It isn’t dark, it’s light It isn’t stumbling, groping, or even faith, it’s sight. This isn’t grief, it’s having My last tear wiped away. It’s sunrise, it’s morning Of my eternal day! It isn’t even praying It’s speaking face to face. It’s listening and it’s glimpsing The wonders of His grace. This is the end of pleading For strength to bear my pain Not even pain’s dark memory Will ever live again. How did I bear the earth life Before I came up higher? Before my soul was granted Its every deep desire? Before I knew this rapture Of meeting face to face The one who sought me, saved me, And kept me by his grace. - Martha Snell Nicholson

You are lovingly remembered by your wife, Anna Friesen, children, grand­ children, great-grandchildren and friends. The Family PAGE 13

ALFRED JAMES DOERKSEN 1951-1990 Alfred James Doerksen was born along with his twin brother, Albert, in Central Butte, Saskatchewan, on July 29, 1951. In 1956, at the age of five years, he and his family moved to a farm in the Geysir district near Riverton, Manitoba. Here Alf enjoyed a hap­ py and healthy childhood. He received his primary education at the Laufas School, a country school near his home. He later graduated from the Riverton Collegiate Institute. He then went on to graduate from the Winkler Bible Institute. In the following years, Alf painted, together with his brothers, Albert and Leonard. In 1976 he met and fell in love with Linda Penner of Killarney and they were married July 2 of the following year. Alfred and Lin­ da made their first home in Gimli from where they continued to paint as a husband/wife team. Alf was much of a perfectionist and their painting jobs bore this out. They looked back with many fond memories to their stay in Gimli. In 1980 they moved to the Killarney area to begin grain farming, at first together with Linda’s family, and later on their own, until the time of his passing. Alfred accepted Jesus as his personal Saviour and Master at an early age and endeavored to serve and trust Him throughout his life. To show his commitment to Christ, he was baptized while they lived in Gimli. When family and friends were concerned as they struggled through the many hardships of grain farming in the more recent years, Alf often remarked that he was trusting God’s promises to provide what was needed, as long as he did his best, and that he saw no reason to worry. Alf felt that God had given him the gift of being a cheerful giver and thus he and Linda were very generous in their giving to the church and to help the needy and hungry. He once commented to someone very close to him that he and Linda really enjoyed giving and watching how God would provide so they could give more. Alf also served on the Board of the private Christian School their children attended and was also involved in helping with the boys’ club at church. PAGE 14

Alfred and Linda enjoyed a very happy marriage, which lasted almost 13 years. He shared with a close friend how much he loved his wife and, especially in the later years, how much he appreciated her strong support for whatever he chose to do. God blessed Alf and Linda with four children over these years: twins, James and Jennifer, born in 1980; Steven, born in 1982; and Jonathon, born in 1986. Alf loved the land. He immensely enjoyed being out in the fields and the peace and quiet that he found there. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, especialy the annual fishing trip with his family. Alf and Linda and their family also loved going on holidays and enjoying God’s beautiful nature. In recent summers they at­ tended Family Camp from which they have so many beautiful memories. This past winter Alf and his oldest son, James, were able to go to father and son camp. He felt it was impor­ tant to spend quality time with his children. Alfred was also very skilled with his hands, being able to repair things that broke or in­ vent things that were required. This past winter he built a gorgeously beautiful china cabinet for Linda, which she treasures deeply. Alfred’s life here on earth came to an end on his farm in the early morning of May 3, 1990; he reached the age of 38 years and 9 months. We, his family, grieve and mourn his pass­ ing very deeply as we sense the great loss and yet we take much comfort in knowing for cer­ tain that he is in heaven right now, having completed his journey here on earth. We cherish so deeply the many beautiful memories of times together with Alf. Alfred leaves to mourn his passing, his beloved wife, Linda, his four children, twins James and Jennifer, Steven and Jonathon. He also leaves to mourn his parents, Frank and Mary Doerksen of Riverton, and his in­ law parents, Jake and Anna Penner of Killarney; his brothers, David, Edward, Albert and Norma, Leonard and Elizabeth, and his sisters, Marianne and Patrick Cavenaugh and Betty. He is also survived by his in-law brothers and sisters, Paul and Marlene Har­ ris, Dan and Hertha Penner, and Wes and Karen Goertzen. The family wishes to extend our deepest and most sincere thanks to all our relatives and friends who have been so helpful and for their deep sympathies at this time. Written by his twin brother, Albert Doerksen. The funeral service was held in the Lakeview M.B. Church in Killarney on Satur­ day, May 5, 1990. The service was conducted by Rev. Walter Janzen, with interment in the Killarney Cemetery. MCI HOMECOMING Mennonite Collegiate Institute’s Centennial Homecoming weekend will take place July 20-22, 1990, at the MCI in Gretna. Registra­ tion forms are available by calling 327-5891.

JOHN B. LOEWEN 1911 - 1990 John B. Loewen was born into this world on June 12, 1911 in Rosenort, Man., and received into glory by his Lord Jesus Christ on June 7, 1990. He was predeceased by his first wife, Agnes, and later by two infant sons, Reinhard and Johnny. He is survived by his wife Helen, four daughters, and one son: Elsie and her husband Edwin Dueck, Luella, Amanda and her husband Dennis Peters, Paul Loewen and his wife Melody, Naomi and her husband Lawrence Dueck, and by twelve grandchildren. He farmed in the Morris/Rosenort area until his retirement in 1979. Sustaining many years of Parkinson’s Disease, he suddenly turned ill after having taken a fall in which he suffered head injuries and a frac­ tured hip. He died at the Health Sciences Center in Winnipeg after a week of serious illness. As a young man he came to a personal faith in Jesus Christ and was baptized upon con­ fession of his faith at the Rosenort Evangelical Mennonite Church. His faith was demonstrated in all areas of his life - at home, at church, and in the community. Many in his community will remember his cheerful disposition and encouraging words. His involvement on the Boards of the Even­ tide Home, the school and the local Co-op Store was greatly appreciated. Whatever the case, few can forget the love he had for others. God gave him the privilege of serving his church in a number of different ways. Some of the men in the church will remember the impact he had on their lives as boys when he was their Sunday school teacher. For a number of years he ministered effectively as an usher, and for 20 years he taught an adult Sunday school class. Many of his students are presently with him in Glory! As a family we remember him for his godliness. He was a husband in the order of Christ and the church. He loved his wife dear­ ly and treated her with dignity and patience. He led in responsibility, in love, in sacrifice, in commitment, in worship. He never spoke a harsh word to the one he loved. Thank you for showing us the mystery of Christ and the Bride. He also represented our Father God among his children. We remember the times of teaching when our hearts would listen. We THE MESSENGER

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felt the pain of discipline for disobedience and sat on his lap when our hearts were heavy. He fixed our belongings when we broke them. He listened when we talked and we laughed with him when our hearts needed medicine. We learned to create with him and work with him. Daily he read the Word of the Father to us, and showed us how to pray. Thank you for showing us what our Father God is like. Because of his relationship with the Lord, we are able to remember our husband, our father, our grandfather and friend with great thankfulness. The Spirit of the Almighty gave him a love for life filled with much laughter. His positive attitude and enthusiasm were evi­ dent even in the midst of many trying times. He saw God in all of life and was a man of great love for people, seeking always the good in others. He obeyed the voice of God and faithfully lived out those things he knew to be true. He experienced his patience, his understanding, his kindness, his peace. We know him as one who loved the creation of God, the Word of God and God Himself. We thank you, God, for starting and now completing your work in the one we loved so much. The Familii

Births NEUFELD - to Miriam and Michael Neufeld of Win­ nipeg, Man., a son, Andrew Michael John, on March 22, 1990. KLASSEN - to Randy and Jona Klassen of Win­ nipeg, Man., a daughter, Stephanie Marie, on May 15, 1990. DYCK - to Steve and Darlene Dyck of Blumenhof, Sask., a daughter, Kelsey Brooke, on May 4, 1990. REIMER - to Rod and Tina Reimer of Calgary, Alta., a daughter. Tiffany Rae, on May 30, 1990.

Weddings SCHAPANSKY - MARTENS: Ryan, son of Alvin and Alma Schapansky of Morse, Sask., was mar­ ried on May 19, 1990 to Melissa, daughter of Jim and Carol Martens of Wymark, Sask. The wedding took place at the Wymark E M. Church, with Peter Schlamp of Swift Current, Sask., officiating. The couple is making their home in Swift Current. DOERKSEN - DYCK: Donald, son of John and Eva Doerksen of Niverville, Man., and Valerie, daughter of Ben and Nellie Dyck of Swift Current. Sask., were manied at the Bridgeway Church in Swift Current on June 9, 1990. Bill Rempel of Niverville officiated. The couple is making their home in Saskatoon.

In most of our churches it happens every three years. Pastors and their families dread it. Church boards find it awkward and the church members aren’t sure what to make of it. The pastor has served a/another term and it’s time to call the congregation together for a term renewal vote. If the vote is more than 80%, the pastor and church breathe a collective sigh of relief. If the vote falls below the agreed percentage, the pastor is devastated and the congregation feels guilty and bewildered. This is probably the only oc­ casion in our churches’ decision making where we allow 21% of the people to make a decision for the majority. To avoid the problems and pain of an involuntary termination, some have sug­ gested no term. If God has placed a given pastor in their church, what gives the con­ gregation the right to question that choice? Others see the pastor as an employee of the church, hired to fulfill the expectations of its individual members. I believe both are extremes. We need to find some balance. On the assumption that our churches will likely continue with the pastor term in some form, let me make a few suggestions

that might help to move this process beyond the mere question of percentages. •I believe that the term “confidence vote” should not be used in the normal process of a pastor’s term renewal. I believe “term renewal vote” is a better, more accurate description of the event. •As a first step, the pastor and church board should get together and, in a brotherly way, evaluate the progress of the congregation and the ministry of the pastor. This should lead to a recommen­ dation to the congregation regarding the pastor’s term renewal. •Before a term renewal vote is held, there should be a congregational meeting at which time the process of term renewal is clarified and the significance of the vote is explained. •When the church decides to go with a “yes/no 80% carries” vote, they might consider some flexibility by saying that if the vote falls between 70-80%, for exam­ ple, the church leaders and the pastor will seek to determine the feasibility of carry­ ing on and for what length of time. This gives the pastor some opportunity to par­ ticipate in that decision. •If the term renewal vote is done by ballot, space should be provided for comments. This could be very helpful in interpreting the outcome of the vote. •If a performance evaluation is done, it should be done mid-term, giving the pastor a chance to work at suggested areas of improvement. •Term renewal times provide an oppor­ tunity for people, including new members, to affirm their support for the pastor and his ministry.

TWENTY-FIVE SUMMER NATIVE GARDENERS BEGIN ASSIGNMENTS

NEEDED: SALT UNIT LEADER(S) for Winnipeg, Manitoba Oualifications/Responsibilities:

Edwin Friesen

Conference Pastor

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BEYOND PERCENTAGES

Winnipeg, Man. — Twenty-five volunteers have begun ssignments at 12 northern Cana­ dian Native communities with the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Canada summer Native Gardening program. One of the volunteers is Rob Penner of Aberdeen Evangelical Mennonite Church in Winnipeg, Man. Also beginning assignments are 13 people from northern communities.

FOUR NEW MCC CASH PROJECTS FLIERS NOW AVAILABLE AKRON, Pa. — Four new fliers, each describing an MCC cash project, are now available. Projects described are: books for nurses in Cambodia, fruit trees in India, a preschool in Nicaragua, and a study tour for teachers of students with mental handicaps in Sudan. Each illustrated flier includes country

JUNE 22, 1990

statistics, descriptions of MCC involvement in that country and of the cash project, and a story from that country. The fliers are ideal for Sunday School or summer Bible School use. They are available at no cost from any MCC office.

• relate well to youth • provide spiritual and group leadership • administrative abilities • teach Bible, Anabaptist theology ... (an asset)

Start Date: August 1990 SALT Canada (Serving and Learning Together) is an MCC program for youth (17-20 years) ready to spend a year grow­ ing in their faith through community ser­ vice and group Bible study.

For More Information: Contact Joan Barkman ---------------------------MCC Canada 134 Plaza Drive Winnipeg. MB R3T 5K9

(204) 261-6381

Mennonite Central f Committee Canada PAGE 15

From the Editor

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Graduation ■ Class of '90 GRADUATION recognizes an achievement, the com­ pletion of a course of studies. A goal has been reached; it is time to celebrate. In the midst of the excitement and thrill of achievement perhaps there are also a few quiet moments for some thoughtful reflection. Let me recom­ mend a few directions for your meditation.

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emplify moral and spiritual values. Say, as Ann Kiemel did, “I’m out to change my world!” “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:16, NIV).

LOOK BACK. Consider your past and the processes by which you have come to where you are today. No doubt there have been changes, some dramatic, others gradual. The path is not always smooth; the climb is often tough. Consider the people who have helped you along the way: parents, family, friends, teachers. They have a significant investment in your life. God has a stake in your life, too. Without His enabling there could be no success. “Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6, NIV).

LOOK AHEAD. Graduation is a time of setting new goals or re-evaluating old ones. One goal has been reached; strike out for the next one. While we cannot see into the future we can depend on the guidance of the Lord to follow the paths He has chosen for us. Con­ sider the needs of people around you. Make it your goal to help meet those needs, serving others joyfully in the name of Christ. “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:14).

LOOK INWARD. For many of us an inward look is the most difficult. There may be dark recesses within ourselves that we would rather not explore. On the other hand there is the satisfaction of recognizing the progress that has been made in personal growth and develop­ ment. The mental discipline demanded by your studies has paid off. You are better equipped to face the next stage in life. But be sure to keep Christ at the centre of your life. He gives meaning and purpose to all that awaits you. “I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being” (Eph. 3:16. NIV).

LOOK UPWARD. The evidence of God’s faithfulness in our lives causes us to respond in praise and thanksgiv­ ing. It is a sacred privilege to walk hand in hand with Him, offering our devotion and worship. He offers to meet you in His Word and invites your fellowship in prayer and intercession. As Jesus stilled the stormy waters of Galilee, so He can calm the anxieties of your heart. He cares for you. “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith . . . Consider Him . . . so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Heb. 12:1-3, NIV).

LOOK AROUND. There is much in the world around us that brings a sense of despair. The growing political and economic problems, the rising tide of moral decay, and the preoccupation with materialism are three ex­ amples contributing to the mood of pessimism. What is needed are people like yourselves who will stand on the foundation of Jesus Christ, committed to uphold and ex-

We congratulate all of you who are members of the “Class of ’90.” Whatever your level of graduation this year - high school, college, university, seminary, profes­ sional or trade school - we rejoice with you in your suc­ cessful completion of your educational program. May the Lord continue to bless and guide you! Menno Hamm

Meet your family at the

EMC Annual Convention July 20-22 at Blumenort, Manitoba

Theme: Faithful Managers in God's Enterprise Speaker: John H. Rudy, Lancaster, PA Fellowship — Inspiration — Worship PAGE 16

THE MESSENGER