The Messenger January 26, 1990

Th© Messenger EVANGELICAL MENNONITE CONFERENCE

VOL. 28 NO. 2

JAN. 26/90

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INTO THE 90s fii number of people were asked to share their ideas about the nineties from their perspectives. Here are their responses.

"Be strong and of a good courage. Be strong and very courageous" (Joshua 1:6 & 7). With God's help 1 resolve

Calm and Courageous, more Heaven-minded, serving with Humility, living Responsibly, able to Relax in the Lord. may I be In tune with Him, Inspired by the Word, Steadfast and Secure in God's guidance. Heading into the 90s Trusting Him, living Thankfully. With Christ behind me (He has been faithful in the past), I am encouraged to go forward into this decade for I have confidence He will go before me. to be

- A fellow pilgrim wishing to remain anonymous

AN ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Approximately 15 years ago I re-entered the work force. At that time it was considered a privilege to work on an electric typewriter - the next bonus was a typewriter with a correcting ribbon. Modern technology has changed that. Today, we can hardly imagine an office without a computer at practically every desk. These changes are good. We are able to produce better quality, higher volume, etc. I see the secretary’s resume of the 90s in a somewhat different format than the 70s. This is necessary to keep up with modern technology. Along with the modern technology 1 see the business office of the 90s becoming less person-orientated. It is not uncommon for an office worker to sit in front of a computer for several hours at one time, entering endless data, with coffee break or lunch as the only time to interact with other persons in the office. The Fax Machine has replaced the need for many telephone calls - good in itself, but reducing personal interaction. The list is endless. There are some things that do not change. By nature we are a people needing each other. 1 see the 90s as a decade where more than ever people will come to an office with personal needs. I see the continued need for sensitivity among co-workers. The need to tap someone on the shoulder and ask, “How are you?” The need to reach out to a hurting parent, a tired young mother, a frustrated teenager, a rejected and lonely youth. No, we will not always have the answers, but we must care! Modern technology can not replace the personal touch. May we as God’s children be sensitive! Arlene Loewen, Winnipeg, Man. (more on page 3)

BEGINNING A NEW DECADE by David Nadeau

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s we look at a new year and the new decade stretching before us like a long prairie road, there are some things we should consider as we prepare for the trip. Making a list of new year’s resolutions is useless because they are overblown in importance and undervalued in our ability to keep them. What 1 would like to see in the new year, a prep year for the 90s, are some personal changes, for it is at the personal level that countries are made, improved and thrust forward. We need to see less taking and more giving. We need more silence and less noise. We need more slowness and less speed. We need a helping hand for our seniors and a loving hand for our children. We need to have more input at the Board of Education and more output with the board of educa­ tion, applied to the seat of knowledge. We need more listen­ ing and less talking. We need more care and compassion and less materialism. We need to guard what we put into our

We need to think of life beyond today and live with a view to tomorrow and all our tomorrows for the next ten years. bodies, call it a health consciousness or a drug consciousness. We need less government and more people involvement. We need to stop saying, “Let George do it,” and to start saying, “Let me help.” We need to let our children be children and stop schedul­ ing them to death. They are children, not small adults! We need more understanding and less criticism. We need less complaining and more open hearts, open minds, open schedules and open wallets. We could do without junk food, junk mail and junk bonds. We would do well to reduce our almost slavish preoccupation with things of little lasting value: sports, the entertainment world and how we fill our leisure time. We need to spend more time with our children and less time chasing the dollar. We need more time listening to our spouse and less time listening to the television. We need more time in books which build and less time in books which destroy, pervert or demean. We need to remember that what we joke and laugh at mirrors the inner person. We need to spend more time getting to know and influen­ cing the people who are influencing the lives of our children. Do we know the names of their school teachers? The names of their Sunday school teachers or club leaders? Do we know what our children read, listen to and watch? Do we know or care about the music, friends and hours they keep? The year 1990 is as good a time as any to begin being involved in things which really count. We need to laugh more and frown less. We need to eat less and exercise more. We need to conserve and re-use more and waste less. We need to leave the car at home and walk or bike or car pool. We need to think twice before regularly travelling 20 miles one way to go out for dinner. We need to think less of our back yard and more of others in different PAGE 2

areas of the world. We need to run our homes as if we might not be able to return some day; would we be embarrassed if neighbors packed and cleaned up for us? We need to have a higher standard of personal purity and to work very hard to have less dirt and hollowness in our lives: video violence, video sex, video emptiness. We need to think of life beyond today and live with a view to tomorrow and all our tomorrows for the next ten years. We need to turn off the machines and toys which take us away from building better relationships with our mates, our children and our friends: dune buggies, hockey sticks, video games, rifles, computers, curling rocks, snowmobiles, televi­ sions, VCRs, or whatever we use to “develop and extend” ourselves. Canada needs people dedicated to people, not married to or diluted by playthings, prosperity, programs, plans or promotion. We need to spend less time looking out for ourselves, at ourselves and after ourselves. In trade, we could give more of ourselves, more of our resources and more of our time. For many, it would be a radical departure. For many, it’s too late. They are like the rich man in the Biblical story of Lazarus who died and went to heaven. He had ceased to see the sick beggar at his doorstep because the poor guy had become part of the landscape. The problem with being a Canadian is that we are so big and so isolated from the real world, we simply see starvation and deprivation as a kind of remote-control television entertainment. Some don’t, of course, but far too many do, myself included. This country is so big we often fail to see or care about the problems of poverty, abuse and mismanagement of human lives at home. Have you been up North or right downtown recently? 1 would like, in this year of my life, to see less of me and more of others. I would like, in 1990 and the nine years following, to be more sensitive to the needs, wants and hurts of others. 1 want to be more of a people-person and less of a me-person. 1 want to touch and be touched. 1 want to help and be helped.

If I were more compassionate and more human, maybe others would be influenced and willing to do likewise. 1 want to count to ten before spending more money or time on myself. 1 want to talk to and to be talked to. I want to laugh, cry, smile and be more open. 1 want to be more tolerant to others who have different tastes, skin color, smells, food and clothing. If I were more compassionate and more human, maybe others would be influenced and willing to do likewise. I hope we can learn to draw very clear lines between right and wrong, justice and injustice, care and indifference, morali­ ty and immorality, pettiness and reasonableness, discipline and anger, self and others. It’s 1990 and I’m aiming for the centre of the target. The highest score is there. ■ THE MESSENGER

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INTO THE 90s

I A DOCTOR The last line of a childhood rhyme lingers in my mind as I think about the years ahead, “Only what’s done for Christ will last.” I am tempted at times to fear the future. When I think, what if . . .? What would I do if faced with persecution or temptation? My only answer has been to ask, “What does God have to say?” “Perfect love casts out fear.” A pretty basic statement; easy to forget, yet so powerfully true it pays to repeat it, “Perfect love casts out fear.” Does that mean that I can rush headlong into the future without a care in the world? “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you.” Ah, I have but one care in the world, Jesus Christ. Life gets a little simpler thinking about the future now. 1 feel blessed reflecting on the simple future when a thousand voices call, “Do this,>5” “Come here,” “Support my cause,” “It wouldn’t hurt,” ((“Don’t be a poor sport,” “Watch out for this,” “Beware of that!” The complicated view of life is what we often face at our jobs. I face such complicated decisions in my job. Treating diseases of the human body is complicated because the body is “fearfully and wonderfully made.” It does not behave like a simple machine. It behaves much more like a small city with numerous factories and production lines operating simultaneously. I can offer hope and comfort as a doctor. We can relieve suf­ fering and prolong life. The technology and expertise available to us is amazing. The temptation is to let my amazement cloud my sense of reality. I am tempted to trust the technology to be the answer for life’s problems. Why, just around the corner may be this cure, that treatment. It’s amazing!

Letters News from Newfoundland

Dear Friends: Again this winter we have no shortage of whiteness carpeting the ground. This has been good for sliding and “snowperson” making. We have, however, experienced some storms with winds of -I-100 km/h. Along with the storms has come the tragic loss of people working at sea. Newfoundlanders have a unique way of remaining resilient through hard times such as these. Our car has been near mortality on a number of occasions - thank goodness for good of ether (starting fluid) and concerned people. We are grateful for a monetary gift through a church family member in Winnipeg. The money was enough to replace our radiator, buy a can of ether, and take a taxi to our destination one night. (Car) Life goes on ... . Our work led us to new and exciting things this past year. Kathryn and the Selfhelp com­ mittee re-established a store front for selling crafts from developing countries. Russell con­ tinued working at restoring ex-prisoners to the community and advocating on their behalf. There were three more Face to Face series

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It may be amazing, yet despite whatever we can do, and despite whatever advances are made in the years ahead, the reality is that medicine can not take us past the grave. Only Christ can take us with Him into the everlasting future. “Whosoever will may come.” The nineties hold forth the age old invitation. “I come. Lord Jesus, I come.” Gordon Dyck, Steinbach, Man.

A PASTORS ^/FE A new day - a new year dawns! It is the first day of the ’90s. Ahead of me stretches time, like a blanket of freshly fallen snow. I must take my first steps into the unknown. Will there be direc­ tion to my path? and goals to attain? Prayerfully I begin this new decade, with aspirations of Chris­ tian growth, as my path leads to the following goals: First, I want to learn to worship God better, to articulate His worth, and regular­ ly have the meaningful experience of “being with Him.” I want to continue to grow in my ministry of being a supportive compa­ nion to my pastor husband. For my children, I long to become a more godly example and wiser counsellor and friend. I want to be a more effective intercessor, and through prayer to be an ac­ tive partner in the lives and Christian work of others. And I also wish to learn how to share my friend Jesus better with fellow employees on the University campus. With my faith placed in God Almighty, 1 have confidence that He will be my guide (Psalm 48:14) . . . and maybe the path my footsteps make in the snow can help to direct someone else closer to God. Merna Thiessen, Winnipeg, Man. (more on page 4)

and an initial Kairos-Marathon session. Media­ tion continued in the courts and conflict resolution skills were shared with prisoners. Russell spoke at an RCMP conference in Gander (Central Newfoundland). He active­ ly promoted restorative justice via the press and programming. Kathryn began advocating and supporting some of the many refugee families which choose to “jump plane/ship” in Newfoundland. We have begun to see so many needs all around us. Lately we had a powerful example of good things happening in St. John’s. We arranged for seven members of the Community Justice Initiatives of Newfoundland to meet with seven prisoners for a 12-hour session on Saturday. The “Kairos-Marathon” was design­ ed for prisoners and community people to deal with unresolved issues of anger, abuse, pain, powerlessness, and fear. This was shared in a warm and loving atmosphere. The depth to which people disclosed themselves was moving. During the closing church ser­ vice the Spirit’s spontanteity was present. It was a time of renewal and hope for everyone present. With the new year will come the painful process of winding down our assignment here. It has been a faith building experience which we will not soon forget. MCC has begun looking for replacements to continue

the challenging prison, court, and community­ building work which has only just begun. June 1990 will see us return to Winnipeg where Russell is enrolled in Graduate studies. While we look forward to our return to Manitoba, we realize that it means an adjust­ ment. More than anything, we thank God for life and its fullness. There is a certain uneasiness about being confronted by the conflict and pain around us, but we thank God for the peace of mind which has come from processing it. Our wish is that your New Year is one of renewal and hope. Russell and Kathryn Loewen St. John’s, Newfoundland CONTRIBUTORS; David Nadeau is on staff at Prairie Bible College, Three Hills, Alta. Kathy Bartel (Pleasant Valley) recently began her ministry as a dorm assistant at the Black Forest Academy in Germany. Alvira Friesen (Rosenort) is involved in church planting in Cuauhtemoc, Mexico. John Dyck and his wife Joyce live in Niver­ ville, Man., and are members of the Steinbach EMC. A sincere thank you is extended to all who responded with their perspectives on the 90s. COVER; This winter scene at Wierton, Ont. is from the Ontario Department of Tourism and Information.

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.

JANUARY 26, 1990

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INTO THE 90s

[ I A MISSIONARY

The 1980s saw good church growth in the country of Paraguay, where we have been serving since 1986. We were pleasantly sur­ prised at the strength of the evangelical church in the capital city, Asuncion, and throughout the country. In this new decade, teachers in Missions are saying that some Latin American countries may become 30-40*% evangelical. From a missionary perspective, we are looking forward to being involved in the 1990s among a peo­ ple open to the gospel. As a Canadian church, let us continue to keep our focus clear and concentrate on our continuing mandate to evangelize at home and abroad. As the evangelical church continues to grow in the 90s, the role of the missionary may also see some change. It will be a decade where the national church will gain strength and be able to pro­ vide many of their own pastors, church planters and even teachers. With an average annual income in Paraguay of only $960 Canadian, the national church, however, will struggle in providing adequate financial support for their own workers and developing programs to assist the local churches. One example of this is the proposed radio station ZP50 in East Paraguay. This radio station would be only a pleasant dream for the Paraguayan churches if it were not for Canadian missionary staff to develop the project and the finances from Canada to equip and operate the station. In Canada we are still a very privileged people, economically. Let us continue to give sacrificially of our time and our finances to the many mission programs within our Conference. Let us con­ tinue to choose and to send individuals and families to assist the national church in Paraguay and in the many other countries in which our missionaries serve. Ken Zacharias, Kleefeld, Man. (on furlough from Paraguay)

A MOTHER 1 remember vividly as a young school girl figuring out how old 1 would be in the year 2000. The new century seemed very far away in the late 1960s. 1 would be 44 years old - if 1 lived that long. I remember being sad because 1 would be far too old to enjoy all the new and wonderful inventions which would surely be a part of the new century. I would be a mother and maybe even a grand­ mother by then. Old. It seemed like a lifetime away. Now, as a mother of five and at the wise old age of 34, age is the least of my worries for the next ten years. As the age of 44 and the year 2000 approaches, I smile at the girlish impressions that life would more or less be over by this stage. 1 do, however, anticipate a lot of change and adjustment in our home during the next decade. Our children are now aged three to thirteen. In the year 2000 they will be 13 to 23. Thankfully, they are growing up one day at a time. I feel ill-equipped at the moment to deal with a houseful of young adults. But in looking back, it comforts me to realize I was ill-equipped to deal with five children when 1 gave birth to our first-born son. Our God, our families, our friends and our church, who have loved and supported us in the past, will, undoubtedly, continue to be part of our lives in the future. It is exciting to think of the potential of these five beautiful children. The thought of Jim and me having more and more time to spend alone together as the children become more and more independent of us is also exciting. I realize that I look to the nineties with the naivete and optimism of one who has not dealt with tumultous teenage years. But I am encouraged as 1 see the people around me who have come through these years, parents and children alike. “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has

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enough trouble of its own” (Matt. 6:33,34, NIV). My prayer is to continue to mature and grow in the Lord with my children and my husband - to truly seek His kingdom and His righteousness. Marj Heinrichs, Rosenort, Man.

A DEACON It is tempting to speculate and make predictions at this beginn­ ing of a new decade, but I learned, many years ago, that God has His own timetable and “His ways are higher than ours.” We were studying the Book of Revelation in Bible school, now more than two decades ago. In our youthful enthusiasm, albeit short-sighted, a number of roommates were discussing “end times.” Although, we were cautioned in class about predicting dates for the Lord’s return, we still noted many “signs of the times.” Over the course of a few evenings, we became reasonably sure that the Lord must return before the next decade; the signs were all there! We were not going for “the day or the hour” - but the year? Here we found some room to speculate. Now, twenty-four years later, we are step­ ping into the 90s and He has not yet returned. Should we give up hope? If the Lord allows life to continue through the decade and beyond, I suggest that He would have us continue to nurture a sense of hope - hope in His return according to 1 Corinthians 15:19. Many may be tempted to despair; it will be our task to inspire hope. In the 90s our young people well need to find reasons to live; they will need to be encouraged to “buy” into the church. We will need to make room for them in our committees and boards, trusting them with responsibilities, and giving them opportunities to serve. Marriages will continue to experience stresses. We will need to pray and listen and be compassionate, at the same time modelling and giving attention to our own marriage relationships. Our church activities, meetings, seminars and retreats will keep us busy. We will need to ensure that all these “good” things don’t make us lose sight of people, individuals silently looking for encouragement, acceptance and care. In the 90s many may face unemployment and financial stress. They will need acceptance and perhaps material aid. May our churches not become clubs where only the financial­ ly secure feel at home. Among all the expectations and challenges facing us as deacons or elders, let us remember that the work is not ours but the Lord’s and we dare not try to meet everyone’s needs by ourselves. “ ‘There is hope for the future,’ says the Lord” (Jer. 31:17). Peter Janzen, La Crete, A ita.

AN ACCOUNTANT We ain’t seen nothing yet! Computer power will be a key factor for our society in the 90s. Dramatic improvements will continue. Many jobs will become obsolete. New opportunities will arise. Education will become more important as people will be forced to change careers several times. Improvements in computers and electronics are having a major impact on us right now. Households have electronic gadgets that were unheard of a decade or two ago. Businesses are applying the power of the computer in ways that were impossible a few years ago. Complex electronic wizardry is an integral part of our lives in more ways than most of us realize. The communications industry is moving forward by leaps and bounds. Fibre optics have facilitated better phone service and less expensive long distance calling. Cellular phones and fax machines have become indispensable for many. What is in store for us in the 90s? The electronic home with com­ prehensive monitoring systems and central controls will be com­ monplace. Check on the baby without leaving your TV. Turn on the oven before you leave work. THE MESSENGER

INTO THE 90s Cellular phones and fax machines will enter many homes. Call the tow truck from your car. Have your forgotten grocery list faxed to you as you drive to the store. Management of increasingly large amounts of data will take on a whole new meaning. Transmit your tax return to Revenue Canada electronically. Use a debit card instead of cheques or cash. Tax laws will become even more complex. Monstrous data bases will contain incredibly detailed informa­ tion about you. Crosschecking by Revenue Canada will uncover previously unreported income. Confidentiality will be redefined. Inevitable? Probably. Amazing? Definitely. Scary? You bet! But wait! As inventions like cars made life easier for us many years ago, computers and electronics are simply continuing that process today. And that’s not all! There are many potential ap­ plications for our ministries. Let’s harness these new tools to fulfill the great commission more effectively. Henry Friesen, Virden, Man.

I A FATHER If I acquire the right skill and apply it properly the end result will be God-loving, beautiful, intelligent, fun-loving children who will bring me joy, peace and contentment. Reality tells me, “Don’t believe it for a minute.” Even the most skilled father is challenged by the skills of other voices ready to gobble up what Christian fathers value the most. Which voice will each child embrace? Our three children, all daughters, aged nine, ten and thirteen, have all told us they have received Jesus. They have said “yes” to the teaching of their parents and, most importantly, to the voice of God. As a father it’s no time for couch potato burns and sores. I must be actively involved in knowing the daily struggles my children face. Other influences over and over again will seek to destroy their trust and obedience. My active involvement sees in the nineties a father who will at times ask his daughters to read his lips as he says, “NO.” In fact, before writing this article, I separately asked our two youngest daughters what they wanted to see in their father in the next ten years. Both, with a “smirk,” immediately responded. One said, “Let us do what we want.” The other, with basically the same interest, said, “Just say yes.” In the ’90s 1 see a father who will more than once go to his daughters asking forgiveness due to a lack of genuine caring and kindness. I see a father hugging his children and taking them at different times, either separately or together, for lunch or just a Coke. I see a father reading scripture and praying for and with his daughters. Unfortunately, I also visualize him often failing to do so. When faced with difficult situations I see a father sitting with another father, seeking support and direction. Will the next ten years see a father with an increasing attach­ ment to his children, who at the same time genuinely releases them as God’s possessions? With these thoughts, questions and anticipa­ tions in mind, I face the ’90s. Harry Friesen, Hudson Bay, Sask.

I A HOMEMAKER “Year 2000” - that makes me tingle with excitement! Turning that calendar page from December 31, 1989 to January 1, 1990 suddenly makes me keenly aware of a challenging new decade! This decade has been referred to as “The Decade of Destiny. ” With the turn of the decade we have seen much exciting world news, adding to the expectations of the 90s. Will we experience a great revival sweeping over America? Will Christ return in this decade? Whatever the destiny of this decade, I sense an urgency to “give ’er all I got” or “to live as though there were no tomorrow.” I JANUARY 26, 1990

want to reach others for Jesus! I must have my priorities clear to accomplish this aim in the 90s. In order to live my life to the full, my prayer time is all impor­ tant. Dr. Sipley’s messages at our EMC convention in July have changed my prayer life. I have my daily TIME OUT with God and try to take PRIME TIME to do so. The praise and adoration time provides me with power and victory. It draws me into a deeper and more intimate love relationship with my Creator. After daily cleansing and submitting to Him, asking for the guidance and filling of the Holy Spirit, I’m prepared to intercede for others, and then to reach out and minister to others. I want to see my family excited about Jesus’ return - to expect Him in the 90s! Since I first became a mother I purposed to be open, sensitive and available to my children. Never did I want to blame myself for a child going wayward because I didn’t have time. I must continue this in the 90s. Hey, I might become a grandma in this decade! Great! Then I must have time for the next genera­ tion! A strongly-knit family is all important in facing this decade! Then I should have time to spare for others. A homemaker can so easily waste her free time. It’s also the housewife that has numerous ways to generously reach out to others. Besides my 30-hour a week piano teaching, I should have time for an occa­ sional phone call, a cup of coffee, a meal, but most of all, time to listen. My aim in this decade is to touch the lives of the people I meet, with the love of Jesus, and draw them to Him. Thus, if my cupboards and drawers don’t get cleaned, I won’t fret - maybe I’ll get it done next month. 90s - here I am - anticipating your challenges and looking for­ ward to “year 2000”! Joyce Cornelsen, Rosenort, Man.

A COLLEGE STUDENT Changes will strike and challenge us to choose and make com­ mitments. Change will come from many quarters: the scientific, political, economic, religious. And we as Christians will need to meet the challenge optimistically, trusting God in Christ. We will be tempted to be opportunists: greedy, selfish, hoarders, disgruntled, attempting ever to satisfy our desires. Ironically we may condemn the world, the abortionists, the people with AIDS, the rich, for having achieved what we desire: SATISFACTION. The voice of Jesus will quietly and firmly say, “Please, be satisfied with a place to sleep, clothing to wear, and food to eat. Notice the needs of the new neighbors.” We will face the challenge of helping the politically and economically bankrupt peoples of the communistic countries. They have been freed. Can we in the name of Jesus forgive them for the past, trust them, and help them rebuild? It will be a most challenging decade for the church of Jesus Christ. And I see the hungry world. How will our senses, no, our mind and actions, respond to the words of Jesus, “The poor you will always have with you”? Habakkuk challenges us to make a difficult commitment for the years ahead: "Even though the fig trees have no fruit and no grapes grow on the vines, even though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no grain, even though the sheep all die and the cattle stalls are empty, I will still be joyful and glad, because the Lord God is my savior. The Sovereign Lord gives me strength. He makes me sure-footed as a deer and keeps me safe on the mountains” (Good News Bible, Hab. 3:17-18). Glen Koop, Steinbach, Man. PAGE 5

INTO THE 90s A TEACHER_________________________________ Somehow we seem to feel or are led to feel through the media and otherwise that we have entered a new era. Things are really going to be different in the last decade of this century. Are they really? 1 think that we are still going to get the good, the bad, and the ugly! In the last decade we have seen tremendous changes taking place in the economic, political, and social arenas of the world. If we were as those with no hope, we might become very pessimistic. We have a God who is in charge and in control. We can be quite optimistic that all things will work together for good. In teaching, my profession, we have seen many changes in the past decade. There always seems to be another new approach or another new idea that should be implemented to be more effective and improve the quality of education. More and more of the responsibility of the “training” and teaching of the students seems to be falling on the school. What are we as a church family doing to support our schools and teachers? For me the nineties hold forth some exciting changes. Retire­ ment, a new profession, voluntary service work, and travel are some possibilities. Changes in our life can be very threatening, but they can also stimulate us to rise to the demands of a new situation or task. Some things, however, should remain constant. I want to con­ tinue to serve in our church, and continue to study the scriptures. I want to continue to strive to actualize the love of Christ in my daily lifestyle. We need to continue to work toward godliness in our relationship. Let’s run the race of the nineties and not become weary. Tony Drledger, Winnipeg, Man.

A COLLEGE PROFESSOR______________________ 1990 is here. A very simple statement to make. As a reader, one can’t know what the message is behind this statement. Each in­ dividual will see it in a different way. Some will read it in a dead, expressionless way, while others will read “1990 is here!” I can’t help but say it the second way - optimistically! As 1 reflect on the past decade, God’s guidance in my life is ob­ vious. I marvel at how God took that ten-year-old boy and safely guided him through the mine-infested fields of his adolescent and teen years and brought him to where I stand today. My optimism also comes from seeing God so clearly at work in His church. I’ve seen the evidence of His hand in the local church as well as among His people throughout the world. How about the future? What do the 90s hold for me? Just the first two weeks have already proved to be unforgettable. I’ve preached my first church sermon and I’ve become engaged. And the rest of the nineties, well, only God knows for sure, but I’m looking forward to getting married, finishing my schooling, and possibly becoming involved in full-time ministry. As I dream of the future and reflect on God’s faithfulness in the past, I can’t help but look ahead at the nineties with a spirit of optimism. THE 90s ARE HERE! Darnell Piett, Landmark, Man.

A SOC/AL WORKER__________________________ An eminent philosopher and atheist, Bertrand Russell, stated that what our world needs is “a very simple and old-fashioned thing, a thing so simple that I am almost ashamed to mention it. The thing 1 mean - please forgive me for mentioning it - is love, Christian love or compassion.” As we face the challenges of the nineties in our families, com­ munities and nations, I am reminded of Christ’s command: “Be ye compassionate as your Father is compassionate” (Luke 6:36). PAGE 6

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Christ knew that this world would always need compassion. Although humanity was created perfect, evil entered the world, a world where “man is born to trouble as surely as the sparks fly upward” (Job 5:7). In the next decade social workers will continue to be in contact with the suffering and the troubled: the young mother who did not choose abortion and the one who did; the incest victim and the perpetrator; the parents of the youth who is in conflict with the law and the youth who committed the offence; the AIDS vic­ tim and the one who knowingly spread it; the fourteen-year-old prostitute and the pimp. Is compassion a natural response to the suffering, or is it a radical call, a call that goes to the roots of our lives? Compassion is the call that asks us to serve without recognition, a pull downward to the powerless and the oppressed instead of an upward pull to the powerful. It does not distinguish between “acceptable” and “social taboo” problems. Compassion is “to suffer with,” to serve at the level of the person’s need, not where we think the person should be. Christ was our role model. He accepted everyone without condemnation. We can all be compassionate people. No special skills or degrees are needed. We can begin by being there for each other, with no competition among us, for we are all children of the heavenly father. This is the radical challenge of our faith. Lydia Loewen, Winnipeg, Man.

A PASTOR_________________________________ We have just entered the nineties; the clock is ticking off the seconds of the countdown to the year 2000. Prophets and seers of many stripes are predicting the new decade to bring either pro­ sperity or doom and gloom. But who’s to say what the nineties will bring, or what lies beyond the year 2000? Current events nationally and internationally preclude the future from being dull and drab. Here at home, the constitutional crisis seems to be unresolvable. Non-ending budgetary deficits and an ever burgeoning national debt point to economic collapse. The farm economy in certain parts of the country is in shambles. Internationally, in Eastern Europe recent changes have occur­ red with such rapidity that they have left us reeling. We in the West, of course, applaud the new-found freedoms of these people; however, the reality of economies that have been mismanaged in­ to near bankruptcy remains. Democratically elected governments will not resolve this mess overnight or even in a decade. In the Soviet Union ethnic unrest appears to be escalating by the moment. In Ethiopia and other African countries the spectre of famine is again raising its ominous head. Drug wars in Colombia . . . The list is endless, but these and other events will do anything but make for an uneventful decade. I suppose, in a sense, we cannot fault those who survey the future with a certain dread and fear. As believers, however, we have a different message to proclaim. I’m not suggesting that we bury our heads in the sand; no, we need to keep informed and to con­ tribute constructively toward the shaping of a better world wherever possible. But, our future hope is not ultimately in economics, politics, philosophies or world events. Although these affect us, they do not shake us. Our gaze is fixed on a star that shines above the dimness and dust of this earth. Our trust is in God who can­ not be shaken. With Him as our guide, we can put fear behind us; we can go forward into the nineties with confidence and poise. Whatever happens, the Church of Jesus Christ will not be destroyed. It may be battered, it may bleed, but it will stand. Let’s live this message; let’s proclaim this message! The world needs it. Mel Friesen, Wawanesa, Man.

THE MESSENGER

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A YOUTH PASTOR Youth culture, as a distinct and recognized sub-culture within our western society, has only been around since the end of World War II. It was characterized by frivolity and playfulness in the 1950s as depicted in the TV sitcom, “Happy Days.” This gave way to boiling rebellion and revolution in the 1960s as the youth of North America grew restless with the institutionalism and affluence of post-war industrial society. But the revolution died with the heroes of the generation. In response to the lost idealism, the 1970s ushered in the age of apathy and the “me generation.” The eighties might be described as the “decade of disillusionment” for youth. Often we didn’t know what the proper response was to the world around us with its growing complexity of issues. And so we face the 90s. According to Reginald Bibby in an arti­ cle in ChristianlYeek, January 9, 1990, the trends show an aging Canadian population with a struggling youth minority. What can the youth of this new decade look forward to? If the 1950s were the years of carefree frivolity, the 60s the decade of angry rebellion, the 70s the age of apathy, and the 80s the decade of disillusion­ ment, then the 90s could be the age of vision. Young people know how to have fun, they know how to rebel, they can be very self­ centered and are often confused about life’s issues, but they can dream. This is the contribution that young people will give to a world that will be crying for hope in the 90s. The prophecy of Joel

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By bon Thiessen

Musically

Speaking

ACOUSTICS So there we were in a small church trying to transmit the sound of a 30-voice choir to the back of the church. It was absolutely amaz­ ing how dead the sound was. Because of the way the sanctuary had been built, it seemed to stop about a foot in front of the choir. We finally had to resort to some gimmicks to present the program with some effectiveness. While we were there, the frustrated pastor asked what could be done; any speaking or singing had to originate a few inches from the microphone to be heard by the congregation. The pastor was almost pleading for help because of the acoustics of the building. Short of drastic measures I had no solution for him. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated problem among churches built in the last 25 years. With greater financial resources and more sophisticated technology, our approach to church acoustics has been to kill the natural sound and then attempt to revive it by a myriad of intravenous connections. Sadly, few last minute attempts at revival are successful. There are some reasons why our churches tend to have such dead acoustics. First, we thought that modern technology could give us satisfactory sound. It certainly can do that if all we want is sound originating from the chancel area. This can be interpreted to mean that only what originates from the platform is important, a denial of what our Anabaptist teaching on the involvement of the laity has been. The natural, vibrant, acoustic sound can never be recaptured once the architecture and interior decorating have dealt their fatal blow - only a counterfeit can be recaptured. Second, we have relegated visual aesthetics to a position above acoustic aesthetics. The modern living room with its rugs, curtains and plush furniture has become the model for our sanctuary when the kitchen should be our model. All the soft materials soak up sound like a sponge soaks up water. As a result, when the congregation

JANUARY 26, 1990

will come true: “I will pour my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophecy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions” (Joel 2:28, NIV). The fruition of those dreams and visions will be dependent on the response of the world and, more specifically, the church. To­ day we put dreamers and visionaries in institutions; e.g., senior citizens’ homes, colleges, which often restrict their movement, creativity and expression. Despite the trends of declining church involvement, especially among young people, Bibby suggests that there remains the possibility of spiritual renewal in the 90s. But we must unleash the youth of the coming age to be our inspira­ tional leaders and motivators. Ian Rennie in the forward to Donald C. Posterski’s book, says, “In its finest periods Christianity has been a powerful youth movement” (e.g., Athanasius, Bernard of Clairvaux, Conrad Grebel College, George Whitefield, Hudson Taylor, Charles Spurgeon, etc.). When revival comes, it will be among youth, by youth, for youth and through youth. The tired old cliche, “young people are the church of tomor­ row,” must finally appear among the obituaries. Young people are the church of today, of the 90s. To you I echo the words of Paul given to a youth leader of his day, “Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity” (I Timothy 4:12, NIV). Gari Brandt, fVinnipeg, Man. sings, each person feels like an individual, causing anyone who is slightly inhibited to sing even more softly. No wonder the singing feels dead and the church service seems to lack vitality. The church is a happening in sound more than in sight, and we should do all we can to aid that event. Third, as the churches become larger there is a greater tendency to program all activities to come from the chancel or pulpit. One microphone can accomplish that quite well if we are not that con­ cerned about the participation of the congregation. But, the singing and testimonies would be greatly enhanced if the acoustics of our churches were more like the old Kleefeld church. So what can we do about the problem? The biggest culprit is the rug on the floor and, in some cases, acoustic tile in the ceiling. (These are wonderful in a dining room where you want to hear only the people around your table.) If we were prepared to go back to hard surfaces on the floors, with possibly a rug in the aisle, we would be amazed at how vibrant the singing would be. I was impressed with this again recently when I attended a hymn conference in a new facility seating 800 to 900 people. There was no rug on the floor, the ceiling was high, there were no drapes - the singing was wonderful! We sang hymns for three days! We need to, when we build sanctuaries, be willing to spend some funds on acoustic consulting and engineering. These services are available now and would prevent serious architectural errors which are almost impossible to correct after the building is completed. So what is the significance of all of this? Supposing we built a church with perfect, natural and live acoustics - what would change? There would be a greater sense of congregational involvement; we would be surrounded by human sound rather than assaulted by it from one source, the speakers. The congregational singing would instantly have a greater vibrancy and the church might even seem to have more spiritual life. They would certainly be more willing to express it in singing. There would also be a greater possibility of speaking participation from the floor. Testimonies would be easier to hear. Music performed from the platform would be greatly enhanced in a way that no sound system can. As your church heads into its next building project, even ten years from now, I hope you will give these ideas some consideration. Dr. Thiessen, a minister in the Ridgewood E.M.C. Church, is Music Professor at Winnipeg Bible College.

PAGE 7

Missions PANAMA

TO NICARAGUA

Diane and Ernie Koop Ernie and Diane Koop left on January 23 for their assignment in Nicaragua. Their commissioning took place at the Evangelical Fellowship Church (EMC) in Stein­ bach, Man. on January 21. Pray for them as they work with the national church. They are the only EMC mis­ sionaries in Nicaragua.

GERMANY

Building Friendships Prayers Answered Greetings from Haus Bad Riedlingen (HBR) in beautiful southern Germany! My first communication with you. What do I say? Where do I start? Describe the place? My work? The people? What the Lord is doing? I’m working as a dorm assistant (DA) at HBR - a dorm with 33 teenage boys. During school hours, much of my time is spent in the kitchen. But, for me, the most enjoyable and rewarding time is from 4-10:30 p.m. In my three and a half months here, I have been building some special friendships with the boys. It is a special feeling when these boys take the initiative to talk with me; looking for love, acceptance, advice, or just a listening ear. Two of ‘my’ boys are Izaak and Kevin. Izaak is an energetic 15-year-old with a lot of poten­ tial - if channelled in the right direction. Kevin is a senior who wants to go to college next year and become a pilot, but right now he has no money. I’m looking forward to seeing how God will work in their lives and how He will use me. God has been answering many of our prayers here. Ed and Patty Krueger, fellow DAs at HBR, were preparing to go home at Christmas because of lack of funds. We prayed! One week before Christmas holidays, they received a substantial donation that will allow them to stay here for the remainder of

PAGE 8

War and Peace At Christmas God - Our Refuge I experienced war at Christmas. Although this is not an experience I’d wish on anyone, I thank God for allowing me to be in Panama precisely at this time. I was able to capture the varied reactions of the Christians and of the people in general, and my personal faith was strengthened. I do not pretend to discuss legal or moral aspects of the U.S. invasion; I simply want to share impressions and experiences of my 24 days there. The church rested in the knowledge that God is sovereign. He is the one who establishes governments to rule on earth (Rom. 13:1), but the Lord’s throne is above them all, in heaven (Psalm 11:4). He knows the extent of man’s wickedness and of his resulting inability to rule: He knows how and when to change courses of history. Of course it was painful and embarrassing for the Panamanians to have the U.S. come in to destroy their army establishments. At the same time, they realized that they were unable to remove the dictator by themselves. An at tempted coup in October had failed; all non supportive press had been silenced; leading politicians had been exiled; many had cried to God for deliverance. When deliverance came, I did not hear cries of vengeance against their “liberator.” There was a sense of sadness, of shame, and then of relief. As the country began to hear about the discoveries being made in a combing of the city and of the ex-general’s dwellings, peopie commented that God is compassionate. There were enough arms hidden in the coun­ try to carry on guerrilla warfare for many months. The Social Security Hospital had its cache for arms, while three million dollars worth of medicines sat uselessly in forgotten warehouses. The “Dignity Battalion,” a totally unscrupulous group organized alongside the army to carry out Noriega’s commands, kept the people terrorized. Plans for the destruction of Panama City were found: the wide-spread looting and the burning of part -------------------------------------------------------the school year. The Lord answered! Today, they got a money order of $400, with the giver’s signature, ‘The Lord Jesus Christ’! He truly is “able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think”! (Eph. 3:20). Ah, yes, there have been hard times discipline problems with the boys; the birth, but subsequent death, of my nephew . . . But, we serve a living, loving. all-powerful God who‘‘supplies all our needs according to His riches” (Phil. 4:19). I could not ask for a better ‘Employer.’ Let’s continue to praise His Holy Name as we serve Him together. Kathy Bartel

of the city were the beginning of the planned destruction, carried out by the “Dignity” but halted by the people and the U.S. troops. Many more people could have lost their lives, but God is merciful and “patient, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repen­ tance” (Il Peter 3:9). God’s compassion was further evidenced by His special care of His own people. We were in danger, not of U.S. soldiers, nor of fleeing Panamanian soldiers, but of reprisals from the “Dignity.” We did not hear of any Christians, however, who were killed, robbed, or molested. The G.M.U. mission building in Colon lost most of its windows when the barracks nearby were bombed, but nobody was hurt. A missionary’s car was in the pro­ cess of being robbed, but God intervened through a neighbor. “As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people . . .” (Psalm 125:2). The Lord gave strength and quietness of heart; for He alone is the defense of our lives (Psalm 27:1). We experienced a teeter-totter of emotions: fear/ confidence. We experienced that our refuge is God, and God alone. God is a righteous judge (Psalm 7:11). Kings need to show discernment, worship the Lord and do homage to the Son, lest He become angry and the kings perish (Psalm 2:10-12). Governments are ministers of God, avengers who bring wrath upon those who practice evil (Rom. 13:4). When a government is openly aligned with satanic forces, it is not difficult to understand the need for God’s intervention. God hears the cries of an oppressed people; His deliverance must come. These last two years have been especially difficult ones for Panama, but now the country has a chance for a new beginning. The strongholds of Satan must be broken down and God’s people must pray urgently “for kings and all who are in authority” (I Tim. 2:2). It is shocking to realize to what depths human nature can sink, what atrocities man is capable of committing. Truly man’s heart is desperately wicked (Jer. 17:9). When hgje children and youth for so many years, and when an exaggerated sense of na­ tionalism is nurtured beyond reason, there comes a breaking point. A few Christian leaders confessed their sin of hatred towards the Americans, who now had to be seen as their saviours. They saw that the reality of life is truly Christ, and not their country. War and peace at Christmas - a seeming contradiction, but, nonetheless, a spiritual reality for Panamanian Christians. As people recognize the Lord as King, He blesses them with peace (Psalm 29:10,11). Aluira Friesen

THE MESSENGER

Messenger News

Pastor installation service at Heron. Front: Lowell (pastor) and Fran Ethier, Lenore and Lawrence Penner. Bach: Ed Friesen, Norman and Leora Thiessen, Betty and Peter Thiessen.

NEW PASTOR INSTALLED Heron, Sask.: Another year has come to an end and we’ve started a brand new one. For some of us ordinary people it seems that’s about the only thing we ever get that’s new! With the frigid December temperatures we’ve had, it’s amazing that our blood is still flowing. We’re very happy to have our pastoral cou­ ple settled in. Their installation took place this past fall with Conference Pastor Ed Friesen as main speaker. We’ve learned to love Lowell and Fran and we also appreciate the work they’re doing in our church. Fran is also working as a Group Home Operator with the

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rt Gladys and Milton Fast

JOYFUL CELEBRATION La Crete, Alta.: We have had a season of joyful celebrations. On December 10 our church held an in­ stallation service for Milton and Gladys Fast during the morning worship hour. Pastor Richard Klassen of High Level brought the message. The service was followed by a fellowship lunch in the basement. Welcome JANUARY 26, 1990

"A// the children of the world" sing "Joy to the World" at the Heron church Christmas program.

Redvers Activity Center. Let’s remember to pray for them as they keep up with their busy schedule. Our Christmas program took place on December 17. It was a very cold evening, but our friends and neighbours still ventured out for the celebration of Christ’s birth. Janet Thiessen and Margaret Penner did an ex­ cellent job of directing our Junior Choir. The kids’ singing was beautiful! Lynda Klassen, Tim Klassen and Eric Thiessen, our talented musicians, accompanied the singers on piano, drums and bass guitar. Thank you, choir, for a job well done. Harold Friesen

to the family. Pastor and Mrs. Fast! A beautiful celebration of praise was brought to us by the choir on December 17. The Christmas cantata, “Call Him Jesus,” rang with the joy of the season. The evening of that same day, the students from our Sunday school added their special touch to the holiday season through the presentation of a Christmas program. On New Year’s Eve people gathered at the church to praise God as we entered into 1990 - the beginning of another year in which to continue our work for the Lord. A vital part of the work is prayer. On January 7 a number of people met at the church throughout the day to share in the Day of Prayer for EMC Missions. The following day (January 8) five men from our congregation (Simon Froese, Henry Boehlig, Joe Janzen, Henry Froese and David Schellenberg) flew to South Carolina to work under MDS. They are helping with clean-up and construction after the hurricane damages suffered there. The men hope to return on January 27. Frieda Boehlig

IN REMEMBRANCE Riverton, Man.: Over a period of a few short weeks, there have been several bereavements within our church family. Members have experienced the loss of an uncle, a father/grandfather, a mother/grandmother, a husband. We have been left to mourn and to rejoice in this situation for our loved ones are now “Safely Home.”

SAFELY HOME I am now at home in heaven; All’s so happy, all's so bright! There is perfect joy and beauty in this everlasting light. All the pain and grief are over, Every restless tossing past; I am now at peace forever, Safely home in heaven at last. Did you wonder I so calmly Trod the valley of the Shade? Oh! but Jesus' love illumined Every dark and fearful glade. And He came Himself to meet me in that way so hard to tread; And with Jesus' arm to lean on. Could I have one doubt or dread? Then you must not grieve so sorely. For I love you dearly still; Try to look beyond earth's shadows, Pray to trust our Father's will. There is work still waiting for you. So you must not idle stand; Do your work while life remaineth YOU shall rest in Jesus' land. When that work is all completed. He will gently call you home! Oh, the rapture of the meeting! Oh, the joy to see you come! In remembrance of Diedrich Friesen, John Z. Klassen, Helen Plett and Willie Hjorleifson. Carol Kornelsen PAGE 9

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t IM \ , IR " \ Parent/child dedication at the Kola church on January 17, 1990. Left to right: Gerald and Elly Martens and Chealsey, Lawrence and Becki Penner and Rhett, Fenton and Suzi Martens with Jason and Benjamin, Garth and Elaine Lund with Denver.

CHURCH CHRISTMAS PROGRAM PRESENTED Kola, Man.: Our 1989 church Christmas program was one to remember. Though it was frigid outdoors, inside there was a warm feeling of “peace on earth.” The adults opened the program with Bible readings and a poem. Then it was the Nursery's turn. It's hard to believe that a group of two- and three-year-olds can be so quiet when they are called on to perform! The Pre-primaries were delightful in their portrayal of the nativity scene. The Primaries and Juniors joined together to broadcast the news of the Saviour's birth through recitation and joyous singing. The climax of the evening was the drama presented by the Teen, Senior, and College and Career classes. Entitled “Christmas in Warmwater,'' it showed us a town which was a gentle little haven of lukewarm Christiani­ ty. Though the Christmas season was upon them, the Christmas spirit could not seemingly be found. In the final end it was discovered that all the things, traditions and paraphernalia of Christmas could not create a “Christmasy” spirit. The Spirit of Christmas is a presence and can come only to those who open their lives to receive Him. Pastor Art Neufeld closed the program with a short meditation and prayer. Christmas bag­ gies were distributed to the children. Also, cof­ fee, punch, Christmas goodies and fellowship were joyfully shared in the lower auditorium, A New Year's Eve service brought 1989 to a close. This consisted of a crokinole tourna­ ment, as well as other table games. A film was shown and “Stewardship '90” was intro­ duced. The old year was closed and the New Year brought in with a time of prayer. To all who read this: May God's richest blessings be with you this year. “But the Lord is faithful, who shall strengthen you and keep you from evil” (II Thess. 3:3), Pat Schellenberg PAGE 10

The Morweena church choir.

APPRECIATION BREAKFAST FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL STAFF Morweena, Man.: Dick Unrau, pastor of the Riverton Gospel Chapel, challenged the Sunday school staff at an appreciation breakfast held on December 2, He focussed his address on John 3:30, “He must increase but I must decrease.” He stressed the need for teachers to set their focus on Jesus rather than lift themselves up in any way before the students. The Christmas season saw our building full almost to overflowing as friends and family from far and wide came home for Christmas. Celebrations started on December 20 when the Morweena Christian School presented their annual Christmas concert. The message of Christmas rang clear throughout the sing­ ing, recitations and drama productions. On December 25 the choir, directed by Lyndon Reimer, presented their program in the home church. They had been out sing­ ing in the surrounding communities in the earlier part of December. It was a blessing to

listen to the age old story brought out in tradi­ tional and new songs. Thank you so much, choir members, for all the practicing and com­ mitment that went into the making of the program. Our sympathies go out to the Pete Plett, Joas Plett and Henry Plett families on the loss of their mother, Mrs. Sara {Jacob U.) Kornelsen, on January 1 and then the sudden passing of a sister, Mrs. Helen (Frank) Plett, on January 5. Maybe in times of sudden bereavement we feel as my daughter did the other day. I was helping her with some em­ broidery and as she picked it up and tried to find the pattern she said in disgust, “This doesn’t make sense. It must be all wrong!” Then she discovered she was looking at the wrong side. How wonderful and comforting to know that, while we might see the wrong side, Jesus Christ sees and creates only the right side!

CHRISTMAS EVENTS Arden, Man.: Our church held our annual adults' Christmas supper on December 6. This year everyone was treated to Chinese food at a restaurant in Gladstone. A short program and games followed the meal. Thanks to John and Helen Froese for their generous gift to us. December 15 was the day of the Family Night Christmas Program. Fortunately the temperature was near normal, and a good number of people attended. Three plays were the highlights of this year's program. The Primary class presented “What Can I Do?” directed by Leona Rempel. “The Christmas Program” was dramatized by the Junior class, together with their instructor, Rey Toews. The Young People's play was called “No Room on Boulevard Street" James Neufeld was in charge of this production.

The Young People's group ended one year and began another with a skating and pizza party. Summer used to be the time for travelling, but no more. In December the John Froese family travelled to Burns Lake and Lena' Woelke to Prince George. Each made the ma­ jor part of the trip by train, even though it was slow going. Now in January, Mrs, Maria Rempel went to Rosthern, Saskatchewan and Mrs. Helen Neufeld flew to British Columbia. We are thankful that the Lord granted them safety in their journeys. We wish you all God's blessings for the future. Let us be watching and ready for His coming. “Therefore, be ye also ready; for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh” (Matt. 24:44).

Marlene Reimer

Leona Rempel THE MESSENGER

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The senior choir Christmas program at the Crestview Feitowship.

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The Young Cubbies group at the Awana Christmas program at the Crestview church.

CHRISTMAS PROGRAMS ENJOYED Crestview (Winnipeg, Man.) December the Sunday school program. A musical, “The was quite a busy month in our church. We Mall and the Night Visitor,” was presented. started off with our adult Christmas social. The An angel was disguised as Sherlock Jones to evening program consisted of singing, a skit, go to the mall to find the true spirit of a poem and a reading. It was a chance to visit Christmas. With his able assistant. Blunder with the church family and friends who were Watson, and the mall manager, Effie Shunt, also invited. It was a very enjoyable evening. they are able to do just that. It is found in a Next, we had our mid-week Awana pro­ girl named Jessica, who, by her love and car­ gram. It was great to see each club from Cub­ ing, exemplies the true Christlike Spirit of bies to Junior Varsity participate. The Awana Christmas. It made everyone wonder: Has program reaches many non-Christian families Christmas gotten too commercialized? Is San­ so it was good to see many of those parents ta Claus thought more of at this time than out for this evening. Jesus, who is the true reason for the season? Our Junior and Senior choirs presented an Christmas Day saw two of our members, Shirley Schellenberg and Frank Solnik, in the evening program with songs from “Let hospital. We understand that they are both Heaven and Nature Sing.” Aside from the already experienced talent in our church, it home now and we wish them a speedy was great to see the up and coming young recovery. We also learned that Frank’s wife talent! Mary had injured herself on steps in their apartment block. We hope that the New Year The highlight of December has always been

will find all three of them getting back their health. December also had a sorrowful note in our church. Our pastor’s father, Cornelius Unger, passed away suddenly. We as a church will continue to support our pastor, Ralph Unger, and his family in prayer. December 31 was our watchnight service. The evening was a time of sharing, watching slides of a trip to the US by John and Anne Rempel and, most importantly, of praying. We were encouraged as a church to pray more in 1990. We were also encouraged by our pastor in the morning service to keep a prayer journal for 1990 and write down how the Lord answers our prayers. It was great to see quite a large number of our young peo­ ple for the service. The evening ended with New Year’s cookies, ably supplied by Anne Rempel, and a time to visit.

served delicious empanadas, a deep-fried Paraguayan delicacy. Actually it’s very stan­ dard fare in Paraguay. They go out to buy empandas the way we go to get a Big Mac in Canada! Vai’s “on hands” presentation of life in Paraguay made the country come alive for the children. To round out the conference, we celebrated our traditional Thanksgiving supper Sunday evening. The Ladies’ Fellowship have had a busy and exciting fall season as well. On October 30 we viewed the second in the Becky Pippert film series, entitled “Taking a New Look at Jesus.” At our November meeting, Elsie Banman presented a special feature on mak­ ing photo albums. She showed us some fair­ ly simple steps to creating a beautiful and special album for weddings, birthdays or other special occasions. During the evening we had a Christmas cookie exchange, as well as the secret pal gift exchange. Vai was our guest speaker and she spoke on the practical ways to show love to our family, friends and un­ saved people. This evening marked the begin­ ning of Christmas activities of all kinds. On December 6 the Treasure Island kids presented an enjoyable Christmas program. We realize again what a challenge and oppor­ tunity we have to influence young lives since many of these come from unchurched families. May God continue to give strength, enthusiasm and wisdom to each leader as you

continue in this area of service in the New Year. Turning to the young people, they have also had an exciting fall season. On October 28 a special Sunday evening service was presented solely by the youth. It consisted of some special numbers, a skit, and a rare treat - two of the young men of the group, Paul Nikkei and Steve Hildebrand, were our speakers for the evening. 1 hear they did a fine job. Who knows, maybe, someday, they will speak from your pulpit. On November 17 to 19 a number of the young people attended Youth Alive at Steinbach Bible College. They report it was a great weekend. Then, as part of their Christmas activities, they had a special banquet on December 15 that was dedicated to their parents. It was ‘Parent Appreciation’ night and all parents were treated royally! Each young person shared something they felt was special about their parents and what they appreciated about them. One of the girls, Michele Hildebrand, composed a special song which the whole group sang. 1 heard that it was a very touching evening, including a few tears! We have a great bunch of young people. Turning back to adult activities, on December 9 we were treated to the music of the Glencross Quartet as we celebrated our annual Ladies’ Fellowship social, together with (continued on page 12)

MISSIONARY CONFERENCE HELD

Portage la Prairie, Man.: The last three months have again been busy ones in Por­ tage. We are back to school schedules, mis­ sionary conference and Christmas prepara­ tions. It’s an exciting time of year. Our missionary conference took place Oc­ tober 19 to 22. It was a very special con­ ference because our own missionary family, Ken and Vai Zacharias and their children, were home. We were encouraged and bless­ ed by their reports. One evening Ken spoke and the family presented a humourous but true-to-life skit on Paraguayan culture. Vai spoke at the ladies’ meeting on Saturday after­ noon about some of her impressions and ex­ periences as a first-time missionary. At this meeting we were all given the rare opportunity to test their tasty terare tea, passed around in the traditional cup. Not everyone partook of this opportunity (why, 1 don’t know!). Other missionaries who presented their fields of serv­ ice with slides and spoken word were Harold Fast (Pakistan), Albert Martens (BFA - Ger­ many) and Lester Olfert (Nicaragua). Jon Bonk, Winnipeg Theological Seminary, was the main speaker for the con­ ference. He had everyone’s attention with his well-illustrated messages. On Sunday mor­ ning the Sunday school students were given a “taste” of Paraguay as well, when Vai JANUARY 26, 1990

Jackie Warkentin

PAGE 11

Accepted into the membership of the Prairie Rose EMC on September 17, 1989 were Gerhard and Hilda Pries, and on December 10, 1989, Wilfred and Gertrude Kropp.

Baptism at the Prairie Rose church on December 10, 1989. Dan Warkentin (minister), Paul Warkentin, Gwen Friesen, Travis Reimer, Bruce Warkentin, Nathan Plett, Pastor Edwin Plett.

A HOME WHERE THE BUFFALO ROAMED Landmark, Man.: No, it is not a log shack, nor does it date back to the days of the buf­ falo. Their grazing lands may hardly have stretched as far east as the booming town of Landmark. However, that's where this “new home” for quite a few people is located. Tucked away in the northwest fringe, right next to the grain fields, are the Prairie Rose Apartments. Prairie Rose “Mansions” might even be more correct. At least that’s what the occupants infer: “We are so thankful for this abode and all its conveniences.” In the days of the buffalo it is understood that the human race was a hardy, tough and sometimes stubborn lot. As the drama of this project unfolded, it seemed that these traits were still evident. The need was there, no doubt about that. Yet the valiant men in charge could hardly get enough signatures to qualify for a grant or a mortage, but they did. In June 1989 it was ready for occupancy. The building was a beauty to behold. Even MP Jake Epp's right-hand man, Mark Desrosiers, came for the opening day. Now it was up to the “pioneers” to pull up roots and leave their “homesteads.” gardens, shops, and many precious belongings (which were auctioned) and relocate. No easy task! True to the historic days mentioned, it took all of six months to fill all the apartments. Now, don't ask how many people in Land(Portage, continued) our husbands. The supper was delicious and Les Kroeker did a fine job of chairing the evening. The Sunday school Christmas concert was held in traditional style on December 17 in the evening. Often what looks as if it will be a ter­ rible flop during the rehearsals turns out to be a great success when it comes time for the real thing! The children performed well as they presented “The Shadow of the Cross,” which portrayed Christ’s birth, death and resurrection. On December 19 some of the more hardy adults went carolling despite bitterly cold weather. The rest of us “softies” enjoyed the warmth of the church basement. After the caroilers returned from their trek, we all en­ joyed pizza and Christmas goodies. My prayer is that the Christmas Spirit, the Spirit of loving, giving and sharing will remain in our hearts and be manifested in our lives year round. Syluia Dyck

PAGE 12

mark are sixty-five years of age or over. The late beloved brother, Peter A. Plett, was over ninety years of age when he took this step. The apartments boast of twelve (six dou­ ble and six single) units, a spacious lounge with kitchen facilities, a hobby room for quilting, etc., a laundry room, a storage room for each apartment, and a garden for the green thumbs. The Prairie Rose Church and the building committee (Lloyd Plett, Harold Barg, and Walter Plett) are to be commend­ ed for this accomplishment. The heavenly Father must smile on this monument of love and compassion. A Board of Directors of seven are being installed to take over, four from the church and three from the apart­ ments. Custodian Mrs. Anne Schultz is do­ ing a commendable job of keeping things tidy, neat and clean, and everybody happy. Harold Plett

Births PENNER - to Bob and Martha Penner of Kola, Man., a daughter, Tyarra Ellen Katherina, on November 29, 1989. FRIESEN - to Roger and Anita Friesen of Arborg, Man., a daughter, Katelyn Marianne, on December 22, 1989. PLETT ■ to Ernie and Regina Plett of Arborg, Man., a son, Douglas Eugene, on September 20, 1989. DUECK - to Allan and Rose Dueck of Fisher Branch. Man., a son. Cameron Peter DuWayne, on February 24, 1989. REIMER - to Bruce and Evalina Reimer of Arborg, Man,, a son, Alexander Jeremy, on August 20, 1989.

LOEWEN - to John and Emily Loewen of Seminole. Texas, a son. Shaun Nathanial, on Oc­ tober 27, 1989. UNRAU - to Randy and Karen Unrau of Grunthal, Man., a son, Bryce William Tanner, on July 8, 1989. TOEWS - to Jack and Alice Toews of Winnipeg, Man., a son, Curtis John, on Decembers, 1989. THIESSEN - to Jim and Abby Thiessen of Win­ nipeg, Man., a son, Kyle Lael, on September 19, 1989.

The entrance to the beautiful Prairie Rose Apartments.

Custodian Mrs. Anne Schultz "puzzling” with Mrs. Evangeline Skjaerlund at the Prairie Rose Apartments.

MUIR - to Garry and Elyse Muir of Winnipeg, Man., a daughter, Alyssa Dawn, on August 12, 1989, HARDER - to Orville and Roxie Harder of Langley, B.C., a son. Perry Thomas, on November 28, 1989. FEHR - to George and Edith Fehr of La Crete, Alta., a son, Matthew George, on January 11, 1990. DYCK - to David and Mary Dyck of La Crete, Alta., a son, Colton Tyron Joseph, on December 23, 1989.

WIEBE - to Raymond and Eva Wiebe of La Crete, Alta., a son. Shane David, on December 21. 1989. FROESE - to Aron and Marge Froese of Red Deer, Alta., a son, Darcy Aron, on November 29. 1989. FRIESEN - to Harold and Cheryl Friesen of Maryfield, Sask., a daughter. Allison Rosanne, on December 1. 1989.

Weddings y .

Frank and Olga Reimer, residents at the Prairie Rose Apartments, with visitors, Frank and Mary Reimer.

PLETT-REIMER: Milton, son of Joas and Matilda Plett of Arborg, Man., and Valerie, daughter of Mr, and Mrs. Jake Reimer of Steinbach, Man., were married at the Morweena EMC on August 5. 1989. Glenn Plett of Arborg officiated. The couple is mak­ ing their home in Arborg.

THE MESSENGER

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DIEDRICH (DICK) FRIESEN 1924 - 1989 “My grace is sufficient for you for power is made perfect in weakness." If there was one theme that characterized Dad’s life it was “grace.” What Christ had done for him and was continuing to do for him, even though he felt that he was not worthy of it, overshadowed and infused all of Dad’s life - his thinking, his work, his ministry, his relationships. Because of the grace of God and what it meant to him, Dad felt there was never enough that he could do for God in return. There was never an occa­ sion when sharing the Good News of the grace of God was not appropriate. His wonder at the grace of God led him back to Ephesians 1 and the book of Romans again and again. Dad was born on the farm south of Ste. Anne on January 3, 1924 to John E. and Getruda Friesen. He was the eleventh of 14 children, four of which predeceased him. He lost his own mother to lung cancer in 1948. His father passed away in 1971. As a child and young man at home. Dad enjoyed the life on the farm. During the war, although of draft age, he stayed on the farm to help his father while several of his brothers were forced to go to CO camps. Once Dad was on his own he also started farming in the Blumenhof community. Since that did not provide enough income, nor work in winter. Dad went to work in the lumber camps. It was while working in one of these camps for Mr. Cornelius K. Plett of Prairie Rose, at the age of 21, that one of the boss’s pretty daughters, five years his junior, caught his attention. A few years later on October 22, 1949 he and Mom, Dora Plett, were married and started 40 years of marriage. Mom and Dad’s love for each other was very special. It brought them many joys and good times and carried them through the in­ evitably difficult times that come in life. Their life together was a celebration of love and an example and inspiration to their children and to many people who got to know them. When each of their five children joined the family circle, they were enclosed in that same special love. Dad was always a very conscientious per­ son. His concern was that he would in no way JANUARY 26, 1990

violate his commitment to Christ by taking lightly the teachings of Scripture on the responsibility to follow Jesus in all of life. As a teenager this caused many struggles for Dad. These struggles returned to haunt Dad as he faced his own death. He never doubted God. Rather, it was his trust in God’s love and mercy that carried him through the dark times that assaulted him. Time and again he would return to God’s Word and prayer and the counsel of his sister and brother-in-law, Helen and John Loewen, to find strength and comfort. It was this feeling of inadequacy that led to his profound appreciation for and wonder at God’s grace. It was these deep and often dif­ ficult struggles that made Dad into an apostle of the wonderful grace of God and the marvelous salvation through the death and resurrection of Christ. As part of his growing Christian commit­ ment, Dad was baptized as a young man in­ to the Kleinegemeinde, what is now the Evangelical Mennonite Church. That event was not only a symbol of his faith and con­ version and entry into the church, but also a commitment to a life-long service of God in whatever capacity God needed him. Through the years Dad served as Sunday School teacher, song leader, teacher of Bible courses, choir director, missionary and Mission Board member. In 1960 he and Mom were elected into the ministry at Blumenort. This was a call­ ing that shaped the rest of Dad’s life. In 1966 Dad and Mom sold their farm in Blumenhof and moved with their children to the Wawanesa area to start a new farm and a new church community, motivated not only by Dad’s sense of adventure but also by his interests in sharing with others the grace of God. Here Dad was elected pastor of the new congregation. For 12 years he was a shepherd to that congregation. For ten of those he also farmed full-time. Still, he had the time to make many friends in the wider Treesbank/Wawanesa community. It was here that, through his friendship with an Anglican minister. Dad began visiting the Spruce Woods Prison Camp. He became a faithful chaplain and friend to the men there, leaving the farm work when it was time to visit, bringing the men to our home and the church, and encouraging interaction between them and the young people of his congrega­ tion. It was the beginning of a long and worthwhile ministry - bringing God’s love in Word and friendship to men and women in prison and helping church people to get to know inmates as fellow humans on life’s pilgrimage. In 1975 Dad and Mom moved to Land­ mark while Dad went to M.B. Bible College to continue a formal Bible education begun many years earlier in Steinbach. Dad loved studying, especially his Bible, and the year in college was a real time of renewal for him. After returning to Wawanesa for three years, they moved permanently to Landmark so that Dad could take up full-time ministry

as a chaplain at Stony Mountain and at the Provincial Remand Centre. He loved this work. He found it hard to take time away from it to be at home. He had a deep love for the men and women he met in prison and made many friends. Right to the end. Mom and Dad’s home was always open to them. They were like an extended family. Dad was also a family man. A busy schedule in the church and the demands of a farm did not give him the time he would have liked to spend with his family. Nonetheless, he loved his children and later his grandchildren and wanted to be with them and do things with them. All of us will remember the special times we had together. His laughter and fun-loving character, his cen­ tral role at family gatherings, and his daily prayers for all of us will be sorely missed. In August of 1988 Dad had his first cancer operation. We all admired the joy and dependence on God that he showed through that whole experience. He knew that he was in God’s hands and that was all that mattered. He did very well and was able to return to work. Then in May of 1989 he had a serious car accident. While recuperating from the ac­ cident, the cancer reasserted itself and this time was inoperable. We were told in October that there was nothing that could be done for him medically and that his time would be short. Dad’s wish was that he might die at home. As the cancer gnawed at his body his wish grew that it might be soon. Those wishes were granted on the morning of January 4, the day after his 66th birthday, when he pass­ ed from this life into the next with his wife beside him and several family members around him in the bedroom at home. Dad was able to stay home only because of the deep love and tremendous patience and stamina of his wife of 40 years, the wonderful and ongoing help and support of both Mom and Dad’s families, and the help of Susan Fabbro and Lilyane Tougas of Home Care Services. Knowing how Dad’s life, and especially his struggle with cancer, influenc­ ed the lives of others, helping them to come to deeper faith, helps to take the sting out of the deep loss that we feel. Dad leaves to mourn his passing his wife, Dora; five children and their families, Ray and Sylvia with Larissa and Rachelle of Winnipeg; Bob and Julie with Ajay and Carley of Wawanesa; Geny and Rose with Cody, Tony and Roxanne of Wawanesa; Lynette and Wendell Koop with Jodie of Winnipeg; and Roseanna of Landmark; five brothers, four sisters and their families, Mom’s family and many other relatives and friends. Even though we miss Dad and feel as if something has been torn from our hearts, we rejoice that his suf­ fering is over and look forward to meeting him in the resurrection morning. We wish to thank the many family members and friends who visited Dad and Mom, sup­ ported them and prayed for them during these past months. The Family PAGE 13

OLGA DUECK 1925-1989 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselues have received from God” (II Corinthians 1:3,4).

Our beloved wife and mother, Olga Dueck, was born October 27, 1925 at Hochstadt to Jacob and Anna Koop. She received her early education in the Hochstadt School and her high school in Steinbach. After high school she took a threeyear Registered Nurses course at the Grace Hospital in Winnipeg, graduating in 1951. The ties of friendship formed there have re­ mained to this day, and Olga was the first of the group to pass away. Her loving, kind, compassionate concern for others marked her nursing career. She worked briefly in Norquay, Saskatchewan, Chilliwack, B.C. and Winnipeg. At an early age she professed faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. She was baptized and received into the membership of the Kleefeld Evangelical Mennonite Church in June of 1942. Throughout her nursing career and in community and family relations, she lived out her steadfast faith. On August 13, 1955 Olga married our father Benjamin Dueck, who had grown up on the neighbouring farm. They shared their Event: Annual Meeting of the Hanover Steinbach Historical Society Inc.

Place: Steinbach Bible College, Stein­ bach, Manitoba Date: Tuesday, February 13, 1990

Business Meeting: 7:00 p.m. Special Lecture: 8:00 p.m. By Dr. James Urry, New Zealand An­ thropologist, and leading expert on Russian Mennonite History, on the topic, ‘‘Chortitzer, Kleine Gemeinde and Russlaender: Conflicting Views of Life on the East Reserve (R.M. of Hanover) 1874-1930.”

PAGE 14

joys and sorrows for thirty-four years. Mom and Dad were blessed with three children: Karen, Calvin and Tim. We, her children, will remember her for her deep unconditional love, concern and support and her interest in all aspects of our lives. We will remember times spent in the garden, walks through the woods observing nature, and her delicious home cooking. We will also remember family outings and camping trips, and Mom and Dad working together in the house, yard and garden. In the last few years Mom and Dad travelled quite a bit, going to the East Coast, California, B.C. and Costa Rica. One dream realized just before Olga’s illness was a trip to Alaska in June. Olga was well known and appreciated in the community for her genuine caring for those whom she served as a nurse. Most of her nursing career was spent at the Bethesda Hospital, where she was night supervisor of nursing for a number of years. Later she ministered to people in their homes in her position with Home Care Nursing. She was also active in the local church, serving in the Cradle Roll Department. At the end of August Olga was diagnosed as having cancer, and over the next four months she gradually lost her strength. However, her spirit did not falter. During this time she was lovingly cared for by Dad and the rest of the family. Her dignity and courage was an inspiration to all of us. To Olga this was not the end but the anticipation of the beginning of a new life in the presence of the Lord. After having spent a special Christmas at home with all her family, she was readmit­ ted to Bethesda Hospital where her earthly life ended peacefully on January 5, 1990. Left to mourn her passing are her beloved husband Benjamin, daughter Karen Heppner of Winnipeg, two sons, Calvin Dueck and Elinor Warkentin of Winnipeg, and Tim Dueck of Vancouver; four brothers, Frank and Mavis Koop of Kleefeld, George and Sue Koop of Winnipeg, John and Marge Koop of Toronto, Walter and Joyce Koop of Yellowknife, N.W.T.; six sisters, Nancy and Don Longworth of San Jose, Costa Rica, Bet­ ty and Sam Wiens of Kleefeld, Sue and Ing­ var Eikanger of Pierson, Eva and David

Feb. 3

COMING EVENTS Church Finances Workshop

Braeside EMC, Winnipeg Feb. 6-8 Missions Conference Steinbach Bible College

MCI Banquet Steinbach Mennonite Church Feb. 10 MCI Banquet Brandon Mennonite Church Mar. 30 Ministerial/Missionary Retreat Camp Arnes to April 1 Theme: Spiritual Nurture Feb. 9

July 20-22 July

24-29

Annual EMC Convention Blumenort EMC Mennonite World Conference Assembly XII, Winnipeg, Man.

Graves, Emmie and Ted Wiens, Winnie and Harry Bartel, all of Kleefeld. She was predeceased by her parents, Jacob and Anna Koop. We will remember Olga for her cheerful at­ titude and her selfless service as a devoted wife and mother. We as a family would like to thank everyone for their prayers, visits, phone calls, cards, gifts of food, and encouragement and love. We also want to thank the doctors and medical staff for their compassion and care. The Family

Life through death Paradox on death Death cold, cruel uninvited guest that snatches from the home a mother, sister, friend, belov’d companion, taking breath from one who loved, and who loved life, from whose heart love flowed as she gave to others by loving, serving, caring. She wanted life, not death. Seeing beyond this life, beyond the suffering and the tears, beyond cold death, her hope was in Christ, the Son of God whose home in heaven awaited her. She heard Him call, and saw her Saviour, Lord and Friend— the King upon his throne, in all His glory, the One who gave His life that all might live. He called. She was ready. And He gave grace to leave the life she loved and those she loved, for His death gives life and victory over death and the grave. Death has no power, the grave no sting, for Christ is life.

It is not death to die. It’s life! Sister-in-law, Marge Koop

MESSENGER

SUBSCRIPTIONS Do you know of friends, neighbors or relatives who could benefit from a subscription to The Messenger? Funds are available from a private sponsor for such subscriptions. Send names and complete addresses to: Messenger Subscriptions Box 1268 Steinbach, Man. ROA ZAO

THE MESSENGER

"Canada's Mother Teresa" to Speak at MCI Banquets The third speaker in the Mennonite Col­ legiate Institute’s Centennial Speaker Series will be Nancy Pocock, “Canada’s Mother Teresa.” She will be speaking at two fundraising banquets - February 9 at the Steinbach Mennonite Church and February 10 at the Grace Mennonite Church in Brandon. Ms. Pocock will speak on “Welcoming the Stranger: Extending Christ’s Peace to Refugees.” As a Quaker, Nancy Pocock, now 79, has always been active in one way or another with peace work. She became involved in assisting Central American refugees eight years ago. With a staff of three, “Mama Nancy,” as she is affectionately called, continues to assist ap­ proximately 1,000 refugees a year from politically unstable countries — such as Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala — to find housing, clothing and employment and to enroll in welfare and ap­ propriate educational courses. Possibly most importantly, she makes herself available to these displaced people to listen and counsel — comforting those who left families behind in danger, advising those who are having dif­ ficulty getting settled, caring for those who have no one else to turn to. Nancy Pocock will share from her ex­ perience on February 9 and 10 and will look at what our attitudes and relationships as Christians should be to life, to the world, to our country, to human beings, and especial­ ly to refugees. She says “We should not just be co-existing, we need to actually appreciate and learn from different cultures.” The banquets begin at 6:30 p.m. and cost $10.00 per person. Call MCI at 327-5891 for tickets.

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Edwin Friesen

Conference Pastor

EMC - MCCC This past week (January 18-20) John Koop and 1 represented our Conference at the annual meeting of Canadian Mennonite and Brethren in Christ moderators in St. Catharines, Ontario. We also stayed for the MCC Canada meeting. Ron Penner, who has been our rep. on the MCCC board for some time, has resigned due to their move to the U.S., and has been replaced by Arnold Reimer of Landmark. Following are a few reflections on these events: 1. During the last decade the general tone at these inter-Mennonite meetings has shifted from “what a blotch on the name and work of Christ that the Mennonite family is divided into so many Con­ ferences” to “isn’t it great, that even though there is such diversity among Mennonite groups, they can fellowship and work together.” How refreshing! This attitude might well lead us and others to consider amalgamation. 2. The Conference leaders’ day focuss­ ed on stewardship: stewardship of posses­ sions, of the gospel of peace, of the earth.

etc. Dr. John Redekop, in his keynote ad­ dress, noted that, though Mennonites are rapidly moving up the economic scale, this is not adequately reflected in their giving. He challenged each person to be open and accountable to one other trusted friend, sharing with each other their earn­ ings, giving, etc. 3. Persons from Colombia and El Salvador shared moving, personal stories of peacemaking in the midst of conflict. 4. Though some of our churches have at times been uneasy about supporting some MCC programs, we continue to be heavily involved in personnel, SELFHELP stores, contributions, foodgrains bank, MDS, etc. Of the 44 staff working at the MCCC office in Winnipeg, ten are EMC. In 1989 alone, thirteen EMC people were placed in VS assignments in various parts of the world. In addition, there are dozens more involved in a wide range of provin­ cial programs, including prison ministries, SELFHELP stores, handicap concerns, native ministries, etc. 5. EMC giving to MCC varies from year to year. The figure for 1989 was $106,000, excluding direct giving to MCC by individual donors. 6. The Chortitzer Mennonite Church was accepted as a member of MCCC. 7. For Sunday John Koop went to Mt. Salem to visit our church there and 1 at­ tended the recently begun church at Virgil, where Dave and Susie Eidse are minister­ ing. They started to conduct worship ser­ vices in November and now have an at­ tendance of around 25 people.

EMC PRAYER CORPS PURPOSE: • To provide a structured prayer force of men, women and young people to help bear the burden and bolster the effectiveness of our EMC mission work. • It is intended to augment the intercessory prayer of hun­ dreds of faithful EMC people praying for the mis­ sionaries and their ministries. PROCEDURE: • Our missionaries from Canada and abroad regularly send their prayer requests to the office. These requests are more personal than those requested in public. • These requests are duplicated immediately on arrival at the office, and then sent out to those who have volunteered to pray for that specific field.

PARTICIPATION: By filling out the application form and sending it to our office you will be placed on the mailing list of the coun­ try or countries you have volunteered to pray for. (You may volunteer for more than one country or area.) The Prayer Corps can well be adapted to use in groups such as Sunday school classes, youth groups, or men’s and ladies’ prayer groups. JANUARY 26, 1990

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APPLICATION: Believing that prayer is a vital support link for effec­ tive missionary service, l/we want to become a member(s) of the EMC Prayer Corps. I promise to pray regularly for the missionaries and ministries of the following fields:

Canada

Paraguay

Germany

Mexico

Africa

Associate Missions

Nicaragua Name:

Address:

_________________ Phone No___________ If this is a group, give the name of the person to whom the literature is to be sent, as well as the name of the group.

PAGE 15

From the Editor Guest Editorial

WORLD MISSIONS IN THE 90s WE ARE APPROACHING the end of the second millenium. Predictions abound on every side. Some are prophets of doom while others envision a glorious future of peace and prosperity. 1 will refrain from pretending to be a prophet but will rather present some trends which will likely be with us in an even more distinct manner over the next decade. What trends are likely to dominate the missions and evangelism scene? Here are three out of many that might be named.

I. The Short-Term Trend in Missionary Recruiting This is a growing phenomenon as young people in­ creasingly opt for a brief exposure to missions ex­ perience. This is certainly not all bad, because a con­ siderable number who have had this vital exposure later decide to enter into a longer commitment. Not only the young but also the early retirees are getting involved. As this practice of taking early retirement becomes more and more prevalent, we will see a growing number of short­ term missionaries from this age group. I see this trend in­ creasing also for other reasons. Unpredictable political changes in countries recently gaining democratic forms of government, will probably force mission boards to be very innovative and flexible in their approach. The amaz­ ingly swift political revolution in Eastern Europe underlines the present inability of mission boards to re­ spond quickly with good strategy and adequate personnel. Short-term, easily recruited and speedily dispatched workers will probably be in demand throughout the ’90s.

II. A Shifting Missions Emphasis from Rural to Urban We have all observed this trend in our own life-time. Many of us can remember when our country churches had the large congregations and the city churches were small mission chapels. What happened in North America in the last 40 years is now happening on a much grander scale in the Third World. Cities are growing so quickly PAGE 16

that local governments have little chance to control it. We already have the phenomenon of the Mega-cities with their multi-million populations. The biggest ones to­ day are Mexico City and Sao Paulo with over 15 million each. We are told this trend will continue and most of these huge cities will be in the Third World. Our ap­ proach in missions will need to be directed ever more to reaching the urban poor. III. The “Southernization” of Missions Sending Agencies Since the days of William Carey, most of the evangelical missions thrust has come from Western Europe and North America. That is rapidly changing. As a result of the missionary movement, churches in Asia, Africa and South America have developed to a point where foreign missions has become a part of their agen­ da. At a recent Congress on World Evangelization in Manila, it was reported that there are now 20,000 Third World missionaries active around the world - up from 3000 in 1974. If this growth continues at present rates, missionaries from the Third World will surpass in number the western missionary force by 1998. This is wonderful news and should be a cause of rejoicing. It emphasizes again that our Lord is in control. He has a world-wide church. His body, which He is employing. How else could Jesus’ words ever be fulfilled when He said, “This gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” This decade may well see the completion of this task. As we approach the final decade of this millenium, we should identify with the words of the renowned missiologist, the late Dr. George Peters, when he said, “I have no fear that God will not complete His work in the world. I fear, however, that He might do it without me.” John Dyck General Director Jam Team Ministries

THE MESSENGER