The IVfessenoer 1*1 EVANGELICAL EVANGELICAL MENNONITE MENNONITE CONFERENCE CONFERENCE ■
.30 NO. NO. 17 17
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In Steinbach, 125 students gathered around the flag pole at the regional high school at 7 a.m. on September 9, in spite of very chilly weather. The purpose of the gathering was to pray for each other, their classmates, teachers and everyone in volved in their schooling. Similar scenes were observed at thousands of schools across Canada and the USA. In Canada, the event is one phase of Operation Powerlink Cana da, promoted by Vision 2000 Canada.
Anabaptism on the line in Guatemala:
Each day I ask if this is when they’ll kill me as told to J. Lome Peachey
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y name is Jose. I grew up in the Guatemala City dump. I was 12 when we moved there. My family came from Honduras in search of economic opportunity. When we couldn’t find any, we ended up with 5,000 other people trying to survive off the gar bage of the dump. How could we stand the smell, the vultures and the dirt? A lot of people I saw couldn’t. They became drug addicts or glue sniffers. Children as young as four or five sniff glue in the dump so they can cope. My family survive through hard work. If you know anything about people from my country, you know that we have a strong work ethic, a strong sense of survival. That kept me going for five years in the dump. A belief in God didn’t. For I didn’t believe in God then. I didn’t see how there could be a God, given the circumstances I was in.
1 met Jose this spring during a learning tour with SELFHELP Crafts in Guatemala. He told his story to our group in a thirdfloor meeting room away from persons who might overhear and report to the police or the military. Jose gave permission for his story to be shared with a North American audience, in the hopes that we will understand a bit better what our brothers and sisters in this part of the world are facing a.s they attempt to be disciples of Jesus Christ who live out peace and justice. Because of the volatile political and economic situation in Guatemala, Jose is not his real name. Nor have I named his church, and I have changed other identifiable facts. But as much as possible 1 have used Jose’s own words as they were translat ed to me from Spanish. —J. Lome Peachey Then one day I met a person who said to me: “You are a hu man being.” This made quite an impression on me. No one had ever told me that before. I thought I was just like the vultures or the dogs that were also feeding on the garbage. But that man did more. A powerful person who had money, he said that if I would agree to go to school, he would pay my way. That’s what I did. I studied in the mornings and worked in the dump in the afternoons. At school, no one wanted to be close to me. I was rejected by both the students and the teachers. But I kept going. I was a hu man being. I wanted to better myself. I wanted to be more than a dog or a vulture. That’s the way I lived for three years — school in the morning, work in the dump collecting plastic and cardboard for sale in the afternoon. By the end of the three years, I had completed the primary grades. (1 had already been to grades 1-4 in Honduras.) At age 16,1 began to go to a very conservative, evangelical church which had a mission for “marginalized” people like me. I disco vered, however, that that church wasn’t interested in whether I had any food to eat or clothes to wear. Instead, they thought I had a devil, and they spent all their time trying to get it out of me. I soon rejected that church and left it in anger.
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bout this time my father was abducted and taken to prison. He was accused of plotting a kidnapping. I found out where my father was jailed and took him some food. That’s when I learned the authorities had tortured him by tying a bag of lime to his head and hanging him upside down from the rafters. Fortunately, be cause he was a foreigner, some friends were able to get him out of prison, and he was deported back to Honduras. PAGE 2
So I became the supporter of the family. By now I was 17 and no longer in school. I had three jobs: one in the garbage dump and the other two outside, cleaning buildings, I worked hard to support my family. As 1 went to these jobs, the police began to hassle me on the streets. They would stop me and ask to see my documents. Since I had been born in Honduras, I didn’t have the right ones. Four times 1 had to talk my way out of being forced to join the military and fight for Guatemala. The fifth time I wasn’t so fortunate. After I couldn’t produce the right documents, they stripped me completely and forced me into a car. Then they drove for 45 minutes to somewhere outside the city. They dragged me out of the car, and I figured this was it. But one of the policemen said, “I’ll give you one more chance.” So they left me, nude, in that isolated place, and I had to find my way back to the city, without clothes, alone. A few days later, on a Sunday afternoon, I was out on the street playing basketball with my friends. All at once I saw this car without license plates come down the street. It stopped and three men got out. Two had machine guns and one a pistol. The one with a pistol pointed at me. I ducked, and the bullet went over my head. I thought I had gone deaf with the loud explosion from the shot. Everyone came out of their houses to see what was going on. Not wanting to be seen because of what they were doing, the three men jumped into the car and roared off. Later, my friends and I were standing on the street corner, talk ing about what had happened. Three of us left the others and crossed the street to go to a store. Suddenly, the same car, without license plates and no lights, came down the street, machine guns blazing. Six of my friends, standing where I had been seconds be fore, were killed. That was the most shocking experience of my life. I’ll never for get seeing the bodies of my six friends, jumping in death agonies, blood sputtering from the holes made by the bullets.
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An indigenous woman takes off for her hut after spend ing the day "glean ing” in the Guatemala City dump. What she has salvaged for recy cling she carries on her head, with a baby on her back and two children hiding be hind her.
THE MESSENGER
Two boys who live in the Guatemala City dump wait for Josd to peel green plantains so they can eat. Once the peels were off, the two gulped what they found inside as though they hadn’t eaten for hours.
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ose, 1 told myself, you have two options. You can go into the mountains and become a guerrilla and avenge the deaths of your friends. Or, if there is a God, you can wait for something to come along to change your life. For two years 1 debated what to do. It was a most difficult choice to make. But for two years I just couldn’t decide. And then I met a man who identified himself as an Anabaptist pastor. “Come to my church,” he said, and 1 did. And there 1 heard for the first time talk about peace and justice. That’s what caught my attention. But it also caused a lot of conflict within me. Nonviolence — would that really work? Finally I said to myself, “You’ve seen violence, and that doesn’t work. Why not try non violence?” So I began attending that Anabaptist church. By now 1 had moved out of the garbage dump and was working full-time in a bakery. I met a girl who became my wife, and I be gan to study Anabaptism in our church-related school. That was an eye-opener for me. I learned about all the Anabap tist martyrs who had died for their faith. 1 began to relate that to the stories of the massacres of the peasants in my country. I read the Bible, and there I discovered that God is preoccupied with those who suffer and those who are poor. That’s when I decided to devote my life to working on behalf of the poor of my country. I soon got a chance. It was in 1990 that the brother of a friend of mine was abducted by the military. Ten days later his body was found, arms cut off and eyes gouged out. He had been the father of nine children. In fact, our church had been trying to help this family. Of course, my friend was upset, and he took out space in the newspaper to denounce the military. It happens all the time in Guatemala; frustrated with the lack of justice, all we can do is make public denouncements. Two months later my friend also disap peared. ow we had two families without fathers and without means of support. I was asked to do something. So I decided to find my friend. I started going to all the prisons in the city. I was very direct. I would go to the warden and say, “I know you have him here.” They all said no, until one day I found him in a prison 20 kilome ters outside the city. “Don’t worry,” I told him. “I’ll get you out of here and back to your family.” When I went to leave, a guard grabbed me and stamped me with a mark that identified me as a prisoner. For six hours I protested, until finally I was let go with the words, “Don’t OCTOBER 9, 1992
ever get involved in political activity again.” I knew it was a threat. But that didn’t stop me. The next day I went to the Supreme Court of Guatemala. 1 told them about my friend who had disap peared into the prison, and I began to line up lawyers and the me dia to make the story known. The Supreme Court, in turn, rejected every lawyer 1 got on the case. For several days during that time, 1 was followed by a motorcy cle. One morning, at 3:00 a.m., a bomb exploded outside my garage. It was another warning. But in spite of my fear, 1 remem bered my resolution to help the poor, and I went on working to get my friend out of prison. It took a year and a half. Finally, in late 1991, he was released. When he came out, I signed a document saying that 1 would be responsible for his total welfare. Some time later 1 got an appointment with the head of the Supreme Court. 1 told him about the injustices in my country and that as a Christian 1 was going to work at doing something about them. He asked what religion I was with, and I said, “Anabap tist.” He hadn’t heard about us before, but he said he was im pressed with my dedication. He also said he knew that the military were committing acts of repression, but he couldn’t do anything about it. I am currently studying at the national university. This school has been one of the most violated institutions of Guatemala. Just 40 days ago, one of my friends was assassinated. Another 20 of my friends have since left the university. There’s a current threat against my department in the university that we will be bombed some day. But 1 continue to study, and I continue to go to the Anabaptist church. 1 continue to believe in peace and justice. Each day when 1 get up, 1 ask myself, “Is this the day they are going to kill me?” That gets me moving, because 1 don’t know how much time 1 have left. Even though 1 know that some day 1 may not see my friends and family any more, 1 also know a man whose name is Jesus. I know the experience of the Anabaptist martyrs. I know that death is not the last word. And just as Jesus was raised from the dead, some day too 1 will be resurrected. This is what gives me my confidence and my hope. One day 1 will meet God. 1 don’t know when. But I know it will happen.
The Guatemala City dump Unlike Jose, many people never get a chance to leave the Guatemala City dump. They spend their lives rummaging for plas tic, cardboard, or other “valuables” to sell to recyclers. Some scavenge for food, which they sell to those who live in the dump. Currently more than 500 families make their home in the Guatemala City dump. Estimates put the number of persons at over 5,000. Sanitary facilities are almost nonexistent. Insiders say one water tap serves the community. The smell is overpowering. So is the dust and the wind. Vul tures and dogs and pigs mingle with people, systematically sifting through the garbage. Children either tug at their mother’s skirts or help with the sorting. Young ones ride on their mother’.s backs. Why do they stay? The government says these people are here because they want to be. Guatemala’s people point out that as much as 80 percent of their country’s land is owned by North American fruit companies. What’s left can’t support the growing popula tion. People migrate to the cities for a better life, but end up in the garbage dump. Land redistribution is a major problem for this part of the world. But it won’t happen, our Guatemalan brothers and sisters say quiet ly, until the foreign policies of the North put pressure on the fruit companies to give up their land monopolies. Until then, Guatema lans see those of us from the North as more interested in cheap bananas than in the plight of those who live in the Guatemala City dump. —J. Lome Peachey J. Lome Peachey is the editor of the Gospel Herald, the weekly periodical of The Mennonite Church. The Peacheys live at Scottdale, P.A. Photos by the author. PAGE 3
Personal Concern Column . . . Mennonites and the Referendum by Al Hiebert How should Canadian Mennonites respond to the October 26 Referendum on the Charlottetown Agreement of August 28, 1992? My guess is that as a group, Men nonites are likely to respond not much differently than the rest of Canadians. If that’s true, then that’s sad. In my humble opinion, the saddest Mennonite response to this request for our opinion on the merits of this Agreement is the one that will be exercised by those who don’t vote, for any other reason than being physically or mentally unable to vote. Mennonites have prided themselves with being die Stille im Lande (“the silent in the land”); i.e., they have made a virtue of withdrawal from confronting many troublesome issues in the political arena. On the other hand, Mennonites have also prided themselves with being peace makers, reconcilers, those who seek conflict resolution. In this case it seems to me that these two prides contradict each other. When our national lead ers request our help in dealing with the very difficult task of resolving the many conflicts that threaten to destroy our country, is it not irresponsible of us to refuse to help by refusing to participate in this referendum? Almost as sad, in my finite judgement, is the response of those who complain that the Charlottetown Agreement is defective to the degree that they feel compelled to reject it. The many “NO” voices we are hearing these days seem to be saying that the deal is not good enough to warrant support for three basic reasons: either their special interest group did not get all their demands met; or some other special interest group got too much; or there remain too many unresolved issues yet to be negotiated in the future. Joining the "NO” camp that complains that their special interest group did not get all of their demands met, we note, for example, 1) the Quebec separatists who complain that this Agreement does not give them the Quebec sovereignty that they demand (a demand that clearly cannot be met without a most painful and traumatic break-up of our country, with all the hostilities and costs implied in such a process); 2) the B.C. leaders who complain that B.C. did not get as many House of Commons seats as they feel they should have (though the Agreement reads in part: “no province will have fewer than 95% of the House of Commons seats it would receive under strict representation-by-population”); 3) the hard-line advocates of the EEE senate who complain that the proposed new senate is not fully EEE; 4) some women’s groups and some aboriginals who are fearful some sections might be used against them in some cases (though others dispute those claims); etc., etc. Joining the “NO” camp that complains that
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some other special interest group got too much, we note, for example, 1) those outside Quebec who resent Que bec’s getting a) a guarantee of 25% of House of Commons seats regardless of future population trends, b) one-third of Supreme Court scats (which they have already had for some time), c) the “distinct society” provisions to allow Quebec to retail its civil law tradition and promote its French language and culture, and d) the requirement of separate approval of francophone senators for national legislation on language and culture; 2) those inside Quebec who resent the “Canada clause” section which includes a commitment to “the vitality and development of official language minority communities throughout Canada”; 3) those who fear that self-government of Aboriginal peoples will create new problems; and 4) those who fear the devolution of power from the federal government to the provinces in such areas as forestry, mining, tourism, recreation, housing, municipal affairs, and labour-market training, etc., etc. To those who worry that this Agreement still leaves too many issues to be negotiated in the future, I would point to the amazing accomplishment that our First Ministers and Aboriginal leaders were able to lay aside partisan politics and come to as large and complex an agreement as they have already, given the many shrill voices of demands from many sides and the 60 complex sections of their Agreement. It seems to be rather naive to imagine that a better agreement could be achieved any time soon — given the risks of a return to PQ rule in Quebec. Recognizing all of the above reasons for voting “NO” (and other reasons I’ve not listed here), let me suggest a few reasons why many Mennonites will vote “YES” (though this list will also not be exhaustive). First, if we are to be faithful in praying for our governmental leaders as we are commanded in Scripture, then we also need to be faith ful to assist them in their intelligent, sincere but fallible attempts at national conflict resolution — a faithful “peace witness” must be made practical. We need to congratulate their success in the massive public participation ef forts they have achieved (particularly in the last two years). We need to congratulate their success in coming finally to some 20 pages of agreement in the plain English “Final Text” of the “Consensus Report on the Constitution” (though presumably the “legal text” will be more bulky). 1, for one, consider this an astounding feat administratively. I can well understand that these leaders cannot proceed with all the hard negotiation that is yet needed to complete discussion on the outstanding issues without a clear mandate from the
citizenry in support of their work so far. Second, with all the disappointments that remain for us in this Agreement, it’s time to recognize its major improvements over the Meech Lake Accord, such as the elected senate that represents each province equally and does have some considerable powers (much to the disappointment of Qntario and Quebec which already dominate the House of Commons because of their large populations); the Canada Clause section; the address to Aboriginal concerns, etc. Our First Ministers could have done much worse, and are not like ly to be able to do much better — politics is still “the art of the possible.” Third, all Canadian citizens need to ask themselves whether a “NO” or a “YES” vote will 1) contribute more toward reconciliation between individuals and groups across this land; 2) contribute more to the relief of pain and suffering across this land; 3) contribute more to national stability, harmony, security and prosperity, etc., etc. In my humble opin ion, a “YES” vote is much more likely to make positive contributions in these directions than either a “NO” vote or a refusal to vote. Shouldn’t Mennonites be especially sensi tive to such considerations? I am praying that we all will be. Let’s do our part to bring this measure of healing to a hurting nation. Let’s pray earnestly that God would make our land “glorious and free” — and then let’s get out and vote “YES” for positive, constructive reasons of encouragement and reconciliation, even if we recognize the work that still remains to be done and that complaints and demands will not stop, no matter what we do in this country. Al Hiebert, a member of the Kleefeld EMC Church, is Vice President for Administration of Providence College, Otlerburne, Man.
COVER: Photos by the editor. Cheers to the students who were not intimidated by the cold weather. THE MESSENGER is the publication of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference. Its purpose is to inform, instruct, and inspire. Inform as to what is going on in the Conference; instruct in Godliness and victorious living; inspire to ear nestly contend for the faith. All correspondence should be addressed to the Editor Menno Hamm, Box 1268, Steinbach, Manitoba, ROA 2A0. Letters, articles, art and poetry are wel comed. Views expressed in Letters to the Editor are not necessarily those of the editor nor of the paper. Unpublished articles are not returned ex cept by request. Subscription Members pay through their church. Non-members pay $6.00 per year. Send subscription money to The Mes senger, Box 1268, Steinbach, Manitoba, ROA 2A0. THE MESSENGER is published every other week by The Evangelical Mennonite Conference Board of Church Ministries, 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.
THE MESSENGER
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Participants in the Ministerial Meeting at Portage on October 3 were (left to right): Mel Koop, Arden Thiessen, John Kornelsen, Lester Olfert and Edwin Plett.
Ministerial Meeting
Theology of Joy Portage la Prairie, Man.: Over eighty people, including ministers, deacons and spouses, gathered here on October 3 to con sider the “Theology of Joy.” The meeting, ar ranged by the EMC Board of Ministers and Deacons, was led by chairman Edwin Plett of Landmark. Karl Goertzen, pastor of the hosting church, based his opening meditation on Hebrews 11:1-12:3. He compared the “cloud of witness es” watching our life of faith to a grandstand of cheering spectators. In the first of three presentations develop ing the theme. Theology of Joy, John Kornelsen of Wymark, Sask., discussed where we have come from in our approach to worship and praise. “Inhibition of praise and joy is by The Rest Haven Nursing Home of Steinbach is pleased to introduce ...
REST HAVEN MANOR a new, attractive and affordable non-profit Life-Lease housing project for those 55 years and over! 1 • unique lite-lease concept requiring refundable tenant equity investments • ample amenity space, building and security features designed to support your retire ment lifestyle • fully appointed self-contained one- and two-bedroom units • full array of support services available from the attached nursing home, including: scheduled safety checks emergency call/response system daily meals laundry service hairdressing scheduled activities and events chaplain visitation • Spring '93 construction start Some government-subsidized units may be available to eligible tenants who cannot afford the life-lease units.
Application and information packages available from the Rest Haven Nursing Home, 185 Friesen Ave. West in Steinbach, or by calling;
326-2206 Applications should be returned by November 13, 1992.
OCTOBER 9, 1992
no means unique to Mennonites,” he said. “Rather, it is universal because it is inherent in the alien nature of sinful man.” As a people we come from a background of legalism, which “stifles the spontaneity that is an important part of genuine worship.” We have also been influenced by stoicism in our worship, striving to be “free from passion, un moved by joy or grief, and submissive to natur al law.” Arden Thiessen of Steinbach, Man., dealt with the subject of joy in the Bible by answer ing three questions: • Does God rejoice? While there are not many verses describing God’s joyfulness, there is a lot of logical evidence for it. For example, “God wants us to rejoice. Can a God who gives us joy not be joyful Himself?” • Should Christians seek joy? “Joy is not only an emotion,” the speaker said, “it is a quality of life, and should therefore be desired.” • How can joy be received? Joy is a
Highlights From Church Reports Kleefeld put on a faspa for newcomers. Following the meal, guests were given information about the programs and operation of the church, helping new people become involved more easily. Portage men are being paired off for prayer and accountability. Pressured for more space, the church is facing resistance from the city for permission to expand. Ridgewood has had a busy summer of Bible camps and VBS. They enjoy their monthly friendship family evening. Saskatoon could hardly afford to give up four couples who moved away for job reasons, Their young people had a terrific missions orientation in Mexico. Rosenort, the “mother” church in the Red River Valley, has a new challenge, incorporating new families, some of them nonMennonite. Mount Salem, where one-third of the members are 25 and under, needs a full-time youth pastor. Fifty or more young people would attend choir practise if they had a director. Help is needed to minister to the 20 to 30 thousand Low-German speaking people in the area. Leamington is planning to hold meetings November 1 to 8, with John P. Loewen from Blumenort, Man. The Old Colony church has asked for help in locating a principal for their private school.
“product of living with the Holy Spirit, having a relationship with God.” It is received by those who love God, by those who serve Him, by those who identify with His will and by those who suffer for Christ’s sake. The speaker for the third theme, “The Ex pression of Joy in Worship,” was Lester 01fert of Steinbach, Man. After outlining Biblical directives for and examples of expressing joy in worship, he noted several barriers to expressing our joy. One of these is our “fear of becoming too free or nonchalant, thereby risking being sacrilegious.” In order to become more expressive in wor ship, the speaker suggested that we focus on God, the source of our joy, practise congrega tional participation, see worship as a response and ask God to set us free from ourselves (Psalm 142:7). “Let the balloon of joy, cut loose from its moorings, ascend in praise to God,” he concluded. A short but lively discussion period followed each of the presentations, indicating an active interest in the day’s topic among the audience. There was also good participation in the time given for brief reports from the churches and prayer. The Portage ladies graciously provid ed a tasty noon meal and a lunch after the meeting, a setting for animated conversation and fellowship. The day concluded with a 30-minute wor ship session led by Mel Koop of Steinbach, Man. Meditation and prayer were interspersed with singing in a concert of joyful praise to God.
MacGregor has completed a congregation al goals discovery plan and the members are seeking to meet spiritual needs in the community. Arden has built a new entrance, making the church handicapped accessible. New children have begun attending, providing opportunities to contact the parents also. Grande Prairie will be voting on launching a much-needed building project and may be looking for assistance from others in the Conference. Brandon reported several blessings: Ed Wiebe, the new minister, has a fruitful ministry among seniors; the building is paid for and the congregation is growing. Blumenort is under the interim leadership of Melvin Penner. They are looking for a pastor. Crestview is trying something new. The members of the adult class have been paired off and spend ten minutes of the Sunday school hour talking and praying together, Fort Frances is adjusting to a change in pastors. They experienced a successful family camp and are beginning a Foundations for Liuing course for new Christians. Steinbach has put the completion of its building on hold. The spacious foyer is usable, making the sanctuary accessible to handicapped persons. One lady in a wheel chair commented, “Now I feel like a real person.”
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About seven MCC sales are conducted each year in various regions of Canada. This one in Morris, Manitoba was held on September 19. Here are a few glimpses (clockwise from lower left): 1. Action at the auction block was brisk, 2. Cooking 1000s of perogies for hun gry guests, 3. A bird’s eye view of the yard, 4. Canning, baking and crafts were some of the items sold inside, 5. Puppies for sale — “Love at first sight.”
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Vision 2000 Canada
National '92 Seminars Seeker Sensitive for Growth On October 20-23,1992, the Canadian Net work for Church Renewal & Growth is spon soring a four-city national seminar titled "Seeker Sensitive for Dynamic Growth — Models That Are Reaching the Unchurched.” The seminar leaders are pastors of growing churches who wish to share their ex periences. One seminar will focus on structuring a church for renewal and growth. Another deals with structuring services in order to help the unchurched understand the message. The third seminar will focus on the sensitivity needed in leading a church to seeker sensitive evangelism today. Each seminar will conclude with an actual "service” to be conducted by the host church modelling that church’s approach to seeker-sensitive issues, followed by a time of questions and dis cussion. The presenters will include Rev. Frank Patrick, Senior Pastor of Calvary Pentecostal Church in Peterborough, Ontario; Rev. David Macfarlane, Senior Pastor of Islington Evan gel Centre in Toronto; and the pastor of the host church in each city. The dates and locations are as follows: WINNIPEG, MB October 20, 1992 - at Victorious Faith Centre, hosted by
COMING EVENTS October 20 - 23 One-day seminars Canadian Network for Church Renewal and Growth “Seeker Sensitive for Dynamic Growth Winnipeg, Man.. Saskatoon. Sask., Calgary, Alta., and Surrey, B.C. (519) 725-2000
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Rev. Harmony Thiessen SASKATOON, SK October 21, 1992 - at Lakeview Free Methodist, hosted by Rev. Glenn Teal CALGARY, AB October 22, 1992 - at Bow Valley Alliance Church, hosted by Brent Trask SURREY, BC October 23, 1992 - at Hope Community Church, hosted by Rev. Steve Elizinga
The current leadership of CNCRG consists of Dr. James Nikkei, President; Rev. David Macfarlane, Vice-President; Rev. Robert G.
Teachers for China
October 24 EMC Region 8 Women's Day "Hope lor a Hurting World" Prairie Rose EMC Church Landmark, Man. Phone: 326-3621 October 25 EMC Region 3 Annual Conference Pelly, Sask, Phone; (306) 595-2074
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Wilkins, Secretary-Treasurer; Rev. Irving A. Whitt, Publications Editor; and Professor Siegfried H. Schuster. The CNCRG also publishes a “Ministry Network” for all its members and has plans to produce audio tapes on Canadian issues related to evangelism, growth and church renewal. Everyone wishing to join the Canadian leadership network or register for the “Seeker Sensitive for Dynamic Growth” seminar should contact: Rev. David Macfarlane Vice-President, Canadian Network For Church Renewal & Growth 1621 Albion Road Etobicoke, ON M9V 1B6 Phone (416)747-7208
Liana and Jonathan Toews of MacKenzie, B.C., are beginning two-year MCC assign ments in Shenyang, China. Liana and Jona than will be working as English-as-a-secondlanguage teachers. The Toewses were last employed as teachers at School District *57 in MacKen zie. They are members of Abbeydale Chris tian Fellowship (EMC) in Calgary. Liana’s parents are Anne and Gordon Semple of Vic toria. Jonathan’s parents are John and Tina Toews of Burns Lake, B.C.
October 29 - November 1 MEDA convention "Leadership: More than Management" Denver, Colorado Phone: (204) 944-1995 October 30 & 31 West Coast Conference on Family Violence and Sexual Abuse "Shedding Light on Darkness" Clearbrook, B.C. Phone; (604) 850-6639
October 30 - November 1 EMC Youth Leaders' Retreat Camp Arnes Arnes, Man. Phone: (204) 746-2424 November 13 & 14 Annual Meeting MCC Canada Saskatoon, Sask. Phone (204) 261-6381
THE MESSENGER
Missions (
TO PARAGUAY
Help for Fun-loving North Americans by Ed Martin “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” Now that’s good news! In other news, 400,000 people were born today. That’s 277 every minute. During the same time period, 150,000 died. That’s 104 every minute. Jesus said we are to go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel to every person. So every minute we need to share the good news with another 277 new people. The problem is: we’re having too much fun living the good life in North America. We don’t want to be missionaries. Are you kidding? They’ve got bugs over there. And diseases. Smelly food and riots. Well, lucky for you, I came along. Because I’ve got help for fun-loving Christians. Usual ly missionary types try to get you involved in missions. Instead, I’m going to turn it upside down and tell you how to stay out. The Apos tle Paul asked the Corinthians to allow a bit of foolishness so he could make a point. Let me be foolish for a few minutes to make mine. Allow me to present Satan’s seven subtle steps to keep you out of missions. First, go far into debt. If you’re a student, take all of the student loans you can get. Then just spend the money. If you’re not a student, get credit cards. Lots of them. And never pay them off. It’s also good to buy an expensive car, then trade it in every year to keep the debt level high. That way when God directs you into missions, you can apply, but no mission agency will seriously look at you until you’ve dealt with the problem. And by the time your
debts are all paid off, you’ll be too old to go! Second, marry someone who’s against mis sions. That way you can apply to a mission but your spouse will veto the deal. Isn’t that slick? It won’t even be your fault! It’s especial ly helpful if you marry an unbeliever. Here’s the third one: refuse missions infor mation. As you know, missionaries are relent less. But try these suggestions: make sure all mission magazines or prayer letters go straight into the garbage can. Don’t leave them lying around for your spouse or children to see. It’s best even to refuse church bulletins because I have known pastors who will sneak missions information right into an innocent Sunday bulletin. Go skiing in Switzerland during your church’s next missions conference. Fourth, mission agencies are always look ing for people with a solid local church back ground, so avoid membership; that way you will also avoid teaching and leadership ministries. Instead, go “church hopping.” Never spend more than eight months in one congregation. At the ministerial meeting the pastors will roll their eyes as they talk about you. “So, they’re at your church now?” They may even offer to trade two of you for two of your friends. But while you’re church hopping, be sure to read the church ads in the newspaper, otherwise you might accidentally get caught in the mid dle of a missions conference. Hey, I didn’t say this was going to be easy. I’m just telling you what works. Fifth, don’t visit other countries. You might bump into a missionary, and nothing could be more devastating than to meet a live one on the field — pretending to be normal. Second,
Mission Grams . . Chaco, Paraguay On September 15,1992, ZP-30 Radio celebrated its 17th anniversary of Christian radio broadcasting in the Chaco, Paraguay. Presently it is broadcasting in nine languages dur ing sixteen hours each day. The overall goal of ZP-30 still is to reach the people of the Chaco with the Word of God.
Caaguazu, Paraguay The new church-planting ministry in the suburb of Empaladomi has reached the point where property is needed. Ken and Vai Zacharias and Chris and Revita Kroeker are the church-planting team. This outreach started as a result of the radio ministry in East Paraguay. In May the bookstore, radio ministry and MK school moved to a central location in Caaguazu. Since the move, more people have visited this center and sales have gone up. The bookstore also has a Christian video ministry, which is very active. At present over 70 programs are aired on commercial stations in East Paraguay. Response is very good. Mali, Africa
Evelyn Barkman reports that 100 girls are registered in the Girls’ School. This school plays an important role in the training of girls in the Christian life, as well as in homemak ing. Evelyn, an EMC missionary, is the director of this school operated by the Gospel Missionary Union.
OCTOBER 9, 1992
Karen Penner (Roseisle) returned to Paraguay on September 28. She is involved with ASCIM in the Chaco in a public health ministry to the Indi an people. Please pray for Karen.
you might start to have some unhealthy feel ings — like compassion for lost people. You may get close enough to see that they are or dinary people with deep spiritual emptiness. Now, if you’re an incurable traveler, at least stay in the safe areas like beaches, expensive resorts and fancy restaurants. Sixth, fight spiritual growth. This is clearly Satan’s favorite. If you start to slip here, you’ll fail in any of the previous steps. Keep a Bible around the house but never read it. And don’t pray. If you have children, don’t have family devotions — you might grow by accident. Here’s a tough one, but very effective: pur posely choose to sin a little every day. Steal stuff at the office. Start with pencils, then work your way up to desks and company vehicles. Practice rationalizing how they owed it to you anyway. Do anything to keep your conscience off balance so you’ll be insensitive to God’s quiet leading. Satan will be proud of you. Finally, work at becoming a trouble maker. Come late to church — to prove you’re in con trol. Nag your spouse. Start rumours about the pastor. Complain about his sermons. If they’re too long he’s on an ego trip. If they’re too short he lacks spiritual depth. The beauty of being a trouble maker is that if you do get to the mission field, you’ll be so disruptive you’ll be sent home in disgrace. From then on, no more problems. The mis sion agency can generate enough bad refer ences to keep you home forever. So have fun — if that’s what you really want. But 1 dare to believe that you will reject Sa tan’s way. You want to turn that ugly list right side up and make it a list of godly disciplines. You want to keep all the doors of your life open so that as God directs you to be His wit ness, whether it’s across the street or around the world, you’ll be ready to go quickly. Am 1 saying we all need to be missionaries or pas tors or their trainers? No, but we do need to avoid the devil’s traps and seek first the king dom of God and his righteousness. Never be content with anything less. — Ed Martin is Director of Admissions at Prairie Bible College. Reprinted with permission from Prairie Harvester, Winter 1991, published by Prairie Bible College, Three Hills. Alta.
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From Destruction to Hope lr._
by Menno Plett From Guns and Destruction to Rebuilding and Hope in Angola
busy removing their obsolete equipment. The whole scene reminded me of how des tructive war can be. The human energy and industrial energy devoted towards destruction in our world is incredible! In Angola the forces of destruction, and those of love, reconciliation and rebuilding, are very graphically demonstrated. The church is responding in very tangible ways to the needs of people, many of whom have known only war during their lifetime. The church is in volved in providing primary health care, rebuilding and re establishing schools, provid ing food assistance during the war years and now, most recently, providing basic agricul tural tools and seeds, as people strive to feed themselves. We have much to learn from a people who have endured so much and con tinue to claim and make known God’s love in very real, tangible, understandable ways.
in our family we have been talking a lot tions that were originally built as centers to about how war affects the world. We have house church activities. For most of their life, also been working at teaching how violence these locations were occupied by the army. destroys what God has created. In my last trip Originally they had been confiscated by the to Angola, I saw very graphic examples of colonial army. The Reformed Church of An what happens when people are at war. gola enjoyed the use of their own premises for Much of southern Africa is in the grip of a ' one and a half years after independence, at terrible drought, whereas the northern region which time they were once again taken over of Angola is blessed with life-giving rain. The by the military of newly independent Angola, people in that particular area are doubly Within the last year, the church has been blessed. They are enjoying the rain, and also, given back their property, and the government they are at last experiencing peace. has been asked to remove “visible reminders” As we travelled the road between Negage of the war years. What were once school buildand Sanza Pombo, much of the tenain was ings and student hostels, have for years been gently rolling hills. Cassava fields looked lush housing army personnel. Lookout towers, Menno and his wife, Lydia, administer MCC pro and green. People were working. Trucks were army training apparatus, amphibious persongrams in Zambia. They are from Landmark, Man., rolling. Food■ was moving from ' the ■ country nel carriers, army trucks and tanks litter the where they are members of Prairie Rose E.M.C. They have three children, Dauid, Ruth and Paul. side to the city. property. At the time of our visit, the army was It hasn’t always been so. Just before the signing of the Peace Accord between the More Mission Grams . . MPLA government and UNITA, fighting had intensified in this part of the country. I count Kamsack, Sask. ed forty-five large trucks along a 100-kilometer Elvira Cote is operating the drop-in Center for native people in Kamsack. Frank and stretch of road, that had been attacked and Mary Braun had to terminate this ministry last spring. Elvira is doing good work. She reports burned. I was told that many had already been on many opportunities to talk with people about the Lord. The Center also has a Chris cleaned up. Right on the main street of Santian video club. za Pombo, five large trucks hauling coffee had Germany been burned, and they remained there as Gladwin and Jean Plett, who have served in Germany for many years, returned to Canada reminders of a war that had ceased. on September 27. During the last two years they worked with “Umsiedler,” Mennonites In the small village of Kinkuni, conversations who moved out of Eastern Europe into Germany. The Pletts have terminated their for with village people revealed an experience of eign missions involvement with the Board of Missions. They plan to make their home bravery, courage, hope and resilience. The vil in Winnipeg and be available for short-term assignments. lage nurse spoke of seventy-five amputations Chihuahua City, Mexico done in his small, sparsely supplied dispen The Ramiro Valles church in Chihuahua City has engaged a full-time national pastor, sary. Removal of shrapnel from feet and legs Jorge Vasguez. Brother Vasguez has served with the Bible Society many years and has had been a weekly routine. been effective in conducting seminars in churches. The Board of Missions is assisting Previously, the village had great difficulty the church financially. growing fruit trees and gardens in the village The second church started in this city is Los Pinos. Peter and Louise Hiebert are provid ing leadership. The rented facilities are becoming too small and so the church is looking proper, as goats would ravage the young for a lot. It is exciting to see what is happening here. plants. I have not seen a village with the pro fusion of banana groves and citrus trees as Cuauhtemoc, Mexico in Kinkuni. EMC missionary Alvira Friesen is assisting the Isaac Bergens, a local couple, with a During the war years, people were forced church-planting ministry in this city. The Bergens are members of the Blumenau Mento do more planting right in the village. A “posi nonite Church in Cuauhtemoc and have been commissioned by their church for a Span ish church-planting ministry. They have established a church in Anahuac, 15 km from tive” side benefit of the war was the fact that Cuauhtemoc. soldiers and marauding bands had killed and eaten most of the goats and cattle, so fruit Pastoreo, Paraguay trees were now flourishing. David and Judy Schmidt, EMC missionaries here, report on many opportunities to share We visited a number of church/mission sta the Good News with people. They do a lot of visitation and use videos that have a Chris
MGC Voluntary Service WINNIPEG, Man.— Julia Brandt, a member of the Mennville Evangelical Mennonite Church at Riverton, Man., has begun a two-year term of volun tary service with Men nonite Central Committee (MCC). She will be serving as a bookkeeper and salesperson at the Habitat for Humanity Re-Store in Winnipeg. PAGE 8
tian message. The opportunities to share the Christian witness are so numerous that they are reguesting additional workers to work with them. Winnipeg, Man. On September 28 representatives from five Mennonite church and relief development organizations who have a work in Mexico met in Winnipeg. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss a closer working relationship among these organizations in working with the Kanadier people in Mexico. These five organizations are MCC, General Conference, Mennonite Brethren, EMMC and EMC.
Pakistan Dr. Harold Fast, EMC missionary, reports on two young men who volunteered to go to health classes with him. This resulted in them becoming enthused about preventing illnesses and recognizing and treating several of the most common diseases. They are helpful already in the public health program that Dr. Fast is involved in. Local health promoters play an important role in improving the health condition of a community. THE MESSENGER
Messenger News Youth California Bound by Ed Peters What is grey, has twelve heads, four wheels and travels faster than a speeding Datsun? If you guessed a van full of young people on their way to California, give yourself a pat on the back — you must have read the headline! Friday, June 26, was the departure date for a group of young people from Vanderhoof Christian Fellowship to migrate south of the border. We were on our way to Reedley, California (near Fres no), where we would participate in two weeks of volunteer work
The primary task of our group, however, was not merely the sup port of the American tourism industry, but rather to cut and pre pare fruit (apricots, peaches and nectarines) for fruit drying. This dried fruit will eventually be sold at MCC sales and auctions through out Canada and the U.S. Last summer, approximately $40,CXX)
Fruit drying in the sun. Under the shelter, young people are work ing with the fruit.
Back (left to right): Rob Peters, Anna Giesbrecht, Susie Giesbrecht, Lorna Wiebe, Dan Bueckert, Norma Campo. Middle: Cin dy Kneen, Doreen Dyck, Cori Friesen. Front: Dale Leiding, Janet Wiebe.
with MCC. The journey South was filled with adventure as we stopped to explore the various sites. From the beautiful Oregon coast to the giant Sequoia trees of California, we all had the op portunity to marvel at the beauty of God’s creation.
SUNNY COVE CAMP ENJOYED Fort Frances, Ont.: My, how the time does fly! Here it is — almost winter! Where did the summer go? “To everything there is a sea son, a time for every purpose under heaven” (Eccl. 3:1). On August 23, at the morning service, Randi Legarie read Psalm 37:1-9 and John Lowe led the congregation in singing. Sandie Siemens was wished a happy birthday. We hope the Lord blessed you richly on your spe cial day, Sandie. A board meeting was held on August 8, where many things were discussed and deci sions reached — the responsibilities of certain committees, whether or not a window should be put in the pastor’s study, etc. Evelyn Hicks chaired the ladies’ meeting on August 25. Becky Hiebert was elected as the chairperson of the ladies’ group, which will meet once a month. We know Becky will do an excellent job! At this same meeting it was decided to start a family prayer chain for emer gencies, which should prove to be an effec tive way to get our church families praying for each other and supporting one another. On Sunday, August 30, a video, “Wait of the World,” was shown. It is a very touching story of how Christian newspaper reporters got involved in situations they were sent to OCTOBER 9, 1992
was raised through the efforts of volunteer workers, a figure that could easily be exceeded this year as the project grows. A typical work day began at 8 a.m. and went till noon. The afternoons were left open for various recreational events. For some strange reason, most of the youth wanted to find a swimming pool to relax by. (We were informed by the locals that we were fortunate to have such “cool” weather — it only reached the high 90s Fahren heit while we were there.) In the evening it was back to business, as we continued our fruit-drying efforts. Our time in California passed quickly, and soon we were on our way home again. The experience will be remembered by all of us for many years to come. It was an excellent time of fun, friendship and service done in the spirit of Christ. Ed Peters is youth pastor at Vanderhoof Christian Fellowship.
report on. All came back with a better under standing of how to be a missionary. An ex cellent video! Michael Ans chaired the congregational meeting held September 2. Pastor John and Becky Hiebert were unanimously voted in as our representatives to report on the activities of the Christian Parents Association. It was also decided to look into home Bible studies during the winter. Fraser Hayward led the singing at the Sep tember 6 service. Bill and Sandra Rempel took care of the children’s church. After the serv ice, a delicious potluck lunch was enjoyed by all as the people said goodbye to Fraser, Mary and Gregory Hayward, who are moving to another community. We wish God’s blessings upon this family. On September 20, Dale Broadworth from the Canadian Bible Society spoke to us on how we can help them spread God’s word to all the world through the distribution of Bibles in all languages and through our prayers. We enjoyed Dale’s talk and were inspired to do more for the Lord! Last, but not least, we all enjoyed our stay at Sunny Cove Camp on September 25-27. One of the themes that prevailed throughout the weekend was “A friend loves at all times.” Much sharing and singing took place, as well as crafts, games and family activities. The
weather was beautiful — not too warm or too cold — and the scenery was breathtaking, with all the fall colours displayed in the leaves. A few brave souls went swimming, I am told — brrr! The Stewart family joined us from Atikokan and Rachel Lehmann brought visi tors all the way from Switzerland. All in all, a spirit-filled weekend was experienced by all! Bye for now and keep believing! God will keep you in His care. Happy Thanksgiving to all! Evelyn Hicks
E.M.C. Region Eight
Women’s Day Saturday, October 24, 1992
8:00 a.m. - 4:35 p.m. Theme: HOPE FOR A HURTING WORLD Speaker: Arnette McCrae Place: Prairie Rose EMC, Landmark Registration: — by October 14, $18. — at the door, $23. Join us for • Main Sessions • Workshops • Continental Breakfast • Lunch • Special Music
Phone: 326-3621 PAGE 9
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A Blumenort, Man.: A baptismal service took place at the Blumenort church on June 7. Back row (left to right): Tim Koop, Dar cy Reimer, Darcy Friesen. Front: Pastor Walter Reimer, Hilde Kehler. Garnet Reimer (ministry to the deaf), Barry Plett (youth pastor).
High Level, Alta .: Membership reception at the High Level church on June 28. Left to right: Pastor Richard and Kathy Klas sen, Neil and Sue Wolfe, Abe and Lila Wieler, Mark and Diane Braun.
RIFLES FIRED, POLYGRAPHS THREATENED Creighton, Sask.: On May 11 the Region 3 ministerial meeting was held here. We were sorry Frank and Mary Braun were not present. The congregation held a special service on May 17 to remember Pictou County and the Westray mine disaster. As a mining commu nity, we feel a connection and vulnerability at such times. On May 23 our yearly turkey shoot was held. Event winners were Kerry Raddysh {three trophies, including overall), Eric Smith (two trophies), Marlowe Rempel and Ryan Cone. A supper was held afterwards. The May 31 bulletin included a notice, speaking of the activities of some people: “No tice: all fishermen (and women) will be required to take a polygraph test before they tell the congregation about the big one that got away. Exceptions might be made, but we know it’s risky.” Our Sunday school/church picnic' vas held
June 14 at Phantom Lake Campgrounds. The message focussed on our current freedom to worship and the need to persevere if condi tions get worse: “Aren’t you glad we don’t have to meet in the woods?” An egg-toss was a "smashing” success (to use an English ex pression). On Father’s Day (June 21) the congregation was asked to share their thoughts on Ephesi ans 6:4. Also in June, we were saddened by the death of Lawrence Frame, father to Har vey. Harvey and his wife, Lori, used to be in volved with us before they moved to B.C. Mr. Frame was a local taxidermist and is missed. Captain Bernice Oliver of the Salvation Army spoke here on July 5, while Pastor Smith attended the EMC Conference Coun cil meeting and convention. Dave Milton, a Baptist deacon, spoke on July 19, while Smiths attended the 40th wedding anniversary of Mary Ann’s parents, Peter and Susie
ISAAC P. REIMER 1914 - 1992
He married me, Tina Friesen, on Septem ber 27,1936. We have shared 56 years of joy and sorrow. In our early years of marriage he struggled with severe asthma, heart problems as a result of rheumatic fever, and later deve loped diabetes. In spite of these setbacks, he thoroughly en joyed many years of farming with his family, first in Landmark and then Fisher Branch. Our parents retired from this active life in 1979 and completed the circle by moving back to Blumenort. As a family we clearly sensed Dad’s deep concern for us, that we all would walk in god ly conduct. He showed this by observing regu lar family devotions as we grew up, and very faithful church attendance. He especially en joyed singing, whether it was as a family, a group or choir. We will remember our Dad for his testimo ny and heart of compassion. During his years in Fisher Branch he was bold in sharing the Lord with his many friends and neighbours. His compassion for others was again demon strated during Betty’s recent illness.
. . . “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit,” they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them” (Rev. 14:13). Our dear husband and father was born July 23, 1914, in Blumenort, Man., ■in/l y-ltz-lz-1 llli > -:»4_ and died peacefully at his home on September 20, 1992, at approximately 6 a.m., reaching the age of 78 years.
Dad was raised on his parents’ farm in Landmark, Man., where he also received his education. At an early age he accepted Christ as his Saviour and was baptized upon his faith when he was 16. He joined the Evangelical Mennonite Church, where he actively served many years as a song leader and later as a deacon. PAGE 10
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Thiessen. July 21-26 found Terry and Mary Ann back and serving for a week at Beaver Lake Bible Camp (CSSM), under the local directors. Guy and Joe Werry. Guy and Joe, who used their vacation time to operate the camp, are to be commended for their sincere concern for the camp and the children, and for their hard work. Ike and Tina Doerksen, now of Minnedosa but formerly of Winnipeg (Aberdeen EMC), visited on July 26. Mrs. Doerksen sang and told the children’s story and Mr. Doerksen had scripture reading. August 17-21 found Vacation Bible School in full swing, with 61 children registered. A dozen staff were regularly involved in the mornings and more adults were involved in preparation for the event. Community support and generosity was shown by food brought for snacks and the closing program, donations given to offset program costs, and the basket (continued on page 11) Dad is survived by his loving wife, Tina; eight sons, Elvin and Tina {Nobleford, Alta.), Johnny and Madeleine (Landmark, Man.), Walter and Margaret (Killarney, Man.), Leonard and Mary (Three Hills, Alta.), Arnold and Minna (Blumenort, Man.), Wilmer and Pearl (Calgary, Alta.), Clarence and Doris (Lloydminster, Alta.), Vern and Flora (Dugald, Man.); one son-in-law, Dave Froese (Lowe Farm, Man.); three daughters, Esther and John Barkman (Kleefeld, Man.), Lilly and Ed Friesen (Steinbach, Man.), Bertha and Henry Harder (Winnipeg, Man.); 48 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Also left to mourn are five brothers and two sisters. He was predeceased by one daughter, Bet ty Froese, three granddaughters and three grandsons. We, the family, look forward to a great re union. For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven . . . after that we who are still alive and are left will be caught up with them . . . to meet the Lord in the air (I Thess.
4:16,27). THE MESSENGER
J
(Creighton continued)
V
of food collected during the week for the lo cal food bank as part of a lesson on “helping others in need.” September 6 was a time when family mem bers came home. Dan Thiessen was back in the pulpit he occupied while he was the pas tor here from 1983-85. He spoke with deep feeling from Matthew 25 on “helping the least of these." His convictions and skill as a speak er were clear. We were glad to have the en tire family back - Dan’s wife, Lottie, and their four children. They are welcome anytime. Brad and Louise Tokaruk, with their chil dren, Matthew and Megan, were also back on September 6. They are active in a Lutheran church in Melville, but during the short year they were involved as part of the NFC, they were a real source of encouragement. Lou also has continued to help prepare backdrops for VBS. Glad to have you! A potluck followed. On September 13 Tim and Laurel Schroder were back in our church. They moved away four years ago. Tim worked for the government, but he and Laurel felt the call of God on their lives to go overseas to Papua New Guinea. They went on summer service, attended a New Tribes Mission Institute in On tario, and then studied linguistics in Missouri. Now they were back as missionaries prepar ing to enter tribal ministry in PNG, starting in January 1993, under NTM and as associate workers with the EMC. We could tell in more detail about their morning ministry with us, but there is a bet ter way for you to find out: Invite them to serve you Sunday morning. What they did share in presentation, children’s feature and message was appreciated. Because the temperature in PNG gets very hot, they were presented with a container of lock de-icer to remember us by. The congregation also gave a check to help in their ministry. OnSeptember 20 the board began present ing a short proposed constitution for review and revision in preparation for a vote by the congregation in January 1993. We were glad to have Kirk and Lori Abrahamson back in our service, with Brittany and new Katie Lyn in tow. They are involved in a Baptist church in Beausejour. Reflecting on our visitors so far (Tim and Laurel, Kirk and Lori), there is a disturbing trend: 1 marry a couple, they serve actively in the church, and then move. Perhaps there should be a rule that if ministers marry a cou ple they must stick around for at least three years before they move away. If any other ministers have had experience (and success) with such a rule, let me know. Terry M. Smith
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By the WAY By Dave Schellenberg AS SENIORS WE MAY ALL have ex perienced just a bit of nostalgia or even sometimes a backward look at other days. I’m speaking of days when we were part of the decision-making process — our words counted; we had positions in boards and committees of authority; sometimes maybe we even relished this glow in the limelight. However, with the years, a subtle change has crept in. Suddenly, while still being nominated, you were no longer elected into that committee. And still later, maybe your name did not even appear on the nomination slate! Or, as a minister, invitations to speak came less and less frequently. If you find yourself in this category, you would have received some excellent advice at our recent Men’s Fellowship Breakfast. The speaker was our pastor, Arden Thiessen. He outlined seven things that we could do, even though we no longer were in the mainstream, and age had crept up on us. So take comfort, we are by no means on the shelf! As older persons in the church: 1. Be ready to change. After all, we were once the ones who wanted change. 2. Consider yourself part of the church. Don’t back off. 3. Be willing to be less visible. 4. Share wisdom without domineer ing. 5. Share experiences; this can be come a teaching tool to younger persons. 6. Support your church with giving. 7. Pray for the church. Observing these guidelines, I believe there is a good possibility that there will still be “fruit in old age” (Psalm 92:14a). May God grant it.
Weddings
PETKAU - MARTENS: Ron, son of John and Esther Petkau of Blumenort, Man., and Anita, daughter of Abe and Judith Martens of Mexico, were married in Mexico on August 22, 1992. The cou ple is residing in Blumenort. SCHELLENBERG - WATTS: Billy, son of John and Freda Schellenberg of La Crete, Alta., was mar ried on July 4, 1992, to Shelley Watts, at the La Crete Christian Fellowship Church. Milton Fast of La Crete officiated. The couple is living at Buffalo Head Prairie, Alta.
PETKAU - DYCK: John, son of John and Esther Petkau of Blumenort, Man., was married on August 15, 1992, to Margaret, daughter of Jacob and Mar garet Dyck of Mexico. The wedding took place in Mexico, with Dave Friesen of Mexico officiating. The couple is making their home in Blumenort.
SULLIVAN - THIESSEN: Danny, son of Viola Sul livan of Douglasfield, New Brunswick, and Ruth, daughter of Dick and Jessie Thiessen of Cromer, Man., were married on September 5, 1992, at the E.M. Church in Brandon, Man., with Richard Klas sen of High Level, Alta., officiating. The couple is making their home in Brandon.
OCTOBER 9, 1992
MAYBE TO THE ABOVE could be ad ded, “Keep an open mind.” The other day I found myself with a goodly num ber of other students in a classroom at Providence Theological Seminary in Otterburne, Manitoba. I had come there with a little appre hension, something like James, our grandson, when he started Jr. High this fall. Well, there was no cause for alarm. You see, the Business Manager at the college happens to be our son and he went out of his way to accommodate his dad. This already put most of my fears to rest. In addition, I met our associate pastor in the hallway and discovered he was in the same class! This was a fur ther corisolation, as was the cordial ac ceptance by our prof. Since I had missed the first class, where introductions had been made, I was asked to do this for myself at my first attendance. This was further com plicated by the fact that I was to say something concerning myself that I felt the class should know! You can see that this involved a bit of a dilemma which I guess didn’t fully sink in until after I was finished. In a case like this it is so easy to polish your image. Only later did it come to me that it would have been entirely in order to also include some thing negative, that which one does not so readily confess. However, now I feel that the ice has been broken and I will enter the next class with a great deal more confidence. We meet once a week for a three-hour class. “Promise and Covenant,” begin ning in the first chapter of Genesis, promises to be a challenging course.
Births LINDSAY - to Rick and Susan Lindsay of High Level, Alta., a son, Trevor Arthur, on ^ptember 8,1992.
SEBASTIN ■ to Troy and Sandy Sebastin of High Level, Alta., a son, Stephen Andrew John, on July 1, 1992.
PENNER • to Gordon and Susan Penner of La Crete, Alta., a daughter, Sarah Beth, on August 21, 1992. PETERS - to Dave and Lisa Peters of La Crete, Alta., a son, Calvin Dean, on August 25, 1992. KROEKER - to Les and Sharon Kroeker of Portage la Prairie, Man., a daughter, Jessica Rachelle, on August 9, 1992.
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From the Editor
!: I
Paying the Bills HAVE YOU EVER wondered what it would be like if God sent us a bill each month like the telephone compa ny and other utilities do? Would the amount fluctuate, based on services and benefits supplied? No doubt many of us would be scrambling to pay our bill before the due date, especially if there were a threat of being disconnect ed if we did not pay. Possibly none of us have enough resources to repay God for all He does for us. In fact, it is impossible to put a price tag on many of His benefits. How much is the as surance of salvation worth? What is the value of His comfort in times of sorrow and suffering? These cannot be evaluated in dollars and cents. Fortunately for us, God does not send monthly bills. He manages to operate His programs on voluntary donations from His children. His work prospers or declines as Chris tians give or withhold the resources He has entrusted to them. It is rather unnerving to realize that it is within our power to slow down or speed up His work on earth. Sur ely none of us would want to be responsible for a slow down in God’s program. Since we cannot give directly to God, we have the problem of determining which ministries God would like us to support; we can’t possibly support them all. The days are gone when we simply placed our gift in the little box at the back of the church. Today it seems there are countless outstretched hands demanding our contribution to their special cause. Our local church has its needs, of course. The com bined ministries of our churches through our Conference depend on our gifts. Then there are requests from para church organizations such as Bible colleges, Mennonite Central Committee and faith missions. The Christian ra dio and television programs that minister to us also need money. Donations are requested by relief organizations such as the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, Mennonite Dis aster Service and Compassion International. The list of needs grows longer and longer. Just when we think we’ve worked our way through the dilemma, the church launches a building or expansion or outreach program. Or another staff position is created. More funds are needed locally. The usual tendency is to reduce support of the most remote involvement — missions. Yes, we sent the missionaries out with our blessing and promises of faithful support. How can we let the thought of cutting their ropes of support even enter our minds? Surely their work is demanding enough without having to wonder whether they will be able to buy food or pay the rent. In recent years the methods used to obtain funds have PAGE 12
become more creative and varied. Bible colleges and mis sionaries present their programs in our churches. Radio, TV and magazines carry their share of requests, often offering free books or merchandise. There are walkathons and bikeathons, car washes and dunk tanks, soup dinners and slave days, yard sales and auction sales. The fund-raising banquet is a newer, successful means of reaching our wallets. But the most prolific method is the letter. Hardly a day goes by without another solicita tion letter in our mailboxes. Many are slick and colourful, designed to grab our attention. With so many requests for our money (the Lord’s money), the natural tendency is to clam up and give noth ing. That leaves us feeling uneasy, so we give a little to many causes, a dollar here and a dollar there. This is not much more satisfying. What, then, is a better way of giving to the Lord? Here are some suggestions that may be helpful: • Pray for guidance and plan your giving. Listen for the urging of the Holy Spirit. Avoid spur-of-the-moment giving. • Most of your giving should be to your church and Conference. That is what membership is all about. • Take time to be informed. Develop a sense of owner ship by “adopting” a missionary or two or perhaps a col lege staff member. Follow up your giving with prayer. • Start with 10 per cent; that may be a lot more than you are giving now. It takes self-discipline but in time you won’t miss it. As the Lord prospers you, increase the per centage. • Give systematically. When you receive an income, set aside the portion you will give. Give the “firstfruits,” not the leftovers. • Investigate organizations to which you give. Make sure they are upright and use the money efficiently. • Include a bequest to your church (and other favourite charities) in your will. Who, then, should be involved in giving? Only those whom the Lord loves and blesses — that includes every one. Children can give a portion of their allowance, young people can tithe of their wages from part-time jobs. Adults turn over the most money and can be more gener ous. Businessmen and corporations, by giving, have the advantage of tax breaks. Students and pensioners on limited incomes are not excluded from giving either. The widow who gave two pennies was commended by the Lord. Her bill was paid. The well-to-do who gave much larger amounts were not so honoured. I wonder why. Menno Hamm
THE MESSENGER
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