The Messenger August 12, 1998

The

Region 9’s First

Convention!

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EVANGELICAL MENNONITE CONFERENCE VOLUME 36 NUMBER 14 AUGUST 12, 1998

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Messenger

McPhee and Me FRANK ANGUS MCPHEE probably wasn’t sure what to do with me. As a United Church pastor, he served a cluster of five congregations in central Alberta. The service in Innisfail was held each week; that’s where the largest congrega­ tion was and where he lived. Services at outside points — Wimborne, Antler Hill, Raven, Knee Hill Valley — were held per­ haps twice a month. That could mean holding up to three services on a Sunday in different locations. I was a farm boy, living perhaps three miles from the Knee Hill Valley church building. The building was rectangular with white paint outside; inside it had rich wood, a large picture of Jesus, and a list of those who served in wartime. Alice Hoar played the piano. Mom gave me and my two sisters a ride to Sunday school. Nan Barclay, a Sunday school teacher, gave me a ride on some mornings. Children went downstairs for Sunday school partway through the service. Sometimes 1 went; at other times 1 stayed upstairs with the adults. Once 1 remained in the loft after the rest of the choir left for Sunday school; Pastor McPhee gently invited me to sit with the congregation. As a boy 1 went to church camp with “Reverend McPhee.” Years later he re­ called how 1, along with others, climbed up a mountainside; he saw me as a de­ termined fellow. Later as a junior staff person, 1 asked him, why should we believe in Christian­ ity when there are other world religions? He replied, because it is historical. His an­ swer has stayed with me and grown in significance with the years. Frank McPhee is a gentle, quiet, patient man. He needed patience with me! Never confirmed in the church 1 was reared, 1 was insecure and suspicious of his “lib­ eral” theology. As a teen and later, 1 moved increasingly in evangelical church circles. Our contact would be sporadic: 1 would drop in, someone would write a letter, or we would talk on the phone. After he moved to a new congregation in the Al­ berta foothills, 1 visited him once — with PAGE 2

EDITOR Terry M. Smith

one or two of my classmates from Cen­ tral Pentecostal College with me. Young and anxious to sort out truth and EDITORIAL error, 1 was uncharitable in responding to ASSISTANT his theology. It took time to learn he was Martha Kroeker THE MESSENGER is the a conscientious objector during the Sec­ publication of the Evangelical ond World War, to appreciate his courage Mennonite Conference. It is in such a stand, and to realize (even later) available to the general public. Its purpose is to inform, instruct his gentleness in serving people who and inspire: inform concerning events and activities in the likely disagreed with his position. denomination; instruct in god­ He was not surprised to see me enter liness and victorious living; the ministry, he once told me. Years later inspire to earnestly contend for I would reflect on the qualities 1 sought to the faith. Letters, articles, photos and share in my pastoral care. It was clear he poems are welcomed. Unpub­ was influencing me: both in his gentle lished material is not returned except by request. The views care of people and his small-town and and opinions expressed by the rural ministry. writers are their own and do not Out of touch for too long, one evening 1 necessarily represent the posi­ tion of the Conference. called him. He was past 75 then. His eyes THE MESSENGER is pub­ were weaker, 1 was told — yet his voice lished twice a month (once a in July and August) by the came across as I remembered, and his month Board of Church Ministries of gentle spirit remained. the Evangelical Mennonite Con­ We’ve talked on the phone and visited ference, 440 Main Street, Steinbach, Manitoba. in person. He is encouraging. He speaks Subscriptions: $12.00 per well of the Mennonite church. In a risky year (Manitoba residents add PST, total: $12.84). Sub­ move (because we both enjoy reading), 7% scriptions are voluntary and op­ he invited me to look over his library. A tional to people within or outside hunter before me, he let one of his rifles of the EMC. Members and ad­ herents pay through their come live at my house. church. THE MESSENGER is a Over the years I observed his gentleness, member of Meetinghouse and patience, intelligence, and concern that Canadian Church Press. faith be lived out. Whatever our differ­ Second-class postage paid at ences in understanding faith in Christ, by Steinbach, Manitoba. Registration Number: 0591 the grace of God Frank McPhee has made Mailing information: All me a better follower of our Lord Jesus correspondence, including undelivered copies, change of Christ. By his caring, he has made a dif­ address and new subscriptions, ference in my life. should be addressed to: The Messenger Perhaps Frank McPhee’s influence might PO. Box 1268 be summed up in 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8: Steinbach, Manitoba ROA 2A0 “...we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. We Phone: 204-326-6401 love you so much that we were delighted Fax: 204-326-1613 E-mail: emconf@mts.net to share with you not only the gospel of God but our own lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.” Cover: Region Nine held its Is there a rebel who flits in and out of first convention on June 20your life? You might never know of the dif- 21- See pages 15-16. ference your patience makes in that per­ MESSENGER SCHEDULE: son’s life or their need of you. No. 16 - September 23 Yet, one day you could. (Copy due September 11) Terry M. Smith No. 17 - October 7 (Copy due September 25)

THE MESSENGER

Convention Speaker*

EMC’s Samaria.. The non-relative who needs your help! Dr. Jonathon Bonk But a Samaritan, as he travelled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him (see Luke 10:25-37).

IT IS IRONIC Jesus should introduce the Samaritan into the story. That the behaviour of this adherent of a syncretistic religion should be followed, ahead of the Jewish religious purist, must have been difficult for the lawyer to swallow.

An ancient hatred The man, to Jewish religious leaders, had a very defi­ cient theology and a dubious pedigree. Jewish religious leaders had no dealings with Samciritcins, regarding them as half-breeds, outcasts, and heretics. This hatred dated back to the time of Ezra and Nehemiah, when intermar­ riage with aliens was banned (Ezra 9-10). Manasseh, a priest, had married Nicaso, daughter of Sanballat, Per­ sian governor of Samaria. Faced with choosing his wife or his position, Manasseh chose his wife. As a reward, Sanballat built a new temple on Mount Gerizim and installed his son-in-law as high priest. The Samaritans of Jesus’ day were descendants of Jews who, like Manasseh, refused to give up their non-Jewish wives. They were ostracized from the mainstream of Jewish life, considered heretics and despised by the Jews of Jesus’ day. Yet this despised Samaritan felt compassion for the bat­ tered, wounded Jew lying at the side of the road. This man, whose theology was all wrong, this accursed her­ etic, took oil and wine and cleansed the wounds, ten­ derly bandaged his broken and bruised body, then placed him on a donkey and escorted him to the nearest inn. Even after reaching the inn, his concern for the victim did not stop. He could well have reasoned, “I’ve done my part. This man is a Jew. Jews can look after their own.” Instead, he stayed with the man, taking care of him. Since the man was not able to travel the next morn­ ing and needed care, the Samaritan gave the innkeeper

Dr. Jonathon Bonk is the assistant director of the Overseas Study Center in New Haven, Connecticut. He is an ordained EMC minister, hav­ ing served on the ministerial of the Kleefeld and St. Vital churches. He is a former professor at Providence Theological Seminary (Otterburne, Manitoba). He is married to Jean, and they have two grown children.

AUGUST 12. 1998

about two days’ wages to cover costs, promising to pay more if required. Jesus asks the expert in the law one final question: “Which of these three do you think proved to be a neigh­ bour to the man who fell into the robbers’ hands?” The answer was, of course, obvious, and the lawyer had no difficulty in coming up with the right answer! Notice that Jesus turned the lawyer’s question around. The lawyer, in an academic fencing duel, had asked, “Who is my neighbour?” Jesus, always practical, asks “Whose neighbour are you?” In other words, who needs your help? The point of this story is not to demonstrate the supe­ rior wit of Jesus, it’s far more important. The story speaks to our convention theme: Share where? Have you re­ stricted missionary work to lands far away, or relegated responsibility for sharing to “missionaries” who live in a far-off land, employed by a “mission”? This story makes it clear that each of us is responsible for sharing. Where is the EMC’s Samaria? Samaria is not a geographical location. It is a certain kind of person — not far away, people whom you’ve never met, who cross your path, for whom you don’t feel much responsibility. They are not relatives and may not be close neighbours or part of your community. Let us explore some lessons in this story: A serious question First, consider the seriousness of the question: What must 1 do to inherit eternal life? A false answer is fatal, since it means an eternity separated from God. Every one of us must ask this question, not cynically as did the lawyer, but with deep honesty — not to speculate or de­ bate, but as a life-and-death issue facing all of humanity. The answer of Jesus Second, notice the answer Jesus gives. What would you have said? Be born again? Accept Jesus into your heart? Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ? These are all correct, provided we don’t isolate them from God’s full counsel on the matter. The one who came to take away the sins of the world answered differently. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your mind and with all your soul, and your neighbour as yourself,” He said, and then drove the point home with this story. Like the lawyer, each of us must carefully listen to the Biblical answers to this question and not simply to a highly selective cluster of proof texts. Knowing the right answer is not enough to gain eternal life. We sometimes tend to have faith in faith, rather than faith in Christ. As James notes, “The devils also believe.” Faith and knowl­ edge of faith are two different things. Not everyone who says, “Lord! Lord!” shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of the Father who is in PAGE 3

“God cannot be fooled into believing that words and formulas are a substitute for genuine belief. Genuine belief cannot be separated from practical help of those whom God defines as neighbours. ” heaven (Matthew 7:21). The belief of faith and the life of faith cannot be separated. It is common for evangelicals to be­ have as though the belief of faith is essential, while the life of faith is optional — that the recitation of a theological formula or prayer in public or at an altar will ensure us a spot in heaven. God cannot be fooled into believing that words and for­ mulas are a substitute for genuine belief. Genuine belief cannot be separated from practical help of those whom God defines as neighbours. The Bible takes great pains to insure that we should not slip into the trap of believing that salvation is one thing and new life in Christ is an­ other. “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation.” If any man be in Christ, he will love his neighbour, in prac­ tical, concrete ways, as himself.

The sin of wilful neglect Third, we learn from the example of the two religious leaders. Notice their superficial obedience to God and their faulty understanding of true devotion. Notice that theirs is the sin not of oppression but of neglect. Neither the priest nor the Levite caused the traveller’s sorry state of affairs. To an extent, the man had himself to blame. Both leaders had legitimate reasons for hurrying on. It is not their oppression but their wilful neglect of him which stands out. Having opportunity and the ability to help him, they chose to ignore his plight. They knew to do good and they did not do it. That was their sin (James 4:17). Don’t many of us struggle with this sin today? The poor and needy are all around — suffering materially, socially, physically, psychologically, spiritually. We have both op­ portunity and ability to help, but our choice is that of the priest and the Levite. We are so busy and our timetables are full. We hurry on. Someone else can help. We must not be interrupted. Yet, we follow a Lord whose ministry may be summed up in a single word: Interrup­ tions. He was constantly interrupted. He graciously made their agendas his priority. He was a servant. When we do not follow our Lord, we wilfully neglect the needy people because the cost is too high in time, emotion or money. Sometimes we are too busy being orthodox to help. We need to beware! We are in mortal danger (Ezekiel 16:49). The priest and Levite teach us the danger of becoming more concerned with dogma than with practice — of explaining God rather than obeying Him. It is easier to discuss a thing than to practice it. Being a Bible scholar, going to church regularly, delivering sermons on love, is much easier than sacrificing an hour today for a needy person. PAGE 4

Scripture makes it abundantly clear that God is on the side of the poor and that God’s people will take an active interest in their well-being. In the Old Tes­ tament even the right to private property ranks be­ low an obligation to care for poor and weak mem­ bers of society (Jubilee — Lev. 25:25-28; Sabbatical - Deut. 15:1-11; Gleaning - Lev. 19:9-10; Tithing Deut. 26:12-16; Loaning and charging interest - Ex. 22:25; Debt repayment - Deut. 15:1-11; Treatment of employees - Deut. 24:14-15; Limitations on the wealth of kings - Deut 17:14-17). Religious orthodoxy without a practical concern for the needy is a sham. Neglect of the poor is a sure sign of disobedience (Job 30:24-25; 31:16-28; Isa. 1:123; 58:1-11; Ez. 33:31-32). God meets the needs of the poor through the actions and interventions of his obedient people (Nehemiah 5:1-13). Saving faith is simple, practical Fourth, we can learn from the Samaritan about being a neighbour. The Samaritan shows how we can win the war against the Kingdom of Darkness. Scripture teaches us, “My righteous one shall live by faith” (Hebrews 10:38). Faith is a way of life! Faith is not simply mental assent to a series of propositions about God, heaven and sin. It is a life lived in accordance with God’s directions (Hebrews 11). From the Samaritan we learn many things about the faith that saves. We should be willing to help people even when they have brought trouble on themselves, as did the reckless traveller. Our help must be practical. Feel­ ing sorry is not enough. Our needy neighbours are not warmed and filled with words. Faith that saves is simple and practical, not abstract and theoretical. It is not a game but life itself. Being a neighbour is inconvenient and costly, catching us by surprise. The one attuned to Kingdom tactics must be prepared to have his plans interrupted. Those who live lives for God must be prepared to improvise, to un­ dertake the surprising tasks which God sets before His people today.

Being a neighbour is rewarding We must learn that being a neighbour is rewarding. Remember the question to which Jesus is providing an answer. It was the Samaritan who inherited eternal life, not because his theology was all right but because he was a neighbour to the man in need. Do you see how small and practical your great com­ mission is? How much grander it seems to go into all the world and engage in mysterious activities amongst ex­ otic peoples! But the command is simply to love your neighbour — the person who needs the help that God has equipped you to provide. We are never asked to love the world or large masses of people. We are to love those whom God brings into our path, one at a time. THE MESSENGER

Have you been a neighbour to somebody? To whom is God offering you opportunity to be a neighbour in the coming days? Someone with whom you are not socially or theologically compatible, who does not deserve or expect your help, who brought his trouble on himself? Someone with whom you know involvement will be time­ consuming, disruptive, costly, inconvenient, and even risky? Someone who desperately needs your help but who would not expect your help? This is your neighbour.

according to Jesus. This is your mission field — the person or the family with whom you are called to share. According to this story, the one who wishes to inherit eternal life is a neighbour to just such a person. *This is excerpted and condensed from material supplied by Dr. Bonk. His taped convention messages were somewhat dif­ ferent. They are available through the Conference Office at $7.50 per set, plus $1.50 postage if mailed.

A Burkinabe’s Testimony

Despite Trials, the Lord Provides! Bananzaro Thioro Calixte A FEW DAYS AFTER MY conversion, 1 joined other broth­ ers and sisters in baptism courses, and on December 24, 1983, we were baptized at a Baptist church. It was the beginning of a wonderful life, yet I could not anticipate the difficulties that would arise so soon as a result of my conversion. My parents got news of my conversion and disapproved — thinking, like many Muslims, Christianity means drink­ ing alcohol, which makes one impure. My Catholic girl­ friend would only agree to marry me if I went to her church. Revolution had started on August 4,1983, in our coun­ try. The guarantee for jobs after university studies be­ came uncertain. It was wise to find something quickly, so I decided to stop pursuing the bachelor’s degree in arts.

Marriage to Noelle In Africa, marriage negotiations are the elders’ concern. My father lived 230 km from the capital, so he asked his brothers to take care of the whole process. My uncles were against my choice; my girlfriend was not a Sarno (my ethnic group) and had attended school for only five years. They led the negotiations but refused any financial help. The traditional wedding on June 30, 1984, cost me two months of scholarship funds. After the wedding 1 was encouraged by the prayers of church members. 1 had my wife, Noelie, and that was all 1 wanted. Early teaching On October 1, 1984, 1 started teaching English at Col­ lege Prive Coulibaly Moussa, a private secondary school owned by a Christian businessman in Dedougou, where my father lived. 1 was doing well both at school and at home in my fa­ ther’s courtyard. Whereas 1 went to the Protestant church, my wife joined the Catholic one. She later started going with me and committed her life to the Lord, for which 1 praise God. Yet, 1 was addicted to smoking, and 1 did not pay my tithes regularly, which led me to constantly be in financial trouble. Our first child was born on July 10, 1985. We named him Edmond, but my father did not recognize what we AUGUST 12. 1998

did, and he shaved the baby in the Muslim way and named him Gaoussou. My wife added Noraogo (mean­ ing rooster) because as a child she unintentionally killed a chicken; she thought none of her children would live unless named after chickens. Edmond was often sick, and we had to spend money on modern medicine. He kept crying in church until he was taken out; my mother said that Gaoussou should stay Muslim because he was rejecting our religion. We de­ cided to leave him at home whenever we went to church. He was taken by the Lord at fourteen months of age. After his death we realized how tightly we bound him to the devil, and we decided not to give chicken names to any other children. The Lord comforted us much during these hard times. Misunderstanding arose between my employer and me over how the country was run during the revolutionary period. It spread to the church because we were both members of the local committee. He feared my opposi­ tion to the authorities could lead to the confiscation of the school. After a very difficult fourth school year, fear­ ing that I would lose my faith and cause division in church, I resigned. 1 decided to apply for a government job, but any appli­ cant should spend nine months in production and three months in military training. During this time my salcuy was hardly enough to take care of my family, since we

Bananzaro Thioro Calixte ministers in the Eglise Evangelique Mennonite Burkina Faso (the Evangelical Mennonite Church of Burkina Faso) in Orodara. PAGES

now had our second child, Rachel, born in August 1987. But, in the Lord’s plan, it was a period of intense learn­ ing. My decision was not to teach anymore — yet the Lord answered my prayers differently. For the production period 1 was sent to a girls’ school in Ouaga, and there 1 discovered another side of teaching that made me change my mind. 1 learned how noble 5 though demanding, the job of teaching is.

A turning point The school year of 1988-89 was a turning point in my Christian life. The Lord allowed me to learn much about Him and get stronger. 1 had only four hours of classes every week, and 1 could easily attend all the teaching at church. 1 joined a church in Ouaga, where emphasis is put on teaching that helps Christians become firm and zealous in the gospel-spreading mission. 1 acquired fundamen­ tal truths in the Bible such as forgiveness, love, faithful­ ness in tithing and the importance of intercession. 1 sent letters of forgiveness to the pastor and my former employer in Dedougou and later talked with them; 1 had judged them. They forgave me. My wife and 1 were blessed financially. While we were in Ouaga, Noelie and little Rachel never experienced any shortage. My host­ ing family was not Christian, but the woman told me about the changes brought by our presence. My younger brother informed me that a piece of land 1 received from the local authorities would be given to another person unless a house was built on it within the next three months. 1 brought this to our prayer cell. A few weeks later my father wrote me that they had built a big house, and he could hardly understand how they got the means to do it. We were sent nearly 450 km from Ouaga for three months of military service. I saw what life was like with­ out Christ and how thirsty people got without Him. We had a prayer cell of seven members, and we endured the wickedness of our instructors because of our faith. We were often sent for the most difficult chores and were sometimes asked to lead the whole troop (400 people) to sing the entire night! We did sing Christian songs joy­ fully. Before long the instructors became friendly with us. Many people committed their lives to the Lord, and it clearly helped me understand the Lord’s mission to his disciples. When 1 left this camp 1 had a new strength which 1 promised to use to bring more sheep to the Lord. With the certificate I got after the year of Popular Na­ tional Service, 1 could take examinations allowing me to apply for any job 1 was qualified in. 1 passed the very first time as an English teacher in secondary schools. The government officials proposed that we accept a year’s partial salary, after which we would be fully en­ gaged. 1 prayed much, asking the Lord to send me where 1 could serve Him fully. 1 was assigned to Orodara. Before going 1 went to Dedougou to inform my family and the church. Our pas­ tor knew a colleague working there, so he phoned him. That evening 1 was led to Pastor Coulibaly’s courtyard to the welcome: “Praise the Lord! You are the answer to my prayers because 1 am alone after Traore’s departure to Bangui.” PAGES

Mr. Bananzaro stands beside his father and a nephew. His father is a Musiim. EMC missionary Eivira Hamm says he spent “severai weeks with the famiiy recently and has given his approval for [Caiixte’s] full-time ministry.”

What of my family? The town was interesting, and the secondary school needed someone to help a group of Christian students. The school library was neglected; 1 took care of it with the help of some Christian students. At the end of the school year the government did not fulfil its promise. In fact, we entered into the third year without a solution. In December 1991 1 received a phone call informing me that the government could no longer take care of us. Shocked, 1 wondered. How could teach­ ers’ contracts end within the first term of school? How was 1 going to take care of my family? Before leaving the office 1 thanked the headmaster and said that my Lord would provide. 1 decided 1 had to stay to help innocent students and continue to coach the volleyball team through the national finals. When 1 told my wife, we prayed, asking the Lord to help us overcome the situ­ ation. She decided to sell roasted peanuts, and the Lord blessed her fully. We got enough money to provide for our family’s needs while 1 worked without a salary for three months. After THE MESSENGER

the second-term break the government made a decision that allowed people in my situation to be paid an hourly wage. My salary increased; it was a blessing from God! During the summer of 1991 -92,1 prayed and fasted, ask­ ing the Lord to provide a job. In the second week of the new school year, a friend of mine came from Koudougou where a new secondary school needed an English teacher. Leaving my family in Orodara, 1 went to this town 315 km away, started teaching and joined a Baptist church. Things went well until April, when our employer told us he could not pay our salaries. I asked the Lord, “Why do you open a door and immediately close it?” I was intending to bring my whole family to Koudougou after the vacation. Now what could I do? Back in Orodara, the Bergens (an AIMM missionary fam­ ily) asked me to teach French to their son John-Mark. Later, I was asked to help two other missionary couples with French. The church in Orodara was having hard times. The pastor was overloaded, and the musical group I had led (since I play guitar) dissolved. In such a situation, the only solution was prayer. I fasted a week and made a vow. 1 asked the Lord to provide me with a job that would allow me to feed my family, if He wanted me to stay and work in Orodara. At the end of my fast, I told my wife we would not move to Koudougou because the Lord would find a job for me in Orodara.

A job in Orodara One Saturday in July, while my wife was dressing for the market, 1 told her that 1 got the assurance of a job in Orodara. Just after she left. Pastor Traore came in and told me about a meeting with missionaries in the evening. At the meeting the mission representatives spoke of the growth of their school and the need of a local teacher to help, mainly with French. I accepted the offer, and my wife and 1 praised the Lord for providing this job. 1 be­ gem teaching at Orodara Kalanso in August of 1993. Great things were ahead! This testimony was forwarded by Elvira Hamm, an EMC worker teaching at a missionary children’s school in Burkina Faso. It is used and shortened with Mr. Bananzaro’s permis­ sion. According to Elvira, "He interprets Jula sermons into French, leads Bible study and prayer meetings, serves on the church council, helps and encourages new churches nearby and takes his turn at preaching. Daily over noon he joins a small prayer cell in church, and he also has a weekly Bible study for the neighbours in his courtyard.... The Lord is directing him into full-time ministry in the near future. ’’ (Mr. Bananzaro’s testimony from an earlier period was shared in the April 9, 1997 issue. In that article his family name was placed first.)

Letters Letters to the Editor Leiters for publication, commenting on issues raised in The Messenger, cire welcomed. Their lone should be charitable, dealing with subjects rather than individuals. Letters may be edited for length.

DISAPPOINTED IN DECISION I am responding to the issue discussed at the recent Conference Council meet­ ing with respect to whether or not Ardith Frey could be licensed to officiate at wed­ dings. Thank you for your good coverage of the issue. I was sorry that the Council’s only deci­ sion was to do a study of the issue. This, to me, looked like another delay tactic. (The request has been before the Board of Ministers and Deacons since 1992.) I am, however, looking forward to the study, and I encourage Conference lead­ ership to work on it as soon as possible. However, the Council minutes I received this week are vague; they say only that a thorough a study will be done. I hope it will not just be a study of one person’s licensing but that it will look at the more basic issue of how much freedom women have in the church to use their gifts. And I hope it will include a review of the 1991 amendment to our Constitu­ tion which says, “The pastor or leading minister of a local church should be male.” AUGUST 12. 1998

I hope the study will take a canonical approach to the Scriptures and that it will not just try to determine the correct mean­ ing of 1 Timothy 2:11,12 (although that is important) but that it will seek to grasp the whole scope of God’s redemptive pro­ gram and what it says to us about being male and female in the church. Further, I am already praying that God’s Spirit will lead us to recognize that it is not the duty of the church to perpetuate the consequences of the Fall (Genesis 3:16) and that we will rather align our­ selves with Paul’s vision of what Christ’s reconciling work should mean for human relationships, as expressed in Ephesians 2:14-16, Colossians 3:11 and Galatians 3:28. Further, I hope we will remember throughout the process that the church belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ, that this is the age of the Spirit, and that it is the one Spirit who gives gifts to both women and men (Acts 2:17,18). And we should approach the study with the prayer that our traditions and prejudices would not keep us from seeing God’s will, and with a bit of fear — the fear once expressed by a wise man in Jerusalem, “But if it is of God...in that case you may even be found fighting against God” (Acts 5:39). Arden Thiessen Steinbach, Man.

JESUS LOVES ME In the blocked text associated with the article “Biblical Anorexia” {The Messen­ ger, June 10), there appears a statement which suggests some real problems for me, rightly or wrongly. Of course, I may not know what the author actually means or wants to say with the insert. The word­ ing is this: “Where in the Bible does it actually say ‘Jesus Loves Me’? We...teach our children.... And watch out, John 3:16 doesn’t work, because it only says that God loves the world.... It doesn’t actually say that Jesus loves us.” I assume that the author means that since there is no actual statement of “Je­ sus loves me” in the Scriptures, it is wrong for us to use the term and teach it to our children. I will speak to my assumption. If my interpretation is incorrect, I am not answering the author. If it is correct, I am trying to address the author’s theology. First, John 3:16 is a concrete Biblical foundation upon which this unsurpassed and most Biblical divine truth is based. If we believe in the time-honoured ortho­ dox doctrine of the Trinity, then our Lord Jesus Christ is “God of very God,” as John 1:1 has it, “...and the Word [Jesus] was God.” Then we must consider the follow­ ing: If Jesus is God, then He loves the identical world which the Father loves, no more and no less. PAGE?

Therefore, since I am in the world, I am loved of God the Father, and by the only logic possible, I am loved by Jesus Christ in the very same way and with the same intensity that God the Father loves me. Consequently, I see no way out; if we want to be Biblical, we must confess, Je­ sus loues me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. To see the Trinity in any other way is to destroy it. Second, there is Galatians 2:20. Here Paul writes, “...the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (ital­ ics mine). It would surely seem that if Paul, a sinner saved by grace, could say Jesus the Son of God “loved me,” then I, as a sinner saved by grace, can say “Je­ sus loves me.” Third, certainly the greatest theologian from the Reformation to the present is Karl Barth. A student in one of Barth’s classes was apparently struck with the profundity of the professor’s theology. In an opportune time, he shot the following question to his mentor: “Dr. Barth, what is the most profound truth in the Bible?” The professor thought for a bit and then answered plainly and simply, Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so! Archie Penner Kola, Man.

SALVATION — PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE It is a joy to respond to Mary Reimer’s letter in the June 24 issue of The Messen­ ger. Many years ago a well-known Lon­ don, England, preacher was walking along one of that city’s streets. A little Sal­ vation Army lassie, with much zeal for the Lord and souls, buttonholed the welldressed, celebrated preacher and asked, “Mister, are you saved?” With congenial mien, he queried the girl, “Tell me, las­ sie, are you asking me whether I have been saved, whether 1 am being saved, or whether I shall yet be saved?” Whatever the outcome of that conver­ sation, the Bible describes our salvation in three tenses: 1) In the past tense, we have been saved. This is most precious and is a clear teaching of the Scriptures (Romans .5:Iff; 2 Timothy 1:9). 2) How­ ever, there i.s also the present tense of salvation; that is, we are right now being saved (1 Corinthians 1:18). The tense of the verbal expression is present and should be and is being translated are be­ ing saved. This means that our total life is a process of salvation. 3) We shall yet be saved is also taught clearly in the Scrip­ tures. Romans 5:9, “...shall we be saved...from the wrath to come,” is con­ clusively yet future. So, then, we have been justified; that is, we have the standing of righteousness in Christ. We are also now continually cleansed and being conformed to the PAGES

image of God’s Son, by the transforming power of the Holy Spirit; that is, we are now being saved. In the presence of Christ, in the Resurrection, we shall stand in all the fullness of salvation. This is fu­ ture. Archie Penner Kola, Man.

GOD LOVES HIS ENEMIES The author of the letter to the editor in the June 24 issue, titled “Are We to Love God’s Enemies?” invites dialogue. This I count my invitation. The letter raises enormous questions, questions which have engaged the best Christian minds and hearts for centuries. The question raised is, What is the rela­ tion of the Old Testament to the New Tes­ tament, and how must the Old Testament be interpreted? The best that can be done in a short letter is to make general, inclu­ sive statements. First, perhaps, the problem to differen­ tiate between who is whose enemy is not as difficult as posed in the letter. If God really loves ihe world (and He does), then we must surely agree that He loves all His enemies, for the world contains everyone of His human enemies. There is here no differentiation at all. On the grounds that Christ and God love every possible enemy of theirs, are we not commanded to love the same enemies? The answer seems obvious. God’s indica­ tive is man’s imperative. There is another text, out of many, which universalizes God’s love for everyone. “God has consigned all men to disobedi­ ence, that He may have mercy upon all” (Romans 11:32). It would be, in my opin­ ion, exceedingly difficult to conclude that God does not love absolutely all when He has mercy on all. That the “all” includes all the enemies God may have, surely

goes without saying. Second, can we not also agree with the great preacher Spurgeon when he advises that “the meaning of a text is through the door, Christ”? This expresses well, gen­ erally, the way evangelicalism has seen the issue of interpreting the Old Testa­ ment. This will mean that the Old Testa­ ment can only be truly interpreted through Christ and the New Testament. The latter is added because it is the final record of the revelation of Christ we have. Third, we would surely agree with the author that license must not be taken with the interpretation of Scriptures. However, when it is argued that the concept and treatment of the Old Testament as obso­ lete is the ground for questionable meth­ ods of dealing with the Bible, then we should turn to Hebrews 8:13. The author writes, “In speaking of a new covenant he [Jeremiah) treats the first as obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and grow­ ing old is ready to vanish away.” Archie Penner Kola, Man.

EMC APPRECIATED Thank you to the editor of The Messen­ ger for another excellent edition of the magazine. Yesterday I sat down to read the articles in the July issue and thor­ oughly enjoyed them. It was the next best thing to being at the annual convention in person. I appreciate the EMC and consider it a privilege to have my roots there. The Mes­ senger is a link for me to keep up on the heartbeat of the Conference. May the Lord bless you in your ministry. Keep up the good work, Terry and Martha! I wish you God’s best. Amanda Anderson The Pas, Man.

“Serving — A Life Sentence” EMC Post-Secondary Students Luncheon Tuesday, September 22, 1998 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Room 205-207 University Centre The University of Manitoba Come and Go! Lunch supplied. Bring a Friend. . Students will share, and discussion will follow.

For more information, contact Wally at 204-326-9444 Ed at 204-326-1644, or Terry at 204-326-6401 Sponsored by EMC Board of Church Ministries THE MESSENGER

National Glimpses

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Golf Tournament Helps Winnipeg And Rwanda The game of golf is challenging. It can be enriching: Inner City Youth Alive and World Relief Canada are each around $7,600 richer, thanks to EMC golfers and sponsors. Golf is also a humbling game. When 1 said so at lunch, golfers at the same table agreed. Earlier, one golfer thought I’d affected his game. In mid-swing, he’d been asked to push up his cap so we could see his eyes in the photo. Perhaps that was slightly distracting. Another golfer was concerned when 1 asked him what he would score; it seemed it was more appropriate to ask his weight. (1 thought both numbers would be about the same; 1 was wrong.) Peter Doerksen scored a 90 — not the low­ est score of the day, but not the highest either. About 134 golfers attended the fifth an­ nual EMC Golf Classic held at the Steinbach Fly-in Golf Course on June 25. The weather was warm. Ron Penner welcomed participants to the dinner served at the Steinbach EMC. He reminded people of the mission state­ ment: to enjoy creation, appreciate the wider EMC, and raise funds. Representing one of the organizations benefitting, Kent Dueck of Inner City Youth Alive shared a new video on the ministry of ICYA in Winnipeg. ICYA is “committed to relationships with each other and Je­ sus Christ,” the video said. Its drop-in centre. The Bridge, provides a place that young people describe as safe and fun. In its woodworking shop men ages 17 to 25 learn effective work habits and gain experience. Summer camps at Gem Lake take young people to where they have never been before. There is opportunity to learn about Christ, the

Travis Unger (right) of Inner City Youth Alive talks with golfers. Like the previous year, ICYA benefited from the tournament.

AUGUST 12, 1998

video said. ICYA people were volunteers on the course; they were applauded. Doug Stiller of World Relief Canada shared that widows resettling in Rwanda have faced hardship. The relief organiza­ tion was asked to provide 2,000 homes. Fifteen hundred have been rebuilt or built new. He passed on thanks on behalf of widows and orphans. Of the ten flights awarded prizes, Don Plett came in with the lowest score of 73. Matt Funk, the 1997 winner, came in sec­ ond at 74. The prize for the longest drive was won by Randy Plett. Arnold Reimer came closest to the pin. On a draw, Ert Peters won a TV donated by Steinbach Furniture. All golfers who contributed toward the Friends of Nicaragua project had their names entered in a special draw for a hammock brought from that country. Menno Hamm explained that the eco­ nomic situation in that country is difficult. The Friends of Nicaragua fund is a small way to help out our brothers and sisters in Christ. Abe Hiebert won the hammock. Kent Dueck announced an all-expensespaid trip for four to Gem Lake. The ticket was drawn, and the prize was won by Elmer Dueck. As prizes were awarded and some golf scores announced, it was important to make sure who was meant. Stan Plett (there were two) was identified by his golf score of 115. (He is not Steinbach Bible College’s president.) “Grandpa” was writ-

Doug Stiller of World Relief Canada expresses thanks for funds to be received toward housing widows in Rwanda, while tournament chairman Ron Penner listens.

ten by one name; “younger” was written beside another. Because of event sponsors, many prizes were handed out to golfers. When Harry Fast won a prize, Al Fast, an organizer and announcer, said, “That’s my dad!” Ed Reimer got a round of applause. Why? Because he won the final prize awarded by draw — a sleeve of golf balls. The Golf Classic is now in its fifth year. The committee was Ron and Ruth Pfenner, Dwayne Penner, Ron Friesen, Burt Loewen, Don Friesen, and Randy Wolgemuth. Each project will receive about $7,600, according to Henry Klassen, EMC execu­ tive secretary. Terry M. Smith

Don Plett won the tournament, Dwayne Penner gave out the prizes, and Al Fast announced the prize winners.

The EMC Golf Classic has been held for five years. One hundred and thirty-four golfers played the course this year.

(Photos by Ruth Penner.)

PAGE 9

With Our SOUTHERN GERMANY MULTI-PURPOSE BUILDING NOW A REALITY A dream of the Black Forest Academy (BFA) became a reality on June 23 and 24 when we celebrated the dedication of a multi-purpose building. This vision and known need — dubbed Project Nehemiah — has occupied the hearts and minds of many people here at BFA, and in Europe and North America, for eighteen years. The need came to our attention in 1980 through Henry Toews, BFA’s director. Plans were drawn up. In 1984 BFA purchased the angora factory in Kandern and began a project of turning a four-storey clothing factory into a school. In the fall of 1996 we paid off the proper­ ty’s mortgage. We owned the building and the land and were debt free. Under George

Albert and Edna Martens (Steinbach) serve at BFA. Located in Kandern, a town in south­ ern Germany, BFA is a school operated by Janz Team Ministries, mostly for missionary children. This past year its enrolment was 225. In the coming year the attendance is expected to be closer to 300, according to Nellie Giesbrecht, administrative secretary in the mission’s Winnipeg office. Albert Mar­ tens is BFA’s business manager.

Durance’s directorship, we refinanced and raised funds to begin a multi-purpose hall. In spring of 1997 a brief sod-turning cer­ emony was held and the actual construc­ tion began. In June 1998, with Dave Jones as BFA director, we celebrated the dedi­ cation of this dream come true. Our German architect, Wilhelm Lindemer, has been a joy to work with. He took over the plans of our previous archi­ tect, made modifications, alterations and additions as necessary and went from there. Sam Wofford, an architect from Dallas, Texas, supervised the many work teams which helped in construction. 1 worked with the legalities, with the local trades people and the architect — connecting and coordinating. A building committee was made up of BFA staff, German Janz Team members with a construction industry background and the architect. The result is a German-designed, solid construction made according to the build­ ing code, fit to last the next few hundred years. We are very thankful for the 260 construc­ tion volunteers from the U.S. and Canada; people, ages 15 to 75, donated about 6500 hours of work. The architect estimates these work hours at a value of about $250,000. This reduced our costs, while allowing detail and work unaffordable on the German market. On June 23 we had a dedication dinner with our guests — the German companies with major work on the project. We had goals for this evening: to thank these peo­ ple for their work, to impress on them how this building is a miracle, to explain the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to give them the history and purpose of BFA. When the local architect gave his speech, he emphasized how each meeting had begun with prayer. He had sensed the dif­ ference that these prayers made in the dis­ cussions that followed. (He is not a born-

again Christian.) Siegfried Schlegel, the electrician with a major contract, also talked about the at­ mosphere of these planning meetings. It was new to him, but he said “that is how meetings should be run.” Edna was in charge of the banquet. Though the banquet took place in our new cafeteria, the kitchen is not completed. With a dinner planned for just over a hun­ dred people, this required ingenuity and sheer hard work on her part. She also helped organize the program and gave three men the outline for their speeches that evening! Edna was busy behind the scenes. On June 24 we held a dedication service for the general public. A bronze plaque had been mounted beside the new main en­ trance to the building for all to read: “Un­ less the Lord build the house...” (Psalm 27). Henry Toews began telling BFA’s history, George Durance carried on, and Dave Jones completed this with visions of its future. Two students challenged us to use this new facility to serve the Lord and to reach out to our German community. Project Nehemiah is almost complete. This unfolding miracle will now be a chapel, a gymnasium and a cafeteria. A three-phase construction project was com­ pleted within eighteen months. Hundreds and thousands of people prayed and gave to make this a reality. There was no single big donor who made it possible; many people made this a real­ ity. Many people, united in prayer, willing to trust the Lord, worked hard to make this possible. (BFA staff donated more than $200,000 towards this project.) This building was dedicated to the Lord, to serve Him and to further His kingdom, to make Him known to the world. It took eighteen years of praying and planning, but in the Lord’s time it was done. Thank you. Lord! Albert Martens

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After eighteen years, BFA now has a multi-purpose building which will assist its ministry. It was dedicated on June 23 and 24. PAGE 10

This oil painting of BFA’s multi-purpose building is by Albert Martens and was presented, along with a coffeemaker, as a sign of appreciation to the project architect, Wilhelm Lindemer. THE MESSENGER

PARAGUAY MAKING DISCIPLES “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey every­ thing I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:19 and 20, NIV). Sunday, May 3, dawned bright and clear, but not too hot. It was a perfect day for a baptism, and our small group of believ­ ers was excited about the events of the day. There were five baptismal candidates: Obdulia with her two daughters, Lorena (16) and Diana (13); Vaneza Zang (12), Alicia’s daughter; and Wendy Schmidt (14), Dave and Judy’s daughter. Each one had a clear testimony and genuine desire to make a public statement of their deci­ sion to follow Jesus Christ. This was our second baptism this year. (The first one took place in February.) Dave, seemingly by chance, had come across the parklike area with large mango trees and a natural spring that fed into a man-made pool. It was a perfect spot just a few blocks from our church. The owner readily gave his permission for us to use it. With a few hours of hard work the day before — raking leaves to clear a space for our service and cleaning out the pool — everything was ready. We began with a service under the shady branches of the mango trees. Our young people led us in songs of praise and worship, after which guests from sister EMC churches in Caaguazu and Pastoreo

blessed us with special numbers in song and the message (mostly in Guarani). After the service we all moved back to the pool, where each candidate gave her testimony and Dave challenged us with a short message. What a joy it was to wit­ ness young people and a mother and daughter taking this step of obedience to the Lord! After a meal of Paraguayan-style barbe­ cued meat and sausages, rice salad and the always-necessary mandioca (donated and prepared by the people from our church), we again gathered under the trees to celebrate the Lord’s Supper. This event joined us together as the body of Christ and confirmed our commitment to serve Him and be a witness for Him, in the spot where He has placed us. Joanne Martens

Joanne Martens (Kola) serves as a church planter in Asuncion, Paraguay.

Wendy Schmidt was baptized on May 3. She Is the daughter of Judy and Dave Schmidt, EMC workers in Paraguay.

r. Vaneza Zang was baptized by Dave Schmidt and Hugo Ibarra.

Obdulia (centre) and her daughters, Lorena and Diana, were baptized on May 3.

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The EMC church in Asuncion experienced the joy of two baptismal services, one in February and one In May. From left: Obdulia, Lorena, Diana, Vaneza and Wendy (back right) were baptized In May. Patricia, David and Juancho (on right) were baptized In February. Missionary Dave Schmidt Is in the back.

AUGUST 12, 1998

After the baptismal service, an asado (barbecue) was enjoyed. A communion service was held following the asado.

PAGE 11

WS(llhi COMPLETELY TAKEN IN Calgary, Alta.: I’ve been completely taken in, entirely forgiven of my sin. It took God’s love to find me, as lost as I’ve been. I’ve been completely taken in. These words of Dallas Holm, sung by Gerald Kornelson, set the tone for our baptism and membership reception on May 24. Each of the baptismal candidates shared how God’s love had guided them in their lives up to this point. Leighton Fehr shared how he has known Christ since his childhood. As he grew in his faith he saw that often his actions looked Christian, but he was hav­ ing problems letting God control his thoughts. He praises God for the truth in Romans 8:1,2, which says that there is no condemnation in Christ, because through the Spirit, Christ sets us free! Janette Stade shared that in her spiritual pilgrimage she was baptized at the age of twelve. During her teen years she struggled with wanting to be popular. God encouraged her, and through camp ministry and the difficulties in her par­ ents’ marriage, Janette grew in her faith. Two years at Columbia Bible College pro­ vided a solid foundation in her knowl­ edge of God. She praises God for our freedom in Christ and that Christ is changing us into His likeness (2 Corinthians 3:17,18)! Jake and Nettie Harder shared of God’s guiding care in their lives as well. Nettie became a Christian as a young girl and grew as she read a small Gideons New Testament. Her family was involved in a very conservative church, and Nettie re­ members longing to have Jesus as a close friend whom she could freely talk about. Jake accepted the truth about Christ as a young boy but drifted into the ways of the world as a teenager. When his brother was killed in an accident and his

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If we have invited Jesus into our lives, we have a relationship with Him, but how often do we spend time with God in an intimate way? Of all the great things we do for God, what He wants most is for us to spend time with Him, staying close to Him so that He can feed us. If we pursue Him with all our heart, pro­ tecting, training and feeding the appetites of our hearts, we will carry Christ’s fra­ grance on us wherever we go. Saturday afternoon saw most of us down at the beach for a new camp event — a raft-building contest and race. It had been announced as a father/son time, but a group of girls took the challenge as well. They gleaned a little advice from one of the dads and, much to the cha­ grin of the male rafters, the girls’ raft­ building and navigational skills proved superior, and they won the race! I’m not sure about the girls, but I heard a lot of the guys complaining the next morning about bruises and sore muscles. Must have been the tough competition, eh? Lorraine Koop

Ed Weiss encourages the congregation with excellent storytelling.

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A baptism and membership transfer service took piace at the Calgary church on May 24. Front: Leighton Fehr, Janette Stade, Cynthia Thiessen, Jenni Boehlig. Back: Dan Johansen, Jake and Nettie Harder. PAGE 12

mother suddenly died a few days later, he was filled with deep anger and bitter­ ness that often caused him to wander away from God. Jake praises God for the truth found in John 3:16 — God sent His Son to die for us that we could be made right with God. Jake and Nettie also praise God that all six of their children have accepted Christ as well. Jenni Boehlig mentioned her memory of her parents accepting Christ and her mother leading her to the Lord shortly after. When she was in Grade 6 they moved from the La Crete area to Calgary. This was very difficult, but she enjoyed attending school at Heritage Christian School and has recently recommitted her life to the Lord. She praises God for the promise in Isaiah 46:4, which says that God has made us and will carry and sus­ tain us through everything. Cynthia Thiessen became a Christian as a young girl. When her family served with the SWAP program in Kentucky for three years, she experienced practical Christianity in her everyday life. The youth group’s trip to Mexico was another highlight in her Christian walk. She en­ joys spending time with Christian friends and loves to serve God with her saxo­ phone. She is grateful that God will con­ tinue to work in her life, according to Philippians 1:6. Dan Johansen shared how for many years there was little growth in his life but that God and his parents watched over him like a secure blanket. Based on the truth found in Romans 10:9-13, he claims the promise that since he has confessed that Jesus is Lord and believes that God raised Christ from the dead, he is saved! Another highlight of our spring was our annual family camp at Sylvan Lake. Many of us were eager to get out of the city, and the beauty of the camp and lakeside was very conducive to our camp theme, “Making Room for God.” Ed Weiss of Calgary used vivid and of­ ten hilarious storytelling to encourage us.

Oops...we tipped!

Laurie Attreli and son Michael “ham it up” at the talent show.

THE MESSENGER

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Mennville, Man.: Nine young people were baptized at the Mennville EMC on May 17. Back: Dawson Kroeker, Dahlen Barkman, Matthew Thiessen, Trevor Dueck, Keith Friesen. Front: Justin Dueck, Rene6 Dueck, Shanna Kroeker, Monique Kroeker.

Carol Hiebert

Birch River, Man.: A number of parents with their children were part of the parent/child dedication service on May 10: Janet and Chris Hamilton with Donovan, Alicia and Kelsey Friesen with Brendon, Crystal and Randy Nepinak with Whitney. On the right are Elizabeth and Ferlin Abrahamson, the pastoral couple.

Helen Kroeker

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GOING TO CAMP Riverton, Man.: It’s funny how when you travel across country or have lived in dif­ ferent areas of Canada, you begin to pick up and discover the unique phrases peo­ ple use to describe the same event or word. For instance, going to camp in northern Ontario means going to the cot­ tage, which in Manitoba can also be said going to the lake. Here, when we tell peo­ ple we are going to camp, we pack up our cars with the necessary items like sleeping bags, clothes, snacks and our energy, because going to camp means a schedule of activity, food and lots of sing­ ing. Members of the Riverton Chapel went to Beaver Creek Bible Camp June 12-14. We arrived Friday, found a cabin, made our beds, piled the snacks up high in the main lodge, and then gathered for an en­ ergetic sing-song, helped by a set of drums, guitar and a piano. Saturday a scrumptious breakfast was served, followed by a chapel service, led by Dick Unrau, then lunch and afternoon filled with activities. A scavenger hunt, crafts for the children and adults, and for those less enthusiastic about sewing and using a glue gun, there were games and canoe rides outside. Supper turned out to be a popular feast of taco salads piled too high for some people’s stomachs. Then we finished the AUGUST 12, 1998

evening with a sing-song and worship, again led by Dick, as well as “stump the pastor” questions. People can never say they had too little to eat when going to camp. Sunday started with a pancake breakfast, fol­ lowed by chapel, lunch, and then Riverton’s Sunday school wrap-up of re­ lay races and games for all ages. As busy it sounds, it was a relaxing weekend, surrounded by a family of friends to share with, sing with and talk to around a fire or in the cabin. And this is a priority in life — having friends you can call family. Dick Unrau spoke on “Priorities” for each chapel session, focusing on Mat­ thew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness....” Dick asked us all to think about what we are most anxious about in life, which led each one of us to examine our own worry in life and think about what Jesus teaches us in that verse.

Tug of war!

What is worry? For the most part it di­ vides us and distracts us. When we worry we are not trusting God. Worry keeps us from seeking “first the kingdom of God.” It was great to examine this verse on the weekend, and we want to remember it in our daily life. Christine Peters

There was time for relaxation and visiting at camp. PAGE 13

FRIENDSHIP FAMILY DINNER Fort Frances, Ont.: How does one reach out to others and share with them the message of the Gospel? Our church found that one way was to hold a Friendship Family Dinner. Invitations were distrib­ uted to friends and relatives. This event took place in our church on February 13 and was a great success. The food was delicious, and we heard some lovely singing by Norma Rempel and Laural Ann Plett. 1 gave my testimony about what the Lord is doing in my life since 1 accepted Him in January 1981. 1 ended my testimony by inviting people to tell their story and be an encouragement to others. “The time has come, the King­ dom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news” (Mark 1:15). Pastor Jeff Plett ended the program with a short talk on love and how important families are. On February 27 the ladies of the church got together for a lovely evening at Laural Ann Plett’s home, where Karla Ans dem­ onstrated how to make our own greeting cards, bookmarks, gift wrap and much more by using stamps, coloured markers and ink pads. It was a fun evening, which ended with refreshments and a lot of shar­ ing about what the Lord is doing in our lives.

Ike Friesen gave his testimony during the church service on March 15, telling us about how the Lord is using him since he became a Christian. Thank you, Ike, for sharing with us; we were blessed. 1 hope others in the church will be prompted by the Lord to share their story as well! “1 am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture” (John 10:9). 1 trust all of you had an Easter that re­ newed your mind and spirit as you again heard about Jesus’ death and resurrec­ tion. What a miracle! Our church cel­ ebrated on Sunday morning by getting together before the service for a lovely breakfast. No Sunday school was held that morning so that the children could join their parents for the meal. Some of you may know Reg Fast and his family. Our church has been praying for him as he is battling cancer. (Reg is Bonita Friesen’s brother.) Please join us as we pray for Reg, Ike and Bonita and the rest of the family, for God’s mercy and heal­ ing. “Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord” (Psalm 31:24). On Sunday, April 19, the Steinbach Chris­ tian High School choir sang God’s praises in our church service. Our little church

Carol Pollard (left), Ellen Wrolstad (right) and friends enjoyed the Friendship Dinner held on February 13.

was filled with wonderful music for al­ most an hour, and we were blessed. God has given them so much talent, and 1 hope they will continue to use it for His glory. God willing, we will see you all again next year. Lester Olfert, EMC Foreign Secretary, was with us on April 26 to talk about mis­ sions. We learned a lot about the oppor­ tunities for service in Mexico and Paraguay — leadership training, starting churches, prayer and financial support. A parent/child dedication took place on Mother’s Day with two families involved: Bogdan and Sandy Stalmach with son Matthew Ethan and daughter Whitney Sarah, and Elwyn and Donna Adrian with daughter Alexandra Lee participating. We pray that the Lord will richly bless them and give the parents wisdom in training their children. All the mothers received a lovely corsage. Cake and coffee were served after the service. We held a house-warming for one of our church families who recently moved. We enjoyed the great outdoors, a buffet meal and a tour of George and Toots Rempel’s new home. A congregational meeting followed, with the biggest attendance we have had in a long time! Euelyn Hicks

In their new home, George and Toots Rempel and family sit with guests at a house-warming dinner provided by the congregation. The decorative balloons gave “a festive air” to the occasion, Evelyn Hicks reports.

Resional^ SCHSers SHARE PRIZE Two Steinbach Christian High School (SCHS) students shared second prize in the Henry E. Plett Memorial Award for their essays as selected by the genealogy committee of the Manitoba Mennonite Historical Society, according to SCHS Mennonite history teacher Henry Fast. PAGE 14

Laurie Penner wrote “Why Laurie is the Way She is,” tracing the history of the Penner clan. Adrienne Reimer wrote on “My Sawatzky Heritage.” Each was awarded $50. The annual awards are sponsored by Delbert and Doreen Plett of Steinbach. Laurie Penner

Adrienne Reimer THE MESSENGER

SEEDS CRACKED AND SOWN

Paving the Way for a National Convention “Almost a year ago our region was asked by the EMC General Board if we would host the 1999 annual convention in south­ ern Ontario. It seemed like a huge task! We said, ‘Not now, maybe in the year 2001We decided that we needed to start practicing. The idea came up of having a smaller convention with just three churches instead of fifty-three.” These opening remarks were made by Peter Reimer, pastor of the Leamington EMC (LEMC), at the first convention of the churches in region nine (Leamington, Mount Salem, and Straffordville, Ontario) held June 20-21 at Leamington. Speaker Harvey Plett said the two-day event was so positive he would be “bragging about the region for a year.” The event began at 9 p.m. on Saturday at the LEMC. Some families from Mount Salem and Straffordville (about two hours away) set up tents on the four-acre church property; others stayed at a nearby camp­ site.

About 200 people gathered for a camp­ fire service of singing and sharing on the LEMC grounds. The LEMC led the worship service, with the singing of many choruses. The congregation was spread out and sharing was limited. Danny Dick of Leamington spoke up to say it was good for the three churches to be together, praising the Lord; his wife, Tiena, agreed. The theme song for the weekend was Here I Am, with the thought: Here I am, wholly auailable. As for me, I will serve the Lord. As the congregation „ „ ■ sang„ ■in the ’ ! darkness. Bill Friesen, LEMC youth pastor, said God has made both day and night, Insects were attracted to the overhead projector; they paced and flitted around.

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The region nine churches begin to gather for a fireside praise service on Saturday evening. About 200 people attended.

Peter Reimer closed the evening, suggesting people not let bedbugs or mosquitoes bite them. Five hundred and fifty people gathered on Sunday, June 22, for the morning service at the United Mennonite Educational Institute (UMEl), a Christian high school in Leamington. The LEMC met there for S'A years in a rotunda; the regional convention was held in the main gym. Pastor Reimer’s theme verse was from Deuteronomy 12:7,12. “...In the presence of the Lord your God, you and your families shall eat and rejoice...because the Lord your God has blessed you.... And

there rejoice before the Lord your God, your sons and daughters” “We have come to worship our Lord and lift up the name of the Lord Jesus Christ,” he said. “We have come to be challenged, exhorted and encouraged. We have come to meet friends and to make friends. Everybody should know at least one more person by name before all the ‘zoat is knacked’ [seed is cracked]! ...May this be a time to bond together in Christ.” After singing, all three churches shared local announcements. “I hope that we have not too quickly for-

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The region nine churches have a combined attendance of around 800 people. With a Sunday morning attendance of 550 people, roughly two-thirds of the region paticipated in the convention.

AUGUST 12, 1998

Strafford shares its musical gifts—as did each church. PAGE 15

Tony Driedger, EMC Stewardship Consultant, attended the convention. It is cheaper to have a will than to not have one, he said. He was available to assist households from the churches.

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Arnold Loewen is Region 9’s representative on the Board of Missions; he gave a report of the board’s work.

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gotten that our God is an awesome God,” one song leader said. Throughout the con­ vention, churches took turns in special music and other items, assisting each other. Hilda Friesen of Mount Salem told the story of Reddy the Squirrel, who placed nuts in a wooden box with an entrance too small to get them out. The point was, don’t lay up treasures on the earth (Mat­ thew 6; 19-21). Dr. Harvey Plett spoke on 1 Peter 2:9, with the theme A Special People for a Specific Purpose. It is God’s plan of the ages to call out a people for Himself, he said. Everyone will have a chance to hear the gospel to be saved, and then he shall come. Christians are chosen, holy (set apart for a specific purpose) and a priest­ hood (to care about the spiritual well-be­ ing of others and have direct access to God). At noon the congregation gathered out­ side in a picnic area and on the grass to have a barbecue lunch. Adults visited or played volleyball. Children played games and sports. Pastor John Wall of Straffordville opened the afternoon service by suggesting peo­ ple ages forty and over run around the gym, to ensure no one fell asleep. He thanked Leamington for hosting the event. The three congregations are multilingual in make-up and vary in the language used in local worship. (English might be the fourth language some people know.) Most of the services were held in English. One congregational song was Bringen Garden Ein (Bringing in the Sheaves), and a Leamington special number was in German. Wilbert Friesen, pastor at Mount Salem, made comments in Low German, then read 1 Peter 2:13-25 in English and led in prayer. Tony Driedger, EMC Stewardship Con­ sultant, told those gathered that if they don’t have a will, the government has one

for them. It is cheaper to have a will than to not have one. A will helps people go on, he said. Driedger counselled parents not to have a secret will; parents should talk with fam­ ily members and consider what it means to be fair. During the weekend he met with households about stewardship mat­ ters. A joint session in the Mount SalemStraffordville area was scheduled for later in the week. Arnold Loewen gave a report on the work of the EMC Board of Missions. He is region nine’s representative on the board. Dr. Plett gave a Low German summary of his morning’s English message and as an introduction to his second message. Why are we here? he asked. We are to declare the deeds of the one who called us — by word of mouth, by lifestyle and action, and by victory over the powers of darkness, he said. Sixty-five children came on stage to sing a number of songs including Jesus Loves Me and Love is a Flag. Who is the King of the Universe, they asked? Jesus, they said. As the convention closed. Bill Friesen sug­ gested rather than sing “Here / am” as individual churches, those present could sing “Here We Are.” A cappella, the con­ gregation sang Here we are, Wholly avail­ able. As for us, we will serve the Lord. Some people stayed for a light supper, visiting, and clean-up. Slowly the crowd dispersed. The results of months and weeks of hard work by various commit­ tees is now to be analyzed. Comments were sought about future regional gath­ erings. The Mount Salem EMC was started in 1976; it has an attendance of around 400. The Leamington EMC began in 1990 and now has 300-325 in attendance. Both churches need larger facilities. Straffordville, a daughter church of Mount Salem, began in 1996. It now averages 100 in attendance and seeks a suitable build­ ing. Terry M. Smith

When a person is boxed in and running blind, collisions happen.

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The region nine convention was a test-run in preparation for hosting the national convention in 2001.

PAGE 16

Sixty five children sang songs during the afternoon service. THE MESSENGER

John Koop Conference Pastor BUILDING A COMMON FOCUS Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “1 have a dream!” We know what dream moti­ vated him. What motivates us? We have a name: Evangelical Mennonite Conference. What does it mean about our beliefs? What does it say about how we live? And what do we mean by Confer­ ence? Is it the annual meeting of representatives of the churches? Is it the programs, like missions and education, that we do together? Or is it the joint work, identity and fel­ lowship we foster among us? As a result of the national assessment work of our confernce, the General Board decided we need to develop a slogan to promote conference identity. We do have a logo. It had its begin­ nings in a contest (announced in The Messenger, September 26,1980), with a prize of $25. Who knows what the de­ sign means? It shows a handshake un­ der the globe of the world, surrounded by flames of fire, within a circle. Is that what you see? Does it picture what we want to say about ourselves? We also have a Purpose Statement. It is very short: The Conference is to gio-

Births

10

FRIESEN - to Murray and Paula Friesen of Steinbach, Man., a daughter. Holly Michelle, on June 15, 1998. GREEN - to Mark and Wendy Green of Winnipeg, Man., a daughter, Madelaine Dawn, on June 7, 1998. TOEWS - to James cind Sandi Toews of Kleefeld, Man., a daughter. Abbey Mae Delaney, on June 19, 1998. REMPEL - to Dave and Peggy Rempel of Aylmer, Ont., a daughter, Jaimie Danae, on March 25, 1998. PENNER - to Sheldon and Melanie Penner of Blumenort, Man., daughter. Jasmin Brooke, on June 7, 1998. LOEWEN - to Glenn and Mary Loewen of Asuncion, Paraguay, a daughter, Anicka Kirsten, on June 6, 1998. VELLACOTT - to Lincoln and Marilyn Vellacott of Hudson Bay, Sask., a daughter, Tabitha Mary Patricia, on July 6, 1998. BRANDT - to Del and Lu Brandt of Riverton, Man., a daughter, Lindsey Tiarra, on June 6, 1998.

AUGUST 12, 1998

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rify God by building His Kingdom. Added to this declaration are six direc­ tives as to how it can be done: 1. proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ at home and abroad. 2. ministering to the spiritual and physical needs of people. 3. establishing and nurturing local congregations of believers. 4. building and maintaining commu­ nity among member churches. 5. coordinating the concerns and re­ sources of the member churches for the various ministries within the Kingdom of God. 6. forming affiliations with other groups within the body of Christ in order to carry out the worldwide mandate of the church. Here is our challenge to us as members, supporters and visionar­ ies of the EMC: How can we say more clearly who we are and what we believe? Perhaps we need something catchy, easy to recall. Could we write our purpose state­ ment as a slogan? Or put it to music and sing it? Do we need to re-draw our logo to better picture who we want to be ac­ cording to our purpose statement? A good slogan, logo and chorus should provide vision and direction in keeping with who we are in our faith journey. What should be our focus? Paul writes in Titus: “You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine...so that in every way they [we ] will make the teaching about God our Saviour attractive.”

EMC Youth Leaders’ Seminar October 2-4, 1998 Crossroads Range, St. John, North Dakota (south of Brandon, Manitoba)

Speaker: Shawn Kennedy, Youth Ministry Builders Seminars: Hans Rahn, Trevor Esau, Mark Herron, Shawn Kennedy Cost: $30.50-$40.50 U.S. per person (for weekend’s food and lodging in various accommodations.) Limited travel assistance available. For information or to register, contact Deidre Plett 204-326-4855

SAVE YOUR SHEKELS!* The EMC Leadership Retreat is Planned for Camp Arnes, Manitoba, March 19-21, 1999! Resource People: Abe and Helen Block Pastors, ministers, deacons, elders will be swarming with vigor and enthu­ siasm! (* Or highlight this notice and pin it on the church bulletin board right next to your finance chairperson’s mailbox. Your church will be glad they sent you.) You will laugh; you will cry; you’ll be sorry when it’s over. You’ll be glad you came! Abe Bergen, for the Planning Committee

Weddings PLETT - FEHR: Marvin Plett, son of Stan and Margaret Orchyk of Steinbach, Man., was married to Kimberly, daughter of Peter and Viola Fehr. The wedding took place on March 21, 1998, at the Steinbach EMC, with Mel Koop officiating. The couple is making their home in Wetaskiwin, Alberta. UNGER - HIEBERT: Kelly, son of Cliff and Linda Unger of Steinbach, Man., was married on April 4, 1998, to Leanne, daughter of Abe and Meiry Hiebert of Mitchell, Man. The wedding took place at the Steinbach EMC, with Hans Rahn officiating. The couple is residing in Steinbach. BERGEN-FRIESEN: Jake, son of Henry and Justina Bergen of Alvinston, Ont., and Lydia, daughter of Ben and Helen Friesen of Aylmer, Ont., were married on March 28,1998. The wedding took place at the Mount Salem EMC, with Randy Fehr ofAylmer officiating. The couple is making their home in Aylmer. GRAHAM - McKAY: Chris Graham of Morden, Man., brother of Jake and Elaine Fteters of Stephenfield, Man., was married on June 5, 1998, to Shelley, daughter of Harold cind Julietta McKay of Morden. The wedding took place at the St. I^ul’s United

Church in Morden, with Jim Ftenhcde of Morden officiating. The couple is residing in Morden. NEUFELD - LOEWEN: John, son of Peter and Aganetha Neufeld, was married on June 6, 1998, to Netty, daughter of Isaak and Susanna Loewen, ftster Reimer of Leamington, Ontario, officiated. The couple is making their home in Leamington. NEUFELD - FAST: Ffeter, son of Mrs. Anna Neufeld, and Helen, daughter of Isaac cind Anna Fast, were married on June 14, 1998, with Peter Reimer of Leamington, Ont., officiating. The couple is residing in Leamington. WALL - HARDER: Joe, son of Jake and Susan Will of Aylmer, Ont., cind Netti, daughter of Abram and Elizabeth Harder of Aylmer were married in St. Thomas, Ont., on May 23, 1998. Wilbert Friesen officiated. The couple is making their home in Sparta, Ont. TERRICK-PENNER: John, son of Brian and Gladys Terrick of Steinbach, Man., weis married on June 6,1998, to Anita, daughter of Elden and Irene Ftenner of Blumenort, Man. The wedding took place at the Blumenort E. M. Church, with Barry Plett of Blumenort officiating. The couple is meiking their home in Blumenort PAGE 17

Betty Koop La Crete, Alberta

GERTRUDE They sat in the chapel of the funeral home, all seventeen of her children, numb, in shock, grieving. It could not be true that Mother was gone. But her open casket stood before them, and her workworn hands were quietly folded, at rest after more than eighty years of faithful service to her family and to her Lord. 1 sat beside one of her sons (my hus­ band), sharing the feeling of deep loss. My mother-in-law had seemed almost inde­ structible, so strong and courageous. Just a few days ago we had spoken briefly with her in the emergency room at St. Boniface Hospital, holding her cold hands in ours. She had been in severe pain. But, we felt, she would overcome this trial too, just as she had others in the past. As 1 reflected on her life, I thought. What made her such a special mother-in-law? In our world today being a mother-in-law seems to be a negative. A mother-in-law is often the butt of ugly jokes, someone who is known for interfering and caus­ ing trouble in the marriages of her off­ spring. How could 1 have been so fortu­ nate to have been blessed with one who was none of the above?

Dave Schcllenberg Steinbach, Manitoba

The annual convention is preceded by a meeting of the EMC ministerial. Ministe­ rial meetings in our conference have a long history. Maybe 1 should explain what the term ministerial meeting means — It is a peri­ odic gathering of EMC ministers and dea­ cons for the purpose of discussion and deciding on Conference business. For­ merly they were held very frequently, up to six times a year. Today this meeting takes place twice a year. Some church business, of course, has shifted to the Conference Council meeting. EMC ministerial meetings have gone through many changes in the last sixty years, especially in the last thirty years. Let me list some that come to mind: PAGE 18

With children, grandchildren, siblings and neighbours sharing their feelings and memories that evening, 1 added my words of gratitude for a woman who had accepted me and had made me feel spe­ cial and welcome. She was always giving. Rarely did we leave their home without a bag of fresh buns or cinnamon rolls. She seemed to have a genuine love for her daughtersin-law and showed it. Later one of her own daughters gave me another side to that story and, incidentally, presented Mom’s philosophy regarding her “in-law” children. It seems one Saturday when Mom had baked fresh buns, her older sons and their wives dropped in for brief visits. As each couple left. Mom gave each daughter-inlaw a bag of fresh buns to take along. The daughter who told me this story mentioned how her temper began to simmer as she saw the supply diminish­ ing. She had so looked forward to hav­ ing her share of Mom’s delicious baking, and it looked as if it would all be given away. Finally, when the last couple left, she expressed her frustration to her mother. “You are my daughter, and 1 will always have you,” Mom said. “But 1 need to show these new daughters that 1 love them too.” Part of the answer to what made her so special was also in how she had trained her sons (maybe her daughters too, but 1 am married to a son so 1 can’t speak from experience there!). One of the first things 1 noticed when 1 came into the family al-

as 1. Name change: Perhaps only those who know the German language can appreciate this. These sessions used to be called Dienersitzung (ministers’ meeting). Diener could be translated “servant” or “minister.” 2. Subject matter: A typical agenda in the 1950s and 60s could have a dozen items of discussion relating to our churches. The ministerial meeting of February 4, 1961, had twenty-seven items; the following one, April 5, had twenty-three. Some of these would likely have been reports only. This has changed in the last twenty or thirty years, and today the meet­ ings consist more of discussion papers than doing “church business.” 3. Age of participants: There are more

most thirty-five years ago was how her grown sons treated her with respect, love and honour. She did not seem to demand it but simply lived in such a way that she received it. It was good to observe. She also did not give advice easily, seek­ ing rather to affirm than criticize. In fact, 1 can remember only one instance of unasked-for advice: It was canning season. My parents were away, so 1 was to pick their peas and process them. Joanne, one of Glen’s younger sisters, was volunteered by her mom to help me with picking. We left for Landmark, driving down a very muddy road, with lots of loose gravel on the shoulders where it did no good. Once we ended up in that loose gravel, with the car sitting sideways, but man­ aged to stop just before the deep ditch could swallow us. We returned to my mother-in-law’s home to do the actual canning. 1 was a very new, inexperienced homemaker. 1 noticed Mom glancing anxiously in my direction as I carefully filled each jar to the very top. Then she broke her own rule! “It’s better to leave a bit of head­ room in the jar,” she finally said. “Other­ wise the jars will not seal properly, and the vegetables will spoil!” Great mo­ ment! My peas were canned properly, and 1 had the warm feeling of being ac­ cepted as one of her daughters. Since many of us are or will be mothers-in-law, it is good to have such a fine example to follow. And even if we are not in that position, her example of lov­ ing acceptance and sharing is an ideal one to follow in all our relationships.

younger people present than there used to be. (Or is it because 1 have grown older?) One reason for this might be that we are calling pastors who have been in Bible college instead of electing them from the congregation as we used to do. For us older ones this, of course, brings the problem of identification. Where 1 would have been able to name all the ministers at a ministerial meting, today 1 can probably name only half of them. 4. Spouses: This is probably one of the more significant changes. The wives of ministerial members are now present at ministerial meetings, thus swelling the numbers. 5. Attire: Casual dress is in at EMC min­ isterial meetings. Whether this has any overtones, 1 don’t know, but it seems to be the order of the day. 6. More participants: If a conference is healthy it will add churches through the years, and we have done so. In 1950 the Conference had five churches, all in south­ ern Manitoba. Today we have fifty-three churches spread from B.C. to Ontario. This brings an influx of attendees.

THE MESSENGER

Shoulder Tapping “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it” (1 Cor. 12:26). Why not suffer a bit with us by sending us one of your leaders — and then rejoice with us? The Northern Fellowship Chapel (EMC) needs a pastor. Part-time salary and modern housing provided. A trade, other train­ ing, or work experience is useful for other em­ ployment. Contact: Search Committee, Box 35, Creighton, SK SOP OAO. Call board member Deb Odegaard at 306-688-2996 or Conference Pas­ tor John Koop at 204-326-6401.

Inner City Youth Alive seeks a full-time personal development Instructor for its work-education program ASAP Responsibilities: instruction and supervision of personal-development curricu­ lum for work-education participants aged 1824; provide counselling to “at risk” youth (mostly aboriginal) in the program. Qualifications: ideally, a master’s level in counselling or psychology and experience. Pref­ erence to a qualified aboriginal. Salary: re­ quired to raise support. Contact: Kent Dueck, 418 Aberdeen Ave., Winnipeg, MB R2W 1V7. Phone: 204-582-8779, fax: 204-582-4729, e-mail: icya@aecc.escape.ca. La Crete Christian Fellowship (EMC) seeks a young Christian couple called of God to the youth and music ministry. Please tap, pray cind send their address to: Search Committee, La Crete Christian Fellowship (EMC), Box 385, La Crete, AB TOH 2H0 or call 403-928-3783.

Gospel Mennonite Church (EMMC) seeks a fulltime youth pastor to develop a ministry to Winnipeg’s inner-city youth. Position to begin September 15 or earlier. Deadline for resumes:

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Swift Current EMC seeks full-time youth/music pastor. Application deadline: September 15. Forward resumes to Gordon Klassen, 314 Cowie Crescent, Swift Current, SK S9H 4V3. For infor­ mation call Gord Klassen at 306-773-0148, John and Betty Fehr at 306-773-6976, or Marlene Friesen at 306-627-3679.

Mennonite Mutual Insurance Co. (Alberta) Ltd. has a career opportunity. It is a church-based mutual aid insurance organization, serving Mennonites throughout Alberta, offering a broad range of products and services, including prop­ erty and liability coverages for dwellings, farms, churches and commercial properties. The position will include training in prepara­ tion for inspections, promotion of loss preven­ tion, claims handling, commercial underwrit­ ing, communicating with policy holders, com-

pany personnel and others. The preferred applicant will identify with the Christian-Judeo ethic and company mission, exhibit a commitment to the mutual-aid concept, be self-motivated, possess strong inter-personal and communication skills, be capable of work­ ing within cin automated environment, and have completed a minimum of Grade 12. The successful applicant would be willing to pursue post-secondary education by way of in­ surance and other courses as needed. Farming and/or construction background would be an asset. This position offers a competitive salary and compensation package. Forward your resume with references to: Mennonite Mutual Insurance Co. (Alberta) Ltd., Attention: Larry L. Jantzi, 76 Skyline Crescent NE, Calgary, AB T2K 5X7. Phone: 403-275-6996, fax; 204-2753711, e-mail: mmiab@cadvision.com. The Seminole Christian School in Seminole, Texas, needs a teacher/principal to teach grades 1-12, beginning September 1. Contact: Willie Dueck (204-364-2335) or Glenn Plett (204364-2271).

COMING EVENTS

September 10-12

September 18-19

Winnipeg Prophecy Conference Calvary Temple Winnipeg, Manitoba

Promise Keepers Canada Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Kitchener, Ontario Phone:905-331-1830

Phone; 204-254-7843 September 17-19 Love Winnipeg ‘98 Christian Media Centre Winnipeg, Manitoba

I Wsnt to Know You! (continued from page 20) Those were the first words that I spoke to God. 1 addressed him, feeling a lot of shame and pain. I’d always denied that He existed, but now I needed Him, so 1 called to Him, say­ ing, “I have rejected you without knowing you; 1 never wanted to know about you. 1 don’t know where you are or what you are like, but 1 need you. Give me an opportunity to get to know you. “In my life I have found those who helped me to deny you, but nobody has come to talk to me about you. 1 want to know you, and now 1 call on you. If you really exist and are powerful, and if you heal the sick, I ask that you heal me, and that you forgive all the evil that is in me, and save me. If you grant me life, 1 will give myself to you in that instant.” After this prayer, I cried in repentance and with pain in my heart. The answer came to me — I began to hear sweet, soft, wonderful music, the sound of thousands of bells, ring­ ing together in harmony, with a harmonious musical note. I no longer felt pain; instead my mutilated body felt peace, joy and tranquillity. My body was no longer rigid and heavy; 1 felt light and was able to control my movements. What a marvellous miracle! When I woke up the next morning I appreciated the light of the new day as I never had before. God listened to my prayer and returned my life to me. In the midst of pain and ,UGUST 12, 1998

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August 25. Send cover letter and resume to: Wes Hildebrand, Search Committee, Gospel Mennonite Church, 232 Nassau Street, Winni­ peg, MB R3L 2H8. Fax: 204-287-2202, e-mail: Charwes@aol.com.

Phone: 204-488-2487

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October 4 Tri-Conference Songfest 7 p.m.. Prairie Rose EMC Landmark, Manitoba Phone: 204-355-4654

desperation, I found this marvellous person who changed my life completely — Jesus Christ. My vital signs returned, and my heart began to beat strongly. The doctors and paramedic personnel were surprised at such a sudden turnaround and recuperation. Two months later 1 was able to leave intensive care and return to my home. Incredible! 1 walked out of the hospital, and my head was better than before, because now it had been washed by the blood of the Lamb of God. Now I know that I have eternal life, and when I have problems I Ccin go to God, and He helps me solve them. Now I know that God loves me and is always with me. I give infinite thanks to God for having given me four years of life from the time of the accident. At the present time I work for the Lord and belong to a Mennonite church, where 1 have found many lovely brothers and sisters. I am in charge of evangelism and, together with others in my church, 1 tend to five areas in our community where we evangelize and disciple. It is the Lord who gives me the strength. Rosa Maria Carballo is part of The Good Shepherd Mennonite Church, Diriamba, which is part of the Fraternity of Eoangelical Mennonite Churches of Nicaragua, which the EMC has a relationship with. (Her testimony was translated by Lester Olfert.)

PAGE 19

ThePersgnM^^ ‘JUST A ROBOT’

I Want to Know You! Maria Carbaiio want to live. I wanted to take vengeance on myself, and I I LIVE IN THE CITY of Diriamba, in Nicaragua. I am a teacher, and I would like to share the marvellous miracles that Christ hated myself. So I took an overdose of medication, but I did not die. has done in my life. 1 went into a deep depression because I did not want to As a little girl I felt very much alone. Deep down I always felt an emptiness, and I was con­ continue living the life I was living. vinced that I wasn’t important to 1 couldn’t explain where I had failed, but my life continued that way — anyone and that no one loved me. being hurt and hurting others. (Now When 1 was fifteen, in my search for identity, I began to associate with I understand who kept me from dy­ a youth organization. I became a ing.) member and was soon a leader. When I was thirty 1 had a terrible accident in which I suffered severe There I learned to deny the exist­ head injuries. I was taken to the hos­ ence of God the Creator, and I taught other youth to also reject any pital in critical condition. In the op­ erating room the doctor said there relationship with this entity that was was nothing he could do and that I called God. I received a scholarship to study had only about seventy-two hours to live. communism, so I travelled to Eu­ My head was severely injured, rope, where I studied for two years. my skull was fractured, and three During these two years I felt very cheated, did not learn to appreciate days were all that I had left to live. But something strange was happen­ or value other people and began to ing in me — my mind was function­ hate even myself. ing, and I could think clearly, even When I returned to my country I though I could not move. realized that there were great differ­ I don’t know how long I re­ ences in what my parents believed mained this way or how much time and what I believed. One night there was an evangelistic campaign passed, but I was connected to a life support in the intensive care unit. near my home, which to me was the The pain was almost unbearable, most ridiculous thing that people and I felt that I was dying. Then I could be doing, and I remember heard a voice saying, “Her vital signs thinking that those people were re­ ally ignorant. However, I remember are disappearing.” It was the doc­ Rosa Maria Carballo and her daughter tor. one song that someone sang: This When I felt that my fight for life is the Christ that I preach, that He heals the sick and casts out de­ was in vain and that I had no mons. Momentarily, I listened to those words, but I quickly strength left, I began to think of my small children, that 1 put them out of my mind. wouldn’t see them again, and my heart trembled. At that I continued the routine of my life. I was now an important moment I remembered the words of the chorus that I heard twelve years earlier. Those words had never crossed my leader, but 1 felt that something was not right in my life, and mind since then, but at that moment they started echoing this doubt seemed to take a hold of me. I began to ask in my mind: This is the Christ that I preach, and I don’t get myself, Who am !? By this time I had cut off all family ties. tired of preaching of Him. He heals the sick. At times 1 felt that 1 was just a robot, filled with frustration fContinued on page 19) and meaninglessness, and I decided to end my life; I didn’t Do you have a story for The Personat Touch ? tt must be a true account (atthough names may be changed, if necessary) ittuslrating the Christian tife or character. Send your 700-uJord story and a photograph of yoursetf or suggestion for a story to the address betow. PAGE 20

THE MESSENGER Evangelical Mennonite Conference Box 1268, 440 Main Street Steinbach, MB ROA 2A0 Subsidy Reminder: Houe you giuen consent through your church?

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