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EVANGELICAL MENNONITE CONFERENCE VOLUME 38 NUMBER 2 JANUARY 26, 2000

Messenger editor

I Terry M. Smith

Inter-Church Dialogue is Important! INTER-CHURCH dialogue is threatening to some people, but it is a necessary, important step to reaffirm spiritual tmth and to speak to those offended by the seemingly fragmented image of the Christian Church. Recently The Messenger reported on an in ternational dialogue between Roman Catho lic and Mennonite church representatives. (The editor of the Mennonite Weekly Reniew spoke well of the process in an editorial on Novem ber 11, 1999.) News reports have come that the Roman Catholic and Lutheran churches recently signed a statement. On a shelf near me is a book that comes from a dialogue be tween Roman Catholics and Evangelicals. In the sixteenth century members of domi nant churches interrogated those in minority churches; if they didn’t like the answers, they had cmel and unusual ways of dealing with dissidents. This was not dialogue! Looking back, it was a shameful time for the wider church. What is significant is that Mennonites and Roman Catholics are talking about the shame. Modem dialogue could also bring out that oppression by one church group over an other is, sadly, still with us in places. As Mennonites, we need to enter into dia logue with other parts of the Church because of our stated commitment to the Scriptures and to community hermeneutic. We say that Scripture is our final authority and that it is best Interpreted within the community, not simply by scholars or church leaders. Saying that, how far are we willing to gather with others to listen to Scripture — in EMC, Mennonite, Evangeli cal, or wider circles? A compelling reason for dialogue is to fur ther the understanding of Scriptural tmth. Scripture is not a wax nose that can be twisted however we want. At the same time, princi ples of interpretation and the assumptions underlying them need to be open to examina tion. Recently, Dr. Archie Penner reminded us that divine tmth is so immense that we need various churches to present the whole of it “and even then it will not be enough....” In the previous issue of The Messenger, 1 re viewed a book by two members of the United Church. The review was both affirming and critical. Was that improper? Rather, 1 see it as part of the community hermeneutic at work. PAGE 2

When I sent a copy of the review to the pub lisher, I indicated I was willing to dialogue with EDITORIAL the authors about the book and the review. ASSISTANT My concern with some of the theology within Martha Kroeker THE MESSENGER is the the book does not take away from my indebt publication of the Evangelical edness to the church the writers are part of— Mennonite Conference. It is available to the general public. Its and my responsibility to care for it. is to inform, instruct and A significant reason for dialogue is to be light purpose inspire: inform concerning to the wider, searching human community. events and activities in the Some people are “put off ” by what they see as denomination; instruct in god liness and victorious living; the fragmented image of the Church. Tme, an inspire to earnestly contend for emphasis on the Christian Church’s fragmen the faith. Letters, articles, photos and tation is overdone; cooperative ministries of poems are welcomed. Unpub churches are common today. Besides, if there lished material is not returned were only one Christian church in a town, for except by request. The views and opinions expressed by the example, would people actually take its mes writers are their own and do not sage more seriously? (If people see the value necessarily represent the position Conference. in filling their cars with gas, they do it regard of the THE MESSENGER is pub less of whether there are one or twelve pumps lished twice a month (once a in town.) There are, though, people genuinely month in July and August) by the Board of Church Ministries offended by the fragmentation of today’s of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference, 440 Main Street, Church. Manitoba. Jesus did say, “May they be brought to com Steinbach, Subscriptions: $12.00 per year plete unity to let the world know that you sent (Manitoba residents add 7% PST, me and have loved them...” (John 17:23). Ar total: $12.84). Subscriptions are voluntary and optional to people guments of organizational (outer) versus spir within or outside of the EMC. itual (inner) unity miss the main point. Christ Members and adherents pay their church. says that the church needs to demonstrate through THE MESSENGER is a the reality of His message through its unity. On member of Meetinghouse and both the outer and inner aspects, we can dis Canadian Church Press. Second-class postage paid at play more unity than we do! Steinbach, Manitoba. Admittedly, dialogue can be threatening. If Publications Mail Registration No. 09914 dialogue means that the foundational beliefs Mailing information: All of the Christian faith are open to question correspondence, including (which is not my view of it), 1 share the con undelivered copies, change of and new subscriptions, cern about it. Further, dialogue on certain mat address should be addressed to: ters can be uncomfortable. The Messenger PO. Box 1268 On one level, inter-church dialogue is as com Steinbach, Manitoba mon as the average pastor’s library. Books by ROA2AO authors of many churches testily to the inter Phone: 204-326-6401 church dialogue many of us are involved in. Fax: 204-326-1613 The question, then, is not so much if we will E-mail: emconf@mts.net hold inter-church dialogues, but at what level’ Cover: Photos by Lester Olfert. how intentionally, and how well. He and Stan Plett travelled to NicaArchibald M. Hunter, a Church of Scotland ragua in December. Their obser-

scholar, likes the statement by R)[>e.John XXlll: nations are found on pages 6,7, and 16.

“Whenever 1 see a wall between Christians, 1 try to pull out a brick.” 1 enjoy the writings of MESSENGER SCHEDULE Hunter and the quote (as well as the life story) No. 4 - February 23 fr'r\r\\i Hiio Cohriiortz 111 (copy due February 11) No. 5 - March 8 Terry M. Smith (copy due February 25)

of John XXlll. The dialogue continues....

THE MESSENGER

When am I Going to Get a Real Job*? Chris Eidse

1 CAN REMEMBER clearly the first time 1 ever got paid for being in ministry. 1 was nineteen and had been through one year of Bible college. I was attending the Morris Praise and Worship Chapel and had accepted the job of parttime youth leader. 1 had little experience and had only turned my life around two years prior to this, but 1 loved the church and the youth and was eager to make a difference. One month after 1 started 1 was given a firm handshake and a cheque for one hundred dollars for the two events that 1 had planned. It was probably the smallest pay cheque that 1 had ever received, and yet at that point in my life it was by far the most significant. Being paid to do ministry was a novel concept for me. 1 had performed many jobs where 1 worked hard for my cheque but never like this. That was just the first of many pay cheques that 1 would receive for doing what 1 loved cind building into people’s lives by sharing Christ with them.

We raise our support The great thing about being involved in this ministry for the past six years is that every pay cheque is still very significant. Not only is it significant because Rebecca and 1 are getting to do full-time ministry but also because we raise most of our own financial support in our work with Inner City Youth Alive. 1 have heard many different opinions on the topic of personal support-raising ministries; I remember a comment of how these ministries were slowly going the way of the dinosaur and wouldn’t last much longer. Recently one of our staff members was asked when they

Chris and Rebecca Eidse have been working in Winnipeg's North End with inner City Youth Alive for the past 5 '/2 years. Chris coordinates the Drop-In and the Clubs programs. Th^r have a I '/2-year-old daughter, Hailey, and attend the Aberdeen EMC.

JANUARY 26, 2000

were going to get a real job cind stop asking for money. This is a mind-set that I have often seen (and even felt myself in tough times). The different attitudes on this topic and my close connection to it, prompted me to share five reasons why missionaries raising their own support need to be encouraged as they strive to work at not only a very real and legitimate job but actually two real jobs rolled into one.

Faith building The process of raising our own support has richly blessed Rebecca and me. It has never been easy, but this process has many benefits. One of them is that it is a faith building experience. In the past five years at Inner City Youth Alive, Rebecca and 1 have experienced many things that have tested and stretched our faith in God. 1 remember a camping trip where 1 caught youth with dmgs, broke up a fist fight, had two youth say that they would rather die in the wilderness than paddle another stroke in the canoe, and then throw one of our fishing rods into the lake. When the trip was finally over, I discovered that 1 had lost not only my sanity but my wallet as well. (Fortunately 1 found my wallet later at one of the youth’s houses.) In the past six years 1 have been sworn at, spit on, physically attacked, and had my car vandalized. I’ve had my car, wallet, jacket, and even my Bible stolen, but nothing has tested my faith more than having to raise support. Every month Rebecca and I have to rely on God to bring in the money so that we can pay the bills. Our faith is tested now more than ever as we bring up our daughter, Hailey. Raising support is a reminder that God is in control of our lives, and if we spend our time praying instead of worrying, God will supply our needs. Few things in life cause more stress than money, and 1 have honestly spent too much time worrying about it. Yet God continually reminds me that worrying is a waste of time and that He will take care of us by working in the lives of those whom He leads to support this ministry. Nothing has made me rely on God more than raising support. Giving people are praying people It is not always tme that the people who give are the people who pray, but every pay cheque we receive is a symbol of the people who stand alongside us in this tough ministry. We know from personal conversations that the people who support us on a regular basis are also people who pray regularly for us. The good thing about raising support is that it is not just financial support that we receive; the prayer support that we receive far outweighs the money that comes in. This ministry would not be where it is today without the prayer PAGES

For the people who are annoyed with missionaries always asking for support I would like to ask, how else can we expect to take care of the poor? Someone's got to pay for it, and It certainly won't be the poor people. support of the hundreds of people who support individual staff. The humble will be honoured Aren’t missionaries who raise their own support just glorified beggars? 1 obviously don’t think so, but there is no doubt about it, no matter how sold out you are on a particular cause, it does take a humble person to rely on others to get by. Making struggling financial needs clear to people is a humbling experience. Jesus said time and time again how the humble would be honoured, so 1 thank God for the humbling experiences that He has given me. 1 find humility a struggle, but raising support has brought me a long way. Thankfully this humbling experience of relying on others (especially when our support is low) brings rich blessings. Someone’s got to pay for it For the people who are annoyed with missionaries always asking for support 1 would like to ask, how else can we expect to take care of the poor? Someone’s got to pay for it, and it certainly won’t be the poor people. Shouldn’t government pay for it all? Well, unfortunately our government is not in in the habit of paying for ministry. And even if it were, wouldn’t it be the taxpayers paying the bill anyway? At Inner City Youth Alive the government won’t pay for the majority of what we do, and the people we work with

can’t afford to be given a bill for services rendered, so we’re left with the church. The great thing is that this is the exact model that Paul talks about in 1 Corinthians 9 - the church is clearly called to pay for missionaries and pastors. Growth made easier Having a policy that asks staff at ICYA to raise their own personal support has been one of the big contributors to the huge growth that we have seen in the past five years in this ministry. Staffing makes up the majority of our budget, and because that is taken care of by the individual staff, it makes the fundraising by the director for proramming and building costs a much more manageable task. Without personal support raising, growth would be stifled by a huge overhead to be raised solely by a few people. Staff raising their own support is a simple way to share the task of enabling a ministry to run. Although we don’t always say this, Rebecca and 1 thank God for the opportunity to raise part of our own support. It has done a lot to build our faith in Christ, and we hope that our supporters have been blessed as well by having the opportunity to be heavily involved in this important ministry. A big thank you goes to those individuals, churches (Morris Fellowship, Morris Praise and Worship, and Aberdeen EMC) and the Conference, who have recognized our ministry with Inner City Youth Alive as a very real and needed job.

* WE ARE ALL MISSIONARIES'

The Startling Name of ‘Missionary’ Lois Unrau I’VE BEEN CALLED a lot of things in my day, and here in Cairo, Egypt, especially, there seems to be an endless list. I’ve been called a Spice Girl, Lewinsky, Sophia Loren, “foreigner” or “import.” My nationality is guessed to be British, French, German, sometimes Egyptian, never Canadian. If 1 mention my Russian background, new acquaintances quickly agree they can see that in me. My name also gives rise to many opportunities for mispronunciation and misapplication. Others prefer to call me Louise, which 1 really don’t want to be called; besides, in Arabic this refers to the lymph nodes or glands. Considering that I’m teaching in a seminary and visiting local churches, 1 expected to be recognized as Timothy’s grandmother. However, the name that startles me most is missionary. PAGE 4

In conversation with the seminary board’s director, I felt chastened by his calling me a missionary. This was not his Intention, but it reminded me of who I am and that 1 need to be more responsible in it. He condoned the work and reputation of the Mennonites worldwide. A specific thing about Mennonites which he exhorted me to pass on indirectly in my contact with students, is the attitude of sacrifice and endurance. In carrying the cross there will be sacrifices to make, and we must be willing to make them. After having made the sacrifice we can’t whine and complain as we endure its consequences.

How to prepare for missionary work A goal in my coming to Egypt was to sacrifice the THE MESSENGER

comforts of home in order to draw nearer to God. I wanted to get rid of all those things that distracted me. There’s nothing grandiose or pious about living in a different culture. 1 thirsted for God, so 1 came here, but is He here only? That’s very elementary theology. My reaction was not noble. Instead of resisting the entrapments, 1 ran away from them; this is not true sacrifice. But here 1 am struggling with the same issues. 1 have to guard against accumulation of things or covetousness (even on an MCC allowance); 1 battle with my pride; and the dominant struggle is in resisting busyness. There’s always someone or something demanding time and energy, but at a calculated objective level 1 know that the most important thing for me to do is to spend quiet time alone with God. This is hard and takes discipline, but 1 really want it. 1 want to be like Joshua, who said, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Learning in a quiet place Adding to my faith self-control and perseverance (2 Peter 1:6) is what will help me through this quicksand of urgency, stress and pressure from outside. 1 think of the Kit Kat commercial, where a hectic pace is suddenly silenced when a person pulls out a bar and enjoys the chocolate. So maybe the key is not in mnning away but in withdrawing. Isn’t that precisely the word used for the times that Jesus left the crowds to pray? He withdrew. There in that quiet place 1 can learn the language of God. It’s not often heard in the world, so it’s hard for us to grasp; it takes study and practice, and even after acquiring some proficiency it can just as easily be lost through lack of use. It atrophies. Having passed through a lapse in my Arabic study, 1 sense a lot of similarities. 1 just missed one time, and then I was never quite ready the next time, and it snowballed. In the hiatus, no growth or improvement took place, just stagnation. When 1 finally re-started class it was so awful, and 1 was so rusty 1 wondered how 1 had ever enjoyed the classes in the first place. 1 would have despaired had my teacher not kindly and persistently told me he understood my feelings, that this would be very hard, but that 1 should press on. His kindness won me over eind gave me courage for the task. God is the same — He doesn’t scold but draws us to Himself and speaks His language to us. This drawing and this encouraging kindles a stronger desire within us, or at least it can. Here is where heart and character are needed. 1 have two classmates; one keeps belittling herself and telling herself that by now she shouldn’t be making these same dumb mistakes anymore. The second classmate keeps reminding himself, “1 really, really want to learn Arabic.” He makes the same simple mistakes. He has large dry spells but keeps hope alive. He never lets the riverbed dry up but maintains a flow. Even if it is extremely meagre, he won’t quit. Listening to and understanding God-language is rooted in this desire but must be accompanied by plain, old, hard work. Here again the Mennonite work heritage stands me in good stead. Tired or not, joyful or not, busy or not, 1 JANUARY 26. 2000

must continue to work at it — regardless. Although it is work, it doesn’t have to be tedious; take it easy on yourself and be a little creative in your withdrawal. In Arabic 1 don’t force myself into a single learning style, but 1 use all the sensory skills. Tapes are particularly effective and interesting. Likewise, during a dry spiritual time, 1 rely more heavily on tapes and other recorded music to revive my soul. Two more guidelines that can apply in both cases are to rejoice in any gains, no matter how small, and to make the most of every opportunity, no matter how insignificant. How to fulfill the call So I’ve been given a name, and the name carries with it certain obligations and responsibilities. We have looked at ways and means for preparing oneself to meet these obligations. Now let’s look at how they are fulfilled. We celebrated graduation at the Seminary, and now I am on holidays. Missionaries on holidays — is that an oxymoron? Are the terms mutually exclusive? What’s a missionary and what is work, after all? 1 was having a heated discussion with someone who was strongly opposed to evangelism but was more than willing to have me preach in his church. 1 always felt that evangelism was at the very heart of my missionary call, so when he cast aspersions on it, 1 rose in protest. From his past experience with evangelists he found them to be sheep stealers and fanatic fundamentalists trying to force people to be like them. Instead, what he wanted to see in us was preaching/ teaching, and the living of it. Makes sense!

A missionary on holidays? So when does a missionary go on holidays? Not long after this discussion, 1 found myself on holidays with four other missionaries and one pastor. We were at a seaside restaurant and had become good friends with our waiter. Yet when he announced to us that he liked to live life to the fullest because one never knows when death will come, not one of us spoke about real living and life after death. And like Pfeter, 1 was immediately filled with overwhelming remorse. What had happened to us? Did we only fulfill our calling according to the outline of our job descriptions? 1 think what happened on this occasion was that we didn’t fulfill our call because we had been negligent in our basic maintenance, and we had forgotten who we were. We are all missionaries who are called to live out and speak about the truth to a world dying in lies and ignorance. Lois Unrau is a member of the Steinbach EMC. She is currently an MCC volunteer in Egypt, teaching English at the Evangelical Coptic Seminary in Cairo.

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Temporary black plastic makeshift shelters are being replaced by cement block houses. A new house is being celebrated here (right). The efforts of the EMC and other churches have made a difference in Nicaragua after Hurricane Mitch. Many needs, though, are on-going.

Nicaragua: One Year Later Lester Olfert Foreign Secretary, EMC Board of Missions WHAT A DIFFERENCE a year can make! In December 1998 1 visited Nicaragua a few weeks after Hurricane Mitch. There was still widespread flooding, and many dis placed people were in refugee camps in black plastic shelters. Bridges were washed out and roads peppered with pot holes and washouts. People were recount ing the stories of terror and of God’s deliv erance. A year later, Stan Plett, chairman of the EMC Board of Missions, and 1 visited Nica ragua from December 7-21,1999. The 1999 rainy season was very heavy because of the tropical storms in the Caribbean re gion. Again there was flooding in many areas but nothing like last year. In some areas the crops were largely wiped out

agciin, but in others there were good crops. Consequently, there was much more op timism this year. Roads had been fixed and improved. Bridges had been repaired or were in the process; however, a couple of bridges un der constmction were severely damaged. New highways are being built. Many new commercial buildings have gone up this past year, especially in the capital city, Managua.

of rehabilitation. Agricultural diversification with better ecological farming methods is being implemented. Wells are being im proved to assure mral communities of a sanitary water supply. Homes are being relocated so that they will be out of dan ger by flooding. It was especially gratifying to visit the Nueua Vida (New Life) refugee camp, where close to two thousand families were relocated, and see the improve

ments in living conditions. Through the Needs are ongoing Many non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are still working hard at rebuild ing, restoration and prevention projects. MCC has increased its personnel in both Honduras and Nicaragua to direct projects

donations of members of the Missions Auxiliary, five houses have been built for single-parent families. The cement-block houses, about 20 by 20 feet, provide very basic shelter. Three thousand dollars paid for a tin roof, four walls with no partitions.

The Emergency Committee — Ramiro Moreno, Bayardo Blandon, Maria Calderon, Elizabeth Vado, and Ignacio Gutierrez — coordinated the relief efforts of the Fraternity Mennonite churches.

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Pastor Gregorio Calero stands with a mother, a daughter and her two children who will receive a new home through EMC/MCC; some families are being relocated to protect them from flooding. THE MESSENGER

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Maria Elena Malianos receives the key to her home from Maria Mercedes Centeno, a coordinator of the housing project.

Pastors Enrique Jaime and Gregorio Calero are involved in outreach. The horses and saddles were made possible by EMC donors.

two doors and four windows. The project was coordinated by Liset Reyes, a worker with CIVEMN (Integral Life Centre for Women and Children), a Nica raguan NGO, directed by Ana Maria Reyes de Blandon. (Both Liset and Ana Maria are connected with our sister churches, the Fraternity of Evangelical Mennonite Churches, FIEMN.) The rehabilitation projects carried out by CIVEMN also received support from the Presbyterian Church in Canada and Cross roads Christian Communication (100 Huntley Street). The Presbyterian Church provided funds for seven houses and a hundred latrines. Crossroads funded five hundred cement laundry washstands. Another ten duplexes are being built. Half of the funds are provided by Crossroads and half by the EMC Missions Auxiliary (MA). The MA has donated $25,897 for the housing project. Stan Plett and I visited each one of these families, who warmly expressed their grati tude for the assistance they had received. They said it would have taken them years of scrounging to be able to build some thing like they now had. Perhaps strangely, others said that the hurricane had actually been a blessing, because now they had a better house than before they were dis placed. We were impressed by the hard work of

the Emergency Committee of the FIEMN in carrying out assistance to those affected by the hurricane. The Emergency Com mittee extends heartfelt gratitude to the donors in the EMC for the $85,000 given for the EMC Hurricane Mitch emergency fund. It has enabled the church to help its own people, as well as those of the com munity. Food-for-work projects for the initial clean-up were coordinated. Farmers who had lost crops and farm animals were given assistance by providing seeds for the new crop year. Some students received scholarships to continue studies in university. Tin roofing was given to families to provide a dry shel ter at least for their bedrooms. A joint re location project has just begun with MCC, which will assist in relocating fifteen fami lies from flood-prone areas by providing clay-brick houses costing about $2850 each. In February an eight-month children’s nutrition program in six rural communities will be initiated. Three nutritious meals will be served to children from one to eight years of age. While working with hurricane relief, the churches have also been preaching the gospel. Several new outreaches have started this past year. The San Jose church has started regular services in two neigh bouring villages. In August, Bayardo and Ana Maria Blandon started a new church plant in Ciudad Sandino. They are now renting a property where they have ser vices. The Sunday we visited the church, ninety were in attendance. There was evi dence of the transforming power of God

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Graduates of the three-year program of the Mennonite Bible Institute are Francisca Azucena Calero, Korina Isabell Calero, Francisco Ariel Lara, and Evelyn de Jesus Vado.

JANUARY 26, 2000

Korina Isabell Calero receives her diploma from Pastor Ramiro Moreno at the fifth graduation exercises of the Mennonite Bible Institute. She travelled for six hours each weekend for three years.

On December 11 we were present at the fifth graduation exercises of the Saturday Bible Institute. Four young women and one man (an assistant pastor) graduated. Their theme was Christian Militants for a New Millennium. During our visit we were repeatedly chal lenged by the commitment and hard work of our sisters and brothers in Nicaragua. Some pastors and laypeople walk or ride horseback two or three hours, a couple of times a week, to conduct services in a neighbouring village. A Bible Institute stu dent travelled six hours every weekend for three years to attend classes. It’s a privilege to be partners in the gos pel with such servants of God. God is bless ing their faithful witness, and the church is growing! (More on page 16)

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at work in the lives of many individuals. The Living Rock church, the fifteenth church to be accepted into the FIEMN, is located 187 kilometres east of Managua. Il took us five hours in a 4 x 4 Mitsubishi to make the trip. Ten individuals have been baptized each year since the church started three years ago. This past year they built a church building. Though they are a young church, they have begun visiting two neighbouring communities, each about three hours away by horseback.

Ana Maria and Bayardo Blandon are the pastor couple of a new church plant (Monte Zion) in Cuidad Sandino, a suburb of Managua. (Photos by Lester Olfert)

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Henry Klassen Executive Secretary

EVANGELISM OR SOCIAL WORK? VERY OFTEN the impression is given that mission activities are classified ei ther as evangelism or social work. There are people and organizations who clearly separate these two ministries. Some say both are good but evange lism must receive priority. Did Christ make such a clear division? My understanding of the mission mandate Jesus gives His followers in Matthew 28:18-20 is that it clearly states that evangelism, the making of disci ples, is the primary task as His follow ers go into the world. Christ includes in the mandate a teaching component of equal importance. This means teach ing what Christ taught and modelled so that His followers will do what He taught and did. One important area of Christ’s teach-

ing by word and example was the re sponsibility to meet the social/human needs of people. In evangelism/church planting the followers of Jesus are re sponsible to follow this teaching as well as other teachings of Christ. During my tenure as executive secre tary of the EMC Board of Missions I have sensed a strong conviction from the Board that evangelism, the making of disciples, is the mandate that God has entrusted to us. The Board has also felt strongly that even though the mandate focuses on making disciples, it includes obedience to Christ in meeting social/ human needs. One should not be omit ted at the expense of the other. When 1 reflect on the history of EMC involvement in Latin America 1 realize that from the beginning on these three fields, Mexico, Paraguay, and Nicara gua, there has been a strong emphasis on evangelism/church planting within the context of social ministry, such as medical work, education and agricul ture. Many times the Board has re sponded to emergency relief and de velopment. Radio has been used for evangelism and Bible teaching, but also as an educational tool in health, educa tion and agricultural issues.

Another observation is that the Board has partnered with the local church on site in carrying out benevolent activi ties. This made it possible for the im poverished church in some areas to be able to carry out the teaching of Christ to meet social/human needs. These churches have also been an example to the church in Canada in the area of caring for people. I also note that the meeting of social/ human needs did not extend only to the church community. In the early days of EMC medical ministries in Nicaragua, the question was raised as to whether these ministries would only benefit the church. The conclusion and guidance given by the Conference Mission Advi sory Council was that entire communi ties should benefit. In conclusion, 1 recognize that we have not always done it perfectly. We have made mistakes, but we at tempted to do the best we knew at the time. Also, 1 want to affirm that the EMC Board of Missions continues to have as its focus to carry out the mandate of world evangelism, which includes meeting social/human needs of peo ple as Jesus did and taught.

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Gilbert Rempel

MISSIONS APPOINTMENT Gilbert Rempel has been accepted by the EMC Board of Missions for missionary service in Paraguay. He is a member of the Prairie Grove Fellowship Chapel, where he is an ordained minister. He was most recently employed at TEAM Land mark in Steinbach. Gilbert graduated from Steinbach Bible College with a Bachelor of Religious Stud ies in pastoral ministries. During 2000 he will be in Spanish language studies at Rio Grande Bible Institute and plans to leave for Paraguay at the beginning of 2001. PAGES

LEADERS COMMISSIONED Winnipeg, Man. (Braeside): Carl and Kathy Heppner have been called as our associate pastor couple. A formal com missioning service was held on Septem ber 12. The same Sunday we had a serv ice honouring long-serving deacons who were retiring (Elmer and Susan Loewen, Helen Friesen, Lome and Arlene Loewen), as well as welcoming new deacons into service. Bob and Betty Hartman and Chris and Carolynn Puhach were commissioned as deacons, and we look forward to their ministry. Sadly, another deacon who served for many years, Dave Goertzen, passed away due to cancer. His wife, Maryann, and family, as well as the extended church family, will dearly miss him. In late July, Boris and Teresa Alfaro re signed as workers in our Spanish minis try to take on a pastorate in Oregon. To assist Hernan and Landis Benitez in this ministry, Sergio and Carmen Rivas and Armando and Yolanda Figueroa, two families who were reached through this ministry, have committed themselves to serve. Within the Spanish ministry, the church has had the difficult task of say ing goodbye to several families who were denied refugee status. While this

has been discouraging, we have been encouraged by the continued interest from the Spanish community in this min istry. The senior high youth, known as Im age X, have had an exciting fall. In addi tion to weekly Bible studies and other activities, they had a mini-retreat at Win nipeg Beach and attended Impact ’99 at SBC. Our junior-high ministry. Nextwave, has also been very exciting, with weekly attendance of more than twenty church and community youth. On November 21 we welcomed Jim Kliever as he transferred his member ship. Jim has been a sponsor in our jun ior-high ministry for the past couple of years. Our pastor couple, Ron and Ruth Penner, are now officially grandparents, with the arrival of their first granddaugh ter in October and a second one in late November! We have been going through the “Natu ral Church Development” series to ex amine how we may become more ef fective as a church. We expect the re sults of this study to arrive in the New Year and look forward to the effect this may have on our church ministries. Carl and Kathy Heppner

THE MESSENGER

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Hilda and Wilbert Friesen received watches in appreciation for their ten years of ministry at the Mount Salem EMC.

PASTORAL COUPLES HONOURED Mount Salem, Ont.: During the past sum mer we said thank you and good-bye to two pastoral couples who have served our congregation well. For ten years our senior pastoral couple, Wilbert and Hilda Friesen, served us, and on August 29 we honoured them with words and gifts in an appreciation service. When the Friesens first came, they brought with them two sons, Patrick and Maury. They were a family full of love, joy and lots of laughter. Patrick and Maury fit right in with the youth, and some time later Dale (another son) and his wife, Charlene, moved here to help with the youth group. One by one the boys moved on to their own pursuits (school and mar riage) as Wilbert and Hilda continued to serve. Under the Friesens’ leadership and God’s guidance, the church grew and so did Wilbert and Hilda’s responsibilities. Many people’s lives have been touched, and

many have appreciated Wilbert’s involve ment and service — SEAN classes, bap tism classes, marriage counseling, Sunday school teaching, visitation, messages. Hilda was very involved with the Christian Day school, teaching Sunday school, and many other children’s and women’s min istries over the years. They were a source of wisdom, comfort, joy, friendship and love. We wish them God’s blessings in the future and sincerely thank them for their dedication and hard work at the Mount Salem EMC. We will miss you! On July 30 we held an appreciation night for youth pastors Randy and Gloria Fehr, and their children. Tiffany, Brittany, Jor dan and Kailey. The Fehrs were moving on to other ministries. In welcoming the Fehrs with their first two children into our church family about six years ago, it wasn’t long before we felt that Swift Current’s loss became our gain. As Jordan and Kailey joined the family.

The building committee gives the “church” to the congregation.

JANUARY 26, 2000

An appreciation night was held in July for Gloria and Randy Fehr and their family, Jordan, Brittany, Tiffany and Kailey.

we also learned to love them. Many of us anticipated what the future would bring as the Fehrs ministered to our young people. Randy and Gloria brought with them many spiritual gifts, and the youth were not disappointed in their en thusiasm and leadership. We soon discovered that Randy had a supercharged energy level, always ready to take up a challenge; often being the leader of a large youth group required these traits. Gloria blessed us with her musical talents in playing the piano and harp. She was willing to serve where pos sible with wisdom and sensitivity. Unfortunately, those years ended too quickly. Many lives have been changed and touched by their love for God, and that was very evident by the words people shared. We have an abundance of won derful memories of their time with us, and we thank them once more for their years of dedication and hard work. Tami Wall

THANKFUL FOR NEW BUILDING Morweena, Man.: When the Thanksgiving weekend rolled around this year, our congregation had more reasons than usual to give thanks. The weekend was hardly long enough to pack in all the celebrations. The celebrations took place in our new church building — a big reason to be thankful! Our growing numbers had meant that extra seating was needed on a regular basis, and we had been looking forward to an expanded facility for some time. The worship service started off with a lot of energy. Lyn Reimer led the worship team, which made good use of the new sound system. It was easy to give thanks in song with a large group of family and friends, some of whom had come a long way to be present at this weekend of Thanksgiving. The feature of our Sunday morning worship service was the baptism of six young people. It was a joy to hear their testimo nies. Some shared how they had realized they needed to be more dedicated in their relationship with God, while others had made a first-time commitment to God, all in the last year or PAGE 9

two. It is exciting to see the Lord at work in their lives. In the afternoon we met for a service of consecration for the new building. Con ference Pastor John Koop spoke at both the morning and afternoon services. Spe cial numbers were shared, including a fea ture by the students of Morweena Chris tian School. The students are also giving thanks for the new building, since a grow ing school population now uses the old one. Following the afternoon service, a light supper was served. The seniors were thankful that they did not have to climb stairs to get to the dining area, and the food committee appreciated the greatly improved kitchen facilities. An informal time of fellowship followed in the sanctu ary, giving us an opportunity to remember or learn some of Morweena’s history. The celebrations continued on Monday evening. Thanksgiving Day. A supper had been prepared, and many friends from the surrounding community joined us for the meal, which was followed by a program. Harvey Plett was present for this occasion and presented a dialogue with our pastor, Glenn Plett, as well as a message. Music was provided by the worship team; Lyn and Vi Reimer and their daughters, who are on the road with Gospel Echoes when they’re not in Morweena; and by a

Loreena Thiessen Winnipeg, MB

EAGLES MAY SOAR, BUT GEESE FLY FARTHER ONLY A FEW people have seen the bald eagle in the wild. But if I were to ask you to make a list of words to describe it, you would likely know they are fierce, powerful, swift and beautiful. The bald eagle has been admired since ancient times. The eagle has stood for the sun and the wind, thunder and lightning. Long ago, native Americans thought of the eagle as a brother. To them it was sacred. Today it is protected. This means that it cannot be hunted or any part of it taken as a souvenir, not even a feather. More than two hundred years ago the United States chose the bald eagle as its national bird. Its picture can be seen on U.S. stamps, on their passports, on quarters, and on its government seal. A government seal is like its signature. The bald eagle is created to live high above the ground. With its powerful wings it glides and soars on rising warm

PAGE 10

quartet. The program closed with a rib bon cutting, and the building committee symbolically gave the building to the con gregation by handing a model of the build ing to a group representing different church age groups (seniors, parents, col lege and career, youth and children). Our new building saw use before this weekend — a wedding and a regular Sun day service. It has continued to be well used — for an Interlake mission confer ence, a farewell potluck for two families, and for numerous other church-related ac tivities. Thank you to Shawnda Dueck for pro viding the details of the Monday night events and to Henry K. Plett for the pho tos.

Landmark, Man:

GOLDEN ANNIVERSARIES

............. *■_.................

Mildred and Ralph Reimer have been married for fifty years. Married on August 27, 1949, they celebrated this event on July 15.

Janet Hamm

The Thanksgiving display is surrounded by the baptismal candidates and our pastor: Glen Friesen, Matthew Plett, Judith Plett, Ramona Petkau, Larry Plett, Kenneth Friesen, and Pastor Glenn Plett.

air, called updrafts. Usually a pair of eagles mate for life. When they first meet they do a kind of sky dance. They chase each other through the air, diving, looping and spiraling. Sometimes they grasp each other’s claws and do cartwheels as they plunge toward the earth. At the last moment they let go, flap hard and fly high once again. Would you believe they play catch with rocks? As they sit high on the edge of a cliff, one eagle will scoop up a rock, fly down and quickly let it fall. The other eagle will leap off the cliff, dive under the rock and catch it, then bring it back to the cliff’s ledge. The eagle hunts from the air. Once its prey is spotted it dives to catch its din ner. Can you imagine a nest the size of your bedroom? That is the size of the eagle’s nest! The young eaglets live in this nest a hundred feet above ground for four months before they can fly. Like their parents, they too will spend most of their lives high in the sky. You will know the familiar V-shape of Canada geese returning to build their nests in Canada. By flying in the V-formation the whole flock is able to fly almost twice as far as one goose could manage alone. In the V-formation each goose finds flying easier. The air be-

Katie and Alvin Plett of Landmark celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in September. Harold Plett

hind each goose lifts the next one in line. The geese take turns leading. As they fly the long distance from the Gulf of Mexico to the Arctic, they honk to encourage each other. When a goose gets sick or is wounded while flying, two geese drop out of for mation and follow it down to help and protect it. They stay with it until it dies or is able to fly again. Then they join another flock or catch up with their own. Sometimes the Canada goose acts as a passenger plane for very small birds. The small birds hitch a ride tucked into the goose’s feathers for the long mi gration flight north to the nesting sites. The tiny ruby- throated hummingbird makes a 2000-miIe trip to raise its fam ily. It has been found riding nestled in the feathers of the Canada goose for that trip. We admire these birds for their abili ties, but they are very different. In much the same way, you are different from your friends. You are unique, or special, because of who you are and because of what you are able to do. In 1 Corinthians 4:6 and 7, Paul re minds us that God made each person different and gave each one different abilities. And each one of us has value because of who we are.

THE MESSENGER

John Koop Conference Pastor

COLD WATER, COFFEE, OR TEA? Jesus said, “And if anyone gives a cup of cold water to one of these little ones be cause he is my disciple, 1 tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward” (Mat thew 10:42).

WHEN STRANGERS walk into your church building on Sunday morning, will they get a warm greeting or a cold shoulder? Will you minister to their need, or force them to adapt to yours? Speaking to people in the hot, dry cli mate of Judea, Jesus says we are to give a cup of cold water. At times in Canada that’s appropriate too. But when it’s minus 30 and the wind is howling, will a stranger (I prefer “newcomer”) prefer a hot cup of coffee or tea? They might also have other needs that have caused them to arrive Sun day morning - needs they might hesitate to share with strangers. Your kindness can help them on their journey as individuals and in becoming part of the church. As a minister for thirty years. I’ve gotten used to visiting churches where I’m a stranger. I have to remember how scary it is for many people to visit a strange church! Reg Bibby tells of a minister who decided to visit a church of a different congrega tion and grew nervous enough to perspire: “1 didn’t know what was expected of me or what they actually do!” The minister sat at the back, began to relax, and was relieved to slip out of the service anonymously. “The experience gave me a whole new appreciation for what people who don’t attend church much must go through on a Sunday morn ing,” the minister said. “It’s pretty tough to

do it all alone. Who needs all that anxiety on the day of rest?” The thoughts of a newcomer could be. Will the people notice me or ignore me? Will they embarrass me by having me stand up and give my name? What if they ask for my phone number too? Will I know when to stand or to sit when they sing and pray? Newcomers need to be gently noticed without a spotlight being shone on them. Imagine your family is dining at a restau rant. Partway through the meal the restau rant manager comes out, gets everyone’s attention, and then invites your family to stand so he can introduce you. How would that make most of us feel(particularly a teenager)? Check for “insider’s” language used dur ing the service, and avoid it. When an nouncements are given, do you assume that everyone will know what Keenager means and to whom it applies? If your con gregation has children’s church, is it clearly announced what ages are included and where in the building the children will be? Insider’s language reinforces a sense of who is “in” and who is “out.” Usually it builds a wall instead of a bridge. Give new comers the information they need to hear in language they will understand. Kindness to a stranger — a “cup of cold water” — is shown when people are made to feel welcome. It’s more effective when it is shown by more than one person. If you are the first to greet newcomers, in troduce yourself and see if they are living in the community. Then introduce them to another church member of the same gender. Encourage greeters to quietly in troduce a visitor to another person. The more connections people develop, the more likely they will consider the church friendly and worth being part of. Kindness to a stranger on Sunday morn ing is one way of literally fulfilling Jesus’ words. The reward will follow. Jesus said, “1 was a stranger and you invited me in” (Matthew 25:35).

Attention alumni & friends of STEINBACH CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL 50th Anniversary Celebrations!

May 12-13, 2000 Variety of events planned for the entire family Lodging and childcare available Friday evening banquet featuring guest speaker: Executive Director Randy Steinwand - Youth For Christ Canada Saturday activities for all ages with an evening concert at EEFree Church - Alumni mass choir - Individual performances fVatch for registration package in February Steinbach Chriitian High Schooi P.O. Box 1420, Steinbach, MB ROA 2A0 Phone. 204-326-3537 Fax 326-6908 E-mail: »chi@sbcollegc.mb.ca

M MENNONITE FOUNDAimN

A Foundation Like No Other Mennonite Foundation of Canada - 1973-1998

PENNER - to Murray and Debbie Penner of Steinbach, Man., twin sons, Ryan John and Justin John, on September 25, 1999. WIEBE - to Rod and Evie Wiebe of Grunthetl, Man., a daughter, Katrina Madelyn, on September 23, 1999. DOERKSEN - to Garth and Mary-anna Doerksen of Winkler, Man., a daughter, Madeleine Denae Anneke, on April 25, 1999. DYCK - to Abe and Maria Dyck of Vienna, Ont., a daughter. Felicity Michelle, on October 3, 1999.

KRAHN - to Pete and Sue Krahn of Aylmer, Ont., a daughter. Alexia Shaye, on October 12, 1999.

JANUARY 26, 2000

FROESE - to Abe and Nettie Froese of Aylmer, Ont., a daughter, Alicia Breanne, on October 13, 1999. FROESE - to Jim and Mary Froese of Aylmer, Ont., a daughter, Kendra Raquelle, on November 27, 1999.

REIMER - to Harold and Lisa Reimer of Arborg, Man., a daughter, Denise Chantelle, on December 12, 1999. BARKMAN - to Glen and Carol Barkman of Riverton, Man., a daughter, Courtney Marissa, on December 25, 1999.

This 176-page illustrated book chronicles the development and first 25 years of Mennonite Foundation of Canada’s stewardship services.

$15 per copy postpaid To order call our Winnipeg office: 204-488-1985 1-800-772-3257 PAGE 11

QL'eddtngs

home in Aylmer.

BERGEN - STADNYK: Mark, son of Comie and Irene Bergen, and Tracy, daughter of Sylvester and Linda Stadnyk, were married at the Ridgewood EMC on November 13, 1999. Ralph Unger officiated. The couple lives in Steinbach. BOURGET - FRIESEN: Michael, son of Mr. and Mrs. Keith Bourget of Saskatoon, Sask., and Coral, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Allan Friesen of Bowsman, Man., were married on November 12, 1999. The wedding took place at the Community Bible Fellowship in Swan River, Man., with John Reimer officiating. The couple lives in Bowsman. WALL - JANZEN: Henry, son of Henry and Anna Wall of Aylmer, Ont., was married on October 16, 1999, to Judi Janzen of Aylmer. The wedding took place in Aylmer, with Randy Fehr officiating. The couple is residing in Aylmer.

STEINHILBER - FRIESEN: Dan, son of Sig and Angie Steinhilber of Winnipeg, Man., and Corallee, daughter of Henry and Erna Friesen of Beausejour, Man., were married on December 18, 1999. The wedding took place at the Oakbank Baptist Church, with Doug Bittie officiating. The couple lives in Winnipeg. PLETT - GRANTHAM: Darcy, son of John and Sara Plett of Fisher Branch, Man., and Mandy, daughter of Dale and Belinda Grantham of Lorette, Man., were married in Landmark on February 6, 1999. Darnell Plett and James Thiessen officiated. The couple lives in Fisher Branch.

NEUFELD - PIERCE: Abe, son of Peter and Anna Neufeld of Aylmer, Ont., and Sheryl Sue Pierce, daughter of Dave and Marlene Lewis of Covington, Illinois, were married at Ridge Farm, Illinois, on September 18, 1999. They are living in Aylmer.

FRIESEN - BERGEN: Jim, son of Ben and Helena Friesen of Aylmer, Ont., was married on October 2, 1999, to Helen, daughter of Henry and Justina Bergen of Texas. The wedding took place at the Mount Salem EMC with Randy Fehr officiating. The couple is making their

Did you notice the date change for theU. ofM. luncheon?

WINNIPEG MENNONITE ELEMENTAKY SCHOOLS INC. Committed io excellence in providing quality, Christ-centred education integrating faith and life within a caring school community.

SBC LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE Marcit^

Spirituality

17-18.^

p’

llil * *

Christian Leadership

speaker: James Houston, Professor • Regent College Time: Friday, 7:00 p.m. to Saturday, 3:30 p.m. Cost: 820 single/835 couple (includes Saturday lunch) Place: Steinbach Bible College CHAPEL Registration deadline: March 6, 2000 Call SBC 204-326-6451 or 1-800-230-8478 www.SBCollege.mb.ca • info(ffiSBCollege.mb.ca

Student Culture: Extreme? Yes. Hopeless? No.

* Grades K-8 Dedicated, professional staff French, German and Music Bus transportation available Up-to-date computer lab

Trrdn up a chad... Pmirbt 22.-S

Infonnation Evening, Tuesday, February 1 at 7 pm. (both sites) >

Spring Banquet, Saturday, Mar^ 18 at 6:30 pm. Bethel Mennonite Church

2« Agauiz Drive Winnipeg, MB R3T 2K7 Phone: (204) 281-9637

250 Bedson Street Winnipeg, MB R3K 1R7 Phone: (204)885-1032

wmes^mbneLmb.ca http://www.mbnetrab.ca/-wme4

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

How do we impact our generation of students for Christ?

The EMC Leadership Retreat is planned for Camp Arnes, Manitoba,

EMC Post-Secondary Students Luncheon

March 3-5, 2000!

Tuesday, February 8,^ 2000 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!

Walking the Tightrope! Resource People: Abe and Helen Block Lethbridge, Alberta

Pastors, ministers, deacons, and elders and spouses will be swarming with vigour and enthusiasm! MARCH

• You will laugh. For more information, contact Gerald at 204-326-6401, Ed at 204-326-1644, or e-mail: emconf(@mts.net Sponsored by the EMC Board of Church Ministries

• You will cry. • You 'll be sorry when it's over. • You 'll be glad you came!

_______ 2000 W

1 2 BQ 8 9 10 11

12 19 26

13 14 15 16 17 18 20 21 22 23 24 25 27 28 29 30 31 -

• Your church will be glad they sent you. • Deadline extended to Feb. 20th. Abe Bergen, for the Planning Committee

PAGE 12

THE MESSENGER

La Crete Christian Fellowship Church is pres ently looking for a youth pastor to begin in July 2000. Candidates should have a love for youth, have some experience in youth leader ship, be willing to teach and be self-motivated. Is this you? La Crete is a predominantly Mennonite com munity with a population of about 6000, which includes the surrounding farming area. The LCCF has an average worship attendance of about 400, and a youth group which runs up to 40 people. The LCCF is a member church of the Evan gelical Mennonite Conference. If you feel God is calling you, we’d like to hear from you. Please contact the pastoral search committee chairman, Peter Fehr, Box 385, La Crete, Al berta TOH 2R0 or leave a phone message at 780-928-2045. Prayer is requested as the Taber EMC, with a Sunday morning attendance of around 80, looks for a full-time pastor to begin in the spring 2000. Candidates should have some pastoral experience and be fluent in Low German. The church and the EMC Board of Missions take joint re sponsibility for hiring the pastor. Candi dates can write to Dave Thiessen, Taber EMC board chairman, 5004-45 Ave., Taber, AB TIG 1A8, or phone him at 403223-2240. The EMC Conference Pastor, John Koop, can also be contacted.

The Northern Fellowship Chapel (EMC) in Creighton, Sask. (pop. 1700), near Flin Flon, Man. (pop. 7500), seeks a pastor gifted in outreach with a vision for the future; the worker would also direct a local CSSM Bible camp part-time. Salary and housing package worked out with church in consultation with the EMC Board of Missions and CSSM. Information pack age sent on request. Applicants are to be well grounded spiritually and personally. Contact: Search Committee, Box 35, Creighton, SK SOP OAO. Call board member Deb Odegaard at 306-688-2996, EMC Conference Pastor John Koop, or CSSM Manitoba director Dean Davidson at 204-667-8311. EMC ministry opportunities in Mexico. A youth worker is needed to work in the Spanish churches. Duties include discipling youth and training/mentoring youth leaders. A pastor for a long-term (2 to 3 years) ministry is needed for a new Low German-speaking church in Oasis in the state of Chihuahua. Contact Lester Olfert or other missions staff (Henry Klassen, John Koop).

EMC ministry opportunities in Peiraguay. Church minisb^ workers are needed to follow up con tacts, disciple new believers and train for lead ership. Church organizational skills are an as set. Involvement would be within mral and ur ban settings. Contact Lester Olfert or other mis sions Steiff (Henry Klassen, John Koop). Vanderhoof Christian Fellowship (EMC) invites applications for a youth pastor. If interested, please contact the search committee: Ron Penner at 250-567-9983 or Lindsay Janzen at JANUARY 26. 2000

250-567-4905.

Senior pastor position available at the Mount Salem EMC in Aylmer, Ont. The congregation is younger, and the Sunday morning attendcince is 350. Duties are to begin early spring 2000. Con tact Arnold Loewen at 519-773-2728 (phone and fax) or George Krahn at 519-773-5061 or write f^storal Search Committee, Mount Salem EMC, R.R.6, Aylmer, Ontario N5H 2R5. The Rest Haven Nursing Home in Steinbach, Man., invites applications for the position of volunteer coordinator on a volunteer basis. Responsibilities include recruiting volunteers and assisting the director of recreation serv ices in management/coordination of volunteers. A job description is available upon request. Call Peter Enns at 204-326-2206, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Needed for March 2000: a senior pastor for the Rosenort Evangelical Mennonite Church. The church has an active membership of 250. Pastoral qualifications will include an engag ing preaching style, an evangelistic outlook, strong visitation skills, and sound doctrine. Pre vious pastoral experience is an asset. There is cin opportunity to work with a youth pastor and a multiple lay ministry. A resume, including a doctrinal statement, is requested. An informa tion packet is available from the search com mittee chairman Larry Eidse, Box 218, Rosenort, Man. ROG IWO. Phone: 204-7468422 (home) or 204-746-8355 (work). Fax: 204746-2069. Mennonite Central Committee British Colum bia seeks applications for the position of ex ecutive director. The executive director is the chief executive officer of MCC BC. All appli cants must exhibit a commitment to a personal Christian faith and discipleship, active mem bership in a Mennonite or Brethren in Christ church, and nonviolent peacemaking. The Search Committee will begin reviewing appli cations after February 28, 2000, until the posi tion is filled. Please direct applications and in quiries to Mark Charlton, Executive Director Search Committee, c/o Mennonite Central Com mittee BC, Box 2038, 31414 Marshall Rd., Abbotsford, B.C. V2T 3T8, Fax: 604-850-8734, phone: 604-855-3491, E-mail: chartton@twv.ca

Second Mile peace curriculum is seeking a graphic designer to work on a contract basis. Responsibilities include design and layout for all components. Bulk of work will be in fall 2000, and some in summer 2001. Applicants are to submit a portfolio. Short-listed applicants will be asked to provide a sample design. Contact Doug Krehbiel at 316-283-5100 or dougk@gcmc.org Second Mile materials will help congregations proclaim and be signs of Christ’s peace in a broken world. MCC BC is seeking an executive director. The director is the chief executive officer. Appli cants must exhibit a commitment to a personal Christian faith and discipleship, active mem bership in a Mennonite or Brethren in Christ

Church, and nonviolent peacemaking. The search committee will begin reviewing appli cations after February 28 until the position is filled. Direct inquiries and applications to Mark Charlton, Executive Director Search Commit tee, c/o MCC BC Box 2038, 31414 Marshall Road, Abbotsford, BC V2T 3T8. Phone: 604855-3491. Fax: 604-850-8734. E-mail: charlton@twu.ca

MCC Canada invites applications for its 2000/ 2001 youth internship program (YIP). YIP places Canadian college and university gradu ates in 12-month assignments (beginning in August 2000) in their field of study. YIP assign ments include human rights research in Haiti and the Philippines, conflict resolution in South Africa, counselling and social work in Zimba bwe, marketing and craft production in Cairo, refugee support work in Cairo and Zambia. Applicants must have completed a univer sity degree or college diploma by August 2000; be un/underemployed, or not working in their career field; be under 30 years of age; have a desire to serve overseas and a clear sense of career direction; have a commitment to Chris tian faith, active church membership, and non violent peacemaking. Inquiries and requests for applications can be directed to MCC provincial offices (1-888622-6337) or to Chris Derksen Hiebert, YIP coordinator, at 519-699-9282 or E-mail chrisdh@web.net Deadline for application is March 31, but apply ASAP YIP is funded with a grant from the Canadian International Devel opment Agency.

The E.M. Conference invites applications for the position of

Conference Pastor Responsibilities include: Pastoral responsibilities with the Board of Ministers and Deacons. This involves pro viding oversight of and support to established churches and church leadership in Canada.

Canadian Secretary duties with the Board of Missions. This involves providing over sight and support to churches, and workers within churches, classified as plants or sub sidized works in Canada. Duties are to begin July 2000. For a more detailed job description, or to submit a resume with a cover letter, please contact: Ron Penner Search Committee Co-chairman 1011 Munroe Ave. Winnipeg, Man. R2K 1J7 Phone: 204-667-3790 Fax: 204-255-9062 PAGE 13

Jan. 13, May 26, Sept. 22, Nov. 17 Portage Feb. 10, Mar. 10, Oct. 6 Prairie Grove Jan. 13, Sept. 8 Jan. 27, Mar. 24, May 5, Prairie Rose June 23, Sept. 22, Oct. 6, Oct. 20, Dec. 1 Riverton Jan. 13, Nov. 17 Jan. 13, Feb. 24, Mar. 24, Roseisle Aug. 19, Dec. 1 Rosenort Jan. 27, May 5, Aug. 19, Rosenort Fellowship Jan. 13, Oct. 6, Dec. 15 St. Vital Apr. 21, Sept. 22 Steinbach Feb. 10, Apr. 21, Sept. 22 Steinbach EFC Sept. 8, Dec. 15 Stony Brook Mar. 10, May 26, June 23, Aug. 19, Oct. 20, Dec. 15 Straffordville Feb. 10, Apr. 21, Sept. 8 Swan River Mar. 10, Sept. 8 Swift Current Mar. 10, June 23, Oct. 6, Nov. 3 Taber May 5, Dec. 15 Wymark Mar. 24 Pelly

LATE-BREAKING NEWS! E. M. Conference Preliminary Financial Report for 1999 Following is a preliminary report on the financial receipts and disbursements for 1999 and a comparison with 1998: 1999 1998 Budget $1,473,650 $1,452,950 Receipts 1,458.377 1,384.015 15,273 68,935 Disbursements $1,404,675 $1,411,836

We thank the constituency for your faithful giving in 1999. Your giving has more than covered the disbursements. We praise God for this. This is an encourage ment as we start 2000. Your continued faithful giving will make it possible to reach the objective of $1,560,000 set by the Conference Council in December 1999. May each one experience a blessed year 2000. EMC Board of Trustees

CHURCH PROFILES Sioux Valley

ARTICLES The Psalms of Lament, Lome W. Friesen Jan. 13 When I Don't Know What to Do, John Rempel Jan. 13 Examining the “Cultural” Argument, Dave Wiebe Jan. 27 New Life and Hope After Hurricane Mitch, Lester Olfert Jan. 27 Why Do We Weep? Liz Lewis Feb. 10 This is the way - Walk in it! Marian Houghton Feb. 10 Y2K Fear Year 2000, Terry Hiebert Feb. 24 Veils, Kisses and Biblical Commands, Craig Keener Feb. 24 Did Jesus Have a Job? Darrell J. Noakes Mar. 10 One Sacrifice is Enough! Arden Thiessen Mar. 24 To Such Belongs the Kingdom! Apr. 7 Archie Penner Evangelicalism and the Mennonite Tradition (Part 1), Ronald J. Sider Apr. 21 Evangelicalism and the Mennonite Tradition (Part 2), Ronald J. Sider Mays War and Pacifism, Dave Schrock-Shenk Mays The Care and Feeding of Shepherds, Richard F. Studebaker May 26 I Watch Him, and Hoe! Ben B. Dueck May 26 Characteristics of a Godly Father, Jeff Plett June 9 Service in Dominican ‘Experience of a Lifetime,’ Ang Penner June 9 A Simple Love Story, Don Boddy June 23 What is Your Mission as a Church? Vern Heidebrecht July 21 What Do You Value as a Church? Vern Heidebrecht Aug. 18 What Will Renewal Look Like? Vern Heidebrecht Sept. 8 I'm a Person, not an MK! Josiah Thiessen Sept. 8 Fainting to the tune of Amazing Grace,' James R. Krabill Sept. 22 Many Changes, One Unchanging Father! Marian Houghton Oct. 6 Every Hour, Every Minute, Every Second, Chris Puhach Oct. 20 Will compassion greet the new Boat People? Carol Thiessen Oct. 20 From Bosnia to Boissevain, Carol Thiessen Oct. 20 Nov. 3 What will our legacy be? Steven Friesen

PAGE 14

The Power of an Unspecific Prayer, Mel Friesen Nov. 17 Growing and Building, Marian Houghton Dec. 1 The Sacredness of a Child’s Life, Ken Gire Dec. 1 On Birth and New Life, Jim Cessna Dec. 15 Alone? Yes. Lonely? Hardly. Menno Hamm Dec. 15

BORDER CROSSINGS A Royal Welcome Watch Your Step! Behind Bars One Language, Or Two? Into Mexico and Back Permission to Enter BY THE WAY Jan. 13 Feb. 10 May S June 9 Oct. 6 Nov. 3

CHURCH NEWS Aberdeen

Feb. 24 Mar. 24 May 5 June 23 Oct. 20 Nov. 17

Mar. 24 July 21 Dec.1

Apr. 7 Sept. 8

Jan. 13, Jan. 27, June 9, Dec. 15 Anola May 5 Birch River Mar. 10 Blumenort Sept. 8 Braeside Feb. 24 Brandon May 5, Aug. 19 Calgary (Abbeydale) May 26, Aug. 19, Oct. 6 Calgary (Fish Creek) May 26 Creighton Feb. 10, Feb. 24, Oct. 20 Crestview Jan. 27, Mar. 24, Oct. 6 Endeavour Aug. 19, Oct. 6, Dec. 15 Fort Frances May 26, Sept. 8 Fort Garry May 26, Sept. 22 Jan. 27, Oct. 6 Grande Prairie Hudson Bay Oct. 6 Kleefeld Mar. 10, Sept. 22 Kola Feb. 10, Apr. 21, June 23, Oct. 20, Dec. 1 Mar. 10, Mar. 24 La Crete Leamington Mar. 24, June 23 MacGregor May 26, Nov. 3 Morris Aug. 19, Oct. 20 Mount Salem Jan. 13, Feb. 24, Mar. 24, Aug. 19, Sept. 22 Pansy Mar. 24

Apr. 7

EDITORIALS ‘God Has Blessed Us’ Bringing Hope to People Labels and Libels Keeping Me Honest Rethinking ‘Christian’ Service An Interrupted Funeral ‘Weak or Inadequate...Faith’ Notice the Common Ground? Kosovo and Khristos We’re Missing a Celebration! Curl Up Under a Corner! The Church Has a Good Future! The Rabbi and the Monk Crisis and Quietness Missions, Mistakes and Christ Keeping our Conscience Sensitive Hogs and Heaven Thanksgiving for NFC and EFC Reg Bibby: A Needed Burr A Call to Nuclear Pacifism Good Morning, Mr. Editor Emeritus! Sometimes ‘It Depends...’ May Christ Be Glorified!

Jan. 13 Jan. 27 Feb. 10 Feb. 24 Mar. 10 Mar. 24 Apr. 7 Apr. 21 Apr. 21 May 5 May 26 June 9 June 23 July 21 Aug. 18 Sept. 8 Sept. 22 Oct. 6 Oct. 20 Nov. 3 Nov. 17 Dec. 1 Dec. 15

GENERATIONS Prayer in School

Oct. 6

KIDS' CORNER Does God Protect You? Hey Kids! Do You Have a Dream?

Nov. 17 Dec. 15

LEHERS Towards Keeping Peace, Henry Dyck Jan. 13 More than Guidelines. Orville Kehler Jan. 13 ‘Pecking Order' Changed. Agatha Rempel Jan. 13 Pastoral Qualifications, John Knelsen Jan. 27 Let’s Follow God’s Way, Elizabeth Reimer Feb. 10 Does Truth Change? Betty Loewen Feb. 10 Don’t Stall Too Long! Rosabel Fast Feb. 10 Three Issues, Henry Friesen Feb. 24 Argument Lacks Self-awareness, John Friesen Feb. 24 Games, Joanna Budala Feb. 24 Gifts and Witness, Deb Odegaard Mar. 10 Many Opportunities, Edna Wiebe Mar. 10 An Appeal for Intercession, Gladwin Plett Mar. 10 Statement Corrected, Rick Zerbe Cornelsen Mar. 24 Who Sets the Standards? Wally Doerksen Mar. 24 THE MESSENGER

Letter to Conference, Anola Fellowship Chapel Let’s Use Our God-given Gifts, Ron Dueck Augustine’s Hermeneutic, Henry Friesen The Real Question, Melanie Penner How Many Are Needed? Harold Plett Context and Meaning, Bruce Penner Pray for Refugee Applicants, Ron Penner Blessings in Witnessing, John Reimer Thankful for Freedom. Margaret Dueck Guns and Prayer. Bernie Brandt Bahamas - A Timely Response. Abe Reddekopp MCC/WORLD BYTES Jan. 27 Mar. 10 June 9 June 23 Dec. 1

Apr. 21 Aug. 18

MISSIONARY DEPARTURES Panama: Garry and Cynthia Barkman Mexico: Peter and Louise Hiebert Paraguay: Erna Plett Africa: Loren and Beth Koehler Africa: John and Charity Schellenberg Africa: Evelyn Barkman Africa: Joe and Olga Reimer

MISSIONS Mexico: Grace Thiessen Winnipeg: Hernan and Landis Benitez Winnipeg: Chris Eidse Mexico: CatherineThiessen Paraguay: Ernest Funk Mexico: Peter and Anne Kroeker Austria: Ernie Penner Thompson: Bill and Anna Penner Mexico: Peter and Kathy Friesen Mexico: Diane Koop Canada: Marvin Thiessen Paraguay: Chris Kroeker Kenya: Al and Robyn Thiessen Mexico: Alvira Friesen Arizona: Phil Koop Nicaragua: Frank Friesen Winnipeg: Flo Friesen Mexico: George Remple Burkina Faso: Elvira Hamm Ethiopia: Angela Friesen Paraguay: Tony Driedger Mexico: Peter and Louise Hiebert Paraguay: Erna Plett Mexico: Cathy Thiessen Florida: Dave Sharp Paraguay: Doris Friesen Egypt: Lois Unrau Missionary Fellowship Jake and Bertha Kroeker Honoured Papua New Guinea: Tim and Laurel Schroder Mexico: Diane Koop Kansas: Betty and Leonard Barkman Germany: Danny Plett Germany: Gordon Skopnik Austria: Ron Poffenroth Egypt: Lois Unrau Papua New Guinea: Frances Fast Mexico: Diane Koop Asia: Calvin Tiessen Alberta: Arlyn van Enns Panama: Cynthia Barkman Venezuela: Donna Barkman Bahamas: Darren Plett Paraguay: Chris Kroeker Philippines: Vivian Loewen Mexico: Grace Thiessen

JANUARY 26, 2000

Mar. 24 Apr. 7 Apr. 21 May 26 May 26 June 9 July 21 July 21 Sept. 8 Sept. 8 Dec. 15

May 5 Sept. 22

Aug. 19 Aug. 19 Aug. 19 Sept. 8 Sept. 8 Oct. 6 Dec. 1

Jan. 13 Jan. 27 Jan. 27 Jan. 27 Feb. 10 Feb. 10 Feb. 10 Feb. 10 Feb. 10 Feb. 24 Feb. 24 Mar. 10 Mar. 24 Mar. 24 Mar. 24 Apr. 21 Apr. 21 Apr. 21 Apr. 21 May 5 May 5 May 26 May 26 June 9 June 23 June 23 June 23 July 21 July 21 Aug. 19 Aug. 19 Aug. 19 Sept. 8 Sept. 8 Sept. 8 Sept. 22 Sept. 22 Oct. 6 Nov. 3 Nov. 3 Nov. 17 Nov. 17 Nov. 17 Nov. 17 Dec. 1 Dec. 1

NATIONAL GLIMPSES Ministerial Meeting Conference Council Meeting Students Meeting BOM Responds to Assessment Steinbach Bible College Graduation Harvey Plett’s Appreciation Night Convention Insert Abundant Springs ’99 Ministerial Meeting Conference Council Meeting Women’s Session EMC Golf Classic Students Meeting

Jan. 13 Jan. 13 Feb. 24 Feb. 24 May 5 May 5 May 26 June 9 July 21 July 21 July 21 July 21 Oct. 20

OBITUARIES Helen Fast, November 15,1998 Isaac A. Dyck, November 9,1998 Victor Penner, December 26, 1998 Andrew Friesen, May 13,1999 Helen Koop, December 15,1998 Katherina Brandt, February 18, 1999 Helen Plett, February 17,1999 Isaiah James Harder, January 11, 1999 Gladys Friesen, November 9,1998 Elizabeth H. Dueck, February 17,1999 Agnes Brandt, December 3,1998 Jacob F. Klassen, November 3, 1998 Christina Hoffer, March 21,1999 Peter Harms, April 16,1999 Linda Friesen, April 26,1999 Isaac L. Loewen, May 22,1999 Maria Elias, May 23. 1999 Elsie Hildebrand, May 31,1999 Tina Loewen, May 25,1999 Wallace Daniel Colborne, June 13,1999 Susana Penner, April 24,1999 Henry W. Loewen, June 29,1999 Abram R Friesen, June 2, 1999 Violet Mae Wright, August 16, 1999 Elizabeth K. Dueck, October 2,1999 Justina Penner, October 21,1999 Anna Barkman, September 12,1999 John Doerksen, March 13,1999 Brian Giesbrecht, August 7, 1999 Jacob Dyck, October 10, 1999 Phyllis Dyck, October 10,1999 Shannon Dyck, October 10, 1999 Kelvin Dyck, October 10,1999 Cameron Dyck, October 10,1999 Dave R Loewen, November 8, 1998 Alvin W. Kornelsen, September 6, 1999 Dick Zacharias, November 13, 1999 Daisy Penner, July 7, 1999

Jan. 13 Jan. 13 Jan. 27 Feb. 10 Feb. 24 Mar. 10 Mar. 10 Mar. 10 Mar. 10 Mar. 24 Mar. 24 Apr. 7 May 5 May 26 May 26 June 23 June 23 July 21 July 21 Aug. 19 Aug. 19 Sept. 22 Sept. 22 Oct. 6 Oct. 20 Nov. 3 Nov. 3 Nov. 3 Nov. 17 Nov. 17 Nov. 17 Nov. 17 Nov. 17 Nov. 17 Nov. 17 Dec. 1 Dec. 15 Dec. 15

PAGES FROM THE PAST Feb. 24 Apr. 21 May 26 June 23 Sept. 22 Oct. 20 PASTORALLY SPEAKING The Priesthood of Believers Just How Friendly? The Apostles’ Creed Why Criticize? A Tribute to Treasurers Blocking the Internet Counting My Blessings Checking Our Fences

PERSONAL TOUCH A ’Merry’ Christmas?, Maria Neufeld God Loves Green, Dora Friesen You Just Never Know Whom You’ll Meet, Lois Unrau Do you know the lady’s name? Glenn Koop

Jan. 13 Feb. 10 Mar. 24 May 5 June 9 Aug. 19 Nov. 3 Dec. 1 Jan. 27 Jan. 27 Feb. 10

Mar. 10

Ash Wednesday and the Wau Cathedral, Mar. 24 Menno Plett Apr. 21 A Pole and a Prayer, Gertie Friesen May 5 No Tears for His Own Grief, Lina Dueck Tragedy - a Part of Life, Kathy Klassen May 26 I Was Freed! Raquel Martinez Aug. 19 Dealing with Grief and Loneliness, Helen Unger Sept. 8 Living with Mixed Blessings, Diane Koop Sept. 22 Something Money Can’t Buy, Maria Neufeld Oct. 6 Basking in the Glow, Henry Friesen Oct. 20 Life in the Lumber Camps, Helen R. Unger Dec. 1 To the Homeless and Hurting, Dora Friesen Dec. 15 PDEMS/SONGS A Psalm of Lament, Marylu Neufeld Jan. 13 I Believe Feb. 10 A Closer Walk With You, Marylu Neufeld Mar. 24 Searching, Candida Doerksen Sept. 22 To Know Him Like a Child, Heather Klassen Sept. 22 God, Heather Klassen Sept. 22 A Thanksgiving Prayer, Violet Mae Wright Oct. 6 Gifts from God, Kristen Sandland Oct. 6 Oct. 6 Love Is, Name Withheld A Way Out, Chris Puhach Oct. 20 Nov. 17 Precious People, Connie Rudachyck Lord, Shine Through, L. Marie Enns Dec. 15 REGIONAL NOTES Region 3: Why the Church? Region 4: Community Project Region 4 Conference East Reserve’s 125* Anniversary To This Land the Lord Has Led Us Prairie Rose Holds Special Weekend 125 Years of a Godly Heritage Worship, Fellowship, Ham and Pineapple Region 3 Conference

Jan. 27 Feb. 10 June 9 June 23 Aug. 18 Aug. 18 Oct. 20 Nov. 3

Nov. 3

STEWARDSHIP TODAY Plan Your Giving Five Steps to Financial Planning Charitable Bequests Study Now Available Are Single People Really More Spiritual? Giving Registered Retirement Funds Death and Taxes Probate Guardianship Year-End

Jan. 27 Mar. 10 Apr. 7 May 26 June 23 Aug. 19 Sept. 8 Oct. 6 Nov. 3 Dec. 15

WIDER CHURCH EMCup Changes at MCC Manitoba Helm

Dec. 15 Dec. 15

WINDOW ON MISSIONS CIM’s Annual Consultation Feb. 10 Why Does Canada Need So Many Churches? Feb. 24 Board of Missions Reviews and Plans Apr. 21 Can You Measure Christian Witness? July 21 Teach Us Your Ways! Sept. 8 AIMM Oct. 20 Nov. 3 God Blesses in Nicaragua

WOMEN OF FAITH New Year’s Resolutions Jane Delores Myrna Karen Violet Helen Kathy Marie Sandra Marge

Jan. 27 Feb. 10 Mar. 24 Apr. 21 May 26 June 23 July 21 Aug. 19 Oct. 6 Nov. 17 Dec. 1 PAGE 15

TA ‘IMPRFSfiF.n BY OUTREACH’

Initial Impressions of Nicaragua Stan Plett 1 RECENTLY had the privilege of accompanying Lester Olfert on a two-week Board of Missions assignment to Nicaragua. This was my first visit. Already from the air, 1 was impressed with the beauty of Nica ragua. The ocean, lakes and green-clad mountains reflected God’s eye for beauty. The temperature suggested that it could be July rather than December. Managua was bustling with traf fic, though it appeared that half the vehicles were taxis. Pedes trian rights seemed a foreign concept as people dodged traffic and dangerous-looking sidewalk garbage pits. Visual reminders suggested that Managua is a crime-ridden city. Walls, topped by broken glass or barbed wire, sur rounded all but the most humble dwellings. Locked steel gates and doors, with occa sional armed night watchmen, added to this impression. I noticed that people quite freely threw all sorts of garbage out of moving vehicles. On the other hand, when 1 took early morning walks, 1 saw them sweep ing the yards and sidewalks facing their property. 1 found this apparent

projections for future plans, demonstrated accountable and visionary leaders. The vision and efforts for training present and potential church leaders was encouraging. 1 also noted that a high percentage of Fraternity leaders were women. We visited a number of churches, both urban and rural. It seemed apparent that church life is central to the community of believers. There are obviously fewer competing options than we have here in Canada. People of all ages attend and participate. Though services may continue for hours, there is no evidence of impatience. In most of the churches 1 sensed a strong Anabaptist as well as a Pentecostal fla vour. The latter was evident in their lively music and freedom of ex pression, both in volume and body movement. Loud speakers were a high-priority item, even for small, poor churches. In general, there seemed to be a healthy balance, though there were a few suggestions of emotional ma nipulation.

passable, and occasionally walking is faster than driving. Yet the people seemed generally content and friendly. There is, however, a small, extremely wealthy, urban class. This is evident by some of the homes, hotels and BMW cars. The association of churches planted by EMC missionaries is referred to as The Fraternity of Mennonite Churches. The Fra ternity has adopted a more centralized model than that of EMC in Canada. We met with various Fraternity committees receiv ing EMC subsidies. Their reports of past activities, as well as

1 was impressed by the outreach efforts of the churches, in evangelism and with community projects. Church people, es pecially pastors, seemed to work very hard. 1 wondered how they found time for their families. As you will notice, this is not written as a reflective, thoughtful analysis: it is simply a summary of a visitor’s initial impressions.

I detected a sig nificant urban/mral gap in both the country and the churches, ecocontradiction con- uiliam Lisseth Reyes de Centeno and Ana Maria Reyes de Blandon, housing project coordinators, nomically and edufusing. reported about the project to Stan Plett, chairman of the EMC Board of Missions. cationally. The Fra(Photo by Lester Olfert) ternity faces a real The evidence of poverty was pervasive. Meeting basic survival needs is, for challenge in seeking to minimize this gap by serving the hardmany, a full-time task. Some country roads are practically im to-reach mral churches.

Stan Plett is chairman of the EMC Board of Missions.

Do you have a story for The Personal Touch? It must be a true account (although names may be changed, if necessary) illustrating the Christian life or character. Send your 700-word story and a photograph of yourself or suggestion for a story to the address below. PAGE 16

THE MESSENGER Evangelical Mennonite Conference Box 1268, 440 Main Street

Steinbach, MB ROA 2A0