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EVANGELICAL MENNONITE CONFERENCE VOLUME 38 NUMBER 3 FEBRUARY 9, 2000

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Putting Our Feet Together A MEMBER OF a group practicing footwashing encountered an Anglican bishop on a train travelling through the U.S. frontier. The bishop, preparing a sermon, tried to politely brush off the man. The man persisted in asking, “We believe in footwashing in our church. Do you?” “My dear sir,” said the bishop, “we not only be­ lieve in it, we insist upon it!” (Bible in Pocket, Gun in Hand, Ross Phares, University of Ne­ braska Press, 1964, p. 127). Footwashing is officially an ordinance in our conference; in actual practice, its status is shakier. Some churches practice it; others do not. Some ministers consider it an ordinance, while others, even among those who prac­ tice it, do not. Footwashing has moved to­ ward an optional status in our conference. One congregation 1 am aware of has had a mixed response to footwashing over the years; this is mentioned because it seems typi­ cal of a segment of our churches. Stored ba­ sins are witnesses to a past practice. Footwashing was reintroduced and was posi­ tive for those who participated in it. Once after 1 spoke on footwashing, Henry Rempel, a visitor who was a long-time church pillar, said footwashing should have followed. His wife, Anne, gently pointed out that the tea towels 1 had placed up front were not the best choice for the ceremony! 1 recall when a new­ comer objected to footwashing, saying it would make the congregation seem odd. Since I first experienced footwashing through the Steinbach EMC, it has remained a meaningful experience and a growing pic­ ture of mutual service. While 1 wouldn’t insist on it within churches, there is a loss without it. 1 recognize, though, that mutual ministry can be demonstrated in many ways. Can the practice of footwashing be divisive? Perhaps. 1 am in favour of a formal merger between the EMC and the Evangelical Mennonite Mission Conference (EMMC), though merger is not being officially talked about. We share sixteenth-century roots, were spawned by a common concern to be scriptural, are both committed to Evangeli­ cal Anabaptism, and share a demonstrated commitment to missions. We work together in many ways: on the Memo Calendar minis­ ters use, at Steinbach Bible College, as part­ ners in Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission and in Mennonite Central Committee, and at past ministerial and other national gatherings. PAGE 2

EDITOR Terry M. Smith

Some people might say, “But they footwash!” or “They don’t footwash!” Is this significant? It would be ironic if a symbol of ministry itself became a barrier to further EDITORIAL ministry. ASSISTANT The EMMC has 28 churches in Canada, a Martha Kroeker THE MESSENGER is the membership of roughly 4000 in Canada, spe­ publication of the Evangelical cial ministries in Bolivia and Belize (with 72 Mennonite Conference. It is workers in 12 countries), and a 1999 budget available to the general public. Its of $744,360. The EMC has a membership of purpose is to inform, instruct and inspire: inform concerning around 6950, 51 churches in Canada, special events and activities in the ministries in Mexico, Nicaragua, and Paraguay denomination; instruct in god­ (with 135 workers in 25 countries), and a 2000 liness and victorious living; inspire to earnestly contend for national budget of $1,560,000. The Messen­ the faith. ger has a mailed circulation of around 3850, Letters, articles, photos and while The EMMC Recorder has around 3000. poems are welcomed. Unpub­ lished material is not returned What would be the advantages of a merger? except by request. The views It would provide a larger missions program, and opinions expressed by the avoid duplication in administration, reduce writers are their own and do not necessarily represent the position confusion to those stmggling to sort out dif­ of the Conference. THE MESSENGER is pub­ ferences among Mennonite groups, adjust power structures, be a witness to church lished twice a month (once a month in July and August) by unity, lower subtle rivalries, and provide more the Board of Church Ministries of the Evangelical Mennonite joint resources and focus in Canada. What are the drawbacks? Separate histories, Conference, 440 Main Street, Steinbach, Manitoba. party loyalties and past pain might interfere Subscriptions: $12.00 per year with uniting. Some people would not, initially, (Manitoba residents add 7% PST, $12.84). Subscriptions are feel quite so at home. In Mennonite confer­ total: voluntary and optional to people ences an “at home” feeling is strong, for good within or outside of the EMC. and bad, affecting both our practices of com­ Members and adherents pay their church. munity and outreach. Questions like “Would through THE MESSENGER is a the head office be in Steinbach or Winnipeg?” member of Meetinghouse and could be worked out. The merger would in­ Canadian Church Press. postage paid at volve time and effort, reducing the time and Second-class Steinbach, Manitoba. effort spent now to keep us separate. Publications Mail Registration This editorial is not intended to be contro­ No. 09914 information: Ail versial. My wife asked, “Are you going to Mailing correspondence, including open up...[a] can of worms?” 1 replied that undelivered copies, change of worms are needed for fishing! The highest address and new subscriptions, be addressed to: motivation behind merger is that Jesus said, should The Messenger “Come, follow me, and 1 will make you fish­ RO. Box 1268 Steinbach, Manitoba ers of men!” Merging our two small bodies R0A2A0 would enable us to be better stewards of what Christ has entrusted us with in Canada Phone: 2Q4-32&-640-\ Fax:204-326-1613 and elsewhere. E-mail: emconf@mts.net Our highest goal would be “...to present Christ Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit, that Cover: The story of Marian [people] shall come to put their tmst in God and Stan Houghton continues through him, to accept him as their Saviour, on p. 3. (Marv Toews did fine and serve him as their King in the fellowship of work!) his Church.” Anglican archbishops wrote that in 1918, and this footwasher agrees with it. Just MESSENGER SCHEDULE No. 5 - March 08 remind me not to pester an Anglican bishop (copy due February 25) about it while he’s preparing a sermon! No. 6 - March 22 Terry M. Smith (copy due March 10)

THE MESSENGER

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Four of the Houghton children, with the radio station in the background. Stan kept the radios in good repair.

PART FOUR: ‘AD this was very exciting!’

WE WERE ABOUT to enter the most exciting phase of our ministry, but first we had to do a few other things. On our return to Ecuador, Stan had to finish up a building project in Pulucate, one of our Quichua stations. The house was made of dirt blocks, which were made by a hand-operated machine which was lent to us by the UK office in Quito. Stan wanted to be aboveboard as to what it would be used for, so he mentioned it to the man who was arranging this. The man said, “You really can’t do anything with this except make blocks.” Anyway, the Quichuas learned how to make the blocks, and the building was eventually finished. Pulucate was one of our more outlying stations and had had only women missionaries so far. Finally, a family moved in with the hopes that the work would open up more, but there was very little progress. After several years of faithful teaching, the missionaries decided to move out and sell the place to the Quichuas for their church, a move guided by the Holy Spirit. Within a year after the foreigners moved out, there were four churches in that valley, with more than four hundred Christians!

Building a water tower When the building in Pulucate was completed, we had a very interesting project in the plans. With the Shell compound growing and more students at the Bible school, a better water facility was needed. There was a large underground cistern to catch the rain water, but it was felt that a water tower would more efficiently serve our needs. This tower was to be twenty-seven feet high and built in a circular style of cement blocks, with a 4500-gallon cement tank on top. After Jack got home from school for the summer, we packed up and moved to Shell for three months to take FEBRUARY 9, 2000

on this building project. We also took along Leonore, a Quichua girl, to help in the house. We were lodged in the dorm, with our own kitchen at one end. We expanded our bedrooms as we required more room. It was during this time that our last baby, David Lee, was born.

Sending Lois to school As we neared the end of our time there, we had to get Jack and Lois ready to go to Quito to school. Jack had half a year there already, and now his sister would join him and other schoolchildren as they went up to Quito in a chartered bus. Stan would follow in a few days. 1 had to stay with the rest of the family. Lois was two weeks away from her sixth birthday. No one but a mother who has sent her children away in a situation like this can imagine the pain we felt. Some other parents were going up on the bus as well, and we entrusted our little ones to their care. The Lord was really caring for them all the time, but sometimes it was hard to remember that. Leonore was invaluable at that time. She helped with the packing till late at night and was there for me in other ways as well. We survived.

Marion (Loewen) Houghton, at 22, arrived in Ecuador in 1950 as a missionary under Gospel Missionary Union, supported by the Steinbach EMC. She and her husband, Stan, retired from EMC missionary service in 1995. They live in Silverdale, Washington. Her six-part series will be completed during this year. PAGES

Purin^ this time we were asked to consider 0oin^ into the Quichua radio work. At first Stan said he was not interested, but later, as he himself said, he had a chance to repent and decided that this would be a vital ministry.

The Quichua radio work During this time we were asked to consider going into the Quichua radio work. At first Stan said he was not interested, but later, as he himself said, he had a chance to repent and decided that this would be a vital ministry. The history of the radio station is very exciting. Dr. Dilworth, who was deeply committed to serving the medical needs of the Quichua, had also started a small 500-watt station to broadcast in the Quichua language in our province of Chimborazo. The doctor had been attacked and severely injured when visiting a country area; he had decided that going in with radio beams would be safer for all concerned. When we took over the station we had two tape recorders and a foot-high stack of tapes, our total resources. The doctor had moved on to another province and was setting up a clinic and radio station there. Eventually, we would be taking care of that station also. Our trip home from Shell to Colta was another adventure. We had purchased a used VW bus before going to Shell, and now we were on our way home from high in the Andes. About an hour out of Shell the transmission gave out. It was late in the afternoon, and we were hoping to get home that night. Instead, since we were much closer to Shell than home, we turned around and headed back. Since we had come uphill this far, we thought it would be a simple matter to coast back downhill to Shell and spend the night there. Wrong! Even on a downhill run there are uphill stretches, and the old bus just wouldn’t take it. Eventually Leonore, 1, and the small children caught a bus back to Shell, and Stan waited at the car until someone came and towed it back. We left again the next day in an open jeep and made it home just fine. The owner of the jeep, another missionary, would repair our car, bring it home, and pick up his vehicle. Once we were home we got busy with our move to the radio side of the Colta station. We were moving into a much newer, bigger house that we needed for our growing family. It was a rather cold house, and we kept the fire going in the kitchen stove at all times. This provided us with hot water by a coil through the firebox. We purchased our wood by the stick, and when a truckload arrived, all work ceased until the wood was counted. The man selling the wood usually brought his own men to count the sticks as they were thrown off the tmck, and they were quite adept at taking nine sticks and saying Zen; that’s why we had to be on hand for the operation. We had to order more furniture, since we had a 25foot-long living room to furnish. There was a huge fireplace at one end, and when the children came home for the holidays we kept a fire going there as well. The upstairs PAGE 4

never did get warm, except maybe on the sunniest mornings for a few hours. I think Jack minded this cold the most; to this day he enjoys a very warm environment. I told Stan that the first ten minutes in our cold bed took ten years off my life. The radio was on the air from about 4:00 till 8:00 a.m. and from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. We had to run our own light plant to provide power, which was quite costly. From the beginning, Stan trained Quichua men to do the announcing and eventually to care for the programming. At first, if the men were gone, Stan would take his turn at doing the voice part and, when all else failed, 1 would pitch in. From the beginning it was the Quichuas’ station, and they loved it. We were able to get subsidized pre-tuned radio receivers from HCJB and then further subsidize them so the Quichua could afford them. We wanted them to buy them so they would appreciate them more. Stan would go out in the country with them to install the

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A Quichua couple helped in the radio work. (Editor’s note: Their names were unavailable at press time.)

THE MESSENGER

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radios and put up the antennas. When something went wrong, he would do the repairs. Among the interesting repair jobs, a woman came with the radio wrapped in a clean cloth, but with the insides completely pulled out of the box. When asked what happened, she confessed that a pig had been tethered to the antenna and had pulled it and the radio apart while reaching for more grass! When Dr. Dilworth was considering this work, he was told that wherever there were two radio sets in a community, there would eventually be a church, and this proved to be so.

Exciting growth! The work was opening up. We had a medical clinic, a boarding school and a small group of Quichua meeting in a building on the old compound. One Sunday we had quite a delegation of visiting Quichua from San Antonio, across the lake from Colta. The most notable feature of these people was that their children wore shoes! The Quichua from that area were mostly merchants and thus had more money for, and better access to, these luxuries. They invited Henry Klassen (not our current General Secretary), the main Quichua speaker among us, to come over with the projector and have a meeting. So many people were becoming interested in the Gospel that the community began to get worried. At about 3:00 one morning, a whole group, with cuts and bmises, came to our side of the lake, saying they had been beaten up because they were planning a baptismal service in the lake. 1 don’t remember if the believers were baptized on our side of the lake or if they were able to continue at home. Nevertheless, the Christian group was growing. Another group began because one man in the area had a dream that someone from Colta would tell him “the best thing that he had ever heard.” Eventually, the whole valley became Christian. The biggest baptismal service in history was conducted there, with 155 people witnessing to their change because Jesus had died for them. All this was very exciting! The missionaries provided transportation, taking the

Quichua leaders around to different groups, and the local people took care of the arrangements. In the years that we were there, over 120 churches came into being. Now there are more than 400 Quichua churches in Ecuador. We praise God for this moving of His Holy Spirit; there really is no human explanation for this.

Heaven seemed a littie closer On a sadder note, we lost our son David Lee in February of 1963 at the age of seven months. He died of pneumonia. Now we had two little ones up in heaven, and it really makes heaven seem closer. For a while after his death, the children would still speak of him in the present tense, saying, David does this and David wears that. 1 asked them later how they felt about fl losing their brother, and their answer was simple and straightforward: They cried because 1 cried. It was during this time that 1 had the most overwhelming sense of God’s love for me. It enveloped me, eased the pain and helped me to go on living for Him. From the time Our son David Lee died of we had lost Barbie, 1 had pneumonia at the age of always had some fear about seven months. entrusting our children completely to the Lord. Now 1 could do so with my whole heart and not be afraid. 1 am so thankful to have had this experience. The Lord knows just what we need, when we need it. Praise Him!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR! The EMC Leadership Retreat is planned for Camp Arnes, Manitoba,

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SBC LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE Marcb^ 17-18 1

Spirituality

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Speaker: James Houston, Professor • Regent College Time: Friday, 7:00 p.m. to Saturday, 3:30 p.m. Cost: Si20 single/f!35 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@SBCollege.mb.ca

FEBRUARY 9, 2000

March 3-5, 2000!

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! 2000 MARCH • You will laugh. S MT W T F S I 2 BB • You will cry. B 6 7 8 9 To 71 12 13 14 IS 16 17 18 • You’ll be sorry when it’s over. 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 • You’ll be glad you came! • Your church will be glad they sent you. • Deadline extended to Feb. 20th. Abe Bergen, for the Planning Committee PAGES

Gerald Reimer Conference Youth Minister

A MISSION TRIR ANYONE? WHY NOT MAKE the summer of 2000 a memorable one! Consider taking a trip somewhere with a mission team. The experience will forever change your life. If you don’t believe it, ask the kids in your youth group who went down to Mexico last summer or to Denver, Colo­ rado, to do some inner-city work. Their reply should convince you that it would not be a waste of time and money to get involved in some ministry that is outside your comfort zone!

At this time of the year, many people start to think about what they will be doing during the summer. For young people there is the sweet taste of free­ dom on their lips, waiting to get out of school for the summer and enjoy some good times with friends and family. For the college/university students, there is always the nagging weight of making money to pay for their educa­ tion. For the rest of the world, our jobs keep calling us back every morning to make ends meet at the end of each month. If we can squeeze in some fam­ ily time at the lake or a vacation to the Black Hills, we feel as if we have spent our time wisely. You don’t have to go across the world, nor do you have to go for the entire summer (although that’s not a bad idea). One week of ministry with In­ ner City Youth Alive in Winnipeg may

PARAGUAY

TRAINING LEADERS IS A CHALLENGE The last EMC church leaders’ seminar in Caaguazu for the year 1999 took place November 27-28. This seminar has become a monthly event over the past five years. On the last Saturday and Sunday of the month, from February to November, most of the leaders of the Spanish- and Guarani­ speaking churches and preaching points in East Paraguay gather in Caaguazu for two days of instmction and fellowship. This has become a focal point of inter-church fel­ lowship and development of conference structure, as well as an important instru­ ment for better equipping church leaders. To train leaders effectively is a challenge. The economic situation of the Paraguayan believers will not bear the high costs of formal Bible college or seminary training. Nor will the economic situation of the churches and church starts of our confer­ ence, in most cases, bear the costs of sup­ porting formally trained personnel. To meet the challenge we have been devel­ oping the monthly leaders’ seminar to train lay leaders for the churches. Some of the students are from Caaguazu; others come from 150 kilometres away. The majority are from about 60 kilometres away. A few have a high-school education, but most of them come with a grade-school level between grades three and six. Some have mastered the Spanish language well, while others are fluent only in Guarani and feel very unsure in Spanish. Some are at home in a city atmosphere, and others are used to the country and PAGES

Ernest and Elsie Funk (Felly) have served as church planters in Paraguay for many years. small town. A few come from churches with fifty or more members; others work with groups and outreach points which are much less developed at this point. Gener­ ally about a dozen churches are repre­ sented. The common denominator is the desire to become more effective in pro­ viding leadership to the churches for which they are responsible. For the final seminar of the year 1999 we had invited Werner Haeuser from Gramado, Brazil, to present Encourage­ ment Counselling to the group. Werner and Crista are members of the Kleefeld EMC and are associate missionaries with Janz Team in Brazil, working specifically in the counselling ministry. This past year they also become available to the Para­ guay EMC work through arrangements with the Board of Missions. Werner speaks English, German, Portu-

challenge you more than you can im­ agine. It may also reward you more than you prayed it would. 1 have had the privilege of being on mission teams, as well as being on the receiving end of mission teams. My experience has been one of gratitude to God for the blessings that 1 have, and 1 felt hon­ oured to be used by Him to be involved in Kingdom work. The EMC has short-term, as well as long-term, mission opportunities, in both national and international minis­ tries. Whether you are young or old, married or single, consider being stretched and blessed in this unique way. Some may even want to go as a family. You will not be sorry! We are not all cut out for missionary work, but that does not exclude us from being obedient and getting out there!

guese, and has a working knowledge of Spanish, though he feels less confident in it. His presentations had to be in Spanish, so he was somewhat out of his language comfort zone. He is a professional coun­ sellor and usually speaks to other profes­ sional counsellors when he does seminars. He consented to do this weekend, with some misgivings and doubts as to whether he would be able to interact in a meaning­ ful way with these leaders. In his presentations Werner stated that our words are powerful — they can im­ part encouragement and life, but they can also discourage and destroy. Encouraging or “comforting those who mourn” was part of the ministry of our Lord and should therefore form part of our ministry as well. We need to listen empathetically and study to answer constructively. If we do not listen and answer well, much of our so-called “communication” has no value, because the one who is seeking solutions tries to protect himself with his words. The one who offers solutions, on the other hand, has not grasped the prob­ lem nor thought through the implications, with the result that the answer given may be valueless. Were the presentations meaningful to the leaders? The attention with which they listened and the care with which they took notes said they were. A remark made by a leader a week later is significant: “It’s amazing how one who speaks so slowly and deliberately can build up so powerful a lesson.” Ernest Funk THE MESSENGER

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18:21) and learned biblical principles on how to speak words that have a positive impact on people. Often we hurt each other by speaking hastily (Proverbs 18:13; 29:20). We are quick to speak and slow to listen (James). We had opportunities to share, in small groups, our own experiences in terms of how we speak. It was also a time for Crista and me to make new friends. We were very well received and felt accepted. The staff retreat was followed by a preaching opportunity at a small Mennonite church of Paraguayans, and the following weekend I taught at the lead­ ers’ seminar in Caaguazu. There we were also well received, and the leaders and pastors were kind enough to listen pa­ tiently to my Spanish mixed with Portu­ guese. Werner Haeuser

Werner and Crista Haueser joined the Paraguay missionaries for their retreat at Camp Lucero.

PARAGUAY

SAYING THE WORD THAT SUSTAINS THE WEARY Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.

No doubt you have heard this saying, but have you ever said it to yourself? Have you ever heard words that did hurt you and tried to minimize them with thoughts similar to this saying? It doesn’t work too well, does it? The truth is that we prob­ ably have heard more words that hurt us than words that encouraged us. Chances

are we ourselves probably speak more discouraging words than encouraging ones. Encouragement was the theme of the staff and workers retreat at Camp Lucero near Tres Palmas. It was my second visit to Paraguay in 1999, and this time my wife, Crista, was able to come as well. 1 had been asked to speak on how we can en­ courage one another and how we can de­ velop the ministry of saying the word that sustains the weary (Isaiah 50:4). During the four days w.e studied the ef­ fects of “life-and-death” words (Proverbs WINNIPEG. MAN.

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Landis and Hernan Benitez (Braeside) are serving in Spanish ministries at the Braeside EMC in Winnipeg, Man. They have two children, Monica and Giovanni.

FEBRUARY 9, 2000

WORKING TOGETHER Y si todos trabajamos unidos...que gozo sera. This Spanish song says that if we all work in unity, what joy there will be. Our daughter, Monica, sings a song she learned from Barney, the television character: “Clean up, clean up, everybody do their share.” Working together can really make a difference. We see this in the Spanish Ministries in Winnipeg. I received a phone call from someone who said we should let her know if there were any needs in the Spanish commu­ nity, such as for furniture or household items; she would see what she could do to fill those needs. Recently 1 had another call, a request for a mattress for a family member arriving in Canada later in the week. When we pre­ sented the need to Pastor Ron, he assured me that there was money available to fill that need. So, although we may hear about needs in the Spanish community, some­ one else is willing to give the item or the

4 Werner and Crista Haeuser (Kleefeld) serve in a counselling ministry in Brazii with Janz Team Ministries. They are also involved with EMC missions in Paraguay on a part-time basis.

money to fill the need; this is working to­ gether. Just before Christmas, someone sug­ gested that the Spanish community from Braeside should come to their home for coffee and cookies, which would be their Christmas gift to the group. That’s work­ ing together, providing hospitality and a good time for our friends. I’m always encouraged when people tell me that we are on their prayer list or that they pray for us on a regular basis. Some­ times I tell them that perhaps that is why I can make it through the day. They pray and God gives us strength, wisdom, courage, love and joy to do what needs to be done. There are times when I need and want to go out during the day to help someone meet with the lawyer, the doctor, or else­ where, and it’s inappropriate to take the children. I appreciate people who help in the ministry by taking care of our children to free me or us up to do other things. That’s working together. We work as a team in the Spanish minis­ tries. Our team of seven people meets PAGE 7

once a month to plan the activities. We all participate and seek to get as many peo­ ple involved as possible in the activities. Someone else is responsible to drive the van. We try to be ready to reach out to people as we get to know them or hear

about them. We are working together. The Spanish ministry at the Braeside church is carried out not simply by Hernan and Landis Benitez, but by everyone who prays, gives, and does something practical to help along. We all need each other; no

one can do the job alone. For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12). Landis Benitez

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Vanessa Bartsch celebrated her fifteenth birthday recently with a quincehera celebration. Her parents, Jake and Myrna, are standing with her.

MEXICO OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE — AGAIN! Remember my article about my comfort zone (August 18/99)? Just recently 1 left the zone again as we headed to the colo­ nies. The reasons were two very memo­ rable events connected with the EMC church in Camp 77. On November 28 we headed to Los Jagueyes (Quellenkolonie) for a very spe­ cial party. It was Vanessa Bartsch’s quincehera (fifteenth birthday celebra­ tion). Here in Mexico, when a girl turns fifteen, she has her quincehera, which is like a coming-of-age party, a rite of pas­ sage. She is, in essence, giving up her child­ hood and becoming a woman. It is a very important part of Mexican culture, and Mexicans will go to great expense, even debt, for this birthday. 1 found Vanessa’s party very enjoyable despite the varied languages used during the service — English (PTL!), Low Ger­ man (brain strainer), Spanish (not half bad). The singing was in all three languages. It wasn’t the mix of languages that I found enjoyable, although it always amazes me that 1 can sit through such a multi-cultured event and understand a lot of it. What I enjoyed so much was how Vanessa’s parents, Jake and Myrna Bartsch, made the event so warm and personal. They sang a beautiful song for their daughter, and Myrna shared a heart­ warming story about events surrounding Vanessa’s birth. 1 think memories were created that will last a lifetime. The theme verse was Ecclesiastes 1:1, “Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth.” Many challenged Vanessa PAGES

The Camp 77 church youth presented a beautiful Christmas program.

to follow this advice, and Peter Hiebert later preached on this same text. In a traditional Mexican quincehera, the young woman wears a white dress, which could easily be mistaken for a wedding gown. Her friends join her as damas (at­ tendants), all wearing the same colour of dress. Vanessa chose to arrive sitting on the hood of a restored antique tmck be­ longing to an uncle. According to Mexican tradition, the young woman walks from her home to the church with all her at­ tendants following. Since the fiesta was held at the Bartsch residence, she chose to arrive sitting on the truck. A walk to the church would have been very long. Also noteworthy was the Christmas pro­ gram prepared by the Camp 77 church. The youth of the church prepared a pro­ gram and went on “tour.” We caught up with them in the Blumenau church on December 8. The program was 1V2 hours in length, beginning with a candlelight entrance of twenty young people. One of the rich aspects of the program was that it was in three languages: Low German, English and Spanish. The evening included group songs, readings, solos, a drama, tambourine choreographed num­ bers, guitar and keyboard music, and con­ gregational singing. The concert was well done, clearly presenting the reason for the season. As 1 sat there and listened 1 thought of how we often say “the youth are the fu­ ture church.” That may be true to some extent, but these youth showed that they are the church now. To see twenty young people using their gifts to share the gospel is exciting. The Camp 77 church would not be the same without these young people.

and 1 praise God for each one. Do I feel more comfortable out of my comfort zone? No, but the rewards are tremendous as 1 see God working there, and 1 praise Him for that. 1 know He will ask me to step out, and each time it be­ comes easier. It helps that 1 have become friends with a group of young women who draw me to the German work and lead me to pray for them. If you know more German than 1 (which doesn’t take a whole lot), would you con­ sider allowing the Lord to use you here in a Low-German ministry? We need willing servants to help our German churches. 1 would encourage our churches in Canada to form partnerships with our German churches here. Many of you probably still have some German in your services, or at least have many members who are fluent in German. Let’s join hands and grow to­ gether. Diane Koop

Diane and Ernie Koop (Steinbach EEC) and their two sons, Michaei and Christopher, live in Chihuahua City, Mexico, where Ernie and Diane serve in leadership development.

THE MESSENGER

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Pat Schellenberg put together a pictorial album featuring many events and highlights of the past forty years of the Kola EMC. She is seen here (seated) together with reporter Florence Penner.

Harvey Plett is the current moderator of the Conference, and Archie Penner was the first moderator.

Mary and Jake Kliever and Art and Marie Neufeld are charter members of the Kola church

40th anniversary celebrated Kola, Man.: Our annual Thanksgiving supper was held on October 1. The school gym was almost full as church and community members gathered for the annual feast. The concert after the meal featured Jeannette Petkau of Langley, B.C. Our mission conference took place No­ vember 19-21. Dave and Judy Schmidt of Paraguay spent the weekend with us and shared of their ministries in and around Asuncion. At the brunch on Saturday morning, they shared of their experi­ ences with people who have AIDS, and the story of Alicia particularly touched all of us. Lester Olfert of Steinbach was the main speaker. His messages were based on

the theme “Following Christ” (Matthew 16:24). Jake and Helen Martens, together with several of their church members from Sioux Valley, ministered through song and testimony. Jake also gave a brief report. After a year in Ethiopia, Rolf Kruse ar­ rived back home in Kola at the begin­ ning of October. He gave a brief report at our mission conference as well. The evening of December 9 was set aside for Rolf to give a more detailed report, in­ cluding a video clip. Kola EMC was started in 1959. A cel­ ebration to commemorate the fortieth anniversary took place on November 28. Harvey Plett, Conference moderator, spoke during the morning service. Of interest was the fact that he preached

the message here forty years ago, on No­ vember 28, 1959. After a potluck lunch, another service highlighted some of the beginnings of our church. Art Neufeld has been with the church since its beginning, through all the joys and sorrows of a growing church; once again we appreciate his ministry as he, together with Archie Penner, is provid­ ing interim pastoral care to this congre­ gation. Congratulations are in order for two couples who reached the twenty-fifth anniversary milestone. We pray God’s blessings and continued strength for Lawrence and Lenore Penner (June 29) and Garth and Elaine Lund (October 19). Florence Penner

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I k Kim and Dewayne Penner (with LaRae) were accepted as members in the Morris Fellowship Chapel on November 29. On the left is Pastor Ward Parkinson.

Lana Loewen, Jacqueline Vermette and Tara Siemens were baptized on November 29. Pastor Ward Parkinson stands with them.

FEBRUARY 9, 2000

61 SHOEBOXES SENT Morris, Man.: Our church enjoyed an ex­ citing and meaningful Christmas season. We started off early with our annual shoebox-wrap night. People of all ages came armed with their gifts, wrapping paper and cheerful attitudes to decorate their shoeboxes. Sixty-one shoeboxes (ten more than last year) were dedicated and sent to Samaritan’s Purse. We were transported to a winter won­ derland at the adult Christmas banquet on December 8. The setting was beauti­ ful, the food was delicious, and we en­ joyed a wonderful program. A highlight was the talented male choir made up of the majority of the men from our church. Carolling at some of the seniors’ homes PAGE 9

in town was a big success. As well, chil­ dren handed out the gifts that the La­ dies’ Fellowship had made. The evening ended with hot chocolate and Christmas goodies. Stormy weather forced us to resched­ ule our Sunday school program from Sunday, December 19, to Monday, the 20th. Lana Loewen, Jacqueline Vermette and Tara Siemens joined the church by baptism on November 29. Dewayne and Kim Penner joined by membership trans­ fer. Welcome to our church! All women are invited to join us at the Tuesday morning Bible study at church. The next book we will be studying is on hospitality and is sure to be meaningful. Gaylene Siemens

WELCOME HOME, TRISTAN! GOODBYE, JASON! Roseisle, Man.; Joy and sorrow were a part of our Christmas this year. We were thrilled to finally see Deb, Sheldon and Tristan Kuhl back in church on Decem­ ber 19, after an absence of nearly three months. They had spent these months in hospitals in Montreal and Winnipeg due to Tristan’s heart surgery and some­ what slow and complicated recovery. We were and still are rejoicing that they are finally able to be back home with their young family. We thank God for Tristan’s recovery so far and hope and pray that there will continue to be steady improvement. Welcome home, Tristan! Unfortunately, a cloud of sorrow hung

IVefcome home, Tristan! Debbie, Sheldon, Tristan and Jacinta Kuhl are happy to be together again as a family!

PAGE 10

Many enjoyed packing shoeboxes for Samaritan’s Purse.

Goodbye, Jason! Jason Bergen was killed in a car accident near Sanford, Man., on December 19. He was seventeen years old.

over us on the ID'” as well. A tragic ac­ cident the night before claimed the life of one of our youth, Jason Bergen. He and his girlfriend were killed instantly when the vehicle they were in spun out of control, due to icy roads, and slammed into an oncoming truck. Our Christmas celebrations became some­ what subdued. The funeral was held on December 23, in the Carman (Man.) Pentecostal Church, with Pastor Randall officiating. Jason is survived by his parents, Dan and Maryanne Bergen, and his sister, April (who also attends our church), all of Car­ man. Jason had some close friends in our youth group, so they are dealing with a major loss in their lives. Our Christmas concert was to be held the evening of the funeral; however, we thought it best to postpone it, so it was held on Christmas morning. Jason’s par­ ents do not attend our church, so we were touched by their thoughtfulness when they attended that morning and brought several floral arrangements.

These were placed on the stage in memory of Jason. We ask for your prayers on behalf of the Bergen family. Also pray for our pas­ tor couple, Randall and Faith, as they are caring very personally for the fam­ ily. The family had no pastor to turn to, so Randall and Faith have given of them­ selves unselfishly during this difficult time. Pray for us as a church family as we seek to deal with this loss in the lives of our young people. Pray also that we would be a support and encourage­ ment to the Bergens and that they may sense God’s love flowing through us and find Him to be a source of comfort and healing. Eleanor Friesen

CHRISTMAS EVENTS Steinbach, Man. (Stony Brook): Our church had some wonderful events this Christmas season. The women met for a dessert evening on December 8. Twentysix ladies gathered at Pizza Place to visit, discover which baby picture was whose, what hobbies people had, and to eat. On December 22, thirty people braved the bitter cold to hand out Christmas hampers and go caroling. We had a lot of fun singing at the different places; some­ times the songs were a bit high, some­ times too low, but we hope we were a blessing to our five recipients. We also had two new programs this year. Our first-ever Sunday school pro­ gram was held December 19. Children and adults of all ages participated with lines, skits and songs. A candlelight Christmas Eve service took place on De­ cember 24, with about sixty people in attendance. Readings and carols were the main events of the evening. We look forward to continued growth in the new year! Heidi Friesen THE MESSENGER

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In the skit The Prodigal Dad, Prodigal Dad (Roger Harder) returns home on Christmas Eve to his children (Stephanie Penner, Andrew Unger, Becky Buhler) and wife (Cheryl Harder), after receiving a newfound faith.

o/foM** Betty Koop La Crete, Alberta

MIRIAM FROM THE buzz of conversation in the room, with snatches of “Did you know my aunt?” or “Do you remem­ ber when...?” it might have been a typical Mennonite reunion. But it wasn’t! We were at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York, in an Olympic Airways departure lounge. Our tour group, made up mostly of Mennonites on their way to Mennonite World Con­ ference in Strasbourg, France, was getting acquainted as we awaited boarding. Prior to the conference we were planning to spend twelve days touring Greece, Jordan, Palestine and Egypt, visiting the lands of the Bible. The huge 747, with over four hun­ dred people on board, took off smoothly. The gentle hum of the en­ gines helped to lull us into fitful sleep as we crossed the Atlantic. Our sleep was interrupted at 12:30 a.m. (our time) to watch the sunrise! We enjoyed the good-natured teas­ ing and camaraderie that quickly de­ veloped among the group members. And then there was Miriam (not her real name). She was pleasant and a very animated person. In fact, she talked most of the time, even when we were trying to listen to our tour guide’s fascinating stories. 1 remember our tour of Masada, a

FEBRUARY 9, 2000

The youngest participants are always the “stars” of the show!

fortress King Herod constructed on top of a huge, butte-like mountain of the same name. After taking a cable car most of the way up, we climbed a series of steel staircases. Our guide stopped us in front of a set of huge cisterns chiselled out of rock, now in ruins. He told us the story of how over nine hundred Jews fled to Masada, vowing not to surrender to the Romans. Since a paranoid King Herod had provisioned the fortress with food and water to last for ten years, the patri­ ots could have held out for a long time. The Romans built a great ramp, using Jewish slave labour, and even­ tually reached the top. But they found only the horror of death when they arrived. Rather than surrender, the people had committed mass suicide Our guide had just finished telling this absorbing tale, when Miriam piped up, “Why were these cisterns built?” We looked at her in disbelief; our guide had just told us why. Miriam had been much too busy making com­ ments to those around her to listen to what was being said. It was amazing and amusing that she would reveal her inattention to the whole group. Later we went on a walking tour of the old city of Jerusalem. Massive stone walls, interspersed by various gates, surround this ancient city. We visited the Temple Mount. Jews and Muslims claim this area as a holy place. It is believed that here Solo­ mon’s Temple overlooked ancient Jerusalem. The Muslims have built the beautiful Dome of the Rock over the spot from which they believe Muhammad ascended into heaven. As we continued our walk, we

stopped briefly in front of a massive gate in the city wall. Our guide told us how a Muslim ruler had sealed it with a very thick brick wall many cen­ turies ago. The reason for the closing seems to have been lost, he said, but some Christians believe that when Jesus returns to earth He will open this gate and enter Jerusalem through it. Now it was Miriam’s turn to shine again! “Why is that gate sealed?” she asked. This time our group’s amuse­ ment just could not be contained. Our guide, ever the perfect gentleman, tried to hide his annoyance at being asked a question he had just an­ swered. Fortunately our laughter saved him from having to repeat him­ self. Miriam looked around and real­ ized that perhaps, again, she had not been listening. Why use Miriam as an example of a woman of faith? Using a negative il­ lustration may not be the best teach­ ing method, but we need constant re­ minders that listening is a very im­ portant part of our life of faith. We need to listen to God, to our spouses, to our children, to those who have needs, to those who are rejoicing, to the marginalized. The list could go on and on. Dr. Paul Tournier says, “To be listened to with attention and respect, to be taken seriously by someone who tries to understand, is a vital need for every man [and woman], and it is much more unusual than is generally thought.... Really to love is to listen” {Learn to Grow Old, pp. 61-62). To love - isn’t that what Jesus com­ manded us to do?

PAGE 11

11 In 1997 Wilbert Friesen encouraged EMCers to be more aware of the persecution of Christians. (editor)

EFC — A VOICE FOR EVANGELICALS The Evangelical Fellowship Of Canada (EFC) continues to be very active as a voice for evangelical churches across Canada in the year 2000 and beyond. EMC has been a member of EFC for many years. Linda Milke has been appointed the Western Regional Representative for the four western Canadian provinces. She lives in Winnipeg and can be reached at 204254-5692. EFC has also helped churches obtain exemption from tape levies. Churches may now be exempted from a copyright levy on cassette tapes. Certain conditions must be adhered to, to get this exemp­ tion. At our Conference Council meeting in December 1 was asked why EFC is joining up with the Canadian Council of Churches to celebrate the year 2000. 1 have found helpful information on the EFC website, www.efc-canada.com. Gary Walsh, the president of EFC, says, “There are millions of people in this coun­ try who have been touched somehow by Jesus Christ. The year 2000 is a unique an­ niversary of the arrival of Jesus in the his­ tory of the world. Why wouldn’t Canadian Christians want to reach out and kind of touch each other’s fingers as they honour the One they all have in common?” Don Posterski, vice president of World Vision, sees the year 2000 as an opportu­ nity for Christians to find their voice...and each other...at a new moment in history. He feels that this is the right time for a shared Christian expression that is “ecu­ menical in spirit, evangelical in passion, Pentecostal in enthusiasm, catholic and inclusive in scope, and respectful and tmly neighbourly towards everyone.” For more information and events that the two bodies have chosen to endorse, see also the Together 2000 website: www.together2000.org. Wilbert Friesen

EMC Representative to EFC PAGE 12

THREE FAMTEVRETREATS IN MARCH During the weekend of March 3-5, Camps with Meaning will hold simultaneous re­ treats, at three different camps in Mani­ toba, for fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, and families with mentally handicapped persons. The Father/Son retreat will have Ralph Bell as its speaker. Mr. Bell has served as a pastor and for more than twenty-five years as a prison chaplain. His colourful Biblical storjTelling will help fathers and sons to understand each other as they grow to­ gether on the journey with Jesus. The re­ treat will be at Camp Moose Lake, Sprague. The Mother/Daughter retreat resource people are five members of one family. Rosie Sawatzky and her grown daughters, Millie, Dorothy, Kathy and Loretta, will pro­ vide a lively weekend on the topic Keep­ ing the Lines Open: Communication with Family and God. The retreat will be held at Camp Koinonia, Boissevain. The Families with a Mentally Handi­ capped Person retreat will focus on the theme What Works When Life Doesn’t. Dale Dueck, a minister, is the speaker. The retreat will be held at Camp Assiniboia. These retreats represent opportunities to make memories and to spend quality time together with family. For more infor­ mation, call the Camps with Meaning of­ fice at 204-896-1616. Camps with Meaning

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EMCer NAMED AS OPEN CIRCLE DIRECTOR Murray Barkman, a member of the Ab­ erdeen EMC, is MCC Manitoba’s new di­ rector of Open Circle, its prisoner visita­ tion program. He comes to the position with years of experience in the justice field, including a stint as a volunteer visitor for Open Cir­ cle. Barkman took over from Dori Zerbe Cornelsen at the end of January. She worked with Open Circle as co-director

and then director for more than eight years. Barkman’s background includes work­ ing with the province’s probation serv­ ices in the 1970s. He later served as a unit leader of MCC’s youth program, SALT, in Winnipeg, before becoming the first di­ rector of Mediation Services in 1978. It mediates disputes at the community and court referral levels. Since 1983, Barkman has worked in residential construction. MCC Manitoba established the Open Circle program in 1973 to encourage person-to-person friendships between vol­ unteer visitors and prison inmates. Murray and Margaret Barkman have three adult children. MCC Manitoba

VOICES FOR NON VIOLENCE IS RELAUNCHED Voices for Non Violence, a program which stmggled financially in recent years, is restarting, with Eleanor Epp-Stobbe as its half-time coordinator. As of February 1, Voices for Non Vio­ lence became a Mennonite Central Com­ mittee (MCC) Manitoba program, with funding promised for the next three years. Voices for Non Violence has acted in an education and resource role for Mennonite congregations dealing with violence and abuse issues. As well, it has offered support to victims of abuse, and in some cases worked with abusers. “It will certainly continue to offer a re­ storative approach to healing in cases of violence and abuse,” said Epp-Stobbe, who previously directed the then-inde­ pendent initiative on an interim basis. But she would also like to spend more time working with congregations to help pre­ vent abuse. Epp-Stobbe, who is just completing her doctorate in theology from the Toronto School of Theology, is an ordained minis­ ter. She pastored the Hamilton (Ont.) Mennonite Church from 1985-91. She joined MCC Canada in January 1998 to coordinate the Women’s Concerns pro­ gram, before leaving later that year to head up Voices for Non Violence. The program became dormant in December 1998. She and her husband, David Epp-Stobbe, attend Bethel Mennonite Church, where he is the pastor. They have an eight-yearold daughter. Ken Reddig, executive director, said MCC Manitoba decided to pick up the Voices initiative after a commissioned study found the program was still needed in Mennonite communities and congre­ gations. MCC Manitoba THE MESSENGER

SIEMENS - to Kelvin and Pat Siemens of Kola, Man., a son. Tanner George, on November 21, 1999. PLETT - to Wendell and Shelley Plett of Kola, Man., a daughter, Emma Renae, on December 14, 1999. ATKINSON - to Keith and Tanya Atkinson of Swift Current, Sask., a son, Nigel Alexander Keith, on December 16, 1999.

QVeddings ALKSNE - BRYDGES: Darryl, son of Harold and Deborah Alksne of Stony Mountain, Mein., was married on August 7, 1999, to Angela, daughter of David and Helen Brydges of Lorette, Man. The wedding took place at the Morrow Gospel Church in Winnipeg, Man., with Darnell Plett officiating. The couple is making their home in Winnipeg. MARTENS - DERKSEN: Abe Martens of Kola, Man., and Frieda Derksen of Didsbury, Alta., were married on December 4, 1999, at the Bergthal Mennonite Church in Didsbury, with Bruce Wiebe officiating.

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Dave Schellenberg REFLECTING JOY IN CHRIST A FEW SUNDAYS AGO our Sunday school lesson included Psalm 90, and we were stmck by the sombre note of some of the passages: “We have finished our years like a sigh,” “O satisfy us in the morning with Thy lovingkindness. That we may sing for joy and be glad all our days,” “Make us glad according to the days Thou hast afflicted us.” Is the Christian life only sombre? Or is there also the element of joy? Or should we go for the golden mean? The Psalm­ ist seems to suggest that there is room for both. All in all, 1 believe too often we reflect a joyless Christian life. Three years ago an African choir toured America. Esengo, the name of the group, means “joy” in one of the major lan­ guages of Zaire (now Congo). Appar­ ently these Zairians had problems with our “stiffness” in worship. They won­ dered, Don’t these North American Chris­ FEBRUARY 9, 2000

ELDA JAMILETH GUTIERREZ ALSO GRADUATED! Correction to January 26th issue: Graduates of the three-year program of the Mennonite Bible Institute in Nicaragua are Korina Isabell Calero, Francisca Azucena Calero, Francisco Ariel Lara, Evelyn de Jesus Vado, and Elda Jamileth Gutierrez. Also, Francisca was wrongly identified in the photo as Korinna. This error was repeated in a second photo where Francisca received her diploma during the graduation ceremony. The editor apologizes for this confusion.

tians show theirJoy? Through their sing­ ing and sharing, these young people from Zaire certainly demonstrated the Christian joy in their hearts. On that same Sunday our pastor di­ rected us away from “inhibitors to spir­ ituality” — those things that make the Christian life burdensome — to that which is positive: Talk about the Lord. Smile. Love the Scriptures. Appreciate other people. He encouraged us to check ourselves: If every member of this church lived at your level, would you en­ joy the church? Thou wilt make known to me the path of life. In Thy presence is fullness ofJoy; In Thy right hand there are pleasures for­ ever (Psalm 16:11). If we cannot fathom this joy, maybe we are not living close enough to the Lord. One illustration of how joy is part of a Christian life is Paul’s rejoicing even in adversities, mentioned in Philippians. In this short book the word rejoice is used nine times. In the New Testament re­ joice is used more than forty times. Maybe our pastor had this in mind when he made the point that we are to have cui “eager anticipation of future glory.” However, the temptation is to be so earthbound that we fail to anticipate this glory. Part of the problem may stem from equating joy with fun. Fun has its place, but joy is altogether different. “When the morning stars sang together. All the sons of God shouted for joy...” (Job 38:7), that was not for fun - it was a tri-

umphant shout of joy! Nor was Christ speaking of fun when He said, “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:11). 1 have the great hope of eternal life. Is this evident in my life? Jesus said, “1 came that they may have life, and have it abun­ dantly” (John 10:10). Can people see this in me? Paul says, “Be anxious for noth­ ing. ..” (Phil. 4:6). Do 1 worry less than a non-Christian? Jesus said, “But you shall receive power” (Acts 1:8). Can people see this in me? These are hard questions to answer, but we need to do so. They are ques­ tions we need to face if we are sincere in trying to manifest the fullness of joy spoken of both Christ and the Psalmist and the peace spoken of by Paul. 1 think an occasional check-up is in order. John Baillie, in his little book A Diary of Private Prayer, has a morning prayer which might help us examine ourselves and reflect a greater joy in Christ: Give me today some clear vision of my life in time as it appears to Thine eternity. Show me my own smallness and Thine infi­ nitegreatness. Show me my own sin and Thy perfect righteousness. Show me my own love­ lessness and Thine exceeding love. Yet in Thy mercy show me also how, small as I am, I can take refuge in Thy great­ ness; how, sinful as I am, I may lean upon Thy righteousness; and how, love­ less as 1 am, / may hide myself in Thy forgiving love.

PAGE 13

La Crete Christian Fellowship Church is presently looking for a youth pastor to begin in July 2000. Candidates should have a love for youth, have some experience in youth leadership, be willing to teach and be self-motivated. Is this you? La Crete is a predominantly Mennonite community with a population of about 6000, which includes the surrounding farm­ ing area. The LCCF has an average wor­ ship 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, Alberta 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 responsibility for hiring the pastor. Candi­ dates can write to Dave Thiessen, Taber EMC board chairman, 5004-45 Ave., Taber, AB T1G 1A8, or phone him at 403-223-2240. 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 Paraguay. Church ministry workers are needed to fol­ low up contacts, disciple new believers and train for leadership. Church organizational skills are an asset. Involvement would be within rural and urban settings. Contact Lester Olfert or other missions staff (Henry Klassen, John Koop). Senior pastor position available at the Mount Salem EMC in Aylmer, Ont. The congregation is younger, and the Sunday morning attend­ ance is 350. Duties are to begin early spring PAGE 14

2000. Contact Arnold Loewen at 519-773-2728 (phone and fax) or George Krahn at 519-7735061 or write Pastoral Search Committee, Mount Salem EMC, R.R.6, Aylmer, Ontario N5H 2R5.

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 applicants must exhibit a commitment to a personal Christian faith and discipleship, ac­ tive membership in a Mennonite or Brethren in Christ church, and nonviolent peacemak­ ing. The Search Committee will begin review­ ing applications after February 28, 2000, until the position is filled. Please direct applications and inquiries to Mark Charlton, Executive Di­ rector Search Committee, c/o Mennonite Cen­ tral Committee BC, Box 2038, 31414 Marshall Rd., Abbotsford, B.C. V2T 3T8, Fax: 604-8508734, phone: 604-855-3491, E-mail: chartton@twv.ca Needed for March 2000: a senior pastor for the Rosenort Evangelical Mennonite Church. The church has an active mem­ bership of 250. Pastoral qualifications will include an engaging preaching style, an evangelistic outlook, strong visitation skills, and sound doctrine. Previous pastoral ex­ perience is an asset. There is an opportu­ nity to work with a youth pastor and a mul­ tiple lay ministry. A resume, including a doctrinal statement, is requested. An infor­ mation packet is available from the search committee chairman Larry Eidse, Box 218, Rosenort, Man. ROG 1W0. Phone: 204-7468422 (home) or 204-746-8355 (work). Fax: 204-746-2069.

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. Con­ tact 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 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 university 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 (1-888-

622-6337) 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.

Winnipeg Mennonite Elementary Schools Inc. (WMES) invites applications for the position of principal for the school year commencing in August 2000. The principal will be expected to be an educational leader and assume respon­ sibility for implementing and managing stu­ dent education and recruitment, supervising and guiding staff, and maintaining good parent/school relations; have a strong desire to support teaching and modelling of the Chris­ tian faith as interpreted in the Mennonite Anabaptist tradition. Direct inquiries to The Executive Commit­ tee, Winnipeg Mennonite Elementary Schools Inc., 250 Bedson St.. Winnipeg, Man. R3K 1R7, Attention: Richard Klassen, Chairman; tel­ ephone: 204-885-1032, fax: 204-897-4068, Email: wmes(fimbnet.mb.ca. Apply now for MCC Canada’s Aboriginal Neigh­ bours Summer Program! This sixteen-week program offers volunteers, from college age to seniors, the opportunity to work cooperatively with Aboriginal people in reserve or urban set­ tings. Placements include gardening, youth recreation, or other work depending on volun­ teers and the host community. Orientation begins May 4. For more details, please con­ tact MCC: 888-622-6337(toll free).

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: 204-255-8062 Deadline for applications: February 29 THE MESSENGER

KATHERINE KOOP 1909-2000 Precious in the sight ofthe Lord is the death of His saints (Psalm 116:15). Our mother, Katherine Koop, age 90, passed away at the Bethesda Personal Care Home in Steinbach, Man., on Sunday, Janu­ ary 2, 2000, after a courageous battle with cancer. For the past several months communica­ tion with her was limited. Usually around mealtime was the best time to catch her alert, and frequently one of the family mem­ bers would assist in feeding her. On Christ­ mas Day we sang for her. She said rubbing her feet was the best Christmas present and the rails on her bed were the worst. On December 26 we had the Koop family gathering in the nursing home. Mom was there, enjoyed the meal, and was alert. A week later she passed away. She had been lying quietly, and the nurse said the rails

were no longer needed, so they were low­ ered. Mother was bom near Kleefeld, Man., on September 2, 1909, to Cornelius and Katherine Kornelsen, the firstborn to Grandfather Kornelsen’s second wife. Three young children were left when Grandpa’s first wife died. Mom attended school in Seaton, near Kleefeld, Man, She was baptized on the confession of her faith on October 28,1928, at the age of nineteen, by Peter R Reimer. On November 3, 1940, she married our father, Cornelius D. Koop. This marriage lasted almost twenty-two years, until Dad’s passing in 1962. They lived on her parents’ farm until 1948, when they moved to the Blumenort, Man., area. They also lived in logging camps near Roblin and \bssar, Man. With Dad’s passing. Mom was left with four children, ages twelve to eighteen. She had many hardships, but God’s grace was sufficient. She was sensitive and frequently realized one of us was sick before we real­ ized it ourselves. After her children had all left home. Mom moved into Birchwood Apartments in Steinbach and lived there until Oakwood Place in Blumenort was built. In July 1998, due to failing health. Mom moved into Bethesda Personal Care Home in Steinbach. In spite of her hearing loss, she appreci­ ated company and was concerned that she not die alone. Even though she was in a

coma the last day, we put in her hearing aid and sang for her. On Sunday, January 2, Mom peacefully went to a better home, with all her children present. She was predeceased by her husband, two brothers, three sisters and one son-inlaw. She is survived by her children: Violet and Dalton Smith, Allen and Elma Koop, Myrna and Erwin Pohl, Art and Thelma Koop; twenty grandchildren and four great­ grandchildren; two brothers, Cornelius Kornelsen (Rosenort, Man.), Pete and Nora Komelsen (Winnipeg, Man.); three sisters, Elizabeth Friesen (Blumenort), Justina Dueck (Landmark, Man.), Anne and Henry Dueck (Winnipeg); two brothers-in-law, Isaac Friesen (Mexico), Jake and Helen Koop (Kola, Man.); one sister-in-law, Katherine Koop (Steinbach); and many nieces and nephews. Mom had a great concern for her children and grandchildren and prayed for them. Thank you, Mom. We are looking forward to meeting you again. The funeral service was held on January 5 at the Blumenort EMC. Thank you to Ed Johnson and Melvin Penner for their assist­ ance and to Bert Komelsen for the mes­ sage. Also a special thank you to the home­ care workers, the doctors, all the staff at the PCH, who gave loving care during her illness, and all those who encouraged her by their visits and prayers. May God reward you for your concern and help. Her Children

WILMER (KORNELSEN) BANMAN 1961-2000 ...I haue come that you might have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10). Wilmer was bom on September 9,1961, to John and Bertha Banman in Quellenkolonie, Mexico. He passed away on January 12,2000, at the young age of thirty-eight years. Wilmer spent his early years in Mexico and then moved to Manitoba with his family in 1974, at the age of twelve. Wilmer loved life and saw good in all people. He made friends easily and enjoyed the work that his hands set out to do. At the age of twenty-five he accepted Je­ sus as his personal Saviour and was baptized upon his faith at the Evangelical Fellowship Church in Steinbach, Manitoba. Wilmer’s new faith gave him a love for the principles

of God, and he did his best, by example, to show them to those who knew him. Wilmer married me, Annie Wall, on May 9, 1987, and this union brought out his first earthly love. We made our home in Steinbach until 1994 and then moved to Kleefeld. Wilmer was interested in home improvements and regularly had projects that gave our home a personal touch. He also loved farming, animals, waterfalls and music. God blessed our union with two daugh­ ters, Tiffany Jolyn (bom on June 2,1991) and Tamara Nicole (bom on January 6,1994), and the girls were definitely Wilmer’s second earthly love. He spent as much of his short life with them as he could. He introduced them to his love of watching hockey games and attending community events. He also loved taking them on his trucking trips and showed them a much larger world than the little town they lived in. Wilmer also shared his love with the girls by listening intently to what they shared with him. In the fall of 1999 he shared with them how many fathers wish for sons eind how he felt totally blessed with having his two sweet girls. In the last couple of years Wilmer felt es­ pecially blessed by the fellowship he en­ joyed with the men in the Kleefeld EMC. He also felt very blessed by the friendships he enjoyed with his boss and co-workers at Funk’s Livestock.

On Monday, January 10,2000, Wilmer was admitted to the Steinbach Bethesda Hospi­ tal because of chest pain and shortness of breath. After several tests we were in­ formed that he had an acute stomach ulcer. He was released from the hospital on Janu­ ary 12 and immediately went to a doctor’s appointment in Ste. Anne concerning a knee problem. We were preparing to leave for home when suddenly the Lord called Wilmer to a better home in glory. (He died of a blood clot.) His very sudden death grieves us deeply. His memory will be cherished by me, his wife, Annie; and daughters Tiffany and Tamara. He will also be sadly missed by his parents, John and Bertha Banman; two brothers, Alvin and Liz (Manitoba), Levi and Margaret (New Brunswick); two sisters, Sarah and Ken (Manitoba), Mary and Verlin (Oklahoma), and their families; his motherin-law, Anna Wall; five brothers-in-law, Abe and Helen (Texas), John and Lorna (On­ tario), Peter and Mary (Manitoba), Jake and Helen (Alberta), Dave and Linda (Manitoba); two sisters-in-law, Susan and Peter (Mani­ toba), Martha and Scott (Ontario), and their families; his grandmother, uncles, aunts, and cousins. For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever! (Ro­ mans 11:36). Annie Banman

FEBRUARY 9, 2000

PAGE 15

February 25-27 ENRICH Parenting Seminar Stony Brook Fellowship Steinbach Bible College Steinbach, Man. Phone: 204-346-9129

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March 3-5 EMC Leadership Retreat Speaker: Abe Block Camp Ames, Man. Phone: 204-326-6401

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o M I N G E V E N T S

March 3-5 Father/Son Retreat Camps with Meaning Camp Moose Lake Sprague, Man. Phone:204-896-1616

March 3-5 Mother/Daughter Retreat Keeping the Lines Open: Communication with Family and God Camp Koinonia Camps With Meaning Boissevain, Man. Phone: 204-896-1616 March 3-5 Families with a Mentally Handicapped Person Retreat What Works When Life Doesn’t CampAssiniboia Camps With Meaning Winnipeg, Man. Phone:204-896-1616 March 17-18 SBC Leadership Conference Steinbach Bible College Steinbach, Man. Phone: 800-230-8478 March 18 Winnipeg Mennonite Elementary Schools Spring Banquet Bethel Mennonite Church Winnipeg, Man. Phone:204-261-9637 Or 204-885-1032 March 25 MCC Women’s Concerns Committee Conference Moving Towards Wholeness Bethel Mennonite Church Winnipeg, Man. Phone: 204-324-9537

May 12-13 Steinbach Christian High School 50” Anniversary Celebration Steinbach, Man. Phone: 204-326-3537 September 29-30 Celebrate the Word! InScribe Christian Writers’ Fellowship 20” Anniversary Fall Conference 2000 The King’s University College Edmonton, Alta. Phone: 780-467-7723

FROM ATHEISM TO CHRIST

They Found the Saviour! Helen Unger

ONE MORNING WHEN my husband, John, was just getting ready for the grand opening at our new furniture store in Chilliwack, B.C., a man dropped in and introduced him­ self as Rev. Jasper. He said, “Three years ago my wife and 1, and my sister, Ellen, and her husband came across from England. We are a team of four musicians and are having services at the Sardis Gospel Hall, with me bringing the messages. “Our parents, who are still in England, belong to the Communist party,” he went on. “We were atheists and had never heard the Gospel. Our parents strongly advo­ cated the communist system, including common sharing and equality. My sister eind I had a lot of arguments with them; we Wcinted freedom of choice. There was no way our parents would give in, and we became more and more desperate to find out about God and religion, and later, Christianity. We also knew nothing about prayer at that time. “Once we were teenagers, we tried to escape this kind of life. We would sneak out late at night through the base­ ment window. We did this for some time without our peirents finding out. It was the Lord’s leading that we soon met some Christian young people, and we found peace with God. Our parents were very shocked and disap­ pointed. “The pastor of our newly discovered church encour­ aged us with Psalm 37:37-40: Mark the perfect man and behold the upright. But the transgressors shall be destroyed. The end of the depraved shall be cut off. But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord. He is their strength in the time of trouble. And the Lord shall deliver them from their enemy and save them because they trust in Him. ” My husband said, “On Friday and Saturday we are hav­ ing our grand opening. Would you be willing to serve us with Christian musical entertainment for those two days?” They gladly accepted, praising the Lord God on high. Helen Unger is a Messenger reader living in Abbotsford, B.C. Wanted: Hymnbooks The Christian Fellowship Church in Birch River, Man., is looking for 10 to 15 hymnbooks. Hymns for Praise and Service. Contact: Allan Friesen at 204-238-4967

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

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ME WHO

PO BOX 702 STEINBHCH MB

J £23

ROH 2H0 9912

THE MESSENGER Evangelical Mennonite Conference Box 1268, 440 Main Street Steinbach, MB ROA 2A0