The Messenger September 12, 1969

EVANGELICAL

VOL. 7. NO. 19 SEPT. 12, 1969

MENNONITE

f IN ISSUE: Matthew 24 and 25 lL Africa Mennonite Meet

3

LOVING OTHERS "Let everything be done in love." The other day a few of us were engaged in an important (?) meeting in my office when I was in­ terrupted by a small lad who poked his head in through the door with a question. Since we were engrossed in this important (?) meeting I didn’t take long to tell him off. After he had gone, one of the brethren rebuked me saying I shouldn’t have been so abrupt. The reminder was timely and appreciated even though it involved my ego. I am also reminded of a short prayer at the close of a recent letter from a missionary couple in Africa. It may seem trivial or routine or even ele­ mentary but for me it carried a lot of weight- It was, “Help us to love each person we meet. Help us to remember that You (God) want them to know You.” How easily and maybe carelessly we sing, “Tis the old time religion” and then, “Makes me love everybody”. Why not check up at the end of the day some time and see the many unlovely things we did to our family and also others. A mother had developed the habit of being cross and complaining in the home. But when away from home she was all sweetness and light. One night after she had been especially irritable she heard her child pray, “Dear God, make Mommy love us like she does the people we visit.” This reve­ lation proved to be a turning point for this mother. But what about the unlovely? What about those who have done me wrong? What about those who disagree with me? W. H. Griffith Thomas once made the following statement. “I once heard bishop Whip­ ple, apostle to the Indians say, ‘For thirty years I have tried to see the face of Christ in those with whom I differed.’ ” I believe if this was practised we would more often experience what Christ said that fountains of living water would flow out from our innermost being- If this spirit would motivate us we would be preserved at once from a narrow bigotry and an easy going tolerance and anything that would mar our testimony for Him who came not to destroy man’s lives but to save themNot long ago we had the privilege of visiting the famous “Father Flannigan’s Boys Town” just west of Omaha, Nebraska. On their literature and souvenirs etc. you will see displayed one boy carry­ ing another one and with this inscription, “ ... he ain’t heavy. Father, he’s m’ brother.” We have heard about sentence sermons, well here you have one. Thus also in the spiritual a “brother” is one who should not be heavy or hard to bear. Paul says here that we ought to bear one another’s burdens “and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

How often the opposite is true, we add to our bro­ ther’s burden! David Augsburger, speaker on the “Mennonite Hour” makes these thought-provoking remarks.” The older I grow, the more I evaluate Christian maturity by the simple questions. Does it love? Does it care for a man’s life and eternal life? Does it feel the hurt of compassion? Does it ever ache to save? By that standard, how Christian am I?” There is no short cut in achieving more toler­ ance and love. Everything in our old nature mili­ tates against kindness and understanding. Only as we are motivated by the love of Christ can we love. We will have compassion and a desire to save, as we remember that Christ died for all. “Let all bitterness, and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, for­ giving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (Eph. 4:31,32) —D.S.

Letters Dear Editor: The warm fall days of September bring back sharp memories to our minds as we reluctantly re­ live what took place a year ago. We were living in bliss, enjoying the blessing of a new little boy in the family when suddenly our oldest girls, Sylvia, was struck with an incurable disease. Just as suddenly life took on a different shade. Instead of rejoicing over the newborn in the basket, we were taking our turn at the bedside of our sick little five-year-old. Words are inadequate to express what took place deep inside of our hearts as we saw our lively little firstborn slowly wearing away. Four long months, and yet so utterly short as we look back, the Lord relieved her from a state of severe suffering to His loving side. Another life began; a different shade again. No more the pain of seeing her suffer, desperately wishing to help her — but the ache of a vacuum, and a loneliness that only the Divine One can fill and soothe. Life moves on and we must soon move with it. But to us it will never be the same- The blessing, the joy is in the lesson the Lord taught us; to depend upon Him and find Him faithful; to ex­ perience the meaning of Christian sympathy; and to implant in us a new vision and desire for Heaven with His presence. “Even so. Come Lord Jesus.” We would here like to extend our deepest gra­ titude for all your prayers on our behalf, as well as the many cards and letters. God only can reward you. Elvin and Tina Reimer Box 106, Fisher Branch, Man.

The Messenger is the publication of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference. Its purple is to inform, instruct and inspire. In­ form as to what is going on in the Conference. Instruct in Godliness and victorious living. Inspire to earnestly contend for the faith. All correspondence should be addressed to the Editor D. K. Schellenberg. Views expressed in Letters to the Editor are not necessarily those of the editor nor of the paper. Unpublished letters are not returned except by request. Subscription: Members pay through their church. Non-members $1.00 per year. THE MESSENGER. Published every other week by Evangelical Mennonite Conference, Board of Education and Publication, Box 1268, Steinbach, Manitoba. Second Class Mau, Registration Number 0591. Undeliverable copies, change of address and new subscriptions should be mailed to the above address.

2

THE MESSENGER

An Interpretation of Matthew 24 and 25 By Ben Eidse

Introduction: Matthew chapter 24 and 25 are Jesus’ clearest presentation of the end time. Before interpreting this passage a word on the nature of prophetic Scripture may be helpful. 1. The purpose of prophecy is to forewarn and to forearm in ‘view of coming hardships. It is not given to satisfy our curiosity. 2. The view points and the themes dealt with are frequently quite diverse. These must be care­ fully considered. 3. The information given is limited revelation, not history written beforehand, not a diary of the future. Certain things are revealed; others remain a mystery. A study of the New Testament reveals that prophecies were usually clearly understood only after their fulfillment. 4. Events that are centuries apart are often presented in the same framework of time and local setting. (This, obviously, was essential if the im­ mediate audience was to comprehend the message.) In view of this and the previous point we must be careful not to be too dogmatic about our deductions. I believe all too many eschatological charts have been made. Let us be careful not to have our view of prophecy figured out too completely and sys­ tematically. We must remain open to further il­ lumination by the Holy Spirit. 5. Prophecy is a clarion call announcing the certainty of things to come as delineated in the Word of God. 6. Throughout the New Testament the second coming of Christ is constantly related to right living. Turning now to our text we observe that verse 1-3 describe the occasion of this discourse. Evi­ dently Jesus was leaving the temple for the last time and it was natural that his thoughts move forward into the future to the destruction of his magnificent building. “There will not be left here one stone upon another.” These words were fulfilled roughly 40 years after they were spoken. Titus had not com­

The Author: Rev. Eidse is presently engaged in transla­ tion work in the Congo where he resides together with his family.

pletely levelled the temple to the ground. Later Emperor Julian wanted to rebuild it, but the at­ tempt was futile. Finally he decided to remove all the stones so that not one stone was left upon another. It is true that the wailing wall still stands in Jerusalem today, but this was not part of the main building — rather it is a portion of one of the buildings of the temple complex. Jesus and His disciples headed eastward through the Kidron valley and ascended the Mount of Olives. When He was seated the disciples confronted Him, “Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?” This, then, is the setting of the fascinating dis­ closure of chapters 24 and 25. Now let us briefly outline the entire passage: 1. The coming of the end (24:1-14). 2. The destruction of Jerusalem (vs. 15-28) — though not limited exclusively to this. 3. The coming of the Son of Man, (vs. 29-31) — with references to the destruction of Jeru­ salem as well. 4. The call to readiness (vs. 32-51) — for we do not know when he will come. 5. The parable of the foolish virgins (25:1-13) watch! 6. The parable of the talents (vs. 14-30) — faithfully use your talents in view of the future day of reckoning. 7. The judgment (vs. 31-46) — interpreted variously, either the final judgment or what has been called “the judgment of the nations.” I. The Coming of the End (24:1-14) 1. The beginning of sufferings (vs. 4-8) 1) Warning against false prophets (vs. 4, 5) — successful deception. 2) Prediction of wars and rumors of wars (v. 6) actual fightings close by, and distant rumb­ lings that pose a threat. Josephus, the historian, relates the intention of Emperor Caligula to lead an expedition against the Jews, but nothing came of it. The entire Empire was distraught. At least four emperors, Nero, Galba, Otho, Viteloius, died violently within a short space of time. And yet these occurrences do not nearly exhaust the full content of the prophecy. Mayer sees in v. 6 “the first, far off in­ direct prognostics of the second advent, like the roll of distant thunder.”! 3) Announcement of international .conflicts (v. 7). According to Josephus 50,000 Jews were killed in Seleucia in 38 A.D. 4) Forecast of famines and earthquakes (v. 7) Page 3

“Matthew 24 and 25 are addressed to dis­ ciples, to believers, and therefore to me”. There was a famine in Judea under the reign of Claudius (49 A.D.). Compare Acts 11:28. Some of the earthquakes that occurred be­ tween the prediction and the destruction of the holy city were: on the island of Crete (46 and 47 A.D.), in Rome (51 A.D.) and in Laodicea (60 A.D.), etc. — “in various places.” (The word “pestilence” is not found in the best manuscripts.) “All this is but the beginning of the suf­ ferings” (v. 8), so let us not dwell on these too much when we speak of the imminence of the return of our Lord. “Sufferings” could be translated birth pangs. “The death throes of the Jewish state precede the ‘regeneration’ of the universal Christian Church, as the death throes of the world, the new heavens and the new earth.”2 A widdly held interpretation of these chap­ ters should be examined briefly. Harry Iron­ side, says as follows:

It is quite possible that the rapture should be fitted in between verses eight and nine. The secret rapture of the church is not introduced here in this great prophetic discourse. That was still a hidden mystery when Jesus spoke these words. There is no time set for it nor are there any signs indicated. Signs here all have to do with His revelation from Heaven as the King who is to take His great power and reign. The coming of the Son of Man refers al­ ways to this event, never to the rapture.3 I disagree with this statement. If you accept this exposition then you would say that none of these predictions, none of these signs, have to do with us. They refer only to the Jews during the tribulation. But Jesus was speak­ ing to disciples. We don’t consider them as Jews but as believers. The words Jesus ad­ dressed to them we apply to ourselves to­ day (For example, the Great Commission). On what basis can it be said that our Lord addresses the disciples here as Jews and on other occasions as believers? When Ironside mentions the rapture he is thinking of what he calls ‘the secret rap­ ture.” He implies that it takes place between chapters 3 and 4. Again it’s not taught spe­ cifically. This puzzled me. How could such an important doctrine just be implied in passages that illuminate so many other fu­ ture events. Why wouldn’t Jesus tell his disciples if he were to secretly come for them. I may be stepping on somebody’s the­ ological toes, but personally I do not believe the Word of God teaches a secret rapture of believers. There will be a translation of saints when Jesus returns visibly, as out­ lined in such passages as I Thess. 4:13-18, but this will not be secret. Note such exPage 4

pressions as: “with a cry of command, with the archangel’s call, and with the sound of the trumpet of God” (RSV) “Every eye will see him.” Permit me to give a personal illustration. I had wondered about all the charts on eschatdlogy, and why this verse was stuck on one spot and another elsewhere. Then I decided I’d read through Matt. 24 and 25 and I and H Thess. to see if I could find a system like this. I couldn’t find it. Man-made dia­ grams and patterns of thought have been forced on Scripture. Reading the contexts of isolated verses I could find no reason for putting them where they were supposed to go on the drawings. Let’s be careful to inter­ pret the Word in the light of the verses that precede and follow the text and under con­ sideration. Matthew 24 and 25 are addressed to disciples, to believers, and therefore to me. 2. The signs of the end (vs. 9-14) This section will be discussed later. II. The Destruction of Jerusalem (vs. 15-28) Apparently Jesus is picking up the thread that he left off in v. 3, focusing attention on the de­ struction of the city, and what his listeners are to do when it happens. 1. The warning to flee (vs. 15-22) 1) The occasion of the flight (vs. 15) — “the desolating sacrilege . . . standing in the holy place.” The allusion is evidently to Dan. 9:27 “Forces from him shall take away the con­ tinual burnt offering. And they shall set up the abomination that makes desolate.” There is a variety of interpretations. Alex­ andrian Jews thought this had reference to Antiochus Epiphanes, the King of Syria, who offered a sow upon the altar (I Macc. 1:54; 2 Macc. 6:1-9). But this happened be­ fore Jesus’ discourse. Josephus held that it referred to the desolation by the Romans (Ant. X 11. 7). Others say that the eagles of the Roman legion are meant since these were idols that the soldiers worshipped. They encamped around the Holy City in the years 66, 68, and 70. According to this view the encampment of 66 A.D. is the sign re­ ferred to. However, an exegesis that seems more plausible to me is that advocated by Alford. Matthew and Mark, writing to the Jews, “give the inner domestic sign of the ap­ proaching calamity: which was to be seen in the temple, and was to be the abomination.”4 This term, he observes, is always used of something the Jews were responsible for, not outsiders. The third evangelist, writ­ ing to Gentiles describes the outward state (the Surrounding of Jerusalem by armies), which corresponded to what was happening within. But what was the actual event that alarmed the Christians? Could it be the tak­ ing over of temple by the party of the Zealots and their choosing of an ignorant fellow to be the priest (referred to by Josephus) ? If

THE MESSENGER

t

not this particular event, could it not have been something similar, so that Christians were warned both from inside and outside the city?5 There is an aspect of this event that is still future, though. In this connection I Thess. 2.1-12 should be read. We’ll quote a few excerpts “Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our assembling to meet Him, we beg you brethren not to be quickly shaken in mind or excited . . . Let no one deceive you in any way, for that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or ob­ ject of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, vroclaiming himself to be God . . This is clearly a parallel to the passages on the abomination of desolation. Paul is telling the Thessalonians that Christ will not come until “the man of lawlessness, the son of perdition is revealed.”

2) The command to flee (vs. 16-22). “Then let those who are in Judea flee to the moun­ tains.” Eusebius, the historian states that at the time of the siege by Titus the Christ­ ians fled across the Jordan to live in a city of Perea called Pella (His. Ill, 5, 2f), as they were told to do by divine communication before the beginning of the war. There are other allusions to people leaving the city (War, V, 10, 1: II, 20, 1). V. 17 — “Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house.” Extreme haste is called for. No time was to be wasted, nor were they to drag extras along. This could refer to running from roof to roof or escaping by way of the outer stair­ way without entering the house.6 Vs. 18, 19 — “Let him who is in the field not turn back to take his mantel . . . alas . . .” There will not be time for the man who is working on the field in his short tunic, to return home to get his travelling garment. It will be particularly hard for pregnant mothers and for nursing children. V. 20 — “Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the sabbath.” According to Jewish traditional regulations you could only travel 1050 yards on the sabbath. Were they then not to break this law or does this refer to the harassment of Jewish extremists who would disapprove of their sabbath travel? Or was this instruction given because the gates were shut on the sabbath TT Whatever the reason, they were urged to pray con­ cerning the time of their flight. V. 21 — “For them there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no and never will be.” Compare Lk. 21:20 “Then know that its desolation has come near.” From without there were the attacks from within hunger, disease, division, and vio­ lence. At the time of the siege the city’s

population was augmented by many pil­ grims who had come to celebrate the Passover Feast. Additional fugitives had flocked there for safety. Josephus estimated that 1,000,000 people fell in the onslaught and commented “No other city ever endured similar calamities . . .” (Jewish Wars, V). Dreadful though this suffering was, there has been comparable suffering. To get the full impact of v. 21 I believe we must realize that Jesus sees in the Jerusalem tribulation a picture of the future calamity that will precede His return. V. 22 — “And if those days had not been shortened, no human being would be saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.” Remember the initial refernce is to the siege of the Holy City. A num­ ber of factors were responsible for the bre­ vity of the battle. Herod had been hindered from strengthening the walls; much of the Jewish food supplies had been burned short­ ly before; and the Jews were not ready.8 Had the fight continued longer many more would have perished. Comparing this state­ ment with the succeeding verses the Book of Revelation, and parallel passages in the other Gospels we see the wider implications of this prediction — to the future tribula­ tion. 3) The warning against false Christs (vs. 2328). Fsdse prophets had been responsible for the trouble and now they offered a way out. Miserable counselors! No, don’t go looking for Him in any out-of-the-way place. When our Lord comes He will be seen everywhere at the same time (v. 27). “Every eye shall see Him.” (Rev. 1:7). V. 28 — “Wherever the body is there will the eagles be gathered together.” Compare Lk. 17:37 “Where Lord?” “Wherever” seems to hint at universality. Where, “First at Jerusalem where the corrupting body lies . .” and then in its ultimate fulfillment all over the world.9 Permit me to re-emphasize. The account here is not a detailed diary of the future, but enough information is revealed so that believers will be forewarned and forarmed when these events do occur. FOOTNOTES 1 Hein. Aug. Wilh. Meyer. Commentary on the New Testament (Edinburgh: T. &. T. Clark). 2 Henry Alford, The Greek Testament (London: Rivingtons, 1863), I, 236. 3 H. A. Ironside, Expository Notes on the Gospel of Matthew (New York: Loizeaux Brothers, 1948), p. 316. 4 Alford, p. 237. 5 Ibid, p. 238. 6 John A. Broadus, Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew (Philadelphia: The American Baptist Publication Society, 1886), p. 487. 7 John Peter Lange, Commentary on the Holy Scriptures, Grand Rapids: Zondervan, n.d.) p. 425 8 Alford, p. 240. 9 Ibid., p. 240. Page 5 in

(('

A Sunday's Activities in Japan by Dan Koop

Dan, Norma and Dwight Koop.

Two weeks ago we moved to Arai City. The Lord spoke to us from the following verse, “My message is not my own but Him that sent me.” We thank the Lord that we have been given a message for the people in Arai. Come with us on our Sunday’s activities. We live two minutes’ walk from the church. We leave at 8:40. At church we are greeted by Misses Itami and Kawasaki. These girls work 6 days a week at a garment factory and are the backbone of the church. Miss Itami has just finished sweeping the floor and Miss Ka­ wasaki is making a flower arrange­ Page 6

ment from flowers brought by a Sunday school student. Ah! The two Bible School stu­ dents have also arrived and stu­ dents are coming in a few at a time. Because of Parents Teachers meeting the children are all in school today. Last Sunday we had a nice group of 30 or so. It is now 9:15 and Norma begins to teach English Bible to the five Junior High students who have come. Sunday School finishes at 10^ 15 and church begins at 10:30. At the worship service we are all young people with us being the oldest. The Arai Bible Church has been known for several years as a young peoples’ church. Seven high school students were baptized last year who have now moved to other cities to attend universities. After a short time of singing and praying Dan is up on the platform reading his first Japan­ ese sermon in Arai. The service is ended and preparations are being made for lunch. An assortment of tomatoes, cucumbers, sandwiches, cookies and watermelon has been brought by the various ones. We enjoy the food and fellowship. At 1:30 p.m. the Junior High school class begins in Japanese. These come smartly dressed in the sailor type school uniform. During this class time some of the believers discuss the forthcom­ ing evangelistic meetings, summer camps and next Sunday’s visita­ tion. The evening service begins at 7:30 and Mr. Nishida, the 3rd year Bible School student preaches on, “Running the Christian Race”. The service ends at 8:30 but 3 of the 11 present are grade 12 stu­ dents who are newcomers to the church. They have many questions and we discuss various things till 10:30. Weary? Yes, but the Seed was again sown.

FEEDING THE “FIVE THOUSAND’’ IN BIAFRA Akron, Pa. — Since the mid-June grounding by Federal Nigeria of Red Cross relief flights to Biafra, the nutritional situation in Biafra has deteriorated badly, fast ap­ proaching that of a year ago when starvation soared. No progress has been reported on negotiations on full scale Biafra relief resumption. However, it is reported that Joint Church Aid has succeeded in get­ ting flights into Biafra nearly ev­ ery night. In a recent letter Dr. Linford Gehman with the Quaker-Mennonite Service in Biafra writes, “Food is top priority, to be sure, but me­ dically, apart from malnutrition, the outlook is not hopeless. There are medicines waiting in the docks on Sao Tome, and there are Biafran doctors and nurses in the heart of Ibo-land, where they have been driven with the other refu­ gees. “With the Abiriba hospital re­ located in Ozu Abam my immedi­ ate task is to tend the clinics and sick bays out in the bush where doctors and medicines are scarce. And wherever doctors are at work, to see that they have drugs to work with. As long as we have medicines I can do my job. But having to show up at a clinic with­ out medicines is painful.” Until a few weeks ago the Abiribi Joint Hospital stood empty since its evacuation in early April. At that time, when Nigerian Federal forces pushed down from the north the road leading directly to Abiriba also fell to their hands. The hospital moved to a former school building in the village of Ozu Abam 10 miles south of Abi­ riba town. Recently, Nigeria claims to have secured Abiriba, and Bia­ fra claims to have recaptured most of the town. What does seem cer­ tain is that at least that section of town in which the hospital stands is occupied by Nigerian Fe­ deral troops. Quaker-Mennonite Service is now headquartered in Ihie, south of Umuahia, a thickly settled area much in need of medical supplies and services. Dr. Gehman and Martha Bender, a nurse, travel from Ihie weekly to the hospital at Ozu Abam, serving clinics and sick bays en route. Jon Yager, the third member of THE MESSENGER

f

i

the team, is responsible for over­ seeing the transportation of the supplies for feeding the hungry in the Umuahia Two area. It is es­ timated that the population is be­ tween 11/2 and 2 million and about 450,000 of these are refugees. “Of the work there is no end,” Dr. Gehman writes. “Indeed, one doesn’t know half the time where to start. The problem is to feed five thousand people with only five barley loaves and two small fishes. It’s b^n done before, and I guess we over here are trying to do it. We’re not succeeding, however, faith or no. But we are determined to stay in Biafra until the last plane out, if it comes to that.” Currently it is impossible to ship supplies other than food and

medicine, and under present cir­ cumstances the Quaker-Mennonite team is not able to undertake non­ emergency work. Looking to the day when it will be possible to op­ erate rehabilitation and communi­ ty self-help projects, QMS is set­ ting aside funds. These would eventually be used in supplying material aids such as seeds, fer­ tilizer and small farming imple­ ments. Until the situation changes, however, the present projections for rehabilitation work cannot be realized. Though separately, both the Quakers and the Mennonites are also at work on the Nigerian side of the conflict with emergency re­ lief teams.

Africa Men nonite and Brethren in Christ Fellowship Kinshasa, Congo — Representing a 60,000 member brotherhood scat­ tered across the world’s second largest continent, twenty church leaders met in Kinshasa, Congo, from July 28, through August 4, 1969. Delegates to the third general meeting of the Africa Mennonite and Brethren in Christ Fellowship (AMBCF) worked through their agenda carefully and by the end of the week formulated a percep­ tive message to their home church­ es. “We have discovered in signifi­ cant dimensions,” the statement began, “how ‘we are laborers to­ gether with God’ during these days ... we commend the fruit of our study and deliberations for serious consideration throughout our brotherhood.” The message continued with spe­ cific comments in four areas of ongoing importance for the Christ­ ian community—evangelism, nur­ ture, peace witness, and church­ mission relations. Among other things, the mes­ sage urged the churches:

- to make continuous efforts to give evangelistic efforts their right­ ful priority: - to provide a nurture diet for the Christian follower appropriate to his age and stage of spiritual maturity; - to share peace convictions, par­ ticularly with the younger genera­ tion;,

- to integrate mission with church so that the African church may make an increasingly faith­ ful and lasting impact on its own society. But the gathering was more than a study conference: “We have experienced God’s renewing grace through deepening fellowship with our brothers.” Those words from the official message were borne witness to countless times over during the meeting. Such as when Said Sheikh Sa­ matar from Somalia related how he stepped out of Islam into the Christian way after a deliberate, year-long decision. Or as I. U. Nsasak, secretary of the Nigeria Mennonite Church, testified via tape how God was continuing to build His church amid hardship and the calamity of civil war (Brother Nsasak was unable to get clearance for leaving Nigeria but the Ghana delegation had opportunity to chat with him in Lagos on their way to the Con­ go). Or during the daily study of Acts, led twice by Congolese Pas­ tor Mathieu Kazadi, as he related the following contemporary illus­ tration of the coming of the Holy Spirit. “In 1963 I left a new catechist with his wife in a pagan commun­ ity and charged them to preach the Gospel. Under a mango tree, with pagans drinking and dancing on all sides, the couple knelt with one other Christian couple whom

they found in the area, pledging themselves with one heart to live and preach the Good News. “Today, only six years later, a church of more than 200 members is going forward. Just last week I shared in a baptismal service. I noticed many fetishes laying in front of the church when I ar­ rived. 'Where are these from?’ I asked. ‘They were ours’, the candidat­ es for baptism said; ‘We have turn­ ed away from these things to let the Holy Split come into us!’ “I invited each to hold up his fetish and explain what help he had received. One said, ‘It helped me to lie,’ while another admitted, ‘It helped me to steal money.’ “ ‘Now you have taken them off, what are you getting? I inquired. “It was wonderful to hear their testimony: ‘We are receiving the peace of the Holy Spirit.’ ” From the program standpoint, the meeting was well-planned and balanced. The overall theme “La­ borers Together With God,” was discussed in sub-themes of evan­ gelism, nurture, church and world. Morning Bible studies from Acts were introduced by James Bertsche (Congo); Mathieu Kazadai (Congo); and Ed. Weaver (West Africa). Usually two major pre­ sentations were made in the fore­ noon, one in the late afternoon and one in the evening. Area reports brought delegates uF>-to-date on happenings in the churches repre­ sented. During the business session Mil­ lion Belete from Ethiopia was re­ elected president; Tshilembu Nicodeme (Congo) elected vice-pre­ sident; and area representatives I. U. Nsasak (Nigeria) and Samson Mudenda (Zambia) were named. Donald R. Jacobs (Kenya) con­ tinues as executive secretary. Plans were approved for an an­ nual schedule for fraternal visits with the next continental meeting to be in Nairobi in 1974. Brother Jacobs reminded the delegates,, during his presentation on “The Church in Africa 1969” that the church in the future will not always know the way to go. “But as we together walk the sim­ ple way of repentance, love, and joy with our Lord we can move ahead with confidence.” In that confidence the Africa Mennonite and Brethren in Christ Fellowship naoves into the 197O’s. (( <1

Page 7

hy Elsie Milligan as the witch-doctor juggled with a Chapter Four flat basket in which were all sorts THE WrrCH-DOCTOR COMES of strange and gruesome things. Samba woke up suddenly one Simba was sitting where he could night, the moon was shining bright­ peep into this basket when the ly outside, and some of its beams witch-doctor put it down. He saw things like a lion’s claw, had found their way into the hut through the cracks in the thatched a leopard’s tooth, the tip of a hy­ roof. Through the silence of the ena’s tail, and other things. There were also dead beetles and night came the sound of drums being beaten in the distance; soft, spiders, and feathers from certain muffled but insistent the drum­ birds. TTie witch-doctor himself was beats kept on. Gradually they dressed in a magnificent leopard skin, and round his head were sounded nearer and louder. “That means that the witch-doc­ stuck long feathers which had each tor is coming”, thought Samba. been dipped in blood. Simba was crouched on the She shivered slightly and cuddled ground close to his father, he down nearer to the fireIn the morning, sure enough, the couldn’t help feeling a little bit witch-doctor and his helpers were frightened. On his other side sat his old friend Chiyembi, an old in the village. “Mama, why has the witch-doc­ gray-haired man whom Simba had known all his life, and of whom tor come?” asked Samba. he was very fond. Although he “Didn’t the sister-in-law of your was no relation really, Simba al­ uncle die last week, and didn’t the ways called him “Nkaka” (Grand­ child of my cousin die the week pa). before? The witch-doctor has come The witch-doctor shook the rat­ to ‘smell out the witch’ and see tles in his hand as he chanted and who is eating the lives of our shouted alternately. Sometimes he people.” jumped right up in the air, and Strange things happened in the once he gave such a shriek that next few days, a goat was killed Simba nearly jumped out of his and its blood sprinkled on the house skin! where the people had died. Those Then he took a long pole in his of the families concerned went hands and began to ask questions round with white chalk marks on of the spirits. He would throw the their faces. Much beer was brewed pole on to the ground and see and drunk, and always, always the which way it pointed when it fell. drums were beaten. In the flickering firelight it was At last there was a big gathering a weird scene; all the people were of the men outside the village by quiet and anxious, waiting, wait­ an ant-hill up whose side went a ing to hear what the spirits would little path, and on the top was a say. small spirit hut. Simba went to After a long time the witch­ this with his father, and watched doctor gave a great shout and

Page 8

threw the pole again. It fell right at the feet of old Chiyembi, point­ ing straight at him. With a yell the witch-doctor rushed towards the old man, and his helpers seized him and hurried him away. All was confusion and noise now, the drums were beaten furiously, and everyone was shouting. Simba was terrified and his fa­ ther said: “Let us go home now.” Simba clung to his father’s arm as they went in the darkness. “Tata,” he asked, “what hap­ pened, what are they going to do with Nkaka’?” “Ask no questions, my son,” he replied, “the spirits have spoken.” Simba was too frightened to say any more. But the next day he went to the hut of his old friend to see him, but he wasn’t there, and the hut wasn’t there, it had been burnt down, there was just a heap of ashes where it had been. He hurried home and asked his mother. “Mama, where is ‘Nkaka?’ I can’t find him anywhere. I’ve looked all over the village, and his hut isn’t there either.” “Hush,” said his mother, “do not speak of him, he has gone, he ate the lives of our people, he was bad, that one.” Simba said no more, but in his heart he grieved for his old friend whom he never saw again. But in a little while he forgot; he was busy with his lessons at school, and in the village he was the ring­ leader among his playmates, grad­ ually he forgot his old friend, and the fear he had felt during the visit of the witch-doctor. Simba and Samba were both de­ voted to their baby sister. She was such a chubby little chocolate­ brown baby with tight little black silk curls all over her head. They all loved her, especially when she started to smile at them. One day when Samba went into the hut she found her mother look­ ing anxiously into the baby’s mouth. “What’s the matter, Mama?” asked Samba. “Hush,” said her mother, “do not speak of it.” Then she looked all round outside the door of the hut to make sure that no one was within earshot. “Among our people,” she said, “a baby must always cut its first tooth on the bottom gum. If it comes first on the top gum it shows THE MESSENGER

that the child has an evil spirit, There was no need to hide it and the witch-doctor comes and now, for the little white tooth had takes it away.” come on the bottom gum, which “Oh, Mama,” gasped Samba, “our was right—all was well, and in her baby hasn’t— hasn’t—” relief the mother was overjoyed. “No, not yet,” said her mother, The other women crowded round “but the top gum is swollen, but in friendly interest, ^eeting the on the bottom there is nothing.” baby and congratulating the mo­ “But, Mama,” said Samba, “even ther. if our baby should cut a top tooth When Tata (Father) came home first, no one will know. We will they hastened to tell him the good hide it carefully, the witch-doctor, news. He was pleased too to know how can he know?” “Alas! No!” said her mother, “in the villages of our people all is known, nothing can be hidden; al­ ways there are eyes that watch, watch, watch! Always there are tongues that tell!” MORWEENA Samba was frightened at this Two weeks of Bible Camp at Beaver threat to their dear little baby. The whole family was worried, but Creek Bible Camp has come to a succ­ they were careful not to show any essful conclusion this first year of its sign of their anxiety before others. operation. From August 4-9 was junior Days passed, stiU no sign of a camp then from August 9-15 was Teen tooth. In the secrecy of their hut Camp. Total attendance was approxi­ they looked anxiously into their mately 88 campers. Rev. Harry Friesen baby’s little mouth half-frightened of Mennville was camp director during of what they might find, but — the entire two weeks with Rev. Edwin Wright of Riverton serving as evening nothing! One morning early Samba was speaker during the first week while playing with her baby sister on Brother Peter K. Friesen served as the mat outside the hut. The sun camp pastor during Teen Camp. Coun­ was low in the eastern sky and sellors were from Fisher Branch, Morshining brightly already. Samba weena and Mennville. Sister Elsie Loe­ tickled the baby under the chin, wen served as counselor during junior made her chuckle with laughter. camp while Mr. and Mrs. Arnold She opened her little mouth wide Brandt served on the kitchen staff dur­ and crowed with pleasure. As she ing teen camp with Sister Bernie Frie­ did so. Samba thought she saw a sen as assistant cook. Several decisions for Christ were little white speck gleaming in the sunUght. She lean^ forward and made during the two weeks of camp look^ closer, then with her finger for which we praise the Lord. Pray for this camp work and for those who made she felt the little gum. Yes; it was a tiny tooth coming decisions. Miss Tina Reimer who long made through on the bottom gum. “Mama, Mama,” called Samba her home at the Abram C. L. Penners in great excitement. “Come, my is planning to return to her home in British Honduras. She plans to stay ayoungest has sprouted a tooth!” Her mother came quickly and, way for six months. On Sunday, August 24 we were hap­ snatching up the child, she looked into her mouth. The top gum was py to have Brother D. K. Schellenberg still red and swollen, but on the serving us with the morning message. On August 27 we were happy to wel­ bottom gum was a tiny white tooth, just through. Her joy and come Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Montour into our midst from South Dakota. Mr. relief was great. “Oh, my baby, my baby!” she Montour has a radio program each Sun­ cried, hugging her tight, and she day over CFRY Portage la Prairie cal­ blew gently first into one little led The Indian Gospel Mission. Brother ear and then into the other, which Montour has been serving the Lord for twenty years travelling from New is the Lunda way of kissing! Then she turned and called joy­ Mexico to Alaska. Bro. Montour spoke to us on John fully to all the other women in 7:1-3 and entitled his message Rela­ the village: “Come, O my friends,” she called, tionship between the Christiart and his “come and see, my baby has just Saviour. The fellowship was greatly enjoyed sprouted its first tooth.”

that their baby girl was safe. He killed a fowl and they all had a feast that night to celebrate. “Ha!” said Samba to her brother Simba, “the old witch-doctor can’t get our baby now.” “Hush!” said her mother, look­ ing anxiously around, “speak only with respect of That One, he is mighty in our midst.” To be continued

by all. Let us pray for the Montours as they work amongst their own people bringing Christ to them. Mrs. Andrew Plett received word from her brother, Mr. Ben F. Komelsen, Mexico, that their five year old daughter passed away. Shall we as Christians unite together in prayer for the B. F. Komelsen family. KLEEFELD

The summer months seem to have been busy ones for quite a few church members this year. A 5-day V.B.S. pro­ gram was held July 7-11 with approxi­ mately 15 teachers and 100 pupils at­ tending. Rev. Milton Fast was camp pastor at Steep Rock Bay Bible Camp for one week in July. Mrs. Fast worked in the kitchen. Going as counsellors were Ru­ dy Schellenberg, Florence Friesen and Joanne Koop. Florence also counselled at Red Rock Bible Camp for a week. As the summer months draw to a close, many of the young people are again leaving for school or other places of work. Leanora Koop left for Brazil where she will be teaching Grades I and II in the New Tribes School for missionary children. Elvira Koop will be teaching up north at Brochet, Mani­ toba this coming year. The following young people are attending different colleges: Ramona and Marion Dueck — Grace Bible Inst. Rudy Schellenberg and Sandra Fast M.B.B.C., Winnipeg. Dennis Friesen . M.I.T., Winnipeg Florence Friesen - Ontario Bible Col­ lege, Toronto Laurence Friesen - University of Sas­ katoon Norman Bartel. Pat Friesen, Gary Martens - U. of M. Rev, John R. Friesen, Rev. Milton Fast and Rudy Schellenberg enjoyed

Page 9

two days at Red Rock, taking in the Church Leadership Conference being held there. After a two months holiday our choir will again resume its responsibilities under the direction of our new choir conductor. Rudy Schellenberg. We are sorry to see our S. S. superin­ tendent, Mr, Henry Fast, leave our community. Taking over his responsi­ bilities is Mr. Norman Bartel. RIVERTON

Eight children and five teenagers of Riverton attended the E.M.C. Camp which is in its second year and in its new location, os known as the Beach Creek Bible Camp. The dates this year were . Children’s camp. August 4 to 9, and the Teen Camp August 9 to 15. The Lord really blessed, and by the atten­ dance and interest shown by the camp­ ers, it was believed that His seal of ap­ proval was upon this venture. Twenty-three children and 6 teen­ agers from Riverton attended Hilbre Bible Camp again this year. The camp was under the leadership of Mr. Aaron Friesen. ’Those transporting children on this hundred mile drive to camp were Larry Romaniuk, George Loewen, Frank Doerksen, and Edwin Wright. The Five-Day club under the direction of Mr. Michael Shumik of the Child Evangelism Fellowship of Manitoba was conducted again this year. ’The dates of the clubs were July 14 to 18. The four clubs reached approximately 125 children in all. Some decisions were made. The Daily Vacation Bible School was conducted in the evenings again from August 11 to 15, with the clos­ ing program being held on Sunday evening. August 17. The school was well attended considering all the other ac­ tivities for children in Riverton during the summer. The teachers were all lo­ cal, and felt the time given to this mi­ nistry was well worth the effort. The church was filled to capacity on August 3, when Mr. and Mrs. Frank Schultz of Landmark served us with the singing of a number of duets. The inspiring numbers which they sang were a real blessing. ’The message was given by the Pastor. The Virgil Scharfenbergs who visited with Mrs. Gilles­ pie and the Wrights during July, sang a number of duets in the services. Rev. Frank Tanner, of the Leprosy Mission conducted a service in the Cha­ pel on Friday, July 4. This service was a real challenge to the goodly number present. As a result the children and young people are engaged in a stamp collecting effort to raise money for the Leprosy Mission. Page 10

BLUMENORT

Sunday, August 3rd the following seven members of other E.M.C. congre­ gations were received into our local fellowship. Mr. and Mrs. Emil Reimer, Mr. and Mrs. Ken Plett, Mr. and Mrs. Otto Unger, and Mrs. Diane Klassen. May our church be a blessing to them and they to the church. Sunday, August 24th the Gladwin Plett family gave a most Interesting report on the mission work at St. Lucia. The Melvin Penners who were with us during the summer months, have again left for La Crete, Alberta, where Er. Penner is engaged as school teach­ er. The Alvin Doerksens who were in our midst for a week, have left for Three HiUs. Alberta, where they serve under the Japan Evangelical Mission. John P. Loewens took an 8 day trip east as far as Niagara Falls. The main purpose of the trip was to visit some Mennonite People at Leamington, Ont., where Bno. Loewen ministered with the word at several occasions. A youth retreat has been planned for ou.r young people for the week-end Sept. 12-14, at the Red Rock Bible Camp. ABERDEEN CHURCH (Winnipeg) Membership Changes

Mr. and Mrs. Jake Klassen have moved to Charleswood and are now fel­ lowshipping at the Crestview EMC; both were active in our church and we miss them. The Peter Komelsons have trans­ ferred their membership to our group from Blumenort and we appreciate their help in the church. Also a welcome to the Wesley Loewen family who recently moved to Winnipeg from Steinbach and to the newlyweds John and Katie Dyck, formerly of Bums Lake, B.C. and Rosenort. The Walter Reimers were with us for the summer school period and have now left for Houston, B.C.

Aug. 11-15. Nineteen workers served as teachers, assistants, baby sitters, pianist, secretary and director; one of the as­ sistants appeared each evening as a “spaceman” giving talks on God’s great creation. The children especially en­ joyed the trip to the moon on which he took them one evening! The closing program on Sunday evening featured singing by the children and the film “God of Creation”; we were happy for the good attendance of local people. Farewell

The College and Career Group met at KUdonan Park August 7 for a farewell supper for Wayne Herrod, missionary candidate under the Africa Inland Mis­ sion. He left for Toronto August 9 from where he will go to an assignment under Missionary Internship for a probationary period. PLEASANT VALLEY DVBS

On August 31, we had our DVBS closing program. Altogether we had 10 teachers this year. Two of these, Judy and Linda Hildebrand, were recruits from our Opawaka extension area. The parents showed good interest and many support the work by their encourage­ ment. We reached around 75 children this summer. May the seed grow as it has been sincerely planted in these young hearts. Mission Nite

The Gladwin Pletts were with us on Sunday, August 31. They gave a brief, but enlightening report on their work in the past and plans regarding their work term in the capital of St. Lucia.

Communion Service

An important “first” for our group was the celebrating of the Lord’s Supper on August 10th. Rev. and Mrs. C. R. Plett of Braeside were with us; Rev. Plett gave the message. Vacation Bible School

Over a hundred enthusiastic children came out for a week of Bible School,

Some of the VBS teachers who went out from Pleasant Valley this summer. L. to R. Anne Loewen, Betty Kornelsen, Danny Loewen and Judy Hildebrand.

REQUIRED IMMEDIATELY The Rest Haven Nursing home of Steinbach is in need of a Licenced Practical nurse to assume the duties of assistant matron. If inter­ ested apply to: Mr. Peter R. Barkman, Administrator Rest Haven Home Box 820 Steinbach, Man.

THE MESSENGER

Wedding Bans

The intention of marriage of Leslie Siemens and Paulina Reimer was an­ nounced on Sunday, August 31. The wedding is planned for September 12, 1969. Births (1969)

February 26 - Mr .and Mrs. Jake Reimer, a girl, Melanie Ann. May 21 - Mr. and Mrs. Jake Cornelsen, a boy, James Wade. August 26 - Mr. and Mrs. Allen Reimer, a girl, Renee Joy. PRAIRIE ROSE Three Farewells

Mr. and Mrs. Klaas P. Plett must be happy to realize three of their daughters are busy in the Lord’s work even though it may mean to say good-bye to them in the space of a little more than a month. First it was Virginia — having a de­ sire to serve the Lord — being fond of

Miss Virginia Piett

children, and realizing the need in Ger­ many she applied to EMC Christian Service, who had a place for her in the form of a house mother at an orphanage at' Bad Gandersheim, Germany. So say­ ing adieu to parents and friends she boarded a plane for Germany for a per­ iod of two years on July 19, 1969. Word has it that after having become familiar with the German language, Virginia is quite happy with eight children in her care. Secondly father Klaas Plett gave his daughter Sara to Larry Richardson for a help meet at their wedding in Prairie Rose Aug. 9. Brother Richardson hails from Washington State and met Sara at the New Tribes Mission School in Mis­ souri. The father of the groom united the couple in holy matrimony. Larry Richardson expects to continue his stu­ dies in linguistics. Lastly at the time of this writing the Pletts have gone to Durham, Ont. (near Toronto) to take their daughter Adeline to the New Tribes Boot Camp. Pletts on Furlough from St. Lucia Welcome home to our nice hot sum-

mer days, dear missionaries, we hope you’ll find our summer pleasant as well as the people you meet. Yes, the Gladwin Pletts came home for a short early furlough because they were to be transferred from Soufriere to Castries. So tn order to cause as little interruption a® possible the West Indies Mission sanctioned plans for them to conveniently transfer responsibilities on the shoulders of the local native Christians tn Soufriere, came home for a six month furlough, find homes and schooling for their three chldren (who are to remain in Canada), visit the churches, raise the badly needed support, and then go back to start a new, and farther reaching work in Castries, the capital city of St. Lucia. They touched down at W.I.M. head­ quarters, Florida tn July, motored to El Paso, Texas bo visit Edmar Fasts, and from there came directly to Manito­ ba, and are now staying in Aron P. Reimer residence in Landmark. Without fail Bro. Plett was privileged to speak to his home church congrega­ tion the first Sunday (without previous notice) which of course, was well re­ ceived. We trust that his already full slate of speaking engagements will not tax them too much, that the words spok­ en will be of mutual challenge and bless­ ing, and that they will go back in the strength and the joy of the Lord. Ear­ nest prayer support is requested by them regarding important decisions to be made . Overcoming Handicaps

In spite of Mr. A, C. Penner’s handi­ cap (affects of a paralyzing stroke in 1965) Mr. and Mrs. Penner are enjoying life as Christian parents and grandpar­ ents, with their home in the garden of their children, Elmer Reimer® in Land­ mark area. After a month of intensive care at Concordia Hospital following his stroke, and special attention at home by Mrs. Penner, and daughter, Tina, a trained

Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Penner.

SEPTEMBER 5, 1969

nurse, Mr. Penner in a year’s time again could be about with the aid of a wheel chair, and helping hands. Quite often he’ll be seen in church, always with Mrs. Penner at his side, or going to visit dear ones. His health has improved to the point where he can get by with a walking stick, and furthermore Mr. Penner ,believes that someday he/11 be able to walk unaided again. Blessings are in store for those who pay them a visit, so why not do it, a friendly welcome is extended to all. MAFEKING

Aug. 1 - 4 we were busy with the Youth Retreat at Steeprock Bay Bible Camp. The pastor was counsellor for a cabin of twelve boys for this period of time. The members of the chapel en­ joyed the service out at camp for this Sunday. Aug. 1 . 10, the Campbell-Reece crusadte was in Swan River and people from Mafeking area participated. Souls were saved and rededications were made. May all honor and glory go to our Lord. A week of DVBS was held here in town with 50-60 children attending. Teachers are again coming back from their summer out at the University of Manitoba. Mr. Erwin Harms and Mr. and Mrs. Jake Warkentine, welcome .back into our midst! Aug. 31 we were happy to have Rev. Martin Durksen from Steinbach Bible Institute serve us with a message on “Training Your Children", and a chal­ lenge for young people to attend a Bible School. ENDEAVOUR

On July 21-25 Mr. Buhler and some of our young people went to Arabella to teach DVBS. A good turnout was re­ ported. Friday, Aug. 1-4 about 18 young people from here travelled to Steep Rock for Youth Retreat. Spiritual blessings flowed freely together with teen-age pranks and new friendships to make a weekend long to be remembered. The Leroy Sharfenbergs and Abe Giesbrechts as well as counsellors and speakers are to be sincerely thanked for their very busy part in making this event possible for the young people. Sunday evening we laimched a new Christian Endeavour program. The pro­ gram included various items and then Diana Hoffer showed some slides of the work at GMU headquarters as well as a glimpse at the work in the Hodgson area among the Indians where she will be going. Aug. 11 began another busy week of DVBS for Mr. Buhler and some of

Page 11 «

•

-.1*

• ’ •

the Teen girls at Ormsby. Aug. 20 the Women’s Meeting at Mrs. Minna Scharfenberg was very much enriched by a visit from the Pete Frie­ sens who were visiting in this area. It was good to see them again. Friday evening the young people spent some time and energy removing old plaster from the church walls in pre­ paration for refinishing. Sunday, Aug. 31 at an evening service we were blessed with a challenging mes­ sage, “Back to School” by Mr. Ben Friesen. It makes us all stop and think when we realize the things our younger ones face in life. At this service also we had special numbers by the Jim Dorions and other members of the Downey fam­ ily which were truly enjoyed by all. NEW MINISTER’S MANUAL

The Minister’s Manual, edited by the Rev. W. Komelsen, executive-secretary of the Canadian Mennonite Brethren Board of Christian Education, is now available for use by pastors and others engaged in the institutional structures of our congregations. It contains thirteen chapters, each of which presents sug­ gested procedures for the pastor in his assignments; weddings, dedications, com­ munion services, occasional ministries, etc. Of particular value is a ten-page supplement, "Parliamentary Procedure in a Brotherhood", which gives help in the conducting of meetings in an order­ ly fashion. Although the manuals were prepared by four Mennonite Brethren pastors, its usefulness will be apparent to a much wider range of denominat­ ions. It is provisional in nature, and the publisher (the Board of Christian Litera­ ture of the Mennonite Brethren General Conference) expects to publish a revis­ ion shortly based on the comments of users. The Minister’s Manual is avall-

t ■

i I*

t

>

able for JI from the following book­ stores: The Christian Press, 159 Henderson Highway, Winnipeg 5, Manitoba. Evangel Book Shop, Steinbach. D. W. Friesen,, Altona. The printer and distributor is The Christian Press, 159 Henderson High­ way, Winnipeg 5, Manitoba.

Attend the S+einbach Bible Ins+i+u+e and get

INVOLVED!

COMING EVENTS

- Involved in an education that prepares you for the challenge of today’s world.

Sept. 8 - 13 U.S. Congress on Evan­ gelism in Minneapolis. Oct. 10 - 12 An “Urbana” type Youth Conference in the Stein­ bach EMC church. Guest speak­ er is H. Wilbur Sutherland, Gen­ eral Secretary, Canada, Inter Varsity Christian Fellowship. Feb. 6 - 8. 1970 Winnipeg InterMennonite Christian Education Convention with J. C. Wenger as guest speaker.

- Involved in the practical Christian Service program.

C- S. WORKER ARRIVES UN BRAZIL August 28, 1969 C. P. 221, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil, S. A. Arrived safely in Manaus this morning at 6:00 a.m. Aunt Dee and another missionary met me at the airport. Went shopping in Manaus this afternoon so I got a glimpse of this tropical city. I find it very fascinating. Tomorrow morning weTl leave for the school. I’ll probably begin teaching on Monday. Thank, you for coming out to the airport and for your help and interest. In Christ, Leanora Koop. "An Exposition of Matthew 24 and 25” is a 1968 Annual Conference message which we felt deserved a wider reader­ ship than at present. It will appear in two parts. News Reporters: Prairie Rose, Harold Plett; Blumenort, J. Loewen; Kleefeld, Florence Friesen; Riverton, Mrs. E. J. Wright; Morweena, Edward Klassen; Mafeking, Andrew Friesens; Pleasant Valley, Mrs. E. Loewen; Endeavour, Mrs. Peter Steppan; Aberdeen church (Wpg.) Mrs. Glen Koop.

Page 12

i

j

Shown here are the eight young people baptized at Kleefeld this summer. Back row, L. to R.: Gary Martens and Allan Roy Dueck with ministers P. K, Bartel and Milton Fast. Front row L. to R. Leona Barkman, Marlene Friesen, Leona Friesen, Joan Ko>op, Lynda Hiebert, Joanelle Kliewer.

THE MESSENGER

NVW NOX'ilK J.SV3

- Involved in a variety of ex­ tra-curricular activities that help you become more Christcentred socially, spiritually and academically. - There’s still room for appli­ cations for grades 10, and 11, as well as Bible. - So phone now and ask for our catalogue which gives you all the detailed information concerning the school.

- An application is included. Steinbach Bible Institute Box 1420 Ph: 326-6451 Steinbach, Manitoba

!