MESSENGER - Evangelical Mennonite Conference

PHOTOS: HANNAH WIEBE
MESSENGER
www.emconference.ca/messenger
$2.00
THE
volume 49, number 7
July 2011
NOT2us...
a publication of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference
p. 8

editorials
A treat and a challenge
Did you glance at page 16 of
the EMC Annual Report 2011
in May issue? If you did, you
were in for a treat and a challenge.
The treat? Our conference has
104 cross-cultural workers in about
26 countries; they serve with about
20 other agencies besides EMC.
Talk about priorities, effort,
teamwork, global concern, and
being part of the wider Church!
Dr. Jon Bonk, an EMC minister
and a former missions professor at
Providence Theological Seminary,
used to say that the EMC has a high
cross-cultural worker/member ratio.
This likely still holds true.
Remember that these figures
represent only those workers
News here often revolves
around faith in action—in a
word, service.
EMCers serve! We serve in
congregations and communities;
with MDS, MCC, in cross-cultural
ministry and more; in Canada and
elsewhere.
Early Anabaptist history can
teach us much about service. In
fact, it is sometimes said that
Anabaptism focuses more on what
we do than on what we believe.
Clearly early Anabaptists
opposed claims of belief disconnected
from lifestyle. They thought
it hollow to celebrate Christ’s grace
while rejecting discipleship. They
served!
2 THE MESSENGER | July 2011
processed as fully supported or
associate workers with the EMC.
We have more EMCers serving or
supporting cross-cultural workers
in other venues.
In the EMC, we have at least
a 65-year history of reaching
out aggressively in crosscultural
ministry.
Early Anabaptists were often
serious evangelists both near and
far. In the EMC, we have at least a
65-year history of reaching out aggressively
in cross-cultural ministry.
We are told, “Go into all the
world and preach the good news to
However, we need to be cautious
not to misuse Anabaptist history
and teaching by downplaying correct
beliefs. To do so is misleading,
even dangerous.
Menno Simons’ Complete
Writings are packed with a concern
for proper doctrines. He said the
first of “true signs by which the
Church of Christ may be known” is
“an unadulterated, pure doctrine.”
His theme verse focused on how
Christ is our only proper foundation
in life (1 Corinthians 3:11). Because
of what he believed about Jesus,
Menno served as he did.
all creation” (Mark 16:15). Menno
Simons said, “I seek and desire
nothing else…but that the glorious
name, the divine will, and the glory
of our beloved Lord Jesus Christ
may be acknowledged throughout
the world” (Complete Writings, 311).
The Church is, indeed, to
be gathered and scattered, as
Good News Community Church
(Steinbach) emphasizes.
If you ask what holds together
the EMC, the answer is Jesus. If we
ask what scatters EMCers near and
far, the answer is the same.
The challenge? Look at the workers
needed in the near future.
Terry M. Smith
Truth in life We need to be cautious not to misuse Anabaptist
history and teaching by downplaying correct beliefs.
To do so is misleading, even dangerous.
We are to join together teaching
and lifestyle. Evangelical
Anabaptists do “in the name of
Christ” (to use MCC’s slogan, borrowed
from Scripture) because of
what we believe about Christ.
Luke wrote “about all that Jesus
began to do and to teach” (Acts 1:1).
Truth in life is appropriate because
Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the
Life (John 14:6).
Let us serve the Lord!
Terry M. Smith

contents
Features
5 Cartoon Feature
– Matthew Reimer
8 Not 2 us: Less of us and more
of God
– Hannah Wiebe
12 Not 2 us: Thoughts from the
Conference Youth Minister
– Gerald Reimer
13 This is why we are part of a
Christian community!
– Cheryl Braun
15 Worship songs are
conversation—choose your
words carefully!
– Dr. Christine Longhurst
34 Poem: I AM’s Child
– Anicka Loewen
Columns
4 A Reader’s Viewpoint
How would you answer?
– Don Hutchinson
6 Archives Alcove
Ministerial minutes and change
– Terry M. Smith
7 Writings Shared
Worship & Mission After
Christendom
35 Stewardship Today
Joyful generosity
– Darren Pries-Klassen
36 Kids’ Corner
How is your memory?
– Loreena Thiessen
With Our Missionaries
18 Caronport, Sask.: Dueck brothers
share Briercrest award
19 Nicaragua: Water, houses, and
outings
20 Wisconsin: 68 students graduate
from NTBI
20 South Africa/Canada: Learning the
value of saying farewell
22 Mexico: Ministry flows out of a life
with God
With Our Churches
23 Riverton Gospel Chapel: Message
in a blanket
24 Pelly Fellowship Chapel: Pelly holds
lay renewal weekend
25 Evangelical Fellowship Church
(Steinbach): A Sunday morning
prayer
34
8
2 Editorials
Departments
3 Pontius’ Puddle
5 Letters
24 Births
24 Weddings
31 In Memory
32 Calendar
33 Shoulder Tapping
News
7 EMCers graduate
26 Eden holds grand opening
26 MDS ready to respond to Manitoba
flood recovery
27 MCC program reaches out to moms
27 Stiller named as WEA global
ambassador
28 Stitching healthier communities in
Cambodia
28 MDS takes cost-cutting measures
28 Statement of Reconciliation (SBC)
29 MWC delegation visits Japan
30 MCC helping ‘the poorest of the
poor’ in Pakistan
30 Dueck honoured at Providence and
Briercrest
THE MESSENGER | July 2011 3

THE
MESSENGER
EDITOR
Terry M. Smith
tsmith@emconf.ca
Submissions to The Messenger should
be sent to messenger@emconf.ca
THE MESSENGER is the monthly
publication of the Evangelical Mennonite
Conference. It is available to the general
public. Its purpose is to inform concerning
events and activities in the denomination,
instruct in godliness and victorious living,
inspire to earnestly contend for the faith.
Letters, articles, photos and poems are
welcomed. Unpublished material is not
returned except by request.
Views and opinions of writers are their
own and do not necessarily represent the
position of the Conference or the editors.
Advertising and inserts should not be
considered to carry editorial endorsement.
THE MESSENGER is published by the EMC
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The Messenger Schedule:
No. 7 – August 2011 issue
(copy due July 15)
ASSISTANT
EDITOR
Rebecca Roman
rroman@emconf.ca
4 THE MESSENGER | July 2011
a reader’s viewpoint
How would you answer?
by Don Hutchinson
The National Post
(June 7, 2011) reports
that a Chinese
migrant seeking refugee
status in Canada, because
he faced persecution in
China for his Christian
beliefs, was denied his
claim because he could not
describe what Jesus was
“like as a person.”
Wu Xin Wang said
“Jesus is the Son of
God”—correct verb tense
for a Christian “is”—and
that “Jesus was conceived
through the Holy Ghost
and was born in this
In many churches
“what Jesus was like as a
person” might have been
answered with a Bible story,
a statement of personal belief, or a
Sunday School image.
world” and noted Jesus
is “In my heart, He is my
Saviour.”
However, he did not
satisfactorily answer, “So
tell me about Jesus as a
person, what was he like?”
Despite describing
underground church
participation and a home
visit from China’s Public
Security Bureau investigating
illegal Christian
activities, the claimant was
found not to be credible.
How would an average
committed Canadian
Christian answer these
questions:
“So, tell me about Jesus
as a person. What was he
like?”
“I am not asking who
he was or what he did. I am
asking what is he like as a
person?”
“Anybody could memorize
a creed and recite the
creed. I want to know what
you believe and what you
know of Jesus as a person.”
“Tell me what Jesus is
like as a person and this is
the last time I am going to
ask you.”
I’m not sure I would
have done much better
than Wu Xin Wang. What
about you?
PHOTO: DESINGPICS.COM
If you lived where
Christians are rounded up,
imprisoned, even tortured,
for their associations, what
would you admit publicly?
Janet Dench, of the
Canadian Council for
Refugees, suggests instead
these questions: Where
do you worship? What
happens there? How often
do you go?
In many churches
“what Jesus was like as
a person” might have
been answered with a
Bible story, a statement
of personal belief, or a
Sunday School image—
long blonde hair and blue
eyes in some, dark hair and
brown eyes in others.
None of these might
have met the test. With
religious persecution
happening in over half
of the world’s nations to
hundreds of millions of
people, it seems past the
time when Canada’s immigration
review officers
should be sensitive to how
to handle such claims.
Don Hutchinson is vice-president, general legal counsel
for the EFC and director of the EFC’s Centre for Faith and
Public Life. This article was shortened, with permission,
from his June 8, 2011, blog at activatecfpl.the efc.ca.
The EMC is an affiliate of the Evangelical Fellowship of
Canada (EFC). (The full link is http://activatecfpl.theefc.
ca/journal/2011/6/8/did-jesus-really-have-blonde-hairand-blue-eyes.html.)

letters
A Christ-uplifting experience!
My wife and I were fortunate
enough take in the Great Hallelujah
concert, led by Danny Plett here in
Steinbach on April 30, sponsored
by our EM Conference. What a
wonderful, God-honouring and
Christ-uplifting experience it was.
Danny’s singing, his band
brought in from Europe, and the
mass choir were splendid. The
concert drew together the Christian
community and was a powerful
witness to a world often jaded by
what they hear and see in the media
every day.
This positive message was aided
in no small part by the free-will
offering collected in support of local
charities.
I doubt I have ever been more
proud to be EMC than I was that
night. Can we see more in the
future?
Earl Unger
Steinbach, Man.
Portrayal of Jesus inaccurate
Jesus’ action of driving out the
moneychangers in the temple was
one of controlled wrath. He did
not “flip out” nor “lose it.” These
idioms suggest that The Son of God
suddenly lost his temper and burst
out in uncontrollable anger. In fact,
his actions were those of amazing
mercy and love.
He was being merciful to those
weary travelers, who would suddenly
face unexpected costs to worship
their God. They were perhaps
living from “hand to mouth” and
didn’t know where their next meal
was coming from. His actions were
those of justice for the oppressed.
For He lifts up the lowly.
He was also being merciful to
those who were part of the temple
“system.” He could have immediately
shattered the corruption and
pulverized the building with His
awesome power. Instead, He gave
them more time. Instead of taking
charge of the whole system, He
declared war on evil.
He looked his opponents straight
in the eye and spoke: “The stone
which the builders rejected has become
the chief corner stone. Whoever
falls on that stone will be broken; but
on whomever it falls, it will grind him
to powder” (Luke 20: 17–18). They “got
it” and tried to kill Him.
His anger is amazing in its
humility. His eyes were fixed on His
greatest battle at the cross. He knew
that His victory would be completed
there.
I agree with Mr. Plett’s main
thesis that we as believers need
to be moved by the impulse of the
Holy Spirit rather than by our own
programs and systems. Rather
than becoming more relationship
oriented, perhaps we need to first
become quiet enough to listen to
God’s voice and hear His direction.
I was shocked and dismayed to
see the way that Jesus’ character
was portrayed on the front cover of
the magazine. To me, it is irreverent
and inaccurate, to say the least.
Thank you for letting me have
my say.
Rosalind Petzold
La Crete, Alta.
THE MESSENGER | July 2011 5

6 THE MESSENGER | July 2011
archives alcove
by Terry Smith
Ministerial minutes and change
It began when Roseisle EMC
sought the date of its chartering
service.
At my request, Erica Fehr looked
through the KG/EMC ministerial
minutes (1945-1968) and became
intrigued by discussions and
decisions.
Ward Parkinson, former pastor
of Morris Fellowship Chapel, read of
the ministerial’s 1964 opposition
to EMCers participating in the
Morris Stampede.
Here are some other reports
and decisions I found from 1964
to 1966 (spelling and grammar
retained).
In 1964 there was concern
over MCC’s proposed invitation
to Baptists
from Russia to
“visit and report
to American
churches.” Though
the Baptist church
contained many
people of “former Mennonite faith,”
some brethren feared they “might
be communistically inclined” and
opposed the visit because of the
“danger of infiltrating foreign
ideas.”
That year, the ministerial
decided “we should let our voice
be heard now through petitions”
against liquor advertising in
Manitoba.
Further in 1964, the ministerial
upheld its objection to “the use in
our homes of TV” because TV was
more harmful than helpful. In 1966
it decided those who own a TV set
“should be seriously counselled.”
In 1965
the mode of
In 1965 the mode of baptism baptism was an
issue in a local
was an issue in a local church.
church. When
a minister
asked “if a
local church or minister has some
leeway…,” the ministerial felt “if
any certain person would receive
baptism by another mode would
cause problems elsewhere almost
immediately.”
In 1965 “a United campaign in
Neepawa was led by a Pastor, who
comes from India, seems to be too
much on fire for the Lord to be
comfortable to his congregation, but
the services proved to be a blessing
to those who really seek the Lord.”
In 1965 a minister reported a
local “Brotherhood” had dismissed
“a brother” who married an “MB
girl” at an evangelical church.
PHOTO: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM
In 1966
the question
was raised “why
we do not get many new
members from other nationalities….”
One minister suggested “the
real barrier was that they do not
want to accept Christ, not that
the name Mennonite was so much
the barrier.” It was also said “the
peculiar but scriptural doctrine of
non-resistance of the Mennonites
often acts as a barrier since many,
even evangelicals, do not hold such
a doctrine.”
It was also felt “the low German
language sometimes acts as a barrier.”
“Many spoke to this issue.”
How does one respond to this?
With affection for people, while
striving for fairness and charity.
Each generation is judged by
their master, and the Lord is able to
make them stand (Romans 14:4).
The ministerial laboured to
assist EMCers with “quiet lives in all
godliness and holiness” (1 Timothy
2:2). It showed concern for the wellbeing
of churches and individual
members. This is respected.
Certainly, changes in technology,
addictive substances, and
societal values continue to pose
major challenges.
Still, the degree of social isolation,
caution, and awkwardness
toward other Christians remain
notable.
While fitting in some areas,
change is not automatically positive.
How concerned are we today
about holiness or our conference’s
direction?

writings shared
Worship & Mission After Christendom, Alan Kreider and
Eleanor Kreider (Herald Press, 2011), 328 pp. $19.99. ISBN
9780836195545. Reviewed by Zac Klassen, pastor, The ConneXion
(Arborg, Man.).
For most of Western
Christianity, the Church has
seen relatively little outside resistance,
often uncritically embracing
cultures of power, credibility,
and wealth within society. In this
context a critical task of the Church,
namely mission, cannot help but
skirt the danger of becoming largely
a process of convincing “outsiders”
to adopt a static set of “holy” ideas.
“Mission,” as a theological term
meant to tell us about God’s activity
throughout the world, becomes
reduced to describing what happens
on a term basis, usually in a foreign
country, rather than a daily event
“dwelling among us” (John 1:14).
news
EMCers graduate
Canadian Mennonite University
2011 2010
� David Kruse
(MacGregor
EMC), Master of
Arts, theological
studies
Tony Friesen �
(Treesbank),
Bachelor of Arts,
peace and conflict
transformation
If mission takes
on this reduced form,
“worship” risks losing its critical
edge as a springboard for community
action, becoming a static
retelling of a story that often lacks
a local and concrete reference point
for the worshipping community.
The Kreiders’ alternative vision
for the Church’s future is important:
we need creative worship services
that faithfully blend tradition with
the “new thing” (Isaiah 43:19) God is
doing in our communities.
We need weekly practices that
put us in a “stance” to discern
God’s mission among us. Finally,
we need the courage to join God’s
Trinity Evan-
gelical Divinity
School 2010
� Ernest (Ernie)
Koop (EFC
Steinbach),
Doctor of
Ministry,
missions and
evangelism
Beyond being a great
resource on Christian
worship, this book
helpfully explores how
to avoid making worship
and mission two distinct,
independent activities.
work, not just overseas, but in our
neighbourhoods.
Beyond being a great resource
on Christian worship, this book
helpfully explores how to avoid
making worship and mission two
distinct, independent activities
under a hierarchical organization.
The Kreiders show that worship and
mission represent one cyclical movement
within the body of Christ.
May the worship of the EMC
form our mission and our mission
form our worship (257)!
Associated Menno-
nite Biblical
Seminary 2011
Alicia Buhler �
(Pineridge),
Master of Divinity,
pastoral care
and counseling
THE MESSENGER | July 2011 7

NOT2us...
Imagine what would happen if everyone
who attended Abundant Spring 2011
resolved to live out the event’s theme,
“Not 2 Us”!
The EMC would see 686 of its youth and
young adults representing 34 churches from
eight national regions begin to passionately
seek God, giving him a place of honour and
leadership in their lives. What a difference
that would make in their families, schools,
churches and country.
According to Abundant Springs’ main
speaker Rob Hildebrand, this transforma-
tive discipleship was exactly the goal of the
event—“I would love for students that attend
this retreat to go away with a full commit-
ment to the kingdom of God and a desire to
use their gifts and abilities to serve the king-
dom of God, and to do that courageously.”
8 THE MESSENGER | July 2011
Less of us and
by Hannah Wiebe
THE MESSAGE
Hildebrand, chair of
Multnomah University’s youth
ministry department and a
former youth pastor within the
EMC, spoke daily to attendees
during the evening sessions on
the theme Not 2 Us. We were
encouraged to submit every area
of life to God, that the glory
might go to Him and Not 2 Us.
He began by sharing the
story of Esther on Friday night,
using her life’s example to challenge
us that although living a
God-centred life can be uncomfortable,
it brings meaning and
purpose to life far beyond what
we can offer ourselves.
Speaker Rob Hildebrand
The focus of Saturday’s
session was on sexual and
relational purity, and how submitting these human desires to
Christ yields personal blessing and brings glory to Him.

more of God
Sunday’s message was centred on forgiveness. Using
a powerful personal example, he shared how pardoning
others of their offenses is a must if Christians are to live
rightly—in the shadow of our Redeemer.
To close off the weekend, Hildebrand spoke from 2
Corinthians 6:4-11. Using the Apostle Paul’s attitudes
towards sacrifice for the sake of the gospel as a challenge
to listeners, he encouraged us to give back to God
what He has given to us, whether it be possessions,
talents, abilities; everything! At the very end he boldly
asked, “Are you willing to live Not 2 Us?”
In addition to the evening sessions led by Rob
Hildebrand, youth and leaders alike had the privilege
of attending hour-long workshops on Saturday and
Sunday mornings. These workshops, taught by professors,
pastors and lay people, focused on a variety of
topics including truth, media discernment, longevity in
ministry, and social justice.
There were ten workshops to choose from, each
offering biblically-based teaching and discussion. As
usual, these workshops were the highlight of many
people’s Abundant Springs experience.
willing to live
Not 2 Us?”
– Rob Hildebrand
PHOTOS: HANNAH WIEBE “Are you
THE MUSIC
Participants were treated to several concerts over
the course of the weekend by a variety of musical
talents. Comedian and singer Riley Armstrong shared
laughs and the love of God through song and story on
Friday night. On Saturday night, pop-punk band Hearts
In Stereo indulged us with a high-energy concert,
complete with popular tunes and a message about
Christ’s love. Missionary and renowned worship artist
Danny Plett led a worship concert on Sunday morning,
focusing the attention of the weekend on Christ.
Before each session with Rob Hildebrand, we were
guided in worship by a musical team from Kleefeld
EMC who provided the crowd with pulsing choruses
and worshipful melodies. The band also led an entire
worship session on Sunday night, fusing together music
and prayer for an evening of intentional worship and
personal reflection.
THE FUN!
While time spent in the pew is imperative for
every believer’s faith, Abundant Springs organizers
also recognized the importance of getting out there
(continued p. 10)
THE MESSENGER | July 2011 9

and putting what you learn into practice!
Saturday and Sunday afternoons were
packed with activities that gave us the
opportunity to do just that.
On Saturday afternoon, attendees participated
in a variety of tournaments, including
volleyball, basketball, street hockey, soccer
and life-sized Dutch Blitz. In addition to
providing an energy outlet and a chance to
avenge friendly church rivals, the team-sport tournaments
encouraged us to work together, be humble, and
play as a team, not just a bunch of individuals.
When awards were handed out on Saturday
evening, instead of recognizing the team that won
After Hours
At an hour when most people would be crawling into
bed, Abundant Springs attendees were just gearing up
for a night of entertainment.
Friday night yielded a lively performance by
musician-turned-comedian Riley Armstrong of Auburn,
California.
Armstrong entertained with small-town humour
and quirky and upbeat original tunes such as “Talk like
a Robot.” He also shared his testimony of how God’s
love changed his life, with the hope that listeners might
experience the same.
Headlining the conference concerts on Saturday
night was the pop-punk band Hearts in Stereo. A much
different experience than Riley Armstrong the night
before, Hearts in Stereo showed up with an arsenal of
pulsing beats, catchy pop songs, and lots of attitude.
They thrilled the audience with their punk renditions
of popular songs to which the crowd jumped, danced
and sang along. To wind the evening down, the audience
joined the band in praise and worship.
A talent show ended the last full day of the conference
with a bang. Attendees participated in a multi-media
show that included comedy, music, dance, art, and film.
To the obvious delight of the audience, the program
ran longer than anticipated, filled to overflowing with the
entertaining talents of our young EMCers.
Hannah Wiebe
10 THE MESSENGER | July 2011
The team-sport
tournaments
encouraged us to
work together, be
humble, and play
as a team.
the most games, awards were given to the
teams that showed the best sportsmanship.
Sunday yielded a fantastic wide game,
created by Vince Kehler (Blumenort), Mike
Funk (Ridgewood), Jason Heide and Richard
Boggs (both Steinbach EMC).
This year’s endeavour was called “The
Amazing Race,” featuring a whole host
of team-challenge tasks. The Briercrest
campus was divided into several “countries” to which
teams of youth traveled in order to perform the tasks
set out for them. Only three teams completed the two
hour challenge, but fun was certainly had by all.
A wide game, “The Amazing Race,” challenged young people to experience a
variety of cultures and complete a host of team-challenge tasks.
What Is Abundant Springs, Anyway?
Abundant Springs is an EMC youth conference held
biennially at Briercrest Family of Schools in Caronport,
Sask.
Each time, hundreds of youth and youth workers
make the long trek to the campus for a weekend of
learning, growing, relationship building and fun. Included
in the weekend are daily sessions and seminars, games,
worship services, and leisure activities.
The event is held over the May long weekend and
spans four days, with groups like Vanderhoof Christian
Fellowship heading out a day in advance in order to make
a 1,600-km journey to get there.
This year’s event was the 16 th since its beginning in
1981.
Abundant Springs is organized by the National Youth
Committee and conference youth pastor Gerald Reimer,
in conjunction with numerous youth pastors, church
leaders, and volunteers.
Hannah Wiebe

THE PROJECTS
During Rob Hildebrand’s third session, an
Abundant Springs tradition was kept: participants
were invited to give through an offering time. Funds
were sought to help purchase a sound system for Santo
Tomas camp and for scholarships to allow people to
go to Bible college. More than $3,000 was raised, to be
divided evenly.
THE IMPACT
In speaking with several youth groups it seems as
though, in addition to instilling the theme of Not 2
Us in people’s hearts, God had another agenda for the
weekend. Many groups experienced the God of peace
and unity drawing youth and leaders together in a deep
and meaningful way.
When asked about the weekend, one youth leader
responded by saying, “I was reminded again of how I
can’t live this life on my own. I need others for prayer,
support, encouragement, and to remind me of the
things I so often forget.”
Her statement sums up the sentiments of many
individuals in attendance, both youth and leaders: in
Dallas Kornelsen
Workshop Highlights
With so many good topics to choose
from, it was hard for many of us to pick
just three Abundant Springs workshops
to attend. For those of you who weren’t
in attendance at the conference, below
are some highlights from a couple of
the workshops held throughout the
weekend.
Dallas Kornelsen’s workshop on
Healthy Sexuality explored the gift
of human sexuality within biblical
parameters. Kornelsen (Many Rooms)
shared the dangers and consequences
of misusing this gift, challenging
listeners to treat their own as a carefully
wrapped present.
To close the session, he briefly
shared his own story of sexual struggle
and redemption as a testimony
to God’s unconditional love
and grace, regardless of past
mistakes.
Leading a workshop on
unforgiveness was Brigitte
order to live in radical devotion to our King as talked
about in the sessions and expressed in the event’s
theme, we desperately need community. And what better
place to develop this community than at a weekend
retreat for youth and their leaders?
While many things could have gone awry in the
organization and execution of an event of this magnitude,
the weekend unfolded with surprisingly few
hitches. This is yet another testimony of God’s presence
at the conference.
Throughout the event, He seemed to be constantly
slipping in reminders that it was all about Him and not
us, as he stirred hearts, provided, and protected. So
while we do well to thank every youth leader for their
tireless contributions, every volunteer for their self-less
efforts, and every organizer for their hard-work and
ingenuity, we must ultimately thank
God for such a remarkable weekend.
May the glory be to Him, NOT 2 US!
Hannah Wiebe, in grade 12, is a part of
Saturday Night Church.
Toews (Heartland), who titled her workshop The Bait of Satan.
The session was creatively compiled, using PowerPoint, a game
of Jeopardy, movie excerpts, and personal anecdotes to inform
attendees about who Satan is and how he uses unforgiveness to
hinder one’s walk with Christ.
Toews dared her listeners to live in the forgiveness of God
and extend that same forgiveness to others.
Hannah Wiebe
Students take notes during a workshop at Abundant Springs.
THE MESSENGER | July 2011 11

NOT2us...
When the Spirit of God so clearly invades people’s
lives as he did this past May long weekend in
Caronport, Sask., we can be left speechless.
But that doesn’t make for a very good perspectives piece.
Therefore, allow me to share a few thoughts.
One young person said to me that the event is so positive
he wished it were every year. This is a great statement!
And yet it is tough to see how it could come together so
often. About two years of hard planning and other work
go into each Abundant Springs.
I have heard several people over the past few years
say that Abundant Springs “carries itself” and runs like
a “well-oiled machine.” I too have often thought so, for
which I am grateful.
The previous four or five events saw an average of
500-plus students and 175 leaders and
administration in attendance.
But pulling together a
$125,000 event takes more
than just an optimistic
attitude.
I must confess that
the last few months leading
up to this year’s event
were at times stressful as the
National Youth Committee
(NYC) laboured to deal
with numerous issues and
a tremendous amount of
details. Discernment was
needed to decide:
• What workshop topics and speakers we should
have
• How to efficiently move people through the food
line to stay on schedule
• Alternate plans in case outdoor activities are
rained out
• Whether or not we allow surfing in the mosh pit
• What type of guest entertainment would fulfil our
purposes
12 THE MESSENGER | July 2011
Thoughts from the
Conference Youth Minister
by Gerald Reimer, Conference Youth Minister
A scene repeated at each Abundant Springs
is seeing leaders sitting, walking or just
hanging out with students.
• How to carefully
handle medication National Youth Committee
and take care of • Peter Ascough (Kleefeld)
injuries
• Jason Dueck (Prairie Grove)
• The list goes on and • Jason Heide (Steinbach EMC)
on.
• Kayla Penner (Kleefeld)
For the majority of this • Brigitte Toews (Heartland)
team it was the first time • Gerald Reimer (Conference
planning and they handled
it amazingly well. Thank
you all for your work!
Youth Minister)
Speaking of leadership, I want to take this opportunity
to thank and bless the 150 youth leaders that spent the
weekend pouring into the lives of their students, above
and beyond the normal weekly youth group commitment
throughout the year.
Of those in attendance, 20 are salaried
for this work and they are worth every
penny they receive. The other 130
leaders also demonstrated selfless
dedication as they invested in
students’ lives. A scene repeated
PHOTO : H A N N AH WIEBE
at each Abundant Springs is seeing
leaders sitting, walking or just hanging
out with students, with their focus
on teens.
Relational ministry is a huge part
of the weekend and the results bring
glory to God. Parents, make sure
you demonstrate your gratitude to
the leaders of your children, as I can
testify to their incredible ministry.
A handbook is handed out to each attendee at
Abundant Springs and inside there are over 50 names of
people who helped to make this weekend possible. Thank
you to each of you for faithfully serving in obedience to
God’s call on your life. Thank you also to the Briercrest
staff who hosted us so capably.
May the efforts of this weekend bear much fruit in our
churches for the glory of God!

PHOTO: DESIGNPICS.COM
This is why we are
part of a Christian
community!
by Cheryl Braun
My physician had been telling me for years
that I had bipolar disorder, but it was not
until November 2007 that it was officially
diagnosed.
I was in a deep depression. I would go to bed with
my kids at 8 p.m. and sometimes sooner.
I was trying to get through each day, counting the
minutes and seconds until I could go to bed.
During that time, I received news that my best
friend had been diagnosed with a cancerous brain
tumour. It was devastating!
Undiagnosed
I had dealt with depression for many years, not
knowing what it was. Having three children in three
years and having endometriosis with pain each month
was a lot to handle.
I had dealt with depression for
many years, not knowing what
it was. Having three children in
three years and having endome-
triosis with pain each month
was a lot to handle.
A doctor put me on anti-depressants after my
second child, which seemed to help somewhat.
When I became pregnant with our third child, I was
devastated, thinking the medication would cause birth
defects, but our baby was born healthy.
Because of endometriosis and my being on pain
medication, it was recommended I have a hysterectomy.
When my baby was seven months old, I had surgery
that put me out of commission for two months.
I was constantly thinking, “You made the wrong
decision. You’re going to get breast cancer. You cannot
have any more children.’’ I thought about my funeral
and all I wanted to do was sleep.
My children had to come to my bed when they
needed anything. I would get what they needed and go
back to bed.
(continued p. 14)
THE MESSENGER | July 2011 13

I did not care about anything or anybody. I did not
want to tell anyone, feeling ashamed. I wanted people
to think everything was fine; I could do it by myself. I
began having anxiety attacks and thought they were
heart attacks.
This took a toll on my marriage. We were in a
constant battle.
I had been given many medications throughout the
years. Some helped, while others put me into a bigger
fog. Memories of my children’s early years are blurry.
In October 2007, I started hearing
voices telling me to commit
suicide. I attempted a couple
of times, but each time
God intervened.
Upon waking
one morning, I felt
unbearable dread.
I did not think I
could go through
another day.
Being a
Christian, I rejected
suicide, but I felt
so hopelessly lost
and depressed, not
knowing where to turn.
I told my husband and
asked him to take me to the
hospital. I was terrified of
what could happen.
The doctor kept me in
the hospital for a week on
more drugs that put me
in a bigger fog. This did not
make things better.
When my husband confronted the doctor,
he discharged me. Returning home was no better.
Something had to be done.
Medical help
A friend made phone calls and the next morning
my husband and I drove nine hours to a psychiatric
hospital. This is where I met the best doctor that I have
ever had. Finally, someone seemed to care.
She took me off medications and did tests and brain
mapping. These tests revealed the illness and I was
officially diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
The doctors suggested electroconvulsive therapy
(ECT); the brain would have seizures to be reprogrammed.
This would happen three times weekly for
14 THE MESSENGER | July 2011
PHOTO: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM
three months, which meant leaving my family for that
time.
We decided to go ahead and signed the papers. I
was scared, thinking I would never be the same person
again.
Then a miracle happened. People prayed for me and
I began to feel better. The doctors decided to wait with
the ECT.
During my four-week stay at the hospital, I took a
variety of classes, including stress management. I met
people with equal or worse problems.
The longer I stayed, the
better I began to feel.
It helped to not live in
silence, to know people
were helping me, and
that I was not alone in
having this disorder.
I begged them to let me
go home early. Leaving the hospital,
I felt great, but it did not take long
to realize life was not perfect.
The medication I am now
on has worked the best so
far. I have a good doctor who
monitors me.
It helped to not live in silence, to
know people were helping me,
and that I was not alone in having
this disorder.
Learning
While in the hospital I learned how to help
myself: read up on the illness, do not schedule too
many activities even though you feel you can take on
the world, say no to people or activities if you might not
handle them. Ask your spouse and friends not to give
up on you.
I lost many friendships over the years. You cannot
let that get to you. True friends will stay through rough
times and will try to understand. Try not to shut people
out, but explain how you are feeling.
Seek counselling, as sometimes your past can make
depression worse. Make sure to get out even if just to
check the mail.
Your spouse needs to be encouraged to talk to others.
It is hard for them as well.

It is also hard for people to
understand if they have never
encountered this. People said that
I was just lazy, to pull up my socks,
to snap out of it, or to get closer to
God. This is not helpful.
I believe that if you have God
in your life, he knows your heart
even if it is hard to pray and the
energy to read the Bible isn’t there.
That’s when you need other people
praying.
You should not feel guilty to ask
for prayer. This is why we are part of
a Christian community.
It is our job as brothers and
sisters in Christ to hold each other
up when we need it.
God’s love
In the past two years I have
gained a better understanding of
how much God loves me. This has
helped me to cope with my depression
more positively.
God allowed me to have this
illness so that I can help other
people and to strengthen me
and my relationship with him.
A favourite verse says, “I can do
everything through him who gives
me strength” (Philippians 4:13).
In addition, ask for help. There
is hope!
“That is why, for Christ’s sake, I
delight in weaknesses, in insults, in
hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.
For when I am weak, then I
am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10).
Lastly and most importantly,
God is on our side.
Cheryl Braun
attends
Westpointe
Community
Church (Grande
Prairie, Alta.)
with her
husband Dave.
Worship songs are conversation—
choose the words carefully!
by Dr. Christine Longhurst
“Let me write
the songs of a
nation—I don’t
care who writes
its laws.”
A
statement attributed to 17th century Scottish politician
Andrew Fletcher about countries also applies to the Church.
Christians have long recognized music’s power to shape what
we believe about God and the life of faith.
As New Testament scholar Gordon Fee said, “Show me a church’s
songs, and I’ll show you their theology.”
Why then do we pay little attention to texts of the songs we sing?
In many congregations, far more attention is focused on a song’s musical
style than on the words.
We debate the merits of traditional hymns, gospel songs, praise
and worship music, and songs of the global church. We argue over
praise bands and organs, unison singing, and four-part harmony.
In the workshops and seminars I do, people frequently talk about
musical style. The question of the text—the words we sing—rarely
comes up.
Historically, the word “hymn” referred to a song’s words. Hymns
were poems of faith. Early hymnals resembled poetry books and rarely
included music.
Tunes were interchangeable and often used for various texts.
Placing the words of a text between the lines of music wasn’t generally
done until the late 19th century, and then primarily in North America.
(continued p. 14)
THE MESSENGER | July 2011 15
PHOTO: DESIGNPICS.COM

Music is important. But how carefully does your
congregation choose the song texts they use in worship?
Who evaluates the words you sing? How healthy
and balanced are your textual choices? What might be
missing?
Consider these questions:
To whom are we singing?
How clearly do our songs identify the God to whom
we sing? I recall a worship service where God was not
clearly named until the sermon. Before that, God was
referred to as “you.” As worshippers, we were to draw
our own conclusions about who was this God we were
singing to.
And what about God’s Triune nature? Are the
songs we’re singing rooted in our understanding of the
Trinitarian nature and activity of God?
For many today, weekly worship is not
a corporate activity—a conversation
between God and the community. It
is a private encounter—a conversation
between God and me.
16 THE MESSENGER | July 2011
PHOTO: DESIGNPICS.COM
Dr. Lester Ruth, professor of worship at Asbury
Seminary, studied 72 top contemporary songs used
in North American worship over a 15-year period. He
discovered that only three of the 72 songs referred to all
three persons of the Trinity. Four songs referred to God
as Father, and only six referred to the Spirit. Jesus was
named most often, appearing in 32 songs.
Robin Wallace, professor of worship at Methodist
Theological School in Ohio, discovered much the same
in a similar study. Of the 47 texts, 11 songs addressed God
as an ambiguous “you.” Almost half of the texts made no
direct reference to Jesus or his life, death and resurrection.
The Holy Spirit was only mentioned in five songs.
How well do our songs reflect the Trinitarian nature
of God? What difference might that make to what we
believe about God or how God is at work in our world?
Who is singing?
A characteristic of contemporary worship music is
the focus on “I”—songs that reflect private religious
feeling, the desires and commitments of individual
worshippers rather than the gathered community.
This isn’t new. We find numerous examples of “I”
hymns in centuries past.
Today, however, these songs are surrounded by a
worship culture which increasingly understands the life
of faith as an individual journey.
For many today, weekly worship is not a corporate
activity—a conversation between God and the community.
It is a private encounter—a conversation between
God and me.
We may gather in the same room for worship, but
the conversations are often private.
As Anabaptists, though, we believe that the faith
Jesus calls us to not a private, solitary faith. It is faith
lived out in community.
How well do our worship songs reflect this reality?
Do we have a healthy balance of “I” and “we” songs?
What do we sing about?
How well do we balance songs about God’s nature
and attributes (faithful, holy, loving) with songs
about God actions in history (creation, incarnation,
redemption)?
People comment about the “shallowness” of contemporary
worship music. This shallowness is directly
related to a lack of balance between songs about God’s
attributes and God’s activity.
Singing about God’s faithfulness wears thin unless
we remember ways in which God has been faithful. Our
praise and worship of God is best rooted in our recognition
of what God has done.

It’s also important to balance songs of revelation
with songs of response. Contemporary praise and
worship music has brought to the church the gift of
response—songs offering worshippers a chance to sing
directly to God.
But a diet of response songs can lead to worship
which is more about me and how I feel about God than
about who God is and what God has done.
On the other hand, if we just sing songs of revelation—songs
which point us to some objective truth
about who God is and how God has acted—but rarely
respond to what truth means in our lives, our worship
can remain information and never bring us to where
transformation can happen.
Songs of revelation naturally lead to songs of
response. A healthy diet of worship music balances
revelation and response.
Balance is also important in the range of emotions
expressed. Praise is important, but if our relationship
with God is honest, praise isn’t enough.
Our worship needs room for a range of emotion and
response.
There’s also the matter of balancing the imminence
(nearness) of God with God’s transcendence (otherness).
Both views of God are true: God is companion
and Creator.
How well do our song texts hold these truths—intimacy
and awe—in tension so that God is neither too
approachable nor out of reach?
How well do our song choices balance texts like
“O Lord, You’re beautiful, Your face is all I seek” with
“Immortal, invisible, God only wise, in light inaccessible
hid from our eyes”?
Textual and musical diversity
The texts we sing are directly
related to musical style.
Different musical styles bring
with them different texts.
My decision to use various
musical styles in worship is
not based primarily on musical
considerations, but on a concern
for texts that accompany those
styles.
A diet of Praise and Worship
songs is not enough. Neither
is a diet of traditional hymns,
or contemporary hymns, or
songs from Taize, the Iona
Community, or the global
church.
Healthy worship draws on different textual (and
therefore musical) styles. It seeks to balance objective
texts about who God is and what God has done with
subjective texts that offer worshippers a chance to
respond personally to God.
It tries to balance topical texts that explore biblical
themes and contemporary issues with contemplative
texts that allow worshippers to spend time in God’s
presence.
Healthy worship includes Scriptural texts, traditional
texts and newly composed contemporary texts.
It balances finely crafted poetic texts to which we can
return with colloquial texts written in the immediacy of
the moment without regard to literary quality.
It values texts that speak to God, that speak to
one another, and through which God speaks to us. It
includes texts from the global Christian community
and our local Christian communities.
Just as in conversations with one another, our
dialogue with God is enriched by a diversity of content
and style, both textual and musical.
If our worship is to rise above entertainment or
education—if we believe that worship is a conversation
between God and God’s people—then the words of that
conversation need to be chosen with great care.
Dr. Christine Longhurst is a
sessional instructor at Canadian
Mennonite University (Winnipeg,
Man.) and regularly leads workshops
on worship. She has a blog for
worship planners and leaders at
http://re-worship.blogspot.com. (This
is a Meetinghouse article.)
Steinbach Steinbach
Bible College
9:30
9:30
am-4:00
am-4:00 pm
pm
Visit
Visit
www.SBCollege.ca
www.SBCollege.ca
or or call call
326-6451 204-326-6451 for details
for details
THE MESSENGER | July 2011 17

with our missionaries
Dueck brothers
share Briercrest
award
CARONPORT, SASK.
Joe and Kent Dueck share more than
a passion for kids. They now share
Briercrest College and Seminary’s
Alumnus of the Year award.
On April 20 the award was
presented to the brothers, who each
operate inner-city youth ministries.
Kent is the executive director of
Inner City Youth Alive, located in
the north end of Winnipeg, Man.
Joe is executive director of Joe’s
Place, a youth centre in Moose Jaw,
Sask.
“Kent and Joe have offered us
this remarkable picture of what can
happen when people respond to the
Lord’s call on their life and invite
Him to use them,” said Briercrest
president Dwayne Uglem.
Even though their life’s work is
similar, their paths were different.
“I grew up on the cold hard
streets of Rosenort, Manitoba,” Kent
Dueck joked. He knew from age 15
that “God had called him” to work
in the inner city.
“Thank God I have a short
memory for how difficult things
are,” he said. He and his “very
encouraging” wife are “making our
decisions not based on what we
know. They’re based on faith—one
step at a time.”
When Joe was in his teens he
started hanging around with “a bad
crowd.”
“Even though I grew up in a
Christian family, I was doing things
that weren’t benefiting me,” he
remembered.
18 THE MESSENGER | July 2011
At this time Kent, the older
brother, was attending Briercrest
and helped to get Joe to attend
Youth Quake.
“I showed up and just loved it,”
Joe said. “Every year I would go
back and see that you can have fun
without alcohol and drugs,” but
“then I’d go back to my old ways.”
Joe decided to go to Briercrest
even though he wasn’t a Christian.
“Two weeks in, I gave my life to
Christ….”
He struggled with academics
and took a break, at the insistence
of Briercrest, to figure out if college
was really for him.
He joined the army, was shipped
off to Bosnia for six months, and
returned from there with the conviction
to do something with his life.
He got an apartment in Moose
Jaw and asked to come back to
Briercrest. He had a sign a “strict
code of conduct.”
Meanwhile, Dueck met kids on
the street who had nowhere to go.
Joe said, “I started inviting
them over to hang out.” The college
blessed the outreach and supported
his efforts, which eventually
became Joe’s Place.
Both brothers appreciate the role
Briercrest played in their lives and
ministries. Their rewards are in the
lives that are affected.
A girl who became a Christian
through Joe’s Place graduated from
Briercrest and has worked on a
cruise ship for the past eight years,
Joe said.
“It’s the people who come back
and tell me their stories and say,
‘That’s the difference you made,’”
Kent said. “For me, that’s all the
encouragement I need.”
Julie Cole,
Briercrest College and Seminary
Editor’s note: Kent and Joe Dueck
were raised in Rosenort Fellowship
Chapel (EMC).
Kent and Joe Dueck received Briercrest’s Alumnus of the Year award for their work with inner-city kids.
PHOTOS COURTESY BRIERCREST

with our missionaries
Water, houses,
and outings
NICARAGUA
It has been years since the well
at CINAG was completed. The
well remains an integral source of
blessing to the community around
Fernando Baltodano.
The sporadic supply of water
during dry season makes life
challenging on a daily basis. The
children take full advantage of the
water taps as soon as they arrive on
site.
Perhaps a bottle or two also goes
home with them. How gratifying to
see their thirst satisfied.
Together with this year’s work
team we spent a lot of time in the
community. We were able to deliver
food hampers to all the families of
the children in the program.
We have returned to this community many
times, and each time we are overwhelmed
by the needs that poverty creates.
The conditions in which some
of these children lived touched
all of our hearts. We asked God to
direct us to a few homes that would
need a little extra help in easing the
pressures of the soon to arrive rainy
season.
Two new homes were built, and
another one was reconditioned.
They were so grateful that this rainy
season they would stay dry.
We have returned to this community
many times, and each time
we are overwhelmed by the needs
that poverty creates. It is crucial
that the children stay in school.
We were very encouraged with
the number of youth that were
continuing their education. Their
future will be better, because they
will be able to go to the cities to find
work.
The children were also treated
to two field trips. The older ones
went to Volcano Santiago and the
younger ones to a water park.
Both groups had never been to
such grand places. Most have never
been out of the community.
It was very gratifying for all of
us to see the sheer joy and wonder
on the faces of the more than 60
children.
We asked the youth in the life
skills program to write a letter of
thanks to all those who over the
years have been involved with
CINAG. Here is the unedited letter:
“We are very grateful to all of
you for giving the support that con-
tributed to the formation
of our spiritual and moral
values. These are things
that we as young people
struggle with all the time
in our difficult situation.
“But we have your support, your
contributions that make a place
like this possible. A place where we
can go, a place where we feel we are
loved and valued as children of God.
“Thank you for your economic
help which is used to buy food,
school supplies, medicine, clothes,
shoes, pay school fees and whatever
else we might need.
“God bless you richly.”
Nicaragua is in an election year.
Pray for a positive outcome that
would make it easier for organizations
like CINAG to operate.
There are constant demands
and restrictions placed on children’s
homes, which makes it difficult and
extremely time consuming. Please
pray for the board, director and staff
at CINAG, that they will have the
courage and joy to be true ambassadors
of Jesus Christ.
Darlene Olfert
Darlene and Lester Olfert (EFC
Steinbach) serve with Action
International.
Holiday Travel
kirsten@holiday-travel.ca
with the
Bicentennial Committee
of the
Evangelical Mennonite Conference
presents
Mennonite Heritage Tour
with a focus on EMC history
to
Ukraine and Crimea
Kiev, Mennonite Colonies, Yalta, Odessa
from
May 21–June 7, 2012
Estimated cost: $5,200 including airfare
Deadline registration/deposit
December 30, 2011
For tour details contact tour host:
Len Loeppky
14 Springwood Bay,
Steinbach, MB, R5G 2E8
aloeppky@mts.net or 204-326-2613
Informational meeting
announcement to follow.
THE MESSENGER | July 2011 19

with our missionaries
68 students
graduate from
NTBI
WISCONSIN
We are happy to let you know that
68 students graduated on May
21, 2011, from New Tribes Bible
Institute.
This class was special to our
family because we began here on
staff at the same time as these students
arrived. We feel like we have
grown with them in many ways, and
it is sad to see them go.
The good news is that 58 percent
of them have decided to continue
on in serving the Lord in missions;
and better yet, they have grown in
their walk with the Lord and their
dependence on Him. This is the
whole reason why our family is so
motivated to live here among the
students, building relationships
with them and walking alongside
them.
Learning the
value of saying
farewell
SOUTH AFRICA/CANADA
“Brethren, join in following my
example, and note those who so
walk, as you have us for a pattern”
(Philippians 3:17).
We’ve been consumed with
20 THE MESSENGER | July 2011
Sixty-eight students graduated from New Tribes
Bible Institute on May 21, 2011.
Many of these students are
headed out around the world to
take the gospel to people who have
never had the chance to hear it.
Thank you for your involvement in
the amazing work the Lord is doing
around the world.
Dave Field
Dave and Kim Field (Steinbach
EMC) serve at the New Tribes Bible
Institute in Waukesha, Wisconsin.
farewells, packing, selling and all Farewells are not merely celebra-
that concerns ending a missionary tions for those who are leaving.
career abroad. In planning our Nice memories spoken by friends
goodbyes we were advised by wise to friends and heroes who leave
folks to give opportunity to our define what they are on the way to
friends to say their farewells to us. becoming. Such memories become
Our modest western minds do scaffolds from which character is
not consider how important it is to built.
say farewells. Besides, we don’t want We counted 71 churches that we
to be disappointed, should such served in Zululand alone; some were
farewells be less than expected. (continued p. 21)
PHOTO COURTESY DAVE FIELD

with our missionaries
(continued from p. 20)
merely one time, but with others
there were ongoing ministries.
Judging from what was said at 28
farewell meetings during our last
two months in Africa most of our
mistakes seem to have been conveniently
forgotten.
Our farewells took us to Maputo.
A new church building was to be
in progress, but a legal problem
Matthew Mathenjwa is a pastor in Ingwavuma
who also serves as chairperson of the South Africa
National Evangelical Church.
John Quabe, physically limited by a childhood
disease, pastors a small church. About 15 years
ago Joe put a roof on his church’s building.
involving a squatter and
a former land owner is
delaying the start. The
matter is before a court
and might soon be sorted
out. Meanwhile, the
church meets in a temporary
structure of poles and
corrugated iron on their
site.
We arrived in
Winnipeg on the evening
of April 19. Our house in
Blumenort, Man., was
waiting as we expected.
We did not expect a huge
assortment of groceries
and a clean house. Our church and
community had outdone themselves
to welcome us back. Thank you, and
may God richly bless you!
The health of Abe, Joe’s brother,
has been declining for many
months. The closer we were to
leaving Africa, the more acute his
predicament was becoming. Then
his disease was declared terminal
and we were praying to make it
home to exchange significant words
with him. In the evening that we
arrived in Winnipeg we stopped by
the hospital and exchanged such
words.
We were blessed to have done so
because on subsequent visits he had
other visitors or was too drugged to
think clearly. He was ushered into
the Lord’s presence on May 10, 2011,
exactly 50 years to the day since our
father’s home-going.
Pray for the South Africa
Ministry Area, which is going
through changes with newly
defined ministry opportunities.
Hambanathi EC Charity, an HIV/
AIDS ministry, appreciates prayer
support as it operates with a
shoestring budget and an overlychallenged
staff.
In South Africa there are many child-headed homes. The Thengani
church ministers to this household, which Joe and Olga
visited with local leaders.
Pray for Abe Reimer’s widow,
Caroline Mitchel, and their wider
family.
Pray for us as we continue our
Home Assignment with TEAM
until September 1. We hope to visit
our TEAM office in Wheaton and
contact all our faith partners during
this time. We also hope to be available
for mission-related ministry as
the Lord gives opportunity.
Joe and Olga Reimer
Joe and Olga Reimer (Blumenort)
are retiring after career missionary
service in southern Africa.
Send
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THE MESSENGER | July 2011 21
PHOTOS COURTESY JOE REIMER

with our missionaries
Ministry flows out
of a life with God
MEXICO
Being at the grass roots of starting
a new ministry in a foreign country
can be pretty heady stuff. There are
so many firsts.
Here in Guadalajara, a city of
over seven million, what one has to
process and absorb can sometimes
seem overwhelming: streets, cars
and driving; significant landmarks
and important buildings (medical
and governmental) to become
familiar with; malls and markets;
and all the private residences.
The past six months have been
exciting as we have met challenges
that come when entering a new
culture and a new city. We are
grateful for people that we have
gotten to know here.
Some expatriate cross-cultural
workers have embraced and encouraged
us and taught us so much
about Mexico and missions. Our
landlord has been helpful and
accommodating.
Follow Jesus
hear the call
For more information or to apply
for the fall semester call...
1-800-230-8478
or visit us online
22 THE MESSENGER | July 2011
When we moved into our present
house, our next door neighbour
invited us for a steak dinner and
later a daughter’s party.
Connie and I were doing our
prayer walk when we sat down
under a big shade tree in the
Metropolitan Park, the general area
for our church plant. We prayed
that God would give us a divine
appointment.
PHOTO: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM
www.SBCollege.ca
Not a minute later a lady, in a
state of anxiety, asked if we could
help her by offering our cell phone.
We had a wonderful contact with
two school teachers and their
children.
Two weeks later, on our prayer
walk, God brought a young man
on a mountain bike. He later
introduced us to his wife and two
children.
God has given us a new way of
looking at people. Jesus said, “You
know the saying, ‘Four months
between planting and harvest.’ But
I say, wake up and look around. The
fields are already ripe for harvest.
The harvesters are paid good wages,
and the fruit they harvest is people
brought to eternal life. What joy
awaits both the planter and the
harvester alike!” (John 4:35-36 NLT).
So much depends on cultivating
the keenness of the eye and being
available for what God is doing.
Ministry flows out of a life with
God.
We are excited about the team
that God is putting together. Dallas
and Tara Wiebe with their children
are coming mid-July; LeRoy and
Faith Siemens are coming late
September.
We are excited about the team
helping with outreach during the
Pan American Games in October,
developing a discipleship training
centre, and hosting a Prayer Team
for February 2012.
Ministry flows out of a life with
God.
John and Connie Reimer
John and Connie Reimer (Swan River)
are leading a church planting effort
in Guadalajara City, Jalisco state.

with our churches
Message in a blanket
RIVERTON GOSPEL CHAPEL,
Manitoba
The earthquake and subsequent
tsunamis devastating Japan this
year had the world asking, “How
can we help?” Surprisingly, citizens
of Japan, a country known as an
economic giant, responded by asking
people around the world to
send them love and comfort
by making quilts for them
(Interlake Spectator, June 2,
2011).
An Keuning-Tichelaar, a
Dutch Mennonite minister’s
wife, made a similar request
to MCC shortly after World
War Two. The couple’s home
served as a refuge for Jews,
hungry children, and Mennonite
refugees from Ukraine. MCC sent 50
comforters and quilts to assist people
leaving their church’s hiding place to
re-enter the community.
Volunteers throughout North
America, including many women in
the EMC, engage in this craft, some
stitching intricate and elaborate
quilted works of art to raise money for
MCC.
One such MCC event was a quilt
show and sale in Winnipeg at the
end of May. Over seventy-six quilted
works of art were displayed. The
fundraiser supported “Acts of Faith”
in Swaziland, a project to assist
families coping with the large number
of children orphaned through HIV/
AIDS.
Like a multi-coloured blanket, God has given
members of the body of Christ a variety of
spiritual gifts so we might work together.
Other crafters create practical
utility blankets for everyday use. Our
small group of women at Riverton
Gospel Chapel have taken a renewed
interest in this, and women of all ages
come together for blanket-making a
few times each year.
This labour of love is a common
thread that binds us with many other
believers throughout North America.
The gift of a blanket is only complete
The ladies from Riverton Gospel Chapel are part of a wider circle of blanket makers across North America.
when it is received by someone in
need.
In the 12 months ending March
31, 2011 MCC sent 61,744 blankets to
many countries (www.mcc.org).
The art of blanket making is a
beautiful symbol of Christ’s body
working together in harmony to
extend love to a broken world.
Discarded cloth is collected, cut into
blocks, pieced together, assembled,
tied or quilted, and finished
with a border or binding.
Much like the discarded
cloth, we too were once lost
and without purpose. When
we surrendered ourselves
to God our creator, He
accepted us in our humble
state, brought us into a
relationship with Him and
gave our lives meaning.
Like a multi-coloured blanket,
God has given members of the body
of Christ a variety of spiritual gifts
so we might work together. A blanket
is not complete until it has a binding
without which its raw edge will fray
and deteriorate quickly.
In a similar way, the body of
Christ is incomplete and cannot fulfill
its intended purpose if it is not bound
by love.
The experiences of life are a lot
like piecing a blanket top. Sometimes
we do not have a choice in the blocks
of fabric we are given.
Some experiences are beautiful
while others test us to the limit.
Job expressed confidence in God in
the middle of horrendous suffering:
“When he tests me, I will come out as
pure gold” (Job 23:10 NLT).
When we cooperate with God, He
in His grace is able to create something
beautiful out of the pieces of
our lives, even the painful ones.
Sigi Hiebert
THE MESSENGER | July 2011 23

with our churches
Pelly holds lay renewal
weekend
PELLY FELLOWSHIP CHAPEL,
Saskatchewan
Lay Renewal Weekend was held
April 1 to 3, 2011. This was a first
for our fellowship.
Much prayer and preparation
preceded the time spent together.
Friday evening began with a song
service and a time of sharing.
Saturday morning coffee and
muffins were ready and enjoyed
between nine and ten. The ladies
then went to the sanctuary and the
men into the lower hall.
With a questionnaire to be
guided by, and in twos or threes,
time was spent being open, honest,
Journal of Mennonite Studies 29/2011
24 THE MESSENGER | July 2011
and seeking to come to terms with
the questions at hand.
Following a delicious noon
luncheon, the afternoon went by
quickly with wrapping up of the
morning sessions and then sitting
around in a friendship circle. God’s
presence was felt as many issues
were brought forward for discussion
and clarification.
We enjoyed supper together.
Then Doug Wildman spoke during
the evening service. Doug is a local
Christian counselor and was present
for all of the sessions.
The regular Sunday morning
service concluded this event. The
weekend was well-planned and
GET YOUR SUBSCRIPTION TO THE
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Volume 29, 2011
The 2011 issue is just off the press
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on the topic of
Mennonite Experience
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Each issue features two dozen
reviews on the best Mennonite novels,
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appeared to be beneficial to all who
attended.
Among other activities the
chapel has been involved in, was
hosting the Lyn and Vi Reimer
family, with Gospel Echoes on May 1
in the chapel.
On May 8, Mother’s Day, the
men very willingly set up and
prepared the annual breakfast to a
large group in the Pelly Community
Hall. The service that followed was
conducted by Double Portion, a
family group from North Battleford.
It was much appreciated.
A word of encouragement: may
we each be a light and a witness as
we live and work in the area that
God has placed us.
Let our prayer be that of the
Psalmist: “May the words of my
mouth and the meditations of my
heart be acceptable in your sight, O
Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer”
(Psalm 19:14).
Vivian Anfinson
weddings
MARK – PLETT: Tony Mark and Kirsten
Plett were married on June 5, 2011, at
Providence College. The couple lives in
Winnipeg, Man.
births
VAN NIEKERK – to Jonas and Cecile Van
Niekerk of Winnipeg, Man., a son, Max
Jacob, on June 29, 2011.
PETERS – to Jeremy and Becky Peters of
Roseisle, Man., a son, Shawn Harvey, on
Nov. 30, 2010.
PETERS – to Ryan and Casey Peters
of Roseisle, Man., a daughter, Chloe
Maddelyn Sage, on Dec. 28, 2010.
PHOTO: AL DUECK

with our churches
A Sunday morning prayer
EVANGELICAL FELLOWSHIP
CHURCH, Steinbach, Manitoba
This prayer, slightly shortened,
was led by Carl Doerksen on
July 3, 2011:
Lord of Heaven and of Earth, we
praise and we worship you. You
are the living God to whom Christ
has opened the way by giving the
ultimate sacrifice, by his death and
resurrection.
We rejoice with the multitudes
of Christians around the world
who are calling on your name and
worshipping you today.
We reflect on the words of the
Psalmist who exhorts us to “Honour
the Lord for the glory of your name.
Worship the Lord in the splendour
of his holiness.” That is our desire
and our intent this morning.
We come to you in repentance for
those things in our lives to which
we hold a tighter grip than we hold
Has your church used
Follow Me?
View a sample chapter at
www.emconference.ca/CE-resources
To order copies ($2.50 each, plus
shipping) contact Rebecca Roman,
204-326-6401 or rroman@emconf.ca.
to you. We confess that we are
tempted to have other gods before
us, to have priorities that are more
pleasing to ourselves than pleasing
to you.
Jesus, come and cleanse us; renew a
right spirit within us.
We ask that you would stir our
hearts for an ever deeper longing
and desire to listen to your voice,
to walk with you. May our service
this morning serve as a way for
us to connect not only with each
other, but to connect us with you to
empower us and re-energize us for
your service and for your glory.
We pray this morning for Annual
EMC Convention being held in
Calgary. May the connections,
the discussions and decisions at
the convention serve to expand
the horizons and visions of our
Conference.
May they help us to grow in our
mission as well as in our service and
witness to our neighbours and to
our world!
As we travel and vacation this summer,
we ask for your safety and for
your protection. May you go before
us and fill us with the awe of you as
we reflect on you, on your word and
on the beauty of your creation.
We pray also for our children, our
grandchildren and many others
who will be attending summer Bible
camps this year. Jesus, may your
love touch their hearts and impact
them in their relationship with you
and their love for you.
We pray for the week of VBS. Give
energy and passion to the leaders
and help the boys and girls who
come to receive a special touch from
you.
We pray for Christians everywhere,
we who are salt and light to the
world around us. May our lives be a
sweet smelling savour and a ray of
light to those around us!
Particularly we are reminded to
pray this for the folks who meet
at the Emmanuel Evangelical Free
Church here in Steinbach.
Thank you, Jesus, for your presence
here. We commit ourselves to you
for this service, for today and for
this week.
Hear our prayers, O God, for we
pray in the powerful name of Jesus
our Saviour.
Amen.
Submitted, at editor’s request,
by Carl Doerksen
THE MESSENGER | July 2011 25

news
Eden holds grand opening
Affordable housing to be a safe place for persons with mental health issues
STEINBACH, Man.—On May 13, 2011, the grand opening
was held for a 24-apartment complex in Steinbach,
Man., that will provide safe, affordable housing for persons
with mental health issues—an initiative of Eden
Health Care Services, with which the EMC has long been
involved.
Wilson Courts, a two building, 24-unit Eden East
complex, is located close to downtown Steinbach with its
many services. It was purchased from Mark and Bonnie
Loewen and then renovated.
Deb Taillefer, director of mental health for South
Eastman Health, noted how important housing is for
people living with mental health issues; and how great
it is when organizations work together with the regional
health authority, government agencies such as Manitoba
Housing, as well as business and civic organizations to
make quality community-based projects a reality.
James Friesen, CEO of Eden Health Care Services,
thanked all of the people who had assisted with each
stage of the project.
He noted that Manitoba Housing has been a great
MDS ready to respond to Manitoba flood recovery
Focus will be to help people who ‘ fall through the cracks’
WINNIPEG, Man.—Although parts of the province are
coping with massive flooding, MDS is thinking of the
flood and will respond in recovery and clean-up efforts if
there is a need, says a spokesperson.
MDS and its volunteer network typically focuses on
long-term recovery and is prepared to clean and rebuild
homes for those without adequate resources, said Lois
Nickel.
“Whereas some organizations are busy now supplying
food and staffing evacuation centres, MDS’s role
comes into play when the water recedes and people have
had a chance to assess their damages,” said Nickel.
Although governments have announced they will
provide compensation, there are often people who “fall
through the cracks for some reason or other,” she said.
These are the families and homeowners who MDS typically
helps.
26 THE MESSENGER | July 2011
partner in this project and the previous Eden East project,
Penfeld Court. He thanked Pat Moore, Manitoba
Housing representative, for being a long-time partner
with Eden and its housing projects in Winkler, Steinbach,
and also for a new emerging project in Winnipeg.
Eden and EMC
In front of one of the Wilson Courts buildings: Mark and Bonnie Loewen; Ron
Dyck, Eden East director; Ed Penner, Eden East board member; James Friesen,
Eden CEO; Pat Moore, Manitoba Housing; Bill Kehler, Eden East board chair;
and Deb Taillefer, director of mental health for South Eastman Health.
MDS works in partnership with a network of nongovernment
organizations in the province that respond
to disasters.
MDS was heavily involved in the clean-up and recovery
efforts in Manitoba following the 1997 flood and is
currently involved in reconstructing a house in Emerson
flooded in June 2010.
Donations to MDS’s Manitoba flood response are
welcome. Cheques should be made out to MDS and
designated Manitoba 2011 Flood. They can be mailed to
MDS, 6A-1325 Markham Road, Winnipeg, MB R3T 4J6.
Credit card donations can be made at 866-261-1274 or
online at www.mds.mennonite.net.
MDS is a volunteer network of Anabaptist churches
that responds in Christian love to those affected by disasters
in Canada and the United States.
MDS
PHOTO: EDEN

news
MCC program reaches out to moms
Interaction is enjoyed
CHATHAM, Ont.—Eva Unger, a mother of a 13-monthold
daughter and expecting her second child, loves the
idea of making washable baby books that can be cuddled
and chewed.
Two other ideas of interest are sewing colourful
potholders with familiar images and making “touch and
feel” cloth books from leftover fabric.
“These are neat ideas,” said Unger, 22.
She picked up the ideas at an early-literacy workshop
offered through the Building Healthy Babies program at
the MCC Help Centre in Chatham.
Early literacy does not mean learning to read early,
explained Carrie Myers, a speaker at the workshop.
“It means snuggling with your baby, singing, pretending,
rhyming, conversation and looking at books,” said
Myers, a specialist in early literacy. “The more experiences
babies have with music, rhymes, books and reading,
the easier it will be for them to learn to speak and
learn to read.”
In addition to new information, Unger said she enjoys
interacting with mothers and their children. Her
sisters, she said, had encouraged her to come because
she was experiencing post-partum depression following
her daughter’s birth.
Stiller named as WEA
global ambassador
Dr. Brian C. Stiller has been appointed
Global Ambassador of the World
Evangelical Alliance, which represents
an estimated 600 million Evangelicals
worldwide.
Stiller served as president of the
Canadian Youth for Christ, was presi-
Dr. Brian C. Stiller
dent of The Evangelical Fellowship of
Canada, and was president of Tyndale University College
and Seminary.
EFC is one of 128 alliances that are affiliated with the
WEA, and EFC President Bruce J. Clemenger is a member
of the International Council.
EMC is part of EFC, which is part of WEA.
EFC
PHOTO: TYNDALE
“Hearing other women share their stories helped me
realize I was not the only one feeling like this,” she said.
“That was really helpful.”
MCC Ontario worked with Low German Mennonite
families returning to Canada since the 1970’s.Visit ontario.mcc.org/lowgerman
for information about Low
German Mennonites.
Gladys Terichow, MCC Canada
Early literacy specialist Carrie Myers reads to Sahra Fehr while her mother
Katharina and other participants, Maria Krahn and Tina Klassen, watch
Sahra’s response.
The film is available
from the EMC office:
204-326-6401, rroman@
emconf.ca or www.
emconference.ca; $15
(home license) or $30
(lending library license).
Radical Followers
of Jesus DVD
A DVD highlighting men and
women who “display radical
forgiveness, radical love
and radical peace” has been
produced by the Evangelical
Anabaptist Fellowship of
Canada. DVDs can be obtained
for $11.20 (plus shipping) from
the EMC office (204-326-6401
or rroman@emconf.ca).
THE MESSENGER | July 2011 27
PHOTO: NINA LINTON, MCC

news
Stitching healthier communities in Cambodia
MCC supports training of seamstresses and tailors
AKRON, Pa. – When Say Sophal
was 12, her mother and father died
of AIDS. Now a young woman, 17,
Sophal supports and cares for her
grandparents, ages 87 and 94.
She and a younger sister live with
them in a thatched-roof home in a village within poor
Mesang district, Prey Veng province, Cambodia.
Sophal learned of a vocational sewing and tailoring
program that began at Mesang High School in
2010 through MCC and its local partner. She
continued her academic courses in the mornings
and added sewing in the afternoons—and
graduated.
In nine months, Sophal learned enough to
begin tailoring for friends and family members.
A sister helped her buy a sewing machine.
Sophal has been stitching together some $50 a
month with a treadle machine and coal-heated
pressing iron.
This income allows her to purchase more
nutritious food, including fruit, and the daily
medicines her grandparents need.
Despite the greater region’s garment factories,
demand for custom-made clothing
remains high. Sophal, one of only two tailors
28 THE MESSENGER | July 2011
Sophal, one of only two tailors
in her village, almost has more
customers than she can handle.
MDS takes cost-cutting measures
WINNIPEG, Man.—The MDS Region V (Canada) board
passed a motion on June 28 to help cut costs due to post-
Katrina donation realities. Giving to MDS continues to be
strong, but spending at Katrina response levels cannot be
sustained any longer.
The motion included lowering travel reimbursements for
volunteers and terminating one position in the office (receptionist/administrative
assistant). Remaining employees will
be taking reductions in salary and the board continues to
seek ways to lower its administrative costs as well.
Lois Nickel, MDS
in her village, almost has more customers
than she can handle.
Of the 180 graduates of the program’s
first class, 28 have purchased
sewing machines. They join Sophal
in remaining in their home communities,
helping attire neighbours, and keeping hardearned
income in the localities.
Emily Will, for MCC
Say Sophal uses this sewing machine to support and care for her disabled grandparents.
Statement of
Reconciliation
“Corey Herlevsen and Steinbach Bible
College are pleased to announce that
following a series of conversations reconciliation
has been reached. While
moving on to other opportunities, Corey
will be continuing in relationship with
Steinbach Bible College as an adjunct
faculty member.”
SBC and Corey Herlevsen
PHOTO: DAPHNE HOLLINGER FOWLER, MCC

news
MWC delegation visits Japan
International aid, local initiatives combine in response
TOKYO, Japan—A Mennonite World Conference
(MWC) delegation to Japan, May 21-30, brought hope
and support to Japanese Anabaptists traumatized
by the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear plant meltdown
there last March.
The MWC delegation was invited by the Japan
Mennonite Fellowship (JMF); it included MWC Deacons
Commission secretary Bert Lobe; Paulus Hartono
(Indonesia) and Willie Reimer (MCC).
The delegation held three main meetings in Tokyo
and the northern island of Hokkaido, meeting with JMF
representatives. They met in Osaka with the Nippon
Japan Mennonite Fellowship (JMF) hosts with the MWC delegation: Yoshihira
Inamine (JMF treasurer and MWC Asia Caucus member), Michio Ohno,
Ishido Mitsuru, Paulus Hartono (MWC), Takanori Sasaki (JMF chair), Bert
Lobe (MWC), Willie Reimer (MCC).
More than Enough:
My Breast Cancer Story
by Sherri Hildebrandt
$18.99, 240 pp.
can be ordered from
the EMC national office
(mailing extra) or
www.sherrihildebrandt.com
Sherri and her husband were
previously involved in youth
leadership at Morris
Fellowship Chapel (EMC).
Food and dislocation issues were overwhelming, but the
MWC delegation also heard concern about nuclear energy.
Menonaito Burezaren Kyodan (Mennonite Brethren
Conference), not an MWC member.
On May 28 JMF formed an assistance committee to
provide relief and early rehabilitation. JMF had received
$55,000 from their member churches for disaster relief.
MCC, which has received more than $954,000
for Japan relief, has earmarked a portion to support
Anabaptist churches. It has given $700,000 to Church
World Service, a partner of MCC. Donations are still
accepted.
Many initiatives have or are being taken by local
Mennonite and Brethren in Christ churches: volunteers
deliver medicine and supplies, clear debris, entertain
children and elderly. Two Baptist churches got financial
support.
One church hopes to accept evacuees. Two congregations
will host children being treated or plan summer
camps for them.
Food and dislocation issues were overwhelming, but
the MWC delegation also heard concern about nuclear
energy. There are 70 nuclear power plants in Japan.
“Are there atomic energy experts in the Anabaptist
communion with whom we might be in conversation?”
asked Takanobu Tojo from Tokyo.
MWC
JMF meeting in Tokyo (left to right): Front row: Shintaro Okazaki, Paulus
Hartono, Takanori Sasaki, Bert Lobe, Willie Reimer, Michio Ohno. Back row:
Kho Jo Katano, Yoshihira Inamine, Ishido Mitsuru, Shozo Sato, Takanobu
Tojo, Yuko Tojo, Shigeyoshi Kimo, Keisuke Oshikiri.
THE MESSENGER | July 2011 29
PHOTOS: MWC DELEGATION TO JAPAN

news
MCC helping ‘the poorest of the poor’ in Pakistan
Partnerships help after one-fifth of country is flooded
WINNIPEG, Man.—Pakistani families watched last
summer as their homes, crops, livestock and livelihoods
were washed away by flood water that covered one-fifth
of the country and left millions
needing assistance.
MCC, in partnership with other
church-related organizations, continues
to help some most vulnerable
families rebuild their lives.
MCC is helping 300 families in
the Shangla district in Khyber Pakhtukhwa (KPK) province
start farming again through a $600,000 sustainable
livelihood one-year program implemented by Church
World Services—Pakistan Afghanistan.
The 300 households selected are “the poorest of the
poor.” Preference was given to widows and other femaleheaded
households and to those with minimal income
and assets and who are responsible for family members
who are elderly or have disabilities.
Each household receives a dairy cow or a buffalo, fodder,
building materials for animal shelters, and stainless
OTTERBURNE, Man.—Kent Dueck, co-founder and
executive director of Winnipeg’s Inner City Youth Alive,
was recently honoured by Providence College “for his
significant contribution to the lives of inner-city youth.”
Dueck received the College’s Distinguished Christian
Leadership Award, which was presented at the college’s
graduation ceremony on April 16, 2011.
Dueck, who actually graduated from Briercrest Bible
College, said “the Providence award was out of the blue a
bit.” Three days later he went to Briercrest to receive “the
alumnus of the year along with my brother [Joe] who
runs a youth ministry in Moose Jaw,” he said. He called
it, “A pretty bizarre week.”
Kent Dueck was raised in Rosenort Fellowship
Chapel (EMC).
PC and EMC
30 THE MESSENGER | July 2011
steel buckets and other milking equipment.
Participants receive training on animal health, genetics,
nutrition, milk production and marketing. The
program provides training
for 30 veterinary workers.
Another MCC-funded
project is focusing on
water, sanitation and
hygiene in the Kohistan
district in KPK.
This seven-month project, which started November
2010, is repairing 32 water supply systems and 300 latrines
and hand washing facilities damaged during the
floods.
About 4,500 families in 35 villages are benefiting
from this $277,000 project; it also includes hygiene committees,
training, and distribution of kits containing
non-food items.
Donations to MCC’s Pakistan flood response totaled
$1.53 million.
Gladys Terichow, MCC
MCC, in partnership with other churchrelated
organizations, continues to help some
most vulnerable families rebuild their lives.
Dueck honoured at Providence and Briercrest
Executive director of Inner City Youth Alive receives Distinguished Christian Leadership Award
Providence professor Cameron McKenzie presents Kent Dueck with Providence
College’s Distinguished Christian Leadership Award.
PHOTO: PROVIDENCE COLLEGE

in memory
Jacob (Jac) P. Friesen
1928–2010
Jac Friesen, beloved husband,
father, and grandfather, was born on
November 9, 1928. The good work that
God began in his life was completed on
Sunday, Nov. 26, 2010.
Jac was born to John E. and
Gertrude Friesen on the family farm in
the RM of Ste. Anne, Man. He accepted
Christ as his personal Saviour and Lord
and was baptized upon the confession
of his faith.
Orlanda Anna Rempel
(nee Hamm)
1921–2010
Peacefully, on Tuesday, Nov. 2,
2010, at the Portage General Hospital,
Orlanda Rempel of MacGregor, Man.,
beloved wife of Ben Rempel, passed to
her heavenly home.
Orlanda was born August 10, 1921,
to Isaac and Maria Hamm near Altona,
Man. She spent the first nine years of
her life there until her family moved to
Gouldtown, Sask.
At Gouldtown they owned a store
and ran the post office. This is also
where she completed her education.
Working in the store was something
that she enjoyed very much.
It was here that she accepted Christ
as her personal Saviour at the age of 14.
On June 21, 1958, Jac married Minna
Plett. Together they took over the
Friesen family farm. Sadly, their first
daughter, Edith, was stillborn. The Lord
later blessed them with three daughters:
Donnalda Lynn, Landis Ladine,
and Angela Leanne.
In 1967 Jac was ordained as a
lay minister in the Blumenort EMC.
He enjoyed his many years with the
Singing Grandpas.
In 1996 they sold the farm and
retired in Blumenort.
Jac’s battle with dementia began
subtly and progressed slowly over the
last 14 years. Each season of his illness
brought out varying characteristics.
He passed away peacefully on
Sunday, Sept. 26, 2010, with Minna by
his side.
Jac leaves to mourn his passing: his
dear wife Minna, children and grandchildren
Donnalda, Landis and Hernán
with Monica and Giovanni, Angela and
John with Jillian and Thea, his brother
She was later baptized in Arden, Man.,
on May 6, 1945.
In 1942, her family moved back to
Manitoba, settling on a farm in the
MacGregor area. Besides helping on the
farm, she had various housework jobs
and worked as a cook at the Mennonite
Brethren Bible College.
On Oct. 2, 1949, she married Ben
Rempel. The first years of their marriage
they lived in Winnipeg where she
worked in a sewing factory.
In the spring of 1952 they purchased
their farm just west of MacGregor. She
loved to work, helping with milking
and other farm chores. She also enjoyed
gardening and always had a big garden.
Another great passion was Sunday
School, which she taught for many years.
During their time on the farm they
raised their three children: Les, Gordon,
and Delores.
Upon retirement in 1989, they
moved to MacGregor, where they lived
at the time of her passing. She very
much loved her time with her grandchildren
and great-grandchildren.
Disembarking from the car, she fell
and broke the femur head at the right
hip on Oct. 22, 2010, and underwent a
complete hip replacement at Boundary
Trails Hospital. She was recovering well
in the Portage District Hospital and
expected to be home shortly.
Henry and sister Helen. Extended
family and a large circle of friends will
cherish memories.
Jac will be remembered for his many
friendly handshakes and a smiling
wave. Jac’s faith in Christ was displayed
in the songs he sang and whistled as
long as he was able.
The family thanks the 55-plus adult
day care program for providing Jac with
a social outlet, the homecare staff that
looked after him at home, Dr. Zacharias
for his home visits, and the staff at the
Ste. Anne hospital where he spent his
last days.
The family is grateful for the many
expressions of love and comfort during
this time.
A celebration of his life was held on
Oct. 1, 2010, at 2 p.m. at the Blumenort
EMC. An interment service with family
happened at the Blumenort church
cemetery.
His Family
She was predeceased by daughter
Valerie, by her parents, brother Elmer
Hamm, and brother-in-law Ben Friesen.
Left to mourn are her husband of
61 years, Ben Rempel; son Les (Debbie),
Ryan, Tracy (Peter) Enns, Jenna (Jason)
Belk and Rylee; son Gordon (Amy),
Sean (Adrienne) and Joshua, Alicia
(Giancarlo) Calla, Lindsey Rempel
(Ryan Markus) and Karlee, Michelle
(Jordan) Sawatzky; daughter Delores
(Doug) White, Lisa (Steve) Roch, Kristi
(Jason) Perkins; two brothers, Otto
(Margaret) Hamm, Menno (Elvina)
Hamm; two sisters, Henrietta Friesen
and Elvira Hamm; and one sister-inlaw,
Lena Hamm.
The service of remembrance was
held on Nov. 6, 2010, in the MacGregor
EM Church (her church), with interment
at the MacGregor cemetery.
She was a special aunt, evidenced by
the many nieces and nephews who
attended.
We find comfort in believing the
Lord called and Orlanda answered,
being ushered into her heavenly home.
Though her passing was so unexpected
and we sorrow because we miss her so
much, we are thankful that she was
spared extended suffering.
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is
the death of his saints” (Psalm 116:15).
Her Family
THE MESSENGER | July 2011 31

in memory
John Toews
1928–2010
On October 16, 1928, God blessed
Maria and Henry Toews with their son
John. He spent his formative and early
adult years on the farm.
John was a lifelong learner. A graduate
of Steinbach Bible College, Normal
School, and Brandon University, John
earned his Bachelor of Education
degree while teaching, pastoring, and
parenting full-time. Learning paved
the way for his many years of pastoral
ministry and his successful career as an
educator.
John was an adventurer and camper.
He instilled in his children a sense that
the world is a wonderful place worth
exploring. Tent trailer in tow, the family
traveled from the Hopewell Rocks in
New Brunswick to Butchart Gardens on
Vancouver Island to the giant sequoias
in California.
John was an artisan and craftsman.
His children and grandchildren have
creations from him—table and chairs,
coin display, shelf, scroll art, candleholders,
clock, sword.
John was an educator and teacher.
His teaching career began in a oneroom
school in Valley Stream and
ended with nine and half years in
Arden.
John was a devoted son, brother,
husband, father, grandfather, and a
generous friend. His grandchildren
knew his predictable presence at hockey
or baseball games, curling or soccer
matches, school dramas or Christmas
programs. At home, John could often
be heard saying to Tina, “Whatever you
want….”
John was a faithful servant. His
calling to pastoral ministry was
persistent, leading him to embrace
pastoral ministry full-time. John was a
compassionate care-giver and thoughtful
orator in MacGregor, Arden, Swift
Current, Burns Lake, Grande Prairie,
32 THE MESSENGER | July 2011
Swan River, Mackenzie, Straffordville,
and Vanderhoof. John served within
the EMC, being ordained in MacGregor
in 1965.
John’s diverse gifts and interests
were rooted in a deep faith in God. In
whatever role or place, in the workshop
or at worship, John was devoted to
living his relationship with God.
His familiar posture, at the kitchen
table, Bible open, eyes attentive to the
text and mind awake to the Holy Spirit’s
voice, is a lasting image of his faith and
commitment to service.
John is survived by his loving wife
Tina; son Reynold and wife Arlene
and grandson Michael with wife Amy
and great-grandchildren Braden,
Colby, Isabelle; grandson David with
wife Janessa and great-grandson
Jonah; grandson Jeremy with wife
Stephanie, and granddaughter Kristine;
son Jonathan with wife Liana and
children Nathaniel, Jillian, and Anika;
daughter Monica with husband Bruce
and children Erika, Carly and Julia;
daughter Ruthanne with husband Barry
and children Aaron, James, Kieron and
Toban; and daughter Laurel.
John is survived by sister Gertrude
and brother Neil. He was predeceased
by his father Henry, his mother Maria,
brothers Henry and Dave, and sisters
Annie and Sarah.
John was also predeceased by his
son Jeffery with whom he is now riding
bicycle in heaven.
John’s leadership and friendship
have cut a wide swath of blessing.
While keenly aware of his shortcomings,
it is safe to say that great has been
the harvest of his ministry.
We are heart-broken to say
good-bye, but as he wrote in a card he
created, “Those who love God never
meet for the last time.”
His Family
calendar
British Columbia
no events currently
Alberta
no events currently
Saskatchewan
no events currently
Manitoba
Aug. 5: Steinbach Bible College 75 th
Anniversary Golf Tournament, Steinbach
Fly-In Golf Course, 204-326-6451, www.
sbcollege.ca
Aug. 6: Steinbach Bible College 75 th
Anniversary Homecoming, 50 PTH 12 N,
Steinbach, 204-326-6451, www.sbcollege.ca
Oct. 13–15: 21st Winnipeg Prophecy
Conference, “But whom say ye that I
am?” Portage Avenue Church, Winnipeg,
204-888-7270, www.wpgpc.org
Oct. 14: Going Barefoot communicators’
conference, keynote speaker: John
Stackhouse, Canadian Mennonite
University, Winnipeg
Oct. 21–22: Anti-Modern Pathways:
Horse and Buggy Mennonites in Canada,
Belize and Latin America, hosted by the
Chair in Mennonite Studies, University of
Winnipeg, mennonitestudies.uwinnipeg.ca
Nov. 15–17: RE:CALL, National Church
Planting Congress, Calvary Temple,
Winnipeg, www.thecongress.ca, EMCers
planning to attend should register through
the EMC office, 204-326-6401 or efehr@
emconf.ca
Ontario
no events currently
Join with Christ
in shaping our
WORLD
Evangelical Mennonite Conference
Board of Missions
204-326-6401
info@emconf.ca
www.emconference.ca

shoulder tapping
Pastoral positions
Morweena EMC of Morweena, Man., is currently
searching for an interim pastor to serve a congregation
of about 250. We are located in the Interlake
near Arborg, roughly 140 kilometers north of
Winnipeg. Responsibilities would include preaching,
visiting and caregiving, working with the existing
ministerial group in event planning and helping to
facilitate/envision some administrative restructuring.
The church is offering a parsonage adjacent to
the church for the duration of the interim pastor’s
stay. For information please contact Sid Dueck at
204-364-2476 (h), 204-364-2442 (w), or sid.dueck@
vidir.com.
Youth work
Mennville EMC and Riverton Gospel Chapel (EMC),
in Manitoba’s Interlake region, seek a full-time
youth pastor for a joint youth group. Candidate
should have strengths in relationship building and
have an ability to plan a comprehensive youth
program. Contact Paul Peters at 204-378-2740 or
paulhecla@yahoo.com.
Aberdeen EMC, a small, multi-generational
Anabaptist congregation in the heart of Winnipeg’s
North End, is seeking a half-time youth and children’s
pastor.
This new position will be part of a two-person
ministry team, and will develop and lead our ministry
to our youth and children, and participate in
the broader ministry needs of the church. Activities
will include planning and leading events, leading
Christian formation and forming supportive relationships
with our children, youth and their families.
If you are committed to the Christian faith and
to Anabaptist teachings, have experience working
with children and youth and/or have theological
education; if you have energy, creativity and want
to serve the church; if you are interested in pastoral
The EMC Board of Leadership
and Outreach is beginning
the process of calling a godly,
wise and relational person
to serve as our EMC conference
pastor.
The conference pastor provides support to
local churches and spiritual care to pastors, facilitating
pastoral transitions, guiding the process
of conflict resolution and encouraging healthy
church/conference relationships. Qualifications:
• agreement with the EMC statement of
faith.
• demonstrated ability and experience in
providing pastoral care and leadership.
• availability to mediate in situations of conflict
and misunderstanding.
• availability to travel to all regions of the
ministry and are committed to guiding youth and
children on their faith journeys, then we want to
hear from you.
For information visit our website at www.
aberdeenemc.ca. Applications should be submitted
in confidence to Charlotte Gesell at 204-417-8578 or
thegesells@gmail.com.
Rosenort Fellowship Chapel is seeking to fill a
full-time position of youth pastor. We are a congregation
of approximately 150 attendees located
in Rosenort, Man. The position would require successful
applicant to lead both senior and junior
youth programs. We would like to see some youth
involvement in morning services with possible
pulpit opportunities. A recently remodeled youth
room in the church is used for their weekly event.
We are looking for a person/couple with a passion
for God’s word and a heart for our youth. They
are to be approachable, accountable, supportive,
missional to create real relationships with the youth
and disciple them. Starting date is negotiable. If
interested please contact Ryan Friesen at 204-746-
6345 or ryan@gninc.ca.
Other opportunities
Countess Place, a residential group home for teen
girls in Portage la Prairie, Man., is looking for energetic,
motivated Christ followers to serve as group
home workers. Live your faith as you serve girls
aged 12–17, their friends, community, and other
young adults (ages 15–25) who drop in. CP is a
Christian non-profit organization that runs a group
home licensed by the province of Manitoba.
Be the hands of Jesus in all aspects of their care.
Join the team as we program for their activities, life
skills training, education plan, spiritual journey and
community building.
Currently the schedule is being modified to
include full-time, part-time, weekends, or nights.
Minimum requirements are to have or obtain a
conference and the ability to relate to
people of various backgrounds.
• good verbal and written communication
skills.
• ability to balance the need for support, accountability
and confidentiality.
• theological training of at least a bachelor’s
degree; graduate studies are preferred.
For a full job description call the EM
Conference office at 326-6401 or email efehr@
emconf.ca. To speak to someone about this role,
contact the search committee: Fred Buhler (306-
865-2623 or pfchb@sasktel.net), Kim Stoesz
204-667-2970 or kim.braeside@shaw.ca), or
Layton Friesen (204-261-8370 or laytonfriesen@
mts.net).
The application deadline is July 15, 2011.
current driver’s license, criminal record check, child
abuse registry check, level “C” first aid.
Be paid to do ministry; wages based on experience.
This will stretch you and test your faith.
Come prepared to be challenged and grow in your
understanding of the faithfulness of God (http://
countessplace.webplus.net/index.html).
Contact: Donna Moman, countessplace@
gmail.com.
Mennonite Foundation of Canada, a donor-advised
charitable foundation established in 1974 to promote
financial stewardship from a Christian perspective,
is seeking a communications strategist.
The communications strategist will report to
the MFC Executive Director and will plan, direct,
and coordinate the communications strategy of
MFC. This will involve developing promotional
products and services, making recommendations
with respect to product positioning, managing the
marketing budget, and providing market research
and analysis. Key communications vehicles and
channels currently in use include: brand style guide,
website, denominational periodical correspondence,
electronic newsletter, workbooks, and an
annual report.
For a full list of qualifications, go to www.mennofoundation.ca/about-us/careers.
MFC offers a competitive salary and benefits
package. Resumes will be considered in the order
received as sent to: Darren Pries-Klassen, Executive
Director, Mennonite Foundation of Canada, 4-595
Carlton St, St Catherines, ON L2M 4Y2, E-mail: dpklassen@mennofoundation.ca.
Red Rock Bible Camp has two year-round positions
available in our food services department: food
services manager and an assistant food service
manager.
Training or experience in the food services
industry is preferred, but we are willing to train the
right individual. Agreement with the camp’s mission
and statement of faith is necessary.
The successful applicant must be service oriented,
work well with people and be a team player.
Housing, partial board salary, medical and dental
benefits provided.
Send resume to Red Rock Bible Camp, 204-
320 Main Street, Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z1 or kim@
redrockbiblecamp.com.
The Messenger does not sell advertising,
but provides free space (classified and
display) to enhance our Conference, its
churches, boards and ministries; inter-
Mennonite agencies and educational
institutions; and the wider church. Ads
are not to be for monetary benefit. To
place an ad, e-mail messenger@emconf.
ca or call 204-326-6401 and ask for
Rebecca Roman.
THE MESSENGER | July 2011 33

I AM’s Child
He is making something
Those hands, brutal and ugly are taking it
Molding it carefully, slowly…beautifully
All the other angels lean forward with anticipation
Finally I AM lifts up his eyes and speaks
His voice
His mighty, raging, quiet voice reaches our ears
“It is finished. My masterpiece is finished.”
My companions sigh in wonder
In I AM’s outstretched hand is a child
An unborn baby
He looks at it with such pride
“Perfect.”
Then, with one swift motion He parts the clouds
The earth lays beneath us
His burning, loving, gentle eyes search for her
The one he chose to receive His work of art
Then, I AM finds her
He carefully places His child in her womb
On earth, weeks pass
But where we are it feels like seconds, or less
We all stare with excitement
“Surely, the woman will treasure His gift,”
We whisper amongst ourselves
We watch, wait, listen…
But then she walks into a building,
with tears in her eyes
There is a silent gasp in heaven
I AM’s face falls
We know what is happening
We can see
34 THE MESSENGER | July 2011
by Anicka Loewen
His Masterpiece
They twist it up, breaking it, killing it, destroying it
I AM sobs
Great, angry sobs
They shake the sky
We cry too
The woman walks out, with a weight on her chest
Not knowing what is happening above her
He weeps viciously
Tears of compassion and pain
This baby never had a chance, never knew what life
was
I AM’s child…
Is silent
Anicka Loewen, 13, is part of Portage Evangelical
Church (EMC) in Portage la Prairie, Man.
PHOTO: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM

PHOTO: DESIGNPICS.COM
Joyful generosity
In his book, Will Our Children
Have Faith? John Westerhoff argues
that for future generations of
young people and adults to develop
Christian faith they will need more
than Sunday School. They’ll need a
host of opportunities where faith is
not only taught but experienced.
In the same way, the making of
a joyful giver requires more than
just words. Ask people why they
share generously from what God has
entrusted to them and inevitably
you will hear stories and experiences
that shaped them into who
they are.
Simply hearing about generosity
is not enough. We have to engage
with it, live it.
MFC’s theme this year is Joyful
Generosity. Paul encouraged a
stewardship today
by Darren Pries-Klassen
less experienced church leader in
Ephesus with these words: “As for
those who in the present age are
rich, command them not to be
haughty, or to set their hopes on
the uncertainty of riches, but rather
on God who richly provides us with
everything for our enjoyment.
“They are to do good, to be
rich in good works, generous, and
ready to share, thus storing up for
themselves the treasure of a good
foundation for the future, so that
they may take hold of the life that
really is life” (1 Timothy 6:17-19).
To really live the life that God
wants for us, we need to move
beyond a faith that only engages the
head.
Cynthia Bourgeault, in her
book The Wisdom Way of Knowing,
writes that trying to find faith
with the intellectual centre is
something like trying to play a
violin with a saw. It’s the wrong
tool for the job.
Simply hearing about
generosity is not enough.
We have to engage with
it, live it.
We need to be engaged
at the heart level, where we
live, move and have our being.
We must also experience the
selfless act of giving generously
and express our faith through
the use of our finances.
Some practical expressions
of joyful generosity:
• Teach your children at an early
age that money is for sharing
and saving, not just spending,
and use an allowance as part of
the teaching.
• Talk about your giving habits
with family around the dinner
table. Involve your children and
teens in decisions about giving.
• Consciously work at ensuring
that your investments aren’t in
conflict with your values.
• Plan your giving as part of your
regular weekly and monthly
spending, not just end-of-year,
last-minute leftovers. The biblical
concept of first fruits, giving
from our first and best, is still
relevant.
• Make end-of-life gifts to charity—through
a will, life insurance
policy, retirement fund, or
tax free savings account—as a
final testimony to your values.
When your head, heart and
wallet are aligned, you will be helping
to build the good foundation
which Paul spoke of in his letter to
Timothy. It is my hope and prayer
that joyful generosity grips you so
that you live “the life that really is
life.”
Darren Pries-Klassen is the
Mennonite Foundation of Canada’s
executive director. MFC, a non-profit
organization, provides stewardship
education and estate and charitable
gift planning for no cost. Contact
your nearest MFC office or visit
Mennofoundation.ca.
THE MESSENGER | July 2011 35

PHOTO: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM
kids’ corner
by Loreena Thiessen
How is your memory?
What have you memorized
lately? Have you memorized
Bible verses for
Sunday School?
Do you know a poem by heart,
or part of one?
Do you know your times tables,
1x1=1, 1x2=2, 1x3=3? You get the idea.
Why should you memorize
something?
Long ago memorizing was the
basis for learning. This means that
this was how students learned, by
memorizing. It also means that
what they learned was what they
memorized; it was the subject.
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
How does memorizing help you?
Memorizing gives you confidence.
You know you are able
because you have done it. And having
memorized something makes it
easy to remember.
What you memorize can help
you understand something. You
learn about a story, a person, or an
event.
Memorizing makes you notice
the exact words used to express
something. You hear their sounds
and their rhythm.
Memorizing, especially when
you speak it out to someone, helps
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet
waters, he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness, for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they
comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Activity: Choose something to
memorize, a poem, a favourite verse,
or Psalm 23.
What to do:
Divide the piece into manageable
parts.
Memorize one part at a time.
Review all the parts you have memorized
each day.
Recite your memorized piece to a
favourite audience.
Notice how your accomplishment
makes you feel.
you speak clearly and correctly. You
want them to understand.
When you memorize you will
improve your memory. What you
have memorized you will remember.
You will focus on detail, the words
used and what is said. You will
notice a feeling or an idea in whatever
you are memorizing.
So what will you memorize?
What about Psalm 23?
What will you learn?
First, you may not think of
yourself as sheep, but God does.
And, like a shepherd He wants to
take care of you, provide for and
protect you.
You will learn what God will do.
He will lead you and guide you into
a place of peace if you are facing a
difficulty or when your schedule
gets too busy.
You will learn what God promises,
that you need not be afraid; He
will protect you.
When will God do this? All the
days of your life.
Try it. Psalm 23 has only six
verses. When you have it memorized,
speak it out to someone, your
parents or your grandparents, or a
friend.
36 THE MESSENGER | July 2011 THE MESSENGER
Evangelical Mennonite Conference
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