RECORDER

The 

RECORDER 

November / December 2015 

Volume 52, Number 6 

The GREATEST gift 

www.gomission.ca 

Evangelical Mennonite Mission Conference 

www.gomission.ca November / December 2015, Volume 52, Number 6 The Recorder 1

Prayer Opportunities 

and 

Coming Events 

Dates to 

Remember 

December 24, 25, 2015 

Offices closed 

January 1, 2016 

New Year’s Day 

Offices closed 


Epiphany 

February 5 to 7, 2016 

Blue Creek EMMC, Belize 

50th Anniversary Celebration 

March 4 to 6, 2016 

Youth Leader Retreat 

Winkler Bible Camp, Manitoba 

March 18 & 19, 2016 

SBC Leadership Seminar 

Speaker: Preston Sprinkle 

December 28, 2016 to 


Treasured Foundation 

Minneapolis, MN 

“What’s love got to do with it?” 

Recorder 

Deadlines 


January / February issue 

Send Recorder-related information to 

recorder@gomission.ca 

Go Mission - https://www.facebook. 

com/gomission 

The RECORDER is published bi-monthly by 

the Evangelical Mennonite Mission Conference. 

As a vehicle of communication within the 

Conference, it strives to keep members of the 

EMMC informed about congregational life within 

the family of churches, to inspire interest and 

commitment to world missions, to facilitate 

dialogue on relevant faith and life issues, to 

stimulate spiritual growth, to communicate 

EMMC visions, to contribute toward a sense of 

Christian community and fellowship within the 

conference, and to inform members of major 

events and developments within the larger 

Anabaptist community and the greater Christian 

world beyond our borders. However, opinions 

expressed in The Recorder are not necessarily 

those of the Conference as a whole. 

Letters, articles and photos are welcomed 

but The Recorder will only publish materials 

considered edifying to readers and reserves 

editorial rights to improve communication 

and adjust the length of submissions. All 

submissions, including photos will be retained 

by The Recorder unless a return is specifically 

requested. Due to space and sizing restrictions, 

The Recorder no longer publishes Baby 

Dedication photos. 

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persons interested in receiving it. A full version 

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2016 issue is January 15, 2016. 

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Editor: Lil Goertzen 

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Lil Goertzen, 

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Visitors are always welcome! 

2 

The Recorder, November / December 2015, Volume 52, Number 6 

www.gomission.ca

Table of Contents 

Features 

4 A Case for Christocentric Nonviolence 

6 Christmas Traditions and Celebrations 

22 Steinreich Bibelschule Anniversary Celebration 

23 General Board / Council Meetings 

Departments 

8 Window On Our Regions 

16 Ministries and Workers 

15 Steinbach Bible College 

27 News from Other Places 

35 In Search Of ... 

Columns 

14 Changes in attendance at Christian institutions 

28 Listen and Learn 

30 Stewardship Today 

EMMC / Go Mission! Churches 

Region 1 – Alberta / Saskatchewan 

Hague Gospel Church 

Hepburn Gospel Church 

Mennonite Gospel Church, Vauxhall AB 

Sutherland Evangelical Church, Saskatoon 

Warman Gospel Church 

Wynyard Gospel Church 

Region 2 – Manitoba Central 

Austin Evangelical Fellowship 

Bagot Community Chapel 

Gospel Fellowship Church, Steinbach 

Lakeside Gospel Chapel, St. Laurent 

Morrow Gospel Church, Winnipeg 

Nassau Street Church, Winnipeg 

Niverville Community Fellowship 

Region 3 – Manitoba South 

Altona EMM Church 

Bergfeld Mennonite Church 

Glencross Mennonite Church 

Gospel Mission Church, Winkler 

Morden EMM Church 

Winkler EMM Church 

Region 4 – Ontario 

Aylmer EMMC 

Blenheim EMMC 

Deer Run Church / Leamington EMMC 

Region 6 – Belize / Mexico South 


Colonia Del Valle EMMC, Mexico 

Gospel Fellowship Chapel, Shipyard Belize 

Hopelchen EMMC, Mexico 

Spanish Lookout EMMC, Belize 


A Case for Christocentric Nonviolence 

The topic of violence and nonviolence in an age of terrorism 

is incredibly complex. Pulling together and synthesizing the 

diverse Scriptural witness concerning violence, and then 

applying it to our modern age, is not an easy feat. 

Now, having spent several years reflecting on the strongest 

arguments on all sides of this multifaceted debate, I have 

cautiously concluded that absolute nonviolence is the most 

faithful expression of a Christocentric worldview. But I hold onto 

this conclusion with an open hand, always eager to be corrected 

where I am wrong. 

Before I argue for my position, I want to first acknowledge 

that there are dozens of different brands of “pacifism,” most of 

which I disagree with. In fact, I don’t like the term “pacifism” 

and I rarely use it to describe my position, largely because the 

term is so often misunderstood. When most people hear the term 

“pacifism,” they think of “passiveness;” they imagine people 

standing around with their fingers interlocked behind their backs 

as they self-righteously watch evil run rampant. This may depict 

a brand of pacifism, but it is not the brand that I endorse. 

I also find non-Christocentric versions of pacifism, or 

nonviolence, to be ethically and theologically anemic. If Jesus 

does not walk out of a grave and sit at the right hand of the 

Father, then we have no business loving our enemies. Unless 

Christ defeats evil by submitting to violence—by dying rather 

then killing—and rises from the dead to tell the tale, I will most 

certainly destroy my enemy before he destroys me. Without 

the death and resurrection of Jesus, all forms of nonviolence, I 

believe, are uncompelling. 

To be clear, I believe in Christian—or more explicitly, 

Christocentric—nonviolence. Christocentric nonviolence says 

that we should fight against evil, we should wage war against 

injustice, and we should defend the orphan, the widow, the 

marginalized, and oppressed. And we should do so aggressively. 

But we should do so nonviolently. 

In other words, Christocentric nonviolence does not dispute 

whether Christians should fight against evil. It only disputes the 

means by which we do fight. 

Now, rather than asking the questions: Are some wars just 

or should a nation wage war as a last resort, I want to ask 

and answer the question: should Christ-followers use violence 

as a means of confronting evil or defending the innocent. My 

answer—as expected—is no. Or more specifically: there is little 

to no biblical evidence that Christians should use violence to 

confront evil. To articulate my view, I want to give 4 brief theses 

and then address 4 common challenges to my position. 

Jesus never acted violently to fight injustice or 

defend the innocent. 

Jesus endured unjust accusations and physical attacks, and 

yet he never responded in kind. He was spit upon, punched, 

slapped (Matthew 26:67), and had his head pounded with a 

stick (Matthew 27:30), yet he never used violence to defend 

himself or attack his perpetrator. Jesus therefore models his own 

command to not “resist evil…but turn the other cheek.” When 

the Pharisees were about to use violence on the woman caught 

in adultery, instead of violently protecting her, Jesus jumps in 

front of the firing squad. 

He ends up being tortured and crucified unjustly for treason, 

yet he offers only forgiveness and love toward his enemy, again 

practicing what he preached. Jesus’s life is peppered with violent 

attacks, yet He never responds with violence. He embraces 

suffering, not because he is weak, but because suffering contains 

more power in defeating evil than using violence, and suffering is 

the pathway to resurrection glory (Romans 8). In doing so, Jesus 

shattered all Jewish expectations of how a Messiah should act. 

It’s not that Jesus just happened to act nonviolently. Rather, he 

directly and intentionally demilitarized the meaning of messiah 

and kingdom. 

Jesus taught his followers to follow the same 

rhythm of nonviolence and enemy-love 

“Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 

bless those who curse you, and pray for those who abuse you. 

To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also” 

(Luke 6:27-29). Whenever violence is mentioned, it’s always 

shunned. There’s no evidence that only some of our enemies 

are to be loved, or that we should love our nonviolent enemies, 

but kill the ones who are trying to harm us or our nation. Jesus’s 

countercultural commands are unqualified and absolute. And 

whenever the apostles try to confront evil with violence, they 

are rebuked (Luke 9:22). 

Now, some will say that Jesus’s nonviolent journey to the 

cross was necessary for Jesus to atone for our sins. He had to 

suffer; he had to die. His nonviolence was theological necessary 

not practically mandatory for all. 

But the Bible says that it was both. 

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Jesus’s nonviolent journey to the cross was 

both theological and ethical 

Yes, Jesus had to die, so he chose not to resist his death. 

But New Testament writers view his nonviolent journey to the 

cross as a pattern for believers to follow. 1 Peter 2, Romans 12, 

Philippians 2, and other passages draw upon Jesus’s nonviolent 

journey to the cross as a model for believers to follow. 

When New Testament writers themselves ask the question 

WWJD (what would Jesus do), their most consistent and 

pervasive response is: don’t fight evil with evil, endure suffering, 

don’t retaliate, love your enemies—because that’s what Jesus 

did. Jesus fought against evil through suffering. 

The book of Revelation expounds this theology of suffering 

through its use of the key word and theme nikao (“conquer”). 

The word nikao conjures up warfare imagery from its typical 

usage in the Greco-Roman period. John also uses the verb nikao 

to describe how Jesus has “conquered” the beast and his empire. 

But unlike the Roman rulers, Jesus conquers not with swords and 

spears but with a cross. The Lamb conquers by being conquered, 

by suffering and dying (Revelation 5). And the followers of the 

Lamb conquer evil by the same means: “they have conquered 

him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their 

testimony, for/because they loved not their lives even unto death” 

(Revelation 12:11). 

In Jesus’s upside down kingdom, there is more divine power 

infused in the suffering and death of Christians than in 10,000 

pounds of C4. (One of the problems with fighting evil with 

violence and killing is not that it’s too powerful but that it’s too 

weak. America could nuke ISIS and Al Qaeda to hell, and Satan 

would walk away untouched. You can’t fight a non-flesh and 

blood enemy with flesh and blood weapons. It’s like squirting a 

raging fire with a squirt gun. But I digress.) 

Even though injustice and evil were rampant in the first 

century, there’s no verse in the New Testament that commands 

or allows believers to use violence to confront evil or defend 

the innocent. 

The New Testament was written in the face of violence 

and persecution. There were innocent people suffering. Evil 

was widespread. Most of their Jewish brothers and sisters had 

no problem using violence against evil. All the ingredients are 

there for Christians to use violence to confront evil or defend the 

innocent. But they don’t. There’s nothing in the New Testament 

that suggests that violence is an option—even a last option—for 

believers to use to fight against evil. And given the previous 3 

theses, there are many reasons to believe that the opposite is 

true; that nonviolence is actually a more powerful means of 

defeating evil. 

Conclusion 

In a first-century world swimming in violence, in a land 

where “messiah” meant militancy, Jesus never acted violently. 

Whenever violence is addressed, Jesus condemns it. Whenever 

his followers try to act violently, they were confronted. Whenever 

Jesus encountered people who deserved a violent punishment, 

Jesus loved them. And in doing so, he left his followers with a 

non-violent example to follow. 

When people around the globe think that North 

American Christians are pro-war, enamored with violence, 

and fascinated with military might, something is terribly 

wrong. No one in the first century would have made 

the same conclusion regarding Jesus and his followers. 

Dr. Preston Sprinkle serves as the Vice President for Eternity Bible 

College's Boise extension and has authored several books, including 

the New York Times bestselling Erasing Hell (with Francis Chan; 

2011), Fight; A Christian Case for Nonviolence (David C. Cook, 2013), 

Paul and Judaism Revisited (IVP, 2013), Charis: God’s Scandalous Grace 

for Us (David C. Cook, 2014), and the recently released People to 

Be Loved: Why Homosexuality is Not Just an Issue (Zondervan, 2015). 

Dr. Sprinkle also hosts a daily radio program titled: "What Does 

the Bible Really Say?" and frequently speaks at various venues 

including college chapels, churches, music festivals, youth camps, 

family camps, 

and anywhere 

else where 

people desire to 

hear relevant 

Bible teaching. 

Preston has 

been married 

to Christine for 

almost 15 years 

and together 

they have 4 

children. 


Christmas Traditions and 

Celebrations come to Canada 

These last months, much emphasis has been given to the many displaced people and refugees around the world who are 

looking for safe and peaceful places to live and raise their family. 

One Canadian town has opened their arms and hearts to welcome newcomers from different countries and traditions. 

Christmas is about sharing and giving. The Recorder is providing these newcomers the opportunity to share of their Christmas 

experiences. We are so excited and honored that these new friends are giving of themselves and allowing us a little peek into their 

lives and the traditions and customs familiar to them in their home country. 

To keep things authentic, these stories are being presented exactly the way they were submitted. 

I want to thank each of these contributors for their willingness to share. 

~ Lil Goertzen, Editor 

Christmas in Burundi 

as told by Dieudonne Mbarushimana 

In the Burundi countryside (villages) you invite 

neighbors from your area. They never pass or escape 

(miss) anyone. No. Also even if you are very poor you 

have to find something for them. “Come to my place” 

A big group. “Come follow me” Then when they are 

full they say OK tomorrow you have to come over for 

Christmas. This happens everyday until New Year’s 

Day, even into the New Year. Sometimes you have to 

walk for thirty minutes to invite your neighbor. 

There can be 30 people, or 40 people at your place. 

There is no place to buy food, everything you feed 

them is from your garden. You judge yourself. “Who 

can I invite for Christmas?” We need each other. 

Dieudonne is from Burundi. He fled to Tanzania, and 

then arrived in Canada about 5 years ago. 

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Christmas in East Africa 

We like to call this day Family day!! We invite family members 

and relatives eat together. Especially kids-let them enjoy cutting 

cake with the little kids! 

Smiling faces to others, helping, some gifts and shopping. 

Including a lot of concert either churches or other performer. 

Lots of hand shaking and hugs. 

Kids dressed like angels, and moms in cultural clothes. 

A lot of rain…lots of water so they couldn’t walk or drive because 

of water everywhere. 

And many people went to church at Christmas time, the believers 

or not believer went to church! 

Christmas Eve day the celebration is small, but at midnight it is a 

big celebration. 

At midnight on the Radio they have sound of newborn crying 

to announce Jesus birth. And also a Christmas song. Kids and 

family waiting for Baby cry and then they start wishing everyone 

a Merry Christmas messages, phone calls. They also call the 

Radio to wish people Merry Christmas messages. This is East 

Africa. 

This woman is from East Africa and has been in Canada for almost 5 

years 

Christmas in Columbia / 

Ecuador 

A few memories from Marlin Segura- 

Colombia/Ecuador 

In Colombia and Ecuador turkey is 

eaten on Christmas Eve and sing 

Christmas Carols. We remember Jesus 

birth. 

If a family does not have close family, 

friend then invited him to our house. It 

is abit sad because I have my parents 

and many loved ones lost to me 

because of the war in my country. I 

remember a lot of my family and friends 

in this time of Christmas. 

Daughter Alexa says she remembers 

time spent with family eating turkey. 

The last day of the year was time spent 

with family/friends and lots of fireworks. 

Marlin and her family fled their home 

country as refugees. They have been in 

Canada for almost two years 

Christmas in Venezuela 

This is like a video that comes to my mind just before Christmas, 

I try to express in few words. 

Christmas for me nowadays is the enjoy that we as a family can 

get. 

But I have to recognize than inside me are those great moments 

experienced as a child back in Venezuela, those memories about in 

a safety society where all child got awaked early morning 3-4 a.m. 

to take the streets with their skates, rollers, bikes or simply walk out 

to express our happiness about Christmas time, playing and singing, 

but just before 5 am all of us hurry up to get the church for have some 

hot chocolate and of course, attend the mass 

Pedro López Méndez 

Pedro has been in Canada for 3 and a half years. 


Window on the Regions 

Region 1 - Alberta / Saskatchewan 

Region 2 - Manitoba Central 

Hague Gospel Church, Saskatchewan 

New Ministries at HGC! 

After starting up a Christ-centred ministry for girls a few 

years ago called GEMS, 

we’ve heard our boys loud 

and clear in the need for a 

ministry for boys to grow in 

God. On October 10 we had 

Christian Service Brigade 

(CSB for boys) Training 

Day. We’ve got a team of 9 

men of all ages trained up and ready to teach and mentor the boys 

in our church and in our community. We look forward to starting 

up in the weeks ahead. 

We added a worship band 

to our schedule for Sunday 

mornings – our HGC Youth 

Band! They led us in worship 

on October 18 for the first 

time and we were so blessed. 

This Youth Band loves to jam 

together and has faithful Youth 

Leaders who pour into them 

watching them grow their gifts and practise right alongside them 

Fridays before Youth Group. Praise God! 

Thanksgiving Supper 

We enjoyed an evening of fellowship and thanking God on 

October 17 over Thanksgiving 

Supper. Our 

Food Services 

Committee 

prepared an 

amazing supper 

with all the 

trimmings! We 

even surprised Pastor Jason Duermeyer for his 

35 th birthday presenting him with a huge birthday card and his 

favourite – carrot cake! 

Commissioning Youth Directors 

Ben and Cora Reimer are 

our Interim Youth Directors until 

August 2016. They have a heart for 

our youth and have been serving in 

this capacity for a while. They love 

God and they love HGC and we’re 

so very blessed to have them. 

~ Melissa Duermeyer 

Awaken Church, Winnipeg 

Awaken Church growing 

and learning 

The dream by Pastor Daren Redekopp and some of the 

leaders was that church attendance in this new church plant 

was going to be through the roof and there would be 100 

people regularly attending within a year. 

In reality, the growth that they have seen in the first 

year is a little above average in relation to other church 

plants in Canada. Their average weekly attendance since 

September on Sunday afternoon is 54 (recent stats show 

the Canadian average attendance for a church plant is 47 in 

year one and 52 in year two). This group has been meeting 

since September 2014. 

There has been the normal excitement of un-churched 

people coming and then the disappointment of them not 

returning or saying goodbye due to these people moving to 

another city or another church. 

On Sunday, November 22, approximately 120 people 

attended the baptism and parent/child dedication celebration 

followed by a fellowship meal. This shows that the impact 

of their ministry is growing. 

Praising God because: 

• This past year, four individuals have been baptized. 

• A strong, unified team of leaders has emerged. 

• Gifts are being recognized and released. 

The leadership team 

is shaping and carrying the 

vision. This was very evident 

during Daren’s month off due 

to his illness this past summer. 

The pressing tasks of the 

first year are finished and new 

questions are emerging and 

being addressed. 

Learning Points 

The people that become regular attendees at the weekly 

worship service are those that have a genuine encounter with 

Jesus. This affirms that our goal must be evangelism and 

discipleship and not just church attendance. 

They anticipate that a number of people that are part of 

weekly Bible Studies will become followers of Jesus and 

begin attending the Sunday afternoon services. 

“Church” is happening in a lot of places other than 

the Sunday afternoon service. Many stories of intentional 

“neighbouring” are unfolding. We thank God for His 

faithfulness. 

~ Jacob Friesen, Lead Pastor 

Morrow Gospel 

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www.gomission.ca

Region 3- Manitoba South 


Worship at the Pond 

I will not lie; some of us did wonder what the weather would 

be like for baptism Sunday, June 21, 2015. The forecast had been 

for cooler, rainy type weather, which would have worked as 

well, but we were blessed with just a perfect day for an outdoor 

baptism and communion! 

We started our celebration indoors with a message by interim 

pastor Larry Eidse about Growing in God through the teachings 

of the parable of the Mustard Seed and some lovely music from 

Alyssa Penner about how God moves through us. We then heard 

the testimonies of our two baptism candidates, Lauriann Fehr 

and Anthony Penner, followed by the testimonies of Ike and 

Candice Thiessen who joined us in membership. 

After the testimonies we proceeded to the Stoesz pond 

where we traditionally gather for baptism. Everyone assembled 

on the grassy bank at the water's edge while Edwin Dueck and 

Larry Eidse waded in to prepare for the baptism. Lauri was the 

first to enter the somewhat chilly waters of the pond. Tony was 

next and after drying off, they were accepted into membership 

together with Ike and Candice; as Henry Heppner said, "to do 

Kingdom Building together with us". 

This year we also included communion in our baptism 

service. Following the baptisms and the acceptance into 

membership we proceeded to have communion together. It was 

a beautiful time at the water, under the sun and in the breeze 

worshipping with visitors and friends alike by participating in 

The Lord's Supper. 

Bergfeld Baptism, June 21, 2015. Interim Pastor Larry Eidse, 

Anthony Penner (B), Laurianne Fehr (B), Candace (T) and Ike 

Thiessen (T), Lay Pastor Edwin Dueck. 

B=Baptism; T=Transfer of membership 

Sitting beside me during communion was Henry Stoesz, a 

man many of us respect and admire for his faithful walk with God 

and his integrity. While waiting for all to be served, he turned to 

me and said, "I think God is smiling on us". Amen, Henry, amen. 

To close the service at the pond, we prayed in thanksgiving 

for the believers new to our membership, the beautiful day, 

the opportunities God gives us to serve and the food we were 

returning to the church to share. We ended our morning together 

with a fantastic as always, Bergfeld pot luck lunch! 

Did you know? If you have 1 mustard seed and 2 growing 

seasons in a year, that 1 seed could produce 400,000 new seeds? 

~ Ang Dueck & Pam Fehr 

Stories of God’s Faithfulness 

Mission Conference: November 13-15, 2015 


God’s heart is to bring us from darkness to light. This was 

the theme of the weekend; where we heard numerous stories of 

God drawing the ones that He created back to himself, so that 

He could be glorified. Isaiah 9:2 speaks of God’s passion to have 

His people participate in the work of sharing the gospel around 

the world. He is able to do it completely on His own, but His 

delight is to have us join Him, what a privilege! 

Tim Whatley, Executive Director of New Tribes Mission of 

Canada was our main speaker for the weekend. He was raised 

in the jungle of Asia-Pacific as a missionary son, and later was 

a church planter in the Moi tribe of Asia-Pacific. He was part 

of the first group to make contact with them in 2000, and now 

there is a thriving church in this jungle! His passions include 

challenging the North American church to take an active role 

in global missions. 

The weekend’s theme connected well to this verse: “ to open 

their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the 

power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness 

of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in 

me” Acts 26:18. This should be what motivates our hearts as 

Christians; the eternal salvation of souls. 

In the stories that Tim shared something common was 

noticed. For the work of New Tribes Mission they enter into 

parts of the world that are very secluded. When they first enter 

into a new tribe / people group they spend the time learning 

the language and culture. When they are able to communicate 

well they begin to translate Scripture into their own language. 

While this is happening they begin telling stories from the Bible 

beginning with the Old Testament and working their way to the 

resurrection of Christ. And when the climax of these stories was 

reached, Christ being raised from the dead, this was the moment 

when hearts were changed. The people recognized that though 

Continued on page 10 



Stories of God’s faithfulness 


continued from page 9 

they had sinned, it was no longer their burden to carry. It is 

God’s power over sin that that brings God’s people to Himself. 

Freedom was now available to them. 

The weekend included reports from Union Gospel Mission 

and their work in Winnipeg. Many donations came in of winter 

clothing that will go to the centre, helping those without the 

proper clothing for winter to stay warm. 

Dave and Lisa Janzen also gave a report of their past 17 

years in Bolivia. Dave shared with the men over breakfast, of 

the story of Esther and how God places His people in the most 

unique situations for His purpose. While Lisa connected with the 

women during lunch about fears in her life and how Satan can 

manipulate with these fears. Yet how these same fears become 

opportunities for us to turn to our Father in trust. That same 

evening they shared with us how the hearts of the people of the 

colonies are changing. For them to choose Christ often means 

loosing family and being cut-off from the colony, the choice 

comes with sacrifice. 

Travis Harms also shared with us about his future work 

with Mid-Way Christian Leadership in Thompson, MB. He is 

working on finding financial and prayer supporters so that he 

can become a mentor for the youth in the community, enabling 

them to become leaders also. 

Finally as a congregation we were able to hear from some 

of our own members who are involved in ministry locally and 

also overseas. They were interviewed in front of the congregation 

allowing them to share how we can be praying for them, and 

also how God has and continues to be present in their obedience 

to Him. 

~ Kristin Penner 

Altona EMMC 

Teaching pastor leaving 

in 2016 

The Altona EMMC was advised on October 5 of the 

resignation of Ben and Cindy Klassen from their position of 

Pastor effective June 2016. They gave 12 years of ministry 

to this congregation and will leave a big hole until a new 

pastor is hired. Klassens have no plans of what the future 

will look like. 

Pray for Klassens and the congregation - that they will 

finish their time together well. 

Reminder: 

We no longer print Baby Dedication photos in The Recorder. We 

are happy to include the names of the parents and the child(ren) 

who are being dedicated at the event. All Recorder-related 

information may be emailed to recorder@gomission.ca. 

~ Editor 

Glencross Mennonite Church 

Celebrating Family 

Glencross Church had a baby dedication service on 

September 27, 2015. Seven children were brought forward as 

the parents publicly committed themselves to raise their precious 

little ones for the Lord. 

We had a Thanksgiving 

dinner on October 18 after 

the Sunday morning service. 

It takes a lot of volunteers 

to prepare the meal, serve 

and clean up. But it is worth 

it all when we can enjoy 

the fellowship of working 

together and enjoying a great 

meal. 

Teddy Carnival 

On the evening of October 31 Glencross Church held a 

carnival for the children of the church, organized by the youth. 

The carnival included many fun games and booths and collected 

many teddy bears and other stuffed animals for the Katie Cares 

Foundation. 

Both Glencross Church youth groups put on an evening of 

fun for the families of the church and any friends as well. Some 

of the games at the carnival included ‘Tea Time with Teddy,’ 

‘Photo Booth,’ ‘Skee Ball,’ and the classic ‘Face painting.’ The 

activities the youth groups created or put together were played 

by kids of all ages to win tickets for the prize draws. Once a 

child or adult participated in a game they received a ticket which 

they would enter in the draw of their choice for a chance to win. 

The carnival was formed for the church as well as a charity. 

The youth groups held this event to raise donations of teddy bears 

for the Katie Cares Foundation which would go to children in 

the hospital. With all the help and many generous donations of 

stuffed animals the fundraiser filled four large boxes of 80 teddy 

bears of all different sizes and colours. 

The Teddy Carnival was a success both in fun for the church 

family and raising profits for the foundation that was chosen to 

support. Glencross will be having a carnival next year as well 

and we hope to see many more smiling faces. 

~ Reghyn Wall 

Katie Cares is a registered charity based in Winkler Manitoba www. 

katiecares.ca. The mandate of the foundation is to help sick kids 

get past being sick by providing the things needed to pass long 

days of treatments or being bored at hospital visits. Katie wanted 

a bag of items to be given to children at Boundary Trails Hospital 

(Manitoba). This bag consists of a toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, 

brush, floss, lip balm, shampoo, body wash, deodorant, crossword 

puzzle books, word search, books, crayons, coloring book, markers 

and of course a teddy bear. These bags are age appropriate and 

Kate designed what should be in each bag. 

At age 13, Katie Reimer was diagnosed with cancer in October 2010. 

She died on May 20, 2012. 

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Morden EMM Church 

Ministry in a Shoebox 

“One thousand shoeboxes! What have we gotten ourselves 

into?” I wondered as I walked out of the church following 

the annual December church membership meeting. Earlier 

that evening, the mission board had announced their goal of 

completing one thousand Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes! 

In the 2014 year, the church packed 113 shoeboxes. As a member 

of the mission board, I felt God was calling us as a church body 

to step up and take on a project that was bigger than ourselves; 

the kind of project that requires us to rely on God to pull us 

together and accomplish something that we couldn’t do on our 

own. From there, the “shoebox project” was born! 

The project began in March of 

2015 with an invitation to anyone who 

wanted to join the shoebox team. I was 

still unsure about how this project was 

going to take off, but I was quickly 

blown away by the willingness of the 

congregation and a team of 16 people 

was formed. 

Arlene Hildebrand and Lavonne 

Penner were two gifted and passionate 

women who stepped up to give 

leadership to the project. The first order 

of business was a fundraising soup and pie lunch following a 

church service at the end of April with a pie auction. Another 

amazing show of support was evident as some people paid up 

to $200 for a pie and collectively $6,000 was raised. 

A giant shoebox was constructed for the congregation to 

place their donated items into. Each month featured a different 

item that was needed to fill a shoebox. Members of the shoebox 

team made many trips to the nearby stores to shop and take 

advantage of sales. 

Team member Hilda Gerbrandt recalls her most memorable 

moment of being a part of the shoebox team while she was 

shopping at Wal-Mart. “I was having a great time clearing 

off items in the school supply section and the bottom of my 

cart was already full. A woman came down the aisle as I was 

taking the last of the rulers off of 

a hook. She asked me whether I 

was a Wal-Mart representative 

or a teacher. I answered, “No!” 

She replied that she thought that 

only a representative or a teacher 

would be taking that many items 

off the shelves. I then shared with 

her why I was shopping. She had 

not heard of Operation Christmas 

Child. It was quite the experience 

to share the message of hope that 

Shoe box packing room at Morden EMMC. 

can be sent through a gift-filled shoebox.” 

With each passing month, the project began to take shape as 

the financial donations and donations of items continued to come 

in. The storage room was filling up. At the first packing party in 

September, 412 shoeboxes were filled! The second packing party 

was held at the beginning of November and the total was up to 

599. By the dedication Sunday, we had an announced total of 

987 shoeboxes! Following the service, a number of people came 

forward and said that we have to reach our goal. That we did, plus 

more! In total, 1,023 shoeboxes were packed and over $7,000 

were allocated to cover the costs of shipping the shoeboxes. 

Another thing that happens when we as believers step up in 

obedience and embark on a journey that is bigger than ourselves 

is that God shows up … and he molds us. This resonated with 

team leader Arlene Hildebrand. "The spiritual part of this journey 

was allowing God to continue to re-construct my heart by giving 

God control over my emotions and circumstances. In the last leg 

of this project I felt God reminding me of the words He spoke to 

me about eight years ago … “I’m not finished with you yet!” I 

have gotten the chance to see deeper into God’s heart and how 

remarkable His love is for all of us! Seeing our church unite 

together has touched me in many ways and that is something 

that God wants for all of us." 

The shoeboxes have physically left us but God has given us 

some powerful experiences and memories that will stay with us 

forever. For a project that began with doubt and apprehension, 

it was so cool to witness our church family rally together in 

obedience of the command, “Go!” Let the words of Jesus from 

Luke 18:27 always encourage us in whatever we face, “What is 

impossible with man is possible with God.” 

~ Sheldon Penner, Mission Board Chair 

Morden EMMC Church 


Region 4- Ontario 

Aylmer EMM Church 

Commissioning Service 

for Isaac Harms 

On November 22, Aylmer EMMC commissioned a new 

pastor couple, Isaac and Lynne Harms, during the Sunday 

morning German and English services. After affirmation from 

the congregation and a prayer by Lead Pastor Michael Krahn, 

Isaac and Lynne and their daughter Amy were welcomed into 

membership as part of the Aylmer EMMC church family. 

Following the 

English service 

there was a 

celebration 

potluck. Their 

son Adrian 

and his family 

came from 

Chatham ON 

for the event. 

Isaac, Lynne 

Isaac and Lynne Harms, with Amy (centre) 

and Amy 

moved from 

Alberta to 

Aylmer Ontario at the end of October. 

Pastor Isaac has come full circle, having begun his life of 

ministry at this very church in 1981 as a lay minister. Since 

then he has ministered in Houghton Centre and Blenheim, 

Ontario, Belize and Alberta. 

Pastor Isaac’s work will be focused on the German 

congregation. He will also be involved in leadership training 

and working together with Pastor Willy Fehr on missions. 

Lynne has already been recruited to play piano for the 

German service and expects to be involved in other aspects 

of church ministry as well. May the Lord guide and bless 

them as they serve in our congregation. 

~ Jacquie Harms 

Region 6 - Belize / Mexico South 

Region 6 Leadership Retreat 

On October 15, 2015, 14 ministerial couples from Belize and 

Mexico came together in Chetumal,Mexico for a time of refreshment 

and encouragement. Even the 

rainy weather after a long, 

hot dry spell seemed to add to 

the relaxation of the event - a 

leadership retreat for Region 

6. Allen and Anita Kehler, 

conference pastor couple from 

Manitoba joined us, and Allen 

spoke to the group on the 

Allen Kehler teaching at one of the 

instruction times. 

theme of “The Heart of a 

Leader.” 

Using the text of 1 Peter 

5:1-11, Pastor Al challenged and encouraged us in our calling, our 

attitude and our character. After establishing the foundation that 

servanthood is God’s calling on all of His people, he continued by 

exhorting us to honor our calling because it is noble and because 

Jesus called us to be faithful unto death. The second and third 

sessions addressed our attitude, which Pastor Allen explained as 

how the mind, which needs to be renewed (Romans 12:2), and 

the heart (our passion) work 

together. He gave many selfevaluating 

applications to help 

us determine if we are mind- or 

heart-driven as well as warnings 

of pitfalls, such as reluctance, 

selfishness and the abuse of 

power (1 Peter 5:2-3). During 

Judy and Pete Krahn sharing their 

gift of music. 

the closing session, we were 

reminded from verses 8 and 9 

of the importance of character in 

leadership, and then saw how the scriptural examples of Nehemiah 

and Titus spur us on to live out integrity, even in the midst of conflict. 

The learning sessions were well-balanced with times of visiting, 

eating together, and moments of teasing and laughter. The hotel was 

close to a mall, which provided most of us with the rare opportunity 

to see the movie, “War 

Room,” which added 

to our learning and fun. 

A sense of unity, joy 

and renewed strength 

permeated our group 

as we thanked the Lord 

for His goodness and 

faithfulness. 

~ Tina Redekopp 

Shipyard, Belize 

Pastors and leaders from 

Belize and Mexico South 

that attended the Region 

6 Retreat. 

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Mennonite Gospel Church, Vauxhall AB 

Students preparing for 

Bible School 

In January, this group of young adults are heading off to 

Steinreich Bible School in Mexico. All of these individuals are 

employed, and are taking a leave of absence from their jobs in 

order to pursue their studies. Some of them are returning to SBS 

for a second year. 

The congregation is very excited to share this information, 

and they are very proud of these young students. Pray for the 

students that they will adjust well to the school setting, and that 

their time at SBS will prepare them for ministry at home or 

wherever they are called. 

The Steinreich school term is from January to end of March. 

Ministry continues 

Diedrich and Judy Harms 

became associate members at the 

Mennonite Evangelical Church in 

Seminole, Texas where Diedrich 

was also installed as one of the 

Pastors. They have been asked to 

serve in the congregation for two 

years. Pray that they will be the 

instruments that the Holy Spirit 

will use them for His glory. 

“Thank you all for your 

encouraging support. God has blessed us in abundance. I pray 

that we will be faithful and obedient to Him.” ~ Diedrich Harms 

Young people from Mennonite Gospel Church, Vauxhall, Alberta are 

preparing to attend Steinreich Bible School, Mexico. Judy Thiessen, 

Eva Penner, Lena Thiessen, Julie Loewen and Jake Neufeld. 

EMMC / Go Mission! Education and 

Training funds available 

Students making plans to continue with post-secondary 

education are encouraged to apply for funding assistance through 

the Education and Training Fund. Applications are on the Go 

Mission! website at www.gomission.ca and click on ‘Resources’ 

and select ‘Education and Training’ in the drop-down box. Complete 

the application and follow the instructions. Pastors and ministry 

workers are also eligible for these funds. 

During the 2014/15 school year, over $15,000 was distributed 

to students. 

For further information, contact education@gomission.ca 

New Director of Canadian 

Operations for MDS 

By Mark Beach 

The board of Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) Region V 

(Canada) has announced the appointment 

of a new director for Canadian operations. 

Ross Penner, 54, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, 

recently accepted the role of Director of 

Region V Operations and will begin work on 

November 9 at the MDS office in Winnipeg. 

Penner most recently spent two years 

in Bangladesh where he worked with the 

Ross Penner, 

new Director of 

MDS Canadian 

operations. 

Mennonite Central Committee and then 

World Vision. 

He had been lead pastor at Vineland 

United Mennonite Church of Vineland, 

Ontario, and prior to that served as lead pastor at Glencairn 

Mennonite Brethren Church, Kitchener, Ontario, and Hepburn 

Mennonite Brethren Church, Hepburn, Saskatchewan. 

He has also worked with church and denominational boards 

including being Chair of the Mennonite Brethren Board of 

Church Extension, Ontario, served on the Canadian Conference 

of Mennonite Brethren Church Board of Evangelism and the 

Saskatchewan Mennonite Brethren Conference Board of Church 

Extension. 

Penner succeeds Janet Plenert who, with her husband Steve, 

has accepted a service assignment with Mennonite Central 

Committee in Bolivia beginning in 2016. Plenert will continue 

her work with MDS through March 2016. She is currently on 

extended medical leave following a cycling accident. 

“We look forward to working closely with Ross and 

continuing the work of MDS wherever people are suffering 

because of disasters,” King said. 

Mennonite Disaster Service is a volunteer network of Anabaptist 

churches that responds in Christian love to those affected by 

disasters in Canada and the United States. 

While the main focus is on clean up, repair and rebuilding homes, 

this service touches lives and nurtures hope, faith and wholeness. 


Changes in attendance at Christian 

institutions on the Canadian prairie 

In December 2014, Bethany College (Hepburn, 

Saskatchewan) made the announcement that their doors would 

close after the conclusion of the second semester in April 2015. 

For 88 years Bethany College faithfully served the 

Mennonite Brethren churches of that region. Their closing has 

had a profound impact on Bethany’s students, faculty and staff, 

the community, the supporting churches and the many alumni 

who have called Bethany their home. I know, for I happen to 

be one of those alumni. 

As president of Steinbach Bible College (SBC), I have been 

approached by many individuals with questions and comments 

about how this affects 

our college. 

Their [Bethany 

College] closing is 

a stark reminder of 

the tenuous position 

Bible colleges 

across Canada are 

in. 

First, we are all 

deeply saddened by 

this announcement. 

We all lost when 

Bethany closed its 

doors. Canada needs 

colleges like Bethany 

and their presence 

will be greatly missed. 

Of all the colleges 

across Canada, 

Bethany College is 

the most like SBC 

in size, theology and 

methodology. Their 

closing is a stark 

reminder of the tenuous position Bible colleges across Canada 

are in. 

Second, SBC has been active in our communication with 

Bethany as to how we can be of assistance, now and in the 

future. One of the ways in which we walked with them was by 

offering their students transfers to SBC so that they are able to 

complete their degrees. We are pleased to have nine Bethany 

students transferred to SBC this year. Through a generous gift 

we have also been able to offer these students $1,000 each in 

scholarships toward their tuition. This has been a huge blessing 

to them! 

Third, Jessy Neufeld, SBC’s dean of women, is on 

sabbatical during the first semester. We are pleased to announce 

that Randi Rempel, dean of women at Bethany for the past four 

years, has joined us to fill in for Jessy during her sabbatical. She 

has already had a significant impact in assisting the Bethany 

students in their transition to SBC, as she provides a familiar 

face for those in transition. 

Fourth, Bethany’s closing has had a profound impact on 

real people. Every day I walk through the doors of SBC, I see 

our Bethany transfer students. On the outside, they appear to 

be fitting in quite well. They are hanging with others, smiling 

and laughing as they walk to class. However, on the inside I 

know they are hurting deeply for the school they love. One 

student states: 

“My transition from Bethany to SBC has been 

difficult. I have experienced a powerful sorrow for the 

loss of my previous home, and a longing to return there. 

I deeply miss living life with the people of Bethany. I 

miss my friends, my dear ones who upheld me in difficult 

times and taught me much about compassion and the 

value of a listening ear. I miss the dorm traditions, the 

inside jokes, and the unity we found through our loss. 

But I have not lost hope. Even as my heart aches and 

my tears flow, I am trusting God daily with my new life 

at SBC. I have experienced abundant blessings from 

my new instructors and deans, and comfort from my 

fellow Bethany orphans. I trust that God, the bringer 

of Peace, has not abandoned me and never will do so.” 

The loss is real. The pain is deep. The longing, intense. 

However, they are not without hope. A second student 

states: 

“Transition; uncomfortable ends followed by 

hopeful new beginnings. Bethany’s closing was more 

than just uncomfortable for me, it was heartbreaking. 

The place and the people had become a home and a 

family to me. SBC has welcomed and adopted us with 

open arms and open hearts, offering a new beginning 

full of hope.” 

We are grateful for the blessing the students from Bethany 

are to us. They bring a fresh perspective and new life to SBC. 

They are teaching us how to mourn and reminding us that God 

is faithful through the very challenging times of life. I would 

invite you to pray for all of our students. Ask God to comfort 

and nurture the hope of those who are new to SBC and missing 

Bethany intensely. Pray that SBC will become a significant 

addition to their educational and spiritual journey. Pray for our 

faculty and deans as they nurture and provide care to hurting 

students. 

What is happening in Christian Higher Education in 

Canada? Watch for the next article of this two-part series for 

insight in the January / February 2016 issue of The Recorder. 

~ President Rob Reimer 

Steinbach Bible College 

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www.gomission.ca

Putting learning into action 

SBC students raise funds to replace fellow student’s 

damaged guitar 

Steinbach Bible College exists to empower servant leaders to follow 

Jesus, serve the church, and engage the world. In a chapel service on November 

16 our student body demonstrated that they are indeed servant leaders. 

Student Andrew Friesen’s guitar was crushed by an amp earlier this 

month while traveling to serve at a school deputation with a music group. 

As a student, funds can be extremely limited, so the loss to Andrew and his 

musical ministry was very significant. Without prompting by staff, the student 

body stepped up and raised enough funds among themselves to purchase 

Andrew a new guitar. 

A video of the surprise presentation to Andrew in chapel can be viewed 

at http://ow.ly/UJcNm. 

~ SBC 

SBC students eagerly wait to welcome youth arriving for Impact, 

SBC’s senior high discipleship event held November 20-22. 

Photo: Jori Schalla 

Impact important event for youth 

SBC’s youth discipleship event, Impact, was held on campus 

November 20-22. College staff and students were excited to 

host and minister to 95 youth from six different youth groups 

coming from across southern Manitoba. Immediate feedback 

from the youth leaders and retreaters was that it was an amazing 

experience. 

Guest speaker Kent Martens did an excellent job of 

challenging the student body and retreaters to not only “Embrace 

the Call” that God has given each of us, but to embrace God 

in return. He is already waiting with arms outstretched to offer 

love beyond our reasoning! 

SBC’s hope is that the “impact” of this powerful event will 

continue for all involved and that attendees will grow deeper in 

their relationship with our Creator. 

~ SBC 


Ministries and workers 

Bolivia 

PRAISE! 

Update on 

Staff 

From Arlie Peters, School 

Director, Bolivia 

I am pleased to inform you that we 

are no longer looking for any more 

staffing from outside of Bolivia 

for this upcoming school year. 

We have a new team of directors 

(including a lead principal) in 

place for this coming school year to 

replace me as principal / director at 

the Villa Nueva School. In addition, 

we also have almost all other staff 

confirmed for the 2016 school year, 

including English teachers. This 

is a very positive step. Once the 

new school year is underway in 

February 2016, this should free me 

up to better serve the 5 outlying 

schools including the one in the 

San Jose area as well as cover my 

administration responsibilities for 

the mission here in Bolivia. 

Please continue to pray for the 

school staff and administration. 

.......................... 

OUTREACH COUPLE – There is 

a continuing need for an outreach 

couple to do visitation work in the 

area between Pailon and San Jose. 

We get requests and there are needs 

for more than one couple, but one 

mature pastor couple joining the 

MEM team would be a great help. 

A community Takes Shape 

The grass is planted, the access road has been cleared, and the first home of 

the settlement is taking shape. Hacienda Verde is becoming a reality. Hacienda 

Verde, or Green Farm, is an area of land about 2,700 hectares in size near San 

Jose, Bolivia, that is being purchased by investors. The MEM Team in Bolivia 

is working with families hoping to move away from a colony situation to make 

it possible for them to purchase land here. 

Plans for Green Farm include a church and school, and plots of land up to 50 

hectares in size offering spiritual, educational, social and economic opportunities 

to people from the Low German Mennonite colonies. A lot of work has gone 

into this project, and much remains to be done. Permits are expected to be 

approved soon to allow the construction of power lines, and also more clearing 

of land for livestock and soybean farming. 

For the last few years the MEM team has provided education and church 

services in temporary buildings on the Nueva Esperanza Colony. Early in 2016 

these buildings are expected to be moved to the new property. Families are 

making plans to resettle. 

We invite you to consider an investment to help with the fi nal payment on 

the land – this investment is expected to be repaid as local families purchase 

land and set up their homes and farms in Green Farm. Get more details at www. 

gomission.ca and watch the informational videos by clicking on the Vimeo link. 

You can also contact Missions Facilitator, Abe Giesbrecht, at the EMMC / Go 

Mission! offi ce at abe@gomission.ca or call 204-253-7929. 

For more information contact Abe 

Giesbrecht, Missions Facilitator at 204- 

253-7929 or abe@gomission.ca 

16 


www.gomission.ca


Thanks to our teachers 

By the time you’ll be reading this, school in Bolivia 

will be over for another year. The Bolivia school year is 

from February until the end of November. Aside from the 

many highlights that helping the Low German Mennonite 

families with their education there are also changes. This 

year we say a big thank-you, and goodbye, to two English 

teachers who have helped in the Unidad Educativa Villa 

Nueva and the Unidad Brillante schools in Villa Nueva 

and Nueva Esperanza, Bolivia. 

For the last few years Whitney Belovicz and Nettie 

Buhler have participated in grooming future leaders. They 

have decided to follow God’s leading into other areas of 

work and life. You are encouraged to remember them in 

your prayers as they face this change. 

We are excited and thankful that Iliana Fehr has 

committed to stay and teach in Bolivia for another year. 

Thank-you Whitney and Nettie, and may God bless 

you for your faithful service. 

~ Abe Giesbrecht 

Missions Facilitator 

Introducing Irna Dyck 

I would like to introduce Irna Dyck, a member of the 

Blue Creek EMMC Church in Belize. Irna was accepted 

as a full-time worker with the MEM Bolivia ministry team 

at the EMMC / Go Mission! General Council meetings 

held November 6 and 7 in Winkler, Manitoba. 

Irna Dyck will be the new 

teacher at Unidad Brillante, 

Bolivia. 

Welcome Irna, to the 

MEM Team and to the ongoing 

work with the Low 

German Mennonite people 

of Bolivia. With experience 

in teaching Sunday School, 

helping with summer camps 

and a missions trip to 

Costa Rica, and a shortterm 

position in the Unidad 

Brillante school in Nueva 

Esperanza earlier this year, 

Irna is equipped to step into 

the role of educator and mentor to the children of families 

making their home in the new community of Green Farm 

near San Jose. 

Please pray for Irna as she finishes her responsibilities 

at her job and in her home church and prepares to make 

this move to Bolivia. 

~ Abe Giesbrecht 

Missions Facilitator 

Whitney Belovicz taught at 

Villa Nueva school for three 

years. 

Iliana Fehr has committed to 

teaching at the Villa Nueva 

school for the coming year. 

Nettie Buhler spent two 

years at the Unidad Brillante 

school in Nueva Esperanza. 

Did you know ... 

you can have up-to-date information about 

... 

EMMC / Go Mission! opportunities 

and ministries 

Contact Abe Giesbrecht, Missions Facilitator and arrange for 

him to visit your church for a congregation meeting, Sunday 

school class, worship time presentation - whatever is best 

for your setting. 

contact: Abe Giesbrecht 

email: abe@gomission.ca | phone: 204.253.7929 



Scott and Patsy Buhler 

Teach Beyond, Brazil 

Camp ministry 

Home church: Niverville Community Fellowship, MB 

The Next Frontier: 

Paradise Garden 

We are thrilled to share with 

you about a massive opportunity 

that came to the forefront for 

Quest in June 2015. We were 

approached by a Lutheran Mission 

in Joinville, our adjoining city, to 

see if we would be interested in 

Patsy and Scott Buhler 

forming a partnership with them 

to work with teens in a tough neighborhood, ironically named 

Paradise Garden. The challenge in and of itself was daunting. 

We have limited experience with troubled teens, but we prayed 

about it and asked the Lord for direction. 

The next step for us was a larger challenge. The mission 

wanted to get a federal financial grant for this program to get 

underway. We worked hard, together with the mission, to 

formulate a 2-year long program including monthly contact 

with the teens. After much thought, prayer and work, we sent 

the project to the Brazilian Federal government for review. On 

November 23, we received news that it was APPROVED! We 

praise God for this direction. We know it is another step of 

growth for Quest. We are viewing this as a pilot program for 

many to come! God is sovereign! How ironic, that while Brazil 

is experiencing an economic crisis, Quest is receiving funding 

for two years in order to share Christ's message of hope to teens 

who need it! Thank You, Jesus! 

Please bathe us with your prayers, as we also remember you 

in our prayers! Our constant prayer is that we will "bear fruit, 

fruit that will last." As we look to the future, we ask for your 

prayers for summer camp season in January 2016. Our staff is 

already in place and God has blessed us with incredible youth to 

work alongside us! Let's look forward to what God has in store! 


Everyone attending an EMMC Congregation has access to the 

bi-monthly conference publication, The Recorder. Some of you 

receive it in your church mailbox. If you would like to receive 

this FREE magazine at your home address, please contact us 

at 204.253.7929 or email info@gomission.ca . We will gladly 

add you to our mailing list! There is no charge. You can also 

access current and back issues of The Recorder on-line at 


Diedrich and Nettie Friesen 

D’Friesens Music and More 

Low German ministries 

Reinland, Manitoba 

Home church: Winkler EMMC, Manitoba 

Back: Jason, Matthew, Mark. Front: Diedrich, Nettie and Andrew 

Friesen. 

“Be very careful, then how you live, not as unwise but as 

wise, making the most of every opportunity, 

because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:16) 

One does not have to look far to see the truth of those 

words. This world is a troubled place, and its people need to 

hear and take to heart God’s message of love, hope and new 

life in Jesus. God gives us many opportunities to share that 

message. Our prayer is that our eyes would be open to recognize 

the opportunities when they come our way. We also want to be 

faithful and obedient to seize those opportunities in a way that 

is honoring to God, and uplifting and encouraging to everyone 

we meet. 

Everywhere we go, we see people in need of the transforming 

power of God in their lives. We also see God very much at work. 

There are many Low German speaking Mennonites in the various 

places we travel, and we feel a special bond with them. We are 

blessed and honored to be doing this work, and we love being 

able to partner with many ministries that are reaching out to 

those around them. 

In January 2015, we joined Multi-Nation Missions 

Foundation (MMF). It is good to be able to offer tax-deductible 

receipts for donations. It is also a blessing to have someone 

experienced and knowledgeable taking care of the finances 

and legalities. After much prayer and discussion, we have 

taken a new leap of faith. Diedrich is resigning his position 

effective January 1, 2016. We will be working full-time with the 

continued on page 19 

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Diedrich and Nettie Friesen 

ministry of D’Friesens Music and More, in 

partnership with MMF. This might mean we 

will travel more, as many of our invitations 

come from far away, but Reinland Manitoba 

will continue to be our home-base. We 

plan to continue singing, preaching and 

travelling as the Lord leads, and to spend 

more time in translation work. Diedrich has 

also been asked to work on putting together 

a radio program for the Low German people 

of Central and South America. 

This is totally a faith venture, and 

we will now be fully dependent on donor 

support. A good portion of our support is 

in place, but some is still needed. If after 

prayer and consideration, you feel led to 

be a part of our support team, feel free to 

contact us directly, or contact MMF. We are 

also heavily dependent on your prayers and 

are grateful for your partnership with us. We 

can do nothing apart from Jesus Christ, and 

need His strength every day. We are trusting 

that God will provide. He is more than able! 

Praise: 

1) For God’s leading and peace in our 

venture to go full-time in the ministry 

2) For the financial support that has 

already been pledged 

3) For the good health we experienced 

throughout the summer 

4) For God’s protection in our travels 

5) For the many opportunities out there 

to serve the Lord 

6) For those who have been encouraged 

through this work, and take the time to let 

us know 

Prayer: 

1) For wisdom in setting priorities, 

planning and scheduling of the ministry 

2) For continued family unity, as well as 

energy and passion for the work 

3) For full financial support 

4) Open doors and open hearts 

5) Continued safety in travel 

6) That we could be people of integrity, 

true followers of Jesus in all that we do. 

Chris and Elaine Hurst 

Wycliffe Bible Translators 

Working with the Nahuatl language 

Home church: Hepburn Gospel Church 

Esteban one of our translators in 

Mexico, is very excited about recent 

developments in promoting the use of the 

Nahuatl language in the churches. Yesterday 

he gathered a group of about 20 people to 

think together about the issues. 

What has that got to do with a flower? 

Well the flower is a visual aid to the whole 

thinking and planning process. This is one 

of the methods the team have been learning at two courses run by SIL colleagues 

about how to cultivate interest in their language. 

At the centre of the “flower” is the goal of people enjoying relating to God in 

Nahuatl; reading singing, preaching, praying. So 

at the root, people need to be convinced that God 

speaks their language. 

Esteban will have taken them through 

a process of thinking together about all the 

challenges involved in reaching this goal. 

As a result these folks want Esteban to start 

reading classes in Nahuatl as soon as possible. 

However, they also feel the need to get approval 

for these activities, so today two pastors 

accompanied Esteban to visit the regional 

supervisor of their denomination. If he gives 

permission, the next step is to go and see the 

denominational head in the city, with the hope that 

he will give Esteban a letter of recommendation 

that would support his promotion activities in any 

church in their denomination. 

Esteban has been faithfully developing a 

relationship with Pastor Lucio. Lucio spent most 

of his working life as a policeman outside the Aztec area, so Spanish became his 

preferred language. Being literate and having the Bible in Spanish, it was natural 

for him to use Spanish in his ministry. As he witnessed Esteban's use of Nahuatl 

in preaching, he began to appreciate the deeper level of understanding that people 

in the congregation were experiencing. A week ago Esteban spent time with Lucio 

in his home practicing out loud part of a message from Matthew 24. Then in the 

evening Lucio delivered his message in Nahuatl and encouraged the group to pray 

using their mother tongue. He also led in prayer for a person who was sick. Esteban 

is rather amazed at this change, he never imagined pastor Lucio doing this. 

Esteban recently read in church from a section in one of the laws of Mexico 

that spells out the rights of indigenous people to use their language in all contexts. 

All these things work together to change people's perception of the language and 

raise its value. Hilario and Plácido are also seeing more openings as they talk to 

people about ways in which they can increase the use of Nahuatl, particularly in 

the church context. It almost seems that people are ready, or they just need to be 

given permission. 



Henry and Tina Redekopp 

EMMC / Go Mission! 

Gospel Fellowship Chapel, Pastor 


Back: Tina and Henry Redekopp, Justin. Front: Philip, Aaron, 

Jonathan, Rachel and Daniel. 

Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear 

Him, both small and great! 

Revelation 19:5 

Having cake and coffee after Bible study on Thursday 

night was a fitting way to celebrate 

our 6-year anniversary of serving in 

Shipyard. What a privilege to share 

this special time with our people, 

thanking the Lord and them for the 

blessing of being part of their lives 

and their spiritual growth. 

We praise the Lord for health in 

our family’s lives, and for granting 

us strength and energy despite the 

hot and humid weather. 

We thank Him for the 

invaluable relationships we have 

been able to build. 

We praise the Lord for His 

provision of friends to turn to for 

encouragement and counsel. 

We praise the Lord for giving us a church family who loves 

and supports us, and with whom we feel we are a family. Being 

away from relatives has 

made this all the more 

meaningful to us. 

We praise the Lord 

for the patience He has 

taught us through many 

trips to the immigration 

Henry Redekopp and Hermy Banman 

the new youth pastor. 

and other government 

offices. 

We praise the Lord 

that our children were 

willing to join us and 

still join us in our 

ministry efforts. The 

older ones already 

recognize the 

Lord’s leading and 

benefits of these life 

experiences for the 

future. 

We praise the Aaron teaching a lesson to the children. 

Lord for our new 

youth pastor couple, Hermy and Mary Banman, and the youth’s 

positive response to them. 

We praise the Lord for the unity of the Region 6 EMMC 

board, and for the connection between the Region 6 churches. 

We praise the Lord for the Old Colony people with whom 

we’ve been able to establish relationships, and for those who 

are seeking something more and different. We thank the Lord 

that He is drawing them to Himself. 

We praise the Lord for the EMMC community of believers 

who encourage, support, give direction, and come alongside 

in prayer and in the joys and trials of following our Lord – 

faithfully serving Him! 

Looking for an employment 

opportunity in Belize? 

Linda Vista School, Blue Creek, Belize is in need of a Bible 

Teacher for the High School for the upcoming school year (August 

2016 to May 2017). Are you considering the position? Come to the 50 th 

Anniversary celebration for the Blue Creek EMMC, and visit the school 

and explore the opportunity. 

Website address: lindavistaschool.wix.com/belize 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/lindavistaschoolbelize 

Questions? lindavista_school@yahoo.com 

Or call Pete Dyck: 011-501-671-7161 


50th Anniversary 

Celebration! 

February 5, 6 & 7, 2016 

You are invited to join the celebration 

and reflect on God’s faithfulness 

for hosting and registration information, email: 

aberempelpilot@yahoo.ca 

20 


www.gomission.ca


Wes and Carol Schellenberg 

InterAct Ministries, Calgary, Alberta 

Wes – Home Office Administration 

Home church: Glencross Mennonite, MB 

Matthew, Amy, Carol and Wes Schellenberg 

Your prayer for our work in administration has been 

much appreciated! Wes’ work paved the way for a smooth 

financial audit. He also helped prepare for board meetings, the 

annual general meeting of InterAct’s members, and our staff 

conference. Another facet of Wes’ work is the screening and 

training of our missionaries and volunteers in the area of abuse 

prevention among youth and children. After taking a refresher 

course himself, Wes gave orientation to our EnGage! summer 

missionaries and the children’s camp staff. 

A highlight for us each year is InterAct’s staff conference. 

In addition to our Canada staff, we had a number of guests 

from InterAct’s US office, most of our missionaries serving in 

Russia, and several others considering application to InterAct. 

It was great to reconnect, to pray for one another, and to be led 

in a rich exposition of selected passages in Philippians. While 

this conference requires considerable preparation, we always 

leave encouraged because each of these precious people are 

passionate to see others come to Christ and grow in Him! Pray 

for continued joy in serving our Lord! 

Alaska – A respected elder approached John and expressed 

his appreciation for the way John partners with the Native leader 

at the church. God has been answering prayer in the village of 

Ruby as believers, and especially leaders, are growing in their 

desire to be in the Word of God. Spiritual apathy, which used 

to be prominent, is giving way to attitudes of thankfulness that 

they can worship God and grow in Him daily. Pray for continued 

wisdom as John partners with Native leaders. Praise the Lord 

for an increased understanding of His grace. 

Canada – Young people are sometimes 

reluctant to speak about their own struggles. 

To help her First Nations youth speak out, 

Amy F uses the sharing circle, a concept 

they are familiar with. On one occasion, 

Larry, who had often been somewhat 

disruptive in the past, shared about some of 

the problems in his life and how he hoped 

to change. That led to other teens also sharing and praying for 

one another. Larry wanted nothing to do with prayer and spiritual 

discussions a year ago but Christ has been working in his life. 

Pray that Larry would choose to follow Jesus whole-heartedly. 

Pray that Amy F and the Anchored Warrior volunteers would 

continue to live godly and transparent lives among these young 

people who need the hope only found in Jesus. 

With the busy summer behind us, a family vacation was 

exactly what we needed. We had the privilege of spending 

a week in the Vernon, BC area. The timing worked well as 

Matthew and Amy both returned to their studies shortly after 

we returned home. 

Thank you so much for partnering with us in ministry 

through your prayer and financial gifts! You are a great blessing 

to us, to our colleagues, and to the many people hearing about 

Christ and being transformed by His work in their lives! 

The Ministry Continues 

John Wall of the Aylmer EMM church in Ontario, his 

wife Maria, and their children minister in Hueyapan and area, 

a few hours south of Veracruz, Mexico. John works with 

local pastors mentoring and assisting their fledgling alliance 

while teaching at the small 

private school near their 

home. Meanwhile, Maria 

is an administrator in the 

public school system. 

For the past number of 

years EMMC / Go Mission! 

has provided some support 

for their work under their 

Hope Mission ministry. 

EMMC / Go Mission! has helped to connect John to an avenue 

of spiritual and peer support through the ministry of the RIMI 

organization and our Bolivian LIEAB President Rubén Mercado. 

Hope Mission is actively involved in supporting the church 

community and affecting the children and youth of the immediate 

area with the Gospel. 

EMMC / Go Mission! recognizes the positive impact the 

ministry is having in Hueyapan and area, but Canadian Revenue 

Agency guidelines require us to withdraw the financial support 

as of the end of the 2015-2016 financial year. If you would like 

more information regarding this decision please be in contact 

with Abe Giesbrecht, Missions Facilitator for EMMC / Go 

Mission! at abe@gomission.ca or 204.253.7929. 


SBS 50th Anniversary 

celebration a blessing 

Steinreich Bibelschule in Mexico celebrated its 50th 

Anniversary on October 23rd, 24th and 25th. It was a blessing 

to see so many people gathering together from different places. 

Every day testimonies were shared, songs were sung and a guest 

speaker spoke to the people gathered. These guest speakers were: 

Jacob Heide, former president of the SBS Committee, John Wall, 

SBS graduate, John Wall, teacher at SBS and Jacob Dyck, SBS 

graduate. Many people gave a testimony as well, former students, 

former graduates as well as teachers and staff in general. 

Using the opportunity of this celebration, the new 

Auditorium was inaugurated on October 24th. The auditorium 

seats 600 people, including the stage section. The construction 

was completed the week of the inauguration. The project costs 

were approximately $406,900.00 U.S. dollars. We are thankful 

for the many people who supported SBS in this project with 

financial needs, prayers and volunteer work. 

Two highlights of the weekend were the inauguration of the 

Auditorium as well as the graduates’ choir that sang on Saturday 

and Sunday. 

Above all we thank our Father in Heaven who has been with 

the Bible School every step of the way. We see His blessing on 

SBS and the people who surround it. 

~ Veronica Loewen 

Corny Froese, graduate of 2015, 

shared what the school meant for 

his personal life. 

Ribbon cutting for the new auditorium: Cornelio Schmitt (Director 

of SBS), Hein Thiessen (CME Conference Leader), Jacob Heide 

(Former President of the SBS), Ken Zacharias (EMC), John Klassen 

(CMM Conference Leader), Abram Siemens (President of SBS) and 

missing is Diedrich Harms (EMMC representative, he was taking 

the picture). 

As a former student and graduate I was happy to be a part 

of the 50th Anniversary of Steinreich Bibelschule in Mexico. 

It was nice to connect with people, some whom I knew 

and some strangers. 

The weekend was packed with different activities. All 

graduates were invited for a supper on Friday evening and 

a choir practice afterwards. Saturday and Sunday that choir 

(pictured below) sang 2 songs each day. There were different 

speakers as well as many testimonies. Everyone was invited 

to stay for the meals and the fellowship was a blessing. 

My highlights were hearing different testimonies from 

people who have attended this school. 

~ Billy Froese 

All graduates were invited to participate 

in a choir. It could’ve been a much larger 

choir but many couldn’t come. We were 

still happy for the 40 some graduates 

who participated. 

22 


www.gomission.ca

General Board / Council Meetings 

November 6 & 7, 2015 

Winkler EMM Church, Manitoba 

Reflecting on the GC meetings 

General Council meetings have become a valued part of my 

role as a General Council member, providing me with a front row 

seat as to the how the conference functions. I walk away from 

each meeting both thankful to be part of this team of leaders and 

encouraged to see how unity increases. 

Dale Doerksen does a great job in providing leadership to 

the council, and the entire team has proven to be dedicated to 

building unity and improving the health of our conference. At 

these meetings we spend time reviewing documents, discussing 

and editing the various aspects of each, and finally reaching a 

consensus in which each region is represented. This includes 

making financial decisions. 

Thanks to the hard work 

of Terry Terichow and 

our Finance Committee, 

we were able to make 

an informed decision 

on passing the budget 

and approving policy 

amendments. 

But the greatest 

work done at the council 

meetings is done through 

the relationships that are 

built and nurtured. It is 

through building these 

relationships that we Lyn Dyck, Executive Director 

learn to trust one another, addressing the General Council on 

and therefore we also Friday evening. 

understand each other, 

which leads to working toward a common goal. 

As I reflect on this last set of meetings, I am grateful for the 

accomplishments of the weekend. Though Lyn Dyck has been 

A very special THANK YOU to the folks 

at the Winkler EMM Church for hosting the 

General Board and Council meetings and 

events of the November 6 & 7 weekend. 

The meeting space was comfortable, the 

food was amazing, and the hospitality was 

warm and sincere. 

We wish you God’s continued blessing as 

you serve Him. 

on staff for almost two months, he was commissioned as 

our Conference Executive Director at our opening supper. 

He has already demonstrated his giftedness in providing 

leadership for conference staff, and realigning us with our 

conference vision to Inspire, Equip, and Develop. 

We also heard updates from each region, which aids 

in bringing cohesion to the council. With members from 

all 5 regions present, we were able to get a good feel of 

how each region is doing, and thereby better understand 

how the conference as a whole is doing. 

My takeaway from the weekend of meetings is that 

the conference is healthy, and we have a group of leaders 

who genuinely care about the conference and the ministries 

we are involved in. I am encouraged and blessed to be part 

of the ministry of EMMC. 

~ Henry Redekopp 


Region 6 Belize / Mexico South 

Left: Around the 

tables at the 

Council meeting. 

R i g h t: Council 

members and 

staff continue 

the discussions. 


Business included commissioning 

The General Board and Council of EMMC / Go Mission! held their 

meetings at Winkler EMM Church, Manitoba on November 6 and 7. 

On behalf of the Staff, Board and Council, thank you for praying and 

encouraging your Council / Region reps. 

Friday, November 6 began with a supper together with staff, council, 

board and spouses. After the supper there was a commissioning service 

for me in my new role as Executive Director. It was a special time for me 

and my family. 

Dale Doerksen 

our Conference 

moderator 

Commissioning for new Executive Director Lyn Dyck was 

celebrated with a special dinner on Friday evening. Lyn and 

wife Jennifer were surrounded by General Council members 

and several prayed as they laid hands on the couple. 

Photo: Gladys Terichow 

led the 

commissioning 

reminding me 

to continue 

to lead with a 

servant heart, 

and seeking the 

good of others. 

The Council 

was given the 

opportunity 

to respond 

with words of 

encouragement. 

I found this to 

be moving and 

very special to have my wife Jennifer and our children present to witness 

this event. 

We also recognized the work of Lil 

Goertzen who filled the role of Office Manager 

in the absence of having an Executive Director. 

A gift of appreciation was given, and Council 

responded with words of encouragement and 

thanks. 

The General Council and Board moved 

into the formal meeting portion of the evening. 

Our EMMC / Go Mission regions gave reports 

on the events happening in their churches, and 

Dale Doerksen, Moderator 

and Lil Goertzen, Office 

Manager / Communications 

Coordinator. 

the Home Office staff presented a re-introduction of the focus for EMMC 

/ Go Mission! 

Staff Presentations 

The staff explained that EMMC / Go Mission! exists to EQUIP and 

ENCOURAGE our churches for effective ministry, EMPOWERING them 

to participate in God’s work in the world. INSPIRING and FACILITATING 

local outreach and global missions. EQUIPPING and RESOURCING local 

church ministries. DEVELOPING and SUPPORTING pastors and leaders 

in our congregations. As they reported, staff presented ways in which their 

responsibilities reflected how they Inspired, Equipped and facilitated the 

development of congregations, leaders and workers. This was a good 

reminder for all involved of the focus and purpose of our work this weekend. 

Budget 

Saturday November 7, the 2016-2017 EMMC 

/ Go Mission! Proposed Budget was presented 

and approved. The budget of approximately $1.1 

million was a slight increase (3.7%) from the 

previous year. Some of the increase is attributed 

to the change in Canadian dollar, an increased 

emphasis on church plant and pastoral support, 

and support for short and long term missionaries. 

General Council members representing 

Region 1, Enrique Penner from Mennonite 

Gospel Church, Vauxhall, AB and Dean Huber, 

Hepburn Gospel Church, SK. 

Approval of Policy and Guidelines 

The Council and Board approved revisions to 

the Associate Missions Policy causing the program 

to be refreshed and reinstated. Since we are a 

smaller family of churches, we require partners to 

carry out some of our mission around the world. 

This policy recognizes that we desire to equip 

and inspire our members in mission. It recognizes 

the partnership we have between our conference 

of churches, and our local churches, and the 

responsibility we have to encourage and pray for 

our mission workers, and giving them opportunity 

to share how God is at work through them. 

Guidelines were accepted for the Salary Scale 

for Single Missionaries. Many times mission 

workers are sent out as couples, but we have times 

where single missionaries are called. This will 

streamline the process. 

A Short-term Missionary/Worker Funding 

policy was accepted. It will allow the conference 

to partner with the local church to encourage shortterm 

missions. This will be available for groups or 

individuals. Support will match the local church 

support up to 30% of the total amount required to 

a maximum or $500. In speaking to our family of 

churches we are aware that short term missions 

often can lead to a long-term mission worker and 

a long-term relationship with the mission and the 

24 


www.gomission.ca

Council members Michael Krahn and 

John Wall from Aylmer EMM Church, 

Ontario Region 4. 

church. 

The meetings 

concluded with the 

General Council seeing 

many opportunities for 

our family of churches 

to be intentional 

about their ministry 

locally, regionally 

and internationally. 

Conference Pastor 

Allen Kehler helped us 

conclude these meetings 

with Communion. What 

a sight to see this group of representatives and staff serving each 

other and speaking quiet words of encouragement to each other, 

a reminder again of why we are called to this ministry. 

Saturday evening there was a special celebration for David 

and Lisa Janzen, acknowledging their 17 years of work among 

the Low German speaking people of Bolivia. About 250 people 

listened to stories of individuals sharing of how they were 

affected by the Janzen’s ministry. The work in Bolivia continues 

with new opportunities and new challenges. 

Please continue to remember your General Council and staff 

in your prayers as they provide leadership and direction for our 

family of churches. 

~ Lyn Dyck 

Executive Director 

EMMC / Go Mission! 

General Board & Council Members 2015 / 2016 

As of November 7, 2015 

General Board 

Dale Doerksen, Moderator Sutherland Evangelical, Saskatoon R1 

Al Letkeman, Vice-Moderator Nassau Street Church, Winnipeg MB R2 

John Dyck, Treasurer Deer Run Church, Leamington ON R4 

Gin Thiessen, Secretary Morrow Gospel Church, Winnipeg MB R2 

John Krahn Blue Creek EMMC, Belize R6 

Jake Wiebe Winkler EMMC, MB R3 

General Council (includes General Board Members) 

David Fehr Blenheim EMM Church, ON R4 

Dave Ginther Warman Gospel Church, SK R1 

Terry Hiebert Gospel Fellowship, Steinbach MB R2 

Dean Huber Hepburn Gospel Church, SK R1 

Lawrence Klassen Glencross Mennonite Church, MB R3 

Richard Klassen Morden EMM Church, MB R3 

Michael Krahn Aylmer EMM Church, ON R4 

Enrique Penner Mennonite Gospel, Vauxhall AB R1 

Henry Redekopp Gospel Fellowship, Shipyard Belize R6 

Albert Reimer Spanish Lookout EMMC, Belize R6 

Ben Reimer Hague Gospel Church, SK R1 

Denis Stoesz Bergfeld Mennonite, MB R3 

Art Toews Bagot Community Chapel, MB R2 

Bryan Toews Austin Evangelical Fellowship, MB R2 

John Wall Aylmer EMMC, ON R4 

John Wiebe 

Sutherland Evangelical, Saskatoon SK R1 

Thank you to our churches and individuals who have 

generously contributed to the ministries of EMMC 

/ Go Mission! It is through your financial gifts that 

we are able to continue the ministries that God has 

placed in our hands. Your prayers, encouragement 

and insight are a blessing. We look forward to this 

mutual partnership of love, care and support. 

God bless! 

Financial Update 

Finance and Audit 

Committee: 

John Dyck, Treasurer- 

Deer Run Church, 

Leamington, ON 

Lyn Dyck, Executive 

Director - Altona EMMC, 

MB 

Dale Doerksen, Moderator 

- Sutherland Evangelical 

Church, Saskatoon, SK 

Terry Terichow, 

Accountant, Home Office 

- Niverville Community 

Fellowship, MB 


Celebration ... 

recognizing ministry in Bolivia 

Leaving Bolivia was no simple matter for Dave and Lisa Janzen and their five children. 

Bolivia was home for the last 17 years. 

During this time the Janzen’s were involved with Low German ministry to the many 

Mennonites living in the surrounding colonies. For the past several years, Dave was the Field 

Director for MEM (Misión Evangélica Menonita), a partnership between the EMMC and the 

Evangelical Bergthaler Mennonite Conference of La Crete, Alberta. 

Their ministry has had profound impact on the lives of many people in Bolivia. They used 

their gifts in administration, hospitality, pastoral leadership, counseling, music, teaching and 

encouragement to minister to those they met. 

On Saturday, November 7, a Celebration evening was held at the Winkler EMM Church. 

People gathered to share stories, bless and encourage Dave, Lisa and their family as they make 

Winkler their home and become involved in new pursuits that are before them. 

On behalf of EMMC / Go Mission! we thank the Janzens for their commitment to serving 

and being the hands and feet of Jesus wherever they go. We bless you and pray God’s continued 

guidance and peace in all that you do. 


The friendship between John 

and Ruth Unger and the Janzens 

dates back to days before Dave 

and Lisa were married. That bond 

has grown and continued all these 

years. Ungers, who made the trip 

from La Crete, AB for this event, 

shared their well wishes and 

blessing. 

Lisa, together with son Damon and friends Annie 

Klippenstein and Yolanda Dyck provided music for the 

evening. 

Darrell and Elaine Kehler were 

missionaries in Bolivia for over 

10 years. The Kehler and Janzen 

families became close friends as 

they ministered together. Darrell 

and Elaine shared reflections of 

some of their experiences and 

how they had been a support to 

one another. 

The Janzen family each received a 

pair of “Canada” mittens to help 

them through their first winter in 

Winkler, MB! 

Above: Dave Janzen and 

Abe and Betty Ann Dueck. 

Below: Abe Friesen shared 

how he became a believer 

through the ministry of 

Dave and Lisa. 

Waiting for the presentation to Micah, Theresa, Regan, Damon and 

Conroy with Dave and Lisa Janzen. 

All Photos: Gladys Terichow 

Lawrence Giesbrecht, former EMMC 

director of missions and wife Susan 

share greetings and reflections with 

Dave and Lisa Janzen. 

26 


www.gomission.ca

News from other places 

Foodgrains Bank 

Monitoring 

Hunger Situation 

in Ethiopia 

Canadian Foodgrains Bank is monitoring the situation in 

Ethiopia, where a prolonged spring drought followed by a delay 

in the summer rains is contributing to a potentially severe hunger 

emergency. 

According to the United Nations, about nine million people, 

or 10 percent of Ethiopia’s population, is directly dependent on 

the spring rains for their livelihoods. 

Compounding the situation, an El Nino warming trend 

during the summer planting season also delayed rains, weakening 

the harvest that in a normal year feeds over 80 percent of the 

country. 

“It’s alarming,” says Foodgrains Bank Executive Director 

Jim Cornelius. “There is the potential here for a severe hunger 

situation impacting a lot of people.” 

One immediate impact of the hunger emergency is a drop 

in school attendance, says Cornelius. 

In Ethiopia, like in many African countries, parents must 

pay for books, uniforms, and other schooling costs. 

“When families can’t afford to eat, it means they also can’t 

afford to send their children to school,” he says. “The impacts of 

the emergency go far beyond not having enough to eat.” 

Preventing as many people as possible from being forced 

into this and other drastic coping measures is the goal of the 

Ethiopian government’s early warning system that monitors local 

climate, food security situations, and food markets. 

The hope is that hunger emergencies can be caught and 

responded to early, before becoming full-scale disasters. 

The Foodgrains Bank has had a continuous presence in 

Ethiopia since the 1980s, both responding to food emergencies 

and supporting the efforts of farmers to grow more food in the 

longer term, says Cornelius. 

“Through our members, we are talking to our long-standing 

Ethiopian partners to decide what our next steps will be, while 

continuing to closely monitor what’s happening,” he adds. 

~ Amanda Thorsteinsson 

Communications Officer 

Canadian Foodgrains Bank is a partnership of 15 churches and 

church agencies working together to end global hunger. Canadian 

Foodgrains Bank projects are undertaken with matching support 

from the Government of Canada. Assistance from the Foodgrains 

Bank is provided through its member agencies, which work with 

local partners in the developing world. 

Children Benefit from 

Livestock Provided for 

Family 

When Binod Malto comes home from school, it’s his job to 

help take care of his family’s livestock in their village of Amla 

Beodo, Jharkand state, India. 

Binod is only nine. But even though he’s still young, he 

doesn’t come home from school very often—he lives there for 

a lot of the year. “I just come home on holidays,” he says. But 

there’s a good reason for this. 

Binod’s family is part of the Malto community, one of 

India’s indigenous tribal groups. They’re often referred to locally 

as ‘hill people’, as they live up in the isolated and difficult-toaccess 

surrounding larger villages. 

Because the Malto are outside the traditional Indian caste 

system, they have little status in society. They are often excluded 

from larger Indian society, and have difficulty accessing 

government services. 

Worst of all for children like Binod, education isn’t readily 

accessible for Malto families. If they can afford it, parents send 

their children away to boarding school. For Binod’s parents, 

Surender and Surji, boarding school wasn’t always an option. 

Traditionally, the Malto people gathered and foraged 

for food in the hills, raising a small amount of livestock, and 

planting a little bit of upland rice and cowpeas on poor quality 

land unwanted by others. For many years, Surender and Surji 

struggled to gather and produce enough food to live on. 

When the opportunity to learn about animal rearing and 

vegetable gardening was offered to the family through Canadian 

Foodgrains Bank member World Relief Canada, they were happy 

to give it a try. 

In 2010, through World Relief Canada’s local Indian partner 

EFICOR, the family received a male goat of a superior breed to 

what was available locally. 

“I bred it with the goats I already have to increase my herd,” 

says Surender, who notes that he now has about 15 goats. “I 

sold two of them last year, and earned 17,000 Indian rupees 

(CDN$354),” he says proudly. It’s a significant sum of money. 

“Our oldest daughter never went to school,” he says. “But 

I hope Bindon will continue and be a doctor, and I hope our 

other daughter will be able to become a nurse,” he says, adding 

that a year of schooling for Bindon, including tuition and 

transportation, costs about 8,400 Indian rupees (CDN$170.) 

And even though Bindon is busy taking care of livestock 

during his time off school, doesn’t mean he’s off the hook from 

studying. 

“We’ve been able to send him to a tutor so he doesn’t forget 

what he’s learned,” says Surender. “Thank you to Canadians who 

have supported us and prayed for us.” 

~ Amanda Thorsteinsson, Communications Officer 


Listen and Learn 

Have you ever felt the need to 

seek wise counsel? To listen and 

learn? 

“Let the wise listen and add to their 

learning, and let the discerning get 

guidance” 

Proverbs 1:5 

We are told often in God’s Word to seek 

guidance, to seek knowledge and learn. The book of 

Proverbs is full of wonderful “one-liners” to remind 

us. I certainly need those reminders. 

My first few months in the role of Executive 

Director of EMMC / Go Mission! have been spent 

getting an understanding of our Conference, our 

partners, and our Staff. It has been a great time of 

learning and listening and observing. 

So what have I been learning? 

I have learned that: 

EMMC / Go Mission! exists to EQUIP and 

ENCOURAGE our churches for effective 

ministry, EMPOWERING them to participate 

in God’s work in the world and our local, 

regional and international ministries is 

focused on: 

INSPIRING and FACILITATING local 

outreach and global missions. 

EQUIPPING and RESOURCING local 

church ministries. 

DEVELOPING and SUPPORTING pastors 

and leaders in our congregation. 

In November, Abe Giesbrecht, Missions 

Facilitator invited Art Toews (Bagot Community 

Chapel, MB) and myself to Misión Evangelica 

Menonita (MEM) Meetings and the Evangelical 

Bergthaler Mennonite Conference (EBMC) in La 

Crete, Alberta. My expectations were to get to know 

our EBMC partners and gain a deeper understanding 

of our MEM partnership is equipping and developing 

the Bolivia Ministry. 

What did I learn? 

I met Abe, a missionary to the Dene Tha First 

Nations people of the North. He felt a strong calling, 

a burden for his neighbours. He told the story of how 

began spending time in their communities, building 

relationships, earning trust. He realized quickly he 

needed to learn to listen, and not come and fix. He 

needed to listen to the stories; to learn how they think; 

and learn how they hear and understand; to learn their 

value system. When sharing the gospel, he needed to 

share in a way the Dene people would understand. 

Over time, Abe and his missionary partners are 

gaining trust and respect. They are called to assist in 

funerals, to be part of the grieving process, called to 

bedsides when people are sick, and called to work side 

by side with them. They have earned the right to lead 

Bible studies and mentor people. They are seeing fruit. 

They have been discouraging times, but they have 

patiently persevered. I was inspired by how he started 

going to his neighbours on his own time. That effort 

has resulted in Abe becoming a full-time missionary 

28 


www.gomission.ca

... if you don’t understand the people, the message will be in vain 

with a team from EBMC serving the First Nation People. 

I learned that you must listen and learn about the people, 

and patiently wait. If you don’t understand the people, our 

message will be in vain. 

As I listened I gained a new understanding of the joint 

ministry we do with EBMC through MEM in Bolivia. As 

we discussed the ministry in Bolivia, I learned more about 

the Low German people living in Nuevo Esperanza. Many 

of these people are new believers and have a desire to study 

God’s Word and educate their children. 

A few years ago, when we moved a school, teacherage 

and church onto the colony, the leaders were not happy. 

The Light – the witness – had moved to the colony. 

Those who chose to send their children to the school were 

excommunicated. Since they remained on the colony, the 

pressure from family and colony leadership was heavy and 

frequent. This has been exhausting and stressful. These 

families and individuals have been afraid for their safety 

at times. 

MEM listened and found a solution. They helped to 

gather investors to purchase a plot of land to develop a 

community for those who wanted to educate their children 

and worship freely. My concerns were put to rest when I 

was told that by moving off the colony, those who were 

excommunicated would once again be allowed to visit their 

families on the colony. Due to the location of the new land, 

people from the colony could visit the new Green Farm 

community away from the intense gaze of the colony. By 

moving the light, it would be able to shine more brightly, as 

people could associate with each other again. 

I learned that MEM had listened to the cries of the 

people, and understood the unique method of correction used 

by the colony leadership and found a solution that will bring 

more people to a right relationship with God. 

Over the past months, I have had the opportunity to 

hear many stories of how God is at work around us. I am 

inspired by the people who are being equipped to develop 

the ministries we are involved in through our churches, our 

conference and our partnerships. 

As I listen to the stories, I have begun to see similarities 

between these two people groups: the First Nation people and 

the colony people in Bolivia. Many are feeling without hope. 

They are between worlds, living on reserves and colonies 

and feeling like they have no way out. Often they are 

mired in traditions and rituals that no longer have meaning. 

Both require time to build trust, and to build relationships. 

Both require prayer for all those involved that they would 

persevere, be patient, to listen and learn as they follow God 

in the call to minister to these people groups. 

We desire to inspire and facilitate our churches to reach 

out in their neighbourhoods and into the rest of the world. 

Equipping and providing resources to develop and support 

our congregations to achieve a level of unity, love and service, 

worthy of God’s call. 

We must first listen and learn then we understand. 

“The way of fools seems right to them, 

but the wise listen to advice” 

Proverbs 12:15 

Still listening, still learning. 

~ Lyn Dyck 


Lyn started in his role as EMMC / Go Mission! 

Executive Director on September 14, 2015. 

He works out of Home Office located in 

Winnipeg. 


Stewardship Today 

Darren Pries-Klassen 


Sometimes you need 

to Receive 

Some time ago, during a morning walk, I found 

a wallet a few blocks from my house. I looked 

around hoping the owner might still be close by, 

but there was no one. Just me. A peek inside 

revealed a library card, a health card, a twentydollar 

bill and a five-dollar bill. That was it. No 

credit cards. No driver’s license. Nothing with an 

address or a phone number. All I knew was the 

owner’s name – we’ll call him Jim – and his health 

card number. I called the police to report a lost 

wallet and soon after a cruiser came by my house, 

picked it up and promised to return it to the owner. 

A few hours later, my phone rang. On the other 

end of the line was an ecstatic woman gushing praises 

about honesty and integrity and how there were still 

good people in the world. She told me she had to 

beg the officer for my name and number so that she 

and her brother could thank the “good Samaritan” 

personally. She went on to tell me that her older brother 

was born with an intellectual disability and had lived 

with her ever since their parents died several years 

ago. “My brother has a small paper route. It pays 

very little money, but he would really like to thank 

you personally. Could we come over now for a few 

minutes?” I insisted it wasn’t necessary, but she would 

hear none of that. “Okay,” I said, a little sheepishly. 

A few minutes later, I answered a knock on the door 

and was immediately bear hugged by a smiling man 

who kept saying, “Thank you, thank you”. Eventually, 

he let go of me and pulled a five-dollar bill from his 

wallet – the same wallet I had found earlier, and 

presumably, the same five-dollar bill I had seen when 

I looked through it. He placed the bill in my hands 

with the same force he used to hug me. Meanwhile, his 

sister spoke loudly and non-stop about her brother’s 

love of walking, how he didn’t listen when she told 

him to leave his wallet at home, how they had scoured the 

neighbourhood looking for it, and how their despair had 

changed to joy when the officer called. She kept calling 

me a Good Samaritan. 

I felt a little awkward amid all the fuss and said the 

five-dollar gift wasn’t necessary. Accepting money from 

Jim felt wrong on so many levels, but he and his sister 

were unwavering in their insistence. “Okay,” I said, placing 

the bill in my pocket while feeling a little like I had just 

robbed this man. “Thank you. I will use it for something 

special.” They thanked me again, Jim gave me one final 

bear hug and they left. 

Gratitude is a funny thing. Being the recipient of 

someone else’s gratitude is awkward when the person 

expressing it is, for all intents and purposes, the one who 

should be the recipient. But Jim’s bear hug of gratitude 

and his five-dollar bill turned the tables and forced me to 

acknowledge my distorted assumptions about giving and 

receiving. 

Former Archbishop of Brazil Dom Helder Camara 

said, “No one is so poor that they cannot give nor so rich 

that they cannot receive.” Jim showed me the truth in that 

statement. More than a hug and a five-dollar bill, Jim gave 

me perspective. 

Thank you, Jim. Your gift was a blessing. You taught 

me that sometimes I need to be the recipient just as much 

as you need the opportunity to show gratitude. 

Photo: DesignPics 

Darren Pries-Klassen is the Executive Director of Mennonite 

Foundation of Canada. For more information on impulsive 

generosity, stewardship education, and estate and charitable 

gift planning, contact your nearest MFC office or visit 

MennoFoundation.ca. 

Mennonite Foundation of Canada office 

www.Mennofoundation.ca | p 1.800.772.3257 

30 


www.gomission.ca


Tri-Conference to produce new Christian Life Book 

Joint effort reflects unity sought by Jesus 

STEINBACH, Man.—Have you or your church benefitted 

from The Christian Life: a practical study guide? Then you’ll 

be pleased to know that a new Tri-Conference (Tri-Con) edition 

will be available by March 2016. 

The book was originally an EMC effort; it became a joint 

edition with the EMMC in 1995. The Christian Mennonite 

Conference (CMC) has used the material for a few years. This 

new 2016 edition is fully a Tri-Con work, with the oversight, 

writing, and funding involving the three conferences. 

The book is being rewritten, not merely updated. Currently 

pastors, readers, and groups within the three conferences are 

testing materials. The design work continues, including choosing 

a title. 

The redesign draws together the classical themes of 

Christian theology and Anabaptist emphases. There are six 

lessons: God and revelation, Jesus Christ and salvation, Holy 

Spirit and discipleship, the kingdom and the future, church and 

mission, and Anabaptist history. 

There is more material in each chapter than can be fully 

used in one lesson. The book can serve as a group study guide 

for six to twelve weeks, depending on how leaders select from 

and move through the lessons. A leader’s guide for each chapter 

is also being developed. 

While a significant number of churches in the three 

conferences use The Christian Life book, it is desired that even 

more congregations will use this new material. The material is 

suitable for Christianity 101, baptism and membership, youth, 

and other classes. 

The writing team is chief writer Arlene Friesen (EMMC), 

Darryl Klassen (EMC), Debbie Funk (CMC), and Jayelle Friesen 

(EMC). The overseeing committee members are Eric Goertzen 

(CMC), Dr. Terry Hiebert (EMMC), Rebecca Roman (EMC), 

Lil Goertzen (EMMC), Ward Parkinson (EMC), and chairman 

Terry Smith (EMC). 

The book will be available at SBC’s Leadership Conference 

in March 2016. It will also be available online. 

Because of Christ and by Anabaptist history the CMC, 

EMMC, and EMC have much in common; because of that we 

have worked together in various ways for years. The EMMC 

and EMC work together in missions in Mexico and Bolivia. The 

three conferences are involved with Steinbach Bible College, 

jointly produce the Memo Calendar (with SBC), and connect 

through the Tri-Con Editors’ Group. 

In 1988 the Tri-Con held a joint ministerial meeting and 

that same year five conferences (Tri-Con, Mennonite Brethren 

and Conference of Mennonites) co-published Dr. Jon Bonk’s 

book on pacifism. In 1990 the EMC and EMMC moderators and 

CMC bishop encouraged pulpit exchange among churches. Then 

EMC moderator Harvey Plett put it in a letter to EMC leaders, 

“Are there other areas in which we could unite our resources for 

Kingdom service?” In 1994 the Tri-Con held a joint convention. 

In late 2004 the periodicals of the Tri-Con published a joint issue. 

In the words of Tim Dyck, EMC general secretary, the 

production of The Christian Life is an exciting inter-conference 

effort. Jesus once said, “May they [the Church] be brought to 

complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and 

have loved them” (John 17:23). It is hoped that our Tri-Con 

cooperation is a Christ-honouring witness. 

Terry M. Smith, Chair 

Christian Life Book Committee 


BALANCE is beautiful 

My name is Sheryl Doerksen. I live in Saskatoon, 

Saskatchewan. I have been married to my wonderful 

husband, Dale for 31 years and am a proud mom 

and nana. I have been a pastor's wife for 27 years. I 

have spent 17 years working in early education. More 

importantly, I have been a child of God and follower of 

Christ since I was a little girl. 

It was in the early 2000's that my life journey took a drastic 

turn when I hit rock bottom with a devastating burnout and a few 

years of a very deep depression. I learned many lessons as a result 

of this time. 

This last July, Dale and I shared a talk on balance in life and 

ministry on the Ministerial Day at the Gathering in Aylmer, Ontario. 

I do not profess to have all or any of the answers on this topic, but 

I will share with you some of the lessons that I have learned. 

How Full is Your Bucket? 

There are many people, responsibilities and activities 

demanding your time and emotional energy. Do you desire a 

balanced and fulfilling life? I want to challenge you with this 

question: How depleted are you? How long has it been since you 

felt fully replenished? Imagine your inner soul as a bucket. Is your 

bucket continually being drained or is there a good measure of 

emptying and refilling? I would encourage you to honestly answer 

this question and if you can't, ask a close friend or spouse to be 

brutally honest with you. If we cannot take a close look at the life 

we are living and be ready to make some changes, balance is not 

going to come easy. 

Here are some possible repercussions of feeling empty 

or depleted or off balance: 

- resentment, irritated, feeling withdrawn or passive, 

wanting to be isolated or alone, maybe turning to overeating 

or medicating or porn, overworking, feelings of depression, 

lack of motivation, lack of caring, inability to sleep, etc. 

When we get depleted, we sometimes get scattered. We 

lose our ability to focus and we jump from one distraction 

to the next with little to show for it. Before we can fill our 

bucket, we need to patch any holes in our bucket. 

1. Have an IDENTITY outside of ministry. 

We often let our jobs, accomplishments or what people 

say about us to determine our identity. It is so crucial to 

embrace that our identity comes from Christ! We cannot 

allow any other person to define who we are. 

2. Make your FAMILY a priority. 

You are the only father and mother, aunt and uncle, 

grandparent that your children are going to have - you might 

have to say “no” to an extra meeting or invitation to show 

your children that their well-being and your involvement 

in their lives is a priority to you. 

3. Schedule LEISURE AND RECREATION into your 

day timer. 

I am blessed to have a husband that likes sports and we 

make time to play tennis and volleyball together and watch 

our favorite teams on TV. We make no excuses for doing 

what we love and get enjoyment from. I also love to read 

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www.gomission.ca

and go for walks. It is important to laugh and have fun! The 

important thing to remember is to do what you enjoy! Make 

it a priority and actually schedule fun into your life. It will 

go a long way to replenishing your bucket. 

4. Take care of your PHYSICAL being. 

One of the first things I did, when I was feeling burnout, 

was to go for a medical check-up. My doctor monitored me 

closely during my whole depression. I was not eating or 

sleeping and I needed him to see to my physical health. He 

told me something that I had not taken into consideration. 

Our emotional, spiritual and physical beings are all tightly 

connected and when one is out of kilter, it affects the others. 

We need to pay attention to all three. It is important to eat 

properly, shed any excess weight, make time for physical 

activity, get regular check-ups and when you are sick - stay 

home! Don't be a warrior. You are not doing yourself or 

anyone else any good. 

5. Set BOUNDARIES for yourself and stick to them. 

This was life changing for me. Only you know what 

your limits are and it is up to you to set the boundaries. We 

often tend to let others run our lives for us. At times we are 

so concerned about what others think that we are afraid to 

say the little word no. Do you say “yes” on the outside when 

on the inside you are saying “no”? That is really tough on 

your emotional health. My counsellor informed me that I 

was spending too much time debating over yes's and no's 

and my emotional bucket would be drained before I even 

made the decision. She told me that when I was faced with a 

decision, I should ask myself, "What motivates me or drives 

me?" Am I saying yes purely out of guilt? Do I feel that just 

because I was asked, that means I am expected to be there? 

Do I think that it won't get done or get done right if I don't 

do it? Am I expected to be there because I am the pastor's 

wife? Are we scared of what people think of us, or what they 

will say about us? If our identity is in Christ, there should 

be no fear. There are times when I still feel guilt when I say 

no, but I don't allow Satan to mess with me for too long. If 

we are saying yes to the things that we feel God wants for 

us, we will lead a more productive, fulfilling life. 

6. Take ONE DAY at a Time. 

Matthew 6:34 tells us not to worry about tomorrow 

because tomorrow has enough worries of its own. 

"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right 

now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not 

happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard 

things come up when the time comes." Matthew 6:34 (MSG) 

We sometimes try to run ahead of God, plan all kinds 

of things for our lives, get bogged down and exhausted and 

then we ask for God's help. He tells us that He will help us 

deal with it, when the time comes. 

The key is: "Meet today's problems with today's 

strengths. Don't start tackling tomorrow's problems until 

tomorrow. You do not have tomorrow's strength yet. You 

simply have enough for today" (Max Lucado). 

I am not saying that we should not plan or schedule. 

Common sense dictates that it is necessary in our lives. Our 

scheduling needs to happen with our boundaries in place; 

it needs to happen with some yes's and some no's. We need 

to continue to be mindful of our identity in Christ and the 

motivation behind our decisions. 

I have worked with children on the Autism Spectrum. They 

get overwhelmed easily and also process much differently. They 

are unable to process 

quickly and have a hard 

time with transitions. 

One strategy we use 

is "FIRST we do this, 

THEN we do this," and 

that is all. I think we 

can learn from this. We 

often have so many 

things running through 

our heads , we need 

to stop and focus on 

one task or aspect at a 

time and when that is 

complete, move to the 

next, and only use the 

energy that we have 

been given for today. 

I am a natural introvert and I need a lot of alone time. You 

may be an extrovert. Fill your bucket with what YOU need. 

Your spouse, friends, children etc. may be different. Give each 

person the support they need in order to do what they need to 

stay healthy - emotionally, spiritually and physically. 

There are some books that I have found helpful. Simplify 

by Bill Hybels, and Travelling Light by Max Lucado. Another 

book that I really found inspiring is The Emotionally Healthy 

Woman (eight things you have to quit to change your life) by 

Geri Scazzero. I am teaching this in our ladies Sunday school 

class and feel that this book holds truths and wisdom for not 

only ladies, but men as well. 

Remember —The only one you can change is yourself. 

Why not start today and find out how beautiful a balanced life 

can be! 

~ Sheryl Doerksen 

Sutherland Evangelical Church 

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan 

Give each 

person the support 

they need in order 

to stay healthy - 

emotionally, 

spiritually 

and physically. 



Lightening the load: providing relief 

and hope in Syria 

~ Emily Loewen 

Every morning, before 

Samer al Laham goes to 

work, he checks to make 

sure it’s safe to go outside. 

That’s because in Syria 

there are some days when 

“people wake up in the 

morning and then see that 

there are a lot of mortars 

falling,” says al Laham, 

country and program 

director with Mennonite 

Central Committee 

(MCC) partner Middle 

East Council of Churches 

(MECC). 

But mornings like that 

don’t halt work for long. 

“Maybe after a few hours 

when things become much 

more stable people begin 

going out and really doing 

their business,” he says. 

That’s the unpredictable reality of 

life in Syria after more than four years of 

conflict. In Daraa, where one of MECC’s 

offices is located, they might only get 

water once or twice a week. Unreliable 

electricity means they need generators 

to charge computers and cell phones, 

and deliveries of relief supplies are more 

expensive because of high gas prices. 

And yet hours after mortars have 

fallen, MCC’s local partners head back 

to work. 

In this difficult context, MECC 

continues to provide much needed 

humanitarian relief to both internally 

displaced people and the communities 

hosting them. “We know that we are 

working in a risky situation, but at the 

same time keeping our presence in 

difficult places like Daraa gives an indirect 

A DFATD-funded project with MCC’s partner organization Middle East Council 

of Churches (MECC) provides non-food items for internally displaced people 

and vulnerable host communities in Syria’s Daraa Governorate. A MECC staff 

person shows the contents of an aid kit to a recipient who was randomly 

selected to give her opinion about the items being distributed. Names are 

not used for security reason. 

hope to people who are still living there,” 

says al Laham. 

Since 2012 MCC has partnered with 

MECC in Syria to distribute items such 

as hygiene supplies, blankets, winter 

clothing and heaters. In Daraa Gonoverate 

from June to September MECC provided 

hygiene kits, children’s clothing and 

feminine hygiene supplies to 4,300 

households. These distributions were 

done with a $1.5 million grant from the 

Government of Canada. 

Those items help to lighten the load 

for people who fled the conflict and 

have been living for years with limited 

resources. “Children are growing up every 

year and they need new clothing, and 

clothing becomes very expensive and this 

[distribution] can alleviate the economic 

burden,” says al Laham. 

In countries like Syria it’s only through 

Mecc Photo/Jalal al-eid 

partnerships with local 

organizations that MCC 

is able to do this work. 

Local partners understand 

and work within security 

constraints, and also have 

longstanding connections 

in communities like Daraa. 

“We have good relations 

with everybody,” says 

al Laham. “The added 

value we provide to our 

beneficiaries is really the 

trust we built over the last 

few years.” 

Part of that 

relationship is getting 

input from people 

receiving the supplies. 

MECC has an extensive 

database documenting 

the needs of each family 

registered with them. 

They also have volunteers who are 

displaced themselves that consult with 

others and report back about what the 

needs are. 

This makes sure that MCC’s 

programs with MECC are providing what 

people actually need, says al Laham, “the 

cornerstone of our program is to depend 

on people who are really living in the 

hardship conditions, and really to know 

exactly what kind of support they need.” 

Those needs continue to grow faster 

than the resources are available. You 

can support MCC’s local partners in 

this important work; the Government 

of Canada will match donations from 

individual Canadians to relief work in 

Syria made before December 31. Donate 

online to MCC’s Syria and Iraq crisis 

response, or call toll-free 1-888-622-6337. 

34 


www.gomission.ca

In Search of ... 

BAGOT COMMUNITY CHAPEL (EMMC) located 

in Bagot, Manitoba is in search of an ASSOCIATE 

PASTOR. We are a small rural church with a lot of 

young families, and an average Sunday attendance 

of 125 to 150. For a complete job description, visit 

www.bagotchapel.com or for more information, 

please contact: 

Pastoral Search Committee chair 

Doug Buhler: 204-252-2678 

email: bagotchapel@gmail.com 

By mail: 

Bagot Community Chapel 

Pastoral Search Committee 

Box 68 

Bagot MB R0H 0E0 

MORDEN EMM CHURCH, located in southern 

Manitoba is prayerfully seeking a FULL TIME 

YOUTH PASTOR who has a heart for God, a 

love for people and a passion to advance youth in 

their spiritual growth. The successful Youth Pastor 

Candidate will be gifted with an ability to connect 

with youth and provide them sound Biblical teaching. 

Our church family’s average attendance is 

approximately 225. For more information about 

our church, please visit our website at www. 

mordenemmc.ca 

If you feel God is calling you to this position, please 

send resume to: 

memmc@mymts.net 

or mail to 

Morden EMMC 

610-1st Street 

Morden, MB R6M 1V7 

EMC = Evangelical Mennonite Conference 

EMMC = Evangelical Mennonite Mission Conference 

SPANISH LOOKOUT EMMC in Belize, Central 

America is in search of FULL-TIME PASTOR, 

COACH, MENTOR or PART-TIME BIBLE 

TEACHER. 

We are a congregation of approximately 250 and 

are looking for an experienced pastor, coach, mentor 

or Bible teacher. His main duty would be preaching 

(approximately half-time) and mentoring a team of 

lay leaders in giving pastoral care to our young and 

growing congregation. 

Our public services are primarily in English but 

an understanding of Mennonite culture and Low 

German language would be helpful. A fully furnished 

residence is available. This position would be a 

perfect fit for a semi-retired couple; or for a pastor 

desiring a new cross-cultural experience. 

For more information, contact: 

Norman Dueck 

Ph: 011-501-610-2238 

email normanbz@gmail.com 

TREESBANK COMMUNITY CHURCH (EMC) is a 

small rural church in southwest Manitoba that is 

seeking someone to LEAD our congregation and 

outreach in our community. This could be on a full 

or part-time basis. It could be on a flexible schedule 

to allow a student to do some practicum while still 

in college, or to allow someone to transition to 

retirement on a part-time flexible schedule. If you 

are interested in church leadership and outreach, 

and feel God calling you to this type of ministry 

please contact: 

Leonard Plett 

Ph: 204-824-2475 

email lplett@mts.net 


There are a variety of ways to make a donation to EMMC/ 

Go Mission! Cheques, cash and money orders are always 

welcome. 

To donate online, go to www.gomission.ca and click on 

the “donate” button on the home page. Regular monthly 

contributions through bank transfers can be arranged. Just 

call EMMC/Go Mission! Home Office at 204.253.7929 and we 

will be happy to assist. 

Mailing address: EMMC / Go Mission! 


Winnipeg, Manitoba CANADA R2N 4G6 

p 204.253.7927 | f 204.256.7384 


Counselling for children, adolescents, and 

their families is now available with experienced 

clinicians at Recovery of Hope, (Winnipeg, Portage 

and Winkler offices). 

To learn more, call 204-477-4673, 866-493-6202 or visit 

www.edenhealthcare.ca. 

Christian, not-for-profit counselling organization. 


Back Page 

Give and receive 

Sometimes the best gifts are the ones you cannot hold in 

your hand. 

Kind words to those who least expect it. Time spent with 

a stranger who needs to tell their story to someone who cares. 

Those moments when the words come to your ear and go straight 

to your heart. Sometimes there’s an unexpected reaction – like an 

uncontrollable giggle or tears that literally jump out of your eyes! 

Recently, I met up with a young lady that I had not seen 

in more than 20 years. She had experienced a great deal of 

pain in her short life. I was aware of some of the difficulty she 

experienced in ending a marriage, moving to another province 

and renewing her faith in the middle of the struggle. When we 

saw each other, few words were spoken, but volumes were 

exchanged as we embraced each other. We parted with the 

promise of a visit to catch up on the years between. The gift 

was that unspoken understanding of continued friendship and 

encouragement. 

Last Christmas, George and I made a hospital visit to see a 

friend. Since it was later in the evening, we found street parking, 

something which is pretty tricky in Winnipeg at the hospitals, 

and proceeded to see our friend. Upon our return, we discovered 

that, well, perhaps we had not read the street signs properly, 

and … someone had work that evening and had the pleasure of 

towing our car. 

Good thing for us, the car had been parked in front of a 

Subway® location. So, we went in, ordered our supper, called 

the towing company, called for a taxi and had our supper. While 

we were munching on our subs, a homeless fellow came in and 

asked if we would buy him a cup of coffee. We said sure, and 

included a bowl of soup with his request. If we had the money 

to pay for the parking ticket, the towing and our supper, we 

certainly could buy him soup and coffee. The gift to us was his 

huge smile and heart-felt thanks. 

Sometimes the best gifts are the ones you hold in your heart. 

Ada Hurst, age 7 

God sent His son Jesus to the world in the form of a little, 

human baby. This little baby grew and matured and carried his 

emotions and responses just like we do. 

We often talk about the greatest gift of all – God’s gift of 

Jesus to the world. We can’t hold Jesus in our hands or touch him 

or see him. The gift of unending love and forgiveness cannot be 

captured or bottled and put on a shelf or wrapped in a box. This 

gift of God’s love is something we need to accept. We need to 

believe that God willingly gave this gift to all humankind. There 

are no conditions to meet or levels to achieve before we can 

accept this gift. Our responsibility is to accept that gift of love. 

Believe that Jesus is the gift, and accept the gift. 

Merry Christmas! 


THE RECORDER | EMMC / Go Mission! 


Winnipeg, Manitoba CANADA R2N 4G6 

Publications Mail Agreement #40013811 

Publication Mail Registration #1050 

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