V. 46 No. 7 April 2, 2008 - Evangelical Mennonite Conference

THE
MESSENGER
a publication of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference
volume 46, number 7
April 2, 2008
Barnabas
and the
oil man
www.emconf.ca/Messenger
editorial
Is this the EMC position?
S
everal readers have responded by phone, in
person, or by letter about the news item Samesex attraction discussed at CMU (Feb. 20, 2008).
Some ask: Is this the EMC position?
It might be asked in return: Which part? That a
person might struggle? Or change? That a parent is
concerned about a child? That discussion is helpful?
That “I can’t believe that God condemns homosexual
behaviour as such. The gift of sexuality remains a
mystery to me, like many other gifts from God”?
Individual EMCers likely have differing opinions on
many matters (including on homosexual practice) and
co-exist in our Conference. However, the EMC position
is decided together by our churches, guided at the
General Board level and discussed and voted on at
conference council (twice-yearly delegate meetings)
or at ministerial meetings (twice yearly national
meetings). Here, the traditional view of marriage is
upheld.
In our Church Practices section of The Constitution
the EMC says, “Both the celibate single and the
heterosexual married life are honourable and
respectable in the sight
of God…. God instituted
Individual EMCers likely have marriage for the
intimate companionship
differing opinions on many of husband and wife and
for the procreation and
matters. However, the EMC
nurture of children….
position is decided together God’s will for marriage
is the union of one man
by our churches, guided
and one woman” (p. 15).
Our conference has
at the General Board level
a two-page Position
and discussed and voted on Statement on the
Practice of Homosexualat conference council or at
ity, accepted by the
ministerial (1999). It
ministerial meetings.
EDITOR
Terry M. Smith
emcterry@mts.net
ASSISTANT EDITOR
Rebecca Buhler
emcmessenger@mts.net
MESSENGER SCHEDULE:
No. 9 – May 1 (copy due April 18)
2
THE MESSENGER is the publication of
the Evangelical Mennonite Conference.
It is available to the general public. Its
purpose is to inform concerning events
and activities in the denomination, instruct
in godliness and victorious living, inspire to
earnestly contend for the faith.
Letters, articles, photos and poems
are welcomed. Unpublished material is
not returned except by request. Views and
opinions of writers are their own and do
not necessarily represent the position of
the Conference or the editors.
THE MESSENGER is published twice a
month (once a month in July and August)
by the EMC Board of Church Ministries, 440
Main St, Steinbach, Man.
speaks of “permanent, heterosexual, monogamous
marriage”; that “both Old and New Testaments
consistently present the practice of homosexuality
negatively”; that “there is no basis for selfrighteousness by non-homosexuals”; and “freedom
from the practice of homosexuality” is “a possibility.”
The CMU forum was published as news about the
wider Church, which is different than an editorial
or a feature article. This magazine’s masthead says,
“Views and opinions of writers are their own and do
not necessarily represent the position of the Conference
or the editors.” My editorials A Decision to Concern Us
(July 24, 2002) and Our notwithstanding clauses (June 25,
2003) uphold traditional marriage.
What I suggest, though, is that we become less
threatened by discussion. Silence is rarely polite or
golden; it is seldom neutral and it is often harmful.
Silence hurts. It can allow others to be harmed. In some
cases, silence can be deadly. Is silence better than
discussion? No.
We have parents in the EMC who hurt because of
what has happened, or does happen, to their children:
spousal abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, divorce
and remarriage, same-sex struggles, alcohol and drug
abuse, wandering from the faith, mental illness, church
abuse, and more.
Silence isn’t victimless. If we don’t allow members to
tell their stories, we leave them to bear their pain alone
or to find help beyond the Church.
Do we assume that discussion will automatically
be divisive, unhelpful, or lead us away from biblical
truth? That thought stems more from fear than faith.
Discussion was needed in the Early Church, among
early Anabaptists, and remains needed today.
Yes, the EMC has a position. We also need to show
T
that we care. M
Terry M. Smith
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MESSENGER
On-line edition available at www.emconf.ca/Messenger
THE MESSENGER April 2, 2008
letters
Waits eagerly for The Messenger
Thank you, Ward Parkinson, for
your March 5 amazing article Instead.
After hearing so much this past week
about the New Age teaching (by Oprah
Winfrey), Ward’s introduction to his
message attracted my attention: “Full of
contradictions.” I wondered what this is
all about now. And I really appreciated
your conclusion/application. Wow!
I was member of the EMC for some
30 years, and was so blessed to see
the missions emphasis as it began,
and as it processed into what it is
today. My husband Melvin Dueck
(deceased in 1985) and I were
privileged to visit the mission
stations in Mexico in 1963 and, later, the
Manitoba mission stations. And these,
too, are still growing.
Homosexual behaviour not up for dialogue
We are troubled by the CMU article
in the Feb. 20 issue, the report on the
forum on same-sex attraction. There
are two related problems:
First, the last statement in the piece
said, “The purpose was to hear each
other and understand each other—not
to try to convince each other about what
the Bible ‘really says’ on the subject.” One
wonders if the Bible was even mentioned
in the forum, let alone any convincing
arguments based thereon. Regardless
of what the university wanted to do, the
most important source of wisdom and
guidance in all of life—and especially in
our church life—is the Word of God.
Second, Val Warkentin said, “I can’t
believe that God condemns homosexual
behaviour as such.” Whether or not
she believes what God says about
homosexual behaviour makes no
difference to His truth and His plan for
human beings.
We certainly need to care about and
show the love of Christ to people who are
struggling with the issue, but what God
thinks of homosexual behaviour is not
really debatable, unless it involves an
honest attempt to consider, understand,
and accept the Scriptural references to
it.
It is interesting that not wanting
to consider what God says is directly
linked to homosexual behaviour in the
first chapter of the Book of Romans. It
is summed up in verse 28 (NIV):
“Furthermore, since they did not think
it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of
THE MESSENGER April 2, 2008
God, he gave them over to a depraved
mind, to do what ought not to be done.”
The stated purpose of The Messenger,
written in the sidebar, is “to inform
concerning events and activities in the
denomination, instruct in godliness and
victorious living, inspire to earnestly
contend for the faith.” By reporting
on the forum at CMU, it would appear
that we are opening ourselves up
to question what God says about
homosexuality.
Perhaps it was for the sake
of dialogue, but some things can never
be open to dialogue, such as God’s
clearly stated displeasure about certain
issues. As part of Christ’s Church, we
want to follow the Lord as closely as
possible, do we not?
We don’t want to be unkind or “holier
than thou,” but we take seriously the
admonition to “earnestly contend for
the faith.”
Cornelius and Evangeline Thiessen
Grande Prairie, Alta.
Dress is disappointing
I am disappointed by the picture on
the cover of February 20, 2008. Do we
as people who live in Jesus have to live
and dress the same way people live for
this world? You picture Jesus inside The
Messenger and the world by dress on
the outside!
John B. Giesbrecht
MacGregor, Man.
Now I have been with the MB
Conference for some 20 years and again
it has been inspiring to see how they
began with that focus and are going
strong. Serving as missions chair for a
number of years here has opened many
doors, and what a blessing!
I enjoy The Messenger and eagerly
wait for it to come!
Since my two sons are involved
in youth ministry (Kent at Inner City
Youth Alive and Joe at Joe’s Place
in Moose Jaw), my heart goes out to
missions again and again. Preparing
the soil, sowing the seed, watering, and
reaping—what a beautiful ministry. And
how rewarding!
Anne Dueck Hildebrand
Winnipeg, Man.
Disappointed and
saddened
As a former EMCer, I like to read The
Messenger but, frankly, I am disappointed
and saddened to see some of the photos
in current Messengers.
The February 20, 2008, issue with the
bridal couple on the front cover…her
immodest, near topless, sleeveless, and
collarless dress is a shame, never mind
for printing in an EMC Messenger. White
wedding gowns, bouquets, tuxedos, are
nice, but something like this?
I guess I’m out of touch, but a photo
such as this does not belong on the cover
of the EMC Messenger. What next?
When I was baptized in the EMC in
1977, this, along with women (and men)
wearing shorts to church, women wearing
slacks to church, men with earrings,
would never have been acceptable. Yes,
times have changed. But for the better?
Robert Loewen
Neepawa, Man.
Great is Thy Faithfulness
40th Anniversary Celebration
Braeside EM Church
1011 Munroe Avenue,
Winnipeg, Man.
Saturday, August 2,
5:30 p.m. and
Sunday, August 3, 10:30 a.m.
On-line registration:
www.braesidechurch.ca
Phone: 204-667-2970,
Fax: 204-667-5382
Contact: braeside@braesidechurch.ca
(office administrator)
3
Acts 4–11
Barnabas
and the
oil man
Pastor Jeff Plett
A
n eccentric old man carried
an oilcan everywhere. If he
passed through a squeaky
door or a stiff gate, he
applied oil to the hinges. His practice
of lubricating made life easier for those
who followed after him.
This illustrates an important ministry:
Encouragement. We encounter people whose lives
creak and grate with problems. We can either
aggravate their problems with a spirit of criticism,
or lubricate their lives in the Spirit of our Lord Jesus
Christ.
Some people carry unbearable burdens
and others feel like giving up. One drop of
encouragement could restore their hope. Still others
are mean and hardened to sin. Such people can
become pliable toward the saving grace of Christ
through regular applications of the oil of kindness
(Joanie Yoder, Our Daily Bread, August 2, 2004).
We encounter people
whose lives creak and grate
with problems. We can either
aggravate their problems with a
spirit of criticism, or lubricate
their lives in the Spirit of our
Lord Jesus Christ.
4
A natural encourager
To see it in action, Barnabas is the man we’re
looking for. Barnabas was a natural encourager, and
he was part of the Christian Church when it started.
First, Barnabas was a generous person (Acts
4:36–37). The Early Church responded to needs;
in fact, the Bible records that there were no needy
persons among them. From time to time those who
owned property and lands or houses would sell
them, bring the money to the apostles, who would
distribute it to the needy (David C. Cook, Adult
Student Book, December 2005–February 2006).
Barnabas sold a field. It was a sacrifice, but it
probably didn’t seem like it to him. He gave freely.
He loved people, and it was a natural response of
his love for Jesus for having cleansed his sin.
Thankfulness, generosity, and being an
encourager naturally go together. If we grasp how
deeply Jesus loves us by going to the cross for us,
nothing is too costly to give to Him. We respond
with praise. We desire to be generous. Our deep
desire to encourage helps others to seek and find
Jesus too.
Given a nickname
Barnabas (Son of Encouragement) was not his
real name. His real name was Joseph. To get this
nickname he must have encouraged many
people. Barnabas said kind, loving things. He
tried to lift spirits. It was a much-needed
ministry then and today.
Have you ever been encouraged so
much, and so often, that you wanted
people to stop encouraging you?
Not likely. If anything, there tends
to be a lack of encouragement in
many churches. Now, we can’t
dictate to the Holy Spirit to give
us the gift of encouragement, yet
THE MESSENGER April 2, 2008
we can cultivate an attitude and response of
encouraging others.
Encourages church in Antioch
A wave of persecution arose against the main
church in Jerusalem. Most Christians fled. Some
of these believers were Greek-speaking Jews
who had restricted their evangelistic activity
to Jewish communities. But in Antioch these
daring people began to speak to the Greek
population of Antioch about the claims of Jesus
Christ as Lord and Saviour (F. F. Bruce).
A large number of Gentiles believed the
gospel and yielded their allegiance to Jesus
as Lord. The leaders of the mother church in
Jerusalem heard about these reports, and sent
a delegate to Antioch to look into these strange
events.
It was a critical moment, and a lot depended
on the delegate they would send. The delegate
needed godly wisdom and discernment to know
whether to scold these over zealous evangelists
or to praise them in their new venture.
Whom did they choose? Not surprisingly,
they chose Barnabas, the “son of
encouragement” (Acts 11:22–26). The Holy Spirit
was in control of his life, and he had an unshakable
confidence in God (11:24). As a commentator puts it,
he had the understanding, affirming nature required
for making an honest appraisal of the situation in
Antioch.
When he reached Antioch, his generous spirit
was filled with joy at what he found. Here was the
grace of God in action, bringing blessing to Jews and
Gentiles alike, as they heard and accepted the Good
News.
True to his name, Barnabas gave all the
encouragement he could to missionaries and
converts. They had begun well, and he urged them
to carry on and remain faithful to the Lord.
Don’t you wish you were like Barnabas? So wise,
understanding, encouraging of a radical missionary
movement. Rather than say it was too different and
independent, the Holy Spirit gave him the wisdom to
embrace the movement and encourage the people in
their new found joy.
We need many people like Barnabas in church
work and mission fields all over the world today.
Would you ask God to make you a Barnabas, to use
you to encourage others in whatever place the Lord
calls you to be?
Encourages a rookie
An encourager will accept and befriend people
whom no one else accepts. In Acts 9:26–30, the
setting is Jerusalem, and the rookie missionary is
none other than Saul, known as the Apostle Paul.
Saul is in a difficult position. His Pharisee
THE MESSENGER April 2, 2008
Barnabas and Paul (Saul) in Antioch
When Barnabas
defended Saul, the other
leaders listened. His
reputation was so solid
that if Barnabas said
Saul was a Christian,
it must be true, and
they accepted him
as a Christian.
associates were
angry because he had
left their cause. He
wasn’t hunting down
Christians; he was one
of them. On the other
hand, the disciples of
Jesus had not forgotten
his persecution or his
tricks. They feared
he would gain their
confidence, and then
turn on them in rage (F.
F. Bruce).
Saul needed a friend.
Who came to his aid? Barnabas may already have
been acquainted with Saul, and was convinced of
his genuine conversion. We should note that when
Barnabas defended Saul, the other leaders listened.
His reputation was so solid that if Barnabas said
Saul was a Christian, it must be true, and they
accepted him as a Christian (F. F. Bruce).
In Acts 11:24–26 in Antioch a large group of
people turned to the Lord. Barnabas needed help,
and he knew the right person: His friend Saul, whom
he had defended in Jerusalem. They worked for a
year in Antioch, met with the church, and taught
great numbers of people.
Notice that Christians in Antioch could not keep
quiet about their faith; they proclaimed it wherever
they went. People kept hearing about this one called
5
Christos (Greek for Messiah, The Anointed One).
“Who are these people?” they asked. The reply
came: “Oh, these are the people who are always
talking about Christos, the Christ-people, the
Christians.” So it was in Antioch, Luke records, that
the followers of Jesus
first came to be known
as Christians (F. F.
Remember the old
Bruce).
oilman? If we are
My friends, that’s an
important
historical
prepared to pour out
event. We stand in
God’s oil of helpfulness
that proud heritage:
Christians, people
every day, beginning at
who always talk about
Jesus Christ and follow
home, we will minister
Him.
Christ’s beauty and
Many people
today,
including many
the oil of joy to many
Christians, truly need
hurting people.
to be encouraged.
They need a Barnabas, someone who will give
a word of recognition, a caring smile, a warm
handshake. They need someone who will see the
good in them, befriend them, come alongside them,
and defend them when no one else will. Will you be
that person?
As a Christian the Holy Spirit indwells you
and equips you to bless and encourage others.
Remember the old oilman? If we are prepared
to pour out God’s oil of helpfulness every day,
beginning at home, we will minister Christ’s beauty
and the oil of joy to many
hurting people.
Perhaps the old man with
the oilcan wasn’t so crazy after
T
all. M
Jeff Plett is the pastor of
Evangelical Fellowship Church
(Fort Frances, Ont.).
with our missionaries
Northern Manitoba
In search of moose
It’s Tuesday and tonight we travel
across frozen muskeg and lakes to
visit the little railway community of
Pikwitonei. Now that the winter roads
are open we try to go every week.
There is room for you in the back of
the van, together with Drop-in-Centre
worker Zack Beardy, missionary Peter
Serger, a snow shovel, a bucket of ice
cream, and a pot of beef stew. We are
aware that we will not fit easily into the
home we are visiting, but the host is too
ill to come to church, so we will
accommodate.
After supper, Peter and
Bill go to a teen’s birthday
party. They have been asked
to
provide
entertainment.
About 16 children come for
Bible stories, memory work,
choruses, cake, and ice cream.
As the men pull on their
parkas to leave, the children
Winter roads allow Christians to travel and gather together.
(Gord Penner)
6
beg, “One more story, please.” Bill tells
them about Naaman and the little girl
who was taken far from her home. Yet
she shared her faith with her mistress,
and the captain of the king’s army was
healed of leprosy (1 Kings 5). Thirty-two
ears listen attentively. They sing Jesus
Loves Me, and then Bill and Peter hurry
to attend the adult Bible study.
We sing a few Cree hymns, the group
prays for each other, and Zack leads the
Bible study in Cree and English. Today is
also our host, Joe Moose’s birthday. We
enjoy more cake with ice cream.
Maybe if you will come with us, you
will be lucky like Peter was. He was
determined to see a moose today on
the way to Pikwitonei since it was still
Maybe if you will come with us, you will be
lucky like Peter was. He was determined to
see a moose today. On the way home he
settled into his seat contentedly, saying
he had seen three moose tonight: Joe
Moose, William Moose, and David Moose.
Moose Tracks
THE MESSENGER April 2, 2008
daylight. “Was that moose tracks?” he
asked. On the way home he settled into
his seat contentedly, saying he had seen
three moose tonight: Joe Moose, William
Moose, and David Moose.
We travel to Pikwitonei, Thicket
Portage, and York Landing on a regular
basis, using winter roads for about
three months. Our friends from remote
communities come to Thompson
on winter roads, and this gives us
opportunity to meet with them and send
Bibles, clothing, and blankets home with
them.
Anna and Bill Penner
Anna and Bill Penner (Ridgewood) serve
with Continental Mission. They live in
Thompson, Man.
Editor’s note: According to CBC radio,
winter roads in Manitoba cover 2,200
kms and serve 38,000 people in about 20
communities.
Manitoba
Pray for workers in dangerous situations
On February 27, 2008, Lester Olfert,
a short-term EMC cross-cultural
worker in Nicaragua, was assaulted by
two men. He was uninjured.
Olfert was returning home from an
internet café when he was confronted
by two men and then surrounded by
another group of five.
One grabbed his backpack with his
laptop computer. Lester resisted a bit,
but gave it up when he noticed that
two had revolvers and another had
a machete. He later noticed that his
watch and wallet were missing. The
gang members left without physical
injury to Lester.
Two Canadian volunteers accompanying Lester, a teenage girl and a
young man, were uninjured.
Lester was later told by police that
it was likely gang activity, and that it
was proper that he had resisted as
little as he did.
The laptop is being replaced. Its
files had been copied elsewhere for
safekeeping, and so they remain
available.
During that same day, CINAG—the
residential program for abandoned,
orphaned, and abused girls where
Lester is involved—received its first
resident.
Olfert’s experience reminds us that
we have many EMCers, within crosscultural settings around the world
and in Canada, who live in potentially
dangerous places. Please pray for the
physical safety of other EMCers, near
and far. Thank you.
Tim Dyck
General Secretary
Give the Word, change a life
To provide God’s Word
for this Generation is the
goal of LifeLight Ministries.
We provide many ministries—Youth for Christ,
Teen Challenge, prison
ministries, Bible camps,
and many others—with
easy-to-read
Scriptures
as God provides funds
through His people.
We also encourage individuals to carry Scriptures
with them and give them
to others as God directs.
Many of our New Testaments are targeted at particular groups of people,
including truckers, bikers, sports fans,
cowboys, firefighters, and police officers.
Dayna wrote from Beaver Creek Bible
Camp: “Pray that all the kids who receive
Bibles at camp will read them throughout
the year. Some of them will only learn
about God at camp for one week, but as
they take their new Bibles home, they can
learn all year long.”
Peter Loewen, one of our Board
members, distributes hundreds of
LifeLight New Testaments every year in
northern Manitoba schools.
Henry Penner of Landmark comes
in regularly to pick up Scriptures to
distribute at Winnipeg Harvest where
THE MESSENGER April 2, 2008
he and his wife Donna
volunteer.
A church in Vancouver
reaches
out
to
the
homeless
and
those
dealing with HIV/AIDS,
drugs and alcohol. They
requested Bibles recently,
but said they were not able
to give us a donation.
Shortly after this, a
women’s group from one
of our EMC churches
called and said they would
like to give a donation to
LifeLight Ministries in
memory of someone who
had passed away. We sent
a case of New Testaments to this church
and received this note of appreciation:
“We just received the Scriptures. Thank
you soooo much for your help and
attention!”
A couple from Steinbach is spending
part of their winter in Mexico. Before they
left they came and got Spanish Scriptures
to take with them. A few days ago they
e-mailed us from there: “We had packed
our suitcases to the max with Scriptures
and other items to distribute in the poor
areas here. We are just past the halfway
mark of our time here, and our suitcases
are empty.”
Phil is a chaplain at Headingley
Correctional Centre. He wrote: “Would
it be possible to receive a case of The
LifeLight Message? We have no budget
allowance for Bibles but are relying on the
generosity and kindness of the Christian
community to supply our needs.”
Bette called a few days ago inquiring
about Bibles to include in welcome
packages for the many immigrants who
are moving into her neighbourhood.
How can you be involved? Pray for the
staff and the Board of LifeLight Ministries,
for the many ministries we partner with,
and for those who receive Scriptures.
Give financially for the growing
need of Scriptures everywhere. We
are dependent on donations so we can
purchase Scriptures for distribution.
Distribute Scriptures yourself. God
will provide the opportunities if you are
prepared. Many people have discovered
the joy of sharing the Good News with
others in this way.
Contact us: www.TheLifeLight.com;
204-320-9676 (Steinbach), 204-339-3770
(Winnipeg), 866-447-9673 (toll free).
Martha Kroeker
Martha Kroeker (Steinbach EMC) is the
Executive
Coordinator
for
LifeLight
Ministries. She lives in Steinbach. She is a
missionary of Steinbach EMC.
7
check Galatians 6:1–10
Life is like a game of
G LF
Dalen Kroeker
I
f a member of your foursome hits his ball in the
bushes you who played the fairway should search
for his ball without holding it against him. You also
may slice a ball or two before the day is out. Also
guard against copying his swing and so landing in
the same trap that he did.
B
e sure to carry the burdens of the game with
your fellow players. In this way you obey the
law of the Course Marshall. Even Tiger Woods
is not too good to stoop down and replace the
beginner’s divot. Therefore you are lying only to
yourself if you think you don’t need to abide by
proper golf etiquette.
B
ut, play your own game for that is what you
are responsible for. To play well you must
play against yourself without comparing scores
to others with different talents and abilities and
different clubs and balls.
D
on’t be impressed with yourself for a single
good shot, but make an accurate assessment of
who you are and the course you were given to play,
not comparing your style and abilities to others.
8
Each player has his own course to play and must
play his own creative best to be successful.
F
or those of you taking golf lessons, do not
forget your instructors. A word of thanks and
appreciation is not sufficient for what they are
doing for you. Pay them for their devotion to the
game.
D
on’t be misled. You can’t mock the Course
Marshall and get away with it. If you play in
whatever fashion seems to bring you the most
personal happiness, hitting balls across other
fairways, leaving divots behind you at random,
ignoring the needs and safety of other players, and
the warnings of the Marshall, you will very soon be
golfing with broken clubs in the middle of a rocky
field full of tree roots and white goose feathers.
B
ut for those golfers who play to please the
Marshall and no one else, they will finish
the round in style and will in due time receive
an unending membership at the Happy Hacking
Grounds Golf and Country Club. Steaks on the
house!
THE MESSENGER April 2, 2008
S
o don’t let yourself get fatigued or tired of
playing well. Discouragement is for those
without hope of success. Only at the end of 18 do
you get your prize, so don’t give up or lose focus
turning to sloppy and inconsiderate play.
F
ore! I need your attention. This shot, not the
next one or the last one, is what you must focus
on. Your hope of future Eagles must not remove
your focus from your present challenge.
S
tay in the reality of the moment. Don’t daydream
and drive your cart into the creek. The whole
game is full of chances to play for the benefit
of others, right now. So start by looking out for
the Clubhouse Members, your
present Foursome, and let it
T
spread from there. M
Fo
June
(co
gr
an
June 29–July 13, 2008
Te
Ma
an
W
For high school students (completed grade 9 through graduates of
2008) from EMC and EMMC churches
Team building week at a Manitoba Provincial Park, and ministry training
week in Winnipeg
Ap
tra
Approximate fee: $300 plus transportation
Ap
16
Application deadline is May 16, 2008.
Contact: Gerald Reimer, Conference Youth Minister, emcger@mts.net or
204-326-6401.
Co
Co
em
20
Dalen Kroeker (Steinbach EFC) is
Dean of Men at Steinbach Bible
College. “Best Club: 5 Iron. Worst
Club: Drivers, all other irons. Club
hopeful: Putter.”
Fo
June
(co
gr
an
Te
Ma
an
W
June 29–July 13, 2008
For high school students (completed grade 9 through graduates of
2008) from EMC and EMMC churches
Ap
tra
Team building week at a Manitoba Provincial Park, and ministry training
week in Winnipeg
Ap
16
Approximate fee: $300 plus transportation
Application deadline is May 16, 2008.
Co
Co
em
20
Contact: Gerald Reimer, Conference Youth Minister, emcger@mts.net or
204-326-6401.
Register now for the
14th annual
EMC Golf Classic
June 12, 2008
Steinbach Fly-In
Golf Course
Cost: $125 ($50 is receiptable)
Call Ron Penner at
204-255-8062 to register.
Finally, a ministry especially suited for the
mature Christian in sun city!
The El Paso, Texas, guest house urgently needs hosts starting in
April 2008. This volunteer position is adapted to the possibilities
and gifts of the applicants. A one- to two-year commitment
is preferred, and applicants must provide their own health
insurance.
Please send your
application to
emconf@mts.net.
THE MESSENGER April 2, 2008
9
with our churches
Members dedicated, babies too
Abbeydale (Calgary, Alta.): In
January, 2008, Harold and Sandra
Friesen went to Pass Christian,
Mississippi, for their third year as
directors of this site for Mennonite
Disaster Services. They note, “We
see several differences in the community as we compare happenings
now to one year ago.”
More restaurants and businesses are opening up, and more
homes are being built. However,
the emotional aftermath of KatA baby dedication service was held on February 17, 2008. Tracy and Marcus Adams, David and Kendra Funk, Jim and Erin
rina continues to take its toll.
Nikkel, Harv and Rebecca Purnell, and Mel and Evan Schellenberg had babies dedicated by Levi Smoker of our church.
Many people are still struggling
with depression and are taking
anti-depressants to help them deal with ensures you don’t remain strangers
the losses they have experienced. The for long!”
Many people need to tell their
phrase “we live in a broken world” has
stories,
many don’t have proper
been mentioned to Harold and Sandra
homes, many are not planning on
many times.
Also in January, Debbie and Einar returning. The gratitude of the
Sandland went to Pass Christian, remaining people of Pass Christian
Mississippi, to help for one week. From was expressed over and over again to
Debbie: “Our team set out to put siding Einar and Debbie.
Brock Reimer, Brad Lissel, and
on the house of a lady whose house was
wrecked by another house settling inside Jackie Kornelson just finished a year
hers after the hurricane…People may at Capernwray, New Zealand. Jackie’s
Einar and Debbie Sandland served in Mississippi.
arrive as a group but leave with strong favorite experience was Adventure
friendships…Sharing scaffolding with Bible School for six weeks—learning
strangers 20 to 30 feet above ground about God in His awesome creation
while kayaking, rapelling, and other
outdoor activities.
Jackie also had an opportunity to
More restaurants and
help out at a Disability Conference,
businesses are opening
and was an aid for a blind lady named
Marci. Brock went on a mission to
up, and more homes are
Fiji to the Missionary Training Centre
being built. However,
for the Southwest Pacific, where he
the emotional aftermath
helped with vegetable gardening
and worked in the kids program in a
of Katrina continues
nearby church. Apart from the early
to take its toll.
start (5:30 a.m.), Brock had a great
Brock Reimer, Brad Lissel, and Jackie Kornelson learned and
time.
served at Capernwray, New Zealand.
Kathy Dueck
Calling Steinbach Christian High School
alumni from 1971–2007
SCHS Alumni Brunch
May 24, 2008, 10 a.m.
SCHS, Steinbach, Man.
If you taught, attended or graduated from SCHS
from 1971 to 2007, join your classmates at the
first SCHS alumni brunch.
Sandra and Harold Friesen served in Mississippi.
10
Registration fee: $15 or $25 per couple. Register with fee by May 2:
50 PTH 12 N, Steinbach, MB R5G 1T4, 204-326-3537, jfriesen@schs.ca.
THE MESSENGER April 2, 2008
Bringing in the New Year
Roseisle EMC’s winter retreat was held at Winkler Bible Camp.
Taber, Alta.:
Leaders elected
We are looking forward to being able to fill the growing needs of our church and community.
Therefore, we elected two lay ministers and two deacon couples: Dave Sawatzky (lay minister), Peter
(lay minister) and Anna Wall, Nick and Mary Enns (deacon couple), Jacob and Margaret Sawatzky
(deacon couple), with our pastoral couple Dave and Audrey Wiebe.
Jaime Thiessen
Roseisle, Man.: With 2007 behind us we
have many new things to look forward
to. We finished the last few hours of 2007
by playing board games, hockey, and, of
course, snacking.
Pastor Kelly Lesser led us in prayer
as we entered into 2008. Since then
our youth group has gone to Winnipeg
for their weekend getaway and while
they did that they worked in a soup
kitchen preparing food. They also went
to La Riviere, Man., to do some night
skiing. Some came back pretty sore, but
everybody was still in one piece.
From February 29 to March 2 our
church had our winter retreat at Winkler
Bible Camp. On Friday night we started
our retreat by getting to know everybody
a little bit better by playing mingle
bingo.
Then we had our first of four sessions
led by Harold Giesbrecht. Our theme
for the weekend was Unity. On Saturday
we had two more sessions, one in the
morning and the other in the evening.
Saturday afternoon was free time as
well as wall climbing and archery. Sunday
morning we had a few tired faces, but
everybody was active and participated
in singing and trying to remember
the verses we had learned during the
weekend.
On March 9 after our church service
the preschool and young moms’ class
packed up newborn kits to go to people
that need them. They included a blanket,
two short shirts, two long shirts and four
diapers. I’m sure they will come in good
use, and this is one thing we can do to
help others.
Rebecca Peters
Child dedication at Braeside
Braeside (Winnipeg, Man.):
Four parents dedicated their little girls to
the Lord in mid-February: David and Aminata
Koroma with Tataysar Yasinoh; Blanca and
Angel Infantes with Sarai Yaretzy; Alexe
and Mati Ortega with Michelle Karen; Hilda
Jaimes with Monserrat. Interim pastor Kim
Stoesz presided over the dedication.
Al Dueck
THE MESSENGER April 2, 2008
11
pages from the past
Dave K. Schellenberg
What history does your
congregation preserve?
Those who do not remember the past
are condemned to repeat it
H
—George Santayana
istory in the Making was a bonus workshop
presented at the recent Leadership
Conference at the Steinbach Bible College.
Two men had come out from Mennonite
Heritage Centre in Winnipeg: Conrad Stoesz and Alf
Redekopp. They were to give information on archiving
for churches, communities, and families.
Records are the lifeblood of an organization. If that
is true, I feel more leadership people should have been
in attendance. Sadly, this was not the case. I would like
to offer highlights of the workshop—plus some material
from a handout.
What values do records hold? I think that’s an
important ingredient of the reason for keeping records.
Let me share five values as given at the workshop:
administrative, legal, historical, theological, and
sentimental.
If information is not managed a congregation suffers.
It could be doomed to repeat actions. It could lead to
wrong decisions.
The importance of stories is shown when God calls
us to remember heroes of the past in Hebrews 11.
Records contain information of an organization’s
functions such as policies, decisions, procedures,
operations, and related activities.
What kind of records would be included? Books,
papers, photos, microfilm, tapes, or machine readable
records. It’s also important that for records that
deteriorate over time these need to be converted to
another format.
I have personally researched for two historical
assignments and know how much searching this
involves if records are not in order.
Check the documents your church has (adapted from
workshop handout):
1. Histories, historical files, minutes, statements of
purpose;
2. Charters, constitutions by-laws and amendments;
3. Church bulletins;
4. Ordination, installations, baptism, marriage and
funeral records;
5. Minutes of church council and membership
meetings;
12
Conrad Stoesz and Alf Redekopp presented History in the Making.
6. Correspondence of the church;
7. Publications which appear regularly;
8. Annual reports;
9. Blueprints;
10. Financial statements;
11. Hymnals used over the years;
12. Clippings of events or people;
13. Photographs and pictures;
14. Audiotapes, videotapes, and films related to the
church.
Now from all this you can, of course, add on. But I
trust it may have given you some ideas and hints on
T
archiving for your church. M
The inevitable question: What is of historical value and
what to discard (adapted from workshop)?
What to Keep
Do Not Keep
a. Records that show policy
or decisions
a. Duplicates
b. Minutes, correspondence,
reports, news, etc.
b. Materials not created by
your church (MCC, etc.)
c. E-mail messages should
be printed and filed.
c. Draft documents
d. Materials that tell us
something about God and/
or the church.
d. Routine correspondence
e. Note files that may contain
sensitive material.
THE MESSENGER April 2, 2008
generations
Gerald Reimer | emcger@mts.net
A
Does the end justify
the means?
s followers of Christ our mandate is to share
the Good News with others because God
told us to, and for the purpose of leading
people to the foot of the cross and seeing
Christ transform their lives.
My question today is the following: How far do we
go in our attempt to “reach” people for Christ? How
extreme do we get in our “contextualization” of the
Gospel message?
Recently I was listening to an online Christian radio
station and was enjoying the worshipful music, but
began to get annoyed by the incessant chatter of DJs
about the recent TV broadcast of American Idol.
I couldn’t help but think that it sounded no different
from any secular radio program chatter. I did not
find it inspiring or relevant to the eternal perspective
that we as believers should hold to. In fact, it
sounded like they were promoting a show
that I say encourages this generation
of children and youth to live for a
meaningless cause that is selfish
and materialistic.
I emailed the station
with my concerns and
received a reply from
the Programming
Department. It
thanked me for
my concerns,
All our
activity,
even the
most basic things
of life, should bring
honour to God. I don’t
see any loopholes there that
allow us to do questionable things
just so we can reach the unsaved.
but justified their DJs’ banter with the following
statement:
As an evangelistic ministry, our goal is to relate to a
vast audience. One of the ways that our DJs are able to
do this is by “living their lives out loud”—sharing their
own input on relevant topics, concerns and sometimes
even issues. It is not our intention to come across as
promoting anything, just simply talk about our culture
from a variety of Christian perspectives.
I respect their honest and quick response and
understand where they are coming from. But I guess I
am still in a quandary. While we are called to connect
with the hearts of the ordinary citizen, we should do
so in a manner that honours Christ.
I don’t think the ends justify the means. It isn’t
justifiable to be “passionate” about worldly things so
that I can connect with and reach the world. We need
to honour Christ in our methods just as much as in
the goal of our methods: To reach out to the needy
in the name of Christ.
1 Corinthians 10:31 tells us that “whatever you eat
or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory
of God.” This means what it says—all our
activity, even the most basic things of life,
should bring honour to God. I don’t see
any loopholes there that allow us
to do questionable things just so
we can reach the unsaved.
Does the passage
in 1 Corinthians 9
where Paul talks about
“becoming all things
to all men so that by all
possible means I might save
some” really mean that the
ends justify the means? I don’t
think so, but maybe I am wrong.
Aren’t we supposed to be “set apart”
and look different then the world
around us?
Where do you land on this issue as you
interact with people around you? How can
we encourage our students to effectively reach
T
their peers for Christ? M
Gerald Reimer is EM Conference Youth Minister. Check out
his blog at eclipseyouthministry.blogspot.com.
THE MESSENGER April 2, 2008
13
Siberia Mennonite History Conference for 2010
The largely hidden story of Mennonites
in Siberia will be explored in a conference
slated for Spring 2010 in Novosibirsk,
Siberia, Russia. This conference will be
co-sponsored by the Russian Academy of
Science and the University of Winnipeg
(Chair in Mennonite Studies). Mennonite
historical agencies in Canada and the
United States and Mennonite aussiedler
groups in Germany will participate as
co-sponsors.
Equally important for this conference
was the Siberian Mennonite Research
Project, launched in 2001. Organized
by Paul Toews of Fresno, California, it
employed Andrej Savin of the Russian
Academy to search out documents about
Siberian Mennonites in Russian archives.
The result was the publication in 2006
of Savin’s nearly 500-page book listing
1,000 archival files.
Committed to cooperation with the
North American planning committee
are representatives of the Russian
Academy and the Aussiedler community
in Germany. Royden Loewen, holder of
the Chair in Mennonite Studies at the
University of Winnipeg, is chair of the
North American contingent.
Siberia is a profoundly important place
in Mennonite global history. It marked
a place of hope with farm settlements,
coming events
April 14–16
Refocus 2008: Leading with
Biblical Authority
Preaching and theology conference
Willingdon Church
Burnaby, B.C.
604-435-5544
www.refocuscanada.com
became a place of unspeakable sorrow
when tens of thousands of Mennonites
were exiled, and became again a place
of hope. Even in the face of communism,
Mennonites had survived as an
Anabaptist people. Many have returned
to the West, especially as Aussiedler to
Germany.
Details are forthcoming. Dr. Loewen
can be contacted at r.loewen@uwinnipeg.
ca.
SMHS
Professor Shiskin of the Russian Academy of Sciences,
researcher Andrej Savin, and U.S. Mennonite
representative Paul Toews stand at Akademgorodok,
the research institute near Novisibirsk where the 2010
conference will be hosted.
Logo Search is On!
The EMC General Board suggests it’s
time for our conference to
consider a new logo.
We invite you to
submit samples, with
a brief description of
the values and beliefs
it expresses. The logo is to
be in colour, but also useable in black
and white. The logo would be used to
identify our Conference and can be
used by churches to identify with the
EMC at a local level.
An honourarium of $250 will be
given for the logo chosen. Please
submit your logo ideas to Ruth Anne
Peters, General Board Administrative
Assistant, at emconf@mts.net; fax
204-326-1613; phone 204-326-6401.
May 8–10
Sexuality, Truth & Grace
Exodus Conference 2008
Toronto, Ont.
416-283-9797
conference.exodusglobalalliance.org
June 11–14
Believers’ Church Conference
Congregationalism, Denominationalism, and the Body of Christ
Keynote speakers: Reginald W. Bibby,
Fernando Enns, Jonathan R. Wilson
Canadian Mennonite University
Winnipeg, Man.
204-487-3300 or 877-231-4570
www.cmu.ca
14
THE MESSENGER April 2, 2008
shoulder tapping
The EMC seeks a full-time archivist for a one-year
term position at the Conference office in Steinbach,
Man.
The archivist will work with the Conference’s
archival collection, about 300 boxes of materials,
and periodicals and books. The main goal of the
year is to prepare the collection for transfer to a
suitable archival facility.
A full job description and list of qualifications
are available upon request.
The archivist is to be committed to a
personal Christian faith and work well within a
denominational office setting. Salary details are
available upon request. Interviews for the position
will continue until a suitable candidate is found.
Please contact Executive Secretary Terry Smith
at emcterry@mts.net or 204-326-6401.
Christian Fellowship Church (EMC),
located in the village of Birch River, Man., seeks
a full-time pastor to begin early in 2009. The
congregation, with an attendance of about 40
people, desires a pastor who can relate to people
from various backgrounds, preaches evangelical
truth, respects rural lifestyle and culture, and knows
the importance of a local Bible camp. Education and
experience are flexible. After a long-term pastorate,
the congregation has been served since January 2008
by an intentional interim pastor. For information or
to submit a resume and names of three references,
contact Harold Thiessen, Elders Board Chair, at
204-238-4443 or RR1, Bowsman, MB R0L 0H0.
Blumenort Evangelical Mennonite Church is
inviting application for the position of full-time
youth pastor. We are looking for someone who
has a heart for young people, with a vision to see
them grow and mature in their faith. Experience
in youth ministry and Bible college training would
be preferred. A more detailed job description is
available upon request. Please submit inquires or
resumes to Anthony Reimer, Administrative Pastor,
Box 114, Blumenort, MB R0A 0C0, 204-326-1644,
anthony.blumemc@mts.net.
Steinbach Evangelical Mennonite Church
is seeking an associate pastor to function in a fulltime capacity within a team environment together
with a lead pastor, youth pastor, and support staff.
Responsibilities and qualifications include the
following: Provide leadership in programs such as
small group ministry, congregational care, biblically
based counseling; based on gifting and skills, other
responsibilities may include preaching occasionally,
evangelism, Christian education.
The gift of administration is considered an
asset. Applicant needs to be in agreement with the
Steinbach EMC’s Statement of Faith.
Submit resumes and cover letters to Henry
Nickel, 205 Granite Park Blvd., Steinbach, MB R5G
2A9 or hcnickel@shaw.ca.
Are you an enthusiastic couple called by God
to serve in full-time ministry? Hillside Christian
Fellowship (EMC) seeks a pastor to serve in fulltime ministry with a part-time emphasis on youth.
We are a family oriented rural church located in the
heart of a farming community 20 minutes south of
La Crete, Alta. Our average attendance is about 60
people. Musical ability is an asset. Contact Johnny
Wieler at 780-928-3880 or email AVLL@siscanada.
ca.
Endeavour Fellowship Chapel in east-central
Saskatchewan, is currently looking for a pastor.
THE MESSENGER April 2, 2008
We have a fairly young congregation consisting of
18–20 families, with about 16 children in Sunday
School. Contact Tom Treen (Elders’ Chairman) at
306-547-3383 or tdpromise@sasktel.net.
Abbeydale Christian Fellowship (www.
abbeydale.org) seeks a full-time young life
pastor who is passionate about serving God while
ministering to and discipling youth and young
adults. The individual will develop a strong vision
in these areas and work with ACF volunteers in
developing and leading programs and people.
Strong organizational and communication
skills, as well as a knowledge of current youth
issues, are required. ACF is a congregation of
180-220 people seeking to disciple members and
attendees, encourage their gifts and involvement,
and to reach out to the neighbourhood and
families of church adherents. ACF is a member of
the Evangelical Mennonite Conference.
Submit resumes or inquiries to the Young Life
Search Committee, searchcommittee@abbeydale.
org or (fax) 403-273-1467; Young Life Search
Committee, Abbeydale Christian Fellowship, 1352
Abbeydale Drive, S.E., Calgary, AB T2A 7L8. Closing
date: March 17, 2008.
Leamington EMC, in southern Ontario, seeks
a full-time youth pastor to work with our junior
and senior youth groups. The church’s average
attendance is 300 people. Education and experience
are flexible, though preference is for someone with
experience or a related college diploma. Salary and
benefits info is available upon request. Must have a
passion to work with young people and work well
with others. This isn’t a new position, though it’s
currently being filled by volunteers. Contact Abe
Klassen, board chairman, at 519-816-1840 or abek@
masterconveyors.com; or Danny Dick, ministerial
chair, at 519-326-4584.
Reserve Fellowship Chapel (EMC), located in
Sioux Valley (west-central Man.), seeks a fulltime pastoral couple to serve the church and to
develop long-term relationships with people of the
community.
The smaller 50-year-old congregation is part
of Sioux Valley Dakota Nation, a community that
has a Christian history going back to 1879. The
congregation is located about 45 minutes from
Virden and Brandon.
A strong sense of God’s call and a love for people
are required. Direct inquiries to church planting
coordinator Ward Parkinson, 204-326-6401,
e-mail: emcward@mts.net.
Pelly Fellowship Chapel (EMC) seeks a youth
worker or couple to develop a program for youth and
junior youth. PFC is a small church in the village of
Pelly, located in central Sask., close to the Manitoba
border. Applicants need to have a strong personal
commitment to Jesus Christ and a sense of God’s
call on their life. He/she will need to be flexible, have
strong communication, organizational, relational
and leadership skills, as well as being self-motivated.
Music skills would be an asset. Submit resume to
Pastor John Froese, Box 70, Pelly, SK S0A 2Z0. Phone
306-595-2074. E-mail pastor@pellyfellowship.com.
Leamington EMMC seeks a full-time senior
pastor to minister to a large and growing
congregation. Located in the most southern part
of Ontario, Leamington was voted Canada’s #1
place to live in 2006 by MoneySense Magazine.
Our church has many strong committees and
programs in place, including a church council and a
vibrant Sunday School program. Our congregation
is made up of both Low German- and Englishspeaking members, and mainly consists of young
families. We feature two weekly worship services: a
modern English service and a distinct Low German
service.
This position is available for 2009. Fluency in
Low German is an asset. For more information or to
apply for this position, please contact Peter Bartsch
at pst@lemmc.com.
Steinbach Bible College invites applications for
a part-time Food Services Cook Level 3. Preferred
applicant to have commercial food preparation
experience. The position will involve: Meal
preparation, Food stock rotation and maintenance,
sanitary environment maintenance, supervision
of student workers, some evenings and weekends
required. Applicant must be in agreement and sign
the Statement of Faith and Lifestyle Statement of the
schools.
Application form and job description are
available at the SBC reception desk. Position to
begin as soon as a suitable candidate is found. Only
applicants to be interviewed will be contacted.
Submit application, resume, and cover letter
to: Steinbach Bible College, Attn: Gil Drolet, 50 PTH
12 N, Steinbach, MB R5G 1T4, Fax: 204-326-6908,
e-mail: gdrolet@scschools.ca.
Beaver Creek Bible Camp Inc. is looking for a
permanent part-time director.
BCBC is located 1.5 hrs north of Winnipeg on
the shore of Lake Winnipeg. Our camp ministers
to about 260 kids from ages 8 to 17 each summer
and we hope to see that grow. This position will
provide effective leadership and management
of Camp as a whole. Major responsibilities
include leadership, supervision, collaboration,
administration, and promotion. For details or to
forward resumes contact Eric at 204-378-2857 or
Andrew at 204-378-2413.
MCC Canada (MCCC) seeks applications for a
full-time senior policy analyst in Ottawa, Ont.
The role of senior policy analyst includes
providing expertise and assistance to the activities
of MCCC and its constituencies relating to the
government. The goal of MCCC’s involvement with
the government is to find ways in which MCCC and
its constituency can participate in the struggle for
justice within Canada.
This position is accountable to the Director of
National Programs of MCCC.
The full job description may be viewed on the
web at www.mcc.org. All MCC workers are expected
to exhibit a commitment to a personal Christian
faith and discipleship, active church membership,
and nonviolent peacemaking. For further
information contact Marsha Jones at 204-261-6381
or email: mgj@mennonitecc.ca. Applications will be
considered until April 30, 2008.
Red Rock Bible camp seeks an assistant cook.
This is a year-round ministry opportunity. Willing
to train. This person will be responsible to the Food
Services Director. Agreement with the camp’s
mission and statement of faith is necessary. Must
be service oriented, work well with people, and be a
team player. Housing, partial board, salary, medical
and dental benefits provided. Send resume to: Red
Rock Bible Camp, 204-320 Main St, Steinbach, MB
R5G 1Z1, Email: kim@redrockbiblecamp.com.
15
Whom should I love
more?
Kirsten Penner Krymusa
Author’s note: Although the suffering continues, violence in
Kenya has subsided since I wrote this piece. As ordinary daily life
sets in, questions follow me. The urgency has passed, but Kenya’s
struggles and my own remain.
I
live in Kenya. Quiet, peaceful, Kenya, which has
suddenly descended into violence and unrest in
the last few months, and which is regularly making
international headlines.
The world watches as angry men burn things and
kill each other. These images don’t begin to capture the
suffering in this country. They don’t represent the entire
picture, as people in my Nairobi neighborhood are
working, shopping, going to movies, and, like me soon,
sitting by the pool.
That sounds rather bourgeois and uncaring
considering what’s going on around us. I can imagine
if I were in North America
the horrors in
I don’t know what Jesus watching
Kenya I’d be saddened and
meant. Should I care
concerned, but detached,
there was nothing
more for the grieving and knowing
I could do. Now if I lived in
scared people in Nairobi’s Kenya, I’d muse, well then
of course I could help the
slums than for my own
suffering people.
Well, I live right here in
daughter? These needn’t
Nairobi. Although part of me
be exclusive.
would love to help, another
part would hop on the next
plane to rural Manitoba. Another part wants to go to the
pool and then take a nap.
A big part of me, first and foremost, wants to protect
and care for my family, and to heck with everyone
else—there are other people to care for them. I have a
PAGE 16
16-month-old daughter with big blue eyes and pigtails
and a perpetually scraped face because she can’t
contain her exuberance when running around. I’m six
months pregnant with a tiny baby who promises to be
hyperactive, considering the non-stop gymnastics.
Every instinct wants to focus on these two little lives,
which is why I don’t serve food to hundreds of displaced
people sleeping at a church down the road; it’s easier to
send cash and be done with it.
It’s why I’ve packed my money belt and made my
evacuation list and would leave in a heartbeat if my
family is in danger.
But then I hear other voices. My friend’s church
homily about loving people by being in solidarity with
them. Missionaries who wouldn’t leave this country
they’ve come to call home. My husband’s students,
who’ve seen violence and are desperate to help refugee
camps.
Then, there’s Jesus and his teaching about whom we
should love, whom our families really are, and how we
may need to leave our families for His work. I don’t know
what he meant. Should I care more for the grieving
and scared people in Nairobi’s slums than for my own
daughter? These needn’t be exclusive.
Whom should I love more in this crisis? Right now
it feels like I have to choose, and I want to follow the
teaching of Jesus, but I don’t know how to do that. This
is always the dilemma in following Jesus. It’s just so
T
much harder when it hits close to home. M
Kirsten Penner Krymusa, raised in the EMC, lives in Kenya.
Editor’s questions: Do you face such a dilemma? How do
you resolve it?
THE MESSENGER
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